Leo turned when he heard footsteps, and his gaze landed on the unfamiliar girl standing shyly behind Amelia.
"Who's this?" he asked, raising a brow.
Amelia wiped her hands on her apron. "She's a friend. She'll be staying with us for a while."
"Oh?" Leo's tone softened immediately. He stepped closer, lightly tapping Irelia's shoulder. "Hello, I'm Leo."
Irelia's face turned red instantly. She bowed a little. "I—I'm Irelia. Nice to meet you, Leo."
Leo chuckled and brushed her hair back with his fingers. "You look like a younger version of Amelia. For a moment, I thought she had a secret child."
Amelia choked, coughing violently, while Irelia blinked in shock.
Unbothered, Leo dropped the vegetables he brought onto the counter, rolled up his sleeves, and joined the customers at the front.
"I'll help out first" he said, already moving with the ease of someone who'd done this countless times.
From the corner, Emily noticed Irelia staring at Leo with starry-eyed admiration. A mischievous grin spread across her face. She tiptoed behind Irelia and whispered loudly, "BOOOOM!"
"Ah!" Irelia jumped, clutching her chest. "Emily!"
Emily smirked. "Do you perhaps… like Leo? If yes, you can confess. I fully support the drama."
Irelia shook her head frantically. "I—I don't know what it means to like someone."
She touched her chest softly. "But when he touched my hair… my heart started beating so fast. And his smile, ahhh. What's wrong with me?"
Emily slung an arm around her shoulder. "Girl… you're in love with our Mr. Charm." She winked exaggeratedly.
Irelia froze. "In… love?"
Before she could ask anything more, Amelia called from the counter, "Emily! Come help me!"
Emily sighed. "We'll continue your love education later." She jogged off.
Left alone, Irelia sat down, pulled out her phone, and typed carefully:
How to know when I'm in love with someone?
She leaned closer, reading every article with intense focus.
A moment later, Zoe entered the kitchen, frowning. "Some supplies are missing. Amelia, go with Leo to the store and restock."
"Alright" Amelia replied.
Irelia finished reading and wandered back to Emily. "Emily… why do Mom and Leo seem very close?"
Emily looked over at the pair laughing while arranging ingredients. "Leo has liked Amelia since we were kids. Honestly? I think he still does."
Irelia blinked, confused. "Then why doesn't Mom like him back?"
Emily rolled her eyes. "And why do you keep calling Amelia your mom? She's not actually your mom."
Irelia's lips trembled immediately. Tears gathered in her lashes. "But I like her…"
"That doesn't make her your mom" Emily said, not realizing the effect her words had.
"If she's not my mom…" Irelia whispered, voice cracking, "…then I'll never have a mom."
A soft voice came from behind them.
"I'm your mom, Ire."
Irelia spun around. "Mom!" She ran into Amelia's arms, hugging her tightly.
Amelia held her close and shot Emily a pointed, silent warning before smoothing Irelia's hair.
"Ire, want to follow me to the store?"
"Yes!" Irelia nodded eagerly.
They stepped outside where Leo was already leaning against the truck, arms crossed casually.
Irelia tugged Amelia's sleeve. "Is he coming too?"
"Yes, he's helping."
At the store, Amelia and Leo compared prices and teased each other like old friends, laughing softly as they worked.
Irelia followed behind, watching them with wide, thoughtful eyes.
After a moment, she lifted her phone, aimed it at them, and snapped a picture.
A small smile curved her lips as she tapped her screen… and sent the photo to someone.
~~~
Aldric sat alone in a dim private room in Country A, the low lights carving hard shadows across the table.
Across from him, a stunning woman in an elegant gown leaned forward, her voice soft and persuasive as they spoke.
His phone buzzed.
Aldric glanced at the screen and his entire expression shifted. His gaze went cold, sharp. Without a word, he stood.
The woman rose quickly, her gown clinging to her as she moved toward him. "Aldric, what's wrong? Did something happen?" she asked sweetly, reaching for his shoulder.
His eyes turned lethal.
"Touch me" he said quietly, "and you'll lose those hands."
She froze, trembling as she took in the sudden danger radiating from him. She stepped back, throat tightening.
Aldric pulled out his phone, dialed with icy precision, and strode out of the room.
A sleek black car was already waiting. He slid inside and slammed the door behind him.
Meanwhile, Amelia finished shopping with Leo, while Irelia followed behind them, arms loaded with snacks. They walked out of the store, chatting until they noticed it.
A flashy, expensive car was parked boldly in front of the building.
A man stood beside Aunty Zoe, speaking to her calmly. Emily, nearby, was glaring at him so fiercely he should have dropped dead.
The man heard their footsteps and turned.
His eyes landed on the trio.
Amelia stopped short. "Aldric…?"
A slow smile formed on Aldric's lips, relief mixed with unmistakable possessiveness. He had found what he came for.
Then his gaze shifted to Leo, who was standing a little too close to Amelia.
Aldric's expression darkened instantly.
He walked toward them without hesitation, each step clipped and direct. Before Amelia could react, he pulled her firmly into his arms.
"Aldric—!" she gasped.
Leo stepped forward. "Hey, what do you think you're—"
But Aldric didn't let him finish. He tilted Amelia's chin up and kissed her.
Right there.
In front of everyone.
Amelia's eyes flew wide.
Leo's fists clenched.
Emily choked on her own breath.
Irelia dropped all her snacks.
Aunty Zoe whispered, "Oh dear…"
Aldric didn't care.
He held Amelia like she belonged only to him.