Chapter 19: Liam & Lee

LEE ROMANO HAS A SON?!I can't believe this. Oh, maybe not.But still...Couldn't he have just said he has a son?!Or maybe he was about to tell me that.Stop making excuses Liana!As I was still in my thoughts, I felt a small hand tightly hold the side of my long dress.It was the little boy.He can't be annoying like his dad, right?I bent down to meet his gaze.Me: Hi.Boy: Hello.Me: Are you from school?Boy: School?Of course school!Boy: I am from handling business.Me: For a young man like yourself, that's commendable.Boy: You got it right. Now who are you?Is this boy interrogating me?Me: I am---Lee: Liana. She is my fiancée.Boy walked up to Lee and looked at him.Boy: You didn't tell me about her!Lee: I am sorry. We were busy and I forgot to tell you.Lee bent down as the little boy wanted to whisper to him about something.As known, a child's whisper can be heard from afar.Boy: (whispering) Daddy, she smells like cupcakes.Like a cupcake? Should I take that as a compliment?Me: You don't like cupcakes?Lee: He means that you smell good... just in his own way.Me: Oh, that's a relief.Lee picked him up once more and walked up to me.Me: I am Liana. What is your name?I pulled my hand for a handshake.Boy: My name is Liam Romano.He shook my hand.His little hands are cute and small, just like when Ziana was at his age.Me: (smiling) Nice to meet you, Liam.Liam: Same.He really is a small talker for his age.Lee: I will take him to his room and I will be right back.Me: Sure.Lee walked away. I just arrived here today and so many things have taken place.I heard a young woman come up to me.Woman: Miss, would you care for something to drink?They had staff? Oh right, it is the Romanos, of course...Me: No thank you, I am okay.She walked away. I pulled out a fruit candy. They always gave me energy.As I was about to add it into my mouth...Lee ate it from my hand.I glared at him.Me: That was my last one, Lee. The last candy I took from home.Lee: So?Me: So you ate it!Lee: Why?Me: I needed some energy which has now dropped to a -100.Lee: Liana, stop fussing over little things.Little things... is he kidding me?!Me: Lee, I am trying to control myself you know?Lee sat closer to me.Lee: You are a Romano now.Me: Yet to be.Lee: Look, as much as you were living the simple life, try to adjust to the life of luxury for a while, you know? Here, we don't run dry on anything.Me: It will take me forever to adjust, and yeah – is your villa going to give me---I then saw the same lady come with boxes of candy... my favorite fruit candy!Does he like these kinds of candy too?Can't be... it could be because of Liam.Me: You... have boxes of them?Lee: I told you, in here, we never run out of anything.I elbowed him in the arm.Me: No wonder I am always out of luck in finding them in the shops! You are buying in bulk!Lee: I like them.Me: You do?Lee: Li, who do you think I am?Me: A 25-year-old who is a workaholic?Lee gave me a huge unopened packet of fruit candy. It was my favorite flavor – grape.I looked at him skeptically.Me: How did you know this is my favorite flavor?Lee: I didn't know. But now that you have mentioned it, I will keep it in my records.Me: Records for what?Lee ignored my question.Me: Come on! You can't keep on ignoring some of my questions!Lee: You had one?Me: Never mind.Lee: Come on, tell me.Me: Liam.Lee: What about him?Me: He looks just like you.Lee looked at me shocked.Me: What?Lee: You are a funny girl.Me: And you are a confusing boy.He wants to tell me something but doesn't want to tell me at the same time.Time will tell I guess.But isn't he supposed to tell me first? Maybe it's the early stages... trust needs to be built.I started yawning.Lee looked at the time on his watch.Lee: It's only lunchtime. Do you want something to eat?Me: No thanks, I am good. I will just hit the pillow for a nap.Liam: You don't want lunch?!Liam came out of his room running down the stairs.Me: Is he not scared of tripping?Lee: He trusts himself.Me: That's... nice.Liam: Liana, you are going to miss out!Me: On what Liam?Liam: Lunch! We