“Tell me, what do you want?”
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t believe you,” Leilani couldn’t believe her ears.
Waylen pinched her face and took something from under the quilt.
It was a fruit candy in colorful wrappers. It was what Leilani asked the night before.
Leilani opened the wrapper. It was in the heart shape. There were words written over it.
“There are two kinds of men in my world. The first is your man. The second is my woman who likes my candy.”
Leilani smiled sweetly. Waylen was so romantic.
Leilani didn’t eat it. She rewrapped the candy and looked at the glass. She reached in with curiosity. It was empty.
Looking again, she found the base of the interior and exterior was thick. She guesses something.
What magic relied on was stage property and showmanship.
The door was knocked again.
“Sir, Mr. Bamford sent the housekeeper…” Tinder said.
The housekeeper was already in the living room, with quite a lot of help.
Waylen and Leilani changed quickly. Leilani helped to straighten the tie. She knew there would be consequences for barging in the presidential house that day. Even if Logan wouldn’t mind, Mr. Bamford would.
Leilani had no idea what Mr. Bamford would do to them. But based on the situation on the first floor, she guessed Mr. Bamford went for violence.
Hundreds of bodyguards made the castle look smaller. Each of them wore headsets, guns, and Dr. Martens.
They stood neatly underneath the floors. They stood in two lines and left an aisle in between.
Mr. Bamford’s housekeeper, Lucien, watched Waylen descend from the stairs. He came forward and greeted him.
Waylen stood on the last but two staircases. He looked at them condescendingly.
“What do I owe the pleasure?”
“Mr. Bamford thought what you did at the presidential house was indecent. So he ordered me to accompany you to apologize to President Arlington. It happens the presidential house will hold a dinner party tonight. Mr. Bamford will be there. So I have to trouble you to come with me.”
Waylen’s look slightly turned. He took so many bodyguards. So he had to take Waylen away one way or another.
Waylen turned around. Leilani was behind him. He turned calm again. In order to reassure Leilani, he comforted her in a low voice.
“Stay put. I’ll be home soon.”
Leilani nodded. Her heart didn’t stop pounding ever since she knew Mr. Bamford sent over Lucien.
If I was making an apology, it was okay. But if Mr. Bamford had another agenda.
Leilani suddenly grabbed Waylen by his sleeve. For some unknown reasons, she didn’t want him to go at all.
Waylen put his hand at her left cheek and stroked her tender skin.
“I’ll ask them to find some good movies for you. I’ll be back when you finish watching.”
Then he let go.
Waylen straightened the cufflink and left.
The door of the castle was opened and shut.
Leilani still stood on the stairs until Waylen’s back was out of the door.
***
The low-profile presidential house was a different scene. The magnificent crystal chandeliers gave off warm yellow light.
The guests in groups talked casually over glasses of wines. The dancer in the center of the dancing poll kept moving elegantly as the music went.
The present guests were distinguished politicians and celebrities of B Country. They spoke with fervor and assurance about recent national situations and economic reforms. The socialites gathered too to talk about fashion and gossip. They kept comparing their possessions.
The Bamford convoy drove in with a low profile. Although they didn’t come from C Country, Mr. Bamford had great political influence. The Bamford family was a renowned family in B Country, especially in the economy. They directly affected B Country’s economic pulse.
So the President was afraid of, defensive, and complimentary of Bamford’s family.
The PA of the President came to greet and led Mr. Bamford and Waylen in the ballroom.
Then he said to his headset.
“Mr. Arlington asked us to pay special attention to Bamford. They are here.”
Mr. Bamford wore a handmade black suit. The smooth silk hand embroidered patterns.
He was holding a walking stick with the Bamford emblem carved at the head.
Waylen walked beside his grandfather. He wore a black suit and a blue shirt. In a place where all sorts of celebrities gathered, he still stood out.
“Keep yourself in control when we meet the President. You don’t need me to tell you what you should and shouldn’t say,” Mr. Bamford was in his 60s. His eyes were sparkling and spoke with full spirit. Although he had to use a walking stick, it didn’t affect how he walked.
Waylen didn’t answer.
The PA who led them in heard something in his headset and took them to the study, Waylen spent a few days here. So he wasn’t unfamiliar with the place.
The PA knocked three times on the door. The sound came from inside. The door was opened. The man bowed to welcome them
Apart from Mr. Arlington, Rebecca was in the study too. She was talking to Logan when they came in.
Rebecca wore a warm yellow shoulder-free dress. She wore a feather hairpin. She looked graceful and pretty.
There are lights in Rebecca’s eyes when she sees Waylen. Then she walked over to Mr. Bamford and bowed.
“Grandpa, you’re finally here.”
“Hahaaaa, Rebecca, did you miss me?” Waylen’s father waved to Rebecca, firmly suggesting that she had not to bow her head. Rebecca came to grandpa intimately and held his arms, just acted like a spoiled child, saying,
“Of course, I miss you. I miss you every day. But my father wouldn’t allow me to go out. I couldn’t come to visit you.”
“Hahaha. It is the right decision. You were ill. All right. All right. How do you feel now?”
Rebecca stepped back a few steps and turned around, answering, “I feel good now.”
And then Rebecca had a glance at Waylen anxiously, saying, “Waylen, it was my fault. I just told grandpa I want to apologize to you sincerely.”
Grandpa turned back to stare at Waylen, saying, “It was your fault, but Rebecca apologized to you. Why can’t you be a gentleman?”
“Grandpa, don’t blame Waylen. I shouldn’t have decided as I like. I deeply regretted it.”
“All right. But you were ill. Waylen shouldn’t make you worried.”
“Stop it. Rebecca, help grandpa sit down,” The President said.
Rebecca then helped grandpa sit. Waylen kept silent, showing no expression. He knew his father and tried to cooperate with him.
But Waylen didn’t think he did anything wrong and he felt he hadn’t to make an apology.
Waylen didn’t sit down. Instead, he stood on the side of grandpa, and Rebecca sat on the opposite side of grandpa.
“Today, I bring Waylen here to send an apology to the President and Rebecca. It is my responsibility. I’m sorry.”
“No, no, it is not your fault. Rebecca also did something wrong. Never mind. It’s my honor to have you here tonight.”
Rebecca stood behind Logan Arlington. Sometimes, she peeked at Waylen, looking crazy.
“Grandpa. Daddy. Can I have a few words with Waylen in the reception room?” Rebecca asked.
Logan and grandpa stopped. Then Logan answered firstly, “Go ahead. Don’t stay long. You just recovered.”
Grandpa threw a look at Waylen. He knew Waylen would follow if he didn’t give him an order.
Then Rebecca and grandpa exchanged a look before she left.
At this time, Logan’s phone rang. He walked out to take the phone.
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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