novelraw Chapter 121: Dislike? Or Not?
Chapter 121: Dislike? Or Not?
Leon was still wondering how long Haley’s habit of tilting her neck to the right could last when Emily came out of the kitchen with a tray in hand.
“Leon, try this breakfast and see if it suits your taste.”
She placed one serving in front of Leon, another in front of Haley, then sat down and addressed him.
“Alright.”
Leon looked at the neatly presented sandwich before him. Under Emily’s expectant gaze, he took his first bite.
The bread, soft and full of wheat fragrance, was the first to meet his taste buds. As his teeth sank in, the sweetness and tartness of fresh tomatoes mingled with the smoothness of cream. Next came the crispy bacon, rich with oil and pork aroma, before the final bite brought him back to the soft bread once more.
The flavors were distinct, leaning sweet, though the sweetness came naturally from the ingredients. Leon found it acceptable. While the taste was average, it was more than good enough for breakfast.
Most importantly, it was filling. One of these would keep him going for quite a while.
Emily, meanwhile, kept a close eye on him. Though Leon said nothing about the sandwich, the way he chewed and swallowed in large bites was enough to tell her everything.
Haley, on the other hand, nibbled at hers, occasionally glancing between Emily and Leon. She noticed her sister’s eyes were almost entirely on him. Unable to hold back, she said, “Emily, no hot milk today?”“Of course there is. In the kitchen. Get it yourself,” Emily replied.
“Oh.” Haley muttered but made no move to fetch it. She just kept eating the noticeably smaller sandwich in her hands compared to Leon’s.
Seeing this, Emily gave her a helpless look, then went to the kitchen herself. She returned with a cup of hot milk and placed it in front of Haley.
“You two seem pretty close.”
Leon commented after watching the scene.
“Mm… I guess so,” Emily replied, though her expression was a little uncertain.
Haley stayed silent, continuing to bite her sandwich. She didn’t even touch the milk she had asked for.
Leon noticed something in the air but, being smart enough to know what to say and what not to say, chose to pretend he hadn’t seen anything.
Once he finished his sandwich, Leon thanked Emily. “Great breakfast. This will give me the energy I need for the day. Thanks for hosting me, Emily. I should get going.”
“Wait, Leon, you’re not staying for lunch?” Emily asked quickly.
“No, I still have a lot of work to do,” Leon shook his head.
“But didn’t we agree on it?” Emily’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.
“Yes, but this breakfast is more than enough as thanks. I don’t have another reason to wait around for lunch, so I’ll head out first,” Leon explained.
“You do have a reason—how about a friend’s invitation?” Emily countered immediately.
“That’s a good reason. But if I say I’m too busy with work, can you cancel the invitation?” he replied, using the ultimate refusal card again.
Emily stared at him for a moment before answering with regret, “Alright, then. We’ll set another time.”
“Mm.” Leon felt relieved and stood up.
“Well, Emily, Haley, I’ll be off. Thanks again. Oh, and don’t forget to ask Robin about that roof problem.”
After reminding Emily about the still-unfixed leak, Leon left the villa.
The moment he stepped out, Haley put down her half-eaten sandwich. “I’m full.”
She went to the door, changed her shoes, and left. Just as she stepped outside, she ran into Leon getting on his bike.
“Leon, wait.”
Leon had already ridden a few meters, but stopped when he heard her.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Come here. Shouting like this is embarrassing,” Haley gestured at the distance between them.
Leon sighed but rode over. “Alright, what’s up?”
“Do you really have work to do?” she asked directly.
“I do,” Leon replied, thinking that maybe he could use his improved stamina to expand his planting area again.
“Is it urgent?”
“Not really. Just say what you want,” he urged, finding the back-and-forth a bit tedious.
“Emily found out you’d be visiting yesterday and spent the rest of the day preparing ingredients for lunch. She worked until midnight. Clearly, she was looking forward to you joining her. If you leave, she’ll be really disappointed.”
Haley’s eyes were earnest. “If it’s because of me that you don’t want to stay, I can leave until you’re gone. But can you at least stay for lunch? I don’t want her hard work to be wasted.”
Leon blinked, silent for a moment before asking, “Why do you think I’m leaving because of you?”
“Don’t you dislike me?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Do I?” Leon countered, just as confused.
“…I thought you did, so that’s why you refused Emily’s invitation.”
“I just felt that since I’d already had breakfast, staying for lunch might be a bit much,” Leon explained.
Given Haley’s genuine offer to leave just so Emily’s efforts wouldn’t go to waste, he couldn’t brush her off anymore.
“There’s nothing wrong with it. Emily invited you. You’re a guest,” she said seriously.
“In that case, I’ll come back later. And you don’t have to leave. Just tell Emily I’ll be here for lunch,” Leon said after thinking it over.
After all, even the hardest heart could be softened by a beautiful woman’s words. Haley’s account of Emily’s efforts left him feeling guilty. Refusing again would make him seem cold.
“Why later?” Haley asked.
“You don’t visit without a gift, right? I need to prepare something and change into something nicer. I can’t come to lunch in my everyday clothes—it’d make me feel inferior next to you two beautiful ladies.”
“You look fine as you are.”
Haley glanced over his outfit. It wasn’t a designer brand, but it suited him well. His tall, well-proportioned frame made anything look good. In her eyes, Leon could wear anything and still carry a certain charm.
“That’s because you’ve never seen me in formal wear. I’d better get going. And you stay here. If it’s just me and Emily, it’ll be awkward.”
Waving goodbye, Leon pedaled back toward his farm. Since he had agreed to lunch, he’d have to make some preparations.
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