The slumber party had silently ended in a disaster. After Mrs. McDonell left the living room, she never returned, as she went up to her room with a wine glass and a bottle. Mandy assured the others that she had locked the cabinet where the other bottles were kept and had the key just in case Bertha decided to take another. Mrs. McDonell had really taken this personally. Amanda suggested that it was best to spend the night back in their rooms. Everybody agreed. Diana helped Amanda back onto her wheelchair and helped her to her room. Carly, Angel, and Mandy remained folding the blankets. Since the mattresses had been taken from the guest rooms, Mandy took them with her, leaving Angel and Carly alone in the living room.
The two sisters folded the blankets and put the cushions on one end of a couch. When Angel was sure the two of them were alone, she turned to look at her sister, who was starting to carry the blankets out of the room.
“Carly,” said Angel, her throat feeling dry just saying out her sister’s name. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?” Carly asked as she looked at her sister.
“You know exactly what I mean. Were you supposed to reveal the truth to everyone like that?”
“Well, I did. There’s no turning back from that now.”
“Did Leo put you up to this?”
Carly didn’t answer as she went on ahead to lift the blankets from the couch. Angel held Carly’s shoulder, stopping her from leaving.
“Ouch, Angel, you’re hurting me,” said Carly as she winced at how tightly Angel held her shoulder.
“You haven’t answered the question. Did Leo put you up to this?”
“What do you care whether he did or not? We all knew when the truth would be revealed it was going to be a bitter pill to swallow for some people.”
“You were supposed to take your time in doing so; that’s what I knew. Your speeding things up has just made the whole situation worse.”
“Angel, this isn’t your relationship, okay? You have no say in it. I’m going off to bed.”
Carly walked away, tearing from her sister’s grip. Angel watched Carly as she walked out of the living room and up the stairs. Angel sighed as she took a cushion on the couch and threw it angrily to the floor. She stared up at the ceiling in frustration. What the hell is going on in her sister’s head? Angel wondered. Everything was all going wrong, and if she wasn’t careful, things might spiral out of control.
Angel made her way to her room. When she reached the door, she could tell in the next room that Diana and Amanda were having a serious talk. Angel couldn’t hear their conversation, but she knew what they were talking about. Angel made her way into her room and closed the door. She went for her bed and sat, thinking of what to do next. At this point, there was really nothing she could do but wait for tomorrow when Leo gets back. She thought of giving him a call and asking him if he and Carly had really planned to do this. She shook her head at the thought. Leo wouldn’t have wanted Carly to tell everyone the truth about their relationship, especially when he wasn’t around. Angel stopped herself short. No, she should leave all of this for tomorrow. Though she had a feeling it would not end well.
The next day, Amanda and Angel had gone to church together. Mrs. McDonell had left the place to go God knows where. Diana and Carly had decided to stay home after a long night and needed to rest. As Angel and Amanda were driven back home with Billy behind the wheel, the two women sat in silence.
“This isn’t going to go down well, is it?” Amanda asked as she turned to look at Angel.
Angel, who was absentmindedly looking out her side of the window, turned to look at Amanda. “Huh?”
“I said things aren’t going to go down well,” said Amanda. “When Leo and the others get home, I mean.”
Angel sighed. “I won’t lie, I haven’t been able to sleep at all after Carly told us the news.”
“Same here. At least she confirmed what everyone else has been suspecting for a while. We all didn’t expect it to be true and for her to reveal it like she did. I mean, she should’ve at least waited for Thanksgiving.”
Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mrs. McDonell was still going to freak out, nonetheless.”
“I’m surprised she took it as well as she did last night. She would’ve grabbed Carly by the throat. When Leo gets home, her head will eventually explode.”
“Do you think we should at last give Leo a heads-up?”
“I think not. If Carly were none the wiser, she would’ve told him already. That’s if he had also agreed with her that she should tell all of us about their relationship. But that’s so unlike him. He would tell us about Carly face-to-face.” Amanda sighed. “I’m sorry to say this, but if Carly acted out on her own, then she’s as dumb and reckless as I thought.”
Angel didn’t object there. Carly did act dumb and reckless. Angel only prayed that Carly and Leo had their cover story straightened out, or else the whole family would know that something was horribly wrong. And no one wants to start fishing out skeletons from the closet. With Carly’s recklessness, too much was already on the line. Not to mention that Carly so happened to be cheating on Leo with a drug lord who so happened to be dead. With that in mind, how was Angel going to confront her sister now? At the moment, she had to deal with one mess before she could deal with the other.
