Rena, noticing the generous pours, cautioned, âItâs just an ordinary day.
Go easy on the drink.
â
As Waylen filled a glass for Leonel too, he playfully retorted to his wife, âWho says itâs not special? Maybe I did find myself another woman.
â
Rena filled Waylenâs cup herself.
âThen you really should drink up,â she retorted.
Waylen, his face flushing, turned to his children.
âSee how your mother fusses over me? Sheâs always keeping an eye on me.
Thatâs what itâs like being married to a successful man,â he joked.
As Rena served him food, she playfully shushed him.
Waylen was eager to share a drink with Leonel.
âYouâve been abroad for so long, probably used to beers or something.
I wonder how youâll handle this Liquor,â he challenged.
Leonel responded by taking a small sip.
âImpressive.
You can really handle your drink,â Waylen remarked, finishing his own in a single gulp.
The fiery drink warmed him from the inside.
He fondly recalled the day Leonel first entered their lives.
Though not his biological son, Waylen had put as much effort and emotion into raising him as any of his children, even going the extra mile to cultivate him to fit into the business world.
And Leonel had proved himself capable.
Despite Renaâs gentle protests, Waylen continued to drink, declaring, âIâm in a good mood today!â
They almost finished a whole bottle, and Waylen ended up quite drunk.
Rena helped him upstairs, instructing the kids, âBring his coat up.
His phoneâs in the pocket.
We donât want your Grandpa to find him this drunk.
â
Alexis stood up to get the coat, but Leonel stopped her, saying with a light tone, âLet me do it.
You should eat more.
â
He gave her a slightly reproachful look, noting she had been more focused on the spectacle than her meal.
Alexis didnât push the matter.
Leonel walked over to the couch, grabbed Waylenâs coat, and as he was about to go upstairs, he saw a neatly folded paper slip from the pocket.
Intrigued, he picked it up and glanced at it.
Moments later, he raised his head, his eyes reflecting deep thought as he gazed upstairs.
Elva hurried over.
âLeonel, what are you looking at?â
He hid the paper and gave a slight smile.
âItâs nothing!â