Chapter 360 Taking A Seat
"Yes, let Leon Williams wait outside the hotel and make sure that the driver is well-dressed" Julia Young strangely said.
Betty clenched her teeth as she found Julia's remark a tad disrespectful. Yet she did not want to make a scene, so she did her best to remain calm. "You didn't have to say it like that." She told her as she ordered the maid to let him in.
"Oh please. Just give up, Betty. This boy is not good enough for you. For the sake of this family, take this opportunity to cut off all contact with him" Julia demanded.
Her disapproval upon Leon Williams was no doubt. She had never found the reason to accept Betty's relationship with Leon. Whether or not it is for the sake of the family's name and reputation, she would sure be willing to do anything to protect them.
If only Betty was easy to persuade, she would not be going through the situation she knows their family is not supposed to be in. But when Betty proposed to Leon at the family reunion, she knew that she could no longer turn her back from the two.
"Besides, I will not allow such an inferior person to get involved in this business deal. The big man from J City is hard to please. We must reel him in as we participate at the event that he will be hosting. For that to happen, I must make sure that low-class and irrelevant people will not interfere our business plan. We can't afford to offend that man now, do we?" Julia stated as she looked at Betty with her piercing glance.
"Well, If Leon can't participate, then I won't join as well. It is your business and not mine. Why should I even be involved with that? Betty replied firmly.
Julia only chuckled from Betty's response. She could not believe that Betty would be willing to stoop so low just to defend Leon. "Oh, dear Betty. You are a fine upper-class woman that belongs to a family who earns a million dollars every hour. It is a very rare opportunity to meet this man from J City. He has countless of connections that even you as an individual can get your hands on. It's good for our family business and for your future too." Julia said as she looked at Leon with disgust who had been clearly in the room for quite some time.
Betty stared down at Julia as she ignored her erroneous accusations. Leon noticed her fists tightening from the anger that was about to burst. Before Betty even lets another word out, Leon suddenly interrupted. "Someday. You are going to see me as big or even bigger than this man from J City. I will prove it to you. To all of you." Betty could not help but remain speechless. Leon had a different look on his face when he answered back to Julia. It was unfamiliar yet something jaw-dropping to witness. He stood on his ground and became the man that Betty has fallen in love with from the very beginning.
Joy kept his eyes on the event that just unfolded. However, deep down he thinks that Betty's feelings are going to be a source of trouble. He gets off from his seat and calls Julia and Betty for some tea. He did not have to mention Leon as he only gave him a cold glance to let him know that he disapproves of Leon's participation.
For a quick second, a sudden pound at the door was heard. It was soon pushed open by a man who shouted with dignity. "If he doesn't go, neither will I."
Joy abruptly turned around only to get frozen from what his eyes had sought.
The man standing at the door was burly, imposing, and bore the air of heroism. It was Thomas.
Joy suddenly became pale as his eyes were fueled with panic.
"Why do you stutter?" Thomas said as he walked slowly towards him.
"Thomas, I don't quite understand this." Joy uttered in puzzlement. He looked at him deeply, confused and wondering on the reason why he speaks for Leon Williams.
Thomas reiterated once more about his decision. However, no matter how firmly he stated this towards Joy, he was still left in a heavy moment of daze.
Leon is nothing but a rat to Julia and Joy. He is nowhere near the ranks of each person that has been involved in their family. Thomas' actions in defending this ordinary chauffer, twisted the minds of everyone in that room. It was insanity to their ears.
"Thomas, what's the matter with you? People like Leon are not suitable to fit into our circle. There are levels of class. I hate to break it to you, but he is way beyond people like us. " Joy explained.
"He must attend!" Thomas demanded in a strict tone. His voice echoed and silence was brought as soon as he had let go of his words.
Everyone was speechless. It was unusual for Thomas to raise his voice in this manner just to defend Leon. Joy could not even dare to speak up as Thomas stared at him with rage. He tried to look away, but he was suddenly frightful about even blinking. She had no choice, but to obey Thomas. Joy only nodded as he faced away from the shame he had felt in front of the others.
Julia and Betty were also left feeling astounded about this scene. Although they had no idea who Thomas was, the first impression that he presented already tells how powerful he could be.
But how could such an honorable and important man speak for Leon Williams? He had an appearance that could shake anyone from their consciousness, a voice that could move the earth and a vibe that could make oceans bring tidal waves upon the shore.
They never understood the situation, yet their respect for Thomas was already established.
Joy introduced Julia and Betty in an unfamiliar scene. He was different, timid and his arrogance seemed to have disappeared in an instant. His behavior has changed the moment Thomas spoke down to him.
However, when he was about to introduce Leon alongside Thomas, his snobbish ways came running back. "There's no need to introduce Him. He's just a chauffeur doing his job and who probably lives by the landfill downtown." Joy said sarcastically.
"Shut up." Thomas' voice raised once more as he interrupted Joy with a cold reprimand.
He glanced at Leon as his look softened. "Let's go and have tea" Thomas calmly told him.
With a slight bend in the corner of his mouth, Leon looked back and smiled as to agree.
To better get an understanding of who Thomas is, he comes from a prominent family in the city known as the Harriman family. Although, he is best known as the Grandson of Alger Harriman. But even if he had such wealth and support in every and any activity he chose, Thomas had always regarded Leon as a "little teacher" and treated him with great respect.
The upper-class Harriman family have traveled to Texas during this year. Every time they do so, they only start adoring the state more due to its uniqueness and the memories that they have built there as a family.
Unexpectedly, he had met Leon in Texas. Nevertheless, the only thing concerning Leon at the time, was the whereabouts of John. The last thing he heard about him was that John was seriously injured on his way to visit the Carter Family. It was unsure if he was safe now or not, but Leon has been concerned for his safety and well-being. If the whereabouts of John remain unknown, Leon would be restless. He does want to ask Thomas again if he knows anything further, but he had felt that it was just was not the right time or place.
The teahouse is located on the top floor of the hotel. Just like the best teahouses in town, they were all decorated luxuriously in antique. The only difference was that the view of the teahouse here was so wide that you can see the shore by the window. Words could never explain the feeling of watching the sun go down as you drink your tea. Being able to watch it rise once more from that view was already a privilege and an honor nothing can ever replace.
The group of people start to grab their seats one after another, but Joy suddenly rolled his eyes at Leon.
"It's a compliment to ask you to come to the teahouse. But now that the four of us are chatting, I hope you wouldn't mind getting up and giving us some space while we talked" he said to Leon.
Leon did not even mind. He did not even feel comfortable sitting there in the first place as well. He stood up and left his seat. However, he noticed that Thomas also got off from his chair.
"Thomas sit back down; I wasn't asking you to go. I was just asking Leon to move" Joy said.
"If he is not able to sit with us, then why should I? Thomas said as he loudly hit the table. He demanded and did not want Leon to get treated this way. For him, Leon did not deserve this maltreatment. He believed that if people cannot set their differences aside for the sake of goodwill, then there was no point in even being at the same table with people like Joy.