The Calder family was tight-lipped about their secrets, and Leo was no exception. He kept everything under wraps, guarding them with the utmost discretion. Late at night, he hurried back to his place.
Knowing he was safely home, Anya felt relieved. "Chad, take a bath and get some rest. You've got work tomorrow."
Leo quipped, "Don't you dare hit the sack early. Fire up that laptop and start prepping for your computer exam. If you don't put in the effort, you're gonna flop."
Anya sighed, resigning herself. "I just can't get the hang of it."
Leo persisted, "If you're struggling, video call me every night. I'll walk you through it."
Anya pouted, murmuring under her breath, "I really don't want to study, but you keep pushing me..."
Mr. Calder chimed in, "I think it's great Leo wants you to learn. If you get stuck, I can help too."
Anya asked, "Dad, can you do a sum in a spreadsheet?"
Mr. Calder, clearly puzzled, replied, "...I think it's better if Leo helps, it'll also bring you two closer."
Anya quickly realized her father was out of his depth. "Never mind, you should just keep Mom company."
She headed back to her room, clutching her laptop, which had gathered dust during her travels, untouched for ages.
...
Mia and Molly hadn't seen Leo in a while, and he crossed their minds again. The next day, around noon, the sisters, with a little bundle in tow, went to visit him.
The heat outside was sweltering. Without giving Leo a heads up, they waited at his doorstep.
A short while later, Leo came downstairs to grab his delivery and was taken aback to see the little one, along with Mia instructing her son, "Come on, say 'ah ah' to your brother."
Leo turned, surprised, "Whoa, what brings you here?"
He approached with his meal in hand, and Henry's eyes followed his brother's hands to his own face.
Mia said, "You haven't visited since you started working. We've missed you."
Leo reached out, and Henry eagerly flailed his little arms toward him.
"Still remember your brother?"
Henry ignored him, fixated on his hands.
Leo handed his meal to Mia, "Hold this for me."
He picked up Henry, looking at his chubby cheeks, "Come here, let me give you a kiss."
Henry turned his head, eyes drifting back to his mom's hands, "Ooh, moo~"
Suddenly, Leo planted a kiss on his face, and Henry turned back, looking at his brother like he was about to gobble him up, his little mouth quivering into a familiar cry.
The hallway resonated with Henry's cries.
Molly eyed the meal, "You order takeout every day?"
Leo nodded, settling down with the three of them. With Henry in one arm, he opened the meal box with the other, and Henry's cries ceased at the aroma.
As Leo reached for utensils, Henry's little hands eagerly stretched out for the food. His mouth opened, drool gathering, eyes glued to the dish, "Mmm!"
Mia held her son, "When do you have to head back to work?"
Leo replied, "Before two."
Molly nodded, "Plenty of time, let's have a little get-together. We've got a table at the Majestic Dining Enclave, Mia booked it in advance."
Suddenly, Leo's meal seemed less appetizing, though Henry was still all about the takeout.
On their way out, Leo bumped into his boss, "Vincent, you're here."
The portly man, in an ill-fitting shirt, glanced at Mia with the child and looked her over, "And this is..."
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