Chapter 356 - Picnic

Leo's eyes turned to the door and he waited to hear the knock again before he stood up from the bed and put his pants on.

Claire laughed at him as she watched as he hurriedly wore his pants,

"I hope it's your mom, she'll know what you just did just by looking in your eyes."

She laughed.

"I can't believe we just had s.e.x before even settling down properly."

Claire laughed out loud, his mom was sure going to tease them about it if she was the one at the door.

Leo breathed out as he walked towards the door, pulling it open halfway,

Nina stood by the door, aloof face, no smile and staring at him weirdly.

"Why are you shirtless… and sweaty?"

She asked as her eyes stared at his body.

"Oh… I… was about to shower…" Leo stammered. But, it's not like they were doing anything wrong, why was he feeling shy? 

"Really?" she arched her brow, as though not believing him, 

"Nina, is that the 'welcome brother' you should be telling me! Where are your manners?"

Leo increased his tone as he scolded her to keep her quiet. She shrugged and looked past him to the little space between him and the door as she tried to see into the room but Leo was fast enough to block her view, her gaze turned back to him and she squinted,

"Dad is back, and he's looking for both of you, hurry up with your 'shower',"

She said and turned around, walking back down the wooden stairs.

Leo shut the door and turned back to Claire, who was now laughing loudly.

"I didn't realize how fast she had grown."

He said, locking the door and going back to the bed. Leaning close to her he kissed her forehead.

Claire chuckled,

"She's a big girl now,"

"Yeah,"

"Alright, let's go shower for real now, we don't want to keep your dad awaiting."

She smiled and hopped down from the bed, Leo following after her.

…

Diana walked into the kitchen with an excited expression, she beamed when the aroma of the buttermilk fried chicken hit her nostrils.

"Oh, this smells so good."

She exclaimed, walking to Mary on the kitchen table.

After the final scene of their movie last week, she had been very busy and not had time to meet with Michael. They only spoke on the phone and it was briefly.

At night when she was finally free, she would doze off while talking to him because of a stressful day.

It was a Sunday morning and she had woken up with a text from him,

"Let's go on a picnic, I'll come pick you up by 12pm."

Diana felt her lips stretch into a smile as she read the text. She was happy he didn't take it to heart that she had not been making time to see him, She was glad he understood.

Quickly, she sent a text with a heart emoji,

"Okay, see you!"

Hopping out of the bed, she brushed her mouth and hurriedly ran to the kitchen,

Mary was already preparing breakfast when she saw her and she quickly told her to stop and prepare a tasty picnic meal.

Mary was surprised but she didn't ask questions.

After doing her facials, Diana joined her in the kitchen.

Taking one drumstick she bit into it,

"wow, it tastes so good."

She nodded, leaning against the table as she watched Mary.

"You're very excited today, is it the man from the news?"

Diana giggled, she knew she had seen him a few times he came over but she didn't want to be direct with her question, so it wouldn't look like she was paying attention to her private life.

"Yeah, you've seen him here a few times."

Mary nodded.

"He's good looking."

Diana blushed, "Very."

Mary smiled, "I don't need to ask you if you like him, it's all over your face."

Diana opened her eyes with a chuckle,

"Really? I didn't know it was very obvious."

"Haha, even a blind person can see it, do you want me to make anything else?" she asked after packing the chicken, 

"Mm… let's make grilled chicken and bacon sandwich, there's still time."

"Okay," Mary nodded and walked to the refrigerator to take out some chicken b.r.e.a.s.ts and sliced bread,

"Let me make it myself,"

Diana said, taking the bread from her.

"Are you sure?" Mary arched her brows,

She nodded, since it was their first picnic she wanted to make him something herself,

"Yeah, you can prepare fruit salad, I'll quickly grill the chicken,"

"Okay,"

Mary nodded.

Diana searched for the recipe online and read through it, then she prepared it. 

She wasn't sure of the taste, but she didn't want to taste it, she would let Michael be the judge.

After packing the food and drinks in the containers, she placed it in a picnic basket and went to her room to take a shower.

Just when the walked into her room, her phone vibrated on the table,

Diana ran to it excitedly, thinking it was Michael,

"Oh," she chuckled when she saw the caller,

"Hey, Caroline, how are you?"

