《After Divorce Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant (Leonica and Gabriel)》


 Chapter 1

    After Divorce, Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant


    Webtic


    The Day The Pain Began.


    Xx location in Norway City,


    In the spacious hallway of a funeral home, Leonica Bryce, a beautiful blonde in her Mid twenties, stood facing the stoic face of her handsome husband, Gabriel Bryce.


    In the background, guests and acquaintances perambted around, gossiping amongst themselves and sharing their condolences, but none of that mattered to Leonica as much as her husband''s words did.


    "Let''s get a divorce." Those words,ced with his deep and charming voice, rang in Leonica''s


    ears.


    "What?" She asked in disbelief, not willing to believe what her ears had just heard.


    "I said let''s get a divorce," Gabriel repeated without a hint of remorse. "I''ll have the documents ready in a few days." He added on.


    Clearly hearing his words this time around, Leonica''s face crumbled ever so slightly in anguish and her heart throbbed in pain.


    "What? Why?" She asked as calmly as she could, not wanting to lose herposure and draw the attention of the guests at the funeral.


    "Because I can''t deal with you anymore." He replied, his face expressionless and cold, not even an ounce of pity for his wife, who was going through a hard time, barely having recovered from the death of his grandmother a month ago.


    "You can''t deal with me anymore?" Leonica repeated his words slowly, her heart throbbed painfully at his words and her eyes stung.


    Although their marriage had been arranged by her family and Gabriel''ste grandmother, she loved him and showered him with enough care and passion to melt any man''s cold heart.


    She gave up her position in her family Group to be his good wife, distanced herself from her friends to be by his side, only to hear those words now?


    "Do you want to tell me why, honey?" She gathered the courage to ask, eyes shining with the tears that glossed her eyes.


    Gabriel cringed at the use of the pet name. He hated it. Never for once during their three years of marriage had he enjoyed hearing her call him so lovingly. Neither had he enjoyed the way she treated him with fake love and passion, nor the way she moaned his name in bed while they made love,


    fun begun!)


    Every single one of those things aggravated him!


    "That''s none of your business. All you should know is that I want a divorce." Gabriel said with finality, concluding the topic for the time being and walking away.


    Leonica watched him walk back to discuss with guests and acquaintances, feeling as though her heart was about to stop beating.


    Grandma''s passing did hit a lot of people, and she knew Gabriel was the most. That old kind woman was the only thing he had to fall back on in his lonely childhood when his parents were busy with their careers. The person he valued the most in the world. Leonica remembered how appalled Gabriel was when they learned the sad news. Some important part copsed in his heart and she was the one who apanied him to share the pain.


    When he was trapped by thepany''s stock shock, she quietly took care of everything for the funeral. When he dragged his tired body home, she always prepared hot water and meals for him. Even when he wanted some way to vent, she cooperated to be the bed warmer to ease his sadness.


    After this hard time, she thought he could at least feel a little of her heart, she thought their bond would be a bit stronger, but didn''t realize it would be the beginning of the marriage falling apart.


    Leonica felt her eyes burn hot and sting, tears threatening to spill out. Quickly, she raised her head, trying her best to prevent the tears from running down her face. She couldn''t let it ruin her makeup and draw the attention of many.


    The funeral was not over. She didn''t want to mess it up. She would fix their problem with Gabriel, but not now.


    Swallowing her pride and hurt, Leonica blinked her tears back and fixed herposure, keeping her chin up as she returned to attend to the guest.


    A few hourster, the funeral finally concluded and Leonica and Gabriel got into the back of their shared Rolls-Royce.


    The moment the car started moving, Leonica stole a nce at her husband who had his face. turned to the window, his attention focused on the moving scenery.


    The handsome side of his face made her trance a bit. How on earth had she fallen for such an aloof man? He didn''t give her much passion except in bed. But even so, Leonica was content. She never thought of a divorce.


    "I''m moving out," Gabriel spoke up, breaking the silence between them. His eyes still trained on the scenery, while her face was pale and confusion-ridden.


    "Tell me why?" She asked as she lowered her head and clenched her dress.


    The lyer The Ram Herquan


    "That''s none of your business, Leonica," Gabriel said coldly, almost calling her name with


    disgust.


    "I''m your wife, Gabriel, I have the right to know!" She countered.


    "The reason for you demanding a divorce, the reason for you suddenly wanting to move out of our matrimonial home, all this I have the right to know." She added, trying her best to keep her emotions and voice in check. "It''s none of your fucking business, Leonica!" Gabriel snapped, turning to look at her.


    The look in his eyes, the anger, and coldness, was enough to make Leonica shrink and flinch.


    She had never seen Gabriel angry before. No, she had never seen him lose his cool. Ever.


    "Just why?" She muttered. "Everything has been okay, peaceful even. We eat meals together all the time and even make...make love at night. We are happy, Gabriel, So, why are your suddenly like this?" She asked, her voice trembling. "Happy?" Gabriel scoffed mockingly at her words. "Stop being delusional, Leonica. The only person who has been selfishly happy in this marriage is you."


    He hissed, "I haven''t been happy with you ever since you showed up in my life. All you''ve done is annoy me to no end. You''ve be nothing but a thorn in my flesh."


    Leonica''s heart constricted painfully at his words, the tears that threatened to spill back into her eyes, her lips quivering.


    How could he be so harsh and say such cruel words to her? She didn''t remember she did anything wrong to annoy him. Or did something else bother him?


    "G-Gabriel..." She meekly called out, her words being disrupted at that very moment as his phone began to ring.


    Ignoring his heartbroken wife beside him, Gabriel fetched his phone from the inner pocket of his phone, ncing at the caller ID.


    The name on the screen disyed Angelina, with a red heart symbol beside it.


    And just with that nce, Leonica quickly realized why he was so desperate for a divorce. His past lover was back.


    She''s Pregnant!


    Angelina Fernandez.


    The woman whom Gabriel had loved for years; the woman who had broken his heart three


    years ago


    ago and fled abroad; and the same woman he expected to have back until their wedding


    three years ago.


    It was a name Leonica would never forget. Because even on their wedding night, the name Gabriel moaned out was still "Angelina", not remembering the one lying under him was his new wife.


    Leonica should have already given up this loveless marriage if Grandma hadn''t asked her to. Grandma never liked Angelina, and she always believed that Leonica was the best wife choice. for Gabriel.


    "Gabriel," Leonica called out and then reminded him, "You promised Grandma you''d stay away from that woman."


    "Are you threatening me?" Gabriel questioned with cold eyes on her. Hearing her talk about histe grandmother, he couldn''t help but feel enraged. "You''re in no position to talk about my grandmother." She was about to say something else when he turned to face the driver and instructed. "Stop


    the car."


    His sudden instruction caused a wave of confusion to wash over Leonica. Her brows creased as


    Gabriel ordered her coldly.


    "Get out!"


    Leonica''s eyes widened and she froze on the spot "What?"


    Did he...did he really mean that? Asking her to get out in the middle of a road where cars rarely came by at this time point. Then how should shee home?


    "Get. Out." Gabriel reiterated with a stern and authoritative voice.


    "G-Gabriel," Leonica called out, her voice trembling.


    "Get out, or I will make you," Gabriel growled again.


    At this point, the driver had gotten out and was already holding the door open for Leonica, hist eyes apologetic.


    Leonica didn''t have a choice, so without any other choice, she got out of the car.


    As soon as she was out, Gabriel mmed the door close. The tears she had held back rolled down her face, as the Rolls Royce sped away and disappeared from her sight. Pieseanant


    Suddenly, the ache in her heart seemed to have traveled all the way down to her stomach and the sharp pain hit her.


    In a few minutes, everything went dark and silent.


    Leonica woke up to the sound of hospital machines beeping and hushed whispers beside her.


    Hershes fluttered open and she found herself lying on a hospital bed, her arms hooked up to an IV.


    Slowly, she turned her head to the side, her eyesnding on the familiar faces of her parents.


    The blonde who was her mother, Cassandra, was the first to notice that she had opened her


    eyes.


    "Oh honey, you''re awake!" She eximed, a sigh of relief escaping her.


    "We were so worried." Her father, Benjamin, chimed in, his expression filled with worry.


    "Dad...Mom..." Leonica croaked, her voice weak and throat dry.


    "I''ll get her a ss of water," Cassandra said, rising from her seat and walking out of the room, leaving her husband and daughter alone. "Honey, are you alright? Are you feeling better?" Benjamin asked, taking his wife''s previous


    seat.


    Leonica looked around the room with her eyes, before looking at her father and asking. "Why am I in the hospital? What happened?"


    "You don''t remember?" He asked and she shook her head.


    Benjamin pressed his lips into a thin line, sighing secondster before he began his exnation, "You had passed out on the road when a couple driving by saw you and rushed you to the hospital. You had mine and your mother''s number stored as your emergency number, so the hospital called us as soon as you arrived."


    "Oh," Leonica could only say, frowning instantly when the memory of Gabriel''s cold face rushed back into her mind.


    "They told us you''d copsed because of anemia and overwork. Just in case there are any other problems, the doctors have run some tests and the results just came out," Benjamin continued, pulling her out of her thoughts.


    "What did the doctors say?" Leonica questioned, not missing the sad and worried look that crossed her father''s eyes.


    "Darling," Cassandra walked back into the room, carrying a ss of water.


    Leonica looked at her and noticed that her eyes were a little puffy and swollen like she had been crying.


    "Drink this." Cassandra ced the ss of water on the table beside the hospital bed and


    handed it to Leonica.


    With a nod, Leonica epted the ss and gulped down the cool water, feeling the dryness in her throat slowly disappear.


    "I heard you talked about the test results." Cassandra addressed her husband as she sat down. Benjamin nodded his head.


    Leonica, who had her ears trained on their conversation, was not able to hide her confusion.


    "What is it, Mom? What did the doctor say?" She asked.


    Benjamin and Cassandra nced at each other for a few seconds,municating through their eyes, before turning to their daughter.


    "The reason why you passed out was because of slightplications. You''re two months. pregnant, Leonica." Her mother informed after holding her hands tightly and a bit excitedly.


    "What?" Leonica asked in surprise.


    She...she was two months pregnant?!


    The Mistress Returns.


    The news instilled fear in Leonica as much as it did hope.


    A baby was currently living inside her, serving as proof of the nights she and her husband made love together. Proof of how strong she and Gabriel''s bond was about to be.


    Would Gabriel cancel his demand for divorce if he learned of his child growing in her womb?


    "I...I need to let him know." Leonica muttered under her breath, looking around for her phone.


    She quickly found it on the nightstand and with a smile on her lips, she dialed Gabriel''s number and pressed the phone to her ears, listening to the line ring.


    It rang


    ang unanswered for seconds. Seconds soon turned into minutes and several more tries, but her efforts were futile.


    Gabriel didn''t pick up..


    Well, how would he even have the heart to pay attention to her when his past love returned?


    Her smile turned bitterly as the tips of her fingers clutching her cell phone started to shiver.


    "Enough, Leonica," Benjamin sighed deeply and took away the phone from her daughter''s hands after exchanging a look with his wife.


    "He might just be busy, Dad." Leonica forced a smile trying to exin. She knew her parents never looked favorably on the marriage.


    "Leonica my honey," Cassandra began as she held her daughter''s hands. "Does Gabriel treat you this way, all the time?"


    "Treat me what way?" Leonica asked, not understanding the underlying meaning of the question.


    "Today was his grandmother''s funeral, correct? Gabriel was at least meant to be with you,


    but the one who had brought you into the hospital after you passed out was a total stranger. What happened?" Benjamin asked with a serious look.


    Leonica sighed. She didn''t know how to tell them that Gabriel had demanded for a divorce. From the go, they never liked the fact that she had sacrificed so much just for the sake of marrying him. In order not to worry them, she had kept many of their arguments secret, from both her parents and his Late grandmother.


    However, being loved or not could always be found from the smallest details. Her silence was enough to answer for her wise parents.


    They both sighed and Cassandra shook her head before helping Leonica back to the bed, Darling, I''m d you''re alright, and I''m also d that you''re expecting a baby. But, this marriage of yours, you should think about it very well."


    THE NE


    "If it was not for Ms. Bryce''s proposal and that you liked him so much, we wouldn''t have even acknowledged Gabriel Bryce as our son-inw," Benjamin scoffed.


    Leonica''s heart clenched and her mother added, "Darling, three years is enough to see into a man''s heart. You''re so smart not to understand that. Even if you don''t think about yourself, you should think about the child in your womb."


    Benjamin nodded, "If Gabriel has behaved this badly since the start, then I''m sure he isn''t a good husband to you and I doubt he''d be a good father to that child. Divorce him ande back home. We''re capable of helping you raise this child well."


    Benjamin held his daughter''s shoulder to face his gaze and reminded her, "Leonica my dear, remember you''re the daughter of the Romero family. We''re not less powerful than his."


    Cassandra nodded her head in agreement, "Divorce him, Leonica. I''m sure you deserve someone better. And your baby."


    Looking at her parents'' keen concern, to say Leonica was not moved would be an understatement. She didn''t expect that so many people would ask her to give up her marriage in one day, all of whom were closest to her.


    Had she really made the wrong choice in the first ce?


    She lowered her head and saw her bracelet, a wedding anniversary gift from Grandma. Gabriel almost forgot it every year but Grandma always remembered. It felt like Grandma was the only supporter of this marriage. Sometimes, even Leonica had no idea why Grandma had so much


    faith in her.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    If Grandma were around today, would she have advised her to get a divorce too?


    Leonica thought sourly but quickly dismissed the thought. No, Grandma would have been happy. Grandma had been looking forward to this great-grandson for a long time.


    And Ragriel didn''t know that he was going to be a father yet. Maybe he''d change his mind?


    Tears blurred her eyes, and Leonica had made her decision. For Grandma, for the baby, and


    herself.


    "No. I can''t." She muttered, shaking her head.


    "Leonica," Her mother began.


    "Please Mom," She interrupted her with pleading eyes. "Let me try again. Just onest time."


    Her parents looked at her, seeing the determination and determination that swirled in her. eyes. Sighing, they nodded and respected her decision.


    A few hourster, she was discharged from the hospital with strict instructs to avoid stress and stern lecturing from her parents to take care of both herself and the baby.


    Soon after, she arrived home and eagerly rushed into the house, wanting to tell Gabriel about the baby.


    However, just as she stepped inside, her heart clenched and her face paled upon seeing a pair of red heels and a Green Gi bag beside Gabriel''s shoes.


    Her heart ached once more while she tried to tell herself that there was no way Gabriel would do something like bringing another woman into their matrimonial house which had been a gift from his belovedte grandmother.


    There was no way he would break the promise he had made to his grandmother, right?


    ''But then again... Leonica''s thoughts trailed off as she recalled Gabriel breaking the promise he had made to his grandmother by contacting Angelina.


    Just the thought of that alone somewhat angered her and this time, she would not stand by and watch the blessed house she cherished be tainted by the likes of a third party!


    Clenching her teeth, anger cursing through her veins, Leonica furiously ascended the stairs, rushing to their bedroom.


    When she got there and furiously mmed their bedroom door open without so much as at knock, her entire body froze up and her eyes grew wide when she spotted a brte sitting on the edge of their bed with damp hair and a bathroom towel wrapped around her body.


    The person sitting on her matrimonial bed, currently looking at her with the most innocent look in her eyes, was none other than Gabriel''s past lover.


    Angelina Fernandez..


    The one person she hated. Her worst nightmare!

 Chapter 2

    Get Out Of My House!


    The humiliating memory of the wedding night came back to her when Leonica caught Angelina sittingfortably on her matrimonial bed like she was the real hostess.


    "Y-You! How did you get in here?" Leonica hissed, anger rising to the surface of her visage as a re formed on her eyes.


    Angelina didn''t say anything, instead, she just looked at Leonica provocatively. And the next second, the bathroom door opened from behind and Gabriel stepped out, with a bathroom towel wrapped around his waist as his wet hair clung messily to his face. Leonica''s heart shattered into pieces at that moment and her eyes were filled with betrayal hurt, and annoyance, especially when Gabriel''s facial expression turned into disdain after spotting her existence.


    "Gabriel, what is she doing here?" Leonica demanded as she balled her fists.


    Angelina wasted no time in scurrying over to Gabriel and shamelessly burying her face in his bare chest, acting like a scared cat.


    Gabriel made no effort to withdraw from her touch nor shoo her off, instead, he embraced her, wrapping his arm around Angelina.


    "Are okay?" He asked her with a soft expression.


    The scene angered Leonica as much as it hurt her. She clenched her fist, nails digging painfully into her palm as she tried to stop her anger from overflowing.


    "Gabriel..." She asked again, face twitching in anger. "I''m asking why this woman is here."


    "That''s none of your business, Leonica," Gabriel replied, his expression turning frosty as soon as he took his eyes off Angelina.


    None of her business? There it was again. He did have no other words to her other than that, didn''t he? Leonica started to feel like a joke. Mom was right, why should she waste her time-on a heartless man? "You''re right." She squeezed a mocking smile as she nodded, "I have no interest in what you. were doing together."


    "But this is my house," She added, trying her best to sound calm andposed. "And I don''t want to see her here. Leave this house, right this instant."


    "What if I refuse?" Gabriel countered, causing Leonica to flinch, her eyes widening. "If you can''t treat my guest right, you can go back to your parent''s house and spend the night there!" "W-What?"


    Was her husband really telling her to leave Their home for another woman?


    GetOUTUI AS, HOUSE


    The very same woman who had broken his heart and left him a ruined mess three years ago?! Leonica was speechless.


    "You heard me." He stated, his eyes challenging. "What are you waiting for?"


    "No," Leonica said, surprising not only Gabriel but also Angelina who nced up at her in shock.


    "Why should I leave?" She objected, taking a daring step forward and looking straight at Gabriel.


    "This is my home, not hers. I have the right to ask any stranger to leave."


    The sternness on her face surprised him, after all, Leonica was always one to obey his words. and seemed meek. She rarely ever retaliated or objected over anything he said.


    "This isn''t your house alone, Leonica. I own this house just as much as you do. I have the r to invite anyone I want here." Gabriel retorted, his jaw taut.


    right


    Leonica knew this was a sign of his anger, but at this moment she didn''t bother to care.


    "Now you remember it''s OUR house." Leonica sneered, "Or should I remind you more exactly? It''s under my name, alone."


    Her gaze was so sharp that he was a little unustomed. Leonica didn''t lie, the house was a wedding gift from Grandma to them. He didn''t care much when Grandma decided to put it under Leonica''s name. But now seeing such a forceful face of her made him even angrier.


    Ignoring her words, Gabriel insisted. "Angelina isn''t going anywhere. I don''t care if you want otherwise!"


    Hearing his nonsense and seeing how he cradled Angelina in his arms like she was his true wife, Leonica couldn''t hold her anger anymore.


    "Gabriel Bryce, how can you be so shameless?" she asked, staring daggers at her atrocious. husband and his mistress. "Aren''t you afraid that would disappoint Grandma...?"


    Leonica''s words remained unfinished as an enraged Gabriel swung his hand through the air, smacking his palm clean on her left cheek.


    The sound resonated through the empty walls of their bedroom, surprising both Angelina and


    Leonica.


    Never in her three years of marriage had Leonica expected Gabriel to raise his hands against her.


    With a throbbing cheek and wide, disbelieving eyes, Leonica held onto her red cheek and stared at her husband who was ring ferociously at her.


    "The nerves of you to mention my grandmother. You have no right to do so!" He spat, taking


    GUIDWELEM, Housel


    a step forward and jabbing his index finger painfully into her shoulder, making her take several steps back.


    "Bare this in mind, Leonica Romero, if not for the wishes of myte grandmother, I''d much rather be dead than associate myself with somebody like you, talk less have you as my wife."


    His words were so cold and his eyes were so hateful to her that Leonica felt it like a bucket of cold water had suddenly been sshed on her, waking her up to the reality that she had been denying for the past three years.


    She loved Gabriel, but it was clear he never loved her.


    Without love, how would he give her baby a warm and loving family? What he really wanted would be a child with Angelina, right?


    Leonica felt her chest heavy, like something had suddenly lodged itself in her throat and was blocking her breathing, and her eyes stung.


    She was about to cry, she could feel the tears threatening to fall.


    But she had to stop herself.


    Since he had no heart for her, she could show even less weakness, especially when Angelina the home wrecker was still here, silently watching the whole fight raised by her.


    So, biting down on her lower lip and blinking the tears away, Leonica lifted her head. She sighed as she armed herself with a sharp and fierce gaze.


    There was no need to act and pretend coy anymore.


    Mom and Dad were right, there was nothing worth keeping her in this marriage. So before then, why should she make it easy for them?


    "You''d better not try me, Gabriel Bryce." Leonica reminded him, "I, Leonica Bryce, am still


    your wife."


    The way she looked at him was so calm and unfamiliar that took Gabriel aback.


    And before he spoke, Leonica threatened, "If you really want that divorce, then get this


    woman out now."


    Her Din Marriage.


    Gabriel didn''t know how to tell his feelings.


    The woman standing before him was clearly the same, yet the aura around her had suddenly


    shifted.


    him, trying to vie for his attention like a hungry


    Earlier in the day she had been pleading v whore and now here she was, acting like an arrogant lioness.


    But most of all, he wondered why his heart ached when Leonica spoke of divorce with such


    conviction.


    Wasn''t her willingness to divorce exactly what he wanted?


    "Gabe, I...I think I should leave. I-I don''t want to see you two fighting because of me." Angelina''s voice pulled him out of his mind. The little woman hung her head low in his arms, trying to restrain her trembling. "Stay here." He tried to reassure Angelina but got Leonica scoffed. Gabriel shot his angry gaze


    to his wife again..


    Angelina suppressed her smile and continued her act, "N-no. I think I should leave."


    She said and quickly turned around to get dressed. However, when she just took a few steps. from Gabriel, she acted wobbly and suddenly copsed to the floor, pretending to faint. "Angelina!" Gabriel called out, rmed and worried, as he rushed to her side.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    When his words failed to bring a reaction from her, Gabriel quickly picked her up in his arms, turning around, and shoving Leonica out of his way as he rushed out of the room.


    Leonica who was still nkly rooted in her spot, watched her husband hurry out with his mistress. There was nothing but sadness in her heart: Gabriel had never cared for her like that. Thest of her will for trying to make the marriage work, dying out like a dimming candle.


    cing her hand on her stomach, she lowered her voice and quietly apologized.


    "Little one, I''m sorry I won''t tell your father about you. When youe into this world, please don''t be too angry at Mommy."


    After leaving the house, Garbiel had rushed to the nearest hospital and had Angelina admitted and checked up on. Only after hearing that she was in good condition did Gabriel rx. Taking onest look at Angelina''s sleeping form, Gabriel exited the hospital.


    The doctor said Angelina seemed to be over-stressed and needed a good rest and to stay in a


    good mood. Gabriel knew he''d better apany her for the night, however, Leonica''s face kept shing in his mind and he just couldn''t stop it.


    Damn! When it was clear that Leonica was the one who fooled Grandma and forced

 Chapter 3

    break up with him, how dare she still try to fool him with that feigned innocent face? He needed a drink, a stiff one.


    A couple of minutester, he was in the usual ce he went each time he needed to forget about his married life. The bar was filled with loud voices. Gabriel had sat in a dark corner, silently nursing a ss of whisky as he stared off into the distance. No one knew what he was thinking but his uninviting aura signaled not to mess with this guy.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Hello, Gabriel." Sebastian, one of his circle friends, greeted with a slight wave, turning secondster to order his drink before fixing his attention back on the man who had only acknowledged him with a nod.


    "I see you''re here drowning yourself in alcohol again." Hemented, watching his friend swirl his drink in the ss, then bringing it to his lips and downing it. "What''s the asion this time around? Failed business ns? Family issue?" "Wife issue. Well, divorce issues to be more specific." Gabriel responded.


    "Whoa, you''re getting a divorce?" Sebastian raised his brows, a bit shocked at the revtion.


    Gabriel nodded with an expressionless face, but why the heck did he hear excitement in Sebastian''s tone?


    "Damn man. I would have never imagined you being the one getting a divorce." Sebastian mused, a small grin pulling the corner of his mouth. "So does that mean Leonica''s gonna be back on the market?"


    At the mention of his wife, Gabriel''s expression darkened and he turned to look at Sebastian, What?"


    "Don''t look so surprised. Leonica is a wonderful woman, but you only have Angelina in your heart. Tough marriage, isn''t it?" Sebastian took a sip as he blinked at Gabriel, "Since you''re getting a divorce soon, I don''t have to be concerned anymore." "Though Leonica looks a little nerd, she''s got a damn hot body. No man would miss that. I should court her, maybe see what she''s made of in bed." Sebastian chuckled, unaware of how his words had angered his friend.


    In a split second, Gabriel was up from his chair, knocking it over as he suddenly threw a swift punch at Sebastian''s face, not waiting for him to recover before he grabbed Sebastian by the cor and lifted him up from his own seat. "Gabriel? What the hell?!" Sebastian eximed, struggling against Gabriel''s hold.


    "You''d best watch your mouth, Sebastian. Leonica is still my wife!" He growled.


    Hi Danemang Markage


    "Man, you need to calm the fuck down." He huffed, finally freeing himself from Gabriel''s hold and strutting away, muttering underneath in the process


    It was obviously Gabriel who first mentioned their divorce and he had just been kidding about Leonica, but why the hell was Gabriel suddenly reacting so hostilely?


    Watching him walk away, Gabriel''s chest still heaved violently. He had no idea why he was so overreacted.


    He must have consumed too much alcohol tonight.


    "Take me back to the office." Gabriel instructed his driver as he stepped out of Club Parish and


    entered his car.


    His driver bowed wordlessly, following hismand.


    Half an hourter, the driver parked the car in the driveway of his house rather than his office. "Mr. Bryce, we''ve arrived."


    Gabriel who had temporarily fallen asleep due to the alcohol, opened his eyes at his driver''s announcement.


    "Why are we here? I remember I said the office." Gabriel asked, rubbing his brow.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Bryce." The driver bowed his head and exined, "I heard you calling the name of Mrs. Bryce, and I thought you wanted to go home." Gabriel paused his hand and said coldly, "You heard wrong.


    "And you''re dismissed." He instructed, and without another word, walked into his home.


    Stumbling up the stairs, he pushed the door to his bedroom open and walked in, stopping when he saw Leonica peacefully sleeping on the bed.


    He was so messed up by the events of the night, while she was sleeping so well!

 Chapter 4

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    Heartbroken Night.


    Gabriel tugged his tie loose as he walked over to the bed. The duvet had rolled down to the edge of the bed, exposing thecey nightgown she had worn to sleep.


    It was a sexy lingerie that entuated her breasts and the curve of her hips, showing just enough skin for any man to be tempted.


    [She''s got a damn hot body and no man would miss that. ]


    Sebastian''s words came back to his mind again, making Gabriel more annoyed. Why should she dress so sexy when her husband is not at home? Was she expecting any other man to spot this? No wonder so many men were lusting after her, huh? Slowly, Gabriel stalked towards the bed, his body moving on its own ord.


    His eyes were clouded with a strong lustful desire, and his pants were starting to feel ufortable as his hard-on pressed against the zipper.


    [I should court her, maybe see what she''s made of in bed.]


    Those words were like demons to his ears. The more he imagined how other men would court her or even have sex with her, the more he was annoyed. She was still his wife!


    Reaching the bed, he slowly crawled over her and dipped his head, pressing his mouth against her neck, sucking and nibbling at her skin.


    Leonica felt the disturbance and woke up.


    "G-Gabriel?!" She questioned in surprise, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting and making out the figure hovering over her.


    "Be quiet," Gabriel replied, not allowing her the chance to speak as his mouth captured hers, kissing her deep and slow, tasting her whilst she tasted the alcohol he had.


    However, Leonica began to fight back squirming underneath him, not at all docile and cooperative as in the past.


    "What are you doing?!" she yelled and tried to push him away.


    "What does it look like I''m doing?" Gabriel replied, his breath hot and heavy against her skin as he continued to trail kisses along her corbone, moving lower.


    Anger covered her heart as the humiliating memory of their wedding night came back to Leonica. He was also drunk that night as he couldn''t get over Angelina. She was expecting to be loved by her husband as his wife that night, yet he just rudely treated her as a stand-


    in for


    his ex.


    After that day, Grandma reprimanded Gabriel severely and he never came home drunk again. Let alone they were going to divorce, Leonica never thought she''d have to repeat that horrible Want


    night. What the heck did she do wrong to let him humiliate her again and again?


    "This isn''t right, you''re drunk, so stop!" Leonica protested, her voice shaky as she continued.


    to resist.


    "Not right? Didn''t you say we were still married? Then you have to please your husband!" Gabrielmanded as his hand gripped her waist strongly to stop her from struggling.


    Leonica felt his fingers dig into her waist and immediately stopped, not wanting the strength he was using to cause any harm to her unborn child.


    "Gabriel, you-" She started but her voice trailed off as his lips came crashing down on hers. again, his tongue pushing into her mouth and iming it as his.


    His hand traveled all over her body, groping and touching wherever theynded, and Leonical


    tried her best not to moan.


    But it was no use. Gabriel knew too well how to conquer her body.


    Soon, his hand was cupping her breast, squeezing and teasing the nipples, and Leonica arched her back, breaking their kiss to moan out.


    "That''s right, moan out you slutty," Gabriel whispered in her ear, and Leonica shuddered as she felt his hand slide up her thighs, his fingers slipping underneath her panties and finding her wet core.


    She wanted to say something to retort yet couldn''t help but gasp as she felt him slowly slip his finger inside her, pumping in and out, her arousal increasing and her walls clenching.


    She could feel her climax approaching, but Gabriel pulled his fingers out at thest moment and began stripping his clothes while his eyes were still gluing on her.


    The possessiveness in his eyes was so naked that for a moment Leonica wanted to believe he loved her. But the next second, she couldn''t help but wonder if he was eyeing her as someone. else. After all, Gabriel hardly ever called her name in bed. He was hard, his erection throbbing painfully against his boxers.


    Pulling the nightgown off her, Gabriel threw it aside and then spread her legs open.


    "G-Gabriel, wait." Leonica protested, cing her hand on his chest to stop him from inserting his swollen member in her, "Tell me who-"


    "shut up


    Just let me fuck you." Ignoring her pleas, Gabriel positioned himself in between her legs and pushed his length into her.


    "Ah!" Leonica cried, her hands clutching the bed sheets, her inner walls stretching to amodate his size.


    He filled her and Leonica felt him thrusting deep inside her. Her heart was all sour but her body already submitted to him, jerking forward each time.


    And just like that, he continued to dominate her for the night, until they both reached their orgasms again and ag


    A soft groan escaped Gabriel''s lips as his eyes slowly fluttered open.


    He was having a hangover, a bad one.


    EM


    His head pounded like a drum and his mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton balls.


    Groaning again, Gabriel tried to sit up, his muscles screaming in protest.


    "Fuck." He cursed and closed his eyes shut, hoping that the pounding would stop.


    It didn''t. Instead, memories fromst night flood back into his mind, making him eyes open and quickly look beside him.


    snap his


    Leonica''s naked form beside him, fast asleep; and the redden love bites that adorned her neck, telling how crazy they werest night was. Gabriel Bryce was rarely this out of control.


    He felt a huge wave of repulse and regret wash over him. How could he make such a mistake when everything was going to back on the right track? Was he crazy? Shaking his head, Gabriel carefully climbed out of bed and quickly dressed. With onest nce at his sleeping wife, Gabriel turned around and walked out of the room.


    A piece of blurry memory shed into his mind when he set in his car with the new driver. It seemed that Leonica was trying to ask him somethingst night. What was that? She Sign


    The Papers.


    Leonica was sitting upright on the bed, staring emptily into the space.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    The hickeys Gabriel left on her were still fresh, yet instead of excitement like anytime before, it only made her shudder and sick.


    She hated him.

 Chapter 5

    Hated him with a new growing passion.


    When he was the one who asked for the divorce, the one who brought his mistress home regardless of her opinions as his wife, the one who said he''d rather die than marry her, how the hell could he do all that to herst night? In order not to hurt the baby, she dropped all her pride to beg him yet he still cared about his feelings only. And after all this, he stepped out of bed before she could wake up as if nothing happened.


    What the hell did he think she was? A free whore at his beck and call? Gabriel Bryce that bastard surely had no heart for her!


    Leonica didn''t know how long she kept this position until the doorbell rang.


    She had nned on ignoring it, but the person on the other end was persistent and rang the bell repeatedly, annoying her. "Who could it be?" She muttered, heading towards the door after dressing up.


    As she opened the door, she was greeted by the familiar sight of a young man, Gabriel''s


    attorney.


    "Good afternoon, Mrs." Daniel greeted politely.


    Nearly at once, Leonica realized the reason for his sudden visit.


    As if to confirm her suspicions, Daniel reached into his brown briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers, offering them to her. "I''m here to deliver the divorce papers."


    It felt like her heart had stopped, the world was slowly fading around her, and Leonica was being suffocated by her own emotions.


    It took her a while to suppress those stupid feelings and Leonica reached for the papers and took them, forcing a smile on her lips and saying "Thank you, Daniel."


    "You''re wee, Mrs. Bryce. And...there was one more thing."


    Leonica felt being stabbed hard in her chest the moment she recognized what the pills lying on his palm were.


    The oral contraceptive.


    11


    "Mr. Bryce asked me to give you this..." Daniel scratched his head awkwardly as he exined, " He said..."


    "I see." Leonica cut his words while grabbing a pill and threw it in her mouth,


    "Now, he can rest assured and you can leave."


    As her voice had turned cold and her eyes so sharp, Daniel knew he shouldn''t stay longer.


    "Wish you a good day, Mrs. Bryce." Daniel tipped his fedora hat and said his goodbye, turning and walking down the stairs towards the car parked at the side of the road.


    As soon as Daniel was out of sight, Leonica rushed back home and gouged out the pill stuck in her throat. Tears streaming down her face as she coughed hard. Her broken heart screamed in pain.


    How could she be so stupid? How could she even expect him to change his mind afterst night?


    Gabriel never wanted her but only took her as an unpaid whore. How would he want a child from a whore in his eyes?


    If he was so heartless, there was no need for her to be indecisive.


    Leonica slowly took the wedding ring from her hand and put it on the table before she calmed herself to sign the paper.


    Gabriel Bryce, you''d better not regret what you''ve done today!


    ***


    Gabriel sat in thefort of his office, face mildly scrunched up. He was trying to focus greatly on the work at hand but images with Leonicast night kept dangling in front of his


    eyes.


    Did that woman put a spell on him?


    He picked up the ss of whiskey resting on his table and took a shot. Even the soft music of the ssical song ying on the radio which usually helped him calm didn''t work at all today. Something was out of control.


    A knock sounded on his door and Gabriel replied, "Com


    in."


    "Mr. Bryce, I came here to return the documents Daniel, his attorney, said and walked towards his desk, putting the divorce documents on it.


    Shadodorem The Papers


    "She signed it?" Gabriel questioned as his brows frowned.


    Daniel nodded and Gabriel quickly opened the documents and sure enough, he saw Leonica''s signature written in attractive cursive letters on the bottom of the first page.


    For some reason, he felt as if a corner of his heart had gone missing at that moment.


    He had expected her to show up at his office, weeping and begging at his feet after receiving the divorce papers, or better yet, he had anticipated returning home and finding her a crying mess, who''dter make promises and once more, proim her love for him, all in the bid to keep their marriage standing.


    But she signed it, quickly and quietly. Not like her at all.


    How could Leonica sign their divorce documents as quietly as an ant?


    And this should be what he wanted, but why wasn''t he feeling as relieved and happy as he had expected?


    ******


    Club Parrish, was one of the best nightclubs in the whole of New York and had thergest VIP room with the most expensive champagne and the finest liquor money could buy. Only the elite ranks gained ess to the ce. Weaving throw the crowd of people, Gabriel walked straight to his private room and upon opening the door, was instantly greeted by Lloyd Riley and Christian Andersen.


    nwas


    a


    Lloyd and Christian were just as famous as Gabriel, only out of the three, one of them business tycoon, the other a famous doctor who owned his hospital, and thest one a hotelier with more than a hundred hotels worldwide. The three of them, despite their difference in character all, had influential family backgrounds, thus making them the perfect match.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    The unholy Trinity, as they had been called back in their college days.


    "Yo! Gabriel!" Lloyd greeted loudly as soon as he spotted his best friend step into the room. Beside him, Christian gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment in Gabriel''s way. "Suddenly getting a text like that from you out of the blue sure did concern us. So what''s up?" Christian asked whilst taking a sip from the transparent ss that held his liquor. "You don''t look so good, man." Lloyd pointed out, observing his friend. "Is everything alright?" He questioned, cocking his head to the side.


    "It''s nothing," Gabriel assured, taking a seat at the center of the three-seater couch, across


    from them.


    Almost immediately he reached for a ss and poured himself a measurable amount of


    The Papets


    whiskey before downing it in one gulp, which surprised both Lloyd and Christian, causing them to share nces.


    "It''s obviously Not Nothing if you''re drinking like this." Christian pointed out.


    Gabriel, instead of responding, red at his friend, not because his words were annoying, but rather because they were true.


    Ever since holding the signed divorce papers in his hands, Gabriel had felt uneasy and his heart heavy, as if something was bothering him and he didn''t know what it was. The more he tried not to think about it, the more he ended up thinking about it, and the worse.


    he felt.


    "Ah, I think I know what all this is about," Christian snickered after a while.

 Chapter 6

    At his words, all eyes were on him.


    "Gabriel Bryce is panicking," Christian stated nonchntly as if saying the obvious.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    This caused another round of confused nces at him.


    "Panicking about what?" Lloyd asked, sharing a confused nce with Gabriel.


    "Why, about his wife, of course." Christian rified, the look in his eyes mischievous and yful.


    "You mean Leonica? Why would Gabriel panic about her?" Lloyd asked, confused, even Gabriel was confused too. There was no way Christian knew about his divorce.


    It was still fresh news.


    "Well, I saw Leonica by the gynecology yesterday." Christian suddenly began, causing Gabriel''s movement to halt.


    The gynecology? Why had Leonica gone there?


    A sudden thought hit Gabriel like a brick and his eyes narrowed dangerously.


    The only reason a woman would go to gynecology would be...


    "You don''t mean..." Lloyd started, catching on to Gabriel''s silent horror.


    "Yes." Christian nodded his head, confirming it.


    "Gabe''s lovely wife, might be pregnant."


    She''s Pregnant With Your Child.


    Gabriel shot up from his seat after Christian''s words, startling both his friends.


    "Whoa!" Lloyd eximed, nearly spilling his drink on his dress.


    "I''m leaving." Gabriel announced and without another word, walked out of the club room.


    He made his way towards his car, entered and began driving towards his and Leonica''s shared


    Vi.


    Throughout the drive there, Gabriel''s mind wandered, pondering the many possibilities of what would happen if Leonica was indeed pregnant.


    That would mean he was about to be a father.


    The passing thought caused a fluttering feeling to erupt in his chest. However, he discarded. the feeling as quick as it had came, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. Before assuming things, he needed to speak with Leonica and have her confirm it herself.


    After an hours drive, Gabriel finally pulled up in the driveway of their shared Vi and stepped


    into the house.


    "Leonica," He called out, his voice echoing off the huge living room that barely housed


    furniture.


    "Leonica, where are you?" He called out once more, this time around, finally taking not of how empty the house felt.


    Usually, each time he arrived home, Leonica was always waiting at the door with a smile, warmly weing him, despite whatever fight or argument they may have had. However, this time was different.


    Leonica had note to wee him, it felt strangely out of ce to Gabriel.


    Rushing up the stairs, still in search of the missing female, Gabriel flung the doors to the bedroom open, expecting to at least see her asleep, much to his dismay, the subtle scent of her roses cologne lingered in the air, yet she was nowhere to be seen. From the corner of his eyes, he caught the door of the walk in closet hanging open and several of her belongings were...gone!


    It was then realization began to sink in.

 Chapter 7

    Leonica had left.


    Gabriel felt a tingle in his chest and against his will, his lips turned downwards.


    Leave? How could she just up and leave when she might be carrying his child! His heir!


    Gabriel refused to ept that.


    Exiting the room, he rushed down the stairs, intending to head for his car and drive to the one ce he knew she would be, her parents Vi, when a shiny object on the center table caught his attention.


    He walked over and picked it up, a bitter taste suddenly flooding his mouth as soon as he recognized the object.


    It was the wedding ring grandmother had made him pick out for Leonica three years ago.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    And beneath it was the ck card he had given her to cover all her expenditures.


    She had left them both behind and also signed the divorce documents quietly, it was clear to Gabriel what this message meant.


    She has epted their fate of bing strangers.


    Exactly what he had been pushing for the past few days...however, after learning that she might be pregnant...


    Gabriel sighed out loud and undid his tie with one hand while the other gripped firmly on the wedding ring and ck card.


    He didn''t like the way things were quickly spiraling out of his control and needed to fix it this. instance!


    Dipping his hand into his pocket, Gabriel fished out his phone and in less than a minute, he had scrolled through his contact list and dialed Cassandra''s number.


    He waited for what seemed like an eternity, before the line was finally answered.


    "Gabriel, what a pleasant surprise." Cassandra''s voice dripped with sarcasms and he could almost image the elderly woman scowling. "Why are you calling?" she asked. "1-" Gabriel began.


    "Surely not to apologize for the atrocious gimmicks youmitted." Cassandra cut him off.


    Gabriel gritted his teeth. "I need to speak with Leonica. I know she''s there, so put her on." He demanded.


    A loud scoff resounded from the other end of the phone, Cassandra finding the male''s words. baffling.


    "You want to speak to my daughter? After what you did? The nerves you have!" She reprimanded. Gabriel could feel his temper rising, but kept calm.


    He wasn''t here to engage in a battle with an elder. All he wanted was to speak with Leonica like


    a reasonable adult and have her confirm if she was carrying his child or not.


    However, the next thing Cassandra said, suddenly made his temper skyrocket.


    "I suggest you keep your distance from my daughter from now on." She said, her voice holding a warning.


    Gabriel didn''t know what got to him but, his fingers tightened around the phone, causing it to crack under the pressure.


    "I don''t think you heard me correctly, Mrs. Romero. I need to speak to Leonica and I''m taking no for an answer." He snapped.


    not


    "Do you take me for a fool?!" Cassandra''s voice rang, clearly not happy at being talked back to.


    "I told you to stay away from her, now, listen and listen well. You''ve both signed the divorce documents and it has been approved by the court, in two weeks you''ll be nothing but strangers. So, why not do us all a favor and start practicing. Stay away from my daughter, Gabriel." Cassandra sneered and without giving Gabriel a chance to speak, she hung up. "Hello? Hello?" Gabriel tried to call the woman again, but his efforts were in vain.


    "Fuck." He cursed through gritted teeth, running his palm down his face and trying to think. of a next n of action.


    His action came to an abrupt stop when his nostrils caught whiff of something and a subtle, yet strong scent of burning fumes invaded his nose.


    Taking a whiff of the air, Gabriel began to follow the scent to where it was strongest, his eyes widening somewhat in surprise when he got to the backwn.


    It was a sight that he did not expect.


    In the center of thewn was a pile of what looked to be all his belongings, specifically the ones that Leonica had gotten him, and dwindling mes engulfing it.


    It was obvious someone had used an elerant to ignite the fire and Gabriel already had an idea who the culprit was.


    As if on cue, his eyesnded on burnt out picture frame containing his and Leonica''s wedding picture. Without thinking twice, Gabriel rushed towards the small fire, taking his suit off int the process and trying to smack out the small mes. However, his attempts proved futile as the small me seemed to be unaffected by his efforts and only spread further.


    Gabriel''s eyes widened as the mes grewrger, his body moving on instinct and taking a step back to avoid any encounter with the mes,


    A heavy feeling began to settle in Gabriel''s chest as he watched the mes grow, burning off the corner of their wedding photo that held Leonica''s smiling figure.


    At that moment, it felt like he had lost his grip on reality, the only thing he could focus on was the fire burning his things, frustration beginning to settle in at the result of the events that had spiraled out of his entire control.


    He clenched his fists tightly and closed his eyes, breathing in and out as he tried to calm himself down, though his mind was clouded with anger, confusion and a lot of other emotions.


    The sound of his phone ringing from the inside the house brought Gabriel back to reality and he walked back into the house to retrieve it.


    He nced at the caller ID, feeling somewhat disappointed when it showed Christian''s name.


    Who else had he been expecting to get a call from? Leonica?


    Gabriel swallowed, ignoring his straying thoughts and picking the phone up.


    "What is it, Christian?" he questioned.


    "I just got back to the hospital and checked the records from the day Leonica visited." Christian said and Gabriel perked up, a sense of urgency washing over him. "Did you find anything?"


    "Yes," Christian paused, giving Gabriel a moment to brace himself.


    The said male clenched his fist, indeed bracing himself for whatever his doctor friend was about to say.


    "Gabriel, she''s pregnant.. with your child."


    Returning Home After Five Years.


    Five Years


    Later.


    The warm sun. The sound of joyous children as they ran around the park, ying and Blooming cherry blossom.


    It was the start of spring, Leonica''s favorite season.


    Staring out the ss window of the shop she was standing in, she admired the beautiful scenery of spring in Colorado.


    It has always been a sight that marveled her ever since she settled in Colorado. It was a peaceful neighborhood that had be her home ever since five years ago.


    Smiling warmly at the sight, Leonica''s attention was drawn away by the sound of approaching footsteps.


    "Ah, this should do the job. It''s the cutest one I have." Marcus, the shop owner, spoke as he approached her, holding a cute ck bunny toy.

 Chapter 8

    Leonica smiled brightly and reached her hands out, taking the plush toy and admiring it.


    Marcus had been a long time friend of her, having met him two years ago. She had walked into his toy shop one day, looking for a gift like a lost soul, when he spotted her. After helping her, they began talking and he eventually warmed up to her, learning that she


    was new to town.


    Ever since, the two have been close friends, Marcus always giving her discount on everything whenever she came to buy his toys, which is why she loveding to his shop. Marcus was an elderly man, around the age of sixty, his face held a permanent smile, though his brown hair was slowly losing color.


    Leonica handed him a couple of dors for the toy, Marcus refusing to take the money.


    "Take it as a gift, from a friend." He smiled, pushing her hand away and handing the money


    back.


    Leonica shook her head, cing the money in his hand and folding it over. "You know I can''t do that, Mark. You''ve given me far too much discount. If things continue like this, you''ll be losing more than you''re meant to." Marcus was reluctant at first, but after some thought, he finally took the money.


    "But, promise me you''lle again." He said, amischievous smile stretching across his lips.


    "You know I can''t resist visiting." Leonica responded, giving him a bright smile which was followed by a hug as she departed the store.


    De


    As she stepped out of the shop, Leonica felt her phone vibrating inside her pocket and reached for it. She nced at the caller ID and couldn''t help but smile upon seeing the name of her adoptive brother.


    "Leonardo, hey...what''s up?" she greeted, holding her phone between her ear and shoulder as she dug around her bag for her car keys.


    "Hey, I just wanted to check on you. How are you fending?" Leonardo asked.


    "I''m fine." Leonica honestly answered as she slid her car and turned the engine on. "How about you?" she asked, backing out of her parking space and beginning the short drive home.


    "Same old. Stressful Company affairs and all, thought it would be much better...if you were back here." Leonardo responded and Leonica chuckled.


    There he went once more, trying to get her toe back to Norway. It wasn''t the first time they were having this conversation.


    "I told you, Leo, I''m noting back." She replied.


    "Come on," Leonardo groaned and Leonica could hear a sigh follow after. "Thepany needs you Leonica. It needs a suitable president.


    "No. Trust me, you''re more suitable for that job than I am. If anyone is to know how hard. you''ve worked for that position, then that person would be me. And besides, you know very well, Leo, I can''t...don''t want toe back to that ce." she said, feeling a tinge of pain in her chest at the memory of what had happened five years ago.


    Leonardo sighed heavily. "It has been five years, Leonica. You can''t stay cooped up forever in Colorado."


    "I''m not." She replied, turning a corner. "I have a life here. One that I''m really enjoying. I don''t think I can give that up.


    "I''m not saying you should give it uppletely, but Leo, thepany needs you."Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Thepany has you and dad." She countered.


    "No, it doesn''t." Leonardo sighed. "Dad''s health has deteriorated drastically. The doctor advised him to stay home from now on, the stress of thepany is too much for him."


    "Oh," Leonica whispered, the news not entirely surprising her, yet not going down pleasantly


    with her.


    Her father was already at an old age, so, his health wasn''t going to be the same as before.


    "And now, with the seat of president vacant, the majority of shareholders are nning on inaugurating Rodrigo


    "What?!" Leonica mmed harshly on the brakes upon hearing this.


    Rodrigo? Hell no!


    Leonica would rather eat her left foot before she could imagine her uncle sitting in her father''s office chair, handling thepany''s affairs.


    Rodrigo was a greedy bastard, only interested in getting thepany''s profit and making a living for himself.


    He didn''t care about the welfare of the employees or the well-being of thepany.


    The only reason he was so adamant in bing the next president was because it meant inheriting the wholepany..


    If that were to happen, thepany would be done for.


    "Those old geezers have to be joking. If they even consider putting Rodrigo as the next president, thepany will copse!" Leonica hissed.


    "Exactly! And those bastards refuse to even think of inaugurating me, iming that as an adoptive son I have no right to thepany." Leonardo replied clicking his tongue in anger as he recalled their words. "That''s why I''m asking you to pleasee back Leonica. If you don''t, dad''s life work would be destroyed at the hands of greedy people."


    "You can handle thepany more than anyone." Leonardo continued on. "I know how you operate. If anyone should have a knead for handling Romero empire, it should be the one who anonymous dominated Colorado''s business industry, isn''t that right, Tyche Smith?" Hearing those words, Leonica pressed her lips into a thin line.


    It was true.


    After she hade to Colorado, her mind had been filled with nothing but the memories of * Gabriel, his betrayal and the pain it caused her.


    Unable to deal with the pain, Leonica had buried herself in work, using her skills the skills she had been groomed with to anonymously enter the business world.


    At that time, when she had been searching for an anonymous name to use, the name Tyche which belonged to the Greek goddess of wealth and prosperity, had immediately caught her fancy.


    So, without a second thought, she had used the name.


    And within months, the name Tyche Smith had gained the reputation of being the goddess of the business world.


    She was known for being cunning, intelligent and ruthless.


    Her identity remained a mystery, however, that instilled more fear.


    If there was one thing the whole business world hade to learn, it was to never go against


    her, for she would have the ability to turn the tide in her favor and bring her opponents to


    their knees.


    "Leonica, are you still there?" Leonardo asked.


    Leonica let out a long, exhausted sigh.


    She could understand why her father''spany was so important to him.


    Leonardo had dedicated years of his life working his ass off in thepany.


    If anyone had a right to thepany, it was him.


    "I don''t know, Leo," She skeptically said.


    "I don''t need you to answer right this moment, but Just, please think about it. For our family." He begged.


    Leonica remained quiet, deep in thought.


    "I''ll give you a few days to think about it." Leonardo spoke after a brief moment of silence, not wanting to push her. "When I call again, please, have your answer ready."


    "Alright." Leonica whispered and they both said their goodbyes, hanging up.


    As she pulled into the driveway, her phone chimed. It was a text message from Leonardo. She quickly opened it, her brows furrowing upon realizing that he had sent her a document of cooperation. Curious, she clicked the document open, her eyes widening when the first page came up.


    It was the contract for a partnership being led by her uncle with Bryce Empire.


    Gabriel''spany!


    Leonica felt like air had been knocked out of her lung after reading the condition and terms of


    the contract.


    Her uncle had decided to partner up with Gabriel''spany.


    In exchange, Bryce Empire would be the major supplier for the Romeropany, and the shares of thepany would be put under his name.


    "What the hell is going on here?!" Leonica hissed, her body shaking with fury.


    She knew her uncle was a greedy bastard, but for him to stoop this low!


    It was a clear sign that if Rodrigo took control of thepany, he would sell her family''s legacy.


    Leonica''s fist tightened around the steering wheel.


    "That greedy bastard." She cursed under her breath.


    He was going to far and she''d be stupid to allow him have his way.


    "That''s it!" Leonica said, making her decision.


    She couldn''t allow her father''spany and his hard work fall into the wrong hands.


    Stepping out of her car, Leonica grabbed the bunny toy and approached her house. Immediately she stepped inside, she was ambushed by a smaller figure.


    "Mama! You''re back!" the small boy eximed, hugging her tightly and causing her to stumble slightly.


    Leonica let out a lightugh and ruffled his yellow locks.


    "Hello to you too, my little angel. How was your day?" She asked.


    The small boy pouted, his familiar dull grey eyes staring up at her. "Boring. There were no kids to y with today. So, I stayed with Mrs. Mary all day. She taught me a lot of interesting things." He said, his eyes sparkling. Leonica smiled. "That''s good. Now, look what I got for you." She said, presenting the small toy to the child.


    "A bunny!" He eximed excitedly, taking the bunny and admiring it.


    Leonica watched him with a faint smile on her lips.


    Her son.


    He was the most beautiful and precious gift she could ever ask for.


    He looked exactly like his father, the only exception being the color of his hair.


    Whereas Gabriel had Ashish ck hair, her son had yellow hair just like during her childhood days.


    Leonica had always had a gut feeling that her son would end up looking a lot like Gabriel, but the proof was clear, and even though her son reminded her so much of his father, she- wouldn''t have it any other way.


    "Do you like it?" She asked and her son nodded his head, a smile stretching across his lips as he hugged the plush toy.


    "Thank you, mama." He whispered. "I''m going to name her Betty!"


    "That''s a great name." She said, leaning down to his height and cing her hand on each side of his shoulders. Looking into his eyes, her expression became serious as she decided to attend to the matter at hand. "Ashely, how would like toe on an adventure with mommy?" She asked soothingly.

 Chapter 9

    "An adventure?" The younger boy tilted his head to the side. "Where to?"


    Leonica gushed at his cuteness, gently cing a kiss on his forehead before she replied. "Norway, momm


    hometown."


    "Really?!" Ashely asked with sparkling eyes. "I get to see Grandma and Grandpa and uncle Leo?"


    She nodded her head. "Yes,"


    ""Yay!" He eximed. "Let''s go mommy."


    once


    Smiling at his enthusiastic nature, Leonica ruffled Ashely''s hair once more. "Sure. Now how about you go out Betty with her new friends and I''ll prepare dinner." "Okay." He nodded his head and quickly pecked his mother on her cheek before rushing up the


    stairs.


    Leonica watches him with a bright smile which immediately faded as soon as he disappeared from her sight.


    She reached into her pocket and retrieved her phone, scrolling through her message list and finding Leonardo''s number.


    With her hand hovering above the call button, she bit her lower lip.


    There was no turning back now. If she wanted her family to remain in peace, this is the least


    she could do.


    Pressing down on the call button, she pressed the phone to her ear and listened to the line


    ring.


    Secondster, it was answered and she spoke with new found determination.


    "Leonardo, I''ve made my decision."


    Enjoy Ad-Free Reading>>


    The President Of Romero Empire.


    The next day, in the affluent district of Norway city, a meeting consisting of Romero Empire''s main shareholders was ensuing.


    Voices bounced off the four walls of the conference room, growing louder and rowdier by each passing second as one shareholder over another, had something more important to voice.


    "The presidential seat has been vacant for far too long," Rodrigo began, opening his argument for the meeting. "Romero empire needs a capable president that can lead us to prosperity,"


    "I agree." One of the shareholders present concurred, nodding his head at Rodrigo''s statement. "But the question is who?"


    "Perhaps the eldest son of the Romero family, Leonardo?" Another shareholder spoke up, however, instantly regretting her words when Rodrigo sent her a sharp re.


    "Impossible." He objected. "Leonardo is not fit to be the president of Romero Empire. He may have graduated with a business degree from oxford, but he''s still too inexperienced to take over apany as sessful as this. And besides, were not going to leave the fate of apany we''ve worked so hard to build in the hands of an adopted child, now are we?" He


    asked.


    The question quickly arouse whispers amongst the shareholders.


    "I think he''s right." One whispered to their seat partner.


    Amidst the sea of voices, someone spoke up. "You might be right, leaving the fate of Romero Empire in the hands of an adoptive son may not be the right choice of action, however," All eyes turned to face the voice that was speaking-


    He was an elderly man in his early forties dressed in an expensive ck suit. Having the undivided attention of his fellow shareholders, the man, Eric Johansson, continued speaking.


    "Even without Leonardo being in the picture, I, as well as everyone present, still remembers that Romero Empire has someone else to run it, Rodrigo."


    His words of wisdom sounded like words of objection to Rodrigo''s ears and he felt offended.


    Quickly, his anger rose and he barked a chestyugh. "Ha! Are you perhaps referring to Leonica Romero?"


    Eric didn''t reply, rather he kept quiet, his eyes giving enough answer.


    "Ha, how ironic. Eric you seem to be growing senile. I never expected you of all people to suggest that we hand over the presidential seat to a woman like Leonica Romero." Eric''s brows twitched at the insult as well as the defaming tone Rodrigo used. Noticing the


    visible strain on his face, Rodrigo adds.


    "How do you expect Thepany to prosper if it''s being lead by a woman who cried and ran away as soon as her husband kicked her out of her own marital home?" He mocked.


    Eric who had heard more than enough of Rodrigo''s insult, opened his mouth to speak when the door behind them swung open.


    The room fell silent as everyone turned their heads to look at the figure that was walking in. Instantly, surprise and shook painted all their faces.


    Rodrigo was equally as surprised at the other Shareholders and his mouth hung open.


    "Leonica?"


    "Hello Uncle Rodrigo," Leonica responded gracefully as she walked towards the empty seat at the head of the table and sat in it. "Long time no see." She said, soaking in her uncle''s shocked expression before allowing her eyes to wander the room of shareholders who were whispering amongst themselves.


    You all have quite a lot to say, I see." She spoke one more, louder than the previous time, causing thick silence to descend in the room. "But that''s fine, I understand how important time is for one, so I''ll cut straight to the chase."


    She leaned forward on the table, fingers joined together. "As of today, effective immediately, I, Leonica Romero would be joining Romero Empire as the new president."


    "What?!" Rodrigo eximed, just as surprised as the other Shareholders who were now whispering amongst themselves. "You? The new president?"


    Leonica didn''t say anything, she merely nced at the male, a smile tugging the corners of her lips.


    Rodrigo clenched his teeth.


    "Leonica, this is no ce to joke around. You''re not fit to step inside the shoes of president!" He eximed without realizing it.


    "And why is that?" Leonica asked, a brow raised and unfazed by his reaction.


    This was enough to snap Rodrigo back into his right sense of mind and he realized that he had almost lost his temper..


    Clearing his throat, he spoke once more. "Ahem. Well you see, the thing is, we can''t just appoint you as president out of the blue." ""Why not?"


    Rodrigo paused, struggling to find the right words.


    "Well...well, you''re a woman and thepany needs someone who can stand on their own."


    Leonica didn''t say anything and waited for her uncle to continue.


    "Thepany needs someone with vast amount of knowledge. Someone who can lead them to the top of the business chain. Someone like..."


    "You?"


    Leonica''s soft, yetmanding voice interrupted his monologue, the sudden sound making


    his blood run cold.


    "That''s right." He said, regaining hisposure. "I''m the best fit to be the new president."


    Leonica didn''t speak. Instead, she took a deep breath, exhaling and closing her eyes, before turning around and gesturing for the male that had walked in with her to pass around the leaflets he was holding. "What is this?" Rodrigo asked as he flips the leaflet open.


    "A contract of cooperation between Romero Empire and Colorado''s very own Tyche Smith." She proudly announced.


    The sounds of surprised gasps filled the room immediately.


    The well known name alone was enough to send not only the entire room, but also Rodrigo into a frenzy, his eyes widening.


    "What?!" He eximed, staring at the contents of the contract with wide eyes.


    It was true, the leaflet had been signed and sealed by the infamous Tyche Smith, the goddess of the business world, which without the knowledge of anyone in the room, was none other than Leonica herself.


    "But...but this can''t be!" Rodrigo stammered. "Tyche Smith never cooperates with anypany. So, how could she have epted a deal with Romero Empire."


    Leonica smirked, her eyes holding an indescribable confidence and power.


    "I can''t disclose the details of our agreement, however, the bottom line is, Tyche Smith has agreed to join forces with Romero Empire and bring it to a higher status. And the one who had achieved this feat was I, hadn''t that proven my ability as a ''woman''? And isn''t it reason. enough for me to be the new president of Romero Empire?"


    Silence filled the room, every pair of eyes was fixed on Leonica, and it was clear, that she had


    won.


    Her uncle was left speechless and unable to utter another word in protest.


    His blood boiled in anger and embarrassment, Leonica having ruined the one chance he had at bing president of Romero Empire.


    "Now, if there are no objections, let us proceed with the inauguration of the new president."


    The meeting ended shortly after and most of the shareholders walked out of the conference room after congratting Leonica on her inauguration.


    The only people left in the room were Leonica, her assistant and Rodrigo who was chewing the inside of his mouth trying to call himself down.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    He could feel the anger boiling in his veins, but he couldn''t show it, not in front of Leonica, otherwise, she would have a stronger hold over him. "Leonica." Rodrigo called, gaining the attention of his niece.


    ""Yes?" She turned to look at him, her expression not giving off any signs.


    "About your announcement.." he began, clearing his throat. "I hope you realize that your appointment will cause some disturbance in thepany, but despite that, I want you to know that you can always consult me." "Thank you, uncle Rodrigo. I''ll be sure to keep that in mind." Leonica politely responded, her face showing no signs of change.


    Rodrigo gritted his teeth, hating the way she was treating him.


    He wanted to see her struggle and make a fool out of herself. He wanted her to fail miserably. But for that to happen, he would have to put up with her.


    Deciding to change the topic, he asked. "If you don''t mind me asking, how did you achieve a rmendable feat such as convincing Tyche Smith to sign the deal with us?"


    "Like I said earlier, I can''t disclose the details of my arrangement." She simply replied and crossed her legs elegantly.


    "Now then uncle Rodrigo I have a request for you,


    A smile unconsciously crept up to Rodrigo''s lips thinking that Leonica was going to request he do something big in the name of thepany.


    "And what is that?" He asked.


    Hearing the eagerness in his voice, Leonica smile. She ced her hand out and opened her palm in a gesture to receive something, as she spoke.


    "The files containing the cooperation documents between Bryce Empire and Romero Empire, hand it over or tender your resignation right this instance."


    Suspicious Media Post.


    Gabrielid motionless in his bed, eyes glued nkly on his white ceiling. He had just woken up an hour ago, however he hadn''t moved from his current spot as his mind recounted the dream that he had.


    Het


    He had been dreaming.


    A dream of the past and a future that would never happen, one that felt vivid and almost too


    real.


    The dream had started off being about the first time he had met Leonica.


    He remembered her clearly, the young woman with yellow hair, dressed in a beautiful white


    dress and a warm smile on her face.


    In the dream, Gabriel was sitting on a sofa with his grandmother when Leonica, along with her father and mother were introduced to him.


    Their first meeting.


    However, the dream quickly took a different turn and they were in an open field with beautifully nted irises and Leonica was standing in the center, but she was not alone.


    Held in her embrace was a small child, who slept peacefully on her chest.


    He remembered watching her cradle the child in her arms as they slept peacefully, her fingers running through the child''s golden locks.


    Gabriel had silently watched them, a bitter taste filling his mouth the moment he realized this was nothing but a dream. And then Leonica turned towards him and shed one of her breathtaking smiles. Gabriel felt his heart stop beating.


    And then, slowly, in an excruciatingly slow manner, He watched, rotted in ce as her figure faded away along with the child in her embrace.


    Gabriel had jolted awake at the veryst moment, his body covered in sweat and his mind. reying the scene of Leonica disappearing from his view, a feeling of emptiness following afterwards. Gabriel closed his eyes, trying to forget the dream, but it was futile, he had already seen it and he knew what it was.


    A reminder.


    Just like the past five years ever since the divorce and Leonica had disappeared, it was a reminder of what could have been and the path that Gabriel had chosen to follow.


    A choice he wouldn''t regret, because it was what he wanted, he told himself everyday.


    Palming his face, Gabriel squeezed a sigh out and cursed. "Fuck."


    Why was he still even thinking about her?


    They were divorced and the memories were nothing but a fragment of the past.


    Leonica had moved on, he too also was moving on and he wasn''t going to be a person who couldn''t let go of the past and continue to live in the present.


    That was not who he was... was it?


    His early morning thoughts were cut short as the double door to his bedroom suddenly

 Chapter 10

    opened and Lloyd walks.


    "Rise and shine prince charming." Lloyd says as he strolls into the room without so much as a


    knock


    Gabriel taking note of this, and although this has been going on for the past few years, he takes this as the right time to point the rather rude behavior out. ''Don''t you ever knock?" His


    you ever knock?" His raspy morning voice asks as he rises into a seating position and massages his aching neck.


    "Do I even need to." Lloyd replied as he goes for the windows and drags the big curtains apart, allowing sun light into the room.


    Gabriel winces and tries to block the light out using the back of his palm.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Lloyd Snickers at the sight but wastes no time in approaching Gabriel''s bed, handing him the brown envelope he had collected from Bill, Gabriel''s assistant.


    "What is this?" Gabriel questions, brows furrowing at the envelope as he reaches for it.


    "A contract of canction." Lloyd replied, recalling the words Bill had told him at the front. gate before continuing. "Romero Empire no longer wishes to work with Bryce Empire, they''ve requested a canction of cooperation."


    The news was surprising to Gabriel who hadn''t had any contact with Leonica''s family after their divorce. He had tried contacting and talking to them several times in the past hoping to get information on where Leonica may be, however neither of them had bothered to contact him back, so he eventually gave up on trying to contact them and went for the closest alternative.


    Her uncle, Rodrigo.


    The cooperation between Bryce Empire and Romero Empire had stemmed from the deal made by Rodrigo, promising to give him information on Leonica.


    s, the blonde had never been close with Rodrigo. This resulted in Gabriel earning no


    information and as time passes by, he foregone the path of that deal.


    But now, after all that time, Romero Empire was suddenly demanding for a cancetion?


    Flipping the envelope''s contents open, Gabriel began reading through it, his action abruptly stopping when something on the lower corner of the letter caught his eyes.


    Signed by Leon Romero, it read.


    ''Leo? Leonardo Romero?'' He thought.


    Wasn''t Leonardo Romero Leonica''s brother, her adoptive brother?


    Was he the one who ordered this action? If so, then why?


    Was this his way of getting back at him after all these years for what he did to Leonica?


    If that was the case, then he understood, but found the action rather childish. Although He had not truly put his mind on the deal, both his and the Romero familypany had benefited greatly from their cooperation and if they were to suddenly cancel the cooperation, bothpany would suffer losses.


    No business man In his right senses would incur heavy loss and put hispany at risk over


    petty revenge.


    And from what Gabriel knew about Leonardo, he was a very intelligent young man who knew better than to act on impulse.


    Which is why his current actions were not making sense.


    For some reason, Gabriel felt like he needed to have a conversation with the eldest son of the Romero family. Sort things out, like people would say.


    And who knows, he might miraculous gain information on Leonica''s whereabouts after all these years.


    cing the letter back in the brown envelope, Gabriel ced it on his bedside table and finally rose up from his bed, his night robe flowing down to his ankles as he stood and headed to the bathroom.


    "Lloyd, the business banquet this year, when is it taking ce?" He asked after stepping out


    of the bathroom.


    "Next week, I believe." Lloyd answered, tilting his head. "Why''d you ask? You nning oning?"


    "I am," Gabriel responded, grabbing the clothes Bill had previouslyid out for him on the dresser. "I''ve got a couple of things to attend to at the banquet. And...it''s been a while since Ist attended." Lloyd was caught off guard by Gabriel''s answer "Really?" He questioned, finding it hard to


    believe that the same friend who had withdrawn from social activities a few years ago was now nning on going to THE biggest Social activity in the entire of Norway.


    "Yeah." Gabriel confirmed.


    "Wow." Lloyd''s jaw dropped. "And here I thought you''ve be a recluse."


    Gabriel didn''t say anything, he simply sent a re Lloyd''s way, which thetter quickly yed off as he stepped forward, a teasing smirk on his lips.


    "Ah, I can see you''re finally man enough to take yours and Angelina''s rtionship to the next level." He teased.


    Gabriel paused, the shirt he had been buttoning falling slightly open.


    "What the hell are you saying?" He asked, raising a brow.


    Lloyd snickered. "Don''t pretend to be oblivious," He yfully smacked Gabriel''s shoulder. "Isn''t that why your Media team made that public post."


    Gabriel''s brows creased. "Post? What post?"


    Sensing the confusion in his friend''s voice, the teasing smirk on Lloyd''s lips faded. "You don''t know?" He asked and when Gabriel didn''t say anything, his eyes widening and his mouth opening and closing, trying to find the right words, Lloyd spoke. "What post are you talking about, Lloyd?"


    The questioned male opened his mouth to talk again, but after a few seconds, he decided it was best to show Gabriel the post rather than trying too hard to exin.


    "Here." Lloyd pulled out his phone, scrolling through his media app and showing Gabriel the post hispany''s media team had made.


    "See." He pointed at the post and Gabriel''s eyes widened in surprise upon reading the caption.


    ''After a long five years of courtship, our gracious president, Mr. Gabriel Bryce has officially asked Ms. Angelina Fernandez to be his fianc¨¦e, and the female had dly epted his proposal.''


    Gabriel couldn''t believe what he was seeing.


    A post announcing his engagement with Angelina? Made from his very ownpany media? How could that be possible?!


    Finding Her A Better Man.


    It was currently 5pm and Leonica was seated in a restaurant, listening to the Noirette in front of her, namely Anastasia, her best friend, rain all heaven down on her.


    "I can''t believe you. You could you just up and pop without telling I, your best friend a single thing. You didn''t even dim it fit to say goodbye to me." Anastasia scolded like she has been doing for thest hour. The following day after her returning to Norway, Leonica had gotten a phone call from


    asia who had heard the news from Leonards.


    To say she had been pissed was an understatement. Leonica had nearly lost her hearing the


    moment she answered the call.


    Fortunately, she had found a way to calm the Noirette down and proposed dinner while she exined her previous action.


    Anastasia epted without a second to waste, thus the reason for the current situation.


    "I''m sorry," Leonica apologized for the umpteenth time, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "But there was no other choice. The decision had been made on the spur of the moment and there was no time to think." 11


    ''Spur of the moment? You''re Leonica, you don''t do spur of the moment things. If anyone should be the one spurring in the moment, it should be Megan, not you." Anastasia said, referring to the absent brte in their friend group who had a habit of acting impulsively. "I know, but trust me Annie, if there was another option I would have chosen it." Leonica said, a look of defeat on her face as she took a sip of her tea.


    Anastasia''s lips twitched.


    She had always had a soft spot for her childhood friend, so she could never stay mad at her, especially when she had that face.

 Chapter 11

    Signing, Anastasia was about to easily give into Leonica''s face when her attention was diverted by a small figure barreling down in her direction.


    "Aunty Annie look!" Ashely eximed happily as he stopped in front of Anastasia and held up the golden crispy croissant he had gotten from the pastry section. "The cook said I could have this."


    Anastasia''s mood visibly brightened at the sight of the younger boy. Reaching down, she patted his head.


    "That''s nice." She said, a warm smile on her lips. "You should thank him for it. Did you do that?" She asked. Ashely shook his head.


    "Well then, why don''t you go thank the cook, huh?"


    Ashely nodded his head, his blonde locks bouncing. "Okay!" He chirped and was about to head off when he remembered something and quickly turned around. "Oh mommy, can I also get a ss of orange juice?"


    "Sure sweetheart," Leonica replied, reaching into her bag for her purse andter handing him


    a five dor bill.


    "Thanks mommy," Ashely thanked, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he headed for the pastry section once again, leaving Anastasia and Leonica alone.


    o to the


    Anastasia watched as the child ran pastry section, conversing with the cook. A few seconds of silence had gone by before she peeled her gaze away from Ashely''s figure and looked at Leonica, who upon sensing her stare, looked her way with a smile.


    The former pressed her lips into a thin line. She had so much question to ask her best friend. after seeing her after five years, and one question in particr was nagging at her to be asked.


    Gabriel was the father of Ashely, wasn''t he?


    Although it was a given, seeing as the child took more of his features than Leonica''s. It was like he was a mini molded version of Gabriel, save for the blonde locks.


    Leonica''s hair had always been blonde during her childhood, it was no wonder Ashely would


    inherit the color.


    And the eyes...they were grey and sharp just like Gabriel''s, there was no doubt about that. However, even if all the clues were pointing in that direction, Anastasia couldn''t bring herself to directly ask Leonica that question.


    She didn''t want to risk reopening her friend''s wounds for something as trivial as curiosity.


    Sighing, she settled on a different question. "Just for rity sake, that Child doesn''t have a godmother yet, does he?"


    "He doesn''t." Leonica answered.


    Anastasia smiled. "Then does that mean I get to be his godmother?" She asked, however before Leonica could respond, she added. "Before you even think of saying no, don''t forget the promise we made in college." "And what is that?" Leonica asked, her head tilted and feigning confusion.


    Anastasia''s expression darkened.


    "That if any of us were to have a child, the other person would be the godmother or godfather."


    Leonica paused, pretending to try and recall the memory.


    "That sounds so familiar," she said and Anastasia rolled her eyes.


    "Leonica, you best remember, else..." She warned.


    "Alright, alright. You can be his godmother." Leonicaughed, holding her hand up in defeat.


    "Good." Anastasia grinned in triumph, soon joining theugh with Leonica.


    After theirughter died down, Anastasia''s face grew serious as a memory shed in her mind and she clicked her tongue in distaste.


    Even during their college days, Leonica had been part of Gabriel''s fan girls, loving him longer than most of the girls that were currently vying for his attention.


    Yet he dare treat her uselessly.


    "Unbelievable," She tsked, shaking her head. "How truly ungrateful is Gabriel Bryce."


    Leonica immediately, or rather instinctively clenched her jaws and fist upon hearing the name of said man she had a bad past with.


    Anastasia who was unaware of her friends reaction, continued on. "Is he blind or is he simply stupid. How can he choose that scheming witch over you who unconditionally loves him and even saved his life..." "Anastasia," Leonica cut her friend off before she could speak much further. The look in her eyes wordlessly told the Noirette not to speak anymore on the tople


    "That''s enough. Leave the past in the past."


    "Right," Anastasia sighed looking else where as she realized how much her bbering might have upset Leonica. "I''m sorry."


    Leonica nodded, epting her apology and they both fell silent.


    After a minute, Anastasia, thinking it would be best to change the topic, opened her mouth to ask about Ashley''s new school preparation, when the beeping sound of her phone interrupted. her.


    Reaching into her hand bag, Anastasia pulled her phone out and unlocked it. Her brows furrowed when she read the message notification on her screen.


    "Is something the matter?" Leonica asked, her tone gentle and filled with concern.


    "Hmmm." Anastasia hummed in reply, her eyes still glued to the screen as she scrolled. through the link attached to the notification she had received, more urately, the notification that had been rmended to her. "Annie?" Leonica called out again, noticing her friend''s unusual silence. "What''s wrong?"


    Against her better judgement, Anastasia ces her phone on the table and gently slid it towards Leonica who picked it up and calmly read the headline of the article her friend had been staring at. ''Gabriel Bryce and Angelina Fernandez''s engagement announcement."


    The headline read in bold letters.


    Leonica felt a familiar butter feeling pool in the pit of her stomach and she clenched her jaws.


    Watching her friend stare at her phone with a somewhat strained expression, Anastasia''s anger towards Gabriel rose.


    How dare he?


    How could he move on with his life like that and act as if Leonica was never even present in his


    life.


    It was a p to the face.


    Leonica had left because of him, and yet here he was, living the perfect life with the very same woman who had schemed and ruined their marriage.


    And he even had the audacity to openly post about their engagement!


    Anastasia balled her fist. If Gabriel and his mistress n was to hurt Leonica any more than they already have, she wasn''t going to allow it.


    She was going to show them that just like them, Leonica could also move on with her life, and even without Gabriel.


    She was going to help her friend find someone who was better for her than Gabriel and they would show the world.


    But first, she needed to pick a dress for Leonica that would stun the world the moment she steps foot in the venue of Norway''s biggest social event.


    The annual business banquet.


    Unexpected Encounter.


    The next day at Bryce Empire, all the major employees of the Media team had been gathered in


    Gabriel''s office.


    The man himself was in front of the small crowd, leaning against his table. With a darken atmosphere behind him, it made all the employees present cower all the more. What had they done wrong this time around?!


    only ask this once, who amongst you is responsible for the engagement post released by the media department?" Gabriel asked and soon, all heads turned to face an impish looking brte.


    The male flinched under all the eyes and slowly raised his hand, announcing. "It...it was me S- sir."


    Gabriel''s brows twitched at the answer.


    This man, what was his name?


    Ah, yes, Kelvin.


    He was the manager of the media department, but more importantly, the one responsible for the engagement announcement that had caused him so much trouble. Gabriel sighed, running his fingers through his hair.


    What had made him think that hiring Kelvin was a good idea?


    "So," he began, taking a deep breath and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Tell me, who gave you the orders to make that announcement?"


    Kelvin hesitated, his Adam''s apple bobbing. "It...it was madam Fernandez." He admitted.


    As if on cue, the small crowd parted to reveal the said brte who had leisurely been seating on the couch, not expecting her entire n to blow up so easily in her face. "Angelina," Gabriel called, his voice firm andmanding.


    Said female bit on the inside of her cheeks, cursing her choice of having picked the media team manager that had no backbone.


    She should have picked some other person who could handle the pressure.


    "Angelina." Gabriel repeated, his voice slightly louder, causing Angelina to snap out of her thoughts and rise to her feet, smiling innocently "Is this true?"


    "Gabe, I can exin," Angelina began, taking a step towards him.


    Seeing the look of displeasure on Gabriel face, Angelina knew that she quickly had to fix the


    Manager''s blunder, else it would be detrimental to the way Gabriel viewed her.


    "Gabe I''m sorry." She quickly apologized, tears finding their way to her eyes and soon running down her cheeks.


    The feeling of displeasure Gabriel had been feeling began to disappear as he saw Angelina crying. Quickly he dismissed the employees in his office, who dly scurried away. Angelina took another step


    With them out of the way, forward, allowing her waterworks fall all the more.


    "I''m sorry Gabe, it was a small mistake. I got too excited and got ahead of myself." She sobbed.


    Gabriel didn''t say anything, he merely stood silently and watched her cry, his expression unreadable.


    He wanted to be angry at her and at least scold the brte, however, he recalled the doctor''s


    words.


    Ever since Angelina had fainted five years ago, her health had deteriorated and the doctor had advised she remain in food moods, takes things slow and avoids stress.


    He had agreed, so why was he about to scold her?


    Angelina took another step closer and started. "Gabe, you''re not mad, are you-ah!"


    Her words were cut off half way as she pretended to lose strength in her legs and copsed into Gabriel''s arms.


    Gabriel, having seen the actioning a mile away, managed to catch her and help her regain bnce.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "I''m fine, just a bit weak." She whispered, her face close to his chest, her breathing uneven.


    "Do you need a ss of water?" Gabriel offered.


    She quickly shook her head. "No, I''m fine. But Gabe, you know I''ll never do anything that would hurt you right. I did what I did for our.. your benefit."


    Gabriel''s eyes narrowed, his hold on her loosening. "Mine?"


    "Yes," she confirmed, pulling away from him and looking into his eyes. "For the past year, you''ve beenining about how thepany''s board has constantly been on your neck regarding an heir," she exined. "Now, you have a fianc¨¦e, an heir would follow along and the board can stop pestering you."


    Her exnation sounded valid.


    Indeed, for the past year, the board has been pestering him about an heir.


    And it wasn''t as if he didn''t want one.


    In fact, the idea of having a family had always been appealing to him, but after his divorce with Leonica, he hadn''t been in a good enough mood to consider a new rtionship.


    His love life and sex life were on a standby, so the idea of a serious rtionship like his marriage with Leonica, hadn''t really appealed to him.


    Gabriel''s straying thoughts were intruded as he felt Angelina''s fingers travel across his chest.


    "Gabe, can you please forgive me." She whispered, her finger trailing down his shirt.


    "Please." She whispered, looking up into his grey eyes and batting hershes in a seductive manner. "Or, would you like me to appease you...in another way?"


    Herst words were husky, and the look in her eyes and her bodynguage gave Gabriel an idea of the ''appeasement'' she had in mind.


    He immediately tensed, his hand reaching up to grasp her wandering ones and pulling them


    away from him.


    "Stop


    "Stop Angelina," he said.


    Angelina looked up at him, her eyes showing confusion.


    "Your health still isn''t at its best. You should take it easy." He reasoned.


    "I''m fine," she reassured him, trying to move closer, but Gabriel''s hold on her wrists kept her from getting close.


    "Gabe." She called his name.


    "Go home and rest," hemanded, his voice final and left no room for arguments.


    He couldn''t do it.


    He just couldn''t bring himself to touch her, not like this.


    Sighing, he let go of her wrist and side stepped. "I have work to take care of, so you go home and rest, Angelina."


    Angelina, not expecting his reaction, was caught off guard.


    He didn''t want her?


    But, why?


    Was she not beautiful enough for him?


    Grinding her teeth at her once more failed n, she watched his step out of the office, silently vowing in her heart.

 Chapter 12

    If Gabriel didn''t want her, then she''ll make sure he will, and this time, she was certain, she''llpletely capture his heart, bear his child and be the future Mrs. Bryce.


    A smirk slowly curled up on her lips.


    And this


    time, there would be no one to stop her from winning.


    4:29 pm, 4:30.


    Leonica watches the moving hands of the clock on her work table with vacant eyes as she thought back to her conversation with Anastasia after they had seen the news of Gabriel''s engagement.


    "It''s none of my business." She had told the Noirette with a nonchnt shrug as she handed her phone back.


    To Anastasia, her action passed as someone who was unbothered by the news, but the truth was, Ever since seeing the engagement news the day before, Leonica had been feeling uneasy. The mere thought of Gabriel being engaged was enough to give her a headache, but knowing it was to the person who his grandmother had strongly objected against, was simply too much for her to swallow.


    Leonica''s jaw clenched.


    What was Gabriel thinking, getting engaged to a woman like Angelina after all the talk his grandmother had given!


    Clicking her tongue in disinterest, Leonica pulled her gaze away from the clock.


    "Why the hell do I even bother thinking his matter," She muttered. "It''s none of my damn business."


    It was not.


    Their marriage was over.


    There was nothing tying them together, nor was there a reason for them to have a single conversation. So she need not worry herself with his matters.


    Nodding her head at her convincing thoughts, Leonica pulled herputer close, nning to resume her work, when her phone began to ring


    "Yes, hello?" She answered, the caller ID showing the number was blocked.


    "Good afternoon Ms. Romero," a familiar feminine voice spoke from the other side.


    Leonica paused, pulling the phone back to nce at the number before cing it back on her ear. "Ms. Astrid, is that you?"


    The questioned woman who was a nurse at Norway''s central hospital, answered. "Yes."


    "Oh, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Leonica asked, a smile curling her lips.


    However,


    mom


    it faded the moment she heard what Astrid had to say.


    "Ms. Romero, I''m sorry for bothering you at this time, but you need toe down to the hospital." Astrid began, her voice urgent. "Young master Ashely has suddenlye down with a stomachache." Leonica immediately sat up in her seat, her eyes wide. "What?!"


    "His stomach, it seems to be hurting him a lot and..."


    "Alright, alright, calm down. I''ming." Leonica quickly reassured the distressed nurse and hung up the call.


    "Ashely," She breathed out and stood from her chair, immediately rushing out of her office and to the hospital.


    The drive to the hospital was long, and as time passed, Leonica grew restless, her mind conjuring images of her son suffering.


    The moment she parked her car and stepped out, she was heading for the main entrance. "Ms. Romero," Astrid greeted the moment she reached the emergency ward.


    "Where''s Ashely, is he okay?!" Leonica asked, her heart racing.


    Astrid nodded her head and lead her to Ashely''s ward.


    "Mommy," Ashely meekly called as she stepped inside.


    "Oh my baby, what''s wrong." Leonica immediately rushed to his side and cradled his face, kissing him and checking him all over.


    "My stomach hurts." Heined.


    "What happened?" Leonica questioned Astrid, her voice urgent.


    "I think his stomach ache is as a result of consuming ice cream, too much of it." Astrid Grexined.


    "Too much ice cream?" Leonica nced questioningly at AshelyContent protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    The child shrunk under his mother''s gaze and admitted. "I...ate lots and lots of ice creamst night. I''m sorry mommy."


    Leonica''s face softened, she wanted to stay angry at him, but with that cute face of his, she couldn''t bring herself too. "It''s alright sweetheart, but remember, too much of anything is bad." She kissed his forehead. "From now on, eat only what''s good for you, alright?" "Okay." Ashely agreed.


    "Good." Leonica smiled, her eyes shifting to Astrid. "Thank you. When can I have him discharge."


    "Anytime you want. It was simply a stomach ache caused from eating too much sugar. I can prescribe some drugs for him and have him discharged right now." "Alright."


    Leonica spent the next hour taking care of Ashely''s discharge papers, after which, the two of


    them were free to leave.


    "Is there any asleep in her


    food you''d like to have?" Leonica whispered to Ashely who was 1


    arms.


    "I wanna hotdog bun-" The child slurred.


    Leonica smiled. "Hot dog bun it is."


    As Leonica carried Ashely properly, about to step out of the hospital, she heard a familiar voice call her name from behind. "Leonica?"


    Leonica stopped in her tracks, her body stiffening.


    That voice, she knew it.


    Turning around, she locked eyes with the person who had called her, thetter looking equally surprised upon spotting a sleeping child in her arms. Christian!

 Chapter 13

    He Finally Found Her!


    "Leonica, is that you?" Christian asked, his tone and expression filled with disbelief as he took a step forward.


    The said female nearly shrank back at the sight of one of Gabriel''s closest friends. She had not expected to run into him here, as a matter of fact, she had not expected to run into him at all. This was bad, she thought as he her on Ashely who was now sound asleep, tightened.


    Maybe she could wriggle her way out of this..


    "I''m sorry,


    but I think you''ve mistaken me for someone else." She quickly dismissed him. "I''m not quiet sure I know who you are." With that, she turned and continued heading for the door.


    Christian however, did not relent and rushed after her.


    "It''s me Leonica, Christian, Gabriel''s friend."


    ''Of course I know that.'' Leonica thought, increasing her pace.


    She couldn''t understand why the man was insisting on talking to her, or rather, she couldn''t understand why the universe was working against her.


    "You''re not gonna believe me if I say I don''t know who you are, are you?" Leonica asked, trying to remain polite.


    "Nope, sorry." Christian answered and Leonica sighed.


    "I''m sorry, but I''m kinda in a hurry right now, so could we do this some other time, perhaps?" She asked, her fingers crossing as she prayed the male would. agree.


    Unfortunately, luck was not on her side, again.


    "It''ll be fast, I promise." Christian reassured.


    Leonica could only sigh. "Alright."


    The male smiled, "Thank you."


    After that, he paused, his gaze drifting down to the child in her arms. He could only see the back of Ashely who was peacefully sleeping in his mother''s arms.


    "Who is he?" He asked. Leonica followed his gaze and her visage tensed. Sensing this, Christian tentatively asked. "Is he...by any chance yours and Gabriel''s...?"


    "No!" Leonica quickly interrupted him before he could finish. "No. He''s uh, my...godson. His mother, a close rtive on mine was busy so I''m just filling in for her." She added after calming down from her rmed state. Christian blinked, a bit surprised at the speed of her reply.


    "I see," He replied, although not quite convinced but not choosing to pry further either. Changing the topic, he asked. "How have you been this past few years?"


    Leonica raised a brow, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.


    What was his deal? Why was he acting like they were friends and not acquaintances.


    "I''m fine," Leonica replied. "And you?"


    Christian nodded, his mouth opening and closing, as if searching for the right words.


    "I''ve been good. So uhm... you''re back in town, does Gabriel know?"


    At the mention of Gabriel, the atmosphere around Leonica seemed to change. "Why should he."


    Christian was taken aback by her cold retort. Just seconds ago she had looked like a harmless Dryad trying to protect it''s groove, but now, she very well resembled one who was ready to take out an entiremunity. "You know, just cause....


    13


    "Gabriel and I are no married. We''re basically strangers now, so I believe he doesn''t have any right to know by location, correct?"


    "Ah, I was just asking. Don''t get me wrong."


    Leonica pressed her lips into a thin line, not believing his words.


    "Anyway, if that''s all, I''ll be going." With subtly bowed her head and turned away leaving


    standing in the lobby.


    Getting to her car, Leonica gently ced Ashely in the backseat, and she slid into the driver''s seat. Before starting the engine, she fished out her phone and quickly dialed Leonardo''s number. "Leonardo speaking." Her brother picked up after the second ring.


    "Leo, it''s me, can you do me a favor." Leonica began, not even bothering with greetings.


    "Yes, of course. What is it?"


    "Ashely...can you make sure no one''s keeping tabs on him? I happened to run into some unpleasantpany and I want to be certain nothing would happen."


    Leonardo paused, not expecting the sudden request. After a few seconds, he asked. "You want me to mask his existence?"


    "Yes." Leonica answered as she turned on the engine and adjusted her top mirror, ncing through it at Ashely''s sleeping figure. "Can you do that?"


    "Why do. It''d be a piece of cake for me, so don''t bother yourself. No one''s going to be disturbing you or your son any time soon."


    The day of the banquet arrives in a blink of an eye. Influential figures were dressed in their best attires while walking down the plush red carpet set out for them.


    At the entrance, Gabriel stepped out of his Maybach, dressed neatly in his custom made ck tux, his hair perfectly groomed.


    Reporters and paparazzi alike were surprised to see his presence in a social activities for the first time in four years and rushed to snap photos of him and throw questions at him, however, he paid them no mind. With the help of the valet, he stepped into the venue and was met with the sight of hundreds of guests mingling about, some taking part in the games while others were conversing, or having their pictures taken. "Mr. Bryce," a female''s voice called him from his right and he turned to look at the


    who had called him.


    person


    His eyes were met with a beautiful brte, who was d in a stunning silver gown that had a slit down the middle and a deep plunging neckline. "Megan," he acknowledged the only one of Leonica''s friend who had kept in contact with his despite everything that had happened five years ago. "What a coincidence." She smiled, stepping closer. "You''re actually gracing us with your presence tonight."


    "Indeed, I am."


    "So," Megan began, her eyes scanning the empty space beside him. "Where''s your little. hussy?" she asked, referring to Angelina.


    Gabriel who had very much gotten used to Megan''s way of speaking, brushed off the insult." Her vehicle experienced some slight dy, she''ll be here soon."


    "Well, let''s hope she doesn''t end up getting lost in the sea of people." Megan said with a hint. of sarcasmcing her tone as she raised her ss briefly before excusing herself.


    Gabriel''s jaws clenched and he released a breath.


    Why was everyone acting like Angelina was the worst person in the world?Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    What was their problem with her?


    Sighing, he grabbed a ss of wine from a passing waiter. Just as he was about to drink it, a few businessmen that he was acquainted with approached him.


    "Mr. Bryce, what a surprise to see you here tonight." One of them stated, gently patting


    Gabriel''s shoulder.


    "Mr. Carlos," Gabriel acknowledged with a light nod, taking a sip from his wine afterwards.


    "What finally convinced you to crawl out of your space today?" Carlos questioned. "Are you perhaps one of those men who came here just to get a glimpse of society''s hottest cake?" He teased.


    "What?" Gabriel''s brows creased in confusion.


    "Yeah, you know, the new emerging female CEO that has left everyone stunned for the past week?" He prompted, only confusing Gabriel all the more.


    "Dang, do you live under a rock?" Carlospanion questioned, earning a slight re from Gabriel.


    "For the past week, men in the business industry have been going crazy, apparently, there''s a new chick in town and they''re more than willing to do anything to get under her skirt." Carlos exined, chuckling at thest part. Gabriel however, rolled his eyes.


    Why had he listened to Carlos''s talk thinking it was something good.


    ''What a waste of time.'' He thought, choosing to bore out their gimmicks until they were tired enough to leave.


    That was until Carlos''spanion spoke again. "Who would have thought a woman could look so hot in white hair," He paused. "But then again, there had been someone pretty enough to pull off that look and now that I think of it, they both have an awfully resemnce." ""Who?" Carlos asked.


    Hispanion hummed gently, trying to remember the name of the woman, snapping his finger the moment his eyes met Gabriel''s.


    "Ah, Leonica."


    Gabriel flinched. "What?"


    "That hot chick, she looks a lot like that wife of yours. You know, the one who you didn''t love and...


    "Where?" Gabriel interrupted taking a surprising step towards the speaking male.


    "Uh. she''s by the drink table." He said pointing over his shoulder.


    Gabriel didn''t waste time in moving in the direction the male had pointed, leaving the two


    businessmen alone.


    He weaved through the crowds, pushing in the direction they had given him, only stopping when the sound ofughtering from a small crowd threw his attention.


    Gabriel froze as his gazended on the said female that he had been looking for.


    She stood in the center of the crowd, dressed in a red evening grown that draped as far down as the ground with a tight spilt and matching heels.


    The gown Itself was a bodycon one and had a plunging neckline that went dangerously low.


    The entire outfit was held up by her slim waist and curvy body and the white hair of hers. her the aura of a seductress.


    gave

 Chapter 14

    Her lips, a deep shade of red, curled up as sheughed.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Gabriel couldn''t believe his eyes, yet there she was, the very same woman who he had divorced five years ago.


    Leonica Romero.


    Their Reunion After Five Years.


    Leonica sat in the back of her car, mind reying the conversation she had with Leonardo.


    "Are you sure no one would find out?" She had asked, her eyes on her rear view mirror where she could see her son sleeping peacefully.


    "Yes. No one can track the boy, I''ve made sure of it." Leonardo assured.


    Leonica''s jaws clenched, her fist curling. "And are you sure..."


    "I''m sure no one would bother you or the boy," Leonardo interrupted her, sensing what she


    was about to ask.


    "Right. Thank you."


    Those were thest words exchanged between the siblings before Leonica got ready for the banquet tonight. And right now, she was in the back seat of her car which was parked right in front of the venue.


    Taking a deep breath, she stepped out when her assistant opened the door for her.


    Instantly, all the paparazzi turned their cameras on her, the shing light nearly blinding her


    vision.


    "Who are you? Is this your first appearance?"


    "What''s your name?"


    "My sources tell me that you''re the new president of Romero Empire, is this true?"


    "Over here, smile!"


    The questions came one after the other and the sh of their cameras continued to assault her. Just when she was about to be overwhelmed, she felt an arm wrapped around her waist, leading her gently away from prying eyes. "Those paparazzi never miss an opportunity, now do they?" Anastasia huffed, gently removing her hand from Leonica''s waist and turning to face her. "I thought I was gonna have to jump in there and beat their asses."


    Leonica smiled and shook her head. "That would have been necessary. I would have handled them if they did anything too out of hand."


    "Of course you could have, but you see, I don''t want you doing anything too drastic. Sending those poor people to the hospital would have been too much."


    Leonica narrowed her eyes. "Wasn''t that what you were going to do?"


    "No. I said I was going to beat them, not send them to the hospital." Anastasia defended


    whilst shaking her hand. Quickly, she changed the topic. "That aside, girl, look at that dress your wearing." She whistled getting a better look at the dress Leonica was wearing.


    "It''s beautiful. Where did you get it?"


    "From a new clothing brand. The name is Aphrodite, I think."


    "Like the goddess of seduction? Suits you." Anastasia praised.


    She opened her mouth, about to shower her best friend with more praises, when the whispers of somedies nearby caught her attention.


    "Hmph, how shameless of her. She disappears for five years andes back after sessfullytching her ws into the bank of yet another rich city man."


    "Excuse me?" Anastasia growled, turning towards thedies.


    The female, who had recognized Leonica despite her hair going from blonde to white, didn''t even trying to keep her voice down at this point, repeated. "You heard me. She''s a gold digger, a good for nothing bitch who only wants men for their money. And the audacity of her toe here tonight, wearing a dress like that," The female stepped forward, a sly smile on her lips as she asked. "Tell me, which millionaire did you dig your nasty ws into this time around for you to be able to make it to this party?"


    Behind her, herpanion chuckled, supposedly finding the degrading words of her friend, funny. "Don''t scare her away, Lana," She called out. "We don''t want this little cat running away before she could give us our daily dose of entertainment, do we?" She taunted. "Ah, but then again, considering how pitifully her marriage had failed five years ago, it wouldn''t take too long before she loses the leash on her sponsor, right?" Lana added.


    Anastasia''s jaws clenched and the two females continued tough, clearly having forgotten the present of said woman whom they had been insulting.


    "Is there something funny?" The white-ette questioned, her voice ice cold andced with


    venom.


    "Ah, the bitch finally spoke." Lana sneered, turning to face her.


    "Do I have to be a silent wallflower to escape your disgusting tongues?" Leonica questioned, her words dripping with sarcasm.


    Shaking her head, she added. "It seems like Grace is cking on who and who she allows into the venue." Turning, she beckoned over a nearby security. "Be a dear and get your manager for me, immediately." She ordered.


    The male, not wanting to displease the woman, hurriedly did as he was told.


    "What, are you going toin to the organizer and have us thrown out?" Lana sneered, trying her best to prevent her face from showing the surprise she felt.

 Chapter 15

    Leonica knew the manager of such a big event? Who exactly was her backer?


    "As a matter of fact, yes." Leonica answered, her raising her chin slightly. "Youdies don''t look like business material to me, and if I recall correctly, the invite for this banquet was only to high-end business individuals, who have earned the right to be in this ce. And from the way I''m seeing it, you two don''t have any qualities befitting businesswomen."


    The females'' eyes widened, their bodies frozen in their spot as the reality of their situation hit them.


    But Lana wasn''t willing to back down. She harshly scolded. "You... you don''t have any rights to act all might and talk to me like that, you filthy...


    "I''d watch your mouth if I were you." Leonica coldly interrupted. "The me from before would have tolerated your gimmicks, but not the me who''s the president of the business chambers. I can have you and your husband''s outcastes from the business world for the rest of your life, if I wish so."


    The moment her threat left her lips, thedies'' expressions shifted and their bodies began to tremble, their legs barely keeping them standing.


    "O-oh,e on Leonica, that....that''s going to far. We were only joking." Lana quickly apologized.


    Leonica didn''t say a word, she merely tilted her head.


    "We''re sorry, okay." Thedy beside her added. "Please, have mercy."


    Leonica hummed, her gaze shifting to her fingernails, a sign she was about to turn a deaf ear on them.


    ""Wait, let''s not be hasty." Lana pleaded.


    Leonica remained silent.


    "We''re sorry."


    "Yeah, please don''t kick us out.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "What''s going on here?"


    All eyes turned to watch the even manager, Grace Deloitte, walk up to them, her eyes showing curiosity and confusion. However, they turned clear, filled with respect upon spotting Leonica.


    "Oh, Ms. Romero, pleasure seeing you here tonight. I hope everything has been to your enjoyment? They haven''t caused any trouble, have they?"


    "Oh, Ms. Deloitte, these twodies were just sharing a few jokes with me, aren''t you?" Leonica. said, turning her eyes to the twodies who immediately nodded their heads.


    However, much to their dismay, Leonica''s smile faded.


    The


    "However, I despite jokes, horrible ones like yours." She stated, turning to face the event


    manager with a new type of smile. "Grace, I believe thesedies aren''t qualified to be in this venue considering the fact that they are nothing but socialites with no proper background or connections. Be a dear and make sure they are escorted out, would you?" "Certainly, Ms. Romero," Grace happily replied, pping her hands twice and having two male guards escort the two females away.


    Grace bowed her head while Leonica walked away, Anastasia, giving a thumbs up towards her as she walked alongside Leonica.


    "Now that was fire." She praised. "Where was this badass bitch five years ago?"


    She foolishly hid away thinking by doing so she could earn the love of someone unworthy, Leonica thought as she simply pressed her lips into a thin line and remained silent.


    Anastasia however, continued on. "With a fire like this, you''re sure to bag a bachelor tonight."


    "What?" Leonica shook her head as the securities waiting at the door opened it for them to step inside. "No Annie, I''m not here for that. My goal''s to to gain business connections to strengthen Romero Empire, not ''bag a bachelor'',


    "But still-" Anastasia began, however before she could finish, Leonica was swarmed by business individuals who were either drawn thanks to her looks or having heard of her.


    Settling into the crowd, Leonica signaled with her fingers to talkter before getting chatting.

 Chapter 16

    with the crowd.


    Close to an hour had gone by when Leonica finally excused herself from the center of the crowd and headed for the restroom.


    Quickly, she fixed her hair, make up and did a few prep talk to her reflection, reading herself to head back into the crowd of socialite m, before stepping out of the restroom. However, she hadn''t taken more than a step out of the restroom when the build of a familiar figure suddenly blocked her way.


    Leonica took a step back, as to avoid bumping into the figure. In the process, she allowed hervender eyes wander up to the face of the person blocking her path,


    The moment her eyesnded on the face in front of her, they widened along with her breath ceasing.


    Even after five years, with his ashy ck hair, dull grey eyes and paleplexion, Leonical could instantly recognize the man in front of her


    Her ex husband, Gabriel Bryce.


    She''s The Mother Of My Child.


    If one word could urately describe the way Leonica was currently feeling, that would be,


    Breathless.


    Seeing Gabriel up so close after five years and not even having been mentally prepared, shookText ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    her to some extent.


    What was he doing here?


    Forego the fact that this even was especially meant to business attendants, Anastasia had sang it like a luby in her ears about how he had quit attending social activities, and as a result, she had let her guard down and attended the annual banquet without a worry in the world concerning running into him.


    Shit, she cursed in her head. How had she been so careless?


    Taking another step back, she tried to put some much needed distance between them, while schooling her expression.


    There was no need to have any sort of expression that would show that his presence was getting to her.


    As a matter of fact, there was no need remaining within the same space as him.


    She needed to leave.


    With that passing thought in her mind, Leonica lowered her gaze, seemingly attempting to ignore his presence and walk away. However, she had not taking more than a few steps pass him when she felt a stern grip on her wrist, pulling her back. "Leonica-" Gabriel began, the sound of his voice calling her name after five years sent shivers through the white-ette body. However, she harshly interrupted him before things could go any further.


    "Get your hands off me." She sent a re in Gabriel''s way.


    Her words, contrary to what she had expected, caused Gabriel''s grip to tighten around her wrist. "All these years...where the hell have you been?" He demanded.


    ''Ever so rude.'' Leonica chuckled inwardly at his behavior before responding.


    "That''s none of your business." She stated, her tone cold and t.


    "None of my business? What the hell are you saying?" Gabriel growled. "You suddenly disappear off the face of the earth for five fucking years and now you''re telling me I shouldn''t bother asking you where you''ve been?" "Exactly. After all," She paused and abruptly yanked her wrist out of his grasp, surprising Gabriel. "I''m a stranger to you, correct? We are divorced, so what''s there to care about the location of someone you don''t even know?" Leonica''s words struck Gabriel like a sharp knife and he felt a knot in his chest tighten, unbeknownst to him, his emotion was also disyed on his face.


    Speechless.


    Seeing the look on his visage, a feeling of satisfaction wash over Leonica.


    Taking the opportunity, she turned around and walked off, leaving him in her dust.


    "Where are you going?!" Gabriel called after her.


    "That''s none of your business!" Leonica snapped over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowd, not bothering to nce back.


    As soon as she was far away from Gabriel, Anastasia suddenly ambushed her, grabbing her by the arm as her eye shone with mischief.


    "Leonica," She began, surprising the said woman. "You won''t believe me if I tell you that I''ve just found you, the best partner for the night." She teased, wiggling her eyebrows.


    Leonica''s brows creased. "What?"


    Anastasia wagged her index finger in her front while her other free hand was busy dragging her towards the dance floor where people were getting in ce for the music that was about to begin. ""Not what, who."


    "You know that I''m not interested in anything like that right now, Annie. So stop it." Leonica


    tried to reason.


    "And you know very well that I''m not gonna let you escape that easily."


    "But, I-"


    "Nuh-huh, no excuses." Anastasia stopped her and pulled her towards the center.


    Leonica opened her mouth to protest once more, however, a certain someone''s presence caught her eyes and her words died down, mind swirling in confusion.


    Christian? Why was he here?


    Anastasia who noticed her gaze, announced. "Ah I see you''ve spotted your dance partner."


    Leonica''s eyes creased, her mind finally processing the words her friend had said.


    "Dance partner?" She questioned, turning her eyes back to her. "You mean he''s my...no way.


    "Yes way." Anastasia gave her a small shove in Christian''s way, causing her to stumble ever so slightly, luckily, Christian caught her, his hands wrapping around her waist. "Are you alright?" He asked, his voice gentle.


    "Yes," Leonica quickly stepped out of his grasp. "I''m fine, thank you."


    She turned back to nce at Anastasia who gave them both a wave, pointing towards the speakers which were now subtly ying a slow music, before rushing off.


    Leonica couldn''t understand why the sudden feeling of being pushed under a bus washed over her, however, she quickly shrugged it off and turned back to face her ''dance partner''.


    "Shall we begin?" Christian offered, a hand out for her to take.


    Leonica nced at his outstretched hand, and then around her to see all the eyes which were on them, wait for her to take his hand and for their dance to ensue.


    Sighing, she gently ced her palm in his and whispered. "Sure."


    At first, the dance was quiet, with no words spoken between the two of them, as Leonica''s mind raced, thinking of what to say and how to act. She had after all, deliberately tried to ignore him when they ran into each other at the hospital and now, here they were, supposed dance partners.


    ''How awkward. She thought, trying to avoid his eyes but in the process, she missed a beat of the music and nearly messes up the entire dance.


    Fortunately, Christian saved her in the nick of time, pulling her close.


    "Rx," He whispered, his face a few inches away from her''s. "There''s no need to be nervous, is there?"


    "I''m not nervous dancing."


    "That''s a


    Leonica denied, getting back into the song''s rhythm. "I''m just not good at


    Christian pointed out, shing her a smile that said he didn''t believe her. "I''ve seen you dance a couple of times, you could out dance Shakira if you put your mind to it." Leonica intended to scoff, however, the sound that came out of her mouth was more of a


    chuckle.


    "You''re exaggerating." She retorted with a small smile on her lips.


    ""Am not."


    "Are too."


    Christian shook his head and rolled his eyes in a yful manner. "Fine, have it your way. I''m not gonna push the issue anymore."


    1. QUINE OEM, CHI


    "Let''s do just that."


    The two continued their dance, falling back into a silence once again, except this time, it was morefortable, as the tension from the previous moments had eased off.


    While both of them danced, they were unaware of the pair of dull grey eyes that had been watching them for the past couple of minutes, and right now, said pair of eyes were narrowed in annoyance, as his fist was clenched tightly.


    Gabriel had returned to the dance floor to find Leonica, only to see her beginning a dance with Christian. What''s worse, their interaction seemed far toofortable with one another.


    Not even Christian''s bed partners could interact freely with him like that, heck, they didn''t even have the right to approach him in public, talk less dance with him during a formal event...


    But Leonica had broken that barrier.


    ''Just what the fuck were those two doing together?'' He wondered, a vein threatening to pop on his forehead as he saw Christian spin Leonica and pull her back to him, ending things with a dip as the music ended.


    As the people who hadn''t taken to the dance floor, the spectators, pped their hands, Gabriel moved from his spot, approaching Leonica and Christian who had just finished with their


    formal bows.


    "Thank you for the dance," Christian said, cing a light kiss on the back of Leonica''s hand.


    "No problem." She replied, a smile on her lips, and that''s when Gabriel''s patience snapped.


    Grabbing Leonica''s hand, pulling it out if Christian''s hold.


    It startled them both.


    When had he gotten here?


    Christian thought, eyes ncing between His best friend and Leonica.


    "What is the meaning of this?" Thetter hissed, yanking her hand out of Gabriel''s grasp at


    once.


    "You danced with him, so I can at least dance with you, can''t I?" He retorted, his toneced with sarcasm and his brows raised in a challenging manner.


    "I''d much rather eat dead worms than have you touch me." Leonica snarled, turning to walk


    away.


    Gabriel, however, wasn''t ready to give up just yet. He reached out and grabbed her arm. "We''re not done talking." He growled.


    Leonica was taken aback by the aggression in his tone, hervender eyes widened, but her expression soon turned into one of annoyance.


    What right did he have to act this way? Requesting for a dance? Howughable.


    "Gabriel, take your hands off me." She demanded, her tone icy.


    "Not until you talk to me."


    "I''ve no reason to talk to you.


    "Damn right you don''t!" He snapped, his hold on her arm tightening and causing her to wince.


    "Gabriel, I think that''s enough. You''re going to hurt her." Christian spoke up, trying to defuse the situation, however, this only earned him a deadly re from Gabriel. Adding more fuel to the situation.


    "Why don''t you just get the hell out of here. This doesn''t concern you." He spat.


    Leonica who felt it was unfair for Gabriel to speak to Christian that way when he was only trying to help her, spoke up. "Hey, watch the way you speak to him."


    Gabriel chuckled at her words, finding it both pissing off and funny, how they were defending each other like teenage lovers.


    Guess they were closer than he thought.


    "Oh, is that how it is? I didn''t realize you two had gotten close enough to have the right to defend each other."


    "What?"


    Leonica and Christian chorused in confusion, eyes narrowing in even more suspicion when Gabriel stepped back, a side smile on his lips as he turned to fix his gaze on Christian.


    His next words, however, was nothing Leonica had expected.


    "You seem to really be enjoying herpany. Too bad, Christian, she''s not one of your toys, but the mother of my child, so leave her alone."

 Chapter 17

    He Was Aware Of The Child''s Existence.


    A deafening silence fell over the trio at Gabriel''s words.


    The only sounds that could be heard was the subtle melody of the music as the other attendants carried on with their night, not a care in the world for the silent battle that was urring on the edge of the dance floor. The air had suddenly grown thick and heavy.


    Leonica felt as though her ears were ringing, her heart beating so fast it was going to jump out of her chest.


    "What...what did you just say?" She directed her question at Gabriel, who turned to her and smirked, the look on his face saying it all.


    She had know him for five years, she was his wife, for crying out loud, she could read his facial. expressions and bodynguage like the back of her palm.


    He was serious and the silent look of ''You think I wouldn''t find out?'' he was giving her was. proof of that.


    However, no matter how calm she was on the outside, on the inside, she was freaking out.


    How had he know she had been pregnant five years ago?!


    "What, surprised?" Gabriel''s sarcastic voice filled her ears. "You must be wondering how," He paused and gestured his open palm in Christian''s direction. "I have him to thank for that. He was gracious enough, as a friend, to check your medical records." Immediately after those words left his mouth, Leonica snapped her eyes towards Christian, hervender orbs ring deathly at him.


    "You did what?" Leonica red.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Christian was quick to hold up his hands in a defensive stance, a guilty look on his face.


    "I can exin." He began, however Leonica interrupted him.


    "Exin what? That you vited my private records without permission and gave them to HIM?" She pointed a finger at Gabriel. "Who the hell gave you the right?"


    "As the Dean of the hospital, Christian had every right to run through the record of his patients." Gabriel interjected, earning a harsh re from Leonica- that caught him off gaurd- as she looked his way. However, he did


    ot back down, and added. "And at that time, we were still married. We had every right to go through your medical records, if not as the hospital''s Dean, then it would been as 1, your husband.'' "Bullshit that!" Leonica eximed, pissed by Gabriel''s half assed reasoning.


    Be it he as her husband, of the Christian as the so called ''Dean'' of the hospital she had been. admitted to, they had no right to invade her privacy and leak information without her consent.


    "We were in the middle of a divorce process. You had no right, legal or otherwise, to have ess to my records." She continued to fume, Christian hanging his head low, while Gabriel quietly observed her bodynguage. The way she was so pissed over the fact that they had essed her medical data and confirmed her pregnant meant now thing;


    She had been pregnant and she had nned on not telling him.


    Gabriel clenched his jaws. "The baby, where is it?"


    Leonica didn''t say anything. Not because she enjoyed seeing Gabriel getting ruffled up, but because she was currently reworking answers and escape scenarios in her head.


    She couldn''t let Gabriel know that Ashely was in Norway...as a matter of fact, she couldn''t even let him know the bundle of joy existed.


    Seeing as her silence dragged on, Gabriel questioned once more. "The baby, Leonica, where is it?"


    "Gone." She stated tly.


    "What?"


    "I aborted it." Leonica lied, not feeling any remorse.


    "Liar," Gabriel used, taking a step towards her.


    "Why would I lie?" Leonica questioned with firm determination in her eyes. "I didn''t want the child of a monster such as yourself, so I got rid of it. That simple."


    Gabriel''s jaw clenched even more. His temper couldn''t help but re up after hearing what she had done. "I can''t believe you did something so cruel! Did you not have an ounce of humanly instinct in you!"


    "Cruel?" Leonica scoffed and stepped closer to Gabriel, deliberately jabbing her index finger into his shoulder the exact same way he had done five years ago: "Don''t you dare lecture me about being humane when I was you who instructed your attorney to give me that oral contraceptive." She snapped.


    "You have no right to question me. You have no right toe around and tell-me off, and your sure as hell have no right to judge me for my actions, because you, Gabriel Bryce, made it perfectly clear that you didn''t want to have a child with me."


    Gabriel opened his mouth to retort, however, the words he wanted to say seemed to be stuck


    THe Was Aware Of The Child''s Existence


    in his throat, resulting in him mming his mouth shut.


    Leonica nodded. "Yeah, I thought so." She said and was about to walk away, but Gabriel called out to her.


    "Leonica, wait," He stepped in her way, blocking her path.


    "You must be kidding," Leonica chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Haven''t you said enough?"


    "1," Gabriel began, the word sticking in his throat.


    He wanted exin to her that at the moment when he had order his attorney to give her those contraceptive, he hadn''t been aware of the child''s existence, had he been aware, he would have done things differently.

 Chapter 18

    However, that wasn''t something he could bring himself to say.


    "I just-"


    "Just what, Gabriel?" Leonica interrupted, the tone of her voice sounding annoyed.


    "At that time, I didn''t know. If I had know, I would have-"


    "Ah, Gabe, there you are!"


    A female voice interrupted Gabriel and Leonica''s eyes crinkled, recognizing the voice.


    "I''ve been looking all over for you."


    The female walked up to the three of them and stopped beside Gabriel, wrapping her hands around his arms, making sure to sh her ring to the female who now stood in front of her.


    Leonica''s fist clenched as she stared at the infamous figure of the one person she was sure she hated more than Gabriel himself.


    His mistress, or should she saw Fianc¨¦e,


    Angelina Fernandez.


    Her Teaterung Prusences


    Her Threatening Presence.


    "Gabe, there you are! I''ve been looking all over for you." Angelina called out as she strolled in the direction of her Fianc¨¦''s figure, putting on a weakened Visage that would go perfectly well with her meek act.


    Without caring who he was conversing with, she cling onto his arm, making sure that the engagement ring he had given her a few weeks ago was very visible as soon as she noticed hispanion, aside from Christian was a stunning white-ette woman. Huh, stunning white-ette woman?!Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Angelina did a doubt take at the woman''s direction, her eyes growing wide at she recognized the familiar face of Leonica.


    "You...!" She eximed nearly blowing the meek persona she has been living by for years in other to gain Gabriel''s love and affection.


    Which has been rtively easy over the years, however, staring the woman that stood in front


    of Lor from head to toe, Angelina felt a deep sense of intimidation.


    She was gorgeous. No matter how much hatred Angelina harbored for Leonica, Gabriel''s ex wife, she had to admit thetter was drop dead gorgeous.


    And the white-ette''s beauty was not the type that would fade away with time, no, it was the/ type of beauty that would grow deeper and be even more breathtaking with age.


    But beauty aside, Angelina could tell, with the unnatural aura surrounding her, that the woman in front of her was no longer the same woman she had terrorized five years ago.


    She was different in a way that made Angelina feel threatened.


    "L-leonica," She managed to get pass her lips aftering down from her shocked state.


    Leonica''s face remained calm and emotionless, however, the moment her eyes trailed down,nding on the shinny wedding ring Angelina was wearing and recalled the article announcing their engagement, her mouth was filled with a sudden bitter taste. She swallowed quickly, ridding her mouth of the taste as soon as it came.


    "How befitting," She began, eyes ncing between the two. "The viper of a mistress is finally with her trashy prince charming, I suppose congrattions are in order." She mocked, a fake smile stered on her lips.


    Angelina''s eyes twitched at the direct insult and she reminded herself to stay in character before she does anything drastic, leaving the real work to be done by the crowd as she raised her voice.


    "Huh? Leonica, how can you say that?!"


    Her Tafchaten Presence


    The crowd, who had been minding their business up until Angelina raised her voice, was taken aback as they turned to see what was happening, not having expected a reunion between the


    exes.


    "I know that you might be angry with Gabe, considering the way your...your marriage ended, but I don''t think there''s any need for you to get so verbally abusive. And here I was, thinking that we could put our difference between us and...and be friends, yet you throw such bitter insults at me. You''re doing all this because you want Gabe back, right?"


    Angelina questioned, too into her act that she missed the way Gabriel flinched at her usation towards Leonica.


    ''Oh, how over dramatic. Leonica on the other hand, thought, rolling her eyes.


    The crowd of watching spectators however, did not think the same thing. Slowly, whispers began to arise from the crowd while the music faded out.


    "Isn''t she the ex-wife of Gabriel Bryce, the president of the Bryce Company? I heard that she has history of being verbally abusive towards president Bryce. I guess it is true." One whispered.


    "Poor Ms. Fernandez, she was simply trying to put the past behind her and be on good terms, yet her actions were returned with insults." Another person joined, tsking.


    "No wonder, with an attitude like that, it''s no wonder why Mr. Bryce divorced her.''


    The words, which had begun as whispers, were now spoken clearly and louder than before, attracting the attention of the people who weren''t close enough to the scene.


    Leonica couldn''t care less about the things they were saying. She allowed her eyes wander the crowd, seeing all the people who were turning against her because of Angelina''s words, before finally allowing her gaze to settle on the culprit herself.


    And from behind her hand, feigning hurt...she smirked.


    The bitch Smirked!


    Leonica scoffed in disbelief. That fucking bitch."


    "Is this how you do things now? By lying and creating false rumors, then using them to make yourself look innocent." Leonica directed her question at Angelina, her tone t.


    "W-what do you mean? I''m not lying. You insult me...us!"


    "I was simply stating facts. A man who divorces his loyal wife for viper such as yourself, should be considered trash." She stated. "And don''t ever in a thousand years, think that I would fight someone like YOU, over someone like HIM, crap that I threw out years ago. The words, which Leonica had calmly stated, shook Angelina to her core and her act shattered.


    kei Tawatening Posenter


    It also stung Gabriel''s pride greatly, as the crowd now began whispering about what they had just heard, quickly turning tables.


    "Leonica, that''s enough from you." Gabriel cut in, stepping in front of his Fianc¨¦e.


    "Oh, are you angry now? Well, tough shit, you have no right to speak up in this conversation, or did you forget? I was the one wronged, not you, so stay out of this." Leonica retorted, ring coldly at her ex husband.


    Gabriel''s jaw clenched. "I said that''s enough!"


    "You should listen to him, Leonica," Angelina spoke up from beside Gabriel. "Don''t try to act all cool, it''s gonna


    get you nowhere."


    And this new trick of yours, certainly won''t win Gabriel''s heart, she thought, sending an aloof smirk at Leonica.


    The white-ette, much to Angelina''s dismay, simply shut her a contemptuous smile and as if on cue, the voice of the Venue''s Emcee cut through the tension.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, it''s time for the annual banquet''s speech," He announced, a loud cheer arising from the crowd, the previous tension that had arose minutes ago, long forgotten. "Please, put your hands together for the new president of Norway''s Business Chambers!"


    At the sound of this, the crowd''s cheer became louder, pping their hands enthusiastically all the while looking for the said woman.


    "Without further a-due, let''s wee her on stage!" The Emcee announced, gesturing for the technical and lighting team to point their spotlight on a certain white-ette who had been standing at the edge of the crowd.


    The moment the spotlightnded on Leonica, the entire hall fell erupted with a new kind of noise, everyone''s eyes on her, as the emcee gestured for her toe up stage.


    Out of everyone, the two people most shocked were Gabriel and Angelina, thetter looking like a fish pulled straight out of salt water.


    Leonica felt yet another wave of satisfaction wash over her and without another word said to the viper, she began her walk towards the stage, however, stopping when she had walked past Gabriel and was within ear shot of him.


    "The man you''ve be today, Gabriel...your grandmother would have been truly


    disappointed if she had witnessed it."


    Without bothering to nce back at him, she carried on her walk, letting her words sink in.


    A New Threat Has Arisen.

 Chapter 19

    And it did.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Leonica''s final words to him sank in the deepest, striking Gabriel''s heart that was already upied by the conflicted feelings, seeing Leonica after five years, had brought.


    But one thing was clear, her transformation in the past five years, precisely, how indifferent she had began acting towards him, angered him. Yet, as he turned and watched her ascend the stage to give her speech, spot light shinning all around her, Gabriel couldn''t help but feel mesmerized.


    The Leonica he knew five years ago, would have never dared to talk back to him. She would have been so afraid, so broken, she wouldn''t have the courage to stand up for herself, yet, here she was.


    Her aura hadpletely changed and she wasn''t the same woman he had married and divorced.


    No, the woman who stood on stage, holding a microphone in her hand with a billion dor smile, was a confident and strong individual.


    She had changed so much in five years.


    During his trans like stare towards Leonica, Gabriel had failed to notice Angelina beside him, who had noticed his gaze on Leonica.


    Seeing the way he stared at her, clearly affected by her glow up, like the other, Angelina felt irritated and clenched her fist, manicured nails nearly digging into the flesh of her palm.


    ''Never.'' She thought, directing her stare towards Leonica who was now starting her speech, unaware of the tremors in both their hearts.


    "Good eveningdies and gentlemen," She began, soft voice washing over the crowd and hushing the whispers. "My name''s Leonica Romero, the President of the business chambers. and tonight''s speaker. I hope you all are having a pleasant evening, ''cause I sure as hell am.


    ****


    The rest of the Banquet had gone by in a blur in Angelina''s mind, the only thing she had been focusing on was Leonica who was clearly not bothered by her star¨¨.


    After some time, she had grown tired of the banquet and bade her prospective acquaintances goodbye before leaving the banquet. Immediately she was gone, Gabriel announced that they were also leaving.


    Angelina tried not to think too much of it, but each time she recalled the way Gabriel had stared at Leonica''s throughout the female''s time on stage, the more she became aware of the situation.


    A New Threat Hus Alinen


    A threat had arisen.


    They arrived at Angelina''s manor ten minutes past ten, however, as the chauffeur was about to drive away,


    she noticed Gabriel was still inside the car.


    "Aren''t youing?" She questioned.


    "I''m tired. I''ll head home for now." Gabriel replied, his dull grey eyes, which were fixed


    outside the window, not even bothering to nce at her.


    Angelina''s eyes twitched, clearly sensing the sudden change in his attitude tonight.


    ''It is all because of that woman.'' She thought.


    "Are you sure? Why not stay the night. It''s prettyte." She reasoned.


    Gabriel nced at her and shed a clearly forced smile. "No, I think it would be better for me to rest at home. Thanks for the invitation though, I''ll talk with you once I''ve rested." And just like that, he was gone.


    As the chauffeur drove away, Angelina felt a knot form in her stomach.


    ''Just what is this feeling?'' She thought, her eyes staring down at the diamond ring on her finger.


    Threat? Fear? Intimidation?


    All because of the same woman?


    No.


    Angelina shook her head, her long brown locks dancing at the action. "I have no reason to be afraid. Leonica''s just a nobody who can''t hold a candle to me."


    Turning around, she marched towards the entrance of her house, all the while fishing her phone out of her purse.


    She scrolled through her contact list and once she spotted the number she was looking for,


    she dialed.


    The line rang for only a few seconds before it was answered.


    "Detective Langer, Evening." She greeted.


    "Ms. Fernandez, hello. How many I help you." The man on the other end sounded more than happy to hear from her.


    "I have a favor to ask." Angelina stated, passing the coat Gabriel had lent her to her butler who was waiting. "I need you to trail someone for me."


    "Alright. Who''s the target?"


    A New Theat Has Aguin.


    T


    "The name''s Leonica Romero, she just recently returned to Norway, I want her movements to be traced and all her activities to be monitored."


    "What kind of activities are we talking about?" Detective Langer inquired.


    "All of them. I need a detailed report, I want to know the type of food she eats, the clothes she wears, the ces she visits, even the men and women she meets. Am I clear?"


    "Yes ma''am, you are crystal clear. But may I know the reason behind all this?"


    "The reason?" Angelina''s lips twisted into a sneer, her eyes darkening as a feeling of satisfaction washed over her.


    The reason for her current action was simple. She wanted the upper hand.


    She is going to monitor Leonica''s activities and look for the best time to strike, tarnishing her reputation, no, her existence entirely in Gabriel''s eyes.


    By the time she is done, those eyes that stared at her this evening would be filled with nothing


    but disdain and malice towards her.


    And she was going to enjoy every single second of it.


    "The reason detective, is for me and me alone to know."


    It was dark.


    That was the first thought that crossed Gabriel''s mind as he opened his eyes after having drank a considerable amount of whiskey to forget Leonica''s ims about his grandmother and then having fallen asleep in his room.

 Chapter 20

    He looked around, his head dizzy, adjusting to the darkness.


    eye


    ''When did it get so dark?'' He wondered.


    "Gabe,"


    The familiar voice reached his ears, the voice sounding distant and faint, as if he was being called from somewhere far away.


    "Gabriel." The voice came yet again, and this time, he recognized it.


    It belonged to Leonica.


    Standing up from the Stoll he wasn''t even aware he had been sitting on, Gabriel surveyed his surroundings, trying to see through the darkness. Suddenly, one part of the darkness gave way, opening up the path to a field filled with purple irises and in the center of it, was Leonica.


    She was dressed in a simple white gown, her long wavy white hair dancing softly in the breeze as she faced the other way, humming a calming tone to the sleeping child in her arms. New Threat Has Arden.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Her hums stopped once she sensed his presence. Turning around to see him, she smiled and


    extended one of her free hand.


    "Gabriel." She called out to him once again, and as if on autopilot, Gabriel moved, taking a step forward towards her.


    He nced down at the sleeping child in her arms as he approached and although he couldn''t see the child''s face, Gabriel felt a strong connection to the child. Almost...almost as if it was his.


    "Come on Gabe, we''re waiting." Leonica encouraged and his feet began to move faster, but just before he could reach where she was standing, darkness engulfed her entire being. "Leonica," Gabriel called out to her, however, his call remained unanswered.


    And then, behind him, another scene opened up. This time around it was just a white bulb hanging above a white door. Gabriel slowly approached the door, hearing the quiet sobs of a woman from inside.


    As soon as he opened the door, he gulped upon seeing a pale looking Leonica seating on a hospital bed. The sobs ceased as soon as his presence was spotted.


    Slowly, her head turned in his direction, blood shot eyes ring at him. "Look what you''ve done." She muttered.


    Gabriel shook his head, slowly approaching the bed she sat on. Instead of responding to her usations, he asked. "The baby, where is it? Where''s my child?" "You''re asking that now?" She scoffed faintly. "It''s gone, just like you wanted."


    Hearing her words and remembering the exact same way she had said it at the banquet, Gabriel felt a tremendous amount of anger towards Leonica''s actions. How could she?


    Why did she? She had no right to take away his chance at fatherhood!


    "No, that is not what I wanted. You had no right to do that Leonica!" Gabriel scolded. "You had no fucking right to decide the fate of my child!"


    "Gabe," Another familiar voice called out.


    Gabriel looked around trying to find the source of this new voice, when it came yet again.


    "Gabe. Gabriel wake up."


    And just like that, he opened his eyes, finding Lloyd standing beside his bed with folded arms and a concerned look stered on his face. "You okay Man?" He asked.


    CA NOW Threat Has Ansen


    Gabriel rubbed his eyes and looked around, seeing the daylight shining through his window.

 Chapter 21

    "It was a dream?" He questioned, his mind still a bit dizzy from the whiskey and sleep.


    "Preferably caused by too much whiskey indigestion." Christian chipped, holding up the bottle of said alcoholic drink.


    Lloyd sighed and shook his head. He was aware of how Gabriel took things like sleeping pills and sometimes alcohol to put himself to sleep, after all, he suffered from chronic insomnia, but it still was concerning for the young man. "Hey, can''t you cut down on the amount of alcohol you take." Lloyd said, his tone sounding stern. "You''re gonna kick the bucket younger than any of us if you keep this up." He scolded. "And what''s got you down in the dump?" "I''m fine." Gabriel muttered, running a hand through his hair.


    However, Christian yet again chipped in. "He''s not. Leonica''s back in Norway." He informed Lloyd who''s eyes went wide.


    He cursed inside his mind for having had tremendous work to attend to during the day of the banquet yesterday.


    "Short story, they met yesterday, and I guess you can image how it turned out."


    "Sore I can predict." Lloyd muttered, sighing afterwards. "Why...what is she even doing back in Norway after all these years?"


    At his question, Christian handed him the newspaper he had been reading. The headline, in bold letters, read; Eldest daughter of Romero family, Leonica Romero, returns as Romero Empire''s newest president! "No shit." Lloyd gasped, Gabriel on the other hand, groaned and buried his face In the palm of


    his hands.


    Now it made sense why Romero Empire wanted to cancel their partnership. It was all Leonica''s doing.


    First of all she cancels their partnership and then springs up news of abortion in him?


    No, as a matter of fact, Gabriel didn''t believe her words.


    He wasn''t sure why, but Gabriel felt like Leonica had lied about the baby''s fate.


    After all, she had seemed a little too confident when she had uttered the words and he could tell, the woman standing on that stage, despite how indifferent she seemed; was not a baby killer.


    It was either that, or his soul for some reason, couldn''t ept the fact that she was indeed heartless enough to drag an innocent unborn child into their squabble.


    Either one, he need to clear his conscience.


    "Christian," He called out, cutting through the conversation that had been going on between. him and Lloyd.


    "Yes?"


    "Leonica''s medical records from five years ago, up until now...I don''t care how you do it, but bring them to me, today."


    The SAVEDI Gun Powder Botwoon Frends


    The Smell Of Gun Powder Between Friends.


    -Chapter 19:


    "What?" Christian asked, blinking his eyes in confusion.


    Had he just heard Gabriel right?


    "Leonica''s medical records, I want them." Gabriel repeated.


    "That..." Christian hesitated. "I don''t think that would be possible, Gabriel."


    "Why not?" Gabriel questioned, not liking the fact that Christian was hesitant to grant him


    his wish.


    "Because they are private and that would mean I have to vite her privacy to get that information." Christian reasoned, hoping Gabriel would back off. However, it was a futile attempt.


    "Invasion of privacy or not, Christian, I want those records."


    Christian''s jaws clenched, clearly displeased by his friend''s decision. "And what do you hope to achieve by obtaining her medical records? What will this aplish?"


    "The abortion, her medical record will surely contain traces of an abortion."


    "What?" Christian nearly chuckled at his response. Not only did he find it funny that his friend cared so much as to carry the matter over night, he found it equally disturbing how Gabriel seemed to have forgotten the fact that he and Leonica we''re no longer together. It seems like he needed to remind him.


    "Gabe, don''t forget, Leonica is no longer your wife, you can''t do as you please with her life."


    Christian''s words had been spoken calmly and logically, yet it irritated Gabriel and angered him at the same time. To top it all off, their dance scene from the previous night reyed in his mind, angering him all the more.


    "Since when did you start standing up for her?" He used, standing from his seat, grey eyes ring down at his friend.


    Christian''s jaws clenched at his statement and the way he was looking at him, but he kept his calm and continued speaking. "I''m not siding with anyone here. I am merely pointing out the fact that Leonica is no longer a Bryce, therefore, you can no longer use your privileges to obtain her medical records."


    Gabriel snorted, his eyes darkening. "That''s bullshit. If that''s what you mean then your words and actions aren''t matching up."


    The Sell Of Gun Powder Between Friends


    "I''m sorry?" Christian''s brows creased.


    Fatt


    "The night of the banquet," Gabriel continued, the memory of Christian''s behavior at the venue fresh in his mind.


    "I saw the way you spoke to her, the way you interacted, do you mean to tell me that I''ve been misunderstandings shit so far?"


    Christian''s eyes narrowed at his usation and he let out a chuckle. "Gabriel, I can''t believe you." Heughed, shaking his head. "If that''s how you think my interactions with her are, then you have clearly been mistaken."


    "No, I just think it''s you who doesn''t know where to draw the line."


    Christian''sughter died down, his lips twitching.


    "Me?" He asked, pointing at himself. "What about you? Why the hell are you so concerned with her? You have Angelina, don''t you?"


    "Okay!" Lloyd eximed, interrupting the argument that was starting. "That''s enough, both of you."


    The two men turned to Lloyd who stood in the middle of their heated gaze off, not sure of


    whom to side with.


    He wasn''t sure what all the building tension between the two was about, but he needed to nip the tension before it escted any further. Starting from the culprit.


    "Gabe," He turned towards the Noirette male. "You need to calm down man. You''re bristling over such a simple matter. So what if she did have the abortion?"


    "Simple matter?" Gabriel nearly snapped on his innocent friend who raised his hands. defensively, sensing his growing frustration.


    Realizing this action before they could get worse, Gabriel mmed his mouth shut and turned away. He didn''t want to take his frustration out on someone who had nothing to do with Leonica''s actions. But that didn''t mean he was going to let the matter go and ept things as they are.


    "Lloyd is right," He began, ncing over his shoulder at his two friends. "There''s no need to argue over something like this,"


    He stated. Christian had almost thanked the lord for his friend''s change in stubborn attitude when Gabriel added.


    "I''ll just have to get those records on my own. With or without your help Chris."


    And just like that, his hopes and reliefs went down the drain.


    The Sufell Di Gian Powder between Thronds.


    "Are you out of your mind?" Christian snapped, taking a step towards Gabriel, Lloyd however, stepping between the two the moment he sensed the tension rising once more. "Both of you, break it off." He demanded, ncing between the two who looked like they were


    on the battle Field.


    What exactly had he missed at the banquet yesterday? He thought.


    Perhaps he can find some details out if he just asked?


    He opened his mouth to speak as soon as the passing thought crossed his mind, however, before he could get so much as a word out of his mouth, Gabriel''s phone began to ring." Gabriel didn''t head towards his phone, adamant to continue ring at Christian, until the seconds ring.


    Once he did, he checked the caller ID.


    ''Angelina.'' He thought, letting out a sigh, and with his finger swiping the answer button, he ced the phone by his ear.


    "Gabe? Hey babe are you busy? Could you visit me at the hospital?" Angelina''s voice sounded out from the other end of the phone, apanied by the subtle sound of hospital beeping machines.


    The anger Gabriel had felt towards Christian and Leonica subsided and was reced with worry after hearing Angelina''s words. "Hospital? Why?" He asked.


    "Ah, back at the forecast station, I was recording a weather update, but the technical team had identally toned the wind blower up too much. It was a pretty strong wind, but I guess I got blown off my feet andnded on the ground. Nothing serious though, the doctor says I sprained my leg a little, so I need someone to attend to the bills and signing her at the hospital.


    As Ang


    Angelina had talked, the image of the forecast station had yed in Gabriel''s mind and the moment she was done exining the situation, Gabriel felt a wave of worry wash over him.


    "How bad is the sprain? Are you sure nothing else is wrong?" He questioned, ignoring the looks Lloyd and Christian were throwing his way.


    "Nah, I''m okay, it''s just a minor injury." She assured.


    "Alright. Take a rest, I''ll be there so


    "Thanks, Babe, see ya."


    After hanging up, Gabriel turned to Lloyd and Christian, informing them of what happened, however, Lloyd being the only one who looked genuinely concerning.


    The Scot Gun Powder Between Friends..


    "There you go again, running off at her beck and call." Christian sassed, scoffing in disbelief.


    "She''s my fianc¨¦e. I''ll have to go and check on her." Gabriel reasoned, grabbing his car keys and heading for the door, ignoring what other sarcastic remarks Christian threw his way.


    In a matter of minutes, he had driven off to the hospital Angelina was currently at.


    Arriving at the hospital, he asked for Angelina''s room number. The receptionist who seemed to be a big fan of his, dly informed him of her room number, before sending him on his way with a small wink. ''How tacky.'' Gabriel thought as he walked down the hallway of the hospital''s third floor.


    "245, 247, 249, 251," He counted, his eyes looking around for the room number.


    Turning the corner, he was about to continue his counts when a small figure suddenly sprinted his way, bumping into his tights and falling down.


    "Ouchie."


    A tiny voice whimpered, drawing Gabriel''s attention as he nced down and his gazended


    on the small male with blonde locks, sitting on the floor, rubbing his head in pain


    Astonishing Discovery.


    "Ouchie."


    A tiny voice whimpered, drawing Gabriel''s attention as he nced down and his gazended. on the small male with blonde locks, sitting on the floor, rubbing his head in pain.


    ''How careless.'' He thought with a sigh.


    "This, kid, is why you should never run in halls Gabriel stated as he crouched down on one kneel, extending his hand so that the child who was still rubbing his head, could use it as a support when getting up. "Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked.


    "No, not really," The boy replied as he stopped rubbing his forehead and finally looked up at Gabriel.


    Almost as if something invisible had entered him, Gabriel felt a strange feeling blossom in his chest the moment he caught the child''s face.


    He stared at the boy''s face as if he was in a trans, feeling somewhat attracted to him.


    The little boy''s blonde hair was neatlybed, his grey eyes were round and filled with curiosity, while his pale skin was flushed, a faint hue of red covering his cheeks.


    It reminded him of somebody.


    Someone he couldn''t quiet put a finger on.


    Gabriel was pulled out of his trans like state when the boy spoke once more.


    "You should try watching where you''re going, old mister." He said, causing Gabriel to raise a brow, watching as he got up without the use of his hand, dusted himself off and picked up his ck bunny toy.


    ''Old mister?"


    He repeated the boy''s word in his mind, wondering if the child was trying to offend him, or maybe his eyesight was blurry and he mistook him for an elder.


    "My name is not ''Old mister'', neither am I old." Gabriel corrected, returning to his full height.


    The little boy''s lips formed an ''o'' shape and a look of understanding passed through his eyes.


    "Ah, I see, then excuse me for my rudeness, mister." He apologized, bowing his head. respectfully.


    Gabriel smiled, seeing the boy''s mannerisms made him look even cuter.


    He was never one to take a liking to children - God, those noise producing beast had showed


    him one hell of a time thest attempt he made at taking care of one, yet this one had somehow, captured his interest.


    "So what''s a kid like you doing wandering around the hospital alone? Where''s your guardian?" He asked, not able to hold back the urge to ask the question that had popped in his head the moment heid his eyes on the boy.


    The boy looked skeptically, eyes Gabriel up and down before he atst decided to talk. "I got separated from my nanny. She took me to the hospital because my new school was demanding fresh medical records. But as you can see, I don''t get along well with doctors."


    "Is that so," Gabriel replied, a chuckle escaping him as he recalled the time he had first gone to a hospital due to some severe allergies.


    He didn''t exactly remember what caused the allergy, but he did recall having to go to hospital


    arrival, the doctor had held up a rather huge injection.


    with his grandmother. Upon


    To long to enter a child''s butt, if you asked Gabriel.


    He was terrified and had begged his grandmother to take him away, and she had.


    Somehow, this scenario was no different than his.


    "Well, that''s alright kid." He consoled. "Everyone has what they fear."


    "Even you, Mister?" The boy questioned.


    Gabriel thought for a moment, mind traveling to a particr rodent that he hated with all his might; rats.


    "Yes, even me." He answered with a sigh. "Now, how about we find your nanny? How does that sound?" He extended his hand once more.


    The boy was about to take his hand, but stopped, remembering the words of his mother. "Y-you''re...stranger." He muttered, allowing his hand to drop back to his side.


    ""What?"


    "Mommy says I...I should never trust strangers... especially ones with ice cream trucks."


    Gabriel''s brows creased. ''Some teaching his mother got going on.'' He thought.


    "And...and moreover, I''ve already had someone contact my mommy." The boy continued. "I had a nurse call her."


    "Oh?"Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    age.


    ?" Gabriel mused, caught off guard by the child''s ability to make such decision at a young


    He looked to be In the age range of four? Five?


    Most children his age would probably be crying in some corner.


    Impressed by the child''s intelligence, Gabriel momentarily forgot his main agenda foring here and offered.


    "Then, how about I wait with you until your mommy shows up? You''ll be safer that way, yeah?"


    "Hmmm," The boy hummed as he chewed on the inside of his mouth while weighing the options.


    His mother had told him never to trust strangers, ice cream truck drivers and candy givers alike, but this man was different.


    He seemed kind.


    "Okay!" The boy agreed and slipped his hand into Gabriel''s own, startling him. "Let''s seat over there." He pointed towards a hospital bench and without warning, began dragging Gabriel along.


    The older man could only but chuckle at the action.


    "You seem rather strong for a child your age." Gabriel mused, as they settled on the bench.


    The boy offered him a genuine smile. "Mommy says I''m a growing boy. Growing boys must be strong."


    Gabrielughed at his words. "Really?" He asked.


    "Yeah," The boy confirmed. "And I also y basketball ball, at home at least. Oh! I also paint and y the piano, no wait, mommy''s still teaching me how to y the piano, but she says


    I''m good.''


    33


    "Oh wow," Gabriel was truly impressed by the boy''s hobbies, but more surprised that they almost had the samemon hobbies.


    After his rambling. The boy seemed to pipe down and was now ying with his fingers. "You know, I was nning on going shopping after my visit to the ouchie room." He sighed, a frown forming on his face.


    Gabriel chose to forego the fact that the child had just said ''ouchie room'' and asked. "Is that so? What were you going to buy?"


    "A present!" The boy perked up, his cherry attitude back once more. "Mommy''s birthday ising up and I was nning on buying her a present."


    "That''s really sweet." Gabrielmented.


    The boy shook his head. "Not really. Mommy always gives me presents even when it''s not my birthday," He said, raising the bunny in his arms up. "but I''ve never returned the favor, so this year, I want to buy a present for her birthday with my savings." what did you want to get for your mommy?" He asked in curiosity.


    "Wow, you''re quite the aren''t you?" Gabriel teased, ruffling his blonde locks. "So,


    "Oh, I wanted to get a...


    The boy began, about to reveal his idea for mother''s present when a bunch of voice''s heading down the hall way cut him off.

 Chapter 22

    Both their gazes travelled in the direction. Now while ones eyes crinkled I''m confusion, the others became wide with joy. In a few seconds, the boy had jumped off the bench and raced towards the crowd before Gabriel could even react. "Mommy!" He called out as he opened his arms and rushes into the crowd.


    The


    group of men parted to the sides giving way to the child and in the process, revealing thedy in the center.


    Gabriel nearly choked on his saliva when his gazended on the woman the child had rushed


    into.


    "Oh my baby, you nearly gave mommy a heart attack" Leonica said as she bent down and scooped The boy up into her arms, embracing him in a passionate hug.


    While from where he stood, Gabriel watched the interaction between supposed mother and son, with an open mouth.


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    His Child Is...Alive?!


    With Mouth hanging open and eyes widening far beyond their capacity, Gabriel watched the scene in front of him y out like a si.


    Except it wasn''t some channel television, it was real.


    Leonica was a mother.


    "Why did you leave the doctor''s appointment, Ash?" Leonica, despite the scolding tone she had, pecked the young bow on his forehead. "Are you aware of how worried mommy was?" She asked, loud enough for Gabriel to hear, Indeed confirming his thoughts. That child belonged to Leonica...


    But hadn''t she said that she had aborted the baby five years ago?


    So whose child was this?


    Someone else''s?


    Not possible. The Boy, Ash as she had called him, had referred to her as his mother and she to herself as his mother.


    So it was clear to him that This boy, Ash, was her child, so did that mean...she had another


    child with another man?


    The thought, as unusual as it was to pass Gabriel''s mind, caused a storm of emotions to unleash inside, the strongest ones present being anger and confusion.


    For some reason, just like when he had gotten home and learnt of her disappearance five years ago, Gabriel refused to ept the situation as it was. Unlike five years ago, he needed answers. And answers he was going to get.


    cing one foot forward, Gabriel had taken a defining step, mind set on confronting Leonica, when he suddenly felt a handtch onto his upper arm from behind. Instantly, he whipped his head around, freezing the moment his eyes met with Angelina''s


    OWNL


    "Gabe, there you are. What took you so long?" She questioned innocently, tilting her head and body weight, which was being supposed by a crutch, to the side. Seeing her face, the make recalled the reason why he had visited the hospital in the first ce foregoing it after having ran into the child.


    "Were you lost?" She questioned his silence. "Well that''s fine, I''m here now. Let''s go to my room." She offered.


    Gabriel was reluctant. No matter how much he tried to not let it show, it was clear on his face. that instead of going with his finac¨¨¨¨, he''d much rather stay her and question his ex wife from five years ago


    Angelina sensed this, thought not sure what was bringing about this new reluctance of his,


    she did not like it.


    Gabriel''s attention was hers and hers alone. There was no room for reluctance even if it was business rted.


    It had been that way up until now and she wasn''t going to allow that change.


    Taking a step forward, the brte pretended to slip on her crutches, nearly crashing into Gabriel. Fortunately, he caught her, steading her bnce.


    "I''m sorry," She apologized sheepishly, tugging the fallen locks of her hair behind her ears. My leg hasn''t fully healed yet. Standing for too long, like this, isn''t really wise. Come on Gabe, let''s go back to my room." She grabbed onto his hand and began to pull him away, somewhat limping in her every step.


    Gabriel pressed his lips together. He wanted to break out of Angelina''s hold and rush towards Leonica, but that would clearly make him look like an unloyal fiance.


    And Leonica, wasn''t worth that type of stress.


    But that didn''t mean he was giving up on confronting her. She owed him an exnation and he was going toe back and get one.


    "I''m sorry for worrying you, mommy," Ashley apologized, lips turned downwards. "The needles...they looked really scary." He admitted, although not too proud of his actions.


    "My prince was really scared off by needles?"


    Ashely nodded his head. "They all looked so scary. I had to run, but I ended up getting separated from my nanny." He continued to exin.


    Leonica was just about tofort her son, rather than scolding him any longer, when the boy suddenly perked up, gloomy aurapletely gone.


    "But then Kind Uncle helped me." He announced.


    Leonica blinked her eyes in confusion. "K-kind Uncle?"


    "Yeah, he''s right there!" Ashely pointed towards where he had left the man that was with him.


    However, when they both looked back, the bench and it''s surroundings was empty.


    "Huh? Where did he go?" Ashely questioned, craning his neck in different directions.


    "Who were you talking about, Ashely?" His mother asked.


    "Kind Uncle," The kid repeated. "He found me after I had lost the nanny and waited with me until


    you came. He was here just a few seconds ago."


    "Ashely," Leonica called out in a serious tone. "What did I warn you about trusting strangers?"


    "Well......." He tried to defend his earlier action. s he settles for the only thing that came to his mind even when aware that it wouldn''t prevent his mother''s scolding. "Well he wasn''t driving an ice cream truck. Neither did he offer me candy!" Leonica pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand and sighed.


    "Ashely, you still shouldn''t have trusted him."


    144


    "But he wasn''t a clown, didn''t have an ice scream truck and wasn''t offering me candy."


    "But he was still a stranger, wasn''t he?" Leonica deadpanned.


    Ashely opened his mouth to defend, however he saw no reasoning that could counter the warning his mother had given him.


    In the end, he settled on a simple request, stirring some of the conversation''s direction in the


    process.


    "Can we at least look for kind Uncle and thank him?" He questioned.


    Leonica sighed, about to shake her head. "Ash-"


    "Please. Please mommy. Please-" He begged, fingerced together and lips turned. downwards with sparkling eyes.


    He was showing the puppy dog expression. A face that he was fully aware his mother couldn''t resist and was using it to his full advantage.


    Just like he had predicted, Leonica couldn''t bring herself to say no. But, just when she was about to give in, her phone began to ring.


    "Hold on Ash," She reached for the device, swiping on the answer Icon after confirming that it was Anastasia who had been calling. "Hey Annie, what''s up?"


    "The preparations back at Ashley''s school has been sorted out. Could you tell the nanny to bring him over if they''re done with the medical check up?"


    "As a matter of fact, I''m at the hospital, with Ashely. Not the nanny."


    From the other end, Anastasia sighed. In the short space of a week and a half since Leonica had returned, she had gotten to know that Ashely was a mischievous sould despite his innocent appearance.


    And from the words of her best friend, she could already tell that Ashely had taken one look at the hospital''s injection needle and turned into Scooby.


    "Expected as much." She muttered. "You know what, forget the medical checkup. I''ll handle. that here, how about you bothe and do some final check ups, yeah?"


    LL


    ''Alright. We''reing." Leonica said and hung up.


    Turning her face to Ashely''s, she pressed her lips into a thin line. "Ash, we gotta leave. Let''s find kind Uncle some other time, okay?"


    The kid nced back In the direction he had left said Kind uncle and although he didn''t like the idea of leaving without saying ''thank you'' he didn''t want to mess up his school preparations.


    Deciding for the best, he nodded his head to his mother''s words.


    Leonica smiled. "Nice. Let''s go now." Her words were heard by the men, body guards to be precise, who hade with her.


    Immediately, they turned around, leading her towards the exit.


    However, with each step Leonica took, she couldn''t help but look over her shoulder, feeling as if she had perhaps missed something important.


    Inforption Data Breach.


    Information Data Breach.


    "... You know, seeing you lost was so unlike you. You had taken so much time, keeping me waiting...and getting me worried of course. Those are the two things you should never do to your fiancee, babe. Gabe, are you listening?" Gabriel, even though he had been addressed and it being courtesy for him to respond,


    remained silent.


    Currently, seated in Angelina''s recovery wing and listening to her tattle on about howte he had been nearly an hour past when she had called the male''s thoughts constantly strayed


    back to a certain child and his mother.


    Leonica and Ash.


    His thoughts, ever since stepping into the recovery wing, had been filled with the two. The scene he had witnessed reyed in his mind. Thoughts of Ash being the child of


    nother man taunting him.


    Somehow, it felt those circling thoughts were driving him crazy, making him incapable of focusing on his fiancee in front of him, even when she hissed in pain each time the bandage around her ankles had been wrapped. "Gabe?" Angelina tilted her head to the side at his silent state. "Are you okay...?Ah!" She red at the nurse who quickly bowed at her mistake.


    As quick as the threatening expression hade on her face, it had disappeared before Gabriel


    could even see it.


    "I''m fine." He assured with a sigh, palm dragging across his face in an attempt to rid his thoughts of the mother and son duo.


    His attempts however, were futile. Those two continued to gue his mind like a century old gues that showed no sign of letting up until attended to.


    And in this case, his attendance referred to the answers and exnation Leonica owed him. Answers that he needed to get as soon as possible so as to ease his mind.


    Unfortunately he was being held up here.


    ncing over at Angelina, who was still in the process of having her ankle wrapped, and still had a long way to go beforepletion, Gabriel thought;


    Perhaps, just this Angelina could stay without him.


    "Ange," He began, rising to his feet.


    "Hm?" The female responded.


    "I''ve got a lot of business to attend to at thepany. I''ve been holding up the board for the


    past three days and need to attend to them as soon as possible."


    "You''re... you''re leaving?" She interpreted.


    "Unfortunately so." He walked over to her bed And ced a gentle kiss on her head.


    Angelina relished in the feeling for only a little while before quickly snapping out. "But I need you here."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "I understand, but my hands are tied." Stepping back, he nced over her, making sure the only injury she had sustained was her sprained ankle. Once the inspection was done and he was satisfied with the result, he continued. "I''ll send Bill over with something for you. That designer bag fromst time, how does that sound?"


    Without waiting for her response, he turned and exited the room, speed walking back in the direction of the hospital bench he had been waiting with Ash.


    However, when he got there, the halls were deserted, no sign of mother nor son.


    Gabriel tucked his hand into his pocket and hung his head, a string of curse slipping pass his lips in the process.


    "How fucking great, they''re gone." He sighed. Feeling his frustration build anew, he scratched the back of his neck and repeated. "Just fucking great."


    Now what was he supposed to do?


    He considered questioning the hospital for the child''s medical record, but upon remembering that he hade with his nanny and was probably registered under the name of an adult, that thought bubble was busted.


    ''Ah,'' A newly changed bulb appeared at the top of his head, lighting up with new ideas.


    Christian, of course he could get Christian to run medical tracks on the boy.


    Reaching for his phone, Gabriel scrolled through his recent call list, about to phone his friend when he recalled the tensed conversation the had this morning and how Christian was so obviously taking Leonica''s side. Who was to say he wouldn''t do the same thing now.


    Gabriel clicked his tongue in distaste, hating his friend''s earlier action.


    Focusing back on his phone, he continued to scroll, passing Christian''s contact and instead calling that of his assistant.


    If Christian was going to stand against his n, then he could just easily have Bill gather as much information as possible on the boy.


    The line rang for less than a minute before it was answered. "Yes Sir?"


    "Bill, I''ve got a task for you."


    Information Data Breach

 Chapter 23

    "Of course sir, I''m alkears."


    "I need you to find someone for me. A child, no more than five years old, with blonde hair and grey eyes, associated with Leonica Romero. Get all the information that you can on him." "Yes Sir. Is that all?"


    Gabriel nced back in the direction of Angelina''s ward, recalling the promise he had told her. "Yes, and once you''re done, pick up a red Chanel bag from the


    store and have it delivered to Angelina''s residence."


    "Understood Sir. If that''s all, I''ll get to the tasks now.


    And with that, the call ended, leaving Gabriel standing alone in the hospital''s hallway with his thoughts, the sounds of beeping hospital machines and distant chatters.


    "Okay, so you know how the drill goes, Ashely Leonica who was crunched at Ashely level, began, adjusting his new school uniform as they stood in front of the school''s entrance. "Be at good boy and?"


    Aunt Annie and mommy would take me to the amusement park during the weekend." The young boypleted, ncing between his mother and aunt who nodded their heads at their said promise.


    "That''s mommy''s prince." Leonica praised, pecking his head. "Now, follow your teacher to your ss and be sure to make lots of nice friends, alright?"


    "Alright. Bye mommy. Bye Aunt Annie." Ashely waved, turning around and entwining his fingers with his teacher who bowed onest time before leading them towards his ssroom.


    Leonica watched with a smile on her lips, a genuine one, Anastasia could tell.


    The smile however, faded at the start of their new conversation.


    "You know," There was a pause in Anastasia''s words as they both turned around and began walking away. "You can''t keep Ash hidden for much longer."


    Leonica remained quiet, and Anastasia continued


    "Even if this is Norway''s most secured kindergarten, that kid looks too much like Gabriel, who might I remind you, has his face stered across half of the city. It would only take someone five minutes of staring before they point out the resemnce between the two." "I know," Leonica admitted with a sigh.


    "So? You have a n right?" She questioned. "You know, in the event that Gabriel discovers that Ashely is his? You do have a countermeasures for that, right?"


    Leonica opened her mouth to speak, however closing it back the moment she felt her phone


    Infangsten Data Breach


    vibrating on the inside of her pocket.


    "Excuse for a seconds," She fetched the phone out, nced at the caller ID and excuses herself.


    Taking a few steps ahead, she answered the phone and pressed it to her ear. "Leonardo, what is it?"


    The rustling sound of papers were heard from the other end of the line before her brother''s voice resounded. "Leo, where are you? Where''s Ashley? Did anything happen?" He bombarded her with questions.


    "What? Wait, wait hold on." She gestured her hand in the air even though she was well aware that he couldn''t see her. "What are you talking about. I''m at Ashely''s kindergarten and Ashely, well he''s in ss. Why''d ask?"


    "Did something happen today? Like did you perhaps run into anyone?" Leonardo questioned once again rather than answering her question.


    "No, no I didn''t." She answered, switching her phone to her other ear and ncing around. "Why?"


    Kaden just got back to me," Kaden was one of Leonardo''s strongest sources as well as his personal assistant. "Someone tried to breach our information base. To be precise, Ashley''s information and it was Gabriel''s men. So I''ll ask you this onest time Leonica, what happened today?"


    Drunk A


    Dumb.


    The ticking sound of a clock on his work table was Gabriel''s only source of concentration. After his


    conversation with Bill, he had returned to thepany, burying his nose in all the works that had pilled up over the days due to his neglect.


    The hours went by and soon, he became unaware of the time of the day and the daylight sipping through the blinds of his window was quickly fading.


    His concentration towards work was disrupted as the sound of soft footsteps apanied by knocks on his door, caught his attention.


    He looked up from the work at hand. "Come in."


    The door opened at hismand and Bill walked in, brown folder in his arms containing the information he had been assigned to get.


    "Sir," The assistant greeted. He passed the folder to Gabriel and stood back, watching as his boss unraveled the envelope and pulled out it''s contents, a couple of white print papers.


    "I got the information on the boy as you requested." He voiced.


    "Good. You''re dismissed." He waved his hand, the assistant bowing respectfully before taking his leave.


    Gabriel eager to get answers, began reading the paper. However, with each line hepleted, his face became more gloomy. One line in particrpletely destroyed his mood. Name: Ashely.


    Age: Three years old.


    Ashely, the boy he had ran Into, was three years old, not four?


    Gabriel''s grip on in the paper tightened as he thought; He had divorced Leonica five years ago, and it was then she had conceived his child, so by now, his child was meant to be five, at least four.


    Yet it showed here that the boy was three years old. Didn''t that mean that he belonged to another man other than himself?


    Anger cursed through Gabriel''s veins and he nearly crumbled the entire paper in his grasp. How bold if Leonica!


    So while he was here, barely getting any sleep at night, worrying over the stupid decision she had made by making away with his child, she was busy enjoying the pleasure a man brought her in bed building another family with him! If that wasn''t something to be angered about, then he didn''t know what anger truly meant.


    Drum Ainu Dumbo


    Standing from his desk, Gabriel walked towards the bar installed in his office. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey, a ss and sat on a still before pouring himself one ss.


    As he chugged the first ss down, Leonica''s face shed in his mind and his temper red, resulting in him chugging another ss down and another ss down and another and before he knew it, the world around him began to swirl. He felt his mouth moving but couldn''t hear the words that wereing out. Soon, the door to his office opened and Bill walked in once more.


    ""Sir, you called."


    "I did?'' He thought, getting off the Stool and walking towards Bill.


    Maybe he had taken a little too much alcohol for the night.


    Bill, seeing the state his boss was in, knew what he had to do.


    "Let''s get you home, Sir." He suggested, leading Gabriel out of his office and towards his car.


    When he had ced his in the back seat and started the engine, he nced at his boss through the rare view mirror and announced. "Sir, I''m taking you home now."


    "Hmm." Came Gabriel''s response.


    Without saying another word, Bill drove towards his house. The drive was short, the stress thankfully being free, and in under an hour, he had driven the car into the premises of the Bryce estate and parked in front of the pce like mansion. Reaching behind, he gently shook Gabriel awake. "Sir, we''re here."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Slowly, Gabriel''s eyes opened. He stared at his assistant for a few seconds before turning to look at the structure of his house, outside the window.


    "Did you-"


    "Yes, I brought you home, Sir." Bill interrupted. Stepping out, he rounded the car and opened the door of the seat Gabriel was seated. "Shall I help you out?"


    "No," Gabriel dismissed, well capable ofing out himself.


    Once he was out of the car, Bill closed the door and bowed his head before rounding the car once more and driving off. Gabriel ignored everyone of his gesture and walked, stumbled towards his house. Once he was in, he climbed up the stairs and flung the door to his bedroom


    open.


    The shocking sight In front of him seemed to sober him up somewhat.


    "Angelina?" He asked, looking at the brte who was dressed in a redce night gown and had ced herself seductively on his bed.


    Druckfind Dumb.


    "Hey, Gabe." She responded, getting off the bed and walking towards him, hips swaying as she did.


    "What are you doing here?" He questioned, voice low, eyes following her movements and noticing the small limps in her step. All credit to her strained ankle.


    She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing their bodies close. "Why, I''m your fiancee aren''t I?"


    Gabriel didn''t respond, not knowing how to.


    Smelling the scent of alcoholing off strong from him, Angelina couldn''t help but smirk on the inside.


    This was her chance.


    "Gabe, are you drunk?" Concern dripped in the silver sound of her voice as she asked. "You are, aren''t you? Come on, let''s get you to bed."


    Before Gabriel could even register the words that had left her mouth, Angelina had already slipped his coat off and begun unbuttoning his shirt. "Ange," He muttered out, hands stopping the movement of her hands.


    She looked up at him through her longshes, eyes shinning. "Yes?" Her voice had a seductive low that made Gabriel gulp.


    No doubt, Angelina was beautiful. She possessed the type of innocent beauty that made men turn their heads each time she walked by. And despite the innocent look she had, her aura at times could be extremely seductive and tempting at times. Times like this, Gabriel thought as he looked down at Her and felt his desires stir inside of him..


    Angelina was a wonderful and beautiful woman, and he, a man who hadn''t had sexual intercourse with a woman for close to five years running.


    Perhaps, this wasn''t so bad.


    Angelina was his fianc¨¦ after all.


    Making up his mind, Gabriel leaned down, lips hovering over bers, giving her time to reject if she wished.


    Angelina who was excited seeing a step forward in his rtionship, closed her the best.


    But seconds passed and nothing happened.


    eyes, expecting


    "I''m sorry," He uttered, leaning his head on her shoulder. "I really am, but I can''t do this." He got up.


    DunayAna Dumb:


    "G-gabe?"


    "I have to go." He turned around grabbing one of his car keys as he walked out.


    "Gabe! Gabriel!" Angelina called out, but her call fell on deaf ears.


    Gabriel continued down the stairs and exited his house. He entered the garage and settled in the car. Starting the engine, he sped off.


    The ride to the Romero mansion was long and silent, the radio was not turned on, neither were any songs yed on the phone.


    And when the car was parked, he wasted no time exiting it and walking towards the gate.


    He refused to believe that Ashely wasn''t his son and for that, he needed concrete answers. Answers that only Leonica could give him. Walking-towards the gate, Gabriel''s steps ttered as he watched a red sport care to stop


    in front of the house.


    From the front window, Gabriel watched as Leonica chatted with the man in the driver''s passed a few smiles to him before leaning over and encasing him in a hug.


    seat,


    It wasn''t the hug that angered him, nor was it the smile. It was the kiss.


    The kiss on the cheek, whichsted a second longer than usual, was what enraged him the


    most.


    Seeing her exchange such a close and intimate action with a man other than himself, a stranger even, made Gabriel''s blood boil.

 Chapter 24

    Shortly after, she stepped out of the car and bade it goodbye. Turning around she began her walk towards the gate of her house, when suddenly there was a grip on her hand followed by a harsh tug and before she could process what happening, she felt a pair of warm lips forcefully pressed on her own.


    It took her a few seconds to process everything. And when the face in front of her eyes cleared, she was surprised beyond words to see Gabriel.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    Clum


    Is He Ash''s Father?


    Leonica sat in the passenger seat hours after having her phone call with Leonardo. Staring a the different and unfamiliar interior of the car, her brain reyed the scrambled memory of her day so far.


    After her call with Leonardo, she had felt panicked, seeing as Gabriel''s men were so suddenly looking into Ashley''s details. Her mind had been so scrambled like an egg, to the point that after leaving the kindergarten and parting ways with Anastasia, while driving, she had not taken notice of the ck Chevrolet Vehicle speeding in her direction.


    By the time the zing horn had snapped her out of her mind, it was toote to avoid the vehicle which had sped her way. An unavoidable collision had happened.


    Stepping out of her car, although not injured, the female had been missed. Put aside the asshole who had obviously ignored the traffic regtions, she was pissed about the dent and destruction made to her vehicle. Her favorite car so far!


    "Hey, are you fucking blind?!" she had questioned, storming angrily towards the car, who''s driver door had opened and out came a buff looking man in all ck.


    "Ma''am please forgive me." Instantly he apologized. "I didn''t mean to run into your car.


    "He your


    "Didn''t mean to?" From the back of the car, movement caught Leonica''s eyes. boss?" She asked and without waiting for an answer of sort, stormed towards the back seat.


    Gently, despite her anger, hitting her knuckles against the firm ss, she gestured with her index finger for the man in the back to lower his window.


    Thick, tinted ck ssing down, Leonica was met with a pair of brownzy eyes staring at her. "I apologize for my driver''s mistake." He went straight to business, not dragging the matter out any more than it should.


    "If you could be as kind and drop your contact with him, along with the keys, my assistant here," he gestured towards the woman beside him, who''s head Leonica could only see, "would take care of the repairs."


    Leonica raised a brow. Although she felt like protesting, getting the male in the back to deliver a solid apologize to her in ce of his assistant, she respected his way of going down to business and truthfully, felt drained from what little work she had done at thepany before running to Ashely''s aid at the hospital.


    So with the fatigue and her better judgement kicking against her petty side, Leonica sighed and stormed right back to the driver, doing as the man in the back of the car had instructed.


    Retrieving what useful things she needed in her car, she shot a sharp re at the man in the


    He Ashs Father''


    back, who in return, lowered his head in an obvious gesture of an apology, before rolling the shades of his car up and the vehicle, which was now being driven by his assistant, rolling away. Willingly Left on the road with nothing but her bag, phone and a half of crappy


    runk cup coffee, Leonica sighed and began scrolling through her call log, about to call on one of her body guards toe fetch her, when a red sport car suddenly stopped in front of her, window rolling down. "Leo? Leonica, that you?"


    The sound of her name mixed with a familiar voice had the female''s head snapping up at a fast pace. Seeing the person in the driver''s seat, the familiar face of an old and close ssmate from college, her eye widened. "Derek," She had breathed out in disbelief.


    "So it is you." He chuckled, getting out of his car, rounding it and encasing her in a lengthy hug. "God, I''ve missed you." He said after they had pulled apart. Leonica offered him a smile. "Yeah, me too."


    "I never would''ve thought I''d see you here. Not to mention, after so long." Derek smiled, hand, the one not holding her shoulder, finding it''s way into his hair.


    his


    "What are you doing here?" He asked, referring to the fact that she was just ideally standing by the side of the road.


    "Well," And with that, she began the exnation of the collision that had happened, the end result of their conversation ending in the male offering to take her somewhere for them to catch up andter ended up driving her back home. "...nica...Leonica, are you listening?" Derek''s voice snapped said female out of the string of events that had happened during the day.


    Looking up from the unfamiliar dashboard, she asked. "Sorry what were you saying?"


    Derek sighed. "Anastasia, I asked how she was doing."


    Nodding her head, she answered. "Good. As a matter of fact, she had been together earlier in the day."


    Derek hesitated, not wanting to touch the sore topic of years, if not a whole decade ago, but the inch inside him getting the better. "Did she...has she talked about me, recently?"


    Leonica could only but thin her lips and sigh at the question. "No Derek. I think she''s moved on, and you should to." She advised. Derek''s face visibly fell. Even though he was aware of such an obvious fact, he still had clung to false hope.


    Is He Ashg Futher


    "Yeah. Yeah I guess I should." He muttered.


    Leonica smiled softly and opened her arms, wanting to console him as well as thank him for the ride home. "Come on, bring it in."


    Seeing the familiar gesture, Derek chuckled but nheless, went in for the hug, staying for solid,forting seconds before he pulled back and Leonica gently pecked him on the cheek.


    "Don''t stress yourself. You''re good man, I''m sure you''ll find the right girl soon enough." She gathered her things in the process of speaking and stepped out of his car.


    "Is that an advice from a rtionship expert?" Derek teased.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Leonica red at him.


    "Alright, my bad. Well, I guess I''ll see you around?"


    "You can bet." She smiled and waved him goodbye, watching his red car drive away from the premises of her house before she turned around and began walking towards the gate of her house.


    Upon remembering that Ashely would not be home with her, as she had sent him to stay with her parents for the time being, due to the rming action Gabriel had made, she sighed.


    Just for a little while... let''s be alone for a little while.'' She consoled herself inwardly, a stern reminder etched in the back of her mind that as soon as she''s recovered herpany''s shares from Gabriel''spany and kicked him out totally, she could once again to back to


    her


    peaceful life with Ashely.


    It was better to be safe than sorry, after all, Ashely looked too much like Gabriel. It''s benefit her more if he was with his grandparents for the time being.


    Sighing at the thought, she yelped in surprise when she suddenly felt a strong grip on her hand, pull her away from her house''s gate and before she could react, talk less fight back, she felt a pair of warm, rough lips being pressed to her own, making her eyes go wide in


    the


    process.


    She struggled against the stranger, but her attempts were futile as the grip on her hands. became firmer, a hand on her waist pressing her close to the male''s body.


    It took her a few seconds, but soon, Leonica recognized the face in front of her, making her eyes widen more than they already had.


    It was Gabriel.


    "Get off me!" Panting hard after she had sessfully pushed him off, Leonica wiped her lips in spite, the taste of expensive liquor lingering in her mouth.


    Was he drunk?


    Is He Ashs Father?


    "What the hell do you think you''re doing?!" She yelled, anger surging within her as memory from herst night with him shed in her mind.


    Had he...had he mistaken her for Angelina, just like he had done that night? Was that why he suddenly spawned out of nowhere and kisses her? Because he thought she was his devil of a Fiancee?!


    The thought angered Leonica far more than it should and before Gabriel could open his mouth and utter a single word, she had delivered a p, straight to his left cheek.


    Gabriel, despite all he wanted to say...question, was left speechless, the sound of the p echoing in his once foggy mind.


    "You asshole," Leonica spat, voice dripping with venom and fingers tingling from the p she had jus delivered.


    How dare he mistake her for that bitch!


    How dare he walk over her, intoxicated or not, and try to mess with her head... y on her emotions. Did she look that the toy of a wide she previous had been, to him?! "You...you fucking-" Leonica was brimming with anger, waiting for the right moment, obviously when Gabriel would try and lecture on condemn her for her attitude, before she could fullysh out.


    Much to her surprise, that moment never came. Rather than focusing on the p, her anger or behavior, Gabriel focused on something entirely different.


    "That man," He began, voice dangerously low and feet taking a step towards her, which Leonica sensed as threatening and took a step of her own back. "Who is he?" "Huh?" Still keeping her guard up, her eyes narrowed.


    "Don''t y dumb with me," Gabriel growled.


    ''Like hell I am.'' Leonica barked in her mind.


    ""What man?"


    "The man who''s car you stepped out of. Who is he?"


    His question, without intending to, caught Leonica off guard and her action to put distance between them both, ttered.


    For a few seconds, she was dumbfounded, only able to blink her eyes in half confusion and half surprise. When her brain had fully processed it all, one question pped her. Was this mother fucker poking his nose in her personal affairs?


    Scoffing at both his question and her thought, Leonica folded her hand across her chest and face Gabriel. "Now how is that any of your damn business?"


    Is His Ashis Father


    Gabriel gritted his teeth at her question.


    Questions, that damn thing annoyed him. More questions when all he was trying to get were


    answers.


    Seeing his silence drag on, unaware of the expression on his face thanks to the shadows of the night, Leonica added with much sass.


    "My personal affairs have nothing to do with you, don''t forget, we''re long divorced. I''d appreciate if you not only stopped showing up in front of me, but also prying into my personal business." Turning around, she waved him off, intending to end the frenzied night at once. However, just as she took a step away, a force pushed her back, pinning her against the wall beside her gate. Only had her brain registered what had happened when she felt Gabriel''s hot alcohol scented breath fanning dangerously close to her lips.


    Against her will, having him so close to her and recalling the kiss that had happened only minutes ago, her heart picked up it''s pace, beating feverishly fast.


    "I''ll ask you onest time, that man, who was he? Is he Ash''s father?" Gabriel growled.


    Hearing his words, Leonica''s heart beat tripled it''s pace while her eyes widened once more.


    How...just how did he know Ashley''s name?!


    Had they perhaps met somewhere?


    If not, then how?

 Chapter 25

    Suspicious Behavior.


    Along with the unwilling shivers that went down her spine due to Gabriel''s close presence, Leonica felt her heart pick up it''s pace at the mention of her son.


    Eyes wide, barely stopping herself from panicking and ultimately snapping at Gabriel in a nasty manner, she calmed herself and with efficient speed, shoved the man in front of her


    away.


    "No matter who you are, Gabriel, this is just you getting way over your head." She warned. Whoever that man was has nothing to do with you. It''s my matter and if I were you, I''d stop poking. The natural thing that a Stranger should do." She ced great emphasis on the


    word


    stranger.


