The servants ca in carrying platters of perfectly crafted food and fresh fruit. The table quieted down while everyone ate, giving so ti to recover my composure.
Morgan kept her eyes glued to Christian, even as she ate. I found the scene so comical because it looked like she was ready to pounce across the table to eat him next.
"Christian, when do you think you’ll visit again?" she asked in a high-pitched voice.
Now that they were officially engaged, it was more appropriate for her to converse with him.
Christian gracefully placed his fork on his plate and looked at her with a small smile.
"I’m not sure; it may not be until the end of the week. I have a number of etings at the company. There are many who wish to collaborate with us," he said with a professional smile.
Morgan pouted but nodded in understanding. She knew better than to get in between a man and his work.
"Collaborate? I’m curious who would be so eager?" my mother asked nervously.
I doubt anyone is as eager as you are.
I scoffed in my mind at my parents’ questions. Could they at least try to hide their greed a little?
Christian smiled at her probing, "Yes, so of the other top families have sent representatives to et with , I believe the Lombardi family is one of them."
My father nearly slamd his glass on the table, only catching himself at the very last mont. He sat quietly, looking around the room until his eyes fell on .
A big smile blood on his face. "Leslie, I rember you asking to let you get a job a few tis in the past. I was reluctant because I was worried about your safety."
Yeah, right, you were worried that you would lose your control over .
My eyes widened as I looked at him. After finishing school, I had begged him on multiple occasions to let work. I didn’t want to rot away at ho like Morgan did, but he always firmly denied my requests, stating that’s not what ladies of the Moresi family did.
"I’ll allow you to work only if it’s at Christian’s company. I’ll feel relieved that you will be sowhere safe and in good care," he stated.
My heart was about to burst. His words caught completely off guard. Not only would he be allowing to work, but it would be at Christian’s company!
A smile blood on my face as I turned to look at Christian to see if he agreed. A small, fleeting smile appeared on his face before he resud a contemplative expression, as if he was seriously considering my father’s proposal.
My father saw his neutral expression and quickly opened his mouth to try and sway him.
"She did decently well in school, and you don’t need to give her any important job. It’s been her desire to work, take it as her having so fun. Can you show her this small favor?"
"Dad!", Morgan cried out, but he shut her up with a single look.
Christian thought about it for a few monts, then nodded, "Sure, for my future bride, I’ll find a place for her sister to work. It won’t be a problem."
"Leslie, hurry up and thank Christian! Rember, I’m only allowing this because I trust him," my father quickly said.
I quickly bowed my head. "Thank you so much for this opportunity". My words were soft and cheerful, conveying the joy I was feeling.
"Not a problem, I’ll speak to my assistant later today to find you a job. Feel free to start tomorrow if you’d like", he returned my thanks with a faint smile.
My heart was pounding. I couldn’t believe this was happening, it was like my horrible luck had finally turned around.
I was so elated that Morgan’s death stares didn’t even bother . My life was finally starting to change, and it was thanks to Christian.
-
After breakfast, Christian excused himself, saying that he had so business to attend to. The rest of us barely made it to the living room before Morgan burst out in fury.
"Dad! How can you suggest such a thing?! Now Leslie will see Christian more often than I will!" she cried out.
"SHUT UP!" he shouted, silencing her, "Don’t you see I’m doing this for you?!"
She looked at him with bloodshot eyes, tears were ready to burst out at any mont, "For ?"
"Yes! Didn’t you hear what Christian said? All of the top families are trying hard to get collaborations with him, and they all have eligible daughters!" he explained.
"But dad, Christian and I are officially engaged..." Morgan mumbled.
"Engaged doesn’t an anything! If soone like the Lombardis sends their daughter to his bed, and she gets pregnant with his child, do you think he will think twice before breaking it off with you?!"
Morgan burst into tears, shaking. "No! It can’t be! Christian loves !" she cried.
"Ha! Love is such a fickle thing, you need to be more careful! This is why I’m sending Leslie, the one person you can actually trust! She will act as your eyes and ears!" he said.
Ha. Yes, dear sister. You can trust to take care of Christian for you. I promise to make sure no other woman climbs into his bed.
Morgan froze as if she were struck by lightning before turning over to .
"Leslie! You must tell if any slut tries to approach Christian! I can’t allow anyone to sche against !" she said, shaking my arm.
"Morgan, watch your language!" my mother scolded, "And of course, Leslie will keep watch for you. Be grateful for your father’s quick thinking!"
Morgan wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded, "Thank you, Father."
She then turned to face my mother, "But mom, you don’t think that Christian will want Leslie after spending so much ti with her?"
"Preposterous! Christian hardly looks at her! He chose you! When your father proposed marriage, he agreed to marry you, not Leslie. Plus, I highly doubt they’ll even see each other at work; he’s far too busy to entertain her."
I simply stood at the side, watching this whole scene unfold. It was refreshing to hear Morgan’s jealousy co to light finally.
"Enough!" my father shouted. "Morgan, act with dignity. If Christian knew you were acting like a shrew he would leave you without looking back. This is a critical period for you; make sure you’re on your best behavior."
He turned to glance at , "Leslie is your sister. She would never do sothing that would hurt you; that’s against the tenets of our family."
Morgan nodded quietly, "I understand, Father."
After everything was settled, we all turned to retire to our rooms.
"Leslie, et in my study before you leave tomorrow. I need to speak to you", said my Father authoritatively.
"Yes, Father", I replied simply before returning to my room.
-
When I entered, I noticed the new sheets on my bed, and the sll of the perfu was mostly aired out. The hamper and broken perfu bottle were cleaned up by the maids while I was at breakfast.
There were no signs of what transpired here left, making it all seem like a dream.
I flopped down on the bed and looked at the ceiling, wishing I were looking at Christian instead.
C’mon, Leslie, don’t tell you’re falling for him. You’re both just having so fun, nothing serious.
As I continued to fight with my thoughts and feelings, I rolled over to lie on my side and noticed sothing under my pillow.
"What’s this?"
I reached under the pillow to find a small folded piece of paper and a gold chain. I noticed the chain imdiately, it was the one Christian always wore.
My heart raced as I unfolded the note.
[Don’t miss too much]
The words on the note were few, but they made blissfully happy.
How did he even manage to leave this here? Did he visit my room after he left breakfast?
I read the note dozens of tis before carefully folding it and placing it deep inside my jewelry box, the only place with a lock.
The gold chain felt heavy in my hand. I wasn’t sure what aning it had, but there was sothing romantic about it— like a token of affection.
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