Chapter 38 - Wrinkled Grandma
Leena immediately bid goodbye to Jane's call when she felt her mood dampen with the mention of her past. She gazed outside the car window to clear her thoughts when the car swiftly turned off from the main road and drove into a very calm neighbourhood with lots of thick greens. Leena has been in the car for almost two hours and even without any traffic, she has not reached her destination. She was getting tired of this car journey and the sleepiness she tried to control was hitting again due to the stress and the long flight journey.
Her thoughts broke when she was stopped by the security denying her entrance. Since she wanted to surprise Leah, Leena did not even call her before arriving in Seattle. So her surprise turned into vain when she was reprimanded for not even informing even after she landed in Seattle. After all the scoldings, she was escorted personally by the security inside.
The thick lush green trees were peeking and swaying from the massive high wall when the car drove past through it. After the turn of roads, She was then welcomed by a pair of flashy golden gates and then revealing the vast lush mansion looking more like a mini form of Versailles. The front atrium was dominated over by a massive two-storey French Chateau's fountain surrounded by four horses gushing water from its mouth. The moment the car stopped at the house entrance, a figure was already waiting and waving fervently at her.
"Welcome home darling. I miss you a lot." A shrill voice vibrated the surroundings which were undoubtedly loud for her soft look. She rushed to the figure with her arms outstretched and gave her best friend a fleshy hug.
"My God Leah! This house looks beautiful." Leena was looking at the mansion in awe. She has seen many beautiful homes, in fact, Haecis mansion is bigger than this, but the house in front of her has a different look which she could not express in words.
"Lene, I told I am missing you, but here you are marvelling the beauty of this house." Leah pouted.
"Well, I think I missed you a lot when I was doing dirty business in my bathroom." Leena playfully winked at her.
"Ewww.You dirty girl." Leah yelled releasing herself from the hug.
"Don't scream." She chided. " You are giving a dirty impression to_"
"Lene! When did you arrive!" Their conversation was interrupted when a woman came running out of the door. Her beautiful shoulder-length golded hair dangled with each footstep giving off a matured look to her.
"Aunt Daisy!" Leena threw her travel bag on the ground dashing towards the person embracing in a tight hug.
"Had I known, I would have at least sent a car to the airport." Daily smiled and added. "I thought you would be coming tomorrow."
"Well, I wanted to give a surprise visit." Leena flickered.
"You have given a heart attack surprise," Daisy exclaimed and guided her into the house. Both were so involved in their talks that they didn't even look at someone who was crying in pain.
Hopping on one leg, Leah went inside the house carrying a bag cursing at Leena for not even looking where she had thrown her bag.
The moment Leah entered, she was greeted by a show of two maids adding plates of food to the already packed table with dishes while her mom was stuffing food onto her best friend's mouth and her dad kept refilling the banana smoothie.
"Mom, dad! You haven't even fed me once." Leah cried like a jealous girlfriend whose boyfriend was snatched away by a vixen.
"What is a child doing here when adults are talking. Go and fly the kite that I brought for you." Sipping her banana smoothie Leena said making everyone burst out laughing.
"You meanie! You always bully me and Reese." Leah muttered angrily and went near the dining area to have her breakfast.
"Correction, I bully everyone and what is that frowning face of yours. You are giving a look of a wrinkled grandma who has spent and mastered the practice of frowning for years."
"Mark, I can't take this anymore." Daisy burst out laughing looking at her husband.
"Our Lene is the best stress buster. I knew this wedding is going to be super fun with her presence."
"Thank you for your compliments uncle, Mark." Leena sheepishly admitted looking down.
"My pleasure sweetie." He smiled.
Leah frowned mocking at her friend and dad. If not there was a washbasin near her, she would have puked out looking at Leena's funny shy look and her dad's flirting.
After the heartful lunch, Daisy and Mark were chatting with Leena, most of the time laughing hard with her cute talks. Sitting in the corner, Leah scoffed at them for completely ignoring her.
"Leah, take Lene to the room I have it cleaned today." Daisy playfully winked at her daughter.
"Yes, mom!" Leah exclaimed. Her bitter mood instantly raised her spirits.
"God! This is amazing Leah." The moment Leena entered into the room, she looked at awe with the thick green trees and a small pond nestled in the middle of the bushes with the koi fishes and swans jumping and playing around.
"Mom arranged it especially for you," Leah said and smiled at her lovingly. Although they have known for only four years from the start of their modelling career, they have set out to be best friends in no time.
"Why did you plan the wedding in Seattle." Leena pondered on the thought of organizing the wedding in another place when the Lewis family has roots in Newyork.
"Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you. Mom is from Seattle and she met dad in this mansion, Even their wedding has happened here." Leah excitedly commented.
"So, you are following their steps," Leena added.
"Exactly. And the wedding is postponed three days late." Leah said in a hushed tone.
"What! Why?"
"Austin wanted to have it on Saturday or Sunday so that all the guests can come around. Besides, It's only three days late Lene," she replied.
"Guests?" She scoffed. "I bet that the playboy just wants to show off to his ex-girlfriends."
"My man is a gentleman." Leah proudly declared.
"Gentleman?" Leena burst out laughing "A gentleman can have eyes for only one lady."
Before Leah could counter, Leena cut in again.
"I have a company to run. I can't stay for ten long days."
"Miss workaholic, you have Reese there."
"Can I go and come back again?" leena cried, thinking of ways to pacify Reese for going ten long days without her.
"Mom would kill you. Besides, this wedding is going to be super fun Lene. This house has thirteen bedrooms to fit many guests. I and Austin have invited many of our closest friends, couples and they would be arriving here by today evening. This is the reason we have agreed to get married here and we even have planned many adventurous games." Leah excitingly added.
How is that an adventure for singles? Now she has to see people making out everywhere? Leena cried internally.
"Take some rest. I have something to discuss with mom." Leena said and walked out of the room.
"Wow. What a wonder. I am given an option to rest also." She muttered to herself and slumped on the bed.
..
"Did you tell her about the plan?" Daisy rushed to her daughter as soon as she came out of Leena's room.
"She would run away if we reveal the plan now," Leah whispered and guided her mom to the bedroom to discuss it secretly. Like thieves, both mom and daughter were executing their plans.
"When is he coming?"
"Today. Austin spoke with him already. His schedule is free for the entire month and to our surprise, he readily agreed when I told about Lene."
Daisy sighed for betraying Leena. She has treated Leena as her own daughter and wanted her to at least date, someone. So after discussing with Austin and Leah, they have come up with a plan.
"All right darling. I trust you. Now if you excuse me, I have to go shopping for your wedding preparations." Daisy sighed and went out
"Relax mom. Don't worry. Leena would definitely like him. He is the hottest celebrity actor and very sweet in person. He will definitely steal our Lene's heart." Leah excitingly added to her already walking out person.. They have already planned everything to create opportunities for both of them.