    Unknowingly, Gabriel found himself wincing. He opened his mouth, intending to retort, however before the words could leave his mouth, the gate to her house opened and the approaching presence that they both had not noticed, appeared.


    The house keeper, ady in her earlier thirties who had been hired by Leonica to watch the house, and previously Ashely in tow, nced between the two.


    Concern, as well as worry shed across her face when she realized the tension hanging hot in


    the air.


    "Madam," She began, taking to Leonica''s defensive aid.


    "It''s fine." She waved her hand, shooting a tough re at Gabriel. "This conversation is already over, I was just abouting in."


    Not even bothering to nce in his direction, Leonica turned around and entered the house, leaving the housekeeper and Gabriel to stare after her.


    The woman, feeling the sudden awkwardness and difort that filled the atmosphere, quickly excused herself, following Leonica, who was making her way towards the entrance of her house.


    Gabriel sighed heavily as soon as both females were out of sight.


    Alcohol was a bastard, but he couldn''t totally be mad at his choice of acting under the influence of it. He had, after all, gotten something other than answer to work with.


    Although Leonica had not openly admitted it, the moment Gabriel had asked the question of Ash''s father, it had shown on her face, the panic,


    Unlike the expressions he had seen her with so far, Leonica had seemed tensed, panicked and feared even, the moment he mentioned Ash.


    No one needed to tell him, Gabriel, even in his half intoxicated state, could sense that she was hiding something.


    Schpunom tchavor.


    Eyes narrowing as he stared at the dark painting of her gate, a passing thought, or rather, at new determination formed in the back of his mind, making it a personal priority to uncover whatever she was hiding, with regards to the boy


    Her night, just like the right of her day, had gone by in a blur, making it so that when she woke the next morning, she felt less refreshed than the previous day, even though she had evidently slept longer than her previous days.


    Her arrangement to begin her day at work felt out of ce, as for one, there was no tiny figure running around the house with a ck furred bunny in his arms. Each time she recalled the absence of the small child, almost panicking, she had to remind herself that he was now staying with her parents, for the time being that is.


    The second thing that felt unusually out of ce was the conversation between she and Gabriel that had taken ce the night before.


    It was unusual for him to focus on something other than degrading her- in his words disgraceful behavior.


    Even by the time she had arrived at work, seated behind her desk, the white-ette still couldn''t


    seem to wrap her head around his odd behavior. And atst, after chugging it up to him working under the influence of the alcohol, she moved on to worrying about other things. Precisely worrying over how, said man who was currently roaming her mind, Ashely''s


    nickname.


    It had been the first time ever, night before, he had uttered it and truthfully, it had left her in a


    state of shock.


    Leonica would have been lying if she said that she hadn''t spent a whole chunk of her night trying to find the source in which Gabriel had found out about her son''s nickname. However, even by the time she had woken up and began her daily routine, her efforts were


    futile.


    ''How did he even know that nickname?'' She gnawed at her red manicured nails.


    Her moment of thought was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. Although she wasn''t entirely deep in thought, the noise still caused her to flinch. ncing in the direction of the humming device she sighed upon seeing the name of Gabriel''s school principal written across her screen.


    The moment of relief however, was short lived as she answered the phone.


    "Leonica Romero speaking."


    "Ms. Romero, hello." The principal, clearly a male from the sound of his voice, greeted. "1


    Supalous Helsavior.


    apologize for calling so suddenly, but sadly, there''s been an incident at school, concerning your son, Ashley Romero, that needs your attention." "Incident?" She was on her feet in seconds. "Is it serious?"


    "If your son getting into a ssroom fight with his ssmate ssifies as serious, then yes." The principal answered.


    Hearing his words, Leonica''s eyes narrowed. "Ashely got into a fight?" She questioned, being well aware of the type of son she had raised.


    Ashely was a bit mischievous, but not bad by nature. He''d never start a fight.


    "Yes, that happened. Could you please make out time ande to the school, it''d be easier to settle the situation with both parental side present."


    "Of course." Hastily, she shoved a couple of things into her purse and rushed out of if the office. "I''ll be there as soon as possible."


    WHE


    Hanging up from the call, she turned to face her driver who was already starting expectantly at her. "Where to Ms. Romero?"Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Norlights Kindergarten," She responded, before turning back to her assistant who had followed her out. "Stay and handle things back here." She instructed.


    The assistant bowed his head, agreeing without words.


    Immediately, she got into the car and the rushed drive towards Ashely''s kindergarten began.


    When she arrived, she was instantly greeted by the principal, who led her into his office where Ashely and another small boy sat, both looking downcast, as well as one sporting a small cut on his lip. "Mommy!" Upon seeing her, Ashely got up from the seat and ran towards her.


    Kneeling down, Leonica wrapped him into a hug, before gently pulling him away, examining [his features.


    "How did this happen?" Her question was directed towards the principal who hung his head, obviously hesitant to spill the beans on the situation.


    "Well, the thing is-"


    "Mommy, is it true that I''m a bastard?" Ashely cut in, asking in the most innocent was as possible even with the use of such a foul word.


    In seconds, Leonica''s head snapped towards the principal who winced under her harsh gaze.


    "What?"


    "Well," The principal cleared his throat. "You see, I''m sure you''re aware that we teach children the importance of family and such at the kindergarten, and when the kids were


    drawing their family, little Ashley here, drew himself and his mother."


    "But then, the teacher asked who his daddy was, and he said, ''I don''t have one. So, Dn here, teased him about not having a father. It was just a small and harmless prank, yet Ashely took


    so much offense to it."


    "Took so much offense to it?" Leonica sneered, her blood boiling at the audacity of the small boy. "This boy," She pointed. "Insulted my son. Now I''m sure you don''t want me to assume that your School permits such audacious insults. Do you principal?" She pressed on, determined to get justice for her son, whatever it may be.


    The man''s Adam''s apple bobbed at the obvious threat and the way the situation was beginning to unfold. "N-no, no. I don''t permit such acts. Dn will be properly punished, I assure you."


    "You''re nning on punishing who exactly?" A third voice suddenly called from the office


    entrance.


    Both the principal and Leonica turned towards the door and watched as another figure joined them in their midst. Except the woman, clearly the mother of the other boy, didn''t pay attention to either of them and instead rushed towards her son:


    Taking his face in both her hands, she examined the damage done.


    "Oh my baby!" Blowing things out of proportion, she eximed. "What type of mannerless monster could have done such a thing?"


    The moment those words left her mouth, her eyesnded on Ashely who was beside his mother. Instantly, her gaze hardened.


    "It was you, wasn''t it you stupid rascal." She matched forward, intending to seize the child by


    his arm.


    Before her fingers could even graze the child''s shirt, Leonica had stepped in front, cold visage surprising her son''s attacker. "You....what are you-" The woman began, her words fading as the face in front of her became


    familiar.


    The same could also be said for Leonica who was slowly starting to recognize the woman in


    front of her.


    "Wait, it''s you." The woman pointed her overly long nails at Leonica, before barking a hearty but deviousugh.


    Leonica on the other hand, sighed.


    ''Shit. Why does the universe hate me?'' She cursed inwardly, eyes narrowing.


    Just a few days ago, she had met the viper of a mistress and now, only a few dayster, the universe had pushed the viper mistress''s minion onto her.


    Talk about fucking Christmas.


    cked


    cklisted.


    000


    -Chapter 27:


    "Ha," Jena, one of Angelina''s many minions in the past, barked a hardugh, armpping her side. It was almost as if seeing Leonica in a kindergarten after five years was some sort of funny si.


    After recovering from her one sided and very much unnecessaryugh, she pointed her hand at the white-ette, voice pitch high as she spoke. "Wow, it really it you, Leonica."


    The said female winced at the sound of how horrible her name soundeding off from a high pitched voice such as Jena''s and even though she had been addressed, she kept her facial expression icy and didn''t speak.


    With her silence dragging on, Jena dared to speak more.


    "Really, I can''t believe I''d be meeting like this. You know, after all these years, I never thought you''d have the audacity to show your face," There was a pause as her eyes gravitated towards the small figure beside her and she snorted. "Is that thing, your son?" Leonica remained silent, but the principal, as old as he is, could feel the threatening aura radiating off her. Quickly, he stepped forward to try and defuse the situation.


    "Mrs. Benson, please calm down. Why don''t we all seat down and talk about this like.... responsible adult? I''m sure we can reason something through that is fair for both parties." He suggested.


    Immediately those words left his mouth, Jena shot him a re, clearly objecting to his suggestion. "You want me and my son, to seat down and talk with this...thing?" She eyed Leonica and her son degradingly. "Never! This bastard attacked my son and he must be punished. If not him, then his mother. But I will never allow injustice like this be done to my son by a fatherless tw-"


    Before her mouths couldpletely utter those words, she was silenced as the harsh sound of Before her mouths couldpletely utter those words, a p echoes in the office and her cheek stung painfully.


    Eyes wide, her hand went up to her reddened cheek, as she slowly turned to face Leonica, who was calmly ncing at her hand.

 Chapter 26

    "You bitch," She breathed out. "A nobody like you darey her hand on me!"


    "A bitch? A nobody?" Leonica scoffed. However, as fast as the smile hade, it had disappeared, leaving a menacing look on her face that caused Jena to flinch and instinctively take a step back.


    But even by doing that, did not save her from Legnica''s next words.


    "You have a sharp mouth for someone who''s husband''spany is on the verge of


    ckyled


    bankruptcy."


    Jena''s eyes widened. How had she known about her husbandpany''s financial situation?


    "It''s sad, you know." Leonica continued. "That your husband''spany is doing so horribly, and it''s only going to get worse since the majority of shareholders are slowly leaving. Soon, you''ll lose your luxurious position in high society, followed by your luxurious cars and then finally, thatvish lifestyle you pride yourself on so much." Taking a step forward, she continued. "It''s all inevitable to happen, but if I were you, I wouldn''t provoke me or else, bite my words when I tell you, I''ll make the inevitable happen faster than a passing shooting star." She snapped her finger, the sound causing the female in front of her to flinch.


    To say Jena wasn''t intimidated would be a fat lie. She was shaken in her pants by Leonica''s expressions and her threat that she felt for some reason, she could back it up without breaking


    a sweat.


    But even with that, she didn''t back down. Pointing a shaky finger at the principal who had backed into a corner, away from the argument, she called out.


    "Y-you, old man, do something! Are you just going to stand there and watch this woman ridicule my son and I? Huh, are you?!" "Madam, p-please, I..."


    "Oh my god," She turned her attention to the two young boys in the room, one of them being her innocent looking but devilish son. "Dn, honey, don''t worry, mommy will teach this evil woman and her bastard a lesson. Just watch." She was about to step forward and give her piece, but the sound of soft footsteps walking into the principal''s office abruptly shut her off.


    "What''s all this noise about, Mr. Hugh?" The male who stepped in, spoke, making his presence all the more known.


    The sound of a familiar voice to both Jena and Leonica''s ears caused their heads to whip around in his direction. Except in the two, one eyes widened in rm while the other creased, trying to recall where she had seen the man standing by the door with his hands pocketed,


    neatly dressed in a brown suit and turtleneck.


    "M-mr. Richardson..." Jena stuttered, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets as she stared at the next senator of their country.


    Arvan Richardson, the current and strongest candidate to take over as the senator of their country. He had made a few visits to their district a few weeks ago, campaigning and gaining support.


    The news and the media had been all over him, his handsome, dashing looks and his charming attitude being the cause for thedies to swoon and the reporters to go into an all night frenzy, man or woman.


    Even though Jena had never met him in person, only seeing him on the inte and daily


    ckpited.


    newspapers over the past few weeks, she would be lying if she said she hadn''t found him


    attractive.


    But why was he here?


    "Mr. Hugh, what''s happening?" Arvan walked closer into the office, standing a few feet away from Leonica who asionally nced at him, trying to recall where she had seen his face.


    A face like his wasn''t one you could see everyday on the street, so where had she seen him?


    "Mr. Richardson, what a pleasant surprise." Hugh, the principal, stepped forward and shook hands with Arvan. "I didn''t expect you''d have the time toe by today so I didn''t bother calling." "That isn''t the answer to my question, is it, Mr. Hugh?" Arvan reminded. "What''s with all the


    noise?"


    "Right," He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well, you see-" Before he couldplete his words, Jena rudely cut in.


    "Mr. Richardson, thank goodness you came. You see, in a situation like this, only a figure such as yourself can serve justice for my son and I." She walked towards him, batting her eyes, and ced her hand on his arm, rubbing gently. Leonica watched her action, face cringing in disgust.


    So even as a married woman, she was still very much of a slut, she thought and scoffed, momentarily gaining the attention of Arvan who had, seconds ago, shrugged the woman''s hands off him.


    Feeling his eyes on her, Leonica nced his way, having to raise her head to a certain angle to meet his eyes. Then, she raised a questioning brow at him, silently asking the words; is there something on my face?


    But even that wasn''t enough to snap his eyes away from her features. Only when Jena began to speak again, did he look away.


    "Mr. Richardson, these people," She pointed her hand between the mother and son duo." They bullied not only my son, by me too. She even had the audacity to p me. Please Sir, see to it that they are punished." "She pped you?" His eyesnded on the reddened part of her cheek, a tug appearing at the corners of his lips..


    "Yes." Jena nodded. "See, look how red it is." She stepped forward, pointing.


    After a while, Arvan sighed. "You''re right," He announced. "What happened here today, seems serious and it''s only fair that the people in the wrong, get punished, severely."


    Jena grinned in triumph. Her smile however, faded upon hearing Arvan''s next words.


    cked


    "That''s why as of today onwards, Mrs.," He nced at the principal for her name.


    "Mrs. Jena Benson." He quickly informed.


    Arvan gave a curt nod in his direction before turning back to face Jena, continuing from where


    he had left off. "Mrs. Jena Benson and all her family members alike, are hereby put on Norlights International Kindergarten''s cklist. Effective immediately."


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    im


    Bunkyard Hoan The Enter Norwegian Educatiol: System


    cklisted From The Entire Norwegian Education System.


    Arvan''s words reyed in Jena''s mind like a broken track record. Her mouth literally hung open in surprise and confusion alike.


    How...when did shit turn on her like this?


    "Mr. Richardson, what...what are you saying?" She chuckled halfheartedly taking a step towards the questioned male.


    Much to her surprise, Arvan took a step back, avoiding her like she was some disease. This offended her, but that wasn''t the matter at hand right now.


    "Mr. Richardson, I think you''ve got it all wrong. The people who caused this trouble, is them." She pressed on, pointing an using finger in Leonica''s direction.


    Despite the usation being thrown her way, Leonica''s face remained neutral.


    "They are the ones who threw the first blow, so it''s only befitting that they get-"


    "Mrs. Benson," Arvan interrupted her rant. "You seem to be under the impression that you''re the victim in all of this."


    Jena looked at him, confusion etched on her features.


    "But it''s you and your son that are the offenders."


    "Offender?" She was taken aback by his choice of words. "You''ve got to be kidding me, Mr. Richardson."


    "I''m not."


    "But Dn," Jena looked back at the boy. "He did nothing. It was that bastard. That fatherless bastard. I won''t allow my son to be punished for something that twat did." "Mrs. Benson," Arvan began, voice low as he took a step forward. It was now Jena''s turn to stumble backwards. "Each and every ssroom in this school has a CCTV installed, now before you go on ying the victim, I''ll have you know that I watched the CCTV footages beforeing here and I''m well aware that your son," he pointed towards the boy who sheepishly lowered his head. "Had been the first to throw an attack."


    Jena opened her mouth to retort, however the words failed her.


    "Not only that, your son''s bullying and offensive behavior was not the first urrence, rather it was the hundredth, the tenth, thest." Arvan''s voice was getting dangerously low, yet it still held power. "This is a school, Mrs. Benson. A kindergarten. Not a yground where children are meant to have their fun by insulting others and causing pain. Yet your son, who has done this multiple times, and each time he''s gotten away with it, decided to pick on little Ashley Romero, for the first time, and for what? Because he was the only one without a father.


    cked From The Entire Norwegian Education System


    Uneptable."


    "It was his fault for being a bastard, 1-"


    "I don''t want to hear another word." Arvan held his hand up. "Your son''s actions today, as well as in the past have led to you being on the ck list of this school. And the punishment. just doesn''t stop there."


    Stepping back and taking his previous position beside Leonica, he pointed towards her. "You''d immediately apologize to Ms. Romero and her son, or else you, Mrs. Jena Benson along with your entire family members, would be put on the Norwegian education system''s cklist."


    Jena was rendered speechless, her eyes widening in fright.


    cklisted...from the entire Norwegian education system?


    No, she couldn''t have that!


    Quickly, she rushed forward and unexpectedly took Leonica''s hands in hers, a pleading look on


    her face.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "M-ms. Romero, please forgive me. As a mother you should understand that I was simply trying to protect my child. Please pay no mind to the words I have said, huh? Huh?"


    Her pleading did not move Leonica


    "You''ve said a lot of things, Mrs. Benson, but the thing is, you''ve never apologized for


    any of them. Rather, you try and find ways to excuse them. If you don''t want to apologize, then I''m afraid your words and actions will have serious consequences for you and your family."


    "Apologize? Yes, I-I can do that." Quickly, she let go of Leonica''s hands and turned towards her son. Taking his shoulders in her hand, she squeezed.


    "Dn, you will apologize to Ms. Romero and Ashley, or else, no more TV or video games for you, forever!"


    Dn winced at her words.


    "Yes mommy," He replied and quickly got down from the chair, bowing his head.


    "I-I''m sorry Ashley, and you, Ms. Romero." He apologized.


    "Ashely, do you forgive him?" Leonica questioned, watching her son nod his head before turning back to Jena with a smile. "Good, your son''s apology is out of the way. Your is next." "Yes, yes." Jena stood up, pping her hands together. "I''m truly sorry, Ms. Romero. I hope. you can forgive me."


    "Forgive you?" Leonica questioned, making the female in front of her flinch. "I''ve not even forgotten the first time you wronged me, yet you expect me to forgive you? Now how is that possible, Mrs. Benson?" ckycted From The Ented Norwegian Education System


    "But, but I-1-"


    "I don''t care what excuses you have. All I''m going to tell you is, don''t cross me or else, a simple apology won''t cut it, and your husband''s business going down isn''t the least of your problems." Leonica''s threat was loud and clear and by the expression on Jena''s face, she understood it.


    "Y-yes, yes. I understand. Thank you, Ms. Romero, for forgiving us." She then turned towards Arvan, expecting a few good words from him.


    However, then man was quick to disappoint her.


    "Well, now that that''s settled, you can see yourself out." He said with a smile.


    Jena''s eyes widened.


    ""You mean..."


    "You''re no longer weed here at the school." Arvan finished her words, the smile from his face long gone. "Now get out."


    "Yes, 1-I''ll get going.


    Jena grabbed her son''s hand and hastily rushed out of the office, leaving Arvan, Leonica, the Principal and Ashely alone.


    "Mr. Richardson," The principal rushed forward, bowing his head. "I once again apologize for themotion."


    "It''s fine." Arvan waved his hand, dismissing the topic, when Leonica spoke up from behind him.


    "Ah, so that''s where you''re from?" Her voice was almost a whisper, causing Arvan to nearly miss her words.


    "Pardon?" He turned around, facing her.


    "That''s why your face is so familiar. You''re the man whose driver ruined my ride, right?" She questioned, fully recalling the man who had sat in the back of his Chevrolet.


    The same one who was now standing in front of her.


    "Ah," Understanding what she was referring to he nodded. "That''s me. So you remember?" "Who wouldn''t?" Leonica replied, folding her hands across her chest. "That night was a mess.


    She muttered, recalling Gabriel''s nasty actions following her return home.


    "It was indeed." Arvan agreed with a sigh. "And I apologize for that, once more." He gave a sincere bow that caught Leonica off guard.


    "I-it''s fine," She shook her head.. "That was the past. We can''t really go back and change it.


    ckzied From The Entin Norwegian Education System.


    What matters now, is what happens in the present."


    "You''re right." Arvan agreed. "That''s aside, I believe we''re yet to fully be acquainted." Gently taking her hand, he brought the back of her palm up to his lips and gently pecked it. "Arvan Richardson, pleasure to make your acquaintance." Leonica was visibly startled by action. She hadn''t expected him to be so formal and even kiss her hand like a gentlemen.


    I mean, this is 2022, isn''t chivalry meant to be dead?


    "Likewise, I''m Leonica Romero." She replied, introducing herself.


    Arvan gave her an eye smile. "Pleasure making your acquaintance." Allowing his gaze wander to the little boy beside her, he bent down, surprising Leonica with yet another of his action, and asked. "And you must be my daughter''s hero?" "Hero?" Leonica tilted her head to the side, ncing between her son and her newest acquaintance.


    As if on cue, the small head of a small girl poked through the door of the principal office.


    "Daddy?" Her tiny voice, drew attention to her small figure.


    In seconds, Arvan, Leonica and Ashely had turned towards the door, watching as the girl slowly stepped into the office and ran straight to Arvan, hugging hipps.

 Chapter 27

    "Daddy!" She cheered.


    Daddy? Leonica thought, ncing from the small girl with ck hair and then back to Arvan who equally had ck hair. She could somewhat see the resemnce.


    "Hey princess," Arvan cooed, affectionately ruffling her hair. "How are you?"


    The small girl beamed at her father''s question, giving him a simple nod as an answer before turning to rush at Ashely.


    The boy, small as he may look, was smart and sturdy enough to catch the girl as she charged at him and flung herself into his arms.


    "What...is...going on?" Leonica questioned, brows creasing in confusion.


    Arvan took a spot beside her, watc


    as the children hugged. "That boy, Dn or whatever his name was, he had picked on Daisy." He pointed towards the small girl. "Tore her family tree because she hadn''t drawn her mother, not that she could." There was a pause as Arvan allowed his words settle. "Ashely ended up stepping in, which as you can see, getting bullied. I apologize."


    ended up


    in him


    "You''ve said enough of that to me, today alone No more. Rather, I''m d to know that my


    ckj?ted From 1 Entire Norwegian Education Systeisi.


    son has been saving damselstely, huh?" Leonica joked, gaining a chuckle from Arvan. "He sure is a hero."


    Leonica nodded watching as her son interacted with his new friend. Thinking that he was finally settling down in Norway after weeks since they moved, and had made a new friend, made her feel at ease.


    "I''m d he finally made a friend, a genuine one I can tell." She voiced.


    From beside her, Arvan nodded. He too was equally as d, seeing that Daisy was finally opening up to someone after her mother''s death years ago.


    "You know," He began, gaining Leonica''s attention. "The two of them could make great friends."


    "Friends?" She nced between the two, before looking back at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Yeah, they would."


    Staring right at her, he asked. "And where would that lead us?"


    "Huh?" Leonica blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"


    As if only just now heading his own words, the male lowered his gaze, a soft chuckle escaping his lips at the absurdity of what he had just said. Raising his gaze once more, he was about correct his words, when the principal spoke up from behind them, reminding all of his


    presence.


    "Ms. Romero, Mr. Richardson, I''m sorry but the bell has rung and I have another parent-teacher meeting to attend."


    1


    "Ah," Leonica nodded. "Of course, go right ahead. I''ll also be taking my leave now." Turning to face Ashely, who was busy ying with his new friend, she called out. "Ashely,e on, we have to go."


    The boy instantly got up and ran to her, stopping to stand beside her.


    "Daisy," Arvan called his daughter. "We''re going now."


    "But daddy," Daisy pouted. "Can''t I y with Asha some more? I''m having fun."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "Asha?" Both Leonica and Arvan were taken aback by the nickname the young girl had given to Ashely.


    "Yes, Asha." Daisy grinned.


    "Asha, huh?" Leonica chuckled. "You''ve never given anyone a nickname before, so I''m guessing that means you like him."


    "Of course, daddy says heroes are good and he''s a hero." She pointed to her newfound friend.


    uckyoud From The Entire Norwegian Education Systemi


    Leonica''s eyes softened. "Is that so?"


    Daisy nodded.


    "Then, it''s fine if we meet again, right, Daddy?"


    "Of course you can," Leonica beamed. "We''ll arrange that."


    "Yay!" Daisy cheered.


    "Alright then, we''ll be going." Leonica announced, turning towards the door.


    "See youter, Ashley." Daisy waved.


    "I look forward to seeing you again, Ms. Leonica" Arvan smiled and gently bowed his head at her departure.


    "Likewise." Leonica forced a smile and bade the father and daughter duo goodbye.


    Stepping out of the office, Ashely beside her, she couldn''t help but nce back at the door.


    Perhaps it was only in her mind, but Arvan...his countenance seemed far too friendly to her.


    Meanwhile, in the parking lot of the school, Jena was fuming in her car and behind her, Dn was crying, redden finger print on his left cheek


    "That damn bitch." She sneered, tightening her grip on the steering wheel. "Just who does she think she is humiliating me like that. I''ll make her pay, just she wait."


    With that, she reached for her phone and scrolled through her recent logs, clicking on


    Angelina''s number. The line rang for a few seconds before it was answered.


    "Jena, what is it?" Her raspy voice asked, clearly having just woken up from her beauty sleep.


    "Y-you won''t believe who I just ran into."


    "Who?" she yawned.


    "That bitch, Leonica. And you won''t believe what I''m gonna tell you next."


    "Just talk already Jena, don''t try to sound smart.


    Jena''s eyes twitched, clearly annoyed by Angelina''s tone and words.


    Keep calm, she reminded herself before continuing what she had called to say. "That Bitch, Angelina, that bitch has a bastard son."


    Beclyte Shu''s Carrying His Cha


    Because She''s Carrying His Child.


    "Alright," pping her hands, Leonica shooed Ashely to bed. "It''s time to tuck in the nket.


    It had been a few hours since she had pulled Ashely out if school during the day, taking him home so that he could rest his mind and mental health after all that had happened.


    Her parents had been surprised the moment they saw their daughter and Grandson walk into the residence in the middle of the afternoon. Questions after questions followed, but the answer remained the same. "No one''s forcing the kid to stay at school." Leonica had replied each time her mother mostly, questioned.


    Eventually, Cassandra had given up, leaving the duo to settle on the couch while she joined the cook in the kitchen to prepare their dinner.


    Dinner with her entire family was a pleasant experience, not wanting the rare asion to end too soon, Leonica offered to stay the night in her parents ce, making Ashely over the moon.


    Which brought them down to where they currently were, dressed in sun and moon print pyjamas and slipping into the same bed, ready for a night of adventurous dreams.


    "Okay, would you like me to tell you a story?" Leonica ask, gently patting his chest while the boy got cozy.


    Ashely shook his head, declining her offer.


    "Oh, what then?"


    At his mother''s question, Ashely opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.


    Should he ask the question that had been on his mind all morning? He pondered.

 Chapter 28

    He didn''t want to offend his mother with his question, but at the same time, he needed to


    know.


    "Mommy," He tentatively began.


    "Yes angel?"


    "Do I...do I have a daddy?" He finally sputtered out the question that had been on his mind all


    afternoon.


    Leonica sucked in her breath upon hearing this of course she had expected this question toe around some time, but not so soon.


    "Ashely," She mused, rubbing his head affectionately upon catching the sadness in his Of course you do. Everyone does." eyes.


    Brayer She''s Carrying His Child


    "So where is he?"


    "He..." Now it was Leonica''s turn to hesitate. No way in hell was she going to tell him the kind of father he had. Even for a sinner child, a fate that cruel was too much...space." She blurted the lie out before she could stop herself. "Your father...your father is up in space, Ash. He''s watching over us from there." She smiled, hoping he''d buy the lie.


    Ashely didn''t. As small as he looked, he was smart and could tell that his mother was telling him a lie.


    Was it perhaps because his father was...dead? Ashely felt saddened at the thought, even more so when he thought about all the stress his mother had to go through by being a single mother.


    He didn''t want that, and as a result, a fleeting thought crossed his mind.


    He could find himself a new daddy and his mommy, a new husband!


    What a genius n, Ashely grinned subtly at his thoughts, snuggling underneath his cozy duvet as signs of sleep slowly crept in.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "...don''t worry mommy," he mumbled, eyes bing heavier no matter how much he tried to fight off the sleep and enjoy his mother''s presence. "I...I...find someone to help-" hisst words came as a slur as he finally dozed off. Someone to help, Leonica tilted her head to the side at the child''s words.


    What exactly did he mean by that?


    Shrugging, she stood up and switched the light off, getting ready for bed herself. However she took onest look at Ashely before she stepped out and deep down, she couldn''t help the mix of feelings that arose upon recalling his words. As per their promise, the weekend had rolled about rtively quick and Anastasia and Leonica were tasked with the job of taking Ashely to the amusement park, keeping their word.


    Although he had been there several times, back in Colorado, seeing an amusement park in Norway seemed like a whole new world to Ashely


    "Wow!" He eximed, looking at all the fun rides.


    Leonica, along with her friend, chuckled. Seeing Ashely''s amusement made their day a thousand times better.


    "Y''know what Ashley," Leonica began, about to tell her son about all the funs of Norway''s amusement park when movement from the corner caught her eyes. Turning her head in the direction, a frown painted her face upon spotting Angelina and she


    Becautie Shes Gartying Hul Chili.


    was heading in her direction.


    Talk about fuck luck, Leonica thought as she turned to Anastasia.


    "Annie, how about you take Ash to go check out some other thing?" She suggested.


    "Huh? Aren''t youing along?" She questioned.


    Quickly, Leonica pointed with her head in Angelina''s direction, upon seeing the woman, she understood the meaning behind Her words and agreed.. "Yeah, that''s right. Come Ash, let''s check that out." She pointed at a random ride and pulled the child away.


    As soon as they were out of sight, Leonica turned around and nearly bumped into Angelina who was looking in the direction Ashley had gone.


    "That boy, does he belong to Gabriel?" She asked, trying to see the direction they had He doesn''t, right?" She asked again, almost sounding too sure. gone.


    Seeing her face, caused Leonica to feel tired. Just perfect, she thought, turning around to leave when Angelina''s next words stopped her.


    "You know, Gabriel and I are going to have our wedding no matter what you do, do you want to know why?" She ced her hand on her stomach. "Because I''m pregnant with his child." Inessyistal Jealousy


    Inessential Jealousy.


    If Angelina''s set goal was to annoy and get under Leonica''s skin with her unnecessary announcement, then she was seeding.


    Hearing those words, although she had expected to hear it some day, hit Leonica like a brick she had not physically prepared herself for.


    Her strut towards any crowded direction which she could use as an escape alternative hade to a stop, giving Angelina, who had seen her halting step, a chance to pound the horrible, yet incredibly lie for her, into Leonica''s head.


    "Yeah, you heard me right. I''m pregnant, and it''s Gabriel''s, so don''t bother trying to disrupt our wedding, after all, a blessed child such as mine, should have nothing less than a perfect


    family."


    Angelina continued to boast, hands on her hips and chest as she addressed herself in a third person''s point of view.


    "But you know, I have you to thank for this. It''s all thanks to you being the snake and bitchy woman you are, that Gabriel could still open up his heart to me, after three whole years." She carried on. "And now, just like, we''d soon be married, living our best lives in the Maldives while you...you''ll remain you." Hearing the mocking tone in her voice, Leonica turned over and stalked back to her previous position. "So what? I''m I meant to get on my knees and cry?"


    Her words surprised Angelina, who once again, just like back at the banquet, wasn''t receiving


    the exact reaction she had wanted.


    "Look here, hussy," Leonica addressed her with venom. "All this shit you''re saying, has nothing to do with me. I''ve told you this once and I''ll say it again." Taking a step closer, she stared down at the female in front of her, her eyes showing nothing but the sincerity behind her words. "I have no interest in whatever ass crap you and Gabriel Bryce are up to, so don''t bother stressing all that news in my ears, it''s just gonna give me a headache Nothing more nothing less."


    Angelina who had momentarily been frozen, finally gathered up the courage to speak. "Ha, like I''ll believe all what you say-


    "And should I?" Leonica cut her off. "You go around publicly announcing your rtionship with Gabriel like it''s some hot selling topic. News sh, it isn''t and people have better things to do than heading you announce your damn promotion from mistress to fiancee." She added in upon seeing the confused, yet stunned look on Angelina''s face.


    Stepping back this time around, the female pulled a couple of her locks out of her face, tucking them behind her ears before she finally added.


    "Take a moment to seat back and rx," She tapped her temple. "Think things through, If


    you''re so confident about your position if Gabriel''s life, there won''t be any need for you to be announcing it every now and then."


    Turning around and continuing her walk towards the crowd, she scoffed at Angelina''s speechless form and muttered.

 Chapter 29

    "Unless you don''t."


    With that, Leonica was out of Angelina''s sight, leaving the woman to mull over her words, and the possibility that, what Leonica had said was right.


    Weaving through the crowd, Leonica tried to locate Anastasia and Ashely all the while trying to keep her mind clear of Angelina''s words. But no matter how hard she tried, the words found a way of reying in her mind.


    ''So, she''s pregnant, huh? Leaning against the nearest surface, Leonica sighed, her hand going up to massage the side of her chest that seemed to suddenly have aching.


    "Damn it," she cursed through gritted teeth.


    Her day had been going oh so well, damn, she was even enjoying the outing with Anastasia and Ashely, first time in ages. Yet that viper just had to show up and open her big, unnecessary mouth, half way, if not utterly ruining her entire day. Who would have thought that in the time span of less than five minutes, she''d be doing fine one seconds and now, the mere thought of Angelina being pregnant with Gabriel''s child, left her feeling a like she somewhat had an upset stomach. Sighing, she pushed her thoughts aside, after all, her thoughts weren''t as important as her


    son.


    Pushing herself off her resting surface, she resumed her search for Ashely or Anastasia, or better yet, both of them.


    Meanwhile, half way across the amusement park, Anastasia who had sessfully gotten Ashely away and distracted, was busy taking bites from her ice cream cone when her stomach suddenly released a loud rumble.


    A few passing people In the crowd heard it. In seconds, her face turned a fresh color of red and her hands wrapped themselves around her stomach. While all this was happening, an embarrassedugh escaped her mouth, causing Ashely who was beside her to nce at her in


    worry.


    He tugged on their entwined hands, gaining her attention. "Are you alright, Auntie Annie?"


    The older woman chuckled, wanting to y the embarrassing situation off as nothing. "Y-yeah. Don''t worry."


    "But your stomach doesn''t quite sound alright. Ashely pressed, his round grey eyes holding inessential Jealousy.


    the same amount of worry as his voice did.


    Anastasia chuckled once more, this time more embarrassed than before. She parted her lips, wanting to reassure the child once more, but much to her dismay, her stomach cried out in a louder protest, causing her lips to m shut before words could even leave them. "Ash, i..." She hesitated, ncing both ways as if the passing people would head her words. When she was sure no one was ease dropping, she continued. "I think Auntie Annie needs to take a trip to the powder room."


    Leading him towards where she knew was safe to leave him, under supervised eyes, she instructed. "I won''t be long, so wait for me here, alright?"


    Ashely stared up at her and instead of voicing words of understanding and obedience or nodding, he simply offered her a smile.


    ''Oh sweet mother marry, save me.


    Anastasia was more that hesitant at this point, but as soon as he stomach rumbled loudly again, her legs moved without her knowledge and in seconds, she was gone, leaving Ashely standing in the park''s safe zone. ''I should wait, right?'' He looked around and sighed.


    Staying without either of his mother or godmother in such a crowded environmenText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    experience for him.


    was a new

 Chapter 30

    The boy, not liking the idea of being under the eyes of strangers, including one holding big, tempting bag of candy while stealing nces at him, was about to coil up, when his eyes spotted the figure of someone familiar in the crowd. ''H-huh? Kind Mister?'' He thought, squinting his eyes to see clearly.


    And just like he had thought, the tall man walking by, with a phone to his ear, was indeed the man he had ran into in the halls of the hospital.


    Without thinking twice, nor listening to the calling voice of his temporary supervisors, Ashely bolted into the crowd and towards the tall figure


    At that moment, Gabriel had just finished wrapping up a business call with one of his several clients, the owner of said Amusement park her was currently walking in, when he suddenly heard a familiar and tiny voice call out. ""Kind Mister!"


    Looking up from the screen of his phone, the man was greeted by the sight of a running boy heading his way.


    Ashely, tiny as he was, barreled his way through the crowd, all the while waving his hands in the air to catch Gabriel''s attention.


    As he got closer to his target, the corners of his lips began to stretch, giving way for a boxy, yet adorable smile to form on his face.


    Gabriel watched him all the while his heart feeling like it was melting with each passing second that he allowed his heart to remain on the approaching child.


    That feeling however, was crowded and overrun by something different and dark.


    A sense of inessential Jealousy that crept it''s way into Gabriel''s chest, wrapping itself around his heart like poisonous vines, once he remembered that the child he gazed so softly at, as the product of his ex wife and another man''s sexual indulgence.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    im


    The Countenance Of A Fathur And Son


    The Countenance Of A Father And Son.


    With a neutral expression on his face, Gabriel calmed his thoughts and heart alike before they could spiral out of control, and gave a simple nod in Ashely''s direction, acknowledging him yet showing clearly that he had no intention of interacting with the younger male. At least for now, with his frame of mind, he had no intention of facing him. Perhaps some


    other time.


    Turning around, he ignored the look of confusion on Ashely''s face and attempted to walk away. That was until the rowdy voices of a certain group of men caught his attention.


    They were walking in the direction where Ashely now stood still, looking at him, while carrying a stack of weighty and unbnced technical props.


    As they got closer to Ashely, the props wobbled, showing signs topping over in the nearest future and Ashely, well Ashely was blissfully ignorant of his impending doom.


    Seeing the scene y out in his mind, Gabriel cursed. He was already mentally exhausted, and now he had to add this situation into the equation?


    Fuck.


    Quickly, he made a beeline for Ashely, hoping that he would get there on time and before the boy encountered any harmful situation.


    "Hey, watch where the fuck you''re going." He scolded the guys carrying the prop, sessfully pulling Ashely out of their path and avoiding whatever doom had almost urred.


    "You should be more careful with this things you carry around," Gabriel scolded, wrapping his hand around Ashely like a protective father.


    "Uh, we''re... we''re sorry man." One of the guys, apologized as they had momentarily seized their careless meandering.


    "Yeah," The second guy agreed. "We weren''t trying to out your kid in harm."


    Gabriel, who was about to let go of his tight grip around Ashely, halted. "My kid?"


    "Yeah, I mean, he''s your son right?" The third guy questioned, ncing at the boy from Gabriel''s arms. "Shit, isn''t he?"


    Before Gabriel could reply, the leader of the three spoke. "Uh, not like it concerns us. The kid''s safe, we''ve apologized and that''s all that matters. Come in guys, we have a set up toplete. "He beckoned his small group away.


    Once they were gone, mixed with the crowd, Gabriel discarded their words and turned the boy. in his grip around, facing him.


    "Don''t you know how dangerous it is go stand unaware in crowded ces like this?" He asked,


    The Countenance Of & Father And Son,


    his voice was calm and soft, a stark difference to how his eyes held the opposite of emotions.


    Ashely was quick to pick up on his change in attitude, Although this was the second time meeting this kind mister, he could tell the difference in attitude and quickly began to wonder if he had done or said something wrong during theirst meeting. "L...


    "He started, unsure of how to exin the reason why he had gone about carelessly in ant environment such as this one.


    Gabriel was still waiting on his answer. His hand had long since been released from his grip and his arms had found their ce on his hips.


    After a while, Ashely''s answer not forting, he sighed and lead them to a less crowded part of the amusement park before asking a familiar question.


    "Now tell me, where''s your guardian this time around?"


    Ashely pointed towards the restroom without hesitance.


    Gabriel, after ncing in the direction of his finger, nodded his head, sighing yet again." Alright, not that I''m a big fan of it," he muttered, still wanting to stand on his choice of getting away as soon as possible. "But it looks like I''ll have to hang around until your guardian. gets out.''


    11


    Whether it was a suggestion, offer ormand, Ashely didn''t care. Furiously grappling at the chance to spend more time with this Kind mister, he quickly nodded his head.


    And just like that, the wait began. A minute, two minutes, three minutes. Five minutes and yet, no sign of Anastasia stepping out from the restroom, well, not like Ashely wasining.


    In fact, he was enjoying his time with Gabriel quite well. Despite how less talkative he seemed, Ashely found just seating beside him and having small baby talks, entertaining.


    Gabriel on the other hand, contrary to how he had felt when he had first spotted Ashely, he now wanted to hang around him a little long and was no longer in a rush to leave. And the younger boy''s constant small talks were keeping in entertained and soothing the disturbing feelings that had arose in his chest.


    A few more minutes in silence and that was when Gabriel finally took notice of the stolen nces Ashely was giving the fleets of amusement park games lined up outside the spot they were waiting.


    "You wanna y?" He asked, nudging his head in the direction of the games once he had gained Ashely''s attention.


    The boy seemed hesitant to answer, so Gabriel added. "Your Guardian,"


    "Aunt Annie," Ashely corrected.


    "Right, Aunt...Annie. She doesn''t seem to being out anytime soon, so, do you want to


    The Cruntende Of A Father And Son


    check those out?" He asked again.


    Ashely nced back at the games and then at Gabriel.


    "Well, do you?"


    "Yes!" He replied, excitedly.


    Gabriel nodded and extended his hand. "Let''s go then."


    Taking Ashely''s hand in his, he walked towards the waiting area, leaving a note with a


    supervisor present; stating that Ashely was with him, before jetting off with said boy towards the gaming section.


    "Alright, what do you want to y first?" Gabriel asked, allowing the boy to decide which game they would first y.


    Ashely looked around, taking his time, before he stopped and pointed at a stall, catching the attention of the man he was with.


    "You...want to try this one?" Gabriel asked, pointing towards the stall Ashely was pointing.


    The boy nodded.


    "Alright," he shrugged. "I guess we''ll be trying this one first."


    Stepping into the stall, both Ashely and Gabriel were weed by the bright lights, colorful props and a cheery man, who was running the game.


    "Wee! Wee!" He eximed. "Please pick your weapons and let''s get the fun started."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Oh, I wanna chose this one!" Ashely excitedly pointed at a random gun.


    "This one?" Gabriel questioned, picking the gun and examining it. "This is not a real gun, it?" He asked the stall attendant.


    is


    The man chuckled, retrieving the toy and tucking it behind in his drawer before answering. " Of course not. Now since you two came together, should I assume you''re registering for the contest." "Contest?" They chorused.


    The stall owner, sensing their confusion, pointed towards the poster on the top right corner of his shop. "Yeah, thepetition is simple. If you hit all the targets as a team, you get a photo and the biggest prize." He pointed towards a grey ko bear that was Ashely''s exact height.


    "Ohh, I wanna y! Kind mister, y with me, won''t you?"


    Gabriel thought of rejecting the offer, but after seeing the puppy eyes, Ashely''s secret weapon, he sighed, admitting defeat before the battle actually began.


    The Counteralize Of A Father And Scril


    "Fine," He picked up his own weapon, handing Ashely a lighter gun than that of which he had picked up before ruffling his hair. "Let''s get you that price, shall we?" Ashely, excited, nodded, grinning from ear to ear


    "That''s the spirit." The stall ownerughed, gesturing for the pair to get into position." Ready? y!"


    With that, the game began and much to the stall owner''s surprise, ended pretty soon with all of his balloons popped.


    "W-wow." He blinked. "You two are quite skilled. Here, this is the grand prize." He pointed. towards the ko.


    "Yay!" Ashely cheered, running over to take the prize from the man. "We won!"


    "You guys sure did. In fact, you two were the one ones capable of achieving this feat today. How about I capture a photo of this victory for you both?"


    "Uh," It was Gabriel''s turn to hesitate.


    But Ashely wasn''t buying it. Without giving Gabriel an option, he tugged him by the hand, pulling him towards the picture section.


    "Come in Kind mister, let''s get photos."


    "Who again was on about not trusting strangers during our first meeting?" The man being pulled along mumbled underneath his breath.


    "Here, look here," Ashely pointed at the camera which the shop owner was setting up.


    "Okay, and now," The photographer took a few snaps smiling at the Countenance of father and son the both had. "That''s great. One more for the road." He instructed and snapped thest picture, but ncing at it, the younger boy in the picture seemed all blurred out. "Hey..." He began, raising his gaze from the camera lenses and towards his subjects in front, however, the rest of his words died on his tongue when he saw that Ashely was no longer on Gabriel''sps.


    And a third figure who was now cradling Ashely protectively while ring ferocious daggers at Gabriel, had joined them.


    The third figure in question was Leonica, and she did not like what she had seen.


    One. Fucking. Bit.


    Do tof Lake Him That Much

 Chapter 31

    Do You Like Him That Much?Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Close to fifteen minutes had gone by since Leonica began her search for her best friend and son altogether. Weaving her way through the crowds, she muttered strings of curses underneath her breath, bashing Angelina for having shown up to ruin her perfectly fine day. "Fucking hell, where the fuck are they?" She threw her hands up in the air, having had enough of looking around for one grown adult and a child, like some lost service dog.


    "How the fuck could they have even gotten this far?" She questioned herself, about to move on when a small and familiar silhouette walking towards a photo boot caught her attention ''Ashley, there you.''


    Raising her hand, she was about to call out to the younger boy through the crowd, but the words instantly died on the tip of her tongue upon seeing the figurezily trailing behind him. Gabriel.


    Sucking her breath in, her body tensed at the sight.


    No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No fucking way.


    She tried to shake her head, hoping and praying that her eyes were ying tricks on her, that perhaps, it wasn''t who she thought it was, that it was just someone else who had the same silhouette, but no, the figure was indeed Gabriel,


    Frozen in her spot, Leonica watched him and Ashely walk into the boot. Gabriel took the small child onto hisp while who she assumed was the owner of the boot, prepared the camera.


    Her mind, despite screaming a thousand warning signs at her, went nk and before she could stop herself, her feet were carrying her towards the booth, her legs moving without her knowledge.


    Before long, she was in front of the boot, snatching Ashely out of Gabriel''s arms and cradling


    him close to her chest.


    Gabriel who was startled by the sudden action, turned to reprimand-whosoever had harshly pulled the child away, but he stopped the moment his gazended on Leonica fuming.


    "You...what do you think you''re doing?" She challenged, grip tightening around her child. "Did I warn you to stay away from my son and IOr had you suddenly gone deaf?" She fired, words rolling off the tip of her tongue like poisonous acid.


    With the tone she had addressed him and all, Gabriel couldn''t help but feel offended. And her raging appearance only seemed to irritate him.


    Calming himself before he retorted something Ashely was not meant to hear, Gabriel hopped off the picture stool and pocketed his hands.

 Chapter 32

    That Mu


    "Is that anyway to treat someone who helped you?"


    Leonica''s brows furrowed at his question. "Helped me? You''ve done nothing but cause trouble, Gabriel." She retorted.


    "Trouble? You say I cause trouble, yet I was the one who-"


    The rest of his words were interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. Taking the device out of his pocket, the caller ID disyed a name.


    ''Angelina''


    Leonica almost rolled her eyes upon spotting the name. Of course, his perfect little princess woulde to rescue her damsel in distress boyfriend. "Answer it." She instructed. "There''s no use keeping your fiance waiting over strangers like us.


    "Turning und without another word, she meander into the crowd before Gabriel could


    speak.


    Gabriel, who had been standing, watching her walk away, finally answered his call.


    "Hello?"


    "Where are you?" Angelina questioned from the other side. "Are you busy?"


    "Yes," He answered half honestly, after all, he hade to the amusement park with intentions of purchasing it, so this could somewhat be considered a business deal for hispany and a rxation time for he himself. "Oh," Angelina''s ego ttered upon hearing his words.


    "I''ll call you when I''m less busy, is that okay?" Without waiting for her response, Gabriel hung up the call and shoved the device back into his pocket, about to go after Leonica and Ashely when the stall owner held him back.


    "Hold up buddy, you forgot your picture." He passed Gabriel the picture he had Ashely had taken and scoffed. "Women right? They''re really sensitive creatures, especially after giving. birth." Folding up his camera, he added. "But don''t worry, buy her some flowers, an expensive drink and probably take her to the Eiffel tower, and all her anger would be quenched." He chuckled. "It works well for all wives."


    W...wife? Gabriel''s eyes creased, only now realizing that the shop owner had misunderstood the arguement him and Leonica that had gone down.


    He was about to correct the male when his eyes caught the photos in his hand and they narrowed more than they already were.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    His eyes specifically, were trained on Ashely''s smiling face and now that he stared at the young male''s face, he without a doubt, looked like a miniature copy of his younger self.


    Almost as if he was looking at himself in a different timeline...


    ...It was clear, The resemnce was too uncanny.


    Meanwhile, in the passenger seat of Leonica''s car, Anastasia had her hand joined together in a begging motion as she continued to apologize.


    "Leo, I''m really sorry. I had no idea they were going to run into each other." She apologized.


    Just like the past five minutes, Leonica repeated the same words. "It''s fine, you''re not totally


    at fault...!


    It''s my fault for not knowing he was going to around here, she thought and tightened her grip around the steering.


    The rest of the drive back home was in silence. Anastasia departed shortly after they arrived home and Ashely sat on the chair, watching his mother take off her shoe, obviously in a bad mood. "Mommy?" He beckoned her over.


    Leonica literally dragged her legs over and sat beside the boy.


    "Yes darling?" She gently massaged his ruffled locks and chuckled as Ashely leaned into her touch like a pet receiving attention from its owner.


    "Please don''t be angry at kind mister." He began, pulling his eyes open and pulling away from his mother''s touch to seem and sound serious. "He may seem like a bad person, but," He paused, fiddling with his fingers to build up the confidence to continue. "He''s actually a good person. Infact, he has protected me twice." Ashely informed with a bright smile, stunning Leonica with not only his words, but with how much he seemed to have taken a liking to


    Gabriel.


    ''Saved him? Twice?'' She thought, but In that moment, all she could asked was, "Do you...do you like ''kind mister'' that much?"


    She wasn''t sure the type of response she was awaiting from Ashely, but watching a smile suddenly spread across his lips while he nodded his head furiously, her chest tightened and the words that left the small child''s mouth next, only caused it to tighten all the more. "Of course I do! I...I even wish he could be my new daddy, mommy."

 Chapter 33

    Child Of Mine.


    Leonica couldn''t hide the surprised expression that marred her face at Ashely''s words.


    She blinked, once, then a second time before uttering the only sentence her mind could manage to conjure.


    "What?"


    "My...new daddy?" Ashely repeated, this time with hesitance as he quickly sensed the troubling aura emanating from his mother.


    Had he said something wrong?


    ''Fudge!'' Cursing his stupid unfiltered mouth, the young boy lowered his head.


    Leonica''s brows remained furrowed. She wasn''t sure what to thAshely wanted Gabriel to be his...new daddy? What? When had the two even gotten so close for Ashely to begin. harboring such thoughts? Or was this perhaps Gabriel''s handiwork?


    ''No,'' She shook the thought away as soon as it crossed her mind.


    Gabriel was a sly bastard but he had no use corrupting Ashely with such thoughts if he wasn''t going to benefit anything from it.


    This...this was obviously the handiwork of one thing. The connection shared between father and son. As much as she hated it, seeing Ashely with Gabriel today, told her how much of an influence he had on Ashely.


    Being in his presence, Ashely had been genuinely happy, nothing like the previous times she had taken him to the amusement park.


    Much to her dismay, Gabriel seemed like the only make capable of making the younger boy happy. But that wasn''t right, despite the fact that they were father and son, Gabriel didn''t care


    for his child.


    He was already building another family, long forgetting about the one he had failed to keep standing. She could ignore his nonsense, but for Ashely, an innocent child like him, it would be far too unfair to continue leading him on with an imagination that could nevere true.


    So without a doubt, it was best to let him off softly.


    Sighing, Leonica ced her hand on the boy''s shoulder, gently rubbing it. "Ash Honey, Gabriel...he...he can''t be your new daddy."


    Her confession had Ashely''s head snapping up. "Why?" He asked in an almost challenging yet sad manner. "Why can''t he?" Child Of Mine.


    Leonica couldn''t hide the surprised expression that marred her face at Ashely''s words.


    She blinked, once, then a second time before uttering the only sentence her mind could manage to conjure.


    "What?"


    "My...new daddy?" Ashely repeated, this time with hesitance as he quickly sensed the troubling aura emanating from his mother.


    Had he said something wrong?


    ''Fudge!'' Cursing his stupid unfiltered mouth, the young boy lowered his head.


    Leonica''s brows remained furrowed. She wasn''t sure what to think. Ashely wanted Gabriel to be his...new daddy? What? When had the two even gotten so close for Ashely to begin harboring such thoughts?


    Or was this perhaps Gabriel''s handiwork?


    ''No,'' She shook the thought away as soon as it crossed her mind.


    Gabriel was a sly bastard but he had no use corrupting Ashely with such thoughts if he wasn''t going to benefit anything from it.


    This...this was obviously the handiwork of one thing. The connection shared between father and son. As much as she hated it, seeing Ashely with Gabriel today, told her how much of an influence he had on Ashely.


    Being in his presence, Ashely had been genuinely happy, nothing like the previous times she had taken him to the amusement park.


    Much to her dismay, Gabriel seemed like the only make capable of making the younger boy happy. But that wasn''t right, despite the fact that they were father and son, Gabriel didn''t care


    for his child.


    He was already building another family, long forgetting about the one he had failed to keep standing. She could ignore his nonsense, but for Ashely, an innocent child like him, it would be far too unfair to continue leading him on with an imagination that could nevere true.


    So without a doubt, it was best to let him off softly.


    Sighing, Leonica ced her hand


    on the boy''s shoulder, gently rubbing it. "Ash Honey, Gabriel....he... he can''t be your new daddy."


    Her confession had Ashely''s head snapping up. "Why?" He asked in an almost challenging yet sad manner. "Why can''t he?"


    "Look, I understand your feelings towards him, trust me, I do, but he can''t be your daddy Ash and that''s because," There was a pause, her gaze gravitating towards the hand resting on her son''s shoulder as she thought back to what Angelina had said in the amusement park.


    She was pregnant with Gabriel''s child and soon, they''d be starting a family, there would be no space for Ashely, not that she ever nned for their to be one.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Because honey, that ma- Gabriel, he''s starting his own family soon."


    "Starting his own family soon?" Ashely cocked his head in confusion.


    Seeing the confusion written all over her son''s face, Leonica thinned her lips, closing her eyes as she gently hummed in thought, trying to find the simplest way to exin to the young boy.


    After a few seconds, finding a suitable exnation, and discovering the easiest way to but the situation to rest, she shifted closer to the boy.

 Chapter 34

    "It''s like this, Gabriel''s going to start a new family soon, and each family needs a mommy and daddy, but if you join his family, you''ll be getting a new mommy."


    A new mommy? Ashely''s eyes widened at the thought of leaving the woman who he had grown up with and called mother since day one for some other woman who he didn''t even know half as well.


    Swiftly, he wrapped his arms around her stomach and pulled closer, burying his face in her stomach.


    "I don''t want to have a new mommy," He protested, tightening his grip on Leonica to feel safe. "If I have to leave my mommy to have a daddy then... then, I don''t want a daddy! I love my mommy and she''s enough for me."


    A feeling of guilt spread over Leonica''s heart as she felt like she had manipted Ashely, but hearing Ashely''s words, the feeling was quickly flushed away and her heart melted from his


    soft words.


    Pulling him into a tighter hug, she kissed and caressed his hair. "I love you too, honey." She whispered however loud enough for Ashely to hear.


    He chuckled and snuggled closer to his mother. Feeling his warmth and recalling his soft words convinced Leonica that she was doing the right thing.


    Ashely was too young to experience the pain and hurt this world has in store for all and all she was doing, was simply protecting him. Protecting him from the world''s cruel cards and his father''s cruelty as well. But even when all those convincing thoughts roamed her mind, one particr questioned nagged at the back of her mind.


    How long could she protect him from all that?


    How long could she y his superman?


    How long before he was snatched away from her?


    "Never. She tightened her grip around her angel and pulled him closer, inhaling the one scent that seemed to calm her down during tough times like this.


    She was never going to allow anyone take Ashely away from her, not the world''s cruel cards and definitely not Gabriel.


    Later that evening, Gabriel once again found himself at his regr suite in Club Parish. With the loud music ring and the attendants being even louder, he stared nkly at the picture the stall owner had given to him earlier in the day. Staring at Ashely in the photo was almost as if he had been looking at his younger self from decades ago.


    It was more than obvious what that meant.


    "Hey dude!" Lloyd pped the thinking male on the shoulder as he stepped into their regr suite, Christian following behind him.


    Gabriel barely looked up from the picture to acknowledge them. It was almost as if he couldn''t afford looking away from the picture in fear that what he was seeing would disappear.


    "What''s got you so down?" Lloyd questioned as he and Christian sank into their own chairs. When Gabriel didn''t reply once more, he pointed out with a snort. "You look like some lovesick fool to me, dude. Are you okay?"


    Ignoring Lloyd''s question, Gabriel looked away from the picture and fixed his gaze on Christian, speaking for the first time since arriving at the club.


    "Christian," He called the eldest attention, continuing when said make raised one of his brows. "From the perspective of a doctor, what are the requirements needed to confirm if a child is ones kid?"


    Christian, a much as Lloyd, was stunned by his question. The two''s mouth held open, but after a few seconds, only one of them spoke.


    "You got Angelina pregnant?" Lloyd questioned with a side smirk.


    Gabriel however, responded at lightening speed. "No!"


    Christian and Lloyd nced at each other, brows creased in confusion.


    "Then whose child is it?" Christian was the one asking the questions this time around.


    Gabriel''s grip tightened around the picture he was holding, clearly hesitating to speak, but after a few seconds, he did.


    "Leonica''s."


    Chiliyi Mi


    "What!" Both their voices were sky high, nearly overpowering the music ring in there suite.


    "Wait, wait wait, let me get this straight," Christian held his hand up, pausing the


    conversation on Gabriel''s side before it could go any further. "Leonica has a kid, and you think it belongs to you."


    "He, not it." Gabriel corrected.


    "My bad, he." Christian defensively raised his hand. "And, what makes you suspect that this kid belongs to you. Leonica is a young woman, how are you so sure she hasn''t had other rtionships since the divorce?"


    Christian''s question unnecessary angered Gabriel and without thinking, he mmed the picture in his hand down on the table, shoving it towards his friends who sat on the opposite side.


    "Look at this picture, Christian," He furiously gritted his teeth. "Look at this picture and tell me how I should doubt the truth that this boy, is MY son, when he''s the spitting image of me.""


    She Aurorteu His Baby Eight Years Agu


    She Aborted His Baby Eight Years Ago.


    Looking at the hard evidence in front of them, both Lloyd and Christian were shocked.


    The boy in the picture, some ce around the age of four to five, had light blonde hair very much resembling the color of Leonica''s hair five years ago. His eyes were round and held a bright shade of grey, which, just like the rest of his facial proportions, looked very much like Gabriel''s own. There was no denying it, the kid they both were gazing at, or at least the photographic version, looked a lot like little Gabriel pped into Corel-draw and edited with yellow locks.


    "Wow, so you have a kid," Lloyd reached for the picture, examining the child''s face as he brought it closer to his eyes. "An actual kid," he added with a smirk. "And here I was thinking that I''d be the first one to knock up some chick. Congrats man."


    Putting aside his friend''s unnecessary excitement for the situation, Christian spoke. "Fine, maybe you''re right. The kid does look like you,"


    ''An awful lot!'' He couldn''t stop his face from scrunching up in disgust at the thought of now having two Gabriel''s around.


    One was already headache enough for him.


    "What do you then n to do if he is indeed your kid?" He questioned.


    Gabriel didn''t miss a heartbeat, stating his answer as quickly as his mouth allowed. "As long as it''s medically proven that he''s my son, I''m going to take him back of course, what else am I


    meant to do."


    "And Leonica?"


    "What the hell about her?" Gabriel questioned back.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Lacing his fingers together, Christian leaned forward with a sigh, choosing to once again reason with his friend. "Taking This boy away means that you''re going to strip him of motherly love. Are you going to do that? Or are you perhaps nning on remarrying Leonica?" "Like hell I would!" That is what Gabriel wanted to say, but for some reason, Christian''s question had silences the words in his mouth even before they rolled off his tongue.


    Remarry her? Of course he didn''t want to do that. No way in hell would he have the mind to make such a decision after all she had done.


    Yet, even with those thoughts in his mind, his heart tinged at the idea, not totally rejecting the thought of having Leonica at his wife once more.


    "So?" Christian urged for his friends answer.


    Even though he was not sure what woulde out from his mouth as an answer, Gabriel


    Libby Eight Years Ago


    allowed his lips to part, a response forming on the tip of his tongue, however interrupted by the familiar sound of his phone ringing.


    The subject at hand seemed to die down as Gabriel reached for the deviceid face first on the table and spotted the called ID which belonged to Angelina''s personal doctor. Anything that has to do with Angelina''s health would always put Gabriel on the edge, so without wasting time, he clicked on the answer Icon and pressed the phone against his ear. "Doctor Ken, talk to me."


    "Good evening Mr. Bryce." The doctor greeted from the other end. "I apologize for calling sote and sudden at that, however, there''s something concerning Ms. Fernandez that hase. to my attention that I believe I must discuss with you."


    Uncrossing his leg, leaning forward and now resting his elbows on each of his knees, Gabriel encouraged. "Go on, I''m listening."


    "Ehm, well you see, the thing is...sensitive matter such as this can not be discussed over the phone. I''d highly appreciate it if you could take some time out of your busy day and briefly drop by at Ms. Fernandez''s residence as soon as now."


    Gabriel thinned his lip, eyes drilling into the back of the picture of Ashely that Lloyd was still gushing over.


    He still hasn''t gotten the answer regarding the question he asked Christian, but anyways, Angelina''s health was far more important, they could always revisit this topic whenever he pleased.


    "Alright, I''ll be there soon."


    "You''re leaving?" Christian asked as he watched Gabriel end the call and rise to his feet.


    "Angelina''s not feeling to well and doctor Ken just


    Christian suddenly scoffed, cutting Gabriel''s words shut before he could finish exining.


    "As expected," He shook his head. "Three years Gabriel...no wait, eight. Eight who years and you''re still running to Angelina at her fucking beck and call. Aren''t you tired? Or," There was a pause in his speech and he once again leaned forward, eyeing Gabriel. "Do you simply believe you can hang onto her while ying another?"


    "What?" Gabriel took a step forwards, brows creased.


    "You hesitated, the question I asked, I mean.''


    "So, what the fuck does that have to do with ''ying another?" He made finger quotes. "Oh it had everything to do with it, Gabriel. You may not have noticed it, but I did, your hesitation said more than enough. Now, here''s a piece of advice, don''t think you can hang onto Angelina while Leading Leonica on. ying with the heart of two women...that," He


    shook his head, ignoring the way Gabriel''s fist were already balled into fist squeezing the material of his suit he was holding, and continued. "That''s just not nice."


    "The fuck are you saying?" Gabriel advanced towards Where Christian sat, but before he could do anything drastic, Lloyd had already stood up.


    "Hey! Hey, now, let''s all avoid creating a scene." He ced his hand on Gabriel''s chest, stopping the iing storm. "Back, back off. Come on." Gently pushing his friend, he ced a reasonable amount of distance between them before sighing in relief. Gabriel however, was far from relieved. He red at Christian, his grey eyes seeming pitch ck under the suite''s lighting.


    "You''re crossing the line, Christian," Gabriel pointed out. "We may have been friends for decades, but you should be well aware where to draw your lines." He warned, ring a few more seconds at Christian before turning on his heels and exiting the suite.


    The walk to his car and the drive towards Angelina''s ce was blurred by the inessential anger that Gabriel felt. To top it all off, the cherry on top, as people would say, his mind took the initiative to rey the way Christian had challenged him concerning Angelina. Sure, their rtionship had been going on for quite some time and each time she called, he always rushed to visit him, but...but.....


    "Fuck." Gabriel cursed, not being able to think of any defending speech.


    Christian was right, he always acted like he was at Angelina''s beck and call.

 Chapter 35

    But even though he knew his friend was right, he didn''t like the way he has challenged him, once again taking Leonica''s side over his.


    From his point of view, or at least how things stood, it looked to him like Christian cared FAR too much for someone like Leonica, who was his ex wife. He Indeed needed to know where to draw the line.


    Sighing, he pulled into the driveway of Angelina''s residence. Suddenly, his mind thought back to yet another question Christian had asked him,


    Was he going to remarry Leonica?


    Gabriel nced at the dashboard of his car, actually taking his time to think the answer actually taking his time to think the answer through. At first it seemed like a bad option, the worst


    even, but as he continued to ponder it, imagining howplete of a family he''d have if Ashely, Leonica and him were together, the option didn''t seem like a bad one..


    A passing thought, made him feel like perhaps all he needed to do to fix this mess and bring Ashely home, was go spend more time with Leonica and change her from the scheming woman she had grown to be. That was a simple and easy solution that could be achieved. For the sake of his son having a


    Chu J¨±ramed Huis suby Light Years Ago


    happy family, he was ready to give his mother another chance.


    ''However, Stepping out of his car, he gazed up at the mansion in front of him, instantly spotting Angelina''s room window lighted up. ''Even then, another issue would arise."


    "Good evening Master Bryce," Angelina''s head butler greeted as he opened the house''s door to Gabriel and weed him in. "The Madam is in her room with Doctor Ken." He informed.


    Gabriel gave a single nod as he walked past, climbing the stairs and shortly arriving at Angelina''s room. From The inside, he identified two voices holding a conversation.


    A conversation that quickly ceased as soon as he gently knocked on the door.


    "Ange, it''s me. I''ming in." Turning the nob, he slowly pushed the door open.


    On the bed, Angelina was lying down, thick duvet draped across her leg and all the way up to her chest. Beside her was Doctor Ken, stethoscope perched around his neck.


    "Gabe, "Angelina meekly called out upon seeing the male. Raising her hand, she made grabby motions, beckoning for him toe over.


    Shutting the door behind him, Gabriel advanced towards her bed side, Doctor Ken giving him a bow of acknowledgement before stepping back.


    "How are you feeling?" Taking a seat on the edge of her bed, his fingers gently stroked her


    hair.


    Angelina, rather than responding to his question, leaned into his touch, humming in content/ and closing her eye at the feeling


    Gabriel allowed a breathy chuckle escape his lips at the sight before turning to face the doctor in the room.


    "How is she? And what was so important that you requested Ie here and discuss it over in person?" He questioned.


    "I''ll be honest with you. The miss health isn''t getting any better." He informed, watching as Gabriel''s features stiffened. Sensing that he was listening and had his full attention, the doctor continued. "I checked the chats, her health doesn''t seem to have improved any better than it was five years ago and after my many test and," he paused and looked at Angelina who shrunk as soon as Gabriel''s gaze also found her. "A little doctor and patient discussion, I was able determine the factor of her health deterioration." "And, what is it?"


    Doctor Ken stepped forward and handed Gabriel the test result. "The reason why the Miss health has failed to recover is because after all these years, she still feels guilty and is unable to forgive herself for having agreed to aborting your child, eight years ago." How Cruel Can She Be?


    Surprise ridden by the sudden revtion, Gabriel was left speechless. He remained silent, staring almost nkly at the test result in his hand, yet his mind was swarming with


    thousands of questions.


    Atst, he gathered himself and asked. "Angelina was pregnant? When?" He nced between the doctor and his fiancee, who hung he''d head low under his stare.


    "Eight years ago." Doctor Ken answered and sighed. "From her chat history that I have. studied, it''s clear that the baby had been miscarried, but Madam Fernandez insists that it was an abortion."


    "I''m not lying," Angelina defended.


    "Medical chats don''t lie, Angelina," Gabriel nearly snapped, the entire news of having had a child that he lost eight years ago, without even knowing of it, felt somewhat overwhelming for him. "It''s either Doctor Ken forged this papers, or you are lying, so which is it?" "I...Gabe, please," She begged, water forming in the corner of her eyes. Gabriel felt bad, but nheless he stood his ground, knowing that even though retouching the subject for her might hurt as much as it looked, he needed to know.


    Seeing that Gabriel wasn''t budging, Angelina allowed her tears spill as she confessed. "Doctor Ken didn''t forget those papers and he''s right, I didn''t have an abortion."


    "So what happened to the baby?"


    "It... it..." She tried to conjure words but ended up bursting out in tears.


    Gabriel''s features hardened, obviously having a hard time when ites toforting someone with soothing and soft words. But nheless, he gently brought her into his arms and patted her back gently.


    "I''m sorry Gabe, I...I wanted to tell you all those years ago, even before I left for the united. state, but she made me stay quiet. She threatened me not to speak to you. Please don''t be mad at me, Gabe."


    "She threatened you? Who did?" Gabriel pulled back and looked at her. When Angelina looked reluctant to answer, he gently shook her. "Answer me Angelina, who threatened you?"


    With more tears pouring out her eyes, she finally answered. "Leonica. Leonica did. She convince grandmother that I had been having an affair eight years ago and the baby belonged to another man. One thing...one thing led to another and I.... identally miscarried the baby." Angelina sobbed. "She did all that because she loved you, Gabriel, so please, please don''t be angry at her." Angry at her? Anger was the least of the emotions he was feeling towards Leonica at this point


    in time.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    He couldn''t understand How she could have been so cruel! Sacrificing the life of a baby all because she wanted to marry him?


    Never did he see thating. He felt more disappointed in her, but more importantly, disappointed in himself for having even allowed the thought of forming a family with


    someone like her, cross his mind.


    "Gabe. Gabe look at me," Angelina took his face in both her hands. "I''m begging you, if not for me, then for our list child, don''t be angry at Leonica. I understand what she felt, loving someone who doesn''t love you back, it''s a horrible feeling, so please forgive her deeds." She begged... Despite the emotion and anger running through his head, Gabriel calmed himself down for the moment and once again took Angelina in his arms, pulling her face into his chest in aforting hug.


    In the midst of doing that, he missed the way Angelina grinned into his chest, overjoyed that hest minute n had worked.


    Leave it to her to be her own superman!


    The two stayed like that for a while longer, the doctor leaving soon, before they pulled apart and Gabriel wiped off whatever remaining tears stained her face.


    "I''m sorry," He apologized. "I wasn''t strong enough to protect you back then. But I promise it/ will never happen again."


    "It wouldn''t happen again?" Angelina searches his eyes, her weak and broken mask back on as she asked. "Does that mean I''ll get the chance to carry another child of yours?" Her voice softened at the end, a smile making it''s way to her lips.


    Her expression and state of mind held Gabriel back from saying no at the same time, he also didn''t want to turn her request down.


    "Let''s talk about this when you''re in better health, Angelina." He created an excuse, pushing her back toy on the bed. "Take a rest, I''ll be right here." He smiled.


    Angelina wanted to protest or at least hit the subject once again, but she had used up most of her strengths on fake crying that she indeed felt tired.


    "You''re right," She muttered and closed her eyes "Don''t leave...okay?"


    "I won''t leave." Gabriel answered back even though she was already half asleep.


    Stroking her hair, he watched her sleep with a peaceful gaze, however his mind was far from peaceful.


    Leonica needed to pay for whatever evil she hadmitted. He couldn''t allow her go after what he had learnt today and most of all, he''d never allow Ashely grow up with such an evil woman as his mother.


    When he was sure she was fast asleep, Gabriel reached for his phone and scrolled through his contact list before calling someone. The line rang for a few seconds before it was answered.


    "Before you speak, I have a proposal for you. What do you say to taking down the new President of Romero Empire?"


    Contrary to Leonica''s worry, the next few days had gone by without too much problem. Gabriel hadn''t even made effort to contact her.


    ''Probably enjoying his time with his new family. She repeated the thought that once again. left a source taste in her mouth and sighed.


    Suddenly, her phone rang, interrupting whatever thought came next. Leonica fetched her phone, answering it after seeing her Assistant''s number on the screen.


    "Yeah, hello?"


    "Ms. Romero, bad news!" Her assistant announced with a voice that quickly put her on edge. The cancetion process of the contract with Bryce Empire was suddenly terminated and Gabriel Bryce sent an official letter to thepany. He''s challenging you for the spot of Norway''s Business president!"

 Chapter 36

    An Open Challenge.


    "Who the fuck does he honestly think he is?!" Brimming


    from head to toe with anger, Leonica stormed into her office. Behind her, Kennedy, the giver of bad news followed. Although he made sure to put as much distance between as possible, not wanting to be within reaching range when his boss finally blew the remaining of her fuse.


    "Ms. Romero, please calm down." He advised, voice low and tentative in the event that Leonica took actual offense to his suggestion. And she did.


    Shooting a sharp re at him as soon as she sat down, she questioned. "Why should I? That fucker is obviously challenging me just to get on my nerves." She spat. Kennedy winced at her choice ofnguage, although a grown as man, he still chose to speak in a more subtle mannerpared to his boss.


    "I understand your anger, Ms. Romero," Closing the small space between himself and the table, Kennedy gently aligned all the documents he had been carrying in his arms ever since stepping into thepany this morning, with great hopes that Leonica would actually tend to them. "But once you''ve calmed down, and viewed the situation from a perspective standstill, you''ll realize that Mr. Bryce didn''t in fact do anything wrong."


    Leonica red at him once more, but ignoring, or better yet, choosing not to let the cold, murderous re get the better of him, the assistant continued. "The position of the president of Norway''s business Chamber is a very sought after one, and even though as of current, that position belongs to you, it does not stop anyone influential enough from challenging you."


    Sighing, he folded his hand behind his back and concluded. "This may seem impudent of me, but I must say, from my point of view, it seems to me like this is more of a personal matter rather than a business one."


    Leonica''s eyes twitched at his words. She looked up at him, and although the re on her face had disappeared, she still looked angered by the words of her assistant. Made concrete sense, after all, what type of assistant admitted that her challenger has done nothing wrong.


    "Kennedy?"


    Hearing his name from her voice which now sounded like she was indeed about to snap at him, the assistant answered with a sigh. "Yes Ms. Romero, Smiling, but one that not quite reach her eyes, Leonica gently pushed the aligned heap of files on her table towards him. "Take care of this, would you?"


    No doubt, this was his punishment for running his mouth and upsetting someone who was already upset to begin withBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Au Dan Challenge


    Hanging his head and sighing yet again, something he hade to do a number of times since bing Leonica''s personal assistant, Kennedy reached for the files, returning them to his arms.


    "Sure thing, Ms. Romero." Bowing he turned around, attempting to exit the office when Leonica''s voice stopped him.


    "Oh, and Kennedy?" With the same smile still on her lips, she all but kindly requested. "Send the legal team up to me office immediately."


    "Of course, Ms. Romero."


    And with that, the assistant finally exited the office, grumbling inwardly at the fate his


    unfiltered mouth hadnded him in.


    Meanwhile, the smile which had been on Leonica''s lips, evil or not,pletely faded as she looked at the brown envelope on her table. It was the letter of challenge Gabriel had sent officially from his office. Just seeing the piece of paper reminded her of his smug, but admittedly handsome face.


    Her blood boiled, a hundred degree if possible.


    "Fucking..." She stopped herself before yet another string of cursed could escape her lips.


    Reaching into her drawer, she pulled out a hair band and pulled her hair into a messy pony tail and at one, rxes her body into the chair.


    Talk about tense. She sighed.


    Who would have told her that a time woulde when she''d be stressing so much over a simple letter from Gabriel.


    She''d be lying if she said she had never anticipated to encounter Gabriel on the business field, she was already more prepared for that fate upon returning to Norway as the president of her father''spany. However, this encounter, despite their many unsightly ones, was far from what she had


    expected.


    She had never, ever expected the man to challenge her, her! Out of all the people he could have picked.


    The action was almostughable. Sure Gabriel was known as the prodigy of the business. world, shouldering the responsibilities of young master Of Bryce Empire at a young age and making waves, Leonica was equally as powerful, after all, not only was she the current. president of Norway''s business chambers having contributed and produced several useful inventions and products to advance the business market forward- she also had the identity of Tyche Smith, Colorado''s business Queen, as a backing.


    An Up Challenge


    It was safe to say that they were evenly marched and if she was to ept the open challenge and move along with his schemes, then their war would go on for weeks, months even, after all, the war would only end when thepany with smaller market value concedes. If it was a war like that Gabriel wanted, then she''d be more than happy to give him one like


    that.


    "Ms. Romero," The head of the legal team gently knocked on the door, opening it and stepping in as soon as Leonica permitted. "You called, Ms.?"


    Entwining her fingers and leaning forward, her previous smile came back to Leonica''s face. "Yes I did. There''s something I need to do that only you can handle."


    "Of course Ms. Romero. What are your orders?"


    *ºÍ


    "Jesus fucking Christ," Lloyd swore as he stepped, no, practically barged his way into Gabriel''s office, Bill hastily trailing behind him to stop him, butter giving up and walking away. "Gabriel, man what are you doing?" Facing the Noirette working behind his desk, he questioned. A few seconds passed before Gabriel dropped his pen, took his medicated sses off and finally faced his friend.


    "It''s rude of you not to knock, Lloyd," Gabriel reminded.


    "Fuck knocking, are you aware of how much products in the market is skyrocketing?"


    It had been a few days since Gabriel had sent the open challenge to Leonica and she, well, she responded by buying out the piece of Land Bryce Empire had been struggling to get for the past six month. After that, it was challenge epted. Gabriel went ahead and fought back, releasing thetest product of hispany and leaving herpany''s revenue in the dust.


    Leonica''s p back to that action was anything but subtle. She had bought a major distribution center building and began preparations tounch a new shopping mall.


    No big deal, one would have thought, except her new shopping mall, was less than a block away from Gabriel''s own, inevitably drawing customers away and decreasing half of their


    sales.


    After that, she, or rather her assistant Kennedy Brooks, had more or less released a statement, publicly epting his challenge.

 Chapter 37

    And the game had continued, neither backing down. And in a matter of days, it had be a menace to society as each move theirpany caused, resulted in the sky rise of the market. But either of them cared.


    "You don''t look worried," Lloyd stated, walking around Gabriel''s desk and seating on the


    edge. "You''re not worried?"


    "I''m not," Gabriel confirmed, pushing the papers in front of him away. He stood up, taking a nce at his watch, and then the window. The sky outside was dark and rain was pelting against the windows, not hard enough to cause a storm, but hard enough to keep someone like Gabriel, who had an important meeting to attend, stuck inside the building.


    "Of course you''re not. The two of you don''t seem worried in the least bit because it''s either of who''


    suffering the consequences of your actions." Pushing him off the table, Lloyd faced his friend. "Tell me, what''s this all about, again?"


    Gabriel''s gaze fell to the floor before it slowly rose to stick in the falling rain again. "Nothing that you need to concern yourself with. This is between I and that woman." He dismissed.


    Lloyd, having heard this same answer for the past few days, sighed in resignation.


    "Uh, Mr. Bryce," Bill returned into the office, phone held close to his ear. "I think we have a problem."


    "The Senator wants to have a meeting with that Bastard and I?" Leonica questioned her assistant who had just gotten off the phone half an hour ago with, Chloe, the assistant of Norway''s Senator.


    "That is what Ms. Chloe said, Ms. Romero." He affirmed. "They say you shoulde alone since you and Mr. Bryce are the two major heads of the business chambers and that it''s only reasonable for the two of you to discuss this issue and reach a solution." Leonica scoffed loudly, but still asked. "Can I refuse?"


    Kennedy shot her a look that clearly spelt; are you even listening to yourself. This is the Senator requesting your audience


    for fuck''s sake!


    Sighing, she leaned back into her chair. "When''s the meeting set for?"


    Kennedy nced at his watch. "8pm."


    Tomorrow?


    It was the assistant''s turn to smile wickedly as he shakes his head. "No, today." Leonica''s eyes. widened slightly. "That leaves you with approximately five hours to get ready, Ms. Leonica Romero."


    Meandering through the hallway of Celca-Lodge dressed in a ck jumpsuit, outer suit of matching color and red heels, that she had only put together a few hours ago, Leonica cursed her assistant from underneath her breath.


    She was almost certain that he had dyed as much time before informing her of the arranged


    time.


    One way or another, she''d have to punish him for that stunt he pulled.


    Recing the menacing smile that had crept to her lips with a more serene one, Leonica approached the woman standing in front of the designated room they conference between she, Gabriel and the Senator was meant to be held in. "Good evening, Ms. Romero," The assistant, Chloe, bowed as soon as she recognized the approaching figure.


    Leonica acknowledge with a nod.


    "Mr. Bryce and Mr. Richardson are already waiting inside." Chloe said and gestured towards


    the door.


    Ignoring the fact that she was arrivingte, Leonica tried to recall where she had heard thetter name out of the two called.


    Her moment of digging didn''tst long enough as the double doors slowly pulled open, and aside from Gabriel''s aloof face, she spotted another familiar looking male.


    Seeing her enter, he rose from his seat, a warm smile enrapturing his features. "Ms. Leonical Romero, wee." He gestured towards a free seat, which she sank into speechless and confused. "Now that everyone is present, allow me to reintroduce myself." Giving a brief bow, he finished off. "My name''s Arvan Richardson, Senator Of Norway. It''s my pleasure to make your acquaintances.


    The 16 Between Two Big Companies


    The War Between Two Big Companies.


    Half an hour had passed and all three of them had settled down with the meeting beginning most of it process, if not already approaching it''s closing ends, yet Leonica couldn''t stop the asion squinted eye nces she gave in Arvan''s direction.


    This of course, did not go unnoticed by Gabriel, causing his grip to tighten around the edge of


    his chair''s handle.


    "...so for peace to rain and everything to return to as it was before, in both the business. industry and society alike, I''ve decided to step in and suggest a rather... tricky proposal. Arvan''s eyes scanned the figures of both serious looking CEO, only this time lingering more on Leonica''s part before turning away.


    "And, what may this proposal be?" Leonica asked the question for both CEOS.


    Turning behind, Arvan beckoned his assistant over from the corner she stood in. Halfway there, he made a hand gesture that only the two of them understood and instead of walking straight towards him, she made a beeline for Gabriel and Leonica''s seat, passing ck leaflets


    to each of them.


    "The..." He paused, thinking his choice of words over before continuing. "War, if you can call it that, that has been going on between, Bryce and Romero Empire, has left a major dent on not only the business industry, but society as a whole." Sighing, he allowed his gaze sweep between both presidents who cared for nothing but their winnings. "And as a way of... fixing this mess, we at the government sectors havee up with a simple proposal." Making a gesture for them to open the leaflet with his hands, he continued. "It''s simple, really. For the next six months, Bryce and Romero Empire, are requested to work together in order for peacefulness to return to Norway. That''s the proposal, so," Looking between the two again, his gaze once again lingered on Leonica longer than it should have. Gabriel caught this, resulting in his fingers tapping rapidly against the handle of his chair.


    "No offense Mr. Richardson, but I don''t see that happening." He rebuked the idea.


    "Yeah, I agree with him." Leonica admitted even though saying those words meant she and Gabriel were going to be on the same page for the first time in...seven year?


    "Of course," Arvanughed, and even hisugh was somehow...attractive? "We have considered the fact that the two of you might have some disagreement, hence why the decision we are proposing is the perfect solution for all parties." He smiled, eyes twinkling under the light despite their dark shades. "But of course, we don''t expect you to ept immediately. Surely some time would be needed to think things over and we understand. 1, understand. So, how about we end things here today and pick things up over the weekend? But if by any chance, you change your mind," gesturing to Chloe once more, the assistant passed around his business card. "Don''t hesitate to call and inform me.


    The 6 Between Twi Big Companies


    Saying that as a conclusion, he got up and bowed. However, he had not walked past Leonica''s seat when she stood up.


    "Senator Richardson, huh?" Leonica spoke, eyes never leaving the figure.


    Just like how he had sensed the confusion on her face during the start of their meeting and wanted tough, Arvan now felt another wave hit him.


    This time too, he sessfully avoidedughing, opting for a broad smile instead. "I apologize for not properly introducing myself during our previous encounter." He subtly bowed his head. When he looked up again, he asked. "How''s Ashely doing?"


    At the mention of the young bow, Gabriel''s ears practically perked up from where he sat watching the two interact.


    "He''s well," Leonica nodded, a smile forming on her lips as she recalled how Ashely had nagged her in the previous days to allow him and Daisy go on a y date. Chuckling, she informed. "Daisy certainly left an impression on him."


    "The good type, I hope." Arvanughed.


    "Most definitely." She offered him a smile of her own.


    From The other end of the room, where Gabriel sat, he closed his eyes, not only stopping himself before he could roll his eyes at the irritating scene, but also to control the sudden anger that had surges up upon hearing Arvan and Leonica discuss so freely about Ashely. So what were they now, best buddies? He nearly scoffed at the thought, too engrossed in his thoughts to notice how Arvan and Leonica had nced at him when he shifted ufortably at the thought of how much influence an outside might possibly have on HIS son. Or worse,


    what if he took him away? Gabriel obviously hadn''t been blind to all the nces and googly eyes exchanged between the two during their meeting.


    "I should be leaving," Leonica spoke, ncing at her watch before returning her attention to Arvan. "It''ste, I wouldn''t want to be a bother to you any longer. Thank you for your time today, Mr. Richardson."


    "Just call me Arvan." He extended his hand to which Leonica took with a smile.


    "Alright, Arvan. Today was a pleasure." She let go after bidding him goodbye onest time and began walking towards the door, but before she could exit, she called back. "However, do expect to get any calls from me."


    And like that, without once acknowledging Gabriel''s existence during the meeting, she walked


    out.


    As Kennedy had parked in the underground lot of the hotel and conference center, Leonical stood outside, finger swiping through her phone as she waited for her assistant to arrive with


    the car.


    The Mor Between Two Big Companies.


    "Out of all the things I knew you to be, a cheap woman who flirts with every man she sees, definitely wasn''t one of them."


    A voice spoke, the sounding from directly behind her. Leonica didn''t even bother to turn around. She knew exactly who that was.


    Despite the urge to snap back at Gabriel, She remained silent, fingers scrolling faster on. whatever it was she was doing. Standing beside her with his hand stuffed into his pocket, awaiting the arrival of his car just like her, Gabriel pushed on. "What, you''re choosing to remain silent because you finally became ashamed of flirting with man while having a son for another?"


    That was enough to crack the white-ette''s Shell.


    Turning towards Gabriel, she red at him and warned. "Now you watch your mouth, Gabriel Bryce. I''ve said this once, but I''ll dly repeat myself." Taking a daring step forward. Whatever goes on in my personal life, is none of your business, so, it''d be in your best interest to stop poking your nose, except Bryce Empire is willing to lose more than half of it''s remaining clienteles."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Scoffing, Gabriel did indeed roll his eyes this time around. "How vain."


    "ssicing from a man like you. And you know, for someone who''s about to start his very own family with his mistress, you sure do poke around a lot." Smiling, this time around one that reached her eyes, she questioned. "For a child that isn''t yours, you take an awful amount of interest to, what do you think Your child would say to this action of his father, huh?"


    Gabriel''s eyes narrowed, anger and confusion shing in the shades of his dark eyes.


    The reminder that Ashely wasn''t his, stung in some ways, but not painful enough to have him not register the sidement she had added.


    His baby? What did she mean by that?


    Opening his mouth to ask, his words were drowned in the loud horning sound of a car... that seemed to be driving recklessly and straight for the spot Leonic¨¤ was standing!


    Wide eyes, with less than a minute to react, Gabriel reaches forward and hastily pulled Leonica out of the way and towards him.


    A miscalction in his force of pull caused his to stumble backwards and Leonica a tad bit forward, resulting in them both to fall t.


    But when there was meant to be groans of pains both parties stayed silent, eyes wide as they stared into each other''s eyes, lips pressed against one another..


    Nothip But The Truth


    Nothing But The Truth.


    The feeling was soft, possibly the softest thing Leonica had ever felt pressed against her lips. It felt familiar and warm.


    In all her 28 years of living, she had never experienced a feeling quite like it.


    Her body tingled, the hair at the back of her neck stood, and her stomach turned, in a she definitely disliked.


    Without giving either herself or body any chance to settle into the feeling, she quickly pushed her off Gabriel''s chest, resulting in a t fall on her butt and a wound in her palm that had paid not attention to thanks to the events that had just happened.


    On the inside, she cursed at her pounding heart, berating herself for allowing Gabriel''s touch to still have some sort of effect on her after five years.


    Gabriel on the other hand, having the weight that had pinned him down disappearing, gently sat up, finger tips brushing against his lips.


    The soft feeling was still there, lingering. It was not the first time he had kissed Leonica, however, the previous times, they had all happened in a rush or during his intoxicated state, so, getting the chance to actually feel her lips against his while normal, felt...different. It took him a minute toe to his senses, and when he did, he turned to Leonica, who was currently fuming with anger, red to the top of her head.


    Obviously the idental kiss was more important than the fact that he had just saved from an iing car.

 Chapter 38

    "You..." Leonica began, fingers pointed usingly at him as he rose up and began dusting himself of dirt,ter turning to her with raised brows as she had addressed him. However, before either of them could speak more, another voice cut through.


    Arvan.


    "What''s going on here?" The male asked, looking between Leonica who was still seating on the floor, fuming red and Gabriel who had sessfully dusted himself off and was staring down at her, not even making any effort to help her up. "Leonica, are you alright?" The senator quickly knelt beside the female, extending a hand for her to grab onto and stand.


    The action however, quickly caught Gabriel''s attention. With a scowl on his face, he looked between his ex wife and Arvan, anger once again returning at the overly friendly atmosphere. between them both.


    "She''s fine." Gabriel responded before Leonica could, stepping towards her and as if mocking


    Mongo EDL File Truth.


    the situation, offering his hand to her with a glint ofpetition in his eyes.


    "The hell is wrong with him.'' Much to his surprise, or maybe not, Leonica swatted Gabriel''s. offered hand away and reached for Arvan''s own, taking it and standing up.


    "Thank you." She offered a grateful smile,pletely ignoring the ring contest Gabriel was having with the back of her head.


    "No problem," Ignoring what had just happened with Gabriel, Arvan nodded and returned the smile. The smile however ttered the moment he spotted the red spot with blood slowly oozing out, on her palm. "Are you hurt?"


    Looking down at where his eyes were glued to, Leonica finally registered the small burn in the palm of her hand. But it was nothing big to make a fuss about. Gently pulling her hand out of his grasp, she managed a smile. "Oh no, this is nothing," She assured. "I''ll get this patched up soon." She raised her hand, showing him that it was no big deal.


    "Oh," Relief swept across Arvan''s features, his soft expression soon recing the worried one that had overtaken his face. "That''s good. I have some aid treatments in my car, how about I help you with that?"


    Hearing his words, despite how it was intended to do good, had Leonica''s smile ttering for a


    second.


    She was thankful and all that, but wasn''t used to Arvan''s presence, nor how kindly he seemed, to treat her. And for a guy who had just met her, be was acting all too friendly and...too concerned, about her wellbeing. Rising her none injured hand, she dismissed his offer. "I appreciate the offer, but I don''t want to keep you here any longer than you need to be."


    "It''s alright," Arvan assured, a smile of his own ying on his lips. "I wouldn''t mind staying here any longer." He paused, gaze falling to the floor, but soon rising again, the smile still stered. "So, shall we?" Bitting the inside of her lips and very much trying to convince herself that she was simply overreacting to Arvan''s kindness after all, many kind people like him existed in the world- she nodded her head. "Alright, let''s do that." She mustered a smile, falling to notice how in the background, Gabriel''s jaws tightened at her eptance.


    Both she and Arvan had been so involved in their little conversation that they failed to notice. Gabriel''s expressions. Watching their interaction was just as irritating as it was annoying.


    For whatever, it aggravated Gabriel more than it was meant to and he could stand it any longer.


    Turning around, he stormed off in the direction of the parking lot, no longer wanting to wait till Bill pulled around with the car. The sound of his retreating footsteps, finally reminded Leonica of his presence. Nottown but The Truth


    ''What''s with the attitude?''


    She couldn''t help but wonder, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared around a


    Shaking her head, she returned her attention to Arvan, who was already looking at her. "Shall we get going?"


    ""Yes, let''s."


    As they turned around and walked away, a finally camera sh went off from a distance.


    From a mile away, hooded in a ck jacket and cap, a tall, bulky male lowered the camera and flipped through the pictures he had taken of Leonica and Gabriel pressed against each other, several minutes ago and thestest one of Arvan and Leonica holding hands. "Looks like I found what I was looking for." He mused, death stick hanging in between his lower and upper tooth.


    Reaching into his jacket, he fetched his phone and scrolled through his contact list, stopping when he saw Angelina''s contact as it had been stored as, on his phone.


    With one click, he had forwarded the first two pictures to her, chuckling underneath his breath.


    "You''re gonna be pleased to see these."


    Immediately those words left his mouth, the screen of his phone changed to an iing call Sighting the number of his senior, he answered and pressed the phone to his ear. "Yes, what is it?"


    "The chief''s asking after you. He needs you back as soon as possible, Detective Reeds."


    Sighing, he pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and tossed it to the floor, putting it out with the heel of his shoe, before replying.


    "I understand. I just finished wrapping up something important, I''ll make sure to drop by the station immediately."


    #


    Dressed in a yellow summer dress despite it only being spring, Angelina sat in the midst of her shallow friends,ughing along to whatever sick joke they had just made.


    But the truth is, herughter was far from sincere, just as her smile was forced.


    "So Ange, we all saw the announcement, how''s things developing with You and Gabriel?" One of her friends asked, a teasing smile on her lips.


    "Yeah, we''ve all been wondering." Another added, the same smile on her face.


    Nathuk mut The Truthi


    Angelina''s lips tightened into a forced smile, although the other females in herpany couldn''t tell the difference, as they weren''t close to her and she could never afford to show weakness in front of them, but the real reason for her smile, was because of the buzz her phone was currently doing. "Well, we''re still nning where to hold the wedding. You know how precise Gabriel is about everything being perfect," She spoke, fingers already reaching for the phone.


    "We know," The third friend giggled. "I definitely can''t wait to be the one catching the flowerBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    after it''s thrown."


    And that had all the other females breaking into fits ofughter.


    Pulling her phone out, Angelina excused herself and headed out of the room. As soon as she was alone, the smile on her lipspletely faded and her eyes darkened as she looked at the picture she had received from the private investigator she had hired. The two pictures were of Gabriel and Leonica, both on the floor in a lip-lock.


    Seeing this had Angelina fuming from head to toe.


    "That bloody snake!'' She snarled in her mind, grip tightening on her phone.


    It was clear to her now, that Leonica was a slimy two faced bitch. Despite all she had said back in the amusement park, confessing that she no longer had interest in Gabriel, here she still is, tantly trying to steal him away.


    Her blood boiled at the thought, the veins in her temples threatening to pop.


    Leonica was crossing her boundaries, starting a war that she couldn''t win. No matter how much of a threat Leonica seemed to her, all she needed to do to secure was make a baby with


    Gabriel.


    Smiling to herself, she gathered her previousposure, swearing deep in her heart to make her lie, rumors and beliefs, into the truth and nothing but the truth.


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    im


    Considered A Friend.


    Pacing the space of his study in hope to calm whatever anger was still left in him- after returning a few hours ago - his mind however, doing the opposite of the task it had been given, reyed scene of Arvan and Leonica''s interaction, ultimately refueling the anger he had so desperately been trying to calm. Those scenes, as if hunting him, reyed like broken pieces of a recordbel, driving him. crazy to the point that he wished he could dip his hand into his head and pull out that brain of


    his.


    That pleasure, however, wasn''t granted to him, leaving the memories in his head to taunt him in ways that was enough to have Gabriel''s stomach twisting and turning in ways he knew it. should not, each time he thought about Leonica and Arvan''s overly friendly nature.. It was almost as If...he was jealous of seeing them together.


    That passing thought, as ridiculous as it may have sounded, was enough to bring his pacing to a halt, eyes narrowing as he questioned himself based on that very thought; why was he indeed so angry over the fact that Leonica was interacting with another man? It obviously wasn''t the first time she had been involved with other men. She was a young, single woman, after all.


    Yet the feeling that was bubbling within him right now, was anything but the feeling of happiness, understanding or approval.


    It was Irritation.


    He was irritated, irritated at the fact that if Leonica pleased, she could carry on like she never knew him and start a new family with HIS son and another man.


    Yet here he had been, considering giving her a second chance for the sake of their son.


    Gabriel scoffed and shook his head, rebuking every thought of ever being a family with someone like Leonica, after all, it was because of her that Angelina had lost his child, Eight


    years ago.


    Had it not been for her, he and Angelina would have be one happy family with their child, but she took that away from him before he could even experience it.


    It angered him and hatred and refusal to forgive her for whatever she has done, stemmed from there.


    And now, he''d be damned if he''d let her do it all over again.


    The sound of gentle footsteps approaching, stopped him from further drowning in his thoughts and anger. Cunsfer A Friend


    Turning towards the door, he watched Angelina walks in and sh him a smile as she approached.


    "Hey babe," She greeted, wrapping her arms around his waist and nting a kiss on his cheek. "How was work?"


    Gabriel sighed, not wanting to walk about the way his day had gone, and instead giving what he believed was a satisfactory answer to her. "Good."


    "You seem upset," Noticing the aloofness in his voice and also recalling the picture she had received from the investigator, Angelina''s smile faltered. "Something happened?" Gabriel''s response to her question was a brief shrug.


    "Well, you know, if something did happen, I''m here to listen." She reminded, fingers reaching up and gently massaging his shoulder.

 Chapter 39

    Gabriel didn''t respond..


    "You know," Pulling him around to face her, she offered a reassuring smile. "If something really did happen, we can always take our mind off of it by," Pausing, she slowly undid the rope of the gown she was wearing, exposing her ckce bra. "Doing something fun." Despite theck of interest he was showing, Angelina''s fingers had already begun undoing the


    buttons on his shirt.


    "I''m not in the mood, Angelina." He stopped her, pulling her hands off and stepping away. And don''t forget what Doctor Ken said, you need rest."


    At his words, Angelina''s lips twitched, but her expression did not show the annoyance she felt


    in her heart.


    How the hell was she supposed to have his baby when he barely even touches her?


    Each time she tries this very same n, one thing or another would always spoil it, and yet it was, repeating itself again.


    Cursing on the inside, she clenched her hand, but still forced a smile to her lips as she


    addressed Gabriel.


    "You''re right, that was thoughtless of me," Fixing the rope of her gown, she quickly changed the topic, initiating her second n for the night. "You know, I was at Dakota''s tea gathering today," Pulling out a white invitation from her bag, she waved it in the air for Gabriel to see. Ster''s holding her birthday party this week,"


    Ster Walker, just like the rest of Angelina''s friends, possessed some status in high society, she was no different from Angelina, except that her family wasn''t as big or rich. However, the Walker''s weren''t short in funds and could hold a party that would cost thousands, so, a party thrown by her, was bound to be something grand, fully of aristocrat Comadired & Friend


    contacts.


    And a party like that was not Gabriel''s turf, which begged the question of why Angelina was currently shing an invitation to one of said parties in front of him.


    "I got Us Invites, Gabe." The brte added, answering the questions written all over Gabriel''s face. "You''re going toe with me, right?" Perching herself on the arm of the chair he now sat in, she batted hershes in a pleading manner. Sighing, he tried to refuse. "I don''t know Ange,"


    "Come on, Gabe, I promise, it''s gonna be fun." She tugged on his hand. "Please, I really want to go to Stel''s party. Please Gabe.


    Gabriel had already refused, and yet, as the minutes ticked by, and as the number of times Angelina said please continued increasing, Gabriel finally caved..


    "Alright, fine."


    Jumping to her feet at the news, Angelina childishly pped her hands together in triumph. " Yay! You''re the best."


    Pecking his cheek briefly, she raced towards the door, ready to go shopping for her party dress, however, just as she crossed the threshold of the door, she paused and looked above her shoulder, eyes shinning mischievous as theynded on Gabriel''s seating form. "Don''t worry Gabe, I''m gonna remain true to me words and make sure you enjoy yourself at the party."


    With a wink, the door closed behind her, leaving a dumbfounded Gabriel who was still trying to make sense of her words.


    The next day, resting against the door of her car, in front of Ashely''s kindergarten, Leonical waited for the sound of the school bell to ring.


    No less than a minuteter, the bell rang and children came flying out of the school''s door like rats. Pushing herself off the car, Leonica weaved her way through the masses of short people, soon spotting her son who was approaching with Daisy, hand in hand. "Mommy!" The boy yelled, upon seeing his mother, letting go of his friend''s hand and dashing towards her.


    Smiling, Leonica bent down, scooping the boy in her arms. "Hey baby."


    "Miss Leonica!" Daisy greeted, a shy smile on her lips as she waved.


    "Hey Daisy." Leonica greeted the small girl, ruffling her hair as soon as she got close. "You got someone picking you up today?"


    Compfered a Frend


    "Mhmm." The little nodded her head. "My daddy''s gonna pick me up soon." She added and almost immediately, her eyes caught sight of said figure approaching from behind Leonica.


    "Daddy!" She yelled, running towards his open arms just like Ashely had done.


    Arvan instantly epted his daughter''s hug, scooping her up and giving her and turn around. "How''s my princess doing?" He asked, setting her back down.


    "I''m good," Smiling, the little girl pointed to Ashely and Leonica. "Look, it''s Ashley''s mom."


    Hearing her name mentioned, Leonica turned around, a smile instantly spreading across her lips at the sight of the familiar faces.


    "Arvan."


    "Leonica." The senator smiled back, walking towards her with Daisy.


    "You came to pick up Daisy, I see." Leonica voiced, to which Arvan nodded.


    "I have had some spare time in my hands this week, so, I decided to spend more time with her." He exined, a smile on his lips as he looked at his daughter who had just began talking about her day with Ashely. "Wise choice." Leonicamented, chuckling alongside Arvan as the two looked at the kids.


    "Speaking of which," Turning his attention back to Leonica, Arvan spoke. "How''s your hand?"


    "As good as new." She raised her hand which had the bandage he had put and smiled. "Thanks again. If you ever need a favor, don''t be afraid to ask."


    "Well now that you mention it," Reaching into the pocket of his grey overcoat, he pulled out a white invitation card and handed it to her. Puzzled, Leonica received it. "Ster Walker''s holding her thirty fifth birthday celebration and I have been invited, however," "Youck a partner?" Leonica finished for him, eyes skimming through the card.


    "Yes." He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "It''s a little embarrassing, but yes."


    "Well," Biting her bottom lip, she hesitated.


    Well, she''s gone and put herself in shit. Saying something as stupid as an open favor despite wanting to keep her distance after Gabriel''s assumption of their rtionship.


    If someone as egotistical and stupid as him could mistake their rtionship for something overly intimate like that, how much more other prying eyes.


    She didn''t want anyone mistaking her rtionship with him and then bashing Ashely about it.


    Speaking of Ashely, the little devil pulled on his mother''s hand after sensing her hesitation. " Mommy, are you going on a y date with Uncle Arvan?" "Miss Leonica you''re going on a y date with Daddy?"


    Considered & Friend.


    Two pairs of eyesnded on her, and as much as Leonica wanted to deny the usation, there was no way


    was no way she could do that with the way her son and Arvan''s daughter were looking at her.


    "Are you going, mommy?"


    "Well, how about it?" Arvan asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.


    Sighing, and knowing her decision was final, Leonica smiled and nodded.


    "Yes, I''ll go."


    The day of the party, despite being four days away when informed, had arrived faster than Leonica had liked it, but that wasn''t the only surprise the day had for her. Standing in front of her bed, arms folded, the white-ette stared down at the dress package that had arrived for her a few hours ago. The card attached to the box, showed that it hade from Arvan.


    Pulling open the box for the first time since it arrived, she admired the beautiful red fabric folded neatly in the box. It looked breathtaking and expensive at the same time...


    A little too expensive for the type of rtionship they had between them.


    Sighing, she covered the box and shifted it away


    There was no way she was going to ept a gift as precious as this, not when they still were practically strangers.


    Walking towards her closet, she searched through her collection of dresses. She knew exactly what she wanted to wear, and had picked the dress the moment she had heard of the party.


    Pulling it out, she walked over to her mirror and held the dress in front of her. It was a ck gown, exposed at the back with spaghetti arms and a pair of elbow length glows, the neckline. was low enough to tease, while the hem ended just before the floor, revealing her feet, but not


    her heels.


    Satisfied, Leonica hung the dress, along with the set of essories she was going to wear, the side of the closet and stepped into the shower.


    She came out less than twenty minutester and changed into the dress, fixed her jewelry, hair And makeup, just before the sound of honking horn came from downstairs.


    Scooping her purse and heels, she descended down the stairs and out the house.


    on


    In front of the house, leaning against the back door of his car, Arvan was dressed in a white long sleeve shirt, ck waist coat and trousers of matching color and his hair had been styled in a messy yet elegant way, the bangs that had grown longer and fell into his face had been


    Condend & friend


    Seeing her step out of the house, Arvan pushed himself off his car and examined the dress she was wearing, a look of confusion taking over his face when he realized she wasn''t wearing the one he had sent.


    "You''re dress," He began as soon as Leonica was in front of him.


    "Yes, I know and I''m sorry for not wearing the one you sent. It''s just that-"


    "No, you don''t need to exin yourself." Arvan interrupted. "You look great." Hemented, examining how she looked in the dress she had been wearing.


    Much to his surprise, this style suited her far more than anything he could have picked out for her. The ck of the dress highlighted her white hair and her purple ne and earrings went well with the color of her eyes. Honestly, she looked like the most stunningdy he had seen all day.


    "I think this ne, suits you best." He offered her a warm smile followed by his hand. "Shall We?"


    Hearing his words and seeing the genuine expression on his face, a smile slipped on Leonica''s lips and she gently took his hand.


    "We shall."


    The ride towards Ster Walker''s party venue was short but eventful. One topic turned into another and before Leonica knew it, she was actuallyughing to Arvan''s jokes and feeling more informal around him. Perhaps it wasn''t such a bad idea to be friends with him, she thought with a smile, taking his hand once more as she stepped out of the his car and onto the venue''s spotlight.


    shing camera lights, pressing paparazzi, Leonica looked around, trying her best to keep a smile on her lips. However the smile faded as soon as she spotted two familiar figures stepping into the venue. Gabriel and beside him, attached to his hand, was Angelina.


    Passpous As Cyanide.


    Poisonous As Cyanide.


    Subtle music in the background mixed with the shing sounds of paparazzi cameras,


    cameras, Gabriel walked down the entrance carpet, Angelina beside him.


    However, instead of his date, his eyes roamed the faces of people, looking for a certain


    someone.


    It didn''t take long before he the object of his search.


    Leonica, was the object of his search.


    And the more he watched her, the harder it became for him to fight away the fact of how stunning she looked in her dress tonight.


    It was different from how he had seen her the previous time. This time, she had a smile on her lips, looking care free and happy. That look however, faded as soon as her eyesnded on him.


    He couldn''t me her, as his own lips had tightened and his jaws clenched, the feeling of


    hatred between them was mutual.


    "Gabriel?" Angelina''s voice pulled him away from the scene in front.


    "Is everything alright?" She asked, a slight worried tone in her voice.


    Gabriel nodded, however he couldn''t stop his gaze from traveling back to the approaching couple. This did not go unnoticed by Angelina.


    Sighting his gaze, her free hand tightened at the sight of Leonica.


    Of course it was the white-ette bitch that was causing the sudden change in his attitude.


    Boiling with sudden anger, Angelina wondering how she had managed to get into Ster''s party, after all, it was an invite only party.


    So just how had she gotten in?


    Angelina had racked half of her brain for the answer when her eyended on the man beside


    Leonica.


    No less than a heart beatter, she recognized him. Arvan Richardson, the stunning face of Norway''s political department and the Senator of Norway.


    But none of that information bother her as much as the question roaming her mind.


    How had Leonica made such an acquaintance and even managed to tag along as his partner.


    ''Wasn''t it obviously? The voice at the back of her mind pointed out.


    Understanding the vague words of her mind without much struggle, Angelina''s mouth formed an ''O'' shape, soon the shape of her lips turned into a sly smile and before either Hus A. Evande


    Gabriel could react, Angelina had already meander forward, blocking Leonica''s path with at feigned smile of kindness on her lips.


    "Ah, what a pleasant surprise seeing you here, Leonica." Angelina''s words were as fake as her


    smile.


    "Angelina." Leonica''s brows raised, the corners of her lips tightening. Out of all the people she had to run into, Gabriel and Angelina had to be on the top of her list.


    "I didn''t think I''d be running into you at Stel''s party. It''s an invite only party, you are aware, right? So how did you get in?" Angelina questioned, tone filled with mockery, however, despite the obvious taunt, Leonica chose not to take the bait.


    Instead she shed her a cold look, and then a smile, one as fake as Angelina''s was.


    "That''s none of your business." She answered, her tone sweet as honey, yet poisonous as


    cyanide.


    Angelina took the hint, but refused to back down.


    "Did you perhaps...bride Mr. Richardson here with, Something, so as for him to allow you tag along?" Angelina said, the undertone of her voice being suggestive as well as holding hints of mockery. Leonica, however, had no intention of getting involved in a petty cat fight with her, but she saw no harm in putting a sly bitch like her in a ce befitting her status.


    However, before she could speak, Arvan had beat her to it.


    "As a matter of fact Ms., it was I who asked Ms. Romero to apany me to this party and I am more than honored to have her as my partner,"


    His words were not what Leonica had expected him to say, and she could tell from the way Angelina''s expression turned surprised, that she had not expected those words either.


    Much like Angelina, the crowd soon became rowdy at Arvan''s actions, whispers traveling around.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Mr. Richardson stood up for her, do you think something''s going on between them?" One of the paparazzi whisper to his fellow workmen.


    "So what if there is?" Came his response. "Look at them standing together," he pointed his hand at the couple up ahead. "they''re obviously a match made in heaven."


    A few people agreed with his opinion, admitting that the two, standing together looked like God''s favorite children.


    And this whispers, no matter how little or quiet they were, slowly reached the ears of Leonica and remaining group of three,

 Chapter 40

    Like an unconscious instinct, Leonica''s gaze found Gabriel''s dark eyes, flinching ever so


    Pomoyous As Gyanick¨¦


    slightly when he was already staring back at her.


    The look he was giving her was hard to interpret, but she knew, just from the intensity of his gaze, that the thoughts running through his mind were not good.


    She had after all, known him for more than seven years, and his looks and actions were like


    second nature to her.


    Yet the more she tried reading his expression, the harder it was to understand.


    He didn''t look angry, but neither did he look the least but pleased to see her here, but considering their previous encounter over the week, she really couldn''t me him.


    Standing in between the two staring ex partners, apanied by the whispers going around, Angelina felt, no, she knew that the spotlight was being stolen away from her, by Leonica.


    It was almost like an open mockery to her and her efforts.


    Angelina, as a woman with pride, could not ept this.


    Clinging to Gabriel''s arm with a weakened expression on her face, she called out to him.


    "Gabe,"


    Tearing his gaze away from Leonica, Gabriel looked down at her.


    "What is it?"


    "I''m feeling a little tired." She answered, clinging tighter to his arm and smirking when Leonica watched her actions.


    "Let''s head inside and sit down for a while." She requested, eyes falling back to his face.


    Gabriel did not respond.


    "Please Gabe, I''m feeling kinda dizzy. Can''t we just head inside and sit for a while?"


    "If you knew your health wasn''t good enough to handle this, then you should have stayed home." Came Gabriel''s shocking response. Angelina was totally thrown off guard by his reply.


    "But I wanted toe," She continued. "I was so looking forward to spending time with babe,"


    She was reallyying it thick.


    Gabriel sighed and pulled away from her grip. "Not now, Angelina."


    "But-"


    "I said, not now."


    Angelina shut her mouth.


    you,


    Pot out is Lyonde


    Seeing her like this, and realizing that he had indeed been a bit harsh on her, Gabriel sighed and without warning picked her up in a bridal carry. Feeling the ground suddenly disappear from beneath her, Angelina yelped out in surprise and instinctively wrapped her hands around Gabriel''s neck.


    "I''ll take you to rest some ce quiet." He told her, turning around and walking away from the scene.


    As they walked away, Leonica couldn''t help but stare, mind recalling what Angelina had told her at the amusement park.


    She was pregnant with Gabriel''s child. Back then, whether she cared or not, her mind had automatically called her words a bluff, but seeing the way Gabriel delicately carried her to rest after she simplyined of feeling weak, had Leonica''s doubts slowly vanishing. ''If she is truly carrying his child, does that mean he''s actually going to marry her?"


    That thought roamed her mind for the briefest second, causing a bitter taste to overrun her taste buds before Arvan snapped her back to reality.


    "Leonica, are you okay?" He asked, hand returning back to her back as soon as he dismissed the press they had been speaking with. When she didn''t reply immediately, he asked another question. "Did...did my words perhaps make you ufortable?"


    "No, not at all." She waved his worries of, dismissing whatever unnecessary thought that was forming in his head. "It just," She hesitated,ter settling for a simple head shake, indicating that she wasn''t going to say anymore.


    Arvan did not push further. Instead, he changed the topic quickly, ensuring herfortability first. "Ah, if that''s so, shall we head in then."


    Leonica smiled up at him. "Yes, let''s."


    Wrapping her hand around his upper arm once more, they both approached the entrance of the event. The first thing they both did after stepping inside was to greet the celebrant herself.


    Ster however, from all the stories she had heard, wasn''t all to happy to see-L¨¦onica and the white-ette could tell.


    So while Arvan and Ster had a quick talk, she excuses herself to get some fresh air on the balcony.


    The air away from overly dressed aristocrats and expensive wine, felt great in many ways. Leonica leaned her elbows on the balcony railing and dragged in a deep breath through both her lips and nose, eyesing shut at the action, before she briefly exhaled. However, with all the air gone out, her eyes still remained shut, simply basking in the


    moonlight''s glow while listening to the faint sound of chattering, music, clinking ss and footsteps approaching, behind her.


    Pomoyful As Cyanum


    Footsteps!


    Her eyes immediately snapped open and at an almost rming rate, she spun around, only to find herself standing in front of a familiar face.


    "Christian!" She breathed, clutching the railing underneath her palm. "Don''t scare me like that."


    "Wasn''t my intention," The male said and gave a tiny bow that somehow reminded Leonica of the partner she hade with. "I was just walking past when I saw you. Thought I''d...well," He hesitated. "Apologize."


    Watching the male take a spot beside her, she arched her brows. "Apologize? What for?"


    "For the thing with your medical record, I mean." He answered. "I didn''t mean to invade your privacy, it''s just that," He rubbed the back of his neck. "After seeing you visit the gynecology that day, I couldn''t help but get curious and identally ran my mouth to Gabriel." "Oh."


    "It''s stupid, I know, and I''m sorry."


    Leonica sighed, pressing her lips into a thin line in the process. No matter how much she wanted to stay angry at Christian, she couldn''t bring herself to.


    But that also didn''t mean she wanted to get any closer to him. She appreciated his apology and all, but at the end of the day, he was one of Gabriel''s closest friends.


    Waving her hand dismissively at his words, she pushed herself off the railing. "It''s okay, I forgive you."


    "Really?"


    "Yes, there''s no need staying angry at you, now is there?" Gathering her dress, she was about to return to her partner''s side, when Christian spoke.


    "Ah, before I forget, be careful."


    Looking over her shoulder, she shot a puzzled look in his direction. "What?"


    "Gabriel, he seems to think that kid- Ashely, correct?- belongs to him. Even though I refused doing a back run of the kid''s medical record, he seems to think he''s his son.


    Hearing his words, Leonica''s expression darkened.


    "He''s got his head all messed up with that idea. I''d watch out if I were you-"


    "Gabriel told you to do what?"


    Turning his head away from the moonlit sky and towards the approaching female, Christian


    was met with a pair of furious purple eyes, narrowed and aimed right at him.


    Oh shit, he spoke too much.


    "Answer me!" She demanded, stomping her feet in front of him, the heels she wore, making the action seem more intimidating. "What was he thinking, asking you to run a back record of a child''s medical record? MY child''s medical record?" "Listen, I wasn''t-"


    Throwing her head back and chuckling, Leonica cut off his exnation. "Hoho, I think this shit had gone on for far too long. Gabriel''s useless curiosity, stops tonight."


    Spinning around on her heels, she began storming off, ignoring the calls of her name.


    She needed to have a little talk with a certain someone.


    And the talk was going to be anything but friendly.


    Walking through the doors and back into the crowded area of the party, Leonica''s eyes swept across the crowd, trying to search for a particr pair.


    As she stood still, scanning the crowd, a waiter approached her, tray of wine carried skillfully.


    "Wine, Madam?" He offered.


    Leonica was about to deny, when she thought against it. She wasn''t going to deny the fact that she was thirsty and her throat was dry from walking out and yelling, and she was definitely in need of some alcohol to calm her nerves, so, reaching out, she took a ss. "Thank you.


    "Of course, enjoy your night." The waiter said, about to walk away when Leonica stopped him.


    "Per chance, have you happened to see Mr. Bryce,"


    "Of course, I saw him going up those stairs," The waiter pointed towards a flight of stairs and Leonica nodded after following his finger, eyes sighting the stairs.


    "Alright, thank you."


    "My pleasure." The waiter bowed and departed. Alone again, the white-ette, sipped down the rest of the drink in her hand and ced the ss back on the tray of a passing waiter before approaching the stairs.


    With her heels clicking against the hard floor and her dress trailing behind her, Leonica followed the hallway, searching for the person she hade here to see.


    She walked passed rooms, trying to find her target.


    "Just where the hell is he?" She mumbled, feeling her anger towards him rising all the more.


    Pantalon A4 Cyanide


    First he tries to run a record check in HER kid and now, he makes her walk all this way, looking


    for him in heels.


    God so help him when she sights his ass.


    Leonica''s thoughts were abruptly brought to an end when, she walked pass one room and suddenly felt a hand grab her by the waist, pulling her into the room before she could react. Did It Hurt?


    Seven minutes before,


    Hand stuffed in his pocket and body leaned against the nearest wall, Gabriel watched the interaction ensuing in the balcony with dark hooded lids.


    All around him, the aura seemed deadly,bined with the look of obviously jealousy that swept across his face each time Christian spoke to Leonica.


    As if one man wasn''t enough for her, she was going after another, of course.


    "Gabe,"


    Angelina''s voice called him back to reality and he looked down, watching as the woman he hade with, offered him a ss of wine, ss of water in her other hand. "Are you alright?"


    Taking the offered drink, Gabriel nodded his head. "Yes, why wouldn''t I be?"


    Angelina shrugged her shoulders, sipping the water from the ss in her hand and waiting for Gabriel to take a sip from his..


    He didn''t, not Immediately. Instead, he stared down at the liquid in the ss, watching as the light from themps hanging overhead reflected against the wine''s surface.


    A few momentster, he raised the ss to his lips and tilted it, allowing the bitter yet sweet vor of the liquid to fill his taste buds.


    "So," Angelina started, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. "Remember what I told you? I promised to make sure you had a good night," She smiled and used her free hand to trail up his chest. Gabriel''s hands had already moved, ready to remove her fingers as if on instinct, when at


    familiar voice to both their ears spoke.


    "Gabriel, Angelina, I''m so d to see you both here." Ster sundered over, pulling the female brte into a hug the next seconds.


    "Ster, happy birthday." Angelina wished as soon as they pulled apart.


    cing her hand against her chest, the celebrant smiled. "Thank you. The girls are waiting for you over there."


    "Alright, I''ll be right there."


    Seeing her off, Angelina turned her attention back to Gabriel who had gone back to sipping his drink.


    "I''ll be back soon, okay? Wait for me here." She told him and without giving him time to answer, she turned around and disappeared through the crowd, heading towards her group of friends.


    Watching her go, Gabriel''s eyes turned back to the balcony, instantlynding on Christian and Leonica who were now standing closer than ever, face to face.


    Eyes narrowing dangerously, Gabriel gritted his teeth.


    The wine in the ss sloshed around as his hand was skin raised and chugged down in favor of quenching whatever anger was arising in him.


    That however was a bad decision on his path as no less than a minuteter, his vision suddenly blurred. The blurry vision was apanied by a wave of headache of sudden heat that had Gabriel shaking his head in hopes of shaking whatever hade over him away. His actions however, was futile and seemed to worsen the effect. Deciding against standing still in where he was, Gabriel turned around and barely managed to find his way to the stairs, picking the nearest room he could find to rest in,


    Inside the room, he sat down on the nearest couch and rested his head, hoping that his blurred vision and dizzy spell would pass as soon as the wine left his system.


    A few minutester, his headache had gone and his vision had somewhat cleared, however, the same couldn''t be said for the strange sensation in his body, his hands were shaking, his forehead was sweating, his mouth had gone dry and his mind all mingled. Gabriel wasn''t sure what was going on, but he did not like the feeling.


    However, no matter how much his mind tried convincing him to stand and leave the room, his body didn''tply.


    No matter how many times he tried pushing himself up, his body wouldn''t move, and it didn''t take a genius to tell him that he had been drugged.


    Someone had spiked his drink.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Cursing under his breath, Gabriel managed to rise to his feet this time around, stumbling for the door. He had just pulled the door open when he had a familiar voice and the sound of


    footstepsing his way.


    "Where the hell is he?"

 Chapter 41

    Leonica! He instantly recognized her voice and wondered what she was doing here.


    But that didn''t quite matter, what in fact did right now, was help. He needed help.


    Pulling himself together, he waited until her shadow was in his view, and when the time was right, he grabbed her, pulled her into the room, shut the door, and pinned her against the wall, using his strength and her surprise against her. Banyu


    Leonica was still surprised by the attack. Her minds swirled in several direction, trying to piece information together before she started struggling against the person who had pinned her against the door.


    A sh of the moonlight from the curtain blown by passing wind revealed who her attacker


    was.


    Puzzled and angered, Leonica fought hard against her with strain.


    "Gabriel, you-"


    Her words were cut off as Gabriel smashed his lips against.


    The kiss was a rough one, demanding and forceful, yet gentle at the same time. It was a


    strange mix of emotions that had her feeling weak and had her body reacting against her will.


    14


    Mmm...mmm,"


    ¦°


    Her struggle turned into muffled moans as she felt Gabriel''s tongue forcefully pry open her lips and enter her mouth, his hand moving from her wrist and trailing down her sides, caressing her waist before finding the hem of her dress. Her body jerked the moment she felt his hand touch her thigh.


    "Gabriel, stop," She demanded, turning her head to the side to avoid his lips and cing her


    hand on his chest.


    "Gabriel, s-stoo this rig-ah"


    She moaned, thest part of her words


    sucking on the sensitive skin.


    cut off when he began attacking her neck, nibbling and


    Her legs were already weak, but the more he pressed his body against hers, the more her knees threatened to buckle.


    "N-no stop..." She protested.


    Squeezing her eyes shut and fingers tightening around his shirt, she bitterly thought. ''I''m not Angelina.''


    "Leonica, ah,"


    Gabriel''s voice was hot against her ear as he spoke, but that wasn''t what had shivers running down her spine and settling in the deepest part of her stomach.


    It was the fact that he had called her name, not Angelina''s or some other bed warmer of his. This surprised Leonica and by the time she had recovered from that shock, Gabriel had picked her up andnded her on the bed, hovering above her. His hands worked on their own ords, riding her gown up to her stomach, to revealing the


    Did it Pur


    operational scar she had endured in other to have Ashely.


    Seeing the scar, Gabriel''s expression softened and his hand gently caressed it, sending new waves of pleasant shivers up Leonica''s entire body.


    "Did it hurt?" He asked, hot breath fanning her skin as he leaned down and gently kisses her


    stomach.


    Leonica gasped...no, she yelped, surprised by his action. It was vague yet gently, almost as if he was handling some sort of delicate object.


    As


    s crazy


    as the situation may have seemed, Leonica allowed herself soak under his touch for the briefest second and coupled with recalling the amount of pain she had to go through alone. while birthing Ashely, she couldn''t control the amount of tears that pooled in her eyes. "Did it hurt, Leonica?" Gabriel asked again, looking up at her through hisshes as he peppered the scar with kisses.


    Leonica opened her mouth to respond when she for once took notice of his expression. His face seemed flushed and red, almost as if he had been drugged.,


    Had he been drugged? Was that why he was doing this?


    Thoughts running through her mind, she didn''t notice that Gabriel''s lips had travelled downwards, kissing her stomach and the scar before moving even further down, till he reached her thighs. "G-gabriel, we shouldn''t do this. Y-you need to stop- Ah!"


    Pulling her underwear far aside enough, Gabriel didn''t hesitate, his tongue darted out, licking her clit before slipping into her folds.


    "Ahhh," Leonica couldn''t help but arch her back and moan out at the sensation.


    "No,"


    She couldn''t allow herself to get lost in this feeling, not again, not after all he had done. Not


    when he was about to have his own child with another woman.


    ''You''re just going to get hurt in the end."


    She bit down on her lips, fingers tangling in the sheets beneath her.


    ''No, don''t give in. No, don''t give in.'' she repeated those words in her head, trying to pull away from Gabriel, but his grip, as well as his knowledge of how to handle her body, had her failing.


    A few minutes more and the effects of the wine she had gulped down before finding him, started to take effect, making her feel all fuzzy and weakened.


    "Ga...briel."


    "Leonica,"


    His voice was husky, filled with want, need, desire, lust, and so many other things, had her body rendering to him against her minds will.


    Or perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, either one, somewhere in the back of her mind, Leonica was sure she''d regret her action the moment she woke up.


    And she did.


    Staring at the pieces of clothes on the floor and the reurring memories of the night before in her head, Leonica suppressed a scream, and instead pulled on her hair.


    Stupid her, how could she have allowed herself to make such a mistake? Was she still the same stupid woman?!


    Berating herself inwardly, the White-ette quietly slipped out of the bed and gathered her clothes, slipping them on and without ncing back at Gabriel who was still peaceful sleeping, slipped out of the room.


    As she rushed out of the room, scurrying down the hall with intentions none other than getting away, Leonica failed to notice the one spiteful eyes that had watched her every movement, burning red with anger and hatred. Angelina.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    Hickeys.


    Hands balled and jaws clenched tightly, Angelina stood off in a corner, fuming from head to toe as she watched Leonica meander out of the room, hair a mess and fresh hickeys decorating her back and neck, ultimately rifying that the n she had spent days crafting, had fallen into the wrong hands.


    And it was all because of that Bitch called Leonica!


    She had ruined everything, stolen the opportunity away from her when she had spent thousands on the drug she diluted Gabriel''s drink with.


    She had waited patiently, bought the drug from a friend of hers who assured her that one night was all it took for her to get pregnant with Gabriel baby, with thousands of dors and at the right time, decided to strike, but all because of Ster dragging her away from a talk, she had lost the opportunity.


    Slowly advancing from her spot, Angelina moved towards the room Leonica had stepped out from and with much hesitation, peeped into it.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Her heart skipped a beat at the sight, for Gabriel was indeed resting on the bed, hair messy and clothespletely gone.


    He had slept with her.


    Angelina didn''t need the evidence before her to confirm that fact, the hickeys on Leonica''s: body, the disarray the bed was in, the scent of sex in the room, and most importantly, Gabriel''s own naked state, made the evidence all the more clear. They had fucked.


    Swallowing the urge to scream and her own hatred towards Leonica, which had reached a new high since seeing her step out of the room, Angelina slowly pulled the door and stepped inside, kicking aside Gabriel''s discarded suit near the door. Walking towards the bed, hands in her hips, Angelina nced around, thinking of ways to salvage the situation before Gabriel woke up from his sleeping state.


    The first thought that crossed her mind was strip and slip into the space beside him, but considering Gabriel''s incredible memories and The hickeys on Leonica''s neck, she wasn''t too sure that n would be exactly smooth sailing.


    The second though that crossed her mind however, made the corners of her lips tug up into a mischievous smirk.


    ''Well, why not?''


    If her n to get pregnant by Gabriel''s seed failed, then the least she could do was prepare hard evidence that they had indeed slept together


    She''d make him believe he got her pregnant, and once the news spread, it was sure to be all over the press, and that was a guarantee ticket into his life.


    Yes, the idea was brilliant and there was no way it would fail, but in order for the n to work, she needed to act, and fast, before the sleeping beauty rose from his sleep.


    Gabriel had expected to wake up to a hangover worse than a concussion, but much to his surprise, he woke up feeling much more refresh than he had in the past five


    years.


    Stirring in his bed, he hugged the duvet and inhaled the scent attached to it that reminded him of the dream he had dreamt about.


    In his dream, for the sake of Ashely, Leonica had decided to forgive him. With open arms, she weed him back into her life and embraces, offering herself to him afterwards. Gabriel hadn''t hesitated. He took and savored it all, the look on face as he pleasured her, her voice. calling out his name, and her smell, her taste.


    All the sensations he had long since forgotten, they had returned to him in his dreams, reminding him of the pleasure andfort he had lost five years ago.


    It all felt so surreal, and now, waking up to her scent, and this sound of running shower, Gabriel had for a moment believed he was still in his dream.


    That was until the sound of running shower disappeared and the door opened and Instead of, Leonica, Angelina suddenly stepped out. "Gabriel, you''re awake!"


    She sounded surprised to see him awake, but that wasn''t the only thing that caught his


    attention.


    No, what did was her outfit.


    She wore nothing but a towel wrapped around her torso, barely covering the important parts and all around her neck were visibly marks of fresh love bites.


    What the hell had happened the night before?! Why was Angelina here and not...Leonica?


    Had he...had he perhaps imagined everything that happenedst night?


    No way, Gabriel knew who he smelt, and felt and it wasn''t Angelina...


    Right?


    Sitting up in bed, he rubbed his temple and tried hard to recall what had happened, but nothing came up.


    Perhaps it was indeed Angelina he had slept with but due to his fuzzy mind and memory, he had identally mistaken her for Leonica.


    Gabriel had no idea how long he sat there, staring into space, but when Angelina finally broke the silence, he realized that he hadn''t responded to her greetings, and was now seating beside. him with a puzzled look. "A-are you okay? Are you feeling better after..st night?" Angelina asked in a coy manner, fingers tightening around the towel When Gabriel''s gaze met hers and then swept to the curves of her neck.


    His mind was telling him, a thousand and one times, that the person he had slept with was Leonica, but the hickeys present on Angelina''s neck was a fresh p out of his imaginative thinking. The person her had slept with was Angelina, not Leonica.


    Sighing to clear his head, Gabriel buried his face in the center of his palm.


    "I''m sorry, Angelina," He muttered.


    "Huh?"


    "I''m sorry," Repeated, removing his hand and looking up at her. "Aboutst night...I was drunk and took advantage of you, I''m sorry for that."


    Containing the smile that threatened to break into her lips after witnessing the sess of her n in motion, Angelina quickly shook her head. "N-no, it''s fine, like you said, you were drunk, I know you didn''t mean to- "Whether I meant to do it or not, it''s only right that I take responsibility for my actions." Gabriel cut her off. "Angelina," He called, reaching out and holding her hand.


    Angelina''s heart nearly leaped out if her chest.


    "From this moment forth, no matter what happens, I promise to take responsibility."


    And those were the magic words she had been looking for. Allowing the smile to bow make it''s way to her lips, Angelina rejoiced in the inside.


    Now that Gabriel believed that they slept together, she could easily get pregnant with another man''s child and im it was his.


    "Thank you, Gabe," She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug, one which he epted and returned.


    After a few minutes, they parted and Angelina excuses herself, iming that she needed to turn into work as she had gotten a call earlier in the day.


    Gabriel nodded watched her head into the bathroom. When she came out dressed, he had already put in his trouser.


    "Do you have everything?" He asked, walking towards her.


    Hickey''s


    Angelina''s eyes gravitated towards his exposed chest, she drooled for a bit before snapping herself out and nodding.


    "Yes, I have everything." Getting on her toes, she pecked his check, to excited with her sess to notice the fact that Gabriel had flinched when she kissed him. "Well, I''ll get going now. I''ll drop byter to see you, okay?" Simply nodding his head, Gabriel agreed. "Yeah, do so."


    Walking her towards the door, he closed the door behind her, about to get dressed to leave himself, when something on the floor caught his attention.


    It was shinny.


    Walking closer to the object, Gabriel bent down and plucked it off the floor, holding the object which he now knew was a golden bracelet, up for his eyes to examine.


    As the jewelry swirled between his fingers, cold and shinning, his eyes caught the initials written on the inside.


    L.R.


    ''L.R?'' He repeated in his mind, looking the bracelet over once more.


    It certainly didn''t look like something Angelina would wear. So who could have....


    The thoughts stopped in his mind as soon as they entered. Getting up, he walked to his phone and called his assistant.


    "Bill, where are you? I need you to look into something."


    Meeting With The Shareholders.


    ck face cap and mask concealing her identity, Angelina jogged out of the hotel that had been used for Ster''s birthday event and onto the other side of the road where a car sent from herpany had been waiting for her.


    When she slipped into the back seat, her manager eyes the marks on her exposed neck. Even in the dim atmosphere of the car, tinted windows and all, the marks were still overly visible.


    "Ms. Fernandez...those..."


    Following the directions of her manager''s line of sight, the brte chuckled. "Oh don''t worry, this aren''t real." Reaching into her hand bag, she pulled out fresh wet wipes and dragged the across her skin, cleaning off the makeup to reveal her unmarked skin underneath. Her manager stared at her, confused.


    "You wouldn''t understand," Tossing the wipes on the floor with one hand, she patted the innocent adolescent on the head with her other one. "Now tell the driver to take us to the studio, I don''t want to arriveter than the scheduled time."


    ""Y-yes ma''am."


    With that, the car began to drive away, while Angelina smirked at herstest win.


    Seating in front of her makeup mirror with a make up brush in her hand, Leonica felt a shiver run down her spine.


    Who the fuck was plotting against her so early in the morning?


    Swiping the brush against light powder, the White-ette brought it up to her neck, brushing it against the ces that were red, freshly marked with evidence of her mistakes the previous night with Gabriel.


    Staring at the red marks, Leonica gritted her teeth, filling yet another bile rise in the back of her throat. It was yet another urge to bend over on her toilet seat and puke out her entire yesterday''s meals, just like she had done when she returned home, disgusted and angry at herself. After five years, no, seven, after seven who fucking years, how was it that Gabriel still had so much control over her body?!


    One freaking touch and she melted like a fucking ice block ced in front of fire!


    Nothing could have disappointed her much like her actions yesterday. Be it the effect of the alcohol or whatever her subconscious tried to use to make excuse, the fact still stood that she had sex with Gabriel, And for that, she was disappointed with herself. Pushing her thoughts aside with a sigh, Leonica was about to grab her concealer when the sound of her ringtone red, making her flinch at the unexpected sound.


    Cursing at how jumpy she had been feeling all morning ever since returning home, she reached for the device that wasying face down, her brows creasing in confusion when she saw the person calling was none other than her assistant.


    ''Did I forget something important?'' She questioned, going over her schedule for the day in her head as she swiped on the answer icon and brought the phone to her ear.


    Instead of her usual way of answering, she went straight to the point. "Yes Kennedy, what is it?


    "Ms. Romero, good morning. I apologize for calling but your presence is required at thepany."


    Mentally done with her run through of her schedule, and realizing she didn''t in fact have to drop by thepany today, she questioned. "What for."


    "Well, the thing is..." Kennedy hesitated to exin. Waiting for him to continue, Leonical ced her phone on loud speaker and ced it on her table, going back to her earlier work before he had called her.


    "This morning, some shareholders showed up and they''ve been throwing fits ever since, demanding number of times to see you, despite me telling them that you weren''ting in today."


    Leonica who had finished covering up the marks and was now reaching for her jewelry for the day, froze, eyes gravitating towards her phone.


    "What? Why?"


    "They refuse to tell me. I apologize Ms. Romero.


    Thinning her lips, she waved her hand despite Kennedy not being able to see her. "It''s fine. Take them to the conference room, I''ll handle them myself when I arrive."


    "Yes Ma''am."


    And with that, the call ended, leaving Leonica to sigh to herself.


    First her mistake with Gabriel and now those lousy shareholders, how much worse could her day get?


    Picking out a simple pair of earrings, she ced them on, followed by her ne and bracelet...


    Huh?


    Staring at her jewelry box with narrowed brows, eonica searched for the one bracelet she


    always seemed to wear.


    She was sure she had put it on the previous day, when she left the house. But it wasn''t anywhere in the box.


    "Did I take it off at the party?" She muttered to herself, searching the box for a few minutes before sighing.


    If she couldn''t find it, then she had lost it somewhere, and with the kind of bracelet it was - custom made and given to her by someone she cared for the chances of getting it back was


    slim.


    "Fuck, and I had to be so careless."


    Pinching the bridge of her nose, she got up, grabbed her phone and bag and headed out, intending to deal with her problems one at a time.


    First the shareholders, and then she''d find a way to recover the bracelet, if possible.


    Arriving at thepany, Leonica was greeted by the security guards and several employees on the first floor.


    She greeted them back, a small smile on her face as she did so. She was about to make her way up the elevator to the eighteenth floor where the conference room was when Kennedy suddenly called out her name.


    Having waited downstairs for her for the past hour, he quickly spotted her and strolled forward. "Ms. Romero,


    Leonica turned around, a smile making its way to her lips once more. "Kennedy," She acknowledge the assistant before asking. "Where are they?"


    "Conference room 2, floor eighteen." Kennedy responded, offering her the coffee he had. fetched go start her very much crappy day. Leonica epted it with a tough, yet grateful smile and took a sip from it as he lead her to the elevator. "Any clue to why they want to see me?"


    "No," He shook his head, stepping into the elevator with his employer. "They refused to tell me their reason. I apologize."


    "You don''t have to."


    And then there was silence, both of them watching the elevator screen disy the number of floors they were ascending, waiting for the elevator doors to open.


    When the lift came to a stop and the doors opened, the two of them stepped out, and meandered for the conference room.


    Mecuu Wah The ShumenckjutsII


    Let''s get this over once and for all.


    Reaching the door, she pushed it open without any hint of hesitation and stepped in. All the shareholders present, about nine or ten, were instantly put on high alert at her presence, rising to their feet to greet her with a bow.


    The only person who remained seated was Rodrigo.


    What is


    this all about?" Sinking down into her chair, she fixed her gaze square on who she was sure the gang leader was, Rodrigo.


    He didn''t hesitate to bare his fangs this time around. Tossing a file at her, the paper slid on the table, stopping before it could fall off the other end and in front of her.


    "You''re refusing to cooperate with Bryce Empire?" He questioned.


    "Yes." Leonica answered, unbothered by whatever look he and the rest of the shareholders were giving her. "Do you have a problem with that decision.


    "Do I..." Rodrigo chuckled as if finding her words funny. "Do I have a problem with that decision? Like hell I do!" mming his fist against the table, he rose to his feet.


    "Are you the slightest bit aware of what you are doing?! This decision of yours, do you know how detrimental it would be to ourpany?!" He scolded, voice high with the intention of bringing her down in front of the present shareholder.


    If he had most of them in his side, her seat as president would slowly be shaken.


    "Your father and 1, we entrusted thispany to you, Leonica, yet here you are, making decisions that could cost Romero Empire it''s future, do you want thispany to crumble?"


    "Romero Empire would not crumble because of this one decision, rather it would be stronger." Leonica defended.

 Chapter 42

    "Stronger," Rodrigo scoffed and shook his head at her words. "Leonica, the person you''re nning on going up against is The Business prodigy, do you think we will stand a chance if he decides to retaliate?!" Murmurs of agreement from the rest of the shareholders was heard, but Leonica wasn''t affected by them.


    "Romero Empire is not as strong as it was before, but Bryce Empire on the other hand, they''re stronger. You should have taken this opportunity to join forces with him instead of trying to go up against him. Now because of your actions, thepany''s reputation is dropping."


    "Then so be it." Came Leonica''s sharp response. The Romero Empire I know was built strong enough to withstand a couple of rumors and social dropping. If we can''t withstand that now, then I don''t believe we''re worthy of being Norway''s too business entity." Her words quieted a few people, while the others weren''t afraid to show their objection to he''d


    Meetfy Wan The Shaobholdels


    words.


    "That''s total bullshit," one of them said. "Going down a path like this would only lead to doom.""


    "Yeah," her seatmate concurred. "If


    empire. This isn''t right and if we continue on like this, nothing would be left of Hessfu


    suggest we have a change in presidency."


    to continue being the Romero Empire I know, then I


    More and more people started to add in their two cents, their voices getting louder and louder as they continued talking and discussing amongst themselves, making Leonica feel frustrated and annoyed.


    From where Rodrigo stood, a smirk made its way up to his lips as he kudos to the scene internally. It was exactly as he wanted it.


    Things were going exactly as he wanted it. Now it was time for him to step in and y the good cop.


    "Please, everyone calm down." He requested, his voice silencing the entire room. "I understand everyone''s worry, I myself would be lying if I said I don''t have several. And," he turned to face Leonica. "I can also understand my niece''s way of thinking. That''s why I have an idea. Rather than cooperating with Bryce Empire for along period of time, why don''t we have a one off deal with them. A one time thing that can ensure a smooth severing of ties between bothpanies?" He suggested and just like dumb puppets, the shareholders began agreeing to his words. "Yes, that''s a brilliant idea."


    "We could make them agree to a one time deal, and if things get better, we can cut ties with them."


    "Brilliant, yes, that''s exactly what we need!"


    To say Leonica was surprised by their stupidity was an understatement, but at the same time, she couldn''t voice those words, seeing clearly as Rodrigo had more people on his side than her and automatically, she had lost the battle, for today.


    Sighing to herself, Leonica leaned back against her seat and folded her arms, ring at the man before her. "Rodrigo, in thispany I call the shots and when I say we won''t partner with Bryce Empire for anything, then we wouldn''t. If it''s thepany''s reputation that you''re worried about, leave it to me, I''ll handle it."


    "How so?" The male challenged.


    "A partnership better than that of Bryce Empire." She confidently told him.


    Rodrigo chuckled on the inside, knowing fully well that Leonica couldn''t leave up to her words. and was simply trying to prevent herself from getting eaten in today''s meeting.


    Mentxa)


    But very well, he was going to y along and even use it to his advantage.


    "Alright, you''ll call the shots. I''ll leave you to provide a better partnership deal, but under one condition." Holding his index finger up, he announced. "One week, I''ll give you one week and if in that time span, you fail to bring a better partnership deal, I''ll be a co president of Romero Empire." "And if I do?" Leonica questioned, tilting her head almost innocently. "Would you resign from Romero Empire?"


    "That...that''s too much to stake."


    "And you think half of thepany''s control isn''t? Put your right cards in the table here, uncle." She retorted.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Her unwavering determination made anger pull in Rodrigo''s stomach.


    She has the guts to act all brave now because she''s in the presidential seat, just she wait, he''ll make her pay for her behavior.


    "Excellent then," Rodrigo forced a grin and turned to face his colleagues. "Let''s do it that way. So, is everyone in agreement? Shall we go ahead with the n?"


    "Yes, let''s."


    "Then, the decision is final. We''re going through with this."


    "Good, good," Rodrigo nodded, happy that the decision was settled.


    "If that''s all, then meeting dismissed." Leonica said and stood up. She had walked towards the door before stopping and looking over her shoulder to speak. "Oh, and bare this in mind; today would be the first and thest day you all would you all would show up at MYpany and cause such a ruckus, or else I would personally see to it that you are all reced, no matter how long it would take."


    With those words hanging in the air, Leonica stepped out of the room, her assistant training behind her as she walked towards her office, while thinking of the one person who could fit the bill for her n.


    And then an image shed in her mind.


    "Kennedy, get Mr. Richardson on the phone." She instructed.


    ""Yes Ma''am."


    While Kennedy was doing his job, Leonica suddenly wondered what had happened to Arvan after she had gone to look for Gabriel.


    They hade together yet she had abandoned him to scold bastard that wasn''t even worthy of her time.


    Meetyly Win The Shareholderi


    Talk about the perfect partner.


    "Ms. Romero, there''s a little issue."


    Leonica turned her head to face the assistant who had returned with the news. "Ms. Chloe just informed me that Mr. Richardson had been sent to the hospitalte in the midnight."


    Teaclyng Her A Lesson


    Teaching Her A Lesson.


    Eye brow knitting at his words, Leonica allowed her brain register the situation for a while before she questioned.


    "Hospital? Why?"


    "Supposed stomach ache," Kennedy answered with the exact words Chloe, Arvan''s assistant had told him, all the while watching as his employer stopped in her track, turning around and heading in the direction of the elevator. ""What hospital?" She demanded.


    Kennedy was silent for a while, typing away on his phone before replying. "Midway international hospital." He informed.


    Leonica nodded her head, mapping the exact location in her head as she stepped into the elevator once it arrived on her floor. "I''ll leave now, you handle things over here, Kennedy." She instructed, watching as The assistant bowed his head before the lift door closed. When she stepped out of the lift, she rushed towards her car and quickly drove towards the location Kennedy had ryed to her. Arriving at Midway international hospital, Leonica walked up to the reception, knocking her nails against the counter to get the female''s attention.


    The sound jolted her away from her phone. Quickly putting the device away, she faced Leonica with a gingerly smile. "Good day Ma''am. How may I help you?"


    "I''m here to visit someone. Mr. Arvan Richardson." She informed, watching as the receptionist expression became serious at the mention of an influential figure.


    "Do you have a reservation?" The receptionist asked with a stern expression.


    Hearing the question, Leonica felt like giving herself a p on the head. Of course she didn''t have a reservation. She had just waltz her way into the hospital, too worried to realize that a figure like Arvan was well guarded no matter where and even if she was the president of some big business entity, she''d still need permission to enter, after all, he was the Senator.


    "Ma''am, do you?" The receptionist questioned once again when her silence dragged on. "If you don''t, then I''m afraid I''ll have to decline your request.


    "There won''t any need for that, Carly," Chloe''s voice boomed from behind.


    Turning around, Leonica watched the female approach, two guards on either side of her. As soon as she had gotten close enough, she bowed her head, surprising the receptionist who was further surprised upon hearing the way she addressed Leonica. "Ms. Romero, I apologize for the shabby reception."


    Tracy Her & Lesson.


    "M-ms. Romero, as in the president of Romero Empire?!" The receptionist squealed in surprise, earning a re from Chloe, followed by an apology.


    Leonica waved her hands and shook her head. "It''s fine, you were simply doing your job." Turning to Chloe, she questioned. "Where''s Arvan?" Gesturing towards the elevator, Chloe began to exin as they moved. "Mr. Richardson is in

 Chapter 43

    his medical wing." "What happened?"


    "The doctor said it was a simple Stomach ache. Mr. Richardson has a tendency that only allows him to consume little Alcohol, unfortunately yesterday he had gone past his limit." Chloe exined, sighing at the end.


    Stepping out of the lift, Leonica stole a nce at her, despite being a mere Assistant, she could see that Chloe actually cared for Arvan.


    It brought a slight smile to her lips, however, the smile disappeared with a passing thought.


    What if she was the reason for Arvan''s current condition? The reason why he was here, as per what Chloe had said, was because he had taken too much Alcohol, if she had been there with him, instead of running off to find Gabriel, perhaps she would have stopped him from drinking too much.


    Arriving before a room, Chloe knocked twice, waiting for permission from the person inside before she opened the door and allowed Leonica in.


    "Chloe thank goodness your back, Daisy''s been-" Arvan had began, however shutting up when he realized that Chloe wasn''t the only person stepping into the room. "Leonica?" "I''m sorry I came by without notifying you." Leonica apologized forcing a smile as she stepped forward, but before she could get near Arvan''s bed, a small figure dashed in her direction, wrapping itself around her leg.


    "Leonica, you came!" Daisy eximed, beaming up at her from her height.


    Leonica smiled as soon as she recovered from the start Daisy had given her and reached down, ruffling the little girl''s hair. "Hey Daisy, how are you."


    "I''m fine." She quipped, but secondster, her grin faded. "Daddy however," she patted her stomach. "He''s not feeling well. The doctors say he has a stomachache."


    "I heard," Leonica sighed, squatting down to Daisy''s height and rubbing the little girl''s head. "I''m sure your dad will be alright, the doctors here are really nice." Daisy nodded. "They are, I even got a lollipop from the nurse."


    Showing Leonica the multicolored treat, the white-ette feigned surprise. "You did? Well, you have to share it with your dad, okay?" She advised with a smile. Teading Her A Lesson


    "Of course I will!" She said and turned back in Arvan''s direction, waving the sugar treat in the air. "Daddy, do you want to share the lollipop with me?"


    "Of course princess." Arvan answered, soft smile breaking into his face as he watched hist daughter turn back to Leonica, happily informing her that he would be sharing with her.


    Watching the two interact from his bed, Arvan''s lips curves up into a warm smile, briefly being reminded about histe wife.


    ...how different were they again?


    "So,"


    A voice in front of him pulled Arvan out of his thoughts.


    Carrying Daisy at her side, Leonica approached him.


    "Alcohol poisoning?" She raised a brow at him. "Didn''t think you were the type reckless, Senator."


    a long story." He sighed, sinking deeper into his pillows.


    "Long story or not, you should have been more careful, Arvan." She scolded.


    to be so


    "Are you mothering me?" The male questioned with a raised brow, caught off guard by her sudden need to scold him.


    Leonica didn''t miss the hint of teasing in his voice, which was the main reason she responded the way she did.


    "I''m not mothering you, Arvan Richardson. Just letting you know that you need to be more careful. You''re in a high position which is as dangerous as it is powerful, several people won''t hesitate to seize an opportunity when it''s presented. What do you think would happen to Daisy if v you were to be put in danger?" She reasoned.


    "Daisy''s going to be fine, and so am I." He assured. "I got a bit careless, that I can admit and I apologize for worrying you."


    Leonica opened her mouth to retort that she wasn''t worried for him, but realizing her actions and recalling how she had considered him a friend yesterday, she fell silent.


    "Fine. But please be more careful next time. You may be the senator of Norway, but that doesn''tpletely make you invisible to threats, Daisy included."


    Arvan listened attentively to her words before he responded with all seriousness. "I know, and that''s why I intend to get a strong woman who can support us both." Lowering his gaze to the white hospital nket, he added. "A woman who''s strong enough to understand me and stay by my side."


    After saying that, he gaze snapped back up, causing Leonica to flinch slightly when he


    Tractably her ''A Lesson,


    suddenly locked gaze with her and asked. "Isn''t that right."


    Speechless, Leonica stared at Arvan, feeling a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, wash over her. It was just like the time back at the school when he had suddenly sprung up that question on her.


    She was confused as well as speechless, not in the least bit sure why he had asked her the question he just did.


    But however, before she could conjure an answer or even begin to think of one despite it not being a big deal, Chloe spoke up from behind her.


    "Ms. Romero, Mr. Richardson, I apologize for interrupting, but it''s almost time for interview with KN news. They sent their best reporter." She informed.


    "Oh right," Arvan muttered under his breath, eyes flicking towards the wall clock. He had forgotten about the interview he was supposed to give today. your


    "Mr. Richardson, your schedule has been cleared, if you feel up to the interview, we could continue, or-"


    "No, we can''t cancel," Arvan said, cutting Chloe off. "We have a lot riding on this interview. I can''t afford to screw this up."


    But d


    you''re not feeling well." Daisy voiced out, her concern for him was more than enough to pull at his heartstrings. "And...and what about me." She pouted. "What about you, princess." He questioned, watching as his daughter squirmed in Leonica''s hold, the white-ette cing her down.


    "Daddy, I''m hungry." Sheined. "Leonica''s here, can I go with her and eat? I promise toe back fast."


    Chloe shook her head. "I''m afraid that would have to wait, Daisy, we can''t inconvenience Ms. Romero-"


    "It''s fine actually."


    Chloe stopped speaking and looked towards Leonica who was staring at the little girl, a tender smile on her lips. "Daisy, you wanna eat?"


    "Yes!" She squealed in response, nodding her head excitedly.


    Leonica''s smile widened at her eagerness and she turned to face Arvan. "Can I take her?"


    "Be my guest." Arvan gestured towards the door,


    "Thanks,"


    And with that, Leonica held her hand out, watching as the little girl ran forward and epted


    1. it.


    Teaching Her A Leason


    "Let''s go,


    Leonica," she pulled the woman along. "Daddy, I''ll bring back some food for you."


    "I look forward to it," he smiled and waved. "Bye, have fun."Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Bye daddy," Daisy waved back, allowing Leonica to lead her out of the room.


    Watching them go, Chloe''s gaze turned towards Arvan.


    "Sir,"


    "Hmm?" He responded, not taking his gaze away from the door.


    "Don''t you think this is going too far?" She questioned.


    Arvan chuckled. "Maybe, but I won''t stop, not until the results I seek is achieved."


    "And what if you don''t achieve the results you want? Daisy''s going to end up getting hurt in the end, after all, the only reason why she''s growing so attached to Ms. Romero is because-" "Because of the resemnce." Hepleted her sentence. "I''m aware of that, but, I''m not going to stop."


    "Why not," Chloe challenged.


    Despite the smile on his lips, Arvan''s eyes held confusion for his own action as they settled on his feet tucked under the thick hospital covers.


    "Because...I don''t know."


    Seated in his office, Gabriel was going through the files ced on his desk when there was a knock at his door.


    Without looking up, he answered. "Come in."


    The door opened and Bill stepped in, gently closing it behind him before bowing. "Mr. Bryce," "You have something for me?" He questioned, flipping through the pages of a document.

 Chapter 44

    "Yes sir," the male replied, pulling out the small brown envelope he had acquired through his earlier investigation. "I ran a back check into the jewelry you requested, Sir." Hearing his assistant''s words, Gabriel stopped flipping through the pages of his documents and raised his head. "And what did you find."


    "Well..." the man hesitated, not wanting to offend his boss by bringing the result of his research. "The jewelry was from an antique store And well... it belongs to...to Ms. Leonica." Gabriel''s eyes darkened. "Leonica?"


    "Yes, Sir. The jeweler said it was purchased in Ms. Romero''s name." Bill confirmed, earning a chuckle from Gabriel.


    But much to his surprise, the look in his employer''s face, despite the asional chuckles that escaped his mouth, looked anything but pleased.


    Yes, Gabriel was pissed. That woman, Leonica, she had the guts to disappear after using him to satisfy her sexual urges all night long.


    How bold of her. This time around, she had really messed with him and without a doubt, he was going to make her pay.


    He was going to teach her a lesson that he''d make sure she didn''t forget anytime soon.


    She Lied To Their Son.


    Ashely''s new week in school began with him listening to Daisy tell him all about how much his mother had spent time with her, rather than him


    The entire week, his mother had barely spent time with his, giving some excuse after the other while leaving him in his grandparents ce, So hearing from another child that she had spent time and love intended for him, on her, bittered him, even though that wasn''t the girl''s intention.


    "Alright children, kindly quiet down." The silver like sound of their homeroom teacher voice, Mrs. Harper, cut through his train of thought.


    Looking up, Ashely faced the woman who was trying to calm the children.


    When she finally did, she continued. "Today, we will be having our morning routines as usual, however with one exception." Pointing her hand towards the door, everyone watched as a tall well built figure walked into their ssroom.


    Watching the figure walk in, Ashely''s eyes grew wide in astonishment, recognition and


    pleasure. His expression was acknowledge as the male threw him a warm smile as soon as he spotted the younger boy.


    "Kids, today, a very important person would be joining us." Mrs. Harper began once more as soon as The male had taken up a spot beside her "This is Mr. Gabriel Bryce, a very important and Norlight''s biggest shareholders and today, he''s here for a brief inspection." One of the kindergartener raised his hand. "Yes, Gordon?"


    "What exactly is he going to be in...e...in-"


    "Inspecting." Mrs. Harper pronounced with a kind smile,mending the boy for trying to correctly pronounce the word even though he had failed. Turning to Gabriel, she expressed a broader smile. "Well, Mr. Bryce, would you like to exin?" "Of course,"


    "Gabriel nodded at her before facing the children. His eyes found-Ashely''s once more before he began. "Hello Kids,"


    "Hello Mr. Bryce!" Their voices called back with some of them failing to pronounce his name correctly.


    "As Mrs. Harper has exined, today I''m here to inspect, starting with your ss. It''s going to be nothing out of the ordinary, I''m just going to seat in for a few hours and...watch you all. Just a little exercise to determine how well you all are c mind to me. Consider me a fellow student if that puts your mind at ease." He added thest along. Feel free to not pay any part with a chuckle, earning several toothyughs from the students.


    Some of them even went as far as pointing out that he was too old to be a kindergartener. At


    foto that Sul


    some point Mrs. Harper tried to calm them all down, all but one person who had arranged his uniform properly and sat diligently in his seat, not wanting to be associated with the other children''s rowdy behavior and thus, considered III behaved.


    His attempt didn''t go unnoticed. Throughout the masses of noisy children, Gabriel took note of how wellposed he seemed, not only when seating down, but even when sses began.


    Watching him jolt down scribbles on his book, paying attention, as much as possible, to the words of Mrs. Harper, Gabriel couldn''t control the small smile that made its way to the corners of his lips.


    It was a smile filled with pride. He was proud, not only at Ashely''s knack for catching onto things faster than the other children, but also at his well behaved attitude.


    It was the type of pride that only a father could feel as he stared at his child. The child that brought nothing but happiness with their actions.


    As the minutes stretched out, Gabriel still intently watching the boy, he couldn''t help but acknowledge how intelligent and well mannered,


    No matter how much he didn''t want to admit it, Leonica had Raised Ashely in the right way. It


    was clear that she had taken her time and ced him in the right path, mannerism behavior


    and all, unlike her own.


    ''Perhaps, Gabriel began to think, his smile tightening as he stared at Ashely. ''Perhaps if Leonica were to apologize for all the pain she has caused Angelina, I can consider building aplete family with her...for Ashely sake. Nodding his head subtly at the idea, his thoughts were interrupted as Mrs. Harper once again made her way to the front of the ss room and pped her hands, gaining the


    kindergartener''s attention.


    "Alright kids, times up, pens down." She announced once that was turned, She turned around and scribbled big bold letters on their chalk board.


    ''A Speech About My Daddy'' Gabriel read the white words written on the board and as if on instinct, his eyes found Ashely who was seated obediently.


    "Alright," pping her hands together once more, almost like a bad habit, Ms. Harper addresses the ss. "Nowst week we had all decided on this topic and-" she dragged the final letters of herst words. "We even drew lots. Can someone remind me who goes first again?"


    .


    In sync, without missing a heartbeat, everyone''s fingers pointed at Ashely, Daisy''s included, whoter whispered a remorseful apologize.


    "That''s right! Ashely you''re first. Now I''m sure you have your drawingpleted, so why don''t youe up here and tell us all about your father."


    Ashely gulped, visibly. His eyes roamed the entire ssroom, and than *****


    Shed To Their Sol


    316


    elderly male offered him a genuine smile, brimming on the inside to hear what the child has to say about his father, him.


    With a smile given from his kind uncle, Ashely felt a tad bit less nervous. He hopped off his chair and approached the front of his ss.


    "Alright Ashely, we''re all ready whenever you are." Mrs. Harper said, her voice holding the tiniest bit of encouragement as she was well aware of what it meant to stand in front of a group of people your own, preparing to give a speech. Intimidating and nauseous was the least word to describe it.


    "H-hello everyone," Ashely began with a wave just like he had practiced in front of his grandparents all week, minus the stutter. "Today I''m going to be talking about my daddy." Holding up the drawing he had just recently finished in ss, Gabriel angled his body in the direction, wanting to get a better view of not into the boy, but the picture he had also drawn.


    He had expected to see some sort of business man or at least a picture of a man in his neck in some cheaply drawn flower field, the basic, however, what he saw was far from what he had expected, causing his smile to drop.


    a boy


    The man Ashely had drawn as his ''father'' was one in a white space suit, floating cordless-ly around in the space he colored ck.


    Holding the picture up high, unaware of the effect it had on one individual, Ashely continued on with his week long nned speech. "This is my daddy. My daddy is a spaceman who lives up in space. Although he doesn''t spend much time with my mommy and I, he watches and protects us from above. And for that, I love him." He concluded his rather shut speech with. that.


    "I-is that all?" Mrs. Harper questioned.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Cocking his head to the side, silently asking if there was meant to be more, Ashely responded. "Yes?"


    "A-alright. You did good. Everyone p for Ashely."


    The ssroom erupted with sounds of apuse and Ashely smiled at his performance and the congrats that followed after.


    Walking back to his seat, he briefly stole a nce in Gabriel''s direction, expecting to see the male pping and smiling warmly at him, but much to his surprise, Gabriel wasn''t even looking at him, talk less pping.


    Ashely''s face fell as he slid back into his seat, visibly saddened by Gabriel''s expression with one thought on his mind.


    ''Is he mad about something I said?"


    Damn right Gabriel was mad, but not about anything the little one had said, but rather because


    Stonyfa To Their Son


    while listening to Ashely''s speech, a brutal discovery had hit him.

 Chapter 45

    Leonica had fucking lied to his son about his existence!


    A spaceman, the fuck? When the hell did he be a fucking spaceman?!


    It was obvious that Leonica had hidden his existence from Ashely, masking it with some sick fairytale, about he being a spaceman. And just the thought of that alone, brought back the anger he had been feeling towards her in


    new waves.


    Fucking forgiving her for Ashely''s sake, because for Ashely''s sake, he, without a doubt was going to fucking make her pay for this.


    It was only fair to punish a woman like her, who had hid his existence from his own child.


    The rest of the school day had flown by with Gabriel visibly upset by Ashely''s speech, but it didn''t mean he missed the way Ashely had continued to remain well mannered.


    Surprisingly, despite how tacky Ashely''s speech had sounded, it had scores the highest rating, along with a few more of the subject that they had taken, which made hime out with the best score for the day. "Okay, as promised, today''s star, which is Ashely, gets the chance to receive a gift from our top shareholder."


    The children, most, If not all, stopped what they were doing and nced at her.


    What promise? What gift?


    The questions were clearly written on their face, making Harper gingerly mutter the word "Oh shit" as she recalled not tell either of them about the reward ofing out onto for today. "Teacher-" one of the student with ginger brown hair began but Harper swiftly hushed her and any other child than may have wanted to ask the same question..


    "School''s over, go wait for your parents, or better yet, hang out with your friends, get a life while you''re still young and lively." Turning to Ashely, she snapped her fingers. "Ashely''s,e here."


    The young and confused male, despite hearing his teacher''s words, nced between her and his desk mate, Daisy, with puzzlement, before slowly moving to answer her.


    "Congrattions oning out top of the ss, Mrs. Harper patted his head before stepping aside so he could see Gabriel who was waiting for him, hands tucked in the pocket of his grey coat. "Go im your reward." Ashely hesitated, recalling the look of Gabriel''s face after his speech, but seeing the warm


    2. She led to Than Son


    smile on his face now, his hesitation faded away and he advanced.


    "Hello Kind mister." He greeted with a smile.


    He gesture was returned as Gabriel ruffled his hair with enough force to bend his head down." When would you quit calling me that, kid?"


    "Kid?" Ashely huffed, snapping his head away too quickly to notice Gabriel stealing several strands of his hair. "I''m four...and a half." He defended.


    "You''re still a kid," Gabriel stated, turning around to beckon Bill over.


    Once again, Ashely was fuming too much, or at least pretending to be fuming, that he missed the whispers exchanged between Bill and his employer, along with the strands of hair passed along.


    "Or would you prefer I addressed you by your name?" Dismissing his assistant, Gabriel turned back and address the child who wasn''t even as tall as his waist.


    Hands folded across his chest, stance somewhat reminding Gabriel of Leonica at the same


    time himself, Ashely voiced. "Of course "


    This earned a chuckle from Gabriel, one that he had tried desperately to fight away. "Fine, I''ll address you by your name once you address me by mine." He tabled. Ashely, finding no qualms in the task, wasted no time in grinning up at the taller man. uncle Gabriel!''


    "Fine..


    "Just Gabriel is fine." The man himself insisted once again patting the child''s head, this time genuinely with no intention of collecting hair. "Okay, G-gabriel." Ashely conceded.


    "Good boy," Gabriel praised. "Keep this up and maybe someday, your daddy woulde back to spend some quality time with you." "Really?!"


    Ashely''s head had jerked up faster than Gabriel couldprehend at the question. His eyes which were the same dark grey as his, shone with artificial stars.


    "Would my daddy reallye back?"


    "Of course." Gabriel replied with a thinned smile.


    Hearing those words, the words he had longed for, for as long as possible, Ashely couldn''t contain the excitement he felt and without meaning to, he began bouncing like a human ball. But his excitement didn''tst long enough for him to enjoy it as a sudden thought, no rather, as he recalled his mother''s words.


    Stopping his bouncing, he faced Gabriel with a narrow stare. "My daddy...he isn''t going toText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    the Luca to Their San


    bring me a new mommy, right?"


    His words caught Gabriel off guard,pletely. All he could do was blink his eyes in utter confusion, before wordlessly asking. "What?"


    "I don''t want a new mommy." Ashely exined, no, rather he protested, just like he had done when Leonica told him all about the transition of having a new mother of Gabriel became his


    new daddy.

 Chapter 46

    If that was what was going to happen, then believe it of not, this kid would much rather stay without his father.


    And it was more than written on his face with his pouty expression, rendering Gabriel speechless.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Scratch what he had thought earlier. What in God''s name was Leonica teaching his son!


    A few solid seconds had gone by, Ashely staring pointedly him and Gabriel being speechless, before he had finally gathered his thought and a befitting answer.


    Parting his lips to respond, he was instantly silenced as a familiar yet angered voice sounded out from behind him.


    "What in God''s fucking name do you think you''re doing?"


    Paterpity Folder


    Paternity Folder.


    It was inurate to say Leonica was angry as she walked into the ssroom, eyes trained solely on Gabriel in a deathly re.


    A more urate expression for her, would be fuming, red faced and all, which was the least. expression she should have showed. Like, just imagine walking you merry way into your son''s. school, intending to pick him up, only to find your devil of a ex husband, petting and ying daddy with him.


    Fuck no!


    Stopping shut right in front of the man she had been ring at, Leonica reached forward and with lightening speed, she pulled Ashely away, pushing him behind her like she was an acting shield.


    "What the hell do you think you''re doing here?" She questioned with a pointed stare, not for one bit, liking the way he remained silent and tilted his head to the side, eyes dropping to the corners of her neck Unintentionally, she flinched. Fuck those gray eyes of his. They haunted her in her every nightmares and now here he was, standing in front of her and watching her like she was his freaking prey. This added all the more to her anger.


    Firstly, Gabriel had no fucking right to show up at her Son''s school and he sure as hell had no right to stare at her like she was his meal.


    Swirling around with Ashely still in her hand, Leonica faced Mrs. Harper, addressing her instead as Gabriel had chosen to remain silent.


    "What the hell is this man doing here?" She nearly sneered at the teacher, controlling her voicest second, but still not being able to control the venom that rolled in waves off her tongue along with her words.


    Mrs. Harper quickly senses the tension between the two, no more words needed to be spoken to enlighten her. However, this little action of their, not intentional, had put her in a tight


    corner.


    Gabriel was a big contributor as well as shareholder to their school and Leonica, she was one of the most respected parents in the school, despite A just joining less than two months


    ago.


    It was safe to say that they both equally held important positions in the school, each with its own pros and cons. And, it was also an unspoken role between all, be it in the school or out in the social world, to always take the bigger side. Paterply Luke


    But the question here was, which was the bigger side?


    Fiddling with her finger like a child- heck, under the gaze of Leonica and Gabriel, she felt like a fucking child - Mrs. Harper managed to gather the words to respond.


    "Well, Ms. Romero, you see, the thing is, Mr. Bryce here," She pointed at Gabriel. "He''s a contributor and shareholder of our school and as per usual yearly routine, he had been picked to volunteer in today''s ssroom inspection." Leonica''s eyes narrowed at the exnation.


    The fuck type of coincidence is this?


    No, she''d be damn dumb to believe that this was a coincidence.


    ncing over her shoulder at Gabriel who had remained silent, she subtly shook her head.


    She was damn sure this wasn''t a coincidence.


    "Ashely, Grab your stuff, were leaving." She instructed, eyes never leaving Gabriel''s own that watched her silently like a hawk.


    The little boy, despite the instructions his mother hand given him, lingered for seconds longer, ncing between his mother and Gabriel


    He may have been little, but notpletely stupid and even though he couldn''tpletely understand the shit going on, he could tell that tension was hanging thickly in the air and that he did not like.


    If only he could do something to dissolve the tension.


    "Ashely," The sound of his mother''s voice pulled him out from whatever mischievous n he had been concocting in his tiny head. "Get your stuff, now." She repeated.


    This time, without any slight dy, the child moved, gathering his stuff and bidding Daisy goodbye before returning to his mother''s side.


    Once she was aware that her son had packed up and was back by her side, Leonica took his hand, gently despite the anger she felt towards Gabriel, and scooped him into her arms, turning on her heels and meandering out of the dassroom without another nce in the older male''s direction. As she walked her way through the halls of the school, heading for the exit, Leonica chose to curse inside her mind, rather than spitting everything out for Ashely''s ears to be blessed.


    "That fucking prick''


    If she could take a baseball bat and bash his car in, she''d happily do so, but sadly, she had to avoid doing anything that he could use against her in the nearest future.


    But still, how dare he show his face- despite what Mrs. Harper had told her, shareholder,


    contributor and all- Leonica chose to believe that this was Gabriel''s n.


    Which was awfully shameless of him, considering how he had gotten drunk, or better yet, allowed his drink to get spiked and dragged her down that sinfulne of pleasure.


    After her visit to Arvan''s hospital wing the day following her sinful mistake, Leonica had taken a moment to clear her head on the hospital roof, Arvan standing beside her and he could tell that she had something on her mind.


    "What''s dragging you down?"


    Leonica had snapped her head, lightening fast in his direction, brows furrowing as she questioned in her head whether or not Norway''s senator had the ability to read minds.


    "It''s all written all over your face," Arvan pointed out with a soft chuckle, and she, closed her eyes, internally pping herself for letting her expressions show so much on the surface.


    During her section of internal reprimanding, berating, scolding, be it whatever you want to call it, Arvan watched her silently once more, taking note of the small details on her face- like the faded freckles she had. Her natural cat like eyes and the little love shaped mark? Scar? Whatever it was, that was stationed at the corner of her right eyes- before throwing his gaze towards the sun setting beneath the clouds some distance away.


    "You don''t have to tell," He spoke again. "I just wanted to point it out, lest you continue carrying that look on your face."


    What look? Leonica wanted to ask, but settled for a sigh as soon as she opened her lips.


    A few seconds went by before she spoke, voice near whisper. "I did something I''m not to


    proud of- under the influence of alcohol, but still not an excuse."


    Arvan nodded. "Something you''re not proud of? What might that be? You didn''t kill anyone, did you?"


    His sudden questioned coaxed a chuckle from Leonica before she could realize.


    Shaking her head, she responded. "Of course not. It''s just...Imitted a...bad? Act with someone. We were both...drunk and not in our right sense I guess." Arvan, after listening to her words, could only nod once more. "And who''s at fault?" "What?"


    "Who initiated this act that happened?"


    Leonica thought for a few seconds, no, she didn''t need to think. "The other person?"


    pping his hand against the rooftop railing, Arvan announced. "There you have it! If that''s so, then in this case, you my friend, are Innocent"


    Yeah, exactly, she was innocent. Gabriel was the offender in this case and it was awfullu b


    alergit, Folder


    of him to still have the balls to linger around her son after what he had done.


    "You''re leaving, aren''t you forgetting something?"


    Gabriel''s voice came from behind, pulling Leonica out of her thoughts just as she stepped out of the school.


    Forgetting something?


    Against her better judgement, she stopped in her tracks and turned around to see what Gabriel was referring to.


    She had expected to see Some of Ashely''s stuff, but boy did she expect wrong.


    Rather than Ashely''s belongings, Gabriel held between his fingers, a strip of golden wrist bracelet that shone under the sun''s fading light.


    Leonica''s breath disappeared for a moment once she recognized the bracelet.


    It was the exact one she had worn to Ster''s party and the very same one she had been searching for the day she left to visit Arvan in the hospital.


    Fuck! So that''s where it had gone.


    "Huh, aren''t you?" Gabriel dangled the bracelet in a taunting manner, manhandling it a few times.


    Leonica felt like matching forward and snatching the bracelet from him, after all, as tiny as it looked, it held great importance in her life, but upon realizing that that very action would ground the fact that they had sex that night, she remained rooted in her spotted, merely ring at him with clenched jaws. It was admit or lose something precious to her, and as selfish as it may sound, Leonica wasn''t ready to do any.


    "Huh? Mommy isn''t that your bracelet?" Ashely''s child like voice was the one to cut through the vile of silence that had nearly descended on them. "Did you lose it?" Wriggling out of his mother''s hold, Ashley meandered towards Gabriel putting his hand out for the older male to hand over the jewelry.


