Chapter 657
Standing Before Love
On the way back to the Langston Residenceâ, Heather did not utter a word. Looking at her, Matthias guessed that she might still be thinking about the cross necklace. There were times where he wanted to talk to her, but he eventually gave up.
Even until she exited the car, he had no intention of talking to her as he was in a dilemma. Recalling how she had been acting abnormally for the past few days, he finally had something figured out. As much as many things could be left aside for the time being, but once they were brought up, everything would completely change.
âHeather,â Matthias reluctantly called out to her.
Upon hearing his voice, she turned around and with a faint smile on her face, she replied, âIâm heading back. Donât miss me too much.â Just by a glance at Matthiasâ face, Heather knew what was on his mind.
After thinking about it for a moment, he stepped forward and stared at her unblinkingly. Knowing him well enough, she had already guessed his next move.
She immediately stretched out with her hand and stopped him. âNo, donât do that.â It was better for them to stay low profile in front of her house.
At the same time, Matthias had expected that she would react in this way, so he did not push his luck any further. âHave a good night then,â he responded awkwardly.
While nodding at him, Heather answered, âYou too.â
The atmosphere between them suddenly became weird as both of them were at a loss for words. After looking at each other for a long time, they turned around without saying another word.
Then, as Heather walked toward her house step by step, Matthias entered his car and looked at her back for a long time. Instantly, he felt that she was so far away from him and it left his heart feeling empty.
By the time she turned around, he had already left. With her lips slightly curled, she felt that many things would change after they went their separate ways today.
âMatthias, no matter what happens after this, donât blame me,â Heather muttered under her breath as she had already thought some things through.
After she returned to her bedroom, she sent a message to Leon, âI accept your proposal.â
As soon as he read her message, he was beyond excited. Although he had already expected that she would say yes, he still couldnât suppress the overwhelming joy within him when he saw her reply.
âDonât let anyone know about this,â Leon replied to Heather; it was mainly because he didnât want Matthias to know the inside story.
âOkay.â Heather didnât know whether she had made the right decision. Since she had already accepted Leonâs proposal, she was ready to embrace what was about to come.
She couldnât imagine how Matthias would react when he learned about this. It was like she was playing with fire. The moment news of her relationship with Leon appeared in tomorrowâs papers, many people would definitely sneer at her.
The next day, she woke up early in the morning and saw Robert at the dining table with a newspaper. It seemed that she was in the newspaper again. As she was extremely familiar with his behavior, she laughed at herself while glancing in his direction.
A second later, she took the initiative to speak, âGrandpa, whatâs so nice about those titbits?â
Upon hearing her words, Robert put down his newspaper as his eyes were filled with coldness.
Heather knew that she had once again forgotten about his previous warning. Indeed, she shouldnât have been so close to Matthias after everything that had happened.
âI hope you know your place.â Robert made sure his every word was loud and clear enough for her to hear him.
At the same time, the other people at the table looked at them in confusion as they lost track of what was being said. She casually flashed a faint smile at them.
âIâm hungry. Letâs eat.â After seeing that no one was digging in, Heather took the initiative to do so.
Not wanting to refute her in front of everyone, Robert handed the newspaper to the housekeeper, âTake it away.â He knew that everyone else was curious about the contents of the newspaper.
Without the need to read the newspaper, she already knew how the report was being written. She was intimate with Matthias last night, so there was no doubt that she would be on the headlines today.
After breakfast, she immediately left the Langston Residence, not allowing Robert to call her to the study room for a talk. She had heard enough of his great principles. She didnât want to argue with him, nor did she want to waste her time talking to him in the study room because, after all, she had no intention of changing her decision at all.
The reason why Heather left the house early in the morning was to meet Leon. She still had a lot to discuss with him, yet there wasnât much time left for them.
After an hourâs worth of driving, she finally arrived at his villa. Before she had the chance to knock on the door, he had already opened it from inside.
Upon seeing her puzzled expression, he smiled as he asked, âAre you surprised? My reaction is so fast that even I am taken aback.â
Not in the mood to listen to Leonâs gag, Heather pushed him aside and went straight into the villa.
Walking behind her, he looked at her back with dissatisfaction as he wondered when she would be a gentle lady.
âHeather, youâre gradually losing your comical side,â Leon noted as he chased after her.
âIâm in a terrible mood right now. How do you expect me to have fun?â An annoyed Heather snapped.
Upon hearing her words, Leon gave her a bitter look because it was rare to see her being this honest.
He asked tentatively, âHeather, did something happen to you?â
Yet, she didnât bother to listen to his nonsense as she replied coldly, âLetâs cut to the chase.â
He initially wanted to have another few words with her. It was just that he didnât expect her to be so impatient. Therefore, with no choice, he was forced to delve into the main topic of their meeting âHeather, do you know that my family dinner will be the night after tomorrow? So, we donât have much time left. We must get ourselves tangled up with some topics today,â he said with a solemn expression.
