17. Secret Plan
1189 Words
Chapter 17.
“So, should I ask about what happened back there, at this morning breakfast?” Ace suddenly stand behind Leanne, who’s accompany Cheryl in her playground room.
“Yeah, about that.. thanks for playing along with me and not telling them the truth.” Said Leanne still watching Cheryl on her slides, that are far enough from hearing their conversation. Leanne looked at him before speaks again.
“If Calvin knows what happened, especially if I’m the one who tells him, in front of Sharon. She would be furious, she snapped out. And they will be fighting in front of Cheryl too.” Leanne added.
“So, you’re not going to tell my brother about anything?”
“- -I better not. It is better for them to discuss everything in private—just the two of them.”
“Don’t you think my brother has the right to know? About his wife’s behaviour?”
Leanne stared into Ace’s eyes. “He knows. He just needs some time to decide what’s the best way to do.”
They looked at each other for a while, before Leanne looked down first.
“You seems pretty good in - - “ Ace paused for a second, “keeping secrets..”
Leanne looked at him straight away, noticing how he changed the word ‘Lying’ to the less offensive word, she’s wondering inside where the conversation may lead and what he’s implying.
“I guess.. When it’s necessary.” She said in doubtful.
Ace is about to say something when Sam came inside the room, telling Leanne that Calvin is looking for her and wants a word with her. Made Ace hated the fact that he felt a glimpse of jealousy to think about Leanne and his brother being alone, in the same room.
***
“Did you call for me?” asked Leanne to Calvin who’s in his workroom.
“Yes. Please close the door..”
Leanne closed the door, before come closer to where he’s at.
“Does my brother give you a hard time?” he said in a very serious look on his face.
“No..” said Leanne, lied. --Yes, she said inside, the real answer that she wanted to say was ‘define hard times?’ or ‘it depends’ or ‘sometimes’. She realised that it is very easy to lied at people--other than Ace. Hmm, why is that?—again, she thought inside.
“Are you sure? Why do I get this weird feeling about last night? Is everything okay?”
“One hundred percent. Just like the usual party night. Everything is A-Okay.” Said Leanne without hesitated a bit, considering she’s not like completely lying, because the half of it was true.
“You’re telling me that, just to sooth me, aren’t you?”
“You know I always tell you, anything you need to know--or if something goes wrong..” said Leanne.
“..I know..- - Fine then..” Calvin decided to trust her. “I was calling you because June had contacted me..”
“Oh?” said Leanne tried to cool off, for hearing that name.
“It’s Ace’s birthday this Tuesday, and June is planning to throw him a simple surprise dinner.. with some of his friends—she said.”
“And how do we manage to keep it in secret..?”
“June said, she’s going to ask Ace out so we can prepare everything, and she’ll come here with Ace—even though I don’t know how she would make it as if Ace is the one who’s inviting her to our place, without drawing his suspicion.” Said Calvin while raising his eyebrows for a while.
Leanne looked down for a second before replying. “Okay.. I’ll handle everything else, then.”
“Thank you.” Calvin said. “Oh, and I will be going out of town, the day after that.” Now, Calvin looked down at the floor. “With Sharon. It’s actually a business trip, but I’m going to talk with her. I’ll be going for two days.—I’m just reminding you.”
“Yes, I remember.. Good luck, with Sharon.. Don’t worry, I will take care of Cheryl.” Said Leanne, knowing the main reason Calvin’s told her about his plan.
“I know you will.. thanks for everything, Leanne.”
“Just doing my job.” Said Leanne with a slight smile, before leaving Calvin’s workroom.
Just when Leanne opened the door, she met Ace who looks like he’s already standing there for a while. Their eyes locked on each other.
“Were you just here the whole time..?” said Leanne worrying he might heard about the surprise party.
Ace squinted for a second. “No, I just got here.” He said briefly, before whispering into Leanne’s ear. “My turn to ask a question, what were you guys talking about?”
Leanne blinked twice and looked away, licking her lips before answering, “Just daily schedules, as usual.” She looked at Ace’s darkened eyes.
“Ace?” Calvin called him from inside the room when he heard Ace’s voice. Ace’s look turned cold, his instinct told him that she’s hiding something, again. Ace then went passed her into the workroom before closing the door.
“What were you guys talking about?” said Ace while taking a seat on the sofa. He would try to be all cool about it, yet he’s failing to content his emotion.
“Why would you want to know?” Calvin voice sounds a little sarcastic.
“You know, if you don’t want me to have this assumption on both of you, you shouldn’t acted like you’re covering something up.”
“We’re just talking about my plans.” Said Calvin while giving his brother the look. “If I don’t know you any better, I would say that you were jealous.”
Ace chuckled in reflex, with a slight nervous gasp. Why should I be nervous?—he thought inside. He run his fingers on his hair, still considering what to speak while at the same time, not liking the fact that his brother knew him so well.
“Please, don’t mess with her feeling, Ace. I’m serious!”
Ace looked away before answering, “I’m not. Okay?!” he spontaneously raised his voice, surprised at himself for burst it out. “- - You don’t need to remind me about it, every time. I don’t really have got the time for - - all of that stuff.”
Calvin’s forehead wrinkled. “What stuff?”
“Very funny. Love stuff. There, I’ve said it. Happy?!” Ace rolled his eyes.
“Well, June seems promising.. And you’ve been working it out with her this whole time, right?”
“I don’t know, man. To be honest, I haven’t thought about settling or being in a relationship at all.” Ace looked down, while putting his elbows on his knees. Calvin ruffled his hair for a second, feeling not in the right place to advise his brother about his love-life.
“Hey, bro. Let’s go for some boy’s night, tonight.” Calvin said with his smirk.
Ace smiled back, before saying, “Are you sure you’re still got what it takes?”
Calvin lifted his hands. “Always bro. Always!”. They’re chuckled at the same time, feeling the joy like the old times.
- Writer
