Leni feigned obliviousness to his gaze and muted words, quickly donning a satisfied grin as she stepped into Susan’s outstretched arms.
“Good evening, ma’am,” she greeted in a polite tone as she embraced Susan.
As they parted from the brief hug, Susan grasped both of Leni’s clothed hands and gazed into her eyes with genuine delight.
“Good evening to you too, Sweetheart. I am thrilled to have you here. Your name is Leni, correct?”
Leni nodded eagerly, mirroring Susan’s excitement.
“You are just as beautiful as your name, Leni. And to see how stunning you look in such a ssic dress is truly remarkable. I have never seen a youngdy like yourself adorned in such timeless elegance,” Susan beamed, her eyes brimming with adoration as she observed Leni intently.
“You are also quite lovely, ma’am. I have never encountered an older woman who possesses such radiance as yourself,” Leni returned thepliment, her wordsced with genuine admiration.
Susan’s smile widened at the praise and Leni continued, “Regarding my dress, my aunt once advised me to wear something like this in order to impress my mother-inw.”
It was clear that Leni was attempting to make a favorable impression on Susan. She stole a nce at Nelson and their eyes briefly locked before Leni yfully winked at him, then turned back to a beaming Susan.
In addition to trying to win over Susan, Leni also acknowledged that Susan was indeed a stunning woman. She was dressed in a white id ankle dress,plemented by a blue Diamond ne that boasted intricate craftsmanship and superior quality.
“Is that so, dear? Does that mean you have regarded me as your mother-inw even before meeting me?” Susan couldn’t help but grin wider at the thought.
“Absolutely, ma’am. I fell in love with your son at first sight, so I wanted to make a favorable impression on you in hopes that you woulde to love me as well,” Leni eloquently confessed.
Meanwhile, from his position, Nelson rubbed his forehead as if attempting to ward off an impending headache.
“Can she please stop talking?” he mumbled.
With a warm smile, Susan took Leni by the hand and led her towards the dining hall. “There’s so much you have to share with me, Leni. But first, please tell me, how did you meet my son?”
At Susan’s inquiry, Leni’s eyes inadvertently drifted towards the entrance, catching sight of Nelson as he walked in. Dressed in a well-tailored slim fit suit, his dark hair was styled short on the sides and full on top. His chiseled cheekbones and piercing eyes gave off an aura of sophistication and strength.
Leni’s heart raced as their eyes met, and she quickly averted her gaze back to Susan, the two of them settling into seats next to each other.
“He actually saved my life just three days ago,” Leni replied with a grateful smile.
Susan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Really?”
Leni gave a single nod. “Yes. I was hit by a reckless driver and left injured on the ground, but your son came to my aid and helped me.”
Susan’s eyes widened even further, trying to make sense of Leni’s words. She wasn’t sure if she had misheard or if Leni had misspoken.
“Are you telling the truth? Did Nelson really do all that?” Susan asked, ncing at Nelson who also seemed shocked by Leni’s words.
“Nelson, is that his name?” Leni mused under her breath.
As she looked at their skeptical faces, Leni couldn’t help but feel confused. Why were they doubting her words? Even Nelson’s expression seemed to suggest she had gone too far.
Feeling at a loss for words, Leni opened her mouth to exin, but Nelson cut in.
“Mother, let’s start eating. Remember, I still have to take her back,” Nelson said diplomatically, giving his mother a small smile.
Susan understood what Nelson was trying to do, and she didn’t take offense. Returning his smile, she excused herself and left for the kitchen.
With Susan out of sight, Nelson scowled coldly at Leni. “What was that lie all about?”
“To impress your mother, of course. You said you’d uphold your end of the deal if I could win your mother’s heart,” Leni replied nonchntly.
Nelson’s nostrils red at her words; he trembled all over, leaning in closer across the table from her.
“My mother is well aware that I would never stoop to such low actions, you pping mouth. She knows how much I loathe being in the presence of your gender, let alone saving one in distress,” he seethed, the veins bulging on his face and neck with anger.
