He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, so close as if he wished to melt her into his being, to become one and inseparable. It was the only way he could think of to calm the storm of emotions within him.
He kissed Leanne's shimmering lips and rested his forehead against her cold, damp brow. "I heard you, honey."
The following morning, Leanne woke up to the early dawn light.
Her bedroom window faced the garden, where the morning light revived the plants, and the crisp chirping of birds echoed in the distance.
Stretching lazily, Leanne turned and came face to face with a pair of big, round eyes.
The cat ruled over the entire garden, complete with a large pond and a floor-to-ceiling glass cat house, but it was no longer allowed in her bedroom.
Its front paws pressed against the glass, and those big, pleading eyes, looking in, made Leanne's heart melt.
She got out of bed, and as soon as she stepped outside, the cat, acting as if it hadn't seen her in thirty years, dashed toward her, meowing loudly. It took Leanne a good while to calm it down. "Little darling."
After changing, she was about to head out for breakfast but turned back, pulled a locket from a drawstring bag, and wore it around her neck.
In the dining room, Curtis was already seated at the table, browsing the news on his tablet.
His eyes softened as they landed on the locket around her neck.
Laura brought the breakfast over to the table. Seeing Leanne, she hesitated before saying, "Mrs. Richardson."
Their last encounter had been somewhat frosty, and after more than half a year, it was their first meeting. Leanne gave a friendly nod. "Been a while, huh?"
Laura's face lit up joyfully, and she hurriedly fetched a bowl. "I made your favorite oatmeal with strawberries!"
After she left, Curtis put down his tablet and pulled Leanne onto his lap, his fingers delicately touching the locket.
"When can you take some vacation time?" he suddenly asked. "How about we go on a honeymoon?"
Caleb was in a foul mood that day.
The cause was the evening banquet for the financial regulatory board's officials, which he had meticulously arranged. He had ensured that the menu was perfect and had booked a bluegrass band to perform, knowing one of the officials had a penchant for it.
But then, something went wrong.
The lead singer, dressed in a poppy red dress with her hair styled delicately, moved gracefully, her features striking. Caleb caught a glimpse and felt uneasy.
He couldn't place the feeling until he saw Curtis, who paused mid-conversation and glanced over.
It dawned on Caleb then.
The singer bore a striking resemblance to Leanne.
While she sang, her soft, melodious voice captivated the audience, her delicate fingers strumming the guitar strings. The deputy director, over fifty, was mesmerized, tapping his fingers on his knee and humming along.
After the song, he praised, "The young lady is pretty and sings wonderfully, too."
Uninterested, Curtis replied dryly, "Not as nice as my cat sounds."
He waved his hand lazily, and Caleb immediately stood behind him, leaning in, "Mr. Richardson."
"Who organized this?" Curtis asked.
Caleb glanced at the singing woman, and his mood was heavier than if he had seen an ex-girlfriend's former lover. "I did."
Curtis gave him a meaningful look. "Well arranged. Hand in your resignation after dinner."
It was something Caleb had not anticipated. Arranging a performer who resembled Leanne could provoke such a reaction. Some men might find interest in a woman resembling their wife, but for Curtis, it was taboo.
Lately, Curtis had been in a good mood, and the whole atmosphere at ElitePinnacle felt lighter. Just getting a breather from a high-stress spell, Caleb hadn't expected to trip up there.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Richardson. I'll have her leave immediately."
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