“I’m not going to lie,” said Amanda, dragging Angel out of her thoughts, “when Diana talked about Leo deciding on which woman he would go for, I knew Carly was either one of them. I was hoping the other one would probably be you.”
“Me?” Angel looked shocked at Amanda’s thought.
“Well, yeah. Honestly speaking, who else would fit the bill? It was too much to ask, and I didn’t get what I wanted because he made a bad choice once again.”
Angel held Amanda’s shoulder. “You don’t know that. Remember when you said you would take your time and see if your gut feeling would change? Let’s give ourselves time. Carly might actually be who Leo needed.”
“I sure hope so. But a funny feeling in me says otherwise.”
Angel said nothing more as she gave Amanda a small smile. She went on to look through the window. For once, she felt like she didn’t want to go back to the house, not with what it would become in the next few hours.
When Angel and Amanda got back home, they were greeted by the cold and empty demeanor of the house. The house was silent like a funeral had just occurred, but there were no mourners around to mourn who could’ve died. All the joy that had been peacefully swirling around the house had just disappeared. Angel couldn’t help but feel that the peace had died or had simply left the place. Amanda also felt it but didn’t address it. She simply told Angel that she would want to rest. Angel did likewise and escorted Amanda to her room.
Afterwards, Angel went in her room and made her way to the bed to remove her shoes and wear her comfy grey house shoes. Before she made her way out of the room, Angel retrieved her phone from her bag that she had placed on her bed. She found a missed call from Eric. He had called when she was in church, and she hadn’t bothered to look at her phone on the way back home. Could he have known about what Carly had done through Leo? She couldn’t be sure, so she decided to act natural as she called him back.
Eric answered on the third ring, and judging by the background noise, Angel could tell that he was in a moving car.
“Hi, Eric,” said Angel. “How are you?”
“I’m good, thanks,” said Eric. “I’m guessing this is when you’re seeing my call.”
“Yeah, I was in church at the time and didn’t get to look at my phone. You sound like you guys are on your way back.”
“Yes, we are. That’s what I wanted to tell you. When you didn’t pick up, I called my mum instead.”
Angel could tell that Eric sounded calm and cheerful. He doesn’t know yet, she concluded. And maybe Leo doesn’t know as well, or did he decide to keep it from him until they got back?
“Okay, we’ll be waiting,” said Angel. “Bye.”
“Bye.”
Angel cut the call, wanting to end the conversation quickly. The last thing she needed was for her to tell Eric what happened last night. And judging by his tone, Diana must have decided not to tell him either. It was best for them to get here and witness the disaster on their own.
Angel left her room and went to the kitchen. She found Mandy in there, cleaning the dishes, and there was Diana having her meal by the kitchen table, sitting on the long stools. She was still in her nighttime attire, and her brown hair looked as messy as ever.
“Someone must have forgotten to wear a cap before sleeping,” said Angel as she made her way further into the kitchen.
“After what happened last night, I’ll admit I wasn’t thinking straight,” said Diana as she looked at Angel.
“You and me both.” Angel went to get a glass from the cupboard behind Diana. “I’m from talking to Eric just now. I’m guessing you didn’t tell him about last night’s fiasco.”
“Hell, no,” said Diana as she put her cup of coffee down. “The others should also experience the shock we felt last night. Besides, if Leo did find out that Carly had revealed the truth of their relationship, he would have come early this morning.”
Angel walked over to the fridge to collect water from the dispenser. “Do you think he was in on it and told Carly to reveal the truth to everyone?”
“No. Leo might not own up to many things, but something like this is out of the question. He would tell us in one way or another in person.”
Angel went back to the island and took a seat facing Diana. “You’re right. Even Amanda said the same thing and wished they could’ve told us on Thanksgiving or something.”
“True. I thought the same. Looks like Carly couldn’t wait to tell us the news.”
“So it seems.” Angel drank her water. “This isn’t going to end well, is it?”
“Of course not. As much as I am mad at Leo for not telling me before that it’s Carly who he has been seeing, there’s really nothing to be mad about since I did say I wouldn’t pry about his business. His mother is one who will be very angry, considering that both he and Carly have been living under the same roof and Carly is not the person she wants for her son. I bet the woman is going through a lot of crazy emotions, anger being one of them.”
