19| in love

The next day was a day off for everyone. Since the gala was held on a Monday, Kane decided to let the whole office have a rest, and report back tomorrow.

As for Kane and Leah, they were enjoying each other's company. They were planning to tell everyone the news, aka just his family and friends.

Kane had planned to introduce Leah to his best bud and his girlfriend today. But first, they would be making a pit stop to his parent's place.

It is time to formally introduce Leah as her girlfriend now. But for now, that wasn't their priority.

Scrolling through the Netflix shows, nothing seemed to catch their eyes, so they decided to just exit Netflix.

With the both of them having slight hangovers, they wanted to laze around a bit more before getting up.

It was around 3.30pm, still at a reasonable timing.

Seeing that Leah has no clothes at his place, they would also have to stop at Leah's place to grab some stuff.

Leah also decided to bring some of her daily necessities when she stayed over at Kane's place for convenience sake.

She felt slightly nervous to see everyone's reaction. She was scared of rejection.

Just then she remember, "I need to go to my store too! I need to start renovations" She muttered pretty soft, but it was still heard by Kane.

"Hm what store? The place that I sent you?" Kane asked puzzled.

"Er yes. I kinda got this job because I was trying to save up money to open my own shop. It's a boutique" Leah shared sheepishly.

"Oh wow!" Kane exclaimed.

"You're not mad are you?" Leah asked, concerned. She was worried that he wouldn't be open and receptive to her hobbies and likes, just like her ex.

Trauma and phobia.

"Why would I be? I have a girlfriend who is going to be a successful fashion designer. That also explains the amazing interior designs" Kane complimented her.

Leah smiled at Kane's words. She was glad that he supported her.

"You wanna see the place?" Leah asked, hoping for a yes. To her delight, Kane agreed and so they left quickly.

They were planning to visit there after their plans.

But of course, they first went to Leah's house. She was wearing Kane's smallest clothes, yet they looked way too big on her.

With breeze, they had reached. Leah and Kane exited the car and went into her apartment.

As she was going to be meeting people, Leah couldn't dress sloppy. What would be an appropriate outfit to wear to meet the parents and friends?

Looking through the closet, she finally found an appropriate one.

It was a white top with a cardigan and jeans go match. Leah decided to let her hair down and wear white sneakers as well.

Not to forget, she packed some clothes and necessities into a bag, knowing that she would probably be staying at Kane's every other day.

"I'm ready" Leah told Kane as she stepped out of the room. He was looking at the photo wall like last time.

"You look like your mom" Kane said absentmindedly.

"Thanks, I came out of her" She joked, making the both laugh.

His eyes had long forgotten the picture he was staring at earlier, and instead looking at the goddess in front of her.

"You look so pretty" Kane said as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Leah smiled and thanked him like always.

She was getting a little better at the whole compliments thingy, not blushing all the time.

"We better go now if we want to meet your parents. Actually give me a second" Leah suddenly remembered the gift she made for the both of them.

It was something small, just a little invitation to the opening of her shop.

Though little work has been started, with hopefully with the help of Enya, Kane and maybe Scarlet, it would be done in a jiffy.

"Alright let's go now" Leah rushed Kane out who was found snacking on some food he found in Leah's cabinet.

They were too good to resist, and no one could either were his reasonings. Kane was just too hungry.

"Can you guy those for me? I have no money" Kane pleaded with his signature puppy dog eyes, though Leah looked at him, deadpanned.

Leah was in disbelief with Kane's request. A billionaire who wants a working woman to buy something he can get a thousand packs at one go.

But she still agreed. Love really makes people do things for their significant others.

Once Leah agreed, Kane drove off happily and a little too reckless, as if he had just won the lottery, not that he needed it.

They were meeting Roman and his girlfriend at 6pm for dinner and it is currently 4pm so they have to hurry up if they were going meeting Kane's family as well as Roman and his girlfriend on time.

Not long after, they had reached their first destination- Audrey and Matthew's place. Kane had also checked with his parents if Enya was there, having some important news to share.

With the confirmation from Audrey, they could share it without getting an earful from Enya. They were saving their ear drums.

Leah was getting nervous, her usual habits showing. Kane being the attentive man he is, took note of her actions and calmed her down.

"Try to relax Leah. They will love that we are together" Kane reassured her.

Despite her getting some slight approval from his parents, Leah was scared that they would backfire on their words.

She also wanted Enya's approval. If they were to ever get married, Enya would be her sister-in-law. It's best to maintain a good relationship.

"You ready?" Kane asked in a gentle voice, stopping her from overthinking. He knew that it would be nerve wrecking to meet your significant other's parents and everything.

"Yup" Leah had managed to finally calm her nerves by taking a deep breath. These were found to be helpful for her.

Knocking on the door, there was an immediate response. Enya was the one who opened the door.

"Hi Kane. And hi Leah!" Enya was not even a little bit surprised by Leah's presence. She had a feeling, gut feeling if you will, that they were going to get together. It was just a matter of time.

"Hey Enya" Leah greeted her with a smile.

"Hello sis" Kane said, giving her head a little ruffle, which messed up her hair.

Enya squinted her eyes at Kane is mock anger, looking at him like he has committed a crime.

"Can we come in?" Kane asked cheekily, knowing Enya was easy to rile up.

Leah laughed at their interaction, loving their sibling bond. It was one of those things she wished she had.

"Yes" Enya said. When least expected, Enya pulled Leah into the house, leaving Kane outside in the process and slammed the door on him.

Both Leah and Kane were equally shocked by Enya's action in different ways.

She was more surprised by how daring she was. Despite them being siblings, it still shook her to the core.