Leni felt a twinge of fear, locking eyes with his piercing ocean blues. “I-Is this not only about getting back at me? Do you truly dislike my gender that much?”
But before he could respond, Susan breezed into the room with a cheerful greeting, holding two bottomless sses.
As she took her seat, she couldn’t help but notice the tense and awkward atmosphere between Nelson and Leni.
“What’s the matter, dear?” she asked, concerncing her voice.
Nelson quickly interjected, “Nothing, mother. I was simply asking Leni if she would like to be my bride as soon as possible, as per your request.”
Under the table, Leni clenched her dress, refusing to meet Nelson’s gaze and instead focusing intently on him.
Susan smiled, almost apuding her son’s efforts. She had been nning to ask Leni the same question upon her return.
“Leni,” she spoke softly, taking Leni’s free hand in hers upon the table.
“Yes, ma’am,” Leni responded.
“Oh, enough with the ma’am, sweetheart. You should call me mom,” Susan offered with a warm smile, making her look even more radiant.
Leni immediately obliged, “Yes, Mom.”
Even though it was all a charade, it didn’t feel too difficult. And seeing the contentment spread across Susan’s face at just a single word, Leni couldn’t help but beam.
“Do you want to marry my son?” Susan asked with excitement.
Leni arched an eyebrow, muttering under her breath, “Not like I have a choice, even if I wanted to.”
“What was that, dear?” Susan inquired.
“Yes, Mom. I would be honored to marry your son,” Leni stated firmly, lifting her chin in defiance and eptance.
“Oh my,” eximed Susan as she leapt from her seat, twirling around the table. “Thank you! Thank you so much, Leni! You have no idea the gift you’ve given me today!” With fervor, she embraced Leni, the two of them entwined for a long while.
************
Lost in thought, Leni absently stared out the window into the dark, clutching the shopping bag filled with the dishes Susan had prepared for her.
She was so deep in contemtion that she didn’t even realize the car hade to a stop until a gruff voice interrupted her.
“Do you want me to kick you out?” The words snapped her back to reality.
Taking a sharp breath, Leni turned to face the man next to her. The unrelenting harshness in his eyes was impossible to miss.
“Can I ask you something?” she ventured.
Nelson scoffed, “Will you obey if I tell you not to ask?”N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.
Aggravated, Leni pursed her lips and gave him a sidelong nce before gathering her courage and meeting his gaze head-on.
“If your mother knows that you have no interest in women, why are you so desperate to find a bride?” She bit her tongue after speaking.
A long silence lingered between them, and Leni began to think she wouldn’t get an answer when Nelson finally spoke.
“I’m doing it for my mother. It’s her deepest desire, and I want to make her happy,” He spoke solemnly, his eyes fixed ahead.
Leni nodded slowly, half-expecting this response. She could see the strong love between Nelson and Susan, even in the short time she had been with them.
Clearing her throat to get Nelson’s attention, Leni began rubbing her ears, cheeks, and arms, a sign that she had something to say.
“Can you get out of my car now?” asked Nelson.
“What about my payment, sir? I made a good impression on your mother, didn’t I?” Leni asked with a slight pout, enticing her lower lip in a yful manner.
As he observed her behavior, Nelson almost couldn’t help but smile, but his reaction manifested as a huff instead.
“I deceived you twice, Leni Hernandez,” he nonchntly revealed, causing Leni’s face to flush with anger.
“From the beginning of our agreement, I made it clear that I have no debt to you,” he stated in a regal and domineering manner, staring at her with intense defiance as if daring her to argue.
Leni felt like something had grabbed hold of her heart, causing her great pain as she shot a fierce re back at Nelson. She was at a loss for words, consumed by her anger.
“And you believe what you’re doing is just? You assume I’m incapable of escaping or having you arrested for your maniption tactics?” she gritted out through clenched teeth, her jaw clenching and unclenching in fury.
A sinister smile yed on Nelson’s face as his facial muscles twitched. Abruptly, he leaned in closer to Leni, his gaze piercing into her bright emerald eyes.
“I’ll never find you, unless you manage to disappear from the face of the earth,” he cautioned with a chilling tone.