On the other hand, Heather looked for a seat and sat down before she asked, âWhich banquet?â It was an important question.
âThe one in Bradfort City. I donât know what is in that old manâs mind. He suddenly came over to the city,â Leon responded with a troubled voice. He had always been hiding from his grandfather, yet he didnât expect Dave to make the trip to the city.
Her expression immediately changed as she felt that there must be a complicated reason behind this.
âIs your grandfather coming to Bradfort City in person?â She remembered that he had once mentioned that his grandfather was not in good health, so for him to travel so far to the city was indeed a strange decision.
âYeah, I even have a feeling that he isnât coming for me this time.â Somehow, everything was extremely strange this time. Even though Dave was here in the city, he didnât send anyone over to capture Leon and instead allowed the latter his freedom.
Although the old man had made a weird request, it was still an acceptable one. He even gave Leon a long time to finish his work and that in itself was merciful enough.
âMaybe youâre indeed not the reason why he came.â Heather suddenly thought of the mysterious power in Bradfort City. Well, fantastic! Now that the international forces were involved, she didnât know what to feel about it.
Leon glanced at her with a strange feeling because it seemed that she knew something about it. With squinted eyes, he had a feeling that she did not tell him the truth. âHeather, weâre on the same boat right now. We have to be honest with each other,â he hinted.
âDonât you think that there have been too many forces coming to Bradfort City recently? And surprisingly, everything is still as peaceful as it is? Donât you feel that itâs somehow similar to the calm before the storm?â Heather exaggerated the atmosphere as she replied.
With his hand grabbing his chin, he gave it a thought. âNow that you mentioned it, it really does have that feeling.â How could he not have thought about it before this? Now, he was afraid just by the thought of it.
âWhat are we going to do now? What you mean to say is that even my family is involved in this?â
Thinking about the possibility of the storm happening, Leon could feel chills being sent down his spine.
What was the reason behind this? What conspiracy were they planning by squeezing a bunch of forces into the city?
âJust sit back and donât do anything,â Heather answered helplessly. Since they didnât even know the inside story, what else could they do?
âHeather, whatâs your plan now?â he asked dejectedly. All he wanted was to live a happy life, but why did he feel so restricted at this time?
Rising from the couch, she looked at him and responded condescendingly, âThe first thing you need to do now is to change your way of addressing me.â
After listening to her words, Leon was confused. To him, calling her by the name âHeatherâ was good enough. So, he shook his head and answered, âNo way, Iâm used to addressing you like that. Thereâs no way I can change that!â
An annoyed Heather glared at him with anger. âWould you call your girlfriend by her name?â
As soon as he heard the term âgirlfriend,â he flashed a strange smile. âThis⦠Thatâ¦â He was getting so excited that he didnât know how to respond to her at all.
âLet me tell you beforehand. I donât like people calling me Hat. Other than that name, you can call me anything.â Even Matthias had not called her âHatâ, so she didnât want Leon to have such privilege.
âBaby Hatt?â Leon asked tentatively.
Heatherâs death glare had him changing his answer again a second later, âHaty?â
âHmm?â Her voice was filled with threat.
âI canât call you Heather either, right?â he responded in distress since he still felt that his initial nickname for her was the best!
Glancing at him coldly, Heather wondered why his thinking was so restrained at this time!
âThen, how should I address you?â he said with dissatisfaction. She had been rejecting all his ideas while giving him a look of disgust.
âMy English name. Have you forgotten about that?â Heather reminded him. In fact, she had almost forgotten about her English name as well. Ever since she returned to the country, she had never used it.
Upon hearing that, Leon smiled as he had almost forgotten about it. With a smile tugging at his face, he shouted, âEmily!â It seemed that it had been a long time since someone called her by this name, which made her feel extremely nostalgic.
âLeon,â she replied.
âNow, letâs learn to be a couple.â As she said those words, she held him by the arm. Since they were attending the family dinner together, of course, she had to act as gently as she could.
However, he was completely stiff while he stood on the spot. Pushing Leon in disgust with her elbow, Heather asked, âWhy is your body so stiff? Can you cooperate with me?â
An awkward Leon replied, âHeather, no, Iâm not used to it.â Then, he pushed her aside. This was clearly what he initially longed for, but now that his wish was realized, he didnât know what to do.
âLeon, we donât have much time to waste. Please be more serious.â She didnât notice his abnormality at all and she thought that he was pulling her leg.
While shrugging his shoulders, he looked just like a pervert. âHeather, I canât stand being intimate with you. I feel so guilty like Iâm a bad guy forcing you to do something inappropriate.â He shook his head and his arms were flying around as he talked to her.
Heather immediately rolled her eyes at Leon because she didnât know what he was talking about. A bad guy forcing me to do something inappropriate? That was funny!
âClear those evil thoughts in your mind. Remember this: weâre now a couple.â She grabbed his shoulders and forced him to look at her. âLook into my eyes. Weâre deeply in love, okay?â This time, she was not only saying it to Leon, but she was also trying to hypnotize herself.