“I’m just surprised that I never saw this coming. Carly and Leo are close, but I didn’t expect that they could actually be dating.” Angel had to keep up appearances, hence the lie.
“Yeah, my mother is disappointed that you weren’t the one to date him. I guess that’s how it is.”
Angel didn’t know how to answer that as she continued to drink her water. Leo and the others would be arriving soon, and she couldn’t help but imagine the chaos that would unfold once they did.
It was 2 P.M. in the afternoon when the men of the house had finally arrived. Angel sat at the patio at the back of the house with Amanda as the two women were sewing and chatting. Mandy came over to tell them the news of their arrival. For a moment, Angel and Amanda shared a grim look before Angel escorted Amanda out of the patio and back into the house. When the two of them reached the foyer, they found the front door wide open. Diana was already in the foyer hugging Oliver tightly, as she was excited to see him. Mandy was already taking some of the bags up the stairs. Mr. McDonell and Eric came in carrying their bags and fishing equipment that they had carried with them.
“Welcome home,” said Amanda as she came into the foyer with Angel pushing her chair.
“Grandma, I missed you,” said Oliver as he ran over to Amanda and hugged her.
“I missed you too, dear. The house needed your presence. I’m glad you’ve come back safe and sound.”
“Hi, you,” said Diana as she smiled at Eric, who had just stepped into the foyer. “How was the weekend?”
“It was great, Mum,” said Eric as he briefly gave his mother a hug. His eyes quickly flew to Angel, who was hugging Oliver.
“I have a lot to tell you, Angel,” said Oliver after hugging her. “I caught a really big fish yesterday.”
“Trust me, he almost fell into the water because he thought he had caught a crocodile or something, but it turned out to be the smallest fish you’ll ever see,” said Eric.
“That’s not true,” Oliver protested. Angel couldn’t help but laugh at the two brothers.
“Fred, dear, how are you?” Amanda asked.
“I’m good, thanks,” said Mr. McDonell as he put the fishing equipment down and gave himself a good stretch. “I feel great. Just a little tired.”
“Well, after this, I would like that you and I meet in your study. If that won’t be much of a bother.”
While Mr. McDonell agreed, Angel and Diana couldn’t help but feel that they knew what she wanted to talk about. The two women alongside Amanda did their best not to show their true emotions on their faces.
“Where’s Leo?” Amanda asked as she looked at the open door, expecting him to come in.
“He’s parking the car in the garage,” said Eric. He went on to lift the bags on the floor. “I better take these upstairs.”
A set of footsteps was heard coming down the stairs, and everyone looked to see Mandy and Carly. Angel realized that she hadn’t seen her sister since morning. Even if Carly put up a joyful look on her face, Angel could tell that she was nervous.
“Oh, you guys are back,” said Carly as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “How did the fishing trip go?”
“It was great,” Eric answered. Mandy took some of the bags from him. There came a set of footsteps coming from outside. “Here comes Leo now.”
Leo stepped into the foyer, carrying with him a strong presence. Just like Eric and his father, he wore a long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and boots. They all really showed that they really had been on a fishing trip. Leo smiled as soon as he stepped into the foyer. Angel and Carly couldn’t help but gulp as their eyes never left him. Diana and Amanda couldn’t help but look at each other with mixed feelings.
“It’s so good to see you again, Leo,” said Amanda. “Come here and give me a hug.”
Leo chuckled as he came over to his grandmother. “You’re acting like I’ve been away like forever.”
“Can’t a grandmother miss her grandsons?” Amanda asked as Leo bent down to hug her. “I’m happy you’re back home.”
“So am I.” Leo straightened himself up, and he found himself looking at Angel. He smiled a little as he said, “Angel, hi. The floral dress looks good on you.”
Angel’s cheeks heated up. Now was the wrong time to compliment her, not with what was to follow after this. She tried to look away, but there was something about Leo’s gaze that kept her eyes fixed on him. Amanda couldn’t help but snicker a little while Diana bit her tongue and looked elsewhere. Carly felt her hands clench into a fist.
“Um, thanks, Leo,” said Angel. “It’s good to have all of you back.”
“Okay, everyone,” said Amanda. “You guys better go freshen up and rest.”