"I'm good, what about you, you've been so busy since the ending of the movie."

Diana sighed,

"Yeah, it's been a hell of work. I don't think I want to produce another movie, it's so stressful."

Caroline laughed,

"don't worry you'll get used to it it's like this because it's the first time. How is our lover boy? His fans online are just crazy, they've just seen the trailer of the movie and the reviews are just mad, everyone is talking about how hot the second male lead is."

Diana rolled her eyes, "Right, he's hot."

Caroline laughed, "I hope it's not jealousy I smell?"

Diana chuckled, "Not at all."

Caroline laughed, "don't worry you'll get used to it. That's normal for every good looking actor, besides there are so many fans rooting for you guys already."

"Yeah, I didn't know he'll attract so much attention, but it's fine, nothing major has happened."

Diana smiled and sat down on the vanity staring at her face.

"Yeah, once he loves you, there's nothing that can change that."

Caroline said and Diana fell silent, her thoughts going back to what happened a few weeks ago,

Since Caroline had dated a few men, she might have an answer…

Diana contemplated for a moment. She didn't really want to share their relationship matters but it was eating her up inside, maybe Caroline had an answer, there was no harm in trying.

"Caroline, I want to ask you something…"

"Yeah, sure what is it?"

Diana gulped,

"If you as a woman tell someone you love, that you love him and he doesn't say it back, what does it mean?"

Diana couldn't believe she was taking about this. Saying it out loud made her feel embarrassed,

She shut her eyes as she bit her lower lip,

"Uh… " Caroline thought,

"Well it depends, there are so many factors that can influence the person's reply.

Sometimes it can mean that the person doesn't love you the way you love him, 

And sometimes the person is still processing his feelings for you.

And again, some people don't say it back, it doesn't mean they don't love you. In this situation, you'll check their expression to know if they are visibly uncomfortable or upset, if they aren't, then you are fine. Who is it? Is it Michael?"

"Haha, no I'm asking for a friend."

Diana lied immediately. She wasn't ready to start talking about everything that led to it and the crazy stuff she did after. She would just keep her embarrassment to herself for now.

"Okay then, I just called to check up on you."

"Awnn, that's so very thoughtful of you. Thank you."

"you're welcome, see you later, okay?"

"Yeah, take care."

Diana dropped the phone on the table and she heaved a sigh,

So which category did Michael fall under... 

Maybe he doesn't love her enough to tell her back?

Diana thought,

Or he was still processing his feelings for her,

Or he didn't want to say it back,

"Arggh…" Diana groaned, clutching her hair, now more confused than she was before.

Shaking the thoughts off her head, she quickly went to the bathroom to bath.

…

Michael stopped by a jewelry store and stepped down from his car. 

Walking into it, he approached the attendant.

"You're welcome sir, what do you want to buy?"

Michael scratched the back of his head, this was the first time he had ever gotten a gift for a woman by himself. The women he dated, he sent his guards to get them gifts.

This was awkward.

"I want a necklace for a woman."

The attendant smiled and pointed forward,

"This way please," she walked ahead, Michael following behind,

"We have so many designs, ranging from gold, silver, diamonds, rare stones,"

She led Michael into a room and his eyes fell on the different necklaces hanging in the glass showcase in the large room.

"You can make your choice,"

She said, pointing to the jewelries. Michael nodded and walked towards them,

They were in their columns, gold, silver, diamond,

Each one he looked at seemed so pretty that he spent upto 30 minutes making a choice.

Finally he chose a diamond simple necklace. Something simple and lightweight. What made him love it more was the love shaped pendant. 

"Can I have this please?"

"Yes, sir." The lady smiled and packaged it for him. Putting it in its box, she gave it to him after he had paid.

Michael placed the gift on the passengers seat, a permanent grin on his chin. 

Picking up his phone, he called her,

"Babe, are you done?" he asked as the call connected. 

"No! Are you here already?" 

Michael laughed when he heard her scream, 

"Haha, no, I'm coming now. Look very pretty for me, okay?"

He heard her tiny giggle which made him smile the more, 

"Okay,"