Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Sophie, overwhelmed by the sudden affection, looked at Leila for rescue. Leila chuckled. “You love kids. Why haven’t you snagged a boyfriend yet?”
Linsey’s cheeks flushed as she awkwardly cleared her throat. “Actually, I already have a boyfriend,” she said, her voice a little shy.
Leila narrowed her eyes, a bit skeptical. “Really?” Letting go of Sophie, Linsey moved closer to Leila and whispered, “Do you think I’d joke about something like this? Don’t worry. You’ll meet him soon enough.”
It had been years since Linsey and Leila last saw each other, and now that they’d unexpectedly reconnected, it felt like there was an endless stream of things to discuss.
After wandering through the mall, Leila recalled Calvin was at the apartment, probably feeling lonely. The thought tugged at her, and she decided it was time to head back.
Before leaving, Leila suggested, “Why don’t you stay with us for a while, Linsey? It’s safer if we stick together, especially when abroad.”
Linsey didn’t hesitate. “Sure, I’d love that.”
As they walked back, Linsey entertained Leila with gossip, including some juicy news about Sarah.
“Sarah and Errol were about to get divorced for no apparent reason. Errol claimed he was forced into being with her and that he had been trapped into marriage. And Sarah got pregnant right when they were on the verge of splitting up. The Payne and Miller families are in complete chaos.”
Leila mulled over Linsey’s words as they stepped into the apartment, remembering a conversation she once had with Errol about how he and Sarah ended up together.
It had been an accident, or so he said. But now, with Errol’s sudden change in attitude, Leila suspected there was more to the story. Maybe that accident was a trap set for him. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for Errol. He had gotten himself entangled with someone like Sarah.
Still, Leila was surprised. “You’ve been abroad for so long, Linsey. How do you know all this gossip from back home?”
Linsey gave a mysterious smile. “I’ll introduce you to someone tonight. Once you meet them, everything will make sense. Join me for dinner tonight, okay?” Leila glanced over at Sophie and Calvin. “Should we bring them along?”
Linsey shook her head. “It might be a bit inconvenient. But if they’re up for seeing something different, they can tag along.”
Sophie, remembering Linsey’s earlier enthusiasm, quickly shook her head. “Mom, you go ahead. I’m tired from all the shopping. I think I’ll have a rest.”
Calvin chimed in, “The doctor said I should stay off my foot until it heals, so I can’t walk around much.”
Linsey couldn’t hold back her admiration. “You’ve got some amazing genes, Leila. How did you manage to have such gorgeous, well-behaved kids? I can only hope I have kids like them someday.”
Leila laughed it off, and the conversation shifted into something lighter, more comfortable.
That evening, Leila went out with Linsey, and it quickly became clear why Linsey advised against bringing the kids.
They arrived at the busiest and most crowded bar in town.
The people there were pretty laid-back and open-minded. The atmosphere was electric, with men and women dancing wildly to the pulsing music. Their outfits were quite daring.
Leila felt a slight headache. She shot Linsey a look. “This is what you were being all mysterious about? A bar?”
Linsey pouted. “Hey, options for good alcohol around here are limited. Finding a decent bar is a challenge. I just thought it’d be nice to catch up over a few drinks, especially after all these years.”
Since they were already there, Leila didn’t argue. They headed to a private room to unwind.
Soon enough, the door creaked open, and someone stepped inside.
A guy with glasses entered, looking quite young. His youthful appearance suggested he might’ve only recently graduated from college.
Immediately his eyes landed on Linsey, his cheeks flushed a deep crimson. “Hello, ladies,” he greeted them shyly before quietly sitting beside Linsey.
Leila smirked, leaning closer to Linsey. “Is this the boyfriend you mentioned?”
Linsey appeared unfazed by the tension. She waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t jump to conclusions. We’re still getting to know each other.”
As Linsey reached for a drink, the young man furrowed his brow. “Linsey, your stomach isn’t great. Maybe you shouldn’t drink too much of this strong stuff. How about I make you a cocktail instead? What flavor do you like?”
Leila raised an eyebrow, impressed. “You can make cocktails?”