“Before that, you and I should go in the study first,” said Mr. McDonell as he looked at his mother.
At this point, everyone started to disperse. Oliver dragged Angel with him up the stairs as she already started to blabber about his weekend. Mr. McDonell took hold of his mother’s wheelchair, and they both made their way to the study. Mandy followed Angel and Oliver up the stairs with the bags. Diana and Eric followed up the stairs, leaving Carly and Leo by themselves.
As soon as they were sure they were alone, Carly smiled at Leo and approached him. Leo stood there, a smile slowly playing across his face.
“How are you?” Carly asked as she stopped in front of him.
“I’m good,” said Leo. He raised an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling that you’ve something very important to tell me?”
“It’s because I do.” Carly held his hand. “We better go talk outside. You might not like what you’re about to hear.”
Carly led the way to the kitchen with Leo following behind her. Atop the stairs, Diana came out of hiding, as she had been watching the two of them. She sighed, hoping Leo wasn’t going to blow a fuse when a bomb bigger than his was yet to explode when it got home.
It was the early hours of the evening when Mrs. McDonell came back home. Mandy informed her as soon as she stepped into the foyer that her husband and the rest were back. Almost everyone else was in their room, waiting on supper or simply just waiting for something to happen. At the moment, no one apart from Mandy knew she had arrived.
Mrs. McDonell went up the stairs and was slowly making her way to her room when she stopped as she almost bypassed Leo’s bedroom. She turned and headed towards the door. Raising her hand to knock on the door, she hesitated for a bit. But soon, she found herself knocking on the door. The faint response of Leo in the room telling her to come in came through, and she opened the door.
She found Leo on the bed with his back resting on the headboard as he sat comfortably with pillows around him. He was looking through his phone when he looked up at his mother. She walked into the room and closed the door behind her.
“Hi, Leo,” said Bertha as she made her way to the foot of his bed. “How are you?”
“I’m good, Mum,” said Leo. “Judging by the look on your face, I’m guessing that you’ve come to talk about Carly and me.”
Bertha sat at the foot of the bed, laying her black Gucci bag beside her. “Yes, I have,” she said.
Leo raised an eyebrow at her. “For someone who easily loses their temper, you’re really calm.”
“Because I expect you to do the right thing here as we discuss this like adults.”
Leo folded his arms. “I’m listening.”
Bertha opened her mouth to speak, but she chuckled for a bit, as she was finding it very hard to say what’s on her mind. Leo had a feeling that she might just be losing it. “When Carly told me the news about the two of you, I was stunned,” she said. “We were talking about you and your mysterious girlfriend, and it turns out that it was the person sitting right next to me and beating me in a game of cards. It was so dramatic how she did it too. She showed her cards and revealed the truth to all of us. As a loser in the game and hearing such news, you can imagine how I felt.”
Leo didn’t say anything as he continued to look at his mother. Bertha sighed as she looked around his room.
“It really took us by surprise, especially me,” she continued. “I didn’t expect that the girl you were going out with was her. For how long have the two of you been seeing each other?”
“For a while now,” Leo answered.
“How long after you canceled your wedding with Kim?”
“Carly and Angel came to stay with us after that, didn’t they? It was like two months afterwards. But we weren’t serious back then.”
“I see.” Mrs. McDonell looked down at her hands. “Is it because you happen to be seeing someone, then?”
“Yes, I was.” Leo’s jaw clenched. Right now, he was sticking to the script, and messing things up would cost him dearly.
“Who was this other woman? Is she the reason why you broke things up with Kim?”
Leo sat up a little straighter as he cleared his throat. “At first, it felt that way,” he answered. “But after I ended things with her, I realized that she wasn’t the real reason why I had ended things with Kim. For a long time, I had been running away from the fact that I didn’t love Kim as I thought I did. That’s why I called the wedding off.”
“You’re lying. I know you are.” Mrs. McDonell’s voice started to rise a little higher. “You loved Kim. You still do. I saw the way you treated her till you called things off. You love her.”
“If I did, then we wouldn’t be in this situation, would we? I would’ve been with her right now in my apartment. But that’s not the case. It only took me that day to realize it, and that’s why I took off. I agreed to marry her just to please everyone, especially you. You wanted the wedding to happen so badly that I got blinded to the fact that you’ve been controlling my life all this time.”