On the other hand, Kane was shocked by how fast everything was, and the fact that he was locked out, while his girlfriend was in there.

Girlfriend, sounds amazing, he thought.

Hearing the commotion, Audrey came out to see what was it all about. She was enjoying her show and relaxing when the commotion started.

"What's the noise?" Audrey asked. "Oh hi Leah. Nice to see you" Audrey smiled, seeing Leah. It was a pleasant surprise for Audrey. A good one.

Reciprocating Audrey's actions, both of them glad to see one another.

Giving Leah a warm hug, she was about to bring her into the living room for a chat when she realized something- Kane was missing.

"Enya, where's Kane?" Audrey was suspicious with the cheeky look on her face. To confirm her suspicion, she heard persistent knockings from the door.

The moment she opened the door, she found Kane. Kane was knocking so much that he had also hit Audrey.

Luckily, he has good reflexes.

"Hi mom" Kane greeted her.

"Hey Kaney" Audrey used one of his most favorite nicknames, apart from Lane of course.

"Well come on in and share with us your news" Audrey pulled the both of them into the house, despite her petite figure.

Sneakily, he held hands with Leah. He hoped no one had seen. Kane didn't want to spoil the surprise.

"So, what's the news about. You and Leah are attached" Enya sounded like she was joking but  she knew for a fact they were a couple.

"How did you know?" Kane asked perplexed. He genuinely thought that he hid it very well.

"For starters" Enya said, pointing to their hands. Obviously, anyone could tell. "And second, everyone here knows you were going to be together. It was just a matter of time.

After more chatters, it was time for them to leave, but not forgetting to pass them the invitation.

They bid each other goodbye, promising to visit soon.

"Well that was interesting" Leah said the moment she entered the car.

"You can say that again" Kane replied them with a chuckle. It was quite an episode.

Now, they were on their way to the next

destination- Fine and Dine, also the restaurant Kane and Romeo went the last time.

During the ride, they were chatting, mostly trying to keep Leah's nerves in check. Hopefully with a source of distraction, she would feel better.

It was perfect timing as he saw Romeo standing beside his car, without Scarlet.

"Hi Ro Ro! Good to see you. Where's Scarlet?" Kane could recognize his best friend, even from miles away.

Leah wondered if Scarlet, Romeo's girlfriend was the Scarlet she knew, but decided against it. It would be way too much of a coincidence. Besides, Scarlet is quite a common name.

Although, she couldn't shake off this thought.

"She just went to the bathroom, you will see her soon" Romeo answered.

"Anyways, Romeo this is Leah. Leah this is Romeo" The two exchanged greetings with one another.

Though they had just met, Kane could tell they would hit it off, and Kane was glad.

"Leah? Is that you?" A woman voice was heard. Turing around, she saw Scarlet. So her instincts were right- Romeo's girlfriend was the Scarlet she knew.

"Hi! What a small world" Leah laughed at her own joke.

Leah took note of Scarlet's appearance and admired it. She looked pretty, wearing a white dress with some patterns on it.

The boys were left confused. Actually let's rephrase that- extremely perplexed.

"Soooo" Dragging the 'o' on purpose. "I assume y'all have met so let's head in and chat shall we" Romeo proposed. With no objections, they proceeded.

"Table of four please. Under Mr Hayfield" Romeo used his 'professional' voice on the waiter.

The moment the waiter left, he was back to his usual happy-go-lucky attitude. It was a little frightening honestly.

"Let's place our orders first, then we can get the

explanation Kane and I need" Romeo said, making everyone chortle.

They called for a waiter, then proceeded to order.

The boys had ordered what they ordered last time, being uncool and all. Kane having steak and Romeo having lamb shack.

As for the girls, Leah ordered the seafood pasta while Scarlet got a chicken chop.

Once the orders were taking down, they resumed back to their long awaited conversation.

"So how did you two know each other?" Romeo probed his girlfriend.

"Well, it all started when I met her at a café, and we had a little chat about her designs.

Then a few days later ish, I bumped into her at the supermarket. And the rest is history" Scarlet shared.

"She was trying to help me with my designs, trying to get me a job. The truth was, I wanted to open a store. I was thinking if you could help me? Leah stated. "No pressure though" She added on.

"Of course I would love to help you! I gave you my number right?" It was confirmed by Leah who gave a nod.

"Wow. All the best for your business!" Romeo said grinning.

"Thank you!" Leah smiled at his encouraging words.

The rest of the time was spent chatting a don bonding, and soon the sun had set.

"Thanks for today. See you soon" Scarlet said.

"Nice meeting you Leah. See y'all soon" Romeo said after Scarlet's words.

"Bye! And it was nice meting you too Romeo"

The moment they reached Kane's place, Leah made a beeline for the bathroom, trying to quickly shower and lie down.

She was very tired from today's events and since they had to work, it was best to have a good night rest.

"I love you" Kane smiled, thinking she was asleep. He also placed a kiss on her forehead.

However, Leah had surprised Kane when she suddenly said:

"I love you too"

~~~

what an ending am i right?

and holy shit this chapter is a long one. didn't expect it to be this long but let's roll with it

hopefully it's not too boring

anyways, i'm finally done with exams y'all so stay tune for more updates ig? we will see

i just want to say thank you for all of your support

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💗

have been watching more crime lol

i think at this point i'm addicted but let's not talk about that

going to be buying some books today hehe

excited and pumped 🥳

yup, that's it for today i guess and i'll see you in the next chapter :)

-chapter 20-

(damm we have came a long way)

[word count: 2180 words]

[published on: 6 aug 2021]