Leanna

Chapter 18 – Zhander Jansen

I looked at Zhander, a friendly smile on my face as I extended my hand to him.

"Hello, I'm Leanna Lee."

This Zhander didn't take my hand. He just stared at me with those dead set eyes. It was almost creepy.

Realizing he wouldn't shake my hand, I reached for the glass of water instead.

The intensity in his gaze is making me thirsty.

"What do you mean by, 'finished memorizing my face?'" Zhander asked with a clear and profound voice that guaranteed to shake every woman's heart.

I smiled, cheeks a little hot. "Sorry about that. Whenever I saw something beautiful, I memorized it to be a reference for my drawings."

". . ."

Uncle Luke smirked. His lips inwardly curled, suppressing his laughter I bet.

"Grandpa, you'll choke if you hold it in," Zhander said, eyes never swayed from mine. His expression was a bit bewildered, and it no longer held the same intensity as before.

Uncle Luke waved his hand, and in an instant, appetizers were served.

"Let's eat," he said, eyes focused on his meal.

Food was the part of the day that I love the most. No longer minding the exchanged of glances between the two men, I exerted all my energy on my plate.

The whole dinner passed in silence. I was a quiet person. It was engraved in my DNA. If you ask me a question, I answer in one word. If you ask me to explain, I explain straight to the point and short as possible.

I was never one who enjoyed small talk and long conversations.

Fortunately, the two of them appeared to like the silence.

Zhander was quiet while eating. But once in a while, I felt his gaze on me. And sometimes, our eyes meet, and I shifted back on my plate with haste.

His stares were uncomfortable, and I wanted to run in the comfort of my condo right then and there.

"Don't rush," Uncle Luke said. "Does my grandson's presence make you uncomfortable?" He played with his goblet before taking a sip.

I swallowed the last of my dessert, tapped my lips with a napkin, and answered, "Yes, I'm uncomfortable in meeting new people."

Uncle Luke gave me that stare again. The one that made me feel like I was not human.

Zhander's expression fell off his face. His brows twitched. "You've just beholden by me a moment ago with gaping mouth, salivating. Now you'll complain that you're uncomfortable?"

"Correction!" I said, raising a finger at him. "I didn't salivate, I almost salivate."

"Same thing!" Zhander's forehead creased even deeper.

"Of course not!" I recoiled. "There's a difference to it happened, to not yet happened."

He shot me a pointed glare with an 'are-you-for-real' expression on his face.

I challenge his gaze, not backing down.

"It's good that you two are getting to know each other," Uncle Luke interrupted, his tone hinting something.

"Zhander," he said, looking at his grandson. "Why don't you accompany Leanna tomorrow to explore New York?" He threw a quick, sly smile my way before shifting his attention to Zhander, face serious.

I gave the old man an 'I-know-what-you're-trying-to-do' face.

Uncle Luke ignored me while Zhander brought out his phone. "Let's exchange numbers."

I stared at him, confused. "Why?"

"So I can call you tomorrow."

"You don't have to. I can explore New York on my own."

"New York isn't a straightforward road. It has many twist and turns. You'll get lost."

"I have google maps."

"It isn't accurate."

"I can ask around."

"People are not to be trusted."

"I can ask a policeman."

"Not every policeman is righteous."

"Why do you really want to accompany me?" I glared at him, not hiding the annoyance in my voice.

Don't think that because he was breathtakingly handsome, I would agree with his every demand. People are not to be trusted, even more so if they're beautiful.

I have my ex-boyfriend in my past life to testify for that.

Zhander gave me a conflicted look, and for a moment, his face was serious and a bit hesitant.. He raised his hand, and a bundle of papers was laid before me.