Chapter 357
After their meal, Larissa dropped Leanne off at the entrance of Golden Grove Manors.
She hurried to catch her evening flight back to the film set, having squeezed the visit into her tight schedule to see her.
As Leanne was about to wave goodbye and head inside, she noticed a sleek black Rolls-Royce parked under the magnolia tree.
Jake stood beside the car, giving her a respectful bow from a distance.
Thinking Curtis had come to pick her up, her steps quickened.
Curtis emerged from the car, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing a hint of chest, his gray trousers highlighting his long legs. Even the shadows of the night seemed to favor him, casting a dappled pattern that dressed him in a casual, flirtatious air.
So, it wasn’t her fault for being swept away last night, right?
He had started flirting with her first.
As Leanne approached, she blurted out without thinking. “What are you doing here trying to tempt me again? I’m not going to a hotel with you today.”
Curtis paused, his hand resting on the car door, but quickly, a smirk appeared as he gestured toward the car. “No need for a hotel. Say hello to your mother-in-law first.”
Leanne followed his gaze and saw Jennifer sitting inside the car.
She stiffened, her cheeks flushing as she greeted in a restrained manner. “Hi, Jennifer. What brings you here?”
It was polite but awkward.
Jennifer responded calmly, “I haven’t seen you in over a month, and since Curtis was coming to see you, I thought I’d tag along.”
Leanne muttered an “Oh,” feeling embarrassed, and pinched Curtis on the arm.
Why hadn’t he warned her?
“I’ve never been here before. How are you finding living on your own after moving out?” Jennifer inquired.
“I’m used to it,” Leanne replied.
Curtis stood by, enjoying the scene unfold without offering any clarifications.
Jennifer finally suggested, “Why don’t you show me around?”
Confused, Leanne led her upstairs.
While in the elevator, Curtis casually grabbed the velvet jewelry box from Leanne’s hand
and opened it.
Inside were a pair of emerald earrings framed with diamonds, simple yet elegant.
They were a gift from Larissa, who was filming in the mountainous regions and hadn’t got her expensive jewelry. The earrings were a cherished item she had held onto for years.
“Did your idol give you these?”
“Yes.”
Jennifer checked out the earrings. “The quality’s top-notch, even if they’re kinda small. I dig their dainty vibe.” She added, “You like emeralds, don’t you? I have better ones at home. You should come to pick some later.”
Leanne assumed the earrings didn’t impress Jennifer, who had seen far rarer treasures, and she shook her head. “That’s kind of you, but we can’t wear conspicuous jewelry at work.”
Jennifer dropped the subject.
Leaning against the elevator wall, Curtis grinned. “Your mother-in-law wants to give you a. gift, too. Can’t you tell?”
Leanne glanced at Jennifer in surprise, catching a stern look from her.
The awkward atmosphere continued to Leanne’s apartment.
Jennifer settled into the living room, her gaze sweeping the modest, vintage-style déco Everything from the ceramic vase on the dining table to the floral prints on the walls a the folding doors that led to the balcony radiated a clean, cozy charm.
A cat stretched lazily and jumped down from a cabinet, cautiously observing the
newcomer.
“Is this the cat you mentioned?”
Leanne made her a cup of coffee. “It’s a stray rescued. Its adopter returned it, so I kept it.”
“Curtis is allergic to cats,” Jennifer began, then stopped, realizing it sounded like she was complaining.
Curtis beckoned the cat, which skillfully jumped onto the arm of the sofa beside him. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
He tapped the cat’s head like a father instructing a child. “Kitten, meet this lady. She’s my mom, which makes her your grandma.”