Leo was on the phone hoping to talk to Michangelo.
"Hello." Leo said.
Michangelo said "Hi. Leo is that you?"
Leo said "Yes. It's me. How are you holding up mikey."
Michangelo said "Fine I suppose. To what do I owe this pleasure of speaking with you?"
Leo said "The pleasure of speaking to me! Good. So you get pleasure from chatting with me. Its good to know."
Michangelo rolled his eyes "I was being sarcastic as you know. Why would you call me. Our older brothers are best friends but we are not."
Leo said "Exactly. So don't you think we need to be closer friends? How about this? Why don't you come over to our house this weekend?"
Michangelo laughed "So you called to invite me to your house? Seriously?" He then cleared his throat "Your big brother hates me."
Leo said "Only because you don't listen to Arcangelo. Now that you are building bridges with Arc, he doesn't care much mikey. Come to our house this weekend."
Michangelo said "Why? We don't need any male bonding sessions. We will meet when our teams meet. How about that?"
Leo said "Come on mikey. You can't possibly be playing for Nicandro's team. I thought you hate football." If he could convince Michangelo not to play it could be a bonus. He was sure Leandro would have been satisfied with this kind of success. So he tried to convince him to give up football.
Michangelo said "Tell me about it. I don't want to play football. Nic and Nathan insist that I should just because I can."
Leo said "Don't listen to them. It's time you stand up for yourself. Quit football."
Michangelo said "I am close to quitting. How can you guess?"
Leo said "Your talent is good for basketball. Why not try basketball?" He was hoping he said yes. The first step was to get him out of the rival team. Then he could slowly recruit him.
Michangelo said "Nic will go mental if I left."
Leo said "Let him go mental."
****
It was ten minutes left to 5 O'clock. Jacob was eating mac and cheese in the kitchen he shared with Jean. He saw her enter. She said "Hey. You do know I am cooking today. Why are you eating mac and cheese?"
Jacob said "You have a date flower pot. I don't want to disturb you."
Jean say down opposite Jacob and said "You can stay."
Jacob chuckled "I doubt your man would want me to give hun looks while he is dating you."
Jean said "My man? You do see him as my boyfriend right now."
Jacob said "Of course. He makes it clear you are his now. It's official you are his girl."
Jean said "Are you ok with it?"
Jacob said "You need to be ok with it. Not me flower pot. Are you ok with it?"
Jean said "Well. He is just so sincere and honourable. There is not even a formed relationship and we are already seen as a couple. He defended me against Arcangelo like how you did. He is protective. He is kind and he is such a gentleman. I am curious about him."
Jacob said "Do you like him?"
Jean said "I guess I do.... I miss him... sometimes. Does that mean I like him... Well I do like him when he is not grumpy."
Jacob laughed "I think no one likes him when he is grumpy. What are you cooking for him by the way?"
She said " I am baking and cooking. There is Apple pie, pumpkin pie, garlic mashed potatoes, steak and rice soup. What do you think? Is there enough food? He is athletic."
Jacob said "I am sure he won't mind what you cook. You can give him mac and cheese. He won't mind. He really likes you."
Jean said "Does it bother you that he likes me?"
Jacob said "It's strange but I ... can't be mad at him. I wish I could be. But he treats you well and he is so disciplined. I can't find a reason not to approve of him for you. But if he ever makes you uncomfortable you will let me know. I know you will. We don't keep secrets."
Jean said "I will tell you Jacob. But did you see how he was in survival camp. He is bossy but he is fair. The kids really respected him. I have a feeling he won't ever make me come to you for any problems. He is honourable."
Jacob said "Flowerpot. Do you want to continue with Survival camp or you had enough after the taster? If you continue I will too."
Jean said "All the girls I know do it. It's good for college applications."
***
When Jean opened the door her heart dropped when she saw Leo instead of Leandro. He had a box box in hand.
Leo smiled nervously "Hi. Sorry that it's the wrong brother coming to you. Leandro was busy with my father. He is going to be a bit late. He sent me to apologise."
Jean said "Is everything alright?"
Leo said "Why wouldn't it be?"
Jean shrugged "Why don't you come in for a cup of tea."
Leo came into the kitchen and put down the box "Tea? Don't you have some soda?"
Jean said "Of course." She then walked to the fridge. "I know you Rosarios drink soda mostly."
Leo said "Its in the genes."
After Jean handed the soda can to Leo, she asked "what's in the box?"
Leo said "Open it. Leandro sent it."
Jean Opened it and said "Oh my god. Roses and chocolates."
Leo said "And they are yours. He doesn't like it if you share them. Trust me he will find out if anyone uses what's meant for you."
Jean shook her head "This chocolate box is massive."
Jacob walked into the kitchen and saw Leo "Hi Leo."
Leo said "Hi. Leandro can't come yet. He is busy with my father. He sent me to apologise."
Jean put the flowers in a vase and announced "I go put this in my room."
After jean left, Jacob asked "What is going to happen to your girl Elena and her sister Rosena? What has your brother decided?"
Leo sighed "You know when my brother holds a grudge it will last for a long time. He hasn't began to forgive and forget yet. So they have to wait and see what my brother plans to do. For now they get detention and community service if I can do a favour for Leandro and recruit Michangelo otherwise he will send the expulsion paper work. After that there is 50:50 chance they are expelled unless they appeal and there is clemency."
Jacob gasped "What in the world? It was an accident... This is such an over reaction."
Leo said "To tell you the truth the fact that my brother hasn't expelled them is a miracle. It's all because of Jean. Otherwise they will be gone with a bad reference. I have jean to thank. My brother would never have given them a second chance if Jean wasn't friends with them."
Jacob said "But you still need to get Michangelo Rossi for your team. Otherwise they get expelled."
Leo said "I will find a way to trade something else if it didn't work out. My brother is mad at me for dating Elena. He just is trying to teach me she is trouble and she isn't worth it by giving me this task. Leandro is reasonable and fair. By the time my deadline comes I will see what I can offer Leandro. There is no way Michangelo will join us. He is dating my cousin Natalia. Both her brothers, Nathan and Nicandro are on that team. Why would mikey join us? Unless Natalia breaks up with him and he goes after revenge. Any way. I have to go. See you around Jacob."
***
Jean was cooking and baking in the kitchen. She didn't notice him entering. Leandro approached her from behind and said "Wow. It smells great."
Jean turned around and breathed "It's you. You came... Hi..."
Leandro was wearing a suit. It really looked good on him. The suit looked very expensive.
Jean couldn't help but say "Nice suit."
Leandro looked at his suit and then jean "Sorry. I was with my father at his work so I had to dress up. I didn't get the chance to get changed because I didn't want to be late. I hope you don't mind."
Jean smiled "Then I need to wear a dress. Can you watch the food while I dress?"
Leandro was pleased at the offer "Sure. You go." It was nice of her to offer to get changed because he was wearing formal clothes. She was so considerate. He loved to see her in a dress too.
Leandro lifted the lids and inspected the oven. He was surprised at how much food she had baked. It smelled great too. Too bad he wasn't there to help her prepare all these dishes.
After a few minutes he heard her footsteps and turned around. She looked stunning.
He approached her and lifted her hand to his lips and gave it a kiss "Thank you for being so kind and considerate. You look amazing by the way."
Jean blushed. His warm hand holding her hand just felt perfect. It just did. He was so gentle. "Thank you for being a gentleman."