The doorbell rang. I walked to open, and a bright, cheery teen waltzed in, almost dancing.
- Hey there, Kathy !
- Hello Miss ! I hope I'm not too early ? I ran there because of the rain.
- Don't worry, you're right on time, -didn't you have an umbrella, you poor thing ?
- No, I forgot it home, and-
She got in the living room, where she met with Leon.
- Hello, sir ?
- Hello ma'am, he smiled, walking towards her with his hand stretched.
- This is Leon, my fiancé, I explained.
- Hello Mr. Leon, Kathy replied, reassured and pleased, shaking his hand.
- Uh ? Your hand is all wet -and so are your clothes ! Let me get you a towel.
- It's quite alright sir, please.
Leon ignored her, walked to the bathroom, and came out with one of my towels.
- You don't mind ? he softly asked me.
- Huh ? Oh, uh, no, go ahead.
I thought Leon would merely hand the towel to her… yet he did something neither I, nor the kid, seemed to expect.
Kindly, slowly, he started wiping her. Kathy giggled at the warmth of both the texture and the man's moves. He rubbed her hair, then lowered it to her face, softly, without scrubbing. She was glad, enjoying this nice care she was receiving.
Then, and I will never forget this moment, she raised her hands, and caught Leon's.
- It's quite alright, Mr. Leon, you're much too nice to me !
- It's my pleasure, Kathy. I will let you handle the rest.
- Aww, she muttered, falsely-pouting.
She took the towel from his hands, and I couldn't help but feel convinced she took this occasion to caress them. She turned her back to me to finish the drying-up.
Leon, a bright smile on his face, looked at her vigorously rubbing, then turned to me. He had a pink, hot red-glow all over his face, but lost his smile when he saw me.
- Are you alright ? he asked. You're all pale.
I was shaking. Something inside me felt suddenly petrified and terrified. I wasn't able to reply. Suddenly, Kathy squeed to express she was done, and handed me the towel.
- There, you can bring it back, Miss.
I looked at her. She was serious, and even a bit precious with the way she held it. She seemed indifferent to my worried face, if not… perhaps slightly amused by it. I opined, took the towel and brought it back to the bathroom.
On purpose, I spent a few more seconds than needed to fold it; then, I used a minute to collect myself.
- It's okay, I murmured. She's just a little girl. He was just being polite… he was just being polite.
Unconvinced, the words still managed to imprint onto my mind and help me get a few colours back to my cheeks. I stood up straight, breathed deeply, and walked out of the bathroom.
Leon was holding a book on the sofa, his finger on a few images; next to him -or should I say, right against his arm, Kathy was leaning to get a better view.
I walked slowly towards the couch. He was talking about some of his latest editing work, and she seemed childishly interested in it.
- Hey… you guys are already pretty close, it seems ! I groaned.
They turned to me. Leon almost jumped, as if he had forgotten I was even in the house for a minute. Abruptly standing up, he let Kathy almost fall. She caught herself on the couch.
She hadn't just been leaning on his shoulder.
She has been holding his hand.
- I was… this was just…
- Mr. Leon was just showing me his job, Miss ! Looks like it pays super well ! She added by standing up and looking at our huge TV screen.
- Actually, I muttered, trying to hold my worry back, I bought this one with my own money, Kathy ! Leon's not responsible for everything you see here !
Kathy looked at me, but this time without a smile. There was a hint of haughtiness on her face. As if she seemed to think I was lying. She stood back straight, spent a few seconds looking at the screen again, and said :
- Mmmmh… mh, I guess he isn't indeed.
- Well… Kathy, I will be leaving you to work, alright ?
- Awww, you're not staying ? Don't you want to help, Mr. Leon ?
- Ah, no, I mean, I don't think I should. It is my day off, anyway, I will spend it enjoying a nice book in my bed.
- Awww ! Kathy whined girlishly. I wish I could too !
- Kathy, I moaned, let's get to work.
Leon looked at me, a bit embarrassed. I dared not turn my eyes towards his. Kathy waved him goodbye, and he closed the door to our bedroom.
- Okay, I told her, let's start. So, what is your weekly schedule this year ?