    When he did, he examined it in his palm. "Mommy it is yours." He confirmed to engrossed in looking at the bracelet to notice the way his mother mmed her eyes shut and the way Gabriel smirked. "But, Gabriel," he addressed the man in front of him, long adjusted to using his name. "Why do you have Mommy''s bracelet?


    His eyes drew into thin lines. "Did...did you and mommy y without me?"


    "Hm," humming thoughtfully at the child''s word, Gabriel gently took the bracelet back and knelt to his level, Leonica''s body bing tensed as she watched him gently Caress her son''s hair before looking in her direction. "That''s right, your mommy and I...we yed and had lots of fun." He smirked. "A little too fun if you asked me."


    Putery Folitec


    "That''s enough Gabriel," Not wanting to hear any more, and at the same time, save her son before his innocent ears were ruined, Leonica matched forward, pulling Ashely away first before she tried to reach for her bracelet. "Now you give that back."


    Gabriel raised it above his head and thanks to the hight difference, Leonica had to almost press her body against his as she struggled to get it back. From the angle she was, while trying to retrieve her bracelet, Gabriel could see how reddened ear and cheeks had be despite the re etched on her face.


    It was a cute expression, one that he found himself unconsciously admitting to wanting to see a few more time.


    As the two basically yed like teenagers, Ashely watched, happy to see that they were getting along.


    The sound of augh ripping through his lips and been what alerted his mother and her enemy of his presence and with that little distraction, Leonica was quick enough to jump up and rip the bracelet out of Gabriel''s hold.


    Damn, he thought, watching her retreat with the jewelry and her son.


    She looked like she could murder him this very moment and as if she was burning from ear to ear, at the same time.


    "Come on Ashely, let''s go." She turned the child around, ushering him towards the car.


    But just before she was out of hearing range, Gabriel called out.


    "You can''t hide the truth forever, Leonica. Sooner orter, it will be revealed."


    Despite it being three days since she had encountered Gabriel at the kindergarten, seated in thefort of her favorite caf¨¦, Leonica had his words buzzing through her mind and worse, the look he had gave her when she slipped into the driver''s seat of her car. That smile, fuck it gave her shivers.


    If it was his mission to make sure that she didn''t forget their encounter, then he could give himself a pat on the back, because, mission freaking aplished.


    Unconsciously, she allowed a sigh slip pass her lips, while leaning back into thefort of her


    chair.


    After returning home, she had checked everything thoroughly, but she still couldn''t forget the smile Gabriel had given her, almost as if he knew something she didn''t.


    And that was bad, freak fuck bad.


    The familiar vibration of her phone severed as a soft awake way from all her thoughts.


    Reaching for the device, she clicked the screen open, seeing a message. From Gabriel fucking Bryce!


    Now put aside the fact that, he had her number, Why in God''s name was he texting her?


    [Two thirty tomorrow, let''s meet.] The message read and she could almost hear his condescending demanding tone in her ear.


    Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Leonica was more than ready to reply something ego crushing, or better yet, not reply at all and block his number when he eyesnded on the picture below and a wave of panic suddenly washed over her. It was a picture of a paternity folder, clear as fucking day.

 Chapter 47

    Not His Son.


    What. The. Actual. Fuck.


    Those were the words that rolled into Leonica''s mind as she had stared at the picture, bewildered.


    Up until this point, she had prepared for anything, everything and probably the worst. situation, that Gabriel could throw at her.


    She had ced contingencies after contingencies in ce, even going as far as to reduce Ashely''s Actual age, from four to three years old. She had taken several more steps to ensure that her baby, her son, was safe with her no matter what. Yet here she was, seating in her car, visibly panicking while driving to the location Gabriel had given her.


    And why was that, or better yet, how had thate about? Simply because he sent her the photo of a paternity folder.


    Now fake or not, Leonica wasn''t about to test her luck. First hand, she knew how smart and not to mention, brutal, Gabriel could be. So if that folder was indeed genuine, then she didn''t want to seat around and find out what he would do. And if it wasn''t, then so be it.


    Pulling into the drive of the restaurant Gabriel had demanded they meet at, Leonica stepped out of her car, giving herself a quick pep talk before meandering towards the entrance of the


    restaurant.


    "Good afternoon Ms. Romero." The attendant at the reception front greeted, bowing at the waist.


    Leonica didn''t bother asking how the said girl knew her name- after all, it was either she had seen her face some ce on tv, or Gabriel had informed her of her arrival, thetter being having higher probability- instead, she followed her quietly to the reserved room in the back of the restaurant.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Inside, Gabriel waited for her, formposed and all as he tinkered on his phone.


    "Mr. Bryce," The attendant pulled his attention away from the device and towards her. His eyes only lingered on her for a second at most, when he noticed the person standing behind her. "Ms. Romero has arrived."


    "Thank you." Gabriel vaguely smiled up at her, cing his device down and dismissing her for the time being.


    The attendant bowed once more before exiting the room, leaving both of them alone.


    Leonica eyed the setting, table and then the man seated at the table, not making any effort to


    move nor talk


    "I didn''t expect you to actuallye," Gabriel was the first one to break the silence after a whole minute of wordless staring and it was his turn, to look her over.


    Under his gaze, shivers rippled through Leonica''s body. Not because of the stupid effect he still had on her after five years, but because the way he stared at her showed her that he knew something.


    She could tell from that same look that, That paternity folder was not a bluff. He knew the truth about Ashley''s identity.


    She gulped, internally cursing at the amount of power he possessed that had aided him in getting Ashley''s identity figured out.


    How exactly had he even done that? No, when exactly?


    Those thoughts, despite the seriousness of the situation, caused her nose to scrunch.


    Her moment of internal cursing and questioning was cut short when Gabriel reached into his Jacket''s pocket and pulled out the same brown file he had snapped and sent to her, and pped it on the table, causing her to flinch back into reality.


    Her eyes gravitated towards the file, twitching at the sight, before finding their way back to Gabriel''s face. "You being here means you read my message," He nudged the file. "Saw this, so I don''t need to exin what''s going on. I''ll go straight to the point, Leonica, for Ashely''s sake, I''m going to give you a chance toe clean to me before I hand this over to this over to the ministry of social affairs."


    Come clean to him? Ministry of social affairs? His words made the corner of Leonica''s lips twitch, so badly wanting to break outughing.

 Chapter 48

    Firstly, If there was anyone that needed toe clean, it was him. She on the other hand, had nothing to say to him, nor was she going to exin any of her actions, both past and present, to him.


    Then secondly, if he believes threatening her with the court was going to make her bite whatever bait he was putting out, then he was so wrong.


    "Don''t make meugh Gabriel," Folding her arms across her chest and shifting her weight onto her other hand, she continued. "We both know you didn''t call me he


    just to hear me talk about my past actions and plead guilty. So drop the threat bullshit and go straight to the real point. What the fuck do you want?"


    "I want you to apologize."


    His sudden response totally caught Leonica off guard.


    Apologize? She? To who? Him?


    Parting her lips, she was about to question his response when Gabriel spoke again. "The real reason why I called you here, is because I want To provide MY son with aplete family," His gaze briefly fell to the table. "A mother and father, I mean." He leaned forward, fixing her with a stern gaze. "And for that to happen, I want you to apologize to Angelina for all the crap. you''ve done. Earn her forgiveness."


    After his words, Gabriel watched as Leonica became speechless, lips parting for a split second before she mmed them back shut, scrunched her face up, looked to the side, blink once, then twice, then a final time before scoffing loudly.


    "I think I misheard you. Did you just say you want ME to apologize to Angelina and earn her forgiveness?" Leonica questioned his Ludacris statement with a crocked smile.


    However, when he remained silent, the smile faded and in seconds, she had stomped around the table and way beside him.


    "Was that a sick joke?" she asked, anger quickly rising to the surface of her visage as she stared down at Gabriel''s calm expression.


    "No." Gabriel inly replied which earned a loud, disbelief filled scoff, apanied by smile that faded as quickly as it hade.


    you


    "Yah, Gabriel Bryce, who the hell do you think you are?" Reaching across the table, she snatched up the brown file. "Threatening me with this?" She tossed it on Gabriel''s chest with a snort. "Know your ce, business prodigy or not, I won''t hesitate to show you where belong the next time you open that mouth of yours and ask me to apologize to that tramp. Gabriel''s eyes twitched, evidently bing enraged by her statement, but still choosing to remain calm.


    "You can take that to the ministry of social affairs for all I care. But word of advice, bare it in the back of your mind that Ashley, belongs with me and nothing you do can change that, Gabriel."


    And that was the one which broke the Camel''s back.


    mming his palm on the table, Gabriel rose out of his chair, quickly towering over Leonica and looking down at her with a re.


    She wasn''t fazed, rather seeing him looking so aggravated brought a genuine smile to her lips and before he could speak, she questioned. "What? Don''t tell me you''re nning on hitting me again."


    Thest part, no doubt, had struck a chord with Gabriel, his body bing stiff at the


    inention.


    He didn''t know if she had meant to mention it, but it had been said and there was no taking it back.


    Not H Som


    "So, what are you going to do, hm?" Leonica pressed on, taking a step closer.


    Compared to how panicked she seemed in her car ten minutes ago, she was apletely different person.


    Guest like pep talks really do work.


    "What''s the matter Gabriel?" She continued, now standing close enough to press her body against his, a taunting smile on her lips as she raised her head and met his eyes. "Don''t tell me those little words I just said hurt your ego real bad." Flexing his jaws, hands clenching at his side, Gabriel tried to control his temper. "Leonica," He warned.


    "That''s me, you asshole, got a problem."


    At that moment, Gabriel felt his control over his action slip.


    The very next second, Leonica felt her breath hitch as her back was pinned against the nearest wall. She tried to move her hand but it was already being held above her head by one of Gabriel''s hand. She was in the middle of struggling for freedom when she realized how their bodies were and instantly froze.


    close


    Gabriel to had realized, resulting in his minutes long silence as his eyes searched hers up close.


    "Gabriel?"


    Both their heads whipped towards the door direction at the sound of a voice that was all to familiar to their ears.


    At the threshold of the door, Angelina stood, hurt written all over her face.


    They had been engrossed in the heat of their argument to have noticed the door open. "Gabe...what...?"


    It only took Gabriel a matter of seconds to step away from Leonica''s pinned figure and be by Angelina''s side, the brte''s gaze however, lingered on Leonica who was massaging her wrist and when she caught her stare, she shed her a smirk. "Ange, what are you doing here?" Gabriel questioned.


    "..." Peeling her gaze away from Leonica, fuming inwardly with anger, she continued. "My friend and I, we came to have dinner, but the receptionist wouldn''t stop going on about how she saw you here, so...I thought I''d..." Her speech trailed off. Gabriel was about to urge her to finish her sentence when she suddenly asked. "Gabriel, is... is. that what I think it is?"


    Following her line of sight, the male nearly smacked himself upside up, when he spotted the paternity file lying in in sight.


    Not HK Son


    "Ange I can exin."


    The brte held up her shaky index finger at his words, slowly taking steps towards the file that had caused a look of hurt to befall her angelic features. Leonica made no effort to stop her and neither did Gabriel, after all, he knew that sometime woulde when he''d have to tell her the truth about Ashley.


    If he indeed wanted to provide Ashley with aplete family, it was obvious that he needed to end his engagement with Angelina sooner orter.


    The thought, or rather, obvious truth, made Gabriel''s face scrunch up a bit. He didn''t like the idea...yet he also wasn''t totally against it.


    While he was lost deep in his thoughts, Angelina had peeled the file off the table and opened it, silently reading through it.


    Leonica didn''t care for her opinion and was about to leave, when much to both of their surprise, Angelina broke down in tears...with a smile on her lips. out of her


    The tears that were rushing eyes, were tears of joy.


    Allowing the file fall from her hand, she rushed at Gabriel and engulfed him in a tight hug.


    "Gabe, you had be scared for a second." She pulled back and peppered his cheek with kisses." But that doesn''t matter now, since The paternity file says Ashely isn''t your son."


    Hai Woked y


    1


    Her Wicked Ploy.


    "Yay Gabriel, Ashley isn''t your son." Angelina who was unable to hide her happiness began jumping around, hugging and even kissing Gabriel.


    But the same couldn''t be said for Leonica and Gabriel. Hearing Angelina''s words, they both frowned, visibly confused.


    Ashely...wasn''t Gabriel''s son?


    They both simultaneously thought, unconsciously ncing at each other. While they were still caught up in the confusion of their thoughts and the situations oue in general, Angelina rushed back to the table and snatched the paternity papers. In seconds, she was in front of Gabriel and snapping him out of his daze by showing the paper to him, or more urately, shoving it in his face as she pointed her index finger at a particr paragraph.


    "Look, look at it Gabe, I''m not kidding." She poirited out in jubilee.


    And it was just as she had said. Staring at the paper with creased brows, Gabriel felt a sour taste descend into his stomach.


    It was true, Ashely wasn''t his son, or so the papers say, but paternity tests never lie, right.


    Biting on the inside of his cheek, the male swore internally, cursing himself for having been overly confident about the fact that Ashely wasn''t his son and didn''t bother peeling the test open to confirm beforehand.


    A stupid action, but he wasn''t tony freaking stark with a thousand high IQ, How the fuck was he supposed to know that the child that looked exactly like him, would turn out to not be his?


    Through his maze of thoughts, he heard Leonica scoff and pulled his eyes away from the papers to find her with her arms crossed over her chest once more.


    "Disappointed aren''t you?" You mocked. Although her tone was this steady, just a few secondsText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    she had been surprise ridden to the point that she couldn''t even speak.


    ago


    How was she meant to when a bomb like that had just been dropped on her.

 Chapter 49

    But as the quick witted person, she believes she is, she quickly realized that the situation was in her advantage.


    The papers said Gabriel wasn''t the father, and that meant Ashely was all hers, then who was she to deny.


    "What''s it, Gabriel? Cat''s got your tongue?" She questioned when his silence streamed on.


    He opened his mouth to speak, but as if the words were stuck in his throat, he couldn''t utter a single one and ended up mming his mouth shit.


    "Exactly. Remain silent and think to yourself, what right do you have to stand here, iming that you


    you want to provide MY son with aplete family, when you have no rtion to MY son, huh?"


    Gabriel remained quiet, not out of cowardice; but rather because his brain was trying to sort through everything that was happening all the while stuck on one particr thought like it wasgging. Ashely wasn''t his son?Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Ashely...wasn''t his son.


    It was a big ball to swallow down after all the delusions and beliefs he had stuffed into his head.


    "I''ve said this once...heck thrice, but I''ll say it again if That''s what it''d take for you to understand." Stepping forward, she ignores the nasty look Angelina threw her way and stared Gabriel straight in the eyes. "Stay the hell away from my son, Gabriel."


    And with that, she stormed out of the suite she had been in, ring at a few of Angelina''s friends who she recognized on her way out.


    Talk about a fucking bluff, she scoffed at the thought, mentally giving herself a quick and quiet p on the back of her head for having easily fallen for Gabriel''s ploy.


    Fuck, it seemed so real that even she hadn''t expected it to be a ploy!


    "That sleazy fuck-''


    Feeling someone grab her wrist, Leonica whipped her head around, brows forming daggers the moment theynded on Gabriel.


    "Let-" she was about to speak, but he interrupted her.


    "Answer me this," Gabriel began, grip tightening on Leonica''s wrist. "Is Ashely isn''t my son, then why does he look so much like me?"


    His question caught Leonica off guard. She had not expected it and thus, momentarily froze up.


    Less than five seconds had gone by before she broke outughing, a forced one, but only she knew that.


    Yanking her wrist free, she responded. "Come on Gabriel, isn''t that smart brain of yours serving you well anymore? Just because Ashley looks like you, doesn''t mean he''s your child. The world is full of look alikes, and that child''s father," she clicked her tongue in distaste and pretended to remember a person who didn''t exist. "sadly had simr features to you. But don''t get me wrong," she scanned him from head to toe ad smiled. "Your features aren''t my type."


    Gabriel eyes ttened. If Leonica''s goal was to hurt but his pride and his feelings, then she


    could give herself a well pat on the back ''cause she sure as hell seeded.


    Seeing as he had once again fallen into silence, the white-ette took this as her cue to leave and in seconds, she had turned around and continued her stroll out, leaving Gabriel standing in his ce.


    Soon after, he was joined by Angelina who wrapped her hand around his, intending tofort him in whatever he was going through.


    "Don''t be sad, Gabe, cheer up." She hugged him close. "Don''t worry, in the future, were going to have many babies, so please don''t be sad." She coaxed, loudly.


    Leonica got wind of it. Her feet threatened to stop moving for a moment, but she fought against that urge and swallowed the bitter feeling on her tongue as she continued to meander out of the restaurant.


    If they wanted to have hordes and hordes of babies, then so be it.


    That in no way concerned her.


    At least eight hours had passed since the morning of that incident. Lloyd was hanging around on the outside of his seconds favorite club


    In his arms, trapped against the cold cement of a wall, was a slender model who he had met just a few minutes ago over drinks and taken a short interest in her.


    They had been busy sucking each other''s faces off, too engrossed to notice the look of disgust and some times envy other people threw their day. Their little escapade was brought to an end by the familiar ring sound of Lloyd''s ringtone.


    At first he tried ignoring it, but after the second and third ringing, Lloyd was forced to pull away with a groan and reach into his pocket.


    After assessing that it was Gabriel calling, a dry sigh escaped his lips before he finally picked the call.


    "Gabe, I''m kinda busy right now, so what-


    "Lloyd it''s Angelina." The female''s voice interrupted him.


    Lloyd paused, pulled the phone back, nced at the name, wiped his eyes and only after confirming that he was drunk, did he put the device back to his ear.


    "Angelina? Why are you with Gabriel''s phone? No, where''s Gabriel?"


    On the other end of the phone, the female nced at the said male who was drunk, hanging off her arms, in a bar.


    "He''s drunk." She answered honestly. "Could...could you pleasee get him?"


    Her Waxed Plov.


    Lloyd groaned, louder this time. He turned to his date, or fling at least and groaned once more.


    As much as he wanted to say no, Gabriel had done more for him and picking some hot model over him wasn''t the right thing to do.


    "Sure, why not." He responded. "I''ll be there soon. Send me your location."


    Angelinaplied with a nod ad shared their location. It wasn''t far from where Lloyd was and in ten minutes he had arrived.


    "God, why is he so heavy?" Heined as Angelina threw Gabriel to him and massaged her sore shoulders. "How....how is he like this?"


    Angelina''s lips twitched at the question. She knew the answer, but didn''t wish to speak, instead she settled for a smile.


    Lloyd rolled his eyes. "Alright, I''ll take him."


    Watching them walk towards Lloyd''s car, Angelina waved and in that moment, her phone began to ring.


    After checking the ID, she answered the call with a broad smile. "If it isn''t my favorite doctor. "She praised, turning around and walking towards her own car. "Me? I just wanted to call and thank my favorite doctor, you''ve really helped me out today. I couldn''t have achieved such a golden n without you."


    Slipping into the driver seat of her car, Angelina adjusted the rare view mirror and caught her


    smile.


    A smile of victory that crept onto her face as she thought back to the n she created after overhearing Gabriel''s conversation with Bill.


    She had gotten home, Gabriel''s ce to be specific, that day and overheard him talking to Bill concerning when the DNA results were going to be ready.


    She panicked. No specific reason why, after all, she want entirely sure if Ashely was Gabriel''s son, but she wasn''t about to take that risk. Thankfully she had connections at the hospital the test was being ran in.


    Charles Manson, the head doctor. He had nned a key part in her n of getting rid of the real paternity test.


    Staring at the real results in her hands, having read it earlier in the day and now knew it''s content, Angelina frowned.


    "You really helped me Doc. I''ll keep to my side of the bargain and I hope you can keep to yours. "With that, she hung up the call and tossed her phone aside focusing more on the file than anything else.


    She found herself flipping through the file once again, gaze darkening as they spotted the


    truth that troubled her.


    Ashely...was Gabriel''s son.


    And it was only a matter of time before he found the truth out.


    The solution she took was only temporary. As soon as possible, she needed to figure out a way


    to quietly get rid of Ashely before the secret is exposed and her future children''s inheritance be put at risk.


    The Rever Ending Connections


    Their Never Ending Connections.


    "Talk about fuck luck." Leonica groaned under her breath as soon as she had returned home and discarded her car keys in some weird corner of her living room.


    Now pacing back and forth, hands running through her hair every thirty seconds, she couldn''t help but ponder how lucky she had gotten today.


    Gabriel seemed almost too sure about the result, yet it had turned out this way. If he wasn''t smart to see what was happening despite his 158 IQ, then she was. It was obvious someone had tampered with the test result.


    No doubt.


    Now a few candidates came to mind, Angelina included, but as quickly as they hade, they all faded into ck spots with no proof, leaving her with a sense of dread by not knowing if this person who tampered with the result was a friend or foe.


    The former, she hoped as she walked towards her phone and looked for her parents number. She found it rtively quickly, her mother''s to be precise.


    The phone rang for no less than a second before it was answered.


    "Leo, how are you dear?" The soothing waves of her mother''s voice blessed her ear drums for the first time today.


    herself from The white-ette had to close her eyes to gain control over her emotions, stopping herself from breaking down and basically telling her mother about all that had happened.


    "I''m fine mom." She replied and forced a smile even though she knew Cassandra couldn''t see. "What about you?"


    "Kicking as usual."


    She nodded. Now that the pleasantries were out of the way, it was onto the hard part. The real reason why she had called.


    "Ma, could I request a favor from you?"


    "Why not? Go ahead, what is it?" Cassandra encouraged.


    Slipping into thefort of her couch, Leonica''s tongue darted out and wet her tongue before she began. "Well uh...I need...could you perhaps hold onto Ashely for me for the next two weeks?"


    Cassandra''s line was silent for a few seconds and Leonica was already about to reconsider her request - after all, they had been holding onto Ashely for the past two weeks, and knowing the bundle of joy he was, she knew he took a lot of strength to handle, strength that old peoplecked- when her mother piped up excitedly.


    The Never Ending Connections


    "Of course!"


    Leonica blinked in surprise, but her eyes soon softened.


    "We thought you''d never ask. You know," Cassandra brought her voice down, possibly

 Chapter 50

    hiding from her husband. "your father might not admit it, but he''s grown attached to that boy, smudging him with hugs and hair pats," Sheughed. "Hard to imagine, right?" "Y-yes." Leonica stuttered at the mental image of her father having a soft spot for her son.


    Now don''t get her wrong, Benjamin was and still is a loving father. But when it came to anything physical contact wise, he wasn''t too much of a big fan. "Don''t worry yourself, Leo, Ashely is in good hands."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Thanks Ma."


    Leonica could imagine the elderly woman nodding her head, bungee curls bouncing at the action. "You''re wee dearest. I love you."


    She smiled and replied, "Love you too mom." Before hanging up.


    Once again left in the silence of her house, Leonica sighed and rxed into her couch.


    At least that was one problem out of the way. Ashley was going to stay with her parents from the next half a month, far away from Gabriel''s prying hands.


    At least then, she was sure that he couldn''t do anything funny.


    And as for his school, she''d personally have that sorted out.


    This time around, she was going to be extremely meticulous with things concerning Ashely, after all, she didn''t want Gabriel trying another Paternity test, now did she?


    Gabriel''s eyes fluttered open, waking up to a heavy hangover. But it wasn''t his worse yet.


    Groaning silently, he turned over on the mattress he was lying in, taking a moment to survey the room he was in before recognition hit him.


    It was the room he always used each time he came to Lloyd''s house in hopes of escaping Leonica when they had been married.


    As if on Cue, the door to the room opened and the yboy bachelor walked in, personal maid rolling in a tray of hangover soup for Gabriel.


    When he spotted his friend awake, he spoke. "You''re up, how are you feeling?"


    "Like shit." Gabriel responded with a breathy sigh, dragging his body up to a seating position. "Expected," Lloyd mused before he snapped his finger, wordlessly instructing the maid to Thur Keu Esdely Lonnections


    hand Gabriel his hangover soup.


    She did so without dy and wheeled the tray out of the room, closing the door and leaving them alone.


    Hangover soup now in hisps, Gabriel stared down at the brownish liquid, hesitant to drink it despite his booming headache.


    "How did I get here?" He spoke during his moment of inner debate in whether or whether not, he should ingest the weird looking, yet familiar soup.


    "I brought you here? You were drunk and Angelina called me." Lloyd exined as he sat down. in one of the corner chairs and eyed his friend. "Dude, are you really okay?"


    Turning is head only half way, Gabriel eyed him questioningly. "What do you mean?"


    "What...what do I mean?" Lloyd scoffed and pointed at his friend. "Look at yourself man, you look like you... five years ago." Snapping his finger, he added. "Sad, miserable you. in and short, you look like your high school crush just rejected you." "Is that so?" Gabriel chuckled for once at Lloyd''s not so funny joke, surprising the younger male. "Well it was something like that." He muttered and finally took the first sip from his hangover soup.


    Quietly watching his friend, Lloyd could tell that something had indeed happened. "Really dude, what happened?" He seriously asked this time around.


    Gabriel was silent for a few seconds, tapping his finger against the surface of his soup te before replying. "The Paternity test results came out," He began. Lloyd nodded along, already aware of the results in particr.


    The next part, he hesitated to say, not sure himself if it was true. "Ashely...he''s not my son. Lloyd''s jaws nearly dropped in surprise after hearing this.


    How could that be possible? Even he who was not the father, could have sworn that Ashley was Gabriel''s child.


    But he wasn''t.


    "How...how is that possible? Fuck!" He swore, throwing his hands up in the air. "I was more than ready to be a godfather!"


    Gabriel basically ignored his friend''s unimportantmenting and turned his gaze away, mind thinking back to the conversation he had with Leonica.


    Each time he thought back to the words she said, unting how easily she had given up their child to have a child with another man, he was angered. How Could do she have done that?


    "So," Lloyd''s voice drew him out of his thoughts, "What are you going to do now?"


    The question, although simple, caused Gabriel to ponder for a great amount of time.


    What was he going to do now, indeed? It was proven that Ashely wasn''t his son, so was there any need for him to keep hanging around the boy, talk less Leonica?


    There obviously was only one thing...the right thing, to do.


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Keeping his friend on a cliffhanger, he downed thest of his hangover soup beside answering. "Now I''m going to stop fooling around and take responsibility for Angelina." Kicking the nket off, he hopped off the bed and threw his friend a grateful smile for his care. "After all, she''s scarified a lot and waited for me, it''s into natural that I take responsibility."


    He searched around for his things gathering them one by one while Lloyd silently watched


    him.


    Once he was done, he turned back to Lloyd. "Thanks for today. Hopefully it would be thest." He said and waved at him, about to make his exit from the room when Lloyd spoke.


    "Gabriel, tell me this." The said male looked over his shoulder and scanned the once in a life time serious expression on his best friend''s face. "You proposing to Angelina...marrying her, is it because you love her? Or is it simply because of that stupid promise you made sixteen years ago?"


    Small pitters and patters of rain drops followed down the windows of his car as Gabriel drove him after leaving Lloyd''s ce.


    His gaze was focused on the road, but his mind wasn''t. Currently, it was reying thest

 Chapter 51

    question Lloyd had asked him before he...jetted out of the hou


    Did he love Angelina or was he simply willing to spend his entire life with her simply because of a promise he had made to her sixteen years ago?


    The former, he had tried telling himself, but each time he recalled the night back at Ster''s party- Leonica''s body with his, her breaths, moan, taste- it all strangely felt...right.


    To him at least. It felt, right, like that was how it was meant to be.


    Like she was the one he was in love with.


    But she wasn''t right? After all, the person he was in love with was Angelina. She had saved him from that chillyke and thus, deserved his love and affection...or so he has told himself for thest sixteen years. A long period of time, In which many things had changed.


    Including his feelings.


    "Damn it." He cursed silently under his breath and banged his hand against the steering wheel, momentarily swerving the car.


    Luckily no one had been on the road and he was able to correct his mistake and focus back on driving.


    Although he couldn''t help but curse inwardly again.


    Was it a mistake? His actions up until now?


    Gabriel shook his head at the thought. No, his actions up until now have been...right. And


    there was no need for unnecessary doubting, neither his feelings nor actions.


    Ashely has been was proven to not be his son and Leonica, well, it was clear to him that she was moving on...no, she had already moved on.


    Wasn''t it only fair that he moved on?


    He needed to get his head straight and stop allowing Leonica get into his head.


    Five years ago, their rtionship ended and there was no mending it back for them.


    From this moment forth, he''d have nothing to do with them.


    Or so he told himself. Yet less than twenty four hourster, here he was, staring face to face with the same mother and son Duo that he had sworn just the other night, to forget and move on from. What an III fated connection, but even so, it still was a connection.


    Their never ending connection.


    Hospital Encounter.


    The next few days after her encounter with Gabriel had been blissfully uneventful.


    Seating in the confines of her parent''s outer garden, Leonica gently sipped on the tea Benjamin had just brought back from Mysia, while watching various beautiful butterflies hover around the flowers.


    Delightful, couldn''t even grace how she was feeling. For the first time in a month and a half since Leonica had returned to Norway, she felt truly at peace.


    Gently sighing out, Leonica ced the tea cup down and smiled as she caught wind of small feet meandering down her way in a Sprint. It wasn''t long before her lower body on the chair was engulfed by Ashely''s hug. "Mommy," The younger boy called out, tone somewhere between a whine and adoration for his mother.


    "What have I warned you About running, Ash?" His mother asked, scooping him from the ground and into herps. "Hm?"


    "L...I wasn''t running!" He quickly tried to defend.


    However,Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    the moment those words left his mother, another figure stepped into the outside garden, panting heavily..


    "Young master... Young master Ashely, you haven''t finished eating your meal. Pleasee back." Grace, his nanny, called after him, searching the gardens for the small child who had quickly tucked himself close to his mother''s chest. "Young master-" She was about to resume her calls when her eyes spotted Leonica and the young master. Thetter staring at her in confusion. "Good day, Ms. Leonica," she greeted quickly, bending at the waist to amodate a bow. Waving her greeting off, although acknowledging it, Leonica asked. "Grace, what''s going on?"


    "The young master refuses to finish his meal and ran off when I tried feeding it to him." She exined.


    "Ashley, is that true?" ncing down at the child in her arms, Leonica questioned with at raised brow.


    "Veggies are bitter mommy." Ashelyined, lips forming into a frown.


    Yeah, the norms for a child. Closing her eyes, Leonica sighed. When she opened them again, she waved her hand at Grace dismissing her with thanks.


    "You can''t keep skipping your veggies, Ash," Leonica told the child as she transferred him. from herp into another chair.


    "But they''re bitter."


    "You need them if you want to grow up healthy, Ash. Don''t you want to be strong?"


    "I do!" He piped up. "If I''m strong I can protect mommy!"


    "Exactly." She tussled with his hair. "And in other for that to happen, what should you do?"


    Her question, or rather, the answer to her question, quickly deteriorated Ashely''s mood. He held his head low but still answered none the less.


    "Eat my vegetables."


    "Correct. So do you promise to do so?"


    "I...i promise." He reluctantly agreed.


    Leonica smiled to herself. "Good."


    Recalling the real reason he had fun away from his nanny in the first ce, Ashely wasted no time in changing the topic. "Mommy, can we please go out today?"


    "Today?" Leonica questioned, watching as her son desperately nodded his head. Which was understandable since he had been indoors for the past few days, Leonica trying her best to avoid a repeat of what had happened. "Oh, well," She hesitated, trying toe up with another reason to keep the child inside, however failing.


    Ah shit, she had used up all her reasonable excuses.


    "Can we mommy?" Ashely pleaded, pulling the puppy dog eyes on her.


    Leonica hesitated. Even if she was too agree to his request, where were they to go?


    The answer to her question came as fast as changing a light bulb.


    The hospital, they could go to the hospital.


    Today was the day Arvan got discharged, a per the information Chloe had-begrudgingly- provided her with. It was the perfect opportunity to visit him as well as allow Ashely to see Daisy. Talk about killing two beds with one stone.


    "Sure, let''s go out today." She answered, making Ashley hop around excitedly before running off to get ready.


    Leonica chuckled as she watched him rush away.


    Yeah, going out with her son today was a nice idea. She''d be there with him so nothing bad could happen.


    And Gabriel wasn''ting near them any time soon. All is going well.


    It was two in the afternoon when Leonica had her driver take them to Midway International hospital, just around the time Arvan was being discharged.


    Arriving at the hospital, the receptionist dare not repeat her previous action and quickly assigned someone, who gushed over Ashely all through, to take them to Arvan''s room.


    Only when they were in front of Arvan''s door, did the female attendant stop gushing over the younger boy and take her leave.


    Now left alone, Leonica turned to face the boy guards who were standing outside Arvan''s


    room.

 Chapter 52

    They bowed upon seeing her and then one of them turned around and knocked on the door, informing Arvan of Leonica''s arrival.


    "Let her in!" He announced, missing the way Chloe shut her eyes and silently sighed from behind him.


    The moment the door was opened and Leonica stepped in, Daisy''s small figure rushed her away. She was just about ready to embrace the small girl when she ducked underneath her arms and flung herself into Ashely, who despite his age, skillfully caught her.


    "Ashely!" She eximed, hugging her new best friend tightly, while Leonica blinked in surprise and slowly lowered her arms. "Where did you go? You haven''t been in ss for the past few days, so I thought you''ve moved schools, are youing back now?" She quickly bombarded him with several questions.


    While Ashley scrambled his brain, trying to answer one question before another was forced on him, Arvan quietly settled beside Leonica, joining her in watching the two.


    She took notice of his presence, turning to sh him a smile, before turning back to gaze at the kids, mind still somewhat frizzled about Daisy''s action.


    It was obvious that Ashely was the more liked one when it came to she and him, but at least, Daisy should have said a ''hello'' to her rather than just going straight for her son. Despite it sounding childish, Leonica was somewhat hurt by her actions.


    Seeing the unintentionally pout on her face, Arvan held back a chuckle and shifted his weight from one leg to another, once again gaining her attention, before he asked. "Ashely hasn''t been going to school? Did something happen?"Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "No," she lied with a smile. Arvan was simply a friend, there was no need to drag him into her messy affairs.


    "Is that so?" He mused while nodding, not seeming a hundred percent convinced.


    Leonica swallowed thickly and nodded her head. "Yeah. But that aside," there was a pause as she thought of ways to arrange her words that wouldn''t make her sound... sketchy? "Do you perhaps know of any school in Norway that isn''t funded by...Bryce Empire, of the Bryce family in general?"


    "Ah, that''s a tough one. Norway''s educational system is mostly supported by the Bryce family. "He stated the obvious, unintentionally causing Leonica''s mood to deteriorate. Sensing this, he quickly added. "But I''m sure there''s at least one out there." Heforted. Leonica nodded her head. "You''re right."


    "Yeah, but, are you really sure everything''s okay?" He asked, golden yellow eyes following her fidgety movements.


    This time, it was Leonica''s turn to shift her weight from one leg to the other and fiddle with


    the hem of her shirt-gown under Arvan''s gaze.


    She was unsure of what to say.


    Arvan was an intelligent man, she was sure he could sense something was off and yet, he was giving her an easy out, allowing her the choice of whether or not she wished to share the problem.


    And for that, Leonica was grateful.


    "Well, enough about that," Arvan changed the topic, much to her relief, and nced at the duo who had just finished their chat and was now ying together. She followed his gaze, mind trailing off to her thought space.


    A school in Norway that wasn''t being back by Gabriel''s influence... finding something like that was going to be hard, no, difficult.


    But she was determined to keep Ashely out of Gabriel''s reach, especially after theirst


    encounter.


    She was willing to go to any length to achieve that. If she couldn''t find a school that wasn''t being backed by Gabriel, then she''d simply just build one. Money wasn''t a fucking problem to her.


    But what was, was the fact that Gabriel still possessed some of herpany''s shares.


    If she wanted to build a school for Ashely that was clean of Gabriel''s influence, then she''d need topletely take back herpany.


    For the next couple minutes, the two adults chatted idly. While Chloe processed his final discharge papers.


    -par¨¢l Encounter


    Once the entire procedure waspleted, they all checked out of the hospital wing-


    On their way out, movement of a family silhouette caught Ashely''s eyes.


    Turning to face the direction, a grin spread across his face and he happily called out.


    ""Gabriel!"


    Gabriel? Leonica''s head whipped in the direction of Ashely''s stare, spotting the male in particr who had stopped at the sound of his name and was now staring their way. Ah shit, was he every fucking where?


    "Gabriel," Ashley called out once more, grinning wider.


    "Ashely stop that..." Leonica tried to warn, however, halfway through her statement, Ashely had began sprinting in Gabriel''s direction.


    However, much to her surprise, Gabriel turned away from Ashley, fishing out his phone from his pocket and pressing it to his ear, as if he was attending to a call.


    He


    was avoiding Ashely, Leonica saw this. She was meant to feel satisfied and happy, after all, that was what she had told him to do. But watching as her son''s steps slowed and his features visibly became droopy, upset, she couldn''t help but feel bad for the boy. ''Ashely,e to mommy. Come here." She tried to coax him back, taking the first step towards him when suddenly, his body began to tremble and before neither she nor Gabriel knew it, he busted out crying.


    The sound of his cries, brought Gabriel''s steps to a halt.

 Chapter 53

    "You stay out of this." She sneered.


    Gabriel filted his head at her words. Several locks of his hair fell out of ce as he looked he looked her from head to toe, before asking. "Or what Clenching her jaw and fist as well, Leonica was About to respond when Ashely beat her to it.


    "Mommy, I...I want to eat ice cream.


    "Huh?" Leonica was caught off guard by his sudden demand but quickly recovered. "Sure baby. Come to mommy and we''ll go have ice cream." "N-no. I want to have ice cream with Arvan and Daisy and...and Gabriel included!" Ashely protested, pumping his fist in the air.


    To say Leonica was surprised by his words was an understatement. And to say her jaw hadn''t hung open would be a tant lie. "You want to what?" She questioned.


    "Have ices cream...with everyone." Ashely repeated. "Can we please do that mommy?" He pleaded, quickly switching to his puppy dog eyes. Leonica''s lips parted in an action to refuse his request, but seeing the look on his face, she pressed them together and hesitantly nodded her head. "Sure...that can work."


    "Yay!" Ashely wasted no time in expressing his excitement. Quickly, he wriggled out of Gabriel''s hold and took Daisy''s hand. "I know the way,e on Daisy."


    "Ashely slow down." Leonica called after the running duo and intended to chase after them when a hand on her shoulder stopped her. "Arvan?" Looking over her shoulder, she questioned the hand''s owner.


    "I''ll take care of those two," he began, eyes fleeting towards where Gabriel stood for a


    Lobuunter


    moment beforeing back to meet hers. "You seem to have a few things to sort out first."


    ncing back at Gabriel, she understood what Arvan meant. She indeed had a bone or two to pick with Gabriel.


    Nodding her head, she thanked Arvan with a smile. "Thanks."


    He gently massaged her arm with a smile of his own. "Of course."


    Watching the scene y out in front of him, Gabriel clenched his fist, a feeling of Jealousy once again rising in his chest.


    Adodent


    ident.


    Arvan left shortly after his little speech of reassurance, promising to watch after the kids while she stayed back and settled a thing or two with Gabriel.


    Chloe was dismissed as he crossed over to the opposite side of the road to chase after the kids, and now that they were alone, Gabriel wasted no time in speaking.


    "So this is how you do it?" His gaze remained trained on the direction Arvan had gone and if not for the vague and confusing question he had just spoken, Leonica would also have been staring off in that direction. "What?" Her brows narrowed in confusion as her eyes found his side profile.


    It didn''t take Gabriel long before he peeled his gaze away from the empty spot, shifting his body so that he could face herpletely.


    "Is that how you got to win your previous project? By using him? His connections?"


    "What?" Leonica repeated, even more confused now. However, a mental image of Gabriel''s words, or rather, a mental understanding of Gabriel''s words began to form in her head and she steamed red; not from the embarrassing thought but rather from anger. Did Gabriel...that bastard, honestly think that the way she had won her previous projects was by sleeping with Arvan? Selling her to him for connection?


    A small part of Leonica felt hurt to know that Gabriel thought so low of her, but then again, after recalling all the shit he had said to her five years ago, and how he has treated her, believing that she was nothing but disgrace to his family name and not suited to be with him, andparing it to now, what he was saying, it was like a simple walk it the park.


    Although it stung a bit, she could easy brush it off and move on. Whatever he thought about her no longer mattered, but Arvan on the other hand, she couldn''t stand still and watch someone degrade an acquaintance of hers who has been nothing but good to her. "Get your heads out of the gutters, Gabriel," Leonica reprimanded as soon as she was able to pull herself back to reality, clicking her tongue in disbelief at his vulgar thoughts. "Not everyone thinks like you, Arvan certainly. He''s a gentleman, considerate and rather sweet, something that shameless and heartless isn''t something he would do."


    Hearing her words, Gabriel chuckled and shut his eyes, tongue darting out to wet his lips as he calmly nodded. However, despite the expression on his visage, Gabriel was far from calm on


    the inside.


    Hearing Leonica speak so well of Arvan had without a doubt, annoyed him. Not only that, it made his heart squeeze with jealousy, as much as he''d never admit it out loud. And that irritated him.


    Opening his eyes, fixing Leonica once again in his line of vision, Gabriel spat. "Shameless? Heartless? You know that''s ssying from someone like you who can be as ruthless and heartless to abort an unborn child, both yours and someone else''s, without blinking an eye."


    His words Irritated her as much as it confused her.


    Scrunching up her face, she thought for a moment.


    She, abort another person''s child? When? How? Who?!


    70


    As quickly as she had minded his words, Leonica pushed them aside and stepped forward to address the matter at hand.


    Sticking her finger into his chest, she spat. "Call me ruthless, heartless, whatever you wish to, but I did what I did, to survive and I''d do it all over again if time were to rewound itself."


    Gabriel''s heart squeezed at her words, but he did good at keeping his usual stoic expression in ce.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 54

    Seeing the usual expression that was good enough to deceive anyone, Leonica felt somewhat disappointed that her words hadn''t affected him in anyway... Wait... was she expecting him to react to those words? Did she want him to feel sad? Despair?


    She mentally chuckled at those thoughts, after all, emotions like those were impossible for someone like Gabriel to feel.


    He was a cold bastard.


    Stepping back, Leonica tucked her hands into her pocket with a sigh. Her aura seemed to have calmed down but she still looked more than ready for a fight.


    "I''ll allow today slide because I was at fault for not keeping Ashely in line, but after this, I think it''s best you stop sticking your nose in businesses concerning my son and I and rather focus more on the child Angelina''s about to give birth to for you." Gabriel''s eyes narrowed in confusion at her words.


    The child Angelina was about to give birth to for him? What was she talking about?


    ""What are you-?"


    Those words had just barely rolled off his tongue when a louder voice over took his.


    "Kid, get out of the way!"


    The loudness and urgency of the voice caused Leonica and Gabriel to snap their heads in it''s direction, only to see Daisy bending down to reach for her favorite hairpin on the road, unbeknown to the car that was speeding her way


    "Oh my god. Daisy!" Leonica cried out and attempted to rush to save Daisy.


    However, she had not taken more than a step when Daisy was suddenly shoved out of the way and things happened in slow motion.


    The tire screeching. The loud thudding sound that was made as the car collided with Daisy''s savoir andstly, the pour of crimson that began to pool on the floor where heid.


    Leonica felt her eyes widen, her breath hitch and her entire world shatter into tiny pieces as she stared at Ashleyy unconscious in a growing pool of his own blood.


    Enough is Enough


    Enough Is Enough!


    All at once, different thoughts filled Leonica''s head, her eyes clouding with tears at the scene while her legs threatened to give out from beneath her.


    But she didn''t give in to their urges, instead, she took shaky steps towards her unconscious son. Dulling out Daisy''s cries for her friend and Arvan''s voice saying incoherent words, she gently sank to her kneels, careful not to shake Ashely''s body too much as she cradled him.


    In the background, Gabriel had just finished calling the nearest hospital and no less than five minutester,nce arrived at the scene, prying Ashley out of Leonica''s hold, to which she bitterly allowed.


    an


    Gabriel who was just as shaken up by the situation, turned his eyes away from the ambnce for a second, fixing it on Leonica who looked very much like she was about to have a panic attack and break down at the same time.


    His feet moved quickly, without his consent, even with his content, he wouldn''t have stopped, and in seconds, he was beside her, catching both her shoulders in time to stop her from sinking to the floor.


    "Hey, Pull yourself together." His eyes searched her tears stricken face as he spoke. "Breaking down like this wouldn''t do Ashely any good, so..." Gabriel hesitated, not too good atforting someone, especially when that someone was his ex wife. But atst, he found the right words to add. "You need to be strong for Ashley."


    He''s words was like a little wake up shot to Leonica. Her mind became clear And quickly registered what she was meant to do.


    Stepping out of Gabriel''s hold with a nod of her head, she swallowed and scanned the surrounding areas for her car, trying to recall past the foggy haze in her mind, where she had. parked the expensive hunk of junk. "My car... I... I need to get to-"


    "I''ll drive you," Gabriel interrupted, offering his service and who was Leonica to refuse in her


    situation.


    Nodding in agreement, Gabriel led her to his car that fortunately was parked on the other side. of the road. As soon as they were both buckled up, he pressed the gas, speeding past other cars and nearly breaking traffic rules, several times.


    By the time they arrived at the hospital, the ambnce had just pulled into the parking lot and Ashely was being rushed into the hospital.


    Despite her scrambled head, Leonica made a mental note to remember the shortcut Gabriel had taken, it had spared them greatly.


    Rushing into the hospital, she quickly spotted Ashely being wheeled on a stretcher towards a closed door and in seconds, she was beside him, fingers tightening around the white iron rails


    Enough is Enought


    of the stretcher.


    "Ashley, please be strong for mommy." She spoke just above a whisper, wanting so badly to


    reach out and touch her unconscious son, however not getting the opportunity as he, along with several nurses and a doctor of high expertise entered the operating room and she was forced to stay back..


    With fresh set of tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, Leonica watched as the operation sign turned red, indicating the long hours of wait had began.


    Positive ones, she hoped as she sank into a waiting bench and buried her face in the center of her palm, vaguely taking note of when Gabriel sat beside her, but not bothering to look his


    way.


    The said male couldn''t clearly see her face, but her entire being right now, reminded him of how he had seemed when his parents had gotten into the ident that imed their lives, during his younger years.


    He couldn''t say anything tofort her, but that didn''t stop him after much consideration, from gingerly cing his hand on her back, gently rubbing it up and down.


    A simple action, one that might not have meant much to any other person, but for Leonica, it was different. So different to the point that it made the tears she had been holding back, rush


    out in full force.


    As the tears ran down her face, she muttered incoherent apologies for her behavior, whilst trying to wipe her face, but no matter how many times she tried to dry her cheeks, they always ended up getting wet again.


    It was truly a sight to see for Gabriel, but certainly one that did not please him. He had always wanted Leonica to pay for what she has done to Angelina, make her suffer and regret her actions, but contrary to those thoughts, seeing her sob and tremble like this, Gabriel''s chest. felt tight and he couldn''t hold back.


    Gently taking her head, he buried it in his shoulder, pulling her closer as he continued to draw soothing circles around her back.


    At first, Leonica froze up at his actions. Her cries had ceased for a mere second, before she felt his pats and they came back, and her body gently rxed in his hold.


    There was no words spoken between them and for the next twenty minutes, Leonica remained in the familiar embrace, gently sobbing. Only after she had calm down did she gently easy out of the hug


    Gabriel was about to ask if she was okay, or at least he made an attempt to ask so, but before the words could flow out of his mouth, sounds of approaching footsteps caught his attention.


    Arvan had just arrived at the hospital after dropping Daisy off. He felt it was only right that he came in person and apologize since in a way, he was partially responsible for the ident, Enough is Ploughi


    after all, he had promised to watch the children and took his eyes off them for a split second to pay the bill, allowing Daisy the opportunity to drop her favorite hairpin in the middle of the road and try to reach for it. The rest was as it happened.


    He quickly spotted Leonica and Gabriel seated in a waiting area and approached them. Gabriel turned in his direction at the sound of his approaching footsteps while Leonica seemed to deep in thoughts, head resting on Gabriel''s shoulder, too notice his presence. "Leonica, I''m so-" he began, but Gabriel interrupted him.


    "Not now," He said with a tone barely above a whisper, as if he was trying to avoid disturbing Leonica. "Whatever you want to say, I''m sure I can wait. Right now," he nced down at the top of Leonica''s head, before continuing, "I think she needs a little space." He turned back to face Arvan. "Alright?"


    Arvan nodded his head. Despite not wanting to admit it, Gabriel was right. With the state Leonica was in, she needed as much space as possible.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "You''re right. I''ll leave for now." He announced, taking onest look at Leonica before turning with his hands in his pocket and walking away.


    Gabriel''s eyes didn''t not leave until he had stepped out of the hospital and disappeared around the corner. Only then did he nced at the operating sign which was still red and sighed.


    They sure had a long wait ahead of them, not that he wasining. He''d wait as long as it took as long as Ashley came out fine.


    The operation had dragged on For hours longer than Either Leonica and Gabriel could have imagine. During the fourth and final hour, Leonica had regained small of herself.


    Despite not wanting to, she was about to thank Gabriel for lending a shoulder offort, which she never knew he could, when the doors to the operating room opened and Ashley was wheeled out.


    "Congrattions, the operation was a sess and the boy, is now out of danger." The doctor announced as he took off thest of his gear.


    Gabriel felt relief after hearing this and The dull look on Leonica''s face slowly vanished as a smile made its way to her lips at the good news.


    "However,"


    ''However?'' Her smile ttened at the continuing words from the doctor. ''However'' was never a good word to begin a sentence with.


    "The boys currently in a sleepa, It''s nothing threatening and he should wake up in at


    Enough (5 Phought.


    couple of hours, max a day." He informed.


    That was approximately three hours ago.


    The operation had ended since then and Ashley was wheeled into his private ward. Gabriel had stayed inside for a while to watch Ashely, before noticing how Tired Leonica had looked and against his better judgement, decided to get her something to build her energy.

 Chapter 55

    Currently, he was walking towards Ashely''s room, cup of hot coffee in his hand. Just as he turned the corner leading to the room, he spotted Christian draping a nket over Leonica''s shoulder and handing her a cup of coffee. Leonica epted it with a tired smile and a little thank you'' unaware of how her actions caused Gabriel''s jaws to clenched.


    Firstly at the banquet and now here. Enough was enough.


    Dumbing the coffee into a nearby bin, Gabriel approaches the trio, namely Leonica, Christian and Anastasia who had arrived during the final hours of the operation.


    Christian sensed the aura radiating off his friend the moment his eyesnded on him. He was about to question this, but Gabriel best him to speak.


    "Christian, we need to talk. Follow me." He demanded and turned around, walking away before his friend could question what about.


    Passing Leonica onest look of sympathy, Christian followed after Gabriel.


    "Hey, what are we talking about?" Trying to match his friend''s pace, he asked.


    Much to his dismay, Gabriel ignored his question and continued to lead him to his location of choice. Only when they arrived in the confines of an empty room did Gabriel speak. Questioned to be precise. "What are you feelings towards Leonica?"


    The question caught Christian off guard. "What?"


    "Don''t y dumb Christian. Don''t think I haven''t noticed it all. You dances with her at the banquet," He


    led out with a gesture in the air that indicated that even Christian''s own bed partners didn''t have that honor. "and you don''t hesitate to defend her, so give it to me straight, do you like her?" "What? Why would you think that?"


    "Why wouldn''t I Christian? Give me one reason why I shouldn''t?"


    "Because I don''t freaking like her?" Was what Christian wanted to retort, but seeing the expression in Gabriel''s face, Jealousy ridden and all, something clicked in ce.


    Something that Gabriel hadn''t realized but he had and thus, he viewed this as a good opportunity to help make Gabriel realize what he wasn''t realizing.


    Taking a step forward, he shoved his hands into his pocket and looked Gabriel in the eyes while asking. "And what if I do?"


    As much as Gabriel would like to say he was caught off guard by Christian''s confession, he wasn''t, after all, he already knew in his heart that Christian was taken some sort of fancy to his ex wife. But that didn''t stop him from being furious at his friend.


    Not only because he was betraying his trust as a friend, but also because he was...


    Because he was what? Going after Leonica?


    Why should he be angry about that, hadn''t he nned to move on with his life?


    So why?


    Puzzled by his own thoughts, Gabriel was speechless. Seeing this, Christian scoffed.


    "See, you''re not even sure about your own heart." He mocked. "Tell me this, Gabe, who is it you truly love? Is it Angelina or..." Christian trailed off, but he didn''t need toplete his sentence for Gabriel already knew who the other party was.


    Now in cases like this. c-briel would not have hesitated to call out Angelina''s name. But the moment he was about to say her name, Leonica''s face miraculously shed in his mind, causing his eyes to narrow.


    Why was he thinking of her face when the person''s name he was meant to say was Angelina. After all, it was her he loved...right?


    Seeing as Gabriel had once more fallen into silence due to the conflict in his inner mind, Christian couldn''t help but scoff.


    He was so unsure of his heart that it was showing on his face.


    "You really are troublesome, Gabriel," He shook his head andter took a step forward, pping the younger male on the shoulder. "Here''s a piece of advice, again. Take sometime and search your heart and figure out who it truly yearns for before it''s toote." With that he walked off, leaving Gabriel in the room he had brought them to. The male himself stood still for a few moments, thinking his friend''s words through before shaking them off and walking away.


    Why did he need to search his heart for an answer when it was already obvious who he loved. It was... Angelina?


    Right, she''s been the one who he''s always loved.


    Nodding at the obvious, or rather tweaked truth, Gabriel pulled open the door leading to Ashely''s room and stepped in.


    Enough is Enough!


    His eyes scanned the spacious room,nding on Ashely''s bed and the boys sleeping form. IV drips and hospital machines followed next before he finally too notice of the whispersing from a far corner of the room and spotted Leonica speaking with the head doctor beside theThis content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    window.


    "For now, the boy''s out of danger," Gabriel heard as he advanced closer, gaining into the doctor''s attention as Leonica had her back facing him. "However," his steps halted expecting the bad news.


    And it dide, but just not in the form he had expected.


    "From here on out, Subsequent treatments would be carried out on the boy to ensure speedy

 Chapter 56

    recovery and for that to happen, the hospital would need his biological father to sign an agreement and be brought in for an examination. The Truth Revealed.


    "From here on out, subsequent treatments would be carried out to endure the boy has a speedy recovery and for that to happen," Doctor Bailey nced down at the clipboard in his hand, reading through the words of his superior, or better yet, the person who had carried out the operation and examination on Ashley, before facing Leonica, who was eagerly awaiting his continuation. "The hospital needs the boy''s biological father to sign an agreement and be brought in for an examination." As thest of those words rolled off his tongue, Leonica''s expression t out fell.


    "What?"


    "An examination needs to be carried out on the boy''s biological father, as well as he signing agreements approving the treatment. Your signature of course would also be needed." Doctor Bailey exined once more, unaware of the effects his words were having on Leonica.


    Ashely''s father...oh cheery fucking Christmas,


    First her son gets into an ident and now she has to involve his freaking father.


    Just the thought of that alone made dread wash over Leonica.


    But then again, if she didn''t involve his father, then that would mean Ashley''s life and health would be put at risk and eventually he could...


    The unspoken possibilities made Leonica''s chest tighten and her eyes fluttered several times. Releasing a shaky breath, she tried topose herself, but just as she took a step back, her knees buckled.


    Fortunately, just as she felt her body begin it''s descend, a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist, hoisting her up.


    "Hey, hey Pull yourself together." Gabriel tried putting her back on her feet, arms wrapped around her waist.


    The first time his arms had encircled her waist and she had leaned on him for


    however now, with the recent revtion and her head spinning, the gesture w and rather unwanted.


    "Let me go," Leonica demanded, a crack in her voice.


    support,


    weed,


    Gabriel was surprised to hear her voice and just barely caught her face before he realizes that fresh set of tears had began streaming down her face again. "Please..." She begged and Gabriel didn''t have it in him to refuse her, especially not when she looked as though she would fall apart at the slightest touch. Slowly, his hands slipped away from her waist and Leonica wasted no time in stumbling away,


    The fly Rewelled


    a hand clutching the front of her blouse as if it would calm the frantic beating of her heart.


    But I didn''t and watching her, Gabriel could only but wonder why she was taking the news so badly.


    ''How hard is it to find one man,'' he thought, ncing back at Ashely when he recalled Ashely school speech about his father being a spaceman


    It certainly wouldn''t be that hard for Leonica to find him...or perhaps she didn''t want to find him.


    Perhaps he had hurt her and that was why she was reacting in such a way.


    The thought of him hurting Leonica made Gabriel''s blood boil. He balled his fist, feeling the sudden urge to punch the face of Ashely''s real father.


    But putting that urge aside with a sigh, he stepped forward to speak with Leonica who looked like she was considering a thousand decisions, finger nail in her mouth as she munched on it.


    "Leonica, are..." He began, however, the said female''s voice cut through his sentence.


    "It''s you." She suddenly dered.


    Gabriel''s brows drew together in confusion.


    "Huh?"


    Eyes fluttering once more, Leonica swallowed before continuing, determination to save her son written all over her face. "Ashely''s biological father...it''s you."


    Gabriel''s heart skipped a beat, a feeling of both surprise and shock washing over him.


    Leonica...what did she just say?


    He was Ashely''s biological father?


    How? Sure he had his doubt and beliefs, but the paternity test had proven that Ashely wasn''t his son, so how was this possible?


    "What?" His voice was a mere whisper, as he tried to process what was going on.


    "You''re his biological father, Gabriel. Five years ago, before I signed the divorce papers, I found out that I was pregnant. I didn''t give the child up, I kept him and raised him. That child is Ashely." Leonica confessed.


    Her eyes remained trained on Gabriel''s the whole time, and if she hadn''t known any better, she would have missed the subtle change of emotions in his eyes, ranging from confusion, anger, disbelief and utter relief, before they slowly narrowed. "How long were you nning to hide this from me, Leonica?" He spoke through gritted teeth, not too pleased with her actions.


    The bush Reveralco.


    She had kept her son from him. Five years. And even what tampered with the paternity test result. Was that why she was so confident?


    Leonica''s lips parted to respond but Gabriel spoke before she could.


    "How long were you going to keep my son from me, Leonica?" His voice was low, almost a growl, as he red down at her.


    It was clear that he was angry, far angrier than Leonica could ever have expected. However before his anger could overflow, Doctor Bailey stepped forward and interrupted their


    conversation.


    "I''m sorry for interrupting, but if we want the treatment n to be ready as soon as today, need to carry out the examination this very moment. Mr. Bryce, as this child''s biological father," he pointed at Ashely who was still asleep. "Are you willing to carry out the examination?"


    Gabriel nodded his head without missing a heartbeat.


    we


    "Very well," the doctor turned around, pointing a finger to the door. "If you will, follow me, I''ll lead you to the examination room."


    "Sure, let''s go." Turning to follow the doctor, Gabriel paused and looked over his shoulder. When I get back, you and I, we''ll have a serious discussion." He told her in a serious tone right before walking out.


    Now alone and feeling like she had gotten arge weight off her chest and the exhaustion kicking in, Leonica allowed her body copse into the nearest chair with a loud sigh.


    She felt exhausted both physical and mental, but couldn''t stop her mind from pondering what was going to happen to Ashely now that Gabriel knew his was his biological father.


    This time around, she couldn''t just seat by and hope it would end with a positive result. Knowing Gabriel, that was almost next to impossible. Now that he knew Ashely was his biological son, she could kiss her smooth sailing life goodbye.


    But even at that, she didn''t regret telling Gabriel the truth, because as things stood, she was more than ready to do anything to save Ashely.


    Her train of thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone vibrating.


    Pulling it out, she nced at the screen and saw it was a message from Arvan.


    [Leonica, hey. Hope you''re alright and Ashely tog, I came to the hospital earlier but you looked like you needed space so I left. I just wanted to apologize for not keeping a close eye on the kids. Again, I''m sorry. If you need a shoulder to cry on, please don''t hesitate to contact me.]


    Smiling at the text, she began typing her reply.


    [Thank you. And yes, I''m fine and so is Ashely. You have nothing to be sorry for, it wasn''t your


    fault.]


    She had just sent the message when a response came back.


    [But Daisy''s my daughter, therefore, I''m also partly responsible. I know this isn''t much, but I hope it makes up for it.]


    At the bottom of the message was a video attached.


    [I got my hands on the street''s CCTV footage from the ident, hope it helps.]


    A smile tugged at Leonica''s lips.


    ''Oh Arvan, you''re a true gem."


    Clicking the link, she waited for it to load and her smile widened when the video finally opened.


    The quality was somewhat blurred, but she was able to see clearly.


    She watched as Daisy''s hairpin had fallen into the road and the girl went to pick it, but from the corner, she noticed a certain red car which had been ideally driving by, suddenly speed up. It was at this point Leonica had realized that the driver was aiming to run her over, however, something else happened and the car changed direction, heading straight for the girl.


    At thest second, Ashely had rushed out and pushed her out of the way in a bid to save his friend, automatically putting his life in the line.


    The rest of the video yed on but Leonica paid no mind to it as her mind was reeling with several emotions.


    Amongst those emotions, anger was the most prominent one, because after watching the video, it had be clear to her that Ashely''s ident was something nned! Tampered Results.


    "And that should round up thest of our examinations." Doctor Bailey announced as he stuffed thest of Gabriel''s blood samples into a test tube and had it properly secured. Grabbing a clipboard, he nudged it in Gabriel''s direction. "Now, all you have to do is sign here, here and here," He pointed at the different ces, even having to


    point. "To prove that you gave your consent and permission flip the paper over at some


    going to be receiving."


    for the treatments Ashely is


    Gabriel rolled down thest of his sleeves and fixed his wrist buttons, before he reached for the clipboard and offered pen. Taking a brief moment to read through it, he lifted the pen and penned down his signature on the ces Doctor Bailey had pointed to, after which he returned the clipboard to the waiting doctor.


    "Perfect!" Doctor Bailey eximed as he received the signed agreement, tucking the pen in his coat pocket. "That''s all for now. If anything were toe up, I''ll be sure to contact you. You can leave."


    Nodding at his words, Gabriel hoped off the bed and exited the examination room.


    ''Well, that''s one hurdle out of the way,'' he thought, his face however scrunching up when he recalled he had to have a serious talk with Leonica.


    But not like he was running away, or even thinking of doing something like that. That serious talk, needed to happen. For God''s sake, who hides the identity of ones son away and even go as far as lying to their face? Tampering with medical test and records? To what extend exactly was she willing to go just to keep him away from his own child?


    And more importantly, why was she going to such lengths?


    As if on cue with his thoughts, Leonica''s crying face, when Doctor Bailey had requested Ashely''s father- him- be brought in, shed in his mind, halting his footsteps.


    It was because of him. She had hidden their son away because of...him?


    Did she really hate him that much?


    What happened to the woman who was more than ready to die for his love five years ago?


    The answer was obvious. Seeing her transformation, the hatred she had for him and all, it was clear to him, that that woman was either dead, or had been locked away.


    Either one of those two, made Gabriel''s expression fall the moment he considered them.


    His moment of absorption was thinly cut through by the familiar sound of his phone''s ringtone. Feeling around his pocket for a bit, he found the device in his back pocket and pulled it out, unconsciously grimacing at the sight of Angelina''s name written across his caller Screen.


    With a deep sigh, he answered the phone and pressed it to his ear.


    No less than a second had passed when Angelina''s voice boomed loudly from the other end." Gabe, where are you!"


    Said male had to avoid Lossing his ear


    pull the phone away from his ear for a few seconds t drums. Once he was sure it was safe to ce back, the phone was once more repositioned by his ear. "Angelina, I''ve told you this, I''m busy. What is it?"


    "Busy? Gabe, don''t tell me you forgot?" The brte from the other end asked, her voice carrying a tint of a whine.


    Gabriel thought, long and hard in the short time his brain provided.


    Was he missing something?


    Her birthday? An anniversary? Perhaps a holiday?


    Nah, none of that rang a bell in his mind.


    Angelina''s birthday was on the 11th of August and they were merely in march. And as for any anniversary...there wasn''t one, was there? "Gabe, you didn''t forget, o


    didn''t forget, did you?" Angelina repeated once his silence had dragged on for more than five seconds.


    ""Of course not," He lied.


    And Angelina heard it. He may be Norway''s business prodigy, but Gabriel had several areas he wasn''t perfect in and one of them was lying.


    Each time he lied, his voice did this little thing that it dropped an octave lower and he always dragged on thest syble of his words.


    "Gabe, you did forget," Angelinained. Gabriel could imagine her already folding her hand across her chest, a pout forming on her lips as she became upset,


    But right now that didn''t really matter to him. Ashley was more important. And he needed to get back as soon as possible.


    "I apologize, Ange."


    "Hinph. Whatever. Where are you anyways? You''re terriblyte and just to remind you, you''re meant to help me pick out our wedding rings today."


    Ah, right! He was meant to do that.


    Gabriel barely stopped himself from snapping his finger as he recalled that he had cleared his


    entire work schedule for this one asion. However, on the way to the ring shop, he had spotted some deserts in a pastry disce and thought that Angelina would appreciate some. Coincidentally, the pastry shop had just been opposite the hospital, the very same shop the children had skipped across to, to get ice cream.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    He had just parked his car when Ashely stopped him and the entire fiasco happened. During the entire incident, he hadpletely forgotten that he had someone waiting somewhere for him.


    Sighing once more, but not as deep as the previous one, Gabriel turned a corner, leading to Ashley''s room hallway.


    "I''m sorry Angelina, I...I''ve been really busy."


    "I understand. So, when are v


    going to arrive here?"


    Gabriel shook his head even though she couldn''t see him. "I won''t be able to make it."


    "What? Why?!"


    ''Because I''m not about to leave my son, whose life is in danger and go wedding ring shopping.''

 Chapter 57

    He sighed once more, not spitting out those words, instead he opted for something less harmful.


    "A couple of Russian investors just flew in and I have to attend to them. Personally." He added thest part before she could even suggest him sending Bill in his stead. "Look, I know you.... we nned this, but I won''t be able to make it, not today." "But," Angelina was about to protest, but unfortunately for her, Gabriel had nced at his watch and realized that it was just about the time when Ashely woke up and he had to return


    fast.


    "I''m sorry Ange. I have to go, let''s talk when I''m less busy. Bye..." Without saying any more words, even the most obvious one he always said when ending his call, Gabriel hung up and stopped himself before he sighed once again. "I love you, huh?" He muttered, recalling Christian''s words.


    Those same words that have now left his mind a scrambled mine field. One second he''s sure that the person he loves is Angelina and then the next, he begins to question whether it''s


    Leonica.


    Sure, he felt some sense of attraction towards the former and that aside, he also had a promise to fulfill, one that he had made the moment he woke up and found out that she had saved his life.


    That had been the one thing that had kept him running with her and before he knew it, that thing, developed into romance.


    But even at that, there was no denying it, the attraction he felt with and towards Leonica, ever since she came back to Norway, far surpassed that of any attraction which he has felt towards Angelina for the past eight years. And that left him feeling confused.


    Lloyd and Christian''s words were no helpers so far.


    Sighing before he could prevent it, Gabriel reached into his pocket and pulled his phone out once more when he felt it vibrate.


    Clicking it on, his brows narrowed when he saw it was a message from Bill. He quickly essed it, his expression bing puzzled upon seeing that the message rather than written words and letters, was a simple picture of...a paternity test?


    Clicking the picture open and waiting a few seconds for it to load, Gabriel''s brows first shot up and then dipped in confusion the moment he read the results.


    It was the very same paternity test he had applied for, yet the results of this one stated that Gabriel was Ashely''s biological father.


    "What the hell..." He muttered, brain swirling in confusion.


    If this was the real results, then without a doubt, Leonica had indeed tampered with the result he had gotten.


    But the main question was, how?


    "Ahh! If I knew this would have happened I would have canceled that fucking business meeting!" Gripping the roots of her hair, Anastasia ruminates over and over again.


    She had been on a business trip in Miami Florida, trying to secure cooperation with a Alvira Winchester, when she got the call that Ashely had been involved in an ident. Quickly, she took off with her private jet, that mind you, she barely used. And in under five hours, she had touched ground and zoomed off to the hospital.


    So here she was, pulling on the roots of her hair and ming herself for the ident of her Godson that she had no power to prevent.


    Leonica had only entertained her friend''s rambling for a while before she spoke up. "It wasn''t your fault, Anastasia." She sighed tiredly and lowered her head. "It was mine."


    "Now hold up!" Her confession, or better yet, words of self-reproach, caused a sudden out burst from Anastasia. "Your fault? Don''t do that, Leo, don''t go ming yourself." Standing up from her chair, she joined the white-ette on thefortable loveseat. "How were you supposed to know that Ashely would end up in this situation. This isn''t your fault so don''t start that." Sheforted,ying a hand on her friends back


    Much to her surprise, Leonica shrugged her hand off and rose to her feet as if the chair had suddenly beva.


    "But you see, it is!" she protested, pulling out her phone to rece the video Arvan had sent. her. "That crash wasn''t an ident." She added as soon as Anastasia was equipped with enough knowledge to understand where she wasing from. And with that knowledge, she was livid. Who the fuck dare hurt her Godson, on purpose! No that aside, who the fuck dare to target her best friend?!


    "Now I know what you''re thinking," Leonica''s dry and tired voice cut through her brewing rage, as she sank down into the opposite couch and pushed her messy hair out of the way. "But I''m not totally sure if that attack was aimed at me." She confessed. "What? Then who else would be a target?"


    Leonica, despite her tired features, threw her friend a look, questioning if that was a question that needed answering.


    Three of Norway''s Richest Billionaires, standing unguarded outside of a hospital, there was more than one target in that case and more than one predator to strike.


    However, in this situation, all she and Gabriel''s petty enemies aside, there was one person who could have been the real target.


    "Arvan," she voiced.


    It took Anastasia a few seconds to process the name that had just left her friend''s mouth and for confirmation''s sakes, she asked. "Arvan Richardson?" Leonica pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded.


    Anastasia was stunned for a few seconds. Her lips parted, intending to say something befitting to her friend, but in the end, she was speechless and mmed her lips shut.


    A few minutes of silence had passed before she suddenly asked. "With all this going on, does it mean that Ashely''s identity has been exposed."


    Leonica shook her head. "Not a chance. No one''s aware of Ashely''s identity... yet." She whispered thest part painfully.


    "And Gabriel?"


    Leonica rose her gaze at Anastasia''s question. Upon meeting her friend''s serious expression, she swallowed and looked away.


    "Gabriel only gets to know what I tell him." She vaguely confessed, opening her phone once more with the intent of seeing if she could find clues of the ident.


    Anastasia however, was about to question her friend further when her eyes caught an


    approaching figure from Behind Leonica and she mmed her mouth shut.


    Leonica quickly noticed the silence and looked at Anastasia, before tracing her looking behind.


    gaze


    e and


    Her expression paled and her eyes fluttered upon seeing Gabriel with a serious expression on his face.


    "Leonica, me and you in private, let''s have a talk Right now."


    Start piver with Mat


    Start Over With Me?Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "So," Leaning back in the chair he was currently seated in, Gabriel fixed his gaze on Leonica who sat across from him, hands arranged neatly in front of her. "Where do you want to begin?" Leonica remained quiet at his question, gaze darting anywhere but where he sat. It had been like that for the past five minutes ever since they had entered the restaurant a floor below.


    Anastasia, being the kind soul she is, had offered to watch Ashley along with Christian, who was already in the child''s room, when Gabriel had demanded the two talk.


    And now, here they were, seating across from each other, one refusing to look at one in the eyes, while the other was sternly demanding exnation for several questions.


    If one didn''t know better, they could be mistaken for a couple going through a tough divorce. period.


    "I have nothing exin to you." Leonica finally spoke, but still refused to look Gabriel in the


    eyes.


    "Nothing?" He tilted his head to the side, catching her gaze. "At all?"


    "Is there something I''m meant to say?" Leonica unconsciously snapped, however simmering down when noticing that her temper was climbing. "I have nothing to say, Gabriel, so if this is all you called me for, then this conversation is as good as over." She said with the intent of dismissing the conversation.


    However, not a second more had passed since her final words, when Gabriel ced his phone on the table and gently pushed it across to her.


    The device slid and stopped just in front of, gaining Leonica''s attention.


    She took one look at the open screen and her features tensed. It was yet another paternity test, or rather, the same paternity test, but with a different result.


    And this one, confirmed that Gabriel was Ashely''s father. Bted news, but still had the power to rile up her nerves.


    "Still


    got nothing to say?" Gabriel questioned her silence, watching as she slid his phone back to him and shook her head.


    "No. You already know that Ashely''s your son so"


    "You tampered with the paternity test results, didn''t you?" His question cut Leonica off before she could finish whatever she was about to say.


    With creased eyes, she finally met his gaze. "What?"


    "The paternity test''s previous result, it was your doing, wasn''t it?" He repeated.


    "Like hell it air to show how much his


    assumption Was!" Leonica hissed, throwing her hands in t


    annoyed her.


    Watching her reaction, Gabriel''s brows creased. This time around, he was the confused one, after all, he had been more than sure that Leonica was the one responsible for tampering with the result.


    But her reaction today showed something else, meaning...he was wrong.


    Gabriel wasn''t often wrong, and even though he was, his pride never allowed him to admit it, but today, there was no denying it.


    He was wrong. And that fact alone, left a sour taste in his mouth.


    "Think what you may, Gabriel, but I had nothing to do with the tampered results of that paternity test." Leonica set his misbeliefs straight. Leaning towards the table after that. "But bear this in mind, I would have done the exact same thing, had I known you secretly ran a DNA test on My son." Gabriel''s eyes twitched at her words, obviously angered by the thought of Leonica messing with the DNA test.


    "You''re willing to go that far to keep Ashely away from me?" He questioned and when


    Leonica''s answer was nothing more than a silent stare, he continued. "Were you ever going to tell me the truth about Ashley if not for the ident?"


    "No!" Leonica boldly responded as she stood up from her chair, automatically ending the conversation in her head before it could progress too forward and truly turn against her.


    Now she didn''t want that.


    Taking a few steps towards Gabriel, she leaned down in front of his face and spoke in a tone barely above a whisper. "I never for once nned on telling you, after all, a person like you, doesn''t deserve the right to be a father to my child."


    If with those words, her goal was to annoy, hurt, or spite Gabriel, then she had seeded, because hearing those words made Gabriel''s blood to boil and in seconds, veins were popping at the side of his head.


    Leonicaplimented herself for a sess well done, but she wasn''t yet satisfied. This much was nothingpared to what Gabriel made her suffer for two a whole years.


    She didn''t need his apologize or regret, none of that would matter to her, now or in the nearest future. All she wanted, was his suffering.


    When she had first returned to Norway, she had decided to keep to herself, forget all about Gabriel even though he existed, but the said male had obviously made it his mission to torment her, one too many times. Now, she was going to deal him that very same hand. The suffering he had inflicted on her all those years ago and the one he intended to inflict this


    time around, she was going to deal it back to him in multiple folds.


    Straightening up, Leonica was about to walk away with her head still filled withpliments. from her current achievement that she hadn''t expected Gabriel to suddenly stand up and grab her by the neck.


    The action startled her without saying, causing her eyes to go wide.


    "What the-" She struggled against his hold, wanting nothing more than to be free, but that only caused his grip around her neck to tighten, not tight enough to snap her neck, but surely enough to leave a bruise.


    "You..." Gabriel''s voice was low, lower than when he had been ''interrogating'' her. Along with the low tone, came a vague sound of an emotion that Leonica couldn''t quite recognize because she was too busy trying to w her way free. "... what did I do that you hate me so much?"


    The question caused her struggling to stop. Her fingers still wrapped around his wrist, but now they didn''t make any attempts to pry it away, rather they rested there.


    She looked up, and just as she had thought, there was a clear expression of anger, confusion and all, written on his handsome features and it brought a satisfied, yet contemptuous smile to her lips. "Everything." She whispered in a voice filled with malice, her smile only widening the moment Gabriel''s features tensed.


    His eyes twitched and his grip tightened once more, enough for Leonica to hiss.


    "Do you know why I''m asking you these questions? Why I want the truth and not some bullshit?" He growled.


    "I have a little clue." Leonica''s response came with a chuckle, but it sounded less lively than her usual ones. "Your pissed that I hid Ashley''s existence away, right?" Allowing her hands fall to her side, she managed a shrug. "What good would it really have done to tell you, after all, you''re more than ready to start a new family." By the time she finished her words, the smile on her lips hadpletely faded and the bitterness in her eyes became clear to Gabriel.- But behind those emotions, he could see something else, something akin to hurt and regret.


    It made a pinch appear in his heart and immediately, his grip on Leonica reduced.

 Chapter 58

    "Is...was that why?" He questioned with a softer tone. "For whatever reason, you shouldn''t have done that, Leonica. I still deserved to know the truth."


    "Oh don''t y holy saint with me," pping his hand off her neck, she sneered at him. " Before you go about drilling me about my choice of concealing Ashely''s identity, first remember that it was you who didn''t want me baring any of your children. Oral contraceptive, remember?"


    Gabriel did and the mention of it brought a sting to his heart.


    Start Over Wan Me?


    "That was... At that time, didn''t know you were pregnant, Leonica."


    "Oh yeah? And what if you did? Would you have cancelled the divorce and thrown Angelina out of your life?" She asked pointedly, but deep down, some part of her hoped to hear a specific answer from him.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    However, seconds passed and Gabriel hadn''t responded. His silence told her all she needed to


    hear.


    Nodding her head, she felt a familiar sting behind her eyes, but forced the tears back.


    "Yeah, thought so." Taking a step back, she swallowed thickly, making sure her voice was steady enough before she spoke. "You don''t have to worry, I won''t stop Ashely from meeting you anymore, after all, the treatment requires your assistance. But get this straight, I will ot stand by and watch you try to take him from me. If worsees to worse, I will fight back."


    Watching her turn to leave, Gabriel felt sour about how the conversation was ending. He had demanded to talk with her so that they could settle things...for Ashely''s sake. Yet, here they were, fighting like tom and freaking Jerry.


    Under normal circumstances, Gabriel would have gotten satisfaction from seeing Leonica angry, heck, her furious face even some times turned him on. But that wasn''t the case for today''s argument And no matter how much he tried to ignore that nagging feeling in the back of his mind, it kept telling him that if Leonica were to walk away and things were to end like this...it would be the end.


    The end of her and him.


    And that, he couldn''t allow.


    Stepping forward at a swift speed, he startled Leonica by wrapping his arms around her from. behind.


    "Let... let me go, Gabriel." She demanded and began struggling. However, her struggles and whatever next word she wanted to say, died down the moment Gabriel spoke.


    "If I gave up on my engagement with Angelina...would you consider starting over with me, Leonica?"


    His Dysperate Plov


    His Desperate Ploy.


    Those words felt like a sweet, yet poisonous drink being served to her, because no matter how dreamy they sounded, in the end, she was going to end up getting hurt.


    Hurt by getting her hopes up.


    Hurt by believing his words.


    Hurt by allowing feelings she had buried resurface.


    But what if those words weren''t fake?


    That one fleeting question caused a bug in her system to spike, freezing her in her thoughts.


    Gabriel who had been holding her in his arms, felt her back go stuff against his chest. Maneuvering so he was now standing in front of her, the Noirette gazed down at her stiff expression, certainly thrown off guard by his question. But he wasn''t joking.


    He meant everyst one of the word he spoke.


    "What''s your answer, Leonica," He pressed in a whisper like tone, hot breath fanning her face when he leaned in close. "Would you?"


    Hearing his voice so close had done a good job enough to snap her out of whatever bug malfunction was going on in her mind, but the same couldn''t be said for her brain, which seemed topletely shut down at his closeness.


    -


    The scent of his cologne a mix of cedar and tiny bit of fresh fruit-, was a smell she was too familiar with and it had her heart palpitate in the worst ways.


    And then, there was the intensity of his gaze.


    Gabriel had always had a pair of intimidating grey eyes and whenbined with the intensity of his gaze, it was more than enough to send anyone''s heart into overdrive.


    Leonica was no exception.


    Even at that, the Noirette was staring at her in anticipation of her answer, his face still too close for herfort.


    When he noticed she hadn''t refused his presence no matter how close he got, Gabriel couldn''t stop himself and at thest moment, he lowered his head, albeit slow, and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Her reaction was immediate.


    Leonica''s eyes had grown to the size of saucers, and she didn''t move, didn''t blink. Her whole


    body was frozen, except for her rapidly beating heart which seemed to increase as Gabriel poured more emotions into the kiss.


    "Say yes, Leonica." He muttered into the kiss. "You, me and Ashley, we can still make this work. A family, we can make one."


    Family.


    The word rang a bell of remembrance in her head and had her finally moving, however, not to reciprocate the kiss, rather, she moved away, breaking the contact.


    Her face was flushed red, and her breaths had be rapid and uneven, but she forced her brain to think, wiping her lips with the back of her palm. An action that caused Gabriel to frown.


    "You..." She panted and looked up at him. "Don''t you dare...try to fool me, because that''s not going to work." She spat, beginning to feel hot from anger.


    He really almost had her there, for a second. However, she was smarter than his ploy.


    "Is that really the best you


    can do? y with my feeling Because you''re so desperate to get custody of Ashely?" She shook her head. "Sorry to tell you, I would never take a bite out of your bait. Any smart person would know that you can''t end you engagement with Angelina because she''s carrying your child. Don''t take me for a fool, Gabriel."


    To think he had yed on her feelings, once more, all just to get what he wanted.


    The thought made her scoff.


    Meanwhile, Gabriel stared at her in utter confusion.


    Angelina? Carrying his child?


    What the hell did she mean?


    "Wait, what are you...?"


    "Leonica! There you are, thank goodness." Anastasia rushed into the restaurant, interrupting Gabriel before he could question Leonica''s bizarre words.


    Walking up to the Noirette, she cast a knowing and nasty look at Gabriel briefly. "I''ve been looking all over for you." She extended her hands.


    "Why?" Leonica took her hands, blinking in confusion.


    "Ashley woke up."


    At those words, her eyes widened and the next moment, she was dashing towards the elevator with Anastasia following right behind. Gabriel was no slower, and soon, they were all pushing their way into Ashely''s room. The said boy who had been having a brief and little chat with his uncle Christian, turned


    His Dyfperate Flor


    towards the door at the sound of many footsteps and people practically barging in.


    The first person he saw was his mother, followed by aunt Ana, but it wasn''t long before a familiar figure joined them, Gabriel.


    Seeing thest face was more than enough to bring azy smile to his face.


    "Mommy. Gabriel." He beamed weakly up at them both, making grabby hand motions


    towards them.


    Gabriel wasted no time in appearing at his son''s side, soothing his ruffled hair back.


    "Hey buddy. How are you feeling?" He gently asked, frowning at the sight of the white bandage on Ashely''s head.


    "Woozy." The child muttered but offered him a smile. "But I''ll feel better once I get...my ice


    cream."


    Gabriel chuckled, a sad one any adult could tell. "Of course. I''ll get you your Ice cream."


    "Promise?" The younger male held up his pinky finger.


    11


    Gabriel noticed the trembles in his body before quickly hooking his own pinky with the child''s. "I promise. So take your time getting better, okay?" Ashley weakly nodded, with yet another smile that made Gabriel chuckled.


    The scene nheless, was a heart warming one. Father and son reunited, everyone watching, was filled with a warm feeling in their chest.


    Everyone but one person...


    Leonica. She wasn''t far behind, but she kept her distance just before reaching the bed, staying back and watching as Gabriel interacted with her their son.


    The sight brought a bitter taste to her tongue and a sting to her heart.


    It was like a sudden whip delivered by the hands of guilt, making an ounce of remorse surface in her chest.


    Remorse and guilt for keeping such a- as hard as it was for her to admit-beautiful pair of father and son away from each other.


    The guilt however, was fickle and began to fade when he reminded herself that her actions were for the better, after all Gabriel was about to start a new family and it would hurt Ashley less to not know Gabriel was his fall


    Call her bad, a witch of whatever anyone may, but all she did, she did it to protect her son and today, would be thest day she''d ever doubt that


    porate Floy


    "...with the evil witch locked in the treasure chest, Hansel and Gretel had enough time to gather all the beautiful jewelries and gold coins, enough to make sure that they could eat all the pork meat they wanted, and skipped off to their house." Leonica finished the story, raising her gaze from the storybook in her hand to find Ashley staring at her with narrowed gaze. What?"


    "I...I don''t think that''s the story." Ashley yawned, feeling sleep after having talked to Anastasia, Christian, Gabriel and his mother, from the moment he had woken up. "Hansel and Gretel, they...they burned the witch, did they not?" "What?" Leonica was genuinely confused.


    That was freaking different from the story she had been told while growing up.


    Quickly, she flipped the book close and gaze at the cover, closing her eyes and cursing inwardly upon seeing that it was a Disney fairytale version of the story.


    Put in a better way; a remake.


    Gabriel who had been seating in one of the chair, quietly watching, found her expression


    funny.


    Watching her try her best to exin to Ashley that she had picked out the wrong one, while Ashley, despite his tired state, yfully drilled her out for reading him the wrong story, brought a smile to

 Chapter 59

    his lips.


    That smile however, ttered the moment he realized that this side of Leonica was only reserved for her son...their son.


    Towards him, she was much colder and merely smiled. Her guard was always up and the one time he''d think he was finally going somewhere, she''d kick him back and draw another line, rambling on about words that he didn''t even understand. Like today for instance. During their conversation, she had hinted on something that


    disturbed him as much as it confused him.


    Angelina''s pregnancy, as she put it.


    But the thing was... Angelina wasn''t pregnant.


    To his knowledge, at least.


    Suddenly feeling a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, Gabriel''s brows creased. What if this was a repeat for five years ago?


    He needed to know.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Standing up, his movement was caught by Ashley. "Gabriel, are you leaving?" He asked in a voice tinged with sadness. Hai Dy perate y


    The question was enough to soften the Noirette''s heart and he shook his head, walking over to nt a kiss on his head.


    "Of course not. I just need to make an important call."


    Ashley''s shoulders dropped in relief and he gave him a small nod, turning back to his mother who had resumed the conversation, only this time, she was trying her best to convince Ashley that it was indeed the right story, a Disney version. Gabriel took onest nce at them, not missing the way Leonica stole a gaze at him, before


    he walked at of the room.


    With the door behind him shut and the hallway empty, Gabriel reached into his pocket for his phone, quickly dialing a number and cing it at his ear.


    He tapped his foot, waiting for the line to be picked up. It wasn''t long before the line did.


    "Yes, Sir?" Bills voice sounded from the other end of the line.


    "Bill, I need you to do something, immediately."


    "Of course sir, what might that be."


    Gabriel hesitated, knowing fully well that if he does what he was about to, he had officially broken the truth between he and Angelina because of a simple misunderstanding. But fuck it! He needed to know.


    "Run a check on Angelina''s medical records."


    His Compensation.


    Gabriel shook his head. "For now, no."


    "Understood." Bill said, bidding His employer goodbye seconds before ending the call.


    Now standing alone in the hospital''s hallway, Gabriel briefly reyed the entire day''s event in his head and sighed. Twenty four hours and a whole He lot had happened.


    If his life were to be animated into one of those weird My story animated videos that Angelina forced him to watch almost weekly, Gabriel was a hundred percent sure that their viewers would call it a bluff, make believe even.


    The thought made him chuckle quietly to himself. However, the sound died amidst the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning his head gently to the side, Gabriel''s expression quickly became dark the moment he spotted Arvan walking down the hallway, Daisy tagging along at


    his side.


    "What are you doing here?" He questioned the male as soon as the duo of father and daughter had gotten within hearing range.


    "Where''s Leonica?" Arvan was quick to fire his own question, evading Gabriel''s own.


    Seeing him y smart, Gabriel''s hands clenched at the side and his aura red. However, Arpan stared at him with a nonchnt expression, unfazed by whatever trope he was trying to put up. He wouldn''t be standing in the spot of Senate if be tucked his tail between his legs and fled each time some red at him.


    But that aside, he genuinely had nothing to be running from. Gabriel''s imagination was a wild ce a d whatever he was thinking, was in fact not the reason why Arvan was here. Like every normal adult involved in the unfortunate incident, Arvan truly felt guilty about what had happened during the short time he bad taken his gaze off The children. He wanted to apologize, in person, but wasn''t sure if he was actually weed at the hospital. That''s when his princess in shining armor swooped in.


    Daisy, like the angel she is, had been extremely worried about Ashely and pleaded times. without number that the pay him a visit. And who was Arvan to say no.


    So, here they were, but Gabriel obviously didn''t know that and thought the worst the moment he asked after Leonica.


    "Leonica''s whereabouts is none of your business." He spat in a nasty manner, unaware of the way Daisy flinched at the tone of his voice. "Here''s a warning, from one father to another, keep yourself away from Leonica and Ashely."


    The moment those words left his mouth, a loud wail escaped Daisy''s lips. She seemed to have been holding herself back for quite sometime but now, hearing Gabriel tell her father to stay away from her friend and his mother in such a scary manner, caused a way of emotion to


    overtake her small mind.


    "Wah! I''m sorry! I promise never to put Ashley in danger so please don''t let him hate me. Please!"


    Hearing the sound of her cries seemed to simmer Gabriel''s anger down.


    "Does...does Ashely not want to see me anymore? I''m sorry, please don''t let Ashely hate me!"


    "Whoa, what''s going on here." Legnica who had been alerted by the smaller child''s cries from inside Ashley''s room, stepped out and rushed to her. Bending at her level, she gently wiped. her wet cheeks. "Daisy, shh, why are you crying?" "Because...because Ashely hates me." She sobbed.


    "What? Who said that?"


    At her question, Arvan so wanted to point at Gabriel, however, he contaled the urge and instead tried to calm his daughter down with Leonica''s help.


    A minute a d a halfter, Daisy cries had reduced and Leonica had seeded in wiping her cheeks.


    "Don''t cry anymore, Daisy. Ashely doesn''t hate you?" The white-Ette reassured.


    "Really?" Daisy looked up at her with the shiniest pair of golden eyes that made her heart instantly warm up.


    "Of course." She offered a genuine smile and rose to her feet, patting the child on her head." As a matter of fact, Ashely''s even looking for you, right now." "Really?!" Her announcement caused a smile to light up the girl''s features.


    Legnica nodded her head. "Yeah, so how about you go in." Walking back to the door, she pulled it open slightly and with her head, nudged for Daisy to step in. The younger girl hesitated, fiddling with her fingers and doubting Leonica''s words.


    What if Ashely indeed hated her?


    What if he screams at her when she steps in? Or worse, mes her for the ident?


    All those thoughts put fear and doubt in her small heart, however, they faded away the instance her eyesnded on Ashely and realized how happy he was to see her.


    "Daisy!" The young boy eximed with utter joy, happy that his friend was safe. If not for the IV wires and all connected to him, he would have leaped out of the bed and encased the younger girl in a hug.


    However, all those wires didn''t stop Daisy from charging at him, hopping onto the bed and capturing him in a hug.


    Legnica watched the heart felt moment with a s,ilemon her lips, only turning away at the


    sound of Arvan''s voice.


    "Thanks for calming her down." The male said with a smile as he tames a few steps towards where she was, totally ignoring Gabriel who had resumed ring at him.


    "It''s no big deal." Legnica waved him off, returning hid smile with one of her own that soothed his heavy chest. But damn did it make Gabriel wanna blow a fuse.


    Seeing them all smiley and friendly was never something he enjoyed, and today was no different.


    "Shouldn''t you both know when to limit your conversations? Especially when the father of your child is standing right here?" He called out making sure to put great emphasis on bis words as he spoke about Ashely''s paternity.


    His words, no doubt gained the attention of the two interacting figures who took a break from their conversation and nced at him. Out of the two, Arvan was somewhat, no, genuinely caught off guard by his words and Leonica, well she was pissed as usual.


    "Limit our conversations?" She scoffed, a sarcastic smile hanging from her lips. "Why would we? After all, this has nothing to do with you. Right?" She folded her arms and despite her tired expression, managed to look just as stubborn as she normally does. "Just because you''re Ashley''s father doesn''t give you the right to interfere with my personal affair and dictate who I should and shouldn''t speak to."


    Her words and attitude was like a match stick thrown into a sea of gasoline, triggering Gabriel''s anger and causing the vein on his temple to throb.


    Taking a step forward, he was about to he was about to lecture her about her attitude, when the door to Ashley''s room lid open and Daisy meekly poked her head out. All three, or rather, the two speaking adults quickly fell silent, turning to face the child. "What is it, Princess?" Arvan asked, head tilted at his daughter.


    "Uh," She hesitated before pointing her tiny index finger at Gabriel after having gathered enough courage. "Ashely...Ashely wants to see you." She informed.


    Hearing this, Gabriel does not waste another second out of the room. However, before stepping in, he threw Leonica an annoyed look that she had be familiar with during the past few weeks.


    "I''m so sorry about that." She took the courtesy to apologize to Arvan once they were alone.


    The male offered her a smile, still surprised after learning that Gabriel was Ashley''s biological


    father.


    Sure, just like every other person who could see Arvan could see the tension between them, but never would he have guessed that they produced a coco-felon together.


    "It''s fine." He shrugged, suppressing the questions that roamed his mind concerning Leonkca and Gabriel. "I kinda deserve it." He added.


    Leonica was a bit, no, she was greatly confused by his words, but before she ask what he


    meant, Arvan reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a brown envelope, handing it to her. "So I hope this canpensate for it."


    Are You Two Dating?


    "What is this?" Plucking the extended envelope out of his hand, Leonica gently peeled the edges open, fishing out the white paper with printed ck letters on it and reading it over.


    The very next second, her eyes shot open in disbelief and surprise as well. The content on the paper was a cooperation between herpany Romero Empire and His family widely known own, Richardson Industries.


    It was the one cooperation she had been striving to get, not wanting to work with Gabriel''spany after the entiremotion that had happened and after a whole month and a half, nearly two months, here it was... she holding it within her grasp.


    If etiquette allowed it, Leonica would have thrown her arms around Arvan''s neck and pulled him into the tightest, happiest hug. However, etiquette didn''t and speaking from a standpoint, her stand point of view, she and Arvan weren''t that close, yet..


    But the smile on her lips, which grew wider as she spotted that Arvan had changed several of the original contract''s condition, providing herpany with 60 percent of their cooperation''s revenue rather than the fifty percent she had bargained for, was more than enough to express her joy.


    "This..." She stuttered, words broken by the immense joy she was feeling.


    Shoving his hand into his pocket and tipping forward on his toes, Arvan shrugged, acting as if the situation at hand was nothing, whereas his heart had did n unexpected summersault the moment Leonica beamed at him.


    ''Pride down,'' He internally tried calming his mind and heart alike.


    "Aravn, this is-"


    "The contract you wanted?" Hepleted her statement and Leonica nodded. "Chloe told me all about your efforts,mendable might I say. There was a pause and he brought his hands. out of his coat pocket, rubbing them together as if he was trying to get rid of the cold, a habit he did very often each time they spoke. Leonica, of course, took note of this and


    unsurprisingly, her mind went back to the pair of hand gloves she had seen when shopping at few days ago.


    Making a mental toter purchase the gloves, a little thank you for everything so far, Leonical settled her full attention back on what he was saying.


    "I looked through everything and saying i was pleased, would be an understatement. I trust you, Leonica, not just your work skills, but you in general, so giving this contract to you, is nothing. And," He made a dramatic pause that earned a chuckled from Leonica. "Let''s all not forget that Ashley has helped my Daisy. Twice."


    Leonica nodded at his words. But she was unsure of what to say. Many had tried getting a


    connection with his familypany and failed, yet she seeded, talk about Luck.


    "Thank you, Arvan. Really." The male nodded at her words, hands going back into his pocket. "You don''t know how much this is going to help me. If you ever need anything in the future i promise to help, so don''t ever hesitate to ask."


    "I''ll take your words for it." Arvan smiled, However, Leonica was too ted to notice the tint of mischief behind it.


    But did that really matter right now? She had just gotten the contract, Fuck whatever repercussions may happen in the future. And besides, how bad can one promise be?


    Carefully shoving the contract into her own pocket and thanking Arvan a few more times, Leonica proceeded to ask the question that had snuck it''s way into the back of her mind.


    "Arvan, by chance," She began, taking the first step towards Ashley''s room. "Do you in the slightest happen to have learnt anything about the ident that happened. To Ashley, I mean?


    She looked above her shoulder just in time to see him shake his head.


    ¦°


    11


    "Sorry, I haven''t. But i will continue to look into it," He paused. "With your consent of course. When she nodded, he added. "Don''t worry Leonica, I''ll make sure to find out who ordered that hit, no matter how long it takes me." Leonica couldn''t guarantee she wasn''t disappointed, but knowing the power she and Arvan possessed, she realized that the mastermind of the entire operation wouldn''t be able to hide for long, and that alone gave her relief.


    Pulling the door open, their conversation came to an end and Ashley looked in their direction.


    "Mommy?" He called out tiredly, making his usual grabby hand motion for her.


    Leonica made her way towards him after taking onest look at Arvan. "Yes baby, what is it?"


    "Ice cream... can i get my ice cream?"


    Leonica chuckled breathily, taking note of how even after an ident, Ashley still wanted his ice cream. "Of course baby, i''ll get you your ice cream." Arriving at his side, she peppered his forehead with kisses before gently rubbing it. "But first, you have to rest. "But-"


    "Listen to your mother, Ash," Arvan spoke up, beckoning Daisy over. "You took quite the hit back there and need serious rest. Your mother would get you all the ice cream you want at soon as you''ve rested enough."


    Hearing this, Ashley looked like he was truly contemting the option. Although he was tired after talking with Dalsy and Gabriel for a while, he didn''t want to go to sleep just yet, but if that meant he would get his ice cream, then why not.


    "Okay." He adhered, snuggling under the nket secondster.


    Leonica smiled at the sight before turning her face towards Arvan and shing him a grateful smile.


    "Thank you." She mouthed.


    up."


    Arvan smiled before picking Daisy up. "Let''s go princess, Ashley has to rest."


    "Can ie again?" She nced between her sleeping friend, his mother andstly her father.


    "No, there won''t be any need for that. Ashley woulde visit you soon." Leonica responded with a smile.

 Chapter 60

    "Really?" The child perked up in happiness once more..


    "Of course." Leonica assured and soon, the bundle of joy was out of her hair, chattering about God knows what with her father.


    Now that all the guests had gone, Leonica felt less tensed and sighed out. However, the released tension didn''tst for long as she soon remembered that there was an unwanted presence in the room.


    Turning around, her eyesnded on Gabriel who was seatedfortable in a chair, quietly having watched the entire ordeal and best believe when he says that he was far from pleased. with what he saw. But due to the children being around and very much not wanting to repeat the same incident with Daisy crying, he had kept his temper to himself.


    "So, are you two dating?"Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    The sudden question caught Leonica by surprise.


    ""Excuse me?"


    "You and that Richardson bastard," He paused, eyes narrowing on her face when she red at him for his use of foulnguage in their sleeping son''s presence. "Are you?"


    "That''s none of your business," Putting her back towards him, she arranged Ashley''s duvet, tucking in the ces that weren''t properly set. "Now if that''s all you have to say," She turned back to him and smiled. A smile that was far from being nice. "Politely see yourself out."


    Gabriel''s eyes twitched and he rose up from his chair with a wicked smile on his lips. "I should leave?" He walked towards her. Leonica however, held her ground, staring him in the eyes as he approached. "Even when i''m the one who paid for this room?" "Damn right."


    Taking a moment, Gabriel looked around. The hospital ward, a VIP ward to be precises, consisted of two red plush loveseats, a carpet of matching color, bathroom in the farthest corner, Fifty five inch television andstly, afortable mattress, So what was stopping him from staying?


    AT Dating


    "This room is more than fit to house all three of us?"


    "What?"


    He pointed to one of the couch. "There''s two of that. You can take one,


    one, whil


    while I take the other. Fair?" Without waiting for her to respond, Gabriel walked past her, tucking the ends of Ashley''s duvet he had kicked off in such a short amount of time. "You..."


    "Mommy," Ashley sleepily called out, cutting his mother off. He barely had his eyes opened as he asked. "Gabriel''s gonna stay with us, right?"


    "Of course, Champ." Gabriel responded before Leonica could, leaning down and cing a kiss on the child''s forehead. "I''m gonna be here. So, go to bed now."


    With a hum, the younger boy finally fell into his abys of sleep and Gabriel threw a triumph smirk at Leonica before going to im a spot on one of the couches.


    The white-ette, angered by the situation, squeezed her hands. But atst, she sighed out in bitter defeat, knowing she couldn''t drive him anymore because of Ashley.


    "Fine," She relented, taking her seat on the opposite couch and getting asforty for the night as the couch allowed. "You can stay, but don''t ever dream of getting this merit again, because i won''t allow it. Ever." Arranging his arms behind his head, Gabriel smirked up at the ceilings. "Yeah? Well, we''ll see about that."


    vor Cup Of Coffee, Detren


    307


    Shall We Go For A Quick Cup Of Coffee, Gabriel?


    Waking up to a warm tucked in nket was thest thing Leonica expected. Pushing herself into a seating position, she surveyed the room, looking around for the only culprit that could have tucked her while she had been asleep. Her eyesnded on Ashley''s sleep form firstly,. wires and wires connected to his arms and hospital machine humming softly.


    She smiled at his peaceful expression despite the pain he might be suffering. Next, she spotted the white nylon and tes on the table, making her brows raise in a questioning manner.


    Was that food? Bought by... Gabriel?


    As unbelievable as it sounded, the white-ette knew that was the truth, after all, the hospital didn''t allow just anyone in. In other to see a patient you need to provide identification and authorization passes and so far, no authorization had been given, meaning that no one had stepped in. Which proved that Gabriel had indeed bought the food.


    As much as Leonica didn''t want to admit it, Gabriel''s action caused some sort of warmth to spread in her chest. But then she recalled that the man himself was no where to be seen.


    Looking away, she continued to search for the noirette a weird sense of disappointment sipping in the moment she didn''t see him present.


    ''Makes sense,'' A voice in the back of her head chipped. ''He has a family to return to, so why should he remain here?''


    Standing up, she walks towards the food on the center table and begins examining it. From the hospital bed, Ashley stirs upon smelling the satisfactory aroma of the food.


    "Ngh," Looking around and getting his bearings, the child rubbed his eyes before pushing himself into a seating position, spotting his mother digging through a bag of food on the table. "Mommy?"


    At the sound of her son''s voice, Leonica''s head snapped up, a beam recing the frown that had been on her face, as she approached Ashley.


    "Hey baby, how are you feeling?"


    "Hungry." Ashley responded as he leaned into his mother''s touch, enjoying the way she ruffled his hair and ced kisses on his head.


    If not for the minor pains he was feeling, Ashley was more than ready to continue his life this way. But he couldn''t, because freaking fuck, no one ever told him that getting hit by a car would hurt this much.


    Groaning a bit from a sudden wave of pain, the blonde child made a mental note to stop watching teen titans. Robin and Cyborg had given him way too many dangerous ideas. "I''m sorry Ashley," Leonica''s voice broke through the child''s thought bazio" tar Shale Go FAQ Cup Of Coffee Gabri


    sorry for letting this happen to you, hope you''ll forgive me?"


    "Of course!" Ashley chipped up with an innocent smile that made Leonica''s insides melt with guilt.


    If only she had focused more on her son, and less on her problems with Gabriel, then he wouldn''t be here.


    So in other words, this was all her fault. This was caused by her bad parenting skills.


    "Mommy," Ashley who had watched his mother''s beautiful expression morph into guilt, gently ced his hand on her cheek. "Please smile. You''ll look ugly if you keep squeezing your face like that."


    His effort to elevate his mother''s spirit worked like a charm and Leonica chuckled. "You''re right," She mused, leaning down to ce a kiss on the child''s head. "I shouldn''t frown. Nowe," she mused, pulling the table containing the food towards his bed. "You''re hungry, aren''t you?"


    Ashley wasted no time in nodding his head. Leonicaughed at the action, pulling a nearby couch closer and seating down.


    "Alright, we have pancakes, pancakes and...pancakes. Oh." Ashley chuckled at her confused expression as she had searched the tes, expecting to find more solid foods there. "Well, this is unexpected." She muttered.


    Suddenly, there was a sound of gentle knocking at the door. Both mother and son duo


    narrowed their eyes in confusion. It was then Ashley took notice of the fact that Gabriel wasn''t with them since he had woken up.


    "Who''s there?" Leonica questioned.


    Rather than an actual answer, the door gently slid open and Cassandra along with her husband walked in.


    Leonica rose to her feet in surprise. "Mother! Father!"


    "Leonica," Cassandra called her daughter''s name soothingly, eyes soon finding it''s way towards her grandson who had already grabbed a te of pancakes and was digging into it.


    Hervender eyes softened at the sight, but somece in her heart, she felt a sadness upon seeing the child''s state.


    "Oh my," She muttered, hands cupping her mouth.


    "Mom, I can exin."


    "How did thise about, Leonica?" Benjamin questioned, surprise written on his face as clear as it had been when he received the news from Anastasia five hours ago. Because of that, he and Cassandra had to rush home from Das, abandoning their meeting with Oliver Salvatore. "How careless could you have been to allow this happen?" He scolded. As much as


    Shall we conn


    he loves his daughter and felt bad for scolding her, it was the right thing to do. After all, she wouldn''t know her mistake if she isn''t scolded.


    "Benny," Cassandra called on her husband, hand finding his shoulder in a sign for him to calm down.


    Leonica on the other hand, fully admitting herck of parental skills, hung her head.


    "Grandpa, Grandma, stop!" Ashley protested. He had just gotten his mother to cheer up and wasn''t going to watch anyone dampen her mood. "Please don''t me mommy, after all, she and kind Uncle had stayed here all night to take care of me!" ''Kind uncle?'' Both Grandparents thought, ncing at each other.


    As if on cue, to answer their questions, the bathroom door opened and Gabriel suddenly stepped out, bathroom towel tied around his waist while he dried his damp hair with a hand towel and droplets of water trailed down his exposed chest. All of this gave him a sensual and very much misunderstanding look that had all three adults, Benjamin, Cassandra and Leonica, staring in utter surprise at him.


    However unlike the former two, Leonica''s cheeks had began to color over a faded pinkish color at the sight.


    "What the..."


    "Hell." Benjaminpleted his wife''s words.


    "You...what are you doing?!" Leonica screeched and charged towards him, shoving him by the chest into the bathroom. "Get back in there and put some freaking clothes on!" She demanded, ignoring the way her hand against his chest felt.


    Gabriel was confused, but it only took him a few seconds to register the situation at hand and just as fast, for him tounch himself back into the bathroom.


    With the door now closed behind her, Leonica could only but chuckle sheepishly, just as surprised as her parents by his appearance.


    What about going back to Angelina and his child?!


    She cursed at the voice in the back of her head that had prevented her from checking the bathroom and other ces.


    Seeing their expressions, Leonica quickly put her hand forward. "Mom, dad, before you say anything, I can exin." "Leonica, are you...are you back with that man?" Cassandra questioned, seriousness taking over her gentle features. ""No! Fuck no mother!"


    "Leonica,nguage." Her father scolded, reminding them all of Ashley''s presence.


    "I''m sorry." She was quick to apologize. "But don''t worry mother, father, I''m not back with Gabriel. It''s just....he was the one who....who saved Ashley."


    "What?" Benjamin raised a brow, questions swimming in his eyes. This obviously got Leonica nervous, a tad bit.


    However, Ashley was quick toe to her rescue. "Mommy''s right! The doctors say Gabriel. saved me." He chipped, drawing the attention to himself. With all eyes on him, the child decided to be overdramatic and threw his hands in the air. "Grandpa, Grandma, Gabriel''s my favorite super hero. I wanna be just like him!"


    "Is that so?" Benjamin mused, uncertainty caused by Ashley''s answer, swimming in his eyes.


    He was just about to further question when Leonica''s phone began ringing. The familiar sound of her ringtone caused her to jolt, or rather, the tension that her parents faze had


    caused, made her to j


    caused, made her to jolt at the sound of something new yet familiar..


    "Please excuse me," Rushing towards her phone, she picked it up, eyes narrowing upon seeing that the call was from Kennedy. She hesitated for a bit, looking towards her parents who nodded for her to answer the call, before she pressed the phone to her ear. "Kennedy, morning. What is it?"


    "Good morning Ms. Romero. There''s a situation back at thepany that needs your attention. It''s an emergency."


    "Emergency?" Leonica nced at her parents once more. "What is it?"


    "It''s your uncle, Madam."


    Leonica clenched her jaws, swearing inwardly at the useless liability of an uncle she had. She had left him running rampant like a mad dog for far too long. It was time she took care of him, clip his wings, if she may.


    But then, wouldn''t that require her leaving the hospital.


    As if sensing her troubles, Cassandra spoke up. "Your father and I would watch Ashley, you go wherever you''re needed."


    Leonica hesitated, ncing between her parents before nodding. "Alright Kennedy, I''ll be there soon." With that she hung up the call and walked towards the couch she had slept in, fetching her jacket. "Mom, Dad, I owe you one. Thanks." She pecked her parents cheeks before rushing out of the room.


    She was gone before either of them could respond and in that moment, the bathroom door from behind them opened and Gabriel walked out, fully and appropriately clothed.


    "You never were one to make good first impressions," Benjamin turned towards the younger male, surveying him from head to toe. "Gabriel."


    "Good morning, Mr. Romero," Gabriel bowed his head subtly. "Mrs. Romero. I apologize for


    Shall We casu A Quick Cup of Coffee Call


    my earlier appearance."


    "It''s alright," Cassandra waved his words off, her voice less friendly than when she speaks to her family.


    Gabriel sensed this, but expected as much, after all thest time he had spoken with the olderdy, five years ago, she had told him off rather rudely.


    Silence had descended in the room for quiet some time before Benjamin spoke. "I heard from my daughter that you partook in helping my grandson? Thank you for that."


    "It was nothing, Sir." Gabriel spoke matter of factly.


    "Wonderful. Now that that''s out of the way," Benjamin stuffed his hand into his pants pocket, the vague smile that he used to approach his clients, stering it''s was onto his lips as he spoke in a manner that wasn''t all to friendly to Gabriel''s ears. "Shall we go for a quick cup coffee? You and me, Gabriel?"


    of


    ww


    What Are Your ns.


    Seating with his hand arranged on hisps, Gabriel tried to keep his cool. Although word on the street had it that Benjamin was weak and sickly, his aura had not wavered and he remained the same formidable for on the battle field. That aside, seating like this, steaming cup of coffee in between both males, was a rare urrence for Gabriel.


    Even during his marriage with Leonica, he hadn''t gotten the chance to seat with Benjamin this way, so today, was definitely something new.


    Taking a sip from his coffee, cing the cup down afterwards, Benjamin was the first to break the silence. "We''re both business men so I''ll be straight forward. What do you n to do bying back into my daughter''s life?"


    Gabriel shook his head. "Nothing, Sir. All I want is to have legal rights to be in Ashley''s life...to be his father?"


    His answer, earned a loud snort of mockery from Benjamin. Gabriel winced at the familiar sound, mentally noticing where Leonica had gotten it from. "You want rights, to be his father? "The older man questioned. He shifted his coffee aside and leaned on the table, entwining his fingers as he questioned. "Tell me something, Gabriel. Do you think five years of absence from a child''s life can easily made up the moment you decide you want to start ying family?"


    His words, meant to deter Gabriel from whatever determination he had suddenly taken on, did the opposite and angered him. "And who''s fault is that?" He shoot back. "I would have found Ashley and given him that family he deserves if you hadn''t stopped me from finding him all those years ago. It was you who made sure that every route and search I began ended up futile.


    "Me?" Benjamin shook his head, leaning back into his chair with a sigh. "I had nothing to do with that, Gabriel."


    "What?"


    "Exactly what I said. The one you should me for not being able to find Leonica and Ashley for the past five years, is your ipetence and yourck of Knowledge towards Leonica. Even though you both had been married for two years, you know very little about her and even when clues we''re sticking out in in sight, you failed to take them, allowing yourself to be blinded by the wrong person." Taking onest sip from his coffee, face scrunching up in distaste as he now realized the sugar added was far less than what he took, Benjamin concluded. "If you knew Leonica well enough, you''d have known that Colorado was her favorite state. She always longed to go there."


    Pushing his chair back, he rose to his feet and stopped by Gabriel''s side. Ignoring the fact that the male looked like he was thinking his entire life''s choice, which he was, Benjamin spoke. I''ve never for once liked you, Gabriel, but because of your grandmother, an important person to me, I agreed to marry Leonica to you. This time around, because of Ashley, I''m willing to


    give you a second chance. But bear this in mind, if you were to hurt either of them, I won''t hesitate to


    Gabriel with his you the power I posses and fight back" With that, he walked off, leaving


    thoughts.


    Arriving at thepany, Leonica was greeted by Kennedy who didn''t look the least bit pleased.


    "I assume my uncle has caused quite the ruckus." Handing her car keys to him, she spoke.


    Kennedy greeted her first before responding. "He''s called for another meeting with the shareholders, ma''am."


    His words made Leonica sigh. What had she warned those stupid people about in the past?


    "Where are they?"


    "Second conference room on the neenth floor." Kennedy responded, pressing the numbers when they entered the elevator. "Ma''am do you need me to prepare any thing? Things needed to take care of them?"


    "That won''t be necessary." Leonica waved the brown folder Arvan had given her in Kennedy''s face. "I already have that covered."


    "Yes Ma''am." Kennedy couldn''t hide the smile that made it''s way to his lips at his employer''s


    When the elevator arrived on the neenth floor, they stepped out and made their way to the conference room. The shareholders present, Rodrigo alike, had been whispering underneath their breaths, making arrangements for the new president, Rodrigo in this case, when Leonica stepped in silencing them all.


    "Trouble on an early Monday morning." Sinking into her chair, she shook her head. "Those of you who failed to heed my warnings shall be reced after this meeting. Don''t forget to see Kennedy and have your capitals returned to you."


    Her words caused murmurs to rise amongst the shareholders, but some, if not many called her words a bluff, after all, if she couldn''t hold up to her own end of the deal, and from the looks of it, she hadn''t secured a contract with Bryce Empire, not meeting the terms, she could no longer remain president and that seat would officially be vacated to Rodrigo, hence she had no power to rece them.


    "Have I made myself clear?"


    Only a few people responded.


    "Alright, lets proceed." Bringing out the contract arvan had given her, Leonica ces it on the table, watching as Rodrog collected it ans hia face morphed into confusion.


    "This...what is this?" Rodrigo asked in confusion


    "Tyats me keeping up my end of the deal." Leonica announced with a smile. "That right there, is a conteact between romero Empire and Richardson industries. The benefits are ten times. better than what Gryce empire promised us." As she announced, whispers began to fill the


    room,


    shareholders now indeed fearing and regreting their words.


    Rodrigo was one of those people. He gulped in fear, eyes shaking as he read the conteact in his hands.


    How could it be possible? Richardson industries was was of those otherpanies that was well sort after, so how was Leonica able to gain a contract?


    "Dear Uncle, i kept up to my end of the bargain," Leonica began, smiling from ear to ear "that means you lose. Hope you''re ready to keep up the end of your bargain?"


    Hearing this, Rodrigo panicked. "Leo...Leonica my dear neice, please calm down. There''s no need to take thing this far." Rushing to where she was seated, the sleazy geezer took her hand. "This...all this was simply an act...thats right, an act to push you forward!" He announced. " Now look, with this, you were able to secure such a perfct contract. And its all thanks to me!"


    He coaxed.


    "Quite right," Leonica responded, surprising the shareholders, but this gave some of them hope. "Sine you had hand in this, there''s no need to be so harsh. I spare you." She smiled. "You''ll be demoted to a mere employee. Vacat the managing director seat as of this moment, Rodrigo."


    Turning to the rest of the shareholders with that same smile, she announced. "Now, those of you who had talked rubbish, no, rather those of you who participated in this shenanigans, you''ll be reced effective immediately."


    Leonica could still remember their faces of disbelief, their screams and pleas not to be reced as she walked into the walls of the famir hospital.


    ''Serves them right. She thought with a smirk, pulling the door to Ashley''s room open only to find her son with a sad face.


    "What...what''s going on?" Gently closing the door behind her as she steppes inside, Leonica looked between her son and Gabriel who had a grave look on his face.


    "Mommy, you''re a bad mommy." Ashley pointed at her, water in his eyes.


    "Honey? What are you talking about?" She rushed to his bedside, wanting answers from the sudden attitude change.


    Ashley barely wiped his eyes before he answered "You''re one of those bad people who didn''t tell me that Gabriel''s my daddy!"

 Chapter 61

    What Are Your ns


    Seating with his band onged on his Taps, Gabriel tried to keep his coal, Although word on the street had it that Tenjamin was weak and sickly, his aura had not wavered and head The same formidable for on the bare field. That aside, seating like this, steaming cup of coffee in between both males was a rare ultence for Gabriel Even during his marriage with Leonica, he hadn''t gotten the chance is neat with Benjamin this way, so today, was definitely something new.


    Taking a sip from his coffee, cing the cup down afterwards, Benjamin was the first to break the silence. "We''re both businessmen so I''ll be insight forward. What do you nted by cabelshook his head. "Nothing, Sr. All I have legal rights to be in Ashley''s life to be his father


    Hild arrived armed a loud mot of mockery from Benjamin Call winced at the familiar sound, mentally norking where Leica had gotten it from. "You want rights, to be his father?" The older man questioned. He shifted his coffer side and loaned on the table, entwining his fingers as he questioned. "Tell me something, Gabriel. Do you think five years of absence from a child''s life cannily made up the moment you decide you want to start ying family?"


    His words, meant to der Gabriel from whatever determination he had suddenly taken on, did the opposite and angered him. "And who''s fault is that?" he shout bork "I would be found Ashley and given him that family he dares if you hadn''t stopped me from finding him all those years ago. It was you who made sure that every toure and search began ended up faride ("Ma?" inshook his head, leaning back into his chair with a sigh" hamathing to do with that, Gabriel


    "Exactly what I said. The one you should me for not being able to find Leonica and Ashley for the past five years, is your ipetence and yourck of edge towards etnica. Eveni though you both had been married for to pass, you know very little about her and even when clues we''ve ticking out in in sight, you failed to take them, allowing yourself to be blindet by the wrong person." Taking onest up from his cotler, face scrunching up in distante as he may realbed the sugar added was far less than what he took, Benjamin concluded. "If you knew Leonica well enough, you''d have known that Colorado was her favorite state. She always longed to others."


    Pushing his chule bark, be too to his deer and stopped by Gabriel''s side, Iparing the fact that the male toolikes thinking his entire life''s choice, which he was, Benjamin spoke, I''ve never for onze led you, Gabriel, but because of your grandmother, important person to me, I agreed to mary Leonks to you. This time around, because of Achley, I''m willing to gree you a second chance. But bear this in mind, if you were inhurt either of them. I won''t hesitate to show you the post I potom and light back. With that, he walked off, leaving Gabriel with his thoughts.


    Arriving at thepany, Leonica was greeted by Kennedy who didn''t look the rat bit plexind.


    "Lasume my uncle has caused quite the ruckus." Handing her car keys to him, the sp.


    Kennedy greeted her first before responding. "He''s called for another meeting with the shareholders, ma''am"N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    His wordmade Leonica sigh. What had the wathed those stupid people about in the past?


    econdconference room on the neenth Beer Kennedyresponded, pressing the numbers when they entered the elevator. "Ma''am da you need me to prepare anything! Thinn


    "That won''t be necessary. "Leonica waved the brown folder Arvan had given har in Kennedy''s face, "Ldy have that covered."


    "Ye Maan "ennedy couldn''t hide the smile that made it''s way to his lips at his employer''spetence.


    When the elevator arrived on the ith float, they stepped our and made their way to the conference room. The shareholders prodige alike, had been whispering underneath their breath, making arrangements for the mete pomident, Rodrigs in this case, when Leanic stepped in sending them all


    Table on an early Monday morning" sinking ines her chair, the shook her head. "Those of you who failed to heed my warnings shall be reced after this meeting. Don''t forget to Kennedy and have your capirals returned to you."


    Her words caused mums to the amongst the shareholders, but some, if not many called her words a bluff, after all, if so''t hold up to her own and of


    Bryon Empire, not menting the terms, the could no longer remain president and that seat would officially be varied to Rodrigo, hence she had no


    of the deal, and from the looks


    of it, shadn''t secured a contract


    power to rece them.


    Have I made myself dear?

 Chapter 62

    Only a few people responded.


    "Alright, lets proceed." Bringing out the contract arvan had given her, Leonica ces it on the cable, watching as Bodrog collected a face morphed into confusion. "This what is this?" dipake in confusion. Empire and Richardson industries. The benefits are times


    "Tyata me keeping up my end of the deal. Lesnica anounced with a smile. That right there, is a contest between better than we Gryce emple promise use announced, whispers began to fill the room, shareholders now indeed fearing and regreting their warda Rodrigo was one of the people gulped in dear, eyes shaking as he read the contract in his hands.


    able to gain a contract?


    How could it be possible? Richardin stress was of those otherpanies that was well so after, so how was Gronica al "DearUncept up to my end of the bargain." Leonka began,miling from a tour "That means you lose. Hope you''re ready to kop up the end of your bargain?" Hearing this, Rodrigo panicked "Les. Loona my dear relice, please calm down. There''s no need to take thing this taruching to where she was seated, the sleazy geezer took her hand. This all this won simply an act that tight, an act to push you forward!" He announced. "Now look, with this, you were able to secure with a perfect contract. And all thanks to me! He


    "nouite right," Lesnica responded, suprising the shareholders, but things some of them "Sine you had hand in this, there''s no need to be so harsh. I spare you." She smiled. "You''ll bedmetomete employee, Vat the managing directors of this moment, Turning the rest of the shareholders with that same smile, she announced. Now, those of you who hadthedubbish, other those of you who participated in this shenanigans, you''ll


    reced effective immediately."


    Lesnica could will remember their faces of disbelit, their sms and less to be reced as she walked into the walls of the familiar hospital.


    "Serves them right she thought with a smirk, puling the door in ashley''s room open only to find her son with and face.


    "What what''s going on?ly closing the door behind her as the steppes inside, Leonia locked between her son and Gabriel who had a grave look on face


    "Womny, you''er abat moning "Ashley painted at her, water in his eyes


    They! What are you sailing about the rushed to his bedside, wanting answers from the sudden attitude change


    Ashley barely wiped his eyes before he answered "You''re one of these bad people who didn''t tell me that Cabriel''s my fackly!"


    Alenih


    theekari same way he team


    "Alright Kakks, that sa may" Packing up thest of his medical expries, Doctor Bailey gently patted Ashley on the head, the boy tracing in the affection the ekari sa to his mother''s touch "Everything is perdert, andyan hnevan father to thank to that." "My father?" The boy pri keitop at the medition of biodal. "You know my father?" The eyes shone as he looked at the doctor who found his reaction rather cute


    Hoking the clipbandelose to his chest, he naked "Of course Edo. Mi. Bryne is your father, tightThis content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Mr. Bryce Ashley questioned, looking mine confused than a few seconds aga


    At this point, Doctor Barkey wasn''t save it he should continue speaking. But northeless, he chuckled uncertainly. "Yes, Gabriel Tryn. That''s your father, ba''t he? Immediately be asked that question, the doctor ppedhis forheal "Ah, her stupid of me Who am Einaska kalfor such juwers when the test proved that he is the biological father." He spoke to himself. however, Ashley beandreny single thing and he won''t all too pleased


    "abuirl is my father? He asked again, this time around, sounding more angered than based.


    "Of course


    "Detec Bailey pansedin his wonderediately he noticed the teddingexpression on Ashley''s face


    Shi, what won wrong? He thought.


    Weren''t kids meant to be happy when they find out their father''s libentity?


    Of course that could have been the case, but not fer Ashley who felt like everyone was keeping things from him, Gabriel and his mother especially,


    He was no fool, little as he may be, he knew bow children were created, if that was the case, his mother knewpel was his father and Gabriel hisself, knew he was his father.


    Yet they lept this fram han.


    They lied to him and watch him grow up with aplete family.


    They allowed him after the ridicule and bulles from his choimates for year


    And they knew all this!


    "Cars"Hanging his head, the childmattered.


    Doctor Dalley didn''t need a soothsayer to tell him that he had faced things up, the auraing off from Jay was more than enough to drill


    before he step forward to sooth Ashley or perhaps try to in the mistake he had mark, The hospital room doos pulled open and Gabriel Jeturned from seeing the child''s grandparents off. The moment he stepped inside, he could instantly use the thick there hanging in the. Looking between the doctor and Ashley who still had his head hanging low, he questioned.


    rything alright?"


    Well Jr. Beyen you see, the thing "Doctor Bailey stuttered on his word, not sure how to proceed.


    "Jay, in everything alright? Was the injection too painful?" Gabriel questioned as he walked toward the bed and ced his hand on Ashley''s shoulder


    However, the response that he got was nothing he could a phantom.


    ''The boy red up in an instance, shreezing Gabriel''s hands off. "You''re a liar!" the used.


    1.? Gabriel questioned confused.


    How was he a?


    "You lied to me, you and momenty"


    "Where you talking abour, Ashley?"


    "The doctor said you''re my daddy, yet you and mommy Ledbome. You guys said my daddy was up in space. You both are bad people, Bad"


    Gable up upon hearing Ashley''s words. He didn''t need to quin how exactly the child knew, since he already med it out.


    Taking a second, he ced at the doctor who quickly bowed his head in an apologetic munner.


    "Ash, please listen to me,"


    "No! You and mommy you''re both bad people, I don''t want to sten. The young boy protested and in that moment, the door to his room once again slid open and Leonic stepped inside, sensing the thick nemoon hanging in the room. "What_what''s going on? Gently doing the door behind her as she stepper inside, Leonica looked between her son and Gabriel who had a grave look on his face.


    "Mommy, you''re a bad mommy" Ashley printed at her, water in his eyes. The sudden water work spared just as much as it did Gabriell


    "Honey Vichat are you talking about? She used to his bedside, wanting answers from the sudden attitude change.


    Ashley barely wiped his eyes before he answered "You''re one of those bad people who didn''t tell me that Gabriel''s my dadd


    Hearing this, het waren was no different from Gabriel''s own, except this time around, when Gabriel nudged his head in the doctor''s direction, wordlessly ratting him out as the culprit, Leonica''s re was far greater than Gabriel''s own At this point, Doctor Bailey was more embarrassed about his action than sorry.


    "Baby, listen 10me="


    I don''t want to talk to mammy!" Ashley protested and shoved him under the daver


    Gabriel sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose while Leonica turned towards the doctor ghing him a look that said it all


    Look what you big mouth case that was the look


    "Mr. Bryce, Ms. Romero," Door Bailey stepped forward alber gathering the courage, internally wishing for the ground to open up and swallow bau when both parties looked his way. "Well, -you see a situation like this, with children''s beer to talk with them, gray" He added. "And besides creating a healthy environment would go a long way to help Ashley cover do please,* Sewing the not so pleased episions on Gabriel and Leonica''s face, he knew it was time to ball. "As his mother and father," he painted at them each. "I trust you can take care of this. 1''11 take my lourne and give you be some space. Excuse me then Packing pic belongings, Doctor Bailey Bowed once, both in an apologetic manner and in a dismissing manner, before ha Scrambled out of the roo


    Now alone with their child, Leonics and Gabriel sighed together, ring at each other to a few seconds before the former dded to fix the situation


    Hepping forward, the pearly ced her hand on Ashley''s covered body. "Ash Ashley darling, please listen to mommy. You are i-


    "No I don''t want to listen to you!" He objected. "You''ll just lie to me again." He muted in any voice but Leonic very much heard it, causing her

 Chapter 63

    expression to fall


    Seeing that things were dimly spiraling out of con, Gabriel decided to step in before anyone else got hurt.


    "Wah Wahley please don''t me your mother, she''s not atuk. "There was a pause, Gabriel hestrating before addig m"


    Leonica oled towards him at this, not expecting him to actually havee clean.


    me it''s just that, we


    we were ying a


    Ignoring the lock she was giving him, Gabriel carried on. "You see Ashley, you shouldn''t me your mother, she didn''t mean to keep you away from me it''s simple game." "Agame?" Ashley stuck his head out of the duvet upon hearing this.


    Gabriel nodded. "Yes, a game. The game was supposed to be that Mommy and Baby hides while daddy finds them. It was meant to be a very fun game," he forced a chuckde. "But sadly daddy in''t good at finding. I''m Sorry Ashley, I''m the one to me because I was to slow to find you."


    "Really?" Ashley asked, some sort of hope blooming in his chest at the fact that he hadn''t been abandoned by his daddy, nor disliked and it was just a silly game gone wrong


    "Really."Gabriel responded with a faint smile while Leonica simply nodded her head. "Do you do you hate daddy for being slow?" He questioned, fearing the child''s answer even though his expression didn''t show it


    "Not" Ashley responded with a relieving smile. "ut next time, let''s y another game. Daddy''s bad at this one."


    Gabriel chuckled, much relived than seconds ago. He nodded his head, moving towards Ashley who made room for him on the bad.


    "You''re right, let''s y something else another time. I''m too bad at this one." He admitted, cradling the child in his arms. Ashley girded softly and rested his face in his father''s chest, relishing the feelingContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    He now understood what his ssmates meant. Indeed, being carried by his father was different than when he was carried by his mother.


    smile disappeared.


    As Ashley coded into Gabriel''s chest, Leica caught herself smiling at the scene.mediately she noticed her expression,


    There was nothing to be happy about. She reminded herself, hating the way they had lied to Ashley about the entire situation. She was no saint, but lying to Ashley never sat right in her mouth.


    But perhaps, this time was for the best


    Yes, if it meant Ashley wasn''t going to be hurt, then lying to him was a small price to pay. Hopefully someday, during his older years, he''ll forgive her.


    Minutes after Ashley bought into their small tile, Leonics and Gabriel managed to coax the child to sleep. Making sure that he was fully asleep, Gabriel gently sad off the bed while Leoni?a tacked him under the sheets. Once that was done, she sighed and turned towards the stretching morette, recalling that she wanted to speak with him.


    Set their conditions and all straight with Ashley.


    Wallding towards him, the urged on his shirt''s handle in a way that Gabriel found extremely cute, and then nudged at the door with her head, indicating that they needed to speak in some ce that wouldn''t disturb Ashley''s sleep. In other words, outside Gabriel nodded his head and followed her outside.


    Closing the door, Leonica faced Gabriel about to speak when the sound of Approaching footsteps interrupted her


    "Ah, Mr. Bryce, Ms. Romero, just the two people I was looking for Doctor Balley announced his presence.


    ""Hope nothing''s wrong?" Gabriel addressed him before Leonica could


    "Not exactly. Follow me to my office for a bit, would you. Both of you."


    Once again, the two exchanged nces before nodding. The walk towards Bailey''s office was fairly quier. Only when they were seated in their respective ces did the doctor begin to speak, breading the minute long silence. Tran an examination on ourst cost with Ashley," He ced the said result on the ta, pushing it towards them both


    "All good hope?" Gabeled questioned


    "Not exactly," His response had both their brows dipping, Seeing their expressions he quickly added. "But not something that can''t be fixed"


    "Exin to me."Leonica demanded


    Doctor Bailey sighed, bracing himself for whatever reaction woulde out before he began. "Wall you see, after myst and current examination with Ashley, I noticed that the child puffered an aftermath from the ident" "Aftermath?" They questioned.


    "Yes, but like I said, not something that can''t be fixed." Pointing at the result, he exined. "A bone m nothing threatening, but further examinations show that it might, no, will expand and grow to be a liability to the child''s life in the future. However, this can easily be fixed."


    morrow fracture had been caused by the hit endured from the ident. For now, it''s


    Leonica eagerly shifted in her chait, more than ready to do anything and pay any amount to save her only child. "How doctor?"


    Do Balley looked between them before announcing. "Ashley would need a bone marrow transnt in the future, so, medically, it''s suggested that you and Ms. Bryce, conceive another child Comriving A Baby.


    The first be work that registered in Leo''s brain was concebe" and "naby and best believe it, her brain hung, trying in reboot itself but always failing as the entusion the was experiencing acted like a bug.


    Unbeknownst to Doctor dry, he contud on, tone argent "Medically speaking, Latrice that the child be conceived as soon as possible, because as it stands, he or she needs to be at least live years of age bedare they can undergo any form of surgery. And looking at Ashley''s medical charts, he only has that long, no more, no less"


    That you have to be kidding me, right?" Leonica questioned, shifting in her seat as she felt prejudice against the doctors words.


    Muck to her dismay, Doctor Bailey shook his head. "As a matter of fact, I''m dead serious, Ashley''s


    depends on that marrow transnt


    "But can''t, can''t they be another way? Must we must be him? Gabriel''s brows creped in a questloning and very much offended manner at the way she addressed him.


    "Yes, of course, Ashley''s sibling must het matching genes in other for the operation to be sess. So in other words, his sibling must be conceived by the same mother, from the same speed." Doctor Bailey exined. However, only after a few seconds did he register the look of hesitancy on Leonica''s face. This led him to ask, "is something prihaps wrong?"


    "Pardon?


    "Mr.Bryce perhaps having some faues in bed


    Leonic instantly checked on his question, coughing a few times. Gabriel on the other hand, was quick to speak


    "blutely not.dector. As a matter of fact," He nced at Leonica, amik stretching across his lips. "Lennira and I, just had one of the best sex a week or so ago.


    Once again, Leonica choked, coughing more severely than the previous one. This time around, she had to request for water, which Bailey scrambled to get her, all the while Gabriel held back his lough..


    "lright, if it''s like that, then have nothing to worry about."


    "You don''t, Doctor." Gabriel offered him a smile, ignoring the re that Leonica shot his way.


    "see that''s so, then suggest you both get to work as soon as possible. That''s all for now," He waved his hand in a dismissive manner.


    Gabrind Leonica but stand up, themer bowing ever so slightly, before rushing out of the office in a bid to hide her reddening cheeks. On the outside, she waited for Gabriel to step out, feet tapping rhythmically against the hospital tiles while her hands were crossed above herchest The moment he stepped out, ending his own conversation with Bailey, shefired "What the hell was that all about?


    gabriel passed, leigning confusion even though he very much knew what she was annoyed over. "What was

 Chapter 64

    what? He questioned back.


    "That!" She pointed towards Doctor Balley''s door "The shit you pulled in there."


    Oh, tell the doc about the great sex we had?" He shamelessly questioned, a smirk spreading on his lips as Leonica''s cheeks reddened.


    She was all grown adult, yet she sometimes acted Ban a virgin teenager.dow of her attractive feats.


    "y-yes, that exactly! You had no right to do that, Gabriel! That was my privacy and truthfully, I''m offended that you thought you could share that with an outsider without my permission." Shefimed.


    Much to her dismay, Gabriel smirked, mimicking her stance as he folded his arms across his chest, adding a touch and leaning against the wall. "So you admit it." "Admit_admit what? She stuntered, barely willing herself to look away from his smirk and inwardly causing at her heart for speeding up because of amon smile. Him, she must really be touch starved just his smile alone could make her heart rate increase, she thought and frowned a touch


    "That we had great sex? No, let me be man specific that I provided you with great pleasure!


    "Shut shut up!" Leonica practically yelled, ears and cheeks dusting a faint red that grew with each passing second, making Gabriel" smirk increase. "How can you be so shameless? "What''s there to feel ashamed of Gabriel shrugged.


    "Everything After all, it''s not normal to p with a woman while your ncers expecting a child then it go on and brag about it" Was what Leonica wanted to say, before a nese nished towards them, thankfully cutting their conversation short


    Leonica recognized the muse to be those who had been stationed to watch over Ashley in any event that n


    none of them were present


    "Mr.Bryce, Ms. Romero, I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but, Ashley woke up a couple of minutes ago and he became upset upon seeing that you both were not


    Ahback, Leonica thought, giving herself a face p. She win once again at it, picking trouble with Gabriel and ignoring her son''s wellbeing. Talk about mother of the year. sighing, she addressed the nurse. "Sheryl, is it?" She asked after ncing at the muse''s name tag. "Yes, Ms. Romero"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "ler have the kitchen prepare a light food that Ashley can eat immediately" She instructed with a smile.


    The nurse could''t help but smile back as she bowed. "I understand. I''ll pass your request along right this minute. Saying that, she rushed off in the opposite direction.


    Not long after, Leonica walked off to Ashley''s room, Gabriel following behind her. When she antved at Ashley''s room, the child was ying with his toys, but ced them down upon sporting thin parents.


    "Mommy, where did you and daddy go?" He questioned in an innocent manner. Looking at him now, one would have mistaken the him of an hour ago, throwing tantrum and all, for someone dilterent


    Nowhere darling, we just went to get something for you Leonica responded.


    "Irecteam!" Ashley questioned with a suspicious amount of energy, making Leonica question her son''s love for ice ceram


    However, beiser she could spend, Gabriel beat her to it, settling by the child''s side. "Nope, something better." He leaned down and whispered. "A sibling."


    Auliley''s eyes grew wide and he gasped, just as Leonira''s was wondering what Gabelel had said, he busted out. "A sibling get as bling!"


    What is the fucking Ta


    Tonceiving A Baby


    Oh it looks could kill, Gabriel would be long gone considering the re Leonica had aimed towards him.


    "Mommy, memmy is it true that I get a sibling? Are they going to be a girl? Dolget asister ke Hansel?"


    "Slow down. Ash," Leonica calmed, putting a smile on her lips as she faced her son who was far too excited. "Don''t move around too much, else you''ll reopen your wounds." She warned soothingly before burning to Gabriel, the smile on her lipspletely fading "Gabriel, step out with me, let''s talk for a bit."


    "Huh? You''re leaving?" Ashley questioned.


    "No, your your daddy and I just need to discuss something outside." Leontra exined.


    "Oh, is it my sibling''s name?" Ashley probed.


    Leonica''s response to his question was simply a smile. "Outside, now." She mouthed after turning towards Gabriel."


    The noirette smiled and ced a kiss on Ashley''s head before getting up. "Give us a minute, Champ, we''ll be back soon.


    "Okay" Ashley smiled and watched as his parents walked out of the room, closing the door behind them before be went back to ying with his toys.


    Outside, Leonica faced Gabriel with an angered look on her face. "What the hell do you think you''re doing?" She questioned.


    "Bonding with my son "Gabriel answered nonchnt as usual, earning a scoff from Leonica. "Something wrong with that?" "Of course! Who are you to spill lies to my son?"


    "Firstly, he''s our son and secondly, what lies did I tell him? He''s gonna have a sibling, is he not?"


    "If it will save his life, then yes. But I never said anything about you spilling the news to him. It''s not even confited yet."


    "It is." Gabriel shot back confidently "Doctor Bailey''s suggestion."


    "Fuck Doctor Bailey''s suggestion and fuck you Gabriel." She stepped forward and red at him. "I don''t know what going on in that head of yours, but I suggest you don''t get ahead of yourself, after all, even if we are to provide Ashley with another sibling, there''s no way in hell Ill be sleeping with you, I''d much rather have an artificial insemination done!


    Artificial Insemination.


    Artificial insemination.


    Those words were like a grinding sound to Gabriel''s ears.


    "Artificial insemination?" He repeated, brows knitting together in a way that showed his disapproval


    Well, not like Leonea cared. His opinion was thest thing she could care about and the first thing begin her son''s

 Chapter 65

    wellbeing.


    "Yes. Didn''t think that far, now did you?" She tilted her head to the side, a satisfactory smile making it''s way to her lips at Gabriel''s puzzled Expression


    Serves him right, Leonica wanted to say that much, but considering Gabriel''s hot temper and the fact that they would get into yet another argument in front of Ashley''s room, she reconsidered her options and for the sake of her son''s sanity, remained silent.


    However, the words she had said was more than enough to blow the lid on Gabriel''s anger. "Artificial insemination, what the fuck Leonica? If you despise the idea of me so much, then why leep Ashley? Why did you keep my kid?".


    "Is that even a question? Pushing the hair out of her face, Leonica sighed. "Normally, people who have hearts, unlike you, would have known that Ashley is just an innocent child. Taking his life because of the conflict between you and I, is just heartless. Andst I checked, that''s more of your thing, and not mine."


    Gabriel''s jaws flexed at her words, visibly angered at this point. Who was she to call him heartless? Who was she to stand before him and y saint when she had forced another woman to abort her baby? Despicable!


    Chuckling briefly, Gabriel ced his hands on his hips, sighing through his lips secondster. Tve never sem a better actress."


    Leonica tilted her head to the side. A gesture that Gabelel would have found cute as usual if she had not been pouring sand into his freaking meal at the moment. "Pardon?"


    "You heard me," Taking a step forward, he lowered his head, meeting her eye level. "You''re here ying saint, dering children innocent and calling those who abort them heartless, in your words, ''not your thing, yet you didn''t hesitate to male Angelina abort hers. Why''s that''s, please enlighten me."


    Leonica''s face creased into a confused and puzzled Expression after thest of his words sank in


    Make Angelina abort hers?


    Was that the stress cousing her to mishear or was Gabriel genuinely speaking trash.


    "What the hell are you talking about?" She scoffed.


    Her attitude, ignorant, nonchnt and daring, in this case, red Gabriel''s anger. "You know what I''m talking about!" He fired back


    "Like hell I do." Leonica hissed. "I don''t know what you heard, but 1-"Thest of her words, before given the opportunity to roll of her tongue, was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing


    Obviously, facing a more serious matter at hand, Gabriel tried to ignore the call, but three text messages and two phone callster, he was forced to fish the vibrating device out of his pocket, sneaking a nce at the caller and unintentionally groaning the moment he saw it was from Angelina.


    Talk about bad timing, he thought, about to answer the call when it ended and secondster, another message entered his phone.


    [Gabe, I have something really important to tell you!)


    [Gabe, please pick up the phone, we really need to talk]


    [Gabriel it''s important, we need to talk urgently.]


    [Gabriel please help, I think I''m about to have another episode.)


    All four of her messages read.


    "Duty calls, I see" Leonica sassed, easily able to tell from his expression that it was something rting to Angelina.


    Probably the years of being neglected for another woman had given her some sort of sixth sense.


    Leonica inwardly cringed at the thought.


    "That''s none of your business," showing his phone back into his pocket, he responded. "This conversation isn''t over."


    Watching him turn around, clearly ready to end the conversation at his own time andfort, Leonica spoke out. "Oh it is." Her words caused him to halt, looking over his shoulder at her stem expression. "You''re a smart guy Gabriel, that I''ll give you. So here''s a question for you Do you think what you''re doing is gonna lead wither of us down the right path?" Shaking her head, she sighed. "I don''t think so. With howplicated you''re making things, it''s not gonna end good for either of us, you especially, after all, you have a family you''d be starting soon. In my opinion, artificial insemination is the best choice. It''s the only choice. Without waiting for his response, she turned around, pulled the door to Ashley''s room open and stepped inside, leaving Gabriel with a sour look on his face, which without a doubt was caused by her words and attitude.


    They all varied from the person he loses five years ago. Something which he was still trying to wrap his head around.


    The Leonica he knew live years ago was clingy and loving despite all the neglect he showed her. Meals, clothes, bedding, she always made them perfectly for him, upon all his rejection. She was the type of wife any man would want, not in his case, however. Gabriel hated those gestures, especially when he''d reject her affection and all she''d do is smile at him.


    Artificial insemination


    That fake smile ticked him off, but right now, as it stood, he asionally found himself looking for that fake smile. Looking for the clingy wife he had thrown away.


    Not only that, but at times, he''d just seat and imagine what life could have been with Leonica and Ashley along. What type of family would he have had he remained married to Leonica?


    The type that he craved? The type he sort to build? The type he wanted to rekindled?


    Ah, all those were Wishful thoughts, he''d tell himself each time he caught such thoughts crossing his mind.


    Leonica was obviously moving on. She had Christian, Arvan and only God knows how many other men around her. And he, well he had Angelina and she was going to be a huge part of his life soon. Clingy attitude or not from Leonica, that shouldn''t bother him. Yet it did. In the worst was possible. It frustrated him.


    Probably because she was the mother of his child, right?


    By the time Gabriel cleared his mind from all the disturbing thoughts, he had pulled into Angelina''s drive way. Stepping out of the car and into the house, he was greeted by The Fernandez Family''s familiar butler.


    "Where is she?" He demanded, finally clear minded enough to recall that his so called fiancee was about to rpse into one of her scary panic episodes. "The Madam is in her room." Howard, the butler, responded and peeled Gabriel''s jacket away. By the time he had hung it, Gabriel was gone, skipping his way up the familiar stairs of the Fernandez mansion.


    Approaching Angelina''s room, he didn''t bother knocking and barged in, eyes frantically trying to locate her. "Angelina where are-" He paused upon sering her seated by the edge of her bed. Perfectly sane and fine. "What?" Stepping inside and allowing the door close behind him, Gabriel scanned the room and then the girl seated in it before everything clicked. She lied.


    "Angelina, you''re fine." He stated the obvious, "Why''d you lie?"


    In seconds, the scheming brte was off her bed, feelings racing towards her fiance. She was quick to take his hands into hers, beaming up at him like she hadn''t justmitted an offence. "Yes, I''m fine." "And you lied-"


    "Yes I did," She answered, almost too excitedly for Gabriel''s liking. His brows creased when she added. "But I have a reason for that."


    Without waiting for his question, she turned and rushed towards the dressing table in the corner of her room, grabbing a white stick off it before racing back to Gabriel''s front. "Surprise, Gabe." She presented the stick to him, her smile growing bigger Gabriel was confused, looking between she and the vague white stick, that after further examination, was discovered as...a pregnancy test stick.


    "What." He couldn''t even finish his words before Angelina took his hands and shoved the white stick into his palm


    And then she excitedly announced. "Congrattions Gabe, I''m carrying your child. Our unborn child!"


    Go Finish The Jobl


    "Isn''t this great, Gabriel?!" Angelina celebrated meekly. "This wouldn''t have been possible if that night didn''t happen. You called it a mistake but I call in amiracle, Gabriel. It''s a miracle." She exined happily, ignorant to how Gabriel''s face knitted together in confusion as he stared at the positive lines on the pregnancy test stick


    Sure, under normal circumstances, this would have been a good news, great news even. But the circumstances right now, wasn''t the best. Especially when Angelina exined that the child she was carrying, his child, was conceived by the night at Ster''s birthday party, they spent together. But be was damn sure that the person he slept with that night was Leonica!


    A hundred percent sure. His memory and all served him well. The bracelet he had found the following morning was even another piece of evidence. And he had no memory whatsoever about spending any sort of time with AngelineN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Yet, here she was iming to carry his child that had been conceived that night.


    To say he was confused would be an understatement.


    "Gabe? Is everything okay? Why are you silent, shouldn''t we be celebrating?" Angelina questioned after she noticed his quietness. But even after the question, he remained silent, mind reeling with different unanswered questions. "Gabriel?"


    "I''m fine," Gently, or so he intended to, butter ending up harshly shoving the test stick back into her hand, the confused noirette took a few steps back and forced a smile that turned out to look more like a twitch in his lips than an actual smile. "This, is nice! The questioning intonation ceased a look of confusion on both he and Angelina''s face.


    "Gabe-"


    "I''m sorry Angelina, but I have work to do," He interrupted her, talding yet another step back. His entire visage screamed of confusion towards the entire struation, a reaction that Angelina did not quite like, causing her hands to tighten around the test stick. "This is nice," He repeated, this time making sure to drop the questioning intonation and managing a real smile. "Let''s discuss itter. Taking a step forward, he haughtily brought his lips onto her forehead, pecking it before turning on his heels without another word and walking out.

 Chapter 66

    at on. In seconds, Bill''s line was ringing with the phone


    Down the stairs and out the door, the fished our his phone after sessfully throwing his coat on. pressed close to his ear.


    "Mr. Bryce, is something the matter?" Bill answered, asking the question almost as if he could sense the distress has employer was feeling


    Inced-"


    "Ball,


    "You need me to do something?"


    3? The assistant interrupted, surprising Gabriel who had entered his car by this time, "What is it, Sir?


    "The surveince footage from The Venue of Ms. Ster''s birthday party-"


    "I already checked it out, Sir. After you informed me of the incident of being drugged, I checked out the surveince footage personally." Bill interrupted yet again, surprising Gabriel. Talk aboutpetence from an assistant.


    Call him impressed.


    "However Sir," Gabriel internally winced at the word "however. It was never something good. "It seems like the footage was tampered with and then deleted."


    "What?" Gabriel''s face was once again painted in confusion.


    "Yes Sir. I''ve tried restoring the footage, but it seems like it''d tale quite some time." Bill informed, his voice holding some form of let down.


    Gabriel sighed at this, trying to sort of at least calm his jumbled up mind. Today truly had been an assault of events.


    "Get on it Bill. I want results, as soon as possible." He demanded.


    "Yes Sir." Bill responded just as Gabriel ended the call.


    Tossing his phone to the passenger seat, the male sighed out once again and ced his head on the steering wheel. The whole situation was too confusing, fishy even.


    It was clear to him that Angelina was lying, but just what about?


    What exactly was he missing? He quizzed internally, howare of the pair of eyes that was wat hing him from above.


    Angelina remained at her window watching as his car drove off the premise of her property before she allowed a string of curses escape her lips.


    "...fucking hell." She finished the string of curses with that, swiping her hand across the table near her window.


    A couple of ornaments fell to the floor, shattering, but Angelina didn''t care, now when Gabriel''s reaction had been the opposite of what she expected it to br.


    He had looked confused instead of happy and that in turn, confused her just as much as it annoyed her. Didn''t he love her? Wasn''t this what he wanted? Why was his reaction suddenly so different than what she had phantom in her entire imaginations?


    The answer to her rampant questions came in the sound of a text message buzzing into her phone. The raging lte located the device, swiping it


    Go Finish The Jab


    open only to see it was a message from the detective she had hired the first time Leunea showed up at the banquet,


    Yeah, that Gay, Detective Reels.


    Clicking on the message, she read carefully through it.


    [Weekly update.) The first line read. Along with it was a few photos of Leonica and Gabriel in the hospital, cing a brown nket over Leonica as she peacefully slept. As per news from my sources, Mr. Bryce and my target has been requested to make ns for another child in other to solve futureplications that may arise for Ashley Romero.] Immediately she read those messages, her instant outburst was expected.


    "That fucking slut! How dare she!" She screamed, kicking the dresser near her window. Yet another set of ornaments fell to the floor, facing the fate of it''srades before them. But their owner didn''t care. She was too busy cursing at a certain white-ette to care. "I''ll ruin her. I swear to God I''ll fucking ruin her! Her and that fucking useless son of hers, they fucking pay!"


    Turning the screen of her phone on, she scrolled through her call list and clicked on the number at the bottom. It rang for a few seconds and the minute it was answered, she hissed venomously. "You fucking ipetence pig! One Job, One fucking job and what was that? Run the fucking boy over, but you failed. You fucking failed!"


    "Ange, baby please listen to me-" The voice from the other side spoke, but before it could say anymore than the six words, Angelina harshly cut through.


    "Don''t fucking call me that!" Inhaling, she calmed herself. Or at least tried to. "Now you listen to me, you''re going to get back out there and you are going to finish the fucking job! Or else before God and Man I swear I''ll fucking abort this child of yours, Stuart." Too Buy For Romance.


    "Gone, all of it." cing the batch of information he had gathered over the past few hours on the table, Bill stepped back, giving his employer enough room to survey the different papers sprawled across his table


    Footage details, Missing medical records, tampered medical documents, you name it. And each piece of paper in front of him, seemed to confuse Gabriel Firstly, the security footage from Ster''s birthday party. It was gone, deleted obviously from the looks of it. And then moving on to the missing medical records, Angelina''s medical records to be precises. Just around the time Gabriel had called Bill with the situation of the security footage, the assistant had been wrapping up his work at the central hospital, trying to get Angelina''s records like his boss had requested. However, just like with the CCTV footage, he ended up with nothing other than a nk te. The medical records had disappeared like they never existed in the first ce.


    And thenstly, the evidence that each of this things had been tampered with Bill Anderson may look like a normal assistant, but he had skills tar surpassing normal. And with those sills, he was able to prove that each and everyone of their mystery target details had been tampered with.


    But it''s not like Gabriel needed a soothsayer to know that Everything, as vague as they seemed in the beginning was now bing rather clear to him. The women around him, Leonica and even Angelina, weren''t as honest as they locked.


    Sighing, he ced down the current file he was reading through and ran a hand through his hair. "I don''t know if I''m more upset that someone has managed to hack the hospital or that Angelina isn''t as innocent as I thought. He said, ncing at his assistant.


    Bill gave him a weak smile. Not wanting to say more wards that would upset his employer. "What should we do, Sir?


    Gabriel was quiet for a while, staring at the files on his table. A part of him, a very big part, was confused.


    Supposedly, he''s meant to be Norway''s biggest shot, yet the two women in his life always found a way to y around him. He was beginning to think he


    However, that thought didn''t linger long, because the next secund, the sound of his phone ringing cut through his darkening miContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Reaching for the device, his brows knitted together when he saw the caller was Leonica. One of the very same woman he had just been ruminating about.


    A few seconds pasted before he answered the call with a sigh. "What is it?"


    The voice that spoke wasn''t the one he had been expecting. "Daddy?" Ashley''s tiny voice called


    Pulling the phone back, Gabriel confirmed that it was indeed Leonica''s number calling. "Ash, is that you?""


    "Yes daddy." The young child answered excitedly. "Mommy allowed me use her phone." He added thest part, answering the question that had momentarily taken over Gabriel''s thoughts. "How are you daddy?!


    Gabriel sighed at the question and allowed his body lean into thefort of his chair. Hearing Ashley''s voice had put his thoughts so much at ease. "I''m fine Ash." He answered. From beside him, Bill bowed his head, causing himself as Gabriel gotfortable in his call with Ashley. "What about you, how are you holding up?"


    "I''m fine, mally fine." The child chirped. From the other end, Gabriel could hear the strings in his bed creek, indicating that the child had been jumping up and down. Leonica''s voice followed after, lecturing him on how to and how not to move with his wounds. Gabriel found himself chuckling softly at the background sound


    "Daddy, should I tell you something great?


    Nodding to himself even though his son couldn''t see him, Gabriel responded. "Yes, go ahead"


    "My.my birthday ising up, like real soon. And, and mommy agreed to throw me a birthday party!" He excitedly announced. "And this time... daddy''s going to be with me. I''m gonna be celebrating my birthday with my daddy!"


    Gabriel felt his chest warm at his son''s enthusiasm. Hearing him so happy over a simple birthday party spent with him was a perfect cure for his crazy


    day.

 Chapter 67

    "Yes Ashley, I''m going be present. Now tell me.rell daddy, what do you want for your birthday?"


    On the other side, Ashley ced his finger on his chin, raising his head up as he thought about the various presents he wanted. During his past birthdays his mother has never failed to buy him thetest toys and techs, so what did he truly want? The question, as small as it had been, sent Ashley into a silent mood for a few minutes. Minutes of which Leonica quietly watched him, along with her mother.


    *Is everything alright, hon?" Cassandra asked, having stared at her daughter long enough to see the frown that marred her face when looking at her son on the phone.


    It was obvious that she didn''t like Ashley being on the phone with Gabriel and especially when he looked so happy.


    It gave her mixed feelings, the had kind that made her want to disconnect the wines on the child, snatch him up and book the first flight to God knows


    where.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    eoff Ashley, turning to face her mother with a faint smile that showed how tired she


    Clearing her head of her thoughts, Leonica finally peeled her gece off i had grown the past few days. "Yeah, I''m fine. Why''d ask?"


    Cassandre stared silently for a few seconds, obviously not buying her daughter''s excuse. "You look awfully stressed." She squinted her eyes. "And this Isn''t the first time." Leonica nodded half heartedly, expecting her mother to end the conversation here. But Cassandra didn''t. "Say Honey, have you ever


    Too Buy or Romance


    thought about...finding a new life partner?"


    Her question caught Leonica off guard. "What are you talking about, Mom?"


    "You know, a life partner to take care of you and Ashley. You''ve been stressing yourself as ofte and the boy," She pointed at Ashley who was happily chatting with his father. "He obviously needs a father figure."


    "I''m fine mom, and Ashley he''s fine." Leonica tried to wave the subject off. Rising to her feet, she added. "And besides, I''m too busy for romance"


    "Is that really the reason? Or is it simply because you haven''t moved on from Gabriel?"


    "Oh it''s definitely the reason, mother." Leonica responded. "Now if you''ll excuse me, I have to go and check in a few things with Doctor Bailey." Giving her mother a tight smile and ncing back at Ashley onest time, Leonica exited the room.


    In the hallway, walking towards Doctor Bailey''s office, she sighed and hating the fact that her mother had brought up the subject of a new life partner and most of all Gabriel.


    Awfully imaginative of her to have thought that she was still hung up on Gabriel. No way in hell was that true. Those five years she had stayed away was more than enough to clear her heart of all those feelings she had harbored for years towards him. Turning the corner, Leonica''s thoughts were interrupted as she nearly bumped into something no someone.


    ncing down, her brows creased at the familiar figure in front of her. And it only took her a few seconds to recognize the pale and sweaty figure as none other than Angelina.


    Unrequited Rivalry.


    Staring at the pale female in front of her, who looked anything but good. Leonica was stuck in between a cross road. First road, Ignore the vampiric witch and go on her merry way,mitting her wellbeing and whatever happened to her into the hands of God. Or, second road; be the higher person, th bigger person and offer her some help.


    A few seconds of being unnoticed went by before Leonica sighed, her decision already been made,


    Not because she


    As much as she''d want to go on the first rond, bliss and all to her day, she couldn''t bring herself to leave Angelina the way she was look. Not was nice or cared about the witch, fuck nol


    The answer was simple. Her unborn child. Just like her, Angelina was or rather, was going to be a mother sooner orter and leaving her this way set the perfect stage for a miscarriage, resulting in an innocent life at stake.


    ty she had towards the child''s


    Saint or not, she couldn''t stand by and watch a innocent life of an unborn child be put at risk No matter the animosity mother, making bear she pay for her sins was just overkill.


    With her mand made up, Leonica walked forward, making Angelina aware of her presence. "Hey, are you alright-"Leonica brought her hands out in a motion to help Angelina who was leaning against a wall and bent as far down as her waist, when not to her surprise, the brte smacked her hand away the instance her eyes sighted it.


    "Stay the hell away from me." She sneered, her eyes anything but friendly, Leonica was unfazed by her act of intimidation and gently rubbed the spot she had smacked "Don''t.don''t try to act all nice with me, I know your true colors."


    Leonica tilted her head to the side and eyed the brte who was obviously struggling to calm her breath, Clicking her tongue at the fact that she had rejected an honest offer whilst believing there was a motive behind it, she asked. "My inie colors, and what''s that?" "You''re trying to steal Gabriel''s heart back, aren''t ya?"


    Ah, here we go again. Leonica rolled her eyes at the absurd usation.


    "That''s the reason why you''re acting all nice, isn''t it? Pushing herself off the wall, Angelina managed a few steps forward and cracked a strained s "Well, sorry to burst your bubble, Leonica," She nearly spat those words in the white-ette''s face, who had to literally take a few steps back to avoid the onught of salivas. "Gabriel''s mine. Nothing you do can change that. And do you know why?"


    Even when asked the question, Leonica remained quiet. Her silence propped Angelina to continue on


    Pointing at her stomach, she added. "Because I''m carrying his child." She nearly cackled maniacally if not for the wince that made her shut up.


    The stupid idiot really was in pain, but her pride and unrequited rivalry wouldn''t let her ept the help that had been offered to her.


    This obvious fact made Leonica shake her head with a gentle sigh. What an utter idiot''


    part of that brain of yours. Gabriel isn''t ever going to be yours. And if you know what''s best for "You hear that Leonica? Keep it, no, bury it in the deepest part you, you''ll keep your distance from him. This would be myst warning. Taking onest menacing look at her, Angelina walked off, bumping shoulders with her purposely.


    Leonica remained in her spot, only looking over her shoulder to matter the words, "What a crazy bitch."


    Angelina heard, ob she heard it alright, however, the pinching pain in her abdomen, that seemed to be increasing by the second, didn''t allow her the chance to turn right around and battle it out with Leonica


    Instead she continued on her not so merry way, cursing at the stupid child that was growing inside her stomach for

 Chapter 68

    spoiling her well made ns.


    She had snuck her way into the hospital, hoping to find a secret chance to approach Ashley and hopefully finish off the job that useless Stuart had failed toplete, when suddenly, she felt a painful pinch in her abdomen. That very same painful pinch that she was still expressing up to this point. If she didn''t know any better, Angelina would say that the useless child growing inside her was acting like some sort of guardian angel towards Ashley, spoiling the one chance she had nned to get such an obstacle out of the way.


    Still hurting and cursing at the child, Angelina exited the hospital the same way she hade, hailed a cab and booked it to the personal hospital she used for her medical checkups.


    Sure, she hated the child and the father even, but she couldn''t have her Trump card against Leonica and Gabriel dying, now could she?


    Thirty or so minutes of grumbling and cursing at the innocent child,ter, Angelina sat in her doctor''s office, awaiting the results of the test that they had justpleted. The sound of the door opening from behind, caused her to seat up straight, while the man rounded the table and took his seat in front of her, brown envelope clutched in his grasp.


    "The results areplete, Ms. Fernandez. The doctor announced as he pulled out the paper.


    "And!"


    Shaking his head, he answered. "It''s not loolding good." Passing the paper on the table to Angelina, he exined. "Your current pregnancy seems to be faced with more than one difficulties. The results so far have shown that you stand a chance of losing this pregnancy and..." He hesitated "And what?" Angelina demanded.


    "And..and your ability of having other children. Due to the numerous abortions you''ve endured, you stand a chance of losing your ability to be a mother if this child is lost-"


    Shut your mouth!" Angelina suddenly interrupted him, mming her first on the table and rising to her feet. "You." She pointed a finger at the doctor who seemned to tremble under her hated gaze. "You ipetent fool! How dare you open that mouth of yours and say that I''ll be barren! You''re useless and and ipetent."


    You''ve said that before. The doctor thought, however he didn''t dare say those werds out loud


    "Ms, please listen to me-"


    "No, I won''t. We''re done here" Turning around she exited the office, ignoring the calls of the doctor. Thanks to a few minute of resting, the pain had decreased and she could walk more stable. But her mind however, was far from stable. It was raging, boiling and even trembling


    Trembling with fear. Fear of losing the child she was carrying. No way could she allow that. If that were to happen, she could kiss her only held on Gabriel goodbye! She''d lose her only means to make sure he''d marry her!


    If that were to happen, Leonica had officially won this game and she couldn''t allow that happen!


    Stock deep in her thoughts, Angelina turned the corner and didn''t notice the figure approaching her. She bumped into him and stumbled backwards, nearly falling, but luckily, a pair of arms found their way around her waist, steadying her the very next second. "Woah, that was close. Are you alright?"


    Looking up at the owner of the familiar voice, Angelina sighed. The owner was none other than Stuart Campbell, a rising decorativepany owner and the father of her unborn child.


    She had called him around the time she was heading to the hospital so seeing him here was no surprise to her.


    "I''m. I''m fine." Stepping out of his arms, she tried to brush off his concern. Or at least she pretended to do that.


    Stuart bought right into her act. "Now yes, but you didn''t sound alright on the phone. How did the visit go? What did the doctor say? Is the little one alright?" He peppered her with questions.


    Angelina could see that clearly, he cared for this child. In any other situation, this would have been heart warming, but not in this situation. This struction was survival of the fittest and for the fittest to survive, they needed to use whatever they could to their advantage and in this case, in Angelina''s case, it was this child growing in her stomach.


    This child was everything, the key she had been looking for and she was going to use it to lock and unlock every door towards her sess.


    And the first part of her act,


    started now.


    cing the back of her hand on her head, Angelina stumbled softly. Stuart, once again buying into her act like a lovesick fool, quickly wrapped his hand. around her waist and serded her on the bench behind


    "Hey, hey take it easy. I''m sorry for asking all those questions."


    ""it''s okay,"


    cing a kiss on her head, one which Angelina cringed to, he asked. "How did this happen?"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Angelina frigned hesitancy, but she was quick to spin the bottle, twist the lies and spit it out in the most convincing manner. "Leonica..." She began. "I was at the coffee shop, picking up my usual morning tea, but then I ran into her and she...she got so jealous of my child that she pushed me, Stu" The lie rolled off her lips as easily as one could recite the alphabetical letters,


    "What, she did what?" Those words alone had Stuart raging. It was enough to do the trick that Angelina wanted. "That bitch. And here I was, thinking that shit was going to far," He chuckled. "Oh I''m going to make her pay. I''d show her what happened when she hurts my child-"


    "Shut up!" Angelina sherred out of the blues. "Haven''t I warned you times without number not to call this child yours."


    Het personality did a total three-sixty, but Stuart was used to it.


    Shipping out of his hold, Angelina fished out her phone and located the number of her media agency. "The next time you make that slip up, it won''t be funny." She warned as she texted her agency, passing along the juicy details of her pregnancy with Gabriel


    Bryce Empire''s very own Gabriel Bryce has an unborn child with Famous Newscaster Angelina Fernandez She wrote those words in Capital letters and then added a few more things that would draw the attention of socialites. Making sure the story was juicy enough and would ensure that news about her pregnancy spread fast enough, she sent the message.


    Grinning to herself at the thought of how she has yet again trapped Gabriel into marrying her. With news of their unborn child circting, there was no way he''d leave her, not if he liked his reputation andpany growth. This n of hers, was full proot.


    "What are you doing? Start asked after seeing the smile on her face.


    Showing her phone into her bag, she smiled. "Oh nothing Unlike you, I know how to get my job done and efficiently."

 Chapter 69

    A Call From The Devil


    The entire of three days had passed before Ashley had been discharged from the hospital. Having the strings and wires upon wires detached from his arms and bandages unwrapped from his forehead felt like a whole new level of bliss and freedombined. "Alright, that should wrap it up." Doctor Bailey concluded, dropping thest of Ashley''s used bandage into the awaiting tray of his assistant nurse.


    Ashley nearly squeaked with joy, nearly. But he didn''t. Holding himself back, he jumped off his hospital bed,nding on his feet and charging at his parents the very next second. Leunica happily caught him, swooping him up into her arms. ""Monumy, I''m free!"


    Chuckling at his excitement, Leonica Idssed his forehead. "That''s right. Congrattions."


    "Congrats Champ." Gabriel gently patted the child''s head from where he stood on the side.


    Ashley giggled happily at the gesture and moment overall. Having both his mother and father with him was one of the best wishes he could ask for. And he got it.


    still


    Doctor Bailey, who had watched the scene for a few minutes, stepped forward, clearing his throat in a bid to remind the family of three that he was present. When all eyes turned to him as he wanted, he spoke up. "Thest series of tests has proven that Ashley is medically stable to be discharged from the hospital, however,"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Leonica and Gabriel softly groaned at the one word they dreaded. Seeing their expressions and knowing where it stemmed from, Doctor Bailey chuckled quietly before continuing. "Ashley is still required to do weekly check ins. Nothing serious, just to ensure that his health is kept at the utmost top." Leonica nodded. "I understand."


    "Good. That''s all, you can take your leave now."


    With that, Ashley, along with the two adults quietly strolled out of the hospital. Once they were in front of the building, Gabriel spoke "Come on, Ashley, my car''s right there," He pointed towards a sophisticated convertible that made Ashley''s eyes pop. "How about 1 take you home"


    Hearing his words, Leonica scoffed. He was eager to offer to take her son say from her.


    "Ashley isn''t going anywhere with you," She voiced, gently pulling the boy to her side. Said confused child nced at his mother and then his father, only now just paying attention to the adult''s words. "He''s staying with me, at my parent''s ce."


    "Says Who?" Gabriel boldly challenged, taking a step forward. "Ashley''s as much as my son as he is your son, so tell me, what gives you the right to decide where he goes and where he stays?


    What gave her the right? Oh, she had every right to decide where her son went and where he stayed. See, unlike Gabriel, she had taken care of Ashley for four and carried him in her stomach for an additional nine months, while he went off ying house with that witchy mistress of his. If anyone had a say in where he would stay, then it was sure as hell going to be her.


    Parting her lips with the sole intention of putting Gabriel in his right ce, However, Gabriel beat her to whatever she was about to say. "Ah, or how about we let Ashley decide where he wants to stay." He said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.


    His outrageous behavior had her burning red with anger in seconds, "You freak-"The rest of her words were drowned in the sound of rushing footsteps and camera shes.


    "There he is!" A sudden voice called out, followed by many other murmurs and approaching footsteps. Before Leonica and Gabriel knew it, they were surrounded by reporters with cameras and microphones. "Mr. Bryce, I''m Be from news 12. Please tell us, is the article concerning Ms. Fernandez pregnancy for you true?" a reporter asked, shoving her microphone into Gabriel''s face.


    "Mr. Bryce, please inform us, is Ms. Fernandez pregnant for you?"


    "Mr. Bryce is the article concerning you and Ms. Fernandez true? Is she expecting your child? Are you about to be a father? If so, do you n on making a public announcement soon?" Yet another reporter questioned, totally ignorant of the fear their questioning and crowding was causing Ashley, Being a child, and a little one at that, Ashley was quickly scared by the constant shing lights and bigger figures trying to get to his father. His face quickly showed the emotion he was feeling, but the reporters were too busy, trying to get their next story to notice


    Leonica however, noticed this and was quick to swoop the bottle boy up, burying his face in her chest as she attempted to walk, or rather, squeeze her way through the sea of reporters. However, she hadn''t take more than a few steps forward when Gabriel''s hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.


    "We''re not done talking." Gabriel said in a disapproving manner towards the fact that she had decided to take his son and walk off while he was busy, ncing all around at the reporters who had begun muring underneath their breaths, questioning the rtionship between Leonica and Gabriel and soon, the rtionship between Ashley, Lronica and Gabriel- some even jolting things down and recording the moment the white-Ette forcefully yanked her hand free, wrapping it around her sons back instead.


    H "Oh, I think we are "


    "Before trying to pry into other people''s business, you should test learn how to take care of your owth. And I must say," She looked around the reporters who had clearly sensed the smoke in the air and clicked her tongue. "You''re doing a poor job at it right now." With that, she turned around and walkitell


    Gabriel, who had watched her disappear with his son, turned to give the press a harsh re. Some of them shrank back, but few still had the balls to try and approach. Without giving them the light of day, Gabriel pushed his way through them, walking towards his car. "Mr. Payce, Mr. Bruce please answer my warlier question."

 Chapter 70

    "Mr. BRYCE PLEASE GIVE A STATEMENT."


    "3. Bryce, please say something. Me"


    Entering his car, the rest of the reporter''s words died off. From the other end, the press banged on his window demanding answers to their questions. That dicht bother Gabriel as much as their gates on Ashley and Leonica had. He knew what that meant.


    They were the press, and the press never missed a chance to stir up a good story when given an opportunity. And an opportunity they had been given.


    Gabriel was more than a hundred percent sure that they would go after the duo, Ashley especially. And then once they found out that Ashley was his son, they''d spin one useless scandalos story around him, Angelina, Leonica and the poor innocent child. And as juicy and seat warming as that sounded to readers and viewers alike, it was equally trammatic and problematic to Ashley who is only but a child,


    And as his father, Gabriel would be damned to sit back and allow that to happen. Thankfully he knew just who could help him prevent that


    Pulling out his phone, he quickly found Lloyd''s phone number and dialed it. A heartbeatter and the king of the media organization picked. "Fancy to catch you calling at this time of the day. So, tell me, what is it this time around? Who broke your heart?" Lloyd joked about the first chance he


    the right en


    emotion this kind of situation demanded for.


    Gabriel as usual yed his jokes off and chose to remain serious, "Now''s not the time to joke, Lloyd." The stern tone of his voice educated Lloyd enough about the type of situation he was facing.


    Although he did not know the exact details, he knew it was serious. Serious enough to What is it?


    get b


    his full attention. Siting up, he asked in a rare serious tone.


    Having his friend''s full attention gave Gabriel the courage to continue. "I need you to do something. It concerns your expertise." He informed,


    "Alright, I''m listening"


    Meanwhile, Leonica had just returned home with Ashley. Her house and car keys jiggled together as she tossed them into the silver te ced at the door. Handing her coat and Ashley''s to the housekeeper that weed them, she sighed out in exhaustion. What a heck of a day. Who would have expected them to get swarmed right in front of the bospital with all sorts of reporters?