The young man nodded, a hint of bashfulness creeping into his smile. “Yeah, it’s just a hobby.”
Linsey gave his shoulder a friendly pat, beaming with pride as she introduced him. “This is Wayne Simpson. Do you recall that girl you had a conflict with ages ago? The one you later made up with?”
Leila thought for a second before recalling the girl in question.
Linsey continued with a grin, “Wayne’s her cousin. He’s an entertainment reporter. That’s why I’m always in the loop with the latest gossip from back home.”
Leila’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Wait. A Simpson works as a reporter?”
The Simpson family had always valued prestige and had a strict approach to their children’s career paths.
Leila couldn’t imagine them approving a family member becoming an entertainment journalist. By judging, Wayne’s demeanor suggested he was a man of many talents, with a broad spectrum of interests that hinted at his versatility.
Wayne responded, “Rachel has always supported me. She believes people should do what they love. Working as an entertainment journalist is just a stepping stone. In the future, I want to pursue something I genuinely love.”
Just then, the bartender approached their table, carefully placing several bottles of alcohol in front of them.
Wayne had a knack for crafting cocktails. Some drinks that typically carried a bitter edge were magically transformed in Wayne’s skilled hands. He expertly balanced flavors into a symphony of sweetness that danced on the palate.
Leila rarely drank recently, but these cocktails were irresistible, and soon, she’d had more than she intended.
After a while, a warm, dizzy feeling washed over Leila, and she felt drowsy. Her vision blurred slightly.
“Leila!” Linsey exclaimed, rushing over as Leila wobbled, nearly falling off the sofa.
Linsey chuckled. “If I’d known you were such a lightweight, I wouldn’t have dragged you here! Are you alright?”
Leila tried to brush it off but was too tipsy to respond properly. She giggled, leaning against Linsey as her limbs turned weak. She reached for another glass, her hand unsteady.
Linsey’s brow furrowed as she quickly seized the glass from Leila’s grasp. “No way! You’re done drinking.”
Leila sighed. “It’s been ages since I’ve had such a good time drinking. Let me have just one more.”
Suddenly, Leila’s eyes welled up with tears. Feeling a wave of sympathy, Linsey gently returned the glass to her.
Linsey was well aware of what Leila had endured these years.
Even though Leila recounted her past with a steady voice, Linsey could sense the weight of unspoken sorrow behind Leila’s words. She understood all too well that Leila had endured immense pain, even if she tried to mask it.
At that time, Landon, the man Leila was supposed to remarry, had disappeared. Her newborn daughter was taken from her before she’d even get close to her.
She returned home, burdened by an overwhelming pressure that seemed to seep into every corner of her being. She was determined to find Landon and Chloe while balancing the demands of raising two kids.
And to top it all off, Leila had to fend off those who tried to take advantage of her and the Kensington Group in Landon’s absence. The burden she carried was immense. The pressure could easily break an ordinary woman.
But Leila kept it all bottled up inside. In her drunken state tonight, maybe she’d finally let some of that burden go and vent her emotions.
Linsey wrapped her arms around Leila, her tone one of resignation. “Go on and have another drink. We’re here for you, after all.”
A moment later, Wayne’s phone buzzed. He excused himself to take the call. When he returned, he asked Linsey, “A friend of mine wants to stop by for a drink. Mind if they join us?”
Linsey was aware that Wayne had a wide circle of friends. She shrugged. “Why not? You always make friends everywhere you go.”.
Leila had been drinking heavily for quite some time. Her indulgence was excessive tonight, and soon, a sharp pain gnawed at her stomach.
Startled by Leila’s obvious discomfort, Linsey quickly offered her help. “Let me help you to the restroom.” But Leila, struggling to suppress her nausea, pushed Linsey’s hand away.
“No need. I can handle it myself. Just a bit dizzy, but I can still walk. Don’t worry about me. I just need some air,” Leila said, trying to reassure Linsey.
Reluctantly, Linsey consented to let Leila go alone.
But as Leila headed out, Linsey glanced at her watch, making a mental note. If Leila wasn’t back in ten minutes, she’d go looking for her.