never eat cooked meals when grandpa is away, we eat---Lee closed his mouth.Suddenly my sleep went away.Let me tease them a bit.Me: (gasps) Lee Romano!I walked up to him, smirking.Me: You don't say you eat fast food when Grandpa is away! Naughty little son, right Liam?Liam: Yeah Liana! But I still like it though. It's tiring always eating cooked meals all the time.I closed my mouth. I would feel offended if a child said that about my meals!Liam: No offense though, but I will always side with Dad.Lee smirked at me.Lee: 0 points for klutz girl. 1 point for the rich kid.I felt my face heating up.Am I... enjoying this?Me: Yeah, yeah, like father, like son that's for sure.I followed behind Lee and Liam.He is different when around Liam like he is happy and content.Would he be the same around me... when it's just the two of us?Lee: Well, now that the secret is out thanks to Liam...Liam: But Dad! You said Liana is your fiancée, meaning that she will soon become your wife!My lips carved a smile.That was sweet of Liam, when last did I spend time with little ones?Too sad it is going to end once he takes full shares of his dad's company.And I will be going back to my work.But let me not think too much about it.Lee: What would like to eat Li?I didn't even hear when Lee and Liam called out my name.Liam: Liana!Me: Oh sorry! What were you guys saying?Lee: We were asking---Liam: What would you like to eat?Lee: Liam. Don't speak on top of me.Liam: You were too slow to ask.Are they squabbling about me?Me: It's okay boys. Thank you for caring about me.I looked at Lee his face away, while Liam was beaming.Liam: You are welcome. Now what do you want to eat?Me: Um... I will go with a chicken mayo pizza.Lee: Okay, and I know it's the same for you too Liam. I will be right back.Lee stood up to order.Liam came and sat next to me on the couch.Liam: (gasps) You like chicken mayo pizza?!Me: Yeah! It's just the best!Liam: And chocolate donuts?Me: I haven't tried those yet. I like them glazed.Liam: Lee should buy them for you. They are yummy!Me: I really should ask him. (whispers) When can I ask him?Liam: (whispers) Today?Me: (whispers) Will he agree?Liam: (whispers) Of course! He likes it when money is spent.I smile.Is this what Lee wanted? A happy family life where they can enjoy money and life to the full?I wonder what happened between Liam's mom and Lee...Lee came back.Liam and I looked at each other.Me: You know, Lee?Lee: Yeah?Me: It would be so nice if we could have some sweet treats on the side.Lee brought his face closer.Can we do this in front of Liam?Lee: You mean buying glazed and chocolate donuts? Already done.Is Lee enjoying this? I have to do it because of Liam...Before my face could turn pink, I looked at Liam.Me: You didn't say it Lee is good at telepathy!Liam: I got you two!Lee and I looked at each other.Liam: I wanted you two to get closer!Liam laughed. His cute little voice made me laugh along.Me: You got us there! Smart Liam.Lee: I never taught you to be a matchmaker.Liam: Yes you---Lee walked towards Liam, tingling him.Liam: (laughing) I'm joking, you never taught me!Lee: Good.Lee stopped.Liam was a really happy child. Lee was a happy man.And I... was still trying to fit myself in – thanks to Liam.Maybe taking the role of a Mom of one isn't bad.10 MINUTES LATERWe were all seated on the couch watching Liam's favorite show and I found myself laughing while seated next to Lee who kept staring at me.Me: What?Lee: What?Me: You have been staring at me for the past 10 minutes. Is there something wrong with me?Lee: No, it's just... you look very beautiful when you laugh.My heart skipped a beat.I think Lee is intoxicated.Me: Lee, you okay?Lee: Yeah. You must think I am drunk right?Me: You surely are reading minds today.Lee: I meant what I said.Me: (shy) Thanks, and also... thanks for the meals.I smiled at him, to which I thought I swore I wouldn't.Me: (smiling) I didn't think I would enjoy myself this much.We locked eyes with each other before looking back at the TV.Enjoying a bit of luxury can't be bad right?