Mrs. McDonell now stood. “I was only doing what was best for you.”
“You were doing what was best for you, Mum. You were never concerned about me but about what marrying Kim would be like for our two families.” Leo took a breath. “You care so much about what people would say that you never cared about my own happiness.”
“I am your mother, Leo! Do you expect me to just watch you ruin your life? Now you’re going out with one of these sisters, and you expect me to be happy about it?”
“It’s my life, which means I get to make my own decisions. I don’t expect you to be happy with whatever I decide, but you should let me be. Let me make my own mistakes if this is what it is.”
“I’m not going to allow you to. Not on my watch.”
Leo shook his head. “You’re unbelievable. It’s pointless talking to you about this.”
“Well, you should’ve thought twice about it before you thought of going out with Carly. And the two of you have been living under the same roof. Gosh, how could I have been so blind?”
“We knew you wouldn’t approve of this because you’re so hung up on getting me back with Kim. It will never happen. I can’t love Kim the way you want me to.”
“This is where you’re wrong, Leo.” Mrs. McDonell wagged a finger at him. “Kim is perfect for you. She comes from a good family. And Carly? Carly is still going to college, and she has nothing to her name. She and her sister are leaving under our charity.”
Leo pushed the pillows aside, and he stood. “Are you hearing yourself right now? I can’t believe you just said that. You see what I mean? You only care about what people can offer you. A good reputation. And how dare you talk about Carly and Angel like that? They might not be family, but they have done so much for us, especially Angel. How ungrateful can you be?”
“I don’t mean it like that, Leo. They have done so much for us, yes. But Carly isn’t the one for you, son. She’s not fit to carry your father’s name. I always knew that the sisters coming here would be nothing but trouble. Now they have you falling for one of them. If I had it in me, they shouldn’t even be here.”
Leo shook his head. “I know that you’re dramatic, Mum, but I never expected you to be so hysterical. I seriously can’t take this. We’re done.”
“No, we’re not done here, Leo. You need to do the right thing here. End things with Carly.”
“And go back to Kim?” Leo chuckled. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Fine. You can go out with whoever you want, but not her. What would people say if they found out that the two of you are living under the same roof?”
“Then I’ll make things easier for you. I’ll leave.”
Leo started to make his way to the wardrobe and took out his suitcase. Mrs. McDonell looked on at Leo, bewildered at what he was doing.
“You can’t be serious,” said Mrs. McDonell as she watched her son start to put some of his clothes in the suitcase.
“Since you’re so concerned about what people are going to say, I’ll make things easier for you. It’s best that I leave. I simply can’t stand your drama right now. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and now feels like the right time to do so.”
Mrs. McDonell came over to Leo. “Stop this nonsense, Leo. You can’t leave.”
“I need to. I simply can’t put up with you, Mum. For the sake of peace, I’ll be going to my apartment.”
Mrs. McDonell shook her head in disbelief as she watched her son pack up his clothes. She needed to stop him somehow. He couldn’t just leave.
“You’re willing to do all of this for Carly?” Mrs. McDonell asked. “You’re willing to leave the house for someone like her? You don’t even know if she’s been seeing other people behind your back. Once I heard her talking on the phone with some man, but you were in this very house.”
“If you need to know, Mum, she and I were trying to be careful with revealing our relationship, so we would sometimes communicate on our phones. Now you know.”
Mrs. McDonell didn’t know what to say next as she stood rooted on the spot with nothing to say. She would’ve tried to hold him off from packing his things, but she simply didn’t have the energy to. Leo opened one of his drawers and took his car keys and the keys to his apartment, shoving them in his pocket. With his suitcase roughly packed, Leo zipped it up, made it stand upright, and started to head for the door, dragging it with him.
“Leo, wait a minute,” said Mrs. McDonell as she followed him to the door. “Can we please try to talk about this?”
“I believe we already have.”
Leo opened the door to his room and walked out with his suitcase. Mrs. McDonell came after him.
“Leo,” she called to him, her voice echoing around the whole house. “Wait! You simply can’t leave!”
Angel and Oliver were already in the living room. Angel was trying to help Oliver with his homework when they both heard Mrs. McDonell’s voice. They were seated on the floor next to the coffee table. Oliver turned to look at Angel, and Angel had a concerned look on her face. She stood up from the floor.
