Chapter 21: Confused Lee

5:00 P.M

DINNER TIME

My heart was pounding. The Rodriguezs are always fearless but I am panicking.

"Lee, it's 5. Where's your Dad?" I asked, clutching my hands together.

"Don't worry, he is a nice man, he will be here soon," Lee replied.

A few minutes later, Mr Lawrence came through the door. 

"Ah, were you all waiting for me?" he said, the butler taking his briefcase while he came to sit across us at the dining table.

"Yes, Grandpa!" Liam exclaimed.

"Let's go," he said.

"Where?" Lee and I asked.

"What do you mean where? We are eating out tonight!" Mr. Lawrence said.

"I want the world to see how proud I am of my son!" he said.

I smiled while Lee glared at me.

"What?" I mimicked.

"Stop smiling," Lee mimicked back.

I elbowed him and followed him behind Liam. We went into the limo and off we went.

"Liana," Lee's dad said.

"Y-Yes sir?" I said, stammering over my words.

"Please don't feel formal around me - you are my daughter-in-law, so you are my daughter just as Lee is my son. Please call me Dad, okay?" he asked.

"Yes Dad," I said. 

"There we go!" Dad said.

It will take me a while to get used to calling him Dad...

5:31 P.M

LA ROMANO RESTAURANT

I stood in front of the restaurant's entrance. 

"You guys... own this restaurant?" I asked Lee.

"Yeah," Lee replied. "Stop gazing too hard."

Lee walked away.

"Is your father always like this?" I asked Liam as he was standing next to me.

"No," Liam replied. "Let's go inside, you should try their desserts."

Together Liam and I went inside. The interior was so surreal, it felt more like a movie than reality. I always heard nice things about the place but I didn't care less about it. Everyone was dressed fancy - totally for the rich.

I didn't see Lee standing in front of me.

"Hey Liana," Lee said.

"Oh, sorry. It's all very new to me," I said.

He took my hand in his.

"You don't have to pretend, walking hand in hand was just enough," I said, trying to yank my hand free.

"But this is part of the contract sweetheart," Lee said.

"Speaking of contract, why didn't you tell me that going out would be part of the plan!" I exclaimed in a low voice.

"Do I look like I read minds?" Lee asked. "I didn't know."

"Yeah, and I believe you," I said. "Who doesn't know what their dads are up to?"

"Me," Lee said. "Dad never tells me his every plan."

My heart sank a bit. My dad always told me everything. But I mean he is a big man. He can handle it.

"Sorry," I said. "I will keep quiet now."

"You surely talk a lot for someone your age," Lee said.

"Watch your mouth Lee Romano!" I whispered.

"Oh, what are you going to do?" Lee asked.

"I will show you what silence means," I said.

"Is dad fighting with mom?" Liam asked.

Mom?!

"Not at all Liam, Dad is just teasing Mom," Lee said.

"Liam, who did you call Mom?" I asked.

"You," Liam said. "I like you Liana and I hope Daddy treats you well,"

"Liam!" Lee whispered. "Who said I don't treat Mom well?" Lee asked.

"She felt like you don't," Liam said.

"No, I didn't!" I whispered. "When did I say that?" I asked.

"You asked me, "Is your Dad always like this?" Liam said.

Kids are brutally honest...

"Well yes, your Dad was acting---"

"Grumpy?" Lee asked. "Sorry dear, I will try to change that."

Lee extended his hand out to me and I took it - it was for the act.

"As if," I sarcastically said.

"You don't trust me?" Lee asked.

Lee gave me a peck on the cheek. I felt chills run down my spine.

I never knew Lee would be this good at acting.

"Aw!" Everyone in the restaurant exclaimed. Lee's Dad was just beaming.

I laughed and kissed Lee on the cheek.

Lee froze. I blew it.

We got dragged by Liam and together we went to eat on the rooftop. We were the only ones there.

"Wow!" I exclaimed.

Dad was with Liam while Lee stood next to me quietly as I was admiring the view.

"It's stunning," I said, expecting no response from Lee.

"You are right," Lee said.

I looked at him.

"Lee, about the kiss, I am sorry you felt uncomfortable," I said.

"Let's go eat," Lee said, completely ignoring my apology.

Is this man even serious?!

I sighed and went to join them. We enjoyed the meals, which all seemed to be mostly my favorites. I looked at Dad, Lee, and Liam. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I guess it was just a coincidence to love the same meals. I always heard their restaurant had the best meals, and I had some meals l liked myself as Dad would bring us here once every year for their wedding anniversary.

We all finished our meals and afterward, talked for a while.

"Liana, tell me about where you used to work," Dad said.

"I worked in South Cybric's National Cybersecurity Company," I said.

"That's great," Dad said. "You must be good with hacking and other things."

"Yes, Dad," I said.

"So what were your working hours?" he asked.

Everything being out to past tense sounded weird - as if I no longer work there.

"I got promoted, so my working hours were 8 to 2," I said.

"Congrats," he said. "Your parents must have been proud."

"They were," I said.

Dad stood up and approached the lift.

"Let me take care of some things, I will meet you guys in the car," he said.

"Okay Dad," Lee and I said.

"Dad, can you please go with Liam?" Lee asked. 

"Okay," Dad replied. "Let's go, Liam."

"Okay Grandpa," Liam said, running.

It was only the two of us on the rooftop.

"Liana, I know you said you want me to pretend we are in love in public, but I have boundaries - kissing is a no, okay?" Lee said.

I nodded.

"Next time, Romano, avoid flirting with a woman you have no romantic feelings for, okay?" I said. "Pecks will just work fine."

"It's a deal then," Lee said, extending his hand to me in a handshake.

"It's a deal," I said, taking his hand in for a handshake.

I took my bag and started walking to the lift.

"I am sorry," Lee said.

I stopped in my tracks.

"What for?" I asked.

"For the way I spoke to you," he said.

"That's okay - I mean I made you feel uncomfortable," I said.

Lee took his blazer and stood in front of me.

"Liana, I have seen you always tend to hide your feelings," Lee said. "I will wait until you speak up."

"Lee noticed that too?" I asked myself.

"I am unable to voice my opinion without tearing up so I prefer not to speak," I said, opening up.

"Same," Lee muttered.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," Lee said. "Let's go before those two worry about us."

I laughed.

"I wish I could speak casually about my family like you," I said without thinking twice.

Lee took my hand.

"You will if you do one thing," Lee said.

The lift opened and we both entered.

"Like what?" I asked.

He whispered in my ear.

"If you stay with me a little bit longer."