Chapter 26—Cousins

Lena felt invisible as she watched Henderson and Cleo who were so engrossed in their conversation, they laughed heartily as though their life depended on it. She had promised herself not to let the feeling that controlled her earlier take charge now, but it was a battle. The food in front of Lena was a sumptuous one but it didn't matter to Lena's appetite, she had suddenly lost it. She didn't feel like eating but whenever she felt their eyes on her she forced herself to eat since she didn't want to give them the picture that she was agitated. "Lena, are you okay?" Cleo's voice came soft with concern making Lena cock her head to look at her. Everyone's attention was now on Lena and it made her uncomfortable but she couldn't blame them when she had caused it. "I'm... Fine, " Lena stuttered finishing the statement with a forced laugh. "Are you sure?" Henderson asked his eyes studying Lena's expression. Her words weren't convincing because her expressions said otherwise as though she was bothered by something. "Yes, I'm fine." She nodded faking a smile. When she saw Trent's and Itzel's eyes still fixed on her she smiled. This time a genuine smile. "I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me." Lena made sure to finish up her meal earlier than she usually did because she wanted to be out of the dining, she was beginning to look pathetic even to herself, and she could only trace it to Cleo's coming. But even now, she couldn't understand what was wrong with her and why she was acting that way. She excused herself from the dining area and went up to her room. As Lena lay on the bed with her eyes shot towards the ceiling lost in the web of her thoughts, a knock came on her door bringing her back to reality. "Come in, " she muttered sitting up on the bed her gaze travelled to the direction of the door when it creaked open and Cleo walked in. "Cleo!" Lena's eyes were crinkled as she spoke she stared at Cleo who had a smile on her face. "It's me, Hi Lena" Cleo giggled ignoring Lena's countenance which was void of warmth and then she walked into the room after closing the door and sat beside Lena. "What are you doing here? Do you need something?" Lena asked with raised brows and pursed lips. Cleo shook her head, "No, I just want to talk." "Ok, " Lena nodded gazing downward. "You don't like me, right?" This question made Lena hoist her head immediately, she turned to face Cleo. "Why would you..." Lena started to stutter, her voice betrayed her as she couldn't counter Cleo's words. Was her behaviour that obvious? "You don't have to say anything about it. It's fine and I don't blame you for that. You like Henderson, don't..." "I don't. How can you even ask such a question? He is my boss, " Lena chipped in before Cleo could complete her sentence. "Well, I was asking if you like Henderson as a boss." Cleo shrugged. It was a lie that wasn't what Cleo meant, she was only messing with Lena. Lena gazed downward embarrassed that she misinterpreted the question. "But now since you brought it up, let's talk about it. I think my cousins like you, Henderson likes you a lot. I would say love if you let me." The last part of the statement wasn't the problem to Lena at the moment but the first part was. "Cousins?" Lena's brows knitted in confusion as she raised her head to peek at Cleo who nodded. "Yes, I and Henderson are cousins which makes I and Itzel second cousins. I used to be her Nanny as well, but I must say that I admire you." Cleo smiled before she continued. Lena was taken aback by the reveal, she felt remorseful for her attitude and conclusions about Cleo for thinking that she was one of Henderson's flings when she was his cousin. "I was taken by surprise when Itzel called me aunt. When I used to work here she told me she was never going to call me aunt because we were cousins even when her dad insisted she does since I was way older but you know Itzel. However, it seems like she is not the same itzel that I used to know, she is way more polite and well-mannered now, something we could never teach her to be but you did in just a few months of being her Nanny. I was her Nanny for years but I had to leave when I got married a year ago. Ever since it's been difficult to find a Nanny Itzel liked until you." "I'm sorry for the way I acted towards you, I'm not usually like that but I know it's no excuse. I don't know what came over me, I'm really sorry, " Lena mumbled apologetically. "It's fine, Henderson told me that. I think you are a nice person, you were probably overwhelmed by jealousy thinking I was one of Henderson's flings." Lena opened her mouth to say something in her defence but no words came out, she was ashamed of her attitude but the part about being overwhelmed by jealousy she still doubted it, why was she going to be jealous? Well, except she liked Henderson, no way! There was no way she liked her boss in that manner. "You probably haven't figured out your feelings yet, just give it time. Henderson hasn't too but it's all over him. He sings your praises whenever we talk on the phone and ever since I got here all we've done is talk about how amazing you are, " Cleo chuckled. "Cleo I'm really..." "If you are going to apologize to me again, then don't. All is fair in love and war, I'm rooting for you guys. Make sure you invite me to the wedding, just a tip Henderson isn't as tough as he claims to be that's just his defence ever since the divorce.." Cleo interrupted, Lena kept shut and let her continue to speak. "Wedding? What wedding, " Lena grumbled when Cleo was done speaking. "Yours and Henderson of course, " she shrugged and before Lena knew it Cleo embraced her. "You are going to be an amazing sister-in-law, " Cleo whispered with a huge grin.