Leanna

[Accompany]

I glared at him.

"You don't have to say it like that. At least allow me to reject him properly."

I shuddered in fear when his eyes narrowed. Pupils constricted so much it became a dot. Oblivious to my body's shaking, I continued to glare at him.

After our long staring contest, he finally conceded. Sighing, he gave my phone back and started the engine without a word.

I contacted Zhander. "Hel––"

"Leanna, is what Cain said the truth?" Zhander said, tone feeble like he was so exhausted to even speak.

No fair in using that voice on me!

I hesitated, feeling conflicted.

The man beside me is someone I have feelings. On the other side of the phone is the man I didn't want to hurt since he's a really nice guy. And he's the grandson of the man who became like a family to me.

I took a deep breath.

"Zhander, I'm going out with Cain."

. . .

. . .

"Since when?"

Zhander's voice was calm, but the bitterness in them was thick that it was hard to ignore.

"Just yesterday," I answered.

. . .

. . .

"Leanna, what Cain can give you, I can also give you. Even more. I can be a better man than him," Zhander said, a little pleading.

Then his tone turned overbearing and arrogant. "I won't back down. Think about it," he said and ended the call.

I blinked.

I was supposed to stop his advances, but it backfired and edged him forward instead.

I flicked my eyes on the man beside me, meek as possible.

Cain's handsome face was still expressionless as he focused his attention on the road. But the dark sensation covering him made me think that he was going to murder someone.

----

We arrived at Central Station without uttering a word.

We were in front of the automated fare collection, and after that was the waiting platform for the train going to New Haven.

We stood there like idiots while people stared at us. I wanted to hug him, but too embarrassed because of all the people's stares, pointedly staring at Cain.

"I-I'll go now," I said.

"Mm . . . ," was his only reply.

With tiny steps and slump shoulders, I went to the machine.

On the waiting platform, the train was fast approaching. It stopped and opened its doors. I turned and waved at Cain goodbye, but instead, was surprised to find him standing behind me.

He circled his hand on my waist and guided me inside the train with him.

"C-Cain! What are you doing?!" I panicked on my seat when the train moved, waking me from the stupor.

"Accompanying you," he said like it was the most natural thing to say.

I was alarmed with his no-care attitude and looked over the window.

"Maybe you can get off at the next stop?!"

I was fidgeting when he embraced me, pulling me closer to him. He held my head and led it to his shoulder and gently stroked my hair. His other hand enveloped mine on top of my lap.

He took in deep inhales like I was the only air he breathes as his lips pressed against my hair.

"Do you honestly believe that I'll just escort you only until the station?"

I paused, then nodded.

He chuckled.

"My Leanna . . . I'll accompany you to your place in New Haven."

I tried to break away from him, but his grip only tightened, and I stopped struggling altogether when he showed no sign of letting go.

"Cain, you do know it will take you two hours from New York to New Haven on a train, right? You have meetings today."

"I've already moved it to one in the afternoon."

". . ."

". . ."

That's it?

Sensing my dissatisfaction, he explained further, "Leanna. It will only take forty minutes from New Haven to New York on a helicopter."

I sighed in surrender and didn't refuse him anymore.

"Thank you . . . ," I whispered.

"My pleasure . . . ," he whispered back.

----

[Difference]

"You're angry."

Zhander stopped playing with his teacup as his eyes swayed to his grandfather. He and his grandfather were having their breakfast in their family mansion's garden when the latter noticed that his attention was on another part of the globe.

Zhander sighed. He didn't say anything. How could he? He just got rejected by a girl for the first time.

He sighed again, massive than the last.

"Is it about Leanna?" Luke asked.

Zhander's eyebrows twitched.

"Let me guess. You got turned down."

Luke sipped his tea in a leisure manner, amused at Zhander's current state while the latter glared at him.

"Grandfather, instead of enjoying yourself with my predicament. Why don't you help me think of ways on how to advance and covet her from Cain?"

Luke froze from the surprising news before the wrinkles around his eyes softened as he smiled. "I always know that she's smart. It's a good thing that she followed my advice."

"What!?" Zhander snapped. "You'd rather support Cain than your very own grandson?!"

Zhander didn't know what to make of the situation. He was angry, frustrated, sad, and other emotions that were new to him. He was never in this kind of situation before. It was always smooth sailing for him. He had a hard time accepting the fact that Cain beat him to Leanna's heart right under his nose!

If I know this will happen, I should have forced my way into her heart, instead of taking it slow.

Luke stared at his grandson as calm as the tea in his cup. Leaning, he crossed his fingers, making himself comfortable in his chair.

"Do you know why?" he asked.

Zhander shot his grandfather a contemptuous look. "Is it because she's not good enough for me like all the women I dated in the past? You'd always complain about how they're not proper, or their family wasn't good enough, or their face wasn't beautiful enough. Even complain about their hair!" he exclaimed.

Luke held his chin, a shrewd smile on his lips. "Did I ever say that?"

"You––!"

"If Leanna is any other girl, I would give you my full support. I'll even force her to marry you."

"Then, why?" Zhander asked, browse crumpling so hard it put lines on his forehead.

Luke stared at Zhander. The intensity in his eyes made the latter uncomfortable.

"The problem is . . . ," Luke said. "Leanna is not just any other girl. I've watched and given her advice since she was twelve. You can say that she already became a granddaughter to me."

Zhander leaned and crossed his arms in surrender. "So you're saying that I'm the one who is not good enough for her?!"

Instead of answering Zhander's question, Luke continued, "Do you know what is the difference between you and Cain Fay?"

Zhander threw his grandfather a bored, impatient look. "What?"

"You see. You look at Leanna like you wanted to give her everything you have."

"And that's a bad thing?!" Zhander almost jumped from his seat in disbelief.

"No, it's not . . . , but Cain Fay is different."

Zhander snorted. "How is he different?!"

Luke stared solemnly at his grandson.

"Cain . . . he looks at Leanna like he wanted to give up everything he has just to be with her."

Zhander froze.

"See the difference?" Luke stood from his seat and walked back inside their house. "Don't mistake love for your ego."

----

A/N

The contract has been signed! ^^

So we will lock chapters on Dec 29 starting from Book 2 since I'm going to be gone from 30 to new year.

Don't worry though, I'll have chapters on schedule updates everyday ^^

If you like the novel smashed that vote button. We'll publish extra chapter for every 100PS

Give Gifts too for extra chapters. Every 50GT two extra chapters ^^

Happy New Year Everyone! ^^