CHAPTER 14 TOLERATION
A noise woke her up. Rhianna opened her eyes and followed where that noise was coming from. Her feet carried her to the kitchen. She saw Carmela preparing food. Carmela looked at her and gave her a sweet smile.
“Good Morning Rhianna.” she greeted her. She doesn’t want to be rude to her so she answers Carmela.
“Good Morning too, Carmela.” she reciprocated and sat in the vacant seat at the table. She looked at Carmela as she sliced vegetables. Chop Suey is what she will cook.
“It is okay if I help you? To make it easy.” she said. Carmela looked at her from what she was doing.
“I don’t need your help, Rhianna.” she said firmly and then went to the stove to cook. She couldn’t help but belittle herself. Carmela suit for Leo.
“You’re awake Rhianna.” Leo said while approaching her. She looked up at him. He is done bathing. He was very handsome wearing a plain white t-shirt and gray shorts. She nodded.
“Where are you going?” Rhianna asked him.
“We’ll go shopping. We will buy food while you are staying here.” Carmela said who was standing now and facing her. She felt resentful. Why would Carmela buy their food?
“Is it okay if you stay here, Rhianna?” Leo asked her. She looked at him.
“Of course. I’ll just wait for you.” she said but she was hurting.
“Get dressed because we’re going to Head Quarters later for a meeting about what we’re going to do to save your mother and sister.” Leo commanded.
“Let’s eat!” Carmela exclaimed while holding the Chap Suey she cooked in her hand.
Rhianna stood up and took a plate and spoon. She placed it on the table. They have already started eating. Carmela puts food on Leo’s plate. She looked down because she won’t like what she seed.
“I can manage Carmela.” Leo protested.
“No. I’ll do it for you.” Carmela said. Rhianna just eats quietly. She no longer bothered to look at them again.
“Rhianna, you ate a lot.” Leo said to her. She looked up and he brought the bowl of the dish closer to her.
“Thank you,” she said and took the bowl from him. She looked at him. Leo stared at her while giving it.
After they ate, she offered to wash the plates. She was left behind because Leo and Carmela went out shopping. After she washed, she immediately went to the CR to take a bath.
She finished dressing and went to the living room to watch television. She can’t concentrate on watching. Leo and Carmela were in mind. Argh!
**
They were traveling the road to town. The truth is Rhianna is the one Leo wants to be with right now to purchase their food. Carmela just insisted so, he didn’t do anything. Carmela was his ex when he was in 2nd year of college. They broke up because there is a third party, which means Carmela cheated on him. Leo looked at Carmela as she spoke.
“Rhianna likes you.” Carmela suddenly said. He looked at him. He laughed at what she said.
“She never likes me.” he stated in a fact tone. He likes Rhianna, but Rhianna doesn’t like him.
Very impossible. I think, she likes Brandon. With that in mind, he felt the pain again. The pain he always feels when he sees them together. On how Brandon looks, Rhianna.
“Based on my observation. How she reacts when you’re around. I knew it. And I know you like her too, right?” she asked. His attention is just on the road. He no longer answered her questions.
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They reached the Apartment early. Carmela wants to join them in going to Head Quarters. He entered the purchases inside the house. She found Rhianna watching TV. She stood up when she sees Leo.
“I’ll help you.” she said and immediately approached him.
“Don’t, Rhianna. Just wait for me in the car, we’re going to Head Quarters.” he said.
She nodded. He sigh. Her presence is insane. He really wants to hug her and say the word “I Want You.” He went to the kitchen and stacked their groceries. Leo turned his back as Rhianna suddenly approached him.
When he turned to her their eyes met. His gaze dropped to her lips. Suddenly, the kiss they shared came back to his mind, how she had responded. Isn’t it true what Carmela said that Rhianna likes him?
“I’ll help you finish quickly.” she offered and then took the can goods and put them in the cabinet.
“Thank you.” he said genuinely and she smiled at him.
“Rhianna, do you like Brandon?” he asked Rhianna. She was stunned by what he said. She continue what she was doing.
“No. I only consider him a friend.” she replied.
“Is there a possibility that you’ll like him?” he asked curiously. This is it, even if it hurts him what Rhianna’s answer. He will accept because that’s her decision.
“Yeah, it’s not hard to like Brandon. He’s kind and I can see he cares about me. Why did you ask?” she asked and look at him.
“Nothing. I’m just curious.” he answered, that rarely came out of his mouth.
She continue placing the canned goods in a cabinet. And, she didn’t know how much what she said would affect him. It hurts if you know that the girl you like doesn’t like you. Will he still fight his attraction to Rhianna or will he just let Brandon owns Rhianna?
They are now here in the room where the meeting is being held because the next day they are going to do the rescuing of Rhianna’s mother and sister.
A man was sent to check the place and he saw that her mother and sister were still there because the guards were still there.
They planned things to do. Of course, she told them which part of the house was safe and the guards could not see them.
“Everyone needs to have their partner. To speed up the work and keep the guards from noticing our presence.” Leo said while facing them.
“Can we be partners, Leo?” Carmela said and raised her hand. Brandon raised his hand also.
“Faith, Rhianna, and I are partners.” he said. She noticed that Leo clenched his fist. But that immediately disappeared. Is he angry? She just ignored that.
“Okay. Me and Carmela are partners. Brandon, Faith, and Rhianna. Harold and Alexandra.” he said.