True Fated Marriage (Grace and Heinz)
Chapter 1961

In the middle of the night, all of them were waiting by the entrance to welcome Maria and Liam.

Ernest still didn't get to tell Leah what he wanted to say.

They got dressed, knocked on Gary and Celeste's door to wake them up, and informed them about it.

Gary frowned as he answered the door. He leaned lazily against the doorframe as he saw Leah and Ernesst. "What's the matter? Why are you still up this late? Are you trying to have a late-night conversation?"

"Maria and Liam are coming," Leah spoke first, "I think Maria surely would love to see Celeste too, after having not seen her for so long."

"In the middle of the night?" Gary frowned.

"That's why I'm here to inform you before they arrive. I didn't want you two to be sleeping by then when they come knocking on your door." Leah looked helpless but there was also a mischievous glint under her eyes.

Gary snorted. "Oh boy, why are they coming over to the mountains in the middle of the night? Are they having a sudden impulse about this?"

"I think all of us are acting on our whims tonight. After all, we were just back from our stargazing session," Leah said, "Liam and Maria are currently in their honeymoon period too, so please try to understand them. Also, it has been too long since Maria met Celeste, and they are besties, so you should at least do this for Celeste too."

Gary raised his eyebrows and looked back into the room. "Fine. You can head downstairs first. We will join you later."

They nodded and headed downstairs.

A couple of minutes later, Gary and Celeste walked down the stairs. Celeste was excited to know that Maria and Liam were coming over as she will get to see her.

"Is Maria really coming?" Celeste asked Leah, feeling excited and impatient.

Leah nodded. "Yes, she said she's coming, and she should arrive soon. She even said she's hungry. I've asked the butler to prepare some food."

"I haven't seen Maria for a long time, ever since my trip to Boston," Celeste said, "We didn't have the chance to meet after returning, until now. I'm so excited."

"It must be the same for her too." Leah smiled.

Celeste nodded in excitement. Her smile was so bright that Leah couldn't help but to feel sorry for her.

Perhaps Gary was the only person in Celeste's life.

Her entire world was revolving around Gary then.

Leah recalled hearing that Celeste was sending the plates downstairs on her own. She felt upset thinking about it.

She felt that Celeste should replace a man who really loved her.

She hoped that Gary would really become the man who loved her the most.

Gary noticed Leah's gaze too. He was curious, as he glanced at her expression observantly.

What kind of look was that from Leah?

Gary immediately frowned. After that, he looked at Ernest as if he was asking what Leah had in her mind.

Why was she staring at Celeste that way?

Ernest met his gaze and followed along subtly to see Leah staring at Celeste with a complicated expression.

He shrugged and then spread out his hands to show that he didn't understand it either.

Gary frowned harder as he glared again at Leah.

Leah also realized something and inadvertently raised her eyes to meet Gary's sharp gaze. She was frightened by his intimidating gaze in an instant. Her heart skipped a beat.

Only then did she realize that Gary was an intimidating guy, and not a pushover.

For the first time, Leah noticed just how sharp Gary's gaze could be. She was terrified just from the way he looked at her.

Leah immediately came back to her senses, twitched her lips and asked, "What's wrong, Gary?"

Gary narrowed his eyes at Leah for a while but didn't say anything.

He was giving off a cold aura that Leah felt like she had crossed the line with him.

He ignored her and Leah felt awkward as she pursed her lips again.

Celeste turned around and saw Gary's expression. She then asked, "Gary, did you not hear what Leah asked you? Why aren't you answering her?"

As Celeste reminded him, Gary could only restrain his emotions, twitched his lips and asked Leah, "What did you ask me?"

Leah shook her head. "Nothing. I saw you staring and wondered if there's anything wrong."

Gary gave her cold smile, twitching his lips again. "It's nothing. Perhaps you misunderstood it, or are you actually guilty of something?"

His question was provocative and harsh.

Leah felt that there wasn't any correct response to it, but it would also be wrong if she didn't answer it.

She could only smile. Then, she retorted without being courteous. "Why would I be guilty if I didn't do anything wrong in the first place? Only people who overthink or did something wrong would feel that way. Are you asking because you are the one who did one of those things?"

Gary narrowed his eyes and laughed softly.

Ernest walked over to Leah then. His gesture spoke louder than words.

It showed that he was on Leah's side, and that he would be supportive of her.

Ernest then looked at Gary, and even though no words were said, there was a warning present in Ernest's gaze. The intimidating vibe was strong.

He smiled faintly and said, "Gary, if you're tired, you can just head back upstairs. We will be here for Maria."

Gary paused and frowned again. "When did I say

I'm tired?" "Aren't you?" Ernest laughed. "Just look at how hostile you are, I thought it's because you're sleepy." "You're the one who's sleepy." Gary snapped back.

Celeste got confused too as she stared at Gary as if she was asking what was wrong with him that night.

Gary had to restrain his emotions a little and asked, "Aren't you all tired anyway? Stop staring at each other and just sit down while waiting, all right?"

Ernest took Leah and sat down on the sofa.

Celeste looked up at him, and Gary pulled her into his arms before heading to the sofa.

At that time, the sound of a car engine came from outside the door.

Soon, the butler appeared with Liam and Maria.

Liam was dressed casually in his jacket, and Maria was wearing a beige down jacket. As soon as they appeared in the hall, Maria shouted excitedly.

"Celeste!" She rushed towards Celeste and hugged her. "I miss you so much!"

Celeste also hugged her back. It was visible how close those two were.

"Maria, I miss you a lot too." Celeste smiled and hugged Maria. "How are you?"

"I'm great. Couldn't be better!" Maria let go of Celeste and glanced at the rest of them, then she greeted them. "Hi there, my cousins. Leah, come here and give me a hug."

Maria then rushed to Leah and hugged her.

Liam walked over and shook hands with Gary and Ernest. He said helplessly, "We didn't mean to disturb you all at this hour, but Maria was worried that once I go back to filming, we would miss out on this gathering. So, she insisted that we come in the middle of the night."