Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 56

Aidan was telling her that he did not want to give her that chance. He was only doing it because of a promise he made. In other words, he was telling her to be grateful.

Leanna refused to budge, however, as she replied indignantly, "If you're so unhappy with how we did at the show, I think nobody will object if you rescind your promise, will they?"

Aidan turned his sights to Harvey. "Is that what you think as well, Mr. Mancini?" he asked coldly.

Mancini felt himself sweating, and he laughed dryly. "It's not as serious as McK made it out to be. But if you do think nobody's up to par, then it'd be questionable if we still get the slot in the end. Still, thank you for giving us and our designers a chance, sir."

"Somebody here doesn't sound grateful, Mr. Mancini, though," Aidan said indifferently.

Can't you two just close the door and argue slowly when you get home?

Leanna refused to waste any more time. "Thanks for the offer, President Pearson, but I'm not good enough for it." She turned to Harvey. "If there is nothing else, Mr. Mancini, I will go first."

Aidan stood up with a snort after she left. "Is everyone here that arrogant?"

Harvey had no idea what to say to that, so he kept quiet.

Queenie had been waiting for a long time. She approached Aidan the moment he came out. "We meet again, President Pearson," she said sheepishly.

Aidan looked impatient, frowned, and asked the woman blocking the way, "Have we met?"

She was stunned for a while before saying, "I went to your office yesterday. I'm Lux Magazine's designer, do you remember?"

"Yes," he said coolly as he almost forgot that Leanna was not the only designer in the company. He turned to Harvey. "She can have that slot."

Harvey did not realise what had happened just yet. "What?"

Aidan, on the other hand, didn't appear to want to repeat his words and departed with his long legs.

Queenie was as flabbergasted as Harvey as well. Slot? What slot?

Harvey massaged his temples a few moments later. Well, this won't be easy to settle. Aidan is providing us with top resources for designers, but McK refused him again. He got mad and Queenie bumped into him, so he tossed everything to her like they're trash. But he told me she can have it, so I guess I have to do this.

He told Queenie, "Come to my office."

…

Leanna went downstairs right away. Just when she was about to get a taxi, someone said, "Leanna."

She looked up at the guy who called out to her. "Why are you—"

Zayn smiled. "I'm here to see you."

"Do you need anything?"

"It's almost lunchtime. Wanna get something to eat together?"

Leanna reflexively refused. "It's alright. I—"

He interrupted, "I need to talk to you. It won't take long, and I'll leave as soon as I'm done."

She had no reason to refuse after he told her that. As a result, she nodded. "Okay then."

The first thing Aidan saw when he came out of the elevator was Leanna leaving with Zayn. He said coldly, "Well, she's married to him now. She can have anything she wants."

Jonathan was standing behind him and took a few steps back.

Aidan said, "Call Anna."

He turned around and headed to the place where they were heading.

Zayn picked a quiet restaurant for the little chat they were about to have. After he made the orders, he clarified, "These are your favorites, aren't they?"

Leanna pursed her lips as she wondered what she should say. She could guess what he wanted to tell her.

After the waiter was gone, Zayn said, "I've been thinking about this, Leanna. I keep asking myself how I feel about you and whether I can take care of you."

Leanna had to stop him, "Zayn—"

Zayn interrupted her, "Let me finish. I've asked myself if I mind your past. I've thought about it for a long time, and this is my answer. I know what you're worried about, Leanna. I won't force you to choose. If you want the child, then I promise I'll treat him like he's my own."

She laughed. "Is that really worth it?"

"That's not the point. The point is I like you. I've lost you for three years, and I don't want that to happen again."

He was not there when she needed him three years ago and he had no idea what happened. He could not change the past, so he wanted to cherish the present and future.

Leanna said slowly, "You might not mind, but what about your parents? Do they think so too?" Most families in their society would forbid their sons from dating a woman who had another man's kid, let alone an aristocratic one like the Barnetts.

"I'll talk to them," Zayn answered in a gentle but firm manner.

Leanna shook her head with a smile. "It's over between us. You don't have to go that far."

"It's never over, Leanna. We've never even started."

She felt sadness bubbling within her that filled her eyes with tears. Zayn was a terrific man. She would date him if she could turn back time. Alas, she had no such power. They could never go back in time and change anything.

Anna had come to the restaurant and the sight of Leanna and Zayn together made her furious. She was about to storm in when someone stopped her. "Hello, Miss Anna."

Anna was already blinded by rage and barked, "Piss off!"

Jonathan made way for her, but he said, "Mr. Pearson is here as well. Keep your anger in check, Miss Anna."

Anna clenched her fists and calmed down a lot. Zayn had been avoiding her like the plague. She had to avoid acting like a scorned woman or she would never bridge the gap between them.

Jonathan was relieved to see Anna calm down so much, after which he retreated into the corner. He looked at the man who was skimming the menu. "She calmed down, sir."

"I see." All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.