Chapter 253 - Rejection

He bit down on his lower lip as the music started and began moving to the beat, looking at the others within the corner of his eyes and trying to meet their rhythm.

It wasn't working well, because despite the fact that his body appears to be very flexible, he was not getting it.

"Go Leo! You can do it!" Clara cheered him on and began using her hand to demonstrate how the others were doing it.

"Yes!" She screamed when he began flowing well with it.

His body moving like his bones are soft and soon, the others seem so pleased and they begin throwing turns, which makes it more fun.

Clara smiled so brightly as she watched him get it so well and all his resistance had vanished.

He looked like a professional dancer and my oh my, she felt the urge to jump into his arms.

She was stunned when the dancing routine changed and she could barely make out their formation until she saw red roses being pulled out.

Leo wasn't involved this time, but they are dancing and when they pass the turn, the person gives a flower to Leo.

That looks so creative. She thought.

Soon, it formed a bouquet and that last person gave him a small ribbon which he tied to the flowers to keep them in place.

Clara was beginning to find them too cooperative and soon they went silent and immediately Leo reached out the flower to one of the girls as Mike instructed, Clara didn't let him down.

She stood up immediately and walked towards them to ask Leo to let them leave, but he turned towards her and extended it to her, while the girl acted dramatic like she wanted it.

I hope this isn't lame. Leo thought, but Clara took it.

"What's going on?" She asked, and raised her brows when he dropped to his knees.

Is this another way of catching fun? She thought and then he pulled out a box containing a tiny ring with a medium size diamond on top of it.

She didn't need to doubt the quality but instead of excitement, sadness clouded her heart.

He wondered how Leo will deal with what she was going to respond to him with and it happened.

He made small sweet talk that would melt any woman's heart, followed by promises and then said it.

He wants her to marry him. He wants them to build a life together and she doesn't mind all that.

And then he mentioned her being the mother of his kids and that's the turn off part for her. 

Mother? That word scares her.

"Leo." She called his name in a sad tone and the audience looked like they wanted to boo her, but couldn't dare.

Still, they let out a discomfort whine, but the man in question wasn't feeling the same as them.

Leo saw how she felt so bad in her expression and the last thing he wanted was to see her feel so sad.

"I'm sorry, Leo." She said with her lips pressed together.

Rejected proposal might be seen as the person not being interested in the other party and Clara didn't want him to misunderstood her.

"I love you and didn't want to part ways with you. Neither will I let anyone take you away from me, nor leave you but I'm not ready. 

I'm not sure if I want this now." She said and he closed the box, keeping it back in his pocket.

He stood up and cupped her face in his palm before pressing his lips to her forehead.

"I will try again and again till you consider. I'm up to the challenge, so don't feel bad." He said and she still looked like she had wronged him.

"Thank you everyone. That was fun." He turned to face the crew and said his thanks to them, while they all looked disappointed.

Actually feeling bad for Leo.

The place was suddenly silent again and just the two of them, since the place was booked in a hurry.

Even though it's open to the public, someone was still incharge and it was easy to get through, due to his influence.

Clara felt so bad and before he could turn, she hugged him from behind, pressing her face to his back and holding in her sob.

Leo placed his hands on her own.

He doubted that she would agree, but the refusal still stung like he was poked at his heart.

He just couldn't get angry at her. He couldn't force her.

She deserves every wait.

"Let's go have dinner. I told you it's not a big deal. Don't feel bad hmm?" He said and even though he wanted to point out that he must be hurt, she knew there's no point saying that when she wasn't planning to change her mind.

She nodded her head and they left the place. Mike appeared and parked the car in front of them.

He was supposed to take them to the place he booked to further celebrate her acceptance, but now it's no use.

She will just feel worse if she sees it.

"Take us to a nearby restaurant." Leo said to Mike, who was grinning in happiness for his boss, but hearing what he said, his smile froze.

"Sir, what about…."

"Forget it. Go to a nearby one." He cut in and Clara turned to look at him, but he only pulled her close and made her rest her head on his shoulder.

She opened her mouth to talk and closed it again.

"I'm sorry." She later muttered and Mike was the one stunned.

Damn! She rejected him!

Leo pulled her back and looked into her eyes. "Oh common. You only tell me to try harder with the response. I will take it slow till you're willing, so cheer up. 

If you still feel bad, do you want to change your answer then?" He asked and she hugged his waist.

"It's fine, dear. As long as I still have you in my life." Leo said.

....

"I'm thinking if we should go out and have dinner together." 

Sonya read Tim's text and showed it to Clara.

"Oh cool! Hit it babe!" She said.

"I should agree?" Sonya asked.

"Of course." Clara rolled her eyes at her.

"What would we talk about though?" She asked.

"He won't text you to meet if he has nothing to say. You've been avoiding him since all these while. Your stomach is no longer flat. Anyone could see you're carrying a child already." Clara said and held her hands.

"Give him a chance." She added.

Sonya knew her own worries, but Clara wouldn't understand.

Still, she nodded her head and typed a reply.

Tim replied immediately that he's outside their house.

"He said he's outside." Sonya said and Clara urged her to go and let him in.

Sonya's shoulders dropped a little and with sluggish movement, she indeed went to meet him outside.

He was looking so breathtaking in a black Armani suit with his hair beautifully styled.

She nearly drooled.

"It's been a while. You keep hiding from me." He said and Sonya was quiet.

"I'm sorry if I've acted out of line to annoy you. I just sucked at this, but will try to adjust hun?" He gave her a pleading look, while half his attention was on her stomach.

Damn! It has grown since the last time he saw her.

"It's fine. You did nothing wrong." Sonya said.

He asked her to let them leave.

"I need to change my clothes." She said.

"I've prepared for that." He replied.

"I need to say goodbye to Clara." She said, seeming a little nervous.

"She's waving already." Tim said and she looked back.

Clara gave her a thumbs up and a wink.

"Okay, let's go, but I will insist that I'm not changing my outfit unless you allow me to go in now.

If not, then this should do." She said.

So stubborn. Tim thought, but smiled sweetly at her.

"You look beautiful with whatever you have on. This should do." He said and they stepped inside the car.

"No high class restaurant." She said with a straight face.

What a difficult woman. He mentally facepalm.

"Of course. Anything that convenience you, my queen." He said.

"It's Sonya." She replied.

"Yes, Sonya." He played along.

Leo has warned him that he needed to be patient to make things work between them.

Tim didn't know why his life was like this. 

This is the second time he changed venues because the lady shows less interest.

And both were women that mean something to him. He realized that Sonya and Clara were alike.

It didn't take long, before everything got out of hand.

He finds it hard to look away from her stomach and Sonya had caught him more than 10 times in one sitting.

It felt creepy.

He will try to say something to improve the atmosphere but will soon get caught.

Not able to help it, "can… Can I touch your stomach? I mean our baby?" He asked with hopeful eyes.