06| her past

The ride was about ten minutes, surprisingly pretty near to her apartment. Kane had turned on the radio which made the silence less awkward.

Soon enough, Leah noticed the familiar things in her neighborhood. "Thank you Kane" Leah said gratefully as Kane smiled.

"I'll see you tomorrow" Kane waved at her who replied "See you" before he drove off.

As he was driving back, he couldn't help but think of Leah and how he couldn't wait to see her tomorrow although he just saw her.

Am I in love? He thought. It was a very unknown feeling. He rarely felt like this.

He decided to drive back to his parents place and stay there for the night as it was late now. He still had his old room there so it would be okay.

By the time he reached his place, he expected his parents to be asleep, or at least in their rooms and her sister going back to her place.

However, what he saw was a completely unexpected sight. His parents and sister were standing at the door, expecting for his return.

"What the hel-heck are y'all up to?" He knew his mother would give him a earful he cursed.

"Waiting for you of course" The three of them said at the same time, which made everyone laugh.

"We are going to conduct an investigation. Please follow us and we will not use violence" Matthew said, pushing him to the dining room.

Both his mother and sister followed behind, making sure he doesn't run away.

Matthew pushed him into the seat and started the interrogation.

"What is your relationship with Leah?" Enya asked, preparing to write it down.

"Erm, boss and employee?" He stated, unsure what the hell was happening.

"Hmm, sureee. Suspicious" Enya said, writing down on a piece of paper.

Kane was concerned for his family. What in the world happened to them?

"Do you like her?" Audrey asked, looking at him.

Yes. "Er no?" Kane lied, even though you can clearly tell he was lying.

"Ya right. Okay then, do you love her?"

I'm not sure. "No" Kane continued to lie.

Although he had met her only quite recently, he felt some sort of connection to her.

"Can you see yourself with her in the future?" They probed further, trying to get something out of him.

Maybe, more yes than no. "Not really" He continued lying through his teeth but everyone could tell that he was just deceiving himself.

Some people would call it self denial.

"Interesting" Enya muttered, not buying anything he said.

"Okay. That's it. We will be back Mr De Luca" Enya said and both Matthew and Audrey followed her lead back to their rooms.

Kane was left alone on the dining table, questioning his entire existence.

Was his family so curious that they had do this, just to fish out some information that probably didn't even satisfy them.

Sometimes he wonders if he is only sane one in this household. He couldn't help but chuckle at his family's antics.

They were crazy but wouldn't change it for the world.

Looking at the time, it was around 9pm so he returned back to his room where he did his business.

Seeing that he still had some time, he decided to get some work done, finishing up a few reports.

Kane also checked his schedule for tomorrow, seeing what he has to do. Luckily for him, it wasn't packed. Just a couple meeting.

Once he was done with everything, he fell asleep, thinking about a girl with brown hair.

•••

He woke up feeling quite refreshed which was something different. He always has some sort of problems to wake up.

It would always end with Audrey spamming his phone or Enya with a pail of ice cold water if she came by.

Since he was in his parents place, it is likely that at any moment either his mother or Enya could come in.

So to avoid any sort of craziness, he did his morning routine. Kane quickly did his business in the toilet and wore a suit as usual.

It was a simple black suits that was one of his favorites. It was comfy and breathable. After that, he sprayed some cologne and walked out of the room.

"Hi mum hi dad hi Enya" He said as he entered the dining room.

"Who are you and what have you done to my baby?" Audrey questioned. Him waking up without any help was a first.

"I know I know, I just woke up naturally. I wonder what happened to me" Kane said as he picked up some eggs and bacon laid on the table.

"Or someone" Enya muttered, but everyone could hear it. Both of his parents laughed at Enya's words.

"Probably that's the case" Matthew joined in. Kane couldn't help but roll his eyes. His family was something else.

They chatted for a bit before Kane and Enya had to leave.

"Bye bye kids. See you tonight. I'm making sushi!" Audrey said excitedly.

Both Kane and Enya smiled with joy. They can't wait for tonight.

During the twenty minutes drive, they didn't really talk much, just listening to the radio. By the time they arrived, almost three quarters of the office was filled with people.

As usual, they received stares and whispers. It was honestly nothing new.

"Byee" Enya said, waving bye to her brother who left for his office. Enya was heading to where Leah was, to brief and give her some work.

"Hey Leah" Enya greeted when she reached Leah's desk, surprised to see her head on the table.

Leah upon hearing Enya's shot up quickly and wiped her tears, smiling like nothing had happened.

However, what she didn't know was that Enya saw the tears.

"Sorry, I'm just a little tired" Leah gave an excuse. Enya nodded her head, not buying her excuse.

"I know it's random but you look so nice" Enya couldn't help but compliment. She really rocked it.

Leah just blushed as a response.

Leah chose to go a bit more extra and wear a simple glittery tank top, a skirt and a blazer.

"Thanks, you too!" Enya smiled.

Enya picked out a simple work appropriate white top with pink pants.

"Anyways, still up for our lunch at the cafe?" Enya asked smiling, hoping for a yes.

To her delight, Leah nodded and smiled, giving her thumbs up.

"Yay. Okay anyways, here are the company's employees. There are some new hires coming in so do add them in.

Ah and also, we have an annual event that's coming up. It's usual planned by a lot of people so there will be a team of people under you.