    Leonica clicked her tongue in disinterest as she sank down onto the couch. Beside her, Ashley took his seat and nced at her once she sensed that she wasn''t in the best mood.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Swallowing the reluctance that had been eating inside since the ride home, Ashley


    And so far, only one thing could make his mother''s mood fall so far. Swal asked. "Mommy, are you mad at Daddy?"


    From the corner of her eyes, Leonica nced at her son, but she did not answer his question. Ashley was far too young to under the emotions in her heart


    As his mother'' silence dragged on, Ashley dared to speak more. "Don''t worry mommy, I''ll make daddy apologize to you," Climbing onto herp, he held both her cheeks in between his palms, "Daddy angered you, didn''t he? I''ll make him apologize. Ah, how about he buys us ice cream. Tons and Tons of Ice cream as an apology. Would you stop being angry at him then?"


    Seeing the sparks in her son''s eyes as he spoke of Gabriel, Leonica could no longer remain silent and asked, "Why do you...Like your daddy that much?" Ashley grinned and his answer was very unexpected. "Because daddy loves Me and mummy just as much!" "What?" Leonica was stunned into a speechless state.


    Taking this opportunity, Ashley crawled off herp and grabbed the television remote, tuning into his favorite carton station,


    Leonica remained speechless for a few seconds more and just as she was about to question Ashley about what he meant; her phone began to ring Pausing briefly, she looked at her phone and her expressionpletely soured when she saw who was calling. Nheless, she reached for the phone, standing up and making sure she had walked a well distance away "What do you want, Angelina?


    from her son before she answered the call


    The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before the voice belonging to the questioned woman spoke, "Pleasant hearing from you too, Leonica. I''ll only say this once, so you''d better listen and not malo me repeat myself. Ar Grand Mayer restaurants, you and I, tomorrow, let''s have a simple and friendly talk, shall we?


    Simple, Sweet And Friendly Talk, Indeed


    Sample and french tak

 Chapter 71

    Legnica nearby chuckled at the mus


    how far I someone other than her had hand those words, they would have pegged she and Angelina for best friends, or close friends at least. But oh,


    "Ba, you sure do pot some bills," Leonica spat into the pl "Calling my line just to tell me some crap ass bullshit after all the stunts you''ve pulled And what, you bebeve I''d owi wahin right into where you want me. Big imagination you''ve got there."


    ? Leonica" Angelina sighed, having egyctal this exact autosde from Lica. At the ether end, apanied by her silver-sounding sigh was the king sound et cutlery. Leonca din''t want to imagine the witch spilling en a cup of calming tea as she utter her ridiculous words, but it was already


    Het mind had enooted the picture in het hod, causing her to cringe.


    Both mental


    #new you''d be like this, and trust me, ely, trust me, 1-dia''s want to ha


    have to result to this." Angelina continued.


    "Result to what?" "Lica thoughts, doing a little turn around to son her surroundings, almost like an instinct to danger. But nothing ever came. No


    bosh, or something of sort. But she could teel it, almost like a gut feeling telling her that Angelina was up to something.


    Back, even without her git telling, she could tell the slimy freaking bitch was up to something!


    Came the brte''s in answer.


    The Lelea repeated, her brows knitting together at the action.


    Even though she couldn''t see it, she knew Angelina was nodding to her question. And she was. "Yes. You see I''m a women of righteous way? And I don''t


    threatening other women, but if I must, then I will "


    Ch. Spit in our already, I''m not afraid of your silly threats." Leonica demanded, trailing her eyes from the see-through ss door towards her sen who was still seated on the couch enjoying whatever show he currently was watching. Teen Titans: Leica was most certain them the familiar voices and cartoon tricks


    "You''re not afraid, are you sure?" Leonica remained silent at the question. "Ah, it seems." Angelina mused at the silence. A quiet chuckle followed seconds atte. "If you''re not so afraid, what do you think about these headlines "Ashley Romero, discovered to be the illegitimate child of Gabriel Bryce: man, who''s engaged, soon to be married"." Angelina said, chuckling, louder this time, as if she could feel or see the tension that sipped into Leonica''s body at the mention of her son being the press''s new food. "Or, how about-" "You wouldn''t dare." Leonice cut her off with a snel, which didn''t do much to Angelina who was busy enjoying this defensive side of her opponent. "But I would" She retorted, taking a sip from her tea afterwards. "Except, you moet me at Grand Mayer Restaurant tomorrow, three PM pronto. So, what''s going to ba?"


    Gancing at Ashley, who only just now looked behind the couch to wave at his mother with a smile, Leonica knew her choices were limited. At least in was like that each time it came to her son


    Ashley was far too precious to her for her to second guess things concerning him. This time included. She didn''t want to sit around and wait for Angelina to indeed release that article before she acted "Alright, Angelina Grand Mayer, three PM pronto. You''ve got it."


    "You want me to what? Holding the phone in between her ear and shoulder, Anastasia shoved her used dresses into the back of her car and mmed the door shut.


    "Reserve a cake for Ashley''s birthday." Came Leonica''s response from the other end.


    "tim, alright, sure." Slipping into the car and starting the engine, she ced the phone on the loudspeaker and ced it in the passenger seat. "But just out of curiosity, why aren''t you doing that?" She asked..


    Leonica was silent for a few seconds, a habit Anastasia knew her friend did often when she was either thinking of an answer or just in out wanted to Ignore you until she felt it was right to respond. Thankfully it was the former and after a few seconds, the white-Ette spoke


    "I have a few things to take care of back at thepany. Rodrigo''s been acting out."


    Alie, Anastasia could tell, but she let it pass. "Sure, I''ll drop by Meg''s shop and have one reserved. Does Ashley want any specific vor?"


    "Lemon cakes, Ashley loves that one." Leonica informed


    "Alright. One huge birthday Lemon vored cake,ing right up!" Pumping her fist in the air, whilst the other hand controlled the steering wheel, Anastasia giggled for a bit before bidding her friend Goodbye.


    Half an hourter after ending the call, she pulled her car to a stop in Megan''s cake shop. Stepping out, she nced at the familiar and ever tamting name; Mega-Me cakes and pastry. It was the name she hade up with back in college during one of their usual all girl''s drinking night''. Megan had exined her dream of having a cake shop and the glets, namely Leonica and Anastasia gave her the go ahead, pouring the right amount of fuel that was ma the desam Inte risality


    But never had Anastasia expected Megan to ie the one she hade up with. The red-Eite''s jaw had dropped to the floor when she saw the registered


    trome up will. Nothing good coulde out of that.


    What friend uses the bonible drinken name you ra


    Appstently, she was the only me who thought like that, because live years alter Mega-me wasunched, it became Norway''s biggest pastry shop,


    And Megan had the is in thank for it, literally.


    The chaty bell above the door greeted Anastasia with its usual jingles as she stepped in, alerting the female seated by the counter.


    "Well jolly good, look what Santa use draped in." Rising from her seat with the biggest smile so far, Megan rounded the counter and engulfed her longtime friend in a big hugN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Anastasia was plek to return the gesture. "Missed you too, Mrg."


    #5, what brings you here?" The older of the two asked the second they separated.


    th three cake like


    "A cake, Ah, that one to be pr¨¦cises." Pointing at the disy case which held a three-tier blue, white and lemon colored cake, with macaroces, two green and one light pink, and for a finishing touch, on the body, It had dark green and light-yellow floral designs. Megan nced in the direction and gave an approving him. "Mhim, you''ve got a good eye. I''ll-"The rest of her words were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She took one nce at the device and cursed underneath her breath. "Everything alright?" Anastasia asked.


    "Mhen hm. Just business," Megan answered "Go LP''ll just......."


    "Yeah sure, go answer that, I''ll be waiting here." Anastasia shot a smile her way. Megan quickly returned the gesture before she turned away to answer


    the call


    "How many times have I told you not to call me." The sound of her voice faded as she walked into the room behind the counter. So did thest of Anntasia''s worry towards the weird starting phone conversation.


    b well


    Moving towards the disy case, she admired Ashley''s soon to be birthday cake, already imagining Leonica giving her a pat on the back for a job done. Too engrossed in her inoment of admiration, she missed the sound of the doorbell jiggling as another customer entered.


    Still too engrossed, she paid no mind to the presence that settled beside her, ncing and equally admiring the same well sculptured cake "Now that''s what you call a colostasia mused. However, her voice wasced with another. This one sounding deeper and more masculine then hers.


    It was only then that she took notice of the person beside her. Looking away from the cake, her gaze


    Ah, she knew him! He was one of Gabriel''s dogs.


    "What was his name again? Lelo? Lleyton?"


    "Looks like we have eyes for the same thing, Great minds, think alike, I must say. Lloyd''s voice broke her train of thoughts.


    "Great minds do think alike, however, for this case, that does not apply." Straightening up, she pushed a thin-lipped smile on his face, choosing to Ignore the way his gaze swept up and down her body before a leering smirk settled on his lips. "How so? Care to educate me? There was a teasing tone to his voice as he spoke.


    Once again, Anastasia ignored it. "This my darling, has already been reserved."


    "Says who?" Lloyd leaned against the disy case. "Reserved or not, there''s nothing my money can''t buy."


    His statement-quite bold, if she must admit-had Anastasia chucking. "You''re quite fool of yourself, aren''t you?s "When you have the money, fame and power, then why shouldn''t you."


    "Tell me something I don''t know." Anastasia sassed.


    "With pleasure." Lloyd took her words with all seriousness. Tapping his finger against the disy case, he spoke. beauty," He pointed at her. "For this piece of beauty.


    "I''m willing to give up this piece of


    Anastasia, just like any other woman, found his words cringe-worthy with a taste of yboy vor. She was obviously about to reject his failed advance, when the vibrating of his phone on the disy case top did the job for her.


    "Hook up number two?" She read the caller ID out loud, snorting when Lloyd quickly dismissed the caller and shoved the phone into his pocket. "Yeah yboy, I think I''ll pass."


    "Then, here''s another deal," Lloyd pressed on, not giving into defeat just yet. "I''ll got this entire shop for you," He slipped a white piece of paper containing digits that Anastasia could only guess was his number, on the counter up. "I''ll purchase this entire masterpiece for you, if a masterpiece such as yourself is willing to go on one date with me."


    the


    Anestasie rolled her eyes at his words. If there was one thing in men she hated, then it would be them trying to use their wealth to pull girls in with th meday of all women falling for their riches.


    "Hard feraking pass, yboy"


    Sweet And Friendly Talk, Indeed


    Her response surprised Lloyd. This was the first time ady had turned him down. Look wise. So, if his looks had no effect on her, his identity surely would


    He was just about to reveal that one part of himself when Megan stepped out from the back room. "I''m sorry for keeping you waiting long, Annie- Uh,


    ''s he?*


    who''s


    "No idea, but this.. gentleman here says he''d like to get MY cake." Anastasia shed him a condescending smile before she turned to her friend. "Can that ever be possible?"


    "No, I apologize. This cake here has already been reserved." Megan confirmed. "If you like something like this, then you can look over there." She pointed towards another disy case having simr cakes, but nothing quite like this one.


    "You hear that," Anastasia smirked and collected the boolding paper Megan slipped to her. "This masterpiece right here has already been booked. And next time, if there''s a next time, when you chose to try and hit on someone like me, don''t do it the old fashion way. unting your wealth in my face isn''t attractive in the least bit, especially when you offer to buy off a pastry shop that is owned by my friend and I''m an investor in." Putting the booking paper in her purse, she chuckled at Lloyd''s dumbfounded face. "Well, Ciao ybay." She winked at him, blowing a kiss in Megan''s direction before turning on her heels and walking away, leaving Lloyd in a mesmerized state despite her rejection.


    Three o''clock the next day hade in the blink of an eye. It was three fifteen in the afternoon when Leonica arrived in front of Grand Mayer.


    Staring at the restaurant from the outside, fancy ss, potted flowers andfy yet elegant chairs, the white-Ette took a moment to calm herself. Reminding herself repeatedly that she was here to ensure Ashley didn''t be press food rather than to reap the fabric of a mask that she called a skin right of that witch''s face.


    With onest deep breath and ensuring that she was calm enough, Leonica stepped into the restaurant. It was somewhat empty and thanks to that, she quickly spotted Angelina.


    "Hello," Putting her phone away just as Leonica sank into the chair in front of her, Angelina smiled. "I was about beginning to think that you wouldn''t


    show."

 Chapter 72

    "What do you want?" Leonica went straight to the point, but aside whatever act of pleasant greeting the snake wanted to do.


    Seeing this and sensing the amount of hostility radiating off the older female, Angelina''s smile ttened without another second to spare. "Straight to business, I see," She moused. "Well, who am I to dy then."


    Leaning forward, hands resting on the table as some kind of pir support, Angelina trained her gaze on Leonica and asked. "Say, how would you like to know what I said to Gabriel five years ago that made him ask for a divorce, hm?" Checkmate.


    "What?" Leonica''s face was the mirror of her emotions.


    Confused, utterly confused, yet curious


    What had Angelina said to Gabriel five years ago that caused their divorce? That was an answer she had thought of...craved for the first two years of her being in Colorado. But as time went on, it was safe to say she began to move on, meeting new people and making new memories. Memories that overshadowed the painful ones she no longer wanted to remember.


    Thankfully, after three years of living in Colorado, warmly weed by her new neighborhood, Leonica stopped craving answers to that one question that haunted her. And soon, shepletely forgot it.


    That was until today.


    "Do I want to know?" She uttered, watching as Angelina nodded her head, brte ponytail bouncing around at the gesture. Unsurprisingly, her past self would have jumped at the opportunity. But currently as she is, that answer no longer mattered to her. The past is the past and she refused to continue living in it.


    Shaking her head, she answered. "No, I don''t."


    Angelina''s smile Laded in an instant. Ye another response she had not nned for. "What?"


    "I said no. I''m done living in the past Angelina. And you should do the same."


    Immediately after her words, Angelina barked a loudugh. "Hall Look at the hypocrite talk." "Pardon?"


    ***Done living in the past,'' you say? If you were so sure, then why did you keep Ashley? Isn''t he a part of the past you''d wish to forget?" "What?" Leonica asked once more, this time however, with a tinge of irritancy in her webce. Angelina shed a crocked smile at this and probed on. "You heard me. That child of yours, he''s a past mistake, isn''t he? So why keep him? Why not spare all of us the trouble and.." She snapped her finger.


    Get rid of him-


    "Angelina!" Leonica mmed her palm against the table, the loud noise instantly shutting the chattering female up. Thankfully there was no one other than the servers present to witness the situation. "Watch your tongue," She warmed "After all, just like me, you too are about to be a mother. You wouldn''t want any harm to befall your little one, now, would you?"


    "What?" It was Angelina''s turn to be somewhat speechless.


    But unlike her, Leonica derived no joy from that. Her main joy was from seeing Gabriel crumble, that was far more satisfying than any expression Angelina could make. Clearing her thoughts with a sigh, she spoke "I have no goal to destroy whatever it is you have going on with Gabriel. Right now, all I care about is my


    "There you go again, being one of the world''s biggest fucking rs." Angelina hissed. "Same storyline, same wordings, I''ve seen bitches like you. Dealt with them."


    Leonica shook her head. "You''re crazy.


    "I''m crazy? Ha, says the woman who can lie as if she''s merrily taking a sip from her usual morning coffee." Leonica could only roll her eyes at Angelica''s words.


    There she went again, being extra dramatic towards a situation she was entirely creating in her head


    Woman really needed to be checked into a mental asylum


    "If you truly did care about only your son, then why did youe back here? And not to mention your scheme of trying to have another child with Gabriel in other to save that son of yours."


    Her words shocked Leonica, for two reasons mainly. Firstly, her outrageous usation that Leonica would have rolled her eyes at, if not for the second


    reason.


    How did Angelina know of Doctor Bailey''s suggestion?


    "Firstly, how do you know that? And secondly, its artificial insemination. We''re doing Artificial insemination." Leonica tried to exin.


    Yeah, like that was going to help Angelina''s jealousy. The fact still stood, Leonice was about to bear yet another of Gabriel''s child, yet she couldn''t even


    bear one


    "You know what?" Standing up, she shed the brte an insincere smile. "You''re crazy y and I''m done here." She said and was about to walk away when Angelina stood up, blocking her path "Get out of my way" "she demanded.


    *Not yet. I just need you to answer onest question." Reaching forward, she suddenly grabbed Leonica''s hand and pulled her closer. "Who do you think Gabriel would choose if he were to walk right through that door and witness your cruelty in action?" she asked in a tene barely above whisper. Before Leonica had the chance to mole over her words, the bell at the top of the restaurant''s door jingled and in walked Gabriel.


    And at that moment, the moment he looked their way, Angelina''s words clicked together in Leonica''s brain.


    "Checkmate, Leonica." Angelina whispered, her smile fading as she pulled Leonica closer and in one swift movement, pushed herself to the floor With a dull thud, her bodynded on the floor, followed by her cry of pain.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward


    y


    Ruined Herself.


    The next few seconds after that, yed out in a slow and soundless motion in Leonica''s mind.


    On the floor, Angelina''s mouth was wide open, possibly walling in pain, yet the white-Ette couldn''t seem to hear any sound as her mind tried to think up the fastest escape route for the obvious ploy Angelina had dragged her into. Her eyes on the other hand, were mostly trained on Gabriel who was approaching them with an expression that screamed panic, instead of the female on the floor in obvious pain Gabriel was by her side in seconds and his eyes met Leonica''s, but only for a split second, before he looked back at his bleeding fianc¨¦e on the floor. "Argh! It hurts! Someone please help me Angelina''s voice faded in, snapping Leonica''s attention towards her.


    Her eyes widened upon seeing the stream of crimson that was pooling behind her, tainting her lovely bloe spring gown Gabriel soon spotted the red pool, and just like Leonica, his eyes grew wide. But unlike her, he did not remain in one spot. Quickly, he stepped forward and without caring for the fine material of his shit, scooped Angelina up into his arms.


    "Ah..Gabe..riel, it hurts." Angelina sobbed.


    "I know. I know, just bear with me. We''re going to the hospital now," "He hushed, pushing past Leonica before she even had the chance to exin the


    situation to him


    Standing still, she watched from the ss windows as Gabriel rushed towards his car, ced Angelina in the back seat, rounded it, entered the driver''s seat and then finally drove off


    Once his car was out of sight, she sighed. "That crazy bitch did it again." She muttered.


    ncing back at where Angelina had fallen, crimson pool gathering, Leonica contemted her next move. Going home was a rather nice option. She could go back and cuddle with Ashley for the rest of the day... and ultimately fall into Angelina''s trap, or, she could go to the hospital and y the kind soul Angelina would not have expected; somewhat evading her ns but also standing a chance to face Gabriel''s anger,


    A few seconds of thinking went by before Leonica clicked her tongue to the top of her mouth, and the decision was made,


    Going to the hospital was the best option. Not mainly because she wanted to avoid Angelina''s trap, but because, pathetic as it may sound, she wanted to make sure the child Angelina was carrying was okay after a fall like that.


    Throughout the drive to the nearest hospital, as she had suspected, was filled with Leonica tightening her grip on the steering wheel, a habit she did pach time she was either tensed or worried over something, And right now, it was both.


    Pulling into the parking lot of the hospital, she rushed out of her car and into the hospital. The receptionist at the counter was too busy, sorting a couple of Illes to notice her approaching, so when she unintentionally mmed her palms against the marble countertop, the poor female flinched in fright.


    "I''m looking for Gabriel Bryce." Leonica announced "Did he happen to check into this hospital a couple of minutes ago?"


    The receptionist held a finger up, while her other hand tinkered away on the keyboard and after a few seconds, a minute at tops, she announced. "Ah, yes. Yes, he did"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    When her sentence ended there, Leonica shot her a raised brow. "Where is he?"


    "Oh," Tinkering with the keyboard for a few seconds more, she informed. "Thedy he rushed in with was just rashed into the second ER, west wing of the hospital." Muttering a barely audible thank you, Leonica took off in that direction, internally thanking her stars that she had gotten the hospital right


    As she approached the ER, she began to hear voices which brought her footsteps to a slowing halt.


    the situation, isn''t really the best. And there''s only one way to save Ms. Fernandez." An unfamiliar voice spoke. Leonica guessed that it belonged to

 Chapter 73

    the doctor.


    "And what is it?" The other voice that spoke belonged to Gabriel.


    There was a moment of silence during which Leonicapleted her steps, turning theer in time to catch the doctor''s expression, tentative and reluctance ridden, before he spoke. "We''ll have to perform surgery and... have her uterus removed." The doctor announced, surprising both Gabriel and Leonica


    Thankful


    presence.


    her hand had gone up fast enough, covering her lips before a gasp escaped her mouth. But that still didn''t stop Gabriel from noticing her


    "Alright, let''s do that." As Gabriel spoke, his voice was full of hesitance, after all, he knew Angelina was going to be angry at him because of this move he was making, but that didn''t matter to him at the present time, what did, was saving her life


    *I understand, I''ll have a consent form prepared immediately. Once you''ve signed it, the surgery canmence." The doctor said and bowed. "Please


    Once the doctor was finally gone, Gabriel tumed around and his eyes twitched when he saw th Guilt was that guilt?


    "Gabelel-"


    the expression on Leonica''s face.


    "What are you doing here? His question cut her words shut.


    "low..how''s the baby?"


    "The baby? What about Angelina, don''t you want to know how she''s doing?!" Gabriel snapped. But Leonica was already prepared to take his amper, so she did not so much as flinch and remained silent


    Seeing her indifference towards Angelina despite the situation, Gabriel''s temper rose. "Get out." He pointed towards the way she hade "Leave,


    now.


    "Angelina would need her rest as soon as she recovers from the surgery, and she won''t be able to get that if you''re here. So, please leave. Now"


    The next few hours after the operation felt extremely long. By the time Angelina wasing around, it was sometime in thete evening


    Stirring slightly in the hospital bed, she groaned in pain. "Mm, Gabe, Gabriel."


    "I''m here." Gabriel was quick to stand up from the chair he had been waiting in and approached her. Taking her hand, he gently asked, "How are you feeling?"


    "I''m fine," Angelina offered him a strained smile that faded the instant realization hit her. She was in the hospital. "G-gabe?"


    "Yes, Ange?"


    "I-the baby_how''s my baby?" She questioned.


    Much to her dismay, Gabriel remained silent and lowered his head. That alone told her all she needed to low,


    Her child was gone. Tears welled up in theers of her eyes and her grip tightened around Gabriel''s hand.


    "No, Gabriel, what happened to my baby? Say something" Despite her words, Gabriel remained silent. "Don''t remain quiet, was something damnit! Say something." Thest of her words jolted out in a broken sob, which soon led to a full-on crying spree Gabriel, who was never good with his words, could only but pull her into his chest as she cried. He couldn''t fully understand her pain, but the least he could do wasfort her as she cried.


    Her sobs had dragged on for close to thirty minutes and Gabriel remained by her side,forting her and readying her for the more painful bomb. Just as she had lost her child, she had also lost her ability to bear children.


    When he was sure she had cried enough, he gently pulled away and wiped her cheeks with the pad of his thumb. "Angelina. there''s something else I


    H


    "Wh what is it?!


    "In other to make sure that you survived, the doctors had to perform a surgery on you and they had your uterus removed."


    H


    ii


    "What?" Angelina was stunned by the news, just as Gabriel had expected. "My... Uterus?" Her hand trailed up the hospital nket covering one third of her body and squeezed her stomach. It felt empty, a feeling that brought tears to her eyes against her will How had thingse to this? She lost both her baby and her will to be a mother her will to bear any child for Gabriel all because of Leoinca


    "This is all her fault." She muttered


    Gabriel only caught thest of her words and asked. "What did you say?"


    "That woman...this is all that woman''s freaking fault! This is all Leonica''s fault"


    Her out roarpletely surprised Gabriel. At this moment, she looked like a mad boar ready to kill anything that stepped in its way, only I this case, the only thing it wanted to kill was Leonica.


    *An.. Angelina calm down. I''m here, it doesn''t matter whether you can have children or not. I''ll take care of you."


    "What did you just..say?" Angelina asked with creased brows. In the past, those would have been the words Angelina would want to hear, but right now, they weren''t.


    "I fucking heard you," She sneered. "And do you think that''s what I want to hear?! Of course not, but since you don''t know what to say or do, why don''t


    I tell you kill her, Gabriel Go out there and kill the fucking witch that killed our child!"


    "That''s enough Angelina!" Gabriel fired back, finally shutting off Angelina''s rambling


    "Gabriel-"


    Not another word from you," He held up has index finger. "I''ve kept quiet and yed the fool for far too long, but enough is enough."


    What are you talking abour, Gable?"


    "That child, did you honestly believe I didn''t know it did not belong to me? Huh, Angelina Fernandez?"


    Speak Of The Devil, And He Shall Appear.


    Just because I Chose to keep quiet, doesn''t mean you should take an for a fool, Angelina"


    "What.what do you mean? The brte stuttered, Gabriel''s earlier words had locked some of her missing sense back into her, returning her attitude


    to the calm, meek and weak damsel Gabriel knew her once to be "Pilnever take you for a fool, Gabriel. I love you"


    "Yeah? And I''m supposed to believe that?" Reaching into the pocket of his leather jacket, Gabriel fished out his phone whilst asking.


    "Do you do it?" The female questioned back,


    Not answering her question Immediately, Gabriel tinkered with his phone for a few seconds, a minute at most, before he tossed it into herp. " Nowadays, I really do doubt that,"


    Looking down at the phone, Angelina became speechless at the video that was ying


    It was surveince footage from the night of Ster''s birthday party, showing that Leonica had been the one who stepped into the room, And theter part, early in the menting, showed the very same female scrambling out of the room and sheter stepping in Angelina breathing becamebored, panic setting in much like before "How... how did you get this?" She uttered the question in her mind.


    How had Gabriel indeed gotten it? After all, she had made sure to delete the surveince footage before she left the hotel that morning, so how was she watching it right now, on Gabriel''s phone?


    "Beats me, Ange." Gabriel answered, shrugging his shoulders almost nonchntly. "How about as a different question; why did you lie to me?" This time around, it was Gabriel''s turn to do the questioning,


    Angelina only dared to look up once, but the moment she saw his intense gaze, she quickly lowered her heal, brain scrambling for answers, or at least safe way out of this predicament.


    After a few seconds of hard thinking, the brte more than wished to pull on her hairs as she came up with nothing good.


    Fuck, how had shended herself in such a situation? She cursed in her mind. However, even she didn''t need to think twice as much as she was currently doing to know the answer to that question.


    It was written in in sight, the reason why she hadnded in such a predicament was all because of a certain white-Ette, or at least that was what sheforted herself with, when the real reason... the correct answer to that question was, well, still as simple. Her downright stupidity, that was whatnded her in the predicament she was currently facing


    "Angelina, why did you lie?" The sound of Gabriel''s voice threw her out of her rumination and ever constant cursing at Leonica.


    Once again, she raised her head, only this time slower, as she was afraid of the oue, of how Gabriel would look at her now that he knew she lied. She was no longer the in, untainted lily in his eyes, so how was he going to view and treat her from here on out? The answer to that question terrified Angelina more than she ever had been in her entire life.


    It terrified her so much to the point that she sumbs to tears. "G-gabriel, I''m sorry, Please forgive me. I didn''t want to lie to you... I truly didn''t want to. But I just." She buried her face in the palm of her hands, adding even more to her overdramatic action. "...couldn''t stand losing you. After I saw Leonicaing out from your room in the morning, J. I thought the worst, I panicked, and I acted on that emotion and lied to you. And for that, I''m sorry Gabriel" Ever so slightly, she pulled her hand away from her face and looked up at him. Tears streamed down her face, decorating her already bare and beautiful face, but never for once dulling her beauty. Any man who saw her face would have instantly ttered, anger dissolving like salt in water.


    But Gabriel was different. He wasn''t just any man. He was Gabriel Bryce; a father and he wanted answers and that resolve went as far as to show on his visage.


    "Gabriel, please, I''m sorry, Please, please forgive me, would you?"


    "Am not saying I won''t or would forgive you, Angelina, what I want to hear is actual answers. Why did you do that?"


    *1 swear to you Gabriel, what I''ve told you is the reason why I did what I did; why I lied to you. But I promise... that is the only time I''ve ever lled to you. So, do you.. forgive me?" She forced a smile on her lips as she asked. But rather than a genuine smile that she intended to show, it came off as more of a lopsided twitch, rather than a smile, due to all the tension her body was facing,


    A few seconds had passed after her question, when, mach to her dismay, all Gabriel did was... sigh, "I''m leaving." He stood up from the chair he sat beside her, causing Angelina to scramble in her spot, only to groan from the fresh pain of the surgery. Gabriel looked over his shoulder at this, thinning his lips at her pained expression. You should get some test, you''ll need it.


    in


    He said and began walking, but just before he reached the door,


    "Gabe Gabriel wait!" Just like she wanted, he stopped and looked back at her. But the moment she looked into his it?" He asked.


    Angelina called out. "G-b


    eyes,


    emotion pune a


    gone and orbs cold, she flinched. "What is


    Mustering a smile, which once again turned out to look awkward, she asked. "We''re you''re still going to marry me,


    Walking towards the door and pulling it open, Gabriel nced over his shoulder for thest time and without so much as a smile, he said. "Rest Angelina, you'' re really going to need ?L"


    right?"


    And with that, he welled out,


    With how the entire day had yed out, discovery and all, Gabriel found himself seated in Club Parish, a few hourster. By his side was Lloyd, who was trying to hit on his seat mate. The poor girl, in Gabriel''s one-sided opinion, was falling hard for his best friend''s gimmick''s.


    Luckily, before she could fall just too hard, Christian intervened, mming a stack of dusty hospital records on the countertop


    "You won''t believe what I found," Shooing Lloyd''s next ymate away, Christian slipped into the now empty seat, ignoring his friend''s grumble of disapproval at his action.


    "What did you find that''s so important?" Gabriel hadn''t bothered asking, too far gone in drowning his crappy day out with alcohol. Lloyd on the other hand, didn''t hold back, wanting to know the reason why his friend had deemed it alright to chase away his next bed


    warmer.


    Taking one look at Gabriel, just for the sake of gauging his reaction, Christian spoke. "Medical records, Belonging to none other than Gabriel''s precious Bly flower, Angelina Fernandez He halled the bartender over, cing his drink betore he continued. This time around, he had Gabriel''s attention. "And you won''t believe what else I found out."


    H


    "What is it?" Gabriel was the one who asked this time around,


    Instead of answering his question immediately, Christian flipped the record folder open and gently slid it to him. "Apparently, your dear Lily flower has had several abortions, and for different men."


    "What the hell?!" Lloyd red up, getting angry in his confused friend''s stead.


    "This is true?" Gabriell mattered as he flipped through the different results


    "As true as the bible. Answered Christian as he took a sip from his newly delivered drink


    *Fuck, the Innocent looking one truly do tu out to be the devils." Lloyd mused, stealing a nce back at his previous about to be bed warmer'' who had an innocent looking face. Too innocent looling, now that LLoyd thought about it. "So, Tuning back to face his friend, he began. "What do you n on doing with his information?


    "Nothing," Gabriel''s answer surprised them. Putting the folder away, be returned to tiredly sipping on his drinks.


    "Nothing? Are you insane? Lloyd questioned.


    "Not exactly. I just know that she suffered the price for these actions." He nudged his head in the folder''s direction


    "What do you mean?"


    "She lost her oterus. Had to have it removed if she wanted to survive the miscarriage today." His answer, this time around, stunned the two. "What? That''s." Lloyd''s face felt. "Sid."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Gabriel nodded, talking yet another sip from his drink. Beside him, Christian downed the remaining of his drink and turned in his bar stool, facing him. "So, what are you going to do now?" He asked.


    Even though Lloyd had asked something simr, this question needed a different answer, and it had Gabriel thinking for a few seconds before he answered. "I''m going to dissolve the engagement between Angelina and me. But," Hisst word had both his friend''s groaning. And here they were, about to think that Gabriel was going to end all forms of rtionship with Angelina "I''ll still supply her with enough money to go on with her life. After all, she had saved my life, once."


    ncing at themselves, Christian and Lloyd saw reasoning in what he said and as much as they wanted to tackle him on the subject, the opted not to. Silence descended amongst them for the next few minutes before Lloyd, who had just ordered yet another drink, spoke, "So, does this mean you''re going to rekindle things with Leonica?


    Christian threw him a look at the abrupt question while Gabriel remained silent, lost in his ever-growing pile of thoughts


    Now, he would be a liar if he said a thought like that hadn''t crossed his mind.


    Rekindle things with Leonica, live in one house like one big fat family, go on pics with Ashley and even attend his baseball games in the near future. Hock, that sounded like life pitch perfect!


    But that couldn''t happen, because of two reasons solely. One, Leonica''s obvious dislike towards him and two, the doubt he hail


    The doubt that hed gued him ever since he saw Angelina fall to the floor.


    Did she fall by a mere misstep..or did Leonica intentionally push her?


    Just as those thoughts roamed his mind in a constant circle, his phone began to ring, pulling him out of his v


    Jacket and was more surprised than anyone to see who was calling him


    It was Leonica Romero herself.


    Well, just like they say Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.


    very own head. He fishest it out from his

 Chapter 74

    Wanting Her Back.


    "Just go home, please."


    Seated in front of her room vanity mirror, Gabriel''s words reyed in Leonica''s head like a haunting tape.


    For some reason, she couldn''t get it out of her head. Perhaps it had been his tone? Or the anger that she had expected toe, more than prepared herself to receive, but never did? Or perhaps was it the expression on his face? De all there of them?


    Whichever it was, it haunted her mind over and over again, throughout the entire freaking day.


    Heaving a sigh, she pulled off thest of her jewelry and looked in the mirror just in time to see Ashley poking his head through the threshold of her door. "Mommy?" He called out in a small voice, testing his mother''s mood as he had stood by her door for nearly ten minutes, observing as her mood deteriorated every now and now, and only ever growing the guts to call out to her when he felt his eye lids getting really howy.


    Putting on her best smile to mask her inner troubles, Leonica turned around in her chair. "Hey honey, what is it?" She asked, beckoning him over with


    open arms.


    Ashley wasted no time in rushing towards her and soon settling in herp. When his hands were firmly wrapped around her neck, ck bunny stuffy ced in between them, he answered.


    "Can I sleep with you tonight mommy. I don''t want to sleep alone,"


    Leonica chuckled at his cute action. Slowly, her hand went up and gently stroked the back of his head. "Of course, you can." She answered.


    "Beally?" Ashley asked with a growing smile.


    "Really," Leonica responded with a smile of her own before she stood up, carrying the child in her arms until they were close to her bed,


    Only then did she ce him down on the cushion and tuck him underneath the nket.


    "Do you want me to read you a story?" she asked


    Ashleyzily shook his head, declining the offer since he was already far too sleepy.


    "Alright," Leaning down, she gently pecked her son''s forehead. "Go to sleep now."


    Ashley didn''t need to be told twice. In a matter of seconds, he was already off to his dream world, soft snores reaching Leonica''s ears. She chuckled softly after seeing his sleeping face, but the smile on her lips faded the instance she recalled what happened today. Unlike her, Angelina would never have the joy of watching her child sleep


    Sad, Leonica thought as she gently got up from the bed and reached for her phone. She scrolled through her contact list for a few seconds before finding Gabriel''s number and dialing it.


    Sure, she may never have liked Angelina, not even once, but that didn''t mean she was never going to call to check up


    1 her.


    As as she brands herself, she can never seat back and watch anyone suffer to the point of death, not even her enemy.


    A few seconds, along with a few rings had passed before Gabriel finally picked up


    "Leonica? What do you want?" His voice sounded raspy, making Leonica gap unintentionally.


    She took one look at Ashley''s sleeping form before moving some distance away, not wanting to disturb him. Then she asked. "Angelina, how is she?" At the other end, Gabriel chuckled. "You ask that now?"


    "Was I not to?" Leonica fired back, already regretting her choice of calling to check up on the very same person who had tried to frame her.


    Corse her good board!


    "Let me ask you something?" Gabriel began, pausing for a few seconds to make sure she was on the same page as him, before he continued. "Did you, do


    The vague question had Leonica''s bees knitting. "Do what? She questioned


    Silence settled on the other end for another few seconds, of which Leonica was able to assess that Gabriel was in a chib, probably drinking away his frustration once again


    A bad habit that he never could kill-


    "Did you....... push Angelina?


    Leonica''s eyes twitched at his question. Here she was, worrying herself over Angelina''s well-being and Gabriel was suspecting her.


    "You think I pushed Angelina?"


    "Dain''t you?"


    "Of course, I will "Leonica snapped a little too loudly than she had intended, but at this point, she really didn''t care.


    Gabriel sure had some balls to think that she''d stoop so low. Pushing Angelina? Trook!


    Now you tell me, why the hell do you think I would do something like that?"


    "Balousy." Came Gabriel''s answer no more than a secondter.


    "What? You think I was jealous? And I what? Decided to kill an innocent child? All because I was jealous?" She scoffed angrily, "Your arrogance is so treaking high that it blinds you, makes you stupid and right now, I''m in no mood to deal with your stupidity." With that, she cut the call, surprising Gabriel who stared at his phone in shock.


    "She hung up on you?" Lloyd peered over his shoulder at the ended call and chuckled. "Fuck, she must really hate you''


    His words, even though it was simple, caused Gabriel to go into a thinking spree.


    Why did she hate him so much? What had he done for her to hate him so much? One second it seemed like he was taking a step forward, into her life and before he knew it, she had taken ten tucking steps backwards, drawing another freaking stupid line in the sand, why? The thought of that alone annoyed Gabriel and just as he chugged down another ss of alcohol an uproar of screaming girls caught his attentionContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "What in the "


    "Owen Lee," Christian nudged his head in the direction where more than one girl had gathered. "Rising super star. Heartthrob. Lover of the century, he''s what all the noise''s about." He exined, answering his friend''s unanswered question.


    Lloyd took a sip from his drink before he looked in the direction Christian had pointed at. "Ah, that guy? Yeah, he''s popr, handsome too. He''s worth the noise. Wanna know something else?" He nudged Gabriel with his elbow. When Gabriel looked over at him, he continued. "Word has it that he''s got a superpower; stealing your woman." He made a hand gesture, adding a much-needed effect to his words. "Who knows Gabe, if you''re not fast enough, someone like him just might steal Leonica''s heart." He joked. "Don''t you ever shut up?" Gabriel growled, infuriated by his teasing.


    He already had Arvan, an honest pain in the butt to rival with, now here his useless friend was, saying that someone other than that pest of a human might try to steal Leonica''s heart.


    He didn''t need something like that!


    "Ah, his pissed," Christian clicked his tongue to the top of his mouth as he lowered his ss. "Might want to stop teasing him, Lloyd." He warned "And why should I? I''m just telling the truth, am I not, Gabe? Don''t you Lloyd joked, expecting Gabriel to remain silent, something he usual did to swat off his friend''s useless teasing, but much to his and Christian''s surprise,


    want to hurry up and im your damsel before someone gets a grab at her?" The notrete spoke.


    "I do." He confessed dark eyes glued to the transparent body of his liquor ss. "More than anything right now, I think I actually want Leonica back in my ie, no matter what shees back as."


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward


    y


    Life Jacket.


    A day had gone and despite Gabriel''s audacious usation, Leonica couldn''t stop her Mary-Sux like mind from still pondering about Angelinia wellbeing Seated in her office, the Dipped through yet another file with an absent mind, heaving a sigh at the end. Kennedy who was seated in a chair in the farer of her office, nearly swallowed by the heap of files, generated from half of the work Leonica had unintentionally neglected over the days, nced her way, instantly noticing the zoned-out look on her face.


    It was obvious that something was on her mind, and Kennedy, more than anyone, knew that the mornent something gued his employer''s mind, she was either slow at work, got the work done, but however with several errors which he had toter on correct, or doesn''t get any work done at all.


    Apainful flow in her almost perfect personality that she definitely had to work on fixing


    After a moment of internal debate, whether to remain silent and bury his nose back into his work, or to speak and well save himself less work, Kennedy sighed, wisely opting for thetter option.


    "Is everything alright, Ms. Homero?


    The sound of his voice snapped Leonica out of her daydreaming and she instantly realized the tinyws she had made more than one on the work shit.


    "Shit," she mumbled underneath her breath, discarding the files into the trash bin beside her desk. Kennedy winced at the action, knowing fully well that he would be requested to fetch a new set soon. "Yes, Yes, I''m fine." She responded with an undertone sigh. "I just.. I''m just thinking of something" "That much is obvious," Kennedy rose up from his seat, walking toward the coffee machine and putting a fresh brew to set. Resting against the counter, he eyed her. "Would you like to talk it out?" Leonica was quick to shut his offer down. She shook her head with yet another sigh. "No, that won''t be necessary."


    "It seems like so," Kennedy muttered just as the coffee machinepleted its brow


    "Pardon?"


    Grabbing the coffee jug and pouring the ck beverage into two fresh coffee mugs, He added two cubes of sugar into Leonica''s own, just like she took it, and several more into his. Holding the cup in his hand, he walked toward Leonica''s table and dropped it down. "With all due respect Ma''am, whatever is on your mind seems to be affecting work, immensely." He nudged his head in the direction of the trash bin. "Wouldn''t it be best to sort it out before you handle things back here?" "Wouldn''t it." Leonica thought over his words for a few seconds before she nodded.


    Kennedy was right, the only way she''d be able to function properly with a clear mind is when she sees with her own eyes that Angelina was somewhat fine and locking, no matter the condition she was in, as far as she was alive, it was good enough to close the case for Leonica "You''re right," She rose to her feet and gathered a few things from her table, showing them into the handbag she had carried. "I''ll step out for a bit, please make sure to="


    "Reprint the files and have them on your table before you return." The assistantpleted her sentence. "Of course."


    "Thanks" Leonica offered him a smile and turned around, exiting her office.


    "Ms. Romero, Hello." The receptionist at the hospital smiled at the familiar face the moment Leonica arrived at the front counter.


    She vaguely smiled, not too surprised that the female knew her name, after all, her face was constantly being pasted on newspapers and billboard adifs. HL Could i book a visit for Ms. Fernandez?" She questioned


    "Of course!" The receptionist answered and shortly after, she turned away to type on her keyboard "Ms. Fernandez just finished her daily dosage so she''s free for visitations. She read out the Information shown on the monitor screen and then slid a paper onto the counter with a smile. "Here''s the room number just in case."


    Letnica retrieved the paper, showing her gratitude before she began her journey down the hall, ncing back and forth between the paper in her hand and the members written on the door. After what felt like a little over live minutes, she located the number of the room written on the paper.


    Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door before sliding it open and stepping inside. Instantly, her eyes found Angelina, who seemed to have justpleted a call and sheepishly hid the phone behind her back upon hearing the door opening.


    The brte nced back, eyes turning dark the moment she spotted Leonica. "What are you doing here?" Her tone dripped with unhidden wenomes she questioned


    Lonica however, quickly and quietly dusted it aside, tal closest table. "I can see you''re doing well," She mused, her voice carrying more relief than she had wanted.


    Taking a few steps forward to ce the fruit basket she had picked up on her way here, on the


    However, Angelina, who had be bitter after seeing Leonica''sce, didn''t even notice that. "What, did you expect me to be dead?" she nced at the fruit basker and scoffed. "And what is that? Is that your way ofing to show off."


    "Not at all," Leonica answered with a shake of her head, expression neutral.


    Sexing her demeanor was staged by every jab she took at her, Angelina''s bitterness red up ''You''re such a hypocrite, do you know that? You act like a saint, but I low your kind of person, Leonica." She stepped forward, closing some distance between them. You''re awoll in sheep''s clothing. A saint pretending to be a devil. I''m sure that''s how you convinced that old woman to allow you marry Gabriel."


    Hearing this, it was just about what it took to snap Leonica out of her Three-to-Five-word et


    "Oh, you heard me. That old witch must obviously have been blinded by your little act and-"


    "Oh, please Angelina, when are you going to stop ying the victim role?" Unfolding her arms, Leonica advanced from where she stood, stopping in front of Angelina with a serious gaze "Grandmother had given you a chance. Eight years ago, she presented you with one, but you blew it. You chose your selfish greed over Gabriel and abandoned him," Cocking her head to the side, she questioned in a taunting tone. "Am I right? Or am I........ right?"


    Speechless in the face of obvious defeat, Angelina flexed her jaw and clenched her fist. Leonica''s retort had obviously deted whatever balloon she was about to inte, but she wasn''t about to admit defeat. Not now, or in the nearest future.


    "You say that now, but it doesn''t change the fact that you," She jabbed her finger into Leonica''s chest. "Are a fianc¨¦ stealing bitch and a murderer. Let this knowledge hunt you Leonica; You killed my baby." he skin off b


    in off her face. "That, was all


    "I didn''t do shit," Leonica pped her finger away after rolling her eyes in a manner that made Angelina want to rip the your doing, Angelina. You pulled that stunt, so you''re the one who should live with that guilt.


    Adjusting her shirt, she stepped back and forced a wistful smile to her lips. "But I must say, I admire your determination to keep Gabriel. However, I''d be lying if I said it wasn''t stupid useless and many other things down thatne."


    "W-what?" Angelina stuttered, face turning red with rising anger.


    "Exactly what I said. Your love for Gabriel is admirable. But here''s a piece of advice. Don''t let yourself get Destroyed over love, especially one as blind as Gabriel''s." Taking onest look at Angelina, Leonica turned around and walked out, closing the room door behind her. With a sigh, she walked down the hospital halls, line of sight trained on the glistering tiles below.


    ''Don''t destroy yourself over love... like I did.'' She swallowed thickly at the bitter thought, once again regretting the choice she had made all those years


    ago


    If only she had stayed away from that Lake that Dammed Lake where it all began, would things have been different?


    Would she never have met Gabriel Bryce? And if not, what would her life been like?


    "Blissful?


    The moment those words left her mouth, she looked up and her eyesnded on Gabriel''s approaching figure. For a moment there, she could have sworn her heart did a really weird palpitation routine when his eyes met hers, causing her to avert her gaze and unintentionally increase her departing pace. However, she had not gotten more than a footstep away from Gabriel when he took her arm, pulling her steps to a halt. "Leonica? What are you do here?" She remained quiet, flexing her jaw to keep the words in. But only when he began his next sentence did, she snap "Are you here to


    doing


    "Don''t worry." With a swift movement, she pulled her arm out of his grasp, surprised for a second when it came free with one yank Quickly, she recovered from the shock and faced the situation at hand with her usual forced smile. "I''m not here to hurt your precious lily flower. So-''


    "I wasn''t questioning you, Leonica Gabriel cut her off, hiding the fact that her words had somewhat hurt his self-esteem. She thought so low of him to the point that she thought he was going to use her over nothing Was he that bad in her eyes?


    Swallowing thickly in a bid to clear his mind, Gabriel continued. "I know you weren''t here to do that."


    Now, downright call Leonica air if she says Gabriel''s sudden change in attitude towards her wasn''t a big Surprise. But as quick as the surprise disappeared, buried deeply beneath the folds of detachments. "Oh, I see." She mused with disinterest and turned around to leave.


    Seeing her walk away without the tiniest bit of the me she usually had towards him, Gabriel quickly became somewhat panicked.


    calme,


    It was the instinct a father got when he was at an ATM and his three-year-old child, growing a mind of his own, decided to takete by the horns and walk into the center of a busy Monday Road. your grasp, feel the


    them.


    That instinct to reach out and pull them back. That instinct of wanting to have them in your grasp, That was the instinct and Gabriel acted on it without thinking twice. In seconds, his hand was once again wrapped around Leonica''s arm, pulling her to a halt.


    Only after he felt her skin, cold as ice underneath his palt and she turned around, disying an expression that showed nothing other than enragement, that he realized he had pulled the wrong move and needed to actst.


    Art test in a way that could defuse the situation or at least throw Leonica off guard for a few seconds.


    And that''s when it came to his mind and without second thoughts, he blurted it out. "It didn''t belong to me."


    The child Angelina had been carrying, it didn''t belong to me,"


    No Future For Us


    "It didn''t belong to me," Leanice knitted her brows at Gabriel''s outburst.


    What was he going on about now?


    What the hell didn''t belong to him?


    "The child Angelina had been carrying... It didn''t belong to me." Gabriel repeated, more clearly this time around.


    Swallowing thick, he awaited Leonica''s reaction, surprised to see that she was looking surprised. Of course, she was! Hack, who wouldn''t be? After nearly a month of believing that Angelina was carrying his child, he suddenly spilled the beans, saying the child n''t belong to him.


    How exactly does that work?


    "Why.. why are you telling me this?" Leonica asked once she was able to shake the surprise off. "What do you hope to gain by doing this?


    "L.." Gabriel began, only for the rest of his words to die on his tongue. He had no valid reason for telling her what he just did.


    In all honesty, it was a spur of the moment reaction to stop her from walking away. But obviously, Gabriel wasn''t going to admit that. But to himselt and


    This decision of his ultimately led to minutes of silence, minutes in which Leonica''s brain worked, plecing things together, true or not and then, sh scoffed,ing to a conclusion of her own

 Chapter 75

    It was obvious, in this case, to her alone, that Gabriel was pulling one of his usual tricks. Trying to y the role of a sweet asshole in hopes to jump  responsibility towards Angelina''s pregnancy. "Ha, you don''t ever change, do you Gabriel?" Pulling her hand free, this time she pulled away with much force than she had previously done, intending to show how much his tricks irritated her. And her message was well gotten, well, halfway gotten. Gabriel understood the fact that she was angry at him, but he didn''t know what made her angry at him


    Left for him, some part of his mind had been singing with one tiny little voice, trying to convince him that Leonica would be d in the tiniest bit to bear the news.


    But she wasn''t. She didn''t look the least hit pleased, instead she looked somewhat... disgusted?


    "You''re still the same as you were five years ago. You only ever keep people around when you need them, however, the moment you no longer need them, they became useless to you." "What the hell are you talking about?"


    "Do you really need to ask? I''m damn sure you know what I''m tallding about." Leonica retorted, sighing at the end as she attempted to keep her temper from spilling over.


    Not here. Not now, and certainly not for him. Gabriel Bryce wasn''t worth a drop of her spit.


    "You can pretend for all you want; I don''t really care." She shrugged. "And I don''t really care whose child Angelina was carrying, never mattered to me before and wouldn''t matter to me now." She gave him one final exnation before turning to leave but recalling onest thing she needed to say to him. "Oh, and do yourself some good; don''t get any ridiculous idea into that head of yours. My visit here was only to make sure Angelian wasn''t well, dead So don''t go thinking I came all the way here because I''ve got some ridiculous obsession with you. It''d be a shame for a mm such as yourself to entertain such..deplorable thoughts, alright?"


    Completing thest of her words, she shed him that same, cold and indifferent smile that never quite reached her eyes and turned around w walking away and never for once looking back.


    Now, Gabriel would be a damnir if he said her words hadn''t stunned him. And he also would be a liar if he says for a second, he could have ignored the look of disgust swirling in Leonica''s eyes.


    He couldn''t And for the first ever time, a thought crossed his mind.


    "Was he really that much of an asshole?"


    Mind preupied by his thoughts, Gabriel failed to hear the approaching footsteps, and only when the dumpling locking youngster was in front of him, waving her hand and calling his name, did he snap out of his trans like Isaze. Mr. Bryce, can you hear me?"


    Blinking a few times, be recognized the female in front of him was none other than Angelina''s apeut. Riley Grant


    "Riley," He finally acknowledged the girl''s present, resulting in an Innocent beam akin to Angelina''s own


    However, knowing the type of persen Angelina now was, Gabriel wondered if it was alright to loep a truly pure soul like Riles around bet.


    The answer to that question came as quickly as the question itself had conse, convincing Gabriel that the steps he was about to take were the right ones. "Hello Mr. Bryce, Are you by any chance here to see Ms. Fernandez?" Riley questioned. "Yes. I assume you''re also here to do the same


    "Comet!" Riley shot a handgun at him.


    Nodding his head, Gabriel suggested. "Well, let''s go together."


    Of course, Mr. Bryce After you. She pointed her open palm in the direction of Angelina''s mon


    Gabriel turned around, journeying down in the directions, Riley beside him, for only a few minutes before they stumbled upon the familiar door.


    One knock on the door and he slid it open, palckly locating Angelina beside the trash bin, trashing the fruit basket Leonica had brought for her. unbeknownst to Gabriel''s knowledge.


    The moment Angelina saw Gabriel, her expression became meek, demeanor returning to the lily lower she had portrayed as her public image. "Gabe, you came." She smiled innocently at him.


    "Hello Ms. Fernander," Riley bowed her head, brown bungee curls following her movement. "L. I brought you a fruit basket." The female raised the assortment of filts, which Gabriel only just now realized she had been carrying. "Oh, Hello Riley," Angelina smiled at her agent.


    Less honestly, Gabriel could instantly tell.


    Weird if you asked him, seeing as ten hours ago, he couldn''t even differentiate a truth from lie when came out from her mouth.


    Watching her, she stepped forward, retrieving the basket from Riley and examining it for a moment. "Ali, what a lovely basket. Thank you, Riley. I''ll cherish it." She stered yet another fake smile of hers onto her lip.


    After cing the basket down, she turned to face Gabriel, her smile switching over to the gemine side. "Gabe, 1 called a number of timesst night, why didn''t you pick?


    "I was busy," He answered vaguely, moving from where he stood by the door and sinking into a nearby couch, while Riley nervously fidgeted, unsure of where to go. "We need to talk, Angelina."


    "Oh? What about?" She questioned, brows knitting when Gabriel pointed towards the second couch. Without much dy, she took her seat, sensing that the topic at hand must be serious.


    Talk about their marriage, she hoped


    "What.what is it Gabe?


    *... I''ve made several arrangements with a recovery home in Ennd, for you Angelina. They''re going to make sure you recover to the best of your abilities and cater for your every need while you''re there." "What?" The smile on her face began to fade once she heard this But for some reason she didn''t want to think the worst. "That.. that''s great. So, when are we leaving?""


    Gabriel shook his head. "Not ''we, Angelina, Just you''


    Now the smilepletely faded. "What? You''re... you''re sending me away?" "Exactly."


    "Gabe Gabriel-


    "Ms. Fernandez, perdon my intrusion, but I actually think it''s for the best," Riley spoke up and presented her tablet to Angelina. "The press had been on you a lottely. Being gone from the spotlight for a while can be a good thing" Angelina nearly red at the agent who was spitting nothing but obvious facts, "Riley, please stop outside for a moment, I''ll like to talk with my fianc¨¦, privately."


    "As you wish, Ms. Fernandez." Riley said with a bow and exited the room.


    As soon as she was gone, Gabriel spoke. "I''d advise you to stop calling me that."


    Angelina''s brows knitted at his words, and she strained a chuckle. "You''re kidding right, Gabe? You''re not going to send my away and you certainly aren''t having thoughts of breaking off our engagement, right?"


    Gabriel remained quiet as she spoke, only mustering a tired and long sigh at the end. "Angelina, answer the this one question; what do I hate the most?" He questioned and while the brte was racking her brain, trying toe up with a suitable answer, Gabriel raised his head, loying his eyes on hers." Betrayal, Angelina, the answer is betrayal."


    Angelina''s eyes trembled and yet another strained chuckle escaped her lips as things were bing clear to her.


    Gabelel knew something.no, he knew everything


    And the aftermath of that, was simple and Obvious. Gabriel was going to end their rtionship.


    The thought, about to be reality, instilled fear in Angelina. The type of fear that she only ever felt each time her position as Gabriel''s fianc¨¦e was threatened.


    Except this time, it wasn''t being threatened by anyone, her fianc¨¦ himself was about to strip it from her.


    Shaking her head from side to side, she said. "Gabriel you.. you can''t do this. Have you forgotten how hard I''ve saved you? I saved your lite Gabriel, se


    5


    you have no right to do this."


    "That you did, and for that, I have forever been grateful." For the first time ever, Gabriel bowed his head to Rogel


    loved you, but Angelina, I don''t love you anymore."N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Those wordspletely shattered Angelina''s heart. "What did you say, Gabriel?


    bcese of thee]


    "I no longer have feelings for you, Angelina. I''m certain and if we were to try and force this us," He pointed his finger index between them "The without a doubt we''ll only end up going down a path that has no future for us, Angelina The Truth Even He Dended.


    April fools, that was what Angelina wished today was.


    But it wasn''t. Currently, it was May 3, April''s fool was far from over. So that meant everything little thing Gabriel was saying was not a prank,


    Tears began to pull in her eves, and she snapped without holding back, yelling at the top of her lings. "Yo you don''t love me anymore? There''s no future for you and I? What the hell me you saying Gabriel?"


    Gabriel remained quiet even though he had been addressed. He hal prepared for something like this, her outrage and on flowing tears, so be wasn''t in the least bit novel.


    When Angelina noticed this, eyes locking unto his interent and unfazed ones, she felt a painful sting in her chest. It was the kind of pinch one felt core they had realized something painful that they had been trying to fight oft, And for Angelina, her realization in this case, was that Gabriel''s words were He wasn''t Iving to get rid of her but telling the truth. He actually no longer loved her. -


    But why? And when did he fall out of love with her? How long had it been? And if he no longer loved her.., who did he love?


    As much pain as the thought brought, Angelina had the feeling that she needed to know the answer. Was the person he now loved better than her? Prettier than her? Could she perhaps have children for him, like her?


    Fear of the unknown slowly drove her crazy and her hands crept up to her hair, tugging painfully on it in other to keep her mind from wandering into the depth of insanity.


    She could still salvage this situation, get her position as his fianc¨¦e back if she knew how to handle her opponent. Those were theforting words she told herself and they were more than enough to snap her back, giving her enough courage to look up at Gabriel With a forced smile, that broke every now and then, showing the pain she was feeling, she tentatively asked. "Would you mind telling me. If you don''t love me anymore," She paused, swallowing thickly before she continued. "Then who is it you love now?" Gabriel remained silent for a few seconds, but Angelina knew he was thinking of the person that had reced her, when his expression softened, and a wistal smile crept onto his lips.


    * Are you sure you want to know the answer?" Gabriel asood, wanting to spear any more pain than her heart was already going through. When she remained silent, he continued, finally about to speak a truth that even he himself had been denying for months now. "It''s-" "That enough!" Angelina''s hand quickly went up, covering her ears with her eyes shut tight as she interrupted his words.


    she no longer wanted to hear, even if that meant she wouldn''t know who her opponent was, that was fine. She was fine with that, but having to bear to see that familiar expression of warmth and adoration that once was for her, belonging to someone else now, she couldn''t bring herself to stand the pain that came along with it


    It was unlike anything she had ever experienced.


    "No. More. Please, please stop," She sobbed.


    At this point, Gabriel could only feel sorry for her. The way she was, the way she currently was crying was after all, only because she fell in love with him. It was saddening, but what was more saddening would be when he continues to ignore the whispering words of his heart... fighting the feelings that wen he has tried to ignore.


    It would be best for them both if he told the truth. "Angelina,"


    "Please don''t." She begged, but Gabriel continued.


    "The person I love Angelina, is..." He paused and swallowed, trying to convince his mouth to utter the remaining word that even though they felt right to say, his egotistical brain refused to ept, unlike his heart. "Leonica." The name rolled out of his mouth atst, providing a wave of relief that even he didn''t know existed.


    But for Angelina, however, hearing those words far from relieved her. It caused a sudden fire to rise in her chest, momentarily overtaking the pain she was feeling "Leonica? You love her? Why, because she can bear your children.. and I can''t?"


    "Of course not!" Gabriel denied it, honestly


    "Then what is it? What does she have that I don''t? Why can you love her but not me?" Angelina questioned, waiting for an answer, but Gabriel remained silent for the next few seconds, trying to think of an answer.


    But he emaldi''t. No, it wasn''t that he couldn''t, but rather, because the little hew about Leonica, the little that drew him towards her constantly and caused his chest to tighten each time she looked at him with disgust, each time she smiled at Arvan and not him and each time he thought of her spending her life with someone else, that little knowledge, was too big to be put into words.


    But if he was to say one word, then it would be; "Everything"


    Angelina breathed out, intending to calm bet nerves. However, the breath came out more shaldly than she had expected, and her fingers tightened around her hospital gown, crambling the fabric as she thought about how hard she had worked for ten freaking yours, just so she could win Gabriel''s


    Yet, Leonica had only been back for less than three months, and she had sessfully captured Gabriel and many more''s heart.


    "Ah, I underestimated that bitch." She thought


    "But you don''t need to worry, Angelina," Gabriel''s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up but could barely make out the expression on his face due to her vision being blurred by her tears. "Even with everything that has happened, I still intend to support you. To make sure you recover the fastest you can and live the best life opportune for you, I owe you that much after you''ve saved me. But" He slowly shook his head. "I can''t continue doing this. Denying my feelings and acting like they don''t exist. I did it five years ago, and I don''t intend to do it again."


    "Five... five years ago? Are you listening to yourself Gabriel?! You loved Leonica five ago while she was busy creating a scheme that led to your grandmother''s death."


    Hearing his grandmother mentioned it, Gabriel''s jaws tightened, and he shook his head. "Don''t do that, Angelina. Grandmother''s death wasn''t Leonica''s fault, so don''t try to pin it on her." He warned "What?" Angelina was shocked, after all, she knew when it came to L, Gabriel was always sensitive. So, if she yed her card well, then she could trick him into hating Leonica again. But apparently, that trick had expired


    "Medical test, detailed records and all were carried out, investigations even. Nothing was able to prove that Leonica was responsible for Grandma''s death. They all boiled down to the same conclusion; death from old age." He exined. "So, Angelina, Leonica is innocent. And if you were to speak about my grandmother, then I can beat my chest and tell you that I''m damn sure she would be rolling in her grave if 1 mistreated Leonica any more than I already have."


    And those words were enough to seal the deal. Just as much as Gabriel was a softie for his grandmother, his convictions also stood firm when it came close to having anything to do with her, partially one of the reasons he mistreated Leonica a lot when he blindly believed she was responsible for the older woman''s death.


    End note, Angelina now knew that no matter what she said or the tricks she tried to pull, Gabriel''s mind wouldn''t be changed. And neither was hers. She refuses to admit defeat.


    "I know this may have hurt you deeply, Angelina and I''m sorry for that."


    "L. See." She felgned understanding while the sound of his phone ringing echoed in the room.


    Fishing his phone out of his pocket, Gabriel sighed once he saw it was an important business call, one of those ones Bill couldn''t handle. "I need to answer this," He informed, rising to his feet and walling towards the door, only stopping onest time to look over his shoulder. "Rest well, Angelina."


    And with that, he was gone, leaving Angelina where she set, heartbroken and all. But she refused to cry. Instead, the pain she felt, she channeled in in a new direction, Revenge.


    Getting up, she located her phone and dialed Stuart''s number. The phone, as usual, rang for only a few seconds before the lovesick fool picked up. *Angelina, what is it?" He asked.


    "Stuart," Standing in front of the window and watching Gabriel walk towards his car, phone held to his ear, she spoke. "There''s been a change of ns." "Change of ns, howe? And what is it being changed to?"


    *Something even better. Tell me Stuart, what''s the best way to make two people suffer?"


    To make their lives a Living hell from right under their noses.


    ''Just you watch Leonica, Gabriel, I''ll make you both pay for hurting me like you''ve done."


    Spin to im Your Surprise A


    Reward!

 Chapter 76

    Owen Lee.


    The next day, Leonica sat in thefort of her living room, loolding through the guest list for Ashley''s birthday party. But truthfully, only half of her mind was on the task. The other half was wandering dangerously close to the conversation she had with Gabriel the previous day, more so, the words she had spoken to him


    for some reason, reasons.


    Now, the white-Ette was a hundred percent aware that Gabriel was a scumbag, she had experienced it firsthand, after all. But for s that she tried time and time again to ignore, she couldn''t help but wonder if she had been too harsh on him.


    Even an asshole didn''t deserve such a beutal truth and she could have done a better job at selling it smooth to him, right?


    *Ha," Sighing, she ced the guest list down and ran her fingers through her hair, cursing at her mind for thinking hard and long over something such as this, that she didn''t even want to recall.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening and shortly after, the housekeeper walked in, holding Ashley''s hand, who had just been dropped off by the school bus. Leonica was quick to fist her expression the moment she spotted her son, putting a smile on her lips, rather than the frown that marred her expression seconds ago.


    "Mommy!" Ashley skipped up to her with his signature grin, discarding his bag pack as he rounded the couch and jumped into herp "I''m back"


    "I can see that," Leonica giggled and nted a kiss on his forehead. "How was school?"


    "Really interesting! You know Mrs. Fisher, my old Agric teacher?"


    Leonica''s face scrunched up slightly as her son addressed the woman, who truthfully wasn''t older than forty-five, as old, but none the less, nodded her head. "Mhm, what about her?"


    "Well, she brought a monkey to school today, but then, it got lose." Ashley ringled at the memory. "And... and she had to chase it all around the ssroom and nearly-oh?" The child stopped his ranting as the paper on the table caught his attention. Especially when the words ''Guest List Were written in bold letters. "Mommy, are those the peopleing to my birthday?" He asked.


    Leonica followed the direction of his gaze and nodded upon seeing the paper. "Sure is." She adjusted him in herp, making sure he was facing her directly before asking. "Tell mommy, is there anyone in particr that you would like to attend? Like a special guest?" "Hm?" The young boy pondered his words for a few seconds, finger resting on his chin. After a while, his eyes suddenly lit up and he eximed. "Oh, momummy, I want Bucky Bunny as my special guest"


    "Sucky Bunny?" His mother questioned in utter confusion, eyes blinking numerous times


    "Yeah," Without saying anything further, Ashley hopped off Leonica''sp and ran towards their Television stand. There he pulled out the drawer and retrieved what looked like a picture frame, before running back to his mother, climbing herp and nearly shoving it in her face if she had not withdrawn her head. "Look, he''s my favorite cartoon character."


    Exarnining the picture right in front of her face, Leonica''s eyebrows knitted. It was a white bunny, or at least a creature dressed in a bunny sult. Two pairs of elongated teeth that stuck out from the front of his upper lip, funny looking round ear, dark brown hair like weed and it had the height of a growing panda give or take.


    ''Gosh, where does he get his taste in characters from? Leonica thought, trying to hide how much the character and his wish worried her.


    Suck Bunny, or whatever his name is, was a cartoon character, so how the hell was she supposed to get him to attend as a special guest?


    "So, mommy, does Sucky get toe? Can he? Can he mommy?!


    ("Leonica smiled, unfortunately, it came off as more of a twitch than a smile. "Of course, he can."


    "Of course,"


    "Yay! I''m gonna tell all my friends at school!" Ashley rejoiced


    "Please don''t." Leonica had muttered underneath her breath as soon as he jumped off herp


    "Did you say something, mommy?


    She shook her head. "Nope, nothing at all


    "Alrighty. I''m gonna go shower now. Bye mommy." Ashley said and rushed towards the stairs. As he climbed the first stairs, he yelled at the top of his lungs for his nanny. "Grace! It''s time to bath me!"


    Less than a minuteter, the older woman walked out of the kitchen, a gloom looks on her face as she began her journey up the stairs. Leonica telt for her, especially when she knew the type of baby demon, she gave birth to, along with how Grace looked over her shoulder, silently begging for an assist even though she was the nanny.


    But well, she had her own problem to worry about.


    Turing her attention back to the frame that Ashley left beside her, she picked it up and once again examined the cartoon character with a scowl Now how the hell was she supposed to make a cartoon character appear out of thin air in the space of less than a week? Less than an hourter, Leonica''s trouble of sorting through the guest list and trying to find a way to bring an animated character to life, was cut short when she received a call from Kennedy, informing her that their new brand ambassador was on his way to thepiery. As she was walking away from her car and towards the building of herpany, mind somewhere in between Ashley''s worrying request and the words she was going to say to the new brand ambassador, she suddenly bumped her shoulder against that of a rushing passerby.


    "I''m so sorr-"The rest of her words were cut of as the passerby gently grabbed her hand and pulled her towards a wall, pressing her back against it and Jeaning in. "Hey! What..."


    *Please go along with it, I beg of you." The stranger pleaded; his voice muffled by the mask which he was wearing. Leonica loolood at him with widened eyes, mouth opened slightly. However, the person seemed to have sensed her confusion as he added. "I really need this favor, so please, just y along"


    She would have called the stranger crazy and ran her ass off, if he didn''t look like a serious, desperate individual, Plus, the man seemed harmless, and judging from the expensive suit he was wearing, a wealthy one at that.


    Plus, thest thing she needed was to try and y Merida, offend the wrong person and give herself more trouble than she already had, so she simply sighed and subtly nodded her head, causing the stranger to smile underneath his mask


    He then reached out his hand and ced it on the back of her head, gently tilting it backwards before leaning in but stopping just before his masked lip could touch hers.


    With the position they were on, one could easily mistake them as lovers malding out in the open


    Before she could react, a group of chattering strangers rushed past, some carrying cameras and the others, cardboard cutouts.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    A few of them stopped to scan the area and groaned. "I swear I saw him going this way. Where could he have gone now?"


    "There," One of them pointed towards a dressing boutique. "I''m sure he must have stepped into there. Come on guys, let''s go find him!" With that, the mob rushed off in a different direction, their voices dimuning gradually as they went, all the while, Leonica and the stranger remained in their positions, silently searching one another''s eyes.


    Only when the coast seemed clear enough did he break eye contact


    "I think it''s safe now." The stranger said, retracting his hand from her head and once again offered her an eye smile. "You just saved me, thanks."


    "I just what?" Leonica mumbled as her brain reeled, hoping that she hadn''t just helped a criminal in his quest to escape


    While she was deep in thought, her mystery stranger adjusted his suit and gave a princely bow. "I take my leave now, but worry not, we will meet again, Guseju." He said thest word in a foreignnguage that had Leonica muddied.


    After a few seconds, she watched the stranger walk away, standing still in a befuddled state.


    Firstly, what did he mean by "they would meet again''? And secondly, did he just speak Korean?


    Leonica blinked her eyes a few times in confusion, walking almost mindlessly towards the entrance of herpany while trying to process what had just happened.


    As she entered, Kennedy immediately rushed up to her. "Ms. Romero, you made it. I was just thinking you got caught up in some personal affairs."


    Seeing her assistant''s relieved expression reminded Leonica of the reason she had evene to herpany in the first ce. She was here to meet with their new brand ambassador along with his agent and negotiate his contract with him.


    "I apologize for worrying you. Are they here?"


    Kennedy nodded. "Yes. They just arrived a minute ago.


    "Alright. Let''s go."


    "Certainly," Kennedy said


    Leonica walked side by side with Kennedy as they headed to the conference room. Upon entering, the first thing she spotted was the man she had seen Just seconds ago, only this time, the mask that covered half of his face was gone, revealing a dashing young man with golden yellow hair and golden hazel eyes


    Leonica couldn''t help but stop and stare at him, her eyes slightly narrowed as she recognized the face in front of her without a mask.


    He was that one rising star in the entertainment industry that Anastasia fawned over constantly. Owen Lee, if she recalled his name correctly. "You''re...him." she muttered.


    "We meet again, Guseju. I delivered my promise as proposed" The blonde dipped his head in a subtle bow, grinning innocently when Leonica''s eyes creased even more at the foreign name she was addressed with


    see you already know Mr. Lee," The other man in the room, whom Leonica assumed is his agent, stood up and offered her his hand.


    She took it, gently shaking his hand, but her gaze remained on the young blonde who was simply smiling at her. "Nice to meet you. I''m Mr. Lee''s agent Alistair Goodman."


    "It''s a pleasure to meet you too. I''m Leonica Romero, the CEO of thepany."

 Chapter 77

    "If you don''t mind me asking how exactly do you two low each other?" Alistair asked as they each sank into their respective seats.


    "We had a brief meeting earlier today," Leonica vaguely exined, eyes still trained on Owen. "Dotside of the boutique."


    "Oh," The agent smiled. Is that so? Well, that makes things even better. Business goes smoothly whenmunication is made ahead of time." Own Lee


    "I couldn''t agree more." Leonica finally turned her attention away from Owen and instead, towards his agent.


    The negotiating time was rather short, but efficient, thanks to Alistair, and they were able to reach an agreement in a matter of minutes.


    "Thank you very much for choosing us." Leonica said, extending her hand to the agent, who returned her gesture.


    "No, the pleasure is all ours." He grinned, stepping out of his seat and turning towards his artist. "Owen-"


    "Just a second," The blonde held his index finger out to his agent and rose to his feet, eyes trained especially on Leonica as he walked up to her. He was silent for a while, eyes searching hers before he spoke. "You don''t... remember me anymore, do you?" Leonica furrowed her brows, confusion evident in her expression. "I''m sorry, what? Am I meant to know you?" She questioned.


    And only after she had asked that, did a certain realization hit her.


    Disregarding their earlier encounter, she could have sworn that she''d heard Owen''s voice somewhere else. Not just his voice, but his ent and way of speaking, it all sounded extremely familiar to her.


    But just where had she heard him?


    Do You Really Want To Risk it?


    -Thirty minutes earlier-


    Leone had just finished sorting through the first batch of attending guests when Grace glided down the stairs alone. She nced up the stairs, expecting the little demon to rush down in his usual energetic state, but he did. ""Where''s Ash?" She asked when her son was nowhere to be seen


    "The young master fell asleep right after his bath." Grace informed as she descended thest flight of stairs and picked up the dusting reg she had dropped off before going upstairs, about to resume her duties. When she noticed Leonica''s unwavering stare on her, she asked. "Should I have stopped him? Perhaps I should have kept him awake so he could sleep better at night?"


    "Uh, no. Not at all. It''s just," There was a pause in her sentence in which Leonica chuckled to herself. "It''s not every day you see Ash fall asleep right after a bath."


    Understanding the reason for her long stare, Grace nodded her head. "Indeed. The Child must have been really exhausted." She reasoned, reaching for the television remote and turning it on


    The device red to life, disying the cartoon channel Ashley had been watchingte into the night yesterday. Leonica had seen the cartoon a couple of times but never really paid attention to it and right now it was no different.


    She took one look at the television and buried her head back into the guest list. Unlike her, Grace hung around, folding her arms in front of her as she briefly watched the show.


    "Yeah, it seems so. You know when he came back today, he couldn''t stop going on about are... are you watching that?" Leonica questioned the moment she caught a glimpse of Grace, who was visibly engrossed in the cartoon she was watching However, Leonica''s voice was enough to snap her out. "Ah, forgive me, Ms. Romero, this has be a force of habit. This is Ashley''s favorite cartoon, and we watch it together a lot when you are not around. She exined with a subtle bow.. "Ashley''s favorite cartoon? Leonica thought, trying to spot the weird booking bunny her son had introduced as his favorite character. And she did.


    "Shall I une into something else or turn it off. Some music would help you concentrate rather well."


    Grace had once again picked up the remote when she spoke up. "No wait!"


    "Yes Madam?"


    "Leave it." she instructed


    Grace, who had partially overheard the conversation going on between the mother and son, smiled "Of course, Madim. She said and ced the remote. back where it belonged. "I still have a few things to finish up, so I''ll take my leave now." She said and bowed, walking away, but ncing over her shoulder onest time to see Leonica focusing greatly on the cartoon.


    Precisely on Ashley''s favorite character, Sucky Bunny


    -Present time


    Leonica snapped her finger as soon as the memory resurfaced in her mind. "Ah! Of course, that''s why you sound so familiar!"


    Owen''s lips visibly stretched into a smile, and he took one step closer to her. "So, you do re-"


    "You''re the voice actor that yed Sucley Bunny in Ruckus House, right?" Leonica questioned, very much confident after having watched her son''s favorite cartoon for thirty minutes straight and memorizing all the characters, Sucky Bunny to be precises. However, the response she got from Owen wasn''t what she had expected. His smile instantly faded and if she had looked hard enough, she could have seen the spark of delight burn out in his golden hues. "What?"


    "You''re the voice actor for the cartoon Character ''Sucky Bunny'', right? Leonica repeated, this time around, ncing between the super star and his agent whose expression was contrary to his.


    "Wow Ms. Romero, you''re correct. But, how exactly did you know Mr. Les voiced that cartoon character? Alistair questioned.


    Leonica''s expression was once again filled with confusion as she chuckled and asked. "Was I.. was I tot meant to know?


    "Well not exactly, it''s just that when Mr. Lee took on that job, it was kept a secret from the public and till date, not many people are aware that it was him who did the voice acting" Alistair exined. "You must be a big fan?" He assumed


    Leonica quickly shook her head with a breathy chuckle. "No, not at all" She had said those words so freely that she hadn''t expected it to hurt the artist himself. "But my son is at least he''s a fan of the character Sucky Bunny," Her face once again scrunched up at the character''s name, but she was quick to get rid of the expression. "Does does that count?"


    Alistair chocked and was about to answer her question when Owen beat him to speaking.


    "You.. you have a son?" he asked with a confused expression.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yeah, I do. Ashley is his name." She answered.


    "That''s odd, I never saw any article about you being married, Ms. Romero," Alistair voiced.


    "That''s because I''m not." Leonica said with a thin smile that she forced. "I''m a single mother."


    owen quippest. When Levnica booked his won, she could have sworn that his overs stood up like that of a happy peppy. No, to be more precises, he suckkenly looked so happy that he looked like a happy puppy who its owner had just given a full treat. "And your son, Ashley, was it? You say he''s a tau?


    "Yeah? Well, his Laverite character is Sucky Bunny. He kept gelinge and on about how he wanted that hunny to appear at his birthday -" She chuckled at the memory but before she could finish, Owen internpteller.


    "I''lle." He antuneet


    "To Ashley''s bistful panty, Erwem.


    Levnica tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes as if to size the artist up from head to toe, before asking. "And why would you do that?


    "Isn''t it obvious," Doven pointed at himself with aige grin that reminded Leonica of the character he had voiced. "I voiced Ashley''s favorite character. What better gilt would there be other than the real deal itself. And besides," He suddenly rested a hand on the table and leaned in closer to Leonica''s face. Almost like an instinct, she withdrew her tace, huwever, nor having to raise her bead as the male towered over her. "It I stop now, how are you supposed to remember."


    Leonica blinked in contusion at his words, but after some time, she sighed and pushed them aside, not thinking too much about it.


    In this short span of time, Doven had managed to slip her phone out of her hubl, typed in his personal number and handed it back to her. "That''s my personal phone number." He intermed, goring Mistair who was behind him, grumbling about the number of times he had been warned not to give out bis personal wanber.


    Leonica retrieves her phone and vaguely smiled at it. However, the smile faded as soon as a text message entered her phone.


    Leonica, we need to talk, Can we please meet up?


    It was Gabriel and Leonica sighed after reading the message.


    As much as she wanted to turn his request down, she couldn''t. After all, Ashley''s subsequential treatments required his cooperation. And knowing the Type of person Gabriel is; Petty and arrogant, a horriblebination if you asked her, she was more than a hundred percent sure he could use her action against Ashley if she decided to ottend him.


    And right now, she loved her son more than she disliked him.


    (Alright, Location? She replied.


    Her text was read immediately, and a response came. After ensuring that she knew the ce Gabriel had asked to meet it, she shoved the phone into the pocket of her suit pants and fixed her attention back on Owen who was getting a round of scolding from his agent "I''ll have to take my lewe now." She announced, causing the dun to stop their squabble. "Since the negotiations are done and decided, I believe that wouldn''t be a problem."


    "Of course," Alistair confirmed, offering her a smile as well as his hand for a departing handshake. "Have a pleasant day Ms. Romeru." "Same too you."


    "Bye Guseju!" Owen waved and didn''t hesitate to grin at Leonica''s confused face as she walked out of the

 Chapter 78

    conference room


    Ther


    "Savior." Staring at the screen of her tablet while seated in the back seat of her moving car, Leonica muttered the Korean name Owen had addressed with. A smile tugged at her lips at this and shortly after, the car came to a stop, pulling into the driveway of the Caf¨¦ Gabriel had given the location to "Ms, Romero, we''ve arrived." Kennedy announced as he held the door open for her to step out, to which she did as soon as she had switched the tablet. off and dropped it off in the usual ce.


    "Thank you, Kennedy," She shed the assistant a smile as he closed the door behind her. "You can just wait in the car; I won''t be long."


    "Of course, Ms. Romero." He answered and bowed, soon after returning to his position in the driver''s seat.


    Now it was Leonica''s turn to head in. She took one good look at the building in front of her, drew in a nice deep breath and then walked in its directi


    As she entered, spotting Gabriel was easy as, not to her surprise, the caf¨¦ was empty, booled entirely by the man who sat beside the non-opening wall window, admiring the dog park just across the street.


    Leonica observed him for a few seconds, readying herself before she approached his table. The sound of her pulling the chair across drew Gabriel''s


    "You came," He adjusted in his seat


    "Did I have a choice." Leonica sassedzily as she ced her bag down and fixed her eyes on the only drink on the table, precisely in front of her. The very next second, surprise painted her visage. "This," She pointed at the cup that held a quantity of chilled lime juice, her favorite drink and then at man in front of her. "Did you order this for the


    Gabriel nodded his heal. "Uh, yeah. I happened to as into Bather Winslow a few days ago and when he got talking


    sing about you, I... I asked for your


    Leonica was quiet for a few seconds, surprised. This was the first time Gabriel had ever ordered her drink and the first time she had ever seen him this way.


    It was a new version, a new side that would have impressed Leonica, her five years ago self, that is, but not now, not this one.


    "Oh," She muttered after a few seconds and when Gabriel was expecting some sort ofpliment, he saw her shift the drink away from herself "Well sadly, my preferences in thest five years have changed. So don''t bother wasting your time." She offered him the vague smile he was used to, acting if she had not just undermined his efforts. "Now tell me, what was it you needed to talk about?"


    "Oh, uh..." Gabriel licked his lips, eyes fluttering for a few seconds as he tried to get the buzzing sound out of his head. That damned buzzing sound that started the moment Leonica undermined his effort.


    After some time, he finally got rid of the sound. "Angelina and I... we''re over. I dissolved the engagement with her and I''m making ns to have her sent


    abroad."


    "Oh," Once again, she was left speechless by his sudden change in attitude, after all, it was not every day that you see a man dissolve his engagement with the woman he imed to love.


    So of course, she was surprised and almost swayed for a moment. But then something in the back of her mind reminded her that this was none of her business. Gabriel''s life was none of her business, after all, the only reason why she was still in touch with him was because of Ashley


    "And you''re telling me this, why?" Leonica asked as soon as she had recovered from his shocking announcement.


    Gabriel''s face visibly showed the disappointment to her reaction, but not as much as his heart. "Because"


    "I think you seem to have forgotten, Gabriel," Leonica interrupted him. "Whatever happens in my life is none of your business and whatever happens in your life... if none of my business. The only reason why we can sit here, and talk is because of Ashley, Remembering that asionally, would do you a lot of good and make sure you don''t cross any boundary."


    Gabriel reluctantly nodded at her words, but his hand underneath the table folded into a ball


    "If you understand, and that''s all you called me here to speak of, then I guess I''ll take my leave."Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ""That''s not


    ot all," Gabriel spoke up before she could stand up from her seat.


    "Oh," Leonica tilted her head to the side, the usual gesture that he found lovable and adorable, and still would have if not for her tant rejection just seconds ago. "There''s more?"


    *...the main reason why I wanted to see you, is because of your choice for artificial insemination. I know you won''t care to hear my opinion, but I''m against it." He paused for a moment to gauge her reaction. Leonica was silently staring at him, showing no form of getting ready for an argument. "I''ve done my research and asked around, Leonica. The chances of artificial insemination working are five to thirty percent. Looking at it that way, it doesn''t have the best sess rate and would need several trials. But Leonica, Ashley doesn''t have that much time to wait. Do you really want to risk it Ashley''s life?"


    The Rich Had Come For Revenge.


    "Rakh** Leonica repeated his words and went silent. All of a sudden, she chuckled londry, startling Gabriel. "Don''t be silly, Gabriel. Even if artificial Invention tabs, there are many other ways to save Ashley." She said and waved her hand in a dismissive manner almost as if saying she wanted to and the sople here.


    But Gabe''s coved expression said something else.


    chley? God he hoped it was no what he thought she was implying


    Vitro for example." Leonica od upon seeing Gabriel confused face and nearly relished deeply when his expression contorted contusion, anger same when he realised that his assumptions were right and then finally a disapproving look that came along with the realization that not many


    same after IVF.


    *IVT, are you hatening to yourselt, Lonica? That can harm you." He objected, leaning forward in a manner that showed he was serious about his every


    "Libe vos core. Lee shrugged nonchntly, eyes travelling towards the cup of still chilled lemon juice in front of her before she looked away, Gabriel could only but chackle at her words, thading it funny that she''d much rather hurt herself than spend a night with him. "Rit then again, hab''t she already done that.'' Gabriel thought as images from Ster''s birthday party''s night shed in his head.


    "You seem so totally against the idea now, butst I remember, you quite enjoyed the night we spent together at " He was saying when Leonica shot him a dark state that had him instantly going quiet


    Shut up." She hissed, tone low and intimidating


    Gabriel wasn''t intimidated, but boy was he sed up. Fed up with her damn vendetta against him. One second they''d be having a conversation and the very


    inging up that vendetta of hers on him.


    Diabe never get tired? Frustrated like him, each time they repeated the same familiar routine and end up in some headless quarrel?


    "That right was a mistake, and it would not repeat itself. Ever." She stated no, more like demanded in a stem tore that had Gabriel swallowing thickly in a bid to keep himself fromshing out on her.


    He had already said enough, done enough, now perhaps it was time ter him to listen and take the brunt of her anger. At least in this moment that was what he kept reminding himself, kaping his mind from the worrisome thoughts that had one nagging thought hitting asionally.


    back do they always end up in the same damn, freaking situation?


    "You know," Uncrossing her legs and shitting position, Leonica heaved out a heavy sigh whilst shaking her head, "Maybe Grandmother was wrong. We manta match made in heaven and most definitely not meant to have gotten married


    "What?" This time around, it was Gabriel''s turn to fix Leonica with a dark and intimidating state that even thought it worked; she did a fine ass job at higher emotions.


    "You heard me." She replied boldly, not entirely sure which part of her statement had Gabriel staring at her like he was about to pick up a butcher life and cut her in we


    Was it because she mentioned his grandmother? Of course she was one of those very few people that knew that Gabriel was a real softy for L Bryce. But at that, she hadn''t said anything bad. Mentioning his grandmother all in a bid to put out an obvious fact certainly did not call for the death stare be had pointed towards her.


    But you see,beknownst to Leonica, that actually wasn''t the reason why Gabriel looked like he was about to pick a butcher knife and chase her five blocks down from that meeting point, an armed homicider, from her perspective. It was actually because; known to him and him alone, Leonica was still a prime suspect behind his grandmother''s death.


    Forego all those bullshits he had told Angelina, evidence, her innocence and all, Leonica was still as much of a prime suspect like the empty bottle of anti aging drug the police found empty in L''s room. But he obviously wasn''t going to spill all that to Angelina. Evidence had proven that she can no longer be traced. And besides, ber hatred for Leonica was so vibrant that he decided to cut the mother of his child some ck


    She deserved that much.


    Right now however, he was starting to regret that decision. And before he made any other decision, action or words, that he was sure to regret sometime


    thete future, he was determined to ask the one question concerning his grandmother''s death that he was sure only Leonica could answer. However, just as his lips parted, words abour to roll of the tip of his tongue, the sound of both their phones ringing interrupted him. Leonica had taken one ce at her phone and answered it, whereas he hesitated, not sure who the caller with an unknown ID was


    "Hello?" He answered after a few seconds, pressing the device to his ear.


    "Hello, Mr. Bryce?"


    "Yes, how may I help you?


    "My name''s Hugh and I''m calling from Norlights Kindergarten" Gabriel''s blood pressure suddenly dropped upon hearing the name of his son''s school expression bing serious much like Leonica''s current one. Unaware of the dread his words were causing, innocent High continued on "Earlier today, Ashley was involved in an ident and has been rushed to the hospital"


    "What They both eximed and rose to their feet as it listening to the same thing.


    The Bech Hat Come For Arlenge


    They were


    "Where is my

 Chapter 79

    Leonica asked.


    "Where''s Ashley now?" Gabriel asked.


    It only took them a second after they had gotten the information they asked for, for them to each rash out of the restaurant and towards their cars.


    Kennedy was more than confused when Leonica suddenly pulled the door open and jumped into the car. He was aware that she had promised not to stay too long, which she hadn''t, but seeing her in such a hasty state caused him to worry. "Ma''am?" "University hospital, now." Leonica demanded with urgency.


    Hearing it was a hospital emergency, most definitely one of her loved ones to have her this worried, Kennerly didn''t hesitate to speed through traffic and in a matter of fifteen minutes, they had arrived at the hospital.


    Leonica was quick to jump out of her car without any word. Ahead of her, Gabriel who had just arrived minutes before her was already rushing into the hospital. She caught up to him in a matter of seconds and they both approached the receptionist area. "Hello, how may i-?"


    "Ashley Romero," Leonica eagerly interrupted. "Where is he?"


    The receptionist was still stunned, but managed to maneuver his way through his system logs and found the child they were seeking "P-parent, I assume?" He questioned.


    "Yes." Gabriel answered.


    "I see. Well, he''s in room 205, undergoing check up. Just walk down this hallway and you should find the room in less than a minute." He instructed, pointing in the direction they were meant to head.


    Leonies rushed off in a heartbeat whilst Gabriel offered him a thankful nod before chasing after her. However, both their strides were brought to a halt as they spotted a familiar figure standing outside the room where Ashley was supposedly in.


    Angelina Fernandez. Seeing her alone was enough to exin the entire situation to Gabriel. But on second look, bandage wrapped around her upper arm and dress dinied, he wasn''t really sure what the situation was,


    Leonica on the other hand, took one step forward and one look at her before she concluded the entire situation.


    The bitch hade for revenge. It was obvious the kind of person Angelina was, bite her once and she''d bite back, in a more painful manner. And it was in to see, to Leonica at least, that Angelina was here simply because she wanted to get back at her for supposedly murdering her unborn child


    But oh how it was a foolish move on her path to show her face after hurting Ashley!


    You-" Leonica had matched towards Angelina, temper clearly lost with intentions of dishing out a much deserved blinding p and many more, when the door behind Angelina opened and Ashley walked out, unharmed but confused at the entire situation. He nced at his father, mother and then Angelina, before asking "Mommy? Daddy? How are you guys here?"


    Seeing her son''s face, unharmed and well, Leonica momentarily forgot her anger towards Angelina and rushed to Ashley. She examined his face after wrapping him in her arms. "Oh baby, thank goodness you''re alright."


    "Why are you guys here?" Ashley repeated after he had gotten enough snuggle from his mother and a smile from his father.


    "We... we got a call from your school. They said you had gotten in an ident and rushed to the hospital," Leonica paused and scanned her son. The realization that he was unharmed finally setting in and causing her brows to crease. "But Ashley, you''re you''re fine." The child nodded his head. "Mhm him. Thet''s because," He pointed at Angelina, who had been quiet all this while, holding onto her arm and watching the scene, with a big prin of his and announced "This beautiful Aunty over here protected me.'' Spin to im


    y


    The Devil Tanbig Sabot..


    The alt in the room bal isddenly turned stift after Ashley''s words. Hit the Ing remained parents exchanges!


    ing, clearly not knowing the meaning of the ce en his


    ew? Scheming, witchy and all?


    Had they just head right? Ashley, saved by Angelina? The very same Angelina Fedex they Uh oh, no way in hell that actually happened. But it was abban that Ashley wasn''t lying. The boulled demon of joy fooked far too longer to be hyling. At times Levmkarven teared that the kid didn''t even know


    So, it was either his brain was still a bit miskiled from the entire experience or the doctors had given him some sort of shot that messed up his entire


    dandmade him mouth speak all! but rubbish, or perhaps bodi.


    Leonica chigged her son''s strange bebacion and mencal words up to the two, Chockling, she gently brought his hands down. "Ash, Honry, tell me, do you teel alright "T01., need to question the doctor about


    "Noge." The child was spick to shake his heal. This time and however, he didn''t iniss the nces his parents exchanged dead as much as he was d that either of the two wasn''t trying to bite one''s headball, be co''t igume the waves of misunderstanding that was shooting out of their eyes..


    Oh, but it vossar''t towards me another. With each nce in her illection, the waves were being directed toward the Bete Aunty who had served him. "Ash, are you site about what you''re saying?" dabelel was the one who add this time, Both he and Lemnica were questioning their son about th woman who had saved him, the very same wen who was in their midst but had not been ghen the chance to speck for herself.


    And against his better will, that one nagging sensation in the back of his intial that Ashley was still too young to understand, telling him to keep quiet, Ashley spoke vps "Yes daily. You see my school hal pone on an excision today. We went to the zon, Ciriel ced at Leonics for confirmation and she gave him a subtle nol, indicating that shew of the trip, "but our way back, huge irons suddenly deel from the sky!"


    And that was when Ashley lost the


    gerous? Balling from the sky? How actly was that possible?


    "The construction site nearby had a scaffolding malfunction. Angelina spoke up for the first time, vuice low and Innocent, which died further es Leonie a and Gabriel turned to look at her, showing a lullcation that they acknowledged her presence for the first time in long minutes.


    But they did not say anything, rather pondered her words...


    Scattolling malfunction? Was that what Ashley meant? Makes sense sering as he had mentioned frons falling from the sky, Leonice thought as she turned her attention back to Ashley, ghug him to cothe the rest of his story.


    "Teacher Harper was able to get my ssmates out of the way, but," Now was the part when he felt guilty. Slowly, be brought the staffed bunny his mother had bought for him back in Colorado, out from behind him and presented it. The toy looked roughed up, as it someone had taken it and tossed it in the sand, wrestling with it until it was dirty enough and then gave li back to the kid. "Botty fell behind. I couldn''t leave her and went back but then, the iron fell but Aunty over here shielded me." He exined with a frown, expecting some sort of scolding from his parents.


    But Leonica and Gabriel were too stunned by the revtion to even scold him.


    Angelina had actually saved Ashley?


    Seeing the look of astonishment being thrown her way, Angelina scrambled to exin. "L. I know its hard to believe and I don''t ask that you thank me or owe me anything, after all, it''s the least I could do after everything that I''ve done. And even if you refuse to ept my apology in that form then I''m okay. But... I couldn''t have just sat by and watched a child get hurt when," She touched her stomach with a saddened. "I myself had just lost a baby." Gabriel''s expression softened at her words. But Leonica, oh no she wasn''t buying one shit. So many things seemed far too coincidental to be a colueklence. Firstly, what the heck was Angelina doing around Ashley''s school and secondly, a scaffolding


    That construction site had been going on for months without one mistake and only a nave person would believe that the mistake so happened to have urred today.


    Sally Gabriel was one of those people.


    "I would be a liar if I said this isn''t surprising. But thank you, Angelina." He said and offered her a smile,


    She didn''t hesitate to offer one of her own back and nced at Leonica who had just finished picking Ashley up but never once took her gaze off her. "Yeah, thank you, Angelina. I''ll have my assistant take care of your medical bills, so don''t worry yourself." Leonica said with her usual vague smile. Except this one had something mixed with it that make Angelina look away.


    ''Wh,'' Leonica thaght, narrowing; her eyes at the brunelte..


    *Mommy?" The sound of Ashley''s voice interrupted her thoughts.


    She looked down at him anul smiled, "Yes darling""


    "Can Arat Angelinae to my birthday party?" He asked


    That was all it took to wipe the smile all Leonica''s face and like an instinct, that one got feeling that always pushed her in the right way, Leonica wAS about to rele. Her lips had already parted, words forming on the tip of her tongue, when Gabriel suddenly beat her to speaking.


    "Ol emeso," It took only a second, like a whish, to have Leia''s heal tapping in Gabriel''s direction, per evident in her eyes. But of course, being the person he is, Gabriel Ignored.. managed to ignore the look Leonica was giving him and focused on his son. He took a few steps forward and ruffled The child''s hair "Angelina had a trip to a faraway ce, but because you want her at your party, I''ll have her departure pashed back."


    "Really?!" Ashley asked ck eyes brimming with delight.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Gabriel nodded his head and nced at Leonica, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips as he asked. "Do you disagree?"


    "Do you mama?" Ashley joined his father in questioning, except he sounded more expectant of her answer.


    A positive one, Leonica knew and for that reason, she couldn''t say what was truly on her mind and instead silently red at Gabriel.


    Their encounter ended a few minute after that, but Leonica couldn''t seem toe to terms with Angelina''s foreign actions. When they got home, Ashley noticed Anastasia''s Mercedes AMG coupe parked in the driveway and quickly jumped out of the back seat. "Aunty Annie''s here!" He eximed as he ran up to their house porch, leaving his school bag for his mother to bring in, while he furiously rang the door bell until Grace opened the door and heunched himself inside.


    "Aunt Annie!" Ashley eximed once again as he spotted his godmother in their kitchen pouring herself a cup of juice as Grace had gone to answer the


    door.


    She hadn''t fullyprehended his presence when heunched himself into her arm, causing some of her juice to spill.


    "Whoa, Ash, is that you?" Anastasia questioned with a chuckle.


    "Yup, I''m back." The child announced the obvious.


    "Wee back." Anastasia said and ruffled his hair, her attentionter being drawn by Leanica who had just stepped into the kitchen. "Hey Leo," She greeted with a wave, giving the younger boy enough chance to slip out of her hold and head for the freezer. "Hey." Leonica returned the wave before asking "Why are you here?"


    "Meg''s been trying to reach you all afternoon," Her words caused Leonica to reach for her phone, only to realize that it had died off right after the call that had informed her of Ashley''s situation. Anastasia lowered her voice to a whisper before she added. "The final touches for Ashley''s cake are done."


    "Thank you- Ashley what did I say about taking treats from the freezer without washing your hands?" Leonica gently scolded as she caught the child in the middle of his action


    Ashley merely giggled and ran off with the chocte chip brownie in each of his hands, causing Leonica to sigh out in exhaustion.


    Anastasia took notice of this, along with the fact that something was bothering her friend. "Hey," She gently tapped her shoulder. "Is everything alright?"


    Leonica thought of ying Anastasia''s worry off, but decided against it. "Not exactly. She confessed as she shook her head.


    "What is it? Talk to me "Anastasia demanded in all seriousness.


    Leonica hesitated, wetting her lips and looking around as if the walls had ears before speaking, "It''s Angelina."


    Anastasia frowned at the mentions of the she devil. "What did she do this time around? Did she try and hurt my Ash-


    -


    "No." Leonica interrupted. "She didn''t. Rather she saved him." She spat out the rest of the words, expression contorting into that of confusion as she still couldn''te to terms with the brte''s actions. "What?" And so couldn''t Anastasia


    "Says she couldn''t seat back and watched Ashley get hurt. But, I don''t trust her, Anastasia" She said thest part in a low tone. "I don''t know what, I can feel that she''s up to something. And to make matters worse, Gabriel allowed her to attend Ashley''s birthday party."


    but


    Anastasia went quiet for a while before she sighed, pping Leonica''s shoulder afterwards. "It''s alright." She assured. "Attending Ash''s party or not, I''ll keep an eye on her. Whatever she''s up to, she won''t ever be able to achieve it, so you just focus on getting Ashley''s birthday ready. Alright?" Leonica hesitantly nodded. "Alright."


    But despite saying that and offering her best friend the best forced smile she could muster, she couldn''t help but worry about Angelina''s sudden change in attitude and her ns for the future,


    If she had any


    Ashley''s Birthday Party.


    The next few days had gone in a bliss of eventless hours. And soon, it was the day of Ashley''s birthday party.


    Standing in front of the mirror, Leonica examined the dress Ashley had insisted hard on her wearing. It was a ck evening gown, opened at the back with moderate neckline and golden lining at the bottom which stopped at her ankle.


    At first nce, she saw nothing special about the dress and wondered why Ashley had been so insistent on her wearing it


    "Mommy, it''s time to go- Came Ashley''s voice from outside her room door and soon, the small child appeared, dressed in a ck suit and pants, a befitting attire for his birthday party.


    It was then Leonica took one look at his dress and then back at hers in the mirror and chuckled. Now she understood why Ashley had insisted on her wearing the dress he had picked out. It was because he was wearing something to match her.


    Thepel of his tiny ck suit had glitters of gold and so did his tiny bow tie, almost as if it was made to go precisely with Leonica''s dress.


    Sch Ash," She breathed out.


    "Mommy, you look beautiful" Ashleyplimented.


    "Thank you Ash, you don''t look so bad yourself. She said and offered her hand and they both walked down the stairs.


    "Grace, please watch the house well."


    "Of course. Would you need me to prepare anything? Ate night dinner perhaps?"


    Leonica shook her head "Ashley won''t be needing anything after the party tonight, but I on the other hand," Leonica shook her head with a disapproving sigh. Grace could almost imagine her counting all the junk food she''d eat at the party. As much of a sweet tooth Leonica had, she was also a healthy eater. Sd in the morning, appropriate hunch meals with as little calories as possible and then a soft night meal that she sometimes kicked off with a ss of wine and healthy stick of smoke, whenever Ashley had dozed off to wondend and left her to her thoughts. So knowing the type of person her mistress is, Grace knew exactly what to expect.


    "A ce of Sd?" She beat Leonica to her exact words and earned a grin.


    "You have it all sorted out. We''ll leave now." She said and took Ashley''s hand.


    Watching the duo walk towards the door, Grace bowed once again. "Have a lovely evening, Ms. Romero. Young master Romero."


    Now standing outside, Leonica nced at her wrist watch, trying to recall the exact time she had told Kennedy to pick them up.


    If she had told Kennedy to pick them up?


    "Shit," She muttered underneath her breath as realization suddenly hit. She had in fact not told Kennedy to pick them up.


    ''I fucked up, she thought, trying her very best to hide her expression from Ashley, who was currently skipping down their driveway with a huge grin on his face and towards a ck Range Rover Vr


    Now if that, and the fact that amongst all the cars she had, A range rover Vr wasn''t part of them, personal reasons, didn''t catch Leonica''s attention, then Ashley calling out to his father surely did.


    Rotted in her spot, Leonica watched as the drive''s door opened and Gabriel stepped out. Immediately her eyesnded on him and Ashley, they widened in yet another realization.


    Now forego the fact that Gabriel was handsome, because of course he was. No sane women in her right sense of mind could wake up one morning,y eyes on Gabriel Bryce, well dressed or not, and say that he wasn''t handsome. The main reason why Leonica couldn''t take her eyes off Gabriel and Ashley too, was because their outfits looked so fucking much alike.


    And now that she saw that, she also realized that she was wearing the exact same outfit as Ashley. Dressed the way they were, someone could easily mistake them for one big happy family.


    "Ah, that sly little baby demon. Leonica thought as Ashley''s main motive finally formed in her mind.


    "Mommy look, Daddy came to pick us up" Ashley called out to his mother,fortably seating in Gabriel''s arms.


    "Of course he did." Leonica mattered and folded her arms, doing very little to hide the displeasure flowing through her veins at the sight of Gabriel. Gabriel, however, had a different view of the situation. Seeing Leonica dressed in her party gown mesmerized him and he made little to no effort to hide his expression


    "I wasn''t expecting to see you here" Leonica informed the instance her son and his father were in front of her.


    "Yeah well Ashley called, informed me that you had forgotten to call Kennedy." Gabriel exined and watched as Leonica red at the little demon in his hold. Chucking, he took a more to camine ber dress all the more


    Disregarding the fact that their entire attire looked like it was cut from one bit fat fabric, Ashley responsible as the culprit, Gabriel wholeheartedly admitted that Leonica looked Stunning, godlessly even


    "That dress, it suits you" Gabriel praised with a calm smile


    Oh sweet lood, Paint Leonica a freading Bar it she could look you in the face, right this moment and tell you that Gabriel''s words hadn''t affected her one bit. Because, it did.


    His words affected her so much that her cheeks warmed and if not for the dimed skies, the white-Ente was sure that either Gabriel of her son would start teasing her over the blush creeping onto her cheeks that made it seem like she had added extra sh to her makeup

 Chapter 80

    "Yeah?" L Leonica mused, looking to the Door as her eyes became misty at the memory of the familiar and well missed individual.


    Not wanting his daughter to develop a mood that could potentially ruin the party, he announced "Come on, let''s go join the others, it seems like Ashley''s about to open his presents." He beckoned her over, taking her hand in his and walking towards the crowd of guests who were all gathering to see the presents Ashley had been gifted Situated beside her father, Leonica''s eyes had unwillingly roamed the crowd. She grimaced and quickly looked away as her eyes found Gabriel situated on the other side of the crowd, staring at her


    Even after she looked, trying her very best to focus on Ashley, who was currently peeling the wrapping off a red toy car and after a green toy car of the same model, she could still feel his eyes on her.


    God, why did she have to be so aware of him? She thought as she swallowed thickly, shifted her stance, tapped her foot, avoided his gaze, doing just about anything to get the feeling of his eyes off her and focus elsewhere, thankfully, the lord she serves above delivered her the perfect distraction less


    "Unbelievable," Anastasia scowled at the toy cars Ashley had been holding. They were of different colors but the same model and vendon. In normal


    cases, she would have shrugged it off, mere concidence for her to have picked the same thing as someone else. But not in this case, when the who picked the exact same model as her, was Lloyd


    Tuning toward the male in question, who was cretly grinning everything I do?"


    at her as if he was already mare of his doing, she asked. "Do you always for incoge


    "Who''s to say I copied you?" He defended. "Ever heard of the word coincidence, him?"


    His words incited anger in Anastasia, but luckily, she held herself back at thest moment, "You''re right." Instead of battling more words with him, shar turned back to Ashley, Inceling to his level and grotly asking. "Ash, sweet le, be a darling and tell everyone, who''s present do you perder more. Mine? Or," She looked over at Lloyd, not trying for a moment to hide the look of displeasure on her face. "That mor''s own?"


    "Uh," Ashley 1


    y wanted to pick the red car, Lloyd''s present, but after seeing Aristacia''s expectant fare, bebeshatest


    Lenice, from where she stood, could see how troubled her son felt. He obviously wanted to pick the red toy, which came in his favorite color, but didah want to upset Anastasia, Deciding it was time to help her son, who had been stuck between Lloyd and Anastasia since caller today, she stepped forward and took Ashley by his hand.


    Ignoring Anastasia''s grumbles from behind, she faced her son. "Ash, are you done with your prescuts? Would you lilo in meet your speeld guest for tonight?"


    "Yes." Ashley answered quickly, half thankful that his mother had saved him and half excited to meet his favorite cartoon character.


    Leonica excused them both and made a beeline for where Owen was. All the whille Ashley fantasized about how it would feel to meet Sucky burry for il first time, in real life. He almost couldn''t contain his excitement.


    "You must be really excited for this." Leonica said as she felt his hand tighten around her.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Mhan him." Ashley nodded, earning a chuckle from her. A few more steps alter that brought them face to face with a handsome Inodding uncle, bedida''t know.


    "Owen, this is my son, Ashley, this is Sucky Bunny at least his voice actor." She muttered thest parts.


    "You must be Ashley," Owen lowered himself to the child''s height after having a fow words with his mother. "You''re mother has told me a lot about you" He offered his hand.


    Ashley looked at Owen''s hand and then went on his tippy toe, trying to see behind him.


    "Ashley? What are you doing?" Leonica questioned when she noticed his strange behavior.


    "Looking for Sucky Bonny" Came his honest answer. Sure, the man in front of him sounded like his favorite character, but he looked off.


    His facial structures were nothing like his favorite Character. No funny ears or elongated front teeth and he definitely wasn''t the height of a growing panda. This handsome uncle in front of him was taller than even his mother andst be checked, his mother''s height was taller than a growing pinda. When he failed in locating his funny looking character, he said. "You look nothing like him."


    "Who?" Owen asked.


    "Sucky Bunny."


    mommy casted a


    Owen chuckded and shifted closer, bringing his voice down to a dramatic whisper as if he intended to tell a secret. "That''s because your in spell on me. She turned me into a more handsome version so I could attend your party." Hearing this, Ashley''s eyes lighted up "Really?"


    Owen nodded. "Yeah. You can ask your mother if you don''t believe me "


    And he did. The child turned to face his mother with so much speed that Leonica was startled by his movement. "Mommy, is it true that you casted a spell on Sucky Bunny? Are you Larissa?"


    Larissa was the female character from Ruckus house that had a magic wand and posse''s magic powers. Yup, I know what you''re thinking, Larissa is such a normal name, so how does Sucky Bunny fit into that equation.


    Beats her, Leone had thought the exact same thing when she watched the first three episodes of Ruckus house and then proceeded to watch the entire three seasons..


    "Wow Ashley, how did you find out?" Leonica acted surprised, going along with Owen''s act. Ashley giggled and ced his finger against his lip, making a silent gesture, but st ncing back at Owen who winked at him. "Well now that you''ve discovered our secrets, you have to keep it a secret" "I can do that"


    "Good, now first, let''s start by calling Sucky over here, by his code name. Owen."


    "Why should I do that?" Ashley questioned with creased brows.


    Leonica shook her head and index finger at the same time. "Come on Ashley, we don''t want Madam Fokayo finding out that he''s been transformed into a handsome prince. She could take away my magic and kidnap Sucky... Owen I mean. Do you want that?" *No." Ashley shook his head quickly


    "That''s good. Now tell me, for that not to happen, what do we call Sucky?"!


    "Owen." Ashley answered,


    Owen and Leonica smiled together, thetter reaching down and ruffling her son''s hair. "Good boy,"


    After enjoying the treatment from his mother, Ashley turned towards Owen and asked. "Sucky. Owen, can I... hug you?"


    Opening his hand, Owen beckoned him over. "Bring it in partner,"


    Ashley didn''t hesitate in jumping into the open arms of his favorite character. With his face snuggled in Owen''s chest and mind momentarily relishing in the feeling of having his favorite character hold him, Ashley missed the silent words of gratitude exchanged between his mother and voice actor of said character.


    Meanwhile, Gabriel watched from beside the present table, fingers clenched tightly around his ss of wine. Watching Ashley be so friendly with a total stranger made the protective side of a father inside him re to life. And watching Leonicaugh and smile at the very same Artist Lloyd had teased him about back at the club, had a familiar feeling of anger mixed with jealousy, rising to his chest.


    Suddenly, his view was blocked by a familiar back.


    "Ashley, darling, happy birthday."


    The sound of Angelina''s voice had all three of them turning towards where she stood, present in hand. Leonica instantly tensed up, recalling her mother''s words. Owen sensed her sudden change in demeanor and was equally on guard. Whereas, Ashley smiled happily at his supposed savior. "Thank you Aunt Angelina. Is that my present?" He asked after spotting the wrapped gift.


    "Yes, it it''s for you" Angelina said and then looked to Leonica. "May may 1?" She asked, wanting permission before she stepped forward and handed her present to the child.


    Leonica was clearly reluctant, but three tugs from Ashley had her sighing and soon granting the permission needed. "Be my guest." She reluctantly said and watched as the present was handed to Ashley and he peeling it open, less than a secondter.


    "Whoa!" He eximed upon seeing his present from Angelina was the popr figurine his ssmates had been bragging about all month. Apparently it was set toe out middle of next month but their parents had already pre ordered theirs. However, thanks to Angelina, he had gotten it ahead of the


    lease date.


    Ashley couldn''t help but offer her a big, genuine smile. "Thanks a lot, Aunty Angelina!" She said, staring at him with fond eyes.


    Pretentious fond eyes.


    Like hell she was happy seeing Leonica and Ashley, ub, don''t even get her started on that little parasite that constantly reminded her of Leonica and Gebriel''s union.


    But that wouldn''t be for only, because the moment the needle inside his beloved figurine pokes him, its game over.


    His Birth Right


    You know that saying "It is impossible to suffer without making someone pay for it; everyint already contains revenge" and in this case, Ashley was the one going to suffer for the sorrow and wrongful doings Leonica and Gabriel had inflicted on her. It was only fair that way, taking something from them after they had taken several things from her. Leonica especially. Her ability to be a mother, the love of her life, her peaceful life, her status in high society and even her parent''s love when they had been alive. Fuck, now that she counted Leonica''s wrong doing, remembering each one of them like it was yesterday, Angelina felt like Leonica deserved to suffer more. Losing one thing was too simple for her, No, it was far too easy for Angelina to feel content. She wanted Leonica to feel the exact same pains she felt. The pain of losing her child, her ability to be a mother ber status, the love of her life and her parent''s love if possible. She wanted Leonica to feel it all, only then would she feel satisfied.


    And as for Gabriel, well, she loves him, still does and always would. And because of that, she was willing topromise, let him off the hook with a little p on the wrist as long as he apologizes and continue with the ns of their engagement. A small price to pay for the suffering he made her go through this past few weeks.


    A perfect ending, wouldn''t you call it?


    Ah, Angelina could almost taste the victory the longer she thought about the better side of her n. The n designated to give her a better future and


    ruin Leonica


    As she relished in the bright side of her n, moek and sane mask ced perfectly on her face, Owen stared at the figurine she had handed to Ashley, examining the familiar toy until his brain finally recalled where he had seen it.


    It was without a doubt one of the limited edition Battlestation figurine that was being manufactured in his friend''spany and if he remembered correctly, which he did, said toy wasn''t meant to hit the market until middle of next month. In fact, that news was old gist to everyone. So, seeing it now, with Ashley, he couldn''t help but wonder how Angelina had gotten it and soon asked.


    "This Battle station figurine, it is a limited edition toy, isn''t it?" He question, eaming a proud nod from Angelina who was yet to catch up with his suspicion. "And it hasn''t been released on the market yet, so, how did you get your hands on one? And her smile feded. Almost as if now sensing the suspicion, Angelina became panicked. "Ah, well, a friend, a friend booked me up with one in exchange for a favor."


    "That so?" Owen mused, stealing a nce at Leonica, who even though she wasn''t sure where he was going, equally became suspicious of Angelina and pulled Ashley towards her. "Say, Ms.?"


    "F-femandez." Angelina answered, cursing at herself for stuttering. Gosh, was the so nervous that she''d stutter? What happened to the confident girl from seconds ago that was more than ready to rip Lesnica to shreds if given the chance.


    ''She''s still here.'' Angelina thought, convincing herself that she wasn''t nervous in the least about being found out, but rather, the nervousness wasing from being in the presence of a rising superstar like Owen


    bar too much.


    He had the looks, charisma and charms to make any girl stutter, Safe for Leonica, Gabriel''s looks had raised her standards far


    "Ms. Fernandez," Now gotten a title to address ber by, Owen pressed on, smiling, but not quite smiling. Angelina recognized that smile and momentarily, questioned why it locked so much like the one Leonica shed her with each time she was onto something. "This friend of yours, did he by any chance go by the name, Michael?"


    Michael? She didn''t know any Michael, Stuart was the one who had pulled strings ad hooked her up with the doll. She hadn''t even bothered asking how he got it, all she knew was that she was thankful the lovesick tool had obeyed her every word and was still following her like a dog on leash


    Sensing her hesitation, Owen was about to push on, now suspecting a case of one of his friend''s employee stealing products and that could possibly lead to a drop in stock for his friend, when Gabriel suddenly stepped in front of Angelina.


    "Mr. Lee, it''s not nice to question ady." Even though he spoke to Owen, his eyes settled on Leonica. She held his gaze for a fer seconds before looking away. "Especially when all she''s doing is ghring a simple present. Don''t ruin the child''s birthday."


    Ah, and there he went again, defending her. Leonica couldn''t help but roll her eyes at the thought. But this wasn''t jealous, hell nah; she had dropped that petty jealous act years ago. This, this was anger, the type of anger one felt towards someone when he or she watched them blindly stand up for someone who isn''t the least bit in the right


    Fuck Angelina''s Innocent act, Leonica was going to go with her guts on this one and her guts tells her that Angelina hasn''t changed. She''s still the same scheming bitch she was one week ago and it''s only a matter of time before she showed her true colors. But unlike Gabriel, she''d be ready.


    *Here buddy, I got something for you" Gabriel''s voice pulled her out of her head as he handed their son his own present he had prepared over the work Ashley collected the wrapped pack with more happiness than when he had received Angelina''s own. For a few seconds, he stared at the pack, wanting to register the fact that this was his very first present from his father, more than he wanted to tear it open and see its content.


    "Go ahead buddy, open it up. Gabriel urged the moment be noticed the child''s reluctance to tear the wrapping off.


    Was he disappointed? This was the first present he had prepared for a child and although he had put his spirit into making the gift and packaging it, he wasn''t too confident in his wrapping skol


    The negative thoughts ying his mind disappeared in a matter of seconds as Ashley''s excited voice drove them away like peppermint does to


    mosquito.


    "Whoa, Awesome!"


    As much as Leonica wanted to (eign indifference, she couldn''t help but look over at the present Gabriel had prepared for their son. Her breath hitched in her throat the moment her eyesnded on the gift, or rather, what was hanging off the present.


    The object in particr was a two way radio, a one of a kind one. Leonica wouldn''t put it past Gabriel''s doing; he could make anything if he puts his mind to it. And then, it had a strap and on the strap was a golden metal craved in the shape of a diamond with the initials ''B.E'' ced in the middle. Leonica could recognize that Emblem anywhere she saw it. In fact, not only her, but every single person, after all, it was the Bryce family crest.


    "Gabe... Gabriel, this... Ashley can''t ept this-" She began but Gabriel cut her off.


    "Why can''t he?" He asked, dark eyes once again settling on her in an almost intense stare.


    Leonica was forced to look away when she felt her body given off an unwanted reaction. For a second, she closed her eyes, cursing the rubbish reaction her body still gave off despite all the pep talks, lectures, and even experience. "It''s because, he just can''t." "Is it because of that?" Leonica already knew he was talking about the crest. She nodded. "It''s his birth right, Leonica. It became his the moment he was born.. and besides, Grandmother prepared it as her grandchild''s birthday present. So please, just let him have it." Between the slip second of vulnerability that Leonica saw on Gabriel''s face and the mention on loved and wonderful L Bryce, she wasn''t sure which made her give a subtle nod, earning a cheer from Ashley who had been listening to his parent''s conversation.

 Chapter 81

    But while he was happy, Angelina wasn''t. Oh, she wasn''t in the least bit. She was jealous and angry, angry the moment she heard that the family crest Ashley now held was supposed to have belonged with her child. But guess what, it''s not fucking Christmas; she lost her child and ability to make more. If that wasn''t enough to drive her insane while watching this scene, then shit, Angelina has entered a new level of sanity for herself.


    Preupied with her anger, Angelina had taken a step backt but wasn''t aware of Daisy who was rushing towards Ashley, two cups of red punch juice in her hands. It had happened so fast; one second the dress was fine, Daisy was happy and Angelina had perfect control of her emotion and the next second, it all crumbled. Dress red, control over emotion lost and Daisy staring wide eyes.


    "What have you done?!" Angelina shrieked, staring down at the mess.


    Daisy was instantly scared by the woman''s outburst but managed a few words. "I''m... I''m so sorry. I''ll-"


    you use


    "You''ll do what you little bitch?!" Angelina cut her off, forcefully grabbing onto her upper arm. "Cry to your mommy so that she could allow your fucking penny change to fix my dress? Well guess what, even if you broke that piggy bank of your, it still won''t be enough to fix my dress. So now, what do you n to do, huh?!"


    tell


    me,


    Daisy winced at her harsh words. Tears pulled in her eyes and her lips trembled with fear. She looked towards Ashley, hoping her friend could help her out, unfortunately for her; Ashley had already buried his face in Gabriel''s leg, equally as scared by Angelina''s action as Daisy was. But that didn''t stop him from tugging on his father''s dress, wanting to help his friend in some way.


    Leonica who had been watching for, too long in her opinion, spoke. "I think this has gone on far too long." She was about to take a step forward when Owen held her back, subtly shaking his head and pointed at Gabriel who was about to take action when it seemed like Angelina was about to p Daisy.


    However, before either of them could react, Arvan caught Angelina''s wrist and flung it away. The force caused her to let go of Daisy''s arm and the scared girl quickly copsed into her father,


    Seeing his daughter so shaken up and the fact that Angelina had even thought of harming his daughter, angered Arvan. When his gazended on Angelina, she shivered.


    "The next time, you ever think of raising your hand against my daughter, I''m going to do everything in my power to make sure your life in Oslo and beyond is worse than a fucking nightmare." A Simple Misunderstanding.


    Between the fact that she was about hitting the daughter of Arvan Richardson, a man that she was well aware was not to be messed with and the death state said man was shooting in her direction, more than enough to make her wish the floor opened up and swallowed her whole, Angelina to have realized the mistake she hallmitted while allowing her emotion get the best of her.


    She had broken character and messed up, had:


    Her hot snapped around, looking in the direction of the people who had gathered because of themotion, whispering underneath their breaths and towards one another and then she looked behind her, where Gabriel and Lecalca stood. The expression on Leonica''s face said it all, she wasn''t the least bit suprised about her three sixty change in attitude. Gabriel however, even though he wasn''t surprised, was left in a staring trance with a look of disbeliet writen over his Lace Fuck Angelina, you just had to mess it all up!" She slot her eyes and cursed herself inwardly. "Think stupid, think! How can you fix this?!?


    The answer to her question, unfortunately, didn''t exist. Everyone present had witnessed her actions and there was no excuse she could give. Sighing. Angelina decided to y her sd cards, pretending to be meelt to gain sympathy. Although her mind warned her that those same cards wouldn''t work on Arvan like it did on Gabriel, she still went along with it, turning to face Arvan who was trying to sooth Daisy who had been crying ever since she fell


    "Mr. Arvan-


    "Richardson," Arvan corrected sterly, looking at her through the slits of hisshes.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Angelina forced a smile but due to the tension and panic she was feeling, it turned out to be more of a twitch than an actual smile. "Of course. Mr. Richardson, 1-apologize, it was not my intention to harm your daughter. She was careless and ruined my dress, so I was just simply trying to teach her a lesson for misbehaving" "Teach her a lesson? By what, manhandling her?" Arvan questioned, eyes darken at the thought of someone who was bold enough to hit his daughter. "Ot... of course not." She led, putting a meek tone in her voice to make it seem all the more convincing. Arvan scoffed, convincing his ass. He had seen her true color which disappeared in the blink of an eyes, only an idiot would fall for a personally change like she had just done


    "Believe me Mr. Richardson; I would never hit a young child intentionally. This.. this is all a simple misunderstanding." Angelina continued on as a few seconds of whisper filled silence settled between them.


    "A simple misunderstanding?" Angelina was quick to nod her head, forcing yet another smile as she watched Arvan pick Daisy up in his arms and rose to his full height. "Alright then." be smiled, one that didn''t quite reach his eyes and looked anything but friendly, causing Angelina''s fake one to quickly crumble. "I''ll take it as that. Your dress will bepensated for, but mark my word, if Daisy here, develops any sort of trauma as result of your action here today, you will be held ountable. Understood?"


    "s-sorry?" Angelina stuttered, her voice holding a breathless tone of fear. When Arvan didn''t bother repeating himself and stared at her with a nk face, her lower lip trembled with panic and in seconds, she snapped her head behind once again, locating Gabriel and shooting him a pleading look for help,


    Unfortunately for her, and very much to her dismay, Gabriel turned a deaf ear to her plea. Instead of helping her like she had expected, he shook his head disappointedly, taking a few steps forward so that he was now standing in front of her


    Angelina shivered and nearly felt like bolting for the door. Normally, when in Gabriel''s presence, she usually felt safe, loved, protected and so much more. But now, none of those feelings lingered. All that she felt as she stood before him was fear, fright and a great presence that threatened her entire existence. Almost as if she was a prey who needed to run away this very moment to keep its head from the attacker.


    But she didn''t run. Despite her limbs trembling with fear and the feeling of being cornered between Gabriel and Arvan, she stood her ground, barely raising her head to meet Gabriel''s gaze.


    "What you did wasn''t right, Angelina," He told her, unlike the previous times, he didn''t bother hiding the disappointment in his voice. "As an adult, you are meant to strive to set educative examples to the younger ones, not mistreat them. Apologize, now."


    Angelina''s lips began to tremble even more. This time around, it wasn''t fear or panic that was causing it, but rather anger and embarrassment. One, anger towards the fact that Gabriel hach''t taken her side. He had disgraced her by doing so, tarnishing her reputation even more than Leonica had done In the past two months.


    And two, embarrassment towards the


    rds the fact that Gabriel had just asked her to apologize for something that wasn''t even her fault! While all these people were watching, Leonica especially.


    Wasn''t his first action enough of a disgrace? Why did he have to go to such lengths?


    "Angelina," Gabriel called out in a dark tone, silently warning her that whatever thought she had about acting out, should be aborted instantly. Apologize to Daisy. Now."


    Knowing that as it stood, the odds were clearly against her, Angelina clenched her fist in anger and willed her trembling body to turn around and move towards where Arvan and Daisy were She barely forced her voice to be stable before speaking "I apologize for my brass actions earlier, please forgive me." She apologized.


    Daisy, still frightened by her action, didn''t seem to ept her apology. She turned away from Angelina and buried her face in her father''s suit, tightening her hold around his neck


    In that momment, Angelina felt like ipolog, the sinal parastie away hum Miyans and boating the shift out of her. Who the hell was she to ignore her after she had just apologi


    "of coatse. I apologize once again." Angelina sabbatul subthe bowed her heal, queinalling to reflect on her shameful actions but burning on the Inside with anger authute. Beside her, her hauls one clenched light eingh in cane het nails to draw blood bomberskin. Leenkanho bad watched the seruo y out for fan too long, cold in keiger allend in besar how stagant the atmosphere was bing at her son''s birthday party, ncing between the whispering past and Halsy who was still visibly trembling, she decided whom in start solving the problem from.. First of all, she moved over to whine aby was, "May 17 She asked pestly, watching as Arvan undled at hier request and handed the smaller child over, However, fast like she had skate with beer father, Balsy wors quick to Tway les lusal is Lemlea''s shoulder,ding, her face, "Hey Daisy, there''s no need to be scared anemone. Balile los taken came of the sony shift and P''uclieve to usde sane something: bilo that never happens again."


    Daisy finally looks at her after heating this. "It really?"


    Levnica del "Really. So, there''s no need to be attal, our Daisy hesitated, but nodded slowly. Seusing that she was still somewhat scared, at normal reaction befitting of a child her age under stelt eluctanstances, Lavendra ileil even harder to make her feel better. "If it makes you feel better Daisy, would you like to join Ashley to cut his cake?"


    "C can I?" She asked, hesitant as before but it was clear that she wanted to be beside her friend while cutting the cake


    Leonica smiled and turned to beckon her own son oven, catching; belel''s eyes in the process as he released Ashley to her. "Ash, would you like Daisy to cut your cake with you?" She asked.


    Hewing this, Ashley''s eyes brightened up as if he hallet of a possibility. "Ca


    not course, as long as you allow it."


    A smile blogmed on the child''s face and be med to face fulsy, "Daisy, would you like to cut my cake with me?


    "Can 17" She asked once more. When Ashley nodded exciilly, she looks meer at her father who smiled at her and go a ''go ahead" not "1-if you allow it Ashley, I would realhe love to." She said a smile of her own equally blooming,


    "Of emese," Ashley said mild offered her his hand. "Let''s go eat the cake before the nasty adults get to I." He teasingly said and giggled while Daisy took his hand and wriggled her way out of Louie''s boll


    The moment her feet hit the floor, she and Ashley racelimi dnection of the cake table, pierling at the indible conversations they were having


    between themselves.


    "That''s one probleru selved. Leonica thought and wiped off imaginary sweat shops.


    From behind, Arvan gently ced his hand on her slinkler, giving it a gentle squeeze in a bid to gain her attention. "You also seem to know how to handle Daisy better than me. Thanks," He salil.


    Leendea ettered him a genuine and heartelt smile. "What are friends for? Now emme on, let''s go join them by the table before they eat the cake without cutting it." She said and turned around; walking in the same direction Daisy and Ashley had skipped off in Arvan chuckled briefly before following after her. Gabriel, Anastasia and Lloyd fallowed suit and soon, the rest of the guests gathered around the table, ready to sing for the birthday boy and watch him out his cale, Ashley couldn''t have been happier. Having his mother, father, godmother and father and even gratalparents, and not to mention his newest best friend, Daisy with him on his fish birthday, was a wishe through. As the guests sank and wished him a luppy birthday, the boy took Daisy''s hand, cing it on top the knife and cing his hand over hers before pressing it down, slicing the cake in halt.


    With the cake cut and shares dished, Ashley pulled Daisy by the ha


    the hand onto the dance floor at the start of a slow music.


    From the side, Anastasia chuckled as she watched them both clumsily get into position and try to sway to the rhythm of the song


    "What fim is it watching other people dance when you can step in there and show them your moves," From beside her, Lloyd popped up, In a princely gestume, "Shall we, Mdy? hand held out


    Anastasia chuckles, though it was meant toe out as a scoff. She smacked his hand away and folded hers. "In your dreams, yboy,"


    Lloyd chuckled at her actions, not in the least bit discouraged by it. Instead, he pushed on "What''s this? Don''t tell me you can''t do a simple waltz."


    "That''s none of your business. And even if I can, I''d much rather dance with a fing, tham a man like you who I''m sure has flirted with half of the world''s female poption."


    "I''m bomoted that you recognized me as a frog, but just so you know, this frog right here tuns into a hawsome prince channing once kissed, by a benty such as yourself."


    Hearing this, Mastasia cringed and against her will, augh escaped her lips. Herngh sounded like a pleasant mixture of church bells and singing choirs. Lloyd suddenly thought it wouldn''t be bad hearing it every once in a while,


    While yet another segment of Anastasia and Lloyd went on, Leonica, watched from the sile, pronounced smile etched into her lips.


    Believe it or not, as annoying as Lloyd may sound, Anastasia looked happy when talking with him. Like she genuinely did, not the fake happiness she put up all the time. Even though it came at the hands of someone she wasn''t all too familiar with, lemmica liked seeing her best friend this way.


    A Simple Misunderstanding.


    But she also couldn''t help but wish that Lloyd wouldn''t y with her friend''s heart and break it.


    Knowing his reputation as an infamous yboy, perhaps she should break him before he does that.


    Leonica''s shoulders shook as she chuckled at the thought and turned away from her friend at the detection of an approaching figure.


    Point of correction, it wasn''t a figure, but figures. As in multiple. Gabriel, Arvan and Owen to be precise.


    They all came from different directions and stopped in front of her one after the other after each person had asked.


    "Would you do me the honors of granting me your first dance, Leonica?"


    "Leonica, please grant me your first dance, would you?"


    "Guseju, May I have this dance?"

 Chapter 82

    Main Characters Under The Spotlight.


    "What the hell is happening?" Someone, one of the guests who weren''t busy with their respective partners on the dance floor, whispered Leonica''s exact thought as she stared at each of the hands presented in front of her, one out of three waiting for her to ce her hand in theirs and make a pick. "Who do you think she''s going to choose?" Another person asked in a whisper, sipping on their wine as they watched the scene y out with interest.


    "I know we aren''t meant our poke our nose in their matter, but I can''t help but wonder. All three men are dashing. So who''s Ms. Romero going to pick?


    The whispers, once little, slowly rose as more people''s attentions were drawn to the scene, soon, the voice''s reached Ashley''s ears. Stopping his currently clumsy but very much enjoyable dance with Daisy, the younger boy turned in the direction where all eyes had been looking. The first thing he noticed was his mother backed against theer like a confused rabbit, sweating under the growing eyes of its spectators and ready to dash at any given momentText content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The second thing he noticed was the three familiar men standing in front of her.


    "Daddy, Arvan, Owen.'' He counted them one by one, trying to understand what was happening,


    Daisy, who had sensed his confusion, perched beside him. Bringing her voice down, she whispered. "I think my daddy, your daddy, and that strange man is trynna ask your mommy to a dance."


    Ah, so that was what was happening! Ashley nearlyughed at his slow thinking, inwardly pping himself on the head. How could he have been so ignorant?


    Well, he''d make up for that. From where he stood, it was clear to him that his mother was confused, not sure whose hand to ept and if he knew better, which he did, Ashley was sure that his mother wasn''t going to choose his father''s hand. He was aware that his daddy had done something bad to upset his mommy, she had made it known many times, including tonight.


    And if hew better, which once again, he did, then Ashley knew his mother was either going to pick Arvan or Owen''s hand. But he wasn''t going to let that happen. As much as he loved either of them, he loved his father more and needed to help him.


    Turning to Daisy, Ashley pulled her close and whispered his n in her ears. Once he was done, they pulled apart and nodded at each other before striding off in the direction Leonica was,ered by the three mon


    "Leonica, would you. Arvan began once again after a while of silence, but before his words could bepleted, Daisy suddenly showed up and ced her hand in his open palm, pulling him slightly in her direction


    "Daddy, I want to dance with you!" She said excitedly while pulling him towards the dance floor. Arvan muttered a few incoherent words of protest, which Daisy didn''t pay attention to as she looked over to her friend and gave an awkward wink


    The wink was almost like his go ahead signal, no, in fact it was his go ahead signal, because the moment he received it from Daisy, Ashley increased his pace, cutting in between his father and Owen in the blink of an eye and before either men could react, he took his mother''s hand and ced it in that of his father''s, stopping Leonica before she could ce her hand in Owen''s hand.


    The gesture surprised Leonica and she looked down at her son who innocently smiled up at her before slowly pushing her and Gabriel into the dance floor. "Dalsy and I just finished our dance mommy, daddy, now it''s your tum" Ashley was saying as he gave them both one final push towards the dance floor and pped his hands together, indicating a job well done.


    However, as soon as they had mixed with the other couples on the dance floor, Leonica slipped her hand out of Gabriel''s, feverishly cleaning it against her dress in a bid to get the feeling of his skin against hers off.


    The gesture didn''t go unnoticed by Gabriel, as well as the fact that she was looking around, trying to see if anyone was keeping an eye on them before intending to slip off the dance floor.


    "You can''t leave," She paused at the sound of his voice and looked over at him, brows meeting at the center of her face. "Not if you don''t want to run Ashley''s day, that is." He added, nodging his head in the direction where said child stood.


    Leonica took one look in the direction and grimaced at the happy look she saw on her son''s face. It was obvious that he was expecting them to dance together. He''d probably even stand there through the entire dance


    Leonica didn''t like the idea of that and grimaced once more when she realized that Gabriel was right. If she intended on ruining Ashley''s day, then why not, she could waltz her way off the dance floor and not even consider dancing with her ex husband, but then she''d have to see Ashley saddened for the rest of the night.


    And if she didn''t want that, then she''d have to suck it up and dance with that same ex husband. All in the bid to see her son happy.


    Motherhood sume was unfair at times.


    While Leonica was trapped momentarily in her head, pondering the choices at hand even though the answer was inevitable, another bout of slow musie glided through the speakers. Gabriel looked around at the fresh set of dancers settling on the dance floor before he offered his hand to her. "Shall we?" Leonica nced at his outstretched hand, and then at Ashley who still had his eyes on them, blooming smile on his lips as he imagined his parents dancing together like Cindere and the prince. The main characters under the spotlight.


    With a sigh of utter defeat, Leonica returned her hand into Gabriel''s waiting palms and wordlessly got in position to begin the next nightmarish three mites of her life.


    With ''A thousand Years, by Christina Perry" ying through the speakers, Gabriel gently ced his hand on her lower back, entwined his fingers with hers and pulled her body closer, closing the distance she had purposefully put between them. Lovea''s body one upalnost instantly at the feeling, but slow, as it recalling all of the times she had danced with Gabriel when they had been mariol, her body welovesd and ewed into his and almost as it enmand, every step he took, she already knew it, like a worksheet designed by her


    For the first time since the beginning at their dance, Iconic looked at Gabriel ilirectly, praying that he had not noticed the stupid actions of her body Sing the ghostly outline of a smile across his face told her that he had actually noticed


    now again grimacing, Leonica cursed at her body tot doing the opposite of her unind. But now, she had to deal with it and stopining


    "Two minutes." She soled herself and fully, mind and body, eased into the dance routine,


    All she needed to do was endure tee the next two minutes and then she''d be out of his hold and free from these tamting thoughts in her mind.


    Their dance together loolood natural and perfect to the outside eyes that those who had been secretly watching begm to whisper, some praising their


    Buther Gabriel leonica paid attention to the whispers, Both of them were tested equally in the dance, keeping intense eye contact with every move they made. As they danced, surroundings blurred and fixated on each other alone, they were aware of the pair of brown eyes that had been watching them to the past mine, and right now, said pair of eyes were narrowed in amoyance, as her fist was clenched tightly, teeth grinning together, creating a painted sound to the ears of those beside her.


    Angelina''s blood boiled in jealousy as she continued to watch and soon, she couldn''t remain on the side lines anymore. With a part of her brain whispering to her that Gabriel still had feelings for her, buried somewhere deep in him that could only be awakened by the amount of jealousy she was terling, she grabbed a random man''s hand and pulled him onto the dance floor, not too far from Where Gabriel and Leonica were dancing


    Only when she was positioned on the dance floor, fingersced with her partner, did Angelina notice that the random person she had dragged onto the was actually Owen


    "We meet again." He uttered, shing his usual charming smile as they settled into the rhythm of the song


    Angelina smiled back, although he could tell her mind wasn''t a hundred percent with the current situation. His suspicion was confirmed even more when he caught her frequently stealing ncing in the direction behind him.


    Taking the opportunity given by the song, he spun her around and caught nce of where, or rather, who she was looking at. He wouldn''t lie, sering Leonica dancing with Gabriel Bryce, seeing how perfectly they danced together and realizing that could have been him, stirred a wave of jealousy within


    But as quickly as it hade, it was gone as he forced himself to focus more on his dance partner and the question he wanted to askber.


    "Say, Ms Fernandez." He began, but Angelina cut him off.


    "Angelina, if you would." She said with a dazzling and meek smile, that Owen obviously would have fallen for, if his heart hadn''t already belonged to someone else.


    Smiling, he nodded. "Angelina, would it be alright if I asked a few questions? About the figurine you gifted to Ashley, that is "


    Angelina''s smile faded the moment she heard this. "T-the Ligurine? She asked


    Owen nodded. "Yes, the figurine. Happen to know a thing or two about the figurinepany itself, so I was just wondering, would you care to tell me how you actually got it?" *How I got it? I''ve told you before, a friend who works in thepany hooked me up." She bed.


    "A Friend, as in Michael?"


    Who exactly was Michael? Angelina wondered but right now, she didn''t have the time to make guesses and nodded her head.


    Her answer however, did the opposite of what she wanted it to do. Instead of calming Owen''s suspicions, it raised them; almost confirming if one could say. Seeing the smirk on his lips, Angelina knew she had fucked up and quickly tried to pull her fingers out of his. "What are you doing? The dance''s still going on." Owen said as he tightened his hold around her waist and fingers and smiled at her. "You''re not nning on running away, are you?"


    Leonica caught sight of the two from where she was dancing with Gabriel and noticed the strange atmosphere between them. She couldn''t help but worry abour Owen''s wellbeing, after all, he was with Angelina and he hade to the event as Ashley''s special guest. Her thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of Gabriel''s finger against her chin, turning her face back to his


    "Your dance parmer is the only person you should focus on, Leonica." He told her.


    *Etiquette demands I do so. If you know me, Gabriel, then you''d know I''m not one to follow rules." Leonica retorted, smiling.


    "So you''d much rather focus on another man, than the father of your child?"


    "I don''t see anything wrong in doing so." Leonica replied, giving a nonchnt shrug as Gabriel spun her around and pulled her back to him, hand settling around her waist, tighter this time around. Leonica ignored the change in his hold and added. "Just because you''re the father of my child, doesn''t make you the man who I''d spend the rest of my life with."


    Her words caused a site of irritation inside Gabriel, just like she had wanted. But instead of snapping like Leonica had expected, Gabriel suddenly smirked.


    "Not if I can do something about it."


    Before Leonica could decipher the meaning of his words, Gabriel had pulled her closer and pressed his lips against hers. The salt and sudden feeling of Main Charaktern Linder The Spotligh


    his lips on hers had taken her by surprise, rendering her speechless, but not reaction-less.


    Quickly, she shoved him away and distanced herself, ring hard at him while he stared at her with a neutral expression, behaving as if what he had just done was a normal something.


    And this angered Leonica to the point that she felt speechless and couldn''t really muster any real

 Chapter 83

    reaction.


    Shaking her head, she turned around and walked off the dance floor, but not before calling Gabriel and Asshole to his face. As she weaved through the guest, she heard some of them whispering about what had just happened and ignored it. But she probably shouldn''t have. Maybe if she had taken action then, photos of the incident wouldn''t have be a hot topic to social media and the press, less than a dayter.


    Disaster Overnight.


    Overnight, that''s hour long it had taken for Leontica''s so pevceful life, to take a stablet tons, for the wise,


    Now this wasn''t talk about Gabriel''s actions that night, no, the kiss had nothing but at the same time everything to do with what Leonica was facing and she had sworn that she would have alone to pick with Gabelebconcerning his constant actions projected solely to annoy her, once she has wrensstelly


    sorted the mother at hand.


    And what was the said matter thai habcaused her so much freeble in a matter of mete luurs? Simple; Lasaked photos of she and Gabebi kissing,, or better yet of cabriel kissing her. But no one knew that, at least those she hab''t exined the situation in People Ble thuse brataless cotshlees, win even though were entitled to their opinion, couldn''t use their sense, and type tissonable things inment sections of anticles,


    At first, theirte nightments hall started out as spections, harmless ones. Somente, obviously too jobless for their own good, started a dte on it Angelina''s meent with Gabriel had been cancelled because of Lenica''s interference. A few hours went by before that one eminent began to have a huge impact on the entire store and without knowing the full story or even bother to hear her side of the story, which she didn''t even want to give, seeing as only she and she alone was entitled to the events that happens in her life, People all over social media tagged her all sort of names, Tome wrecker" "Fanc¨¦ snatcher'' ''Shameless mother'', Sense et them even polig; as far as saying that Levira should be stripped of her status in the bushmas world, after all, someone who ted tomit such a disgraceful act in public didn''t deserve to hold a title in the business worlil.


    Amidst all those hatements, Leonica only saw a low people who tried to defend her, pointing out that people, outsiders especially, shoukba''t jump to conclusions betore knowing the full story. But as always, the negathe side of society was pick to pobble those defenders up.


    Not that she really needed them. As grateful for their support and believe in her as Leonica felt, she knew she was innocent, The rivil culprit her was the person who released those photos to the press. Sure, Gabriel hadmitted the act, ying a huge part in stirring the waters, and obviously she was poing to take that up with him, but even at that, who would have thought that some weinda was hurling around theer, camera position at an angle and photos ready to be taken at any moment,


    Thinking about it now not only gave Leonica the creeps, it also angered her.


    With yet another sigh, the fifteenth one if Kennedy had kept count right, she ced her tablet down, hating her patrul across social media and articles that were carrying her name all around.


    It was a total mess and she wasn''t even sure the right action to tale, Give a speech? Dellect the me onto Gabriel? As much as she and Gabriel wasn''t on the same terms and as heartless as she may seem, Leonica couldn''t bring herself to do that.


    It Gabriel sullers, Ashley sadlers and then, she''d indirectly suffer. That was the motto she told herself each time she had the urge to set up a meeting and the a public speech.


    And so far, the motto had restrained her from even giving the order to her assistant.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Sighing once more, this time around, loud enough to have Kennedy stop the work he was doing; Lronira shut her eyes and rested her head against the back of her chuir, only peeling her eyes open at the sound of footsteps.


    Are you sure you don''t want me to set up a public meeting with the press?" Kennedy questioned and watched her shake her head. Although Leonica hadn''t given him the order, he could feel that was what was meant to be done. Yet Leanica Isadn''t done it and was taking the brunt of the entire matter.


    Was she trying to protect Gabriel? Because she still had lingering feeling for him after their tailed marriage? Kemedy silently stickered at the thought. Impossible. He may not have been present during the years of their marriage, but from all the articles he had read, Gabriel seemed like a pretty shitty husband and father to their once unborn son.


    But then again, thinking long and hard about Gabriel''s actions... some of Gabriel''s actionstely, most of the ones he had been there to witness, Remedy wasn''t sure if he was a charged personpletely, but one thing was certain, from the stares and nces the man threw at his employer, he was realizing how much of an asshole he had been in the past and piece by piece was trying to make up for it.


    Maybe it was that that''s got her catching feelings for her ex husband once more."


    "Argh! Damn you Gabriel Bryce. Why do you always have to back things up for me? Leonica kicked her table as she vented, causing Kennedy to flinch slightly and quickly take back his previous thought, praying that his employer couldn''t read minds. She was already scary mough as is,


    "You''re twelve a clock meeting start in the next five minutes." He informed her as he ced a cup of freshly brewed coffee on her table.


    Leonica stared at the cup, unlike always, she didn''t reach for it, didn''t show any sign of wanting to drink the caffeinated beverage, she just stared, thinking all about the said meeting that wasing up in.. live, four minutes?


    Under normal circumstances, she would have ditched the meeting. Her newest sets of shareholders were nice business individuals and wouldn''t mind if she missed a meeting or two. At least most of them wouldn''t. But you see, this wasn''t a normal circumstance, this situation was tense and hotter than the normal one, all thanks to a certain Rodrigo Homero who had been exceptionally jobless at the crack of down.


    Sa jobless till to point that the moment the article became wild fire, he had pulled a string or two of his own and gotten some pretty convincing pictures of Leonica with Arvan and even ones of her with Owens, presenting it to majority of her shareholders and iming that her indulgent image could seriously affect thepany''s stocks,


    Thinking back to the first day she had met Owen, she recalled having heard the shunter of a camera going off in the distance but it quickly faded amongst the navy cutters of his fans.


    Who would have thought that was Rodrigs in the making. But even at that, she wondered why he had kept someone to watch her. Was he also behind the person who had leaked the photo? Was this all his doing? Disaster Overight


    The thought of it being so, annoyed Leonica. But the feeling of anger was soon swallowed by the dawn of reality setting in. No matter how much she''d like to deny it, Leonica couldn''t handle the situation alone. Bat she was sure with his help, things would be a lot easier.


    With a sigh, Leonica picked up her phone, scrolled through her contact and dialed the number she had been seeking. The line only rang for a few seconds before it was answered. "Hey. I think I need your help."

 Chapter 84

    At least not after the final warning she gave him on the phone after Ashley''s birthday party which had ended in a rather messy way.


    His train of thoughts was suddenly interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing, Bill was quick to fetch it from the coffee table and hand it to him. After confirming the caller was Doctor Bailey, he answered the call and pressed the device to his ear. "Hello Doctor Bailey,"


    "Oh, Mr. Bryce, I''m so d you picked up


    "Is everything alright?"


    "Yes, yes all is well. I was just calling to remind both you and Ms. Leonica to prepare for the matching procedures of the IVF. Hope I didn''t catch you at bad time?"


    At a bad time? With everything happening? What the hell was his answer meant to be.


    "No, Doctor Bailey, of course not." Tuming Point.


    "With this, I think it''s safe to say the meeting hase to a conclusion? Standing at the head of the meeting table, Leonica looked at each of the shareholder''s face which now heldplete doubts towards Rodrigo''s words after she had rallied not only evidence of wrong usation concerning her personal life and private image, but also evidence of how much thepany had risen in thest two months since she had taken over


    The scales were weighed, supposed bad against all the good she had done since taking seat, and as wise business individuals, they chose the right the scale. The side of the scale that ensured the Romero Empire continued to raise more than it already was With nods of agreements from each and every shareholders present, the meeting of presidency debate was brought to an end, shing them onest smile of professionalism, Leonica exited the conference room. As she walked out, Rodrigo nearly got mmed in the face by the opening doors. He staggered back just in time for the tips to grace his nose.


    Leonica''s eyes narrowed at him as soon as she saw him and she scoffed when realizing that the stitch had been ease dropping, probably praying that the tables would be turned in his direction and she would lose her seat as president of Romero Empire. Sadly it hadn''t gone that way.


    "I don''t pay my employees to hang around and ease drop on executive level meetings, Rodrigo. So, would you mind telling me why you are here, dropping. Oh, and why you are at it, be a dear and exin to me why you turned in those photos to board members of mypany" Leonica questioned. With each word she said, she took a step towards Rodrigo, causing him to take a step of his own back as he scrambled his brain for an escape route, which he had failed toe up with earlier.


    Why should he have bothereding up with a backup n when his n was fail proat. Everything had been going perfectly, Leonica''s reputation was falling and falling fast and he took that opportunity to execute his ultimate n, knowing that if it worked, he''d no longer have to work as a mere employee and refer to her as the boss.


    But that was one thing he failed to consider. The word "IF". His mentality at the start of his ''master n as he called it was that it was going to go throw It was either he wen it all nothing, that''s why he put his all in it and targeted the perfect moment


    So who would have told him that he would need a "back up ns? Rodrigo would haveughed af at had not been him in this situation.


    "Are you going to tell me the reason or would you rather I did?" Leonica asked after he had remained silent for quite a while, mind not being able toe up with an escape route.


    It was all or nothing and all or nothing, had falled him.


    "You hoped to bring me down, wasn''t that why?" She continued, shaking her head, not because her uncle''s n was wed in every way, but rather because he couldn''t even defend himself after being found out and now cowered like aplete coward. Left to look speechless and back boneless. That was probably the one that pashed Leonica over the edge.


    Getting into the business world, she had always been aware of the opponents she could face. The greedy ones, the backstabbing ones, the ones who yed saint yet were more than ready to throw you under the bus the moment situation called for it. She knew all sorts of them, seen her fair share and had been left with trauma of equal level, during the reign of her father as president. Because of that, her goard had always and constantly been up, her mind expecting the worse type of opponents, yet here she was, faced with an uncle of hers who couldn''t even pull off a simple n and now cowered like a total coward because his n had failed.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Angering, but now that she thought of it, it was equallyughable.


    "Leonica..." Rodrigo managed to speak after a while, but the rest of his words trailed off as his niece held up her hand, silencing him.


    "I don''t even want to hear it. Up till this point I have tolerated your shit, Rodrigo because you are my uncle, my father''s brother. But it''s clear to me now that, that by doing so I was gradually digging my own grave. It was a huge mistake, one I would not repeat a second time. Clear your desk and visit HR for your severance package. You''re fired."

 Chapter 85

    Her words were so unexpected that it stunned Rodrigo long enough for her to walk past. Kennedy followed suit behind her. "Ms. Romeno ""What is it?"


    "I think there''s something you need to see." The assistant said and watched as his employer looked over her shoulder, raising a questioning brow at his statement. At this, he handed the tablet he had been scrolling on, over to her before exining in briet. "While the meeting was going on, Mr. Richardson and Lee made statements with the press concerning the recent rupees surrounding you."


    H


    "They did what? Leonice thought as she collected the tablet and read through the article Kennedy had been monitoring. For a few seconds, her brows knitted together and then they shot up in sarpeise upon realizing that it was just as Kennedy had said, Owen and Arvan had indeed made statements with the press and their separate interviews had gained more view than any of the articlesying allegations against her.


    Taking a brief moment in the elevator, she read through each of their individual statements. By the time she was done, Leonica had bright pink tintson rach side of her cheeks. The manner, at which both men had expressed their admiration and feelings for her in their full speeches, certainly wasn''t something she was expecting


    Arvan, well she could somewhat tell that the rtionship between them had the vibe of more than friends. He had been exceptionalle nice to her since day one and being the grown and very mach aware of her surroundings, woman she is, Leonica had instantly suspected that it was love at first sight.


    y novel.


    Stupid, she knows, after all, she''s not some heroine in someing of age


    And believe of or not, she had been fine with that. She had thought of leading him on and gave subtle hists of rejection, praying that Arvan got it. Bat it was clear to her now that, he didn''t and if he did, he still went forth to make his feelings known, worldwide met like a week ago, Could love at first sight really


    Now Arvan aside, Owen Owen was another case that Leonica did not phantom. Heck, they had just m


    However, it was safe to say their speeches had done more good than harm for her, because the public opinion seems to have taken a turn for the better alter their speeches and the pressure became less


    Leonica didn''t want to be a total dick that woulde off as unappreciative and made a mental not to send tears of gratitude to each of them when she had the chance and perhaps set things straight with their feelings.


    Each of them were wonderful men and had she met either of them before Gabriel then she was sure her story would have been different, but like she told her mother, right now, she wasn''t really looking for romance.


    After reading some of the articles carrying Owen and Arvan''s speeches, Leonica caught herself scrolling some more, mindlessly looking for something... another person''s speech that she had expected to see alongside the other two. Gabriel''s speech


    As soon as the thought passed her mind, Leonica switched the screen of Kennedy''s tablet shut and handed it back to him, scolding herself for even having such a thought.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    What happened to being done with Gabriel? She questioned, sinking into her seat with a loud sigh the moment she returned to her office.


    God, Gabriel was really doing more damage to her than good, she thought, wanting nothing more than to be done with the said man this very moment, but realizing that the moment she does that, Ashley would be affected. She groaned in frustration.


    "Ms. Romero,"


    "What is it this time around, Kennedy?"


    "Doctor Bailey also called while you were in the meeting." Her eyes snapped open at his words. "He requested I pass on the message that the procedure for the IVF matching would begin today and would appreciate if you could make it."


    Ah, she had almost forgotten she had to prepare for something like that. But then again, with everything going on, she really didn''t want to have to meet or even see Gabriel. Not even an apology from him could change that. But as much as she wanted that, remembering that Ashley''s fate rode on her cooperation, sealed the entire deal


    "So, can you?" Kennedy asked when her silence dragged on.


    Sighing out in defeat, she answered. "Dol have a choice?"


    Arriving at the hospital, the first person Leonica ran into was the very same man she had wanted to avoid. Her expression became sour and Gabriel did not fall to notice and he knew it was because of everything that was happening


    Their bitter p past andplicated present. Even he understood, because over the past few days he had thought over his past actions and realized that if he had been in her shoes, he would have reacted the exact same way.


    With the intent to apologize for whatever he could, Gabriel stepped forward. "Leonica.." He began but the rest of his words trailed off by the sound of Doctor Bailey''s approaching footsteps.


    "Ms. Romero and Mr. Bryce, I''m so d you could both make it. Please follow me." He said and began leading them in the direction of their examination room. "Everything''s been set up, so all you both need to do is just sit back and allow my teams do their job. Rest assures; you''re both in good hands."


    Leonica forced a smile. "I trust you, Doctor."


    "Pleased to hear that. Now please," He pointed towards one door and then towards another. "You go in there and Mr. Bryce, you in there,"


    Leonica nodded her head. She nced in Gabriel''s direction onest time before walking into the room Doctor Bailey had told her to enter. The next few minutes were all about medical test, blood being drawn and several more things down that line.


    When the best concluded, she was lead to a room where Gabriel and Doctor Bailey were waiting for her. As she walked in, she nced in Gabriel''s direction once more and cursed the fact that she couldn''t go a fracking second without looking in his direction, while one of the nurses who had handled her testing walked up to the doctor and whispered a few words in his ear, showing him what she believed was the chart of her result


    "Is everything alright? Gabriel beat her to the punch before she could question


    "Of course, but it seems like the results would have to be dyed for a while. I apologize,"


    Dyed result? Sounded like bad news, bur Leonica hoped not. "It''s alright. Can we take our leave now?


    "Yes, if you wish to."

 Chapter 86

    Leonica smiled at his words and bade him goodbye, tuning on her heels the very next second and walling out of the room. Gabriel, after bidding Bley goodbye, quickly rushed after her, catching up to her just in the nick of time as she stepped out of the hospital. "Leonica wait." He said and grabbed onto her arm, bringing her walk to a halt.


    "What do you want Gabriel? Don''t you think you''ve done enough already?" She asked, not bothering to hide her bitterness towards the entire situation.


    "Hasow. I''m bitterly aware of what I did, and," He paused and book a second to collect his words, swallowing and gathering the courage before he


    continued. "And I''m sorry. For the past and my actions during Ashley''s party. The kiss I mean, but I don''t regret it. Ki-"


    es and Press


    Kissing you. I don''t regret kissing you; at least that was what thest of his words were meant to be before sudden fleets of journalists reporters stormed the scene by surprise, Cameras and microphones ready at will.


    "Ms. Romero, is it true that you are behind the cancetion of Mr. Bryce and Ms. Fernandez''s engagement ?" The first reporter asked as they closed in around Gabriel and Leonica


    "Mr. Bryce is it true that you are intimately involved with Ms. Romero?"


    "Ms. Romero you just stepped out of the hospital with Mr. Bryce, are you by any chance pregnant? Is that how you forced Mr. Bryce to end his rtionship with his long time nc¨¦e?"


    "Mr. Bryce, rumors have been specting that you are being ckmailed by Ms. Romero because she may potentially be carrying your child, is this


    As they pushed on with their questions, each person having a different question than the previous person, backed by ridiculous rumors and assumption, Leonica finally snapped. She could no longer listen to their ridiculous way of thinking and if it was an exnation they so craved, then she was going to give it to them.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    However, just as she made up her mind to do so, Gabriel stepped in front of her, shielding her any further from the press and their blinding work tools." Leonica won''t be answering any of your questions because all and every question asked here today would be answered by me and me alone. So don''t bother wasting your time."


    Public Confession.


    "All and every question asked here today, will me answered by me and me alone, so don''t bother wasting your time."

 Chapter 87

    Gabriel''s words rang in the ears of the reporters, quieting them for some few seconds before they began their questions again


    "Questions are going to be answered by you? Do you by any chance intend to hold a press conference and release a statement like Mr. Richardson and Mr. Lee?" One asked, shoving his microphone in Gabriel''s face with clear intentions to get him talking as soon as possible. However, one re from him had the repeater backing off and rethinking his choice of action "Mr. Bryce, would you be confirming the usations being paid against Ms. Romeroter today?" Another reporter questioned, this time around, from experience, she chose to keep a safe distance away from Gabriel


    Wise choice


    "Like I said, All questions asked would be answered by me, your curiosities could have to steamer down until then." Gabriel said and turned around, leaning down to Leonica''s bright to whisper. "Let''s go."N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    As much as she was not on talking terms with Gabriel and pretty much didn''t want to see his ass right now, Lennica couldn''t help but feel thankful as he golded her away from the press, using himself as her shield until they had gotten to where she had parked her car. As she slipped in behind the wheels, watching as Gabriel warded off a few too curious for their own good Reporters, she had the urge to ask.


    Why are you helping me? Do you feel guilty for all you''ve done so far? Do you even feel emotions?


    But with the way things were going, she remained silent and swallowed down whatever help he was offering even though it would be momentarily and short lived, she really didn''t mind.


    With onest look in his direction, she started the engine of her car and began driving off. Only after she had gone half way through the journey did a certain thought hit her.


    Did Gabriel say he was going to have a press conference?

 Chapter 88

    Mommy, you''re back!" Ashley ambushed her with a hug the moment she stepped into the premise of their living room. Behind him, Grace walked out from the Itchen and bowed "Wee home, Ms. Romera"


    "Thank you," she said and gave a box of acknowledgement in the housekeeper''s direction before squatting down to pick her son up. "Hey Ash, you?"


    how


    ¦¡¦£¦¥


    "I''m fineContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "And how was school?" She questioned tentatively, fearing that someone might have tried picking on the poor boy because of her sudden bad reputation And when she meant someone, she wasn''t talking about the Idds, sure those devils were little and nasty, but no, she meant the parents. Parents like Jena, God was she awful, Leonica was more than d and thankful to Arvan that he had kicked her ass out of that school


    At has mother''s question, the child made a weird face, recalling the unpleasant incident that had happened in his ss today, thankfully it wasn''t rted to Leonica''s worries.


    "So something did happen," Leonica said after seeing his face. She couldn''t help but fear the worse. But her thoughts were distracted by Grace who was holding up a spoon, trying to tell her that Ashley had once again ran off without finishing his food. Leonica sighed at this but at the same time, she thought of a way to kill to birds with one stone. "Okay, let''s do it this way, how about you go finish up your food with Grace and we''ll talk about it over an episode of Ruckus House, how does that sound?"


    were more peos than cons. A good deal to him "Okay." He nodded.


    Ashley thought his mother''s offer over for a few seconds. There were mo


    "That''s my good boy," Leonica said and pecked his forehead before putting him down on the floor and watching as he chased after Grace who mouthed the words "Thank you, right before she returned to the kitchen.


    Now alone, Leonica allowed her smile to tter and she sighed out, this time around in a more exhausted manner. Today really was just one thing after


    another.


    From the leaked photos to the article to the shareholders meeting, oh and not to forget the visit to the hospital and the reporter sudden appearances. But out of everything, the one thing that stood out to Leonica today, was Gabriel''s words His words in particr when he had chased after her after their meeting with Doctor Bailey. He had apologized for his actions, but then went on to say he didn''t regret it?

 Chapter 89

    Ha, what a Prick


    If Leonea didn''t know any better, she would have thought those annoying reporters had interrupted serne part of his ch beart melting speech, but nope, she knew they didn''t. Or at least she was eighty percent sure they hadn''t interrupted anything important. Gabriel was just that type of person, so she didn''t really take his words to heart


    At least that''s what she told herself as she sunk down into the couch, grabbed the remote and turned the television on, ready to search for Ashley''s


    vorite carton. The box set red to life with sounds from the news station she had been watching early yesterday before her hair stylist has arrivedN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    It was a press conference of some sort going on. Leonica was just about to change it when one of the reporters asked


    "Mr. Bryce, could you please exin the situation at hand?"


    The name mentioned stopped her from changing the channel more than the question asked had. She watched as the angle of the camera changed and Gabriel was shown, dresses in different clothing than two hours ago when they had met at the hospital and beside him, was Bill. They both stood on a podium, shing lights from the press''s cameras making things seem intimidating to Leonica even though she did stuff like this more than she attended her gym sessions.


    "Mr. Bryce, please give a statement on the situation. Are the usations being paid against Leonica Romero, your supposed ex wife, true?"


    Ah, the press for you, they always have their ways in their research and history digging. Shaking her head at the thought, some part of her mind begged Leonica to change the channel and continue on with her day like she hadn''t seen this conference happening. But the other half, the half that seemed to be controlling most of her body''s decision making, begged her to leave it be and before she knew it, she was actually watching the press conference y


    "... admit that the usations being made against Leonica are false. She was not the reason why I ended my engagement with Angelina Fernandez and she is not the offender in the recent pictures that have been causing strange rumors to spread across the inte. These two things I''ve just listed were entirely. My fault." Gabriel confessed and the very next second, the entire press location erupted in whispers, murmurs and camera shes and clicks. All the reporters present scurried to get what Gabriel had just said down on papers and official recordings.


    While all that happened, Leonica stared wide eye at the television, to in shock to make an actual reaction, yet one thought roamed her mind.


    Had THE Gabriel Bryce just admitted to his wrong doing on camera? Even when he was very much aware that it could affect the stocks of hispany? Leonica blinked. As unbelievable as it sounded, it was true. Gabriel has just confessed he was in the wrong, but why? Was it because of the heat the press has put on her earlier on?


    Or was it because he didn''t want to seem like the ck sheep; keeping quiet when Arvan and Owen, who weren''t even involved in this scandal, has given speeches each of their own?


    Or was this just another scheme he was ying? Leonica shook her head. Something told her this was past any of Gabriel''s schemes. It seemed... genuine.


    "As you all already know, five years ago, I was married to Leonica, but at that time... My head was in the cloud and I messed up and hurt. One of the two most important people in my life right now. Not only that, but my recldess and Irrational actions has hurt Ms. Fernandez and several other people and for that, I apologize. To everyone. To Leonica Romero, the woman who I''ve grown to learn she''s more than just beauty. She''s kind caring honest and a wonderful woman. She''s the type of woman you can''t see everyday. Women are wonderful, but Leonica.. she''s a rare gem, one that I failed to notice live years ago. But I have now and I don''t n on letting her ga


    The press arena was once again buzz and Leonica, well, Leonica was speechless because dang had she not been prepared to hear this


    Maybe that was part of the reason her heart picked up it''s pace when Gabriel looked directly at the camera and spoke.

 Chapter 90

    "Leonics, if you''re watching this, I''m genuinely sorry for all the hurt I caused you five years ago. Just like I''vee to realize my past mistakes, I''vee to realize that denying and burying my feelings for you. Is pointless. So I''m going to try my best to appease for my mistakes and heal the hurt I''ve done and hopeful eam the chance to win your heart back once more, Leonica. That''s all I have to say." Bowing his head subtly, he turned around and walked off the podium. Bill stretched his ass on either side, trying his best to shield his employer as reporters tried to approach him.


    Their voices and questionspletely faded out in Leonica''s ears as her mind reyed what Gabriel had just said


    No, not said, confessed. He had just confessed his feelings..to her.


    Once again it seemed unbelievable, dream like, but a pinch to the cheek and a p just for good measures told Leonica that this was far from any dream or hacination she may have had and dreamt of all those years ago.


    It was real Her long craved wish was finallying through, except, she didn''t know how to react.


    Along with the realization that every word of the confession Gabriel had just made was real, came a sudden freeze up feeling that allowed Leonica''s mind ponder.. Well, e lot of things, yet she still did not know how to feel Happy, that after all those years he had finally seen the real her and fallen in love?


    Angry, that it had taken him so long and she had to endure so much hurt and humiliation, all just so that she could hear these exact words?


    Or perhaps Angry at herself that even thought it might be both of the options above, she still has this sick feeling in her gut, begging for all this to bo real? That one sick feeling that God had she tried to kill, shovel and bury it deep fucking down! That sick feeling in particr has a name, they are called reurring feelings for the bastard who mistreated her.


    Honestly, it was the sickness fooling she had ever felt, but the fact still remains, she felt them and she was awfully aware of it and she couldn''t do nothing about it, even if she tried. And she knows this how? Well because she had tried and obviously failed. And now, she was left to face the consequences of her failed trial; self loathing and a messed up heart.


    In the midst of her rumination, her phone began to ring. The familiar sound, even though it wasn''t loud caused her to flinch ever so slightly. Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she was able to look around and find the phone just before the call ended. "Please tell me you have your fucking television on," Anastasia''s voice rang out from the other end of theN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    baline


    Picking the remote control, Leonica silenced the rowdy reporters and stood up from her couch. She paced. "Yeah, so what?"


    "So what? Why are you acting like you haven''t seen the news. Have you seen the news?"


    Leono nced back at the television at the question. She licked her lips, which were awfully patchy and then nodded. "Yeah, I have. So what?"


    "So what / Cilt, you never told me Gabriel had such a sweet month! Now I see where my wonderful godson gets his sweet talking abilities from. So, tell


    you going to do now?"


    What was she galing to do now? Leonica reusalued silent at the question, after all, it was a tough one


    It was not easy for her to forget all the harm Gabriel has done just because of a little good he''s doing now, so it was very much her right to stay mad at Ihn for lowever long slir libed. Or, she could y the stupid bitch and no longer suppress her feelings for him, give in and ept only to find out that


    lils was just a sminee nned because she had given him a son, an heir for his business.


    Now, that would truly heughable. And as funny as it sounded, it was also equally painful and heartbreak was just something Leonica didn''t have the cretrage to erudite, not after everything she had done to recover from the pain of the heartbreak she experienced five years ago.

 Chapter 91

    Hospital Emergency.


    Leonica remembered that day like it was yesterday.


    It was spring in Denver, Colorado, a month or so after Ashley had been born and she discharged early. She stood in front of the kitchen ind, staring down at the cup of juicesed with insecticide and trying to think of a damn good reason why she shouldn''t pick it up and chug the whole fucking thing


    downL


    Motherhood was a pain and as a child Ashley had not hesitated to express his anger towards her for taking him away from his father. He cried at every given time, even when Leonica tried to sooth him lovingly, the child just didn''t want to hear it.


    And then her parents, as loving as they were, her mother especially, they had their own bad traits, one of which was when they constantly reminded her that they had warned against her one side unrequited love. At first she had shut up and taken their words, because why not, they were her parents,


    they had fucking warned her the very moment she walked to them in on them ten years ago and confessed her feelings for Gabriel to them. But she hadn''t listened and now she understood she was paying the price for that. But at some point, she couldn''t help but just have snapped at her parents.


    "You don''t have to rub it in. I was an idiot and I''m paying the price, don''t you think what I''ve suffered is enough already!" She had said charing theirst heated argument right before she ended the call and approximately a weekter, she went intobor. Her parents had made it for her delivery and in that moment, seeing their faces Made Leonica wonder, was she that much of a horrible person? Was that why Gabriel never loved her? Those thoughts made reality hit all the more. So, then and there, clearly under the influence of postpartum depression, she tried to think of reasons or at least one reason not to chug down the juice.


    That''s when it came, a voice message from the one person she hadn''t talked to in a yea


    1-Leonica, hey, it''s me, Leonardo. I just wanted to check up on you because mom and dad said you had given birth. I''m so proud of you and really can''t wait to meet my nephew. I''ll be done with my research in a month? A month, let''s try and meet then. Until then, keep safe and give my nephew lots of sweet kisses for me. And oh, don''t hesitate to call me if you need something I love you Leo, Bye-]


    By the time the voice message had ended, Leonica was crying. The tears had streamed down her face so suddenly that it caught even her off guard. But she didn''t try to deny or bury her feeling any longer. For the first time in a year since she moved to Colorado, she cried and let her feelings out.


    Her actions were stupid, naive and inconsiderate and they always ended up hurting more people than intended to help. And here she was again, but to do the same selfish thing all over again. All because she didn''t want to open up and share her pain and give her emotions the right to be let out, even when she had one of the best people in the world, constantly on her side.


    A few more minutes were given to let her emotions our and by the time Leonica felt like she could no longer cry, she felt much better. Who knew crying could help so much, she thought as she walked towards the sink and emptied the ss of juice, watching as the weird colored liquid drained down into


    the sink


    She was not going to do something stupid, not because of heartbreak, little family issues or selfishness. She was going to stay and she was going to face it all, because she had someone she could depend on


    In the background, Ashley''s cries rang out, most definitely woken from his slumber by the sound of her sobbing minutes ago. As she sighed out and walked in the direction of his room, Leonica could recall herst thought.


    Romance is shitty and kids are baby demons, but even at that, she loved Ashley dearly and was going to do everything in her power to make sure he grew up better than she did.


    The sound of the elevator door dinging open snapped Leonies out of her trip down memoryne. She blinlood and watched the lift doors slid apart before she stepped out and walked down the halls leading to her office, Kennedy beside her.


    Her mind had just about cleared up halfway from Gabriel''s confession yesterday, but her heart was a different case. That darn ursed heart of hers. She really wished she could rip it out and toss it aside, but well, everyone know that wasn''t possible She liked Gabriel, but not to the point of death.


    If it came to death or forgiving Gabriel, regretfully, Leonica would pick thetter.


    Chuckding at the thought, she opened her office door and instantly came to a halt. Kennedy who was focused on his tablet, building schedule for the day nearly bumped into her, fortunately he had looked up and stopped a foot from her body.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Ms. Romero? Is everything alright?" He asked. When she didn''t respond, he perred over her shoulder to look into her office space. "Oh," He mused, now understanding the cause for her action.


    There were three huge baskets of flowers ced in her office, choctes, wines, huge human size teddy bear and jewelry boxes to apany e


    each of the flower baskets, Andeach one was sent from a different person


    Leonica knew this because of the different names written on the gift cards after she examined the flowers.


    The first basket that she approached belonged to Gabriel. Seeing his name alone had Leonica''s heart speeding up but also weirdly aching. She casted her feelings aside and went through the gift he had sent. A basket of pink Daffodils, A bottle of French 75, and a box of jacques Torres. All her favorite things if she must admit. Next to his basket was Arvan''s. A bouquet of Irises,vender jewelry set matching her eyes and a signed copy of the romance novel they had once discussed about together. The book caught Leonica''s eyes out of everything


    She picked it up, flipped through it and chuckled at the fact that he still recalled a discussion that had taken ce when he had been hospitalized. If he His was his way of courting then, simple gifts with big messages, then he''d be happy to hear that it was a brilliant idea. The next andst basket after that was Owen''s basket. It was huge, simple andvish. A basket of Purple Daltodils, Bew romantic scented candles and a


    huge freaking white teddy bear that was the size of a freaking human!


    Shocker, who gave him that idea.


    "You never told me you wanted to turn your office into a flower shop, Ms. Romern." Kennedy finallymented on the situation.


    "That''s because I don''t..." She shook her head and sighed, "Why do I bother? Help me get these off my table."


    Chucking quietly, Kennedy did as he was told. Once the flowers along with the gifts and huge ass Teddy bear was arranged carefully in a corner, he turned back to his employer. "You really got popr Ms. Romero." "With everything happeningtely, I''m not surprised." Leonica said as she turned her system on, intending to start work, but Kennedy remained where he was ncing from the gifts to her. "What is it?"


