Princess Lea (Part 1) Eng.

Chapter 24

Lea gave her father a quick look, but said nothing more to him. She walked out of the office with Samuel and headed straight for the parking lot. Before she got in the back seat of the car, she put on Samuel's sweatshirt and hat. Samuel made his way out from under the palace, but she noticed that he was not on his way to the apartment. Every now and then he would glance at her as he looked in the rearview mirror, but she would not say anything. They left the city area and drove through the suburbs of the city. Samuel pulled over in front of a rather large senior citizen center. Lea didn't know what to expect since she had never been in this area before.

– Come on – he said, getting out of the car and opening the door from Lea's side.

– Just like that, huh? – she wondered.

– Why, send the princess a special invitation? – he laughed.

She looked at him, not knowing what to think.

– Shouldn't you have a look around the area first? – she asked as she got out of the car and looked around uncertainly, but the street and the sidewalks were empty.

– I have people for that – he smiled, obviously proud of himself for the confusion and dismay he had caused her.

– You said it would be impossible to organize such an event. It would be too much trouble to go to your parents' house – she reminded him, standing next to him.

– Because back then I didn't care about you getting to know them – he admitted.

– You did that on purpose!

– It's just that some things are more important than others – he shrugged and opened the gate.

Lea looked at him suspiciously, she walked ahead to avoid him. A sign with the name of the sanatorium appeared in front of her eyes. Samuel opened another door for her on the inside of the building. To Lea's surprise, no one paid any attention to her, which was astonishing. From time to time they passed elderly people in wheelchairs or walking with a cane. The staff members passed them as well without saying a word to them. Samuel led them to the lift and pressed the button for three floors.

She gave him a suspicious look, but all he did was give her a smile in return. They got out of the elevator, he led her to room number 45, and he was the first to go in. An elderly woman sat in a wheelchair reading a newspaper at a small table where she had several, all open to different pages.

– Hi, Grandma – he said as he walked up to the woman and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

– You're here already – she was delighted, putting down the newspaper and looking at him – I thought you were coming later and I was so not prepared.

– You look beautiful – he replied with a smile – there is someone I wanted to introduce you to.

Lea combed her hair with her fingers and took off her cap and hood.

– Grandmother, meet Lea.

Lea came closer to say hello to her.

– Good morning – she said with a smile, she wasn't sure if she should shake the woman's hand or not, but the woman herself held out both hands, so Lea shook her hand. The woman embraced her with both hands and her attention was drawn to the stone that was her grandson's gift. Her eyes were wide as she looked at it.

– Samuel – she began – I am furious with you.

– Why is that? – he laughed self-satisfied.

– You didn't tell me anything – she said in a resentful tone. She looked at Lea – I connect you child – she said after a moment of silence. She let go of Lea's hand and turned her attention back to her papers. Samuel knew immediately what she was looking for. He handed her a newspaper with an article from the hospital where Lea had had her forehead stitched.