“Let me see what’s going on,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
Angel walked out of the living room and found Leo walking down the stairs lifting a suitcase. Mrs. McDonell was coming up behind him. Angel could only wonder what was going on.
“Leo? What’s with the suitcase?” Angel asked as Leo approached the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m leaving,” he answered as he reached the bottom of the steps.
“Leaving?” Angel looked down at his suitcase. “What’s going on? Where are you going?”
“Talk to him, Angel,” said Mrs. McDonell as she stood at the bottom of the steps. “He shouldn’t leave this house.”
“Wait a minute,” said Angel as she held up her hand to quieten Mrs. McDonell down. “I don’t understand what’s going on. Leo, why are you leaving?”
“I’m just doing what’s best for her,” said Leo as he looked at his mother. “Since she’s so worried about what people will say about Carly and me, I’ve decided to leave.”
“We can talk about this. You don’t have to leave.”
“Yes, listen to Angel. Angel, tell him that he shouldn’t leave,” said Mrs. McDonell, her voice echoing around the foyer.
Soon enough footsteps came from up the stairs. Diana and Mr. McDonell had appeared and looked down at the scene in the foyer. Diana’s eyes grew wide with surprise as she saw a suitcase next to Leo.
“Leo, talk to me,” said Angel. “I’m guessing you and your mother talked about your relationship with Carly. What ticked you off?”
“My mother and her hysterics,” Leo answered. “Look, Angel, I’ve already made up my mind, and this has been a long time coming. She’s gone too far, and I just can’t take it.”
“Leo, please, listen,” said Mrs. McDonell as she held her son’s arm. “Why can’t you understand that I’m only looking out for you?”
“I’m not going through this with you again. If you can’t accept that this is my life, maybe leaving this house is the only way to show you that.”
Diana quickly came down the stairs. Mr. McDonell followed. “Leo, can you and I at least talk first?” Diana asked.
“Maybe later,” said Leo. “Right now, I just need to leave.”
“No,” said Mrs. McDonell as she shook her head. “You’re not going anywhere.”
Eric and Carly also appeared from their rooms after hearing the noise downstairs. Amanda had rolled herself out of her room to see what was going on. Carly looked on confused as she saw the scene. She looked at Eric with a worrying look.
“What’s all this racket?” Amanda asked. “Leo? What’s with the suitcase?”
“I’m leaving, Grandma,” Leo answered. “I simply can’t take any more of Mum’s drama.”
Amanda turned to look at Bertha. “Are you simply telling me that you can’t be serious enough to let this slide? This is his life we’re talking about, and instead of just letting him live it, you want to control it again? What kind of a mother are you? Leo isn’t a kid anymore, Bertha.”
“I’m just looking out for my son, and what do you care?” Mrs. McDonell snapped.
“Bertha, this attitude of yours is what’s driving Leo out of this house,” said Mr. McDonell. “Why don’t you just calm down and let Leo go?”
“Let him go?” Mrs. McDonell turned to look at her husband. “You don’t seem concerned about him and the choices he has made. You should be looking out for him. He’s your son.”
“But interfering in his relationship with Carly right now isn’t going to work. He’s free to make his own choices, Bertha. And I think he’s right in leaving until you cool off about this. And it’s not like he’s leaving the city, for crying out loud. You two need some time apart.”
Mrs. McDonell shook her head. “No, I’m not letting him leave,” she said. She turned to look at Leo. “Leo, you don’t have to do this. Let’s work something out.”
Carly started to make her way down the stairs, and Eric tried to stop her from doing so, but she was too quick for him. Mrs. McDonell heard footsteps and turned towards the stairs. The demeanor on her face changed, and she turned her whole body to face Carly, letting go of Leo’s arm.
“Don’t you even think of coming any closer, Carly,” Mrs. McDonell warned. “You alone have done more harm than good to this family.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” said Carly as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “Can’t you see that it’s you who is causing all of this?”
Mrs. McDonell was starting to lose her patience so much that she almost approached Carly, looking ready to pounce on her. Diana and Mr. McDonell took hold of her, stopping her from approaching. This gave Leo the opportunity to turn for the door. Angel was too preoccupied with watching Mrs. McDonell that she didn’t notice Leo open the door and leave. It was only a few seconds later that she turned her head to see that Leo had walked out. Angel quickly followed him.
