It'll Come Naturally
Chapter 1414 Confronting Dorothy (Part One)

"Have dinner with you? May I know why I have the honor?" Leena stopped, turned to look at Dorothy in bewilderment, and wondered what on earth this woman was up to.

Dorothy burst into laughter at Leena's uncertainty. "It's just a meal, and a welcome opportunity for conversation. I hold nothing against you, I promise. There's no need to worry, I'm not an enemy. I'm working for the FX International Group now, remember? I heard that you and our boss are good friends, so it's only natural that we connect. I have hoped that having a meal and a chat, might start our friendship." Dorothy assured her. Her carefully chosen words were aimed at making refusal impossible, and she watched Leena enquiringly. "Seems that you know a lot about me, Miss Lu. Let me guess: You are aware that I am Kevin's wife?" Dorothy nodded, and Leena continued, "In that case, I should get to know you too." Leena's reply was laced with an ironic smile. It was a cunning woman who stood in front of her, she thought to herself. Strategically, Dorothy had mentioned the FX International Group to cotton up to Leena. If Leena declined her offer, she would seem most ungracious.

"I see that I can hide nothing from you. I know that Major General Gu is your husband, but only became aware of this fact after I signed with the FX International Group. Someone mentioned it, and then I understood why you had been so hostile to me. Please don't misunderstand, there's nothing between Major General Gu and I. I visited him that day to express my gratitude, and that was all. I never expected that the paparazzi would snap a shot of us together, and cook up a story which could provoke so much discussion." Dorothy explained with fake innocence. She would never confess that she was behind all of this, or that it had been she who had leaked their whereabouts to the press. Hungry for stories, they had helped her start the rumor. Gossip had been her goal after all.

"I'm afraid that you have misunderstood me. I have never believed the press lies, nor did I ever hold hostility towards you. It's just that... I'm introverted and not very good at socializing. If I happened to offend you, I apologize." Leena said casually, relaxing now. Graciously, she acknowledged that she had already known of Dorothy's link to Kevin, and that she didn't take the media hype to heart at all.

"I'm relieved to hear that. In fact, I am thinking about also inviting your husband. What do you say? I really want the opportunity to thank him for saving my life, I would feel bad if I can't, you understand?" Dorothy sweetly set the trap. Through her best play at sincerity, she studied Leena in anticipation.

"Sorry, I can't ask him out for you, that's not my place. You do know that as a soldier, it's his duty to save people, so you don't have to worry about thanking him." Leena refused, without a second thought this time. She wouldn't make decisions for Kevin, so, she couldn't say 'yes' for him now.

"You are right, of course. But, consciously, I would still feel a twinge of regret, if I don't thank him properly." Dorothy said with a pinched frown. Leena's outright rejection had surprised her. Could it be that Leena had actually guessed her plan?

"There's really no need. You are a taxpayer, and it's this country's commitment to you, that you will be offered help when in need." Leena stated. 'This is the public view, especially on the Internet, isn't it?' Leena thought to herself with a wry smile. Everyone believed that soldiers should do whatever was required by the public, by their duty; because that was what they were paid for with the taxpayers' buck. This idea, at first logical and accepted, now shot a strange pang through Leena's heart, especially after she married Kevin. Only those who were close to soldiers knew how devoted they were, and how much they did daily to earn their money. It was a feeling which observers would never feel, standing on the outside as they did.

"Err... I have never thought of it in that way. You offer a unique perspective, Mrs. Gu. No wonder you have achieved so much in the fashion world." Dorothy forced a smile, she didn't push her agenda, lest Leena would get annoyed.

"Thanks for the compliment. Here is my business card; call me when you have a time and place in mind for a meet. I'm always available, but right now I have to run. I'll see you later then," Leena said, handing Dorothy her number, cautious to commit to more. She didn't want to have dinner with this woman, but she might have information about an issue which had deeply concerned Leena of late. This woman might have the answer, and for that sake, Leena accepted her invitation.

"I'll contact you later then, see you." Dorothy agreed. Respectfully, she took the business card, a smile of satisfaction spreading across her face. Her efforts today had not gone unrewarded. After all, Leena had agreed to have dinner with her. If everything went according to plan, it wouldn't be long before she got what she wanted.

Before leaving, Michelle gave Dorothy a speculative look. This woman was familiar to her, but not because she had seen her in entertainment news. Now that Michelle thought about it, she might have met this woman long ago. However, the details presently eluded her.

That night, finally home, Leena started to microwave the Chinese medicine for herself, like she often did. As she was about to drink it, the medicine was snatched away by someone from behind.

Startled, she heard Kevin's voice. "What's this, babe? If you want to drink it, you have to tell me what this dark liquid is first." Kevin insisted, regarding Leena with the same doubt he had shown to the medicine bag.

"You're home early, Kevin." Leena said, trying to keep her voice steady. Kevin's discovery that she had been taking medicine, left her a bit flustered. She tried not to stare at the medicine bag in Kevin's hand, her face turning pale. Feigning composure, she turned to look at him.

"Yeah. I finished work early today, so I came home early. Now, what is this?" Kevin insisted, as he examined the bag carefully. He couldn't figure out what was inside, and his brows knitted together as he puzzled over the thing.

"Well... it's nothing. Tom said that my physique is poorly, and he suggested that I take some medicine to improve my general health," Leena answered with a bright smile. Luckily, she had not been in very good physique recently, and Kevin knew that. Hopefully Kevin would replace that reason enough for her to take medicine.

"When did he suggest this? Why didn't you, or he tell me about it?" Kevin demanded, still frowning. From his point of view, Leena's condition was quite a big deal. Tom should have discussed it with him beforehand. He was Leena's husband after all.

Leena giggled lightly upon hearing his words. "Take it easy, dear. Honestly, I've only taken it for a few days now. I just didn't have a chance to tell you about it. You've been so busy recently." Leena shrugged off his concerns. She would not admit that she had in fact, taken this medicine for nearly a month! The medicine made her horribly sick every time, but she forced herself to drink it, for Kevin's sake.00000000☐☐☐☐☐☐