“Sarah, please put the gift bag back,” Leilani asks.
Sarah nods her head and tries to grab the pink bag. As soon as her hand gets close, Lucky snarls and tries to bite her.
“Lucky! Listen to me,” Leilani commands.
Leilani arranges her face into a stern, angry expression. Lucky looks grieved, but she continues to clumsily push the bag toward Leilani with his claws.
“I said it’s impolite to take other people’s things without permission!” Leilani chastises.
Lucky whimpers and pushes the bag with his snout.
“Mrs. Bamford, just open it,” Sarah suggests, “I’ll put it back after you see it, but Lucky is quite upset.”
Leilani hesitates—Sarah is right, the dog does look pathetically sad. Finally, she bends over and picks up the bag. She reaches inside and pulls out a small velvet box with a bow. A few words have been written on the lid of the box: “If you fall in love with me, I will be with you for life.”
The words are handwritten and the handwriting is strong and distinct. Leilani immediately recognizes it as Waylen’s. Leilani examines the box and wonders what it is and who it’s for.
Based on the color of the package and romantic message, it seems intended for a woman. She wonders which woman, feeling her breathing and heartbeat slow painfully as she considers the options.
Sarah looks even more nervous than Leilani. She saw Waylen Bamford carrying the gift bag carefully as if he was holding some rare treasure in his hands, but it’s been a long time since she saw it. It seems odd that he hasn’t given it to anyone yet.
“Mrs. Bamford, open it up!” Sarah urges, “I imagine Mr. Bamford intended to give it to you.”
Leilani gently touches the pink bow on the box and wonders if she should open it or not. She is of two minds about opening it—both curious and terrified.
Lucky cries out, and rubs his head against the back of Leilani’s hand. The fur makes her skin itch and she smiles in spite of herself.
“Alright, I’ll open it,” she stays to the dog, “Just stay away from me.”
Carefully she lifts the box, hoping to keep Lucky’s fur off the delicate velvet. She opens the box and instantly pink light dazzles her.
“Wow, it’s a ring!” Sarah exclaims.
Sarah can’t help but marvel at it; she has never seen such a big diamond before. Lucky leaps in the air and scratches the carpet with his sharp claws to express his excitement. Leilani purses her lips in confusion.
“What is Leonie’s ring doing in this box?” Leilani wonders, “Did she return it? Are there two identical rings? If there are two rings and one is for Leonie, who is the second for? Could it be for Diana’s?”
Leilani rereads the message inscribed on the lid of the box and feels a sinking feeling in her stomach. It’s obvious that Waylen wants to express his unwavering love for the recipient.
“Mrs. Bamford, try it on,” Sarah urges.
She thinks that the ring is a perfect match for Leilani. Rationally, she has her doubts about the ring, and she knows she shouldn’t be encouraging Leilani to wear something that might not have been meant for her. Somehow, the ring looks as if it just needs to be on the ring finger of her left hand. Hesitantly, Leilani slides the ring onto her finger. It sparkles on her hand. It seems to be made for her.
“It’s so beautiful, it really suits you!” Sarah says, “Mr. Bamford must want to give it to you.”
Leilani sighs and looks at the ring refracting light on her finger. She has to admit that it is quite beautiful—if only Leonie didn’t have the same ring. Leilani smooths her dress and straightened her shoulders. She places the velvet box back into the gift bag, but keeps the ring on her finger.
The sun shines on the grass, and the breeze blows gently making the pink balloons flutter and sway. A caravan of luxurious cars arrive at the estate’s gates, creating a spectacular scene. The guests step out of their cars dressed in their finest suits and gowns, and strut towards the house as if they’re on the red carpet. Each guest carries an ornately wrapped box or bag, and they all deposit them on a large table in the yard.
The long dining table on the lawn practically groans under the weight of all the food and drink. A small stage sits next to the house, decorated with large photos of Leonie. Pink balloons and bouquets adorn everything. Every detail seems to indicate that the Bamford family favors Leonie.
“Leonie, come here,” Mrs. Florence Bamford calls, “This is Mrs. Powell from the Powell Group.”
Mrs. Bamford introduces Leonie to the influential and famous people around her. The guests smile politely as Mrs. Florence Bamford flatters and praises Leonie, and then they follow her lead.
“Miss Summers you’re even more beautiful and graceful in person,” Mrs. Powell says, “It’s no wonder so many famous people admire you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Powell,” Leonie says with a charming smile, “It’s too kind of you.”
“We all look forward to hearing the good news about you and Waylen,” Mrs. Powell said with a knowing smile.
Leonie shyly lowers her head, “Waylen and I are just best friends.”
“Well, we all know that Waylen and Leilani are going to get divorced,” Mrs. Powell says, “I just want you to know that we’re all on your side.”
“Cheers, Mrs. Powell,” Leonie says sweetly.
They clink glasses. The pink diamond ring on Leonie’s finger sparkles in the sunlight. The ring dazzles a group of young women and they approach Leonie with bright smiles.
“Happy birthday, Leonie,” they chorus.
“Thank you,” Leonie replies.
“You look beautiful today,” Lisa says without taking her eyes off the ring, “It’s a beautiful ring. I heard that Mr. Bamford bought it for 200 million dollars. He is so affectionate to you.”
Eavesdropping guests gasp at Lisa’s statement and draw closer to the group.
“Really? Wow, 200 million dollars,” they whisper, “Mr. Bamford is so generous.”
Leonie seems to glow with all the attention. She raises her hand to show off the ring.
“Why isn’t Leilani here today?” someone asks, “I’ve heard that it’s her birthday, too.”
“Oh, she’s not feeling well today,” Leonie says, “She’s resting in her room.”
“She must be too embarrassed to attend the party,” another guest says maliciously, “The Bamford family can hardly wait to kick her out.”
“If I were her, I would be so embarrassed to still live in the Bamford’s house,” whispers a guest to her friend, “It’s shameless, really.”
Leonie listens carefully to the gossip and wishes they would say more. Before she can say anything to encourage them, she sees a red figure standing near the gate. The woman walks gracefully and smiles warmly at the guests around her. Leonie stops talking to Lisa and freezes on the spot.
“Why is Leilani here?” Leonie wonders, “She’s supposed to be tied up. Damn it! I was supposed to check on her this morning, but I let preparations for the party distract me!”
As Leilani approaches, Leonie turns to look for Mrs. Florence Bamford. She spots her and makes a panicked expression.
“Mrs. Bamford, Leilani is here,” she whispers.
Mrs. Florence Bamford’s eyes widen with surprise.
“Didn’t you say she was tied up?” Florence asks, “Don’t worry. I’ll ask a servant to take her away quietly.”
“No, the guests are watching,” Leonie whispers back.
Mrs. Bamford nods thoughtfully. She knows that Leilani won’t let herself be taken away quietly, and since she’s appeared all eyes have been on her. It’s a delicate situation. As the crowd stares on in amazement, Leilani saunters up to Leonie.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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