The Soft-Hearted Wife of Mr. Big Shot-Chapter 25: Watching a Movie Together
At half-past five in the afternoon, Leo came to pick up Holly, holding an ice cream in his hand.
"Brother."
Holly ran over, her face wearing a sweet smile. Seeing Leo was like flowers blooming.
"Here, ice cream."
Leo chuckled softly, handing the ice cream to Holly and gently ruffling her hair.
"Thank you, Brother."
Holly ate the ice cream, her face full of satisfaction.
Hmm, she hadn’t eaten ice cream in quite a few days and really missed it.
In the car, Holly chattered away to Leo about what happened today, gesturing energetically like a joyful little bird.
Leo patiently listened, occasionally responding, suddenly realizing how much joy having a little girl around added to his life.
He suddenly had a bad thought, hoping Holly’s memory wouldn’t recover and that she would always stay by his side.
"Holly, do you think we knew each other before?"
Leo suddenly turned to look at Holly and slowly asked her.
Holly really resembled someone he used to know, with the same lively demeanor and foodie tendencies.
"Ah, Holly... I’m not sure."
Holly stopped her gesturing, holding her head in her hands, seeming a bit pained.
She seemed to be trying to remember something, but the inability to recall made her feel uncomfortable.
"Don’t think about it. Here’s popcorn."
Leo somehow produced a tub of popcorn and gently placed it in Holly’s lap, speaking tenderly.
Seeing the little girl in pain made him feel particularly sorry for her.
"Okay."
Holly responded softly, grabbing the popcorn and stuffing it into her mouth.
Her mouth was so full, like a hamster who’d stolen some treats—adorably cute.
Leo watched her eat through the rearview mirror, lips curling slightly; his little girl was really quite adorable.
At the cinema, Holly went to pick up the tickets while Leo bought drinks for her.
"Your Wedding" was a popular film recently, and Holly blinked at the tickets in her hand; she had really just bought them randomly, not even knowing what movie it was.
"Warm ones."
After buying milk tea, Leo placed it in Holly’s hand, slowly speaking.
"But..."
"Girls shouldn’t drink too many cold things."
Holly was about to say something but was interrupted by Leo, who gently ruffled her hair.
Girls have a few days every month when eating too many cold things isn’t good for them.
"Oh."
Holly said no more.
The two of them walked into the cinema as the movie began.
Holly held milk tea in one hand and popcorn in the other, focusing intently on the film.
It was quite an emotional movie, but Holly didn’t feel much.
The 115-minute film passed quickly.
"Brother, it’s such a pity they didn’t end up together; I almost cried."
Leaving the cinema, Holly sighed deeply, speaking with some sadness.
Actually, she didn’t feel much; she was never one for sentimentality.
"Silly girl, you don’t understand."
Leo gently ruffled Holly’s hair and spoke softly.
He was in fact quite touched.
The story between his mother and father reminded him deeply.
His parents had been married for so many years but always treated each other as mere acquaintances, because they didn’t love each other. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
His mother had a childhood sweetheart; they grew up together and naturally ended up together, but later separated, as that man got married.
She witnessed that man’s wedding firsthand, just like the last line of the movie: Your wedding, my coming-of-age ceremony.
Later, she married Leo’s father; it was not out of love but a union, and they always remained acquaintances.
——
At eight o’clock sharp, Holly and Leo arrived at the café, where Rosalie Jennings had been waiting inside. Leo and Holly arrived right on time.
Seeing Leo, Rosalie smiled, but the smile faded when she saw Holly.
"Leo, why bring a kid to a business meeting?"
Rosalie slightly lowered her head, soon composing herself, a smile still on her face.
"I don’t trust leaving the little girl alone at home."
Leo pulled a chair for Holly and ordered her a cappuccino and some desserts, acting extremely attentive.
Rosalie watched all of Leo’s actions; she never received such treatment even when she was Leo’s girlfriend. It seemed Holly truly was different for Leo.
With food available, Holly naturally chose to eat.
Leo and Rosalie discussed cooperation, going over details while Holly kept her head down, focused on eating.
"Leo, could you accompany me to a dance later?"
After settling the collaboration, Rosalie asked softly.
"No, it’s inconvenient."
Leo refused.
"If Miss Sawyer needs, I can send a driver to take her home; you just need to accompany me for some appearances. I’m in a rush and couldn’t find a partner."
Rosalie wore a poised smile as she spoke calmly and softly.
Her gaze fell on Holly, holding a complex gleam.
Holly wasn’t simple, so it was necessary to remove her; her hand tightly clutched beneath the table.
Holly kept eating with her head down, not uttering a word but listening intently to every word they exchanged.
"Miss Ford just needs to call, and many would be willing to accompany her."
Leo gave Rosalie direct honesty without any face-saving.
Leo was aware of Rosalie’s feelings for him, and not responding was the best approach to handle it.
"Leo..."
Rosalie tried addressing Leo but didn’t know what to say.
She called him Leo, but he referred to her as Miss Ford; it was hard for Rosalie to miss that deliberate distancing.
"It’s quite late; the little girl needs an early night, so I’ll be leaving."
Leo stood up, taking Holly’s wrist, ready to leave.
Personal feelings aside, work is work; Leo always keeps things very clear. Engagement with Rosalie in work is permissible, but outside that, it isn’t.
"Leo, do you know Holly’s background clearly?"
Rosalie stood up, addressing Leo.
Surely she was better than Holly, right?
At least she knew Leo well, much more than Holly, who was just a little girl Leo had come to know not so long ago.
"What you see is simply what she wants you to see."
Seeing Leo stopping in his tracks, Rosalie spoke.
Indeed, the Holly she saw was entirely different from the one Leo saw.