Are you okay with that?" Enya questioned. She didn't know if Leah was okay with people, let alone leading them.

"Yeap I'm okay. But what is the event about?" Leah couldn't help but be curious. She has never attended it before, as Bianca always snatches the invite from her.

"Oh erm it's kinda like a dinner and dance but not really. There will be awards on best employees and sometimes introducing new hires.

Kane will then usually go up to present about the company, along with speeches from the share holders.

Don't worry, it's only happening around March to April. It's kind of a weird period but we have been doing it for many years" Enya shared, with Leah taking in every word.

"Okay, thank you so much. I'll think of some ideas. May I know who will be helping me plan this event?" Leah said.

"Oh yes! They are from the finance and event management department. They will help manage the money for this and logistics.

Don't worry as we will hire some interior designers to help you.

Not to brag but De Luca corporations does everything. F&B, services, etc." Enya proceeded to explain.

"Alright thank you Enya" Leah told her gratefully.

"No problem! I'll leave you to be, but I'll come back here at 12pm sharp!" Enya reminded Leah once more about their lunch plans.

Leah couldn't help but giggle at Enya's antics. It was definitely something that lifted her spirits up prior to just now.

Realizing she was going off track, she quickly regained her and resumed her work.

•••

"Heyyyy!" Enya greeted as she reached Leah's desk. Leah was happy to have a break.

She was feeling lethargic and would fall asleep at any given moment.

"Come on, let's go!" Enya hooked arms with her as they left for a cafe.

The cafe was very near the office. It was also fairly new, having only operated for three months.

However, business was booming for them. They had customers left and right.

Thankfully, they managed to get a seat before the crowd got even crazier.

They swiftly ordered and waited. It was a little too crowded for its own good.

"Erm, if you don't mind asking. This has been bugging me. Why were you crying when I came to your desk in the morning?" Enya asked softly and with caution, not wanting to disrespect her.

"Oh about that... It's just that there was a lot of rumors and gossips about how I slept with Kane for me to get in the car.

I know, I'm overreacting" Leah brushed it off as nothing but Enya thought otherwise.

"No that's not okay! Wait till I get to the office and they will get it" Enya yelled in anger, causing heads to turn.

She quickly gave a look of guilt to everyone but no one seems to care about them anymore. That's good.

Just then, the waiter came back with their food. Leah ordered a grilled salmon with onion rings on the side while Enya tried the seafood carbonara pasta.

As for drinks, they just drank the complimentary water given to them.

They both swiftly scarfed their foods, not wanting to hog the seats and left quickly.

"I'm so full, but I enjoyed it" Enya whined, feeling like she was pregnant.

"Me too" Leah groaned as they both walked back to the office.

"Don't think I forgot about the problem you had. I'll tell my brother to set them in place" Enya was adamant about it.

"It's fine Enya really. They will probably stop within a few days" Leah didn't want to cause trouble and get on anyone's bad side.

"Okay, but I will let him know. But, he won't do anything. Pinky promise" Enya stretched her hands for a pinky promise.

Leah smiled and linked their pinkies. "Alright, see you! I'll need to do some work" Both of them bid goodbye to each other.

Smiling at the interaction, she got back to work.

However, not long, she felt a bang on her desk. Looking up, she saw a female whom she had never met.

"I'm sorry. Do I know you?" Leah asked politely.

"I'm Jessica. You should know me. I'm telling you very nicely. Stay away from Kane and Enya and we will get along just fine.

Also, don't try to win their hearts. You will never be in their family. I will be. Understand?" Jessica looked at her menacingly.

Leah just nodded and she smirked, walking away.

Leah steadied her breathing, trying not to remember her past. It was too haunting for her.

But she couldn't stop thinking about it. She was a refugee seeking refuge in Los Angeles, here being where her father was from, finally becoming an immigrant.

Both her parents came to Taiwan and start a family and had Leah. However when she turned 14, they were forced to move due to the earthquake.

Leah had lost her parents along the way, and till this day, she does not know where they are, or are they even alive.

(AN: i'm sorry with anything is wrong, let me know)

Since she was a minor, when her citizenship had finalized, she was put in foster care.

In total, Leah has been in 17 houses for the last four years before leaving the system at 18.

*Trigger warning: mentions of abuse*

She had endured abuse, bullied, chores, everything.

*End of mentions*

After leaving the system, she had to work. For the first few months, she slept on the streets until she earned enough to rent, and eventually own an apartment that was within her budget.

Until, Larry her previous boss brought her to De Luca Corporation, and the rest is history.

Leah just wanted one thing- closure. Are her parents still alive? What are they doing now if their are alive?

So many questions yet no answer for her.

But she has to stop thinking about her last. Now is time to work and she will work till time is up.

Little did she know, Kane was standing at the corner, watching her breakdown but he didn't know what to do to help.

~~~

hey!! welcome back!!

this chapter has more drama but a little sad. but don't worry, some things will happen *wink wink*

it's quite a long one, but you get to know more about Leah.

i apologize in advance if anything i have written is wrong or offensive. let me know and i'll change it accordingly :)

thank you so much for 199 reads, 1 more to 200

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💗

alright, that's it for today and see you in the next chapter :D

[word count: 2128 words]

[published on: 14 jun 2021]