    "Nothing. I just couldn''t help but wonder who the lucky winner would be, or rather, whose gift you''re going to ept. Tell me Ms. Romero, I promise It''s only going to remain between you and use."

 Chapter 92

    Leonica''s eyes narrowed at his words. "Kennedy? Get to work would you. She dismissed with a were of her hand.


    Kennedy chuckled at her and walked out of the office, carrying his tablet along. However, less than a minute hadn''t passed when he stuck his head into her office again. "We can discuss it over a hot cup of coffee, Ms, what do you say?" Leonica smiled. "Kennedy, get back to work or else you won''t even have a work to ck off from."


    Kennedy feigned surprise, chuckled and then left. But as quickly as he had disappeared and closed her office door, it had opened again. Leonica was about to explode at him for his sudden nature to gossip, but when she looked up, she was surprised to see the person standing there wasn''t Kennedy but Leonardo.


    "I flew halfway across the globe because you called sounding desperate and the situation did indeed look desperate, but looking at things now, it''s safe to say you''ve handled it perfectly with your charms. So why bother myself? Leonardo teased as he walked closer to her table and opened his arms for a bug when she stood up.


    Leonica dly epted the hug from her adoptive brother, squeezing him tight. Although they were not siblings by blood, Leonardo was still someone she relied on as much as she had done with her real brother. He had treated her like a real sister as well, always being there for her in time of need. And without even knowing it, he had saved her life like that


    A


    few more seconds of heartfelt hugging went by before Leonica pulled back, smiling broadly, "You said your research didn''t conclude until tomorrow." "Well, what can I say, my family is more important that scrap knowledge can always pick up from where I left off." He said and gently patted her head. He looked around once again, spotting the gifts and recalling the press videos he had seen. "But, it seems like you''ve got everything covered over here. Was there really any need for me toe all the way here?" He teased. Leonica yfully swatted his arm. "Of course there is." She sank down into her chair after rounding the table and Leonardo sat across from her. "Things may seem fine now, but in the future I''ll be putting one third of my energy into the IVF procedure and things may get stressful with thepany. That''s when youe in."


    "So what, I''m gonna be like what, second inmand?" Leonardo joked and watched as his sisterughed and nodded her head. But he could only bring himself to smile.


    When Leonica noticed his distressed demeanor, she asked. "What''s wrong?


    He hesitated, "I''m sorry for missing your call, Leonica. I was in the mountains and they had no signals and the call couldn''t go through. But that''s still no excuse for me not being here for Ashley when he got into the ident. I''m sorry."


    "Whoa whoa whoa, there''s no need for you to be apologizing, Leonardo. It wasn''t your fault and I know you''re going to say ''I should never have gone o that dumb research trip maybe then I could have been there for him, but don''t you dare. I won''t permit it because that trip is your dream, Leonardo. You''ve scarified so much for this family since Melvin left, too much if you asked me and your dream isn''t going to be one of the things you''ll sacrifice, alright?" Alright." He forced a smile and Leonica returned the gesture, except hers was more genuine


    With that matter out of the way, they both eased up a bit and discussed Leonardo''sing back to thepany. She had saved Rodrigo''s former spot on the board for him in case something like this ever urred.


    In the middle of their discussion, Leonica''s phone began to ring. She ced their conversation on a hold briefly and answered the call after confirming it was from Doctor Bailey.


    "Doxtor Bailey, Hello." "The greeted as soon as she pressed the phone against her ear.


    However the voice that greeted her ears didn''t belong to Doctor Bailey. "Good morning Ms. Romero. My name''s na, Doctor Bailey''s assistant. Doctor Bailey couldn''t make this call because he has an urgent matter at hand, but he asked me to make it in his stend and request that youe to the hospital right away because it''s an emergency."


    The urgency in the na''s voice had Leonica rising to her feet and sharing a worried look with her brother. "Is is everything alright?"


    Worthy Enough To Deserve Her Love.


    Those words were enough to have Leonica racing out of thepany without second thoughts, Leonardo was confused, but during the drive, she had taken the initiative to exin the call to him.


    "well, did they say what the bad news was about?" He questioned as they get closer to the hospital, Currently, they like it hadn''t moved for the past two hours, but in reality, they had only been there for five minutes.


    y were stuck in a traffic that looked


    "No. And I never said it was bad news. They never said it was bad news, just an emergency." She tapped her finger on the steering wheel as she corrected and waited for the traffic to free. At some point, she contemted jumping out from her car and just jogging the remaining mile or two to the hospital.


    She could make it; after all, what was a little stress for Ashley''s safety.


    Was the emergency even about Ashley? Fuck, she should have asked questions before hanging up the call and skidding to the lift. She cursed in her mind.


    "Hey, calm down." Leonardo sald and reached for her right hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to get her to calm down.


    Leonica appreciated his efforts, but she couldn''t calm down. "I can''t Leo. What if Ashley''s the emergency? What if something happened to him?" She asked.


    "It can be something totally unrted, Leonica, calm down, okay?" He said and squeezed her hand onest time.


    When she took her brother''s advice, drew in some breath and calmed down, the traffic had begun to lessen up, Quickly, she stepped on the breaks and drove the remaining mile to the hospital. She parked her car and rushed out, ignoring Leonardo''s calls from behind, telling her to slow down


    Stepping into the hospital, her eyes scanned around for any signs of Doctor Bailey, but instead, she spotted Gabriel talking nearby with a hospital nurse Figuring that he might have gotten the same call and now having more reason to worry over Ashley''s safety, Leonica approached him


    The sound of her nearing footsteps bad alerted Gabriel. He hated his conversation with the nurse and looked over his shoulder at her just as she reached him. Now beside him, Leonien quickly noticed signs of stubbles on his jaw and how disorganized he looked from usual


    Strands of his hair brushed freely in his face, rather than being perm back like usual. His the hung loosely around his neck and the first two buttons of his shirt were undone. Those were all things Gabriel disliked and wouldn''t do on a normal day.


    All these little details weren''t anything too bad, but were something that could be noticed if you knew Gabriel well enough. Like she does


    Knowing it was caused by the whish of the things be had said in the press conference and as a result, stocks and investments had dropped and he was now trying to handle it, Leonica couldn''t help but feel a little, just a little worry, after all, he had held that press conference to alleviate the press froming after her any further.


    But with the situation at hand, she quickly pushed those worries aside and asked. "What''s going on?"


    Gabriel shook his head. "Not sure." He answered and as if knowing the next question she was going to ask, he added. "But thankfully it''s not rted to Ashley."


    His words brought instant relief to Leonica. Her bodynguage became less tensed and she rnd, Gabriel equally became rxed after watching her rx. Then from behind her, he caught sight of Leonardo approaching and narrowed his eyes to confusion Last be heard, Leonardo was off somewhere in the mountains, When did hee back? And why was he here? Apanying Leonica perhaps?


    As normal as that sounded, it didn''t sit well with Gabriel. Having Leonica rely on any other man than him didn''t sit well. Blood brother or not. Casting the thoughts aside, he fled his gaze back on Leonica.


    She looked at him after feeling his eyes on her for quite some time. "Is something the matter?"


    Gabriel shook his head. "No, not at all. I just wanted to find out if you got the flowers and gifts I sent?"


    Leonica''s mind went back to the basket of pink Daffodils and the gifts that hade along with it and the letter card. And she blushed after recalling the words she had read on the card


    -Thope you can forgive me for my mistakes and give me a chance.-


    Those words were so much like the ones he said during the press conference.


    *Sending me gilts are pointless, Gabriel. Don''t waste your time." She said, cleared her throat and looked away.


    But that didn''t discourage Gabelel. In fact it encouraged him, because Leonica of two months ago, when she had first returned, would have smashed those gifts in his face, insulted him and then proceed to burn those gifts... like she burnt his dresses five years ago. All in all, it was a good sign, probably sign that she was warming up to him? Forgiving him perhaps?


    t going to give


    1. up.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Ha, wishful thinking, she had just told him not to waste his time. But despite that, he wasn''t p *As pointless and time wasting as it may be, I don''t intend to stop. Not until you''ve forgiven me. And even then, I don''t intend on going back on what I said, Leonica. I will do whatever it takes to be worthy enough for you to love me once again. Worthy enough to know I deserve that love,"


    Leonica remained quiet, not out of speechlessness, but rather because she wasn''t sure of the words that woulde out of her mouth the moment she decided to speak. But even remaining silent was risky because she could feel and hear her heart beating and hoped that Gabriel won''t be able to hear it too


    she stared at her.


    Thankfully, Doctor Balley showed up at that exact time, saying her from the pain of staying silent or saying something that she was sure to regretter. That was at the effect Gabriel had on her.

 Chapter 93

    Worthy Enough To Deserve Her Love


    "Mr. Bryce and Ms. Romero, I apologize for making such an rming call, but rests assure, all is well. There''s just seems to be a little issue."


    "What is it?" Leonica was quick to ask, wanting nothing more than to dump the matter of Gabriel''s confession, again, and move on.


    "Shall we discuss that in my office?" Doctor Bailey asked and nced between the two who nodded their head. "Great, This way," He said and pointed towards the direction of his office, about to start walking when he noticed Leonardo following "Oh, and you are?" "Family." Leonica beat the man himself to the punch. "He cane along?"


    "Are you sure?" Doctor Bailey asked.


    Leonica didn''t hesitate to nod. "Yes. Whatever it is you want to tell us, I trust him with it." She said and nced at Gabriel, waiting him to make an input. He caught her state and the meaning within it, but chooses to remain silent. The words he wanted to say were sure to upset Leonica and he didn''t need her getting any angrier at him that she already is all because he didn''t like how much she relied on Leonardo. Who was not her blood brother, might point out.


    "Very well then. This way please."


    Dr. Bailey leads the way to his office. Once they were all in, he motioned for Gabriel and Leonica to take a seat. Leonardo stands a few feet behind, wanting to give them, Gabriel in particr, at least a little bit of privacy.


    With every one sited or standing, together in general, Doctor Bailey Began. "Ms. Romero, Mr. Bryce, thank you foring in. I intended to discuss this privately with you, but it seems otherwise now."


    Gabriel shakes his head, waving off the doctor''s concern. "It''s fine. You can go on ahead."This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Doctor Bailey nodded and fished out a brown envelope. While he was busy doing this, Leonica nced over her shoulder and shed her brother a smile, which he returned the gesture with a supportive one of his. Gabriel didn''t fail to notice the connection between them once again, and a twinge of jealousy crossed his face.


    The next second, Doctor Bailey spoke up. "Alright, so the reason why I called you both here is because something in the physical tests fromst time caught my attention. In Ms. Romero''s test to be precise."


    Leonica''s eyes narrowed at his announcement. "Something wrong in my test, what is it?"


    Doctor Bailey pulled out a white paper from the brown envelope and ced it on the table for all to see. "We''ve conducted several tests, and unfortunately, it appears that Leonica isn''t physically fit for either IUI or IVE."


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!


    y


    who appears to be unit doe


    itical insemination. Through the series of test conducted on the IVF physicals, we were able to conclude that this casad as a result ofplications and high level of stress during her first pregnancy." Doctor Bailey continued on, exining to the three all he and his team had learnt


    he spoke, the sterile walls of the doctor''s office sected to close in an Gabriel as he absorbed the wright of the revtion. The news of Leonica''s


    to conceive through IVT, a consequence of the stress during her first pregancy, hit him like a ton of bricks and soon the feeling guilt bubble up


    The ghet was as a resah of the nagging thought in his mind that if he had been there with Leonica during her first pregnancy, had he not thrown hother all because this pride and misunderstandings, then maybe, no, not maybe, below for a fact that the situation would have been


    Lica would have been in a good home, summounded by the love of those she truly cared for and well taken carent. That would have left no room for pomp?cations and stress.


    "Is there another way to remedy this?" Leonica asked in a quiet tene. Her voice was almost breathless, as if the news had devastated her in some way hast the thought of it being done so made Gabriel clench his fist and strike a chord in his chest that tightened painfully as he couldn''t shake off the


    knowing that this was a consequence of his past mistakes


    ok of regret on his face, then she did a good job at felgning indifference as she sat still and awaited Doctor Bailey''s answer.


    med to take longer than usual to answer. After a few seconds of thinking, he sighed and shook his head. "No other artificial way, to my owledge at least. But, The male


    Oh no, Larica thought, knowing bill well each time there was a


    " or "however" involved in a statement, it was never anything good


    Doctor Batley had sensed her dead, but for the sake of Ashley''s life, he chooses to ignore it, continuing on. "As it stands, conceiving through seasale the best choice.


    "What?" Lica questioned, not because she needed Doctor Bailey to repeat his words or didn''t hear it, as a matter of fact, she heard it loud and clear, too clearly for her to believe and that''s why she needed a moment to make sure she had heard the right words, Peches beat to say something else and identally twisted his tongue. Yes, that must be it!


    Tast when it seamed Eke Leonica was convincing herself of a possible scenario, the doctor spoke up once again. "Conceiving by sexual intercourse." He repezza?, mozna steamily this time around as be Intended for Leonica to hear it clearly. But Vicely be knew that she had beard it correctly the first time and bearing it again, breaking the belief she had fabricated seconds ago, made her go mina Leonardo quickly sansad her discemdom and something else.


    one feeling be got each time Leonica was about to snap. Having been with her for thirteen, if not fourteen years as an older brother and most me being at the mercy of said feeling, he knew better than anyone to take a step back and keep a good distance from her. Leonardo was more than thankful when be reached a safe distance and Leonica suddenly shot an usatorily gaze toward Gabriel. Suspicion dripped from her voice as she questioned him. "Is this some kind of trick, Gabriel? She looked back at Doctor Bailey who became confused because of the re she was sending way. "Ba''s in on this with you, isn''t he?"


    epes in confusion. "What?" He questioned.


    "Don''t act so innocent." Leonica snapped. "Your action at Ashley''s party was only so you could swoop in and y prince charming rescuing his damsel. You know what my uncle was up to and took advantage of that. Your confession, the flowers you sent, God I can''t believe I almost fell for that stupid


    She chuckled but it sounded anything from happy. "You did all that because you wanted to have the perfect reason to make Doctor Bailey tell ma


    (Ouch, Leonice thought once hearing what she believes had been the obvious truth,e out of her own mouth. It should have been so clear since the very beginning. There was no way Gabriel could have fallen in love with her so quickly. He was only doing this entire bullshit to that she could bear mone children for him give him more heirs to run his dumbpany.


    Taking a second, she med herself for being a fool and allowing even five percent of Gabriel''s words get to her. She shouldn''t have watched that press conference, she shouldn''t have kept that damn flower basket, she shouldn''t have listened to his dumb confession out in the lobby and she sure as hell shouldn''t have hoped thar Gabriel fucking Bryce would change.


    Because in the end, it was only her getting hurt by those thoughts.


    Those very same thoughts and feelings that nearly drove her over the edge live years ago.


    "You''re el Gabriel." She muttered white shaking her head. Taking a second, she swallowed thickly. "I get that you, don''t love me and just see me as someone that could be discarded," As she spoke, Gabriel slowly shook his head, but she paid no attention to him and continued on. "But did you ever for once think of Ashley. Is dl these," She pointed between Doctor Bailey and him. "really for him, or your selfish desires?"


    "Leonica stop. You''re misunderstanding everything" Gabriel tried to exin

 Chapter 94

    "Don''t tell me that Leonis & interjected


    you are. This isn''t some scheme, that result, is genuine and so is everything 1 said during the press conference and out there. I meant every single noe of those things, and those flowers, the gifs, lonly sent them because I felt like you deserved something like that and even mote, Hot lecane waded to contine or mopte yini, Trutica Please bebeve me." Gabriel exined. But for the look on Leonica''s face, be could tell that she


    will doubted everything he had just said, now and before. "I swear on grandmother''s grave, none of those things were my intention. Please, believe


    me." He added in a much softer tone, making thest of his wordse off sounding like a plea


    And it was,


    Hearing that he had sworn on L''s grave, Grondea couldn''t help but believe that Gabriel''s assurances were genuine. She knew how much he loved the woman and lived by her, lying on her grave would be the same thing as going against everything he stood for and Gabriel would much rather fight the world than go against everything he stood for.


    Although his words had brought on a weird wave of reassurance to Leonica, she couldn''t help but feel fate was ying a cruel game with her heart. One second it was looking Like Gabriel was regretting his actions and trying to repent, making her heart, more than her mind, have this stupid and sick thought that there might actually be a chance for them, if he truly changed. But then the very next second, fate was portraying him as the antagonist of her story, breaking down those sick thoughts her heart had even dared to harbor. Tines like that was when she felt truly grateful, because she was reminded of what Gabriel had done to her and once again given another reason not to even consider going back to him.


    But this time however, something was different. What was different? Was it his expression or the fact that his words had sounded like he was desperately trying to convince her to believe him. Or was it the fact that he had sworn on L''s grave to everything being true, even his confession. Did that then mean that he was really in love with her?


    Leonardo, who had been silently observing the exchange from aer close to the door, finally spoke up, cutting through the tension with a sharp question. "Mast Leonica have the child with the original father of Ashley?"


    Gabriel''s head snapped in the male''s direction and he red at him with clenched jaw at the implication of his question. The doctor however, saw no red g with the question asked and unbeknownst of how much the question enraged Gabriel, he answered carefully, "Theoretically, a child of the original parents would have the best chance of sess. However,"


    Ah, there goes the ''however, Gabriel thought as he closed his eyes and sighed, knowing very well that he wasn''t going to like the doctor''s next words.


    No thanks to Leonardo.


    "The mother or father of the child could try with a third party. As long as one of the child Biological parents is involved, then the chances of the bone marrow being a sessful match is close to fifty percent, but notplete perfection andplications could ur. Speaking from a professional point of view, Ashley''s future operation has the highest chance of sess if his sibling is convinced from both of his original parent."


    Silence settled in the room as the weight of the doctor''s words pressed upon them. Doctor Bailey, who was very much aware of all the drama going on between the two families from the news, sensed the need to give them very much needed privacy and excused himself, leaving the trio to grapple with theplexity of their situation.


    With Doctor Bailey gone, Gabriel turned towards Leonica once again, talding in her hard at thought expression before he decided to try and mend the situation before it took a turn for the worse any more than it could.


    The room was filled with a heavy silence for a few seconds more as Gabriel took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Leonica. "Leonica, I know the wounds of the past run deep, and I can''t erase the pain I caused you five years ago. He paused and gauged her reaction now that he had her attention. She was listening Good, he thought as he continued. "But please, let me try to make amends, Leonica, I''ve spent quite a while regretting the choices 1 made in the past, the choices that ruined our marriage, and I''m determined to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you allow me to


    Leonica''s gaze was guarded, but she allowed him to continue, curiosity mingling with lingering hurt in her eyes,This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "I betrayed your trust, and for that, I can''t apologize enough," Gabriel confessed, his voice a gentle plea that Leonica only knew he could make today and with a expression that she had never seen towards her in her two years of marriage to him. "But in these five years, since you lett, I''ve grown, and hopefully, I''ve changed. I''ve learned the true meaning of regret, and I''ve learned what it means to lose something you never realized was the most precious thing in your life."


    He reached for her hands, intending to hold them tenderly, but she pulled back just as his finger grazed her skin. Gabriel swallowed, but epted her action. "Leonica, I''m not asking you to forget. I''m asking you to please try and forgive, to allow us the chance to build something beautiful from the nins of our past, a beautiful home that we can raise Ashley and his siblings in"


    Leonica swallowed and clenched her jaw as she listened to the sincerity in his voice. The pain of the past was still there, very much, but so was the flicker of hope that her dumb heart provided. That flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could ovee the past, "I don''t want to make promises I can''t kerp, but I swear to you, I will spend every day working to be the men you deserve," Gabriel continued, his gaze unwavering. "And not just for you, but for the family we could have. A family built on trust, forgiveness, and a love that''s strong enough to withstand anything. So Leonica, what do you say?" Two Months, That''s The Time Limit.


    "So Leonica, what do you say?" Gabriel asked with clear hints of expectancy in his voice.


    The air in the room thickened with tension as Leonardo, ever the voice of reason that Leonica was forever grateful to have beside her, spoke up before her heart could offer a response to the ridiculous proposition Gabriel had offered.


    "Whether she agrees to that proposal of yours, it''s a fact, stated by the doctor himself that getting another baby from the original parents can''t guarantee a hundred percent sessful match," he pointed out, his gaze steady. He dismissed Gabriel''s stare when the older male turned once again to look at him. Instead, he focused on his younger sister who looked like she was clearly contemting Gabriel''s proposal.


    Could he me her, Gabriel was a sweet taffer; even he had almost mistaken the devil for a knight in shining armor a minute ago. So what was the guarantee that his sister, Leonka, the woman who had fallen in love with him once, and was clearly still in love with hirn, wouldn''t bite his words? Devilor saint, Leonardo truly didn''t care who his sister ended up with. What mattered was that Leonica followed her heart; because if her heart demanded the end up with the devil then he was a hundred percent sure she could change him into an angel in a matter of months.


    Pushing himself off the wall he had been resting on during the entire ordeal, he took a step forward, hand shoved into his pocket. "Follow your heart, Leonica. Choose the right man to be the father of your second child."


    "What I mean is, 1 don''t want you to get harmed due to an impulsive decision," he exined after sering the look of confusion somewhat written on Leonica''s face. "Having a baby is not a simple choice and definitely not one that should be made in the heat of a situation. I understand that Ashley''s future is riding on this, but I suggest that you take some time and think this through. Perhaps a month or two and during that time, you should consider seeing other men. If you still can''t find a more suitable man after that, then you can consider having a child with Gabriel,"


    Gabriel''s expression darkened at Leonardo''s words and the fact that he had so boldly uttered it in front of him and he interjected, "I am still Ashley''s father." His reminder drew the attention of both siblings back to him. When Leonica''s gaze especiallynded on him, he purposely lowered his voice, sounding less angry than Leonardo''s bizarre suggestion had made him, "I won''t


    ept


    Leonardo cut him off with a firm retort. "You are Ashley''s father, but you are not Leonica''s husband anymore, you epting it or not has nothing to do with Leonica''s choice if she does indeed decide to find another man to bear a child with, which I strongly suggest she does. And more over this advice is for both of you Gabriel can seek out other women as well; no one''s going to paint you at cheater this time around."


    Anger red in Gabriel''s eyes at Leonardo''s words. He was very much aware what he meant. "Being painted a cheater or not has nothing to do with this situation, Leonardo Romero." He said sternly. "And moreover, even if Doctor Bailey had made the suggestion, I don''t intend on doing it." He turned his attention back to Leonica and added. "Leonica''s the only woman who I want bearing my children."


    Much to his dismay, Leonica shook her head, disagreeing with his words. "No, I think Leonardo is right," She said in a calm manner. Thankfully, Leonardo had spoken up before she did; his words had given her the opportunity to clear her head and think, actually registering Doctor''s Bailey''s words that it was not a must to conceive with the original parent of the child.


    "What? Right, how?" Gabriel questioned.


    *With everything going on, you must be confused, heck, I''m confused. So, it''s only wise that we try and get our heads straight, our feelings straight before making any decision that we''ll regret. I don''t know about you, but I''m taking the advice."


    Frustration etched across Gabriel''s face, frustration directed at Leonardo, to be clear, but he quicklyposed himself. "Fine," he dered with a nod." You do what you want. Two months, that''s the time limit. During that time, I won''t see any other women and I''ll work on gaining your trust and forgiveness, Leonica."


    "On a normal day, I''d say you should try your best, but that would just be a waste of your time." Leonica said as she stood up from her seat and forced that one vague smile she normally did around him. "Be a dare and tell the doctor when he returns, that I''ll be taking his suggestion." With that she excused herself and stepped out of the doctor''s office. Leonardo lingered behind for a few seconds, having a silent but wild spoken staring contest with Gabriel before joining her outside.


    "I''ll drive," He told her as the approached the vehicle. Leonica didn''t bother arguing and handed him the car keys, settling in the passenger seat while he settled in the driver''s seat. With the engine turned on and ready to go, Leonardo took onest look at his sister. "You alright?" He asked.


    Leonica smiled "Yeah, I''m alright." She led, but even thought Leonards knew this, he kept to himself and allowed her sort through the thoughts in her head Considering everything that had just happened in the doctor''s office that was the least he could do,


    Retsening to the office, she bade Leonardo goodbye after he had insisted on paying their parents a visit before they further discussed his uing role In thepany. As she stepped into her office, she was surprised to see Owen seated in one of the chairs. "Owen? What are you doing here?" She asked as she walked closer, watching as the younger boy rose up from his seat as he spotted her.


    "Leonica, thank god you''re here. There''s something I need to tell you." He said.


    Leonica suddenly became tensed because of the look on his face. It looked anything from his usual expression


    Is expression looked worried.

 Chapter 95

    Special Chapter: A Story Untold.


    *Remind me why again you want to go to the beach on a Christmas?" Melvin Romero asked as he watched his sister wrap her winter scarf around her neck and pack her hair into a pony tail, before she turned to face him. *Because it''s Christmas, stupid. Came her response as she bent down and threw on her shoes.


    He scotted at her answer. I Funny how she was calling him the stupid one when she was the one who woke up around six am and began announcing that she was going to the beach. Obviously their parent''s had thought something was wrong with her sudden determination to go to the beach, on a Christmas. They had tried stopping her, but Leonica was set and after an hour or two of back and forth banter, they gave in, granting her the permission she needed to leave, but with one catch. He as her older brother had toe along Protection, they called it, since she had also refused to allow any of the guards tag along


    "Beaches are for summer, not Christmas, stupid. He muttered and huffed, bending down to also put on his shoe. By the time he was done, Leonica was already half way down their porch, clearly in a hurry to reach her destination. "Hey, slow down." He called and chased after her. be settling on the


    The air was crisp as they made their way to the beach. Decorations on all sides of Oslo adding ever the more to the vibrant Christmas vibefortable town. By the time they arrived at the beach, after many stops for Ice cream and familiar greetings and to pick up a third party who was more than happy to join, the skies were already painted in hues of pink and orange as the sun began to set and wavespped the shores. Leonica and Leonardo, their third party, reveled in the beauty of the winter beach, while Melvin grumbled underneath his breath with folded arms, refusing to admit the beauty his best friend and younger sister were already swooning over.


    "Why did you suddenly want toe to the beach, Leonica?" Leonardo asked as they walked along the shores, Leonica''s pace being faster than anyone


    else.


    Hearing the question, Leonica looked over her shoulder and smiled gently. She wanted to tell both her brother and Leonardo that this exact time three years ago, they had made a time capsule and buried it underneath the sand, somece near the river banks. But as delightful as it would be to see their face''s light up with remembrance, making them y a game of lunt and hang in suspense was equally as good


    "That''s a secret." She pressed her index finger against her lips, smile bing broader.


    Melvin and Leonardo exchanged looks, clearly confused, while Leonica skipped off in the direction of the river banks, pulling her shoe off so that her toes could fill the water. She yelped andughed and pulled back a bit when a rush of cold water wave covered her leg "Don''t just stand there,e on." She beckoned and after several shared looks, Leonardo joined her and Melvinter followed suit, clearly reluctant. As they yed near the water, a suddenmotion caught Leonica''s attention. A boy, not much older than her, was struggling to rescue a dog from the icy waves.


    "Hey, are you seeing that?" She asked as she looked behind at her brother and his best friend who were more engrossed in ying failing to notice the struggling boy. "Hey." The rest of her words were swallowed by the sound of theirughers. Without hesitation, Leonica turned away and rushed to help.


    than


    in she had been,


    She went deeper into the water with hesitation, wetting her clothes as she helped the struggling boy grab the dog. The cold water bit at her skin as they worked together to save the stranded pup and soon, they were back onnd. Grateful, the boy looked at Leonica with sincere dull ck eyes and thanked her for her assistance.


    His name was Gabriel, and his gratitude was apanied by a warm smile. Leonica, captivated by his handsome features, couldn''t help but ask for his ""What''s your


    name?"


    ?" She asked, totally forgetting about the puppy that was in her arm


    "Gabriel," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of charm. In turn, be asked for her name. "What''s your name?"


    Leonica hesitated for a moment. Her brother''s words echoed in her mind, cautioning her about being too friendly with strangers.


    "Not everyone is a good person." He''d always say while banking her forehead.


    With a yful smile, she decided to keep it simple. "I''m Leo." She answered using the familiar nickname her family and close friends called her by


    They spent the remaining daylight hour''s together, sharing stories andughter. The connection between them felt natural, as if they had known each other for much longer. In the distance, Melvin''s voice carried over the wind, calling for Leonica. She scrambled to her feet, carefully cing the hall dried puppy in Gabriel''s armsN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "Shit, 1 have to go." She announced and turned to leave, but stopped, turning around to sh her new friend with a smile. "Let''s meet again, Gabriel," She said and ced out her pinky finger Gabriel besitated, but wrapped his pinky around hers and nodded, With the promise to see Gabriel again sometime made, Leonica bade him goodbye and reluctantly left, the promise lingering In the air.


    Back at home, seated around the dinner table with her family, Leonica gazed out of the window. Snowkes danced in the evening sky, casting a serene glow within the cold while her mother served their Christmas dinner.


    Cassandra, curious about their day, questioned "So, how was your day at the beach? Anything interesting happen?"


    "Boring." Melvin replied as he reached for his share of the food "And aplete waste of time"


    "Melvin, benice" Benjamin scolded, "Your mother was talking to your sister."

 Chapter 96

    11


    Spemar chapter. A Story Untold


    Leonica''s eyes sparkled with the memory of Gabriel. She smiled and said, "It was nice and really charming. The best Christmas gift if you ask me." "Oh?" Cassandra exchanged a look with her husband. "Is that so?"


    Leonica nodded her head with a charmed smile. "Yes mom."


    The warmth of that winter day and the promise made on the beach lingered in her heart, marking the beginning of a story that would unfold over the years Unvelling Secrets


    Leende a''s of flew bused with the fun of theseret lights, a stark contrast to the mirase settling in her stonsach after seeing: Owen''s tundidesi espression


    "What''s polog on, Oseen?" she Inquired, her as nanowing withen. "Talk to me, what''s wrong?" She asked agiln after he had remained silent for far too long, too long for Lronica''s liking


    Taking a deep breath, Owen bepan, "After Ashley''s bathy party, I had one donlits in the present Angelina gave him, su Thad a chat with my friend, the designer of that very same tipinine, the testified to a few of the Elpicines podig missing, and thought that win all, but I d''t. From whit I saw, Angelina me. Seit diba''t made sense for a woman whe clearly wasn''t the hirulliest of person towards you; bet artlig toe have deceived a few people,


    doesn''t have goodtentions towards you to paint of her wow, puse a stolen figurine, all because she wanted to ghee YOU TIE full a present." He paused. and stand pointedly at Levira waiting for the moment she would catch the chift.


    Although she setsed something was wrong with Angelina''s action, just like bark at Ashley''s birthday party when she had given him the figarine, Leonica couldn''t quite plopoint what exactly was wrecip.


    "Where are you going with this?" She asked, sense of citiusity growing as mich, as the dread in her stomachs


    "Lasked and,ected the dots and pulled a few strings." Owen pulled out his plonse, opening up a batch of pleture before cing it on the table and sliding it to Levok a where she now sot. The first picture was that of a purchase receipt. Lomica carefully read the receipt details while Owen exined. A few days before Ashley''s birthy pity, Angelina hal the lignine delivers to her, it was apparently purchased by Stuart Campbell, irrelevant in this matter, and at beast that was what I thought mill found this." He said as he took the phone, made a few swipes and handed it back to Leonica


    is eyes widened, realization dawning upon her after she saw a picture of the figurine Angelina had given Ashley and another figurine of the same brand. The original Ligarine, Comparing the two, it was hings that the first one had been messed with. "That can''t be prod." She muttered the obvious and Owen nokkel. At once, she was unher feet, passing the phone back to Owen as she headed for the akot, "I need to leave."


    Knowing this wasn''t going to end well, or even begin well, then stood up and quirldy blocked her path, thanking the stars that brightened up the sky at night that he was taller than the betale despite being younger. "Whoa, where are you going?"


    Leonica squinted her eyes, silently asking if he didn''t know the answer to that question. He did, but still wanted to confirm with her before he did


    nything. "To contions Angelina" She stated at once.


    Her answer had earned a sigh along with a disagreeing head shake from Owen. "You can''t do that, Leonica. Look, I showed this to you so that we can noid the situation before it happens, not cause a situation


    "So you want me to let her walk scoot free?"


    "Not exactly. What I mean is that we should first attend to Ashley''s safety, pather mough evidence, as in have the figurine in our possession along with camera footage from the day of Ashley''s birthday party to pair up with the receipt, before we confront the culprit. If we do things otherwise, she just might get away." Owen exined and watched as Leonica huffed, visibly calming down.


    "Now, where''s the figurine?" He asked


    It took Leonica sometime to think, trying her hardest to recall where Ashley had told her he was going to keep the toy. When she recalled the spot, she gently snapped her finger. "The toy box. Her voice came out in a gentle tone, low and nearly inaudible, but Owen who was standing close to her, heard it clearly. "I''m sure it''s in there."


    "Well then let''s go. I''ll drive." He offered, not because he did not trust her driving ability at the moment, but rather, because he worried about her safety. The chances of her getting to the figurine and then moving to confront Angelina were bigger than stall And from the vibe he got from this Angelina woman, be knew she wasn''t a walk in the park


    Leonica looked like she was about to turn down his offer. She opened her mouth, but mmed it shut and nodded, walking out of her office with hasty.


    Thankfully, when they arrived home, Ashley was still at school.


    Ms. Romero, is there something you need?" Grace asked when she saw them walking into the house.


    "I need to get a few things from Ashley''s toy chest, do you know where it is? Leonica asked.


    "Underoath his bed. Shall 1 help you look for what she need?"


    "That won''t be necessary, Owen''s already here to help me." She pointed towards the said blonde who lowered his head in a respectful bow which Grace petumed. "You can go back to whatever it is you were doing, I''ll be sure to call you if I need anything." "Of course, Ms. Romero. Grace sald and turned to Owen, bowing as she excused herself.


    Once she was gone, Lomnica looked over her shoulder and beckoned for him to follow her up the stairs. He did just that, all the while admiring the


    terior of her house.


    Even after all those years, she still liked the same thing; we couldn''t help but chockle silently at the thought, relieved that the woman in front of him was still the same person he knew


    Arriving at Ashley''s enorm, they careful dug through his toy chest, before they spotted the tigarine and Leonica gently pulled it out.


    twin was quick to collect it and carefully examined the figurine, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the out of ce arrangement. Pulling the hand off, the wrist to be precise, he spotted a tiny needle tucked away discreetly.


    Leonica''s expression became grim as she saw the needle. "Innocent my foot," Owen muttered after recalling Gabriel''s work on the day of Ashley birthday party. He took another second to examine it beforeing to a conclusion, "Whatever this needle is, it seems clean. I don''t think Ashley''s


    Relief washed over Leonica as she realized Ashely hadn''tid a finger on it. But the relief was soon run over by anger towards Angelina''s woman was so cruel to the point that she had brought Ashley, an innocent child into her unrequited, one-sided hatred


    What the hell was wrong with her? Sure, Leonica was not surprised by this action of her, after all, she had never believed in her stadden change and this wasn''t a new trick in the bible at all, but the fact that she had dared bring a child into this entire mess, was something she couldn''t wrap her heal around


    Sighing, she ced the disturbing thoughts away, making a mental note to deal with Angelina in a few hours, but as for now, she need to thank Owen and perhaps, settle things with his confession before he turned into a part two of Angelina. Handling one Angelina was bad enough, talk less two, one created from her choice of ignorance.


    "Thank you, Owen," She said with a smile, her gratitude sincere. "You might have just saved Ashley from whatever Angelina had nned."


    Owen offered a small, reassuring smile, his gaze lingering on Leonica. "It''s the least I could have done. But that aside," He passed "That aside?" Leonica repeat with a tilt of her head.


    Leonica''s eyes furrowed as she studied Owen more closely. It wasn''t the first time that something about him tugged at the edges of her memory, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Sensing her confusion, Owen decided to jog her memory. He rolled up the sleeve of his jacket to reveal his wrist which had a triple star tatton-a small, intricate design that held a world of memories." Remember this?" He asked her, hoping that this much was enough to trigger her memories. The amount of relief he felt the next second as Leonica''s eyes widened when recognition dawned upon her was unspeakable.


    "Owen?" She muttered now seeing the boy who been her neighbor many years ago.


    Except, back in the days his name had been Owen B, his fatherst name, now that she thought about it. And his hair had been a lovely chestnut brown that Leonica recalledplimenting and running her hand through each time they had a tutor session. Those two things aside, many other things had changed.


    His height was one of those things. Owen had been shorter than Leonica, reaching her somece around her shoulder, now he towered over her with a noticeable gap. Another thing that had changed was his body build and his countenance. Owen from all those years ago was shy and reserved, never dared to talk back to the bullies when he rayed around with him and stole his lunch money.


    Now here he was, being the star of the century. Who could have phantom that.


    Owen chuckled at her astound expression, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think I''d changed too much."


    It took her a few seconds more, but Leonica couldn''t help but smile, a flood of memories rushing back as she stepped closer and examined his face, now noting the resemnce between him and her forgotten tutee. "You''ve definitely changed, but I should have known that mischievous glint anywhere." Owen feigned a wounded expression, cing his hand on his chest to seem all the more dramatic. "I was a bit heartbroken when you didn''t recognize me when we met in yourpany."


    Leonicaughed at his act, the tension of the moment dissipating as she reached forward and patted his head, noting that she still enjoyed patting the younger boy on the head just like she did years ago.


    Owen however, wasn''t too fond of the way she looked at him with the same eyes from all those years ago. I Had she not seen his speech? His confession?


    Was she dense to his romantic feelings both then and now? Or had she simply chose to ignore them?


    "You know you shouldn''t treat me like a kid anymore, Leonica." He said.


    Like he was still a lid.


    "What? Oh," She quickly withdrew her hand, believing that it must be awkward for Owen after all these years and he might probably be offended seeing as it had taken her close to three works to recognize him.


    She wouldn''t even have recognized him had he not shown her the tattoo she had taken him to get just before he moved away with his mother after his parents had divorced.


    "I''m sorry, and I owe you, Owen. How about I treat you to dinner as an apology and a thank you?" She offered with a smile.


    Owen''s eyes sparkled with amusement. "I''ll take you up on that offer, Leonica"


    The restaurant was a cozy haven, filled with theforting aroma of delicious food. Over a shared meal, Owen and Leonica caught up on the years that had passed. They spoke of life, love, and the unexpected twists that brought them back together.


    By the time their short vacation hade to a close, they had caught up with the yours of life they had missed and Leonica telt much better. However, coincidental nce at the restaurant''s clock told Leonica that she had enjoyed her meal with Owen far too much. It was alreatly close to evening, post the time of closing for Ashley''s school. Normally, she wouldn''t have been in a rush to pick him up seeing as the schoolus would have done her work, Init today was different; after all, she had personally offered to pick him up after school.


    Linverling Secrets


    "I''m meant to pick Ashley up." She said and clicked her tongue to the top of her mouth. "This was fun Owen, we should definitely do it some other time, but as for now, I have to leave." She said and stood up,


    Owen did the same, not ready for their time together toe to an end so soon. "How about I apany you to pick up Ashley from the kindergarten? I''m sure he''d be d to see me again." He proposed. Leonica chuckled as his narcissistic words. "Confident, aren''t you."


    "What do you expect when you''re a mother and son''s favorite person?" Owen said as he hailed the waiter over and handed his card to him..


    "No, it''s my treat, I''ll pay." Leonica protested.


    "Just because it''s your treat doesn''t mean you should pay. And besides, having you here with me is more than enough." Owen said and winked. After he got his card back, he said. "Nowe on, we don''t want to keep Ashley waiting any longer than he already had, now, do we?"


    Leonica chuckled underneath her breath before she followed him towards her car. Thankfully, the ride to Ashley''s school as short as the restaurant Leonica had chosen was coincidentally close to it.


    Stopping into the school, Leonica nearly ran into Arvan who looked confused after seeing her. "Leonica? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" "Everything''s alright." Leonica answered as she chuckled at Arvan''s question. What else was she doing in a kindergarten if not to pick her son up? "And I''m here to pick Ashley up. Have you by any chance seen him?""


    "Not really, but," Leonica smile ttered at hisst word.


    "But?" She repeated.


    "I ran into the principal a couple of minutes ago and he told me that Ashley was picked up by his godmother." Leonica sighed at the news, but her relief came too soon as Arvan added. "What did he say her name was again?" "Anast-" Leonica had begun but Arvan''s words interrupted hers.


    "Angelina."


    Leanica''s smilepletely faded and she asked. "What... did you just say?"


    "Her name, the principal said her name was Angelina."


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!


    y


    Your Son Will Suffer The Consequences.


    Earlier in the day, while the sun still bathed the city in warm hues, Angelina paced the space of her room, chewing on the tip of her nails as she concocted a sinister n.


    It had taken a few days, but soon she had Recognized that Leonica must have kept the figurine away from Ashley because till this day, she was yet to hear news concerning Ashley''s life being in danger.


    In shorter sentences, her n had failed and she was possibly screwed.


    uffered the wrath of her anger and toppled over, transparent ss


    "Pack!" She cursed loudly, kicking her coffee table with her leg. The poor furniture suffered


    on the top shattering into small piece the moment it hit the floor, creating a loud bang,Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    In seconds her maids had rushed in, worried for her safety. "Ms. Fernandez, is everything okay?" Her head maid asked as her eyes trailed from the broken coffee table on the floor to her messy wardrobe, broken vanity mirror and toppled over makeup chair. Without another word, she knew exactly what was happening. Her mistress was having yet another tantrum, and from the looks of it, the re with bloodshot eyes that Angelina was currently shooting in her direction, it seems like she was about to be caught in the crossfire of said tantrum.


    "Who gave you the permission to step into my room without knocking?" Angelina sneered.


    The head maid was quick to lower her head, but apparently, that wasn''t enough for Angelina. The moment she had gotten close enough, she pushed the female down onto her kneels. She winced at the feeling of tiny ss shards scraping her skin.


    But know what was good for her, she gathered herself and managed to speak. "I apologize for the Intrusion, Ms. Fernandez, I was simply worried for your wellbeing after hearing themotion. Please forgive me."


    "I should forgive you?" Angelina questioned in a taunting voice, earning a desperate nod from her head maid. "But, if I do that, who''s going to forgive me? Huh?!!


    "L.. I don''t know, Ma''am." The bead maid, who didn''t even know the cause of her mistress''s tantrum nor the answer to the question which had just been asked, answered honestly.


    However, her answer, as honest as it may have been, angered Angelina and in seconds, she projected the anger she had been feeling towards Leonica, onto the poor head maid, pping her straight in the face. The female yelped and fell back, cutting her palm with a few idental ss shards.


    Angelina however, seemed apather to her pain. She stepped forward, ncing down at her head maid in an almost predator like way. "Of course you don''t know. Do you know why?" The words rolled off her tongue with a silver sound to her voice.


    The head maid shook her head as her response to the question asked. Angelina smiled as that was the exact answer she had been expecting


    "I''ll tell you why," She squatted down in front and gripped the maid''s face. "Because you are a lowly and poor maid." Flinging her face to the side, she stood up and dusted her bands. "Now get out of my sight and do not allow this mistake repeat itself. Even if there''s an earthquake in my room, do not enter. Do I make myself clear?"


    The head maid scrambled to her feet and nodded before she rushed out of the room.


    pacing, finger biting and


    Now left alone, Angelina began to think of possible ways to remedy the situation before it got too bad. Along the way of her pacing. scheming, a n came to her mind.


    Fuck slow polson, it was time to take things fast before she really was screwed. This time around, she was going to kidnap Ashley and have Leonica and Gabriel bend to her will. It was the perfect way to make them pay.


    Nodding along to her thoughts, convincing to her, but not to any other sane person who hears it, Angelina changed into a simpler and appropriate attire and stood in front of the mirror onest time.


    "It''s now or neve


    now or never, Angeline," She told herself as a sinister smile crept onto her face. "Best make it count"


    Ashley stood near the swings in the yground of his school, watching as the other kids yed amongst themselves while he waited for his mother. Beside him, Daisy looked between the other children and him all the while licking her sweet.


    After a while, she asked. "Are you sure you don''t want to join them?"


    Of course he wanted to join them, but considering what they were doing, sshing water mixed with sand and roughing each other on the floor, Ashley didn''t hesitate to shake his head, turning down his friend''s suggestion as he knew his mother wouldn''t take too likely to seeing him dirtied


    "No, I''m okay." He insisted and tore his gaze away from them, loolding around in a bid to spot his mother amongst the other parentsing to pick their children up.


    "Where is she?'' He thought sadly after not spotting her


    "Can you hold this for me, Ashley?" Daisy asked, handing him the rest of her untouched sweets. "I just need to do something in the rest room quick."


    real


    Ashley nodded and collected the sweets, watching as she skipped off in the direction of the rest room before he resumed looking for his mother. This time around it didn''t take him long before he spotted a familiar face, but it wasn''t that of his mother''s. "Ashdry," * His principal waved him over. The boy hesitated, but after dropping Daisy''s sweets where she had left her lunch box, he went over. "Your at''s here to pick you." He announced, pointing towards Angelina who waved at him.


    The boy hesitated once more, but waved back. "Hello Aunt Angelina Are y you... here to pick me up? What about my mommy?


    "She had work to do and sent me in her stead," Angelina ledwlessly. "She''s going to be busy for the rest of the day and insisted I take you to your


    "... that so?" Ashley questioned.


    The brte nodded at the child''s word and turned to the principal "Would that be alright?*


    "I don''t see any reason why not." He said and nimed away. "Have a nice weekend, Ashley,"


    Once he was gone, Angelina tomed to face Ashley, stretching her lips with a fake smile. "Shall we?"


    Ashby nodded, but he still felt hesitant. Why? Even he didn''t know and it confused him, after all, he was going to see his father, he was meant to feel excited not hesitant.


    As they left the kindergarten, Angelina spun a web of lies to mask her true listentions. "Ashley, sweetheart, we''re going to see your dad. He''s been


    missing you so much," she cooed, her voice dripping with false affection


    Ashley, ever the perceptive child, felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The route they took wasn''t familiar, and doubt crept into his innocent mind. "But this isn''t the way to Daddy''s house," he voiced his concern.


    Angelina, no longer bothering to feignndness, sneered, her true colors surfacing. "Your dad will be so happy to see you. We''re taking a little detour,


    As the surroundings became increasingly unfamiliar, Ashley''s unease intensified. He sensed the looming danger, the sinister energy that clung to Angelina like a dark shroud. Before he could voice his fears, Angelina, he was beginning to understand her n and she resorted to drastic measures. With a swift, heartless blow, she knocked Ashley unconscious, sealing histe in the clutches of her malevolence.


    a


    Back in the present, Gabriel was in his study reading through documents and sorting files that had been much neglected, when there was a knock on the


    door.


    "Come in." He called out, not bothering to look up from his work. The door opened and his butler walked in, only then did he look up. "Jonathan, what is it?" He asked.


    "I regret disturbing your work, sir, but Ms. Romero is on the line and demands to speak to you, urgently." Jonathan informed which had Gabriel''s brows creasing. Lica was calling the house phone? What for?


    "Patch her through" He instructed Jonathan bowed his head and walled out and after a few seconds, after thendline in Gabriel''s office berped, he picked up. "Leonica.." He began but Leonlea''s voice urgently cut him off.


    "Gabriel Gabriel please tell me Ashley is there with you." Her voice sounded desperate which automatically told Gabriel something was wrong


    "No, he''s not here with me. Why would he be here with me?"


    "Because... Because Angelina came to the school and picked him up, iming that she was taking him to meet you."


    Gabriel''s blood pressure suddenly dropped at the news. "What?"


    "Ashley''s gone Gabriel, and he''s with Angelina." Leonica said and he could almost imagine her pacing, running her fingers through her hair. "She took him Gabriel and I don''t know where...fuck


    "Calm down," Gabriel said, trying to project the calmness that he wasn''t feeling. "We are going to find him." From the corner of his eyes, he spotted his cell phone on the table and raced for it, scrolling through his call log and finding Angelina''s number.


    He dialed it and watched as it rang and went unanswered, Leonica must have heard the rings from the other end of the line because shemented. The bitch isn''t picking up, is she? Fuck, I''m going to strangte her to death when I get my hands on her." "Hey, you need to keep calm." Gabriel heard another voke in the background, a male voice to be precise, say


    Are you with someone? He couldn''t help but question.


    "Is that really a question to be asking right now? Our son is missing, off with some deranged lunatic and what you care about is if I''m with someone?


    "You''re right, I''m sorry." Gabriel''s apology did nothing to help the situation, but Leonica took note of it. "I''ll keep trying to reach her." He said and tell silent after that, trying several more times to reach her but failing like the previous times.


    After a while, he felt like throwing his phone at the wall, feeling frustrated at the entire situation and the fact that this was partially his fault. If only he had stood his ground and sent Angeline to Ennd on the fixed date, which mind you, was two days ago, then none of this would have been happening. Ashley would have been safe and Leonica wouldn''t have my need to be so worried.


    Gabe, Gabriel!" Leonica''s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Any luck? Could you reach her?"


    He shook his head even though he knew she couldn''t see him. "No, sorry."


    "Tur "Leunica calmed herself down before she couldplete the word and decided to approach the situation in a different way. "Do you know anywhere that she may po?t


    tabel remained silent, thinking hard about her question. Amidst of the chaos in his mind, a memory flicked. "I think I might know where she''s taken


    him," Gabriel announced, his voice a mixture of determination and fear.


    He could almost sense her pacing as she came to a halt at his words. "Where?" Leonica eagerly asked.


    Gabriel was about to answer when his phone rang, the screen disying Angelina''s name. Dread settled like a stone in Gabriel''s stomach. His silence seems to have alerted Leonica as she asked. "Gabriel, what''s going on? Who''s calling?"


    "It''s Angelina" He answered. "I''m going to answer the phone, so try to remain silent, okay?" She didn''t need to answer as he knew she had already answered with a nod. Taking one deep breath, he answered the phone.


    "Gabriel" Angelina''s voice oozed through the phone, a venomous whisper that sent shivers down his spine and had his fist clenching angrily around the phone


    "Angelina, where''s my son?"


    "Ah, I see that whore has informed you of the... the uh, recent developments," Angelina said and clicked her tongue, cursing at Leonica some more before proceeding to answer Gabriel''s question. "Ah, your son, your son. He''s here with me... dead, just joking, he''s sleeping." She chuckled at her own joke, or at least that''s what she considered it. But in seconds, she was done joking and had returned to being serious. "But you see, it won''t remain a joke for much longer.


    Gabriel knew the meaning of her words without her needing to say more. "What do you want?"


    "Now we''re talking business!" She eximed. "I''m going to send you a location and I want either you or that whore mother of his, to meet me there. Alone. If either of you tries to y smart and bring anyone else along, your son will suffer the consequences. Oh, and Gabriel, whatever your choice is going to be, I suggest you hurry up, after all, I''m not the most patient person. You should know this, right?"


    Showdown With The Devil


    "I''m going to send you a location and I want either you or that whore mother of his, to meet me there. Alone. If either of you tries to y smart and bring anyone else along, your son will suffer the consequences. Oh, and Gabriel, whatever your choice is going to be, I suggest you hurry up, after all, I''m not the most patient person. You should know this, right?" Angelina said and thest thing Gabriel heard before the line went dead was the sound of herughter, which he once considered beautiful, sounding

 Chapter 97

    like that of the devil''s


    With the room once again falling into silence, Gabriel was left with his thoughts. They slowly began to spiral, picking up from where it had been left off minutes ago, cursing and ming himself for the current situation.


    At some point, he felt likeughing at his very on stupidity. Leonica had seen through the witch''s trae color, heck, even a whole Megan, someone who wasn''t as involved in him and Leonica''s life as Anastasia, had seen through her facade, Thinking back to the annual banquet, Gabriel seerned to now understand the reason why Mirgan had referred to Angelina the way she did. And along with that thought, came a sudden question.


    Had Angelina always been this evil? Was that the reason why Grandmother had been against him marrying her? Was she the one who caused theplication to grandmother''s life support that day, as a way to take out the obstacle standing in her path? Gabriel gritted his teeth at the cruel possibilities.


    ''... Gabriel!" The sound of Leonica''s voice once again snapped him out of this thoughts. "Jesus, I know your tensed about the situation right now, but can you please not ignore me."


    But he wasn''t ignoring her. "I''m sorry," He said, not bothering to exin the reason behind his silence.


    Leonica seemed to discard his apology as quickly as ite. "That aside," She began and Gabriel knew exactly where she was heading. He injected before she could continue


    "I''m not going to send the location to you once Angelina sends it, so it''s better you get your mind off it


    "What?" Her voice questioned sharply.


    "I''m not sending it to you, Leonica." Gabriel repeated. Be angry at me for as long as you want, but I''d much rather take that than putting your life in danger


    "My son''s life is in danger God dammit, why the hell should I care about my life being in danger."


    "Because that''s the rational thing you should do," Gabriel said as he nced back at his phone, expecting a text message to pop up on his screen. When he saw nothing, he began wondering if Angelina had changed her mind, perhaps returned from the cocaine frenzy. Nah, that was too much of a dream and as bad as he hade to learn Angelina was, she never did drugs. Her mental health already seemed far too shaky


    for that


    "Look, Leonica," He started in a calmer tone, walking towards his study window and looking outside for some reason. "I''m not going to put you in danger."


    "... And you think I want to put you in danger?" Came her hesitant answer. "Please stop being stubborn and give me the God dan location"


    "I can''t do that. Gabriel shook his head.


    "Why the fock not?!" Leonica finallyshed our, allowing the pressure of the entire situation get to her.


    "Because this is a trap God dammit!" Gabelel took on a tone to match hers. "Can''t you see it, she''s baiting you..us, and she''s doing so with Ashley. I''m not going to let you walk right into her trap


    "So what? Are you suggesting I love Ashley to suffer at her hands? Call the cops or prepare to have another child with you and name them after the one we abandoned? Which? Leonica questioned in a salty tone.


    1. I didn''t s say you should do any of that, Leonica. And I never said anything about abandoning Ashley." Gabriel said and when Leonica remained silent, clearly wanting to hear whatever exnation and solution to the situation he had, he continued, "We''re going to save Ashley, together. But only me is going to go to the location Angelina sends."


    From the other end, Leanica scoffed. "Wow, are you have or stupid? Or do you just not know the type of woman that psychopath is?"


    "Could you please listen to me before you speak? Her silence gave him the answer be needed and he continued on. "I''m going to go there alone, at least that''s what she''ll think, but in reality, you''re going toe along and locate Ashley and rescue him while I stall her." He exined. "And what if I don''t agree with this?" She asked and in that moment, Gabriel''s phone dinged with a message from the devil herself, a location attached


    to it.


    "Well then, I''m sorry to tell you that as of this moment, you no longer have that choice." He didn''t need to full spell out the situation, those words alone were enough go tell Leonica that Angelina had begun her sick game.


    Dread settled in the pit of her stomach at the thought of Ashley being in the center of it all, and had the situation felt right, she would have paked out the entire meal she had with Owen early. But doing that would not only make matters worse, it would also deplete her strength. So for the sake of her son, she kept it all in


    Owen''s gentle path on her back every now and then and Arvan''s reassuring gaze also helped bountifully inpleting the task.


    "Pine, but I''m not going to allow your walk in there and leave me waiting outside on some kind of call sign." She allowed the rest of her words trail off,


    but Gabriel knew fully well what they were.


    ''I can''t entrust my son''s life into the hands of your reliability."


    "Fine, what do you suggest?" He asked after swallowing the thoughts of how much Leonlea didn''t trust him.


    Not that he could me her.


    "Aphole camera. If you have one on you, somewhere Angelina wouldn''t be able to spot it, then I''d be able to see the surroundings as well as where Ashley might be kept. That way I can rescue him faster."


    Gabriel hated to admit it, but that was a great idea. Why hadn''t he thought of that sooner.


    "If that''s what you want, then we best get to it. The longer we dy, the faster Angelina has the chance to realize something is wrong!


    Gabriel had briefly met up with Leonica a few minutester. As she fixed on the camera in his ne, the very same one his grandmother has left for Him, they went over the n onest time


    Between she standing so close to him, the scent of her Cologne and hair shampoo wafting into his nose each time the wind picked up, and the annoying presence of Owen who was hanging behind in her car, setting up the camera connection, Gabriel had barely focused on the words she said. But that wasn''t going to be a problem seeing as it was him who had brought up the n.


    Once going over the n had concluded and the camera set discretely, Gabriel began his journey towards the location Angelina had sent him. A few meters behind his car, Leonica followed.


    The location she had sent him belonged to the house he had bought for them to move into once they had gotten married, a few years back. Stepping into the premise gave Gabriel a nish of memories, both good and bad, but he quickly ced them aside and stepped into the house.


    Angelina was seated in the middle of the open decor living room, on the only avable chair in the entire house. She rose to her feet with a happy smile the moment she sported Gabriel entering alone.


    "So that''s how it''s going to be, the shore throwing you under the bus at the very first sign of trouble." She tutted, shaking her head to express her displeasure


    "She didn''t Throw me under the bus, I volunteered toe myself," Gabriel said as he scanned the surroundings for Ashley but couldn''t find him. "So don''t talk about her that way."


    "Don''t defend her!" Angelina was quick to screech the moment those words left his mouth. "Don''t you fucking defend her when the one with the detonator is move." As she raised up the said object, Gabriel''s blood pressure dropped.


    That was one thing they hadn''t nned for.


    *Angelina, you need to stop this now. Put that thing down and tell me where Ashley is." Gabriel said in a gentle tone, hoping to sooth her before she does anything crazy, all the while taking small steps towards her.


    "You say I should stop this? But you see, I don''t want to stop this, not until I get what I want, so, what do we do, Gabby?


    "Angelina," Gabriel called out, quieldy changing his tone when he realized he was sounding more threatening than calming "This has gone too far. Where''s Ashley?


    "Oh, that little thing." Angelina sald and looked in the direction where Gabriel had hoped she''d look


    The back room. It was one of those spare rooms he had built with the intention of storing unused clothes, shoes and anything outfit worthy. Thankfully he had also built atch window along with the room with the intention of opening it every once in a while to let dust out Who would have known it was going to be put to a good purposeText content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Hoping that Leonica saw the direction Angelina had looked in, Gabriel took another step forward and focused on calming her down.


    "Angelina," He slowly began, raising his hand to match the height she held the detonator at. "I need you to put that thing away. It very dangerous and can make things end badly for all of us."


    think I don''t know that?" She hissed. "But that''s exactly how I want all this to end, if I don''t get what I want."


    "What... What is it you want? Gabriel asked and nced in the direction of the root, hoping he was buying Leonica and Owen more than enough time to get in and roseup Ashley


    And along the way he just might try and retrieve that detonator from Angelina, after all, he didn''t want to die early, or at least end up in a hospital, vegetated for the rest of his life while another man took care of his so


    "Angelina, please answer me, what is it you want?" He asked again.


    "It''s.. It''s very simple and I swear if you can give it to me, I''l. I''ll stop this entire thing and we''ll all walk free. Ashley would be released and you and I... You and 1 would go on our merry way. Ell even promise to leave that bitch alone." Angelina said, her smile expanding with each word.


    "And. If I can''t give it to you?" Gabriel dared to ask and watched as her smilepletely crumbled


    **Then we all die. You, mo and that bastard tied up. All of us meets our heavenly father." She deadpanned


    Hospenly Father? Yeah, Gabriel dated strongly whether he would go to heaven. With all the sins he hadmitted against Leonica and several other prople, it would be a miracle if the Lord even decided to look down upon his case

 Chapter 98

    Showdown With The Deal


    But his case aside, he was pretty sure Angelina wouldn''t be making it to the doors of heaven. Not being judgmental or anything, but the chick had a screw lose in her head.


    "Alright. Tell me, what is it you want?" He asked.


    "For us to get married Gabriel and leave our lives outside of Oslo, Norway in general. Let''s start afresh without anyone in our lives. Just you and I, can you give me that?" She asked with an expectant smile, but the moment she caught the trace of hesitation across Gabriel''s face, the smilepletely vanished. "Of course you can''L" She said and without hesitation, pressed the red button atop the detonator.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Leonica had just managed to get Ashley out moments before that. Luckily, the boy had slept through all of the kidnapping, only waking up at the sound of Owen forcefully prying thetch window open


    The relief was evident on his face and he clung to his mother until they had gotten out of the house and closer to their car, when the loud explosion suddenly sounded out from behind them.


    Leonica''s head whipped around at the sound. Seeing the house which had once been fine, now overrun with fire, the remaining surviving woods slowly crumbling under the intensity of the fire, her eyes widened with panic.


    More so when she looked around and realizes that Gabriel hadn''t made it out yet!


    Aftermath Of The mes.


    Leonica eyes remained glued to the hunting house, freen stint in ce, even after Overn ticked Ashley in the hack seat and came back for her, leading her towards the passinger seat and whispering to her that everything was going to be alright and for now, he''d drive she and Ashley some for safety The moment his hands released her to pull opens the door, the spell had broken and the world around her began to make sense again.


    Owen was about to open the door, intending to lead her in when Leunica''s hand caught his. He turned to look at her with a confused gaze


    "What are you doing?" He asked.


    "He''s still in there." Came her reply. "He''s in there. I''m some of it." She repeated sternly and broke out of his hold.


    "Len... Leonica, where are you going," Owen said amb chased after her, standing in her path to block her.


    At lowes like this, Leonka cursed the fact that the younger buy had somehow grown taller than her.


    "Get out of my way." She demanded.


    "You''re not thinking rationally." Owen countered. "If you walk in there you''ll get hurt, or worse, die. Do you want Ashley to live with a sense of guilt that all this was his fault? Cause that''s what your about to do." "Ashley would understand, because right now, I have time save his father." She said and without another word, pushed past Owen.


    Las close as she could to the house and


    She rushed towards the burning house, ignoring Owen''s calls for her. In ainatter of seconds, she had putten as brought the door down with one bit from a sturdy wood she had picked up nearby, Tying a piece of her cloth around her nose, she stepped into the burning building


    "Gabriel Gabriel, where are you?!" She called out and coughed into her list while trying to navigate her way in the part of the building that was yet to touched by the fire but covered in smoke


    It wasn''t until bec lungs were about to burst and the heat was beginning to cause her skin to blister, that she heard the faint coughing from a ce not to far from where she presumed had once been the living room.


    Quickly making her way over, she found him, lying face t on the flour, unconscious and beside him was Angelina, crying as she tried to wake him up Leonica wasted no time and went towards him, not minding the fact that the fire was eating through her pants. "What have you done?" Leonica questioned after shaving Angelina aside and quickly turned Gabriel over, hoping he was unharmed.


    Sadly, not all wishese true.


    "It wasn''t my fault... The bomb. It didn''t go off as nned.. And he.. He shielded me when the whole thing went sideways and..." Angelina made a mess of her words as she tried to exin to Leonira who was currently staring in horror at the wound in Gabriel''s lower abdomen with a piece of wood sticking out.


    "Shit!" Leonica cursed. She didn''t need to be a doctor to know the situation was dire.


    Without thinking twice, she pulled off her upperyer, leaving herself in a sleeveless undershirt. She wrapped Gabriel''s wound as best she could and tried her best not to cry as she lifted him in her arms and began dragging him out.


    Her tears eventually fell when she realized the journey was still a long way to go and the probability of escaping was slowly bing thin. Admits the discouraging realization, she spotted Angelina who was still sitting there, staring at where Gabriel hadid with a guilty gaze,


    "Help me," Leonica requested, not expecting the woman to actually oblige her.


    Surprisingly, she did, and despite the small weight difference between the two females, the task became much easier for them.


    The moment they step foot out of the burning house, firemen and paramedics ambushed them, talding Gabriel from their hold and leading them both further away.


    As much as Leonica had been surprised to see them, she has been much more relieved. As she watches the paramedic rush to tend to Gabriel''s w she couldn''t help but wonder how they had gotten bere


    wounds,


    Had they been alerted from the explosion? Not likely. The explosion hadn''t been big enough to alert fire fighters towards a house that was situated on the top of a private valley, isted from the rest of the world.


    As she pondered the question, theer of her yes caught Owen fighting his way under the yellow tape and re


    I rushing towards her.


    He slowed his steps at her side and examined her for any bodily harm. Except for the few minor burns on her arms and lower leg, everything seemed tine.


    How did they get here? Leonica asked, finally volcing out her question.


    "Me." Owen simply answered and the way his eyes were lixated on a distance gave her an idea of what had happened. "I called them, after all, there''s no way you can handle a fire on your own." He exined and finally tore his eyes from the distance, turning to look at her. "what you did was stupid." He scolded, much to his surprise, she didn''t retort anything back and simply stared at him.


    "What happened to knowing the difference between being brave and stupid? Knowing when and when not to y hero? Oven questioned and the longer she remained silent, the more he grew ads


    "Lunica, talk to me, please." He beppel.


    Although he had begged for her in speak, the next words she said wasn''t exactly what he wanted.


    ''Even aber all those years, I''m still these selfish girl you knew.*


    The storm after the entire incident har slowly died down


    Angelina had been arrested and pleaded guilty to her crimes the following week in court, but the judge had reduced her sentence after her attorney 1 presented evidence that her actions had been as a result of her mentally unstable condition


    But even at that, she got a reasoruble amount of time behind bars and addition counseling time.


    ¦³¦Ç


    A happy ending, one might have thought, but not quiet. After Cabriel was stabbed by the piece of wond and rushed to the hospital, it was found out that there were severalplications. The first one being that the wood had gone deeper than Lennica could have anticipated. The second one being that the wood had quickly inferred the wound. And the third one being that by the time Lennica had found Gabriel and managed to pull him out, he had lost arge amount of blood


    All of thisbined together, lead to one indefinite result.


    A sleepa


    But on the bright side, Doctor Bailey had assured that he wouldn''t be in thee for more than a week, however, that was approximately, two weeks ago And right now, current day, Leonica was seated in Gabriel''s room, doing her daily check ins with Ashley. As the boy tucked away the new set of flowers they had picked up, Leonica stared at Gabriel''s face, which looked much healthier than a couple days back


    "I think daddy''s going to wake up soon," Ashley said, appearing beside his mother.


    Leonica nodded her head in agreement.


    "Yeah, I think so too." She said, not wanting to burst the little boy''s bubble and tell him that the chances of his father waking up the following day was slowly dropping. However, as much as she tried to hide it, Ashley could sense the aura around her and some part of him told him that his mother was lying.


    "Mommy," He began with a frown. "Is daddy ever going to wake up?"


    "Of course he is." Leonica said, at this point she wasn''t sure who she was lying to. Herself or her child


    "But what if he does?" Ashley continued. "What it daddy remains like this all because of me" At this point, his tears had started falling and Leonic rushed to wipe them.

 Chapter 99

    "Hey, this isn''t your fault. Don''t cry now." She gently soothed. "Your daddy''s going to wake up soon, I''m sure of it, so please don''t cry."


    "B-but mommy, what if daddy wakes up and... And doesn''t love me anymore." Ashley voiced out the fears he had held close to him for a while now His fears that his father would abandon him after his incident. "You can''t say that, Ashley, and stop thinking like that. Your father loves you, more than anything else in the world."


    "Even more than you?" He questioned.


    "Especially more than me." She replied, not caring that it would be a lie.


    Ashley''s fears were slowly subsiding as he processed his mother''s words. He was about to thank her when a nurse came into the room, informing them that Leonardo was here to pick Ashley as per the usual time.


    "Go on ahead." She encouraged him. "I''ll be with you at home as soon as I ensure your daddy''s okay."


    "You promise?" Ashley asked, holding up his pinky.


    Leonica hooked hers around it with a smile. "I promise."


    With the promise sealed, Ashley climbed into the bed, kissing his father''s head goodbye before he hoped off and scurried away with th


    When they had finally left, Leonica allowed her face to fall. She stared at Gabriel, the rise and fall of his chest the only sign et lite be luut


    "If you don''t wake up soon, I swear. Leonica passed, trying her best not to allow the tears gathering in her eyes to fall.


    "I''m going to take Ashley and leave. And this time, you''ll never find us. So you better wake up soon if you don''t want that to happen." She whispered and hung her head, chuckling wistfully at the fact that she was talking to someone who couldn''t even respond Why won she suddenly bing more stupid at heart with the days that passes by?


    Three days had passed and Gabriel''s condition remained unchanged. Seated in a cale with Owen, Leonica drank her coffee with little to no interest. It was the first coffee slie had had in day, yet she wasn''t even enjoying it as much as she usad enjoyed her coffees "You''ve barely touched your coffee Owen observed, his eyes fixated on the untooched drink


    "Not really in the mood Came ber simple motiver.


    uqpiestioned.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Either Leonica didn''t like the fact that someone could so easily read her expression or the fact that Owen had spoken about Gabriel''s condition, whichever one of the two it had been, suddenly caused her to feel irritated. "Why did you call me here, Owen?" She snapped.


    "What do you mean why did I call you here?" He asked. "Can''t hang out with my friend, who has barely talked to me for the past three days."


    "I don''t feel like talking. Now if you don''t have anything better to say to me, I might just as well take my leave." She said and was just about to stand up when Owen brought out a small envelope and ced it on the table, passing it to her, "What''s this?" She questioned. "Amission letter from Doctor La Croix and her team. I pulled a few strings and they agreed to take a look at Gabriel''s condition. Help him to the best of their abilities." Owen exined.


    "Oh," Leonica was stunned speechless. She had been trying to contact Amelie La Croix and her team for days but had failed. Howe Owen was able to? She thought as she opened the letter and read through it confirming that it was indeed true. "You''re a life savor." She said and looked up at him, the first smile in three days making its appearance on her lips.


    Owen couldn''t help but mirror the smile, and for a second, he felt a bit bitter about the fact that the smile wasn''t meant for him "I''m always here to save your ass, so you better remember that." He teased, his words earning him a chuckde.


    "I will, and I''ll always be there to save yours." She countered.


    "You better," Owen said and watched as her eyes shifted back to the envelope, the smile disappearing the moment they did.


    "Why do you love him? He blurted out, the sudden question catching Leonica off guard.


    She looked at him with a confused gaze. "What?"


    "Why do you love him?" Owen repeated. "Because I''m trying to understand. From what I''ve seen so far, all Gabriel has done is make your life a living. hell, yet you still choose to stick with him even when you don''t." Chuckling, Leonica ced the letter down. "I think you''re mistaking. I don''t love him."


    ""You don''t?"


    "Nope."


    "Then why did you save him?""


    "Cause, that''s what people who are good are supposed to do, right?" Leonica replied. "They''re supposed to help those in need, and I know for a fact that Gabriel''s a person who''s in need of help. So I helped."


    "So you''re telling me, that if someone else had been in the house, instead of Gabriel, you would have gone and save them, regardless of who they were." Owen challenged, but before she had the chance to answer, her phone began to ring. Picking it up, her eyes widened in panic the moment she saw the name on the screen.


    It was the hospital.


    "Excuse me for a minute." She quickly said and rushed outside. "Doctor Bailey? Talk to me." She said upon answering the call.


    "Ms. Romero, 1 have good news and bad news. Which would you care to hear first?" The doctor questioned.


    Leonica hesitated, but went tackled the question the usual way she did. "Good news?"


    "Great! Good news; Mr. Bryce''s condition suddenly for better today and he woke up." Leonica''s e


    §±


    eyes widened and a weird sense of relief flooded in her chest. But it was quickly short lived.


    "Bad news, he seems to have developed partial amnesia, causing him to forget all of the events that has happened as of recently." Son to im Your Surprise Hemant

 Chapter 100

    str. fryer seems to have suffered from a concussion caused by the explosion, resulting in partial actor ley exined to as they stood outside of Gabriel''s hospital werd


    Alter bearing the news, she had rushes to the hospital for more detailed exnation and intake. Upon aring at the of Gabriel''s physical examination, she was shocked that he didn''t make any effort to speak to her. He had only stare


    "I think you''re in the wrong room, Mx"


    sigital and wallong in da


    string in her beart.


    Gabriel, the Gabriel the knotems, was


    Three months ago, Leonica would have killed to hear those exact same words and watch Gabriel stare at her with those exact. familiar eyes, but that was three months and now wes now, the present and hearing those words, pulled i "Gabriel" she had begun, still finding it hard to belive Doctor Belley''s words. For some reason, the bel just too much of a tough nut to allow something like a memory lose happen to him.


    That bellef however, was shartered the moment the patient in his bed narrowed


    looking suspiciously at her. "Pardon me, but do 1, know you? That question and the way he spoke, very different from his usual aloof and arrogent mannenim, caused the flood gates of reality to burst: Leonica


    A sense of redization that meetly caused Leonica to snap


    Thankfully Doctor Bailey had stepped in before that, cautiously guiding her out of the room before she could do anything unbefitting to a recovering patient. He then began to exin everything, bringing Leonice to the current time where she stood outside of her ex husband''s hospital ward, staring at him through the ss dvider on the door.


    "He recalls the basic things, like his name, age and rtives," Doctor Bailey continued to exin Leonica looked away, focusing her attention bark on him when Gabriel had looked at her through the ss divider.


    "But?" She questioned his pause.


    Doctor Balley seemed to hesitate. "he doesn''t seem to recall incidents that have happened in the recent years.


    Figures, Leonica thought as she recalled how Gabriel has acted like a total strangers towards her. Someone who had been on about winning her heart back and eaming her forgiveness wouldn''t go on and do shit like that, not after all the effort he had put in.


    *So, is there any chance of him recovering those memories?" She questioned, wishing to distract herself from the disturbing thoughts that sipped into her mind at the fact that Gabriel had forgotten things from ten years ago, she and their son included


    "The chances are slim, but not nonexistent." Doctor Gabriel informed and followed Leonica''s gaze when she looked back in Gabriel''s direction. "I''ve handed cases like this, Ms. Romero and nearly all of the patients recovered their memories." He exined, hoping to sooth the tramoms secretly hiding In Leonica''s eyes.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Nearly all, what about those who don''t" Leonica said, more to herself then to the doctor beside her.


    But he heard it but remained silent.


    "Well," Leonica began after heaving a sigh. "Doctor, what can we do to help with the recovery process if there would be one." She muttered thest


    "The usual, take things slow with him. Take him to ces that may help jog his memory, recount familiar events, but of course all these shouldn''t put too much strain on his mind, else we can be looking at a case of permanent memory loss."


    Leonica nodded her head as he exined and looked back in Gabriel''s direction, only to see that he was no longer on the bed. At once, her mind panicked and she grabbed onto the door handle, sliding it open in a bid to location him. But just as the door came open and she took the first step in, she came tice to face with the same man she had searches for seconds ago.


    The sudden closeness Between them had Leonica stepping backwards in a bid to put much needed distance between them.


    Gabriel silently watched her all the while, as she steppes back, adjusted her, unintentionally, he took into ount by the way she riddles with


    then once, and then finally cleared her throat. Only then did she meet his gaze.


    o you. Do you need something?" Leonica asked, cursing herself for stuttering. She hasn''t stuttered when Gabriel was well Gabriel, alot, arrogant and all, so why was she stuttering now and making a mess of herself?


    If this was the chance she had gotten for a second first impression, then she might just as well kiss it goodbye.


    Gabriel remained silent at her question, studying her. Something about her face seemed familiar, like he had seen it somewhere


    That must have been it, he concluded, seeing as he travelled the world a lot and had mot many girls with blonde white hair just like hers.


    With the more pressing matter of his mind out of the way, Gabriel proceeded to answer the question which had been asked.


    "If you intend to continue discussing about my health, in front of my room without including me, then I suggest you either leave ore in and include me in the conversation." Came his sassy response


    Leunir a nodded her brad, tongueing out to wet her lips as she noted the fact that Gabriel was naturally sassy


    1. Beyre, I apologies if talking out here made you feel left out. Fonly dad so because I wanted you to get as much rest as possible, before you were Included in the dision" Deeter Haley spoke up


    I appreciate your concern, Doc, but next time, with matters concerning me, please include me no matter what."


    "Certainly." Doctor Bailey mustered a nod, still surprised by Gabriel''s polite sounding tone. "Then, how about we head inside and all discuss?" He Pigested.


    Gabriel''s answer came in the form of him stepping out of the way and gesturing for them to both step in. Doctor Bailey obliged and walked in, followed by Leonica, who, as she passed, his nose couldn''t help but pick up the soothing smell of roses that surrounded her "Alright, let''s take it from the top. The basics." Doctor Bailey said, fixing his attention more on Gabriel, his patient. "Mr. Bryce, could you please tell me your name and age?"


    Gabriel scoffed, finding the Doctor''s words funny. But one look around the room, mainly in Leonica''s direction, told him that it was a serious question meant to be answer. "Twenty one." He stated, watching as The doctor and Leonica, as he knew her to be, exchanged looks.


    "Mr. Bryce, you are not twenty one, but thirty one." Doctor Bailey informed watching as his brows creased. "A few weeks ago, close to a month ago, you has been involved in a deadly ident. You sustained a deep wound and a concussion at the back of your head. The aftermath, partial amnesia, causing you to forget the events of the past ten years. So, Mr. Bryce you''re not twenty one, but in fact thirty one." He exined.


    Another funny joke, Gabriel thought as he nced in between the two people in his room, expecting either of them to tell him that they were pulling his leg and he had simply been hospitalized for a few days after he had almost identally drowned, thest thing he recalled.


    But after a while, stating back and forth, the room remained silent,


    *I''ll write you some prescriptions that have proven to help aid in memory recovery, but the rest of the work after that, is up to you, depending on if you want to remember and how much you want to remember." He said and nced at his watch, realizing that he waste for his next appointment. "Seems like I have to take my leave now. I''ll send na down with the prescription." He said and watched as the only person who knew who na is, Leonica being that person, nodded.


    *If you''ll excuse me then" And with that, he was gone, closing the door gently as he rushed off to his next appointment.


    The room remained silent after he left, but Gabriel moved around, searching for something


    "What are you looking for?" Leonica questioned.


    "My phone. I need to call grandma."


    His response had Leonica turning tense for a bit. Gabriel was about to call his grandmother, the very sa


    same grandmother that has died five years ago.


    "Shit, where is it?" Gabriel muttered, unaware of the wheels that were spinning in Leonica''s head as she tried to think if a way to tell Gabriel that L was no longer alive.


    After a while, time in which Gabriel has found what he believes was his phone, Leonica decided to just tackle the situation head on.


    ""You you shouldn''t do that." She said.


    "Why not?" Gabriel questioned, trying to think of the password to his phone.


    "What could it be?" He thought as he street at the pattem lock. For a second, he contemted asking Leonica whether she knew, because from the looks of things, she knew him more than he knew himself. "Because...because Grandmother.. Is dead." She was finally able to


    "What?" He uttered. "What type of a joke is this?"


    to spit the words out and watched as Gabriel stopped whatever he was doing


    Leonica shook her head. "No Joke, Gabriel. Grandmother is dead. She died five years ago."


    The next half an hour was spent debriefing Gabriel about how things had went with his grandmother. From how her health had suddenly begun to deteriorate shortly after he took over thepany, to how she soon lost control of her leg and had been wheeled around one third of the time. Finally to when she became bedridden and soon passed away. Throughout the process of exnation, Gabriel paid close attention, never for once interrupting the process to ask a question. Only when Leonica had concluded did he asked a question that she hasn''t expected he''d ask


    *What are you to me?"


    She blinked her eyes in confusion. "W


    "Who, or what are you to me?" He repeated. "Because from all I''ve heard, you seem pretty involved in my grandmother''s life and you don''t look like the type to be a healthcare worked assigned for her, which only leaves the option of you being involved with me, somehow." He voiced his observation "s fell t¨¹r, who are you tu meka

 Chapter 101

    The one time Leonica found the most gripping each time she settled down to read her favorite books, w were the pin drop moment


    Suspense, silence and uncertainty. Those three went pleasant well during that particr moment and made the story all the more Interesting and gripping to her as a devoted reader. But heck, she had never for once sat down and thought about how she''d handle such a situation if it was her faced with it, rather than the Mary Sue female leads in the books she read. Thus, a minute after Gabriel had asked the question he did, Leonica still remained silent, unsure of how to answer the question.


    Who was she to him? Even she wondered, but right now obviously wasn''t the time for her to seat back and indulge herself with the pleasure of trying to figure that question out. Right now, she needed to answer the question which had been asked.


    But even with that mindset put at the forefront of her mind, Leonica still couldn''t bring herself to answer, after all, if she wasn''t sure


    who she was to him, what should she say?Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    His ex wife?


    Mother of his child?


    Or the woman who


    Or the woman who had a hand in his current situation?


    All of them above, she thought, but just as she was about to answer with the best option that came to her mind, she spotted the suspicion in Gabriel''s eyes. Clear as day within his grey hues.


    She hesitated and questioned herself why. Wasn''t she the same person who was ready to cut off her connection with Gabriel the moment he woke up?


    His presence alone had caused her more than enough trouble. From Angelina, to the press and many more difficult problems that she could seeing if she kept in contact with him. So why was she hesitating to do the very thing that could aid her in her task


    Or better yet, why didn''t she just stand up and walk out of the hospital room, leaving Gabriel as is. He didn''t remember her, nor their son, and the chances of him getting his memory back was, well slim, and so were the chances of him interfering in her life any further or even chasing after her and Ashley.


    After all, you can''t be concerned with what you have no knowledge over, right?


    If so, this was the perfect opportunity for her to walk away from it all. Yet she hesitated.


    Was it because Gabriel yed a big part in Ashley''s survival? Or was that what she just told herself, having yet another reason to hang around Gabriel?


    "Is it hard for you to say?" Gabriel questioned her silence


    Immediately, Leonica shook her head, seemingly gaining an idea. "No, not at all."


    "Then go ahead, tell me. Who are you, Leonica Romero?"


    Hearing her full name from Gabriel''s mouth had sent a jolt of electricity through her entire body, but when she looked up, seeing the Gabriel now and not the Gabriel she knew, it quickly disappeared.


    "Keep it together, Leonica." She gave herself a quick pep talk, adjusted in her seat, licked her lips and even wiped her hand against her jeans while building up the courage to speak. "Once you say it, there''s no going back


    ?


    *Leonica, Gabriel''s low and smoky tone sent another jolt of sudden electricity through Leonica. Damn, the way he called her name definitely was different from the way he previously did. "If you''re not going to talk, then that''s the door," He nudged his head in the direction of said door and Leonica unconsciously looked in its direction. "because I have no intention of entertaining a stranger.


    not a stranger," Shutting her eyes tight, she braced herself as she blurted out the words that meant there was no going back. "I''m your Ex wife!!


    The dying sound of her voice was thest thing that sounded in Gabriel''s private ward for the next few seconds. Slowly, she peeled her eyes open only to see him staring at her, scrutiny clear in his gaze.


    "What? You don''t believe me?" She questioned


    Gabriel folded his arms, crossed his leg and leaned back into his chair, talding on a rxes stance as if he hasn''t just been upset over the news of his grandmother''s death minutes ago. "Not exactly," he said. "But I can''t blindly trust you now can 1?" "B-blindly trust me?" Leonica stuttered, the feeling of her cheeks heating up became undeniable at this point. "Who said anything


    about that?"


    Her question was answered by a raised brow from Gabriel.

 Chapter 102

    Even thought he was quiet, his expression said it all.


    She scotled. "You think I''m trying to con you?"


    "I never said that." Gabriel corrected. "All I said was ''I can''t blindly trust you'', Since when was there something wrong with being on my guard"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Leonica looked like she was about to report back, but held her mouth


    Onguard? Against who? The mother of your child?


    Sie so wanted to say that, but considering the fact that Gabriel didn''t even remember who she was, coupled with Doctor Bailey''s


    dvice, she bit those words back,


    "No, there''s nothing wrong with that." She said, sounding moreposed than a few seconds ago.


    Gabriel nodded in agreement, for some reason, he found watching her lose herposure rather entertaining. Either it had something to do with the fact that he always enjoyed thepanies od blonde, attractive ones such as herself, or it had something to do with... that.


    "So?" He tilted his head to the side with a questioning gaze, strands of his fair falling out of ce with the action.


    The disced strands caught Leonica''s attention and caused her to stare. Not only did Gabriel, dressed in a hospital gown with his hair returning to its natural middle parting that allowed the ends of his hair brush against his cheek bones due to the absence of perming gel, lookpletely unlike him, but also surprisingly handsome, as much as Leonica wouldn''t love to admit.


    "Why don''t you take a pic, itsts longer." The irony in Gabriel''s voice had Leonica snapping out of her unintentional stare. She red at him. "I wasn''t staring "


    *Yeah? Then what were you doing if not undressing me with your eyes?" He boldly questioned, leaving Leonica speechless. The Gabriel shenew would never dare say such a thing!


    Then again, as she started at him, taking note of the fact that his countenance was indeed different from the Gabriel, business stuck up, cold bastard and workaholic asshole, she knew. This Gabriel, although, the same person was more straightforward and surprisingly polite despite his bold antics.


    Leonica couldn''t help but wonder if this was how Gabriel actually was like before he met Angelina. Before he was tasked with taking on the burden of such a bigpany. Before all the hate and betrayal he experienced during his climb up. Before He had to watch his grandmother slowly die.


    Before he became the Gabriel Bryce he was today.


    "I wasn''t undressing you with my eyes," She began with a sigh that suggested she was done with whatever entertaining y Gabriel was about to begin. "I was thinking about how much... different you look from your usual self." She said, butter cursed herself for opening her mouth and speakingfortably around Gabriel


    ''Don''t forget, he may have lost his memory and now seem like a totally different person, but he''s still the same man that had hurt you. The thought had her tensing up, putting her guard, which she had unintentionally let down, back up.


    Gabriel didn''t fail to notice the sudden change in her countenance. "What''s wrong?" He questioned.


    "Nothing Leonica said and stood up after ncing at her watch. "I have business to get back to. I''ll stop by yourpany and inform Bill that you have woken up." She said with a tinge of indifference in her voice.


    That didn''t go unnoticed by Gabriel, along with the way she seemed to hurry to get her things. For some reason, his senses were highlighted to her every movement and thanks to that, he noticed how quickly she had changes her countenance with him, Now one thing about Gabriel Bryce was that, whether ten years younger or ten years older, he forever remained an Observing person and because of that, he didn''t need anyone to tell him that her countenance had changed because she recalled something Something he couldn''t, the passing thought brought a weird feeling of annoyance but it quickly disappeared.


    But despite the feeling bring gone, he couldn''t help but ask." focused on locating her phone, he questioned again, this time around, one that she couldn''t avoid. "Are we really married?"


    "I''m I that much different?" When Leonica didn''t respond and instead


    She stopped just when she had located her phone and looked back at him.


    There was no point in lying. We on


    once were, but now, we''re divorced."


    She said and with the brief moment Gabriel looked speechless, she walked out of the room.


    The hospital hallway had fewer people thanks to the fact that this section was VIP only and for that, Leonica was thankful that there was no one to witness her legs turning into a weird jelly state as she leaned against the wall, supporting her body and giving her leg much needed relief.


    Fuck, that was the first thought that came to her mind. Fuck fate and it''s cruel tricks.


    Did the universe honestly think by giving Gabriel a side dish of amnesia along with the main course meal of a sleepa, her forgive him? would make


    chuckled lowly. Even she didn''t know the answer to that question. She says she could never forgive him, yet she worried day and about him in the past three weeks and the moment she heard he had woken up, she felt an inexplicable amount of relief and back, she took his sacrifices into consideration and blurted out the fact that she was his wife, scratch that, ex wife.


    Had she really not forgiven him, or had she and was ''not forgiving him'' something she held onto in other to protect herself from getting hurt any more than she already has?


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She nced down at the device in her hand and narrowed her eyes at the unknown number.


    Despite this, she still answered the phone and pressed it close to her ear. "Yes, Hello?"


    "Hello, am I speaking with Ms. Romero?" A few voice questioned.


    "Yes you are. How may I help you?"


    "My name''s Anita, I''m a warden from Oslo Fengsel." Leonica became alert at the mention of Angelina''s prison. Many thoughts roamed her mind in seconds, wondering why a warden had called her like. How she had gotten her number.


    Had Angelina done a jailbreak? Was she in danger? Was Ashley in danger?


    All of the questions that roamed her mind were answered in the next second. "Ms. Angelina Fernandez has requested a personal visit from you. Would you possibly be able to make it today?"


    Visiting The Viiness.


    "We once were, but now, we''re divorced,"


    Gabriel stood by his window, ncing down at the small meaningless passing figures, all the while allowing Leonica''s words to rey in his mind as if it had been set on repeat.


    Not a secondly longer had gone by after thest repeat, when he sighed and stuffed both of his hands into his pocket, leaning his weight slightly on the back of his heel.


    Why was Leonica''s words disturbing him? No, why was he allowing her words disturb him?


    Was it because of the familiar aura that surrounded her, prompting him to believe that they had indeed been married, but now divorced as she said? Or was it the fact that he found it challenging to believe that he had actually settled down with the very same woman his grandmother had picked for him?


    That''s right, be remembered Leonica, at least he remembered what his memory allowed and that was the fact that she was the woman. his grandmother had picked to be his wife in an arranged marriage between two families.


    He recalled seeing her picture, the broad and dignified smile on her lip as she stood beside her parents, exhibiting nothing but elegance in the picture his grandmother had shown him


    That picture and the conversation that followed, had ultimately lead to an argument between them both. It hasn''t been anything too hot, butsted a long time as each side of the party had their says and reasons.


    Gabriel''s reason for refusing the marriage was that he still wanted to remain single, having the freedom he craved but was never given as a child when his parents insisted on locking him in the house, employing private tutors and any other form of interaction that was necessary in shaping him into bing the fine heir his father needed.


    His second reason was one that had stunned L. True love, honestly speaking, hearing a man like him rant over true love wasn''t something you saw on a daily basis, but the case was otherwise for L Bryce, Gabriel was a man who strongly believed in true love, the kind of love he had never seen his parents share. His final reason fell in line with his second. Gabriel believed because his parents were unhappy in their arranged marriage, always arguing and throwing hands, everyone involved in an arranged marriage was doomed just like that,


    And that was something Gabriel wanted to avoid. As cool, arrogant and aloof as Lloyd and Christian dubbed him as, Gabriel cared immensely about his happiness and that of his future partner.


    But L had obviously not bought his sell. She went on about how Gabriel needed to get married, produce an heir. And whether he liked Leonica or not, she liked her and would only approve of the sweet girl, as she had addressed her with, being her granddaughter in


    Gabriel remembered that being the one that broke the camels back. He snapped, used his grandmother of wanting to force him into an unhappy marriage just like she bad done to his father.


    She wanted him as miserable as she had made his father.


    But the moment those words left his mouth and Gabriel saw his grandmother''s expression, he instantly regretted saying them. Like the civil thing to do, he had apologized, genuinely and excused himself in a bid to clear his mind.


    He remembered strolling along the river banks for hours just so that he could have a better mind to think and just when it seemed like he had gotten into that frame of mind, a mad cyclist charged in his way. He dodged, stepping out of the way just in time to evade the Iing bike, but tittered backwards and fell into the water behind him.


    As the water had covered him, soaking his dress, Gabriel had thought ''No big deal, what''s a soaked dresspared to being run over by a mad cyclist. I can easily swim out of here."


    Until he couldn''t.


    It had all happened so fast that Gabriel couldn''t remembered how he got out and the more he tried to remember, the more he got back splitting headache


    This time around, he had pushed his luck and just when he saw the sh of a blurry image, a girl with brown wavy hair, he received another wave of painful headache. This one had him shutting his eyes and gripping on the bed frame to steady himself.


    When his eyes opened, he blinked and narrowed them as his attention was momentarily shifted from the topic at hand, Leonica to be precise, to the image that had just crossed his mind


    It had been blurry, but for an


    a moment, he could have sworn it was the image of a girl... with brown hair.


    Lennica didn''t have brown luir.


    Was he forgetting something? Or perhaps something?


    If there was one thing Leonica was certain of, then it would be that being around Gabriel made her make stupid decisions. That or she had finally lost a screw in the head.

 Chapter 103

    Otherwise, she didn''t know how to exin her reason for agreeing to Angelina''s visit. She obviously didn''t enjoy seeing the female and more than anything, hopes that she could rot longer in jail for the crimes shemitted. Perhaps that was the reason she agreed, because she wanted to see Angelina behind bars. Feel some sort of satisfaction for all the wrongs the brte had done to her.


    Perhaps that was it. Or perhaps it wasn''t.


    Pulling into the parking lot of Oslo Fengsel, Leonica sat in her car for a moment longer, giving herself a wise pep talk before deciding to step out. The walk towards the prison gates was thankfully short and standing just in front of it, was a woman who Leonica assumed was the person who had called her.


    "You must be Anita?" She initiated the conversation as soon as she got close enough to do so.


    The tall and bulky looking brte nodded her head, stretching out her hand to shake Leonica. "Yes Ma''am. Anita Woods, Pleasure to meet you. Ms. Romero."


    "Likewise," Leonica muttered as she shook her with the warden but still remained on her guard after realizing that a phone call out of the prison on an inmate request wasn''t something one saw every day down in a ce like this.


    Guess it was safe to say that Angelina had pulled strings, brides a few people or she just had people on her side and it the warden was one of those people, it was best to remain alert


    *Ms. Fernandez is waiting for you. Please follow me." Warden Woods said and began walking in the direction Leonica assumes must be the visiting room.


    She hesitated for a few seconds before following along, From the back, she watched as the warden silently greeted the other guards with either a nod or a way, all the while exining the rules of a orison visit to her.


    Her exnation came to a close when they finally stood outside the doors of the visitation room. " andstly, do not pass anything to the inmate nor collect anything from the inmate, do I make myself clear?" Leonica nodded. "Good. This is a private visit so I''ll give fifteen minutes at best." She said while pulling the door handle open. Use it to the fullest." Her words were followed by a smile that Leonica barely returned before stepping inside.


    You


    The inside of the visiting rooms was just like Leonica had expected. Dull grey blue walls, a metal table and chairs on opposite directions. But none of that caught her attention as much as the female who was seated in one of those said chair, hair short andplexion


    pale, Angelina.f


    Leonica almost didn''t recognize her. As a matter of fact, had it not been because of that sinister and hatred burning brown hues of hers, Leonica would have thought the warden had put her in the wrong room.


    "Hey Leo, I''m so d you came." Angelina sat up from the slouch position she had been rxing in, chuckling when Leonica''s face scrunched up at her friendliness, "What''s wrong, surprised to see an old buddy?"


    "Cut the shit, Angelina. I chose to be here, so there''s no room for surprise, sorry to burst your dream bubble" Leonica retorted and watched as the younger female''s smile tteredpletely. "Now tell me, what do you want?"


    The room was silent for a few seconds before Angelina spoke, "Gabriel... how is he?"


    "He''s fine." Came her in answer. "He''s recovered from the injury." She loept her answer vague again, making sure not to skip any detail that Gabriel had amnesia.


    She didn''t want to give Angelina any reason to do a jail break, now did she?


    A frown was present on the younger female face and her gaze shifted from Leonica, to the wall behind her. A minute had passed, before she turned her head to look back at Leonica


    It was hard not to notice the change in Angelina, the way her lips thinm signs pointed to one thing, and one thing alone.


    Hatred


    thinned, her shoulders stiffened, the way her eyes hardened. All the


    There was pure hatred burning in her eyes and if it wasn''t for the table that d


    Leonica was sure Angelina would have jumped up and charged at her.


    But even at that, she wouldn''t have taken a single step back, after all, she had readied herself for something like that whening


    here.


    "Do you... Do you want to know why I despise you?" Angelina''s words were barely a whisper, but the coldness, the anger, the hatred that oozed off them was loud and clear. Leonica''s gaze hardened at the question, her lips pulled into a thin line as she held her head high, waiting patiently for an answer.


    "Do you?" Angelina questioned again, this time her voice was a little louder and had a bite to it.


    Leonica shrugged, shifting her weight onto the other leg as she refused to seat down. Being in the same room as the psychopath was already enough "Go ahead. Exin your hatred, but while you''re at it, make sure you make it quick, because you see unlike you, I actually have a life out side of these four walls."


    A low growl was all Leonica got in response. A small smirk found its way onto her lips, one that Angelina saw.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "You bitch, you have always been a slimy scheming bitch!"


    "Says the one being convicted for attempted murder and kidnapping "Leonica''seback was quick, her smirk twisting bitter Angelina.


    This had the brte mming her hands against the table, shackles jiggle at the action "I hate you, Leonica, you took everything from me. You stole Gabriel''s love from me, you turned my family against me, you are the reason I''m sitting in a cell while you''re out there, living the life, you don''t deserve."


    "I didn''t steal anyone''s love, Angelina." Leonica stated the obvious. "And as for your family, I have no idea as to what you mean? But even at that, you can''t try and justify your actions."


    "Justify? Hell no! I''m not some righteous saint like you im to be. My actions so far need no justification." Angelina boldly admitted. "I did what I did to survive, Leonica."


    "You did what you did to survive? Traumatizing a child and wrecking havoc? You call that surviving?"


    "Yes. If that was what it took, then yes." She confessed, shaking her head from side to side "You..you don''t understand Leonica. You''re you, the first daughter of the Romero family. Outstanding. Loved. Born with a fucking perfect sliver spoon in your mouth. You don''t know what it feels like to bepared to someone. You don''t know what it feels like to so desperately want your parents love to the point that you''re willing to be a pawn at their hands. You don''t know any of those feeling. But I do. And it''s all your fault." Leonica''s brows creased.


    Her fault?!


    "You''re ming me for your parents neglect?"

 Chapter 104

    "Yes. If only they hadn''t been at that stupid rehearsal that day..if only they had not seen you skate, they wouldn''t have stopped loving me. They would never havepared me to you in the first ce!" Angelina concluded with a heavy out burst. The memories from the day her parents had begunparing her to Leonica flooded back into her mind rather, they resurfaced from the dark part of her mind in which she had buried them, causing tears to well up in her eyes. Tears of anger and hatred..


    Leonica however, stared unaffected by either her words nor actions.


    Apart from the fact that she had no recollection of ever meeting Angelina when she was younger, fifth grade to be precise as that had been when she has ted, saw no reasoning in what Angelina had just said. Was it her fault that her parents weren''t contempt with the daughter they were given?


    Obviously not


    "Angelina," She began, eyes gravitating towards the flour for a few seconds before meeting Angelina''s once more. "I''m sorry for the way your parents treated you. But that''s on them not me. They are the ones you should hate, not me. "What?" Angelina breathed, her brain refusing toprehend Leonica''s words.


    After sixteen years of harboring rotten hatred for someone, believing that that person had been the cause of her misfortune, she was suddenly now being told that that believe had been wrong Impossible!


    "You shut up!" she sneered. "Who are you to tell me who I should and shouldn''t be angry with?! You have no fucking right! shut up!"


    at this point, she was fighting against the shackles and the warden walked in.


    *Alright inmate, visiting time''s up." She said as a guard walked in, pulling out of her seat as she continued screaming.


    "You think you''ve won, Leonica, but you haven''t! You haven''t! I will would hold me down!"


    t my revenge, mark my words because not even these shackles


    Those were thest words Leonica heard and no matter how much she tried for ignore them for the rest of the day, she couldn''t. And a few dayster, she was more than thankful that she hadn''t. Act Fat Frue Bonus Time is Running Out


    im


    Forget-Me-Not.


    The next day, Leonica had taken just about enough time out from her work schedule to have Ashley taken to school by herself.


    As they pulled up in the parking lot of his school and Leonica gathered his bag and lunch box, the boy turned to face her.


    "Mommy?" He called out to her.


    "Yes darling?" Leonica answered all the while trying to ensure that she had packed everything he''d need for the school day, earlier in the morning.


    "When can I go and see daddy again?"


    She halted at his question and looked at him. "What?"


    "Thaven''t seen daddy in a long while," Well, not long, just thest two weeks she had stopped him from visiting Gabriel because she thought his chances of waking up were growing slimmer with each passing day. In short, her intention was to make sure the younger boy wouldn''t be hurt when his father didn''t wake up any longer. And she also hoped that slowly, he''d grown to forget about Gabriel. But sadly, that wasn''t happening anytime soon and now that Gabriel was awake, with amnesia, she had yet another problem on her band. "Ash, you you can''t visit daddy for now." She tried to exin or rather sooth the younger boy.


    But her words did the opposite of her intention. "Why''s that?" the boy questioned with a frown. "Does daddy hate me and no longer want to see me?"


    "No!" Leonica was quick to shush his negative thoughts, especially when she saw the glossy liquid forming in the corners of his eyes. " No, your daddy loves you, a lot. It''s just that, it''s just that for now, you can''t see him, Ash." *Why?"


    *Doctor''s orders. For now, daddy''s recovering, hence only mommy is allowed to see him." She lied.


    Ashley processed his mother''s words for a few seconds and although he was d that his father was in recovery stage, he couldn''t help but feel Jealous towards the fact that only his mother was allowed to visit.


    This in turn, lead him to pour in an upset manner that Leonica felt cute despite the situation


    "Ash,"


    I also want


    so want to see daddy. Why''s only you allowed to see daddy?" He questioned and at his point, had his hand folded across his chest. "Because adults are working, Ash."


    "Worlding?" He questioned with a tilt of his head and for the next five seconds, tried to find the closest meaning to his mother''s words. And when it seemed like he had, his eyes visibly brightened up. "Are you and daddy working in making my younger sibling?!" Leonica chocked, coughing a few times at the unexpected question


    "You promised to go to the hospital with daddy after my birthday and have the doctor help you make my younger siblings. Is that why he doesn''t want meing around..."


    "Ash... Ashley, stop it. That''s enough." Leonica raised her index finger, indicating he should keep silent for the time being. Thankfully, he remained silent just long enough for Leonica to regain herposure. "Don''t say that anymore and DON''T stare at me so innocently." She sternly advised


    "Why thought?" He questioned, blinking innocent gray eyed at his mother. "Did I say something wrong? Are you and daddy not making my younger sibling?"


    "Ashley!" Leonica shook her head. "That''s enough baby. If you keep talking like this, you''re going to bete for ss." She nudged her head in the direction of the entrance where other children were already rushing in, giggling and interacting with their peers.


    "Nowe on," She began, stepping out of the car and rounding it so that she could pull the passenger door open, undo his seat belt and help him out. "Don''t forget to eat your lunch and stay away from rough ys." She handed him his lunchbox and pecked him on the forehead which was followed by her usual affection filled hug and a final peck on the check when they separated. "Now, off you go."


    "Bye Mom" Ashley said and began running in the direction of the school, but half way there, he stopped and rushed back to his mother


    "Did you forget something?" she questioned.


    Ashley nodded and reached into his pocket, pulling a small forget-me-not golden Key chain and putting it in his mother''s hand. " Please give this to daddy when you see him. "He said and closed her hand, kissing her knuckles lightly before he turned around and resurned his journey.


    "That Kid must really love his father. Leonica thought as she stared at the keychain in her hand.


    Her thought was interrupted at the sound of approaching footsteps from beside her. Looking away from the keychain, stuffing it into her pocket in the process, she watched as Arvan approached, stopping beside her with a smile on his lips.


    "Hey


    onell


    His greeting was returned with a smile of a her own and a small wave, "Hey Arvan. Here to drop off Daisy, I assume?"


    He nodded, his smile growing bigger as his gazended on his daughter who had met up with Ashley and they both chatted feverishly as they walked into the school''s building "She''s excited about the field trip they''re having today." He exined, earning a nod of understanding from the woman


    "That''s good." She said, only to wonder why Ashley hadn''t been as excited as Daisy, but instead worried about Gabriel.


    Did he really love that man that much?N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

 Chapter 105

    As if seeing her expression and knowing exactly who she was thinking about, Arvan asked. "So how is Gabriel doing?"


    "He''s... He''s good. "Leonica was quick to answer, only to sigh a secondter.


    "But?" Arvan pressed on, encouraging her to let out her frustrations, only to feel disappointed when she shook her head, clearly Insisting on keeping whatever struggle she was facing to herself.


    "If you say so," He muttered, voice just low enough to hide the disappointment that had temporarily washed over him.


    "She looks tired.'' He thought as he watched her respond to the message which h silently groaned and rolled her eyes.


    he was sure hade from her assistant, seeing as she


    She loved work, but hated it, along with fish, deep water and reading for long periods of time.


    At least that''s what she had told him throughout their discussions in the past and that was what hemitted into his memory.


    Why did hemit all that into his memory? Like the answer wasn''t already clear.


    He was attracted towards her, not because she was a fellow single parent or because she was the type of woman a man wanted or because of the uncanny resemnce she had to Irene, but because she was Leonica.


    The woman who loves beaches, but feared deep waters. Hated reading for long periods of time but craved to have a book written by her and have fan signs. Hated work but wanted to make sure her father''spany, thepany which had now been passed into her, excelled more than anything.


    She is the type of woman who had the most beautiful smile and the most mesmerizing voice, along with the most beautiful personality. That was who she was and that was why he felt that undeniable attraction towards her.


    And although, she had made it clear, gesture and situation wise, that she wasn''t interested in being in a rtionship and neither was she interested in starting a new rtionship, he didn''t care.


    He''d wait, as long as she needed, as long as she''d have him waiting, and then, he''d properly court her.


    But for now, he was more than content to be a friend.


    "Well," She spoke, pulling him out of his reverie. "I should get going Thepany is waiting and my assistant has sent m thousand messages, asking me to return. I have to interview a new employee today." She added, me like a


    "Tough" He said and received a look from her that said it all


    "Tough,pared to your work it''s nothing. Were the words clearly written on her face.


    "Anyway," He said, deciding to end the conversation right then and there, before it even started. "I hope to hear from you again soon, maybe when we''re all free, we could have dinner or something "He offered, pushing his luck more than knew he should tronica blinked a couple of times, trying toprehend his words and when it was clear that she had, a small tired smile graced her features, and she nodded. "That sounds nice,"


    +


    "See ya, Leonica." He waved her goodbye, and turned around, walking back to his car and watching as the door was pulled open by his


    driver.


    He paused to wave at her onest time before entering. The driver, after closing the door, bowed at her before settling into the driver''s seat and driving away.


    And once the ck Chevrolet disappeared, Leonica sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose and making her way back into her car.


    She was exhausted.


    Her emotions were a mess, her thoughts were all over the ce and her heart felt heavy.


    Part of it had to do with Gabriel, he was always a menace in her life that it no longer surprised her at this point. The other half of it had to do with the fact that for some reason, she left like she was leading Arvan on, She wasn''t blind. His attraction towards her was clear.


    He was a wonderful man, handsome and all, but Leonica just wasn''t ready for romance.


    Not now at least. But what was it that Anastasia had told her a few days ago in her office after seeing the gifts Arvan had sent?


    Something about it never hurting to keep her options open?


    once again


    Leonica arrived at herpany immediately after she had left Ashley''s school. As usual, Kennedy was waiting in front of the lift for her.


    ''Such a diligent assistant. She thought as she walked towards him and he towards her.


    "Good morning Ms. Romero. The employees you were meant to interview have arrived." Kennedy informed as they walked into the clevator.


    "Thank you." Leonica smiled and pulled out her phone, going through the list of candidates and reading their files.


    By the time she has finished the list, the lift had arrived at the interview floor and shortly after, was seated in the interview room.


    "I''ll have the candidate sent in a minute. In the meantime, please have a cup of coffee." Kennedy offered, gesturing at the table which was covered in a variety of cups of coffee, tea, hot chocte and milk


    "No thank you. Just bring me some water." She politely declined and watched him bow before walking away, disappearing from her


    line of sight.


    A few minutester, Kennedy had returned with a cup of cold water and a candidate.


    "Candidate 1109." Kennedy said, his eyes briefly meeting Leonica''s as he introduced the candidate. "Leonica Romero, CEO of Romero Empire"


    "Hello," Leonica gave a subtle nod in the man''s way.


    "Hello Ms. Romero," The man who was tall and had chestnut brown hair greeted with a vague but somewhat unsettling smile on his lips. "Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Stuart Reeds. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." He Discovered He Had A Son


    "Stuart Reeds was his name." Kennedy exins, pacing the office all the while his employer sat behind her desk, reading through the employee candidate list for what seemed like the hundredth time.


    After the interview has ended, a bit too quickly than he had expected, Leonica had requested for the fe, mumbling underneath her breath about Stuart having this awful off putting vibe around him. But even after yet another background check, license te scans and criminal background check up, they still couldn''t find anything for match her suspicion.


    *Previously worked in C&D industry as the head of their ounting department." He continued an, unaware of how the name of the mentionedpany had caught Leonica''s attention C&D industry? She asked, raising her gaze from the file for the first time. Her question earned a nod from the assistant, whichter left her to think back to where she had heard the said name.


    Less than a minuteter, it clicked into ce. Owen, he had mentioned that very samepany during one of their discussion when they uncovered Angelina''s ploy and the CEO''s name was.


    "Stuart Campbell." She mattered and almost instinctively, looked down at the picture on Stuart Reeds resume. Her gut was telling her sothething was wrong here and as if on Cue, Angelina''s words reyed in her mind. "Kennedy, run a background check on Stuart Campbell." Leonica ordered, keeping her gaze glued on the paper.


    "Of course, give me a few minutes." He said and rushed towards hisptop.


    As the sound of him typing on his keyboard ovepped the silence in her office, Leonica''s phone dinged, indicating the entrance of a


    text message.


    She reached for it, unlocking it to see it was a message from Doctor Bailey, Surprising, but nheless, she read it.


    [Ms. Romero, I apologize for not calling, my schedule wouldn''t allow it, so instead, I''ll leave this brief message. Mr. Bryce asked that I contact you in his stead and request that you meet him. Today]


    Gabriel wanted to meet her? Leonica''s inside suddenly felt sore at the thought. Even after she had told him they were divorced, he still wanted to meet her? Why?


    Had he regained his memory? No, she shook her head at the thought, shaking away the weird feeling that she couldn''t describe, that hade over her. It Gabriel had regained his memory he would either have called her on his own, or found his way to herpany by


    now.


    So it was safe to say he hasn''t regained his memory, which really made her wonder why he wanted to see her.


    "Background checkpleted." Kennedy announced as he pulled the printing paper out from the printing machine and brought it to Leonica. "Here you go boss." He handed it to her, which she received with a small thank you.


    Looking down, Leonica wasn''t sure whether she was relieved or confused, to see that the man in the picture was far different that the person she had interviewed.


    The Stuart Campbell in this picture had dark shaggy hair and a pair of soulless looking eyes. The average look for boring ol


    businessmen.


    Whereas, the Stuart Reeds she had interviewed had chestnut brown hair and eyes of the same color. And unlike Campbell, he wore medicated sses.


    Although the evidence showed that the two were different people, Leonica couldn''t help but have that same gut feeling she had towards Angelina when the bitch has gone from devil po saint


    Perhaps it was because Reeds previously worked in Campbell''spany and Campbell was... still is, Angelina''s lover.


    The most reasonable exnation if you asked her.


    While Leonica was trying to sort her gut feeling out, Kennedy printed another paper out from hisptop and attached it to a file of already bulky papers before handing it to Leonica.


    "H.R. finished finalizing the contract termination documents today." He said as she looked from the paper on her desk and back to him Termination? The wheels in Leonica''s head was almost spinning, until it stopped, recognition kicking in Termination documents! As in the once she had requested two months ago when she wanted and still wants to, terminate the contract between hers and Gabriel''spany.


    "I''ll havepany''s attorney handle the matter immediately once you''ve signed." Kennedy informed, lingering near the coffee machine to brew him and his employer yet another cup of coffee.


    Perhaps he makes too much coffee, he had thought, ncing down at the transparent ss that was feeling with dark brown liquid.


    "I see I''ll take out some time and look over it." Leonica said as she ces it in the drawer of her table and reaches for her phone, turning on the screen time see that she had read Doctor Bailey''s message, yet not replied.


    How should she reply? In all honesty, she really didn''t want to see Gabriel. Seeing him brought back the worse of memories that made her seem like a weak person. Along with the fact that she didn''t like how her heart behaved around him.


    And this new side of him, certainly was something new.


    Bane, she thought as her gaze settled on the key chain Ashley had given her to deliver to Gabriel. For a moment, she felt bad for her sen, knowing that he had probably gone out of his way, broken the bank all so he could get a keychain for the very sane father who did remember him.


    was something to heave heavily about.


    Turning her gaze to Kennedy, who was fast at work, sipping from his coffee every now and then, she asked. "Kennedy, what''s my schedule like for this afternoon."


    Kennedy quickly stopped the work he was doing and pulled up his boss''s schedule on hisptop. "You''re free until six o''clock if this evening''


    His announcement had her brows creasing "What do I have by six o''clock?" She questioned.


    Kennedy took one look at the schedule again before informing "You have a schedule dinner meeting with the brand ambassador and his manager."


    ''A meeting with Owen.'' She thought, missing slowly as she clearly recalled setting something of sort a few weeks back.


    "Alright, if it''s like that, then it''s seems I''ll have to step out for a bit."


    "Of course," Kennedy nodded, watching as his employer reached for her phone, fingers gliding across it''s screen.


    II apologize for thete reply Doctor. I''ll take some time out today and visit the hospital. Thank you for passing along the message.]


    Leonica replied.


    Back at the hospital, Gabriel sat up right in one of the chairs, staring intensely at the photo on the table.


    The said photo in particr has been discovered in his wallet earlier today when he had requested for his belongings from the nurses. They brought his clothes, which were all battered up with burnt edges, leaving Gabriel to wonder what sort of ident he has actually gotten into


    However, the thought was fleeting as the very next second, he had spotted the object he was looking for.


    His wallet,


    The brown leather keeper held a few things. ID card. Driver''s license and a golden wedding band that had fit perfectly around his wedding finger when he tried it on


    Must have been his wedding ring. He came to the conclusion and had been about to slip it off when the very same picture he was currently staring hard at, had caught his attention.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    It was a photo of him and a child who looked to be somewhere around the age of five? At an amusement park? A festival?


    Gabriel really couldn''t pin point the exact location and his damn memory wasn''t doing anything to help. But that wasn''t even the issue at hand.


    The issue at hand was that the said boy in the picture, looked so damn much like Gabriel


    The resemnce was too uncanny, safe for the bunch of golden hair that adorned his hair. It was clear w much, this child was either his son, or his step brother from another father. But thetter was impossible seeing as both his parents


    clear without thinking things too had kicked the bucket in an arson incident over two decades ago.


    So, that left him with the only reasonable option. This child in the picture, was his son. Of so, then who was his mother? Leonica? Well he could see some sort of resemnce between the two, especially the hair. Leonica''s hair was white now, but he could tell there was a time when her hair had been bright yellow, just like this child''s. Perhaps it was form the picture he had seen, or a memory he


    Whichever it was, Gabriel found his thoughts straying towards her existence, particrly why her hair had be white.


    Marie Antote Syndrome, his eyes narrowed at the thought, however, the door to his room opened secondster with a knock. Bill stepped in, bowing his head as he held the package for the food he had gone to get.


    "I apologize, the line was a bit long, but I''ve managed to get what you requested." Bill exined as he walked towards the table where Gabriel was seated.


    The CEO''s expressionless'' face did not change in the slightest, but his voice expressed his gratitude enough as he spoke. "Thank you. You may leave for now."


    Of course, sir." Bill managed to say, stopping himself before he could stutter in surprise. He still hasn''t gotten used to Gabriel being different from the man he worked with fore give years, with wore the same face.


    He ced the bag on the table and gave a little bow, turning around to leave, when to his dismay, Gabriel stopped him.


    Say." He began holding the picture he had stared at for the past twenty minutes, up in the air. "Do you know who this child is?" He asked a question he already knew the answer to, but still wanted go hear some sort of confirmation. Bill, who was surprised to see the picture, immediately blurted out. "Young master Ashley?" Only after the words had left his mouth did he realize that he might have said something he wasn''t meant to.


    Leonica had informed him that Gabriel didn''t even remember her, so it was damn obvious that he didn''t recall having a son.


    Was telling him the right thing?


    "Ashley," Gabriel muttered the familiar sounding name, taking note that that just might be the name of his supposed son. After that, he has turned his attention on Bill. "So tell me, who is he?"


    The assistant visibly sweat dropped, feeling like he was trapped against a wall with no knowledge of the right decision to make.


    Luckily, when it seemed like the heat was getting too much to handle, the door behind him slid open and like his hero, Leonica walked


    in


    Bill has never been so happy to see her to the point that he had quietly sighed,


    The first thing Leonica sensed as she walked into the room was that she had interrupted something important.


    But it was not like she cared. "Doctor Bailey said you wanted to see me, what for?" She went straight to the point foregoing all the pleasantries and greeting


    "I do, but first," Gabriel leaned forward, cing the photo on the table and sliding it towards her. "would you be as kind as to exin this to me?"


    Leonica''s brows knitted together with confusion, but when she looked down at the photo, she understood where he wasing from and in that moment, three one words sounded in her mind.


    Fuck You Fate.


    The Inevitable Couldn''t Be Avoided.


    The inevitable couldn''t be avoided, Leonica told herself over and over again, as she stood in front of the picture Gabriel had slid across the table, feeling like she had felt the day she revealed Ashley''s identity to him back at the hospital


    Gabriel, noticing her hesitancy to speak, spoke up. "You seem to be keeping a lot of things from me, Leonica"


    "I''m not." She argued, gaze still glued on the picture while her mind tried to phantom about escape from the situation


    But, did she really need an escape? Leonica''s definition of escape, as she has learnt, is toplicate things more than they already were. But did she really need to do that right now?


    What harm could it being toe clean? The voice in the back of her mind questioned.


    Yeah, what harm indeed?


    The worse that could happen was Gabriel denying Ashley and finally cutting ties with them both, using his amnesia as an excuse. That sounded nice, until it didn''t and ended up leaving a sour taste in Leonica''s mouth and a rising hile that she tries to force down a couple of times.


    "If you''re not, then tell me, who is that child? Gabriel argued back, watching her with narrowed eyes. It was clear that the wheels in her head was spinning, most definitely trying to form what?


    An answer? Gabriel questioned, not sure why she''d have the need to find or make an answer when it was clear to all, even he who had lost his memory.


    Shit he was still trying toe to terms with


    A sigh from Leonica brought his mind back to the important matter at hand. He cocked his head to the side, watching her more intensely this time around.

 Chapter 106

    Leonica shifted in her stance, pushing her weight onto her non dominant leg and crossing her hand across her chest as she made up her mind.


    She was going to tell him. To hell with whatever happens afterwards. All she cares about is knowing that she had gotten it off her chest, told him the truth and not lied to him. Not that it really mattered to her if she lies to him or nOL "He''s my son...Our son." She confessed after a heartbeat, somewhat surprised when Gabriel didn''t show any real emotion.


    "Bill," He turned towards his assistant, watching as he became alert at the sound of his name. "Wait outside for a minute, would you?"


    "O-of course." Bill stuttered, as usual, not used to Gabriel''s less mean way of speaking. He wasn''t exactly polite, butpared to the Gabriel Bryce of a few weeks back, a month at tops, this Gabriel was far way more polite, more Tolerable. But Bill really didn''t have the time to think all that over. Bowing at his employer''s instruction, he exited the room, giving them the privacy that had been demanded of him.


    Once alone, Gabriel turned his gaze back on Leonica, but much like the angered or frustrated gaze she had expected, Gabriel had a calm xpression on his face and for the briefest second, she was reminded of how calm he used to be when L had first introduced them. So, we have a son?" Gabriel''s question sounded more like a speech directed towards himself, rather than the female in front of him." How old is he?"


    "Five." Leonica answered after swallowing her saliva.


    She watched as he went silent after her worse, gaze casted towards the picture on the table while he yed with the tips of his finger, something she knew he did each time he was trying to concentrate on one too many things. After a while, he asked the question on his mind. "How how long were we married?"


    And Leonica was not expecting that. Heck! She hadn''t expected all that had happened here today, Gabriel tinding the picture, his almost lifeless reaction, like he had long knew and epted the fact before she sprung in and dropped the bomb, andstly, this damn question


    And all of his behavior today, in such a short time span, made Leonica wonder, who really was the man in front of her. He was different to be her Gabriel.


    star too


    No, he wasn''t far too different from her Gabriel. He was her Gabriel, the Gabriel she had tallen for close to a decade ago, not the monster he had be during their marriage. Perhaps she had gotten too used to that him, the Gabriel she hated, that she couldn''t even recognize the man whom she had actually fallen for


    er has


    Perhaps that''s it, Leonica thought as she moved and settled in the chair across from Gabriel, surprising him as she ced her down and arranged her hands on herps.


    "Two years, you and I were married for two years." She honestly answered his question, waiting for the ones that were toe.


    Two years? Gabriel pondered. If they were married for two years, howe Ashley was Five?


    "We got married seven years ago, divorced five years ago." Leonica confidently answered his question as if she was able to read it off


    his face


    Ah, that made more sense, Gabriel thought.


    Another few seconds passed before he asked. "And why did we get a divorce?"


    Now that, Leonica couldn''t answer confidently.


    Because you were an asshole. Because she fell in love with a witch and neglected your family, or perhaps you were just too stupid


    She wanted to say all those words, but kept her mouth shut and instead, stared nkly at him.


    Gabriel more than got the memo. It was his fault.


    Nodding his head, he moved onto the next question, not bothering to press for answers on the previous one.


    "Do we live together? You me and... Ashley?" He asked.


    When Leonica shook her head, get felt a weird sense of disappointment wash over him. "No, we don''t. Ashley stays at mine, sometimes at my parents." She informed. When she said nothing about the child staying with him, Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Your ce wasn''t the best. Fancy and all, but not suitable for a growing child." She said and gave a nonchnt shrug to cover up the shivers that had washed over her body at the thought of the numerous chances Angelina would have had to hurt Ashley had he actually stayed at Gabriel''s ce.


    Gabriel wondered how his ce wasn''t suitable for Ashley, Was it because the child would be living far away from his mother?


    Despite the thoughts in his mind, disapproving of the fact that Ashley didn''t for once stay with him, a sense of fatherly instinct causing a sudden spike of anger towards rise in his chest, Gabriel calmly asked. "Where is he, now?"


    Leonica was quiet for a few seconds before she gave the best answer her mind could conjure. "He''s safe." She has unowingly smiles when answering aa thoughts of Gabriel''s sacrifice shed in her mind. However, the smile disappeared as soon as it hade, but as fleeting and short lived as the smile had been, it had caused weird heart palpitations in his chest the moment Gabriel spotted it.


    Secondster, he was left with a new feeling of emptiness in his chest after her smile disappeared.


    He managed to push the weird feeling aside and asked. "Can I see him?"


    Now she felt a small sense of guilt having to watch a father ask to see his own son. However, in this case, there was nothing she could do. It was either she bend to Gabriel''s whims and see Ashley get hurt or she kept him away from Gabriel, hopefully he couldn''t feel pain towards someone he couldn''t even recall.


    ...No."


    *Her answer has Gabriel furrowing his brow and demanding for an answer secondster. "Because you''ll only end up hurting him. Ashley''s a very sensitive child, he takes the simplest of things to heart, now imagine how he''d feel if his own father doesn''t even remember him?" Came her answer as she nced at her watch and proceeded to stand up. "As much as I hate to admit it; that boy loves you far too much, something like that would only break his heart. And I''m not ready to see my son cry over someone who isn''t worth it." Gabriel''s eyes darkened at her words. "I''d watch my mouth if I were you. He warned.


    "Or what?" Leonica challenged, taking a step towards him. "Huh?"


    It seems like when she had advanced towards Gabriel, she hasn''t phantom that he''d instantly stand up from the chair he had been seating in.


    "If I were you, I''d watch my mouth, Leonica." He warned again, taking each word slower than the previous and dragging their sybles


    Now, perhaps it had been because of the way he spoke, or the way he called out her name, or maybe both, but Leonica telt her confidence steamer downs a bit, along with waves of shivers that made her very much aware of the fact that they were now standing really close in each other.


    Instinctively, she took a step back Gabriel followed her, taking one of his own forward and staring down at her. "Now, give me a damn good reason why I shouldn''t see my son, or best believe me when I say I will find him..." He allowed the rest of his words trail off and Leonica hoped that they weren''t what she thought he was going to say.


    "So don''t test my patience, Leo and tell me where I can find my son." He cooed.


    The shivering has increased now, but Leonica was more than certain it wasn''t fear. She had known Gabriel long enough to know when his words were actually threats. He was using a trick she had been so very ustomed to, a trick she had used multiple times in her own life, and one she could easily spot in someone else.


    Her lips formed a straight line and she tilted her head up to meet Gabriel face.


    With a smile, she spoke.


    "I preferred you so much better when you were an asshole." She whispered and stepped back, allowing their closeness to end and her smile to disappear, a frown in its ce as she finally got tired of ying the game of cat and mouse, before it even began. "I love my son, enough to make sure nothing makes him sad. I''ll have a talk with Ashley after school, exin the situation to him as best as I can, the rest is up to his reaction. If he''s ready, fine. If not, you''re not seeing him." Gabriel''s eyes were on her the entire time she had spoken. His jaw was clenching and unclenching, the same way it did every time he was angered, something that she had be familiar with.


    "I have a meeting to attend to, so I''d be taking my leave if that''s all." She said and turned around, about to leave when the feeling of the keychain in her pocket stopped her. She reached into her pocket and pulled it out. She stared at it for a moment, and then, turned around, catching Gabriel''s attention, who had been staring at her as she moved. "You might want to take this. Ashley got it for you." She held it out for him.


    Gabriel took a nce at the object and felt his lips pull into a smile. "He did?"


    Leonica nodded and grabbed his hand, putting it in.


    "I''ll let him know you like it." She said as she stepped back, Then, without another word, she turned and headed for the door.


    Act Fast Free Borus me is Running Out!


    lm


    Owen''s Predicament.


    The moment Leonica had left, Bill stuck his head through the door, testing the water whether or not it was okay for him to step in


    "Sir?" He called out, snapping Gabriel out of whatever he had been thinking about at that moment. "May I step in?"


    Gabriel waved his hand at his assistant''s question, indicating that he could do whatever he pleased. Tentatively, he stepped in while Gabriel returned back to the chair he had been seating in, grabbing the photo he has found in the process.


    Once again staring at the photo, Ashley in particr, Gabriel found his mind reying Leonica''s words, something that had somewhat be like a daily routine to him, since he had woken up a few days ago.


    He wondered, had he really been that much of an asshole?


    Was he the reason their marriage ended? The reason why Ashley was forced to live with a broken family?


    Although he couldn''t recall a thing about the child, Gabriel felt connected to him, just from the photo alone and thinking about how much the child must suffer from having a broken family, result of his own action, weighted heavily on Gabriel''s chest. But not heavier than the fact that he couldn''t remember a thing. His memories and actions, both good and bad, for the past ten years, all was gone.


    Now, he was forced to learn things anew


    With a sigh, he dropped the picture "Mr. Bryce, is everything alright? Do I need to call the doctor?" Bill questioned after he had sighed.


    He shook his head, dismissing his assistant''s concern, but in that moment, he recalled something. "That wouldn''t be necessary," He said. "But if you do see him, make sure to request a discharge date for me.


    "Of course." Bill nodded his head. "I''ll do that right away." He said and hurried out of the room, leaving Gabriel alone was again.


    Was alone, Gabriel raised the key chain Leonica had given him.


    Forget-me-not, he thought, admiring his favorite flower which had been carved into a silver keychain.


    A smile bloomed across his lips when remembering that it was Ashley who has given him.


    with


    yet another sigh, the male looked towards his window, watching as the sun descended on the city below, causing the sky to mix with beautiful shades of orange, pink and blue.


    As he stared at the scenery, one thought shed in his mind; he wanted his memories back. Both the bad one and the good ones, he wanted them back.


    He didn''t know when he would remember, but one thing was for certain, Gabriel didn''t intend on stopping until his memories were fully back, even if that meant he''d have to ask Leonica for her help.


    But even that, he saw nothing wrong with it.


    Leonica, despite the hot head she put up for him from time to time, seemed like a nice person. He had no doubts that she was a good mother and had done her part as a parent.


    And him, well, he couldn''t even tell how many mistakes he has made or how many people he has hurt in the past, so who was he to judge his ex-wife?


    He had no clue about his own life, but that didn''t stop him from hoping, perhaps the next time they meet, he''d know the full truth and would be able to apologize properly, for whatever it is he seemed to have done to her.


    Perhaps, with that, he can be on his way to fixing things, regaining his memories and having the right to see his son.


    Gabriel, for some reason, telt a sudden surge of determination rush through him. He didn''t know when it will happen, but he was certain, his memories will return.


    And then, he''ll know


    Everything


    Leonica sat in the parking lot of the supposed restaurant she was meant to meet Owen and his manager, but had arrived way earlier than their nned meeting time,


    The main culprit of this, was of course Gabriel. He and his damned questions. Leonica had cursed at him one third of the way here, the rest she had spent in silence, listening to music and thinking about what he had asked of her and how she would break the entire thing down to Ashley.


    In the end, she couldn''te up with a solution. Which was reasonable as it wasn''t everyday one would expect to have to exin to her child that his father had lost his memory


    With a sigh, Leonica leaned against the chair and closed her eyes.


    Just thinking about everything was making ber exhausted.


    But then again, thinking andining over the matter wasn''t going to help her sort anything out.


    She opened her eyes after the thought and reached for her phone.


    She unlocked the screen, tapped on the call log and looked for the contact name, Ashley.


    After the incident with Angelina, she had gotten the little one a phone, nothing fancy, just something she could use and keepmunication with him in event something like that repeated itself.


    She had a few minutes to spare before the meeting and Owen''spany car didn''t seem to be anywhere in the vicinity, so Leonica dialed the number and walted for the ringing tone.


    Secondster, Ashley''s voice filled the empty space in the car.


    "Hi mom!" He happily greeted, and even though Leonica couldn''t see his face, she was certain her little one was smiling brightly.


    "Hi sweetle," Leonica greeted back. "How was school today?


    "Boring, as always. He replied and she could hear the sound of him moving, followed by a few muffled words before he spoke again." I''m waiting at the y ground, so are you gonna pick me up or is nanny Grace gonna do it?" "Actually, about that_"


    "No... you''re cancelling again?" He guessed and his tone changed drastically.


    10


    "Sweetie, I promise it''s thest time. After today, no more cancelling, no more work. I promise."


    "That''s what you said thest time." Ashley argued and she could almost see the pout forming on his lips. "You always cancel. I''m sure daddy wouldn''t cancel if he was here."


    Now that, hit close to home.


    "Ashley," She started, sighing "We''ve talked about this. Your dad is in no condition to take care of you now-


    "I know, but I still want to see him." He argued. "I''m not asking to stay with him. Just a visit, that''s all. I want to see him."


    "I know, but..."


    ""Please mom?" He pleaded.


    Leonica didn''t reply immediately. She had to think carefully. She had already made her decision about whether or not he''d get to see his father, but she couldn''t just tell him like that


    She knew before taking him to see Gabriel, she needed to seat down and talk things over with him, in the simplest and easiest manner for his brain to understand.


    So, she did the best thing she could. "Ashley, how about this; I''ll have Anastasia pick you up and thenter in the day, we''ll have a little chat after I pick you up. We can go somewhere nice, like the park and have a talk about everything, then we''ll go home. How''s that?" There was silence on the other end, so Leonica continued "Just the


    the two of us. Okay?"


    ...Fine." He hesitantly answered.


    Leonica smiled a bit after knowing that she was getting through to him, "That''s my boy." She praised. Up head, her eyes caught a familiar vehicle pulling into the parking lot and she instantly recognized it as the one Owen used.


    It wasn''t long be


    before his manager, Alistair, stepped out and rushed to open the back door for Owen.


    "Alright sweetie, I''ll be calling you a bitter, so until then, don''t be too hard on your Aunty. And no ying with strangers "Olcay mom." He answered.


    "And Ashley," She called again, and be hummed. "I love you."


    "Love you too, mommy" He replied and Leonica felt her heart swell.


    With the call ending, Leonica put the phone into her purse and exited the car, locking the door as she walked towards Owen


    "Owen, hey." She greeted, catching both male''s attention, who stopped and waited until she had reached their sides.


    "Leonica," Owen was the first to greet her back, with a hug that she eased into with a simple chuckle.


    The next greeting was by Alistair, who offered her his hand, all the while scolding Owen about how he cared so little about his image as


    an idol.


    "Do you know what type of scandals would break out if someone were to take a picture of you two hugging?" He questioned in a tone befitting that of a lecturer.


    "What type of scandal?" Owen asked, almost too innocently for Alistair''s liking


    With a sigh, the manager pinched the bridge of his nose, mumbling underneath his breath. "I''m already dealing with one problem. because of your recklessness, can''t you be considerate for once."


    "Did you say something, manager?" Owen asked.


    "No, not at all, Ms. Romero, shall we head in?" Alistair asked as he turned his attention to Leonica who nodded.


    As they walked in, Owen settled beside Leonica, standing as close to her as possible and gently hooking his pinky finger around hers.


    "How are you doing, Leo?" He whispered.


    "Fine," She replied, allowing the small physical contact, but keeping their hands hidden.


    Owen wasn''t satisfied by her answer. "Really?"


    "Mim, I''m fine. Just a bit stressed." She answered again, offering him a genuine smile


    "Wanna talk about it?" He offered.


    Leonica shook her head. "Not now, perhaps another time.


    "Well, alright. If you''re sure." Owen said, and gave her hand a squeeze,


    Leonica''s eyes nced up at the male beside her, and for a split second, she wondered how he could act so carefree like they hadn''t ended things on a bad note thest time he called her out to the cafe.


    Perhaps he couldn''t bring himself to feel angry or awkward around her because they had know each other for quite some time? Or maybe because... he had feelings for her?


    Shaking the thoughts off ber mind, she decided not to dwell on the matter and instead, allowed herself to ease into thefortable feeling that the male was bringing They didn''t talk much, just a fewments here and there about the decor as they stepped into the restaurant and had the waitress take them to their reserved suite. Once they were inside, seated with food and drink served, Alistair''s expression became serious


    "The reason why I has requested this meeting be set up is because of Owen''s recent predicament."


    Owen''s predicament? Leonica thought and zed at the male seated beside her. He had a nonchnt smile on his face, which only grew when she started at him.


    "Which is?" Leonica asked.


    Alistair cleared his throat. "Owen was spotted a few days ago, in a caf¨¦ with you. And as usual, it didn''t take the media long to make a scandal out of the whole thing. However, thepany took care of it all before it had be something global, but that didn''t restrict a few of his fans from seeing the news."


    "Oh,


    "Leonica muttered as she casted pee gaze downwards. She hadn''t been aware of this.


    "It''s nothing," Owen spoke up, trying to reassure her as he gently ces his hand over hers.


    "It''s not nothing." Alistair argued, "Your career, the one you''ve built for so many years, the one I''ve spent thest three years building is at risk, all because of that." He pointed at Owen''s hand on Leonica''s "And that damned speech you released "


    Owen chuckled and withdrew his hand. "Don''t tell me you''re still salty over that, manager."


    "Of course, I''m salty, Owen! You went ahead and released the speech I warned you against releasing. And now," He paused and turned towards Leonica. "No offense Ms. Homero "When she slowly nodded her head, he continued. "You''re unting your personal feelings like your fans don''t even exist"


    Owens Medicament


    "Manager, calm down." Owen ordered, and for once, his tone sounded different. Almost authoritative.


    Leonica''s brows furrowed a bit at the change.


    "Don''t tell me to calm down!" Alistair hissed and mmed his palm against the table. "I''m only worried for you, and now I''ve got the board breathing down my neck. All because you couldn''t curtail your feelings right. Do you really have no respect for the job you do?" "Okay, hold on," Leonica finally spoke up, raising her hand to gain the attention she needed. "This is looking more like an argument than a meeting to me," She pointed out. "If this is what is going to be happening, then tell me, I''ll dly take my leave, if not, let''s get down to the real matter at hand." She said in an authoritative tone.


    "You''re right," Alistair agreed and took a deep breath. "I apologize for my rudeness."


    "It''s alright." Leonica epted his apology and settled her hands on the table. "Now, can you exin what this meeting is about? In simpler terms, please."


    Alistair nodded his head. "Of course," He said, letting a moment pass, in which he nced from Owen to Leonica, before he spoke.


    The Higher ups at SG entertainment have demanded that Owen set things right and off all contact with you, else his contract will be


    terminated instantly."


    No, They''re Trying To Control Him!


    Alistair''s words had taken a good couple of minutes before it sank into the heads of both individuals present


    "What?" Leonica was the first to question, finding what he had just said utterly ridiculous.


    "What the hell do you mean cut contact with Leonica or have my contract terminated? Owen joined in, showing anger as he had been kept in the dark with the recent developments.


    Sure, he had been scolded once or twice about the speech he released, had his pay cut for an advert or two, but he was cool with that, at least if that was what it took to reduce the public pressure on Leonica, he didn''t mind.


    But right now, the higher ups demands was too unreasonable. Asking him to pick between Leonica and his job. They wouldn''t dare put those options on the table if they knew that Leonica was the reason why he was who he was today. She had shaped the star that was keeping their damnedpany afloat, yet they dare do what they were doing


    Just the sheer thought of their demands alone angered Owen.


    "it''s either you curb contact with Leonica... Ms. Romero," Alistair quickly corrected himself after getting a warning look from his Idol. "Or the higher ups are going to pull the plug on your career."


    "They can''t do that. "Owen states the obvious. Them pulling the plug on his career was impossible because even without their help, he would still be the people''s Idol if he decided to start his own entertainment industry


    His eyes narrowed at the thought. It was a good idea, why hadn''t he thought of that until now.


    "You gotta understand where they''reing from here, Owen," Saying, Alistair sighed and too a gulp from his previously untouched wine. "They''re trying to help you."


    "No, they''re trying to control him." Leonica objected with a pointed stare. "And are you, as his manager, just gonna allow them do so?" She asked. From beside her, the ghostly outline of a smalle made it''s way across Owen''s face as he was happy to see Leonica speaking up for him.


    Alistair, at Leonica''s question, let out a defeated sigh and fell back into his chair, no longer bothering to mind his seating etiquette. And what would you have me do?" He quizzed, ncing between the both of them, silently asking them for answers.


    And Answers she tried to find. Seagate Entertainment, Short for SG entertainment or sometimes SGE had it''s long line of employees abuse cases, which of course, ended with their side winning after they had the case swept under the rouge


    One time, an employee, idol trainee to be precise, had passed away due to the intense diet she had been put on. To say their ways were evil was an understatement. Saying that she was cool with Owen working there, would be an even bigger understatement. With an idea fleeting through Leonica''s mind, she nced at Owen. "I have an idea, but you''ll have to work with me to achieve this."


    Her words were returned with a gleaming beam from Owen. "I''m always on tour side, Leo." He said, staring a er a bit more intense


    zat her a


    than Leonica would have liked.


    "And you?" She questioned Alistair When be remained silent, she added. "As much as I don''t want to admit it, your cooperation would mean an awful lot to what I have, so are you in?


    Alistair remained silent and sighed at what Leonica had asked. Even though he does Agree to whatever she has nned, he wonders how she''s going to take care of the more pressing matter. And now that he was thinking on the topic, he wondered when those two were going to realize that fans are way more scary than people give them credit for.


    By the time the meeting hade to a close, the sun has long disappeared, leaving the city of Oslo to bask in the glory of the moonlight and little additional from the stars.


    As they exited the restaurant, Leonica had the time to nce at her phone and realized just howte it had be.


    The meeting had taken a bit longer than the usual meeting she attended. And not to mention the extra few minutes they had added to the end to discuss their little n.


    Shit, Ashley was definitely going to be pissed with her.


    She thought as she quickly sent a message to Anastasia, asking how Ashley was.


    (Pissed. I came her reply.


    Leonica sighed. Of course he was, and of course Anastasia would use the opportunity to hound her, seeing as Ashley was her godson.


    She sighed and pocketed her phone, deciding it was better to talk things over in person rather than on the phone or over a text,


    Turning to walk to her car, Owen approached her, stopping her...


    Ld


    "Leo," He called, his hand reaching out to stop her from walking away. "Can I drive you home? We haven''t had the time to catch up In a while." He said, a small smile hugging on his lips.


    Leonica wanted to say yes. She really did, you know, catch up on the past days event like he has suggested, but her thoughts went back. to the meeting they had just concluded or more importantly, the reason for the meeting that had been held


    The higher ups at SGE were threatening to pull the plug on Owen''s career all because he was getting to involved with her. Now until her n was concluded, she wanted to avoid that happening.


    So, with a regretful sigh, she shook her head. "Thanks, but I don''t think that''s a good idea."


    Owen''s brows furrowed. "Why not?"


    "Tecause it''s what''s best for you, Chwen." She said, looking away from his face when his expression becante sour.


    it really, though?" He asked, his voice low.


    Leonica didn''t answer. She didn''t have to. The silence was all he needed.


    "For now, at least. Please understand Owen


    his


    cyes


    never


    With a sigh, the male nodded his head and stepped back, giving her enough space to turn around and walk to her car, once leaving her frame until she had slipped into the car. Only then did he hesitate, but turned around and headed for the car Alistair was waiting for him


    in


    After half an hour of driving, Leonica arrived at Anastasia''s ce and was greeted with a sleeping Ashley and a very much pissed off


    Anastasia.


    "Hey, I''m sorry." She apologized the moment she had stepped into the living room of Anastasia''s penthouse.


    Anastasia, however, wasn''t having it. She raised a finger and pointed at her godson, who was curled up on the couch with a nket covering his body.


    "What happened to the park? Having a talk with him?" She questioned repeating the exact same words Ashley had told her when she had picked him up.


    Leonica opened her mouth, wanting to say something to defend herself, but in the end, she closed her lips, realizing that nothing she says would make her actions seem better.


    "I''ll take this up with youter." Anastasia added upon her silence.


    "Thank you for watching him." Leonica said and walked towards the couch, bending over the back and staring at her sleeping son.


    Carefully, she moved the strand of hair that had fallen onto his forehead, tucking it behind his ear and cing a gentle kiss on his forehead.


    Ashley stirred, his sleep being disturbed by his mother''s affectionate gesture. "Mom?" He groaned.


    Leonica pulled away and watched as Ashley rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up.


    "Hi sweetie." She greeted him, moving around the couch and taking a seat beside him.


    "You''rete." He pointed out, a pout settling on his lips instantly.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "I know," She agreed. "I''m sorry."


    "And we were supposed to go to the park."


    "Yeah,"

 Chapter 107

    "So why didn''t we?" He quizzed.


    Leonica let out a sigh and nced at her son. "It was important." She answered, hoping he wouldn''t press the matter any further. "More important than me?" He questioned.


    "Of course not," Leonica answered, shaking her head and leaning forward to stare at her son. "Never more important than you." Ather w words, Ashley looked away and downcast his eyes, a sign that he was upset.


    I Mo. Theyre Thong To Control Hom


    "Hey," Leonica called, tilting his chin up to meet his gaze. "Don''t think that. You''re very important to me, more than anything, okay? It''s just." She hesitated, ncing in the direction where Anastasia stood, sipping on her cup of coffee while giving her the nasty look. She offered an apologetic smile, both to her son and best friend. "I had to help Owen on something"


    Ashley''s entire expression brightened at the mention of the familiar name. "Owen? Is something wrong?" He asked.


    "No, not at all. At least not something I can''t handle." She told him and once again ced a kiss on his forehead.


    "Mommy can handle everything?" Ashley tentatively asked.


    "Yeah, I''m Larissa, aren''t I?"


    "Including daddy?" He quizzed, the smile fading.


    Now, at his question, Leonica fell silent, unable toe up with a suitable answer.


    When can I see daddy? You said we''ll talk about it today."


    "And that we would." Leonica said as she picked the child up and ces him on herp. "You see," She paused and briefly thought of a way to break things easily to him. "Daddy sustained serious injuries before he had been hospitalized..." The rest of her words trailed off as Ashley gasped as his eyes watered.


    "Is daddy dead? Is that why you don''t want me seeing him?"


    "What? No, of course not, your daddy is alright. It''s just... He had amnesia."


    "Amnesia? What''s that?" He asked, his head tilted to the side in confusion


    "It''s a condition in which the patient can''t recall memories." She gently said and watched as her words soaked in before adding. "You daddy can''t remember a lot of things."


    "Including me?" The child asked after his mother''s words has sung in


    you. In fact, he has


    Leonica nodded her head. "Yes, but," She quickly added when she saw the tears gathering in his eyes. "He knows of you. In f a picture of us, from when you guys went gaming, remember that?" She asked. Ashley nodded his head.


    "Yeah, well, daddy has a picture of us two, but doesn''t have the memory of when it was taken. So he wants to meet you and try and create new memories."


    "But what about his old memories? Doesn''t he want them back?"


    "That''s up to him, Ash." Leonica told her child, who has suddenly gotten curious about the entire matter. "But, he still wants to see you. Do you want to see him?"


    Ashley quickly nodded at her question. "I''ll help daddy create wonderful memories."


    Leonica smiled and patted the child''s head. "I''m sure you will. So let''s go tomorrow, okay?"


    "Alright," "Anastasia''s voice filled the empty space and made both Leonica and Ashley turn their attention to her. "It''s high time you both head home. I''ll love yourpany, but I''m not gonna get anything done with you both around." She said, nudging her head in the direction of her study which had piling court cases.


    Leonica sighed and got up from her seat, cing her son on his feet and taking his hand. "Come on, sweetie. Say goodbye."


    "Goodnight aunt Annie." Ashley greeted and hugged his godmother.


    "Good night sweetheart, have a good sleep and behave for your mother."


    Ashley nodded and walked off to retrieve his things, leaving the two woman allone


    "You''re really lucky I love the kid." A


    Anastasia stated.


    "I know," Leonica smiled. "I''ll try to make it up to you."


    "Please do, you''ve got a lot to exin.


    "Yeah, I''m aware." Leonica said as she leaned in and kissed her best friend''s check, bidding her goodbye as soon as Ashley returned


    Do It For Ashley''s Sake.


    Anastasia stood by her window, watching as Leonica and Ashley got into their car, the former stopping to wave her goodbye, to which she waved back even though she couldn''t be seen, before they drove off


    Watching the vehicle drive away, she heard the sound of her phone ringing from her study. She moved towards it, mumbling underneath her breath how much she hated answering clientste in the night while having extra work to do, you know, stuffs that onlywyers could understand.


    By the time she had arrived at her study and located her phone from underneath a pile of growing client cases, the phone was on its second ring. Taking a moment, she studied the unknown number calling, brows furrowing as she tried to recall which of her clients had this number.


    After much trying and pondering, Anastasia answered the phone by the third call.


    "Attorney Johansson speaking "She said once the phone had been pressed again her car.


    However, the voice that greeted her was one she was not expecting and very much not that of her client.


    "Attorney Johansson, that sure does have a nice ring to it." The familiar voice spoke, having a slight purr at the end.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Anastasia narrowed her eyes at the wall in front of her, fighting her brain to remember where she had heard the voice. The answer wasn''t too far away from her and soon, it clicked in ce.


    "Riley?" She questioned.


    "The one and only," Came Lloyd''s answer, although he wasn''t to pleased about the fact that she had addressed him by hisst name,


    rather than his first.


    "How the hell did a womanizer like you get my phone number? Anastasia questioned and he could almost hear the displeasure dripping from her voice.


    Chuckling, he feigned hurt, cing his hand on his chest from wherever it is he was in. "A womanizer, huh. That doesn''t seem to bet the right title to address me with And It''s a secret, one I''m not willing to disclose to you, yet." He teased. Anastasia scoffed and rolled her eyes, deciding that his flirtatious attitude was going to get him nowhere with her.


    "Alright, suit yourself." She huffed, grabbing her cup of coffee and sipping from it, only to make a sour face as she realized that it has long gone cold. "Now, what do you want? I have a shit load of work to do, so if you''re looking for another girl toy to flirt with, I suggest you look elsewhere."


    "My, My, aren''t you bring a little rough. Did I say something to upset you?" Lloyd joked, still beating around the bush.


    "Your whole existence annoys me." Anastasia hissed.


    Lloyd chucided. "That''s not very nice, is it?"


    "I don''t care. Now, I repeat, what do you want?" The


    Lloyd''s chuckle came to a halt at her question and


    finally decided to stop messing around. "To discuss."


    His vague way of answering had Anastasia''s brows furrowing. "Discuss what?" She questioned as she picked up her coffee mug and walked to the kitchen, pouring the old one out with an intent to brew a fresh set "Gabriel''s condition. I''m sure you''ve heard about it."


    "Sure have, but what does that have to do with me? Gabriel''s Leonica''s problem. As much as she would hate to admit that." She mumbled thest part, but Lloyd heard and nodded in understanding


    "He is," He said. "But I think she''ll need help with him." He added, expressing the thoughts that had been running through his head ever since this morning.


    "And why would that be?" When her question went unanswered for a few seconds, she added. "You really think Leo can''t handle a simple memory loss? Heck, even Ash found his way of handling it." "Ashley knows about this?" It was Lloyd''s turn to ask the question this time around.


    Anastasia nodded her head, even though she knew he couldn''t see her. "Leonica told the kid this evening." She sighed when she thought back to the fresh memory. "Poor kid."


    It she could see Lloyd, then she would have seen him nodding in agreement with her. Lloyd and Anastasia, well, Anastasia alone, didn''t seem to like him, it was clear. But one thing they would forever be on the same page for, was their Godson They shared his joy and sorrow.


    "Look, Anastasia," Lloyd started, and his voice became a lot softer than his usual yful tone. "I know Leonica''s capable of handling Gabe, she did it for two whole years, so it won''t be any different to her right now. Memory loss or not. The person I''m worried about is Ashley. He''s still a kid and something like this, I doubt he''d be able to fully understand it."


    "Ash is a smart kid, and Leo exined the whole thing to him." Anastasia informed, tapping her fingers on the kitchen ind as she waited for her water to boll to her preferred tea temperature.


    "Did she really exin, or did she try and sugar coat the situation?"


    At his question, Anastasia went silent. "What is it you actually want?" she asked after a few seconds.


    "Well, aside from a date with you," He chuckled yfully when she groaned at his answer. "Meeting and discussing ways to help Gabriel regain his memories, would be nice." Anastasia sighed, and took the whistling pot from the stove, pouring the hot water into a mug.


    Look, I understand you have good intentions, but..."


    ''Do it for Ashley''s sake, if nothing else." Lloyd added


    "Fine."


    "Anastasia agreed after once again recalling the saddened face of Ashley when Leonica had broken the news to him. "But only because Ashley''s involved."


    "Good. And you know, maybe this can be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other and maybe, you know, get something going?"


    Anastasia rolled her eyes. "In your dreams, Riley." She replied, ending the call before the man could get another word out


    The next day at the hospital, Gabriel was concluding his discharge condition and date with Doctor Bailey when there was a knock on the door and two familiar faces walked in.


    "See, I told you he''ll survive that much." Lloyd said as he gently pped Christian''s chest, earning an annoyed grunt from the older male. He however,ughed it off and approached Gabriel, pulling him into a hug.


    "Good to see you''re well." He said, giving the other male a pat on the back


    Gabriel nodded his head and gave his best friend a warm smile, before moving to Christian who gave him a gently p on the shoulder


    "It''s nice seeing you''re not dying. For now." Christian joked, making everyoneugh, including Gabriel who''sugh was more of a


    Nervous one.


    "Yeah, like I''d ever die before you." He joked


    Christian let out a snort,


    his lips forming a small grin. "Don''t challenge me."


    "Alright boys, "Doctor Bailey, who had been standing by and watching the friendly reunion, decided to step in "Mr. Bryce, here''s the prescription you need to be taking for the meantime and your paper of discharge would be ready in two days." He said, handing over the papers and the pill bottle to Gabriel. "Until then, rest up as best as you can."


    Gabriel nodded his head. "Will do."


    With his answer, Doctor Bailey dismissed himself, leaving the group of three friends and two visitors behind.


    "So," Lloyd pped his hands together, gaining the attention of the rest. "I take it that everything''s working perfectly well up there," He pointed towards Gabriel''s head. "And only memories of the past ten years have been messed up?"

 Chapter 108

    Gabriel nodded his head and sighed, sinking into his chair when Lloyd and Christian sat down. "Pretty much, yeah." He answered. "What about your career?" Christian questioned.


    Gabriel shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing has changed. I''m still the owner of thepany and still the same CEO." He told them, earning a hum from the two


    "Alright, I guess that''s a good start. I''ll try and get a few people from yourpany to help you out a bit, you know, catch you up with what''s been happening. We''ll also need to get a statement released to the public. You lonow how the media is and whatnot." "Yeah, about that..." Gabriel sighed. "Can''t we just, you know, keep this under wraps until I recover my memories. I''d hate to be the talk of the town for a while, you know."


    Lloyd and Christian shared a look, not missing the fact that their friend had stated that he wanted to recover memories.


    "Alright," Lloyd said, nodding his head. "But, only because I can rte to the pain of being the hot topic."


    "Thanks," Gabriel smiled, but his smile was quick to fade secondster as he asked. "Do you... Mind telling me?"


    "Huh?" Both his friends hummed.


    "What lead to Leonica and I''s divorce?" He asked.


    Lloyd and Christian exchanged looks once again, both knowing the truth, but wondering if it was a good idea to tell Gabriel all about Angelina


    Thankfully, before they could debate any longer on the issue, there was a knock on the door and it soon slid open.


    All three of them watched as Leonica stepped in. She looked surprised to see Lloyd and Christian at first but she soon ced a smile on her lips, waving gently at them. y." She greeted.


    "Hi," They all said in unison and noticed that instead of moving further into the room, she stayed by the door, hand behind her. "What you got behind you?" Lloyd was the first to ask." At his question, Leonica gently tugged on the person behind her and Ashley stepped out from behind her.


    Gabriel''s eyes widened at the sight of the kid. He looked so much prettier and loveable in person.


    "Oh wow. He muttered.


    "Hello," Ashley greeted both his uncles and walked further into the room, approaching the man in question that is his father, only when standing directly in front of him did he gently wave. "Hi, Gabriel said.


    "Hi Daddy, My name is Ashley." He introduced nicely with a bright and friendly smile. "Mommy told me all about what happened. 1 am going to try and make new memories with you."


    Gabriel''s heart skipped a beat at his words. His smile was so contagious that he felt his own lips curving upwards. "Sounds like a n" He agreed, and reached forward, at first he hesitated, but after seeing Ashley''s expectant gaze, he ruffled the boy''s hair affectionately. "Alright, this is getting a little too sentimental for me," Lloyd said as he rose from his seat and grabbed Christian''s wrist. "Let''s leave the three of them alone, shall we?"


    Christian rolled his eyes. "Don''t pull me, I''m going." He grumbled and pulled his wrist free from Lloyd''s grasp.


    Lloyd pouted at the action, but his pout was soon reced by a smile. "We''ll check up on youter, Gabe." He said and followed Christian out of the room, leaving the three of them.


    Once they were alone, Gabriel nced at Leonica and asked. "Did you have lunch yet?"


    Leonica besitated, but after a few seconds of silence, she shook her head and watched as Gabriel smiled.


    "You''re in luck, the hospital prepares meals unlike any other." Saying this, he stood up from the chair, taking Ashley''s hand in his. The child giggled fondly at the action. "Come on, let''s have a meal and talk over a few things."


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Outf


    Recovering His Memories.


    Between the constant nces that were being thrown their way as other hospital patients walked by and the sound of Ashley chattering away with Gabriel, informing him of all the things that had happened both in Denver and here, Oslo, Leonica found it hard to focus on the meal which they had actuallye here to have


    and then, mommy got me Betty," Ashley said, showing his father the doll he always carried around. Gabriel bummed in an understanding tone, nodding his head as he took a bite from his burger.


    Strange, Leonica thought as she had nced at him in the middle of taking said bite from his beef burger. The Gabriel she knew was far too stuck up to even have a bite from a veggie burger, talk less a beef burger.


    Then again, she shook her head, briefly reminding herself that the Gabriel seating in front of her wasn''t the stuck up stole man he had been a leve weeks ago.


    "Everything okay?" Gabriel asked after noticing her somewhat weird behavior.


    and a breath in rather harshly when she saw him staring intently at her, dark eyes scanning her face. "Y-yes." She somehow uttered, Closing her eyes, she briefly cursed herself, then forced a smile on her lips. "I''m fine." Whether or not she was lying, Gabriel didn''t have enough time to figure that out as the hospital''s residential waiter in the cafeteria approached them.


    "Hello Mr. Bryce." He greeted with a bow, then turned towards Leonica, shing her a smile that went perfectly with his attractive walter looks, one that Gabriel quickly realized he wasn''t too tond of "Mdy, hope you enjoyed the meal?"


    "I did." Leonica answered honestly, because as a matter of fact, she had indeed enjoyed the meal, safe for the asional and choking state''s people gave the family of three, the taste had been delightful. Almost as good as her cooking, if she must say.


    "d to here that," The waiter said, shing another smile, one which Gabriel couldn''t help but roll his eyes at. Leonica didn''t miss the gesture and shoot him a questioning look to which he ignored. "How about you, little one?"


    When Ashley was asked, his demeanor seemed to steamer down temporarily and the energetic boy from once before suddenly disappeared. "It was good, but I didn''t like the veggies. They were overcooked," he admitted cautiously. "Momanynows how to cook better." He added in, of course not missing a moment to show his mother off.


    The waiter clearly didn''t expect his answer and Gabriel quietly chuckled at his stunned expression. "My apologies, I''ll be sure to lecture the cook a handful."


    "Really?" Ashley perked up after knowing his honest opinion hadn''t offended the waiter.


    "Of course, As an apology, how about drinks on the house?" He asked and nced at Leonica. "That''s only if you allow it "


    "Of course WE as his parents would allow it," Gabriel interjected before Leonica could speak, making sure to put great emphasis on the word ''WE''.


    This in turn, earned yet another questioning look from Leonica. This time around however, he shed her a smile and said nothing Well, what else was he going to do? It''s not like he was going toe right out and say that he didn''t like the fact that this handsome waiter, not that he''d ever openly admit it, was obviously ignoring his presence and trying to get a hit on the mother of his childThis content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    He might have lost his memory, but Gabriel was still the same person, prideful but only a little bit more polite.


    "Uh, one ss of orange juice for the kid, a ss of water for me and uh..." He paused, blinked a few times while remaining silent before he continued. "a ss of chilled lime juice for her."


    "Of course, Sir." While the waiter smiled and walked away, Leonica stared at Gabriel with wide eyes.


    "What?" He questioned. "Did I ce the wrong order for you?


    "No." Leonica admitted and he sighed out in relief but it was short lived as she added. "That''s exactly what''s wrong. Like Juice, it''s... it''s my favorite juice." She exined upon seeing his confused face.


    "Oh, Gabriel muttered finally understanding what she meant.


    "Do you... do you remember anything else?" Leonica dared to ask, her hope somewhat ttering when Gabriel shook his head.


    "I don''t think that even counts." He admitted with a sigh, catching Ashley''s sad expression from the side. "Hey b


    buddy, what''s wrong?"


    "Daddy daddy still doesn''t remember." He answered, lowering his head to hide the tears that were gathering in eyes. Gabriel felt sad seeing this, "Ash, hey Ash, listen to me." He gently raised his son''s chin up, smiling warmly. "What did we talk about?" He asked. "Daddy said I shouldn''t worry even if he can''t remember us now, because soon he will." Ashley said and Gabriel nodded his head in


    agreement.


    "That''s right. And I promise to keep my word. I''ll even throw in a sweet deal to make things better."


    Leonica watched as her son''s frown suddenly turned into a huge smile at the mention of a sweet deal, well, sweet to be precise. ""Really?!" He eximed.


    Gabriel nodded. "Yeah, and here''s the deal; as long as you promise promise to take you anywhere you want."


    happy a


    and wait for daddy


    daddy to recover


    his memories, I''ll


    "Anywhere?"


    "Yup, got anywhere in mind?


    Ashley nced at his mother at this before beckoning his father closer. He whispered a words in his ears before pulling back and chiling


    Gabriel asked with creased brow and nced at Leonica. Ashley nods furiously at his fathers question. "Alright, that''s a promise, I guess." He said and held out his pinky to which Ashley dly took it and recites.


    "Pinky swear, whoever lies will be made to swallow a thousand needles."


    "That''s it, now go find out what''s the hold up with those drinks." Gabriel patted the child on his head and watched as he hopped off the chair and rushed towards the cafeteria counter.


    "Mister, my daddy said I should ask about our drinks!"


    Gabriel chuckled before turning to face Leonica who had been staring at him


    "How do you intend to make that happen?" She asked.


    "Make what happen?"


    "Recovering your memories." Leonica dead panned. "You were serious with that, right?


    "Of course I was "


    "So how?" she asked again, folding her arms across her chest and giving him a pointed look. In the back of her mind, she ignored the voice that was screaming at ber, telling her that if this was THE Gabriel, she wouldn''t d question him this way.


    Not because she didn''t have the balls to; but rather because she was never this...fortable?


    Was shefortable with him?


    The passing thought had Leonica tensing up as she realized that she had indeed been quitefortable around Gabriel.


    Two months ago, she couldn''t have ever imagined herself seating here, having supposed lunch with him, yet here she was, even boldly questioning him at that.


    While she was lost in her little dilemma, Gabriel had one of his own, tr


    truly pondering her question over, that is until his gazended on her and a sudden idea entered his mind.


    "You, of course." His answer was so sudden and even when his voice wasn''t lood, it had caused Leonica to flinch, a sudden pull back from her mind to the matter at her. "Pardon?" She asked, tilting her head to the side, something that Gabriel couldn''t help but think of as being cute.


    "You''re going to help me recover my memories. What better way to do that than have my ex wife help me." He said nonchntly, almost as it he was state the obvious. Leonica blinked in confusion before scoffing "Are you kidding me?"


    "Not at all." Gabriel said, holding her gaze with an amount of seriousness that had her swallowing thickly. "I mean, that''s a rather reasonable way to tackle this situation, don''t you think?"


    When Leonica looked like she was clearly second guessing his words, he added in. "I mean, that is if you''re up for the task. I''m not gonna force you if you don''t wanna help,"


    Leonica frowned. Thest thing she wanted was for him to get the wrong impression, thinking she didn''t Wait, why did it matter to her if he thought she didn''t care? It''s not like she actually did. Right? Sighing, Leonica pinched the bridge of her nose before speaking


    care.


    "No, it''s fine. I just... didn''t think it would be that simple."


    "I mean, it''s worth a shot, don''t you think?" Gabriel asked, then smiled. "Unless, you have something to hide, something you don''t want me to remember." Leonica gave him a dead panned expression at his attempt to tease her. Realizing it wasn''t working, Gabriel held his hand up in a surrendering motion.


    "Alright," With that he looked away, watching a Ashley watched the waiter add the finishing touches to what he assumed would be Leonica''s drink.


    While he watched his son, Leonica watched him, taking the first time since he had woken up, to actually examine him and realize that bis expression was different than the Gabriel she had spent two years married to, her ex husband.


    Sure, he was still the same person, but he gaze off a different vibe. His expression, way of speaking and mannerisms all seemed rather different than the person she knew.


    If kind of reminded her of how Gabriel was when L first introduced them. Despite the obvious fact that he was against their marriage, Gabriel had smiled warmly at her when introducing himself.


    It was only after they got married that he began acting distant and cold.


    Thinking about this had her heart aching in pain. It wasn''t a physical pain, but rather a mental one, the one where you remember a time of pain.


    But she was quick to pull her mind away from the disturbing thoughts. There was no point in remembering all of that.


    It would be better. To create new memories and change her way... With or without Gabriel. And the first thing she could do to start that was obviously to help Gabriel regain his memories, close the bridge that could grow between her son and his father. ""I''ll help you."


    Her voice was quiet, almost as a whisper. But it was enough for Gabriel to hear.


    "Really?" He asked and Leonica nodded her head,


    "Yup. I mean, it''s the least I could do." She said, not wanting toe out and say she was doing it for Ashley. "But under one condition"


    "What is it?" Gabriel eagerly asked.


    Leonica nced at her son and back at h before asking "What was it that Ash told you?"


    At her question, a smile bloomed on Gabriel''s lips and Leonica could have sworn that for a second, her heart did weird palpitations before stopping all at once, as he showed her the very same familiar yet distant warm smile he had shown when they were first introduced, "That''s a secret."


    The ce She Called Home.


    It was fifteen minutes past their meeting time, and Anastasia, who was had been the first to arrive, sat in one of the restaurant chairs, grumbling underneath her breath.


    "Where the heck is he?" Anastasia mumbled underneath her breath and reached for her phone, unlocking it when a text message


    miered.


    d


    to see a message from Lloyd, but it wasn''t.


    Opening the text message, she had expected to see a


    [Anastasia?)


    The first message read


    (This is your number, right? I know this is your number.] The second one read and at this point, after reading those two messages alone, Anastasia doubted this number belonged to Lloyd


    o''s this?] She typed, hesitating for a few seconds before sending it


    ot more than a few seconds had gone by before both bars turned blue, indicating that the sender has read her message.


    A minute passed and she was growing impatient, and as though they sensed her impatience, her phone beeped, another text message


    entering


    [You responded. I didn''t think you''d even read my messages.]


    "Freak show alert." She mumbled and was about to block the user without even bother to find out who they were anymore, when another message entered.


    [Please don''t block me.]


    Anastasia stared at the screen. Something about this message had her curious.


    Who was this and what the hell did they want?


    Taking a moment to ponder whether or not she should block this user, Anastasia finally decided to type and send a message, only because she was curious.


    It couldn''t hurt to try and find out. Right?


    And besides, what the hell was she meant to do while waiting for that Damn Riley b


    bastard to show up?


    It wasn''t that bad of a thing to do. And, she could just block the number once the conversation was over, so really, there was nothing to


    Jose.


    After much thinking. Anastasia finally made a decision.


    [I won''t, if you tell me who you are and how you got my number. She typed and sent it, watching the status change to delivered and then, after a few seconds, the status changed to read. The bubbles showing that the sender was typing came and went, and then they stopped


    Anastasia waited for a minute or two, but the sender didn''t send a message, so, with a heavy sigh, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, taking in the cool air of the restaurant''s AC She didn''t even notice when the waitress approached her, carrying a ss of water. The sound of it being ced on the table had her


    eyes snapping open.


    "Oh, thank you." She greeted and shed the young waitress a smile


    "You''re wee." The girl replied before walling away.


    As Anastasia watched her go, she heard her phone vibrate on the table once more and picked it up, eyes scanning the message.


    It was from the same unknown number, only this time around, for some reason- a gut feeling as one would call it- she hesitated to open the message.


    After staring at her phone for a good solid five seconds, she finally decided to open it and see what the sender wanted.


    Upon opening the message, her eyesnded on the one word, or rather, name give, and her entire expression crumbled. [Derek.]

 Chapter 109

    Before she had the chance to even process, talk less respond to the text she has received, a sudden hand on her shoulder startled her. "Sony I''mte." The voice apologized.


    Her body suddenly became alert and she nearly snapped her head around to view the owner of the hand who stepped beside her. "Damn you Riley!" She hissed.


    The man chuckled at her reaction, removing his hand from her shoulder.


    "My, my, you really are mad, aren''t you?" He joked and pulled the chair opposite her and seated down.


    "You think? Anastasia asked sarcastically and shook her head, hastily burying her phone inside her purse. "What took you so long?"


    "I was stuck in traffic, had a meeting and all that jazz, Lloyd waved his hand dismissively. "Now, how about we order?


    Anastasia so wanted to take him up on his words, traffic and all, but today, no recently, she wasn''t really in the mood to y cat and mouse, mote so after seeing the text message she had just gotten. Remembering it for a moment was enough to have her fingers curlying around the table cloth.


    In down, it might just be a prank. She told herself while Lloyd raised his hand and beckoned the waitress over.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Two sses of lemonade and uh," He paused to nce at Anastasia, who was still looking somewhat distracted. "Anastasia, you hungry?"


    "Huh?"


    "Food, are you hungry? Lloyd questionedquestioned, watching as she blinkes a handful of times as if too think deeply about his simple question before shaking her head. "Oh, uh, no.


    Lloyd nodded his head and ordered two tes of pasta, handing the waitress the menu and sending her off.


    "Are you okay?" He asked once they were alone.


    "Yes, of course." Anastasia said.


    Lloyd didn''t believe her, but saw no reason to push on. He had simple asked out of courtesy, so, whether she really was okay or not, wasn''t really any of his business. "Okay then, shall we get started?" He asked, pping his hands together and smiling.


    "Yeah, we should." Anastasia replied. "So, you have a n or not?"


    At her question, Lloyd brought out his phone and ced it on the table, sliding it to her. "Here, is operation memory recovery."


    Anastasia took the phone and nced at the screen. The moment she did, she couldn''t help but frown.


    "This is just a list of random activities."


    *Exactly." Lloyd smiled, clearly proud. "The best way to help one recover their memory is to do activities they''re familiar with. Says medical research."


    "Medical research?" Anastasia repeated, her frown growing deeper.


    "Yup." Lloyd said, popping the ''P. "I looked it up."


    Anastasia shook her head and handed the phone back to him. "Look, I don''t know what the hell you''re thinking, but, there is no way Gabriel''s memory can be treated with a bunch of random activities. You need a professional and a n. A good one." Lloyd grumbled underneath his breath, annoyed by the fact that Anastasia was shooting down his n.


    "Alright then," He said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the chair. "How do you propose we handle this?"


    "How do I propose? This is your idea, you brought me out here because you had an idea to help my best friend and her son, my godson, but well, from the looks of it, you''ve got nothing"


    Lloyd didn''t seem too pleased with her answer and his frown deepened.


    "Well, if you''ve got a better n, speak up."


    At his words, Anastasia opened her mouth, ready to speak. Only, she paused and closed it.


    She had a n, well, kind of,


    She wasn''t sure it her idea would work, or if it was a good idea, but, it was better than nothing


    "I do "She spoke


    "Really?" Lloyd asked, raising a brow. "Care to share it?"


    "dly." Anastasia said, leaning forward and shing a smirk.


    "Alright, let''s hear it."


    "The key to regaining lost memories is to make the person relive their old days. So, if Gabriel is going to regain his memories, he needs to relive his old life."


    Lloyd seemed to have been thinking over her words, nodding his head a few times.


    "Okay," He said. "So what''s the n?"


    Gabriel needs to live with Leonica," She painfully admitted, cringing at the thought and the thought of her friend''s face if she were to suggest something like this to her. ay, I''m all for that."


    Walt," Anastasia raised her hand. "You are?


    Lloyd nodded his head. "Why wouldn''t I? If living with his ex wife would help him, why wouldn''t I be for it."


    "Wow, didn''t think you''d actually agree"


    "And why''s that?" Lloyd asked with a slight pout as he leaned forward on the table.


    Anastasia stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly caught in the look in his eyes but after a few seconds, she shook her head and waved her hand dismissively.


    "Never mind," She said and nced away, watching as the waitress approached.


    Lloyd on the other hand, watched her, something about the way she has been acting, now avoiding his gaze and all, pricked him. Perhaps it was because no woman, at least the ones he had scored, never did something like this. Maybe it was a sign that she was different. In a good way?


    Lloyd couldn''t help but scoff at the thought, shaking his head and chuckling, not knowing what else to do.


    "Maybe I''m just imagining things.''


    With a deep breath, Lloyd sighed.


    "Yeah, I probably am."


    Two dayster, Gabriel was discharged from the hospital, given a few drugs to help with the recovery of small scratches and the stab wound and some to help with his memory, Simply vitamins, nothing too much. Once that was taken care of, his papers of discharge were handed over and after a short conversation Bill left his office


    However, on their way out, Gabriel spotted two familiar faces standing outside the hospital, "Hey," He called out.


    with Doctor Baile


    Bailey, he along with


    The two, whom had been conversing turned their heads and the younger one''s lips instantly curved into a smile when he saw his father. "Daddy!" Ashley called out and rushed towards him. Gabriel caught him with a grunt, wincing slightly when he felt a sharp pain on his right shoulder.


    "How are you champ?" He asked.


    "Fine." Ashley answered while his mother''s presence looked behind him and soon she ced her hand on his head, ruttling his hair "Hey, you need to be careful. Your dad still needs to recover." She scolded him gently Ashley nodded his head. "I will, mominy.''


    H


    "Good." She said and nced at Gabriel Hey." Her greeting was so quiet that not only did Gabriel nearly miss it because of the volume, but also because he had not expected her to great first


    "T" He returned, the corner of his lips unconsciously stretching. "How are you."


    "Fine." Leonica answered abruptly. "Ready to leave?" She asked, changing the subject, her attention no longer on him, but rather her


    "Yeah, uh, Bill''s gonna drive me home." He pointed back to the assistant who bowed once his presence was recognized.