Mrs. McDonell had been telling Diana and her husband to let go of her and that she wouldn’t try and hurt Carly. It was only after she turned her head to look behind her that she realized that Leo had walked out of the house.
“Leo?” she called out. “Leo has just walked out.”
Diana was quick to hold Bertha once more. “Let him go, Bertha,” said Diana. “This is for the best.”
“No, we’re not done talking,” said Mrs. McDonell as she tried to break free from Diana.
Mr. McDonell went over to the door to close it. “I’m afraid I’m not going to let you, Bertha.”
Mrs. McDonell broke away from Diana and approached her husband, who stood firmly by the door. “Let me through, Frank. You don’t want to make me even more angry.”
Mr. McDonell didn’t budge. “I’m not going to move until you cool down. You’re not in your right state of mind right now.”
Bertha huffed, knowing very well that she had lost this round. She quickly turned around and went up for the stairs, not giving anyone a second glance, not even Carly. Everyone was silent as they watched her storm her way to her room.
Leo was already in the garage and had thrown his suitcase in the backseat of the car when Angel appeared. After Leo closed the door to the backseat, he looked up to see Angel.
“I hope you aren’t trying to convince me to go back in there,” said Leo. “Because I’m not going to.”
“You’ve already made up your mind, Leo,” said Angel. “It will be pointless to try.”
“Then why are you here? If not to convince me otherwise.”
Angel took a deep breath. “Your mother is hard to handle. I understand why you have to leave, but don’t hate her for it.”
Leo sighed as he came towards Angel. “I wish I could tell you what she said up in my room, but I’m too angry to—”
“Then don’t say it,” Angel interrupted as she held out her hand to stop him. “I’m guessing you’ll be going to your apartment for the meantime, so I advise you leave and cool off as well. We can talk about this tomorrow, or any day you feel like it.”
Leo scoffed. “I don’t see myself coming back here. If you ask me, I should’ve left this place a long time ago. I guess this was the only way to do so.”
“I get it. I’ll let Carly know where your apartment is. I’m guessing that you haven’t told her about it yet.”
“Yeah, I haven’t.” Leo found himself coming closer towards Angel. As he looked at her, he felt something heavy in his chest, feeling the need to let her know something. Surprisingly, he wasn’t sure what it was. “You take care, Angel.”
“You too,” said Angel. “Drive safe.”
The two of them looked at each other in the semi-darkness, the tiny light bulb in the garage the only light beaming. Leo forcibly turned towards the car and opened the door to his car. Angel watched him as he got in and closed the door. He switched on the engine and put the car in drive. Before he pulled down the handbrake, he looked at Angel through the window one last time. He knew he was going to see her tomorrow at work, but for some reason, he felt he wasn’t going to see her for a long time. He pulled down the handbrake and stepped on the accelerator as he looked forward.
Angel watched Leo’s black Mercedes drive out of the garage and onto the driveway until she could no longer see the car’s taillights. She looked on into the night, hoping that Leo might change his mind and turn the car back. But the chilling air of the night told her otherwise, and she slowly made her way back to the house.
When Angel opened the front door and entered the house, she found Carly seated at the bottom of the stairs and Eric had been pacing up and down. Oliver had been waiting at the entrance of the living room with Mandy beside him. Eric stopped pacing as all eyes were now on Angel, who had closed the door behind her.
“Leo’s gone,” said Angel. “There was no point in convincing him otherwise.”
Oliver gave Angel a sad smile and turned around to head back into the living room. Mandy announced that it was time for supper and that Diana, Mr. McDonell, and Amanda were waiting for them. She silently made her way to the kitchen. Eric sighed, and Carly slowly stood up, looking tired out and drained from all that has happened.
“Are you in the mood to eat?” Eric asked as he looked at Angel. “I’m certainly not.”
“No one is, but we don’t want the food to go to waste,” said Angel. “Besides, we need the energy. Let’s go.”
Eric started to make his way to the living room. Angel stood there for a while as she looked at her sister. Carly didn’t know what to say as she tried to think of something. As she opened her mouth to speak, Angel held up her hand to stop her.
“Let’s just go eat, Carly,” said Angel. “I don’t have the time for it. At least, not now.”
Angel followed Eric, and Carly remained by the stairs alone. She sighed deeply as she had no choice but to follow her sister. The house had never been as dead silent as it was now.
ns216.73.216.136da2
and then Add to home screen.