You Are The Apple of My Eyes
Chapter 824 You Are So Sweet

Lydia recalled the first time Leon introduced himself to her, and he said he was Nina's brother. Then, he said he was Michelle's brother. Now, he was Michelle's boyfriend.

Lydia witnessed the change in their relationship. As she thought about this, a lump formed in her throat. Maybe she was happy for Michelle and Leon. Or maybe she was sad because of her relationship with Austin.

Not wanting to get in the way of their date, she quickly excused herself and ended the video call.

Leon was due to leave for C Island that following Monday, so Michelle was very reluctant to leave him. After dinner, he dropped her off at the gate of her community, but she was unwilling to get out of the car. Instead, she started chattering about some shoots at work, TV shows she had watched, and anything and everything under the sun.

Leon had heard all of these before. It was obvious she was only stalling.

However, she tirelessly chattered on. Leon's heart ached when he realized how desperately she wanted to prolong their time together.

It was getting late. If he didn't send her home now, she'd never leave him. "Michelle, it's too late to talk. Go home and get some rest."

Michelle fell silent.

Her eyebrows drooped slightly. "I see," she said sulkily.

Her slender fingers reached for her seat belt, but they just hovered there. She made no move to unfasten it. She just wanted to spend more time with Leon.

She looked so pitiful, Leon felt his heart shattering into a million pieces.

He also badly wanted for her to stay, but her mother seemed to not want him as her future son-in-law. If he gave Elaine any more reason to dislike him, his chances with Michelle would be almost non-existent.

He bent over and tenderly kissed the corner of Michelle's mouth. Pressing his forehead lightly against hers, he placed his hand on the back of her neck and squeezed it gently.

"Let's hang out tomorrow. Do you have any place in mind? We can't go too far for the time being, but we can in the future."

Michelle kept her head down. After a while, she slowly said, "Well, anywhere is fine as long as you are with me."

"Michelle, you are so sweet." Leon hugged her tightly. He felt grateful to have her and reluctant to leave her. "Now go home and get some rest. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

"Okay," Michelle said reluctantly. She raised her head slightly to look at his chin. After a moment of silence, she leaned over and rubbed her head against his shoulder, like a cat reluctant to leave its owner. After hugging him for more than ten minutes, Michelle finally unfastened the seat belt and got out of the car. She looked back every few steps.

When she got past the gates, she had to turn a corner. When she disappeared from his sight, Leon let out a heavy sigh.

If she turned to look at him one more time, he would've lost it. He wanted to whisk her away to C Island with him and keep her by his side.

Although she was no longer in sight, Leon made no move to start the car. Instead, he waited there for a while, all the way until Michelle called him to tell him she was getting into bed.

That night, Michelle had a hard time falling asleep. Finally, at around three or four o'clock in the morning, she drifted off to sleep. It was almost noon of the next day when her eyes fluttered open. The sun was shining outside, but she was still feeling chilly.

Michelle pulled on her rabbit-patterned pajamas and bounded out of the room with her hair hastily tied up in a messy bun. As she was heading downstairs, she heard the sound of children's laughter coming from the living area.

It seemed they had guests.

They sounded like lively guests, too.

When she reached the foot of the stairs, she saw Nina sitting on the couch while Van and Don were chasing after each other. As they ran about the house, they squealed and giggled, which frightened Elaine. "Slow down! You might fall!"

However, Nina just waved at her calmly. "They'll be fine, just let them run around. Even if they fall, they will pick themselves up."

As she spoke, she caught a glimpse of bleary-eyed Michelle by the stairs. "You're awake, Mimi!"

Michelle nodded, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes. "Nini, what're you doing here?" she asked drowsily when she sank into the sofa next to her.

"Michelle, sit up straight. Act your age!" Elaine scolded.

"Okay." Michelle reluctantly sat upright and turned to look at the two little fellows who momentarily stopped running around. She grinned. "Hey there, Van, Don."

Van greeted her politely, "Good afternoon, Aunt Michelle."

Don, on the other hand, wrinkled his nose. "You're so lazy, Aunt Michelle. You didn't get up until the sun shone on your butt!"

"Yes, so learn from my mistakes." Michelle bent down and pinched Don's face, and then stroked Van's head fondly.

"It's a nice day today. The two of them want to go to the amusement park. They hope you can go with them. Are you free this afternoon?"

"Yes. But-"

"Great!" Nina didn't give Michelle a chance to refuse. She knew why Michelle hesitated, because it was Leon who had asked her to come here.

"You should go out with the children, Mimi!" Elaine said enthusiastically. "They love you so much. They asked for you the minute they arrived. When I told them you were still sleeping, they decided to not disturb you."

Actually, it was Van who stopped Don from going upstairs to wake her up.

"Adults work very hard every day. They should rest more on weekends," the boy said.

Nina and the boys stayed for lunch. Over the course of their meal, her phone kept vibrating.

"Nina, your phone's ringing. Is there anything important you need to deal with? Why don't you check it first?" Elaine asked kindly.

Nina picked up her phone and put it on silent mode. "Don't worry, it's no big deal. It's just, someone's out of his mind."

Elaine was confused. She didn't know whom Nina was referring to.

"It must be Dad," Don said, glancing up from his lunch with a scowl.

After lunch, the family of three plus Michelle walked to the gates of the community. Nina nudged the children towards their newfound babysitter and said, "Take good care of them. Someone will pick them up later. I have to go home and have lunch."

Michelle was a little confused. "What? Are you still hungry?"

"No, I'm going to accompany someone while he is having lunch." Then, Nina drove away.

Van and Don waved their hands and watched their mother leave.

Perplexed, Michelle asked the kids, "What crazy man?"

"Dad." The two brothers spoke calmly in unison. Apparently, this was nothing new to them.

Michelle shrugged.

"Let's go to the amusement park." She raised her hand, trying to hail a taxi.

Van shook his head and said sweetly, "No need for a taxi. Uncle Leon will be here soon. Mom texted him as soon as we finished lunch."

"Yes," Don chimed in. "Uncle Leon asked us to come. He said that you worked very hard and you needed to take a break. So we're taking you to the amusement park!"

Michelle was stunned.

Then, a familiar car appeared, stopping right in front of them. Leon got out of the driver's seat, the warm winter sun shining down on him in a golden halo.

Michelle looked at him with twinkling eyes, feeling enveloped in warmth despite the winter cold.