    "Home?!" Ashley perked up at the word. "Can we follow daddy home?" He asked.


    "What? No!" Leonica shook her head.


    "Aww," He whined, a pout on his face.


    "Ash, we talked about this. Your daddy has to take things slow."


    "I''m okay with you guysing around." Gabriel announced.


    "You are?" Both Ashley and Leonica asked at the same time, thetter seemingly more surprised by his words.


    Ertel nodded.


    "Of course." He said while nodding. "I''m sure Bill wouldn''t mind driving two more people."


    "Not at all, Sir." Bill said I with a shake of his head.


    "See." Gabriel grinned. "So, are you guysing or not?"


    "I..." Leonica paused, hesitant to be back in the house she and Gabriel had shared during the two years of their marriage. "Please mommy, please!" Ashley pleaded.


    "Okay, okay, we''lle." She finally gave in and watched as her son cheered loudly, jumping up and down


    ""Yay!" He eximed.


    While his son cheered, Gabriel couldn''t help but chuckde, but that soon disappeared when he noticed Leonica''s expression.


    It was clear that she was hesitant toe along. He couldn''t understand why. Hadn''t it been her house as well?


    But then, she had sa


    their divorce was messy, so, maybe she felt ufortable being there, even though it was her home. Sighing, Gabriel took a step forward.


    "Come on, let''s go. He told her, watching as she looked at him in the eye and nodded her head. "Let''s."


    And with that, they walked towards the car, Bill holding the doors open for them one after the other.


    When he was the only one left, he quickly walked around the car, got in and started the engine.


    As they drove off, Ashley''s cheerful voice filled the car as he told Gabriel everything that happened thest couple of days and the older man listened, smiling at his son''s excitement. Leonica on the other hand, remained silent, asionally stealing nces at the man sitting next to her son.


    A part o


    other wondered suddenly wondered if he was going to be different if he ever recovered his memory


    Of course, what''s to expect, those words concluded her thoughts as they pulled into the familiar drive way of Gabriel''s house.


    The one they had lived in. The one she had called home.


    It was a ce of good and bad memories, both which she couldn''t decide if she wanted to remember or forget.


    But, there was no turning back now. She had decided to help him, so, there was no way she was backing out now,


    After all, she was the one who had chosen to ept the fact that she would have to work closely with her ex husband, in order to help him regain his memories.


    ''It''s okay,'' She told herself, watching as Gabriel stepped out of the car, followed by her son and soon, he was by her side, holding the door open with a hand offered out to her.


    ''Nothing could possibly go wrong'' She told herself, dragging in one long, silent breath before gingerly putting her hand in his and stepping out.


    But that thought however, would soon be proven wrong


    My Ex Wife Is A Klutz.


    Stepping into the four walls of the Bryce mansion for the first time in five years, felt foreign to Leonica. Her eyes wandered the familiar interior while she looked around like a child who had been lost in a wave of busy Monday adults. Everything was the same even after five years, she noted, walking further into the house as Ashley pulled her by the hand.


    "Mr. Bryce, wee home." The butler, who she quickly recognized as Will, the very same butler whom L had transferred from underneath her to look atter she and Gabriel during their first year of marriage, greeted with a polite bow. His eyes was quick to widen the moment theynded on her. "Madam," he uttered with a breathy tone of disbelief.


    Leonica could only force a smile under his disbelieving gaze, however, it soon turned genuine as memories, find ones at that, shed


    In the back of her mind.


    "d to see you''re doing well, WILL" She said, tipping her head in a small bow to acknowledge his presence.


    too, Madam." The butler responded, missing the way Leonica shifted as he had addressed her by her old title, as he turned to


    amall of the trio. "Oh, and you must be young master Ashley," his words came off as a sentence rather than the question it was meant to be. "pleasure to meet you."


    Ashley giggled cutely as the butler bowed curtly at him, but none the less, his greeting was returned. "Hello Mr. Butler."


    Smiling at the child''s way of speaking, Will turned to face his employer, about to question how he was feeling after waking up from a three weeks long sleepa, when he noticed something felt different


    Was it his gaze? He thought, briefly trying to wrap his head around what seemed so different in his employer. Or perhaps was it his


    aura?


    Definitely! That definitely was it, because the once threatening and serious aura that had surrounded Gabriel had visibly reduced, making him seen the most approachable Will has ever seen since he had started working in the Bryce mansion.


    Gabriel who noticed his staring, didn''t hesitate to question. "Is everything alright?"


    1


    "Yes, everything is fine, but..." He hesitated. Leonica seemed to have noticed when he wasing from or rather, the cause of his strange behavior.


    Silently, she beckoned him a few steps from where her ex husband and son stood.


    "Is Mr. Bryce alright? He seems, different "Will asked, not wanting to do right off the bat and think that Gabriel has suddenly decided to change his ways after a near death experience.


    People just couldn''t change that fast, at least to his knowledge,


    Leonica nced at Gabriel and Ashley, Gabriel to be precise, before she opened her mouth to speak


    "He''s fine, but, he sustained a couple of severe injuries during the fire and that least to amnesia." She exined.


    Will''s expression quickly portrayed how shocked he was to hear the news, at least thetter part of the news. Taking a moment, he cursed Angelina, because from what he has heard, information from Lloyd and Christian who have been frequenting the estate for the past week, the young master, Ashley, had been kidnapped by Angelina and in a bid to rescue him, Gabriel had gotten hurt.


    Now, no matter how cruel Gabriel may have grown to be, Will had been at the Bryce main mansion, with L, Gabriel''s grandmother, for as long as he could remember, so it was safe to say he had helped raise Gabriel. He knew the sweet and kind boy Gabriel has been despite his parents harsh treatment and conditions to be met for sessor. He had also witnessed his joy and sorrows, regrettablytter more then the former.


    So, to hear that someone who he saw as a son had been put in danger, by the person he loved, the very same woman he had tried warning him about, was something that angered Will.


    After a second of ranting in his head, and best believe it, making a mental note to chase Angelina with a stick broom if he ever saw her, the older male spoke.


    "That''s bad, sad even. Did the doctors say when his memories wille back?" Leonica shook her head at his question "So, what exactly does he remember?"


    "Not much," Leonica said and stole a nce in the direction where Gabriel and her son was, only to find them missing Soon, however, she located them on the couch, Ashley happily seated in his father''sp. "The doctor says he lost ten years of memories." She further exined after peeling her gaze away.


    "Ten years," Will pondered over the information, something clicking in the back of his mind. "Does he know..."


    As if sending the Butler''s fear, Leonica nodded. "Yes, he''s aware of Grandma''s death. I exined it to him.


    Heaving a quiet sigh, Will nodded while Leonica exined the much needed information in the next couple of minutes. When she was done, he nodded. "I understand."


    Lap when he felt her


    And with that, they returned to the father and son duo. Gabriel looked up from the tablet Ashley was holding on hisp w presence.


    Well, it wasn''t just her presence he felt. He smelt the familiar smell of roses the closer she came.


    "Mr. Bryce, wee home once again. W


    greeted in a more polite manner.


    Gabriel moved his gaze over to Leonica, almost missing the look she gave him while engrossed in scanning her facial features.


    The look she had given him said; I exined it all!


    Nothing more, nothing less..


    standing, he directed his gaze back to Will and smiled, "Thank you, Will. I look forward to your care in theing days."


    The sale on the older male''s lips increased. "Certainly!" He eximed.


    "Oh, Will," Leonica called out to him when it seemed like he was about to leave.


    "Yes, Madam?"


    Once again cringing at the title, she asked. "Would you happen to know where the photo alburns were kept?"


    "Of course." He said and turned around, pointing up the stairs. "Mr. Bryce stored all the photos in thest room by your left down the hall. He informed. Nodding her head, Leonica smiled. "Thank you."


    "My pleasure. Would you be needing anything else?" The question was directed towards all three of them.


    While Gabriel and Leonica shook their heads, Ashley piped up. "Ice Cream, can I get that?"


    ""Most certainly"


    y." Will answered with a nod


    Seeing an opportunity, Leonica suggested. "Uh, Ash, why don''t you go along with Will so that he can give you as much ice cream as you want."


    H


    "Okay!" The child said and hopped off his father''sp. Before he embarked on his journey towards thend of ice cream, he turned towards his parents onest time and asked. "Should 1 save any for you?" Neither Gabriel Nor Leonica knew how best to interpret that question. Should he save any for them, as in he was nning to eat the entire House''s ice cream stock?


    "No, I think your mother and I are good, you can go ahead and enjoy yourself." Gabriel answered and with that, Ashley linked his hand with Will and disappeared soon after into the kitchen.


    Once they were alone, he turned to face Leonica who was trying to process a new question in her brain.


    Why did Gabriel even have ice cream in his house? Booze and wine, sure she could understand, but ice cream?


    "What are you thinking about?" The sound of his voice snapped her out of her thoughts.


    "Nothing" She denied.


    "Nothing? Or were you surprised by the fact that I have Ice cream in my house?" He questioned, rising a brow at her as she became speechless. "Well, you''ve got to enjoy life no matter how old you are." He added.


    "Not you. You didn''t do stuffs like that." Leonica muttered as she stood up, but Gabriel heard and his brows knitted, once again wondering how different he had grown to be from the version of himself be lonew "That''s aside," He said, pushing the subject aside before his thoughts could spiral further than he liked. "Picture Album? What for?" "I promised to help you regain those memories of yours, didn''t i? And the easiest way to approach the situation.."


    "Is by looking back at old memories." Gabrielpleted her words, earning a nod of agreement from her as she walked towards and soon, up the stairs. It didn''t take long before he was up on his feet and following her


    Following the direction Will had given her and her ostrich like memory, Leonica found the door to the room and pulled it open. The Inside was dark, windows clothed by curtains of deep dark colors and lights switched off. She fiddled around for the switch and turned on the light as soon as she found it.


    The bulb flickered to lite, eliminating the darkness and stunning Leonica with what she saw


    The room where Will had said pictures wasn''t just filled with pictures, but much to her surprise, also her belongings.


    From boxes of familiar looking shoe brands, to her travelling bags, outing bags and clothes that she spotted from the gap if the opened


    wardrobe.


    "This," She took the first step inside, per voice sounding breathless with disbelief as she scanned her surroundings, seeing more and more of the things she had left behind dive years ago.


    From behind her, she heard the sound of Gabriel''s footsteps stopping by the threshold of the open door and spun around to face him..


    "You... didn''t get rid of them? Why?"


    Gabriel''s eyes glided over the belonging at her question before settling on who he suspected was the owner and despite this, asked. "Do they bring to you?"


    rds were like a pin poking a fully inted balloon as Leonica quickly remembered that the person she was asking couldn''t


    bet question


    Peeling her gaze away and concealing the look of surprise that had overtalen her face, she spoke. "Yes, they do. But that''s not Important now. Where did Will say the pictures were again?" She questioned hersell underneath her breath, tearing through a few brown carton boxes before she spotted the dusty looking photo album.


    "Ah ha! Found you!" She eximed, turning around to show the object to Gabriel, however suddenly bumping into him.


    The impact coupled with the fact that she had tried to instantly get away from him, caused her to titter backwards, certainly about to fall, when Gabriel wrapped his arms around her waist and steadied her.


    "Out of all the things, I definitely didn''t expect my ex wife to be a klutz." He joked, the sent of his peppermint breath hitting her lips hard as he chuckded.


    It was definitely the close proximity and not his handsome face, Leonica thought as she felt a wave a shivers rip through her body and prayed that the sound of the rusty old fan on the roof nketed the sound of her heart sudden turning up its gear.


    "I''m not a klutz," She mustered, making sure her footing was steady enough before she fought her way out of Gabriel''s arm. "You suddenly appeared behind me, what was I meant to do in a state of startle." She stated what she believes was the obvious while and walked away while Gabriel remained where he was rubbing the past of his fingers together.


    It was hard not to do something like that when thinking about how perfectly Leonica''s tiny frame had fit with his. And her face up close, sure, he knew blondes were his thing, but fuck was Leonica gorgeous.


    "Youing?" Leonica asked from the door after noticing that he had remained still.


    The sound of her voice was enough to snap him out of his thoughts. Pushing the words of his shouting mind at him to try and take Leonica in his arms once more, to the back of his head, he nodded and walked after her.


    "Yeah, let''s go."


    In seconds, they were back in the living room, seated in the same couch to better see the photos.


    Leonica pulled out the first album, a series of pictures from a year before they were married. The engagement, or rather, courting phase, as Leonica would like to call it.


    Lots of photos had been taken during that time as Gabriel was still oddly nice to her. He agreed to go ces with her, L sometimes tagging along and even has romantic meals with her. During those times, they made sure to have photos taken to show L. But a slowly, the sweet times came to an end.


    Pushing her thoughts away, Leonica opened the album and they began to look through it in silence. Thirty minutes passed with nothing Positive.


    Calm yourself, Leonica thought, knowing very well that the process wasn''t a one time thing


    An hour passed and she was still with the same result. Her phone dinged, stopping her from grumbling about the less effectiveness of this method


    She reached for it and drowned when seeing that it was a message from Kennedy informing her that the CAC for the newpany branch was ready and needed her approval immediately.


    "What is it?" Gabriel questioned after catching her expression.


    "It seems like Thave to go,pany duty." She said and despite the voice in Gabriel''s head telling him for object, he nodded. "Ash,


    Ashley we''ve gotta leave!" she called out to her son, closing the photo album and standing up.


    As she did so, a photo slipped from between the page andnded on the floor. Gabriel spotted it before Leonica did and reached for it. Picking it up, his brows narrowed at the female with dark hair in the picture. For some reason, seemed like he had seen her before.


    He narrowed his eyes, staring harder at the photo, however he was soon met with a wave of painful headache that caused him to drop the photo and grab his head


    "Argh!"


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time Running Out


    im


    Memory sh


    It had taken Gabriel''s cry of pain only a few seconds to reach Leonica''s ears. She snapped her head around, a little too fast than she would like, and instantly rushed to his side when she found him clutching the side of his head. "Gabriel, bry, are you okay?" She questioned, cing her hand on his shoulder to steady his body that looked like it was ready to turn rigid at any given moment from the wave of pain he was experiencing


    "Hey, talk to me." She nearly backed at his silence, not liking it for one second longer when he remained silent, groaning in the obvious pain that he was experiencing


    What the hell was going on? Lica thought, frantically searching his body, his face to be exact, for some sort of answer to her question


    The answer of question soon surfaced itself. But instead ofing in the form of words, a signal of him being okay or something


    e, it showcased itself in the form of a folded, line marked Proid camera photo of Angelina,ying peacefully on the floor


    inly havoc it had just caused.


    Abile rose up in Leonica''s throat as she started at the photo and no matter how hard she tried swallowing, the lump of thick dread retained it''s position in the back of her throat, creating an ufortable feeling to go hand in hand with the rising feeling of dread in her stomach.


    Even from behind bars, Angelina still found ways to create trouble in their lives. The thought was ironic and truthfully speaking. Leonica would haveughed ballistic at it, if only it had been someone else in this situation and not her.


    In her hands, Gabriel looked like he was slowly recovering, but still groaned on pain every now and then and massaged his temple in a bid to ease the pain that had racked over his brain along with the shes of white lights Slowly but surely, Leonica tore her gaze away from the picture and focused on the person who truly needed her attention.


    "Hey, talk to me. How are you feeling?" She demanded, watching closely as Gabriel finally pulled his eyes open and met hers. "You okay?" She asked again and felt a weird sense of relief flood her when he gently nodded his head. "God," She breathed out, taking her hands off his shoulder and slumping into the open spot beside him.


    Talk about jump scare, she thoughts while running a hand through her hair, pushing several lose strand out of her face and sighing out loudly.


    Gabriel watched her for a few seconds. Between her relieved expression, the images that had shes in a blurry haze in his mind and the dull ache and asional pangs by the side of his head, he was at a loss of words.


    After a few seconds however, he opened his mouth, deciding to go with the most suitable thing that crossed his mind.


    "I''m sorry for worrying you."


    Leonidas turned to face him at the sound of his voice, she opened her mouth to respond, but paused,


    Worrying her? Did she look like she was worried about him? "It''s alright." Came her response as she pushed the rest of her thoughts to the back of her mind. "What happened?" She asked even though deep down, somewhere in the back of her mind, she already knew the answer to her question.


    Gabriel was silent for a few seconds, thinking hard about the answer before his eyes spotted the very same photo he had been looking at before the wave of pain racked over his body.


    "This," He bent down and picked the photo up, showing it to Leonica. Her expression twisted as her thoughts were confirmed. If he noticed the turn in her expression then he did a good job of ignoring it as be continued on. "I was staring at this and then sudden felt a wave


    of pain and it felt like something was trying to force it''s way back into my mind." He exined.


    Memories, Leonica thought. Bad memories, the voice in the back of her head added and she gently grimace at the obvious truth.


    The memories that were trying to force their way back into his mind wasn''t ones of him and her together, neither was it of L, but Angelina


    Her picture alone was enough to trigger memories, unlike the hundreds of their they had looked at on the past hour. Makes sense, seeing as she was the love of his life, the voice once again added and Leonica felt a tiny pinch in her chest "Who''s she?" Gabriel''s voice stopped the conversation between she and her brain before it could carry on any longer.


    She nced at the photo,ce contorting into a scowl the moment her eyesnded on Angelina''s face and the innocent smile she held up for the camera while standing, In the riverbanks of a beach.


    She was beautiful, that much was undeniable, but her beauty was fake. She had a heart far too ck to be forgiven and that was all that


    mattered to Leonira


    "A bad memory." She sneered, the answer making it''s way out of her mouth before she could even stop to process it


    Gabriel shot ber a look, wanting her borate more on her answer, more on the reason why said photo had caused his so much pain and each time he looked back at it, those brown eyes of hers looked so familiar. Unfortunately for him, Leonica had thought and spoken too much of their love story. Any more and it would truly make her tongue feel. like it was being rubbed against sandpaper.


    Standing up, she changed the topic. "Do you need me to call Doctor Bailey?" She cringed at her question, cursing how caring it made


    her sound.


    Gabriel was quick to take the hint that she no longer wanted to talk on the matter. Unsatisfactorily, he hugged the photo away, cing If some between the page of their own beach pictures and aquarium photos...


    thun). I''m fine now, but thank you for offering.


    Ernica nodded at his answer and stuffed her hand into her pocket, trying to get the tingling feeling that has been stuck at the tip of her finger, somehow biting painfully at the tips, ever since learning that Angelica''s phot was the cause of his sudden memory sh


    Ah, she should have felt happy, relieved that something seemed to work in the process of helping him regain his memory and shortening the time she spent with him, but for some reason, she didn''t.


    And it was because of Angelina.


    Now, there was a word for the feeling Leonica was having, but she''d be damned if she ever acknowledged it, talk less admitted it out Joud. "Alright." Nodding her head, she turned around and away from him, resuming the task she had been doing before his cries of pain." Ashley, sweetie where are you!" She called out in the direction of the kitchen. "Sweetle we have to leave, you have school tomorrow and you need to get ready." She called out a second time when he remained silent, but this time around, much to her relief, the small child appeared, Will following closely behind.


    "Young master, please slow down." Will tried to call out to him, but Ashley has reached his mother in seconds and wrapped his hand around her lower leg


    "Do we really have to go, mommy?" He whined.

 Chapter 110

    Leaning down, Leonica used the pad of her thumb and wiped residue of ice cream off the corner of his lips. "How much Ice cream did you have?" She questioned. Ashley gave a giddy giggle at her question, but quickdy resumes his begging when he realizes he''s about to be separated from his Infinite source of ice cream


    "Please mommy, I wanna stay. Can''t we just stay? I don''t mind skipping school for one day." He begged.


    "He can stay," Gabriel''s voice sounded out from behind her.


    Leonica willed herself to stay still even though every fiber in her body screamed that she needed to put distance between she and Gabriel.


    "You both can stay." Gabriel added, concluding his previous sentence.


    At this, Leonica whipped her head around, about to refuse, but she went mute the moment she realized how close Gabriel truly was Why was he standing so close! All the warning signs in her head went red and she stepped back, finally giving them enough space to put those red lights at ease.


    If she had lowered her gaze anyterer, she would have seen how ttened and for the briefest second, disappointment sipped into the edges of his always collected expression


    "No, we we need to leave." Leonica sputtered, taking a second to berate herself before adding in Ashley has school to prepare for "I can have Bill drive him to school tomorrow" Gabriel suggested.


    "No!" Her answer came out rather too harsh and Leonica found herselt grimacing when she caught Gabriel''s hurt expression. "That that won''t be possible." She found herself trying to quickly make up a cover story. "You can''t have Bill take Ashley because, we, you and I, we have to be somewhere tomorrow


    Gabriel shot her a raised brow book; silently questioning, if she was hearing herself and Leonica mmed her eyes shut, praying that


    he''d just back oft and let them go home betore she made a mess of herself any further than she already has.


    But then again, she could easily grab her child, which by the way, was still stuck to her leg like a ko, and briskly walk out. But that would make her look rather rude.


    But, why should she care if she looked rude or not?


    "Alright." Gabriel said with a nod, choosing to buy her words even though it was painfully clear that she was just doing all it took to get away from him. "Buddy," he turned his attention to Ashley. "Listen to your mom, go home.


    Ashley grumbled underneath his breath, but none the less, nodded his head in agreement.


    For the second time today, Leonica felt a wave of relief wash over her and she quickly picked Ashley up, cing him by her side. "We''ll be leaving now." She said and turned around, wanting nothing more than to step out of this ursed house.


    But she had not gone more than a few steps when Gabriel''s voice stopped her. "Leonica," She turned around to see him holding up his phone in one hand and a smile on his face that said ''I''m not letting you go so easily on your lie". "I''ll be expecting your call this evening."


    Without another word, she spun around and briskly walked out of the house, app the while mentally pping herself with one thought rolling around in her head.


    What are you doing, Leonica?


    Stay Away From Him You Pricey Slut!


    "Mr. Bryce," Will called out to Gabriel as he stood in ce even after Leonica and Ashley had driven away.


    The smile that bad once yed on his lips when she spoke to Leonica hadpletely vanished, leaving him with a look that screamed focus as he tried to filter his thought, dig deeper than the rosy scent of Leonica that seemed to fill his head and Ashley''s tiny loveable: voice, all in a bid to pin point the face that had shes through his mind the moment the pain had hit.


    Even though he had seen the picture, the girl in it looked familiar yet distance and he got that one feeling that would always wash over him when he found himself in the highest length of the Eiffel tower, seating down and holding a video call with L where she made a show of the foods she had prepared while he was all the way in Paris.


    That distant homesick feeling that settled in his gut, but would soon be consumed by anger the moment he realizes he can''t get his hand on his grandmother''s precious cooking, that was the exact feeling her felt when he looked at the picture of that girl.


    And just when he had decided to ask Leonica all about who she was, the female made no effort to hide her animosity towards her.


    "A bad memory."


    Gabriel recalled the amount of venom that had dripped of her tongue as she spoke, eyes narrowed dangerously at the picture.


    That alone was enough to give him the gist of the situation. Whoever this girl was, she was bad news.


    But even knowing that, Gabriel couldn''t stop his mind from wandering back to the features of her face.


    So familiar, he thought as he approached the table and plucked out the picture, only to stare at it, hoping that something would happen again. Nothing, much to his dismay.


    Will, who had been watching him, silently, finally spoke up. "Mr. Bryce is everything alright? Would you need me to do something for you?"


    "No." Gabriel''s answer was almost inaudible as he answered lowly, throwing his head back to heave out a heavy sigh.


    This whole memory loss thing was telling on him and it frustrated him greatly that he couldn''t remember anything. Especially when it came to Leonica because she always seemed so on guard around him. Each step she took felt like she had prepared herself to walk on eggshells around him and each answer she gave him always had a vague meaning behind it.


    Something about all that seemed to irritate Gabriel more than he knew it was meant to


    Was it because they had been married? Or because they have a child together? He often questioned himself in the one week since he had woken up and once again, he was repeating the same mantra, asking himself why be felt so upset and offended when Leonica had stepped away from him, putting distance between them.


    Not only then, but also the time back in the spare room. The way she had wriggled out of his hold was almost as if she was trying to get lose of burning chains that had been tied securely around her.


    Did she hate him that much?


    Gabriel blinked confusingly at the thought, catching it just as it crossed the back of his mind.


    Hate him? Why would she need to hate him?


    "Will? How was I and Leonica''s marriage like?" He asked the one question that hade after his previous thought.


    At the question, the butler stiffened. Leonica had told him a few things, hitting greatly on the fact that memories about Angelina was to be kept in the dark for the mean time until he showed some progress of recovery, but she hadn''t said anything to him concerning the situation of their marriage.


    Although Will worried for its employers bealth, mental health, at some point, his old rusty brain failed to work for him and he sighed silently in defeat, opting to tell the truth rather than to cook up some sweet story that he''dter have to exin himself for


    "Yours and the Madam''s rtionship was nice, for a brief moment, but as the years went by, it became strained." He confessed, taking a second to gauge Gabriel''s expression which shed from understanding towards Leonica''s action so far, to a new sense of curiosity.


    "And who caused it?" He asked.


    Will, although he, just like the other employees in the house, knew the answer to that question, he didn''t dare to say it out loud and


    again, Gabriel was faced with the same situationAll content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Although he had already known the answer in the back of his head, silently getting another confirmation from Will, sealed the entire deal.


    "Why?" the words rolled off his tongue before he could stop them.

 Chapter 111

    Deep within, Will could hear a tone of guilt dripping from his masters words. He forced his lips into a thin line and gave a small and subtle nod. "That I can not answer. Perhaps you should have a conversation with the Madam." His answer disappointed Gabriel but he understood there were certain things a butler could say and certain things he couldn''t.


    So it was up to him to nt hos butt down and have a conversation with Leonica, which he doubt would happen anytime soon as she could barely seat ten minutes with him without making a snide remark, grumbling underneath her breath, or dressing away from him as if his touch wasva, OR, he could try to recover his memories, even if it was just broken fragments.


    As much as his body enjoyed being in Leonica''s presence, breathing in the oxygen mixed with the pleasant smell of her rosy perfume, the second option was looking like the most doable.


    As if on cue, his fingers squeezed around the photo in his hand and he recalled he was holding something. His gaze drifted down and soonnded on the girl''s face and something snapped in ce.


    She was the very same girl that had shed in his memory the day he had spoken with Leonica at the hospital.


    The realization, although brief, provided an information that he had been overlooking so far.


    If he could find out who this girl is, then maybe he could learn a thing or two from her and regain fragments of his memory and the easiest way to do so was


    "Mr. Bryce, are you done here?" Will asked as he watched Gabriel March in the direction of his study.


    The male shot only look over his shoulder and instructed. "Put them away, carefully." With those instructions left, he stepped into thefort of his study, racing towards hisputer.


    Luckily, there wasn''t any password on it when he turned it on. Taking a picture of the photo he had been holding with the new phone Bill had gotten for him, his old one stored somewhere in his car for safe keeping until he recovered his memory and recalled the password ces on it, he quickly transferred it to theputer and went to google search


    His mouse icon found the picture search option and after choosing the picture he had uploaded, he waited for it to load.


    The wait was almost excruciating long, but the moment it loaded, enough information was disyed for Gabriel to consider it worth the while.


    Angelina Fernandez; he read the name of the young newscaster off his screenN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Bingo, now he has a name to match with the face.


    Gabriel was just about to continue on the rest of his investigation when an article below her biography caught his attention. Reading it had his brow knitting in confusion


    In Bold letters, it read ''FAMOUS NEWSCASTER ANGELINA FERNANDEZ, IMPRISONED UNDER ALLEGATIONS OF KIDNAPPING AND ATTEMPTED MURDER"


    Ashley had ranted thirty percent of the ride home about how he hated being separated from his source of infinite Ice cream and Event demanded that his mother stocked their house just like his father''s or else he was sure to throw a tantrum, but, bad mother or not, Leonica had barely paid any attention to the words he said,


    Her mind was somewhere in between trying not to crash their vehicle while reying what had happened back at the Bryce mansion.


    Her face became sour each time she recalled what had happened with Angelina''s picture.


    Of course it had to be her picture, not one of yours, the volce in the back of her head whined and she caught herself before she could join in, questioning why it even mattered to her that Gabriel''s recovery could be attributed to the very same woman who had tried to murder their son and him included.


    Jealousy, came the tiny voice again and Leonica had to tighten her fingers around the steering wheel to stop herself fromshing out and scaring Ashley..


    she


    Like hell she would be jealous! Jealousy was only for those who bore feelings and right now, she didn''t. No, not even ten percent, thought in a convincing manner, nearly biting her tongue when she recalled how fast her heart had pounded against her rib cages when Gabriel had caught her from tripping over her own foot.


    Yau Pricey Stutt


    Adrenaline, came yet another convincing lie to cover up any disturbing truth that she may think off.


    As she pulled up near the premises of her cozy residence, she mmed down on her break in an abrupt manner thanking God that Ashley was at the back and secured within the confines of his trusty seatbelt. But as much as that mattered, it didn''t matter as much as the reason why she had mmed down on her breaks..


    Swallowing thickly, she focused on herpound gate, no, to be more urate, the words written in big, bold, red letters on her gate. STAY AWAY FROM HIM, PRICEY SLUT!


    Vandalized


    "Priory Slut?" Standing in front of Leonica''s gate with his hand on his hips, Leonardo read out loud the words that had been spray painted into the fron gate.


    What the hell was that meant to mean? He allowed himself to think even though he was aware that the person, or people that could answer said question had fled several miles away, seeking shelter from their apparent crime.


    He had been in the office, handling, well, officially matters, when he had first gotten the call from her, close to an hour back. Leonica had sounded calm andposed, so when she told him something had happened, he didn''t chug it up to this much trouble.


    Tucking his hand into his pocket, Leonardo sighed, deep frown marring his features as he turned around to watch his sister saunter through the entrance of her house and towards him, having freshly dropped Ashley with Grace who had coincidentally came back from her visit to the main estate, not that she could be a suspect.


    "That''s some reputation you''ve built for yourself." He nudged his head in the direction of the writing once she had gotten close enough.


    Leonica sighed, running her fingers through her hair as she stood beside her brother and once again, did a double take with her eyes, of what had been sprayed into the dark iron gates of her house.


    Reputation? Well, it could be called that, for one, whoever had written this, took the initiative to know herwork. She was pricey, but not a slut.


    "Any idea who could have done it?" Leonica shook her head at his question, leaving the elderly sibling to look around, scanning the area for the security cameras that he and his mother had set up a day before Leonica came into the country.


    He spotted them Instantly, but his expression ttened even more when he saw that they had been bashed, some even hanging out of


    their sockets.


    Leonica followed his gaze, not looking the least bit surprised when she saw what he was looking at. The broken cameras, she had already checked them, first thing when she came back


    "Brave or stupid?" She questioned, clicking her tongue in the process.


    Leonardo turned his gaze to her, scanning her unfazed exterior. Wasn''t it normal to panic in situations like this? At least be a little shaken up, right?


    Perhaps she hadn''t properly processed the situation at hand?

 Chapter 112

    "Stupid or brave, Leonica, none of that matters." He began, turning his weight towards her. "What does matter is the fact that whoever did this could be a threat to you. Have you had any altercation with anyone recently?" Leonica paused, her lips parting. Had she? Not that she could think of. Thest one was with Angelina and since the news had gone out, she was sure that she hadn''t bumped shoulders with any other person. "Not that I can recall." She replied.


    Leonardo looked down, thinking


    "And Gabriel? Could it be possible that someone was targeting you and Ashley in his stead?"


    At his question, Leonica actually took a solid minute to think back. Suddenly, she recalled the ident with Ashley, the video tape. Arvan had sent and how she found out that it was obviously a nned hit. Her brows furrowed. Could these two be connected?


    "What is it?" Leonardo asked after noticing the change in her expression.


    She looked up, opened her mouth with clear intentions of letting her brother in on what she had discovered about Ashley''s ident and how this may be rted, but then quickly shut her mouth.


    He was already a busy man, having his hands full, not just with her problem, but also with the business. She didn''t need to add this burden to his shoulders as well.


    "It''s nothing, don''t worry about it." She forced a smile onto her lips and Leonardo stared at her, not convinced, but be decided not to push.


    If Leonica was keeping something from him, then it had to be a matter of grave importance and if it were anything else, he would have been informed.


    "I''m calling the police." He announced and pulled out his phone while Leonica silently nodded her head, not having anything against the police. Perhaps a little investigation could help.


    A few minutester, the police arrived, asking questions, taking pictures, and writing reports.


    Leonica didn''t know when, or how, but before she could even realize it, the sun had set and the moon was high up in the sky.


    When the police finally left, Leonardo gave Leonica a firm warning about staying alert and if she saw anything suspicious, to inform him first, not the police.


    With a reassuring nod, she gave him onest hug and shooed him off.


    Now, left alone, standing outside her house with the moonlight as her only source of light, the words written on the gate seemed to stand out more, taunting her as her lips pressed together and her jaw clenched It could have been anyone, someone who knew her, someone who knew Gabriel


    There was a long list of suspects, yet at the same time, it was short. From the writing, PRICEY SLUT, it was clear that the culprit or culprits was female


    She knew it wasn''t going to be easy to find the culprit, but what really bugged her was the fact that whoever did this, had taken out the


    cameras.


    "Mommy, you don''t have toe with me, you know."


    Leonica turned her head, pausing midway in shutting the blinds that allowed moonlight into the halls way between hers and Ashley''s room, her eyes met the ones of her son, who had spoken to her.


    She sighed, looking at him from the corner of her eye and smiled.


    "You think I can leave you here alone after what had happened?


    "I''m just in my room." Ashley pointed out, gesturing towards the open door behind him. When his mother gave him a pointed lock, he sighed, shaking his head while wondering where the woman who had told him everything was going to be alright, a few hours ago, had gone.


    "I know honey, I know." Leonica cooed. "But... Don''t you want to sleep with mommy?" She asked him, a slight tone of hurt Jacing her voice and Ashley could hear it loud and clear.


    The young boy''s shoulders sagged, feeling a bit bad that his mother was making such an expression.


    Young as he may be, he wasn''t ignorant to his mother''s feelings. "Okay." He agreed and watched his mother smile, happy


    Leonica stepped away from the window, pulling the string attached to the blinds and shutting it


    "Good." She whispered, walking over to the switch board and switching the lights off.


    She walked towards Ashley and held his hand. "Let''s go, you must be tired," she said, leading him into the bedroom and over to the


    bed.


    Ashley didn''t need any persuasion. As soon as the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed, he let himself tall, not minding that his mother had followed suit.


    Tucked under the shit with her son, Leonica waited for sleep toe, but after a few minutes with no show and Ashley''s turning and tossing, she finally decided to say something. More to distract herself from her wandering thoughts than anything else. "Ash?" A sleepy hum was heard from beside her, the younger male answering. "What did you tell your father? The promise, I mean?"


    "Mysia," Ashley answered, yawning shortly after. "I told Daddy I wanted to go to Kuantan because mommy looked like she really wanted to go there." He added, sounding more sleepy this time around.


    "Is that so?" Leonica asked and closed her eyes. She hadn''t expected the ce that Ashley had chosen to be one she said she wanted to visit after binge watching an entire season of her favorite anime. "Mhin, good night mom."


    Leonica didn''t reply and only shifted to get into a morefortable position


    Soon, Ashley''s breathing became more stable and deep. His mother sighed, knowing that she was going to be the only one who would be kept up tonight, worrying over who could have vandalized her property. Going into thepany the next day without getting a wink of sleep felt like a suicide wish, yet Leonica still did it.


    When her rm clock went off, she forced herself up, and into the shower, hoping that the cold water would somehow wake her up, I


    but


    it had failed her and she had found herself standing in the presidential lift of herpany after waking Ashley up and dropping him in school, with her eyes feeling like lead, begging for a good ten hours of rest. She stepped out of the elevator at the dining sound and was instantly rushed by a familiar face.


    "Leonica, Finally!" Anastasia eximed, cing her hand down on both sides of her friend''s shoulder. "I''ve been trying to get a hold of you all through yesterday, what happened to your cell?"


    "My what?" Leonica asked, her eyes wide and alert, not having any idea about what her friend had said.


    Anastasia blinked at her. "Your cell phone." She repeated slowly.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "My cell?"


    "Yes, the gadget which allows you to make and receive calls and text messages?" Anastasia repeated slowly "Oh, that cell." Leonica breathed out, pinching the bridge of her nose.


    "You okay? Anastasia asked after taking a better look at her.


    "Fine, just peachy." The other replied and began walking away.


    "Are you sure? You look like someone who had stayed up all night." Shemented, matching her friends pace.


    "I''m fine." Leonica insisted. "How about you? What are you doing here? No case to handle?"


    "I took a day off."


    "Why?"


    ...Derek texted me."


    Her words had Leonica stopping in her track and turning towards her with wide eyes, sleep disappearing the very next second.


    "What?"


    Anastasia swallowed before she repeated. "Derek, he texted me." Leonica''s face became sour, shortly after, holding a look that Anastasia recognized all too well. "What? What aren''t you telling me?" She asked Leonica hesitated, contemting for a few seconds before deciding to tell away. "A few months back, Derek picked me up. We had a drink, caught up on things. He asked about you, but I didn''t say a thing," Anastasia''s eyes narrowed the more she spoke. "I promise." "You promise?" Her tone had suddenly be defensive. "Leonica, you knew Derek was in town, he asked of me, you knew this, yet you said nothing"


    "I forgot."


    "You forgot? What, is your problems with your ex husband more important than the fact that the possessive asshole who had nearly ruined my life, is back in town? Anastasia''s tone had risen to a point where a few people were now ncing in their direction H "Annie-"


    "No, Leonica. You should have said something, I''m your best friend, or did you forget about that too? Too busy with Gabriel?" She spat, anger evident in her eyes.


    Leonica had no answer for that, and so she didn''t say anything, leaving Anastasia to shake her head at her, her pony tail whipping the side of her face in the process.


    "What are you doing nowadays?" Her question was clear, pointing directly at the matter on the table that needed settlement.


    "Anastasia, listen, I''m sorry, okay? I fucked up that one time, okay? But how was I supposed to know the dude was still batshit crazy. You saw him suffer like I did, you must know that he has changed." "That''s not what I asked."


    "Annie."


    "No," Anastasia held her finger up. "I don''t want to hear your excuse, just answer my damn question. What are you doing, with Gabriel and Arvan and Owen?"


    "Gabriel is the father of my child, Arvan is a dear friend and Owen," She paused, sighing heavily as her shoulders sagged. "Owen is a family friend, a brother, who is only trying to look out for me." "Bullshit!" Anastasia sneered, abruptly pulling Leonica into the nearest room when the stares began to get too much. "Bullshit,


    Leonica." She repeated. "You''re not a kid, neither am 1, so we''re both old enough to understand what those two men meant in their speeches."


    Don''t rub in the obvious, Leonica thought.


    "And Gabriel," She chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Don''t even get me started on him."


    "Gabriel is the father of my child." Leonica repeated, the answer sounding far too rehashed.


    "That''s all he is? Your ex husband? The father of your child?"


    "And an asshole." Leonica added and Anastasia scoffed.


    "Right."


    "It''s true. Don''t be fooled because I hang around himtely, I''m simply trying to help him recover his memories."


    Anastasia rolled her jaw, she wanted to push on further, but she knew if she did, this argument was going to escte into one of their usual ones. And that she didn''t want.


    "You''re gonna end up hurt, again." She warned, her tone a lot less hostile than before.


    "I''m not." Leonica assured, holding her gaze. "And I''m sorry, for forgetting about Derek. Perhaps I thought he wasn''t important longer"


    "And he isn''t meant to." Anastasia grumbled. "I don''t know why I got so panicked over a simple message."


    any


    Because they were all aware who Derek was, Leonica thought, but held those words back. She didn''t want to spoke her friend anymore than she seemed.


    "It''s a human thing" She settled for that, giving her friend a Pat on the shoulder. "But you shouldn''t worry yourself."


    "You''re right." Anastasia answered with a sigh, the tension from before quickly dying down. "I''m sorry for ring up at you." She apologized.


    "I deserved it." Leonica threw her a smile and pulled the door open, stepping out.


    However, the moment she turned around, she bumped right into someone''s chest, spilling a sudden rush of hot coffee onto her white blouse.

 Chapter 113

    4 Trip To The Old Flowery


    1/A


    A Trip To The Old Flowery.


    "Shit!" Leonica hissed and staggered back, swinging her hand in a bid to get rid of the burning sensation that the coffee had caused when it poured on her blouse, as well as her hand.


    "Leonica, are you okay?" Anastasia was quick to rush to her side, checking on her even before the culprit could utter a word.


    And when he finally did, both head snapped his way. "Ms. Romero, are you alright?"


    Leonica squinted her eyes at the familiar male. Stuart Reeds, forced a smile, the gestureing off as a twitch rather than the actual action.


    "I''m sorry, I wasn''t minding where I was going, hope you aren''t hurt?" He asked, the tone of his voice carrying a hint of nervousness.


    "I''m fine, it was an ident." Leonica answered, ignoring the look of confusion she was getting from Anastasia who was beside her.


    Stuart watched as she tried, but failed, grumbling underneath her breath about how she now needed to go home to get a change of cloth.


    "Perhaps, I could offer some assistance." He offered, gesturing towards the stain on her chest with handkerchief.


    Leonica''s hand stopped moving and her eyes slowly lifted, her gaze locking with his. He smiled once more, this one having an eerie feeling to it.


    "I''m fine," She repeated. "It''s not a big deal."


    "But, it looks like a big deal."


    "Leonica already said she was fine."


    Stuart''s eyes snapped to the other female in the hall, his lips pressed into a thin when he spotted Anastasia giving him a deathly look.


    He cleared his throat and stuffed the handkerchief he had pulled out back into his pocket. "Of course." He nodded. "I should be on my way, excuse me." He said, giving a respectful bow before walking off. "Who''s that?" Anastasia asked once he had turned the corner.


    "A new employee." Leonica answered, still trying to brush the wet feeling off her dress. "Shit," She cursed when the back of her palm


    stung.


    "Stop." Anastasia scolded, grabbing her by the wrist and dragging her away.


    "Where are we going?"


    "The cafeteria. There should be a first aid box there."


    "For coffee?"


    "You have a blister, idiot."


    "It''s just a small one."


    "I swear to god, if you don''t shut up, I''m gonna pour another cup of coffee on you."


    *~*


    "Is the pain gone?" Anastasia asked for the third time and Leonica had to stop herself from groaning.


    "Annie, it''s been a good half an hour since the ident, the pain is long gone." She said, finally standing up from the chair Anastasia had forced her to seat in for close to an hour.


    She looked around while stretching her limbs, scanning the cafeteria. It was the first time she had been down there in ages, but even so, everything looked the same, as if it hasn''t been ages since shest came down here.


    "So, about that man." Anastasia''s voice had her looking back, arching a brow in confusion. "The one upstairs who had bumped into you," She emphasized.


    "Ah, Reeds?"


    "Whoever he is. What''s he''s deal?" When Leonica bent her head to the side, she added. "His vibe, it was all..."


    "... Off." Leonicapleted her friend''s sentence. She would have smiled and joked about how entwined their intuitions were, if the situation didn''t demand for a more serious tone.


    "I know. Known since the first time we met." She exined.


    Apple The Old Flowery


    "And you didn''t say anything?" Anastasia asked. "Do anything?"


    "I wish I could, but I don''t have any proof to back up my gut feeling and I don''t want to fire the wrong person." She said.


    The moment those words left her mouth, somewhere in her purse, she heard her phone ring out loud.


    Anastasia watched her fish the device out before she sassed. "Oh, but now you know where to find your phone."


    Leonica sent her an eyes smile before she focused her attention on the device''s screen, her expression dropping a little bit when she saw the call was from Gabriel.


    She looked up and sighed, knowing exactly why he was calling, and she had a feeling she wasn''t going to be able to avoid his calls afterContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    wrapping herself up in that web of lie yesterday.


    "I need to take this for a few seconds," She said, turning to leave.


    Anastasia waved her off. "Sure, sure. You go do whatever you want, just leave me here, by myself."


    "Annie," Leonica whined, but Anastasia sent her an innocent look. With a sigh, she turned back and walked a couple of foots away from where the sassy noirette was seating.


    Pressing the answer icon, she ced the phone near her ear. "Gabriel." She greeted.


    "Leonica." Came the sound of his voice through the other line filling her ear and her mind instantly and sending her nerves tingling. "I was starting to wonder if you had bailed on me." He said. Leonica took a moment to curse his retentive memory. Why does he have to remember everything. She silently snorted, well, not everything.

 Chapter 114

    "Bail on you and miss out on our appointment today? I think not." She sarcastically said.


    Gabriel detected the tone in her voice and chuckled. "Well, aren''t you excited."


    "Ecstatic." She retorted, shifting her weight onto her other leg and ncing over her shoulder.


    Anastasia still sat in her chair, Aid box''s content sprawled out on the table. When she noticed her best friend''s stare, she stuck her tongue out yfully, clearly still bitter over the fact that Leonica had answered her phone now, but not when she had called half of the day yesterday.


    "So, where is it that you intend to meet me?" Gabriel''s question snapped her out of her staring contest with her best friend. "My house?


    He added in as if answering the question for her.


    "1


    If she had been with him on the other end, she could have seen the way his face scrunched up at the title ''MY'' house. ''Our'' house was a more familiar term to his lips.


    "No," She was quick to say. "Not your house."


    "Okay, name your ce."


    At his question, Leonica thought. She racked her brain, searching for a ce that meant something to Gabriel. A ce that didn''t have any memory of Angelina.


    She found a ce, recalling the blissful memories like they were just yesterday.


    The small feeling of Bliss those memories had brought were swept up by the recollection that those times had onlysted a brief period and Gabrielter turned into someone even L couldn''t recognize.


    "I have a ces in mind," She spoke up, earning a hum from the other end to indicate that he was still following along. "The old flowery, down by the riverside. Let''s meet in front." She started and nces at her watch, trying to tell a free time from now and all her packed hours. "By Five?"


    That was seven hours and twenty five minutes from now. Waiting for his answer, Leonica wished he would say that he had somethinging up at that time.


    "Alright." Bubble busted. When she wanted to groan internally, Gabriel spoke up again, except this time around, there was something hidden in his voice that instantly made Leonica serious. "Leonica, yesterday..." He paused, hesitating, something Leonica wasn''t yet used


    to.


    ""Yes?" She asked.


    "No, it''s nothing." He quickly said and something told her that that part of the conversation had ended, even before it began.


    She epted it with a nod, even though he couldn''t see it. ncing behind once again, she found Anastasia gathering the aid box''s


    A Trip To The Old Flowery


    contents and shoving them in, obviously ready to leave.


    "So, five?" She asked.


    "Sure."Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Good, and uh, don''t bete."


    "I never am." Gabriel said. She could almost feel his smirk from her own end.


    With that settled, the line went dead and Leonica clutched the device between her finger, silently praying that the day slowed down


    from here on out.


    It was five o''clock In the evening when Gabriel stepped out of his car, taking a good look at his surrounding. The area, the atmosphere, it all seemed... Familiar, yet forgotten.


    His eyes darted from the green field of grass, to the trees, and then to the river. He didn''t recall much, but his mind told him that this was a ce he hade often, yet never enough.


    His eyes shifted to the small wooden building right up the road. Flowers and nts of various kind decorated the outside walls, entangling themselves around the building like it was their very source of life.


    The door was open and from the inside, he could see that the interior was equally decorated with flowers and people were walking about, picking out flowers for asions.


    Taking a guess, Gabriel decided that the old flowery was most probably a popr tourist spot.


    Shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants, he made his way to the front entrance, his eyes not missing a beat.


    He took note of each person that walked in and out, and how some of the older folk seemed to give him strange looks, like they knew him, yet didn''t at the same time. Gabriel walked right through the entrance, his eyes scanning the room.


    In the middle of the store was a wooden table with a wide selection of flowers and bouquets. Along the walls, stood shelves holding


    potted nts.


    On the side, was a desk and Gabriel''s eyes went there, only to find a teenage boy sitting, tapping away on hisptop, ignoring the customers.


    "You want some flowers buddy?" The teenager asked when he noticed Gabriel, chewing annoyingly on the gum in his mouth. Gabriel looked away for a split second, a little taken back by the boy''s rude tone.


    "I''m looking for ady." He replied.


    The boy rolled his eyes, clearly not liking the idea of helping people. "Everyone here is looking for ady. You see one, grab her, and pay at the counter. Duh." Gabriel arched his brows, a little shocked that the boy was so unprofessional.


    "Is that how you speak to customers?"


    The teenaged boy looked up, a smug expression on his face. "It''s not how I speak, it''s how I talk. And the only customer that matters is the one who pays. So, if you''re not paying, you''re not a customer." Gabriel opened his mouth, about to speak, when someone beat him to it.


    "Well, with that attitude of yours, no one''s gonna be a customer."


    Both men turned around and were met with Leonica. She stood by the door, hand folded across her chest, but that was barely able to hide the blue and green flower print gown that adorned her figure.


    The dress had puff short sleeves and a square cut neckline, showing off her neck and corbone. Her hair was done in a high ponytail, a single curl falling out of ce, and her lips were glossy and pink. She looked... Elegant, not like the Leonica that Gabriel was used to seeing.


    The Leonica he''s known for these past few days wore dresses that stood out less, he had began to believe that the only colors in her closet were ck and white and she barely wore make up. Nothing fancy even though she could buy out an entire clothing brand if she wished to.


    It seemed like his body had grown ustomed to seeing her dress that way, that seeing her all dolled up like this, he wasn''t able to get


    A Trip To The Did Flowery


    his mouth to work.

 Chapter 115

    Leonica looked at him, noticing the way his eyes seemed to linger a second too long on her attire. "I said in front, not inside." She said, pointing towards the front entrance. Gabriel was snapped out of his trance like state my the sound of her voice.


    "Right." He nodded, clearing his throat and walking past her and out of the shop.


    Leonica sighed, but instead of following Gabriel, she walked into the flowery, picked the first bouquet of flowers the caught her eyes and ced the money on the counter.


    "I''d learn some manners if I were you, kid." She said, not caring to see the boy''s reaction, but the sound of his voice as he stuttered out a ''Thank you, have a nice day, Ma''am'', was good enough for her. Outside, Gabriel leaned against his car, his eyes fixed on the flowery, waiting for Leonica to walk out, which she did a few minutester, holding a bunch of colorful flowers.


    "You bought those? What for?" He asked as she walked past him and his car.


    She neared the river''s sandy shores, stopped for a brief moment to kick off the heels she was wearing and after carrying them in her hands, continued down the sand. "A memorial," She simply answered.


    Gabriel''s brows furrowed. A memorial? Who? Why? And where? His eyes darted around, searching for anything that resembled a tombstone or a memorial.


    But he saw nothing, only a vast sea of water, flowing peacefully with the wind blowing softly.


    He watched as Leonica walked up to a tree. It was a tree that was different from the others, its bark a shade of light brown while the rest was a dark, almost ck shade. From where he stood, Gabriel could see a name craved into the tree.


    Pablo.


    Who''s Pablo? He thought as he watched as Leonica knelt down and ced the flowers near the base of the tree, her eyes closing for a few seconds as she said a brief prayer and then turned back to face him. Gabriel''s eyes scanned her face. She looked different, like a child who had lost something, something dear to her.


    She took a deep breath and rxed her shoulder. For the first time, Gabriel saw what Leonica actually looked like without the look of hostility or alertness on her face.


    "Gabriel, meet Pablo, our bestest best friend."


    The Truth.


    "Pablo? Our bestest Friend?" The name glided of Gabriel''s tongue, sounding familiar to his mind that didn''t seem to recall memories from years he had spent with Leonica. Said girl nodded her head and gently sank to her kneels, arranging the flowers properly in front of the huge tree.


    "Who''s that?" He asked.


    "Our dog." Came Leonica''s answer as she casted an expectant nce on Gabriel''s direction waiting for anything to show that he recalled the said dog she had just mention. When his expression went unchanged, the pressed her lips into a thin line and side, nodding along. "Yeah, didn''t expect much." She muttered as she rose to her feet, dusting her dress.


    "We had a dog?" Gabriel asked, choosing to ignore the fact that she had called a Dog their best friend and honestly speaking, he was more of a cat person. "When?" He quizzed again after several minutes of silence had been spared to pay tribute to the long lost four legged creature and they soon began walking back in the direction of the flowery.


    "Pomeranian, he was ten years." Leonica answered. She dropped her heels down on the floor and slipped her legs back in when she had navigated her way off the sandy tracks of the Riverside. "Grandma found him in front of the main mansion a day before our engagement. The little buddy had been abandoned in a carton, left out in the cold." She exined. "Grandma couldn''t bear to leave him alone, she brought him in, took care of him, but as her health began to deteriorate, she gave him to us. A year after, he passed away due to old age, that must have been why his owners abandoned him."


    Gabriel nodded his head at her exnation, now recalling that he had seen a white Pomeranian dog squeezed between he and Leonica in one of the photos they had taken. In fact, now that he thought about it, that photo had been taken in this very same beach. Taking a look behind, he surveyed the surroundings,paring it to that of the one in the photo. They had been standing in front of the same tree, Pablo by their leg as Leonica smiled happily towards the camera.


    It was obvious from that photo, that she was smitten with him. But he on the other hand, he couldn''t say the same. His eyes had looked


    far too dull to belong to someone who had been in love just like Leonica.


    "I guess he yed a big part in our rtionship." Gabriel said, choosing to ignore the thoughts roaming in his head.


    "Something of sort." Leonica answered as she thought back to the Pomeranian. To say he had yed a big role in their rtionship was too much, at the same time, saying he hasn''t was far to little credit being given to the little guy.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She zed at the device clutched within her hands, cocking her head to the side in confusion when she saw it was Arvan calling.


    "I need to take this for a moment." She told Gabriel, barely ncing back for his reaction before she sauntered off, pressing the phone to her ear in the process. "Hey, Arvan What''s up?" She greeted. Secondster, Arvan''s familiar voice sounded from the other end. "Leonica, how are you?"


    "Peachy," She answered, not missing the way his voice carried a tinge of concern. "Is everything alright?" It was now her turn to question.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I was at the Prescient this morning and caught wind of what happened to your house. Are you really okay?"


    Ah, Leonica nodded her head, now understanding where the concern in his voice wasing from.


    "I''m fine. It was just a small case of vandalism. Perhaps someone holding a grudge." She said and forced a chuckle, grimacing when it didn''te out as carefree and unaffected as she wanted. "Well, whoever did that, they won''t get the chance to roam Scott free any longer."


    It took Leonica a few seconds to register the meaning of his words. She blinked a couple of times before widening her eyes. "The police caught them?" She asked, sudden presence of relief in her voice startling her. "Yeah, the cops brought her in this morning." Arvan informed.


    Her, Leonica pondered on the pronounce, half d that she had guessed right and half alert that a repeat of Angelina''s situation may happen again.

 Chapter 116

    At the thought of said brte, Leonica nced back in Gabriel''s direction, finding him leaned against his car, tinkering with his phone.


    She peeled her gaze away before she could stare any longer. "And did she confess? Why she did it I mean?"


    "The chief didn''t tell me, but he promises to send her file over to my ceter this evening, once they''re done with interrogating her." There was a pause as he nced at the clock, seeing the time for the file to arrive was almost at hand. "Which is in about an hour. Maybe you could...e over and we''ll look through it together?" His question had Leonica speechless for a few seconds.


    "Uh, sure?" She answered, unsure, but another shing image of her vandalized property sealed off any thought of doubt. "Send me the address, I''ll be there as soon as I can."


    "Alright, see you then."


    "Yeah, bye." Leonica said and hung up. Once the call ended, she turned around and matches back in the direction of her car, passing Gabriel. "I have to leave, let''s meet up some other time." She told him.


    The sound of her voice snapped him out of whatever it is he was doing on his phone. "What? Hey wait!" He called out, chasing after her.


    Only did she stop when his hand was wrapped around her wrist. "Are you leaving? Why?"


    "I have something important to attend to." Leonica answered quickly, clearly in a hurry.


    "More important that what we''re doing?" Gabriel couldn''t help but ask, brows knitted together at the top of his head.


    Leonica licked her lips, hesitating for a few seconds before nodding. "Yes." Gabriel''s hold on her wrist loosened at her answer. Clearly he wasn''t expecting that answer, and the look of hurt of his made it clear.


    "Look, I''d love to stay and help you," She gestured between the beach and him, "regain your memory and all, but I have to go meet Arvan. My house was vandalized yesterday and he''s got the file containing the culprits statement-"


    "Your house was vandalized?" He cut her off, brows furrowing even deeper. "And who''s Arvan?"


    "I''ll exin it to youter." She said, giving him a look. "For now, I have to go." She turned to leave.


    "I''lle with." Gabriel offered and Leonica''s head snapped back so quick, one would have assumed it had just snapped off.


    "No." She objected.


    "Why not?" Gabriel argued back.


    "Because I said so." Leonica stood her ground.


    "Is that why, or is it because you want to hide more things from me?"


    Augh burst forth from Leonica''s mouth at his words. "Hiding something from you? Your not that important, Gabriel." She said.


    Her words stung, but Gabriel kept his expression from showing it and stared her dead in the eye. "Are you sure?" Without giving her time to respond, he reached into his pocket, pulled his phone out once more and tinkered with it. "What caused my ident?" He asked while typing on his phone.


    Leonica was taken aback by the sudden question. "What?" She narrowed her brows in confusion.


    Looking up from his phone, Gabriel repeated. "The ident, the one responsible for my amnesia, what caused it?"


    "What?" She sputtered, not having prepared for this exact situation.


    Go figures, the very situation she hadn''t prepared for would always happen and the ones she had prepared for, never happened. That gave her a sence of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, one she each time she revised for an exam yet the questions she read and perfected never came out. "A house fire, Ashley had identally lit the curtains on fire." She lied, spitting out the first clumsy excuse that had entered her head. As soon as those words left her mouth, she internally pped herself and prayed that Ashley would forgive her for using his name to lie. "Lies." Gabriel said and shoved his phone at her face. On the screen was an image, an article to be more precise. The article''s headline read ''Young and Famous Newscaster Angelina Fernandez, imprisoned for attempted murder on the life of Gabriel Bryce, her ex fiance.'' Seeing this, her breathing stilled. "Why do you have this?" She managed to question, eyes flickering between the screen and Gabriel. "And why did you lie to me? Why did you try to keep this a secret?" Gabriel questioned back.


    Leonica gulped. She wanted to know why he had the article, but the look of usation on his face had her stumbling over her words, not able to think of a usible lie that would cover the truth.


    Atst, she settled for, "You weren''t ready for the truth."


    "And you''re the judge of that?" Gabriel raised his brow.


    "No, but I can''t be sure when you''ll ever be ready." The than


    813


    "I''m ready now, and I want the truth. All of it." He demanded.


    "Fine." Leonica agreed, the word tasting like bile in her mouth. "You want to know the truth, here''s the truth; seven years ago you and I were married. However, that didn''tst long, as you can see. On the day you proposed the divorce, I found out I was pregnant. You brought your mistress home," She pointed towards the phone, her gesture holding more effort as she got angrier by each passing second. "And humiliated me. I decided I was done at that moment. I left, for good, for five years. But then father''s health started getting worse, Leonardo convinced me toe back home, here and I did. Then we met, again, you... You were still the same dick as five years ago."


    Leonica paused and took a deep breath. "You found out Ashley was your son after he was involved in an ident, happy ending one might have thought, but then Angelina turned up pregnant. She tried to fabricate evidence that I hurt her, but she got hurt in the process, lost the baby. You dissolved your engagement with her after that. That must have driven her crazy because he''s feigned innocence and approached Ashley, gave him a poisoned toy and when that didn''t work, she kidnapped him. You went to save, but got cross in the consequences of her mental instability. And the aftermath?" She pointed at him. "Well you can see it for yourself."


    Gabriel''s expression was nk, as if he wasn''tprehending a single thing she was telling him, and that infuriated Leonica even


    more.


    "Are you satisfied with the truth now, or do you still want more?" She spat out, her voiceced with venom and her face twisted in anger.


    Gabriel''s eyes fell to the phone in his hand. His brain had gone nk after hearing the truth, the very same truth he had yearned for for the past few days.


    But what if that wasn''t the truth? A voice in the back of his head questioned, but much to his own surprise, Gabriel denied it. He knew Leonica was telling the truth. It wasn''t something he could put his finger on, but he knew it was the truth.


    "If that''s all you need to know, then I''ll be taking my leave now. I''ll text you the next time we should meet." She said and turned around, about to walk off when Gabriel''s voice stopped her. "Leonica, wait."


    "What is it, god dammit!" She snapped, irritation reaching its peak.


    When she turned back to face him, Gabriel was hesitating, looking like he was contemting his next words. "... I''m sorry. For everything."


    Leonica''s jaw cked a little, his words catching her off guard.


    "I''m sorry, for making you go through all of that even though I can''t remember anything." He apologized again, and this time, sounding far more genuine than Leonica had ever heard.


    His words caught her off guard, not only was she surprised at how sincere he was being, she was also shocked at how easily the word ''sorry'' rolled off his tongue.


    Thest time she had hear him apologize so sincerely was during their engagement period when he had identally walked in on her while she was changing and had seen her naked.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Then, even though they were bound to be wedded, he made such a big deal out of it.


    A gentleman, Leonica had thought at that point in time. And perhaps, that was what had fueled her love for him, blinding her even further.


    And here she was, hearing those same sincere words and having the same feeling she had felt all those years ago.


    "I really am." Gabriel added in after seconds of her silence had gone by.


    Leonica forced her lips into a thin line, expression turning neutral once again before she responded. "You should be. But even at that, I can''t guarantee I''ll forgive you, after all, wounds can''t be healed by meaningless words." With that said, she turned on her heels and sauntered off in the direction of her car.


    Tove The Word Thure Looking For is: Pursuing

 Chapter 117

    I Believe The Word You''re Looking For Is ''Pursuing''


    Arvan had just seen to it that Daisy was put to bed by her nanny, for an early evening nap when he was informed that Leonica was at the gate waiting for his approval to be let in.


    He made his way down after doing so and went towards the main Hall. Along the way, he adjusted his dress and stopped a couple of times to fix his hair, momentarily contemting if he should get a hair cut. By the time he had reached the hall, Leonica was already sitting on the sofa, her side profile facing him as she took in the beauty of his


    home.


    The moment he began approaching her with slow and calcted steps, Leonica took notice of him and nced in his direction, a small smile adorning her lips.


    "You''re finally here." He greeted, stopping a couple of feet from where she sat.


    Leonica took onest look at his house beforementing. "A beautiful home you have here, Arvan."


    "Thanks." He said, shing her a smile which she didn''t hesitate to mirror. "So, about the files..."


    "Yes." Leonica nodded and rose to her feet. "Is it avable now?"


    Arvan nodded his head, letting her know that a messenger had dropped said file off thirty minutes before her arrival. "They''re in my office," He told her, pointing towards the direction of his office. "Shall we?" Leonica nodded and followed him when he began walking.


    "Here it is," He announced once they had reached his office, gesturing to the table which contained a pile of files. "The whole folder." Leonica neared the table and picked one of the file''s up, flicking through its content and taking in the information written on the first page.


    "Lana Winslow," She read the name of the female culprit, eyes racking over her ordinary feature, but most of all, she didn''t look like someone Leonica had bumped shoulders with.


    So why vandalize her property?


    The answer to said question came in the next paragraph.


    "Leonica Romero is a woman of lose morals. She pretends to be a saint, acting all high, mighty and innocent, but behind close doors, she had indecent and sinful rtionship with a men of higher status, all to satisfy her greed for power. So it was no surprise to me when I learnt that my Owen Boo had fallen in love with her. As much as I hate to admit it, that woman has the looks and charms to make even the senator crawl at her feet."


    Read the culprit''s testimony.


    "Owen Boo?" Leonica whispered, a hint of amusement in her voice.


    "It appears that Miss Lana was a fan of Mr. Owen Lee." Arvan exined, stepping closer and awkwardly clearing his throat like he had not read about what Lana said about him in her testimony.


    Leonica snorted and shook her head, closing the file and cing it back on the table.


    "How old is she?" She asked.


    "Eighteen."


    Leonica nodded, taking in the information. "So she''s a college student who has nothing better to do with her life rather than being a crazy fan who runs around like a mad dog, barking at whoeverys eyes on Owen?" Arvan nodded his head, once again choosing to ignore another ball in the court. The way Leonica was addressing Owen with little to no formality.


    "That''s what the police have concluded." He informed her, taking a seat in the chair in front of the table and motioning for her to do


    the same.


    Leonica nodded her head and sunk into thefortable cushions.


    "So that''s the only reason why?" Leonica asked again as if to confirm once more. When Arvan nodded, a string of curses left her mouth followed by a loud sigh.


    So she had been riled up, thinking that Ashley''s attacker was back for round two, over some teenager''s silly prank?


    Believe The Wid You''re Looking For Is Pursuing


    But despite that, looking on the bright side, she felt relieved, now knowing that Ashley was safe and no one was indeed targeting them.


    Ah, if Leonardo knew it was this simple, he''dugh. She snorted at the thought.


    "Is something funny?" Arvan''s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.


    "Huh?" Leonica blinked. "Oh no, I was just... Thinking, about something." She dismissed his concerning, waving a hand in the air and shing him a reassuring smile. "It''s nothing." "Really?" He asked.


    "Yeah," She confirmed, surprised when she saw his facial features lit up with relief.


    "That''s good." He said. "Well, the police are going to handle Lana. I''ve given them strict orders to make sure she is punished ording to thews." He added in, wanting to lighten her mood more than it already was. Leonica cocked her head to the side, eyeing him where he sat. "Isn''t that an abuse of your power?" She asked.


    Arvan stood up from the chair, adjusting his shirt as he walked towards thendline. "Not for you, it isn''t." He said, shing her a smile and dialing a number on the phone. "Would you care for something to drink?" He asked as the phone was answered all the way in the kitchen.


    "Oh, I don''t think I should stay any longer than I already have." Leonica tried to object.


    "Nonsense. You''re no stranger in this house, so don''t be afraid to stay as long as you want." Arvan dismissed, when he saw the look on her face, clearly still hesitant to leave, he added in. "And besides, I still have something to discuss with you." "Is that so?"


    "Yeah, but you can leave if you want. As much as I want you around, I can never force you to stay, that won''t be a very gentlemanly move towards the woman I admire. So, would you like something to drink?"


    "Is that so," Leonica repeated, her brain trying to process his tant advance, before the question he had asked. "Sure." She finally responded, epting his offer. "Some wine, if you have."


    "We do." Arvan informed her.


    "Then yes,


    please."


    "Alright, two sses of wineing right up." He said, a smile gracing his lips as he turned and spoke into thendline, informing hisAll content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    cook about the drinks.


    As soon as the conversation ended, Arvan sat on the sofa opposite to Leonica, crossing his leg.


    Leonica took the brief moment to scan the outfit he was wearing. It was vastly different from his usual work wear. A ck hoodie,


    shorts, and a pair of slippers and his hair, which was usually held in a half ponytail, was down.


    He looked... Rxed, not like the man who had a serious and intimidating aura around him each time he had the image of senator to keep up.


    "What?" He asked, noticing the way she was staring.


    "Nothing." She replied. "You just look," She paused, chuckling as she scanned his outfit once again. "Different."


    "Different good, or different bad?" Arvan inquired, his voice not wavering from its usual confident state.


    Leonica shrugged her shoulders, smiling slightly. "I''m not sure, yet."


    "Yet?" Arvan''s brows rose, a smirk making its way on his face. "I''ll take that as a win."


    "You shouldn''t."


    "I will. Because it''s the highestpliment I can get from an outstanding woman such as yourself." Arvan said with the calmest expression but the emotions in his voice had Leonica cheeks turning pink. There he goes again, having his smooth ways with words, she thought, instantly thinking back to how Anastasia had hit on his and Owen''s speech during their small fight earlier in the day.


    Perhaps it was time she stopped trying to avoid each of their confessions and faced them head on.


    "You know, if you keep saying things like that, people might misunderstand."


    At her words, a grin broke out across Arvan''s face. "Misunderstand what? My feeling for you?" He questioned.


    "That you''re trying to make a move on me." Leonica rified.


    "Am I not?"


    The bluntness of his words, his tone and expression, caught her off guard.


    "No," She stammered. "You''re not."


    "So what am I doing then, Ms. Romeo?" He asked, rising from his seat and approaching her, each step he took sending a jolt of alertness up her spine.


    Leonica opened her mouth, but no words came out. What was he doing?


    He was...


    "Admiring the view?" She guessed, trying her best not to look intimidated, though she failed to hide the quiver in her voice.


    Arvan chuckles at her words, the sound being louder as he was now standing beside her chair. "That too, but I believe the word you''re looking for is ''pursuing''." He said.


    "Pursuing?" She repeated, swallowing a lump that had formed in her throat.


    "Mmhmm, pursuing. Pursuing your attention, your affections and ultimately, your heart." He leaned closer, his eyes locked on hers." You don''t see anything wrong with that, now, do you?" He''s voice was a Leonica locked eyes with him, refusing to look away as he grinned at her.


    "No, I don''t." She answered honestly, watching as his grin bloomed into a smile. "But, I don''t... feel the same way towards you, Arvan."


    The smile didn''t fall from his face, if anything, it became wider.


    mere whisper.


    He''d be lying if he said he didn''t know that. In fact, it was painfully clear that out of the three men vying for her affection, he had the lowest chance of winning, after all, Leonica had made it clear, intentionally and unintentionally, that she saw him as a friend, a dare one at that. But the truth was, that didn''t bother him. Not even a single bit.


    "I know." He finally answered, his eyes dropping to her lips for a second, but he regained hisposure and stood straight once more, the smile still intact on his face. "However, that doesn''t mean I''ll stop." He said, turning around and heading for the door when there was a knock on it.


    His cook stepped In with a ss of wine each for them, when he opened the door, cing it gently on the table between them and retreating to the kitchen after a respectful bow in Leonica''s way.


    "You''re still up for a drink, right?" He asked once he had sat back down.


    Leonica nodded and scooped one of the sses up, carefully sipping from it.


    She savored the taste for a mere second before asking. "What was it... You wanted to discuss?"


    Arvan took a sip from his drink and a painful second passed before he gently smiled. "Ah, that. We''ve already discussed it." He said.


    Leonica didn''t need to ask what he meant because she already knew what he was referring to.


    "Are you really sure you won''t give up?" She asked, raising a brow.


    "Positive."


    "Even if it means losing our friendship?"

 Chapter 118

    "That''s a price I''m willing to pay, but the question here is, will you allow me to?"


    "And if I said no?" She asked and Arvan remained silent.


    "You''ll end up hurt if you keep down this road." She said, warning him from past experience. Whether he took her warning or not, his answer was one of his usual gentle smile. "You''re a good person, Arvan. You''ll make some lucky girl a wonderful husband someday." "I hope that someone can be you."


    "Arvan-"


    "Please," He cut her off, "Think about it, that''s all I ask."


    Leonica''s gaze softened and she nodded her head, agreeing to his request. "Okay." She said.


    Arvan smiled, his shoulders rxing as he picked his ss back up and took another sip, the tension leaving his body.


    Believe The Wort You''re Looking For is ''Pursuing''


    A/4


    The next couple of minutes passed by infortable conversation and sipping on the wine they had. By the time there conversation hade to a conclusion, it was getting dark outside.


    Leonica stood up. "I think I should leave now, else Ashley would have my head when I get back."


    Arvan nodded his head, standing up as well. "Allow me to escort you out." He offered, gesturing towards the door.


    She nodded and began walking towards the door of his office, but they had only stepped outside when Arvan''s phone rang and he quickly excuses himself.


    "I think I can see myself out from here." Leonica politely said and waved him goodbye, navigating the way back into the main hall, when suddenly, the figure of ady seating in the same chair she had sat, caught her attention.


    Her steps slowed down when she spotted her white hair, the same as hers, but when thedy turned to face her, her stepspletely seized.


    "You..." She uttered in confusion, looking at the woman who had a keen resemnce to her.


    Hair, facial structure, eye color and all, one would nearly have mistaken them for twins, but the difference was clear. Thedy sitting on the sofa had a youthful appearance, one of someone in her early twenties, while Leonica, was twenty-nine. She stood up upon seeing Leonica and a sneer appeared on her face. "Who are you?" She asked, looking Leonica from top to bottom like she was some sort of parasite.


    Leonica frowned, taken aback by the look. "I was about to ask you the same."


    Thedy narrowed her brows, the frown on her face deepening. "Some gals you''ve got." She said and stepped forward. "Asking me a question like that in my own house." ""Your house?"


    "Yes," She said, stopping a couple of feet from Leonica. "My house. Since you won''t do the introduction, I will. My names Irene Richardson Rosewood. Arvan Richardson''s rightful wife."


    The moment those words left her mouth, the blood drained from Leonica''s face, her eyes widened and her jaw ckened. "His, what?"


    "His wife." She proudly announced before staring nastily at Leonica. "And you are?"


    Katun if The Prodigal


    Return Of The Prodigal Wife.


    "You''re, his wife?" Leonica questioned, disbelief and surprise evident on her visage.


    The woman, Irene Rosewood, nodded her head proudly. "Indeed. Now who the hell are you?"


    The look of surprise on her face was soon reced with one of bewilderment. The balls of thisdy? Taking up such a rude tone when she barely knew her.


    Apart from their striking resemnce which Leonica found troubling, she really couldn''t think of any other reason in the book why some such as her, a total stranger, should be so rude to her.


    Or, did she perhaps think that She had a thing with Arvan. Possible, seeing as his speech had gotten millions of views, but the thought alone, despite the fact that Said man had confessed to her less than an hour ago, made Leonica chuckle. "Is something funny?" Irene asked, her lips set in a hard line.


    "Not really," Leonica answered, chuckling at her. "You see, I''ve never seen anyone who''d have the audacity to take such a rude tone on a total stranger they barely know."


    Irene blinked, clearly taken aback by Leonica''s audacity to spit back. Her appearance had given the opposite of her attitude. "You... Do you know who I am?" She questioned in an intimidating manner, narrowing hervender eyes at Leonica. "Well, except from Arvan''s apparent wife, as you''ve introduced yourself, no I do not know who you are." Leonica answered with a straight face.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Irene scoffed, shaking her head as if she couldn''t believe the wordsing out of her mouth. She took a step forward, opening her mouth to speak, but the moment her lips had parted, a third voice found it''s way into their conversation. "Irene?" Arvan rounded the corner, face twisting with displeasure the moment he spotted his wife... Well, Ex wife. "What the hell are you doing here?"


    If not for his kind gesture with Gently pushing her behind himself, Leonica would have thought that the Arvan in front of her was a totally different person from whom she knew. "Arvan, honey..."


    "Don''t." He cut her off with a stern and warning tone. "What are you doing here?" He asked again.


    Irene swallowed hard and for a moment, her eyes travelled back to Leonica. Her cheeks instantly colored pink with embarrassment when she found the woman watching.


    "I came back into the countryst week, called but you weren''t answering." She exined, eyes flicking back to Leonica once more as she added. "At least I now know why."


    Leonica kept silent, but the vague smile on her lips said it all. ''Talk trash about me, and I''d hand your ass to you, on a silver tter'' was written all over her face. Irene''s jaw clenched, and if looks could kill, Leonica would be writhing on the floor, but unfortunately for her, the daggers she was shooting at her weren''t lethal. "Did you enjoy? Ignoring the mother of your child while you messed around with a cheap copy?"


    "Watch it."


    "Oh please," She rolled her eyes. "You can''t be serious, Arvan. You can''t actually think that, she, is prettier than me. Ah, she can''t be, after all, we look so much alike. Is that what drew you to her?" At her question, Arvan tensed up and Leonica looked up at him, eyes narrowing in seconds worth curiosity.


    Yeah, was that what drew him to her? That would exin why he was so nice to her and Ashley the first time they met, Leonica thought.


    When Arvan looked back, reluctantly meeting her eyes, she could see the look of guilt on his face and she lowered her head, a ghostly outline of a smile painting her lips.


    Ah, so he had simply been projecting his wife''s image onto her. From the very beginning till now, even hours before when he had confessed to her. All of that was because she looked like his wife.


    As baffling as the situation proved, Leonica couldn''t bring herself to feel... Offended?


    Seeing the look on her face, Arvan cursed himself for never telling her about his ex wife.


    Irene Rosewood, she was a devil, at least after he married her. At first, she had been a pure saint, leaning more into her innocent appearance and fooling people, but the moment their vows were taken and Daisy was born a year after, she showed her true colors. At first, Arvan thought it was a short time thing caused by after pregnancy syndromes, but it wasn''t and just like that, he watched his marriage crumble as she filed for divorce and went off with her frat yboy.


    Three yearster, after the divorce had finally been settled for good, Arvan ran into Leonica at the kindergarten. Which ironically, that was just three months ago. He''d be lying if he said he didn''t mistake her for Irene the first time they met and the time after that, and atter that, but slowly, he began to see her for who she was, Leonica, not the image of his ex wife.


    "Leonica," He began, wanting to remedy the situation, but Irene beat him to the punch.


    "Tell me this one thing, Arvan, is she better than I am in bed? Can she satisfy you?" "That''s enough." Arvan growled.


    "So she is, isn''t she." Irene spat, the look on her face making it clear that she was pissed, and then, the next moment, the expression was wiped off and a smirk adorned her lips. "Or have you perhaps not fucked her?"


    "I said that''s enough!" Arvan repeated, raising his voice, not caring if the entire neighborhood heard.


    "Arvan, dear, we both know the truth." Irene purred, eyes locking with Leonica. "You see, he was always such a good husband to me, and not just in bed. He gave me everything I ever wanted and more, but sadly, It wasn''t enough and-"


    "Do I look like I give a shit?" Leonica''s voice interrupted her, holding a nonchnt tone that had Irene blinking in confusion.


    "What?" She sputtered.


    Leonica sighed and stepped out from behind Arvan, only ncing at him once before she faced his wife, or ex wife, but she didn''t know


    that.


    "Look,dy, I don''t know what''s going on between the two of you, and frankly, I don''t care. As for your questions, I''ll answer them one by one. Firstly, I''m not his girlfriend, nor do I n to be. I apologize if as his wife you may have gotten the wrong impression, but Arvan and I...were just friend, so don''t bother asking about what goes on between us. As for being prettier than you, I guess we can''t bepared. We''re both beautiful, just in our own unique ways," She said and paused a smirking on her lips. "Nah, now that I think about it, the fabricated can never be better than the original. Andstly, if I were you, I''d fix that attitude of mine, after all, you don''t want to identally step on the wrong foot."


    At the end of her speech, Arvan looked at her with an open mouth and wide eyes, and Irene, on the other hand, was shocked, not believing her ears.


    "Who the hell do you think you are?"


    "Leonica Romero." She introduced with a proud smile and watched as Irene''s facepletely deted.


    "Romero?" She repeated, the name ringing a bell in her head.


    Leonica nodded and stepped closer to her, looking down at her and smiling. "I''ll be taking my leave, now. And remember, fix that attitude of yours. I''m only letting you off because I understand where you''reing from as a wife, but trust me, if this were to repeat itself a second time, you would regret it. That I can make sure of." She turned towards Arvan and smiled. "Have a nice evening, Arvan. I''ll be sure to contact you when I need help with anything else."


    As she walked off, leaving Irene in shock, Arvan hurriedly jogged after her, gently taking hold of her wrist just as she stepped outside. "Leonica wait, please listen to me. I-"


    "I''m not angry at you, Arvan." Leonica said, cutting off whatever apology he was about to spill forth. "For some reason I can''t bring myself to be. But I do want to ask, did you only ever see her in me? Was our entire friendship built on me being some sort of recement?" Her eyes searched his as she asked.


    "No." Arvan immediately denied, shaking his head and tightening his hold on her wrist. "The first few times, yeah, I admit that. But now, I see you for you." He said.


    Leonica''s shoulders rxed at his response, and a smile crept to her lips. It was good knowing their friendship wasn''t built on something so unpleasant.


    "I''m not asking you to believe me right away," Arvan continued. "But I just want you to know that."


    "I know." Leonica nodded. "And thank you."


    "For?"


    Reum Of The Prodigal Vate.


    "Everything, including being honest. That''s one quality I really like in a man."


    Arvan chuckled and the grip on her wrist loosened, sliding down to hold her hand. "I''m d." He said, shing her a smile. "And for the record, Irene''s my ex wife. We''re divorced."


    Leonica took a moment to register what he had just told her before nodding. "I see."


    "And I''m sorry about her. If I had known that she was back in the country, I would have made sure to keep her away from you."


    "You have nothing to apologize for. Besides, her words didn''t offend me."


    "Are you sure? I mean, if you''re pretending not to be offended because of the resemnce..."


    "Absolutely."


    Arvan smiled. "I''m d."

 Chapter 119

    "I should get going." Leonica said, taking her hand out of his grasp. "It''s getting dark."


    "Yeah, it is." Arvan agreed, his voice sounding a bit disappointed. "I''ll be seeing you."


    "See you." Leonica shed him onest smile before walking off towards the direction of her car.


    "Wait, I''ll escort you." Arvan offered, catching up to her in no time.


    Leonica didn''t refuse him, after all, she wasn''t one to deny a gentleman''s offer.


    "Your Ex is pretty." Shemented.


    "That''s a cheesy way topliment yourself, Leo." Arvan said and she chuckled at the nickname.


    "So that''s how it''s gonna be from now on, huh?" She asked and Arvanughed.


    "I guess it is. I hope you don''t mind."


    "Not really." He said as they arrived at her car.


    "I''ll talk to you tomorrow." She said, looking up at him as he hovered by her door.


    "Alright." He said. "Have a safe trip back."


    "Thanks." She replied and Arvan nodded, shutting the door.


    He remained standing by her car and waved until she drove off, then, with a sigh, he turned around and made his way back.


    *~*


    Leonica was on her way back home, currently stuck in traffic to be precise, when she got a phone call from Alistair.


    "Yeah, hello?" She answered, cing the phone on speaker and focusing back on the road just as the light turned green. "Ms. Romero, I apologize for calling you all of a sudden but I need your help." Alistair spoke having urgency in his voice. ""What is it?"


    "I''m a bit caught up in a board meeting, with, you know, that thing, and as things stand, the meeting looks like it''s going tost another extra three to four hours, and the thing is, Owen''s sick and no one''s at home to take care of him." He exined.


    "I see." She muttered, her brows furrowing in concern at his words.


    "I wouldn''t ask this of you Ms. Romero, but as things stand, there''s no one else I can trust this much, so if you can, could you please-"


    "Yes, of course." Leonica interrupted him before he could finish up. "Just send me the address."


    Alistair released a relieved sigh from the other end. "I really owe you one, Ms. Romero. I''m gonna send the address now. The medicines are on the kitchen counter and I stored some porridge in the fridge, you can warm it up for him in case he hasn''t eaten. Oh, and in case he doesn''t answer, the pass code is 032490."


    Her birthday, that was the first thought that crossed her mind as she heard those numbers.


    "Alright, noted." She said and ended the call, making a U-turn when Alistair sent her the address.


    Thirty minutester, she arrived at Owen''s ce.


    "Owen?" She called out, knocking against the door.


    Once. Twice. Thrice. It was around the forth time she began to get worried and typed in the pass code Alistair had given her.


    RELIN ON THE Prodigal Wite


    414


    The door made a beeping sound, granting her ess. Put just as she pulled it open and took her first step in, the bright entrance lights turning on, she spotted Owen lying on the floor, right in front of her. "Oh god."


    Leonica quickly rushed over, dropping to her knees by his side. She felt his forehead, her brows knitting together as she did.


    "He''s burning up." She muttered, lifting him in her arms and trying to rush him to the bedroom, where ever that was, but under his weight, her kneels gave out and she crumbled to the floor, Owennding on top of her.


    The Impact, as little and cushioned by her body as it may have been, woke Owen up to some extent and slowly, his eyes opened, locking into her.


    "Leo?"


    For Neve Fi Senie For A Kids


    For Now, I''ll Settle For A Kiss.


    Not much to Leonica''s surprise, Owen had sauntered back to sleep the moment he opened his eyes and called her name. She managed to hoist him up, raising herself from the ground and sessful making it over to the room this time around. However, just as she took a step away, Owen''s hand wrapped around her wrist.


    "Stay." He said in an almost pleading manner.


    She wanted to refuse the idea but was never one who was fond of the idea of leaving a sick patient unattended to.


    "I''ll behave, I promise. Just...stay."


    He sounded like a kid who was being threatened to take his naps and didn''t want to sleep alone.


    "Okay." She gave in, the look on his face weakening her defenses. "But I have to call Grace first and inform her."


    "Of course." Owen said with a weak smile, finally releasing her hand.


    Leonica pulled her phone out and dialed said housekeeper''s number.


    And after letting her know the situation, ced her phone down. "There, done."


    "Good, nowe here." Owen tugged at her again, patting the empty spot on the bed next to him.


    "No," Leonica declined, pulling a chair up to the bedside and seating down on it. "I''ll stay here."


    Owen''s brows furrowed and he pouted, the expression on his face resembling that of a child being denied a candy.


    "You''re no fun." He said, but a smirk made it''s way to his lips. "But at least one good thing came out of this."


    "And what''s that?" Leonidas tilted her head to the side, lose front curls fanning her cheekbone.


    "I''ve got you all to myself."


    Leonica couldn''t help the small smile that crept up to her lips at his words. "Don''t act like a kid, Owen. I''m not one of your toys you can have to yourself."


    "Oh, but I wish you were." He said and yawned. "That way, I won''t have topete with more people for you''re attention."


    Leonica remained silent at his words, mustering a smile to cover the pink that was tinting her cheeks.


    "Go to bed, Owen. You need rest." She told him.


    "Okay." Owen nodded with hesitance, yawning once more before his eyes fluttered close.


    Leonica stayed in the chair, watching him for a long time, his breathing slowing down and evening out.


    With a sigh, she leaned her head on the edge of the bed, folding her arms like pillows but allowing her fingers to sprawl out, gently touching Owen''s.


    "Goodnight, Owen." She muttered and closed her eyes, surprised at how fast sleep came.


    *~*


    In the morning, when the sun had risen and the birds had begun to sing, literally, Owen''s eyes slowly opened.


    The first thing his blurry vision registered was the sleeping face of Leonica right in front of him. Her head was still lying on the bed, her eyes shut and hershes fanning her cheeks.


    He took a moment to admire her, a small smileing on his lips, and the urge to touch her face overwhelmed him.


    He raised his hand, reaching for her, but stopped just inches away from her.


    "Beautiful." He muttered, admiring the way the golden light of the sun seemed to highlight her face.


    He wanted to kiss her, hold her and keep her all to himself, and he hated the fact that he couldn''t.


    Leonica was too far out of his league. She was the sun, and he, was but a mere, unable to reach her no matter how much he


    wanted.


    And then there were the other obstacles in his path, Gabriel and Arvan namely. But well, he really didn''t have to worry about Gabriel. At first, he worried that Leonica might still have feeling for him, but from the looks of things, it''s clear that she''s gotten over her old feelings for him.


    For New T Stue for A


    Hopefully she doesn''t develop new ones, he thought as his cyes left her face and began to wander, theynded on the hand restingAll content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    between them.


    His gaze softened and the corners of his mouth curved upwards in a small smile. His hand inched closer to hers, the tips of his fingers barely brushing against hers.


    "I love you." He whispered, and his thumb caressed her knuckles.


    Leonica stirred, her brows creasing and her lips parting in a soft groan.


    "Owen?" She mumbled, her eyes slowly opening.


    "Morning, sunshine." Owen greeted, a smile on his lips.


    Leonica blinked, taking a moment to realize where she was before sitting up and stretching.


    "How are you feeling?" She asked, turning to look at him.


    "Much better now that you''re awake." He said and Leonica rolled her eyes.

 Chapter 120

    "That was a cheesy line, even for you." She said and leaned one hand on the bed as support and used her other hand to push his hair out of his forehead while she gently ced hers on his, just like when they were younger. "You''re still warm, are you sure you''re feeling better?" She asked.


    "Mhm," Owen answered, enjoying the feeling of her hand against his skin. "But my head doesn''t hurt as much anymore."


    "That''s good to hear." She said and sat up, her hand leaving his face.


    Owen didn''t miss the way his chest constricted at the loss of contact.


    "How''d you sleepst night? The chair didn''t make your neck ache, did it?" He quickly brought up a small time topic to coupe with the loss.


    "A bit." Leonica admitted, rubbing her neck. "But I''m fine, the pain will go away in a few minutes."


    "Come here." Owen ordered and patted the bed.


    "Huh? What''s with the sudden order?"


    "Lay on the bed. I''ll rub your neck."


    ""You don''t have to."


    "I want to. I''m the one who''s been causing you trouble sincest night. So just this once, please, let me be useful."


    Leonica sighed, knowing fully well that if she continued this way, neither of them were going to do anything eventful. "Alright." She gave in and sat on the bed, leaning forward and positioning her head right in front of his knees. "I''ll start now." He warned, his hand finding it''s way into her hair.


    The feeling was strange.


    Leonica rxed against him, allowing herself to get lost in the feeling of his hand rubbing her neck.


    "Leo." Owen called, his hand stilling against her neck.


    "Hm?" She hummed, opening her eyes and looking back at him.


    Owen looked her in the eye, a serious expression on his face. "Do you know how I feel about you?" He asked.


    Leonica stared back at him, her gaze searching his, looking for the reason behind the sudden question, but found none.


    Now, even though she knew the answer, she looked away and shook her head. "No." Her answer was followed by a quick attempt to change the topic. She wasn''t ready to get two confessions in less than twenty four hours. "Are you hungry?" She asked, getting up. "I''ll go and warm up your porridge."


    "Wait," Owen held her wrist, preventing her from leaving. "You didn''t answer my question."


    "I did." Leonica turned around, looking down at him with a frown. "I told you, I don''t know."


    "But why?" He questioned, his brows creasing. "I''ve been pretty obvious, haven''t I?" Of course he had been...


    But...


    Tu Some For A Kiss


    "Owen," She started, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Have you considered the possibility that you''re in love with the idea of love? Not actually in love with... Me?"


    "What?" He looked at her like she had suddenly grown a second head.


    Leonica stepped closer, ready to exin. "When we were younger, we spent a lot of time together as tutor and tutee, right?" She asked and continued in even though he didn''t give a response. "So, what if your in love with the idea of having that attention and you''re mistaking it for-"


    "I''m not." He interrupted, no,pletely shut her up. "I''m not confused about my feeling, Leonica." He stated sternly. "And this isn''t some phase either. Ever since 11th grade I''ve fallen in love with you and honestly, I''m still falling." Leonica was at a loss of words.


    "And no," Owen added, seeing her mouth part, probably ready to shoot some counter argument his way. "It''s not because of the way you take care of me. Yes, I do like that, and yes, the way you treated me made me fall even more in love, but, that''s not the only reason." Leonica listened, and Owen continued, taking her silence as a chance to voice his feelings.


    "You''re a very beautiful person, Leonica Romero. You''re smart, you''re kind, and you''re strong. You''re the most amazing person I''ve ever met, and no, it''s not because I''ve grown up seeing you, or because we spend so much time together."


    Leonica remained silent, her eyes searching his, trying to find the lie behind his words.


    "And, even if you don''t believe me, can you at least ept my feelings?"


    Leonica looked back at him and her heart ached at the way he looked. Like a kicked puppy.


    "I don''t know Owen. Up until this point I''ve always seen you as a younger brother," Leonica said, the words sounding rehearsed, just like when she gives the excuse of Gabriel being the father of her child and that being the only reason she still associated with him. "I don''t want to ruin what we already have."


    "You won''t." Owen shook his head, reaching forward to take her hand in his.


    "Owen..."


    "I promise." He said. "I''ll do my best, just, please, give me a chance?"


    Leonica sighed and closed her eyes, her hand tightening around his. She was silent for a long time, but when she opened her eyes, she found him looking at her with the same expression as before.


    She couldn''t say no, and even if she could, some part of her didn''t want to. Perhaps it was because she didn''t want to hurt him. When Owen saw the look of hesitancy in her eyes, he added. "You don''t need to give me an answer now." Leonica nodded.


    "Then, for now, I''ll settle for a kiss." He said and tugged at her hand, pulling her forward.


    "A- a kiss?!" She stuttered, sudden heat rising to her cheeks.


    She didn''t have time to react or decline before his hand was at the back of her neck, pulling her down, and his lips met her forehead.


    "I won''t take a real one until you ept my feelings." He promised. "And I don''t think my lips are the ones you''ll want to be kissing anytime soon, seeing how sick I am."


    "Right." Leonica nodded, her voice a bit high pitched, a blush staining her cheeks.


    "For now, just, this is enough." He said and pulled her down once more, cing another kiss on her cheek, just next to the corner of her lips.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Leonica allowed his hand to linger around her neck as he stared into her eyes, smiling.


    "Thanks for giving me a chance, Leo." Owen whispered.


    "Yeah." Leonica responded, the sounding out breathy and weak and when she finally had the strength, she pulled away. "I''ll go heat up the porridge, you need to eat and take your drugs." "Yes, ma''am." He said as she walked out of the room.


    As she walked towards the kitchen, mind between Owen''s confession and what she''d prepare for herself for breakfast, but mostly on Owen''s confession, she heard a knock on the door.


    For Now TH Settle For A KISS


    "Owen, it''s me, Alistair, open up." Alistair spoke through the bell before she could even reach it. When she opened the door, he looked genuinely surprised to see her, obviously not having expected her to stay the night.


    But the surprise on his face instantly fell and he quickly shoved her inside, looking both ways before stepping inside and closing the door.


    "Good morning to you too." Leonica sassed.


    "I apologize for my rude actions, Ms. Romero," He said and bowed. "But please understand that there''s a good reason behind my actions." "And that is?" She prompted, curious as to why he was acting like a wanted criminal.


    Before he could answer, Owen Stepped out. "Alistair, what''s going on?" He asked and Leonica now took notice of the way he seemed a bit edged.


    "The press is at it again, Owen," He confessed, walking towards the television and turning it on.


    "We''re not sure who the woman is, but our sources state that it''s possible Owen has a new lover." The announcer stated, and the screen changed to a video, showing when Owen had hugged Leonica when they met outside the restaurant for the meeting. "The two were caught hugging in the parking lot of the restaurant where an official business meeting was set to take ce, and ording to an insider, they had a private talk in a VIP room-" There was a pause in her statement as someone quickly appeared on the news, giving her new updates. "Ah, yes, we''ve just gotten a new update. Thanks to the testimony of a loyal fan of Mr. Owen Lee, his rumored lover''s identity has just been revealed."


    Leonica and Owen exchanged looks, before turning back, just in time, as the newscaster announced.


    "Her name is Leonica Romero."

 Chapter 121

    Lake Or No Lake, You Mean Nothing To Me.


    Alistair heaved a heavy sigh, his eyes following Owen''s retreating form as he entered his room.


    "He''s too na?ve." He muttered under his breath, his handing up to rub his forehead. "What am I going to do with him?"


    As if his prayers had been answered, his phone suddenly buzzed, and his boss''s name lit up on the screen.


    ''Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.'' He thought, picking the device and answering the call.


    "Yes sir?" His voice was stern, and he stood straight, like he would if he was speaking to him in person.


    "Is the rumor true?" The voice of the CEO of SG Entertainment boomed.


    Alistair flinched at the harshness of his voice. "Not at all." He persuaded, wishing the CEO didn''t hear how his voice dipped when he lied. "You know the press is, Sir."


    The other end was silent and Alistair wiped the bead of sweat forming on his forehead,


    Atst, the CEO spoke. "Give the phone to him.


    His demand caught Alistair offguard, "Pardon?"


    "I know you''re in his apartment, so before Ie over there, give him the fucking phone." He repeated, this time with more venom Alistair swallowed and nced in the direction Owen''s bedroom. Just then, the male''s head stuck out. "Everything alright?" He questioned his manager.


    Alistair hesitated, but knowing what was good for Owen, he nudged the phone towards him.


    "Who?" Owen asked once be understood his gesture. But Alistair remained silent.


    Owen sighed and took the device, bringing it to his ear. "Hello?"


    The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before Owen heard the familiar voice. "Owen, are you having fun? Ruining mypany''s image?"


    Clenching his jaw and unclenching it at the anger brought by the ridiculous question. Owen reminded himself that the CEO of SG entertainment was always one to easily believe rumors and that aside, he needed something from him..


    The CEO of SG entertainment was the very same person he wanted to go and visit. The one person who despised him yet was the only person capable of smoothly fixing this situation


    "Not at all, Sir," Owen replied, his voice calm and collected, aplete contrast to the raging inferno within. "The rumors are just the usual lies the press spreads."


    "Are they really?" The CEO challenged, and Owen gritted his teeth, trying his best to stay calm and collected.


    "They are."


    Silence.


    "Owen, let me remind you, that as the e CEO of the agency, I am fully capable of ending your career with just a snap of my fingers." The CEO''s voice was threatening. "I do not n to let this one slide, sol expect you have a way to solve this?" "Indeed, I do. But we''ll need to see and talk in person." Owen informed, scoffing internally as he knew that request was next to impossible.


    The CEO of SG entertainment was, in his words, always busy. He had no time for frivolous things, or anything as a matter of fact, not even his own blood.


    So, with that being said, it came as a surprise to Owen when said man answered.


    "Alright," His voice was sharp, and the annoyance was clear, but that wasn''t what caught Owen''s attention. It was the fact that he had agreed. "Tomorrow, 6 pin, at my office." "Really?"


    "It that''s what it takes to save mypany''s reputation, then I''m more than willing to make time in my schedule. I hope the n you have, won''t be a buge disappointment, son." And with that, the call ended.


    Owen pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at the ck screen for a long moment before turning towards Alistair who was


    already looking at him with an expression of pity.


    "You okay?"


    The idol, feigning a happy smile, responded. "Of course, why wouldn''t i?"


    Alistair didn''t look the least bit surprise, but he withheld himself from prying further, after all, if there was one thing he had grown to known about Owen, then it was the fact that said Idol didn''t like when people pried into his matter. Especially when it concerned his father, the CEO of S.G entertainment; Taehyun Lee.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Driving from Owen''s apartment all the way to her house, Leonica had seriously pondered the males words


    It came as a surprise to her each time she remembered the feeling of his lips on her forehead and her cheeks warmed slightly.


    She couldn''t believe how bold and forward the younger male was. But then again, he was no longer the same person she had tutored in the library of his mansion.


    Now, Owen was an adult, a rising star who had millions of girls falling for him


    ''Then what does he see in me?" She questioned, pulling into her driveway. Surely there''s a ton of beautiful and talented women around him, and yet, he chose to set his sight on me. A divorcee, with a so!


    She didn''t understand his feelings and couldn''t help but feel guilty, and a bit of disgust at herself that if she entertained the idea of a rtionship with him, she might just as well know that she might be sealing his fate of meeting younger woman. Making a happy family, something she couldn''t achieve.


    With a sigh, she killed the engine and got out of the car, not even bothering to lock it. She made her way towards the door and was instantly weed by the sight of Gabriel leaning against her door frame.


    "Leo, we need to talk"


    Leonica''s eye twitched and she had to hold herself back fromshing out on him. Who did he think he was to just show up at her door. Forget the whole process of helping him regain his memory, his attitude back at the flowery had pissed her off. Instead of exchanging words with him, she brushed past him, typing in the code to her house.


    "No, we don''t." She said as the door opened, and she entered her home, not caring if he followed or not.


    "Leo," He called, and Leonica sighed, turning around and looking him dead in the eye.


    "What? What do you want this time around, huh?"


    Gabriel looked surprised by the sudden tone of her voice, but considering how she had gone off on him back at the flowery, he quite understood.


    It took seconds before the shock wore off soon and Gabriel''s expression turned grim.


    Answers." Came his response.


    Leonica sighed out exasperatedly, cing a hand on her hip. "Answer? Of course you always want answer. But tell me this, is there one thing I haven''t answered?" "Yes, there is."


    "And what is it, humm?" She challenged, head tilting to the side as she awaited his Ludacris


    Had her anger been directed towards someone else and not him, Gabriel would have taken his time admiring how hot she looked in that


    stance


    But sadly, it was, and he didn''t have that time.


    Hesitantly, he began "That day, when I fell into theke,


    2012, we''re you the one who pulled me out?"


    His question caught Leonica off guard. Between the fact that he remembered something from all those years ago that she barely did and the fact that he even remembered something, at all, she was speechless.


    She could only stare at him, mouth agape as her gaze bore into his, looking for any signs of trickery. But, when she found none, her expression crumbled into something he couldn''t quite pin point.


    "You remember?" she asked, muttering a half disappointed ''Oh'' when he shook his head.


    Do I Always Have To Lose To Her?


    Alone, seated on the edge of her bed, Leonica stared down at her feet, watching as they swung back and forth, hearing the sound of her back heels hitting the bed frame, yet her mind wasn''t paying attention to any of it.


    Her mind was reying her conversation with Gabriel and each time it reyed in her head, she recalling the things she had told him, word by word, she bit down on her lower lip, realizing that even though those words had left her mouth in the spur of the moment, they were damn true.


    She had no intentions of going back to her ex husband.


    She had no intention of entertaining any idea of a rtionship with Gabriel


    In the first ce, the main reason she had even considered it, was for Ashley''s sake, but even now, looking at things, she wasn''t sure if that was the best thing for Ashley.


    As it is well known, for a child to grow up well and healthy, they need to be raised in an environment filled with peace and love, something she was sure one of them couldn''t give him.


    And that person, was her.


    The hatred that had festered in her heart that day, five years ago when she woke up and found that he was no where to be seen, yet looked in the mirror and saw all those love bites, made it nearly impossible for her to love him the same way she once had. Coupled with betrayal and loss of trust that she had towards him, she was sure that if she went back to Gabriel, neither she or Ashley would get the happiness that they both deserved.


    Her train of thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone knocking gently on her door.


    "Come in." She called out, facing the door.


    When it opened, Grace stepped in. She remained at the threshold, staring wistfully at her employer.


    Leonica mustered a smile. "Is everything alright?


    Grace nodded, walking further into the room, shutting the door behind her,


    "I heard some noise earlier, is everything alright?"


    "Ah," Leonica lowered her head and chuckled at the embarrassing thought of Grace having heard all that she and Gabriel discussed." Just a little quarrel, that''s all. Nothing serious."


    "Really?" Grace tilted her head, not fully believing her. When Leonica forced a smile, she couldn''t help but ask. "Are you, okay, Madam?


    Leonica''s expression crumbled and her fingers tightened around her bedsheet. The sincerity in Grace''s voice and timing had brought about a sudden wave of emotion that she didn''t realize she had been suppressing ever since returning to Oslo. Grace''s frown deepened at herck of a response, but instead of questioning further, she decided to take another route.


    "Would you like to hear a story?


    Leonica raised her head, and stared at the other woman. Her expression was unreadable, and yet, Grace could see the sadness in her


    eyes.

 Chapter 122

    Without waiting for her answer, the older female slid into the spot beside her. "Long ago, there was a young maiden, She lived with her mother, her father, and her younger brother, in a small vige. She was a bright girl, with a smile that lit up the entire vige and eyes


    that sparkled like stars. People loved her, and everyone wished that their own daughter was just like her.


    "However, fate dealt her a rough hand, making her love the one she wasn''t supposed to. She suffered due to that love, but was willing to continue loving him despite the pain. She gave her all to him, hoping he''d understand and love her back "Sadly, his eyes didn''t see her, but rather, they saw another. And so, she cried and cried, wishing her lover would change


    "One day, when she had finally decided to move on and forget her love, he appeared in front of her and asked for a second chance." There was a pause in the story that Leonica found she had been paying attention to.


    Grace turned to look her in the eyes and with thin lines for lips, asked. "What do you think she did?"


    "She forgave him."


    "Elouis, Interesting du


    answer. Thit not quite."


    "Not quite?"Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Indeed, not quite. Because had the maiden given him a second chance, it would have only brought about more pain for her, wouldn''t it have been? In the end, she realized that and searched for happiness elsewhere." *She found someone else." Leonica muttered, feeling the weight of her words,


    Grace''s lips curved up slightly. "Correct. The maiden found someone new, who had always loved her. Someone who had vowed to protect her and make her happy. She left her past behind and started a new despite all her wounds and burdens." "How did it work out for her?" Leonica asked, searching the woman''s brown orbs.


    "It worked out perfectly." Grace answered with a warm. "So well, that she didn''t even notice when the scars healed and became faint memories." She reached up and patted Leonica''s head, gently, "That can also be you, honey."


    The warmth of her touch was afort to her, as well as a guiding light and the smile that stretched her lips was sincere.


    "Thank you." She muttered, blinking back beads of tears.


    Grace mirrored her smile and hesitantly pulled her in for a hug. Patting her bad, she said. "Anytime Dear, anytime."


    Gabriel drove through the night, his hands tight around the wheel.


    He was pissed, angered and hurt all at the same time, a terrible mix of emotions that had given him an even more terrible idea. But it was toote to think of it that way by the time he was standing face to face with the visitor room of Oslo female prison. With his identity, getting inside the area was an easy feat. Now, as he stood, waiting for his guest, he couldn''t help but question himself..


    Why had hee here, when all she did was hurt him, use him, and cause uncalled for havoc in his life.


    Well, it was simple. He wanted Answers. Answers that he knew Leonica couldn''t give him.


    The sound of the prisoner cell buzzing open pulled him out of his thought. As he looked up, he watched the girl from the picture, as well as articles, Angelina Fernandez, being escorted to the table he sat at.


    But unlike in the pictures, her hair was noticeably shorter and her expression was less innocent and more guarded.


    As the guards cuffed her to the table and left, Gabriel couldn''t help but stare at her, wondering what had drawn his previous self towards her and not Leonica.


    Why had he chosen to torment Leonica because of her?


    "Did you


    "Did youe to mock me?" Angelina spoke, breaking the silence that had settled long enough between them.


    "No"


    "Then what did youe for, hmm?" she asked, leaning her elbows against the That bitch I mean?


    le and searching his eye. "Did she send you here?


    Gabriel tightened his fist, clenching them to stop himself from raising his voice, because he knew the moment he did so, the visit would end and that would mean no answers for him.


    And if he intended to fix whatever shambles of rtionship he had left with Leonica, he needed to get those answers.


    "No." He answered calmly.


    "Oh," Angelina leaned back in her chair. "Then why are you here? Don''t tell me you miss me already."


    If her words were a joke, then it didn''t make Gabrielugh. She sucked bitterly on her inner cheek at theck of effect she now had on him.


    "Why are you here then?"


    "Answers, I want Answers." Gabriel responded, leaning his hands on the table and inching closer. And only you can give them to me." "Answer?" Angelina was confused by his words. "What answers?" "A lot, but let''s start from the basics. Who are you?"


    "I''m me, the


    She blinked at his question, scoffing secondster. "Is this a joke?" Gabriel''s expression remained neutral once more. "I'' Hann¨¦e you dumbed for some trash slut "


    "I don''t have all the time in the world, so answer me seriously." Gabriel pressed.


    This confused Angelina even more. "What the fuck Gabriel? Why the hell are you acting like some pretty college boy meeting his date for the first time?"


    Gabriel frowned at the description, but he didn''t say a thing and the realization suddenly hit Angelina.


    "Wait," she gasped. "Are you fucking serious?" She stared at him, looking for the usual signs of trickery, but all she saw was truth in his eyes. "You don''t remember me?"


    "Would I be asking you questions If I did?" Came Gabriel''s stoic reply. "Now answer my damn Question, who are


    you."


    With a smile on her lips, she ced her hand forward in a handshake gesture, but even that was restricted by the cuffs holding her to the table. "Angelina Fernandez, previous Mrs. Bryce and love of your life."


    Her answer was almostughable, no, it wasughable. Gabriel couldn''t imagine himself making someone like her his wife while Leonica, the mother of his child, wasn''t.


    Pushing that thought aside, he asked, "The


    Angelica''s face brightened up at the mention of the thing that had brought she and Gabriel together.


    "I did." She confirmed, lied, but of course Gabriel didn''t know that.


    Or so she thought


    What had really happened was that Leonica had saved Gabriel, she witnessed him falling into theke and rushed after him. A while after he woke up, dazed and all, she tried speaking to him, but Melvin appeared, informing her that their parents were about to have ber head because she deviated from their original n.


    That of course, was enough to have her rushing away with Melvin, giving Angelina, who had been watching from the side lines, enough time to swoop in and y hero as Gabriel drifted in and out of his drowned state.


    When he finally came to, Angelina saw and that was when his damned obsession with marrying his savoir began.


    An obsession that had regrettably ruined a lot of things,


    But he was determined to set those ruins straight.


    "After I saved you, you promised to marry me as payback and from there, we both fell in love with each other." Angelina exined, sugar coating the rest of the story as sweetly as possible


    The smile on her lips however, faded when she met Gabriel''s gaze and realizes he was giving her that look that said "I know it all." "Your ability to lie sure does amaze me." He said, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head, more disappointed in himself than in her.


    To think he had ruined his math Leonica over someone like her. Heck, he didn''t even need to know her to know that she wasn''t who her visage made her out to be.


    This was the clear example of ''do not judge a book by its c


    "My ability to lie?" Angelina sputtered in confusion.


    cover.!


    Gabriel nodded. "Mm hm, now don''t get me wrong, I''m not saving all you''ve said is a lie, that sounds very much like me," He paused, tilting his head to the side. "But Leonica, the image you just painted her out to be, sounds very far from her." Angelina swallowed, the corners of her lips twitching as she tried to force a smile. "That''s just because you don''t remember who she


    Gabriel was sillent for a few seconds before he said. "Perhaps. But the Leonica I know now, she''s strong willed, yet kind. She can be arrogant and stubborn beaded a few times, but knows when to be angry at the right thing and when to keep her temper down at the wrong things. She beautiful and very far off from the picture you just painted,"


    Angelina couldn''t help but stare at him as he described her rival and at the end, she chuckled, bitterly, and hung her head


    "Do Talways have to lose to her?"


    Gabriel wasn''t sure if that question was me


    meant to be answered by him, so he remained silent. adow seconds before she spoke up again. "Alright. Ask away."


    "What? Gabriel arched a brow at ber

 Chapter 123

    "It''s obvious. Leonica refused to give you answers, didn''t she? You wouldn''t be here if she had. So, ask away, I''ll tell you anything you want to know."


    When Gabriel looked like he was clearly hesitating, she added. "It''s the best form of repentance I can give, isn''t it?"


    1 Really Want To Kiss You


    Gabriel watched as the smoke sizzles in the air, soon disappearing with the winds of approaching summer. His eyes stared ahead, looking aimlessly at the scenery in front of him as he tried to sort out his thoughts.


    It had been more than two hours since his talk with Angelina had ended and he left Oslo''s female prison and might he tells you, all the shit she told him, the shit he had done, did more harm than good.


    With a sigh, he brought the cigarette stick to his lips, and took another puff, watching the smoke rise up into the air.


    "You know, that''s going to kill you." He turned his head at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, raising a brow at the brte who stood a few feet away from him.


    "And you care, why?" He asked, not really in any mood to entertain sympathy from a stranger.


    "Oh, I don''t." The female shrugged. "But," She pointed towards the scenery of a tulips and daffodils garden. "Those little guys, my little


    Buys. don''t deserve to die due to the bad habits of grown men?"


    Gabriel frowned, and looked in the direction she was pointing. For a moment, he could only stare, wondering what the hell she was on about


    "The flowers?" He asked.


    "Yes. I own that garden and that death stick of yours is gonna kill it off if you keep smoking so close to my flowers. So, put that shit out or go else where." She said and walked past.


    Gabriel watched her for a few seconds before sighing and dropping the cigarette to the floor, putting it off with the heel of his boots. She was right, the thought crossed his mind, apanied by another shortly after. And Christian would kill me if he knows I still smoke


    "Why did I think that?'' He questioned his previous thought, knowing that even though Christian was against the idea of him smoking, which only happened rarely when he''s extremely stressed, the older male never really voiced it out.


    Gabriel wasn''t sure if his brain was ying tricks on him or if his memory was starting toe back


    But as much as he didn''t want to get his hopes up, the idea of getting his memories back wasn''t a bad one


    With the cigarette sessfully put out, Gabriel took onest look in the garden''s direction before turning to enter his car, however, just as he pulled on the bandle, a familiar wave of pain washed over his body.


    This time, it wasn''t like the ones he had before, it was a stronger, and much more intense.


    It was the worst headache he had ever experienced, and it made his head feel like a hammer was hitting him from the inside out.


    "Hey, are you okay?" In a second, the brte was suddenly beside him. When he failed to answer and continued to groan in pain, she concluded. "I think we need to get you to the hospital."


    Gabriel didn''t respond, but rather, he tried to hold himself together.


    She fumbled around his pocket, finding the keys to his car, which she admire hortly after she was seated in the driver''s seat and he In the passengers.


    Thankfully, the hospital wasn''t too far away from her personal outdoor garden and it so happened to be the city''s central hospital. They arrived in minutes and as soon as one of the nurses identified Gabriel, they quickly called on Doctor Bailey''s attention. By this time Gabriel was feeling better, able to walk on his own, but nheless, figured it was a good idea to check the process of his


    recovery.


    "Mr. Bryce," The old doctor greeted, taking his sses off and tucking them in the breast pocket of his white coat. "What brings you here, is there something wrong?"


    Gabriel who was seated alone in his office at that time, took the liberty to exin his week to the doctor, so far.


    By the end of the exnation, Doctor Bailey carried out a few examinations and nodded his head.


    "This is good news," He said. "What you are experiencing is called Episodic Memory sh, which means your brain is trying to regain your lost memories, but due to the damage it had suttered, the process is a bit slow. "Does that mean I''ll get my memories back sooner?"


    "I can''t be certain. But it your memory shes have been urring frequently, it''s safe to say that recovery is just around the corner.


    11


    Doctor Dalley shed him a smile.


    "Alright." Gabriel nodded and stood up.


    Doctor Bailey watched as he was about to leave when suddenly asked. "Oh, Have you and Ms. Romero concluded on the conceiving method, yet?


    Gabriel looked over his shoulder, gaze confused. "The what?"


    With that question Doctor Bailey''s mouth formed an ''o'' shape, realizing that Leonica was yet to tell him of this. But the damage was already done and he didn''t intend on hiding anything from Gabriel.


    "Ash.. Ashley, slow down, I know you''re excited to watch a movie with me, but you need to stop running around!" Leonica called out to her son, who was currently running between the kitchen and their backyard, setting up food in the tent they created. Ashley didn''t slow down, even for a second, and Leonica could only sigh, giving up on her attempt.


    "Mommy!" She looked up, spotting Ashley with a box of choctes. "Do we have marshmallows?" "I don''t think so." She answered, smiling at her son. "But we have cooldes, and you love those." Ashley pouted, clearly disappointed, he was about to speak when Leonica''s phone rang "Hey, Owen, what''s up?" she asked after the device had been ced by her near.


    "Nothing much, just wanted to call and make sure you got home safe."


    What a gentleman, she thought, picking up one of the popcorn out of the bowl and popping it into her mouth. She hummed in delight at the taste, munching on another one


    "Mm, yeah, I did. Thank you for worrying"


    "Well, it''s only right." He responded, his smile obvious in his tone. The line was silent for a few seconds before he asked. "So, about what we talked about earlier today..."


    The rest of his words were drowned out by the sound of Ashley zooming into the kitchen to pick up yet another sort of snack, and he repeated yelled ''I want marshmallows'' while doing so.


    "T-is that Ashley?" Owen asked.


    With a sigh, Leonica nodded her head even though he couldn''t see her. "We''re having a movie night. Grace suggested it." She exined.


    "That''s nice."


    "Yeah, she''s probably regretting it by now, he''s too hyper for a five year old." She chuckled, and Owen found himself smiling, because he could just imagine how cute her eyes must look right now, or how beautiful herugh sounded. "Anyways," She dragged out, her smile slowly fading "What were you about to say before that little devil interrupted."


    "Ah, well, I wanted to know if-"


    "Mommy the tent can''t bepleted without the marshmallows." Ashley announced, appearing by her side with his hands on his


    Waist


    Leonica''s expression softened. "But we don''t have that now, sweetie."


    But I really want marshmallow."


    Leonica opened her mouth, about to speak, when Owen Cut her off. "How about I bring the marshmallows over?"


    His questionpletely caught her off guard. "What?"


    "Yes. I''m sure I can find some around here. How about you and Ashley go ahead and start the movie while I get the marshmallows. I won''t take too long, I promise."


    "W-wait Owen, you don''t have to. I can get the marshmallows from somewhere else."


    "Nah, don''t worry about it. It''ll be my honor. And besides, I miss that little one." He said, voice have a more persuasive tone


    Leomica gave in with a sigh, but before that she realized how quick she was to give into Owen''s demands "Min, alright then." She responded, her lips curved up. "You cane over now, I''ll send the address." "Lure thing


    When the call ended, Ashley tugged at her sleeves, forcing her to look down at him.


    "Who was that? Owen? Is heing?"


    Leonica nodded


    Ashley''s eyes lighted up like a bulb. "Really? He''sing?"


    "Mm bm


    "Oh, oh, we gotta make him a pillow, a very fluffy one!" Ashley Saks and rushed off.


    As promised, Owen didn''t take long and soon enough, the bell rang, and Ashley was rushing towards the door.


    He pulled the knob open, revealing Owen who was dressed in a dark blue boodie and ck sweatpants, ck mask and face cap, and a stic bag in his hand


    THE


    "Owen!" Ashley yelled and flung himself into his arms, almost knocking him down.


    Owen hugged him back,ughing. "Hey Ash. It''s been a while, hasn''t it?" He said and raised the bag


    Ashley cheered, snatching the marshmallow and running back into the living room, not forgetting to thank him in the process.


    Owenughed, walking inside and closing the door behind him. He took off his mask, pulling his face cap off and running a hand through his hair.


    "You came just in time for the movie." Leonica''s voice brought his attention to her.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yeah? And what are we watching?"


    Leading him into the backyard, She looked over her shoulder and offered the idol a smile full of mischief. "That''s a secret." "A secret, huh?"


    "Yeah, but I''ll give you a clue. It''s a movie about clowns and res balloons.


    Owen eyes narrowed at her words, and by the time he had pinned down the exact movie she was talking about, they were already seated in the tent, Ashley in the middle and them both on each side of him. "What type of an adult makes a kid watch a scary movie?" shaking his head, Owen stepped out of the tent, following Leonica as she went to retrieve another bowl of pop.


    "I didn''t make him watch it, Ashley picked that by himself." She defended.


    "And you agreed."


    "Why wouldn''t I?" Leonica questioned, pressing her lips together and pushing it inwardly, making her look much younger than she


    was.


    Owen chuckled, running a hand through his hair in a bid to push strands away from his face.


    "Here," Leonica offered her spare scrunchy. "You can use this." She ced it in his hand and turned away.


    Owen stared at the scrunchy in his hand of a few seconds before he boldly asked. "Would you help me tie my hair?"


    "Huh?" Leonica looked at him over her shoulder.


    "My hair." He gestured towards it. "Will you tie it up?" He repeated. "Please."


    Leonica swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She couldn''t help the heat that crept up her face.


    "A-are you sure?"


    "Yes."


    She hesitated for a moment, but the look on his face was so determined, that she couldn''t say no.


    So, with a sigh, she turned around, walked towards him and reached her hand out


    "Come, give it," She said.


    He handed the scrunchy to her and a few secondster, she was behind him, her fingers running through his hair.


    Owen however, caught her wrist, and brought her back in front. "Do it from the front." He requested smoothly, his voice lingering between a whisper and his normal tone.


    Leonica found herself swallowing thickly. "Are you sure? Your hair might get messy."


    "I''m sure." Owen answered determined, keeping his eyes on her.


    She swallowed once more, this time being conscious of the action beforemitting it and nodded. "A-alright then."


    Getting on her tippy toes, she reached behind, hoping that she could pack his hair rather than mess it up.


    Owen''s lips stretched into a smile, but even that faded as she moved closer to him, the smell of her perfume invading his sense. Her hands were in his hair, and he could feel her soft breath fanning against his neck.


    It was driving him crazy, but he didn''t dare move, not when she was this close.


    "There, all done." She muttered, pulling back a bit to check the end result.


    Owen watched her, the way her eyes lit up as she looked him over, and he couldn''t help but admire her beauty, the kind that was effortless, but so beautiful.


    "I did a good job." Shemented, her eyes meeting his.


    Owen''s lips curved up and he ced a hand on her cheek, leaning closer to her forehead.


    "You did, indeed." He praised, nting a small kiss on her forehead.


    Leonica felt her heart skip a beat, and she took a step back, breaking the moment.


    Owen however, seemed unbothered by her action, because the next thing she knew, his face was closer to hers, more than before.

 Chapter 124

    "Leonica," His voice was deep, almost husky, and it did something to her insides. "I really want to kiss you," He confessed. "May i?" She didn''t answer, but the way her lips slightly parted told him all he needed to know. So, he leaned forward, his lips hovering above hers. "This is yourst chance, Leonica."


    But she didn''t back away, instead, eyes searched his seemingly looking for something


    rang


    He leaned in closer, abo


    , about to press his lips on hers when the door bell


    Leonica jumped back, almost bumping her head on the counter top.


    000000


    "I''ll get it." She said, turning around and racing to the door.


    "What the hell was wrong with me?" She mumbled as she reached for the handle, pulling the door open. But instead of a random guest, Gabriel was standing there! Special Halow


    Trest More Cons, More Thrills!


    Gnawing Realizations.


    The first thing Gabriel noticed as the door came open was Leonica''s brightly flushed cheeks, followed by her causal top that had one edge hanging off the side of her shoulder, exposing more skin that he was used to and finally.


    But as tempting it was to stare without much words, or any words at all, Gabriel reminded himself why he had driven for half an hour and stormed his way up her porch, permanently fixing his eyes on her face.


    "What are you doing here?" She sharply questioned, clearly still bitter about their encounter earlier. "Ah," She held up her finger, stopping him just as his lips parted. "And if you''re here to say ''we need to talk'' then unfortunately for you, you''ve not only wasted your time and effort, but also your petrol, because I am not in the mood to talk to you."


    "If you weren''t in the mood to talk to me, then why didn''t you tell me about the aftermath of Ashley''s ident? IVF? Bone Marrow transnt? Nothing." He listed, drilling his gaze into hers when she mmed her eyes shut, for a moment, forgetting that she had not informed him of all that


    came so in and simple that it seemed like she wasn''t going to tell him in the first ce.


    "I forgot" Her answer car


    "You forgot?" Gabriel parroted. "To inform me, his father, about my son''s well-being? How?"


    "Because it was clear to me that you wouldn''t care-"


    "No, you don''t get to decide that for me." Gabriel seethed, taking a step forward. "Don''t I have the right to know? I''m his father, and yet, I had to learn all that from a Doctor." Doctor Bailey, you snitch, Leonica thought.


    "Alright, well now you know. Hope doctor Bailey filled you in on everything." She said and grabbed the handle, intending to close the door.


    Gabriel inserted his foot in the way before she could do so.


    "We aren''t done." Gabriel objected but Leonica insisted.


    "We are Gabriel, now leave." She demanded.


    "Not until we talk about this." He responded.


    "Talk about what?!" Leonica snapped, catching him off guard. "Haven''t for once, thought that I kept it from you on purpose? "And why would you do that? "Because. L Don''t, Want. You. Part. Of. My. Son''s, Lite." She uttered, loud and clear. "With all you''ve done, you really don''t deserve a spot in his life."


    Her words were meant to hurt, they really were, but for some reason, Gabriel found himself chuckling at them.


    "You''re honestly still hung up on the past?"


    Leonica''s eyes narrowed as soon as she heard those words. "What?"


    "You''re not letting go, not even after all these years." He repeated with confide


    "Let go? My pain and trauma should be overlooked because of what? A better wounds?" Leonica asked and watched as he remained silent. But the expression on his face, filled with confidence in all he had just


    ire with the same person who inflicted those said, said all there was to say.


    "Wow," Leonica muttered, taking one step back as he gaze fell to the floor, yet another wave of realization washing over her. Memory or no memory, Gabriel would forever be a dick!


    Now L may have used the Trump card of, "he''s emotionally unavable due to the neglect he received from his parents as a child'', but that was bullshit.


    The her of five years ago would have bought it, but after patiently loving and caring for him for so long, she hade to realize that Gabriel was never going to change.


    "Memory or no memory, you''re really a dick, Gabriel." she muttered but Gabriel was close enough to hear.


    "Not a surprise, seeing as people don''t change by a snap of your finger, nothing ever does." He retorted


    Leonica chuckled. "You''re right and thanks to that, I''ve gotten yet another reason to stop being an idiot, and move on." She smiled, not arral one, but more like an amused one. "Thank you for making me see the light, Gabriel, I''m truly grateful" "You''ll still get to see Ashley, weekly, or whenever your schedule allows it, but anything past that," she shook her head, "No. Not this time around, Gabriel" she said and began closing the door when he once again put his leg there.


    "Wait. Wait" He stopped her, and she looked at him, her gaze piercing and her patience running thin. The look in her eyes, coupled with her words was enough to snap Gabriel out of whatever anger frenzy he had doused himself in while driving to her ce. He swallowed thickly, suddenly feeling like he had realized his audacity, no, not feeling. He had realized his audacity. "Look, I know I am an asshole and I sometimes-" Suddenly, he pauses midway in his speech as Owen''s voice interrupted him. "Leonica, who is it?" The male walked out of the kitchen, a bowl of popcorn in his hand. His steps ceased the moment his eyesnded on the person in front of her.


    Both males exchanged eye contact, Gabriel being the first to speak. "What''s he doing here?" The question was directed towards


    Leonica.


    "It''s my house, I can have who ever I want over." She responded, crossing her arms.


    Feeling a surge of jealousy, Gabriel''s eyes travelled back to Owen once more. He bit the inside of his cheek before scoffing, loudly. " should have known." Leonica frowned at his words. "What?"


    00 00 00 000 00 00


    Gabriel gestures towards Owen at her question. "I may be stupid, but not blind. The articles and supposed rumors, you''re fucking him, aren''t you?" Leonica''s expression remained neutral at his usations, but her bodynguage said it all, she was disappointed in him. A new height of disappointment. And seeing that look was once again enough to snap him out of his jealousy induced state.


    "Leonica="


    "Get out." Her voice was low, calm, but her eyes were saying a different story.


    Gabriel didn''t respond immediately, and that only irritated her even more.


    "Out, before I call the police." She said and reached for the door handle.


    Gabriel however, wasn''t ready to go, not without settling things.


    "Leonica, listen to me would you?"


    "Gabriel Bryce, I said; get the hell out of my house before I call the police!" She snapped, her gaze cold and her voice hard


    Gabriel opened his mouth, about to speak, when Owen appeared beside Leonica,


    "I think it''s best if you leave." He said.


    Gabriel''s jaw clenched, and he stared at the younger male for a few seconds, seriously contemting his next move.


    He wanted to argue it out with Owen, but little movement from behind them caught his attention and without second thoughts, he knew what he had to do.


    "Fine," He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his gaze going back and forth between the two. "I''ll leave. But Leonica, someday, you and I are going to seat by a table and this is going to be a long conversation" *said and walked away. Leonica closed the door, not caring about what he had just said, or rather, ignoring him.


    "Are you okay?" Owen asked, cing a hand on her shoulder.


    She nodded her head and sighed, looking back at him. "I''m fine." From the corner of her eyes, she caught tiny movement followed by the small, almost inaudible sound of sobbing


    She and Owen shared one knowing nce before rushing towards the direction of the noise, a corner leading to the backyard, only to find Ashley seated on the floor, kneels pressed tightly to his chest while the palm of his hand tried to cover his ears. "Ashley," She rushed to her son, kneeling down in front of him. "Honey, what''s wrong?" She cupped his cheeks and lifted his face, her heart breaking at the sight of tears in his eyes.


    "Mommy." He sobbed, throwing himself into her embrace, wrapping his hands around her waist.


    "Why are you crying, Ashley?"


    The five year old sniffled. "You and daddy keep arguing." He whispered, his voice low and cracking.


    Leonica''s heart ached. "I''m sorry you had to see that, but I promise you, we were just having a discussion, not an argument." She tried to exin, not wanting to tell him the whole truth.


    "I didn''t know," Ashley started. "That grown-ups discuss using such scary voices." He exined.


    Leonica pulled back, holding his shoulders and offering him a smile. "Well, not all grown-ups discuss using scary voices, and not all discussions have to end up that way." She exined. "They don''t?"


    She nodded her head. "Mm hm."


    "So is everything going to be alright?"


    Leonica''s gaze shifted for a few seconds, before her smile reappeared. "Of course, honey. Everything will be alright"


    "Promise?" Ashley held out his pinky.


    Leonica stared at it for a few seconds, hesitation shing in the brightvender of her eyes before she booked her finger with his and smiled. "Promise."All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Standing outside, not too far away from Leonica''s house, Gabriel watched the silhouette of Leonica and Owen and Ashley in her arms, through the window binds.


    The scene made him feel jealous, and he wondered if this was how Leanica felt when she had seen him with Angelina.


    But then, his mind drifted towards the topic of IVF and bone marrow transnt and the more be thought about it and Leonica''s bitter response, the more he realized how much of a terrible person he really was or had turned out to be. She hated him that much and that alone angered him for reasons unknown.


    Love, the voice at the back of his mind whispered, bringing his moment of rumination to a halt.


    Love? He loved her?


    That much would make sense considering he got jealous because of those stupid article and rumors and now, when seeing Owen in her house, taking a spot that should have belonged to him.


    He should be there,forting Ashley, and talking to her, but instead, Owen was doing all that.


    "Fuck," He cursed under his breath and walked away, not realizing how close the word ''she hates me'' was gnawing at his insides, tormenting him


    He needed a drink.


    Or maybe, an entire bottle.


    Due to Gabriel''s interference, Movie night had ended sooner than nned for and each individual had retired to their beds, earlier than usual, but surely tired.


    Waking up the next day, Leonica felt more clear headed and realized the first stere needed to take in other to sever ties with Gabriel. After dropping Ashley in school, she headed straight for thepany. Morning, Ms. Romero," Kennedy greeted as she walked into her office. He took a sip from the coffee he had brewed and grimaced at how awful it tasted.


    Had the coffee beans gone bad?


    His thoughts were interrupted by Leonica''s words.

 Chapter 125

    "Take this down to H.R and have it processes immediately." She said, handing him a familiar file.


    The stern tone in her voice had Kennedy curious about the files content, so after dropping off a cup of coffee for her, he peaked into it, surprised to see that she had already signed the termination contract for Bryce Empire that he had given her thest time. "Finally decided on signing the contract, huh?" He muttered to himself and went on to HR to have the processpleted.


    Leonica heard his words, but before she had the chance to respond, her inte began ringing With a sigh, she picked it up, cing it close to her ear. "Romero speaking." She greeted ndly. Gang Ralpationa


    "Ms. Romero, you have a visitor here waiting to see you." The receptionist informed.


    Visitor? Leonica thought, groaning at the thought of Gabriel dragging his ass to her workce and finding herself surprisingly content at the thought of either Arvan or Owen, Owen more than Arvan, showing up.


    But before she jumped into conclusion, she decided to ask. "Who is it?"


    The line was silent for a few seconds before the receptionist spoke again. "She says her name is Irene Rosewood, Ma''am."


    Irene Rosewood, Leonica narrowed her eyes at the name. What was she doing here?


    Trending On The Hot Topic.


    "Ms. Romero, shall I tell her toe back another time?" The receptionist asked.


    Yeah, and postpone her trouble onto another day where she also wouldn''t be in the best mood? Not a chance.


    "No, I''ll see her now. Have her escorted to the visitor''s lounge." Leonica instructed.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    "Understood." The receptionist said and the phone call ended.


    Standing up from her seat, Leonica adjusted her dress, straightened her posture and left her office.


    As she walked into the lounge, the female was quick to notice her.


    "MER B


    Irene called out, the smile on her lips far from polite, not that Leonica cared. "Your empire is quite beautiful."


    Small talk, Leonica rolled her eyes at the obvious attempt, sinking into the chair opposite Irene and shooting her a pointed and very much unimpressed look as she dismissed every effort of small talks and went straight to the point.


    "Why are you here?" Her voice held a tone of indifference, arrogance, one would have mistaken it for had they not known her well enough.


    Irene scowled on the inside, clearly having mistaken the two, and her impression of Leonica a few days ago wasn''t making matters any better


    Just you wait, the thought yed out in the back of her mind, threatening a smile to break to the surface of her face.


    It did, but she quickly masked it as a smile of intrigue. "Direct and simple, 1 like it." She chuckled and crossed her legs, cing her palms on top of her knee. "Well, I have a proposal for you."


    A proposal? Leonica tilted her head to the side, scanning the fake copy from head to toe while wondering what sort of proposal she had. What could a woman like Ireng give her that she already didn''t have? Nothing, so perhaps this was an act


    Well, act or not act, Leonica decided to y along for now. "Proposal?" She asked, trying her best to sound as intrigue as she would truly have been had she ran into the stylish fake in the mall and they two be


    usb business partners.


    Nodding her head, Irene exined with a confusing amount of pride. "Yes. Well, you see, rumor has it that Romero Empire is expanding, opening business in the entertainment sector," She paused and looked at Leonica, expecting some sort of reactions. When she got none, regrettably, she went back to exining. "And It''s yet to get cloth and make up for their soon to be artists. So how about 1." She pointed at herself. "Mypany I mean, supply yourpany with dresses and Make up for seventy percent off, on every purchase and secured five years of cooperation, if you agree to take your paws off Arvan."


    It took everything In Leonica to not bust outughing


    Supply dresses and makeup? To get her to take her paws off Arvan! How funny.


    "Ms. Rosewood," Leonica began but Irene interrupted her with a smile she could never imagine herself having


    "Call me Irene." She said in an overly friendly manner.


    "Ms. Rosewood," Leonica repeated, very much wanting to keep the fo... someone who has such a nasty attitude.


    ties. She had no intention of being buddy buddies with


    "Mypany doesn''t need the help of a fashion line like yours," She exined very much aware of Iran''s small time fashion line. After their first meeting at Arvan''s house, Leonica had done her research, wanting to know who the woman was that she constantly kept asking "do you know who I am? After much discovery, she found out that the only notable title she had was that of being Arvan''s ex wife. Apart from that, she was just one of those try hard wannabes who had infinite amount of resources to spend on a business that didn''t look like it had any sort of future.


    And yet here she was, trying to kill two birds, getting her away from Arvan and improving her fashion line''s reputation with Romero''s empire''s influence, with one stone, a seventy fucking percent discount


    Who the fuck told her money was a problem? Or partnership for that matter? And most of all, who put that Ludacris idea into her head that her fashion line was worthy enough to be backed by herpany?


    All this made Leonica snicker, and Irene''s expression fell into a frown, one that had Leonica smiling even wider. "No, thank you, Ms. Rosewood."


    "No thank you?" Irene parroted, a scowl appearing on her face.


    "I''m not interested in cooperating with your brand. Firstly, Small time brands like yours would only be a stain on Romero Empire''s reputation. Secondly, my empire has no need for such a poor, weak and unreliablepany like yours, and thirdly, Arvan doesn''t belong to you or anyone for that matter, so whatever your belief is, for wanting me away from him, you can leave it behind, I have no Intention of staying away from Arvan. He''s my friend."


    Friend, Irene thought, the scowl on her face growing deeper as she remembered what Arvan had told her the other day after he returned from escorting her.


    He had every intention of pursing Leonica and it was none of her business and neither could she do anything about it.


    Between that, and the fact that he had left her alone, to escort that tramp seating in front of her, Irene Rosewood wasn''t sure which made her angrier.


    "You don


    want to take this road, Ms. Romero," She began, dropping the entire fa?ade of a friendly business approach. "What happened to sympathizing with me as a fellow wife?" She tilted her head to the side.


    Leonica remained silent, only speaking when she dimmed it fit. "Is this all you came to see me for? If yes," She stood up and adjusted her dress. "Then I''ll take my leave."


    Just as she turned around to leave, Irene called out. "Wait." Loolding over her shoulder, Leonica watched her stand up and adjust her dress, actions very simr to hers. "For the sake of we both being women, I advice that you take my offer. Honestly I don''t care if you don''t take the business offer, it means little to me, but Arvan.. Arvan, I love him and have to be with him."


    "You''re his ex wife." Leonica deadpanned, eyes squinted.


    Irene gave a half hearted shrug, "Things happened. We needed space, not anymore. But, now you''re in the picture, ruining our only chance of getting back together. So, I''ll ask this one more time, will you stay away from Arvan?"


    "Not when it''s you asking. Him, sure, but you, I don''t think so." Leonica said and watched as Irene''s expressionpletely turned nk


    "Is that so?" she muttered. "Well, now I can''t say I didn''t try." Walking past, she purposely bumped shoulders with Leonica, stopping when thetter chuckles at her audacity. "Oh, and Ms. Romero, I see you''ve been trending on the hot tople as ofte, you sure it isn''t going to affect thispany of your?" Leonica shed her a confident smile. "It''s nothing I can''t handle."


    Nodding her head, Irene responded. "I see. Well, from my point of view, it seems to me like you''re going to be trending longer than either of us expected." She said while shing a loop side smile.


    With that, she walked away, leaving a very confused Leonica standing there, trying to figure out what the hell her words meant


    Walking into her office, Leonica shook her head, hating all those cliffhanger sentences. It reminded her a lot of what Angelina had said during her visit.


    She was still going to get her revenge.


    How? Leonica couldn''t help but ponder as she weaved through the work on her desk. By the time she hadpleted half of it, it was lunch time.


    She heard a knock on her door and looked up, expecting Kennedy to step in holding snack bars and a cup of fresh coffee for her. He stepped in alright, but he came in empty handed. "Where are they?" Leonica questioned the absence of her usual treats. She was about to speak again when she noticed the tablet in Kennedy''s hand and took notice of the expression resting on his face. She looked between the tablet and him and without asking, knew the answer. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she sighed ou


    Pissed, Leonica was, but she was also impressed.


    In the short two or so hours since Irene had left, she had found a way to post a voice recording of the conversation they had just had, editing parts where she sounded like the bad person and inputting pre recorded voices that made Leonica sound like the Viiness. Now, a majority of people had their doubts, not believing the whole thing was real, but others believed it and had no throwing shade her way, especially those of Owen''s fans who didn''t hesitate in calling her a two timer.


    "That conniving Cunt," She muttered, her brows creasing and her grip on her phone tightening.


    Beside her, Kennedy asked. "What should we do, Ms. Romero?"


    o issue with


    Previously, Leonica would have chosen for stay quiet. B


    4. But for so


    some reason, today she didn''t want to stay quiet.


    Trending On The Hot Top


    "Set up a press conference," She said, pinching the bridge of her nose at the thought of having to stand in front of so many people again


    "I understand." With one swift nod, Kennedy left to do the task assigned to him.


    The moment he was gone, her phone began to ring. She didn''t hesitate to pick it when seeing it was a call from Arvan.


    "Your wife paid me a visit today, Arvan." She teased, already knowing why he was calling


    "Ex wife," The senator corrected. "And why didn''t you inform me of this earlier?" He asked in a hushed tone, the sound of questioning paparazzi and shing camera lights nearly drowning his voice.


    "She was harmless, or so I thought." Came her defense. She could already imagine Arvan shaking his head.


    "Irene is far from harmless. She''s not the criminal type, but would do whatever it takes to win." He informed. "Do you have a way you want to take care of this?"


    "Already thought of that." Leonica responded. "Press conference."


    "Just finished one myself, but I wouldn''t mind being there. Two heads are better than one."


    Leonica opened her mouth the refute when she realized that Arvan being present for the press conference might actually help.


    "You''re right. If it''s not too much trouble, you cane around."


    "Anything that concerns you is never trouble for me. I have to go now, but be sure to text me the time. Bye Leo."


    "Bye." She said and the call ended, turning her head in the direction of her door when she felt like someone was watching her. But the only thing she saw was the stilling movement of her keychain holder and the cold cracked open ever so slightly. Six o''clock the next day hade like math period to high school teenager and before he knew it, Owen was seated in Tachyun''s office, watching as the man, his father, poured then both a cup of whiskey before settling down, passing him a cup.


    "Rumors after Rumors," He shook his head, tutting in a way that Owen didn''t like. "Is this who you want to ruin your career for?" "Don''t talk about Leonica that way, you doing know her like I do."


    Taehyung was silent for a few seconds before asking "Tell me then, what was that brilliant n of yours? The one you sounded so eager to share yesterday?" With his gaze on Owen, he waited,


    Bracing himself for the now or never moment, Owen spoke. "I''m leaving S.G entertainment, Sir." Taehyun''s face slightly crumbled, but Owen continued. "But before I do that, I''d like to release onest speech to my fans as Owen Lee of SG entertainment, the person they know." "And how would this benefit me? You honestly think I''d let you go so that you can ruin this career you''ve built over some girl?"


    "Don''t talk about her that way!" Owen snapped before he knew it, but he quicklyposed him. "Leonica means a lot to me. She took care of my a lot while you and mom were busy fighting your way through divorce." He spat thest words, still hating the fact that his mother had left his father for her cousin


    "So what, you want to return that little favor with the downfall of your career?"

 Chapter 126

    "No. Don''t you get it, I love her, okay, I really do, Dad. And whether you give me that permission I''m going to release that speech. Owen stated sternly.


    "You''ve grown to challenge me?" The frown on Taehyun''s face slowly disappeared. "I was starting to wonder where those balls you got from your mother went." He said, confusing Owen


    Leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, he looked Owen deep in the eyes and asked with all seriousness. "I''ll grant your request, but as you know, this world is all about give and take, are you ready for what''s gonna be taken from you in other for you to give that - Speech?" Owen didn''t hesitate. He didn''t need a moment to think, because he knew whatever he lost, whatever he had today, it was all because of Leonica


    He had pushed himself to the limit to impress her and only got here because of her. So he could just a everything back


    ""Yes." He answered in an every ready tone. "I''m ready."


    as well see this as giving


    Bitter Taste Of Defeat.


    e press and their paparazzi has flooded into the conference venue the moment word of a conference from


    Like hunger driven pests, thep


    Leonica was released.


    Sitting in the lounge, a few feet away from the stage, Leonica listened to the chatter of the crowd, their voices muffled by the sound proof wall and closed door.


    "Five minutes still we make a statement," Kennedy announced, pacing the room with his tablet, sometimes having to bark orders at the staff present.


    "Are you nervous?" A voice whispered close to her ear.


    "No."


    "She answered and turned her head to the side, locking eyes with the familiar brown ones of Arvan''s. "I''ve had to face worse." Arvan smiled at her words, his expression softening. "True." He said, slipping into the chair beside her. "So, what do you intend to say? "What is meant to be said. The truth. Nothing but the truth''


    "Sounds good."


    minutes, we have to move, Ms. Romero, Mr. Richardson " Kennedy said, pointing his hand towards the door.


    "Alright, two mi


    Taking in a deep breath, Leonica exhaled sharply and stood up, keeping her mind calm and clear as she followed behind the staffer, Arvan right behind her.


    The moment she stepped foot on the podium, her ears were greeted by the voices of reporters and the shuttering of cameras,


    "Is it true that you''re seeing Owen Lee?" One re


    reporter asked.


    "What is your rtionship with Arvan Richardson?" Another reporter asked, soon turning towards the said man who was standing beside her. "Senator Richardson, care toment on the rumors circting around you and Ms. Romero? The voicing recording released earlier was it true?"


    As the conference room began to get noisy, Leonica raised her hand, silencing the room without even needing to raise her voice.


    "How about we all do this the civil way? One person at a time, one question at a time and I promise, I''ll answer all your questions to the best of my abilities."


    Her response was met with silence and she nodded her head, a small smile appearing on her lips. "Perfect. Who''s the first person?" "Me." A hand went up and Leonica pointed at them, the young female standing up, a microphone in her hand. "You and Owen Lee were recently spotted together at a restaurant and you two were acting close. What''s the nature of your rtionship?"


    Leonica thought about that answer for a few seconds, humming, before answering "Owen and I are close. We lived next to each other when we were kids, but unfortunately, he moved away and we lost contact, and now that he''s back, we''re simply trying to catch up on all the moment missed."Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Does that mean there''s intention of a rtionship between you two?" She pressed on and despite the fact that Leonica knew she had said one question per person, she took the initiative to answer.


    "That''s more of a private question," She began and chuckled. "But as ofte the press seems to know more about my life than I do. So what''s the harm in answering." As she paused, all their ears perked up, hands ready to write or record whatever Leonica may say." I''d be lying if I said there was no intent of such Owen and I, we''re both grown adults, so if we wish to have a rtionship, then I don''t really think anyone has the right to question that"


    The reporter''s eyes widened at her response, but her attention was immediately grabbed by the next person raising his hand.


    "How about you and Senator Richardson, what''s the nature of your rtionship?"


    Their rtionship? Leonica nced at Arvan who offered her a smile and stepped forward to speak before she could


    *Leonica and I were nothing more than friends. Close ones who really enjoy hanging out in each other''s presence despite social media and the press''s attempts at painting us as a couple. So rest assured, we''re not, nor are we going to be. Anything like that." He ended his speech with a smile and stepped back


    "Next question." Leonica spoke, p


    pointing at the nex


    person


    And just like that, the questions continued toe, Lronica answering them one by one and settling the rumors I


    Meanwhile, on the other side of Oslo, Camera lights and Press microphone pressed equally close to Owen''s face as he too drew his speech to a close.


    "As my fans, I understand you all care for me, love me. I appreciate that and love you guys just as much, but that I won''t because of that, change the way I speak, dress and deny my personal feelings. As an idol, I''m very much aware that it''s part of my job, but as a person, and a man, I want to live freely, I can''t do that under S.G Entertainment and for that, I want to say a big thank you, for helping me get where I am today, but now, it''s time for me to take the next step. So, with that, I''m ending my contract with S.G Entertainment effective immediately and will no longer be performing under thepany, but I hope that you guys will continue to support me, in the future. Thank you."


    His words were followed by a wave of murmurs and shouts of his fans, most of which were sad that he had chosen to end his run with S.G entertainment, but they also understood his decision, and cheered for him nheless.


    Owen looked at the people surrounding him, smiling and bowing as he was bombarded with more questions, Owen realized that solving his problems were easier than he thought.


    Not all his fans were crazy enough to spray paint gates or send threat messages.


    Not all his fans would ept his feelings for Leonica, but the ones that did, those were the ones he truly cherished and called his fans.


    "Alright everyone, that''s enough. He''ll answer any remaining questions another time. Thank you." Alistair said and lead him off the stage, the reporters following behind.


    Owen stopped walking and turned around, bowing his head once more. "Thank you, for being so understanding." He said and walked away, leaving the press behind, wondering what Owen was nning next "That went better than expected." Alistair said, the two of them walking out the back door.


    "Of course." Owen answered with a smile. The smile however, faded when he saw another car that wasn''t his, parked outside and the person resting on it.


    Gabriel.


    "What is he doing here?" Alistair muttered, half awed to see Gabriel in person and half confused.


    "Wait here." Owen instructed instead of answering and walked up to the car. "What are you doing here? Not one fans


    Gabriel chuckled unamused, shaking his head. "No. I''m here to talk to you about something"


    "About what?


    "Leonica." He responded, the name alone was enough to gain Owen''s full attention.


    "What about her?"


    Pushing himself off his car, he stepped closer, pocketing his hands. "I need you to stay away from her."


    Owen scoffed at his words. "And why would I do that?"

 Chapter 127

    dragging it back to the article of she and Owen that had been released.


    "Because if you don''t, she''ll keep getting in trouble, dragged into scandalous trends because you''re included in them. This one for example." He said, bringing out his phone and showing the post of Leonica''s conversation with Irene, and how people constantly kept "She''ll keep getting in trouble, and the media won''t leave her alone. Not until you two stop meeting up. So, please, just stay away from her, for her sake."


    Owen stared at him, wondering why the fuck he was talking about her like she was his, or his girlfriend, when she was his ex. "I''m not going to stay away fr


    from her." Owen spoke, his eyes narrowed. "Not for you, not for the press and not for the people " Gabriel bit the inside of his jaw and sighed. He had expected this much.


    ""You''re going to ruin her life. He uttered.


    "I''m not you," Owen''se back stunned him speechless. "And that''s not for you to decide. Leonica''s a grown woman, I''m sure if she knows I''m bad news, she''s know what to do."


    And with that, he turned around and walked back to Alistair, not for once bothering to look back.


    With her conference drawn to a close, Leonica''s next task was to finally have the spray paint on her gate taken care of.


    As she ryed the message to Grace, the sound ofmotion from down the Hall caught her attention.


    "oh would you just stop it already!" Arvan eximed and as Leonica drew closer, she realized he was speaking with another person,


    a female.


    "Arvan, I''m your wife." The woman argued and it took Leonica a few seconds to realize the voice belonged to none other than Irene Rosewood.


    "Ex wife," Arvan corrected her, sighing as he did, "Irene, we''ve been through this so many times. You left me, remember? Because of your cheating ways. Don''t pretend like you weren''t the one who left. And even after everything, I was willing to take you back. But what did you do?"


    He paused and looked her In the eye. "You tried swindling me of my fortune. And now you have the audacity to show up here, demanding that we get back together."


    "You can''t be serious!" Ireneughed out loud. "Do you really expect me to believe that''s your reason for not wanting to take me back? You''re not a lid, Arvan. You should know how to handle your emotions at this stage."


    "My emotions?" Arvan shook his head. "There''s nothing you can say that can make me feel the slightest amount of affection for you. Irene''s lips formed into a thin line. "And why is that? You don''t love me anymore, or have you found someone else?"


    "None of your concern." He responded, taking his attention away from her and cing it on the one walking towards them.


    "Is it because of her?" Irene sneered. "She''s a no good home wrecker. Why would you want someone like her?"


    Arvan was quick to snap. "Shut your mouth, Irene. Don''t ever speak of her that way." He stepped forward and lowered his voice. "I''m going to give you onest chance, take your shit and get out of our lives. Or else." The rest of his words trailed off but Irene knew the meaning.


    It was a threat and Arvan wasn''t one to take lightly when he threatened someone.


    With the taste of defeat bitter in her mouth, Irene red at both Arvan and Leonica before storming off.


    "Are you okay?" Leonica asked.


    Yeah, sorry about that. I thought the security would have handled her before she made it inside."


    Leonica shook her head. "It''s alright, there no need to apologize."


    Nodding his head, he quickly changed the topic. "The conference went well." He pointed out and Leonica nodded.


    "It went perfect. Thanks to you, my close friend." She said and extended her hand


    Arvan looked down at it, chuckling at the words before talding her hand. "d I was of help. By the way, I''ll have to leave now, something urgent came up. Take care, Leo. We''ll speakter."


    "Bye." She said, waving him off and fetching her phone out of her pocket atter feeling it vibrate.


    She smiled slightly when seeing the caller. "Hey Owen."


    "He saw your press conference. You did awesome." He praised.


    Leonica found herself blushing slightly. "Thanks."


    "Well, I also have good news. I terminate


    my contract With S.G entertainment. I''m officially free to be your Idol, and date you."


    She chuckled at his words, biting the inside of her jaw as she fought the blush that threatened to spread.


    "Idol? Are you sure you''re not just bing a normal guy?"


    "Nope. I''m st


    ""That''s not a lot


    your idol. Your number one idol"


    "Ouch" Owen muttered,ughing after. "So, now that all that is out of the way, how about a date. You and me?"


    A date? She thought, a smile unconsciously making it''s way to her lips.


    "What do you say? Owen repeated, wondering why the line was silent.


    "Hmm, fine." She finally answered "When?"


    "Tomorrow, Six Pin, I''ll pick you up."


    "Fine"


    Enter Taste Of Defeat


    "Okay." Owen responded, not wanting to cut the call, but doing so anyway. "I''ll see youter,


    "Bye, Owen." She responded, cutting the call and sighing to herself.


    For a moment, she was able to forget her problems and focus on the things she wanted to. And that thing was true happiness. Ironic how she only felt that when she was around Owen. Special Halloween Treat: More Coins, More Thrills!


    Date At A Ballet Theatre.


    When 6pm the next day came, Leonica was dressed and ready, all dolled up with the help of Anastasia and Ashley. So she didn''t mind when Owen showed up live minutes earlier.


    As she stepped out of her house, dressed in a sun yellow off shoulder gown, her hair cascading down her back and shoulders in beautiful waves, and a simple silver watch and ne of matching color with her gown, Owen was struck speechless by her beauty, "Is that a new look or are you just trying to impress me?" Owen asked, a smirk on his lips as he approached her.


    Leonica chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Don''t get too cocky Owen, I promised you a chance to swoon me, not a free gate pass to keep


    heart."


    cing his hand out for her to take, he said In a smooth tone. "Who said I wanted a free pass? I''ll earn it, no matter how long it takes.


    "Yeah?" She shot him a questioning look as she slipped her hand into his, whitece gloves reducing the skin contact, but the warmth was still there. "Well good luck with that."Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I won''t need it." Owen responded and lead her to his car, opening the passenger side for her.


    Leonica thanked him and got inside, watching as he ran to the driver''s side and climbed in, starting the car and driving off.


    "So where are we going?" Leonica questioned, turning too look at him.


    The responded, his gaze on the road.


    "You''ll see when we get there." Was all he responded, his gaze on the road.


    Chuckling silently, Leonica turned her attention back to the front, humming silently as the car drove on.


    "We''re here." Owen''s voice cut into her thoughts, drawing her attention.


    Looking out the window, she found the familiar sight of a newly opened ballet Theatre.


    "A theatre?" She mused, stepping out as Owen held the door open for her and offered his hand.


    Leonica dly took it, a soft smile on her face


    Owen returned the smile and led her inside the Theatre, a few people giving her a second look, recognizing her and Owen from their pictures in the tabloids.


    Ignoring the stares and whispers, Leonica took the opportunity to examine the interior of the ballet Theatre.


    Olden structure littered every curve and corner, along with the grand stairs in the center that had huge Roman statures on each side, it gave the theatre a Go''s Romanian kind of look. Candle like light sticks brightened up their path as they walked up to the reception, Owen handing in two tickets and being handed a key and a map.


    After asking for directions, they made their way to the room where they were to watch the ballet, finding it empty and only having one row of chairs,


    A private viewing


    Leonica nced at Owen.


    This had to cost a fortune.


    "What? Is it too little?" He questioned when having noticed her stare.


    Leonica immediately shook her head, her hand tightening around his. "No, not at all." Gently, her grip released and she smiled. "This is perfect, thank you."


    He smiled at her and they sat down, the lights dimming and the ballet beginning.


    As the curtains opened, Leonica''s attention was instantly stolen by the dancer and her partner on stage.


    She was beautiful and talented.


    "They''re amazing "She murmured, eyes The Country'' song


    not once leaving


    once leaving the stage as she watched them dance to a rhythm akin to "Chemtrails Over


    "I know. Owen replied and turned his gaze


    gaze to her. "And I''m d you''re enjoying it."


    Leonica gave him a smile and a nod, her attention shifting back to the dancers as the began to look even more talented with their skills.


    e music approached it''s climax and the dancers


    Owen continued to look at her, smiling softly as he did, watching the way the light and shadows yed across her face, illuminating her eyes and her smile, the sparkle and joy in her eyes as she watched the dancers, and the way the corners of her eyes crinkled whenever a particr action on stage brought augh to her.


    She was gorgeous, and he wouldn''t trade her for anyone else in the world.


    When the ballet came to a close, the curtain dropping and the lights turning on, Leonica stood up and pped, cheering for the dancers and their performance,


    "Thank you!" She spoke into the microphone, smiling when hearing the apuse that followed.


    As the staff came to clean up, the two of them left the Theatre, deciding to end their night by grabbing dinner.


    Thankfully, the theatre had a diner just below.


    As they sat down, a waitress rushed towards them, giving a dignified bow before passing the menu leaflet to each of them and asking after a while.


    "What would you like to have?"


    While Owen settled for a simple steak dish and red wine, Leonicabed through the menu, eyes fleeting between the shrimp dish and a simple te of sd that she knew after all the junk she had eaten back in the theatre, she''d most definitely need.


    But again her better judgment, she opted for the shrimp dish, shing the starring waitress a polite smile as she ced her order. "There stares are so obvious." She muttered, shifting in her seat as she tried to ignore their probing eyes.


    Owen reached across the table, cing his hand over here and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Are you ufortable? Should we leave?" "No. No!" She quickly objected, feeling the urge to turn her hand palm up and when she did, the faint feeling of Owen''s hand entwining with hers felt nice. "We shouldn''t cut our date short just because of what others think. Plus, I can tell you''ve worked hard for this date, I don''t want it ruined."


    ore with


    excitement thatfort.


    A wide grin bloomed on Owen''s face and her squeezed her hand tighter, this time more


    I you say so." Just as those words left his mouth, the waitress came back, cing each of their desired meals on the table.


    Leonica took the first spoon of the shrimp pte, humming in great delight when the meal hit desired spot. Yeah, she definitely wasn''t gonna regret ditching thes


    of sd.


    "So, where should we go on our second date after this?" Owen asked, focusing on the steak as he sliced through it. Leonicaughed, the sound nearly being lost in the low him of another ballet show that had started shortly after they left.


    "Second date? What makes you so sure you''re going to be getting a second date?"


    "Cause the first one seems to be a sess." He boasted. "Am I wrong?" He asked when Leonica chuckled.


    She looked up at him, silent for a few seconds before spealing "No, no you''re not.


    He offered her a tooth smile and returned to his meal.


    How pleasant, Leonica thought as she too returned to her meal. As they both ate, sharing small conversations here and there, Leonica wondered when was thest time she had felt so happy, so at p


    t peace.


    Thest time, was probably when she saved a dog on a beach and fell in love with Gabriel. That feeling of peace and happiness as she discussed with him and felt her heart sing a sweet melody, was currently the same feeling she was having Only this time, it was mixed with a little seed of worry.


    This feeling of peace she was experiencing, how long would itst.


    The theatre, meal and a stop at a cotton candy shop for desert was all that it took to seal the deal on there date. By the time, Owen had pulled up in the driveway of her house, Leonica felt extremely content with the way their date had gone. "Well, thank you " She began, unbuckling her seatbelt and turning to face him. "For a great evening, the ballet, the food, the cotton candy. Thank you"


    Owen shrugged, the grin on his face widening. "I told you, it''s all to make you swoon."


    Leonica stared at him, biting her bottom lips to stop herself from smiling. The action quickly caught Owen''s attention


    "What are you thinking?" He asked, eyes


    es not for once leaving her lip.


    "Just about how much of a great time I had today. Thank you, really."

 Chapter 128

    "Yeah, no problem. You want me to walk you to your door?


    Leonica''s eyes narrowed at his question and she chuckled. "I''m not a woman who can''t handle herself, Owen:"


    He raised his hands in defense, a softugh leaving his lips. "I didn''t mean it like that."


    "Uh-huh, sure "She hummed, the smile still not leaving her lips as she opened the door.


    But despite her initial words, Owen was out of his car and beside her in second, walking her to her door.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Well, here''s my door." She stated, turning around and leaning against the door.


    "Hmm, that''s right." Owen answered and stepped closer. "


    "So..."


    "So." Leonica mimicked, feeling heat creep to her cheeks once she took notice of their body proximity. Owen bit the inside of his jaw, the anticipation killing him slowly.


    He was nervous, and he had every right to be.


    He didn''t know if Leonica was ready for a kiss, and if she was, was he?


    Yes, he was, he''d been wanting to kiss her ever since the moment he saw her dressed in that yellow gown.


    He could smell her intoxicating scent, could see the sparkle in her eyes and her blush, but still, he hesitated.


    "I''m not


    sure if this is the right moment, or if I''ll regret it, but fuck this is killing me.


    He breathed, the rest of his words were mumbled, the sentence barely reaching Leonica''s ears.


    "What is?" Leonica asked, the blush on her cheek turning from pink to bright red when Owen stepped closer.


    He said, cupping her face and gently pulling her into a kiss, a kiss that started out hesitant, but quickly evolved to something more passionate and needy, and much to his surprise the kiss was reciprocated.


    It started out hesitantly her movement stalled by surprise, but as things went on, Leonica hooked her fingers on his waistcoat, unconsciously pulling him closer as if her body demanded it.


    The taste of the cotton candy was still on their tongues, mixing and intertwining, as the kiss deepened.


    His arms moved, slipping around her waist and holding her close, feeling the warmth of her body, the silkiness of her dress and the softness of her lips.


    Leonica felt like she was drowning, her head light as a feather and her heart racing like a wild horse.


    She felt breathless, unable to think and the only thing running through her mind was Owen,


    For the first time in a long while, the only thing she could think of was a man, who she suddenly felt the need to be with.


    When they both broke the kiss, Leonica''s hand slipped down from his waist coat, resting against his chest as they both stared at each other.


    "I guess this is where we say goodnight." Owen whispered, the sound barely above a whisper.


    "Hmm." Leonica hummed, licking her lips as they still tingles from the kiss.


    "Then, goodnight, Leo." He said, giving her onest quick kiss on the lips, before he backed away.


    "Goodnight, Owen." She replied, waving him off before disappearing behind the door.


    She pressed her back against the door, her knees feeling like jelly and her heart thumping against her chest.


    Did that really just happen?


    Did he really just loss her and she enjoyed it?!


    Her finger touched her lips, the memory of their kiss fresh on her mind and a small smile formed.


    "Fuck."


    "Puck indeed!" Anastasia''s sudden voice made Leonica flinch, her skeleton nearly leaving her skin.


    "Jesus Christ, Anastasia! You scared the hell out of me." Leonica whispered, clutching her chest and staring wide eyed at her friend.


    "Yeah, but not as scared as you would be if you saw what I just saw." Leonica''s fright was quickly reced with embarrassment and her cheeks once again burned.


    "Oh my God, Anastasia." She whispered, covering her face with her hands and sliding down to the floor.


    Anastasia crouched down beside her, a smile on her lips. "So, how was the kiss? Was it magical, breathtaking? Did you see fireworks?" Leonica''s response was to groan, her body falling over andnding on her side. "Okay, okay." Anastasia chuckled, helping her up. "I won''t pester you. But I''m so d the date went well."


    Leonica smiled. "Yeah, where''s Ashley?"


    "Knocked out." She said and Leonica smiled. "I''m so happy for you, Leo." She pulled her friend into a hug. "So, happy."


    "Thank you." Leonica responded, squeezing her friend tighter..


    "But remember, I''m your best friend and as such, I deserve a full recount of everything that happened. Every detail."


    Leonicaughed, pushing her off. "We''ll talk tomorrow. I''m exhausted, and my feet hurt."


    Anastasia nodded and let her go, grabbing a few of her things before bidding her friend goodbye. Leonica waved her off with a smile on her lips.


    But as soon as she was gone.


    gone, the smile faded.


    She was happy, ecstatic even, but that was the thing. Each time it seemed like she was content with life, fate always deals her a high card and right now, amidst the feeling of bliss roaming her stomach, a nagging feeling was making it''s home. And no matter how much she tried to shake it, it was still there.


    "I hope whatever I''m feeling is wrong"


    The One Pulling The Strings.


    That one eerie feeling, did, in fact not go away.


    That was the first and probably the only thing Leonica took notice of as she woke up.


    Staring at the ceiling, she once again tried to reassure herself, giving a short speech to herself. Telling her mind that she was only feeling this way because of the temporary happiness Owen provided to her life yesterday.


    Speaking of happiness, she thought, vividly recalling their date yesterday and how it had ended. She blushed and quickly hopped out of bed, hoping to distract herself from the heat rising to her check as she got about her daily routine.


    ild in be


    It was a Saturday morning, so thankfully, she didn''t need to wake Ashley up for school. Leaving the child in bed and leaving Grace with the responsibility to prepare breakfast as usual, Leonica took a refreshing bath and got dressed in afortable work wear, intending of going into work today to finalize things with the entertainment sector of herpany and make Owen an official employee of that


    sector.


    With the way things were going, she could have beaten her chest and proudly announced that all her problems have been solved. But it didn''t quite feel that way.


    The fu


    turning feeling in her gut that refused to dissipate, made it feel like there was danger lingering around, somewhere.


    Her thoughts were immediately dismissed when her phone rang


    Picking it up, she smiled softly, "Good morning, Owen."


    "Hey Leo." He greeted, the smile in his voice was loud and clear. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"


    Leonica shook her head. "No, not at all. I was getting dressed"


    "Dressed?"

 Chapter 129

    "Yeah. I''m going into the office." She said, an idea suddenly popping into her head as she spoke. She hesitated, but after a second long pep talk, she spat it out. "Wanna meet us and grab some breakfast?" "Breakfast?" She nodded her head, knowing fully well that he couldn''t see her.


    "Yeah." As she waited for his answer, she bit down on her lower lip and tapped her finger on her thigh.


    "Mhm, that sounds like a great n." He responded, and just like that, she felt the air in her lungs return. "Would it be okay for me to pick you up from the office?"


    "Yeah, yeah that can work."


    "Alright. Two hours, would that be okay?"


    "Yes, that would be perfect."


    "Alright. Leonica whispered and cut the call, looking at the screen and sighing.


    "What are you doing?" She asked herself, her brows furrowing and her finger pressing against her temple.


    She was doing it again, letting a man into her life. But then again, Owen wasn''t just any man.


    She knew him.


    He wasn''t Gabriel, he was different, and she wasn''t going to let her past experiences dictate her life.


    "Letting yourself go, is a good thing." She reminded herself, looking at her reflection. "You can''t live forever, afraid of being hurt. That''s no way to live. If you keep doing that, you''re gonna lose people. People that matter."


    She shook her head and turned away from the mirror, heading downstairs for breakfast, which she didn''t intend to stay long for.


    "Good morning, Ms. Romero." Grace greeted and ced a te in front of her, a cup of freshly brewed tea beside it.


    "Good morning." She replied, picking up the cup and taking a sip, the warm liquid instantly warming her.


    As she ate, her phone buzzed again. She picked it up and groaned when seeing it was a message from Kennedy.


    She opened it.


    [Ms Romero, there''s a problem]


    narrowed the message and she ced her cup down,


    1, using both hands to type a response.


    [What is it, Kennedy?


    A few seconds passed before Kennedy replied. [Earlier this week, you had requested 1 do a background check on Mr. Reeds, well I did...


    Reeds, Stuart Reeds. Seeing the name made Leonica swallow hard, all seriousness being stirred up by the eerie feeling she had been feeling all morning. [And what was the result?]


    She replied after the rest of Kennedy''s words had taken quite a while toe.


    A few seconds went by. A minute, two minutes and yet no response.


    [Kennedy? She texted again, growing slightly worried.


    Was the information so bad, Kennedy couldn''t bring himself to type it?


    Or maybe she was being paranoid and it wasn''t as bad as she was making it out to be.


    As she waited for the reply, she found the feeling of anxiousness growing more and more. With onest forced spoon, she shoved her meal away from her.


    "I''d be leaving now, Grace. Make sure Ashley has his dinner." She instructed as she stood up, grabbed her keys and headed for the doormat, slipping on her heels and rushing out the door.


    "Have a nice day, ma''am." Grace yelled after her.


    Leonica didn''t hear her, her mind too focused on the fact that Kennedy still hasn''t replied and the fear was starting to be more real


    By the time she arrived at the office, there was yet to be a reply and Kennedy wasn''t waiting for her by the usual ce.


    She narrowed her eyes and instead of going straight to her office, she walled towards the receptionist.


    "Good morning Ms. Romero."


    "Morning. Could you help me find out if Rennedy''s arrived at work?" She asked.


    "Sure." The receptionist replied and typed something into herputer. "ording to the security system, he came in an hour ago. But she didn''t see him anywhere


    As Leonica was looking around, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Kennedy. [Ms. Romero, I won''t be able toe to work today. I''m sick, I apologize.] Leonica''s eyes narrowed and as she read the message over r and over again, she f Her head snapped up and almost immediately, she locked eyes with Stuart.


    He was standing a few feet away, his gaze hard and cold as be stared at her.


    felt a pair of eyes watching her.


    Her phone buzzed again, pulling her attention away from him and onto the new message.


    Seeing that message, Leonica knew something was off. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Stuart walk away, his steps slow and steady as he disappeared around a corner in a sluggish way as if telling her to follow him.


    "Ms. Romero, Is everything okay?" The reception asked.


    Leonica bit her lower lip, nced in the direction where Stuart had walked off in, and then back at the receptionist.


    "I have a few matters to take care of, inform me if you see Kennedy.


    Although, some part of her told her that wasn''t a likely urrence to happen


    "Yes, ma''am." The woman replied, and Leonica hurried off in the same direction where Stuart had walked.


    before he walked off.


    Turning the corner, she found him standing by the end of the Hall, staring at her with a simile on his lips b Her eyes twitched at his action. For a few seconds, she remained rooted in her spot, wondering what he was doing Leading her on? Where and why? She wanted to know the answer to those questions, despite the red signs in her head, rm going off and telling her not to follow


    after him, she ignored them and walked forward.


    Following after him, the more they walled,


    the more her anxiety y rose and the faster her heart beat.


    When they arrived at the storage room, a ce Leonica never liked visiting, the door was open, the light was on and Stuart was nowhere in sight.


    Taking a deep breath, she entered.


    It was arge room, boxes upon boxes of files stacked everywhere and a small couch ced beside the door.


    Leonica walked in and searched, finding nothing out of ce not even Stuart was present. Yet she was sure he had stepped inside here.


    She certainly hadn''t hallucinated the entire thing.


    A light bulb flickering above caught her attention. She looked towards it, but then something else caught her attention. The reflection of a stainless steel behind. Her eyes widened as she saw Stuart raise a baton.


    Before she could do anything, the weapon was brought down and all went ck.


    Leonica regained consciousness with a throbbing pain at the back of her head, and a slight blur to her vision.


    She groaned, trying to move her hand to reach up and touch the back of her head, but her wrists were bound together by rope.


    Her eyes slowly fluttered open and the sight she was greeted with wasn''t a pleasant one.


    "Well, you''re finally awake." A voice spoke, a voice she was all a bit familiar with


    Slowly, her vision returned and her surroundings were clearer.


    She was no longer in the storage room, instead she was sitting in a chair in the middle of what looked like a basement.


    In front of her, stood Stuart, the baton he had hit her with, now ced in a bag at his feet.


    "What is going on?" Leonica muttered, her eyes narrowing as she took in the look of satisfaction on Stuart''s face.


    "Well, it''s quite simple," He murmured, crouching down and meeting her at eye level. "You''ve been kidnapped, Ms. Romero."


    "No shit, Sherlock" She retorted. "My n main question''s why?"


    Stuart shrugged. "Isn''t it obvious? This is me exerting revenge for what you''ve done."


    "Revenge? What for?"


    At her question, he walked over to a table by the corner and picked up a picture frame. He threw it by her feet when he had gotten closer.


    Taking that as her answer, Leonica lowered her gaze to the picture, a look of surprise and confirmation taking over her expression as she spotted Angelina in the picture and Stuart had his arm around her in a loving marmer.


    So these two were indeed connected, she thought.


    "You killed my child," Stuart began, walking closer to her. "Put Angelina behind bars for something she wasn''t guilty for. You ruined her entire life and mine also." As he spoke, Leonica narrowed her brows when she clearly recalled Angelina''s lovers name being Stuart Campbell and even when she had checked him up, he appeared different from his current form.


    "You''re Stuart Campbell." She usedAll content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.

 Chapter 130

    "Bingo!" He replied, chuckling as he did. "Stuart Reeds is just a made up name. It''s the identity I''ve taken to Infiltrate yourpany and take the revenge I''ve nned. Ah, I''m sure you must be wondering about the picture, you did a background check on the name, am 1 right?" When Leonica didn''t answer, giving him the satisfaction he wanted, he continued on. "That dude''s just my gardener."


    "Just a fall guy."


    "Correct." He said, pping his hand. "You truly are smart, but not smart to see the obvious threat in front of you. Your assistant on the other hand..." He trailed off, tutting his tongue and wagging his finger.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Leonica gritted her teeth, ring daggers at him in a bid to hide the worry she was feeling for Kennedy. "What did you do to him?!"


    "Well, nothing much. He''s fine. But, is now really a time to worry about others?" He said and walked around her. "Shouldn''t you worry about your own life instead?"


    "I can handle myself." She responded.


    The One Png The Strings


    "I''m sure you can. But the question is, will you?"


    "What is that supposed to mean?"


    "Ah, Ms. Romero, don''t tell me you haven''t figured it out yet. If I''m the one behind this, who''s the one helping me?"


    Leonica''s heart nearly stopped at his question. She turned her head slowly to catch the look on his face. Only after seeing the huge grin that spilt his face did she realize he wasn''t joking. There was someone helping him?!


    "Ah, don''t tell me you haven''t figured it out just yet?" He mocked, his hand moving and brushing against the hair on her shoulder.


    She jerked away from his touch, her eyes narrowing and the fire in her gut burning


    "Ah, you don''t have to worry. Sadly she''s not here, I can assure you that."


    "She?" Leonica questioned.


    Was it Angelina? But how? She was behind bars, wasn''t she?


    "Ah, I''ve already told you too much." As if realizing he had said too much, he walked away. "Don''t worry, I better keep my mouth shut before I spoil the fun."


    "You''re sick" Leonica spat, tugging on the rope around her wrist and trying to break free.


    He chuckled at her words as he walked over to the door, holding it open and looking over his shoulder. "Yeah? Well too bad, I didn''t think that when I ran over that stupid kid of your " The anger and rage she was feeling, instantly simmered down, and the color on her face drained.


    Her expression gave him the satisfaction he craved for. "Don''t look too surprised Princess, or else the events toe won''t be fun." And with that, he shut the door and the lock clicked. She Was Taken.


    Resting against his car, outside of Romero Empire, Owen patiently tapped his feet while pressing his phone close to his ear.


    "The caller you''re trying to reach is currently out of service. Please try again another time." The robotic voice rang into his ear for the umpteenth time.


    He pulled the phone away and ended the call, ncing up at thepany empire in front of him with squinted eyes.


    It wasn''t like Leonica to bete to an appointment, talk less of having her phone switched off for ten minutes straight.


    Perhaps her battery ran t and she''d runningte in a meeting. He tried to assure himself.


    But no matter how much he tried to assure himself, he couldn''t ignore the feeling of worry bubbling in his chest.


    "This is odd." He muttered and tried her number onest time. When it didn''t go through, he pocket the phone and matched into the building of Romero Empire.


    His eyes spotted the receptionist almost immediately and he walked up to her, tapping the pad of his index finger on the marble counter top to gain her attention from theputer.


    "Oh... Oh!" The receptionist eximed, a blush quickly rising to her cheeks as she recognized Owen. "Mr. Lee, hello. How may I help you?"


    Owen forced a smile on his lips. He could see the way she was staring at him and the smile was all an act to not scare the girl." Morning. I was here to meet Leonica, is she in?


    The receptionist''s eyes widened, her fingers immediately flying over the keyboard and her brows furrowing


    "Huh? That''s weird. I''m sorry, sir. I don''t seem to find any records of an appointment for you."


    "No, uh, it personal" He corrected.


    "Personal?" The girl asked and he nodded. "Then, please wait a minute. I''ll get the boss'' assistant toe and take you to Ms. Romero''s office." She said and went for thendline, while Owen hung around at the counter top. Watching her click away at a few numbers on thendline before pressing it to her car, Owen heaved a sigh as he realized he was worrying over nothing.


    Leonica probably had a meeting and had her phone off


    Not more than a few seconds had passed when the receptionist returned, having a worried look on her face. "I apologize, but Kennedy seems to be busy at the moment, he can''t take the phone."


    "And Leonica? Is she in a meeting?" Owen questioned, watching at the receptionist shook her head.


    "Not any that I know of." She responded.


    Owen sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Could you just let me in? I''ll just check her office myself."


    "Umm, are you sure that''s okay? The receptionist questioned, but the look on Owen''s face seemed to have assured her as she waved him forward.


    "Alright, follow me. We''ll take the elevator." She instructed and he followed.


    As they made their way to the office, Owen felt a little relieved knowing Leonica was in the building.


    But that still didn''t exin the nagging feeling.


    By the time they reached the office, Owen wasted no time knocking.


    "Leonica?" He called out after several of his knocks had gone unanswered "Leo, It''s Owen"


    When she didn''t respond, the knot in his chest tightened. He tried the doorknob, twisting it and finding it unlocked.


    "I''m sorry, but the boss has strict rules against entering without her permission="


    "I''d be quick." Owen interrupted as he stepped inside and surveyed the office.


    It was clean and well kept. Too clean and well kept for someone like Leonica. She was always messy when she worked, because of that papers were always around the ce and coffee cups on either side of her table. But none of that was present. Instead the room looked like it had barely been entered.


    The receptionist seemed to notice this and pointed out. "Oh? It looks like Ms. Romero hasn''t even been here."


    "No, no she hasn''t." Owen muttered to himself. "Where''s her assistant? Perhaps he knows where she is."


    "Mr. Kennedy? Now that I think of it, Ms. Homero had also been looking for him." "And?"


    That was thest time I saw her."


    "And when was that?" Owen asked.


    The receptionist thought for a few seconds before responding "Ah, about an hour ago."


    "An hour ago?!" He muttered, pulling his phone out and dialing her number.


    "The caller you''re trying to reach is currently out of service-"


    "This isn''t right." He muttered, no longer denying the feeling in his gut. "Where''s the security room?"


    "What? Why?"


    Something isn''t right, can''t you tell? We need to check where she is." He said and without waiting for a response, headed out of the office.


    "Oh, uh, alright. I''ll show you the way." She responded and rushed after him, leading him to the security room.


    When th


    they arrived, Owen was immediately weed by the guard and a screen with a few CCTV''s showing the ins and outs of the entirepany. "Good morning."


    "Is Ms. Romero in the building?" He asked, leaning on the chair near the guard.


    "Uh," There was a pause as the guard scanned through the CCTV current feeds and shook his head. "Nope, at least not where I can


    "Not where you can see?" Owen repeated, narrowing his eyes at the fat, donut eating guard.


    The guy hesitated, ncing at the receptionist before giving a sheepish chuckle. "Uh, yeah."


    "So you have blind spots?


    "Just one." He replied.


    "Show me."


    "I, I''m not sure if I should." He replied, his words slurred due to the donut stuffed into his mouth


    Owen was growing annoyed with this guy.


    "Show. Me."


    "Hey, I can''t, Mr. Lee. If you wanna see the feed,!


    1, you''d have to talk to Ms. Romero about it first." He defended, stuffing his mouth again with the pastry.


    Owen was seconds away from smashing the guy''s head against the control board.


    "I can''t show you but I can tell you." He quickly added.


    "And?"


    "It''s the storage room. We haven''t gotten around to fixing the cameras that had developed a fault there." He informed.


    "The storage room,"


    m."Owen muttered. "Do you have any other camera around there?"


    "Yeah. The Hall pass."


    H "show it to me."


    ""But I can''t


    "For fucks sake, show it to me or I''ll make sure you lose your damn job and every other job you''re going to get in the entire of Norway." Owen threatened, finally losing his cool, The guard''s eyes widened, and his hand immediately moved, clicking away and bringing up the requested feed.


    The Hall pass was empty, no sign of anyone.


    "When was thest time this hall had someone on it?" Owen asked.


    "About two hours ago."


    "Pull up the feeds then."


    "He


    "Alright, alright." He muttered and the feed switched.


    When he saw a figure walk into the Hall, Owen''s breath hitched. "Pause."


    The feed paused and Owen was able to confirm the identity of the person.

 Chapter 131

    "Stuart Campbell?" He muttered, recognizing the man he had seen when he sent private investigators to C&D. But just to be sure, he asked. "Who''s that? "Oh, that''s Mr. Stuart Reeds. He works with the financial sector." The receptionistmented.


    "Reeds." He repeated. "y the footage."


    The feed started and Owen watched carefully, his heart racing when he saw Leonica walking into the Hall.


    She was had been there and she followed him.


    But why?


    "Pause." He pointed at the screen the moment Leonica turned the corner leading to where he assumed was the storage room.


    "Mr. Lee, I don''t think this is-"


    "Shut the fuck up." Owen hissed, "Do as I say or I''ll smash your damn face."


    The guard whimpered and yed the footage again.


    He watched Leonica turn the corner, walk towards the storage room and enter and after not Stuart, not her.


    and after that, everything went silent. No one came ou


    QUE,


    Can you pull up the cameras inside the storage ro


    *ND,


    there aren''t a


    I any. I told you, there''s a blind spot." The guard answered.


    ""shit" Owen hissed and turned his back to the screen.


    Leonica was in there with Stuart


    Shit. Shit. Shit! With the curse word ying over in his head like a mantra, he rushed in the direction of the Storage r Disappointment and dread washing over him when he got there and it was empty. "Mr. Lee?" The receptionist called out from behind him, trying to catch her breath.


    Owen spun around, pointing his finger at the receptionist. "You, call the cops."


    ""Wha


    "Do as I say or God help you."


    "Mr. Lee, what''s going on?"


    "You ask too many questions." He hissed, "Call the fucking cops now.


    HContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    room.


    As the receptionist rushed off, thet guard from before rushed into the room. "Mr. Lee, I.. I saw something in the parking lot through the CCTV, you should probablye see it "


    Owen nodded and followed the man back into the security room, watching the video the man had yed and his eyes widening.


    The image disyed was the back entrance of the building, a gate leading directly to a back alley.


    It was a clear view and showed a ck van, a woman being dragged out and thrown in the back.


    A woman, who Owen was s familiar with, Leonica.


    His heart raced and the nagging feeling turned into dread, tear and worry.


    She was taken


    Escape Gone Wrong.


    "So what you mean to tell me is that Ms. Leonica Romero was kidnapped by the CEO of C&D industries?" The man with a mustache, cloaked from head to toe in Norway''s original police uniform, asked Owen as they stood in the security office. Owen narrowed his eyes, looking weirdly at the man in front of him. Had he honestly just asked that question after watching the footage he was just shown?


    "Yes." Owen muttered, biting his lower lip in order to not lose his patience with the man. "Are you not going to do anything?"


    The mustached officer looked at his partner. They both shared a look before he ced his hand on his waist holder.


    "Sir, I''m sorry to have to inform you that, but there''s nothing we can do." He said and Owen''s brows twitched. "Excuse me?" He said, a sharp edge to his tone


    "An official report has to be made and an investigation opened and only then will we be allowed to move forward. Until then, the most we can do is send


    "So what? Leonica''s gonna remain with that Psycho until then?" Owen asked, ncing between the two of them.


    "Sir, calm down. The process is simple and quick. As soon as the report has been submitted, we''ll get a team to investigate


    immediately. So just please wait for a while."


    Owen scoffed, ring at the two of them. "You''re both useless. No, in fact the entire prescient is useless. Why did I even bother calling?


    He muttered.


    team to look for her."


    II


    The officers heard and were about to question when the voice of a third party interrupted them.


    "What''s going on here?"


    They all turned towards the door to see Gabriel standing there, brows knitted together in confusion.


    The receptionist squeezed out from behind him, looking somewhat sheepish


    "Mr. Bryce requested an audience with Ms. Romero. He saw the police cars outside..." She said, letting the rest of her words trail off, although Owen knew what they were.


    "Where''s Leonica?" The sound of his voice once again had all eyes on him.


    "Mr. Bryce, good morning." The officers greeted.


    "Hello" He replied, before his gazended on Owen, a re present "And what are you doing here?"


    "That''s none of your business." Owen responded sharply and turned back to the security guard, muttering a few things to him which Gabriel did not pay attention to as he turned to question the officers. "What''s going on here?"


    "Ah, well Mr. Lee here, ims that Ms. Romero has been kidnapped."


    Gabriel''s expression crumbled. "Kidnapped?"


    "Yes. Although, we cannot do anything until a proper investigation has beenunched."


    "A proper investigation?" Gabriel muttered, his gaze narrowing.


    "Yes.


    Their answer truly confused Gabriel. While he stood there, Owen Grabbed a pen and paper, scribbled something down and walked past him, bumping shoulder with him purposely.


    "You''re gonna die waiting for them if you chosen to let them handle this." He muttered and left, Gabriel following after him.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    "It means exactly what it sounds like." Owen spat, walking taster in an attempt to get rid of the other male.


    "Stop."


    Owen ignored him and walked even faster.


    "I said stop!" Gabrielmanded, this time reaching out and grabbing him by the shoulder.


    "Get off." Owen muttered, shaking his arm off. "I don''t have time for you."


    "Then make time."


    Owen''s re darkened and his fist clenched tightly. "Do you not know how to read the situation? Leonica''s in danger and standing here, trying to start shit?"


    "I''m worried about her, alright?" Gabriel retorted.


    "Yeah, well it doesn''t look like it." He said and turned around walking off.


    "Where are you going?" He called out.


    "To save her from that Campbell Bastard." Owen called back.


    Campbell? Gabriel thought, narrowing his eyes. As in Stuart Campbell?


    you''re


    Leonica sat quietly in the dark, damp room, her gaze fixed on the door, a re present.


    The corners around her wrist where she had been struggling for minutes, has be red and stung painfully.


    Yet the pain was not enough to make her give up.


    She was going to get out of here and when she does, she ns to make that bastard pay for harming her son. "Fucker!" She hissed under her breath, pulling hard on the rope and hissing out loud in pain. Her head hurt, and the bruise on her forehead had grown slightlyrger, turning purple.


    As she was struggling, the sound of footsteps approaching alerted her and her te deepened. "How''s it going in here?" The voice she had begun to despise asked as he stepped into the room...


    "You''ll pay for this, you bastard." Leonica threatened, the anger and hatred evident in her tone.


    "Which? Nearly killing your kid? Or killing you?" He asked, tilting his head. "Ah, but does that really matter Ms. Romero? After all, you won''t be able to aplish either." He said, smiling and shaking his head. "Nope, nope. You''re gonna die right here. By my hands." Leonica kept her face neutral even though his words caused some sort of panic inside her. "You''re insane."


    "Maybe. "He murmured. "But that doesn''t change the fact that you''re going to die." He said while humming a sweet tone as heid a few things out on the table.


    "Ah shit, Heclicked his tongue. "I forgot the main ingredient."


    "The main ingredient?" Leonica asked.


    "Yup. The one thing that''s gonna help me kill you. Ah, but no worries. I''ll get it right away. And when I return, the fun will begin." He said and walked back towards the door, leaving her alone


    Leonica''s eyes immediately snapped back to the rope around her wrist, gritting her teeth as she tugged harder and harder.


    If he''s going out to get something, this might be her only chance of escaping.


    She has to try.


    But the more she pulled, the more the pain increased. Her hands began to sting, and she found it harder and harder to pull. "Shit." She muttered and looked around the room, in a bid to find something sharp or anything she could use to cut the rope with. "Please, God. If there''s anything, anyone who''s listening. Please help." She whispered; the desperation clear in her tone.


    Just as she finished whispering her plea, the glistening of steel caught her attention and she snapped her head towards it, finding herself staring at a knife ced on the table.


    Her eyes widened, and she immediately stood up, stumbling over as her chair was still tied to her body and causing a loud thud. "Fuck" She muttered, hoping Stuart hadn''t heard and quickly stood up, hopping to the table, nearly tripping and falling as she did. Finally reaching the table, she turned around and clumsily reached her tied hands towards the knife and picked it up, the cold, sharp tip cutting into her palm and drawing blood,


    "Ouch "She muttered and gripped it tightly, ignoring the sting in her palm as she struggled to ce the de of the knife onto the


    That forking Psycho was going to use this and put me? She shivered at the thought butpelled her mind to focus more on the task at


    hand.


    Fortunately, she was able to slice through the rope in a matter of seconds. With her hands freed, she reached down, still wielding the same de and carefully sliced the rope off her ankles. She didn''t waste any more time, not even giving herself enough time to take in the sting on her ankles and wrist before bolting for the door.


    She gripped on the knob, closed her eyes for the briefest second and prayed that as smart as Stuart thought himself to be, he wouldn''t luck the door. As if her prayers were heard, the moment she turned the handle, the door came open, revealing way to a dim, murky smelling corridor.


    Leonica stuck her head out, tasting the waters before she took the first step out and bolted. She wasn''t sure which direction she was running in, but one thing was sure, she needed to get away from Stuart. As she ran, she cursed in her head, cursing herself for following that bastard. Cursing herself for turning down her father''s suggestion when he told her to get security men.


    Her longne down Rumination-town was cut short when a cry of anger resounded some ce down the hall.


    "Ah! That stupid bitch! How the hell did she escape?!"


    No doubting it, Stuart had found out she had escaped. With that thought in mind, she picked up her pace, no longer wanting to be stealthy. The sound of her heart pounded in her ear, but it could have easily been mistaken for the sound of Stuart''sbat boots hitting against the floor as he scrambled about, trying to find where she had run off to. And even that, was sometimes drowned out by his asionally voice filled with anger. "You got lucky once, but the moment I get my hands on you, I''m gonna send your put in a Christmas wrapped present to that son of yours."


    Just thinking about something like that, the trauma Ashley would go through after seeing something like that, scared her. She needed to beat this for both she and Ashley''s sake!

 Chapter 132

    As soon as that thought crossed her mind and she turned the corner, she bumped into someone, immediately activating fight or flight. But even then, she was wise enough not to scream.


    "Hey, hey calm down. It''s me." A familiar voice said, grabbing both sides of her shoulder and stilling her before she could throw any real tantrum.


    Leonica pulled her eyes open at the familiar voice, relief washing over her when she saw Owen in front of her.


    "Hey," He shed her a small smile that could barely be seen in the dim setting, before gently pulling her into a hug


    "What are you...doing here?" She questioned after they had pulled back


    "Here to save you, isn''t it obvious." He whispered, ncing behind her to make sure her attacker hadn''t caught up. "You have questions, I know, but I''ll exin once were out of here. Your safety is number one right now." He shot her a firm nod which she returned, except hers was albeit sharing.


    Taking her hand, he turned around and led them through the way he hade, quietly jogging. Leonica stared at his back all the while, pondering about how ironic it was that he was the one who had called the fire department and helped her when she rushed in to save Gabriel from the burning house. He was still the same person who had shown her the needle, saving Ashley. He even went out of his way to contact a world ss doctor to help Gabriel, all for her. And now, here he was, rescuing her from something that didn''t concern him whatsoever.


    Had the situation not been so bad, Leonica was sure she would have encased the younger male in a hug, a kiss if she wanted to be too much.


    Once again, her thoughts were interrupted as Owen''s jog came to an abrupt end. She was about to question why he had stopped when her eyes caught sight of the obstacle in front.


    Clicking his tongue, Stuart walked out of the shortcut right next to the exit, metal weapon pointed in their direction, "Mr. Lee, don''t you know it''s rude to gate crash on a party you weren''t invited to?"


    Leonica tensed up when she saw what Stuart was holding was a gun. Was that the so called ingredient he had gone to get? A gun? That fucking psycho actually had a gun?!


    "Nowe on Princess, a snarl like that isn''t something suited for a face like yours." Stuart taunted and despite behind pulled behind Owen, Leonica did not hesitate to snap at him.


    "Fuck you, Stuart.


    "Careful there," He warned, flicking the gun between both their bodies. "Because in you and me, I have the gun. And I can use it as please,"


    "I don''t think it has gotten that far," Owen spoke up, hand steadying at eye level while he cautiously watched Stuart who turned to


    re at him.


    "This is between her and me," He paused. "On second thought, you''re now part of this; after all, you''ve seen my face."


    "He''s not part of this!" Leonica spoke up, ignoring how Owen''s grip tightened on her hand in a way to tell her to shut up. "This is all about you and me." She said, taking every word slowly so that Stuart can properly understand.


    Her attempt seemed to work as he slowly lowered the gun. Leonica sighed out in relief, which was short lived as Stuart began tough, raising the gun back up.


    "Yeah, right." He said and without any form of reluctance, pressed down on the


    trigger.


    Rain Of Liberation.


    The gun had gone off, the sound loud and clear, resonating loudly against the murky walls of whatever house Stuart had trapped her in Leonica mmed her eyes shut, expecting the pain toe sooner orter, but it never did and the only thing that hit her body was Owen''s body.


    She peeled her eyes open at the contact and blood drained from her face when she saw that the waist side of the white Hoodie Owen was wear was slowly turning crimson red.


    All at once, it clicked in her head. He had been shot!


    "O-owen?" She sputtered, holding onto him as panic took over her quicker than she could ever have imagined.


    "I-I''m fine." He groaned when his hand touched where the bullet had hit.


    "No you''re not. You''re bleeding! Leonica pointed out the obvious, from the corner of her eyes; she caught Stuartughing and turned towards him with a harsh re.


    "He''s bleeding." He parroted in a funny manner,ughing even harder at his own joke.


    "You sick bastard!" Leonica spat,bored breath passing through her clenched teeth. "You will pay for this."


    Stuart feigned a scared expression, taking a few steps back and cowering a bit to emphasize the point of his actions. "Oh look, I''m so scared," And then he dropped the act and strengthened up, pointing the gun once more at Leonica. "And who''s going to make me pay? You? When you''re dead or alive?" He chuckled. "Thad fun taunting you, Princess, but at some point, the joke gets old, and this one is way past its expiry date. So, seeya-" As he positioned the gun back in Leonica''s direction, the rest of his words were cut off by the sound of wood breaking against something and Leonica watched with wide eyes as he fell to the ground.


    "He talks too much." Stepping over his body and dropping the rest of the wood to the floor, Gabriel allowed his eyes examine the situation. Relief washed over him as he realized that Leonica was unharmed.


    So, he did make the right decision by choosing to follow Owen


    As if knowing he was part of the subject on Gabriel''s mind, Owen groaned, holding onto his gunshot wound in pain.


    Leonica''s attention was quickly snapped back to him, but before she had looked away, Gabriel could have sworn she offered him a smile


    "Hey, hang in there for a bit." She soothed, cing her hand over his own which was pressed right against his wound. She tried to focus more on the warmth of his hand, rather than the sticky feeling of the blood, as she spoke reassuring words. "Everything''s going to be alright now, okay?"


    Owen managed to ned his head. Gabriel, who had been watching the scene, appeared by Leonica''s side, gently taking Owen by his under and raising him. "We have to get him to the hospital." He said, steadying Owen on his feet. "That gunshot was pretty loud, I''m sure the police would be here anytime soon.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "I hope so." Leonica muttered and stood up, at least she tried to, but she nearly copsed to the floor under her wobbly legs. "Shit!" She cursed, reaching for the wall to steady herself.


    Gabriel nced back at her, gauging the situation before asking "You alright?"


    Leonica tried her bnce onest time and when she was sure she wasn''t going to crumble to the floor, she nodded her head. "Yeah" Gabriel nodded his head and watched as she scrambled over to the other side, putting Owen''s hand over her shoulder. With each step that they took, Owen groaned from the pain and Leonica whispered soothing apologies to him.


    Gabriel felt his jealousy soar, but reminded himself that for the betterment of this situation, he needed to keep it together.


    "Hey, um Gabriel?" Leonica began, her voice was deadly low, almost a whisper. Had it not been for how quiet the house was and how close he was to her, Gabriel would not have heard her call. When he looked at her, raising a questioning brow, she continued. "I don''t know how you did it, but thank you. For back there and right now."


    He shed her a smile. "It''s alright. It''s the least I can do."


    "Argh!" She


    Nodding gently, she opened her mouth to add in something else, but the words died on her lips when she suddenly felt a harsh her hair and felt herself being pulled backwards.


    ch pull on


    "Argh!" She cried out in pain as her body hit the floor.


    "Leonica!" Gabriel wanted to rush to her, but froze when he saw Stuart standing in front of her, silver de held in his hand.


    "This bitch, you''re giving me more work than I''ve nned for." He grumbled and touched his forehead as it stung When he looked at


    his fingers and saw blood, his face contorted in pain and without so much as a warning, he kicked Leonica in the stomach. "Look what you did." He said, but quickly turned around when he heard Gabriel approaching


    Gabriel stopped just as he held the knife up and shook his head. "Don''t think of sneaking up on me a second time, pretty boy." He


    rotted.


    "You need to stop this." Gabriel said, taking his eyes of Stuart and ncing in Leonica''s direction. She was squirming on the floor in pain, but slowly began to recover. "The police would soon be bere and the moment you''re caught, its game over.


    "That''s if I''m caught." Stuart said as he took a step forward, a sinister smile on his face. "And you know, it''s a good thing you''re here, all of you," He pointed the de mainly between Gabriel and Owen "That way, I can truly avenge Angelina, after all, it was all of you who fucked her life up."


    "Angelina?" Gabriel''s brows narrowed at the name. "She''s behind all this?"


    "She doesn''t need to be. This is the right thing, after all." Stuart said, taking another step forward while making sure the de was pointed steadily in Gabriel''s direction. "And when I''m done with you all, she''d praise me. Love me." He franticallyughed and took the first swing at Gabriel


    He managed to dodge it, but hissed when the second swing caught him near his shoulder.


    "This, this is just the beginning. When I''m done with you," He pointed at Gabriel, "I''ll fall him," He pointed towards Owen who was leaning against the wall, trying to apply as much pressure as possible to his wound. And then with a sinister smile, he continued. "And then, I''ll kill her!" Just as he turned around to point at Leonica, she mashed the red bottle of fire extinguisher that she had managed to pick up, into the side of his face.


    One hit was all it took and this time around, he was done for good.


    "You were tight, he talks too much." Leonica told Gabriel as she dropped the fire extinguisher, crossed over Stuart''s body like he was a bag of dirt and walked toward Owen. "Hey, how are you holding up?" She asked, examining his face that was slowly losing color. "Peachy." Owen said, a strained chuckle escaping his lips which he immediately groaned at


    "Don''t strain yourself." She scolded him and looked over her shoulder to find Gabriel tying Stuart up with a rope?


    She scrunched up her face. Where did he get a rope


    from?


    Gabriel felt her gaze on him and looked up. "It never hurts to be careful." He said as he stood up and dusted off his hand.


    As he approached them, Leonica noticed the wound on his arm. "Are you alright?" She asked, sounding as concerned as she possibly


    could.


    Gabriel nced down at the wound. Although it stung a bit, he really didn''t feel a thing. God bless the adrenaline rush.


    "Yeah, I''m fine." He assured. "What about you? You took quite the hit back there."


    "I''m fine." Leonica answered honestly but nudged her head in Owen''s direction. "But I''m not sure he is."


    "Yeah. Let''s." Gabriel nodded his head and positioned himself at the other side of Owen while Leonica did the same.

 Chapter 133

    Gently, they walked towards the door, but just before they could open it, the door was swung open and officers rushed in, guns ready to


    take out anyone they considered as a threat. But all that changed when they only saw three wounded people.


    "Mr. Bryce? Mr. Lee? The older looking Officer nced between the two influential figures, stunned to see them here.


    "Took you long enough." Gabriel muttered. "Stuart Campbell is over there, take care of him and don''t make us do your jobs any further. He instructed. Both officers nced between themselves before adhering to his instruction.


    "Ambnce was brought to the scene just in case," The younger looking office of the two informed. "You can get treated outside." He said and stuck his head outside, whistling for a medical helping hand,


    In seconds, a team of medical personnel were in the building, rushing towards Leonica and Gabriel to help carry Owen out. Leonica watched them, relief slowly sipping into her body and as she took her first step out of the house, a single rain drop fell down on her face and many more followed after.


    But unlike the other people trying to take shelter, Leonica remained in her spot and raised her head up to the clouds, allowing the beads of rain drop to wet her hair and soon her cloth, with a smile on her lips.


    The fear and Dread she had once been feeling before slowly began to dissipate, washed away with the droplets of rain that rained down on her.


    Rain of Liberation, she pegged it, chuclding freely at her own thought, because that eerie feeling that had overthrown the happiness she was feeling had finally disappeared


    Final Settlement.


    The days following the incident with Stuart had turned out more stressful than Leonica could have ever imagined. For one, she had to pay several visit to the prescient,yingints, answering questions and undergoing investigations. After that, she had totally her matter with her parents and boy was that not easy.


    Despite how much Leonica had tried to reassure her parents, Cassandra to be precise, that she was alright, she wasn''t hurt or anything, the older woman still fussed over her. In a way, Leonica understood, seeing as something simr had happened, iming member of their family. So she decided not to put up much fight, and instead just allow her mother to worry over her.


    The other people she had to tally her matter with were Leonardo and Anastasia. Between her parents and them, Leonica wasn''t sure which of them had worried more about her.


    When Leonardo found out about the entire thing, he was enraged, and although the anger wasn''t directed at her, she had still feared it was. And even after he had calmed down, the look in his eyes as he stared at her, still filled her with fear. But at the same time, she could see how much he cared and she genuinely appreciated that.


    And then there was thest person whom she had worried about rather than them worrying about her. Owen. Despite all the reassurances he had given her, and all the times he had called her and told her he was alright and that there was no need to worry about him, she still found herself worried.


    Because she had seen the way his skin paled. Seen the way his eyelids fluttered as the paramedics rushed him into the ambnce. Seen the way blood pooled beneath his hand staining the white of his hoodie


    And every time she thought about the fact that all that had been because of her, worry filled her up, and all she could think about was how he must have suffered.


    Which was why, on the third day since the incident, Leonica found herself knocking on his door, fruit basket held tightly within her grasp.


    "Come in "A familiar voice responded and Leonica stepped into the room


    Owen had his back to her, body cloaked in the usual hospital gown. When he turned around to look at her, Leonica could see that his condition was getting better. A smile formed on her lip and she stepped into the room, gently closing the door behind her. "Hey," she said, offering him a tight smile.


    Owen mirrored her gesture, except his smile was more genuine, happy to see her, rather than the tight one she had offered him. "Hey Leo, how''s it going?"


    His question was answered with a shrug. She walked towards a table near his bed, gently cing the fruit basket down. "I don''t know, busy? I''ve been down at the prescient like five times in two days? And those damned cops, gosh; they won''t stop knocking at my door." She groaned while recalling the memory.


    Owen chuckled. "They need you statement, Leo." He said.


    And


    d I gave them." She retorted, shaking her head. "I just think they have some sort of vendetta against me." Owen chuckled once more at her words, or at least he tried to, but groaned at he sting of pain in his abdomen.


    "You okay?" Leonica asked, face ridden with worry as she watched him hold onto his side.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yeah, I''m fine." Owen reassured. "It''s just a little sting, nothing to worry about." Despite his words, she still looked worried and guilty. "Hey-"


    "This is my entire fault," Leonica muttered, running her hand down her face. "This whole thing was my problem but y


    "Hey, hey," Owen called out, beckoning her closer. When she refused toe to where he was and instead stayed where she was,


    but you got hurt." muttering and ruminating about the way the situation had turned out, his injury to be precise, he moved forward, taking careful steps towards her until he was close enough to touch her. "Hey," He called in a gentler manner, the proximity between them making his voler sound smoother and calmer to Leonica''s ears.


    When she finally stopped her trip down rumination-town, and looked him in the eyes, he gently took hold of both sides of her shoulder, smiling down at her in a warm manner. "Hey, I''ll have you low, that you''re a great damsel in distress, and your prince charming is doing fine." He teased.


    Leonica''s frown deepened. "I''m serious Owen."


    "56 am 1." He replied with a shrug


    "But you were hurt because of me." "She pointed out.


    "No. I was hurt because I chose to be in harm''s way, I could have chosen otherwise, to sit back and allow the cops handle the situation their way, but I choose not to and this is the price I had to pay." Owen corrected, moving his hand up and down her arms. "So don''t try to push the entire me on yourself."


    Owen''sforting words stopped whatever words of objection Leonica wanted to say. But even at that, he could still see the guilt eating at her.


    "But if you still insist," He began, gently pulling her closer. All of Leonica''s worry seemed to disappear in a heartbeat. "You can make it up to me in another manner, a second date, per say?"


    "A second date?" she asked, the corners of her lips slowly pulling up.


    Owen nodded his head, once again pulling her closer. "Our first date was blissful, so there''s bound to be a second one, yeah?" He exined, earning a chuckle from her. He squeezed up his face at this and gently shook her. "Don''tugh, Leo, I''m serious."


    "I, I wasn''tughing "Leonica defended as her chuckle bolled down to a smile. She reached up, hesitant at first, but finally gave into her feelings, and cupped Owen''s cheek. The male leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and allowing himself get lost in the feeling of her skin against his Only did he open his eyes when she began speaking again. "And you were right, our first date was blissful, I really enjoyed it." She was about to add something else when her phone vibrated with a text message.


    Slowly, she fished it out, expression ttering a bit when she saw it was from Gabriel, Owen also saw it, but decided to ask.


    ""What? Who is it?"


    Leonica looked up at him, contemting if she should tell or not, however, opting for the former rather than thetter. "Gabriel. He wants to meet up and talk." She told, gauging Owen''s reaction.


    "He


    If the news had rubbed off him in a bad way, then he did a great job at hiding that. "Oh, well you should go." He told her as he took a few steps back. "It might be important."


    Leonica was hesitant to leave, it was clear that she was, but after thinking Owen''s words through, she nodded her head. "I''ll be back." He smiled at her words and watched her turn around to walk away. She had only gotten as far as a few steps when she stopped and turned around, matching right back at him.


    Before he could even process what she was doing, she had gotten on her tippy toe and gently pecked his lips. Her cheeks were bright pink when she pulled back and Owen withheld himself from gushing at her cuteness.


    "L-let''s go on the second date when you''re discharged." She told him and quickly turned around to leave, but Owen caught her wrist and pulled her into another loss.


    When they pulled apart to catch their breath, he ced his forehead on hers and smiled. "Let''s do just that."


    Leonica found Gabriel seated in one of the chairs by the window. He had been so engrossed in the children''s park beside the caf¨¦ that he didn''t realize she had stepped in. Only when she had pulled the seat across from his out, and sat in it, did he look her way, small smile painting his facial features.


    "It''s funny how confident you are that I''d always show up." Leonica told him, watching as he beckoned the walter over and ced two orders for them.


    "Not confident, more like hopeful." He corrected, his gaze not leaving her face for a second.


    "Hopeful, huh?" She nodded at the familiar words. She had also once been hopeful, hopeful that he''d look back at her, fall in love with her. But now, she''d dropped that hope, given up. "So, what do you want to talk about?"


    on the table and slid it towards her.


    At her question, Gabriel reached into his pocket tand pulled out a small brown journal. He ced d it on the ta "What is this?" she asked as she picked the journal up, unwrapped the rope and pulled it open. The first thing she noticed was Gabriel handwriting and the second thing was that the journal belonged to him. "This is..."


    "Mine." Hepleted her words. "Will did a general cleaning yesterday, found this." He exined,


    Leonica read the first page.


    y 20th birthday and I''m writing in my journal. I feel old, but Will told me that I''ll feel a lot older than this in the future."


    It''s my


    ly want to be bound


    "It''s my 21st birthday and I''m writing in my journal. Grandma found a wife for me. She''s pretty, but I don''t really down by the chains of marriage."


    "It''s my 24th. Today is my 24th birthday and I''m writing in my journal. Grandma''s illness has gotten worse. I fear it won''t be long before it catches her. "You''ve read this?" Leonica pulled her gaze away from the journal and watched Gabriel nod.


    I


    "Everything "Came his response and a look of guilt on his face. "I''m sorry, for everything i did." He sincerely apologized,


    "You remember?" Gabriel shook his head.


    "It''s alling back, bit by bits." He confessed, watching as Leonica took a sip from her lemon juice when the waiter returned with it.


    "That''s nice." She said, her words sounding half sincere.


    "Leo-

 Chapter 134

    "Look, Gabriel," She cut him off. "I don''t really know how to put this, but the truth is, I don''t want to be involved with you anymore." She paused, taking a good look at his face to gouge his reaction. "The way things are right now, between us, I think we should leave things at that, you know?" Gabriel sighed, he knew this wasing. He had been anticipating her reaction, but hearing it out loud still felt like a sharp knife cutting through him. But despite the pain, he was going to ept it.


    "Okay." He said, offering her a small, sad smile. "But what about Ashley?" Leonica bit down on her lowe


    lower lip, taking a second to think about how her son would take the news. "We''re both going to be there for him, make sure he''s alright and that our w doesn''t affect his life in anyway. He can stay over at your anytime." She promised. "But other than that, I''m not sure" Gabriel nodded; he was willing to take what she had given him. After all, thest thing he wanted to do was cause her any more pain. Alright, thank you."


    Leonica nodded, and stood up. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, he called out her name, making her turn around. "Take care of yourself, Leo,"


    Nodding her head, she smiled. "You too Gabriel."


    And just like that, he watched as he walked away, biting down on his lower lip in hopes to substitute the pain of that in his heart. After a while, be paid for the bill and left the caf¨¦. But he didn''t drive away immediately; instead he leaned against his car and watched the kids y in the park, some part of him wondering if his actions had been different, would he, Ashley and Leonica, be part of the farmilies ying there?


    He was snapped out of his thought as a ball rolled across the street and hit his leg. He bent down and picked it up just as a female rushed in his direction.


    "Hi, thanks for holding onto that." The brte said as she ceased her jog in front of him. "My godson was a bit-"The rest of her sentence trailed off as she recognized the person in front of her and Gabriel also recognized her


    She was the brte from the garden. The one who had taken him to the hospit


    "You..." He pointed at her and she at him.


    She chuckled. "Coincidence meeting you here." She said as she reached forward and collected the ball from his hands. "How was your trip to the hospital thest time?"


    ""It went well, thanks to you.


    She shed him a smile, "That good." Holding the ball in one hand, she pointed back to the park. "I have to go now, but, I''ll see you around?" Without waiting for his answer, she turned around and began jogging away, but stopped. "Oh, and my name''s Florence Winslow." And with that, she jogged off, leaving Gabriel to ponder her words


    Florence Winslow. Hin, he had a feeling he was indeed going to be seeing her around more frequently.


    The Feeling Of Bliss And Happiness.


    In light of Owen''s discharge from the hospital, Leonica and Ashley had arranged a short trip to a once in a century festival that way taking ce in the heart of Oslo,


    Throughout the ride towards Owen''s ce, Ashley was hyper, bouncing up and down in the back seat. As much as Leonica wanted to lecture him on seating still, she opted not to, letting the child have his way


    for now.


    It was sort of apensation for the way her decisions had messed up his life.


    Speaking of decisions, she thought as she adjusted her mirror above, fixing it so that she could see Ashley from behind.


    "Ash," She called out, looking away from the room in time to see the child looking back at her on the mirror. "You okay, buddy?" She asked. "About your dad and I''s decision?" She added,


    Just like before, when she had exined the entire situation to him, Ashley shed her a big smile. "I''m fine, mommy." He reassured. "I understand mommy and daddy can''t be together and that doesn''t bother me, as long as you both are happy." Leonica''s lips twitched into a smile, happy that she had raised such a wonderful boy. "I love you so much, darling"


    "I love you too mommy." Ashley responded.


    Shortly after their conversation had ended, Leonica pulled up in Owen''s driveway to find him leaning against one of his cars. The smile on his lips as he stared absentmindedly at the darkening sky told Leonica all she needed to know.


    Just like Ashley, he too couldn''t contain his excitement, because he knew that this festival marked not just the celebration of him getting discharged but a turning point in his life.


    The sound of a car approaching drew his attention, and soon Leonica''s car pulled to a stop. Leaning away from his ear, Owen watched as Leonica stepped out with Ashley by her side. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of them. Leonica wore a floral dress that swayed with every step, and Ashley sported a grin that hinted at the thrill of the uing festivities.


    The moment they had gotten close enough, Ashley let go of his mother''s had and lunged himself into Owen''s arms. "Owen!"


    "Hey there little one," Owen returned his greeting, using one hand to ruffle his hair while the other held him in ce. Ashley giggled at the action, the sounding off as more than a melody to Leonica''s ears. "How are you?"


    "I''m fine." Ashley answered, shing his usual gleaming smile.


    Owen returned his gesture before turning to face Leonica with a warm smile, feeling a surge of joy at her presence. "Hey,"


    "Hey yourself," Leonica replied, her eyes sparkling with warmth despite her words. "Ready for a night of fun?" she asked, arching her brows as she did so.


    "Absolutely, "Owen nodded, offering his arm to Leonica, who looped hers through his. Together, the three of them made their way towards her car and soon began driving towards the festival''s scene.


    The festival grounds were alive with energy by the time they arrived - the Ferris wheel towered over the crowd, casting a gentle shadow, and the merry-go-round yed a whimsical tune. Stalls adorned with twinkling lights showcased various games and treats. Each and every stall seemed to have their own attraction at pulled Ashley in as he looked around with wide beady eyes.


    Leonica was the first to take notice of his expression as she looked down at him. "Wanna try your luck?" She asked, gaining Ashley''s attention. The male nodded his head at a quick pace, leaving Leonica and Owen to chuckle at his enthusiasm before deciding to try out one of the stalls.


    The first game stall they approached was the ring toss, Owen winning a stuffed bear that he handed over to Ashley, who clutched it with a grin of pure delight. After that, they moved onto a shooting game stall. Ashley tried the first round, bragging with high shoulders about how many targets he had hit when he and Gabriel went to the amusement park a few months ago.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Much to his dismay, he could only hit a total of two targets, leaving Owen tough at his failed attempt, only to end up being chased by the small water gun wielding demon. Leonica watched them, her eyes shining with amusement, couldn''t help but appreciate Owen''s yful side and how much fun Ashley was having


    As the night deepened, they indulged in carnival treats, savoring the taste of shaved ice, caramel apples, and funnel cake. At one point, Ashley''s excitement reached its peak when he spotted a candy stall


    "Cotton Candy!" He eximed and had it not been for Owen and Leonica''s hands holding onto either of his, Ashley would have darted into the crowd at after the cotton candy stall.


    "Whoa buddy, slow down." Owen said, chuckling when he still attempted to rush away.


    "Ash, I think you''ve had enough sugar for the night."


    Hearing his mother''s words, Ashley turned towards Leonica with a puppy dog eyes, pushing his lips into a pleading frown. "Please mommy, just thisst one and I promise, no more ice cream for this entire week."


    Leonica nced at Owen and with a silent chuckle, he nodded at her. "Alright, but just one." As she spoke, Owen reached into his wallet and pulled out a ten kroner bill, handing it to him.


    "I''ll be right back!" he eximed, darting towards the colorful disy before either Owen or Leonica could say anymore. Thankfully, they could clearly see him from where they stood, so neither of them made any real effort to chase after him, but made sure to keep a keen eye on him. With Ashley momentarily upied, Owen and Leonica found themselves standing beneath a canopy of fairy lights. The atmosphere was charged with an unspoken connection, and Owen seized the moment.


    Leonica turned to him, her gaze curious yet guarded. "What''s on your mind?"


    Owen took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto hers. "You, Ashley, our future together." He confessed and Leonica nearly scoffed at his


    words.


    Their future together? They hadn''t even gone on a second date, talk less started dating, yet he was already thinking of their future together. Impressive.


    "And what of it?


    "Just thinking, about how to make it perfect." He paused, gathering the rest of his words before continuing. "About how to make you happy. And Ashley, I know I can never take Gabriel''s ce, but I still want to try and be something to him."


    Leonica''s eyes softened, and warmth spread across her face. She was touched by his sincerity, by the depth of his feelings. "Owen..." Interrupting her, he continued, "I know I might be getting a little over my head, but, I really can''t help but hope that there''s going to be an ''Us.'' Am I the only one who thinks that?"


    A gentle smile yed on Leonica''s lips, and she ced a hand on Owen''s cheek, shaking her head gentle. "No, and that''s why I''ve given you one chance, Owen. Make it count. Win me over."


    Owen''s heart soared with happiness, and he nodded earnestly. "I will, Leonica. I promise."


    Their moment was interrupted by Ashley''s return, a bag of candies in hand. Leonica gawked when instead of one stick; she saw four in Ashley''s hand.


    "Ash!" sh


    She called out, the childughing happily at his mother''s expression. She didn''t say anymore and sighed, taking his free hand in hers as the continued to navigate through the crowd towards their original destination.


    With the grand finale of the festival approached, everyone present, they included, gathered in an open space on the festival grounds to watch the breathtaking disy of fireworks illuminated the night sky.


    "Wow!" Ashley eximed, his eyes shining along with the fireworks.


    Owen chuckled and looked at Leonica to see that she was no different. The vibrant bursts of color reflected in her eyes as she stood. beside him, Ashley nestled between them.


    The more he watched her, the more he got the urge to reach out and kiss her. And towards the finale of the fireworks, Owen gave into his urges. With a tender smile, he pulled Leonica closer, their hearts beating in unison. As thest of the firework exploded above them, Owen leaned in, capturing her lips in a sweet, lingering kiss.


    Time seemed to stand still as the world around them disappeared into the brilliance of the fireworks. In that moment, under the canopy of colors, Leonica made a single wish, For this feeling of Bliss and happiness, tost as long as possible, SPECIAL CHAPTER: #1


    The doorbell above Mega-Me jingled as Leonica and Anastasia walked out, small carton of cake in thetter''s hand.


    "You sure this is perfect?" Anastasia questioned, visibly worried about the cake she had chosen for her mother. Her worry went as far as making her taking yet another peak into the cake box. Although the beautiful pink cherry cake was eye catching and definitely delicious, she wasn''t too sure it was her mother''s type.


    Bethany, her mother, was a bit, no, overly picky when it came to cakes.


    From beside her, Leonica sighed. "Anastasia, the cake''s fine. I know Bethany, she''s gonna love it." She tried to reassure.


    But Anastasia just wasn''t buying it. She was about to take yet another worried look into the cake box and probably contemte going back into Megan''s shop to swap the cake, or just ditch the cake idea in whole, when a familiar voice sounded out from in front of her. "Anastasia?"


    She raised her gaze from the cake box, a scowl appearing on her face when she saw that it was indeed who she didn''t want it to be, calling her.


    "What a coincident." Lloyd expressed, walking towards both she and Leonica, Beside him, Christian trailed, giving the older female a simple wave, which Leonica returned.


    "What a coincident indeed. An awful one for that matter." Anastasia muttered and looked away, anywhere but Lloyd''s face, missing the way his lips had curled up, just by a few seconds, before he turned towards her best friend. "Hey Leonica," He greeted.


    "Hey Lloyd," Leonica returned the greeting, looking between him and her friend before questioning "Everything good?


    It didn''t take Lloyd less than a second to get her question. He chuckled, nodding his head as he did so. "Yeah, everything alright. Perfect in fact." He added thest part, staring directly at Anastasia.


    From beside him, Christian rolled his eyes. If he knew this was the reason why Lloyd had dragged him away from his work as soon as he got a call from Megan, then he wouldn''t have left. He was just about to speak up, when he recalled something.


    Ashley''s medical checkups had been switched over to his hospital. Because of that, he now handled everything medically rted to Ashley and as of recent, he had seen something that caught his attention


    "Leonica?" The sound of his voice stopped whatever squabble Anastasia and Lloyd had began. The older female looked in his direction at the sound of her name. "Can I sprak with you for a moment?" He beckoned her over, taking a few steps back as she followed along. Their voices were somewhat hushed from the distance they stood and Anastasia wondered what they were talking about.


    "You look so curious." The sound of Lloyd''s voice had her looking away and in his direction. She flinched slight andter scowled. when realizing that he was standing close. Too close for her liking.


    "Don''t you know the meaning of personal space, Riley?"


    Her question had himughing. "No, not really. And when are you going to drop that formal shit? We''re about the same age, aren''t we Anastasia?"


    Hearing her name off his tongue had sounded more smoother than she would have ever imagined. At the same time, it sounded foreign. Good foreign.

 Chapter 135

    She clicked her tongue, burying the thoughts in the back of her mind as she readied a snarky response. But before she had the opportunity to speak, her phone vibrated, indicating that a message had entered. She supported the cake box on one hand and with the other,


    fished out her phone from her back pocket.


    Lloyd silently watched her all the while and when he looked away, he found that he quickly missed the heavy scent of her floral perfume. Odd, he thought, seeing as he always preferreddies who wore lesser scented perfumes. The heavy ones were always too choking for him, ruining his mood before he could even get to the fun part.


    But for some reason, it was different with Anastasia. As a matter of fact, everything was different with Anastasia Johansson. It left even him speechless and sometimes annoyed him.


    With a sigh, Lloyd focused his gaze back on the enigma in his entire romantic advance, about to pull a leg or two to see her reaction and feel better about himself; when he saw her expression and paused.


    Fear and panic was the first thing he could make out on b her visage and for some reason, it triggered a response that made him alert "Hey, what''s wrong?" He quickly asked, not knowing that he had touched her shoulder until she harshly smacked his hand away But even she looked like she didn''t know what she had done.


    "Jesus Christ, Riley. You need to learn what personal space is." Her words hade out more harshly and louder than she wanted it to and when she realized that he had only done that because he was checking up on her, she felt a feeling of guilt creep into her gut. Fuck, he must think I''m an asshole, she thought, unconsciously biting on the inside of her cheek. Something she often did when she was tensed.


    "I''m sorry if 1 scared you," Lloyd began and he looked genuinely sorry. Another kick to her snarky personality. "You just looked." He paused, looking for the right word. "Frightened."


    Anastasia''s grip tightened around her phone upon hearing his words and she looked away, swallowing thickly. "I''m fine." Game her response, but it sounded more like self reassuring words, rather than an answer.


    And whether she wanted it or not, Lloyd wasn''t buying that answer. "It doesn''t look like that to me." He stepped forward, closer, and peered down at her, gauging her reaction, the way she avoided his gaze and was now visibly tensedpared to when she had first stepped out from the pastry shop, "is something the matter, Anastasia? You can talk to me if="


    Anastasia''s head snapped up to meet his gaze and she interrupted him, meaning to sound as rude and impolite as she did. "I said I was fine, so why don''t you just mind your business, Riley."


    Lloyd was caught off guard by her words, His expression said it all and the more she looked at him, the more she got that tiny kick in her gut, calling her an asshole..


    Thankfully before anymore Interaction could go on between them, Leonica returned. "Sorry for keeping you waiting," She paused and looked between the two, sensing the tensed air. "Is everything alright?"


    Her question was answered by a smile from Anastasia "Peachy. Can we leave now?" Before even waiting for Leonica''s answer, she began walking towards the car. Leonica took onest look at Lloyd before chasing after her friend.


    "y"know, you have one hell of a talent when ites to pissing women off." Christian said as he came to stand beside Lloyd, stuffing his hand into his pocket and just like his friend, watching as the twodies drove off.


    But even after they left, Lloyd didn''t look away. He couldn''t. Anastasia''s expression had been burnt into his head for some reason.


    "No, this one wasn''t on me." He muttered, eyes drawing into a slim line as he came to realize that Anastasia''s countenance had only changed after she checked the message on her phone.


    Now, he couldn''t help but wonder what she saw in the message, even though he knew that was none of his business.


    "One cappino decat for Ms. Anastasia Johansson!"


    Standing up at the sound of her name, Anastasia walked to the counter and picked up her offer. She paid for it, tipping the barrister generously as he had once again made her morning with his splendid coffee skill


    As she took a sip from the beverage, she could feel all her worries fade away. Her worry concern her mother''s party. Her worries concerning work and her worries concerning that stupid message she had gotten from Derek two days back. [If you won''t answer me, then I''d have no choice than toe to you.]


    She still remembered those words vividly and the fear that had shot through her body. Throughout the ride back, she had remained silent, biting on her nails as she reprimanded herself for having answered his message the first time he texted. And thenter in the night, she received another round of reprimanding from herself towards the way she had acted when Lloyd had simply tried checking on her.


    But that really didn''t matter now, she told herself as she stopped in front of the ss door to fish out her car keys from her bag. As she got them and looked up, catching her reflection on the ss doors, she froze.


    Derek. Derek was fucking behind her!


    Panicked, she spun around, but the space behind her was empty. But even at that, the warning rms in her head hadn''t stopped ring and only did she realize she was about to have one of her usual panic attacks from all the bad memories with Derek, when she felt her hands shaking and the hot liquid spilling on her hand.


    But thankfully, that was enough to pull her gaze away from the empty spot and have her briskly walking out of the cafe. She paused for a while, waiting for the traffic light above to turn red so that she could cross and get to her car.


    Seconds felt like minutes and the more she waited, different people passing and crowding around her, the more she felt this weird feeling of being watched. And just when she felt like things couldn''t get any worse, she was suddenly bumped off the side walk and SPECIAL CHAPTER I


    straight into the road.


    An iing car honked loudly at her, shing its headlights, but her body seemed like it was frozen in ce and the only thing she could do was close her eye and pray to the lord above that he allowed her feet grace the doors of heaven when the timees. But the pain she waited for never came and she instead felt someone pull harshly on her arm and she crashed into the chest of someone. As the whispers all around died down, she finally pried her eyes open to see that the person she was currently smudged against was Lloyd Fucking Riley.


    "Reincarnation isn''t a thing here in our world, Anastasia. You get hit, you die, no such thing as getting reborn in another universe." He said, the tone of his voice sounding concerned, yet having its usual teasing gleam.


    It was slowly, having dyed effect from having had her life just shed before her eyes, but the moment Anastasia opened her mouth to respond, instead of words a sob slipped out and soon after, the damn broke loose.


    But as the tear streaked down her face, she didn''t care about the onlookers, only reying a certain thought in her head.


    Why the fuck did she has to be saved by Lloyd fucking Riley and why the hell was she sobbing like a five years old who had lost her toy? Well, the answers were obvious; It was all because of Derek Smith SPECIAL CHAPTER: #2


    Shortly after her outburst, Anastasia had been led back into the Caf¨¦ and seated in a less crowded section, where Lloyd quietly sat with her and waited for her to calm down. When it seemed to him like she was getting more clear headed, he fetched her a ss of water, substituting it for her spilled cup of decal. "Feeling better?" He asked as he ced the ss on the table, sliding it to her, all the while sliding into the seat across her.


    Anastasia caught the water, wrapping her hands around the ss and seeking the usual warmth that her coffee provided. When the ss remained warm, nd, she fore her gaze away fixing it on the side walk where she had been bumped, shoved


    She was sure someone had shoved her. Or perhaps that was just her paranoid mind getting the better of her.


    Pulling her gaze away from the side walk, she took one huge pulp of the water, ced the ss down and nodded, giving a bted answer to Lloyd''s question. "Yes, thank you."


    He nodded and chooses to remain silent, giving her a few more minutes to regain herself before anything else..


    Anastasia appreciated his silent gesture but found herself looking around, searching the crowd behind for the face that had thrown her into panic mode. She sighed out in relief when she didn''t see anyone matching his description, but her body felt far from relieved. "Is everything okay? Lloyd asked, questioning the way she was looking around and sighing out in relief yet still looked tensed. "You look a bit worried."


    He watched as her head snapped up, eyes meeting his, and saw the way they widened in rm, before she schooled her expression and nodded her head, answering him. "I''m fine, nothing to worry about." She took her cup and brought it to her lips, finishing its content in one go


    "Thanks again, for this and saving me back there." She said and stood up. She reached into her purse to pull out some change but Lloyd stopped her.


    "Don''t bother." He said. She nodded her head, but struggled to put the change back into her purse with her shaky fingers. Lloyd of course, look notice of this and asked. "Can you manage?


    er speech and


    She shed him a thin, yet uncertain smile. "Of course. My car''s just parked out there and-" She paused midway of her squeaked loudly when the barrister from before gently rapped her on her shoulder.


    He looked guilty as he handed a paper to her. "Your coupon, Ma''am"


    Lloyd beat her to collect the coupon before she could raise her hand. "Thank you," He offered the barrister a smile, turning towards her after he had walked away and arching a brow at her. "You can manager His question this time around sounded more condemning than caring


    She wanted to nod her head, prove him wrong and shut his fucking mouth, but instead, she found her head shaking from side to side.


    Lloyd sighed. "Thought so. Let''s go, give me your address, I''ll drive you home."


    They arrived in the parking lot and walked straight to his car.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Address?" He asked when they had both gotten into the car.


    Anastasia gave him the address and remained silent for the rest of the ride. Only when it was time to get down did she speak


    "You don''t tell Leonica about this." She said, looking him in the eyes with a stern gaze.

 Chapter 136

    Not like he was nning to "Sure." He nodded and watched as she walked up to the front porch of her house, but instead of going inside, she began patting her body down and looking around like she had lost something. He didn''t have to wait long before he heard a frustrated cry and heughed, rolling down his window and calling out to her.


    "Forget something?"


    She spun around, eyes narrowed at him. "Fuck off!"


    "Language, Anastasia! And here I thought you were a sweetdy." He Isked.


    She scowled, not having a clue on why she wasn''t with her house keys. Until it clicked. It must have dropped from her purse when she staggered into the road. Meaning there was a fifty-fifty chance that it was still on the road.


    "Shit," She muttered, running her hand through her hair as the realization that she was now locked out of her own home, finally dawned on her.


    "What''s wrong this time?" Lloyd questioned her expression yet again, watching as she chewed on her lower lip before reluctantly


    answering


    "I think I misced my house keys"


    "Wee to my humble apartment." Lloyd expressed as he turned the keys to his penthouse and they stepped in.


    Anastasia had tried getting a hold of a locksmith, but the man, Larry as they all called him, told her he was too busy for today and if he was to get anything done, it would be early tomorrow morning. Then she tried calling Leonica, but apparently, her friend was too busy with her new lover and son and couldn''t take the call. No offense taken. Then she had thought of calling her mother, but that was out of the question, considering the fact that she was more likely to scold her the entire night for miscing her keys, rather than actually give her a ce to stay. So it had been either this or finding a hotel, and thetter was a much better option for her until she weighted the safety options. She was rich and all, and her money could get her the best rooms in any hotel she pleased, but a simple door lock couldn''t keep Derek away. So right now, if she wasn''t hallucinating the entire thing of seeing him and being pushed, her best option was to be around someone, and if that person was Lloyd fucking Riley, then she''d swallow that bitter pill for her safety.From N?velDrama.Org.


    Stepping further into the penthouse, she took in her surrounding, a little surprised at how neat it was, but then she reminded herself that Lloyd wasn''t the type to have a messy ce. Seeing as the man had too many womening in and out of his apartment, no doubt he had to keep a clean space.


    "You can have the room down the hall, make yourself at home." He said and she nodded her head.


    "Thanks."


    With that, she turned her back and walked towards the direction of the room. As she reached it, she found that the door was slightly ajar and when she pushed the door open, the first thing she noticed was the huge bed, then the TV, then the walk in closet andstly, the ss windows.


    She had to admit, the room was beautiful. The walls were painted a creamy white, the bed had been made up with white sheets and pillows, the walk in closet was empty, giving it an elegant look, and the floor was wooden, with a single fluffy carpet ced right at the foot of the bed. Walking over to the bed, she sat down, letting out a content sigh at how soft it was. The adrenaline from earlier finally having left her, so she took off her shoes, cing them neatly at the side of the bed and got in, pulling the covers over her body as she did so. But even though she closed her eyes, sleep didn''te. Her mind kept on reying the scene from the coffee shop. The way her heart had been beating hard, her body trembling and the fear of being hit by a car. All because of Derek


    The thought had her frowning and she flipped over to her side, trying to push the thoughts of him and what had happened earlier. away.


    But the more she tried not to think about it, the more the images kept on shing before her eyes.


    "Damnit." She cursed out and flipped over to her back, staring up at the ceiling. She sighed out and decided that maybe if she had a few more sses of water and perhaps a cup of coffee, she could rest with clearer mind.


    So with a grunt, she pulled herself up from the bed, putting her shoes back on and walking out of the room.


    The penthouse was quiet, meaning Lloyd wasn''t anywhere near, so she assumed that he had gone out and would probably return sometimete. So when he navigated her way into the kitchen to find him seated by the ind she received another round of fright. "Fucking hell!" She cursed, ring at him.


    He raised his head up from the ss of whiskey he had been staring into, meeting her gaze. "You''re cursing a lot today, aren''t you? "Who''s to me?" She said while walking towards the fridge. She fetched herself a bottle of water, but even after drinking that, she didn''t feel better. And then her eyesnded on the ss in Lloyd''s hand. "Can I have some of that?" She asked, know it was the temporally solution to her problem


    Without a word, Lloyd pulled a different ss from beside him and poured some whiskey into it before sliding it into the open space beside him. She took the hint and took the seat beside him, cradling the whiskey in her fingers before she took a sip from it. "Can I ask?" Lloyd began, taking a sip from his drink and turning to look at her. "Both today and the day back at the pastry, you''ve been...frightened. Can I ask why?"


    Anastasia stared hard at her ss at his question. "It''s because of my ex fianc¨¦." She finally said.


    Lloyd nodded his head and took a long sip from his drink, feeling somewhat baffled at the word ''ex fianc¨¦.''


    ""What about him?" He asked.


    Anastasia hesitated before answering. "I think he''s stalking me."


    Lloyd froze up. "What?"


    "I think he''s stalking me. Text messages, calls," She paused, recalling what she had seen in the caf¨¦. "I think i even saw him back at


    the cafe."


    "Is that something to be rmed over? Is he a dangerous person?"


    She shrugged, ying with the rim of the ss with her index finger. "He was a dick, and he did stuff that no decent man should do." She said, taking a sip from the drink as well, hoping it would help loosen her tongue a bit. "Fuck, I shouldn''t have answered that damn message." She mumbled, more to herself, but Lloyd had heard and the thought of someone stalking and bothering Anastasia didn''t settle well with him. He didn''t know why, but he had this urge to protect her. Even though that wasn''t his job.


    "Did you contact the police?" He asked, watching her as she shook her head, taking another long sip from her ss. "Why not?" Her hand tightening around her ss told him all he needed to know. "Does Leonica know of this?"


    "Most of it." She admitted, feeling the effect of the alcohol on her brain and body, and somehow, it was rxing. "I don''t want her to worry too much about me."


    "So why are you telling me?" He asked. When he looked back at her, she had this confused look on her face, like she didn''t know why either. He had to chuckle. "I''ll let you in on a secret," He started and leaned in, close, very close. "The moment you started crying, I felt bad. Like really bad."


    Anastasia''s eyes narrowed, trying to figure out whether he was joking or not. Was that actually meant to be a secret? His expression showed that he was being honest. When she shook her head and turned away, she heard him chuckle, the alcohol in her system making it sound far too charming to her ears.


    "That shouldn''t be a secret, but since you consider it one, it''s clear that You''re drunk." She stated, looking back at him and raising her ss in a toast. "And so am I. We''ll pretend we didn''t have this conversation tomorrow, alright?" She didn''t wait for his answer and downed the rest of the alcohol


    Lloyd watched her as she ced the empty ss back on the ind, her hand still around it and a satisfied smile on her face. He could tell the alcohol had finally loosened her tongue and rxed her nerves. That was a good thing, he told himself. It was the first time he had seen her rx, ever since he pulled her off the street and that was only because of the alcohol.


    "What?" She questioned, noticing that he had been staring at her and he didn''t bother to stop. Instead, he gave her a wide grin, the same one he wore when he had his eyes on his next prey. But Anastasia was unaware of this, and only rolled her eyes. "Whatever." With that, she turned her back, standing up from her seat and stumbling towards the sink.


    As she rinsed her ss, she felt him step up behind her, and even though she was sure that his intention was not to touch her, she felt her body freeze and her heart race. She couldn''t help but turn, finding him just inches away from her. "Personal space." She hissed, wanting to move away but he had her trapped.


    He leaned closer. "This is my home; I should be free to stand wherever I please." He whispered, his breath fanning across her face and causing her to shiver.


    She knew what he was doing. She wasn''t dumb. He had done the same thing with otherdies. But she wouldn''t be one of thosedies who fell for his charm. So instead, she ced her palm on his chest and pushed him away. "Wait." Lloyd''s hand went around her wrist and he tugged her forward. He leaned in, pressing his head against hers. His eyes dropped to her lips and his voice to whisper. "I won''t do this if you don''t want it."


    He waited for her response and when he didn''t get one, he pressed on. "Anastasia, I-"


    "If you''re just going to keep running that mouth of yours, then why don''t you use it in a more productive manner?" Anastasia Interrupted him, fully aware that it was the alcohol making her say things.


    But the look in Lloyd''s eyes and the way his lips curled at the corners upon hearing her words, made her believe she wasn''t going to regret her words one bit when she''s more sober.


    SPECIAL CHAPTER: #3


    Lloyd woke up the next morning to an empty bed side. He groaned and turned to the side, not entirely surprised to find that. But he was surprised to learn that the fact that Anastasia wasn''t beside him when he woke up, troubled him.


    An unusual feeling for him seeing as he was always the first to get out of bed after sex and even went as far as chasing his partners out of bed


    He sat up, running his fingers through his hair as he recalled the previous night''s events. They were blurry, but he knew they had both gotten drunk and things got a little out of hand, so much for them to end up in bed. But that wasn''t bad, because they had both given consent for it and clearly enjoyed it.

 Chapter 137

    with a sigh, Lloyd stood up from the bed, deciding that first he would take a bath, and then try figuring out the rest of his day. But a note on hismp side caught his attention. He reached for it, reading the neatly scribbled words. ''Thanks for letting me crash the night. I''ll see you around.''Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The letter read. Lloyd had read it once again for good measures, before he crumpled and threw it to the side, shaking his head as he chuckled. "You''re a mystery, Johansson"


    And for the first time in his life, Lloyd he liked that. A woman who wasn''t so easy to read. A new challenge, he would have called it, but some reason, he knew Anastasia was going to be far more than that.


    Locating his phone, he called a private investigator friend of his. As the phone rang, Lloyd tapped his foot impatiently. Only did he stop after the line had been answered. "Lloyd, what''s up?"


    "Andrew, hey, I uh, need a favor from you."


    "Go on.


    "I need you to run a background check on Anastasia Johansson for me, but I don''t need her details. I just ne


    ex fianc¨¦. Get me his current location and movement and any other detail that might be helpful."


    There was a brief pause on the other line and then, his friend, Andrew, spoke.


    "Lloyd, is everything alright?


    "Yeah, yeah. Nothing to worry about. Just, help me out, would ya?


    need you to find someone, her


    on as I can, and you''d


    "Okay, sure." Andrew answered and Lloyd sighed in relief, thanking his friend. "So, I''ll get you his details as soon as I can, have to tell me why you want this, okay?"


    "Of course. Thanks again, man." With that, he ended the call and threw his phone onto the bed


    He didn''t know why, but something told him that Anastasia''s safety wasn''t entirely in the clear, especially after she had told him the story of her ex and what happened. It wasn''t just her safety, but her peace of mind too,


    And for some reason, Lloyd felt like that was the least he could do for her, as her friend, of course


    But the more he thought of that, the more the words tasted bitter on his tongue


    ''Friend."


    Yeah right, and the Pope was Jewish.


    "You did what?" Leonica screeched into the phone from the other end. Anastasia had to pull the phone away from her ear, coupled with the sound of the locksmith doing his work on her door from behind, she felt like both sounds might make her go deaf. "Chill out Leonica." She began, catching her reflection across a mirror and grimacing at the numerous amounts of hickeys she saw on her neck. "You fucked Gabriel, didn''t you?"


    "That''s different!" The other female eximed and Anastasia had a feeling that if she had been there, Leonica would have been waving her arms in the air, all dramatic and what not. "And he''s Gabriel''s friend. What happened to friends of the same feather flock together? Anastasia shrugged. "Maybe he''s different."


    "Different how? He''s a yboy, worse than Gabriel. Couldn''t you have gone for Christian?" Leonica paused and then corrected herself.


    "No, scratch that, Christian isn''t bad, but he''s got a girlfriend." She sighed and began mumbling a few other words about how Anastasia could have gone for any one, and how personally, she wouldn''t advice she go for someone within Gabriel''s friend group. Anastasia chewed on a protein bar as she listened, waiting until the moment she finished. "Do you even know what you''re going to do now?" she asked atst


    Anastasia hummed at the question. It wasn''t a tough one, shouldn''t have been, but for some reason, she found herself humming. thinking of an answer, luckily, Ashley''s voice from the other end saved her from answering that question. ""Mommy, I''m gonna bete for school."


    "You heard the kid," Anastasia teased, chuckling as Leonica scolded her for avoiding her question, "Let''s talk more when you''ve dropped theid off." She assured. "Oh, and make sure to give a big kiss to Ashley for me.''


    Leonica sighed from the other end, knowing that as things stood, she wasn''t going to get anywhere with Anastasia. Answer or no answer, she also knew that she needed to take Ashley to school. "Fine, but once I get back, you and I, were going to seat down, face to face, and discuss this." Her stern tone had Anastasia nodding, but deep down, she knew that Leonica was most definitely going to get side tracked by


    something Ashley''s medical matter, school matter, or even recent development in her love life and if none of that worked, then she could just easily call Cassandra and put in a few words.


    That''s how much she wanted to avoid giving a solid answer, because she knew that answer wasn''t going to be for just Leonica alone, but also for herself.


    "Sure, let''s do that." She agreed, fingers crossed behind her back, and bade her best friend goodbye, after which she ended the call. Immediately she ended the call, Larry walked up to her, giving her a gentle tap o the shoulder. "Anastasia? Looking over her shoulder, she offered the locksmith a genuine smile "Yes Larry? Are you done with the door?


    He nodded and handed her a bunch of new locks. "The best I could do in such short notice." As she collected it, he gave her a certain look that Anastasia was all too familiar with, before adding. "And please, try not to lose this one."


    "Ha-ha, funny Larry. The door''s that way." She pointed towards the entrance, yful smile on her lips to let the locksmith know she was teasing him, even though his words had actually hit close to home.


    "Alright. I''ll see you around, Anastasia." He said as he turned around and walked towards the door.


    Anastasia followed closely behind. "Drive safely, Larry "She said as she watched him drive off and then locked the door.


    She didn''t waste any time in heading to the living room, dropping the bag of new locks and the protein bar, before she slumped onto the couch, pulling her feet up. She let out a sigh, staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts running wild as she recalled the conversation with Leonica.


    The question wasn''t tough, not really, but Anastasia didn''t feel like answering it because she knew the moment she answered that question, she''d have to get all serious with Lloyd and serious wasn''t something she wanted. As a matter of fact, she didn''t want anything with him, or at least that''s what she''s been telling herself and best believe it when she says that is one of the toughest lie she has ever had to repeat over and over in her head.


    Lloyd Riley was a handsome man with bright qualities that had been dimmed by his reputation as Oslo''s mumber one yboy Billionaire, but that aside, he was an alright man. Well, that and the fact that he was friends with Gabriel. But even that could be over looked and Leonica would definitely understand if there was something between them,


    If; that was the key word. But right now, they couldn''t even be considered fuck buddies.


    Thankfully, Anastasia was distracted from the sour thought by the sound of someone knocking at her door. She stood up andzily dragged her leg towards her door, already knowing who it was.


    "Did you forget something, Larry?" she asked as she swung the door open, smile ying at the corner of her lips.


    That smile however, faded when the person she saw standing there wasn''t Larry, but Derek. Blood drained from her face and as quickly as she had opened the door, she tried mming it, but Derek caught it and shoved it open


    "What the hell are you doing here?" she asked as she backed away, only for Derek to advance, a wicked grin on his face.


    "I''ve told you Ana, if you won''t answer me, then I''d have no choice than toe to you. And guess what? Herel am."


    She kept on backing away until the back of her legs hit the edge of the couch, causing her to stumble and fall backwards, and with the fear and panic, she didn''t have time to think before her reflexes kicked in, and the next thing she knew, her hands were flying, trying to hit him, fight him. But the moment her palmnded against his face, everything stopped. Time had seemed to freeze and the world around her had gone


    caught in a vacuum. All s sound, movement, and sense of touch had left her. All except for one, sight.


    dead silent. It was like being caught in


    She stared at the man standing above her, a crazed look in his eyes.


    He wiped the blood from his inner cheek and sighed. "You''ve always been a feisty one and God, how i hated that."


    Without another word, he charged at her, managing to pin her hand down. "I just want to talk, Anastasia."


    "And have you ever thought that i don''t want to talk to you? See you, even?" She spat and watched as his eyes darkened, but then her attention was drawn by the shadowy figure passing her ss window,


    "Larry! She thought, hoping that her guess was right.


    Derek noticed where her attention had been and as if reading her mind, be quickly covered her mouth before she could scream for help. "Don''t cut our discussion short, Ana." He said and just then, someone knocked on the door.


    "Anastasia?" Her eyes widened at the sound of Lloyd''s voice. Instead of struggling pointlessly, she calmed down despite the fear and with reasoning, kicked off the vase on her coffee table. The shattering sound and the sudden crash of it had Derek cursing and releasing


    her.


    "Fucking whore." He muttered and Anastasia took the opportunity to kick him and rushed to the door, calling out.


    "Lloyd!" In a heartbeat, she pulled the door open and came face to face with Lloyd.


    He looked surprised to see her looking so frightened, but the moment his eyesnded on the figure behind her, he understood the entire situation. Quickly, he pushed her behind him, acting as a shield between him and Anastasia.


    "I knew you wereing here," He said and watched as Derek''s face contorted in confusion and anger.


    "This is none of your business!" He spat and stepped forward, but the rest of Lloyd''s words had him stopping in his tracks.


    "And that''s why I came prepared.


    Immediately after his words, police officers appeared from behind him, advancing towards Derek with handcuffs.


    "Mr. Derek Smith, you''re under arrest on multiple crime charges towards Ms. Anastasia Johansson. You have the right to remain silent for anything you say or do would be used against you in the court ofw. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, the state would provide one for you."


    11


    "You can''t do this! You can''t take me in, i didn''t do anything." He argued, fighting the officers but it was useless.


    Lloyd didn''t spare him a nce and turned towards Anastasia. "You okay?" He asked, searching her face.


    She had tears in her eyes and he could tell she was far from okay, but instead, she shook her head, nodding as she whispered. "Y-Yeah, thanks to you."


    "You''re wee." He said and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.


    The moment the door was closed, he turned and pulled her into his arms. She was trembling and her fingers curled around his shirt as she let out a sob. ""How did you know he was going to be here?" she asked.


    "A friend of mine got his location pinged." Lloyd answered as they separated.


    Anastasia wanted to question why he had a friend of his watching her ex''s movement, but seeing as it had worked in her favor, she settled for letting it slide. "Thank you," she said once again, offering him a real smile.


    Lloyd mirrored her smile, but it soon changed into one of tease. "If you really want to thank me, how about that date I''ve been asking for?"


    "Like, for real?" Anastasia questioned, expecting him to burst out saying it was a joke, but he didn''t and that was enough to tell her that as yful as he had sounded, he was serious.


    She sighed, taking a moment to decide. She didn''t want to make a decision that she''de to regret, much like her decision to date Derek. But one look into Lloyd''s eyes and she was reminded of the night they had spent together and how safe she felt within his arm and she couldn''t deny how amazing the sex had been.


    So if there was any decision she was going to regret with her full chest, then this was going to be one of them


    H


    So, with a nod, she answered, why not?"


    But as she watched Lloyd smile, ted by the idea of their date, she wished deep down, that this wasn''t going to be one of those SICAL CHAPTER #T


    decisions that she''d regret, because for some reason, she knew this would hurt her more than the previous ones.


    109


    BOOK TWO: Those Damn Three Words.


    *Ssh!*

 Chapter 138

    Dream or no dream, Cold water soaked Leonica from head to toe. She gasped and tries to raise her young soaked body out of the small pond she had been shoved into, but her hand slipped on a few pebbles and she fell back in.


    In front of her, standing tall and proud, was her high school bully and his friends. They cackled amongst themselves, expressions of delight shimmering in their eyes.


    Just looking at their faces, Leonica felt her anger boiling "Jamil, I swear to God, I''m going to get you back for this." She threatened, the shrill in her voice exposing her youthful nature.


    The ring leader, Jamil, steppes forward and bent down, at least enough to meet her eye level. "You? Get me back?" His taunting words were followed by a loudugh which reached his bright blue eyes. "Yeah right, Leonica. Even in a thousand years, a freak like you can''t do nothing."


    Immediately after his words, Jamil received a harsh p on the back of his head. He yelped in pain and turned around, ready to challenge whoever had hit him, but froze momentarily when he saw the person behind him.


    Unlike him, Leonica''s face brightened up upon seeing the familiar brte male. "Mel,"


    "What did I warn you about picking on Leonica?" Melvin asked, raising the book, the weapon he had used before, to once again hit the bully on his head.


    Jamil quickly cowered, covering his precious face. "We weren''t picking on her!"


    "We?" Melvin''s voice had a questioning to tone to it and it caused Jamil to look around, only to realize that his friends had bailed. "No, it''s only you, Jamil. Now," He paused and smiled, but the look in his eyes was far from friendly. "Listen clearly, because the next time 1 catch you, picking her, it would be yourst."


    And with that, he made a hand movement, gesturing for the bully to run along. After onest re in Leonica''s direction, Jamil did as he was told and Melvin helped Leonica out of the school''s pond.


    "Can you not go one day without needing my help?" He teased.


    Leonica answered with an eye smile, squeezing the water out of her dress. At least what she could squeeze. "No, not at all."Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Melvin smiled, but his eyes looked dead, far from his usual jovial personality. "Well that''s bad, because one day, I''m not going to be around."


    Before she could process his words, the sound of her rm clock ringing in the distance pulled her out of her dream into the past and she slowly peeled her eyes open to the familiar white of her ceiling.


    She blinked once, then an extra time, before questioning why for the third time in a row, she had dreamt that exact ream. From beyond her room door, she could hear Grace and Ashley bustling about as she got up and got ready for another day in her life. Grace and Ashley''s conversation became clearer when she stepped out of her room, fully refreshed. "Young master, you need to eat your meal now or else you''d bete for school." Grace tried to reason and secondster, Ashley zoomed right past Leonica, nearly bumping into her.


    She caught him by the cor and pulled him back before he could get too far. "Ash, what have I said about messing around on a school morning?" She questioned, the warning tone clear in her voice.


    "He


    Ashley''s answer however, came in the form of his usual eye smile. "Good morning mommy." He greeted innocently.


    "Good morning to you too, Ashley." Leonica responded, sighing at his innocent fa?ade. She released his cor, squatting to his height as she arranged his uniform. "Now, tell me, why are you making Grace chase you when you''re meant to be getting ready for school?" Ashley looked between the nanny folding her hand nearby and his mother. "She tried to make me eat sd."


    "And that''s bad, how? Leonica gave him a look he knew all too well as she waited for his answer while he scrammed his head to find one that would be befitting to his mother. Thankfully, the sound of her phone ringing helped him evade the task and the moment she let go of his shoulder to answer the phone, he was half way down the Hall. "Ash Ashley stop running!" She called out to him as she answered the phone while signaling to Grace to chase after her rebellious


    What a little devil he was. And at such a young apel


    "Yes, Hello?"


    "Hey Leonica," The moment she heard Owen''s voice, her entire demeanor brightened up. "Is everything okay? You sounded stressed So early in the morning" Leonica smiled at his question.


    Of course he could tell from her voice. "I''m fine, it''s just Ashley,"


    "Ah," Came Owen''s response from the other end. Leonica could almost picture him nodding his head, "What''s the little rascal up to this time?"


    "He refuses to eat." Checking her reflection in a mirror she hade across, her face crinkled at the sign of eye bags.


    Those dreams must really have disturbed her.


    "Ashley aside," She said, changing the topic at hand and pushing thoughts of the dream to the back of her mind. "How are you? And how are you adjusting to the new working environment? Oh, and Your injuries-?"


    Owen chuckled faintly at her words, cutting her off before she could bombard him with any more question. "Leonica, slow down. Firstly, I''m fine and work over here''s sailing smoothly and it''s been a while month and a half since I was discharged from the hospital, I''m fine and so is my wound." She knew that, but still, she couldn''t help but ask, just like she had done every other time.


    Sighing through her nose, she bit down on her lower lip. "I know." The words passed her lips in a breathy whisper but Owen heard them. "I''m sorry for being a persistent prick"


    "Don''t say that." Owen was quick to object. "I like your care. It makes me feel more special than I already am."


    Leonica chuckled at his words, even though they were true.


    Owen was special, not just as that one childhood neighbor she tutored, or the only man that seemed to understand her, he was lover kind of special. Someone that she didn''t mind spending her Friday nights with, cuddled together on her sofa and watching cringe Rom-s while Ashley stayed over at Anastasia''s.


    Someone who she could freely get wasted on wine around and spill half of her life''s tragedy to only toter end up crying herself to sleep on his shoulder.


    He was that kind of special and truthfully, Leonica was enjoying it. Perhaps being his girlfriend was the constion she got after all these years of hardship.


    "Don''t get too cocky there, Owen Lee," She yfully warned, watching as Grace returned with Ashley.


    "I''m not g getting cocky, that''s just me being truthful, and I''m sure you know it."


    "Madam, the young master''s ready." Grace''s voice drowned the blush coatedugh that left her lips at that moment.


    "Alright," She answered before turning her attention elsewhere, somewhat used to seeing Owen physically each time they spoke. "I have to go now, let''s talkter, Alright?"


    "Sure." Owen answered but called out in thest moment. "Leonica!


    "Yeah?" Leonica questioned.


    From the other end, Owen hesitated with his next words, knowing fully well how it will y out but still deciding to try. Perhaps today might be his lucky day. "...I love you."


    The other end became silent at his words, and he nodded in understanding, knowing fully well that it would take more than a month and a half of dating and several ''I love you'' from him to actually have Leonica say those words back.


    He understood, and for that reason, he wasn''t bugged that he showed more feelings and emotion in their rtionship.


    He was ready to wait, for however long it took, until she had actually healed and was able to say those words back to him.


    "I''ll catch youter then?" He didn''t bother prolonging the silence. "Give some kisses to Ashley for me.


    #y-yeah." Leonica sputtered and lowered her head, cursing at the damn restrictions that made saying those three words so damnu hard


    "Alright, bye then."


    "Bye "the said and hung up. She nearly yelped when she turned around and saw Grace staring at her. "What?"


    TWO IMEA IN THE WED


    "You need to move on." Grace said as she ushered Ashley to his mother, handing her his lunch box and backpack. "Else it''s only going to hurt you and that precious boy." With that, she bent down and pressed a kiss to Ashley forehead, while Leonica stared speechless. Hurt Owen? And herself? Like hell she''d ever do that.


    "I hear you Grace," Her answer came half heartedly as she grabbed her car keys and bag. "But I''m sure I know what I''m doing.


    Grace didn''t say anything to that and only watched as they left, but the look in her eyes said more than her words could.


    Do you really know what you''re doing, Madame?


    The answer... when she thought about it, Leonica was unsure of it. But one thing she was sure of was that she liked and enjoyed Owen''s presence.


    Now all she needed to do was find a way to say those darn three words.


    It can''t be that hard, right?


    Rodrigo Is Not Alone.

 Chapter 139

    hley off at his school. The Leonica drove straight to herpany after dropping Ashley she took notice of the fleet of securities lined up by the entrance.


    he moment she arrived on herpany''s premises,


    Kennedy, who as usual, was waiting by the entrance for her, received her with a bow. "Good Morning, Ms. Romero "


    "Morning Kennedy. What''s all this about?" She gestured towards the four men in ck standing guard in front of the entrance. Before he could answer, they parted at the middle and Leonica watched a familiar figure walk towards her, hands tucked in his pocket. "Arvan," She smiled, greeting him lightly. "I see you got yourself more trustworthy guards."


    "Thest ones were utter disappointments." He wasn''t joking, seeing as his ex wife had been able to make her way into his house without him knowing. "How are you doing, Leonica?"From N?velDrama.Org.


    "Best shape." She offered him her best smile, but he did not fail to notice the dark circles underneath her eyes as they turned and headed Inside. "What are you doing here, anyways?"


    At her question, Arvan paused the instructions he was giving to his guards and shed her a look. Quickly, Kennedy appeared by her side and whispered in her ear.


    "You have a contract signing with Senator Richardson today."


    Contract signing, of course! How could she have forgotten that today was the day she and Arvan would make their cooperation official.


    "Leonica," Arvan began but she cut him off with a smile while reaching for the elevator''s button.


    "Old age." Her excuse was so weak that it had Arvan even more worried.


    Old Age? He would have understood if she said the stress of single parenting was getting to her, but old age? Leonica didn''t look the least bit like her age mates. Even today, dressed in long brown suit pants, white inner and a brown neutral zer, she looked more stunning than most, if not all twenty nine year olds that Arvan knew.


    When they finally stepped into the presidential elevator alone, since both assistants had to take the regr employee elevator, he asked.


    "Is everything alright with you?"


    "Peachy," Leonica responded with a nod. "I happened to overwork myselfst night." She quickly added upon seeing that he wasn''t buying into her words.


    Arvan nodded but he was far from convinced. Even at that, he decided not to push any further when the elevator dinged open. As they walked towards the conference room, Leonica changed the subject, asking after Daisy,


    "She good." Arvan responded as he held the door open for her. She thanked him while stepping in. "However, she''s been going on about a sleep over?


    "A sleep over?" She mused..


    "Yeah, know anything about it?"


    Leonica shook her head when he asked, letting him know that she knew nothing about the children''s ns.


    With a sigh, the conversation temporarily came to a close when their assistants walked In, each carrying


    g the official documents that needed each of their signatures before their cooperation was made public to the entire business words.


    Arvan was the first to finish signing. He once again examined Leonica''s face in the few seconds window.


    It was clear to him that she had lost a night or two of sleep.


    He couldn''t help but wonder what had happened? And why had she refused to tell him anything about it?


    Not that he had any right to know her every where and how in life, he thought and sighed at the fact that even after two month of telling Himself that he was going to be a friend and a friend alone, he clearly still had romantic feelings for her. "All done!" Leonica''s voice had him blinking away the unpleasant thoughts and they exchanged the contracts, sealing the deal atst. "As for the press conference-"


    "I''ll contact you once everything''s been arranged "He offered her his usual vague smile as he stood up and adjusted his suit.


    Leonica nodded, somewhat caught off guard by his interruption and as he turned to leave, she realized that she had been rather rude, not even bothering to ask about his wellbeing, whereas he had done so, and only choosing to focus on work "Arvan," She called out, waiting until he looked over his shoulder before she shed him a smile. "Wanna catch up over a cup of coffee?"


    They sat in the most private corner of Leonica''s favorite caf¨¦ near herpany, each mursing their cup of coffee.


    For the longest time, they didn''t speak, merely enjoying each other''spany. But it was obvious that Arvan wanted to talk.


    Leonica knew because, unlike before, his eyes did not meet hers and instead, kept flicking down, like a child waiting to tell their parent something they knew they wouldn''t like.


    She allowed this go on for a few seconds more before cing her coffee down and stretching her hand t across the table. "Arvan," She called. "Is there something you wanna say?"


    The smile on her lips was so weing that Arvan nearly forgot that he wanted to keep his distance,


    "Not really," He took a sip from his coffee, deciding to divert the topic from his bottled up feelings. "How''s things with Owen?" The question came out before he could stop it. Instantly, he regretted the sour taste it left in his mouth.


    It was the same familiar taste he had gotten when Leonica broke the news to him, no, more urately, Ashley had broken the news to him, going on about how he was getting a new daddy and Leonica confirmed her rtionship with Owen when he called for rification.


    "We''re doing great!" Her response was quick, filled with enough emotion to light up her eyes.


    Of course they are, Arvan thought, trying his best not to show how his chest constricted painfully. "Good. And uh, how''s Ashley... adjusting to his presence and all?"


    "Surprisingly." "Leonica began. "He likes Owen I mean, you know Ash. He''s never taken to just anyone, but I guess that''s the effect Owen has on him as my boyfriend." She chuckled lightly and took a sip of her coffee.


    Boyfriend, huh.


    "Yeah, surprising," He nodded along


    "I''m surprised myself. But then again, seeing as Owen is the actor of his favorite anime character, should that really be much of a surprise." She added, a fond look crossing her features as she recalled her son''s interactions with Owen a few days ago. Arvan couldn''t help the small smile that formed on his lips at her words. Despite how much it pained him, he was happy that Leonica had found someone that treated her the way she deserved.


    "That''s good, right?" He offered a smile.


    "Yeah." She nodded and ced her coffee down before standing up. "I need to ease myself for a moment. Would you excuse me?" "Go ahead."


    She shed him a smile before walking in the direction of the restroom. It was meant to be a quick in and out business, but just as she flushed the toilet, about to step out, she heard a female voice that she found vaguely familiar. "Uh, I can''t believe that stupid waiter spilled soup all over me." The haughty voice of Irene Rosewood bloomed out, causing Leonica to


    stop.


    "Well, you did kind of provoke him," A voice answered her. "I mean, it''s not every day you get someone serving you and you call them a maid. No wonder he did what he did."


    "Are you siding with that staff?" Irene asked, a hint of shock coating her words.


    "Not at all." The other voice quickly responded, clearly trying not to offend Irene.


    Hearing their conversation, Leonica couldn''t help but roll her eyes. She didn''t know all that much about Irene, at least not personally, but it was clear to her, both past encounters and presently, that she was a bitchy snob.


    On the subject of past encounters, Leonica had never really repaid Irene for that trashy article she had released that caused her more trouble at the press conference, than she had expected.


    Perhaps, this was the right time to repay her.


    "You think we should report it to the owner?"


    s will still


    "What''s the use?" Irene''s voice was cold and unbothered as she tried to wipe off the soup stain from her gown. "Those maids w be the same, ipetent pieces of shit and that manager will always try and please me. "Ah, is that so?" The other woman''s voice lowered, not liking the way Irene looked down on people. "And your dress, what about it?"


    Before Irene could respond, the stall door behind her opened. She turned, ready to snap at the person for eavesdropping on her conversation, when her eyes widened upon recognizing Leonica.


    "You!" The sneered that left her lips held an amount of animosity that surprised herpanion.


    Leonica on the other hand, remained indifferent to it. "Ms. Rosewood, didn''t expect to see you here."


    "What are you doing here?!" She demanded and the other woman, a brte with highlighted red tips, stepped back, startled.


    "Taking a piss, same as you." She deadpanned, the look in her eyes revealing how she really felt about Irene''s presence. Disgusted. "You should watch yournguage in a public ce, Ms. Rosewood. Wouldn''t wanna be answering charges of defamation, now would you."


    "Why you-


    "What?" She arched her brow and moved around her, heading straight for the sink. "You gonna do something, Irene?"


    The name roll off her tongue smoothly and the other woman red at her.


    "Don''t address me like that, you little-!"


    "Watch what you''re saying, Rosewood," Leonica warned and shed her a smile. "Remember what I told you about that nasty little mouth of yours?"


    After drying her hand, she took a step forward, paying no mind to Irene''s staringpanion as she looked Irene in the eyes. "I''d watch that tongue of yours if I were you.


    Irene could only watch her in stunned silence, a thousand thoughts running through her head as Leonica took a step back and scanned ber. "And rather than giving that poor waiter hell, you should thank him. He made you look more visually appealing."


    After thest word rolled off her lips, Leonica spun around and left the bathroom, leaving a fuming and red faced Irene behind.


    When she returned to she and Arvan''s table, she couldn''t help the wide smirk that stretched her lips, earning her a confused nce from Arvan


    "Did something happen?" He asked as she took a sip of her coffee.


    "No, nothing noteworthy at least."


    Arvan watched her suspiciously but didn''t say anything. He''d already decided to distance himself from her, he shouldn''t bother trying to pry information out of her, but damn if it didn''t feel right "Alright." He finally settled on that answer. "But if you wanna tell me anything, you know you can, right?"


    Leonica smiled. "I know."


    He returned her smile and reached for his wallet, fishing out a couple of bills, "I still have a couple of things to finish up, so I''ll go first"


    "You don''t have to pay, you know." She tried rejecting the money when he ced it on the table, but Arvan simply chuckled and slid it back to her. "I said it was my treat."


    "Yeah, but what type of a gentleman would I be if I allowed ady pay the bills?" And with that, he stood up and picked his coat along with him. "This was nice, let''s do it some other time. Bye Leonica."


    "Bye Arvan." She waved and watched him walk towards the entrance, instantly being led to his car by his security. Only after he was out of sight did she give attention to her assistant who had been standing in the corner for quite a bit. "What is it, Kennedy?"


    Kennedy stepped out from behind her, carrying a tablet in his hands, that heter presented to her as he spoke. "As per your Instructions sometime back, I had been keeping my eyes on your uncle,"


    "Rodrigo?" Leonica arched a brow, looking up from the data of Rodrigo''s recent movement to face Kennedy. "What''s he up to this time


    around?"


    Kennedy bent down and swiped onto the next slide and Leonica''s eyes darkened when she saw the data that had been collected.


    "He''s on the move, Ma''am," Kennedy informed and Leonica sighed as shepleted his words.


    "And he''s not alone. "


    Hodrigo Is Not Mane


    With a sigh she closed the tablet and handed it back to Kennedy. "Look into it. Both his whereabouts and his aplice, whoever they are I want data on them."


    Promises To Be Kept.


    Owen walked along the busy halls of his current film set, having just finished recording a scene from his movie which was set toe out sometime in December. As he passed the crew and extras, he greeted them with a nod or a wave, not failing to notice how the extras and some of the staff looked at him with admiration.


    It made him chuckle, realizing how far he hade from the small role of a high school boy that was just passing by in the background.


    "Owen,


    The sound of his name snapped him out of his thoughts and he turned, a smile automatically forming on his lips when he saw the


    source


    "Alistair, what''s up?"


    His manager beckoned him over at his question, bringing his voice to a whisper when Owen got closer. "You got a call."


    A call? Owen narrowed his eyes. Why was there any need to whisper over a call?


    "From who?" He asked.


    Alistair didn''t respond immediately. In fact, he didn''t respond at all and instead, he grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him along.


    They went into Owen''s resting room and the moment the door had closed, Alistair''s phone began to ring. He took one look at it and groaned, once again contemting if he should quit his job as Owen''s manager.


    Owen who had caught the look on his face, questioned. "Who is it?"

 Chapter 140

    Instead ofpletely staying silent, Alistair handed the phone to Owen, as if saying ''You handle it; this is your problem after all." And no sooner than a few seconds after Owen took the phone and caught Glimpse of the caller, did his expression crumble. It was his father calling and as much as he wanted to end the call and toss Alistair his phone, he knew he had to pick up. He had to uphold his end of the deal.


    With a heavy sigh, he swiped right and ced the phone against his ear. "Yes... Father." Thest words rolled heavily off his tongue. and into the silence that settled on the other end.


    It seems like Taehyun was yet to get used to hearing his own son call him by his title.


    A few more seconds went by before Taehyun spoke. "I see you''ve been too busy to take my calls these past few days."


    Not exactly. "Yes and as a matter of fact, I was in the middle of a shot when you called me, So,"


    The rest of his words were interrupted by a deep chuckleing from his father. Even if it had just been a mere sound, Owen read deep


    into its meaning


    His father still wasn''t pleased with the fact that Owen had left hispany to join Leonica''s.


    But what was to be expected after all the trash treatments over the years. He had iting.


    "Well then, I''ll keep it brief. You''reing over to the family estate for the weekend. We have a few things i to be upheld."


    to discuss, a few promises


    Thest words sent cold chills down his spine. The only promise that was left to be upheld was the one he had made in other to quit the


    The promise in short, was granting his father Taehyun Lee, the right to set him up on one blind date with one of his wealthy, single and well behaved friend''s daughter, who, in his words, didn''t have a unfortunate specimen, called a child.


    Just thinking about how he referred to Ashley angered Owen enough to clench his fist, but he reminded himself to stay calm before anything drastic would happen.


    "I see. Expect me this weekend then


    "Alright." With that, the line went dead and Owen handed the phone back to his manager.


    Alistair could instantly read his emotions and with a sigh, he walked over and patted him on the back. "His still your father-" He began, but the rest of his words died down when he received a sudden re from Owen, that disappeared as quickly as it came. "Sorry," He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh. "I''m just pissed off at the entire situation. He keeps trying to meddle In my personal affairs and at this point, it''s really getting too much."


    "I understand." Alistair gave him another gentle p on his back. "But don''t let it work you up too much." Heading towards the door,


    be announced. "You resume set in 15, get some rest"


    And with that, he was gone, leaving Owen to slump into one of hisfortable cushion and stare at the roof, thinking about how he was going to handle his father, something he should have done all these years but refused to. Back then, he had been too Scared to do so.


    But now, he had something he wanted to protect. Someone he was willing to go to any length for. Someone he actually cared about.


    In that moment, an image of Leonica''s smiling face shes in his mind and he smiled. But then it faded when he thought about the blind date his father had set up and how he had not told Leonica about it for the past month. "Ah," He mused at the realization.


    Perhaps it was time to tell her.


    Leonica had returned to her office to handle a few official matters after hanging out with Arvan. Her encounter with Irene was still fresh on her mind, making her chuckle every now and then.


    However, she still couldn''te to terms with how much Irene looked like her. Or was it she who looked like Irene?


    A face job perhaps? She found herself pondering after having just ended yet another one of her meeting and was on her way up to her


    office.


    She had only taken a few steps out of the elevator when her phone began ringing. She fished it out of her pocket, taking one nce at the screen to confirm the caller before she answered it and pressed the phone close to her ear. "Doctor Bailey, Hello."


    "Ms. Romero, Good afternoon." Doctor Bailey greeted politely before moving onto the main subject. "I''m calling in regards to Ashley''s checkup. It''s due today


    Leonica nced at her calendar as she stepped into her office, confirming his words. "So it seems. What time today are we meant toe in?"All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    "Once the young one is back from school." Doctor Bailey responded before asking "Would that work for you?"


    "Of co


    course. I''ll drive straight to the hospital after picking Ashley up." She informed.


    "Good." There was


    was a short pause, as if the doctor wanted to say something else, but was hesitant. Finally, he decided to just ask. "Has there been any progress with Mr. Bryce''s memory as ofte?" Leonica paused her steps, arching her brows at the Ludacris question.


    How the hell was she supposed to know that? Wasn''t he Gabriel''s doctor? Didn''t Gabriel visit him?


    Of course he didn''t. Leonica barely held herself back from rolling her eyes. It was such a Gabriel thing to do.


    "None that I know of "She answered honestly, pressing the phone to one ear as she shrugged her coat off and passed it to Kennedy who had been walking behind her.


    "Is that so? Alright, I''d await you and Ashley''s arrival then."


    "Please do Bye."


    "Goodbye Ms. Romero."


    With that, she ended the call and slid into her seat, deciding to upy herself with some work before having to pick Ashley up. But before she began looking through documents, her eyes found Kennedy and she asked. "Anything on Rodrigo yet?" The assistant shook his head. "Not y yet Ms. Romero. I apologize."


    "It''s alright. Leonica sald and turned her attention to the stack of papers on her table, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t fully concentrate on them as her mind lingered somewhere between them and Rodrigo''s sudden move about


    Up until three months ago, his movements had been confined to specific locations, with purpose to each suit it, but now, he suddenly went to the bank and more especially, to the family vault


    What exactly was be looking for there and who was the second person that had followed him?


    The next few hours went by with her working and wondering. By the time she hade to terms with time, afternoon was fast approaching


    "Ms. Romero," The voice of her assistant had her snapping her head up.


    "Yes?" She asked.


    000


    "It''s time to pick the young


    ung master up-


    "


    One look at the clock and she mused. "Ah, Right you''re right." Leonica said and stood up, stretching her hand to the side as she yawned. "Let''s go." Kennedy nodded, grabbing her coat as he stood up and followed her out the door. They began the journey, first stopping at Ashley''s school to pick him up. The youngster was more than delighted to see his mother and quickly ran into her arms. "Mommy!"


    Leonica picked him up, gently spinning him around before cing him down. "How was school?" She asked the moment his giggles subsided


    "School was boring. Mrs. Harper made us watch the Lion King andst I checked, mom, Lions don''t talk." Ashley exined his day as Leonica led him back to the car.


    Kennedy held the door open for them, receiving Ashley''s school belonging with a bow. "Wee back, young master."


    "Hi Kenny!" Ashley greeted, hopping into the car before going back to his exnation. "The lions were talking about something called" the circle of life'' and they kept talking about how everything in the world had a cycle. It was really boring to watch." "Was it now?" Leonica questioned with narrowed brows, surprised that Ashley actually hated the cartoon. She enjoyed that stuff at his


    age


    "Yeah." He nodded then peered out the window. "Huh? Where are we going mommy?"


    "Oh, Doctor Bailey called," Ashley''s expression wasted no time in turning grim at the mention of hospital. "It''s just a few check ups, Ashley, just to make sure you''re alright." She assured.


    "Nothing painful is going to happen?"


    "No, nothing at all." She reassured and shed her son a smile.


    It took Ashley a few seconds, but he eventually bought into his mother''s words, "Alright."


    A couple of minutester they arrived at the hospital. As Kennedy held the door open, Ashley was the first to hop off, Leonica followed


    after.


    "Young master, your bag." Kennedy presented him with his bag, but Ashley refused.


    "No need for it. We''ll be back in no time." He informed and started pulling Leonica ha determination to have the check uppleted as soon as possible.


    the wrist, heading inside the hospital with


    "Ashley, slow down." Leonica said but her son was determined. He continued to pull her along and just when she was sure nothing could get him to stop, not like she couldn''t easily pick him up and put an end to this, he did stop and let go of her wrist Before she could question his action, his entire demeanor brightened up and in a matter of seconds, he rushed forward, spreading his arms as he eximed.


    "Daddy!"


    Leonica''s eyes narrowed. What did he just-


    "Ashley," The familiar voice of her ex-husband had her head snapping up, only to see Gabriel standing right there. He was dressed in a business suit, hairbed back and sses perched atop his nose.


    When his eyes met hers, he gave a simple and friendly wave, smiling like the most innocent divorcee on the. "Hey Leonica."

 Chapter 141

    Ashley Deest Hove Muel


    Ashley Doesn''t Have Much Time Left.


    "The results so far shows that Ashley is doing great," Doctor Bailey''s words rang out as he pointed at Ashley''s newly printed medical chart.


    The said child, although not understanding much, stretched his neck to get a glimpse at what both his parents were so focused on.


    "And his healing progress, how''s that?" Leonica asked, tearing her gaze away from the chart and looking at Doctor Bailey.


    "There''s no problem. His bones seem to he healing and developing nicely, but," He paused and looked at Ashley, not sure if he should say what he wanted to in front of the young child.


    Gabriel, who was beside Ashley, got the hint and stood up. "Ashley, do you want to go get some ice cream?"


    The little boy''s face lit up instantly. He looked to his mother for permission and Leonica nodded, allowing him to leave.


    "Kennedy, please apany the young master."


    "As you wish, ma''am." Kennedy bowed and held his hand out to Ashley, waiting for the boy to take it before they walked out. "What''s wrong, doctor?" Leonica asked the moment her son and his assistant were gone.


    Doctor Bailey reached into his drawer and pulled out another file, passing it to Leonica.


    A wrenching sensation squeezed her heart when she saw the words ''Bone Marrow Update'' written on them.


    "I took the initiative to conduct another test on Ashley and from the looks of things, I think his timespan has shortened."


    "What?" Leonica nearly dropped the file at the sudden news. "His timespan shortened. How... How''s that?"


    "Although the bone marrow is producing enough red blood cells, white blood cells and telets, the production of the stem cells has significantly reduced. If this were to carry on like this for another few years, then It most certainly would impact his daily life." Leonica didn''t know what to say. She had expected a few problems, but never anything like this.


    "If I may be so bold, I believe Ashley might need to undergo his surgery sooner than expected," He paused to gauge Leonica reaction before cautiously adding. "He needs a donor sooner than expected, and it would be best if his sibling is hundred percent biological." "Right," Leonica whispered, more to herself. She was a fool to believe that she had the choice to pick if Ashley''s sibling were to be hundred percent biological or not.


    She never had that choice to begin with. It was clear that if she wanted Ashley to live a problem free life, she needed to-


    ''No.'' She stopped the thought before she could evenplete thinking it.


    She had made a promise to herself that she wouldn''t go back to Gabriel for any reason, and she wasn''t about to break that promise.


    Without fail, she was going to find a way to save her son!


    "Thank you for your concern, Doctor." She ced the file down and stood up, a forced smile on her lips. "I''ll see to it that you receive your payment immediately."


    Doctor Bailey didn''t say anything, not after realizing that there was no convincing the mother of the sick child. He simply nodded.


    Leonica didn''t wait for him to say anymore. She stepped out of the room, leaving his office and heading straight to the hospital''s lobby, where she saw Ashley and Kennedy eating the ice cream Gabriel had offered to buy for him. The man himself stood In front of their son, watching him with a smile on his lips. When he sensed her presence, he turned towards her. "How did it go with Doctor Bailey?"


    Leonica didn''t respond. Instead, she simply smiled and bent down, cing her hands on Ashley''s shoulder. "Sweetie, it''s time to go." "Eh?" He turned, his hand frozen with the spoon close to his mouth. "We''re going already?" "Yep." She nodded and pulled him to his feet. "You still have to finish your homework."


    "Ah, that''s right. Can daddye with us?"


    Leonica flinched at his question. Of course he was still attached to his father. It was going to be a really long process to undo that.


    "Can he?" Ashley persisted in the silence, looking between his parents.


    Gabriel wanted to answer, but he nced at Leonica taking a second to gauge her reaction and realize that his answer wasn''t going to be for the best.


    andy Bossut Have Which Time Left


    Moving forward, he took Ashley''s second hand in his, soothingly rubbing his thumb over the child''s knuckles.From N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''m sorry Ashley, daddy can''t follow you home today."


    Ashley''s face visibly sagged, but he tried his best to hide his sadness. "Oh,"


    "But," Gabriel began, hoping he could correct the child''s dejected looking state. "Daddy can send you some more ice cream and oh, remember that toy you told me about?"


    "Oh." Ashley still looked dejected and Gabriel signed at his failed attempt.


    Leonica looked between them and rubbed the back of her neck. "Don''t worry Ashley, you''ll get to spend enough time with daddy thising week."


    Her announcement had not only Ashley, but also Gabriel, ncing her way in anticipation.


    "Really?" The former asked.


    Leonica nodded. "Yeah." Turning to Gabriel, she inquired. "That''s okay with you, right?"


    "Of course." Gabriel quickly replied, unable to hide his happiness. "It''ll be my pleasure. When do you want to drop him off?" "Saturday." She answered and fixed her attention back on Ashley. "That''s okay with you, right buddy?" "Yeah!" The young child nodded with excitement.


    "Alright then." With that settled, she once again held her hand out. "Shall we go?"


    Ashley nodded, giving Gabriel onest look before taking his mother''s hand. "Goodbye Daddy!" He waved as they walked pass, Leonica paused.


    "Doctor Bailey told me you haven''t beening for your treatments," She said in a low tone.

 Chapter 142

    Gabriel''s expression remained neutral as he stared at her, but on the inside, he was actually quite d that she had cared enough to


    bring the matter up.


    "Work''s been hectic."


    His excuse was so feeble that it had Leonica chuckling. "Has it now?"


    Gabriel remained silent, keeping his mouth glued almost as if he was scared that if he opened his mouth to speak, he''d reveal the fact that he had only been staying away from the treatment because he didn''t want to remember all the awful things he had done to Leonica. Leonica couldn''t read his expression at that moment, but she could tell something was bothering him. Not that she cared. "Go for your treatment, Gabriel." She said and walked away, leading Ashley out of the hospital.


    Once she was gone, Gabriel sighed.


    ''Leonica if only you knew...


    Leonica fell into her bed the moment she returned home. Exhaustion was eating away at her, both mental and physical.


    "Ugh, I''m tired." She groaned and buried her face in her pillow.


    For a moment, she allowed herself to think about what Doctor Bailey had told her.


    Ashley''s years needed for surgery had reduced. Thest time the examination had been carried out, Ashley had five years before the surgery, but now it had reduced.


    How short? She wasn''t even sure and to make matters worse, she wasn''t even pregnant, talk less having thoughts about bing pregnant.


    But, she was certain about one thing.


    She couldn''t let her son down.


    She wouldn''t!


    Her thoughts came to an end when her phone began ringing. Sitting up, she picked it up from the table and nced at the screen to see it was Kennedy calling her.


    "Yes, Kennedy?" She answered the phone, trying her best not to sound so exhausted.


    "Ma''am, the results on Mr. Rodrigo''s movement and his aplice hase back."


    "Is that so?" Her mood immediately turned serious at the news. She had been waiting for it since morning. "And who is his aplice?"


    "The results have revealed that his aplice is," Kennedy paused in hesitation, but Leonica found herself at the edge of her bed, preparing and awaiting Kennedy''s words. But nothing could have prepared her for what he was about to say. "The name of his aplice... Melvin Rodrigo."


    Leonica''s entire face crumbled. "What?"


    Melvin Romero.


    "The name of Mr. Rodrigo''s aplice is Melvin Rome-" Kennedy attempted to repeat his words, making sure that his employer had heard the information he intended to pass across, but abruptly, Leonica interrupted him.


    "No." For a second, he was confused, not being able to decipher the emotion that had coated her voice, making it change from its usual soft melody. "Something must have gone wrong with that scan. Some sort of error, but it can''t be Melvin." She stated, firmly refuting what her assistant had told her.


    She was sure about it, because unlike Kennedy who was new to the family, less than 6 years, she who had always been part of the Romero family had witnessed the demise of Melvin Romero.


    She had seen his body which had been burnt from head to toe by the fire that had engulfed the private school they both attended years


    ago.


    She witnessed his burial, watched as dirt was thrown on his coffin as he was lowered into the ground. Cried for him.


    She was there. Not Kennedy.


    "But Ms. Romero-" Kennedy began only to once again end up being interrupted.


    "It can''t be Melvin Romero Kennedy," Her voice was filled to the brim with certainty. "Are you even listening to yourself. Melvin Romero, is dead andst I checked, dead men don''t work."


    "I very well understand Ma''am-"


    "If you do, then you should also know You''ve got the wrong guy." She stated, voice firm, a tone that indicated that it was thest thing she''d say on the subject. "Run another test on Rodrigo''s aplice and this time around, get me a freaking urate result." Silence befell the other end of the line and even without seeing his face, Leonica could tell that Kennedy had something to say.


    Fortunately, he swallowed it up and decided to obey his employersmand.


    "I understand Ms. Romero. I''ll have thetest report sent to you by tomorrow."


    "Good." And with that, the call was ended and Leonica slumped back onto her bed, another tired sigh escaping her lips as she started


    up at the white ceiling, trying for force her mind away from the information Kennedy had just dumped on her.


    It wasn''t true, she assured, biting her bottom lip at the weird feeling that settled in her stomach each time she considered the possibility of the scan having been correct.


    If Melvin was indeed alive... Shouldn''t she be happy? So why was she worried?


    Was it because if he we''re alive, breathing somewhere out there, he was Rodrigo''s aplice?


    It couldn''t be.


    "I don''t believe it." She whispered to herself, eyes still glued to the roof as she repeated the same words. "I won''t."


    Melvin was dead. She had seen his body, mourned him for years, and at this point, she wasn''t going to believe otherwise unless she saw him stand in front of her, in the flesh.


    With a sigh, she allowed her body rx, sleep quickly washing over her. But just as she was falling asleep, she could''ve sworn she heard the sound of a message popping up on her tablet.


    The next day, Leonica started the day with her usual routine. The dream about Melvin, which bothered her more than before thanks to Kennedy''s information, followed by her morning routine before she settled by the dining table.


    Grace greeted her briefly, cing her te of toast and a ss of juice on the table in front of her before turning her attention to Ashley.


    "Young master, you have to eat your sd." She began with their usual morning argument.


    Ashley hopped onto his chair with a stubborn look on his face. "I''m tired of eating that!" He argued.


    Leonica took a moment to watch him, smiling at his stubbornness. The smile however, faded when she recalled the doctor''s words.


    Ashley''s time had reduced and if he didn''t get the surgery in time, it''d affect his daily lifestyle.From N?velDrama.Org.


    Just the thought of that had her appetite waning. She dropped the toast down and wiped her mouth. "Huh, aren''t you hungry mommy?" Ashley asked.


    Shaking her head, Leonica gently pushed the te towards him. "No, in fact, you can have this."


    Ashley''s eyes quickly lit up as he stared at the delicious toast, a rather different food from the nd sd his nanny had made him eat for so long. "Really?!"

 Chapter 143

    Leonica nodded, a smile on her lips as she watched him grab the toast without hesitation and take a hung chunk out of it.


    Yeah, there''s no point making him eat the sd if it''s not really helping with his healing process, she thought.


    Her attention was pulled away from Ashley when her phone vibrated. She looked at it and instantly smiled when seeing a text message from Owen. [Hey baby, how are you?] His message read.


    She wasted no time responding.


    [Good, just had breakfast with Ashley. How are you?]


    Owen''s response was immediate.


    [Good. But I''m pretty sure I can be better with a kiss from you.]


    His message made her chuckle and she nced at her son who was busy with his own breakfast before responding.


    [You''re getting cocky Owen Lee.] Although she replied that way, She actually didn''t mind the cockiness. It was part of Owen''s charm.


    Owen''s reply came.


    [And you like it, future Mrs. Romero Lee.]


    She bit her bottom lip and chuckled, quickly replying with:


    [I do.]


    But a secondter, she decided to delete the message, realizing it might be too much and instead reced it with; [Wannae overter?]


    [Is that even a question.]


    Satisfied, she smiled.


    Oh, how she enjoyed talking with Owen. Time spent with him was a blissful distraction from all the ruckus going on in her life, namely Ashley''s news and Kennedy''s mismatched information.


    In fact at this point, she honestly won''t be surprised if she found out that she had a long lost sister somewhere in the world.


    "I''m done mommy." Ashley announced.


    "Alright, go grab your bag." He nodded and hopped of his chair,ing back secondster with the bag hanging off his back.


    Leonica stood up and scooped him up in her arms. "Let''s go now shall we?"


    ""Mhm, let''s!"


    Smiling at her son''s antiques, Leonica began to walk towards the door when she remembered something. "Oh, Grace, could you help me plug my tablet, I think it''s dead."


    The nanny nodded her head. "I''ll do just that. Have a good day Madame and young master."


    ~O~


    After dropping off Ashley, Leonica had decided to head into work early, because truthfully, engrossing herself in work seemed more appealing than doing nothing and allowing her mind ponder over what Kennedy had told her.


    And speaking of work, she still had the thing on Rodrigo to take care of. While Kennedy is busy identifying his aplice, it''d be wise for her to start figuring out various reasons why Rodrigo had gone to the family vault.


    For that, she need to do some intense digging.


    A few hourster, she was doing just that when thendline somewhere in her office rang. "Kennedy," She called her assistant, wanting him to answer the phone in her stead as she was far too engrossed in what she was doing. Only did she look away when her office remained void of the assistant''s voice, the ringingndline being the only source of sound in


    3/3.


    the room.


    "Kennedy?" She tried again, but just like before, the assistant did not respond.


    Of course he wasn''t here.


    With a sigh, she ced herptop down and walked towards thendline on her desk.


    "Leonica Romero speaking."


    "Hello Ms. Romero?" The voice of her receptionist responded back. "There''s someone at the reception requesting an audience with you."


    Leonica''s brows furrowed. Audience? She didn''t have any appointments scheduled for today, and she wasn''t expecting any. "Who is it?"


    "That''s the thing, Madame, I''ve tried to ask him, but he''s a little... Difficult." The receptionist informed. "Difficult?"


    "Yes, I believe you shoulde down and see for yourself, Ma''am."


    "Alright, I''ll be right there." With that, the call ended and she stepped out of her office.


    Her receptionist was already waiting by the elevator when she stepped out. "Where is he?" She questioned.


    "This way." Her receptionist gestured for her to follow her and together, they headed towards the direction of her office''s reception.


    "He''s just inside, Ma''am." Her receptionist exined and held her hand out, pointing in the direction of the reception.


    Leonica thanked her and proceeded to the reception. Once there, she paused and nced at the man seated there, back facing her.


    "Who are you and what do you want?" She inquired, wanting the stranger to state his business and get it over with.


    The man didn''t answer and when she moved closer, his appearance had her heart almost stopping.


    "M...Melvin?"


    A smirk tugged at the corner of the man''s lips and he stood up, towering intimidatingly above her. "Hello sis."


    I Want My Birthright.


    "It''s been a while, hasn''t it?" Melvin, or the man who looked exactly like Melvin, asked and turned towards Leonica, his cold and emotionless gaze scanning her body before settling on her face.


    "Y-you''re," Leonica took a step back, her entire face scrunched up in disbelief. "How are you..." She couldn''t bring herself to ask how


    he was alive.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Each word that came past her lips came in the form of a stutter or jumbled up nonsense. The lookalikeughed, and Leonica caused her brain for automatically thinking this lookalike, this fraud, was her brother. He wasn''t. He couldn''t be.


    "You look pretty shocked kid sis, that isn''t any way to wee your big after so long."


    "Who are you?" Leonica asked, schooling her expression. She wasn''t so easily going to fall prey to this stupid prank.


    That''s right, this most certainly was one of Rodrigo''s schemes. He must have gotten someone to get a face job to look exactly like her


    dead brother.


    All because...

 Chapter 144

    She paused and her mind ced two and two together.


    Someone who looked exactly like her deceased brother and the family of course it all made sense!


    Rodrigo was trying to swipe the family fortune out of her hand!


    "Who am I? Am your brother, Leonica." The lookalike repeated.


    "Melvin is dead." She said the words as if to reassure herself that he was.


    "So, you really thought that, huh?"


    "What?"


    "You''ve got no idea what the hell is going on."


    Leonica red at him. "I don''t think I''d expect to know anything when I was never informed of your revival." She stepped forward, wishing that her heat didn''t waver in the face of a familiar figure. "Why did youe here?"


    The lookalike smiled, that very same vague smile that never truly reached his eyes. "How about we go somewhere else and discuss that.


    "1


    "Go somewhere?" She mimicked, tilting her head to the side to scan him. After a few seconds, she nodded. "Alright, let''s talk in my office."


    With that, she turned around and began walking towards the elevator. Her brother''s lookalike followed behind her in a quiet state, only after they had stepped into the elevator did he talk.


    "You haven''t changed one bit."


    "Don''t talk to me like your my brother. I know Rodrigo put you up to this."


    "Uncle Rodrigo?" He chuckled. "He didn''t put me up to nothing Leo. I just thought it was about time I came back."


    "About time you came back?" Leonica chuckled humorlessly at his words. "What, did you think you were on some sort of Vacation? Fourteen years, Melvin, we all thought you were dead. Mom spiraled into depression because-" She paused. "Fuck, why the hell am I talking to you like you''re my brother." She muttered as the elevator dinged open.


    "But I am." Melvin followed behind her, stopping her by the arm just as they reached the door leading into her office. "I am Leonica."


    "Well I apologize if I don''t believe you,st I checked, dead men don''t walk. Now, unless you-" The rest of her words trailed off as Melvin pulled up the sleeve of his shirt, exposing the faded scar that Leonica found all too familiar.


    It was the exact same scar Melvin had gotten when he tried fighting off bullies for her.


    She stared breathlessly at it.


    "It is me, Leonica." He stepped forward, looking deep into her eyes. "Not some lookalike." "Let''s talk in here." Turning around, she opened the door to her office and stepped inside. Melvin examined where once used to be his father''s office and smiled. "You remodeled." TWant My Birthright


    "Father had it remodeled to my taste," Came her cold reply as she sank into one of the couches and waited till he had sat before she asked. "Now, what do you want?"


    "My birthright." Melvin answered with all seriousness, watching as his sister''s brows creased.


    "What?"


    He took a moment to look around. "This, I want thispany, my birthright."


    Leonica stared speechless at him for a few seconds beforeughing. "Now you''re just crazy." Standing up, she pointed at the door." Now get out."


    "Leonica-"


    "How dare you show up after years, and demand what, your birthright. Get out Melvin, while I am asking nicely."


    He hesitated, but just as he was about to stand up, there was a knock on the door and Leonardo walked in.


    He froze the moment he spotted Melvin. "What-" He began but Leonica walked past him, cutting him off.


    "I have a meeting to attend." She didn''t, she just didn''t know how to feel after learning that the brother she thought was dead was actually alive and was now demanding thepany. "Please see to it that he''s escorted out." With that, she walked way, allowing Leonardo to fix his attention on the person in front of him. "You,"


    "Hey Leonardo," Melvin smiled at his best friend as he stood up. "It''s good to see you again. Have you been well?"


    "What the hell is the meaning of this?" Leonardo questioned.


    "Nothing that needs to concern you, ah, but on second thought, I guess it should, see as you''re now part of the Romero family. My family."


    Leonardo swallowed the lump that rested in his throat as Melvin walked closer and ced hand on his shoulder.


    "I''ve watched you over the years Leonardo. You''ve done a good job up until now. However, from here on forward, I''ll take care of everything, both thepany and my family," The smile on Melvin''s lips dropped. "So back off." Special Halloween Treat: More Coins, More Thrills!


    imFrom N?velDrama.Org.


    Fe Spony Wanted To ire The Cargany


    He Suddenly Wanted To im The Company...


    Although she had used going to a meeting as an excuse, Leonica had not even in the slightest bit, gone near any of the conference rooms, when she decided to make a U-turn into the restroom.


    After making sure that she was alone in the bathroom, she turned on the water and leaned her weight against the wash hand basin, staring absentmindedly at her own reflection.


    Not once did she blink, as her mind tried to process and break down what had just happened.


    Melvin was alive, that was a fact that she could no longer deny. From the look, demeanor and even the scar on his forearm, it was clear, that that imposter, was indeed her brother.


    And in his words, he hade back for his birthright, the very samepany she was steadily running.


    Leonica nearly chuckled mockingly as she pondered over his audacious words. After years of deciding to take a break from life, he had resurface and suddenly wanted to im thepany she on her own had saved from destruction months ago? At this point, she was sure her parents would find Melvin''s words funny. Or so she thought, until she recalled how much they both


    cherished Melvin.


    Back then, he was like the Ace of the Romero family, looks, brains, strategy, he had it all.


    So rather than finding his words funny and going all bananas like she had done, some part of Leonica told her that her parents were going to explode with joy, and shock of course, the moment they spotted their actually alive son.


    And just likest night when Kennedy had broken the news to her, the thought of her parents so easily epting Kennedy back into their home, unnerved her.


    Why was that though? She questioned her reflection in the mirror. Was it because she knew he was somehow connected with Rodrigo?


    Was she perhaps jumping too quick into a conclusion?

 Chapter 145

    Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose. She already has enough on her te to deal with.


    Melvin, real or fake, could wait. Her sones first. Maybe after sorting Ashley out, she could decide to focus on her resurrected brother and his intrepid words.


    Meanwhile, the very same person she had been thinking about, after his conversation with Leonard, confidently strides out of the imposing ss-and-steel edifice of thepany.


    Almost immediately a sleek ck Jeep glided to a silent halt at the curb, its windows tinted, its presencemanding attention. The driver who was dressed in an impably tailored suit, steps out with a practiced grace and opens the door for him, a gesture of deference that speaks volumes about his position.


    With a nod, Melvin settled into the plush leather seat and his gaze wad quickly drawn to the person seated Across from him.


    "I assume you carried out nothing short of a splendid performances, Melvin." Rodrigo said as she gently patted Melvin''s shoulder." Job well done, now, it''s time to move on to the next phase."


    Later that day, Owen dropped by, and after seeing to it that Ashley was tucked away in bed with two kisses conveying each of their affection, Leonica nested herself in the couch before trying her best to brief Owen about what had happened. Although he was behind her, sheyingfortably on his chest, she could feel his gaping jaw and honestly she couldn''t me him.


    Who wouldn''t be surprised to know that the person they mourned had actually been alive all this while.


    Perhaps her anger was indeed ountable for.


    "So you mean to tell me," Owen began, trying his best to piece the information together. "Melvin Hyung is alive?" Leonica nodded. "And he wants thepany?"


    Leonica nodded once again, but this time around, a sigh apanied it. "I really don''t know what to think about all this. I feel I should be angry, but just entertaining the thought of that makes me feel like the viin." She confessed. Suddenly, Owen maneuvered her around, turning her on hisps so that she could now face him.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    He cupped her cheeks and stared into her eyes with a look of assurance. "Having feelings doesn''t make you the viin, it makes you more human. So be angry for as long as you want be cause Hyung is in the wrong on this one." Leonica smiled, allowing her heart to feel tizzy over the look Owen was giving her.


    Utter devotion, his eyes screamed and the more she started into those, the harder she felt herself being pulled in.


    "Thank you Owen," She sincerely said, cupping his cheek.


    Owen smiled and gently leaned forward to peck her lips. "You''re wee luce mia." Before Leonica could process what he had just called her, he leaned in once again, capturing her lips between his.


    As Leonica''s eyes fluttered close, she thought for the umpteenth time, how Owen''s lips and the kiss, tasted every bit like the first time he had kissed her after their theatre date.


    As seconds passed, she felt herself surrendering to the intoxicating pull of his embrace, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and longing and soon, their kiss deepened with passion and desire as Owen''s hands explored the contours of her body with a reverence that made her knees weak even though she wasn''t standing.


    Leonica melted into his touch, her senses overwhelmed by the heady scent of his cologne and the warmth of his skin against hers.


    They both enjoyed every minute, so much so, that they refused to separate until it felt like they were going to pass out from breathlessness.


    "Are you free this weekend?" Leonica asked in a breathless tone once their lips had parted for air.


    ".. No, I have to visit my father, but, if you want to go somewhere, I can cancel it, luce mia."


    Leonica shook her head, choosing to focus more on his father, as she was aware of their rtionship, rather than how sexy he sounded speaking Italian with voice barely above whisper.


    "No, no it''s alright." She returned to her previous position, gettingfortable in his chest once more while he gently ran his fingers through her hair in a soothing motion. "So why are you going to see him?"


    "I made a promise to him some time ago." Leonica had nced up at him at this point, curiosity swirling in her eyes.


    While internally gushing at how cute she looked from his angle, Owen was about to blurt out the content of his visit to his father''s estate, when he realized that Leonica''s current troubles far surpassed the trivial one he was facing.


    So inwardly, he decided to put off going into deep details for another day. "It''s just a dinner, luce mia." He told her, but could clearly still see the child like curiosity in her eyes.


    It was then a brilliant idea came to mind.


    Leaning forward, he ced a kiss in between her brows. "But if you''re so curios, you can join me."


    "For real?" She almost seemed shocked at his offer. A smile bloomed on her face when Owen responded with a nod. "Alright then, I go with you."


    Owen reciprocated her smile and ced a kiss on the bridge of her nose. "You''re the best luce mia."


    Leonica found herself giggle at his words. "I haven''t really done much."


    "You have. You don''t just know it." He muttered as they continued watching the movie they previously had been watching.


    The next morning, after yet another headache inducing dream about Melvin, Leonica woke up and went about her daily routine. In the process of fixing her hair, she caught glimpse of her tablet through the reflection and recalled that she had instructed that Grace plug it in.


    Momentarily, she had forgotten her reason for giving such a order, but the sound of message entering her phone was more than enough to remind her of the message she had heard popping into her phone just before she fell asleep.


    She ced down theb and moved to where it was being plugged. Seeing as her tablet was only used for business purposes, Leonica quickly assumed that the message she had gotten that night must have been an important one. Turning the tablet on and moving to her Gmail, her assumption was proven right when she saw it was an email from Kennedy.


    The empty subject Bar however, had her brows creasing in confusion. No matter how tired or in a hurry, Kennedy is, he has never for once sent an email with out a correct subject. He was always precisely urate with work, almost as if his life depended on it. So a Subject Bar without any words was kinda... Offish for Kennedy.


    Just when she was about to open the Email, her phone violently rang. She temporarily ced her tablet down and reached for her phone, catching glimpse of several messages that had been sent to her over the past few minutes.


    HE SUCHEN WEG to the Company


    3/3.


    When she nced at the name, she was surprised to see it was her mother.


    "Mom? Good morning. I saw your messages, haven''t read them though. Is everything alright?"


    "... Everything is alright dear, but could you please, spare your father and I a moment of your time this morning."


    "Oh, Okay. I''ll be at the family mansion in less than an hour, is that alright?"


    "Yes, please do so, My daughter. We''ll be waiting."

 Chapter 146

    And just like that, the line went dead, leaving Leonica for a bit, to ponder over her mother''s sudden call, before abandoning her task with the tablet in a bid to attend to her parents. ''I''ll simply check it once I get home. She told herself as she walked downstairs, instructed Grace to take Ashley to school and kissed the child goodbye.


    On her way to the family mansion, she pondered her mother''s weird behavior and only one answer came to mind.


    Melvin.


    She increased the speed of her car, silently hoping that wasn''t the case.


    When she arrived at the family house, as usual, she was greeted by n, the family butler.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    "Good morning, young Madame."


    "Morning n. Where are my parents?"


    "They are in the garden." n inform and with certainly, Leonica now knew that something was off.


    Making her way there, her suspicions of something being off were confirmed when she saw her lovely mother, supporting father and seated in the middle of them, Melvin.


    "You, what are you doing here." She matched forward, ready to pry him from the midst of HER parents, but much to her surprise, her father stood and gently blocked her path. "Leonica," He began in the serious tone that Leonica very much hated. "Your bother... Melvin, has told us about everything. Including the conversation you both had yesterday and I think this would be the perfect opportunity to straighten things out. So seat, let''s all have a talk." Step Down Form Being CEO.


    Leonica narrowed her eyes at her father''s words. He wanted them to have a talk? In this situation?


    "What''s there to talk about dad?" She questioned and When her question was met with silence from her father and a pleading gaze from her mother, she nced between the two and scoffed. "Don''t tell me you honestly believe he''s the same Melvin we knew?" "He''s your brother, Leonica." Benjamin insisted softly.


    "Like hell he is!" Leonica was quick to re up. "He''s with Rodrigo the very same person who tried to take yourpany."


    "And the same person who saved your brother." Her father countered, confusing Leonica for a second.


    Rodrigo saved Melvin? Sure, she was currently aware that Rodrigo was with Melvin, but never for once had it urred to her that he might have been her brother''s savoir.


    The look on her face was enough to convey her confusion to her parents and Benjamin could only but sigh.


    "Before you''re quick to condemn your brother, have you ever for once wondered how he survived?"


    Her father''s words was like a single drop into a once tranquil water, creating ripples of realization.


    She had indeed not thought about that. Was it because she was too busy focused on his sudden return? Or the fact that he had been seen together with Rodrigo, cing her too on guard?


    Either one of the two, one look at her parents revealed that they knew she hadn''t thought that far and in this case, right now,


    the Viin.


    0-10


    "Sit and let''s talk." Benjamin instructed and without waiting for a reply, moved towards his chair.


    she was


    Secondster, Leonica reluctantly followed, briefly ncing her mother''s way before looking in Melvin''s way. Much to her dismay, he shed her an innocent looking smile.


    Thankfully, there was a free chair, far from where he sat and Leonica upied it. Only when she had settled down, did her father began speaking.


    "Melvin''s told us everything." There was a pause in his speech as he nced at the mention male, almost as if asking for his permission before he continued. "Apparently the fire that burnt down the school years ago had started from his room. He managed to escape, but the aftermaths resulted in aa thatsted for years. During that time, Rodrigo found and took care of him."


    Rodrigo did? Leonica thought and immediately found it weird that Rodrigo was the one who had found and nursed Melvin back to health and all this while, he didn''t say a thing.


    "A few years ago, your brother finally woke up from hisa, but due to having slept for several years, he lost function in his leg and had to go to therapy, which he had only recently cleared and decided toe back home. So Leonica, don''t be too harsh on your brother, he didn''t purposely hide his existence from us."


    "You think that, but I think he did. He could have called us." Leonica retaliated. "And Rodrigo, what about him? Why didn''t he say anything all these years?"


    "Leonica, I did try to call," It was Melvin''s turn to speak up. "But all the phone numbers weren''t in service. And as for Uncle Rodrigo''s silence, I begged him to not inform you all." He lowered his head, a look of shame temporarily washing over his visage. "I was afraid that you''d all reject me for what I had be."


    "We''re your family, Melvin, there was no way we could have rejected you." Cassandra soothed, cing a hand on her son''s thighs and giving it a gentle squeeze. "We understand you were insecure, but you shouldn''t have hidden from us."


    Melvin looked up and smiled. Unlike Leonica, he was d his mother was quickly epting his appearance and his father, well it was evident that he was trying to adjust. And he knew soon, Leonica would too.


    It was all going ording to how he had nned.


    His lips parted to speak, but Leonica beat him to it. "We understand?" she questioned her mother''s words andter shook her head. "I don''t understand."


    "Leonica," Cassandra gently called her, not wanting her to say anymore, but Leonica just couldn''t take it at this point.


    It was clear to her that Melvin was hiding something and even more clearer to her that her parents had gone back to their previous ways, Favoring him like the golden Ace of the family he was and that favoritism was blinding them! Step Down FORM tieing CEO

 Chapter 147

    Just that alone made the entire situation unnerving to the point that even though there was some form of truth in the hole filled exnation her father had given, she refused to believe it. "What? What do you mean by we understand? You understand, but I don''t. He was gone for years-"


    "It wasn''t a choice-" Her father interrupted her, but she was quick to interrupt back.


    "But it was. He could have called all those years ago, said something, but instead what, he allowed his stupid insecurities get the best of him!"


    "Leonica!" In a fit of rage, Benjamin mmed his hand down on the table, silencing his daughter. "That''s enough misbehaving from you!"


    Leonica blinked in confusion. "What?"


    Misbehaving? She was simply stating the obvious fact that her parents had turned a blind eye to and just because of that, it was considered misbehaving.


    Ouch.


    "Why are you being so harsh on your brother? After all these years of him being absent is this how you want to treat him?"


    "Well how do you want me to treat him?!" Leonica snapped. "You both, no, you!" She pointed an using finger at her father. "You are treating this like it''s nothing, like an obvious threat isn''t in front of you!" "Your brother isn''t a threat, he''s family."


    "That''s what you think, but I think otherwise. Anyone who works with Rodrigo isn''t to be trusted." Leonica concluded, looking pointedly at Melvin. "Him included."


    Benjamin sighed and shook his head, whereas Cassandra was torn between taking sides. It was obvious that Leonica wasn''t adjusting well to Melvin''s presence, which was troubling seeing as they used to be almost inseparable as kid. "Leonica, please stop this, you''re going to give me a headache. You''ve always been the one giving me a headache." He muttered, massaging his temple.


    "Oh Benjamin, please don''t say that." Cassandra pleaded, ncing between her husband and Leonica who was visibly hurt by her father''s words. "Leonica''s only trying to be reasonable."


    "I know. I understand." Benjamin nodded his head with a sigh. "Since all that had been put aside, let''s move into more pressing matters."


    More pressing matters? Leonica raised her head, fixing her father with a puzzled gaze. What was more important that the return of his


    own son.


    "Leonica," Benjamin once again faced his daughter with all seriousness. "Now that your brother is back, I think it''s best for you to focus on yourself. Step down from being CEO and let your brother handle thepany from now on." ????? 10


    Stripped Of Her Title.


    For the first time since the start of their conversation, Leonica was rendered speechless, not a single wording past her parted lips.


    She just couldn''t believe her ears, her father was seriously suggesting she step down as CEO and let Melvin take her position, after everything she had done.


    "I think that''s what is best for now." Benjamin said as he rested back in his chair and closed his eyes, purposely ignoring Leonica''s


    bewildered stare.


    "Um, honey," Cassandra tentatively began, once again ncing between her husband and daughter. "Are you sure this is for the best?"


    Benjamin peeled one eye open to look at his wife. "Has my decision ever been wrong?"


    Cassandra opened her mouth to answer, but immediately shut it. Her husband has indeed never made a wrong decision and his words have always been final. So, rather than trying to make him change his mind, she looked towards her daughter and gave her a sympathetic look.


    Meanwhile, Leonica could hardly believe her ears.


    She was getting kicked out?


    The more she allowed her father''s words sink in, the more the unnerved feeling she had been experiencing unraveled and soon, she could put a finger on the feeling in particr.


    It was fear.


    Fear that this exact thing happening now would take ce. The fear she felt for losing something she cherished had overshadowed the tinge of happy she could have experienced with Melvin''s return.


    "So," she started, voice trembling with emotions. "You''re really going to let him take the position, that I worked my ass off to get, give him thepany that I fought to save. Just like that, with out a second thought." When her parents were met with silence, Leonica added. "And what about Leonardo?"Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "He''d understand." Melvin spoke up, crossing his leg over each other as he offered his lovely sister a smile. "I spoke with him yesterday."


    Leonica could feel her eyes twitch at this point and a new sense of anger began setting in. She could only assume that their conversation had been unpleasant, hence why Leonardo hadn''t even bothered to tell her.

 Chapter 148

    President."


    "Leonica," Benjamin called, pulling her attention towards him. "I am not asking you to leave, I''m just requesting that you step down from your position, and let your brother run thepany. If you still want to remain in thepany, then you can have the position of Vice Leonardo''s role, how ironic!


    Leonica without second thought was about to turn the offer down when Melvin beat her to the punch.


    "I don''t think that would be possible, dad." All head turned towards him. Wearing his usual graceful smile, Melvin added. "I''d like uncle Rodrigo to have that position, seeing as he is my benefactor."


    And that about broke the Camel''s back. With one swift movement, Leonica was up on her feet while the chair she had been seating on, crashed to the floor. "This is absurd and I refuse to seat here any longer and listen to it."


    Without giving her parents a chance to react, Leonica swiftly stormed out of the room, leaving her parents and Melvin in the garden.


    Leonica was beyond fuming at this point. As she drove to her apartment, her grip on the steering wheel was so tight that her knuckles had begun turning white.


    Just the audacity of her brother and her father, had her seeing red.


    She had proven herself worthy in other to be the CEO and even worked her butt off to maintain that seat. In a matter of five months since she bad returned, her hard work had skyrocketed Romero Empire, bringing it out of the doldrums Rodrigo had sank it into, and now, all because of Melvin, she was being kicked out.


    Just thinking about it gave her a splitting headache. And just as if the universe decided to pardon her, a call came in and much to her delight, it was from Owen.


    With a flick of a button, she answered the call and immediately Owen''s voice flowed through the speakers.


    "luce mia, how have you been?"


    "Not well." Leonica answered honestly, trying her best to not let her emotions slip.


    "How so?"


    She hesitated before answering. "...Dad''s giving thepany to Melvin."


    "Well that''s unexpected."


    "Yeah, and he wants me to step down from my position as CEO and be vice president instead. But plot twist, Melvin wants me to hand the VP role to Rodrigo." "Rodrigo?"


    "My scheming Uncle. I''m sure he''s behind all this." She sneered. "And for that reason I can''t let thepany fall into Melvin''s hand. I''ll do whatever it takes to keep it out of his hand, even if it means returning it to its previous state."


    The other end of the line was silent for a bit as Owen choose his next words carefully before asking. "You can''t, or won''t?"


    "What?"


    Leonica heard Owen sigh, followed by the sound of papers being flipped closed. She assumed he had been rehearsing some of his lines when he decided to call her.


    "I''m not against you, luce mia, you know that. I will stand by whatever decision you make, and support you, but, are you certain about your choice?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "You love thepany, right?"


    "Yes,"


    "Then are you certain about your choice, or is this anger and the fear of losing what you love talking?"


    Owen''s words struck her like a knife, forcing her to think back to the events that had urred back in the mansion.


    Was she really ready to let thepany she had saved from destruction go, or was she merely making a decision because of anger and fear?


    "Leonica,"


    Owen calling her name snapped her back to reality and she was quick to respond.


    "I can''t let thepany go Owen, it''s one of the only reason why I am who I am."


    "No, no, no, there''s so much more in you than the CEO of Romero empire." He countered. "And you should know that, if anything, that should be what drives you, so, don''t worry yourself, because one way or another, you''d find a way to fix this and I''ll be beside you every step of the way."


    Leonica couldn''t help the small smile that graced her face, and a tingle in her heart.


    "Thank you Owen."


    "Anytime Luce Mia." She could almost hear the smile in his voice. "Now, as much as I''d love to continue hearing your voice, I have a role to rehearse."


    "Right, I apologize for taking up your precious time." Leonica yfully said.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    "It''s alright, but if you wish to apologize, then how about Lunch in your office tomorrow?"


    Leonica smiled, knowing full well that was Owen''s way of asking her out on a date even during their busy schedules. "Alright. It''s a


    date."


    "Then I''ll see you then. Bye luce mia."


    "Bye."


    When the line went dead, Leonica finally allowed herself to breath.


    She hadn''t even realized she was holding it in.


    Owen was right, she needn''t worry herself with the problem. She has faced troubles far more tedious than this and she wasn''t going to let a little family drama bring her down. Stripped Of Her Tite


    With her spirit feeling somewhat rejuvenated, Leonica drove straight to herpany to carry on about with her day like she always.


    did.


    The next day, before leaving, she took a marker and marked the day after tomorrow on her bedside calendar, giving herself a hand made reminder that she had to drop Ashley off at Gabriel''s and visit Owen''s family vi.


    Not forgetting to, she grabbed her tablet off her nightstand and shoved it Into her bag.


    After dropping Ashley off at school, and making her way to the office, Leonica was d to note that her spirit was feeling lighter than usual.


    Perhaps it was the fact that her brother and father had given her a breather and hadn''t called, or the thought that she had a lunch date with Owen today, Leonica could not tell, but her mind was in a good ce, which is why when she stepped out of the elevator, she greeted the workers and receptionist with a smile and a good morning.


    However, as she walked past the receptionist desk, and into the main hall, her smile dropped as her eyes caught sight of the person sittingfortably in her chair. Melvin.


    He too seemed to notice her and a smile coated his lips.


    "What are you doing here?" She demanded as she walked closer.


    Melvin was unfazed by her tone, choosing to smile and greet her. "Good morning, my lovely sister."


    "Don''t good morning me." Leonica snapped, her patience already running thin and her happiness from seconds ago fading. "What the hell are you doing here?" Melvin''s eyes widened at her sudden hostility and with a frown, he rose up from her chair.


    "Well, I''d expect the CEO of thepany I''ll soon be running would be more weing. Then again, I guess we both have things to learn from each other." His words made her blood boil.


    "Get out." She hissed, not caring if they were attracting attention.


    Melvin simply sighed. "I will, but first, I have a message to pass along from out father." He began and when Leonica didn''t say anything, he continued. "''Starting now, you my lovely sister, have 48 hours to vacate your position, else it would be forcefully stripped from you." New Ownership.


    Setting with anger, Leonica was near about to smack the smile off Melvin''s face when she heard her name being called from being her.


    Her entire demeanor seemed to change the moment she turned around and spotted Owen carrying nylons of what she assumed was


    food.


    Melvin of course, didn''t fail to notice the shift in her character. His eyes gravitated from his little sister towards the blonde boy who was staring speechlessly at him.


    Did she have a soft spot for this blondie? He thought, resisting the urge to tilt his head as he studied Owen from head to toe.


    "Owen, what are you doing here?" Partially forgetting her brother''s presence, Leonica sauntered towards Owen, offering him a smile as she gently held his forearm.


    "I thought it would be nice to surprise you ahead of time," Came Owen''s response, but Leonica could tell he wasn''t one hundred percent focused on her. When she followed his line of sight - once again recalling that she had been dealing with Melvin- she groaned. "Hyung, nice to see you again." Owen tasted the water even though he knew Melvin wouldn''t recognize him. Heck, even Leonica who had spent hours with him back in the days barely remembered him, so there was absolutely no guarantee that Melvin would. As expected, Melvin tilted his head, finally subing to the urge. "And you are?"


    Preparing to answer, Owen felt Leonica give his arm a light squeeze and when he briefly nced down at her, he could tell by her eyes that she didn''t want him getting involved with Melvin.


    Well, he wasn''t going to question. If that''s what she wanted, then so be it.


    "A friend of Leonica''s." His alternate answer was followed by a smile.


    Melvin however, wasn''t buying that answer. "That so?" He mused, once again gauging his sister''s reaction around the male before smiling. "How interesting."


    "If you''re done talking, you can leave." Leonica fixed him with a cold gaze, drawing his attention back to her with every word she spoke.


    "Oh I will, but don''t forget Father''s message." With that, he began his departure, only slowing down when he was near Owen. "It was nice meeting you, Owen. I look forward to our future encounters."


    Future encounters, yeah, he wishes, Leonica thought as she watched him exit the building.


    "Did Ie at a wrong time?" Owen''s voice snapped her back.


    Turning around, she faintly smiled upon seeing his slightly guilty looking expression.


    Shaking her head, she took a portion of the Nylon. "No, not at all."


    Owen nodded and spared a nce behind him almost as if trying to see if Melvin had truly left. "Hyung''s changed." He stated.


    "Has he?" Leonica mused and for the first time since, well since a day before yesterday, she found herself trying to remember how Melvin has looked during their childhood.


    After sometime, she gave up and Shrugged. "Doesn''t really matter."


    -O-


    When Melvin arrived outside, he was once again picked up by the same ck car that picked him two days ago. Except this time around, he was alone.


    Immediately after entering, he phoned his benefactor to inform him of the development. To say Rodrigo was pleased would be an understatement, but all the excitement and fuss seemed to die down when Melvin informed him that it''s the Vice President position he''d be taking, rather than the president''s position.


    "This isn''t what we agreed on." His voices his dissatisfaction.


    Melvin nodded, indifferent towards his uncle''s discontent. "I know it wasn''t, but Leonica seemed suspicious of me. She was more than certain that you had put me up to this."


    "What?" Rodrigo fauxed surprise. "I did no such thing. This is simply you taking back what belongs to you, all the while fixing the wrong your sister had done."


    By wrong, he meant when Leonica had fired him for having someone tail her and spread that Video at Ashley''s birthday, resulting in


    Wey Ownership


    the nasty rumor that nearly dethroned her.


    Or so he thought of it that way, but in reality, Leonica was barely bothered by it, one could say it was thanks to the reliable men she had around her, other would say it was because of her independent strength.


    From Melvin''s perspective, with all the data he had gathered, he''d say it was both.


    His little guileful sister had yed the clever card. She dealt with such a situation without even needing to stress.


    "I understand your dissatisfaction Uncle," He truly didn''t. "But we don''t want to overdo things, now do we? I promise to elevate your status further once we have thepany in our hands."


    Hearing this was more than enough to pacify Rodrigo''s anger. For the moment at least.


    "But tell me something, Uncle. Is there someone you forgot to add to the list of people in Leonica''s life?" He asked as his eyes lingered on the photo of Owen he had fetched after having silently hacked into thepany''s CCTV feeds. Humming in thought for a few seconds, Rodrigo responded. "Not that I''m aware of. Why do you ask?"


    "No reason at all, I just ran into someone rather interesting."


    << are they going to prove to be a threat?"


    Melvin chuckled. "No one''s a threat here, Uncle."


    "Of course, of course!" Melvin could practically hear the grin in his voice. "Good job, once again."


    "Thank you Uncle. I have a few things to do, I''ll call you during spare time." Ending the call, he ced his phone down and focused on Owen''s picture, actually now finding the male''s face familiar the more he stared.


    And then thinking back to the way he had addressed him, it clicked.


    He threw his head back andughed. "Oh, Leonica, you''ve always been a cruel one, charming yet another wrecking ball." Secondster, the smile faded. "Well, what is to be expected from the Ace of our family."


    Swiping twice on the tablet, he looked at another profile - a smaller profile - before instructing. "Change of ns, let''s head towards Norlight International School."


    Once again, shoving a spoonful of custard pudding in her mouth, Leonica found her foul mood quickly disappearing.


    Seated beside her with his temple proper against his knuckle while his elbow rested on the couch top, Owen watched, his lover, a slight smile on his lips. Only after a while did she notice his stare. But unlike in the past, she didn''t shy away and instead offered him a spoonful of her desert. "Want some?" "Of course," He leaned in when she ced the spoon close to his face, but the next second, tactically diving to the side.


    Leonica yelped, visibly caught off guard when she felt his tongue touch the flesh of her cheek andp up what she assumed was crumbs of her pudding. "Delicious." Owen offered her an innocent smile which expanded into a grin when he saw how red her face flushed.


    Cute.


    "You find this funny?" Leonica questioned, getting ready to pounce on him at any moment.


    And she did. Dropping the pudding cup, she straddled hisp and held her index finger, which had pudding on it, close to his nose. "Do you still find it funny?"


    Unfortunately for Leonica, her threat did little to nothing when it came to scaring Owen. She only realized this when his grin seem to grow rather than seize and just when she tried to flee, his hand caught her waist and jerked her forward, causing her to lean in. Thankful, she stopped herself before she couldpletely trash into Owen. But the proximity, damn the proximity was little! "luce mia, luce mia, your tempting me, aren''t you?" He muttered dangerously close to her lip.


    Leonica felt that same tizzy feeling return to her heart and this time around, it had her heart beating wildly, making her cheeks flush red like a damn high school girl who was about to get a long awaited kiss from her crush.


    As embarrassing as it sounded, Leonica found herself enjoying it and silently groaned when the door to her office suddenly flew open and Leonardo stepped in.


    New Ownership


    3/3.


    "Jesus Christ Leonica, what happened to keeping personal affairs separate?" He asked, turning the other way as if he wished to forget what he had just seen. "And what happened to knocking." Came Leonica''s challenging response as she slid off Owen''sp, thetter not missing the chance to peck her cheek.


    "Yeah, yeah, that''s my fault... can I turn around?" He asked and without even waiting for an answer, did so.


    Owen who was now gathering what he had Leonica had used to eat, wavered gingerly at him. "Hi Hyung."


    "No," Leonardo objected at his innocent behavior. "Not after you just tried turning my sister into a baby maker in her own office."


    "Jesus Leonardo, it was nothing like that." Leonica protested only to earn a pointed stare from the male. "What do you want?" She quickly changed the topic. Almost as if on cue, Leonardo remembered the reason for his abrupt visit. He raised the envelope, which Leonica only just now realized he had. "Legal just received this."


    "What is it?" Taking it from his grasp, she peeled the top open and fetched out the thin white paper inside.


    It took her a few seconds to read through it, then she sighed.


    "What bullshit is that talking about? You''re stepping down?" Leonardo questioned, having already ready the content of the envelope on his way up.


    "No." Leonica nced back down at the document which clearly had her father''s signature, dering that she vacate the office of Melvin this time two days from now, else she''d be forcefully removed. "At least I don''t n on leaving without a fight."


    "luce mia," Owen called her from the couch, reminding her of what they had discussed over the phone yesterday.


    "I know." Leonica responded with a sigh, as she rounded her table and sank Into her office chair. "But solving this without brute force isn''t exactly an easy option."


    As she spoke, Owen stood up and approached Leonardo. Briefly, he leaned in and exined vaguely, what Leonica had told him.


    In an instant, Leonardo''s demeanor changes and he carefully approached. "Leo, thispany isn''t your life, you do know that, yeah?" "I Do, but I can''t exactly abandon it into the hands of the wrong people, now can I."


    "Obviously. But don''t wound yourself trying to prevent that." Gently tapping his temple, he said. "There''s more than just my superior in there. I''m sure you''d figure it out." With that, he turned and headed for the door, cueing his exit. "No baby making in this office!" Owen chuckled while Leonica muttered a string of profanity at her brother. Standing up, Owen trashed the empty tes and moved to where she was sitting.


    He leaned over the table well enough to delivery a parting kiss to her lips. When he pulled back, Leonica looked like she still wanted to it tost longer, so he decided to tease her a tiny bit.


    "You heard your brother, luce mia, no baby making in here, yet."


    Once again, her cheeks red a tinge of pink and by the time she had gotten aeback befitting of what he had just said, the blonde was out her office, happily chuckling at the effect he had on her.


    Once again alone and with none to distract her, Leonica found her mind reying the situation at hand whilst she started nkly at the paper clutched between her fingers.


    48 hours, what miracle could she work in such short notice to save thispany.


    Save thepany? Leonica found herself blinking rapidly at the thought. Thepany didn''t need saving, what it simply needed was


    Out of nowhere a brilliant idea came to Leonica''s mind.


    "New Ownership."


    You Insolent Pest!


    The next day, Benjamin was surprised to see Leonica at the family V, holding the paper he had made Melvin deliver to her a day


    before.


    "Leonica?"


    "I''ll step down." She handed him the paper and when he collected it and took a nce at it, he was surprised to see that she had already signed it.


    Masking his surprise, Benjamin cleared his throat. "You made the right decision." Shoving the paper into the drawer of his study desk, he added. "I''m d to see you finally came around."


    Leonica''s expression was unreadable, her face nk, void of any emotions. "Yes, I am d as well."


    "As for the position you''d now be upying in thepany-"


    "That won''t be necessary." Came Leonica''s interruption with a cool smile on her lips. "I won''t be upying any position."


    Benjamin was confused by her words. "Why is that? Have you finally decided to settle down? Focus more on building your family?" Leonica involuntarilyughed. "Quite the opposite." Before her father had the chance to decrypt her words, she was already up on her feet and heading towards the door.


    He called after her. "Leonica," Pausing, she nced over her shoulder, but remained silent. Benjamin took this as his sign to continue further. "A party''s going to be held for your brother''s inauguration next week, if it''s not too much, please try and attend."


    Attend the inauguration of the very same brother who had made their father kick her out of apany that was rightfully hers as much as his?


    For a moment, Benjamin thought he saw a glimpse of displeasure sh across her features, but in a matter of seconds, it was gone, reced by a cool smile.


    "Of course, father. Anything for my big brother. Just send me the details and I''ll be sure to show up."


    Without waiting for a response, Leonica left her father''s office, not sparing a nce at the paintings she had once admired as a child.


    As the car drove her home, she stared nkly at the passing trees. Her mind was running a hundred miles per second.


    When her phone began vibrating, she immediately pulled it out, a smile coating her lips when she saw it was Arvan calling. Just the person she needed to discuss with.


    "Leonica, hey. I saw your calls, is everything good?" Arvan''s voice boomed from the other end, apanied by the sound of camera shutters, telling Leonica just why he had been too busy to answer her calls.


    The job of Senator was tougher than it seemed. She pitied him.


    "I''d be lying if I said yes, but I''d also be ruining my own n if I said no. So let''s not jinx it. I need a favor from you." She went straight


    to the point.


    "A favor? What''s the asion?"


    "Family." She deadpanned.


    Arvan groaned. "Oh, I''m not getting involved in any of your family drama."


    "It isn''t exactly family drama," Leonica quickly defended. "It''s more like, family business... Drama."


    "It''s still family drama Leonica," Advance sighed. "Alright, for once, I''ll humor you and listen. What is it you need?"


    The smile that took over Leonica''s face was bright. "I need you to withdraw your contract with Romero empire for the time being."


    "Whoa whoa whoa, wouldn''t that affect you?"

 Chapter 149

    "Not really, but I''d be grateful if you''d do that. Please?"


    "Well, I''d be happy to help, but not without some exnation."


    Leonica knew that was bound to happen and she was ready to give an answer. "Well, let''s just say I''m working on something that''s gonna make the current state of Romero Empire look like a joke once it''s out of my hands." "Out of your hands?"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll exin the rest of the detailster, once I''m certain of it all."


    Arvan was silent for a few seconds. Leonica was certain he was weighing his options, and by the time his next question came, she had been correct.


    "What are the chances of this n of your turning on you?"Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Leonica didn''t even hesitate. "I don''t think it''d ever be that way."


    "But it could." Arvan pressed.


    "Arvan, have I ever led you wrong? Have I ever been anything but reliable to you?"


    "You have always been a trustworthy ally and...a friend."


    "Then trust me this once, I can handle this."


    She could hear his heavy sigh. "Alright, consider it done. And as a favor from me, please be careful. I''m not sure if I can help you in the future if this blows up." "Thanks, Arvan. You''re a lifesaver."


    "I know."


    When the call ended, Leonica''s grin expanded. Everything was going smoothly in the first few hours after her nning, and she was certain that once she put the final phase into action, there''d be nothing that could stop her.


    One thing Leonica hadn''t put into consideration in her mind, was that once she had signed those papers, she''d automatically be jobless, thus, freeing up schedule on her once packed calendar.


    And so, with a whole afternoon free, she decided to take Ashley out shopping after picking him from school.


    As expected, Ashley was ecstatic about his mother''s sudden appearance. And when Leonica announced their outing, he could barely


    contain his excitement.


    "How about we get you a few things for your sleep over at daddy''s next tomorrow?" Ashley nodded at his mother''s words, grinning from ear to ear as they stepped into the shopping district. "Mom, can we go get ice cream too?" He asked, tugging at his mother''s hand, causing her to halt and turn around.


    "Of course, sweetheart." She ruffled his hair and continued walking.


    For the better part of the next hour, Leonica found herself shopping for toys, clothes and the likes for her son. By the time she was done, the bag carrier was filled to the brim, and she had to hire another carrier to carry the rest.


    But Ashley still seemed energetic, rushing towards the next shop, however, falling down when he bumped into someone.


    "Argh, you insolent pest!" Thedy he had bumped into cursed as she picked herself up.


    "Ashley!" Leonica was quick to rush to his side and pick him up. "Are you okay?"


    Ashley, who had a few bruises here and there, nodded. "I''m fine mommy."


    Leonica wasn''t so sure about that. But before she could even start her examination, she felt a gaze hard enough to prate her skull being directed at her.


    Only when she looked up and identified thedy Ashley had bumped into as someone rather unpleasant, Irene Rosewood, did she realize the gaze was meant for her.


    "You, you, you, it''s always you. Re you stalking me?"


    Leonica measured her from head to to and shook her head. She would''veughed if not for her son present.


    "Me stalking you? Are you someone worthy of my time?" She said with a hint of mockery. "So if you could kindly take your delusional usations somewhere else, then that''d be appreciated."


    "You always have one thing or another to say to me when we meet, don''t you." Irene sneered. "Just because you have all these big men flocking around you, doesn''t make you special. And the fact that you''re trying to make it seem that way, isughable." "Hey, don''t talk to my mommy that way!" Ashley who was watching, suddenly protested, catching the both of them off guard.


    "Oh look, the minx has a little version of herself." Irene sneered.


    Leonica frowned. "Don''t talk to my son."


    Your Insolent Pest


    3/3.


    "I''ll do whatever the hell I want to do, and you can''t do shit about it. So just shut up and watch your ce." Irene snapped.


    Leonica was unfazed, instead, a smirk coated her lips. "I would advise you watch the way you address me." She stood up. "And the way you speak to my son. I''ve warned you of this before, haven''t I?" "Oh please, you''re all talk and action."


    "All talk and no action, huh?" She was now standing. "We''ll see how long you can say that."


    "Mommy?"


    Leonica was no longer focused on Irene, who she had already lost interest in, instead, she was focused on her son, who was gazing up at her with a curious gaze.


    "Yes, dear?"


    "My feet hurt, can we leave?"


    Hearing his question, Leonica smiled. "Sure."


    "What, are you just gonna leave me like that, with no word of apology."


    Leonica had to refrain from rolling her eyes. "Oh grow up Rosewood, picking on people because of jealousy is so insecure. It would do you good to face facts, you aren''t good enough for Arvan." As she walked away, Ashley pointed out. "That strange woman looks a lot like you, mommy."


    "Yeah, but we both know there can only be one original."


    And she was sure it was her.


    Exhausted from school and the shopping trip, Ashley had immediately fallen asleep when they returned home, giving Leonica more than enough room to begin the next phase of her n. Standing in her room, she scrolled through her contact list, fishing out Rodrigo''s phone number before typing it into another phone. As she watched the line ring, she smiled at her n.


    If there was one thing she knew more than anyone in this word, then that would be the fact that Rodrigo was a greedy bastard and would jump at any offer to have both power and money. And that was the exact off she was going to give him.


    Atst, the line was answered. She made her voice octave lower and added the Romanian dialect she had picked up years ago during one of her visit to Rome.


    "Hello, am I onto to Mr. Rodrigo?"


    "Yes. And you are?"


    "This is Mrs. Tyche Smith speaking, I heard all about you from a close friend. He says you are a very capable man who knows how to work around obstacles and reach his goal, and I came to the conclusion that you are just the type of man I''ve been looking for. I''d like to make a business proposal to you, Mr. Rodrigo, would you be interested to listen?"


    An Alliance.


    The name Tyche - goddess of wealth- Smith was a name well known in the business industry. As far as Rodrigo had heard, she was a self made billionaire who had single handedly risen her fortunate to the top, yet till this day, she remained anonymous, only contacting those that she dimmed fit to be business partners.


    Which was why when Rodrigo got a call from a person iming to be her, he was beyond excited, not caring that the time was a little bit toote for a business call.


    "A business proposal you say?" He repeated her words, discarding the game of chess he had been ying with himself-making strategies for histest n- and walking to stand by the vast window that took up one third of the wall space in his study.


    "Yes," Came the answer from the other end. "You see, as ofte, I''ve been wanting to expand into certain territory. Grow my fortune far more than I have built it up to be." There was a pause as his caller allowed her words sink in. "By that, I mean, I wish to buy certainpanies which have potential of being very profitable under the right hand."


    And at that, she totally lost him. "By buying, do perhaps mean you wish to acquire Romero Empire?" He asked for confirmation sake.


    "Correct and that is exactly why I contacted you. As per myst investment with Romero Empire, I''ve gathered enough data showing that thepany had potential to grown and for that, i''m willing to offer you hundred of millions for the ownership of Romero Empire." Rodrigo suddenly chuckled at her words. "I''m afraid to tell you this, but at Romero Empire''s current stand, throwing it away for petty millions will be a waste."


    "Current stand?" Rodrigo could already imagine the mysterious woman tilting her head to the side.


    "Yes, currently, Romero Empire is backed by the two biggest houses in Norway. Bryce Empire and the Senator of Norway himself." He boasted. "My lovely niece, the previous CEO, had worked hard to get those connections, it''d be a shame to just throw it all away." He feigned remorse.


    Leonica almostughed at his acting skills. It was so good that if she had been anyone else, she''d have fallen hard for it.


    But that didn''t matter now, she had gotten the information she wanted.


    "Ah, I see. That''s a shame." She mused. "I really thought we could get somewhere good with this."


    "Oh, but we still can." Rodrigo quickly interjected, wanting to keep her cooperation as much as he wanted to keep thepany. "You contract with Romero Empire, you know, the one my niece signed with you-"


    "It reached its maturity datest month." Her reply had him deting. "Did your niece not inform you of this?"


    "No, no she did. I must have forgotten, old age and all."


    "Indeed. Well, in case you change your mind, don''t hesitate to call me, you have my number."


    "Yes, Mrs. Smith, have a nice evening."


    And with that, the call ended and Leonica was left with a subtle smirk on her lips.


    ""Old fool,"


    She had known full well that Rodrigo would reject her offer of buying thepany. In fact, he was quite right. With thepany''s current standing, hundred of millions was too little to buy it.


    But, all that could be changed if thepany suffered a ''sudden'' and devastating blow.


    As if in line with her thoughts, she received a message from Arvan. When she clicked it open, she recognized it to be a picture of the termination contract she had asked him to do, earlier. Below it, the words read: Do you really want me to do this?


    More than ever so, she thought with a smile on her lips before typing a reply, giving him the go ahead to send the contract as soon as tomorrow morning.


    Now, with that handled, she just needed to take care of onest thing; the contract with Gabriel''spany.


    Dang, she knew all that stalling and constant diversion before signing that termination contract woulde back to bite her in the ass one day.


    cing her hand on her chin, she pondered. What could she possibly do to remedy this?


    And then it hit her, she didn''t need a remedy solution, what she needed - painfully admitted- was an alliance.


    An alliance with the very same person she wanted nothing to do with. Just the thought of that had her brows creasing in displeasure, but right now, she really couldn''t afford losing thepany in an unjust way.


    "Looks like I have to do just that." She groaned, still not hundred percent on board with this n.


    But what could she do? She needed the standing of Romero Empire to drop and Rodrigo''s greed take over, acquire thepany that had once rightfully been hers.


    before she could be able to


    And what better way to make all that n unravel if not this?


    She sighed. Well, there was no avoiding it. With Ashley being their son, there was no way she could go without having involvement with


    him.


    Even if the idea didn''t please her, she still had to do it.


    "Well, guess like I now have a purpose to visit Gabriel."


    Being less upied, Leonica learnt the hard way that days didn''t fly by as fast as it did when she had piles of work files to look through.


    To put it in a simple way, she found it excruciating to wait a whole two days before taking the next step of her n. When Saturday came around, Ashley was the first one to bounce into her room, literally, he had been bouncing with the excitement of finally having to see his father for more than a few hours.


    "Can we go now?"


    Leonica looked back at him from where she say in front of her vanity mirror. She smiled at his excitement before applying the final touches to her simple make up and nodding.


    "Yeah, let''s go."


    In a matter of seconds, she had finished the rest of her getting ready process and had joined her son downstairs.


    "Ashley would be gone for the whole weekend." She said to Grace who nodded in understanding.


    "Have a good day, ma''am."


    "Thank you."


    "Goodbye, Gracie."


    Grace waved at Ashley and then turned back to her chore.


    When the pair got to the car, Leonica handed Ashley his seatbelt, while she went to the driver''s seat and got ready to pull off.


    As usual, they drove in silence, with Leonica''s mind upied by the uing events - her ns, her visit to Gabriel''s ce and the talk she would begrudgingly have with him and most importantly, the visit she had to pay to Owen''s family estate the next day - while Ashley hummed along to the song on the radio.


    It didn''t take long for them to arrive at their destination. As soon as the car stopped, Ashley had jumped off the car and was running towards the main door, leaving Leonica to sigh and lock the car before chasing after him.


    She had just stepped foot on the front porch when her son''s voice filled her ears.


    "Daddy!"

 Chapter 150

    The joy in her son''s voice, as well as the smile that had painted his face was something Leonica would never get tired of seeing, even if it was directed towards someone she didn''t like.


    "Hey, big guy. You ready for your weekend sleepover?" Gabriel crouched down and caught Ashley when he rushed into his arms.


    Ashley nodded his head in excitement, showing just how happy he was to finally be with his father. From behind him, Gabriel caught sight of Leonica and the smile on his lips changes to a more mature one. "Hey, Leonica."


    She mustered a half wave, fighting against the urge to ignore him- a habit she had forced into her system months ago- and reminding herself that she needed him... For now. "Hey."


    Her response surprised Gabriel. It was very much not expected, just like how she had t out ignored him back at the hospital. However, he quickly fixed his expression. "Thank you for dropping him off." He said, holding Ashley up and resting him on his hip. "No problem."


    There was a short period of silence where they both gazed at each other, and then at Ashley who was now babbling about the toy he had seen a friend of his brought to school.


    "Well, I guess I''ll be leaving." Leonica spoke first, taking a fauxed step back in hopes that one of her boys...the boys, would ask her to stay. "Call me when he''s ready to return." "Wait,"


    Bingo.


    With a neutral expression, hiding the smile that wanted to spread across her lips, Leonica turned to back around to face Gabriel, offering him a tilt of her head.


    "Yes?"


    "You''re leaving so soon? Why don''t youe inside?" Gabriel asked, already opening the door and letting Ashley into the house. Albert was just about to prepare some tea for me. Why don''t you join me."


    At his request, Leonica allowed an ample of smile grace her lips, making her features seem more pleasing to Gabriel.


    "Sure."All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Once again, he was surprised by her eptance and at this point, it was starting to be clear to him that Leonica was up to something.


    "Come in," He held the door open for her as she walked in.


    Immediately, she was greeted by the familiar ce she once called home.


    "Margret," Gabriel called and soon, a chubby woman with faded ck hair in herte fifties appeared. "Please show Ashley to his room and as for hisnguages," He paused and turned to Leonica. She took it as her cue toplete the sentence. "It''s in the car. Please have it removed."


    "


    "Certainly." Margret bowed before turning to Ashley, a sweet smile ying on her lips. "Hello Young master, I''ve heard a lot about you. My name''s Margret."


    Ashley hesitated because of the unfamiliar presence, but a little pat on the back and a smile from his mother was all it took for him to slowly open up. "My name''s Ashley."


    "Ashley, huh?" She cooed. "That''s such a cute name. Come, let''s go to your room, shall we?"


    As she watched Margret walk away with Ashley, Gabriel turned back to Leonica. "Let''s have the tea in my office."


    "I''m okay with that."


    Without exchanging any other words, Gabriel led the way towards his office.


    It was only when they were both seated and tea had been served did Gabriel speak.


    "You want something, don''t you?"


    Ah, she''s been caught.


    Biting on her lower lip, she asked rather than answering. "How''d you know."


    Her words confirmed his assumptions and Gabriel felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. Why did he hope it would have been otherwise.


    Letting out a sigh of disappointment, he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, giving Leonica a chance to take note of his causal outfit - a in white shirt and grey pants.


    -


    "Well, it''s not every day that you see your hostile natured ex wife being nice to you."


    "I wasn''t being nice." Leonica snapped before she realized and when she did, she quickly wound her heat down. "I just didn''t want toe off as arrogant."


    "Yeah?" Gabriel nodded unconvincingly at her words. "So what do you want? If it has anything to do with Ashley then you can rest assured-" An Alliance


    4/4.


    "It''s not about Ashley." She cut him off.


    "It''s not?"


    Nodding her head at his question, she took a moment to steel her nerves, remembering that once going down this path, there was no turning back until her n wasplete.


    But at this point, she really don''t have choices to jungle with.


    "I need your help, Gabriel."


    Special Halloween Treat: More Coins, More Thrills!


    im


    You''re Forgiven, Happy?


    Gabriel wasn''t sure whether he was meant to be worried over the fact that Leonica hade to him for help? Or disappointment over the fact that she had only approached him with her benefit in mind? "You need my help? Care to borate?" He asked and Leonica readied herself to give the shortest and vaguest exnation she coulde up with.


    "A few days ago, I stepped down from being president of Romero Empire." Gabriel arched a brow. Well this was news to him. "Well, more correctly, it was taken from me?"


    "Taken? By who?"


    Ah, now this was the question she didn''t want to answer. Exining her family history to someone who she didn''t even dim as an acquaintance and only needed him for his cooperation, wasn''t really her cup of tea. Seeing the look of hesitance that shed across her face for a second, Gabriel was quick to understand that she didn''t want to answer that question.


    He cleared his throat, steering into a new question. "So how does all this involve you needing my help?"


    Leonica fetched out the folded paper in her pocket, a copy of the contract that had been signed between herpany and his. "Remember this?" She ced it on the table, tapping her nails twice on it to emphasis her words. Gabriel leaned forward, took one look at it and nodded. "Yeah?"


    "You haven''t signed the copy that was sent to you, nor have you sent it back to the legal team of mypany, which means ourpanies are still partners, right?"


    Gabriel narrowed his eyes at her words. He wasn''t quite sure where she was going with this. "Yes, yes they are. But, how does that have anything to do with you needing my help?"


    "It does. Oh it ys a crucial role in my n."


    n? Gabriel could almost feeling the scheming aura emitting from her in that moment. But in a matter of seconds, it was gone, reced by the professional smile she gave to partners. "I want you to file for a contract breach." And he was speechless. "What?"


    "File for a contract breach," She repeated.


    "On what basis?" At this, she dipped her hand into her pocket again, pulling out another paper.


    "On the basis of one party failing to uphold it''s duty."


    The next paper she ced on the table was different from thest one. This one was smudged with different figures and confusing numbers, each categorized into different columns made up of years and months.


    "I don''t know whether you haven''t been checking the payment you received from Rodrigo thest five years, but he''s been scamming you." She exined in the rawest form possible.


    ""What?" Gabriel quickly picked up the paper, scanning over it with his eyes.


    "I went over the contractst night. It stated that each month, you''ll be paid eight percent of your investment, which is 12.8 million a month seeing as you invested 160 million, but you''ve only been getting paid 9.6 million, which is only six percent of your investment." Leonica''s exnation left Gabriel speechless as he looked over the figures which had been printed on paper through thepany''s past ounting transactions, and realizes that she was indeed telling the truth.


    That slimy old swan. He knew that Gabriel wasn''t all that interested in the investment. The only reason he had invested in the first


    ce was to get information on Leonica''s whereabouts all those years ago.


    But even that was a total bust!


    Leonica watched as Gabriel looked over the papers and nearly looked like he was about to track Rodrigo down and bash his head with a baseball bat.


    Horrible for him, but good for her.


    She mentally gave herself a Pat on the back,mending her mind for having thought of something like this. She knew Rodrigo was too money greedy to y fair and square.


    "Ha, I can''t believe this." Gabriel chuckled, more pissed than amused. "That slimy geezer has swindled me of nearly two hundred million." He said more to himself that hispanion, but then suddenly, his gaze was back on her. "You''re showing me this in hope of me helping you? How would this help you?"


    Instead of answering, Leonica remained silent with a calm smile on her lips, letting the answer sink in. And secondster it did.


    "Rodrigo is the one who took thepany away, isn''t he? And that''s why you''re trying to screw him over by showing me this."


    Not exactly, but at least he got the picture of what she was trying to do.


    "Yes, so, are you going to help me?"


    "And what do I gain in return?" Gabriel ced the paper back on the table.


    "Well, for starters, you get your 192 million back," Gabriel gave her a look that screamed; money isn''t really my problem. "You''d get revenge on Rodrigo," Again, he gave her an uninterested look. Leonica felt kinda disappointed to know that he wasn''t as eager as she was to drag Rodrigo in the mud. Resulting to herst resort card, she stated. "I''d guarantee you an alliance."


    "None of those matter, Leonica. You..." The rest of his words trailed.off and he gave her a pointed look.


    Her? She was what mattered?


    Even though admittedly, Leonica had killed off everyst of her feeling for Gabriel, she couldn''t help the way her heart beat sped up a bit at his words.


    "Me?" She questioned, keeping her expression as unfazed as humanly possible.


    Once again, Gabriel felt disappointed. He had expected his words to have some sort of effect on her.


    He lowered his head, staring at his hands on hisp, rather than her question Green eyes, as he spoke. "Your genuine forgiveness, I want that to be the price."


    "Oh," Came Leonica''s answer. He couldn''t see her face and thus, was unaware of the look of surprise that took over her entire expression.


    Her forgiveness was worth more than hundreds of millions and an alliance?


    ...Why?


    Although Leonica wanted to know the answer to that question, she didn''t ask. As much as a tiny side inside her wanted to know, a bigger side in her also didn''t want to know. Because ignorance is Bliss and right now, she chose to be ignorant to what she already suspected was the answer.


    "Are you sure about that?" She asked for confirmation sake.


    Gabriel''s gaze met hers and he smiled weakly. "More than I''ve ever been."


    Pressing her lips together, she released a sigh through her nostrils. "You know you can''t put a price on my forgiveness."


    "I know." Gabriel''s voice came out in an almost inaudible whisper. She would have missed it if the A.C in his office had been any louder.


    After a few seconds of staring at him to determine if his words were indeed true and another few more seconds to think his offer through, Leonica finally spoke.


    "Fine." The smile that followed after, had Gabriel''s heart beating at an uncontroble pace. "You''re forgiven, Gabriel Bryce. Happy?"

 Chapter 151

    You''re Forglwn, Happy?Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Gabriel wasn''t sure whether he was meant to be worned over the fact that Leonica hade to him for help? Or disappointment over the fact that she had only approached h


    dhim with her benefit in mind?


    "You need my help? Care to borate?" e asked and Leonica readied herself to give the shortest and vaguest exnation she coulde up with


    "Afew days ago, I stepped down from being president of Romero Empire. Gabriel arched a brow. Well this was news to him. "Well, mone correctly, it was taken *Taken? by mim?"


    Ah, now this was the question she didn''t want to answer. Exining her family history to someone who she didn''t even dim as an acquaintance and only needed him for his cooperation, wasn''t really her cup of tea. Seeing the look of hesitance that shed across her face for a second, Gabriel was quick to understand that she didn''t want to answer that question


    He leads thenar, steering into a new question "So how does all this involve you needing my help?"


    Leonica etched out the folded paper in her pocket, a copy of the contract that had been signed between herpany and his


    "Rememberthis? She ced it on the table, tapping her nails twice on it to emphasis her words.


    Gabriel leaned forward tookone look at it and nodded. "Yeah?"


    "You haven''t signed the copy that was sent to you, nor have you sent it back to the legal team of mypany, which means ourpanies are still partners, right?"


    Gabel narrowed his eyes at her words. He wasn''t quite sure where she was going with this. "Yes, yes they are. But, how does that have anything to do with you needing my help


    "does Chit ys a crucial role in my n."


    n? Gabriel could almost feeling the scheming ausa eruitting from her in that moment. But in a matter of seconds, it was gone, reced by the professional smile she gave to partners. "I want you to file for a contract breach." And he was speechless. "What?"


    "File for a contract breach," she repeated.


    "on what basis?" At this, she dipped her hand into her pocket again, pulling out another paper.


    "On the basis of one party failing to uphold it''s duty."


    The next paper she ced on the table was different from thest one. This one was smudged with different figures and confusing numbers, each categorized into different columns made up of years and months


    "I don''t know whether you haven''t been checking the payment you received from Radcigo thest five years, but he''s been scamming you." She exined in the awest form possible.


    "What?" cabriel quiddy picked up the paper, scanning over it with his eyes.


    went over the contractst night. It stated that each month, you''ll be paid eight percent of your investment, which is 12.8 million month seeing as you invested 160 million, but you''ve only been getting paid 6 million, which is only six permit of your investment." Leonica''s exnation left Gabriel speechless as he looked over the figures which had been printed on paper through thepany''s past ounting transactions, and realizes that she was indeed telling the truth.


    That slimy old swan. He knew that Gabriel wasn''t all that interested in the investment. The only reason he had invested in the first  Leonica''s whereabouts all those years ago.


    ce was to get information on


    But even that was a total bust


    Leonica watched as Gabriel looked over the papers and nearly looked like he was about to track Rodrigo down and bash his head with a baseball bat Horrible for him, but good for her.


    She mentally gave herself a pat on the back,mending her mind for having thought of something like this. She low Rodrigo was too money greedy to y fair and squate.


    *1, I can''t believe this Gabriel chuckled, more pissed than amused. "That slimy geezer has swindled me of nearly two hundred million." He said more to himself that hispanion, but then suddenly, his gaze was back on her. "You''re showing me this in hope of me helping you? How would this help you?" Instead of answering, Lesnica remained silent with a calm smile on her lips, letting the answer sink in. And secondster it did "Rodrigo is the one who took thepany away, isn''t he? And that''s why you''re trying to screw him over by showing me this."


    Not exactly, but at least he got the picture of what she was trying todo.


    **Y, 50, are you going to help me?"


    "And what do I gain in estum Gabriel ced the paper back on the table.


    "Well, for starters, you get your 192 million back," Gabriel gave her a look that screamed; money isn''t really my problem. "You''d get revenge on Rodrigo," Again.


    be gave her an uninterested look. Leonica felt kinda disappointed to know that he wasn''t a rage as the was to drag Rodrigo in the mud.


    Besulting to herst resort card, she stated. "I''d guarantee you an alliance."


    "None of those malter, Leonica. You. The rest of his words trailed off and he gave her a pointed look


    She was what mattered!


    Youn Forgwn, Happy?


    Even though admittedly, Leonica had lolled off everyst of her feeling for Gabriel, she couldn''t help the way her heart beat sped up a bit at h "Me?" She questioned, keeping her expression as unfazed as humanly possible. his words


    Once again, Gabriel telt disappointed. He had expected his words to have some sort of effect on her.


    He lowered his head, staring at his hands on hisp, rather than her question Green eyes, as he spoke. "Your genuine forgiveness, I want that to be the price." "OI" Came Leonica''s answer. He couldn''t see her face and thus, was unaware of the look of surprise that took over her entire expression. Her forgiveness was worth more than hundreds of millions and an alliance?


    ...Why?


    Although Leonica wanted to know the answer to that question, she didn''t ask. As much as a tiny side inside her wanted to know, a bigger side in her also didn''t want to know.

 Chapter 152

    Because ignorance is Bliss and right now, she chose to be ignorant to what she already suspected was the answer. "Are you sure about that?" she asked for confirmation sake


    Gabriel''s gaze met hers and he smiled weakly. "More than I''ve ever been "


    Pressing her lips together, she released a sigh through her nostrils. "You know you can''t put a price on my forgiveness"


    "I know."Gabriel''s voice came out in an almost inaudible whisper. She would have missed it if the AC in his office had been any louder.


    After a few seconds of staring at him to determine if his words were indeed true and another few more seconds to think his offer through, Leonica finally spoke. "Fine." The smile that followed after, had Gabriel''s heart beating at an uncontroble pace. "You''re forgiven, Gabriel Bryce. Happy?" Enjoy It While It Last


    The look of relief on Gabriel''s face told Leonica all she needed to know.


    He was indeed happy, so happy that a subtle smile graced his lips, 1 cin fum, had Leonica questioning interally, if her forgiveness was worth more than millions.


    Was he feeling that guilty about all the things he had done? Even though he didn''t remember them all?


    Was he really the same Gabriel that suddenly began maltreating her? Or was he forever going to remain this Gabriel, the version of himself who her younger self


    Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. 5 didn''t need to think of things like that, not right now.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    "Now that we''ve settled that," Leonica started. "About the contract,"


    "I''ll call my Lowryem," Gabriel said, pulling his phone out and making a call to hiswyer''s office.


    Leonics watched him as he spoke, and couldn''t help but notice the softness in his tone and the rxed stance his body held


    It was a sight that was long forgotten as it had been a distant Lime since they both sat together like this, no hostility or hate getting in the wag.


    Fabriel moment. Leonica allowed herself to indulge in the sight of him. He was still as handsome as she remembered him. The Gabriel she fell in love with and the one she would always have a little some yet spot for, even if she had moved on


    "Mr. Bryce, although were still in the weekend, your request will be carried out. The paperwork will be submitted tomorrow. Thewyer concluded over the phone.


    gabriel ended the call and turned his attention back to her. "Done."


    dahil simply gave her a smile. "Thave my ways."


    Sure bedoes


    Leonica rolled her eyes at him before standing up. "Well, I''ll got going not


    "Already? Why don''t you stay a butle longer? we can talk"


    she merely smiled at Gabriel''s words, bot he could tell the smile didn''t quite teach her eyes. "There nothing to talk about, Gabriel. Please take care of Ashley " And just like that, she was out, leaving Gabriel in his study alone. She quickly found Margret who then showed her to Ashley''s room. The boy who was ying on his console, quickly jumped up at the sight of his mother


    "Hey sweetheam, how do you like it here?"


    Ashley gave her toothy grin. "I love it."


    "That''s nice." Leonica returned his smile. "Mommy has to go now,e and pick you up Monday afternoon, okay?"


    "Okay." He gave her a hug and bid her goodbye.


    "Bye mammy


    "See youter!

 Chapter 153

    She kissed his forehead and lett. Once outside and seating in thefort of her car, she pulled out her phone and fetched a tiny phone book that she stored unnecessary number.


    Scrolling through the contacts, the searched for the one she needed. When she found it, she dialed the number and waited.


    It took the rings for the cell to be answered.


    "Hello," A female voletered through the line.


    "Hello, am Tonto Florence Winbow?


    "Yes, you are. May Task who''s calling"


    "Who I am doesn''t really matter," Alegraced her lips as she spoke, knowing fully well of the storm that was going to brew in Rodrigo''s ns once she dumped her ''anonymous'' tip to the joumalist she was speaking with "What matters is the story I have for you." Silence took over the other and for a few seconds. "Cantat least have something to address you with?"


    "Okay, Mica what type of story are we talking about here?


    "Business and money. You''ve heard about Rover Empire''s recent situation, haven''t you?


    "Recent situation?" The noise of scribbles followed after her question "Care to borate


    just called to top you about the Vice President of Romero Empire, Mr. Rodrigo Romero, word on the street has it that Mr. Rodrigo is brokering a deal with Mrs. Tyche Smithto sell the Empire off."


    "Tyche Smith?!" Florence''s voice beld enough surprise to be shown on her face. "And she wants to buy Romero Empire? on this good news." She mumbled thest part to herself, the sound of scribbling getting louder.


    "Indeed it is. So, do you find the story worthy to be published by yourpany?


    underse, and it would be a great honor to have you as our Monymous souere, Ms. Nica"


    "Great" [asndra ended the call and pulledet


    It wouldn''t take long before the story was published, and just like she had ined, Rodrigo would be put under pressure to sell thepany because of the Financial state and the news clemting all around. And when that happens, Leonica was sur to swoop in and purchase thepany at an unbelievably cheap price


    "Oh yes," she chuckled. "This is gonna be good."


    The next day, while in the process of getting ready, Leonica came across I


    ssher tablet and realized, Oh, she was yet to check the message Kennedy had sent her


    Seating down, she took a moment to open her mail ount, and just as she had expected, there was a message from the man.


    It was short and simple..


    Kennedy: Here are the details you wanted


    Attached was a document, the contents of which had tennica raising her brow in slight surprise.


    "Wow, this is impressive. I can''t believe he actually nned on doing this." She mumbled to herself.


    In the document, were all the information inpanding Rodrigo''stest n. She had to admit, it was quite genius the way he nned to take over thepany after using Melvin to secure it only to boot him out.


    But s, his n''s would eventually tail and as for Melvin, he could thank her when she saves thepany from its demise, once again.


    "Madame," The sound of Grace''s voice had her looking towards her door to find the caretaker standing there. "Mr. Lee just arrived." She announced,


    Owen''s here already? ncing at the clock, she realized she had been engrossed in her own world to realize the time ticking by..


    "we. Please tell him I''ll be down in a minute."


    Grace bowed and turned around to deliver the message.


    With a few seconds window, Lronica examined herself in the minor, nodding in agreement to the gown she had worn which matched the shade of her eyes. With that, she made her way downstairs She was just on thest stairs when Owen sarbet and he seemed speechless.


    "Wow lucemia," He breathed out almost inaudibly, his eyes trailing from the top of her head to her feet, admiting the sight. Leonica smiled at the name and the reaction she had gotten. "You look gorgeous," "Thank you," she said as she finally joined him, smiling when he ced his hand on her waist and cheek and pressed a kiss in between her brows, "You also look handsome, OwIL" "Really? Do I now?" He teised


    "Yes, you do." Leonica yfully swatted him and Owen''s chest rambled inughter.


    "Thankyou. Let''s get going, shall we?" stepping back, he offered her his ann and she took it, linking "Where exactly is your family''s v?" She questioned, casting a nce at him as they both settled in his car. own am through his


    "About an hour and thirty minutes drive from here, you''ll see once we get there." Owen shed her yet another smile. Leonica nodded at his words, while wen moved onto another topic. "How''s things going with thepany? Any development?" "Well, no and yes." "No and yes?" He arched a brow.


    *No as in, there been no notable development in thepany and yes as in, I''ve finally thought of a way to fix this little loophole,"


    "Is that so?" Owen responded, intrigue clear as day in his voice.


    For the next hour and a half, he asked her to exin and Leonica happily did. By the time she wasing to the final stage of her well thought out n, Owen had already pulled into the drive way of his family V. "We''re here" He announced.


    Looking through the windshield, Leonica took in the sight of the mansion.


    Beautiful" She whispere


    *Yeah, my grandfatherbuilt this with his own two hands tight before he passed away.


    "So you moved here after leaving the neighborhood?" Leonica asked an he held the door open for her to step out.


    In response to her question, Owen shook his head. "No, I went to go stay with my mother in Italy, her birthce."


    As they walked inside, Owen exined the history behind the mansion and the meaning of the different decorations that were used to beautify it They had


    I just walked past the main sitting coom, when a man voice caught their attention,


    "Charn, it was about time you showed up" Tachyon walked towards his son, his steps slowing a but when he realized there was an Umwanted guest. "And who do we have bee


    the stories she had head, she ced a smile on her lips and responded as respectial as possible. "Hello sig,


    Allboogh Leondica didn''t really like Chan''s father from th Pui Leonica B''s a pleasinertolinally mert you."


    "Etually meet me?" "Talvensmuted "Are you implying that Owen has spoken about me? Bad things issue, after all, he takes alter


    Enjoy in While it Last.


    "Father."


    "Don''t ''tather'' me, boy. The least you can do atter showing up an hourte is keep your damn mouth shut."


    Leonica''s brows furrowed. That was certainly some way to speak to your SOIL.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "You''ve once again disgraced me in front of my guest." Owen remained silent as he spoke, but from the way his hand constantly squee could tell he was holding himselt back from punching his father square in the jaw. "And this," He pointed towards Leonica. "Why did you Because I wanted to, tather." Owen answered calmly.

 Chapter 154

    Taehyunughed humorlessly. "Wanted to, huh?" He turned towards Leonica. "I bet you feel so special. Well, best enjoy it while itst."


    He said and turned around. Owen knew it was a silent signal for him to follow. But he hesitated, pissed at his father,


    "Hey." Leonica''s soft voice had him turning his head towards her. "It''s okay. It''s just one dinner, how bad can it be." With a deep sigh, he nodded. "You''re right. Let''s get this over with." 1.92 Rillion Dors!


    "It''s just one dimmen, how bad camitbe"


    stepping into the rather grand dinning Hall with it''s tables full of foods, Leonica had to mentally face palms herself for being too naive and underestimating the level of her men curiosity.


    If there was ever a phrase that was able to describe how bad the dinner was going, it would be the saying "the calm before the storm!


    Leonica had to admit, she had seen her fair share of dinnes-thanks to herparents and grandparents, but this one was a whole level


    The silence, the tension and the canal awkwardness that followed after each time, one of them picked up their cutienes and made a small nking noise was almost unbearable


    She could have wom that at some point, the tension between Owen and his father could be cut with a life


    And then their washer, the unwanted grest.


    she felt as if she didn''t belong there and that feeling only increased when Owen''s fathes, Tachyon, used to his long time friend and business partners, who he had invited, along with the daughter of course. Aria," He started, the smile on his lips directed to the woman and her daughter was one she hade to see in his son. "I hope the meal is to your liking. And you tee Victor


    "Yes. Tas," The woman, A, responded.


    "Everything is perfect," Her daughter, a young woman with light brown hair and hazel eyes, added.


    "That''s good to know. He responded and then his attention was back to his son w


    Thaven''t introduced you to udia, have 1?"


    "Father, "Owen gave a silent weming, but Tahyun ignored him, turning back to face udia as he intended to carry on with the one sided introduction


    Leonica who had quietly watched the interaction and surveyed the entire situation, finally got head of what was happening.


    "Ah, so that''s it,'' She thought as she stuck another took of the awfully cooked steak in her mouth.


    It was obvious that Taehyun was trying to set Owen up with this udia of ady. Even when he was aware of their rtionship.


    Not that Leonica cared about people''s opinion, but knowing that Taehyun didn''t approve of their rtionship and was even trying to set Owen up with someone else, in her presence, kind of saddened her.


    Owen who was seated beside her, quickly took notice of the way her expression dampened a bit. And he knew it was because she had caught onto what his father  doing.


    Reaching under the table, be found her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, shing her a smile when she tumed to look at him.


    "Don''t worry," Remouthed. "It would soon be over."


    "udia, this is my son, Owen."


    The girl waved at Tachyun''s words "It''s nice to meet you wen


    stuch to her surprise, Owen stared at her nkly, not bothering to the greeting beforeing to face his father. "Would you stop this already. I won''t seat here and watch you try to set me up on a date, right in front of my nde."


    His words caused an uproar. In seconds, the entice dinning room was filled with sounds of coughing from Aria and Victor who had checked on their drinks and Leonica too.


    "Esance?" She thought, ncing questioningly at Chwen


    "nc¨¦e? Is this a joke, Owen? Because if it is, it''s not funny! His father warned.


    It''s not a joke, father. Leonica''s the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. He tamed to Leonica and shed her a call smile "And it''s true."


    She couldn''t help but blush while Taehyun res at them both.


    "And you," He turned back to his father. "You should start minding your business father."


    Tachyun was enraged by his son''s words. "How dare you!"


    "It''s either that or you can continue wasting your time trying to pairme up with women which thully isn''t going to work"


    Taehyungitted his teeth. "This isn''t the bargain."


    "Actually it is just never promised that I''d seat through the entire process." With that, he stood up and extended his hand to Leonica. "Shall we luce m?" Leonica could do nothing but stare at his extended hand and then back at him. It took her a second, and a moment of collecting her thoughts to take his hand and allow him to all her to her feet.


    "Sure, let''s go."


    Without sparing his father or the others a nce, he led her out, his hand still holding onto hers.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Once they were outside and the cold night air blow past them, Leonica couldn''t help but ask, "Why did you lie to your father?"


    "That thing you said back there, about me being your faces*


    owen stopped walking and tumed to face her. He had a smile on his lips and in his eyes, the smile was elected. "It wasn''t a lie, I do want you to be the one I sprod


    the rest of my life with, and if you''re asking about the fianc¨¦e part," He paused and reached into his pocket, pulling out a red velvet box. "I was going to keep it until we got home, but since you brought it up, might as well give it to you now."


    He flipped the lid of the box open and Leonica found her breath caught in her thenat at the sight.


    It was a ring, #ring with a diamond that was embedded in the shape of a rose and two smaller ones, one on each side


    "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Leonica Romero


    The sincerity in his words and the way her name rolled off his tongue, had her heart thumping in her chest.


    But with one look at him, she knew he wasn''t the problem. He was ready... that she wasn''t.


    She had so many problems in her life and thest thing she wanted to do was pull him head on into all that, not when she also wasn''t ready to let go of her past wounds.


    "Owen, I appreciate this and I love it, really, but I just need more time." She whispered.


    The smile that graced his lips told her that he already expected such a reaction from her.


    He cupped her cheeks with his free hand and kissed her forehead, "I know hace mia and I''m not pressuring you for a takes.


    rany answer now. I''m going to wait as


    as long as it


    "You will?"


    "Yes"


    "Thank you, Owen," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning against his chest.


    Owen returned the bag and smiled softly, "Come on, let''s get you home. You must be craving actual food after that horrid thing my father forced you to entertain. Leonica couldn''t help butugh The next moming, ironically being Monday, Romero''s Empire''s new Vice President was furious


    is with what he was


    "What the hell is all this?!" He roared, presenting all the termination contracts to Melvin who satfortably in the president seat. "Why is it that so many

 Chapter 155

    arrived at thepanypanies are terminating their contract with us under such short notice?!


    When the paper was presented in front of Melvin, who already had more than enough on his table since today was his first day, he groaned. "Uncle, you should be able to handle this "With that, he pushed the papers back and focused on his other works.


    Rodrigo was about to chastise his nephew when there was a knock on the doorContent is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Come in." Melvinmanded and watched as the door opened and in walked the assistant his father had given to him. Kennedy


    "Good moming Mr. Romero," He greeted Melvin before turning to greet Rodrigo. "Good morning Vice President."


    "What''s so good about this morning!" Rodrigo snapped, not liking that thepany was suddenly facing a decline in their hands.


    The calmer and more reasonable one in the two of them, Melvin, spoke up. "What brings you here, Kennedy?"


    Stepping forward, the assistant presented another batch of files. "This came in just this morning. It''s a contract of termination from both the Bryce and Richardson rompany Rodrigo''s eyes widened upon bearing that they were losing their two biggest backers, "What


    "And And that''s not all."


    "Not all?" Kennedy pulled out thest file and ced it on the table, opening it so that Melvin could se


    "briel Bryce has decided to see Romero Empire for a breach of contract and is demanding apensation of ten times what he has been rubbed "


    "Ten.. Tentimes!" Melvin was shocked and nced at Rodrigo who seemed to know what was going on


    Ali, damn


    And is thepensation when moltiplied by ten?"


    Kennedy brought out his phone and did the calctions and showed it to Melvin secondster


    Seeing the figures, Ins eyes nearly popped out of their sockets 102 Billion dors!"


    Wanting Revenge.


    Romero Empire had a worth of over ten billion, today, after so many investon have withdrawn their investment, it merely grated 1 billion just a dew days ago, Ro dors


    So, looking at the figur in front of him, with that in mind, Melvin


    ifrin tikra pek hat just suddenly bern dumped on his head.


    192 billion dors wasn''t money to be yed about with and the painful fact is that there was no way they could avoid this.ca


    "How the hell did thise about?" He questioned Kennedy, waiting impatienrly for the assistant to


    give his respome


    His esper however, came in the form of a paper. "Mr. Bayer''swyer bought this along "He exined as he ced it down on the table in front of Melvin Melvin, took our look at the content and less than a mimteter, disappointment washed over him.


    "What? What does it say? Rodrigo asked as he inched forward, wanting to confirm that thepany wasn''t going int a huge problem because of loact However, he had barely gotten within arms length when Melvin fixed his pace on his, the lookot disappointment looking more heavy now


    From that it was directed at


    "What is this, Uncle?" Melvin questioned. "Ahmed andwo million dors lesser than what he was meant to have been receiving?" Mentioning that alone was enough to tell Rodrigo that he had been caught. "Teanexin, Melvin." "Please do." His


    tantamwer was quick to put Rodrigo in a spot that he didn''t like and watching him seat with his handsessed, in a chair that belonged to him Rodrigo felt like he had been wronged Who was Melvin to question him when he had failed inserting our single task!


    - hrow they had


    "I''m listening Uncle, please carry on with your exnation." Melvin teprated, fixing his uncle with a serious stare as he indent wanted to here h suddenly themselves in sucapicke


    "Well... You see, at the time M. Bryce lowested, thepany''s shapes had been doing good. But theeverything suddenly trashed. Thepany didn''t have enough to pay bryce his full money at that time."


    "Your bank statement here shows otherwise," Melvin countered as he looked through the other paper, impressed that Gabriel had gotten his hands on Rodrigo''s bank statement


    When he was done, he stared at his uncle once again. "So, tell me why Mr. Bryer wasn''t paid his fall money?"


    Rodrigo became speechless at this point and began fumbling on his woods, saying things that no longer made sense.


    Melvin, having heard enough, sighed while massaging his temple with his other tree hand, he dismissed Rodrigo


    "Just go." Rodrigo looked like he was just about ready to burst from embarrassment and anger, but tried his very best to keep himself in check "Oh and Uncle," Melvin''s voice stopped him before she could end the office, "Be sure to knock when next you want to enter my office." With a forced smile, the older man nodded his head. "Certainly."


    With that, he was gone. Now alone with his assistant, Melvin sighed heavily as he once again looked at the figures printed out.


    Then he instructed. "Try and see if it''d be possible for you to set up a meeting with Mr. Bryce and hiswyer "


    Kennedy nodded. "Certainly, then excuse me sir." Abow followed his words and soon, he was gone


    On his own, Melvin sighed and leaned back in his couch, letting his hand over his eyes as he thought


    In a station Eke this, what would Leonica do?


    She''d probably solve this more elegantly and ssy. That was her way of dealing with things. And Melvin admired that


    But now was not the time for admiring. He needed to save thispany and prove to his mother that he''s just as capable as Leonica when ites to uning the


    Meanwhile, ndizo saunted down the Hall angrily.


    How date Melvin treat him like he was above? Had he forgotten who saved and treated him we''ll all those years ago?


    All the good he had done, was this how he was getting repand?


    The thought of matters down that paths infuriated Rodrigo so much that he sudden wanted sevenge. Except this time around he wasn''t nning just having thenship of Romero tipine, he also wanted moughtcash to wipe in Melvin''s Lace while his family faces decline alter thepany is smatched away from them right understand their moses


    And he knew just how to do that


    Stepping into the elevator where his pussy is rated one hundred percent, og pulled out his phone and went to his most recent call log


    Their, he spotted the number of Tyche Smith and as he phoned bet, listening to het line sing on beton being answered, he couldn''t help but smile at the prospect of his the outer Kabrio Tumpie atlus foot


    "Il-lin?" He plear was finally answered atst and kodigo delt ihr he had altrody scaled one huge wall


    Walls a legeagoin on los lips, he spoke, tee, Mix Smith, I apologier to calling abruptly, but I just wanted to find, does you offer it stand


    sta shitty grotuukower his face


    "Perfect, but we''ll have to make


    "I still want power in thepany. Rather than throwing it all away, I want the sum of 2.5 Billion dors and have a spot in thepany. It that''s fine by you, then let''s move on with that deal. Are you still interested?" ying Right Into Her Palm.


    tronica sat in the outdoor garden of her house, sipping on a cup of juice as she watched her second phone, waiting for the moment that it would ring


    And it did.

 Chapter 156

    Smiling as she saw Rodrigo''s name shing across the screen of her second phone, knowing fully well that her actions up unti was now buckling under pressure, she tuned on her Romaniadialect and answered the phone. "Hello, Ms. Smith1 apologize for calling abmptly, but I just wanted to find out, does you offer stills


    "salight M. Rodrigo, I was expecting your call And yes, the offer stillstands"


    "Perfect," Rodrigo said and Leonica could almost gear the shitty grin in his voice.


    Unfortunately for him, he won''t be smiling this exact was in a week''s time. So he best enjoy it while itsts.


    "But we''ll have to make a few touches to everything" He added, earning an ached brow from Leonica even though she was aware that he couldn''t see her.


    "I still want power in thepany. Rather than throwing it all away, I want the sum of 15 Bon dors and have a spot in thepany. If that''s dine by you, then let''s move on with that deal. Are you still interested?".


    Leonica couldn''t help but sortimently at the words that hade out of his mouth. 25 Billion and a spot in thepany? He must really have some screws loose.


    That or his greed for money has driven him towards a state of lunacy,Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Tre," She said, "Then I have a condition of my own"


    "What?"


    "The amount, I can provide you with that, but I won''t be giving you major position in thepany. That''s something that will be earned, not given."


    Herwords seemed to set off some sort of hestant reaction in Rodrigo. But after taling a moment to think about thepany''s current situation and realizing that he could easily take the money earned from selling thepany and start off elsewhere, leaving Tyche Smith to face Gabriel''sw suits rather than him, he quickly agreed.


    "Alright"


    "Then it''s a deal." She confirmed, smiling as she took yet another step towards Victory


    "Great," Rodrigo responded. "I''ll get the papers ready and then we can decide on a meeting ce."


    "That''s perfect Thank you, Mr. Rodriga,"


    "No, thank you. This is a great opportunity and I don''t n to mess it up.''


    "Thope not." Leonica ended the call and ced her phone down, smiling triumphantly as she did so.


    With her fingers Inteced together, she stared into the distance, thinking of ways to rate the next stage of her n


    She needed someone to ask in her stead as Tyche, at the same time, she needed to pave a way for Rodrigo to get his hands on thepany''s originals without messing things up and getting caught.


    Hm, how exactly would she go about that?


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a text message entering her phone.


    She smiled genuinely upon seeing that the message hade from her mother, the smile however, craved into a sinister one after reading said message [Dear, the family''s having a little dinner get together tomorrow to celebrate your brother return and thank your uncle, before doing anything big, could you possibly show up?]


    A dinner get together, with the whole family, Rodrigo included, what a perfect way for her ns to progress.


    Leonica smirked.


    She be more than happy to show up.


    It was the following night that the Romero''s were gathered together, the only ones missing being, Leonica and Rodrigo.


    "Leonica might have gotten caught up in something," Cassandra voiced her opinion, eaming a nod from her son.


    *Perhaps she has. Or perhaps she''s just being rebellious again Benjamin said and shook his head, sighing tiredly. "Why can''t she be mon like her brothea!" "Please stop it, Benjamin," Cassandra uttered, no longer liking the way her husband constantlypared her children. "They''re different, so is the any need topare them?"


    ''re the one who alwaysins about her. And the way she acts," He countered.


    "But you''n


    "That''s because I care for her, Benjamin and I want nothing but the best for all of my children. How can''t you do the same.


    "Of course care for her, I''m her father, wen''t I?*


    Cassandra shook her head, not wanting to argue further. At that moment, the door opened and in stepped Leonira


    "Ali, the guest of honor is finally here "Melvin muttered sarcastically.


    "Good evening everyone," Leonica greeted as she walked in, smiling, however, the smile was far from genus Melciscould tell.


    "Leonica," Cassandra smiled and got up to log he dughter. "Wee my


    "He Mem." Leonica epted the big, giving her mother a few pats and chicle sooths on the back before pulling away. "You''re glowing more these day, Frani see father is mnie ?are of you." Sheplimented, Cassandra could''thrip but blush, especially when she tuned to look at Benjamin.


    "Thank you, dear Let''s horasat shall we Bechigo just stepped out, but he should be bete soon


    Before eating down, she scanned the table, noticing that one important person was missing. "Where''s tennarin?"


    Her question caused a sudden twitch in Melvin''s eyes.


    Even though he appreciated all his best friend had done over the years, he didn''t take ton lightly to the fact that Leonica realized and preferred him more that she peleted her own brother.


    I mean, she hadn''t even greeted him, talk less spate him a nce, yet she was already asking about Leonards.


    "Ah, Den already had ns today and he couldn''t cancel."


    "I see Leonica mosed as she slipped into her seat, hiding the true meaning behind the smile she offered them.


    She understood Leonardo''s reasons for not showing up, she too would have declined it not for the need to monitor Rodrigo''s movement tonight, which she was certain he was going to make. "Alright."

 Chapter 157

    They had barely settled down when the doors opened and Rodrigo stepped in, his smile seeming forced as he did so.


    s thingsing


    "Lapologize, I had to take that call for a minute," He informed, pausing for a second when he spotted Cronica. "Leonica, it''s good to see you. How''s i about with Ashley now that you have free time."


    His words, although sounding natural and normal, gave Leonica avibe that she could


    much read.


    Why are you here, Leonica? And as for bring jobless, how does that rel? she could tell that''s what he meant, especially when he sat down and shed her a smile. "Ah, don''t worry about that. I''m already moving on, adjusting to the new routine, I''ll be time she replied, giving him a small smile.


    "Really?" He questioned, the condescending glint in his eyes shining brighter.


    "Yes, I''ll manage, just like I always do."


    Rodrigo checked, a sound that made Leonica want to reach over and strangle him, but she refrained, not wanting to ruin her entire n. Thankfully, the servants brought in the food, serving the delicacy around the table, while the family waited patiently. As they began to eat, Benjamin started the conversation.


    "How''s thepany doing under your management, Melvin


    Rodrigo suddenly chocked at the question and he was now in the spotlight rather than Melvin who had been questioned.


    "Tapologice, it''s been quite a while since we all sat down and ate like this, so I got nervous."


    Everyone nodded in understanding except for Leonica who actually understood the mason why he had choked. She barely held back herughter, resulting in a cough that caused Melvin to archabowather


    She smiled.


    "Everything is fine father, thepany''s doing well. "Melvin responded after clearing his throat, his attention then retuming to Rodrigo. "Uncle Rodrigo here has contributed abundantly in helping me manage thepany. In fact, by this time next week, you should be hearing good news."


    "Is that so?" Benjaminsaid as he took a bite from his food, missing the way Rodrigo became a tad bit nervous.


    "Yes. I''m working towards securing a deal with apany." He lied


    Leonica who at that moment, decided to add spice into the nd flow of the conversation, asked. "Whatpany is it? Does anyone know?"


    "Ah," Rodrigoughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "It''s a sectet."


    "Is that so?" Benjamincepeated once more, this time asound nodding his head as he started at Rodigo. It was clear that he wasn''t quite buying his awers, but for the sake of the dinner going on, he chose to let it slide.


    *50, Leonica, Benjamin tumed to fare her instead. "Now that you don''t have anything on the table, have you decided to treat your personal life? Perhaps get remarried?"


    "Benjamin, don''t push her, she just recently got out of a marriage."


    "Recently, as in five years ago." Hether pointed out. "Don''t you want to marry? Give Ashley a father figure in his life?"


    respondled.


    "Yeah, butst checked, a boyfriend isn''t a husband. You need someone who''ll take care of you too. A man you can depend on and call your husband. "Her father went on and at some point, Leonica began to feel as though he was purposely attacking her. She dropped her spoon in an unceremonious manner and stood up before she could snap in a disrespectful manner at her father


    *t think Loved some ait, ple


    "me" she didn''t wait for anyone''s response, instead, she just turned and walked out, heading towards the ba. Meansdale, Rodrigo also stood up, taking this opportunity to see himsel i think Thave to make another call. Please excuse me, Jig Right ons Her


    And with that, he too was gone. He quickly sped walked though the hulls, finding his way to Benjamin''s office and heading straight for the security vandt behind


    his chair.


    with shaky fingers, he pulled out the code and dialed, the numbers that were typed out and he pushed his ear against the door, listening.


    There was a beep followed by the sound of the vault clicking open. Rodrigo pulled it open, and just as he had expected, the files that had Romero Emplie''s originals were sitting there.


    "Perfect," He thought as he picked the paper out, stutting it into his pocket before recing it with a tale copy.


    When he closed the vault and tumed around, he yelped in surprise upon seeing Leonica leaning against the door frame, watching himContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Jesus Christ Leonica


    "What are doing in my father''s study?" She asked, stepping inside, the sound of the heels of her shoes clicking against the tiles of the floor echoing around the


    "I could ask you the same."He countered.


    "I have the right to be here, I was bom into this house, you weren''t." Her eyes drifted to the vault behind and it clicked,


    Once again hiding her smile, she allowed her eyes drift towards a set files on the table. "Did father ask you to bring this up?" she naively asked, giving room for one of Rodrigo''s flimsy excuses.


    The male rumed his head back and spotted the papers. Seeing this as a chance to go away unnoticed, he quickly nodded his head. "Yeah, he was discussing something important with Melvin when this came in, so he asked me to bring them up." Leonica purposely gave him a look of doubt.


    "You can go ahead and ask him if you want." He added, smiling to himself when she shook her head.


    "That won''t be necessary.


    "Good, now I''ll be heading off."

 Chapter 158

    "Mhm, go ahead."


    Without further ado, he was gone and Leonica sighed as she walked over to the vault, putting in the family password and pulling it open and talking out the papers that she had seen him stuffing in there. Looking at the obvious fake, Augh escaped her lips.


    Oh Rodrigo, if only he knew that he isn''t as smart as he thinks he is and was just ying right into Leonica''s palms


    Her True Enemy.


    "What are you doing?"


    The sort of Melvin''s nice tom behind pulled her out of her little self indulgence Hower, she did not ash to ce the papers hack, not lock the vault


    Instead, she did things at her own pace, only taming to face Melvin with a little till of her beadatter she had ced the paprasbach


    "What?" She asked calmly, eaming a look of confusion from her older brother


    How could she afford to be so calm after he had caught her sneaking amount in their tallier''s office:


    "I said what are you doing?" He reprated, taking the initiative to walk closer. "You were just taking something homdalber''syadi, weren''t you?


    Leontra nced bark at the vault, then him, then the vault and finally at him, belone answering "Yes I was, got a problem?


    Melvin was host speechless, no, he was speechless at this point.


    Never had he received such a nonchnt response after a person had been caught doing something bal.


    But wait, what was the doing? And how could he be that it was something bad? He thought,


    "What was it that your were taking from the va 24


    "I don''t think you have the right to questions, especially after the everything that has happened, Melvin."


    He sighed and scratched his head, feeling frustrated. Sheing and to his appearance was certainly tng longer than behulnned. "Cronica, please don''t be like this," by think you''d be weed willi


    "Ch1 will," Leaning against her father''s table, making sure to use her hands as support from behind, she added, "You didn''t trally open arms after being dead for fourteen years, now did you?" Her words stung, and she could tell. Melvin''s expression tell a bit and his shoulders slumped


    "Mother and father, they may have epted you, but not me. At least not without a proper exnation and apology."


    so you want me to apologize for what? Trying to survive?"


    "Damn right," Leonica held her chin high "And don''t forget to toss in an exnation along the way."


    Melvin stared at her and his expression changed. From angry to defeated


    "You''re never going to let go of the past are you?" He questioned. "New," She confirmed


    He shook his head, his gaze dropping to the ground as he thought.


    in the silence, Leanica spoke up. "I don''t have you Melvin, I''d be lying if I said I did. But I can''t easily let you back into my life after thinking you were dead. "I know, but shouldn''t you at least be happy?"


    "I am, furlong hell I am, but with all this going on, she gestured around them both. "You taking what actually belongs to me and ridiculing it in the hands of Rodrigo, I''m not as happy as I would have been "


    Melvin sighed and stuffed his hand into his pocket. "Well I''m sorry about that. I just thought that after all these years it would be best for me to take over thepany, take some weight off your shoulder. And with all I''d heard from Rodrigo, with you caring for Ashley, your reputation and all, I thought I was doing right thing. I''m sorry if my actions hurt you."


    ite theAll content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Leonica''s expression witched at his words before settling into a less hostile one as she took in his words, realizing that he really didn''t mean any harm from the beginning. It was just Rodrigo who had been pushing him.


    That uncle of her had literally cooked Melvin into being the viin, avoiding suspicion while at the same time, stripping her of her title. Sluking heehead, she released a sigh. "Rodrigo is always proving more of pest than I can imagine" "I can rte."


    Melvin sudden words surprised her. Days ago he had sided with Rodrigo, defended him even, but now, he was... Rting to her words? "What''s the sudden change of heart?"


    Melvin besitated to answerber question. "L. I went through thepany''s books for the past five years, and saw how thepany has been declining. I couldn''t wrap my head around the reason why, so I called the old board members who were with Father and Rodrigo at that time. They told me, the reason thepany has been declining is because once father took ill, Rodrigo had put in ce all this new policies that made investors pull away. It was on the verge of going under when," He paused and gestured towards her. "When you took over."


    Of course it, Leonica thought but in turn, rather than saying it out loud, released another sigh


    "Why You Were se adamant about not betting him take the position of V.


    "yeah? Well I can''t say I didn''t tell you so." Leonica muttered.


    filere once again settled between them, giving Leonica enough time to process the little information Melvin had given her and reevaluate her que enem Pratripo "petratidil Melvin, fepany isn''t doing great That''s where you called for the board meeting and looked through thepany''s book, right?"


    The nodded. "Sammany investors are polling away. Pechaps they don''t like the change in power." He solemnly said, showing how dishearten the change had made The smile that wanted to grace Leonica''s lips at this point had disappeared.

 Chapter 159

    She was no Mary Sue, but at the same, she wasn''t a heartless person and could feel when her brother was actually downl


    "Should I fire Rodrigo?" He asked after a heartbeat and Leonica''s answer came almost immediately.


    "No!"


    He blinked twice in surprise.


    "I''ll handle Rodrigo, so you just pretend like nothing''s wrong. Like we never had this conversation." "Handle as in?"


    Pressing her tinger against her lips, she smiled. "That''s a secret." With that, she pushed off her father table and walked towards the door, but just as she was passing Melvin, she stopped and much to his surprise, gave him a gentle punch on the shoulder. "The next time you disappear on us, I''ll personally kill you. Melvin chuckled. "You''re sure to rub off Owen with your aggressive nature."


    Owen out of this."


    At his words, Leonica red at him. He was quickly about to apologize for calling her aggressive when she spoke. "Keep On He was stunned for a second before realizing that she was simply being protective. This time, heughed, a genuine one. "You really do like him don''t you?"


    "That''s none of your business." She shot back


    "If you like him so much," Melvin began, chasing after her as she left their father''s study. "Why not propose to him?"


    Propose to him? Ha, if only he knew Owen had already proposed, but she was just the one too afraid to ruin his life with her whole life''s drama, to say yes. "shut up Melvin, before I actually shut your mouth for you."


    Melvin chuckled at her threat, throwing his hands up in surrender when she red back at him.


    As they walked back to the dining hall, he couldn''t help but realize how much his junior sister had grown.


    Was there really any need in thinking that she couldn''t handle thepany?


    By the Gr


    Grace of God, the dinner ended rather peacefully and after saying her Goodbyes to her mother and a stiff greeting to her father, Leonica left.


    When she returned to the peaceful silence of her home, she smiled and after refreshing and making herself a smoothie, she wandered towards the drawer in her room, pulling it open to gaze at the red velvet box that held ring that Owen had bought for her. Picking it up, she peeled the lid and examined it once again before taking it out and gently slipping it into her finger.


    It fit like a lucky charm!


    Raising it up, she watched as it sparkded under the artificial light of her light bulb with a smile.


    She liked it and loved it''s giver even more.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The rumbling of her phone against the table had her loolding away and a different expression overtoolcher face when she saw Rodrigo''s name shing across her


    screen


    He was calling far earlier than she expected. Well, what is to be expected of a person who is trying to ditch as quickly as possible?


    Grabbing the device off the bed, she swiped right on the answer Icon and pressed the phone to her ear


    "Hello Mr. Rodrigo, you have an awful habit of calling at random times."


    "I apologize, Mrs. Smith, but I promised to contact you as soon as I had thepany papers and I do. So, shall we proceed with the business deal? How about set a meeting for tomorrow?"


    we


    Impersonating Tyche Smith.


    A smides tugged at theers of Lennica''s lips and as she was alone, she didnt bother trying to hide it when it finally broke into a blooming simile


    "Perristan''s just perfect, Thappened to have some free thine on my hand."


    "perat. I''ll wastor you at Hollway Gerent''s restainant then."


    "Alright," Leonica said and hung the call up, immediately calling someone else. The phone rang for a few seconds befor it was answered. "Hi, Florence." She faused a cheerful tone, trying her best not to sound intimidating in case she scared off the journalist before her work was done.


    "Hi Nica, pleasure hearing fron you again. Do you got another story to diep for me?"


    "No, thot called in give you some advice concensing the previous story i shared." She informed. "I noticed that up till now, you still haven''t posted it, which is a good thing seeing as a major event including the Romero family is about to happen. You can post it then or a day before to get better poprity."


    The jounalist thought he woods over for a few seconds before agreeing. "You''re right, but how am i meant to know when to do that?"


    "That''s why you have me. To tell you the truth, I''m actually an employee of the Romero family, so i know when things like this are going to happen." She led


    "Is that so? Well then I''d take your advice and wait a bit. 1 assume you''d be the one giving the signal on when to post."


    "West wouldd."


    ("whight then, ill hold back until then and expect your signal, Nica." "Yeah"


    With that, their conversation came to an end.


    Once Leonica had hung up the call and gave herself littlemendable woods, she was onto focusing on the next little challenge in gaining thepany. Finding a skilled actor to y her role as Tyche. And that''s when it hit her, the fact that she had a beautiful red haired best trend who owned a calor shop, sewhere in Osta


    Switching phones, she quickly found Megan''s number and dialed it. The phone was answered after the second ring.


    "Leonica, what''s up? Megan greeted, a cheerful tone in her voice.


    "Hello, Megan. How''s work?"


    "It''s doing well, the customers are getting a lot of ouders and are requesting cakes from thetest recipe you provided." Leonica could almost hear the smile in her voice. "What about you, how are you doing?"


    "Well," A small chulde escaped her lips. "I''ve just been doing a lottely. Listen, I was wondering if you''re tree tomorrow. You see, I need your help with something"


    "Of course, Ell always have time for you, what is it?"


    With those words of encouragement, Leonic quickly exined her n for the following day to Megan, trying her best to keep the fact that she had stepped down from the CEO seat, away from her.


    This was not because she felt ashamed or the need to keep her life private from the person she had known for years, but rather because she knew how much of a Temper Megan had


    Sadly, her best wasn''t enough and Megan soon caught on


    "I can''t believe your father did that to you" she said, seriously pissed. "I swear to God, he needs a good spanking."


    "Now chill out there, Meg, I didn''t call you to hear you talk all abour bitch pping my father." Even though he deserved it. "I just wanted to low, would you be able to imprisonate someone for me?


    "It sounds illegal, but sure, I''ll do that." Leonica smiled at her words of confirmation. That was another apple in the basket. "But one question."


    "Hm?


    "Who exactly am I impersonating?"


    Leonica was silent for a second before replying. "Tyche Smith."


    Now it was Megan''s own turn to remain silent. When it reached for her to bacak the silent barrier, she chuckled. "Girl you must ying "She said. "We ain''t talking about some bar chock or some library assistant, we''re talking about Tyche Smith The Tyche Smith and you want me to impersonate her?"


    Leonica mudded herbend even though she knew her friend had no visual of her. "Yeah."


    "And, and what if she is?


    Pol she wouldn''t, trust me "The certainly dripping out her of voice surprised Leonica


    "How can you be so surebe


    "Trust me, she won''t find out.


    Megensighed. "okay firm, t''iltry."


    "Protect I''ll send you the date, time, priceserations just in


    in case and all the important details via mail."


    "Thank yon, Hove you taimeli tye "


    Ending the call, Bronica released a deep breath and stretched her hand in front of her, the ring glistening on her finger


    This was the only step left. Once the meeting is over, Rodrigo will be taken care of and Romero Empire would be resterd


    Then bet life would uner againurato its ruckans free state and she. Well she would finally be able to ept chwen''s proposal


    Smiling, she leaned back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling, allowing herself to drown in the peaceful silence that filled the house.


    The next day, Leonica was getting ready to go join Megan, her doorbell rang Whe Grace answered the door, she was surprised to see Gabriel standing there and with him was Ashley.


    "Mommy!" The ld raced into her arms in second.


    "Hello, Asidry." She greeted, holding him tightly in her arms "What are you doing here?" she asked Gabriel, watching as he stepped forward.


    However, his steps ttened when his eyes suddenly caught sight of a shiny object amound her ring finger.


    No, it wasn''t just any object, it was an engagement ring and Gabriel could bet his entire fortune that it hade from Dwell


    Pushing the painful thoughts aside, be answered. "Ashley wanted to see you. He kept telling me how he missed his mom, so 1 derided to bring him over mentioned thest part with a castal waw.


    "Hi, and Thank you for bringing him back Leonica said, but her word for gratitude was far more sincere and she had meant it.


    Gabriel could feel the genuine gratitude in her voice, earning a smile from him. "It''s not a problem I was for today anyway, so I brought him over."


    diving him a hug, she tumed his attention back on Ashley, "Did you enjoy your stay at dacky''s?" The kid nodded his head furiously, showing how he had indeed enloved the entire stay


    "That good. Can you tell mommy all about this when she getsback?"


    Ashley nodded and she pressed a kiss to his forehead before handing him over to race,


    "Please take care of him, Grace."


    "I will." She nodded and lett


    Leonica gaw takes longer.


    briel a single rod as she walked past. Although she wally wanted to keep to the promise she had made, formatting certain things from your system


    And right now, it was taking


    her a longer time


    Gabriel watched her as she left, not quite understanding what was going through her mind.


    He could never read her for some reason.


    Once Leonica was gone, Gabriel got a phone call from his assista. "What is it?" He asked after the phone had been answered


    *Sir, there''s someone at thepany requesting your audience." His assistant informed.


    "Someone? Who is it?"


    Other end became silent as his words and from hushed whispers being exchanged, he could tell his assistant was acquiring the name of his beloved audience. After awhile, he came back with a response, Sir, he says his name is Melvin Romero Gabriel froze up upon hearing thest name. Romero? Leonica had a brother? Wasn''t Leonardo her only sibling?


    He was confused and his assistant could tell. Sir, do you wish for me to ask him toe another day?"


    Gabriel thought about it for a while and realized that he could score on this position. If this person was perchance rted to Leonica, then he could find a way to Information of her in hopes to trigger the fragments of the lest of his memories away to get


    "No, let him. In I''ll attend to him personally."


    "Mrs. Smith, its nice to meet you in person." Rodrigo said as he extended his hand eat for Tyche. She took it and sat down, deciding to go straight to the point Lassume you have the originals?" Tyche spoke up


    Rodrigo narrowed his eyes, linding her voire different that when they had spoke on phone.


    Nevertheless, he discarded those thoughts and palled at the originals.


    Alter


    metime of trading, both the contract and his signing book, Tyche nocked her head, pleased with everything she was seein


    "This is patect Shall we proceed?" she asked


    Bodigo died and watched as she pulled out a pen from her bag, and only then did he realize that as a married woman rumors called out to be, this Tyche smith


    Noterona wedding it, tot was there a sign of a ring ever being women that band


    suddenly, Rodrigo de panin feri like something was wrong and before things could go down a path he didn''t like all too well, he demanded.


    Negotiations.


    Billy weed Gabriel the moment he arrived at thepany. He escocted him upstairs and led him into the visitors office where Melvin Romero was already nafew seconds window to study the


    As he approached, Melvin stood up and quickly bowed his head. He remained standing while cabriel sat down, this giving him male in front of him.


    He was every bit of the rumors he had heard. Intimidating, intellectual, and Godlike looking


    For a moment, he almost couldn''t believe that Leonica had been married to him. But then again, she was Leonica, she, just like him, is on a different scale "Hello, Mr. Romero i presume?" The sound of Gabriel''s voice had pulled him out of his thoughts and he quickly nodded in aposed manner. "Yes. Hello, Mr. Bryor, it''s a pleasure to finally meet you." He greeted.


    "you as well. Please have a seat," He gestured towards the chair and Melvin sat down. "So, what is the matter brings you to mypany, Mr. Romero?"


    Going straight to the point, Melvin thought and chuckled intemally tabriel was indeed a real businessman, not bothering to asit his rtion to thepany not


    Leonica.


    Or perhaps he already knew.


    "The purpose of my visit today had to do with the termination contract andwsuit that was set to Romero Empire a few days ago." Melvinbegan. "Yeah, and what about it?


    As the Current CEO, I''d like to negotiate with you


    dabriel was surprised and arched a brow at the male. He was the current CEO? Not Rodrigo? Now this was certainly something interesting.


    Nepotian


    "Yes," Melvin confirmed, nodding his head. "I took the liberty to personally go through the ounting books and tallied everything. So, it''s safe to say I''ve found


    easy way out of this for both you and L"


    "Aneasy way? Is it that, or are you just trying to avoid getting sued?" Gabel asked, folding his arms. "And word on the street has it that Romero Empire has been losing inwestness ofte, are you sure this isn''t a ploy to have me withdraw."


    some ways, it is. Melvin answered honestly, watching as cabriel studied him with a neutral expression. "But that''s not the only thing I hope to achieve. Your extended cooperation with thepany would also be nice." Saying that, he gently bowed his head. "Please withdraw the termination contract andwsuit." There was a long silence as the two stared at each other, but in the end, debciel was the one to break the state off.


    "I refuse." He simply stated.


    Melvin looked up, prise written all over his face.


    "Refuse?"


    Yes. I won''t withdraw the termination contract andws." Gabriel relcerated, not missing the way the younger man''s brows furrowed in frustration, "But, why?" He questioned


    Gabriel took a few seconds to think of his aver, even if he didn''t need to. Melvin was even more surprised when the intimidating aura suddenly vanished around him as he smiled subtly.


    "That is my personal season.


    Melvin''s contusion grew even more and he didn''t know how to respond to such a statement


    "Personal reason? But-


    "I''m sony, Mr. Romero, but if that''s all you came here to say, I''m afraid to tell you that this abrupt meeting is over."


    Raising to his feet, Gabriel was about it leave when Melvin spoke.


    "you won''t withdraw the contract and suit, not even for Lronica


    Gabriel turned to meet his gaze at this. The look in his eyes showed that he was certain that Dabriel would badge.


    Sadly for him, he had miscalcted.


    *No. Not even for her." with that, Gabriel left the room, lewing a frustrated Melvin behind

 Chapter 160

    He could practically feel the disappointment and frustration witting of Melvin as he walked away and this made him smile.


    He wasn''t going to budge for Leonica because this was all for her, she had asked him to do all this,


    She wanted herpany back, so he was helping her get it


    The assistant was quick to respond. "Yes, sir?"


    Scall the low Him and put more pressure on them to get the court papers ready." "Right-away, sir." Asthe assistant scurgiedoll, Cabric pot the idea to call Leonic a... It was best to inform hire of Melvin''s little journey to his office. Heating Rodrigo unter those words was like a sudden throw off from her game for Leonica who had been seated a few seats away, quietly watching the transaction, until it was brought to a halt,


    "What is it this time? she thought to herselt, already mowing that the male would be up to no good


    Asif sensing ber questioning gare, Megan, who in this case was impersonating Tyche, looked at Rodrigo with a puzzled gaze.


    *h them something wrong, M. Rodrigo?" Megan asked, her voice a tad bit dipper andced with the Romanian dialect she had practiced all night, as Tyche''s


    usually was


    Rodrigo took a few seconds to gather himself before responding


    "Yes, there is. "He responded, looking back and forth between her and the documents he had given her. "I have a few questions.*.


    "Please go head.",


    "you" pamed, as if trying to think of a proper way to frame his question. "Are you married?"


    Megan was caught by surprise, but she didn''t show it. Instead, she simply gave him a look andughed.


    "Mc Rodrigo, I''m atraid that''s a bit of a private question, don''t you think?


    "Well, I''m simply cannus. The rumors pegged you as Ms. Not Miss, and I assume those rumors originated from somewhere."


    Megan didn''t know how to respond. For the life of her, she didn''t. How the hell was she meant to know if The Almighty Tyche Smith was married or not. And as far as the world knows, her identity is still a mystery. s of our marnage is a bit...


    "Il you must know." Megan started, pausing a bit before continuing. "I''m married, but the status of our ma "A" Rodrigo probed


    "Complicated." She answered, not bothering to give a reason "nut that doesn''t concem you, does it?"


    "It doesn''t." Rodrigo confirmed "1 was simply wanted because 1 didn''t see a ring on your finger. You know how the business world is nowadays, anyone can impersonate anyone. H


    Once again, Megan, or Tyche as Rodingo know her to be, let out a heartyugh. "You need not to worry about that when dealing with me. No one on this earth has The balls to impersonate me. And if they do, I''ll simply chop it off when their caught." Rodrigneouldn''t tell whether she was joking or being serious, so heughed along, "You''re quite the interesting person, aren''t you?"


    "Why thank you, but I''d prefer it if we got backtrack, We don''t have all the time in the world."


    "Oh yes, sorry." He apologized and once again sad the paper towards her, but just as he watched her look back down, about to sign, the sound of a single camera shutten, caught his attention


    He whipped his head around and Lennica ducked her head down in the spur of the moment


    Fortunately, there was no sign of a person from where the camera sound came from But just as he was about to tum back, he spotted the familiar build a few seats behind


    "Mr. Rodrigo," The sound of Tyche''s voice had him looking away and she slid the paper back to him with a smile. "This ispleted."


    He took the paperback, noting that she had ced onto a written check of Billiondors


    "I''ll pay off the training a billion after the inauguration."


    Rodrigo''s smile ewitched but he nodded. "Prafert." He said, pulling out thepanies new originals and signing on it to prove that he had signed the agreement." Now that everything is done, all that is left is your inauguration like you say. How does is werk Saturday sound?" He asked, feeling a smile tug at his lips when he realized that was the exact day Benjamin was hosting the party for Melvin''s supposed inauguration.


    Friday it is. And as we speak, I''ll start making calls to get the media coverage. See you then."


    "Goodbye." He said, standing up and shaking her hand as she left. But just as he too was about to leave, he noticed that Tyche had forgotten her bag behind. Picking it, he decided to call her


    He found her member rather efficiently, but the moment be called the number, the singing sound came from behind,


    Confused, he turned around, to see the familiar silhouette stepping out through the back door and the singing sound disappeared along with them.


    Thom? He thoughit, trying to think about why he found a total stranger familiar. But then it clicked.


    It wasn''t a stranger, it was Leonical


    Although she had covered herself rather well, he could tell by the figure


    Rodrigo had had his doubts from the very beginning, but he had been willing to keep quiet,


    But now, not anymore.


    If he was right, and he was certain he was, then Tyche Smith was nothing more than a stain.


    Without wasting a second longer, Rodrigo rushes through the back door and chased after the figure, making sure to keep dialing the phone number until he caught up to the figs and spun them around by the shoulder.


    Even though he had his doubt, Rodrigo''s facepleted paled when he saw that the figure he had chased was indeed Leonica!


    The Devil Always Finds A Way


    Beshtigo was the palest white Leonics had ever seen. His eyes, coated deep with disheliet, dated towards the cell phone that was in her hand and in one vi movement, he had watched it from het hand


    "you. What are you doing?" She questioned, but Bridge paid no mund to her, instead, be focused me on getting away from her grabby bands and in the process, answering the phone call.


    However, much to his dismay and ironically, teller, when he nced backdown at his phone to contium if the call had been answered when he answered Leonica''s phone, he was het with the phone stillinging.


    *1 said what the hell do you think you''re doing? Leonica repeated as she snatched her phone from Rodrigo, eling the call before facing him. "How dare you snatch my phone and answer me call without me penassion. Do you have a death wish?" she asked, ring at him with so much malice, it surprised him.


    He didn''t say a word, rather, he contined to state at her


    In that rent he wasn''t sure whether to feel relieved that Leonica wasn''t "Tyche of stupid that he had even doubted the Goddess of wealth to begin with


    Beit either of the two, He still didn''t like Leonica''s sudden colvement. It was rubbing off him with the wrong vibe.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "What were you doing back at that estimant?" He questioned with a gaze of scrutiny,


    Leonica snorted at his question and folded her arms. "What? Am I not allowed to go where I please? Or was there something back there that I wasn''t supposed in see?" she asked


    Watching the subtle twitch on Rodrigo''s tace, she knew that she had but the nail on the head.


    Oh how stupid Rodrigo is. Did he honestly believe that she hasn''t caught up to his ns, Leonica could only chuckle at the thought.


    Rodrigo automatically tranted the sound of she chuckling as an act of mockery. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, reminding himself that soon it would be him who would beughing while Leonica and her stupid family were left with nothing to their name But however good he thought he had schooled his expression Leonica could read it with ease.


    She shook her head indsupportment. "You know what, you don''t need to exin yourself. Everyone is entitled to their privacy, You keep to yours and I''ll keep to


    Rodrigo arched a brow at her response, a little taken aback by how easily she had brushed off his behavior, but he wasn''t given up to a second window to recover when Leonica stepped forward and jabbed her finger into his chest.


    "But listen and listen good, dearuncle, the next time, youy hands on what belongs to me without my penission, I will make you suffer the consequences. And believe me when I tell you that you do not want to know the consequences, because they are not pretty." Rodrigo was about to respond, already having cooked up a response, when the feeling of his phone vibrating in his hand drew his attention away.


    He nced at the screen to see it was a call from Tyche


    Damn, she really just had to call at the perfect time, he cursed in his head, but ultimately decided to answer the phone while Leonica prepared herself to leave.


    As she walked away, she could only think of one thing.


    she had made the right choice of giving the phone to Megan when she sensed Rodrigo was chasing after her


    That had been a close one, but fortunately, she had managed to dodge bullet and it seemed the beavers had taken her side, and were helping her in keeping the


    She was in the process of thanking the heavens when her phone Began to ring again.


    It was Gabriel


    She swiped the answer in and ced the device to her ear


    "Hey Leonica, Tralled you some time, you answer but didn''t say anything. Lase thework was bad?


    ncing back in the now crowded ce where Rodrigo had stopped her, she answered "Yeah, something of sout. Is everything ol


    "Yes, I just wanted to inform you that your brother visited me at thepany today "Gabriel said and for some reason, he could imagine Leonica tilting her head In the usual way she did each time she had a question to ask And she was


    "Leonardo?" she asked in confusion, "Why did he visit you?"


    "It wasn''t Leonardo," Gabriel corrected. "His name was Melvin Romero, so I assumed he''s your brother."


    Ah, Melvin!


    Leonica nearly face palmed herself for forgetting she had another brother who had very suddenly risen from the grave. "Ah, yes he is." She said, not really bothered with what Melvin had discussed with him "He wanted me to withdraw the termination contract andwsuit against thepany. "Gabel werd onto exin "Did you?" she asked.


    A smile tugged at her lips upon hearing his in response. At least this time around, he was on her side, \"see. Thank you for the update, Gabriel. I''ll talk to youter" with that, she hung up and headed home.

 Chapter 161

    When she anteed home, she was surprised to not only see Megan, but also Anastasia, both seated on her coach and looking at her like she hadmitted something abommable and in the middle of them, sat an innocent Inolding Ashley Walking towards then with conorm, she asked. "Hey, what''s going on?


    Anastasia was the first to speakup. "When we be you going to tell us that you''re Tyche Smith?" she asked and Leonica was once again, confused.


    "Ashleytold is "Megan answered, looking more hurt and baffled than Anastasia. "Since when do you keep secrets from us, Dro? And why do we have to be finding out the importar details of your life from your kid?" Leoniralooked at Ashley who only smiled at her. She could only shake her head at his anties.


    "Day, calm down." she began, taking a seat and cing a handener hips. "First of all, I didn''t keep this from you because I wanted to, I did it because I couldn''t afford the risk. Serendly-"


    "Not something you could afford risking, but your friendship with us is?" Anastasia questioned


    "No "Leonica quicldy denied. "And that was never what I meant. What I mean is that I''m afraid someone would take advantage of this."


    "Someone? We''re your friends Leonica, not your ex husband who''s ready to backstab you at any moment." Megan pointed out, her words a tad bit too harsh, but Uthul


    -1''m aware of that, and how that I think about it, should have told you or at least dropped hints, Leonica admitted. "I''m sorry"


    Anastasia nodded, epting her apology, but Megan was a whole different level of upset.


    "Why didn''t you tell me?" She questioned. "You low, since I was impersonating you, I could have made a mistake."


    "But you didn''t!" Leonics quickly pointed out, stepping forward to take Megan''s hands in her. "You killed it out there. Believe it or not, that whole deal wouldn''t have your through without you."


    egan''s checks were tasted pink, but her anger had lessened. "Really?"


    "Yes," Leonica said and hugged her. "Thank you so much, Meg


    The rest of her anger slowly simmered down with the hug and soon, she was hugging Leonica hack.


    "Keep something like this from us again and I''ll break your legs," she threatened


    Lessica chuckled hall hearted at the threat, taking the words of their groups eldest seriously as she responded, "Deal."


    Meanwhile, at Romers Empire, things weren''t quite going smoothly. Rodrigo retumed to thepany to find Melvin scavenging through papers and different workdiles, trying to find a way to solve the mess he had created. It was clear that Melvin was trying to make a miracle happen before his inauguration party.


    He wanted to surprise his father with how well thepany had tumed out under his watch


    However.


    Rodrigo smile


    That day, it would be him who''d be doing the surprising.


    "You''ve finally back, Uncle" Melvin said, sporting him the moment he entered. "I thought you were going to waste yet another day as Vice president, doling nothing "He said in an undermining tone that did not go past odrign But before the older male could ask the meaning behind his words, Melvin had already gone back to diving for a solution, mumbling under his breath about how he would find a way out of this.


    And then he recalled Rodrigo''s conversation during the family dinner. "How''s the deal going with thatpany of your?" He asked.


    Rodrigo smiled. "It''s going perfect. In fact, we''re almost done, I went to do the final pitching to them today."


    Melvin looked surprised. He was surprised that Rodrigo was actually getting something done.


    Maybe he was changing


    "That''s quite nice" Heplimented "But before I forget, what deal is this again and whichpany are we going to be dealing with?"


    Rodrigo chuckled and walked over, patting Mehrin on the shoulder. "I want that to be a suprise. Let''s keep it for your official inauguration Stoking into the chair beside him, he added. "Now, how about your big uncle helps you out here?" Melvin looked surprised for the umpteenth time, but quicklyschooled his expression


    *t wouldn''t mind the help. Thank you."


    "My pleasure. H


    Rodrigo offered him a smile and got to work. Melvindyed a few seconds, wondering if his uncle was actually changingAll content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Would he have to discuss this with Leonice?


    For now to, he thought. All he''d do is observe.


    As he got back to work, son getting invested, Rodrigo casted him a side nce, a sly smile tugging at his lips.


    Three were only two people to me for the Romero family losing theirpany


    The Dont Always


    Firstly, Leonica, she had locked him out of thepany.


    Secondly, Melvin, who at first had shown potential to get


    t him what he wanted if manipted correctly, but was now turning out to be nothing more


    If they had tenured in his clutches, none of this would have happened.


    re than a li


    a liability.


    But now, it was clear that Leonica had turned against him and slowly, Melvin was also turning against him, both of themughing and ridiculing him.


    But soon, be ''ll be the one to have thestugh


    After all, the devil always finds away.


    She Was Definitely inching Something


    "heckchewritul," Scanng at the golden engagement ang antronica''slinger, Anastasia and Meganatiker, boch couldn''t help but gush


    jj hadal stasted when they settled things and had put Ashley to sleep. Afterwards, Anastasia had sported the ring and erupted like a volcano, squealing at the top of -"Loan''t behere you''or engaged." she said and Lesetra smiled softly


    "To think that the odd Leonica who wouldn''t even dane look at a man aftering backcould be the first one to get engaged," Megan teased, shaking her head in a ted manure.


    "Well, that was the old me, this is the new me. I think it''s safe to say this change was for the better." Leomica defended, watching as Anastasia continued to oursel


    "Wow, Owen sme does have taste." Anistasia mused as she finally pulled away, giving Leonica''s ring tager some moch needed taste.


    "pte he does. He chose her after all." Megan chimed in, eaming a yful nudge from Leonira.


    "thettery, I won''t get you anywhere."

 Chapter 162

    "It''s not ttery, it''s the truth" Asstasta agreed and Megam nodded, the two agreeing on the


    Leomica couldn''t help but shake her head, but deep down, she was burning hot with a blush canned from her friends teasing.


    "So, when''s the wedding?"


    Leona looked up, meeting her friends eyes and they could see the untreitainty swirling in her Caren eyes.


    "Well," Leonica hesitated, but the pause in her sentence was enough for her friends who knew her to well, to know the reason behind the uncertainty in her eyes. "No, did not do that to that sweet man." Anastasia gasped, and Megan looked at Leonica with disappointment.. "Leonica"


    "I wasn''t sure if I was ready." Leonica defended, holding her hands up, "With everything going on I wasn''t sure if it''d be the right time to start nning a


    "Are you adding me? You should have at least said yes." Anastasia stated, cing her hands on her hips


    "That''s a bit inconsiderate. It she wasn''t ready, then she wasn''t." Megan defended,


    "Well, thank you for standing up for me.Leonica smiled, looking at Megan


    ""You''re wee."


    "Oh, whatever." Anastasia groaned gulped her entire ss of wine, before getting up to fetch another one.


    "Don''t mind her," Megan spoke, noticing Leonica''s look "So, how did own feel about this? your answer I invan?"


    Leonica thought back to their conversation after they had left his family Vi and a smile graced her lips. "He was okay with my awer. He even promised he''d And are you?" Megan asked while ncing at the same engagement ring which now adored herring finger.


    Leonciled widely and nodded. "I think so."


    Megan mitered her smile. "I''m d you''ve found someone like, Leonica, I''m really happy for you


    "Thank you, Meg.''


    The rest of that conversation died down when Anastasia''s phone vibrated a few times with several text messages and then a call entered. "Ana, you''ve got a call "Megan called out to her.


    *Leave it," Anastasia called back almost as if she knew who was calling and as the call ended, Leonica briefly caught sight of Lloyd''s name written across her Lloyd? Her brows mowed as she tried to process why Lloyd was calling her friend a mad man.


    Was it a business.call?


    If not, did Anastasia ignore her waming that one time?


    Leonica''s questions were answered when Anastasia tied to her.


    "Hey Leo, have you ever slept with someone you''re not in a rtionship with She aslird


    The question was a shocker, not just to Lepnira, but Megan as well.


    When a memory was tinggreed, teica chocked on her wine, coughing a few times. This caused both of her best friends to give her a look of suspicion


    "Mbat?" Leoni a was quick to respond "I would never" she passed, recalling the time Gabriel had gaten drugged and things escted quickly after she found Aljaskanta mal Megait enlunged a lookbetor both sighed.


    - Was Definitely Hiding Something


    Thankfully, it seemed like either of them had the zeal to pursue the matter. The moment Anastasia was back in her seat, and after silencing a few more calls, sh moved onto a new matter. *50, Leonica, are you ever going to reveal the fact that you''re Tyche?" She asked.


    ny has fallen into safe


    Her question got Leonica thinking for a while before she nodded her head. "Yes, I n on doing so at some point. Perhaps when thepany hands."


    "You mean out of Melvin''s hand?" Megan asked.


    Much to her surprise, Leonica shook her head. "Melvin isn''t the enemy. Rodrigo is. He always has been."


    "Huh, it Melvin isn''t the enemy, then why''d you want to take thepany from him?" Anastasia asked.


    "I have my own reasons for that." Leonica said after a few seconds taken to ponder the question and offered her best friends a smile that they could see didn''t quite teach her eyes. She was definitely hiding something.


    But neither Anastasia nor Megan had the will power to try and probe any further.


    Instead, they both nodded.


    "Is that so? Well whatever it is, I wish you luck."


    The days leading up to the inauguration drew closer and closer by the day, and with each passing minute, the air of anticipation grew stronger.


    Rodrigo, the most eager out of all of them, couldn''t contain his excitement, which was evident on the day of the inauguration.


    Even though it was still the morning, his mood was already at an all time high.


    "ch, good morning Mr. Rodrigo, are you prepared for your nephew''s inauguration?" One of the workers fixing up the venue''s decorations greeted as he passed him. "Sure am. Today''s going to be a great day


    "Great! We''re excited to see you up there on stage today, Mr. Rodrigo. Your nephew is a luely guy, having you by his side."


    The worker''sment lett Rodrigo smiling as he nodded. "Thanks, I''m excited to be here."


    As the worker went on his way, Rodrigo''s smile tumed sinister.


    Today was indeed a great day.


    A great day for him and he couldn''t wait until it started.


    Later that evening at Leonica''s V, she stood in front of the mirror, admiring the outfit she had chosen for the inauguration today.


    It was a ted lone


    long sleeveless evening gown that went down as far as her ankles, silk elbow length gloves and a white snow scarf. With her hair tied in a half ponytail, a single gold ne and most importantly the gold engagement ring she was getting used to, her attice wasplete. And now, it was time for her to take back what rightfully belonged to her,


    The Events Leading Up To The Main Event,


    a normal thing to Leonica Walking down the stairs in a formal attive to find Owen waiting in the seating area was slowly bing a


    But for then who was constantly surprised by her beauty, it was an


    experience every single time.


    "You look beautiful." Heplimented as he helped her down the remaining stats and Cronica gave him a smile.


    "Thank you, you don''t look so bad yourself."


    The smile on his lips at herment grewrger when he spotted the ring on her ger


    that am I meant to understand by this?" He asked, holding her ringed hand gently as he raised it up and pressed a soft kiss against it.


    Leican''t even try to hide her bling cheeks. She just smiled, her eyes meeting his.


    "Whatever you want, Mr. Lee." She replied.


    Owenchuckled. "Is this your way of epting my proposal?" He asked.


    Leonica smiled, but her answer was dyed as she reached up to caress his cheek. "Yes, it"


    A smile formed on Owen lips and he couldn''t resist kissing her.


    The loss was slow, soft and tender, but passionate nheless.


    However, much to their dismay, they had to pull away when a series of knocks on the door sounded.


    "Seems like the world doesn''t want us to continue." Leonica said, but Owen could tell that she was trying to mask her disappointment.


    I "I''ll bemate than willing to continue once wee backtrom the party." Owen whispered, and Leonica felt heat spread through her body.


    Owen was marveling at the effect he was having on her when she smacked hisam


    "Stop saying things that or else we might not make it out the house." She med, and Owenughed.


    "can''t help it. It''s not my fault that the woman I love is so imesistible."


    Leonica was sure that at this point, her blush was brighter than the makeup she had applied. "dum"


    "Alright, alright." He surrendered. "Til keep thements to aminimal."


    "Good. Let''s go."


    After showing their passes and confirming their name at the entrance, Leonica and Owen were led inside with utmost respect.


    Although he was used to being sumunded by his bodyguards for safety sake, Owen couldn''t help but be a little surprised by the amount of security present at the ven Healso didn''t miss the way some of the staff had nced at Leonica with looks of awe, and then they would look at him, offering him a small smile and several waves as soon as they recognized him.


    "Someone''s famous "He joked, and Leonica shook her head, unable to hide her smile.


    "I think you are." He said and pointed over to a waiter who had his phone out, taking pictures of her and had obviously shared it with his friends.


    Leica didn''t like that all to well, but chose to ignore it. Something like this wasn''t an everyday urrence, but it also wasn''t something case.


    That''s exactly what''s she gets for being an influential wrecking ball figure in the business industry...


    "Well you''re one to talk. Last I checked, I wasn''t the one with over a hundred million followers, with eighty percent being female on social media" She reminded, and Owenughed


    "Well, what can I say, People love their talented Idol."


    Leanic smiled at his response and the two continued on their way. They stopped in the middle of the venue''s lobby, and Leonica nced at the people around her.. The ce was crowded, which wasn''t surprising considering that the event was being hosted at the Romero Empire.


    However, she quickly spotted her family cable.


    *see my family over there."Leonica informed, pointing in the direction of their table. "shall we go over and take our seats?"


    Owen nodded. "Sure, lead the win."


    And that Leonica did.


    When they arrived at her family table, Cassandraws the first to stand up and greet them both, each with a hug


    When she prilled away and spotted the ring on Leonica''s finger, she gasped, covering her mouth to seem more dramatic than the discovery called for.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Then she c Owen and beckoned him closer for another bug.


    "Youhnemy approval." She said the moment they pulled away. "But if you dare hut her, I''ll have you buried alive."


    Cheen won''t sure whether she was joking or seriou


    exerious. But eitlin way, heughed.


    "That''s time by me." He said and turned to the rest of the table, greting them each respectfully.


    "Hey then, you sure have grown." Melsimented when it was his turn to shake the


    "res, and you haven''t aged at all." Owen responded and the twoughed.


    Cassandra smiled at their interaction. Thest time the two had seen each other, they were still young and immature.


    Now, both had grown up, and were now the men of the hour.


    She was pulled out of her thoughts by a voice of her husband. "Has anyone seen Rodrigo?"


    Leonica took the opportunity to look around the huge table at her father''s words, malizing that her uncle was indeed missing


    She met stelvin''s gaze and they almost seem to think the same thing.

 Chapter 163

    He was definitely up to no good


    "Where could he be? He''s meant to be maling the announcement?" Bergamin sighed,


    Right after his words, Leonica felt a vibration inside her purse. When she pulled it open, the realized it was her second phone ringing and it was Rodrigo calling


    "I have an important call to take. Please excuse me." She excused herself to a less crowded area before answering.


    "Hello Mr. Rodrigo."


    "Hello, Mrs. Smith, I was just calling to inform you that the inauguration ceremony is about to begin yet I couldn''t find you anywhere."


    "Oh I''m present and I''m seeing everything that''s happening. You just need to handle the ceremony''s opening, I''lle on stage when it''s time." She answered and Rodrigo smiled in a sinister manner on the other end, thinking about the remaining 15 Billion dors that he was going to get paid after tonight "okay Men Smith. Then I''ll see you soo


    With that, Leica hung up the call and chuckled She knew Rodrigo was up to no good.


    Well, he should consider himself fortunate, because tonight, she was going to take the liberty of putting an end to his schemes for good.


    With that thought upying her mind, Leonica tumed around and immediately bumped into someone''s chest.


    ch, sorry." She apologized, looking up, but her words got stuck in her throat when her gaze locked with the familiar pair of dark brown eyes Gabriel. He was dressed in a dark blue tuxedo, a ck tie and his hair was neatly styled.


    "Hey." He greeted


    "Hi," she responded. "I''m sorry for bumping into you, was so caught up in my thoughts that i didn''t notice-"


    "I know." Gabriellterrupted her "I could tell you weren''t paying attention to your surroundings."


    His words rendered Leonics speechless for a few seconds.


    He could tell? How long had he been watching her?


    Those two questions probed her mind to get an answer, but she pushed them to the back of her mind.


    "Ch, is that so? Well, How have you been, Gabriel?" she asked, trying her best not to sound awlorard, but that was the case


    "I''ve been doing good. What about you?"


    "I''m okay." She responded, herrespone sounding more like a question chama statement.


    Why was this so hard?


    Deunicacessed inwardly, hating the fact that having a conversation with her ex husband seemed like an interview taken in heaven.


    Except her elemal life did not depend on this conversation


    Just when things seem like they were getting awkward, Owen''s voice sounded out from behind her.


    "Leonica, your mother''s been "He paused eyes trailing from his fance to her ex husband. "Hello Mr. Bryce." He regarded him respectfully beton fr¨²ng his actention backon Leonica, "Your mother wants you back at the table, Rodrigo''s back." He said, talding her hand in his in the process This of course, as well as the ring on her finger, did not go unnoticed by Gabriel.


    He swallowed thickly and tore his gaze away from them. But even when he was looking, wasn''t focusing on their every word, he could still feel the burning pain In his chest


    Was this how Leonica felt seeing him with Angelina?


    The thought quickly crossed his mind and although he wasn''t all too sure which part of his memories it hade from, he embraced the feelin intoalist in a bid to distract himself from the burning pain, which was tuming rapidly into jealousy. feeling, balling his hand


    "briel. Gabriel" Leonica''s vice tore him away from his thoughts and he bed his gaze other again, however wishing he hadn''t done so when he noticed Owen''s hands resting passionately by her waist. "I''m going to head back Sorry for bumping into you once again." She said and offered him a tight smile before turning and and allowing Owen lead her away BY THE WAIST


    it was only after they had left that Gabriel felt the burning sensation in his palm which was soon foll


    He opened his hand to see that his nail had dug to far into his skin and wounded him.


    Brot that was nothingpared to the pain he felt string Leonica with Owen.


    followed by the feeling of quick liquid.


    And his jealousy, litlu ral, blew if he didn''t find away keep it in check he was eventually going to do something that he''d once again tege Exposing Rodrigo.


    After Traving tabiel behind, Lennica and Owend made their way back to the table where everyone had gathered, Rodrigo included.


    at down, he gave a look that Leonica knew all too well. She responded with a confident smile that confused Hodigo momentarily


    inchance to decipher the senile, Bergamin had already drawn his attention away.


    ey think it''s about time that we start with the announcements," His brother said, looking around the room and gauging how crowded it had be in less than an


    "yes, that''d be a good idea." Boifrige agreed, and Benjamin stand up, kissing Cassandra on the check before beckoning that his two sons and Leonica Illow him up The stage.


    "Ladies and proteinen, thank you all foring to this very important day." He began, drawing the attention of those present. "Today, we''re all gathered to wee back my son, Melvin Homero and witness the inauguration of a new president into the seats of Romem Empire."


    "New president?" People questioned in whispers, ncing at theirpanions before ncing at Leonica who stund with her head held high


    Wasn''t she meant to be the president of Romero Empire? Was she getting licked out? People thought.


    Lanhis


    *we''d like to begin the inauguration ceremony by introducing our new President The rest of Benjamin''s words died down as Rodrigo ced a hand on shoulder and whispered in hiseurs.


    *Please let me have the honors of announcing the new president."


    Benjamin looked unsure.


    unsure. He nced at Melvin, but when the young adult nodded, seemingly aware of what his uncle was about to do, he agreed


    Sue Go ahead." He said, but still watched his brother with a skeptical gaze,


    It was clear that Benjamin didn''t trust Rodigo. Leica who was quietly watching them from in between Leonard and Melvin, could easily see this.


    "Thank you." Rodrigo said and then cleared his throat, raising his microphone as he turned to face the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Rodrigo Romero I''m the vice president of Romero Empire and the brother of our beloved founder, Denjamin Romero. Today, I''m honored to wee the new President of Romero Empire, someone who I believe is qualified to continue the work that my brother has passed onto his children to carryon and someone who has worked so hard to prove their worth. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, your new President." Rodrigo paused, ncing back at the three siblings, one of which looked unfazed, another expectant and thest one, totally uninterested.


    Rodrigo knew that it was now or never.


    "Tyche Smith!"


    The gasp that came after his announcement was loud and filled with utter shock.


    "Did he just say Tyche Smith?" someone in the crowd whispered in disbelief.


    "Tyche Smith? She''s the new president of Romero Empire? How possible?" Another person whispered.


    The look of confusion and surprise was not limited to the attendants today. Benjamin and Melvin both equally looked utterly lost and confused, staring at Rodrigo as if he had gone crazy.


    But Leonica


    She simply smiled, her face not reflecting even an ounce of the surprise the test of her family members had expressed.


    "Rodrigo, what have you done?" Benjamin questioned as he stepped forward and snatched the microphone from his brother. "This most certainly had to be a joke!"


    "But it''s not." Rodrigo responded as he took the microphone back, loolding Benjamin in the eyes with heated hatred. "This is the truth, and as much as you''d like to deny it, I''ve made a deal with the new president of Romero Empire. I''m merely here to make her the inauguration announcement." Benjamin''s eyes grew wide, and his hands were balled into fists.


    "You. What have you done?"From N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''ve simply done what''s right." Rodrigo responded and tumed back to face the crowd who was just as expectant as he was to see Tyche walk up the stage.


    And she did, Megan, or rather, Tyche, walked confidently up the stage, causing and uproar of whispers while, Leonardo, Gabriel, Cassandra and Benjamin alike, all of which was aware of the females true identity, stared at her in disbelief.


    Leonica who stood at the back was the only one who did not seem surprised at all


    In fact, the look in her eyes was of a woman who had won the lottery. Except she hadn''t won this game by chance or luck, she had won it by skill and strategy.


    "Ladies and Gentlemen," Rodrigo began once again when Megan had settled beside him, "I present to you the new president of Romero Empire, Mrs-"With a single hand raised, Megan interrupted him.


    "Actually, I''d like to introduce myself,"


    Modrigo besitated, "ali, okay. Go right aheart."

 Chapter 164

    Megan took the microphone from his hands and turned to the crowd, a smile stered on her lips


    "Good eveningdies and gentlemen," She began, remembering every bit of what she, Leonica and Anastasia had discussed the days prior. "My name''s Megan Rivers and it''s with great pleasure that introduce to you, Mrs. Tyche Smith" Rodrigo''s entirebrain almost exploded when Megan, who up till this point, he had believed was Tyche Smith, turned around and gestured her open palm towards Leonica, who stepped forward, smiling sweetly. The entire rowed was stip


    into a state of silent confusion. But it was the look on Rodrigo''s face that Leonica relished in.


    She could iterally see the wheels of his brain working overtime, trying toprehend the situation, trying to figure out how he had been fooled so badly.


    But he couldn''t and this ultimately led up to him looking like a constipated fish.


    How satisfying, Fronica thought as she turned to face the crowd.


    *Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. As you all know, My name''s Leonica Romero, the eldest daughter of the Founder, Benjamin Romero. But, my must ke


    loudest es being


    Whispers of confusion erupted, and Leonica could bear several questions being thrown at her, the


    "what rubbish is this


    And it came from none other than Rodrigo, her dearest furning uncle.


    The shame of being fooled right under his nose angered him so much that he no longer cared about appearances and forceful snatched the microphone away from Leonica, tossing it on the for "you, Tyche Smith, don''t make meughPointing at Megane said "She is Tyche Smith, not you!".


    The crowd erupted into whispers once again and Leonica had to hold back a churide


    "Really?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at becuncle''s im before confidently turning to Megan "Meg, please tell this, are you Tyche Smith? Megan smiled, and her gaze drifted to Rodrigo "Huh?!"


    Rodrigo was stunned into silence, and Leonica''s smile prew.


    *I''m not Tyche Smith, l''herbest friend was merely a stand in for her the day of the meeting because she happened to be bony."


    "you. You deceived me!" Rodrigo growled, his rage directed at the two best friends.


    "oh no, we didn''t." Leonica responded innocently, almost as it she saw nothing wrong with what she had done. "We simply yed by the rules you created." Rodrigo''s eyes grew wider, and the veins in his forehead were throbbing, ready to pop.


    "I offered you a deal Uncle, no pressure at all applied,


    1, but it was you who took it, stole the Company''s originals and even signed on the selling documents. In other words, you were the one who made this deal with the devil." Stepping forward she brought her voice down to a whisper "ch and dearest uncle, next time you receive a cheque, you should probably confirm that the signature is legit."


    with that said, she stepped back and smiled while watching as Rodrigo''s anger had ready reached its peak, but before he could say anything. Benjamin Interrupted


    him.


    lly allowed myself trust you again."


    so, this is what you''ve been up to Rodrigo?" He shook his head, "I can''t believe I really a


    At this point, knowing his ns had failed, Rodrigo decided to chummy up to his brother "Den, Benjamin, listen to me. It was the who deceived me. She Before he could finish, Benjamin called. "Security!"


    "What?" Rodrigo questioned in disbelief as two bodyguards approached him and grabbed him by his arms. "Let go of me!"


    "Take him out of here, but do not let him leave this building as I''m sure he has a date or two with the police." Benjamin ordered and Rodrigo''s eyes widened. "Benjamin, you can''t do this to me! She deceived me, can''t you hear!" He screamed and red around as the secunties dragged him off. "She the real viin here. I''m the victim! I''m the victim-1"


    people who had just witnessed everything began whispering amongst themselves in


    The rest of his words were silenced as he was dragged out of the venue. The peop confusion


    The entire Inauguration event which was meant to have been a beautiful day was now in total choos


    Benjamin could only sigh and shake his head, disappointed at himself that he had trusted Rodrigo for the shortest time, even after everything he had tried doing in the past


    That disappointment however, couldn''t match up to the feeling of pride he felt when ncing at Le him with everything she got and wen him.


    at Leonora. Unlike him, she had seen through Rodrigo''s act, fought


    Romero, his daughter.


    She had proven that tnily, she was worthy of ruling Romero Empire, be it as Tyche Smiths, het alias, or Leonica R And this, was more than enough to show him the right thong he was meant to do


    stepping forward, he picked the microphone up and tumed toce the crowd


    Leonica, angled her head a bit as she watched him, wondering what her father was going to do this time around.


    "I apologize for that unexpected interruption, Ladies and gentlemen "He began, gaining everyone''s attention "nut without further ado, let''s a wee the new president at Romero Linpire," He passed and turned to face Leonka, hesitating a bit before he ced his hand out and beckoned her over.


    Gronica who knew things were going to fm out like this, didn''t hesitate to im her new title, walking over to where her father stood


    Tye for Smith," Benjamin introduced. "The new owner of Home Empire, the youngest and scartest businesswoman"


    ps sounded in the fall, and the crowd went wild.


    Tythe Samith"


    Expo


    -Long Live the new Owner of Romero Empire Tyche Smith"


    As the crowd cheered and congratted her, Benjamin stretched his hand out, offering his daughter a hand shake. "Congrattions Leonica." He affirmed with a thin smile on his lips.


    Leonica epted his offer at a handshake, mirroring his smile as she responded. "Thank you, Father."


    Atst, she had taken back what rightfully belonged to her and exposed Rodrigo.


    The Gaze Of An Unrequited Love.


    After much congrattions from friends, potential new clienteles and family as well, tonica stood in front of the refreshment area, fetching herself a frendi g of wine. As she sipped on it, surveying her environment with an absent mind, she thought back to the little aplishment she had just made.


    She smiled, once again proud of herself.


    That smile however, vanished at the sound of Melvin''s voice.


    "I thought I had you all figured out," He stood beside her, stuffing both hands into his pocket and releasing a heavy sigh through his lips. "But you''re more of a sly minx than I thought."


    Leonica shot a re his way. "A mix? That''s one way to address your sister."


    Melvin shrugged, a smile on his lips that didn''t quite reach the light in his eyes. "You have to admit, it''s not entirely wrong."


    When silence descended on the two, Leonica nced at him, expecting another witty saying, however, much to her surprise, she found a deste look on his expression


    Makes sense, she thought as she quietly took another sip from her drink, seeing as I just literally stole something right under his nose


    After a few seconds, she dated to ask "You''re not mad, are you?"


    Melvin shook his head. "Not one bit. I''m just..." He paused, staring off in the crowded distance as he tried to get the right words to use. And then it clicked." Jealous." LeonicaFrom N?velDrama.Org.


    a nced at him, arching her brows in the process in a questioning manner, as if he had just grown two heads. "Jealous?" she repeated.


    "Yeah. When we were younger, I had so much potential. The Ace of the Romero family; they called me, but now, I can''t even get one damn thing done right." He turned to face her and a bittersweet smile bloomed on his lips. "You''ve surpassed me, Leonica and for that, I can''t help but he jealous."


    "Melvin," Leonica stated, her expression softening. "There''s nothing to be jealous about. Have you ever thought that perhaps you have your field to shine in? Remember bow when we were younger, you always hated taking all those session sses and would drag me along just so you had someone to make fun of the teacher with?"


    This made Melvin smile a genuine smile. "Yeah, I remember that. You were such a spoilsport"


    *Sorry,


    He chuckded, "What''s your point?"


    "I enjoyed those sses, but you didn''t. To sum it up, my point is, you have your thing, and I have mine. So, instead of trying topete with me, why don''t you work hard and make your own way! Silence filled the air after Leonica''s little advice, but it was quicidy broken when Melvin released a heavy sigh.


    "I can''t believe I''m getting advice from a person who''s scared of chickens."


    Leonica''s expression immediately shitted, and she elbowed him in the side.


    "Ouch."


    "Serves you right. What a horrible person."


    "Alright, alright, I''m sorry." Heughed, holding his hand up in defense and in seconds, she was back to her serious expression that Melvin was getting used to


    seeing.

 Chapter 165

    But much to his surprise, she ced her drink down and suddenly opened her arms, beckoning him in for a hug, which of course, be epted. congrattions Leon," He whispered as they hugged


    Leonica smiled, "Thank you, Mel"


    He waved her goodbye as they separated and Leuciica, well she tried finding Owen, her dearest fianc¨¦. And she did find him, only that he was swarmed by fans and potential investors, which surprised Leonica, seeing as this was an inauguration party, not a meet and greet.


    When he spotted her through the small crowd, she pointed towards the balcony and mouthed; take your time, I''ll wait for you, and then made a beeline for the balrany


    It was a chilly evening, but the wind that blew in the atmosphere was cool, rxing


    Leaning against the railing, Leonica took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cold evening air before slowly exhaling


    Tonight was a night to remember.


    And she had done exactly that.


    She couldn''t wait until Monday came, because then, she would officially be the President of Romero Empire.


    Returning to her busy world and leaving her idle one behind was something she had dreamt of for the past week


    Exhaling once more, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her and was more than sure that Owen was finally joining her. nning on teasing him a bit, she turned around, only to be surprised to find Gabriel standing close. le was


    "What... What are you doing here?" Leonica asked. She couldn''t really hate herself for stammering, seeing as she had been caught off guard by how close he standing


    "I saw you walking in here and wanted to congratte you, on bing the new president." He said softly, but the baritone of his voice was louder than ever dur


    to the close proximity


    Leonica realized this and stepped back quickly distancing herself "Well there isn''t really any need for that," She smiled "but thank you"


    Gubnel nodded and stepped beside her, leaning his elbows on the railing as he stared into the darkness of the night.


    Very much like his life, he bitterly thought, but quickly pushed the thought to the backot his mind, choosing instead to have a conversation with Lepnica.


    So, now that you''re back in thepany, what do you n on doing?"


    "Restructuring, "Came her answer as she too leaned against the railing "Nothing too borate of course. Perhaps change a few miles, weed out a tew investors an open new secrets now that I''m the owner"


    Gabriel nodded to her words. "And your brother, Melvin? What''s going to happen to him?"


    Leonica shrugged. "I''m not sure. Why''d you ask?"


    Gabriell was silent for a few seconds before answering. "I couldn''t help but notice how trendly you are towards him. He wasn''t really an opponent to begin with now was be?


    "Not at all. Leonica honestly answered. "Now that I think about it, I could have easily gotten thepany back without doing something this borate Gabel''s brown creased and he tumed to look at her. "Then why did you do it?"


    A few seconds passed and he watched, in silence, as she stared into the darknight, the light of the moon highlighting her features.


    She looked beautiful Gabel couldn''t help but think, but just as quickly, he shook the thought away, and focused on waiting for her answer.


    "Have you ever cherished something to the point that every single day, you feared it was going to be taken away from you and then you realized that, you had to do something to prevent that?"


    Leonica said and when she nced at Gabriel, he instantly became lost in the glint shinning in her green


    That something, this was the only way to achieve it. To make Romero Empire mine, permanently." She concluded with a confident smile on her lips.


    But even then, Gabriel could tell that what she had just said was an utter excuse.


    As much as she had tried to school her expression this time around, he could read her like a book and he knew that the answer to the question he had asked was simple.


    She was insecure.


    About what, was the big question.


    "Leonica, are you afraid?" He


    blurted the question out before he even knew it


    The question caught her off guard and for a split second, her eyes grew wide, a sign of surprise, before her expression settled down into one of contusion. I''m sorry?"


    "You''re afraid, "Gabriel stated, his eyes not leaving hers. "Aren''t you?"


    Leonica''s mouth gaped open, ready to defend her actions and prove him wrong, but then closed shut, her jaw tightening,


    He was night, but she was never going to admit that.


    "Don''t be delusional Gabriel," she said in a nonchnt tone, turning back to rest her elbows against the railing, whereas he watched her. "There''s n to be scared for. Nat Melvin, not my father, nothing." ''s nothing for me


    There''s no doubt, Gabriel thought, realizing how her words sounded more like words of reassurance rather than words that she alreadyw, she did this because of her insecury.


    But, just what was she insecure about? Her st lengths?


    rstanding? Herpetence? Her looks were definitely out of the question, so what was it that made her go to such


    ust stared at her


    He had so many questions t to ask, but decided against them and just To passerbys, his gaze looked like one filled with curiosity and wonder, but to Owen who stood by th could tell the type of gaze he had fixed on Leonica. I by the balcony entrance, watching as Gabriel stared


    at Cronica, be


    It was the gaze of a man who was staring at a woman he slowly found himself falling in love with, even though he knew it was new It was the gaze of an unrequited love.


    never possible for them


    Spnto m Your Surprise Reward!


    Bubbling Hostility Caused By Jeslony.


    The look of an unrequited love, Owen knew it all to well because during his second year of high school, he had experienend it


    It was winter that year and the third year running of hos unrequited love towards Leonica when she bought home some tanned skin looking guy, iming he was her boyfriend sily, but he was different


    Cassandra, Benjamin and even his own mother had been d. They treated the boy like he most delicately was going to the part of their family,


    That was the first time Owen had ever been hostile towards anyone. He refused to be in the sam way. That was just how much his unrequited love at that time had made him jealous. joom as Lesnica rxboyfriend, fall with him, heck, even look his


    And then with the belief of a sateen years old, he thought that getting girlfriend of his own would erase has feelings for Lennica.


    So, whena girl in his ss confessed her feelings to him, he had agreed to be her boyfriend, but even then, his feelings didn''t disappear and seeing Leanica with. that pretty boyfriend of hers angered him evenin?je.


    And then one day, his girlfriend had broken up with him after saying these words, "It''s clear that you love her more than me."


    Owen didn''t bother denying her ims at that moment as even he knew that was the truth.


    He had gone home that day and sat outside, his mother joining himter, after realizing the tumoil he was going through.


    She hadforted him and had told him, "just wait and ser. You might end up being surprised


    of them and return them.


    And those words were exactly what had kept him going. He had held onto the hope that one day, Leonica would realize his feelings, atrept And by the grace of God, things had turned out exactly like that. But there was only one problem, Gabriel nyce, the person who was now on the other end, experiencing the unrequited love honer had.


    It wasn''t much of a surprise seeing as Leomica shume brightly, attracting lots of people, both wanted and unwanted.


    Owenww this much, And yet, seeing it happen, witnessing the way Gabriel''s gaze had shifted from one of curiosity, to that of longing, had a feeling of hostility bubbling within him.


    That feeling seemed to intensity when Agush of wind graced Leonica''s skin and she shivered slightly and Gabriel made an effort to take his packet off Not on his watch, Owen thought as he acted quickly, taking his jacket off and cing it on Leonica''s shoulder the moment he had gotten close to her She seemed startled by his presence, but soon settled into the scent of his jacket, totally fixing her attention on him and nearly forgetting Gabriel.


    "You done?" she asked as she gazed up at hus, fingers curling on both sides of his jacket to pull the fabric closer to her body.


    He nodded. "Yes. Are you done bare?" He asked.


    "Mhm," She nodded her head.


    "That''s good," He said as he reached forward and warped his arm around her shoulder, providing more warmth. "Out here''s quite cold, so let''s head in."


    Leonica nodded again, but much to his dismay, turned towards Cabriel "It was nice chatting with you, Gabriel. Hope you enjoy the rest of the part." She said and before dabrielcould reply, Owen was already leading her away.


    As they crossed the threshold of the balcony door, Owen briefly nced back at Gabriel and threw him a look that screamed; you''ve lost your shot, so respectfully lep to yourself and don''t try anything cocky, and then disappeared inside the building, leaving a stunned Gabriel behind.


    It took a few seconds, but he managed to recover.


    His par was dark and his hands were balled in fists, but then, a smirk appeased on his face


    "Lost my shot, huh?" He murmured and released a scott, a bitter smile appearing on his lips as he stated up at the dark night. "That''s funny. Very funny."


    The way he sand those words were a sign that he had no intention of giving up.


    But, even he knew, he was fighting a losing battle.


    Owen had a head start.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    But that was fine, seeing as he always liked challenges.


    "Are you okay?"


    **Leonica a


    asked as they walked out of the venue, living stayed for more than two hours.


    It was eleven thirty pm, and they were headed to hiscar, a ck expensive looking Bentley Continental.


    Owen nodded his head, astutt smile recing his usual bright one "Yeah, wind you ask?" He responded as he opened the passenger door for her. "Because, you haven''t spoken a word since we left the balcony. Is something wrong?" she asked, worry apparent in her voice.


    Owen didn''t spend and simply gestured for her to enter the car whenshe did, he shut the door and counded the front, climbing to the driver''s seat


    He didn''t start the engine immediately, but instead, took her ringed linger in between his two hands and pressed a delicate liss to it "I''m fine luce mia, Lapologize if I made you worry." He said as he raised his head and stated into her eyes, which were glistening He couldn''t helpbut stare.


    "Tis a foundied percent sine, luceisia" the responded, leaning in closer until his forebead was pressed against hers, and their lips a mere such apart

 Chapter 166

    Hostility Caused by JealousT


    "okay."Lica whispered and he couldn''t help but smile, closing the distance between thenL


    His hand came up to cup her face as his tongue traced her bottom lip, asking for permission which she willingly gave


    She was the first to pull back, gasping for breath, her cheeks a faint pink, which contrasted her fairplexion


    "Take me home." She breathed. "Orelse, I''m going to want more than just a kiss."


    Owen chuckled, but still, didn''t move from his spot,


    "You know," He began his gaze drifting from her eyes to her lips. "I can take you back, but won''t promise that we''ll stop at just kissing."


    This time, it was Leonica''s tum to chuckle, and despite her previous suggestive words, she gently smacked his arm. "Ashley''s asleep at home, don''t think of anything funny!


    "Then." He took her hand in his again, peppering it with lisses up onto the ce where her glove didn''t cover. "How abouting over to mine?


    Leonica''s cheeks became redderbut she leaned closer, teasing Owen a big as she asked. "Should 1?"


    Owen didn''t waste a second as he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her, pouring every ounce of the desire that had been brewing in him for the past two weeks. When he pulled back, Leonica''s cheeks were ame, and her chest heaved as she panted for air. "Well, that answers my question." she joked, a shy smile on her lips.


    Owen chuckled and started the engine, finally heading back to his apartment,


    "You I definitely regret saving that." He said, shooting her a side nce, a smirk ying on his lips.


    Lronica gulped.


    This was going to be a long, and interesting night.


    The Kind Of Life She Didn''t Want To Lose


    Tropica found the drive towards Owen''s penthouse to be filled with a sense of anticipation even she didn''t know she possessed.


    Having called Grace and informed her of the possibility of she staying outte, or perhaps the entire night, Leonica was assured that Ashley would be safe.


    The silence between her and owen however, was something she wasn''t used to. It was teine, but not in a had way, it was filled with expectation and the tension thates with the spalization that one has something, someone to look forward to. Owen''s prothouse was in a luxurious apartment, a thirty minute drive from where the venue for the inauguration party was situated, and as they walked into his suite, the smell of fresh air and vani greeted them.


    Although it wasn''t he fist time visiting, Leonica couldn''t help but inhale the sweet scent, releasing a sigh of contentment, which made Owen chuckle.


    "I''m happy you like the smell," He said and then ced his keys on the rack before retrieving his jacket from Leonica and cing it over the sofa. "Would you liku (some seine, drwater to cool oft?"


    making her way to the kitchen, following wer


    Ass of wine would be lovely, thank you," she responded, kicking her heelsoft before m


    "Red or white?" He asked as he retrieved two wine sses from the rack, one of which be handed to Leonica, while the other, he ced on the counter


    "Red." She said as she leaned against the counter, watching as he opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine.


    He poured a generous amount into her ss and a smaller amount into his, cing the bottle down once he was done,


    Leonica didn''t wait a second, picking the ss up and sipping the drink


    It was rich and a bit tangy, but not too strong and the aftertaste was sweet.


    "I have to admit, this is quite tasty shemented.


    Owen nodded. "Indeed. It''s a special one, only made from a small winery in Italy


    Italy, Leonica thought as she took yet another sip from her ss, his mother''s birthce.


    "Italy huh?" shemented as she bit her lower lip, watching as Owen drank thest of his wine before he became undoing the first few buttons of his shin


    "Yeah." He said, and was soon behind her, gently massaging her shoulders while he leaned closer to her ear. "I''m gonna run a bath, wanna join me?"


    Leonica couldn''t help but shudder and bite back a man. The way his warm breath tickled her neck made her body tremble, and the idea of taking a bath, with him, in a Jazzi, was one she didn''t mind entertaining "Sure." She whispered and was suddenly hoisted up in his amas, bridal style, causing her to release a yelp. "Owen!"


    He shed her a cocky like smile. "The tub''s a bit far from here, so I figured this was a better way of getting you there


    Leonica couldn''t help but burst outughing at his reasoning, but still, allowed him to carry her to his bathroom, which was spacious and clean, but the first thing that caught her attention was the bathtub.


    It was a white tub, with blue, gold and and tiles surrounding the base, a tub which had a water Jacuzzi, a perfect ce for her and Owen to rx in.


    "Let''s get you undressed," He whispered as he gently sat her down on the cold counter.


    "Okay." She said, her cheeks flushed as she watched hum slowly undress her, leaving her with her bra and panties on.


    He kissed her lips, and then her neck, moving lower until he reached her corbone, and then he was unsping her bra and taldng it oft.


    Then he took a second to step back and admire her body, his gaze filled with admiration and desire.


    Leonica couldn''t help but blush under his gaze.


    It wasn''t the first time she was getting intimate with a man, yet she felt like the experience was very new to her.


    "You''re beautiful," He said and was quickly back in between her legs, his hands cupping her breasts, massaging them, pinching her nipples and teasing her


    I took every bit of her willpower to hold her moans back, but that didn''t deter Chwen who continued teasing her, and only stopped when she was about to explode. "You''re holding back your moans, aren''t you?" He asked in a teasing tone, tilting his head to the side as he watched her reaction.


    Oh how he loved her reactions.


    "I''m not "IContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But the words died in her throat the moment Owen leaned down and took her right nipple into his mouths, sucking on it gently while his hands moved to her panties, pulling them off and tossing them to the side.


    He leased her, using his tongue, his fingers, until she was a moaning mess.


    "Owen.." She moaned, berfingers grasping at the long strands of his lur. "Stop teasing."


    Owen checked, his hot breath fanning against her stomach and sending shivers down her spine.


    "But you''re enjoying it." He said and then stood, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. "I''m going to get the water running, wait for me here, will you?


    Leonice nodded, her eyes shut tightly and limitat reeling


    She had expected him to continue what he had been doing, but apparently, Owen was a master of teasing and far more experience than she had presumed


    As she heard the sound of water rushing from the Lancet, she opened her eyes, her gazending on his exposed back


    iter reks instantly became red as she realized he was taking his pants old and just when he was about to pull his boxers off, she quicly averted her gaze, not wanting to be caught.


    "The tube''s rady, shall we get in Owen''s voice brought her back to reality, and as she turned her gaze back to him, she was met with lus handsonse and naked figure, which of course, had her staring. "Likee what you see?" He teased, asmik ying on his lips as he helped her off the counter.


    *shur up "Lesnica replied, her fare flushed red.


    Hechuckled and guided her to the tuli, liriping ber get in and settling himself beside her.


    As they both rxed and enjoyed the feel of the warm water against their skin, Owen reached forward, taking Leonica''s hand in his and kissing it, which brought


    ," He began, and then pulled her towards him until she was straddling him, his handsing up to cup her breasts again. "Shall we continue from where we


    Moming came, and as Leonica groggily opened her eyes, she realized that she was in an infamiliar bed.


    But then the memories from the night before came flooding back, and a smile immediately graced her lips.


    Owen, who had his ams warped around her, shifted in his sleep, pulling her closer to his bare chest, a movement that caused Leonica to release a sigh of contentment, and rx in his embrace.


    The sound of binds chirping, and the feeling of the morning sun rays hitting her skin and Owen Laying behind her had her realizing that this was the kind of life she wanted to be waking up to This was thend of life she didn''t want to ever let go of, no matter what


    Turning around, she faced Owen, a small smile on her face as she took in his praceful sleeping form.


    "Good morning," she whispered and gently ran her hand through his hair,


    He stized, his eyelids thattering a bit before he opened his eyes and nced down at her.


    Beautiful, she thought while staring into his Hazel gold eyes that shined in the reflection of the sun


    It was a sight she could definitely get used to.


    "Good morning. "He said and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well?


    Leonica nodded, her smile widening as she stared into his eyes.


    "Yes, and you?+


    "Same. It''s rare for me to wake up feeling rested." He said, a yawn escaping his lips. "It''s almost as if I''m a different person. It must be the power of having your tance right next to you."


    H


    Leonicaughed, and then stretched her ams, a yawn escaping her lips as she settled back down into his anns.


    "You''re such a cheesy man." She said, her voice muttled by the pillow.


    "And yet, you''re the one who''s wearing my engagement ring."


    "Because I like the cheesy you."


    "That''s good to know."Owen said as he kissed her bead, her nose, her cheek, then her lips before getting up and heading for the bathroom. "Wanna join me? "No thanks," she replied as she rolled around and snuggled back into the covers. "I''m a bit sore. Owen checked. That''s my fault."


    "It is, and I don''t mind it." She replied just as he stepped into the bathroom and shut the door.


    A few seconds of silence went by before she heard her phone numblings beside her on the eight stand she reached for it and briefly nced at the caller, her brows dipping in confusion when sawit was from that one foumalist, Florence. Nevertheless, she answered it


    "Yeah Hello?"


    "Hello, ts, Romero, I apologize for calling so early in the morning."


    Lronics paused, firstly ncing at the clock to see that despite the sun, it was indeed still very early. As early as 7 30. But time aside, when the fuck did she tell this cocky journalist her name!


    "That''s quite alright." Shemented, a frown on her fare as she sat up in bed, her mind already running. "What is it you want?"


    "An interview, I saw your announcement yesterday, coupled with the little juicy story you had given me a few days back, I''m sure I''ll be able to gain mor than releasing that story alone, thon''t you think su, Nica?"


    Leonica closed her eyes and sighed, course she couldn''t get one moment of silener "Anderview,


    more attention


    "Fine Fligier you ateries, Tow, Romero impre, 12:00 pm, don''t be a minuteter, else you''d have blown your chance"


    Hosne dackled "Not a windeter, you''ve gutta be joking."


    Lesa a mimarked the somal, except


    had a clear meaning behind it as she said. "No, I''m not.


    Interview Gone Wrong?


    Between changing a few miles at her Father''s previouspany, now hers, a bunch with, Leonica barely had time to prepare for her uing interview.


    a couple of hectic video and in person conference and a meeting withOwen, who she had


    So, when Keely, who might I tell you, was happy to know that he had gotten his old job back, even though he didn''t express it emotionally, walked in and informed her that Florenne was downstairs, waiting for her greenlight to be lep, she was a bit stressed out. She wasn''t prepared, not mentally nor physically,


    but that didn''t detecher, because despite everything, she was a woman who was ready for anything a


    c anything and everything-


    So, without wasting a second, she headed downstairs, and into the lobby where the young journalist stood, dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a hoodie, bet long hairmaportall.

 Chapter 167

    "Hello, it''s nice to see you, Nica. She said, using the Alias Leonica had given her, as soon as she had reached bee, a bright smile on her lips, a smile that looked a bit..too take, Leonica couldn''t help but think, but then again, they were practically strangers.. "I can''t say the feeling is mutual." Leonicamented before turning towards Kennedy informing him to keep all clients out of her office for the next thirty montes "Let''s head up to my office, shall we?


    Florence nodded and gathered her little filming equipment and voice recorder before diligently following Leonica up the elevator and into her office.


    Wow, your office surpassed my expectations." Shemented the moment she entered, her gaze darting from one ce to another, and admiting the space.


    Leonica t out ignored her, not because she was being rude or aloot, but rather, because she knew every word that came out of Florence''s mouth was a way to butter up to her. To get her to losen up and spill more beans than she was paying to get. But that was something Leonica wasn''t willing to do.


    once they had both settled, Leonica, at her desk and Florence on the chair opposite her, she asked the young woman, what is it that you want to know?*


    "Anything, everything "Florence replied, her pen in hand and her voice recorder already switched on, nearby, her camera was also set up, recording their Interaction. "Start by telling me what led you to stepping down as President of Romero Empire thenter deciding to buy it?*


    "It was a littleplication within my family. As everyone already knows, my brother Melvin had recently returned, with that development, my father thought it wasbest that I stepped down and focused more on my life." Leonies answered without hesitation.


    And did you share the same antiment with him? Was that why you bought Romero Empire under your Alias as Tyche Smith?" lon


    Florence questioned on


    Less than a minute in and Leanic was already tired of the whole thing, but nheless, she made sure he expression remained neutral as she spoke. "Yes, and no. No, in the sense that I did not share his sentiment. I believed and still believe that I can be a good mother and wife while running mypany. And Yes, in the sense that, that was why I decided to buy thepany, so one would ever hold the power to tell me to step away from the work so cherish"


    "Thur''s very ambitious of you."Florencemented, glint shinning in her eye, an indication that there was somend of hidden message behind her words. And yet, I can''t help but wonder, do you think your son feels the same way? Perhaps your father understand your son more than you and thus, made that decision." Leonica''s eyes namowed, her gaze darkening. "Are you implying that I''m not fit to be the CEO of Romero Empire, or perhaps, you''re implying that I can''t run my home while working?


    "Not at all," Florence was quick to defend herself, putting a mental reminder to chop this part out as Leonica hadn''t quite reacted the way she wanted. Leonica was smart, that much Florence could give to her.


    "I apologize if for a moment I made you feel that way." Florence added, and Leonica simply modded, her lips pressed in a thin line.


    Let''s move on


    Conto the next question."


    Florence cleared her throat and briefly nced down at her notebook before adding a couple more questions.


    When the clock was tipping close to her assigned time, Leonica took the kind Liberty to remind her.


    "I''m a busy woman, Ms. Florence and 1 believe that your time is up."


    "Indeed, but I just have onest question," Florence reached into her bag and pulled out a few pictures. Handing it to Leonica, who was not to pleased to know that atotal strangers had pictures of her and Owen on dates, she asked. "That is you and face of your entertainment industry, Mr. Owen Lee, right?"


    Leonica fered her jaw, trying to keep herself calm, which she eventually achieve and shed Florence a sanile. "What of it?"


    Nodding, Florence continued. "Several rumors, pictures and speeches even, have it that you and Mr. Lee are in an open rtionship and throughout the interview T couldn''t help but notice the ring on your finger, was that given by him and are the rumors true?" "I''ll answer the questions you haven''t asked." Leonica said, her voice dinin and her expression serious. "First, yes, it''s true. The rumors are true and no, we''re not in an open rtionship, we are, and have always been in a rtionship, and the sing I''m wearing, was indeed given to me by him So, believe, all questions have been answered, no?"Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Florence didn''t bother answering Instead, she shut her notebook, picked her equipment up and stood, "I believe that will be all."


    Leonica rodded, "l''escort you to the lobby"


    The walk tow is the lobby was silent, but as Leonica waited with Florence for her cab, her receptionist approached her.


    "Ms. Winslow, you nearly forgot your ID. The receptionist said, giving back I can she had collected as a means of identification and security measures. Florener smiled and thanked thedy, but just as she was taking it back, Leonica took a peak at it "Florence Winslow," She mused, "As in, the rtive of Lana Winslow?"


    Florence hesitated. She wasn''t sure why Leonica was asking, but taking it in good fate, she answered. "Yes. Sister


    If there was any ounce of a smile left on Leonica''s lips, it fadedpletely as she now realized why or rather, how Florence had gotten those p


    pictures.


    It wasnt the who had taken those pictures, it was Owen''s totally sane in the head fen, Lena Winslow, the very same person who had vandalized her gate!


    And that was t e reason for Leonica''s re, which sent shivers down the young woman''s spine.


    -The nerves you have, showing up here after what your sister did." Leonica tutted, chuckling a bit when Florence''s entire expression revealed that she indeed knew what her sister had done. The frealong audacity!


    But she really couldn''t me Florence, after all, she was the one who had contacted her in hopes of using her. But Rodrigo had cracked pretty bad even without the


    "What an ambitious Journalist you are," she mused at Florence''s speechlessness. She had been caught way earlier than she anticipated.


    Pounting towards the camera, Leonica demanded. "I want that interview gone."


    Florence quickly shook her head "I apologize, but that wouldn''t be possible. And. And if you try and threaten me or forcefully have it deleted then I''d fillewsuit against you for abuse of power." Leonica scoffed, not in the slightest bit fazed by the threat.


    "Go ahead and do just that. I''m sure mywyer would be more than happy to discuss with the court how you illegally obtained those photos of my lover and I and ch, not to forget the obvious act of alding and abetting your sister''s crime."


    Florence''s eyes widened, not because Leonica was threatening her, but because the way she said the that her actions had consequences and that if she dared to release that video, Leonica was more than willing to take up any court sult she had filed against her ewards sounded more like a warning, as if she was telling her, Leonica smirked.


    "You better do the right thing, Ms. Florence Else, you''d end up being a bad example for your sister."

 Chapter 168

    Returning back to her office, Florence felt frustrated over the fact that all her efforts, from approaching Gabriel to scoring an interview with Leonica was futile. She had expected to get a few good stories out of them but no, her ns had gone haywire. Her period of self rumination was interrupted by the sound of her supervisor knocking against h her cubicleContent ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Hey Florence, how did that outing go-?" The rest of his question died down as he looked at herputer and was surprised to see Leonica''s face. "Whoa, is that the Leonica Romero? Was she the one whom you had the interview with?" He asked, clearing gushing over how pretty Leonica looked


    "Yes," Florence answered, bet tone cum, "Can I help you?"


    from his unceremonious state. "Well, we need an article by the end of the week, so maybe you can use that


    The man scratched the back of his neck, snapping away to interview you had with her."


    "Not possible," Florence quickly responded. "I don''t think this interview can alr, at least if we don''t want our asses sued." she mumbled.


    The supervisor examined the paused video for a second before reasoning, "Well, except there anything confidential said in the video, it''s good to air." Florence gave him a look "Listen, whatever she might try to sue us for, no matter the cost of the money, we''re going to make it back from all the sales. You feeling me?" When he saw that Florence was still hesitant, he said. "Alright, give it here. I''ll run it by the boss in Mexico, if he gives it a greenlight, I''ll have your name removed but you''ll still get paid "


    That, was a good deal, Florence thought. She could score some bucks while releasing the interview she had worked her to get.


    "Unplugging the drive, she handed it to her super


    He collected it with a smile. "I let you know what the boss says." And like that, he was gone. Florence leaned back in her chair and sighed, great, now all the needed to do was wall


    Little Red Mark


    Somewhere in Mexico, He had just finished a business conference call, dressed in a fancy bathrobe when he got a video call request from the person he had appointed as supervisor somewhere in Dilo.


    The name read, Jaxson, and so he took the call without besitation


    A few secondster, the picture was up a huge 75 inch Television which he had connected his phone to, and fasson, who was smiling widely, greeted him. "Hello Bis, how have you been doing?" He asked, his gaze not meeting the screen, but rather, at the floor. and get me a good story?"


    "Pleasant." Came his pale response. "How''s things with the journalist department? Were you people finally able to bepetent and


    "th, about that Sir," The head jumalist stuttered a bit under his boss''s gaze. "We were able to secure thepany a story, a rather juicy one at that, but along Line white rosiding with the client, Jounalist Winslow had a issue, now she''s being restricted from uploading the story"


    The man in the bathrobe raised a brow, not too pleased with what he was hearing. "An issar?-


    Jasson nodded. "Yes Sir. Apparently, if the interview is to go live, the client would sue us. As exined by Ms. Winslow, but I took the liberty to exin to her that thepany would benefit a thousand times more than it would lose." He exined efficiently before asking. "Would you like to see the story, Sir


    Jasson nodded and immediately, the video started ying revealing the interview with the one and only Leonica Romero.


    The man, although he was quite annoyed by the whole debacle, couldn''t help but stare at the woman on the screen


    That of course didn''t surprise Jaxson, what did was when a smile suddenly graced his boss''s lips


    Why was he smiling? Did he see something he liked? Was the interview perhaps done to his lilding? He couldn''t help think


    "So sir, what do you


    "stop." He ordered, interrupting Jaxson who immediately shut this mouth.


    He was watching a particr scene, one where Leonica was exining her rtionship with Owen Lee, his face, her face, everything was visible, clear and in a perfect shot


    "Sir," jaxson called, not daring to interrupt him, but still, he had to speak, "Shall we.. Proceed with the release?"


    Jaxson didn''t get any reply up until the video had ended


    "No." He simply said and Jaxson, confused as ever, could only watch as his boss continued. "I''m not satisfied with this, find me another interview."


    Did I stutter? I want another inreview and have it done by tomorrow evening or else you''ll be out of a job." He said and without waiting for a response, ended the


    call.


    But even after the video feed had been out, the video of Leonica still continued to y on the screen.


    He looked back at the television, watching it and studying the female who had underwent an interview, before a smirk tagged at the corners of his lips, exposing his perfectly white teeth. "Never thought I''d see you again, Lesnica."


    After her interviewwith Florence, Leonica had handled a few other conference ad business rted works, before she was informed that Gabriel had requested her audience.


    "Let him up." She instructed, barely taking her gaze off theputer as the aimed to finish her current work before night fall and binge watch Ashley''s favorite show with him, without any sort of interruption Kennedy retumed as quickly as he had left, but this time around, he had Gabriel and Billy, Gabriel''s assistent by his side.


    "Ms. Romero," He called her attention, finally being able to gain her attention for a split second


    She shed cabriel a smile, putting her work in hold for a few minutes. "I wasn''t expecting you today. What brings you here?"


    Taking the brow folder from his assistant, he raised it up as if to give her a vague idea. "Thave a few things that I think we need to discuss. Face to face."


    Face to face, he says, Leonica thought, and pressed her lips together, clearly still skeptical about being friendly towards Gabriel.


    "It''s just business, Leonica.'' The little voice in the back of her mind, that she didn''t trust all to well, whispered


    "Alright," She pointed at the free chair in front of her table. "Please seat. While Gabriel obeyed hermand, she instructed K Kennedy to give them space and Gabriel eventually instructed Billy to do the same Gabriel began exining the reason he hade here once they were alone, however he was interrupted by the sound of Leonica sneezing


    "I apologize


    "Are you alright?" He asked, the concem clear in his voice even though his expression remained stoic.


    "Yes," She answered and briefly looked around the room. "Perhaps it''s just an allergy."


    Or this damn shirt that she''s been wearing all moming, Leonica couldn''t help but think as she adjusted the cor side.


    *Please continue."


    Gabriel nodded "Of course. So, as 1 said, I n on changing the target of thewsuit, Instead of Romero Empire, I n on suing Rodrigo alone. He continued to


    exin. Since Romero Empire is now under new authority, it''s safe to say that it has no connection with Mr. Rodrigo, thus the court can hold him as an individual ountable for the damages and losses that were suffered during the breach of contract." Leonica couldn''t help but smile. It sounded like a brilliant idea, and since they were filling thewsuits for the past six months, it should be easier to prove the case. "Brilliant "Shemented, which eamed her a small smile from Gabriel. *So, will that be alright with you?


    Leonica nodded, "Yes, please go ahead with that. I''d like to see Rodrigo get his dues."


    "Will do. And as to the "There was a sudden pause in Gabriel''s words as his gazended on her neck and spotted a little bruise sticking out from underneath her


    However, a realization soon struck him. That wasn''t a bruise, it was a freaking love bite and he very much knew who had created it.


    He clenched his fist, God, just the thought of it alone was making his blood boil.


    "Is something the matter?" Leonica asked, her brows knitted in confusion, which caused Gabriel to snap back to reality.

 Chapter 169

    She had this innocent look on her face that he was sure that she didn''t low of the hickey on her neck, or at least she wasn''t aware that it was peaking out from underneath her shirt. "No, not at all." He cleared his throat and focused his attention on the documents in front of him. Yet his mind wasn''t a hundred percent there.


    If anything, it was aplete 30% there and the rest, well, the rest was in a ce far away.


    He nced back at Leonica, whose fingers were dancing across the loyboard,pletely oblivious to the mark that was staring back at him, and his mood instantly became worse. God, how was she this oblivious, he wondered as he with a rather obvious sigh and a single shake of his head.


    At this point, his attitude had be something Leonica couldn''t ignore. "If something''s the matter Gabriel, speakup," she demanded.


    He didn''t want to tell her, not because he didn''t care, but because she was going to get mad.


    So instead, be settled for the safest method in his mind.


    "I''m feeling a bit umwell, shall we continue the meeting! packing the documents up


    some other time?" He said, more than asked, as before she could even give an answer, he had began


    Leonica blinked in confusion, but didn''t pry any further. "Very well Let''s continue the meeting some other time." She said and turned back to herputer screen, giving it most of her attention, while a small bit of her attention remained on Gabriel''s movement He was behaving weird, Leonica could tell, not because he wasn''t feeling well, she knew how he acted when he was ill. So why was he acting this way? Whatever the reason was, she couldn''t figure it out.


    "Leonica," The sound of Gabriel''s voice and something warm wrapping around her neck brought her back to reality, and that was when she felt the warmth of Gabriel''s scarf around her neck


    "Winter''s approaching." He simply said and stepped back, his eyes locked on hers. "It''s best if you keep this on."


    And with that, he walked off, leaving Leonica confused


    What was all that about?


    The answer to her question cameter that day when she watching a TV show with Ashley and he pointed out.


    "Mommy, did you get bitten by a bug?"


    Leonica paused the show and looked at him. "Bug? What do you mean?


    "Right here," Ashley pointed to her neck and then said. "See, you have a mark"


    Leonica''s eyes widened and she had quickly rushed to the mirror in the dining area.


    When she stared at her reflection, she saw what Ashley was talking about, and the realization was enough to have her face tuning red.


    Owen! She was so going to smack him several times with a pillow the next time they met, which unfortunately for him and fortunately for her, was in the morning.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!


    Ashley Was Being Bullied.


    Aweek had gone by since Leonica''s interview with florer. During those seven days, nothing noticeable bad happened and because of that, Leonica was just about thinking that her love was finally settling down.


    But that was wishnal thinking. A month couldn''t go by in her life without drama, Leonica kaew this much after getting to the hospital for Ashley''s monthly checoup and bring informed that his condition hadn''t improved, in fact, it had worsened.


    "How is this possible?" She questioned, her expression full of worry as she held onto her son''s hand. "You said everything was okay as long as he took his meds. A few years, you said "She was speaking with Doctor Bailey, who at this moment couldn''t even exin why Ashley''s condition had suddenly deteriorated.


    It was like there was a hidden factor diving his condition in the wrong way.


    Malnutrition?Certainly not. Lack of love from his guardian? Strong docht, Leonica looked like the type of mather that would dote on her son all day long and that


    she was


    So what was it?


    "We''re going to figure out, I assure your Uncil then, we''ll have to do some more tests. It''ll only take a few hours." The doctor said, but the truth was, couldn''t give a solid exnation, not one that Leonica wanted to hear, at least.


    Leonica''s brows furrowed, her attention being shifted from Doctor Bailey to her son when she felt him try to pull away.


    "Mommy, I don''t want to do another test "He whined, obviously atcald of the thought of being poked by needles a second time.


    A from settled Leonica''s face as for the third time this week, she took his new behavior into consideration.


    that he


    Since a few days ago, Ashley had been withdraw, as Leica would like to put it and quite emotional. He was quick to throw fit when things didn''t go his way, like right now and each time she asked for araw, he''d give her the silent treatment It concemed Leonica much, but she has tried her very best not to think too much about it.


    Raising his hand, she kissed the top of it and said. "Don''t worry baby, the tests won''t hurt at all."


    Ashday shook his head. "No, Mommy"


    "I don''t want to. It hurts" He was now crying, and the sight itself had Leica feeling powerless.


    She didn''t want to see her son cry. She didn''t want him to feel pain, but at the same time, she couldn''t understand his sudden actitude


    "Mommy," Ashley cried and threw himself in her arms. "I don''t want to, please."


    Deonica closed her eyes and hugged heretightly.


    "It''s okay sweet, you won''t have to do the tests. Not today." She said and looked at Doctor Bailey, who had a frown on his face. "I''lle back for his tests tomorrow, can we reschedule?"


    Doctor Bailey was hesitant, but seeing the state Ashley was in made him nod his head. "yes, sure. Just bring him here in the afternoon, I''ll make sure the nurses have gotten all the equipment ready,"


    Leonica nodded and thanked him before turning her attention back in her son, who was still clinging ontoer for dear life.


    "Come on Ashley, let''s go." She said as she picked him up and exited Doctor Bailey''s office. When they were outside the hospital, she ced him back down and spotted to his eye level, asking gently "Ashley, is everything alright? Is these something you want to tell mommy?"


    He didn''t respond.


    "Do you feel sick?*Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    §¯§Ñ §ä§Ö§á§â§à§ä§Ö


    we go home now, mommy?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Leica gave him a nod and smiled, cing a kiss on his forehead before standing up. "saire, let''s go home"


    she picked him up and walled to the parking lot. When they reached the car, she ced him inside and then proceeded to buckle his seat balt


    Once done, she started the car and drove out of the hospital


    The ride home was quiet, almost too quiet, Leonica thought. But she didn''t have the heart to ask anything more, especially after the emotional episode that had edminutes earlier.


    But her words aside, she couldn''t help but think, Why was be suddenly being so emotional?


    Puberty? No, he was too early for that. Then was he per chance being bullied at school?


    The thought of that alone sent a wave of sales to Leonic, a long time ago, she kw what it felt like to be bullied.


    But, if that was the case, then she was going to have a long conversation with his teacher and principal, because that was uneptable.


    The next day, after dropping Ashley off to school, Leonica went straight to the principal''s office, her expression as stem as ever


    "I''d like to sex Principal Agatha." She informed the sectary, who without much hesitation, picked up the phone and dialed the extension member, intemsing the person on the other end that a guest was waiting for her.


    After the call ended, the secretary Informed Leonica that the principal would be down shortly and that was allowed to sit dow


    But, Leonica declined and stood where she was.


    Not a minuteter, the elevator opened and revealed the new principal that Arvan had reced Hugh with.


    #Ah, helle Ms. Romero," Agatha quickly cushed to wee her, bowing respectfully. "What brings you here?"


    "Answers "Came Leemca''s stern answer. "Something about my son''s behavior has drawn my concers and I believe it has something to do with his school life." Agatha taised a brow. "Ashley?" she asked and when Leonica nodded, she gestured towards the elevator. "Let''s discuss this in my office, shall we?"


    "ot couts," Leonica replied and followed the principal inside the elevator.


    "So," Agatha began. "What exactly has drawn your concem?"


    "A few days ago, my son''s behavior changed drastically. He became overly emotional and quiet." Leonica exined. "And so, I can''t help but wonder, is he being bullied "Bullied?" Agatha looked surprised as if Leonica had just mentioned a forbidden subject. Quicldy, she shook her head. "Never! The children here are sweet little things


    "So you mean to tell me nothing of worry has ever happened?"


    She paused as her mind recalled something. "Although there is something that happened that might have caused his sudden behavior."


    ronica ossed her arms, looking just about ready to throw hands at whosoever pissed her son off. "And that would be?"


    Some weeks ago, the ss had a little... Project. Theds were meant to draw a picture of their happy family, however, Ashley''s picture had two dads." Ob. Leonica thought as a swift realization downed on her.


    Someds admired him, but others well they didn''t really like the fact that he had two days. They were jealous and teased him a bit." Agatha exined besitantly


    "Teased him?" Leonica asked, but she didn''t even need to know the answer to be aware of what Agatha meant. "So you mean to tell me your allowed those," She paused, calming herself down before she could use a vulgarnguage on kids. "You mean to tell me those kids verbally bullied my son?"


    "It was just a little y. I should have noticed Ashley''s reaction and taken action, please forgive me Ms. Romero." Agatha bowed, apologizing profusely. Leonica waved her apology off. It was of no use


    use to her."


    "Bring them here, thoseds." she demanded.


    H


    "Ah, Ms. Romero, please calm down. I know you''re angry, but don''t forget they''re just children." Agatha pleaded,


    Much to her pleasure. Leonica nodded her head in understanding. "You''re right," Seeing the smile on her lips, Agatha became relieved. But it was short lived. "1 don''t have a lot of time, so Principal Agatha, you have thirty minutes to present me each of their guardians." "Thirty minutes"


    "Yes. Or else, I''ll be forced to tale matters into my own hands." Leonica warned, her tone dead serious


    And as it that wasn''t enough, her expression had the poor woman shivering in fear.


    She really didn''t want to find out what happens if Leonica took matters into her own hands. So quickly, she rushed to get the parents.


    It didn''t take her long to present the parent of all five kids who had made fun of


    Ashley


    "Agatha, what is the meaning of this? You said Lucas wasn''t feeling too well, where is he?" A young mother, who was holding a sleeping toddler, asked.


    Agatha smiled weakly, a drop of sweat sliding down the side of her forehead. "I seem to have spoken incorrectly.


    "Spoken incorrectly?" Another more questioned nastily.


    Agatha sighed and scratched the back of her head, "Listen, there''s something very important I''d like you all to discuss, and I''m sure it''ll be worth your time "she then pointed at the door to her office. "Please."


    One by o


    one, the parents entered the office, and once inside, they were all surprised to see a youngdy seated in


    In the principal''s chalt, an unsettling smile on her lips.


    "Who who is she? one parent asked.


    "She''s she''s." Another parent who was clearly award of Lennica''s identity, stamnered, but before she couldplete a single sentence, Leonica had interrupted her


    "I''m Leonica Romero," She announced, a glint shining in her eye. "And I believe, I need to have a few words with you all"


    Providing An Alternative.


    The parents didn''t say anything, neither did their childien, but the silence didn''tst long, not when Agathahad Linally found her voice,


    "Mix, Lance and Mrs Browder, would you kindly take a seat, same goes for the rest of you" she instructed, and with a slight hesitation, the parents followed her ouders, although their expressions showed how nervous they wer


    Now," Agatha tumed to face Leonica, her face showing a clear expression of respect. This is Ms. Romero, the mother of Ashley Romero, and a few days ago, your children," She pointed at the kids seated beside their parents. "And Ashley had a little, misunderstanding" "It was no misunderstanding," Leonica boldly intraopted, scanning each and everyone of the parent and their children present. "My son, Ashley, was verbally bullied by your haldien who haven''t been haned enough to know the night words to use on their peers." "Ha! How outrageous" oe of the parents din Lemnica prognized as Georgina Banwder, aged. "Haven''t beerstrained well enough? I apologize Mes Oh, Ms. Cronica Romero, but you see, Land these other mothers have taken their time to raise their children, in a well crafted family, much unlike yours." She added thest past, which caught Leonica''s attention


    "Unlike mine?" she asked, the smile on her lips seeming anything but friendly.


    Georgina nodded her head and scotted, looking like she had won an award for the best parent of the year. "Of course, everyone knows you have that one lower, an that your child is boment of a tailed marriage with your ex husband. Isn''t that so?" Leonica''s expression changed and before she could even answer the question, Georgina continued. "See, this is why kids today aren''t trained to behave in the right. manner, because the adults, are setting a bad example."


    choice of words. But Leonica, she was smiling.


    "Mrs. Browder," Agatha called, looling appalled by her ch


    "What are you smiling about? You think what your doing is okay? You call here to tell us some bullshit about our sweet, sweet children bullying your son. Ha,'' She scoffed again rolling her eyes as it they words itself was unbelievable. "How proposterous." "Georgina, 1 think that''s enough," Luisa Lance, the first woman eader who had recognized Leonica,


    1, tried calming her fellow mother down


    But Georgina simply shook her hand off. "Enough? Don''t shrink badijust because the looks like someone who has more power thanus, Luisa" She said and looked back at Leonica. "Well, I''m not going to take thisnd of treatment lightly, You''re here to use my child of bullying your son. Well, that''s a load of shit.". "Mas, Bepuder, yournguage," Agatha wamed.

 Chapter 170

    want my son to apologize or not, I''m not


    Overgina shrugged and pointed at Lesnica, "If you ask me, I''m not taking orders from a woman like her. Whether you w Setting my baby, or any other kid of mine, apologize to that fag''s mother."


    And that was the moment the room went silent, with Agatha, Luisa and the other parents shocked, while the children and Georgina simply waited for a response from Leonica, who host he didn''t look fazed.


    "Alright," she said, bewaking the silence. With one swift motion, she stood up and walked towards Georgina. Agatha stood up to, just in case she needed to stop a fight. "If you don''t want your child to apologize, then right this instance, transfer him out of this school Georgina scoffed and rolled her eyes, he entire being was brimming with confidence and Leonica wondered why she often encountered such stu


    "Who are you to tell to do that she boldly aslund, staring Leonica straight in the eyes.


    istupid people.


    Right about now, Leonica has had it with the level of her audacity. Especially how she believed someone like hes who was beneath Leonics, could boldly stare her in the epes


    *She ordered, her tone firm and full of authority.


    "Excuse me.


    "I said lower your eyes," Leonica repeated, her patience sunning the "Before I inake you regret ever being bem with eyes."


    "My Romero, 1-" Agatha began, but Leonies quickly interrupted her, her gaze not leaving Georgina.


    "Principal, if you''re worried about meying my hands on Mes, Browder, don''t. I''m a patient person, and I''ll nevery my hands on a woman, not even when I''m threatened, I''m far above that " Georgina, who was already annoyed, wasn''t too pleased with the way Leonica was talking, and so, she snapped.


    "Listen here you bitch, don''t think you''re better than me just because you have a bunch of money in the bank and a man by your side-"


    "Exactly," Leonica Interrupted her. "I do think I''m better than you because I have a bunch of money in the bank As a matter of fact, I''ll show you what that money cando."


    Without woming, she walked over to her bag and pulled out a cheque book She casted on look at Agatha as she asked. How much, this school?"


    "Eh, excuse me?" Agathiased inconfusion while all the mother''s both the quiet one and ones that were itching to be on Georgina''s side, nced curiously at each other "Howmuchdoes the school cost? Leonica irpeated


    Agatha was dumbfounded. Ms. Romero, are you saying what I think you''re saying**


    "Of course," she smiled and ced the penip against the paper, waiting for the principal''s response.


    "Humers, that isn''t ney." Ag red. "I assure you, the kids will be appropriately disciplined."


    Lesnina shook her heal. "Tot word about the kids being disciplined, I''m worried about their behavior towards my son. She said and gabe ce at Agatha sgbed and timerved her heal. "Lassuse you, the students and the pants will be disciplined, and it they still decide not to apologize, then we can "Pring An Allintative


    "Alternative?" Leonica chuckled. "That''s exactly what I''m providing. Now, kindly answer my question."


    Agatha''s face tumed red, she wanted to deny the offer, but Leonica wasn''t backing down, so with a sigh, she gave the amount


    "As of the beginning of this year, the school''s worth amounted to three hundred and fifty million."


    "There hundred and fifty million dors." Leonica muttered as she wrote numbers down on the cheque. "I''ll make it four hundred million "


    "Four hundred million??" Everyone eximed, except Georgina who didn''t believe the scene unfolding before her eyes.


    Leonica tore the cheque out and handed it to Agatha. "You can cash it out right now, so please hand me the school''s original documents."


    Agatha couldn''t say anything. The words were stuck in her throat and she didn''t know what to say. Without saying another word, she rushed to the safe behind and collected the papers.


    When she returned, Leonica collected the paper and tumed to Georgina with an even brighter smile.


    "Now, since you won''t transfer your child out or apologize, I, the new owner of this school, will personally arrange an al expelled, inmediately."


    "Wait a minute, this is just a joke, right?" Georgina asked, a nervousugh escaping her lips. "You''re just jolding, right?" Leonica wasn''t, she realized the moment she saw the smile fade off Leonica''s lips. alternate punishment or see to it that he''s


    "No," She answered and tumed to the rest of the mothers. "As for the rest of you, please make your choice. Have your children do the right thing or have them transferred out. It''s all up to you." Herox Media


    The sterling, although aremed bilet, hadsted a few hours. At the conclusion of it all, Leonica stood outside of Ashley''s ssroom, watching as both mother


    Smart people, the thought recalling how they hatall chosen to apologize to Ashley rather than transdering schools and risking their child not being epted in another schoot, they chose the right choke, "watching from away, one would think you''re abusing your power." A voicemented from behind her, and a small smile made its way to her lips.


    "Is there a problem with that??


    casked tunning to fare Annan "Mhasing my authority to protect my child?"


    Arvan smiled and walked towards her. "No," the whisperteil, stopping, inches away from her. "I find it rather, admirable."


    She couldn''t help butugh at his response "Adminable with a shake of her head, she dismissed the topic. "Did youe here to see Daisy


    Aman''s expression slumped a bit at the mention of said child, but he nodded. "Yes. Their homeroom teacher called to inform me of her odd behavior. Apparently some kids made fun of her because she has a single father." ile said the best part with a tight smile. Leonica iscked on her teeth. Those children trally were devilish. "They have no idea that they''re messing with the wrong kids or perhaps they''re too naive to know what social standing is. "She uld, eaming acluclide from Arwan.


    "Of course," Leonica muttered and looked down at the time. "I should go and pick up Ashley, we have to go to the hospital for his checkup today,"


    "Wahler, his conditions havn''t improved?


    She shook her head, her heart clenching tightly. "No, in fact it seems to be worsening


    Arvan frowned and sighed. "Don''t worry. I''m sine his doctor will have a solution."


    "Yeah?" Came her answer as she shed him a tight smile. "I hope so, "The rest of her words trailed off, but as a single parent, Arvan knew exactly what she wanted font


    "Anyway," she began, changing the topic "You should go and see Daisy, she''s inside, along with the other kids,"


    Arvan nodded and take that, she was gone,ing outter with Ashley on herhips.


    "Uncle Van" He greeted, a smile brightening his face.


    "Hey board," Arvan greeted and waved at him. "Your mom told me she''s taking you to the hospital. De a good boy and listen to the doctors, okay?"


    Ashley nodded his head eagerly. "Of course, I will."


    "That''s good. By now." Advanced wired


    "Bye." Ashley saved back before Leonica continued walking away.


    When they were finally in the cat, she nced at him though her are viewin


    "You feeling better sweetie? Did those mean les apologize


    "Yeah." He answered, and a huge grin spread across herface


    "That''s good. They shouldn''t bully their ssmates and no matter what they say Ashley, two daddies or not, you''r perfect the way you are. Do you understand


    Ashley nodded his head and smiled.


    "Tim gled," Leonira said and started the car. "Comron, let''s go."


    The car drive towards the hospital was blissfully filed with the sound of Ashley speaking, exining what happened during ss today and how he and his friend had made a sand castle, and the fact that his teacher had given him a gold star for good behavior. pescute, Leonica couldn''t help but think as they drove into the hospital parking lot


    After she parked the ear, she unbuckled Ashley and got out, carrying him towards the entrance,


    When they got in, Leonica was suprised to see Gabriel waiting as the prreption, but that surpose quickly faded as she realized that Doctor Hailey must have called hibere for Ashley''s check up


    ishley greeted him and wiggled his way out of


    way out of his mother''s arms nothing towards Gabriel who wasted no time in scooping the child up in his arms. "Dry, buddy," He greetedbark, smiling. "How was school?"II


    "It was great! The meanies apologized and I got a gold star for good behavior." He exined happily


    falusel alma ked. "That''s good" He then turned his attention to Leonic and a sbtle smile took ce on his lips. "Hey Leomica."


    Shewaard back, and after signing herself in, the three of them made their way to the pediatrics ward, where Doctor maley was dy waiting for them


    "ML kameru, "ide grested and turned his attention to cabriel and Adley "Mr. Bryer,"


    cubelel simply nodded his head, while moldey pave the Doctor a stile,


    Judhor Begin the legum


    agnese "Lesnica said and tuned i abriel alter feeling his eyes on her for quite some time "there something you want to say to me, Gaburl?" she


    In response, be shook his head. "No, not at all.


    Hank Meda


    Even though he had said that, Leonica could tell that he had a thing or two to say and she knew just what it was about,


    On the other side of Oslo, Florence and her superior stood in front of their boss with their heads held low.


    "Jaxson," He called, his voice stern. "Would you care to exin to me why after an entire month none of you were able to get a single story befitting of publishing


    Jaxson swallowed thickly, not daring to raise his head as he answered. "I apologize boss, 1..." The rest of his excuse died on the tip of his tongue as a paper weight was thrown at him, just barely missing his head.


    "Apologies? You want to apologize? You have been working on this assignment for months now and yet, not a single article can be found in the newspapers." "But, sir, we-" Florence began, but stopped mid sentence when he shot her a re.


    "You, Ms. Florence, have the nerve to speak after the mess you madest week? A simple interview, yet you fucked it up." He cursed and then sighed running his hand through his curly hair in a bid to calm himself down.


    "I don''t want apologies, not now. Just do your damn job and stop fucking around." He ordered, his voice cold and unforgiving.


    Florence and Jaxson lowered their heads further and nodded.


    "You''re dismissed." He ordered, but just as Jaxson turned around, he stopped him. "Not you."


    "Sir? He raised a brow in confusion


    "We have a few things to discuss. Seat. "Hemanded.


    With a heavy sigh, Jaxson sat down.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "Florence," He called "You may leave


    Florence, although curious, simply nodded her head and exited the office.


    We were alene, Jason asked "What do you wish to discuss Sir"


    "Expansion," Came his answer without a doubt of hesitation. "Now that I''m back in Oslo, I''d like to expand Herox Media, partner with biggerpanies perhaps."


    Jaxson frowned. "Partner with biggerpanies?" He questioned. "But sir, wouldn''t that mean giving away some shares?"


    "And that''s a problem?"


    "T-I mean no Sir, 1''m simply afraid that the otherpany might not be willing to negotiate with us."


    "That won''t be a problem. You see, I have a n." He said with a smile.


    Jaxson''s brows furrowed and he asked. "Whichpany do you n on partnering with?"


    His boss cocked his head as if the answer was already written on the wall "Tan''t obvious, Romero Empire of course."

 Chapter 171

    You''ve Regained Your Memories, Haven''t You?


    "Iteto Empire?"


    stammered. "But sir," He paused, thinking of the perfect way to word his next sentence. event that happened? The event regarding Tyche Smith."


    arr of the recent


    "Of course, who isart. But that is none of my business. What is, Is Benjamin Homero''s life." His words confused) Benjamin Homero? As in the previous owner of Romers Empire!


    "Get me information on him faxon and when I mean information, I don''t mean the ones you can "But sir, Benjamin Romer isn''t the head of Romeo Fire anymore." azon finally wired b¨¢n¨ª "Of course I know that." His boss answered confidently as he crossed his leg and gave him a Inole thi Jason didn''t question him, because as a wise manner said, curiosity kills the rat "Alright, I''ll do my best" Standing op, he bowed. "If that''s all, I''ll be no my way."


    He didn''t wait for a response, because he knew his boss didect need tom anymore.


    me something interesting


    -had something up hisslerve.


    "Jaxson," His boss called when he had his hand on the door handle. "Remember, cet in something worth a billion dor partnership. Ton''t fad m


    Jassen gulped. "Yes, Sir."


    alter by an


    Hector Bailer exined the results to Gabriel and Lesnica


    Back at the hospital Ashley''s test waspleted and while he was looked after t "Not good," He said once all three of them had settled in the hallway outside the mom Ashley was in "The test shows that Ashley''s injury has rapidly sped up. reducing the years he has before the singery to three years. He presented Leonica with the x-ray sketch


    Her expression took a tum for the worse when she examined the sketch. "Thure years?" She mumbled, raming a nod from Doctor Bailey "Ton''t Isn''t the anything we can do to slow the process down?"


    Doctor Hailey shook his head. "Unfortunately, nn." Disappointment shed across Leonica''s fare, and she was very much aware of his next words


    Looking between them both, Doctor Bailey states. "Nothing can be done for Ashley, except a suitable donor is found sooner orter and in his case, a transnt from a sibling would be the best.


    A sibling that she was yet to make any ns for, she bitterly thought, tightening her hold on the x-ray sketch.


    "And a donor outside the family can''t be found? Gabriel aslied.


    Doctor Bailey shook his head. "No. But in an event that does happen, it isn''t advisable as Ashley could sufferplications if the transnted bone marrow isn''t a hundred percentpatible with his body." He exined, giving Leonica and Gabriel a tew seconds to let the painfully familiar news sink in. "I have a few other chings to do, so I''ll take my leave now." He bowed and then left.


    Once he was gone, silence fell over them, a thick cloud of tension eating in the air.


    "I''m sorry," Leonita finally booke the silence, her vuice barely above a whisper.


    Gabriel raised a bow, and a frown made its way to his lips. "Sorry? Why are you apologizing?"


    "Tor the first time, Tieel like a useless mother. I can''t even protect the most important person in my life."


    "Leonica, this isn''t something you could control, don''t beat yourself up."


    "But I can''t just stand around and do nothing. My son, he''s sick And I want him to be cured."


    Gabriel sighed, the town on his tace deepening. He had no idea what to say or do all he could think about was how sad she sounded.


    And he wasn''t a fan of


    "Leonica," He called, cing a gentle hand on her shoulder, which at first, she wanted to shrug off, but decided otherwise. "Don''t worry, I''m sure everything would workout in Ashley''s favor."


    "You think so?" she asked, ncing up at


    He nodded his head. "Yes, of course. Ashley''s a strong child, and he''ll pull through "


    Leonica smiled, and Gabriel was d to see that it was a genuine one. "Thank you Gabriel


    He mirrored her smile, hand traveling from her shoulder to up her cheel


    "Anytime,"


    His action, although very little, had been so unexpected that it caught Leonica oft guard and for the best time in a long while, Gabriel saw the surprise written all over her face while her even searched his, looking for something he wasn''t all to sure what it was Theit moment, however, was short lived when Ashley came out with a nuese, aid sering the distance between his parents, age gain appeared on his cape


    "Daddy!" He eximed, ushing to his father, who without a doubt rooped him up in his as "Are we going home nav


    Gabriel casted a quick nce at tronica who had tamed away, but he could still see her rucking strands of her hair behind her ear


    He chuckled subtly and then shook his head, answering his son''s question "No buddy, you have to go home with your mother, Daddy has a few things to attend to.


    Aildry''s expansion fell, and it wasn''t long before a frownuurced it. "Oh, okay" He then nced at his mother and with a cute little pout, he begged "Markery cand staywithdy for a few days? Pleaseer?


    "Again?" Lennira klinked in confusion wheniser somnodded. Trying het best to ignor w cabel stared at her, she came closer to her son, ting, he


    3v2


    You''ve Regined Your Memories, Haven''t You?


    his cheek, however, quickly removing it when he calling Gabilel''s action. "Honey, didn''t you juste back from your father''s ce about a week ago? Don''t you want to spend time with mommy?"


    "N-no! I want to spend time with both mommy and daddy. But..." The child hesitated as he recalled his teachers words when he was having a hard time.


    His mommy and daddy had chosen to spilt up and he might be a little different from the other children seeing as he might have two mommies and daddies.


    The teacher had then assumed him that everything would be okay, but still, Ashley couldn''t help but feel sad.


    He only wanted one daddy and one mummy and he most definitely didn''t want them to be apart


    "Hey, hey." Leonica said, breaking him out of his thoughts. "Ashley, what''s wrong?


    The child shook his head, a take smile on his lips, but Leonica could still see the little quivers "N-nothing," -


    at, fis bone weak.


    Even though she knew it was a lie, she didn''t press on, instead she shared a knowing nce with Gabriel *Listen bud, how about we go out this weekend?" Gabriel asked, wanting to ease his son''s sadness. "We can go to an amusement park, just the three of us. How''s that sound


    Ashley''s entire demeanor brightened upon hearing this. "Really? Can we go to an amusement park and see the fireworks too? Pretty please?"


    Sure." Gaticiel agreed with a bright smile, which Ashley returned. "That''s okay with you, right Leonica?"


    No. It wasn''t. She still felt the need to keep her distance from Gabriel, more so after that little action of his. But seeing Ashley''s expectant expression, she couldn''t bring benelf to blurt out those words of rejection


    "Yeah, let''s do that," she said, eaming a delighted squeal from her son. "Let''s go this weekend."


    "Yayyy!" Ashley eximed and threw his hands in the air.


    Seeing his traction. Lennica''s mood also lifted, and with a smile, she reached over and nuttled his hair.


    "Come on," the said, holding her hands out to herson. "Let''s go


    Without hesitation, he grabbed onto her hand and followed her, not forgetting to wave his father goodbye.


    * Bye bye diddy!*


    *Byr buddy"


    pocket.


    When the mother and son were out of sight, Gabriel felt lis ne vibrate and fished it out from his pe Upon seeing it was a call from Bally, he answered


    have something to report to you "Billy snd, his youre devoid of emotion


    "What is it !" Cafiriel repeated.


    cone began stalling into Ms. Romero''s family history"Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The information had cabidel mopping


    "I''m not sute Mr. Bryor, but wh


    his tracks and his eyes narrowed. Family history! What kind of information were they digging for?" perseiti was searching for, li serined to be pretty important." Gabriel shows.fumowed, and he sighed someone''s gone digging huh? Good thing he had hally monitor Leonica''s family closely


    "Alright Bill, I want you to get me information on this person."


    Right away, Sir" pully


    and Gabriel ended the call, resuming his walk towards the exit, when Doctor Bailey suddenly showed up. "Mr. Bryce, can we bine a word! Heated


    "Another time, I have several things to attend to Gabel Tried to dismiss hom, but Doctor Bailey pressed on.


    "it''s about your amnesia,


    closed eyes smile and


    "And that was enough to gain fabriel''s full attention. When he tumed to face Doctor Bailey, the elderly man shed him an innocent "You''ve regained your memories, haven''t you The Wrong Set Of Consequrtices.


    The look that ested on tabelel''s face after Doctor Hatley''s wents was liber that of a doll turning on its neutral expression


    "I beg your pardon?

 Chapter 172

    "Youi inzinumies," Decini Bailey began, now donhting what he had seen earlier on when he ached Cabriel a question that he could only have remembered if he hat hismemades. "They''vee back, haven''t they?" tabulel smiled, but it didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Doctor Balley, I suggest you stop inahing assumptions, especiallysonsthat could potentially out a person''s


    Doctor Balley fomul hinwell speechless as cdel stepped forward and g This hand on the elderly man''s shredder.


    "what type of prison would tam out to be if I regained my memories and didn''t inform you or tronca bon''t you think itha problem that could potentially min my name, lose people close to me?" He whispered and squeezed boy shuubder "1-1 apologize Mc Dower," Thockor Balley stammered. "It was wrong of me to jump intaronclusions."


    table removed his hand from his shoulder and stepped back. "It was. I hope this won''t ever repeat itself," iiveyes darkened "The, There''ll be a lot of consequences, especially for you."


    With that, he continued walling, not sparing a single nce at the elderly doctor


    He got out and once he was outside, he pulled out his plute and dialed silly''s number. "nilly, pet someone to monitortor lley." He said once Billy picked up.


    ruurse, sir. Do you have a teason why you want him monitored


    Gabitel sucked on his teeth for a few seconds before answering. "He''s a nosy old man."


    "Alight, I''ll do just that"


    "good." With that, Gabrinded the call and drove home, his mind not once leaning the thought of the fact that Doctoraley had made such a wild assumption,


    The next day, As soon as Leonica ived at herpany, Kennedy informed her of an abrupt appointment.


    "Herox Media?" She asked, walking towards her office while looking at the details of saidpany on Kennedy''s tablet. The boss''s profile was left nk, but that didn''t disturb hes, she was confident enough that she could take on whoever if they tumed out to be troublesome. However, what did disturb her was when she saw Florence as one of the statis. "They want an meeting with me?"


    Kennedy nodded. "Yes. The CEO rather incistent.""


    want a partnership! the raised a


    Leonica sighed. "Very well then, I''ll entertain their request." She said and continued reading the contents of the email. "They want a p brow and casted a curious nce at Kennedy


    "That''s what it says here," Kennedy exined, his eyes not meeting that of his boss''. "They sent an email stating that they wanted to form a partnership. "Now that''s getting a bit ahead of themselves, aren''t they?" She handed the tablet back to her assistant and pushed her office door open "Owen?" She was surprised to see the blonde male seatingfortably in her office.


    He smiled. "Hi, Leonica."


    are you doing here?"


    She asked as she dismissed Kennedy, telling him to set the meeting for sometimeter in the day. "I thought you had shooting today!" "I did, but I cancelled it," He answered as he stood up and walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. "Cancelled it? For what reason?"


    "Well," He began, shing her a bright smile. "Isn''t it obvious"


    "You canceled an entire schedule just so you cane and meet me? That''s a waste of resources.


    "you consider spending time with the woman love a waste of resources Tell me, me this luce mia, who''s more important, to thepa Leonica swatted his arm as she stepped away. "Don''t be a baby."


    "How was Ashley''s checkup?"


    "Worse," she muttered, uning a hand through her hair. It seems the injury is speeding up and his life is at stake. We have to find a dones and soon." "And what''s stopping you from finding one.


    weerd. "I still haven''t nned for a second child and I''m afraid that by the time I get to have one, Ashley might not even be around ainmore, " Owen sighed, walked up to her and gently massaged her shoulder. "Rxace mia. I''ve always told you, I''m ready to be a rather time you want."


    She chuckled, a sad smile ying on her lips. "But I don''t want you to be a father just for the sake of giving Ashley a sibling want it to happennaturally, where the


    wn of you would bond and have a genuine father and son rtionship. Just like what Gabalel and Ashley have." she muttered thest part, but Owen being asclose to her as he was, brand,


    Aud to say he liked was an utter lie


    "yeah?" He asked, watching astonicaded her head while rxing into his touch.


    "I don''t want you to jout your lively and Lathebood at star. Destroying another person''s lite in-save another dorm''t sound ideal


    The Wrong Self Consequences.


    "But I don''t mind." Owen ced a kiss on her neck as he ended the massage session. "I would be more than happy to be a father."


    "Yeah, well, you can''t just say that without thinking of the consequences." She turned and looked him in the eyes. "You won''t just have one child to worry about. You''d have two."


    Owen''s smile widened. "And I''m more than ready to raise the both of them. Ironica, I know you''re worried about Ashley, but trust me, he''ll pull through."


    Leonica gave a slight nod of her head, but even though she had agreed with Owen, she wasn''t one hundred percent on the idea.


    "Alright," She said, turning around. "If that''s all, I have a meeting to get ready for."


    "Alright," He whispered and nted a kiss on her cheek. "I''ll see youter."


    She simply nodded her head and watched as he walked out.


    A few more minutes was spend in between working and thinking, before Kermedy came to inform her that it was time for her meeting with Herox Media. "Bring them up." She instructed as she stood up and went to stand by the door. A few minutester, the door opened and Kennedy, along with Jaxson, Florence and a third man she had never seen before entered.


    "Hello, Ms. Romero," Jaxson said, his head held low,


    "Hello." She greeted and tumed her attention to the unfamiliar face. "May I know who you are?"


    The man stepped forward and shed her a channing smile, holding his hand out. "I''m Herox''s CEO,"


    Leonica, for some reason, hesitated, but the moment she took his hand, he pulled her into a tight hug "It''s nice to finall


    finally meet you again, Leonica."


    At his words, she pushed him away. "Have we met before?" She questioned.


    He smirked. "Of course you forgot Allow me to jog your memory." And with that, he moved forward and did another brazen action. Heldssed her.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    The sound of Leonica''s palm making contact with the supposed stranger''s left cheek was what drew every single person present out of the haze they had been pot In after witnessing what he had just done.


    Stagersing a few steps back due to the impact, he covered his stinging cheek, while Leonica spat on much his act disgusted her.


    pat on the floor, going the extra mile to wipe her lips to show how


    you think that''s abit


    "I don''t know who you are, but you should have at least lown better than to do something like that, especially with someone like me. Don''t y cecldess?


    jason swallowed thickly, not knowing what was happening as the other three people in the room stared at the CEO with shack in their eye "Florence?" Leonica called, catching the other female off guard, "is your boss crazy?"


    Florence remained silent at the question, not because she was too afraid to answer, but rather because even she didn''t know the answer to the question


    I mean, who kisses someone they just met out of nowhere? Love at first sight aside, only a mad man would kissady to jog her memory.


    Wait a minute, Florence thought, narrowing her eyes, what did her boss mean by jogging Leonica''s memory?

 Chapter 173

    Had these two met before?


    Leonica sighed, and tumed to the male. "You, what''s your name?"


    He shed her a small smile and answered. "Jamil Vanadas."


    The name called effortlessly off his tongue that to the others present, it meant nothing, but to Leonica, who was currently trying her best to keep her expression neutral it meant everything. She knew himm


    Who wouldn''t recognize the face of their high school bully. The one person who, along with his goons, had nearly made life a living bell, despite all the authority and riches she had thanks to her family name,


    -


    "you, she began, pointing at Jaxson and Florence. "And you, get out she ordered, eaming a look of confusion from the two.


    "det out." She repeated, "Unless you want to stay and watch as your boss makes a fool of himself."


    The stranger, Jamil, as he was now known as, chuckled and turned towards his two employees "Leave" Hemanded.


    When Flocence and Jason, Florence especially, showed signs of hesitation, the smile on his lipspletely disappeared. "Stay if you want the first thing you see tomorrow inorning to bey off letter." Hearing this, they didn''t dare utter a single word and quickly left, leaving Jamil and Leonica alone in the office.


    "what the hell are you doing here, Vanadas? Leonica asted as she crossed her arms, eyes never leaving the man in front of her.


    "Wow," Heughed. "You still hate me, don''t you."


    "Of course, I do. What type of question is that?" She retorted.


    Jamil chuckled, finding her retort funny, "ch,e on. Are you still mad about the past? You''re holding a grudge against me."


    "I have a right to. Now, tell me what you want or might as well walk your ass out my door."


    "My, aren''t we impatient," He muttered, aming an eye roll from the woman "Alright, alright I came here because I''m interested in forming a partnership with


    "No shit Sherlock." Leonica sassed. Of course shew that, she had read the meeting briefing.


    dod, now that she thinks about it, perhaps she should have declined this damn meeting


    "Tell me the real reason Vanadas: "


    Jamil sighed. "Fine." He said, stepping forward. "I''ll cut straight to the chase. I want you."


    "You" Ceonica''s expression looked stunned for a few seconds before she suddenly busted outughing. "You want me?"


    I want what we had. And that was enough to wipe the smile off Leonica''s lips as she abruptly interrupted him.


    "shut up." Her expression darkened, and she narrowed her eyes, not caring about how Jamil had thinched, "Now listen here, partnership or whatever you call it, I don''t care and I most definitely don''t want it, so you can take your proposal and show it down your damn throat. Get OUL"


    jamil remained silent as Dennica spoke, but he did manage to get her a small smile before saying "That''s the answer I expected to hear. But," he took a step forward, closing the distance in a way Leonica didn''t like but she stood her ground. "Do you think you can reject me that easily, Leonica?" She frowned. "I had my way back in high school, and have it now. I want you, and I will do anything, and I mean anything, to have you. Even if that means destroying you." "You''ve got to be kidding me." Leonica mumbled as her eyes narrowed. "Do you seriously believe you have a chance, Jamil? I was a tool in high school, I gave you a chance, not this time around. So, take yourckeys and your dari self and get the fuck our of my office. before I call security.


    *Tch," Jamil clicked his tongue. "You haven''t changed a bit, haven''t you. You''re still stubborn and you haven''t gotten rid of your pride. But that''s not a problem," He leaned forward, his lipsa lew inches away from bees, but she didn''t push him away.


    ?


    singly stared at him, waiting for limfornrique.


    "want you that way. And I''ll get you, just you wait handle and Craven walked in.


    With that, he turned around and headed for the door, but it opened before his hand could even touch the


    He paused when he saw Jamil, but unlike Leonica, he recognized the male in seconds and he wasn''t in the slightest bit pleased to see Jamil.


    Thinking that he might have yet another rival,ple with the fact that Jamil Vanadas, was the tanned sl¨¢n pretty hoy Leonica had dated back in high school, wasn''t setting well with the blonde male


    Benjamin Romero Has A Love Child


    The first ever boy Leonica had brought forme during her high school days was Jamil Variadas.


    His appearance; tall, tanned skinned, slightly rudly brown hair that entuated his popping blue eyes. The typical look for spoilt high school bullies. The look that Benjamin and Cassandra Romero, didn''t like. So of course, they weren''t big fans of the idea of him and weren''t hesitant about showing their disapproval


    At that time, Owen had just begun his second year in his school and just like Leonica''s parents, he was also against their rtionship. For his own reasons of course.


    So when word reached him a few monthster that Leonica had broken up with Jamil because of how insecure he was of her, family wealth, smartness and all, Owen was d.


    He was more than d.


    So now, stating right at the very same person he was d Leonica had gotten rid of, he wasn''t very pleased.


    Jamil however, didn''t seem to recognize Owen and simply gave him a smile, then tumed back to Leoni?a "Leonte." He called in a sing song voice, enjoying how she looked like she was about to bash his face in at that mi


    She looked more cute than deadly.


    moment.


    "I''ll be waiting for your response. But you see, in this case, then walked past him, leaving the office.


    It wouldn''t be ideal to keep me waiting for too long." Waving, he


    he turned b


    back to Owen, smiled once


    "Was that Jamil Vanadas?" Owen asked as he closed the door behind him, a frown on his face.


    Dronica nodded with a sigh. "Yeah."


    "What was he doing here?" He questioned.


    Leonica, on the other hand, wasn''t in the least bit interested in answering his question and instead, she turned away


    "Why are you here Owen? Did you forget something?" she asked in a sweet tone, behaving as it she hasn''t been the same person who looked almost about ready to murder Jamil


    Owen wasn''t having it, though. Hesew that Leonica was avoiding the subject and the ropic,


    "Why was be here, Leonica? Didn''t you guys breakup?"


    Leonica''s brows furrowed and the shot him a look "We''re not talking about this, not now, not ever." She turned her back to him. "Now, why are you here, luce


    When he heard the pet name, Owen lew it was time to drop the subject, even though he didn''t want to.From N?velDrama.Org.


    "I forgot my wallet." He said as he walked over to where he had kept it earlier on, stuffing it in his pocket.


    clips.


    When he tumed around, he carefully studied Leonica, surprising her for a second when he suddenly walked closer and wiped theer of herl


    "Your lipstick is smudged." Without waiting for her answer, he leaned in and pecked her cheek "let''s talkter, yeah?"


    With that, he turned around and walked out, not missing the heavy sigh that escaped Leonica''s lips.


    Ashe walked down the hallway, heading towards the elevator, he saw Jamil leaning on the wall, a smirk on his lips and a phone in his hands.


    "I knew you looked londa familiar. You''re that the idol, Owen Lee, Right?"


    Owen stopped, his eyes not once leaving famil''s, and he gave a single nod of his head, acknowledging him.


    "I''m a fan, well, was a fan. You lost me the moment you decided to propose to Leonica,"


    "What do you want?"


    Jamil''s smile widened and be pushed himself off the well "You and her are engaged, correct? Or is the media spreading a fake news again?"


    "It''s true "Owen answered confidently. "But you still haven''t answered my question why are you here?"


    "Let''s say. I''m a friend. A close one at that."


    Owen dido 1 look amused, in fact, he looked anything but amused and famil couldn''t help butugh


    "You''re a jealous one. Feeling threatened already, aren''t you?" He shook his head, and then continued. "You should feel threatened. Especially with me around." "You have no ce here Owen stated, his voice calm and low. "So, pet lost." Jamil shrugged. "I''ll be going soon. Except this time around, I''ll be taking Leonica with me, like I should have done so back in high school,"


    *If you think for a second that she would juste back to you just because you ask, then I suggest you rethink that."Owen retorted, his patience running out. "oh, trust me, she''ll being back, just wait. I''m not a person who gives up easily, Mr. Lee." He stepped closer, a cocky smirk on his face. "I won. In high school, was the victor. I got her. But I let her go because situations demanded so. Now that I''ve finally seen her again, I''ll make sure she''s mine. No one''s going to take her away from me, not even you


    Owen sported al lus woods. "You let her go because Situation demanded in? You were insecure all Vanadas. Which you had every right to seeing as she was and still is better than you. And no, you won''t be taking her back, Because you have no business being in her lite."Stepping forward, he added. "I''ve dealt with people like you who are always wing for her attention and look where that got me, I woll


    Jamil''s fate twitched at his words, but fur confidently said. "Well, let''s hope you''ve won for to win, not you Trust met, Mr. Lee,


    thest time, because this is yourst battle. I''m the one who''s going


    "We''ll see about that." Owen spat, tuming around and heading for the elevator, his mind not once leaving the fact that he had just found another enemy, especially luce Jamill''s words were filled with confidence.


    Jamil waited till he had left before he went down. Florence and Jaxson were waiting in the entrance for him and they both led him towards his car.


    "What happened back there, sir? Florence asked.


    "I had a little chat with Leonica." He chuckled and turned to Jaxson. "What about the thing I asked you to looltinto?"


    "Ah!" paxson quickly fumbled with his tablet before pulling a file open and handing it to him. "I found this."


    Jamil collected the tablet and read through it while Jaxson exined,


    pparently, Benjamin Romero had been in a rtionship with some low ssdy before he married his current wite, Cassandra,


    "Hmmm. "Tamil nodded his head, still reading.

 Chapter 174

    But they were never able to get mamed. Thedy in question, her name was Alicia, she passed away in a car crash about six years ago. However, twenty four years prior to her death, she gave birth to a baby girl" paxson paused, allowing his words to sink in. "A baby pid?" He asked, his mind already forming a picture of what Jaxson was telling him chuckling, he said, "You mean to tell me The righteous Benjamin Romero, hava love child?"


    banon nodded his head and swiped next on the tablet, showing his boss the picture of Benjamin''s love child.


    The resemnce he could ser Jamil barked augh, a devilish glint in his eyes as he stared at the picture.


    "Jassen, " He called without looking at the male, more focused on the picture of said love child, "set up a meeting with her, I''m sure she''s be more than d to koorw she has a nici father like Benjamin Romem."


    Time''s Ticking


    Trete sat in the farentofacate, picking on her nails as the impatiently waited for someone to atrIVE.


    After a few simites, she sighed loudly and shook her head, cursing at herself interally over the fact that she had actually chosen to meet a total stranger becaus they said they had crcial Information rting to her father


    Her father, just the thought of the man she had not known for her entire thirty years of life hmught a sour taste to liene''s mouth


    But why did she care so much about him. He had disappeared even before she was born and her mother, when she had been alive, had always told her the story of how her father had abandoned them both, choosing to many arich heiress instead.


    ab cene considered him an ungrateful bastard, and still does, an why show up today? Well it was obvious, she wanted to find that nich son of a bitch and min his life. scatter his family like he had chosen to hers.


    Trene was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of someone pulling the chair in front of her open


    "apologize if I kept you waiting." The handsome stranger flushed her a sulle as he slipped into the chair. Hishlur eyes scanned her for a few seconds before he added, "The resemnce really is apparent."


    tiene shrugged his woods off. "And you are?


    "Jamil Vanadas," He extended his hand, awaiting a handshake that never came. Calmly, he withdrew hisnd. "One of my employer contarted you, saving he bud crucial information conceming your father You''re interested in finding bin, right? I can help with that, for a price of course


    "Crucial information, price and all, none of that matters as long as I saven''t seen prove. Where''s the evidence that you know who my father."


    Jamil smiled at this and he pulled out a small brown envelope from his salt pocket. "Here''s your proof." He said, handing the envelope to liet.


    She took it and pulled out a few old loolding pictures of a woman who she recognized to be her mother, clinging happily onto the arm of a man who was smiling brightly, and judging by how happy the two of them looked, trene knew the man was her father "These were taken about thirty two years ago."


    "so what?" She spat, forcefully showing the picture back into the envelope and fixing Jamil with a stemlook "All this proves is that he and my mother were an item. For all we know, my mother could have met someone else."


    "You''re a pessimist," Jamal chuckled. I don''t me you, thoughs. It must be tough not lowing your father."


    she retorted vehemently infact, 1 consider myself luclg. Not knowing a bastard like him has been a pleasure."


    Jamilughed at her words as it reminded him a lot of a critain someone he had visited two days ago. "Yeah, the resemnce sure is there."


    Trene sighed, her impatience growing by the second. "Why the fuck did I even listen to some bullshit said over the phone?" she muttered and stood up. "It''s obvious you don''t know what you''re saying So, I''ll take my leave."


    Jamal raised his hand before she could leave. "Hold on, I sew you wouldn''t believe me so easily." He suddenly pulled out a transparent zip back. "So how about a DNA best to conclude it all."


    "DNA test?" she asked as she eyed the bag suspiciously. "How do you n on getting his DNA sample


    "Not hem." Jamil mused. When irene gave a look filled withconfusion, he added. "Well, let''s just say your dearest daddy started a new family, quite the happy one, must say, and you see, from that happy family, you have what they call siblings. And I happen to be..." He paused, looking for the right words before he continued "Infatuated with one of them. She''s the reason I''m doing this. So you see, getting a DNA sample from her to conduct the test wouldn''t be hard


    "So, if you''d please, alof your sale." Jamil added as he pulled the transparent zip bag open, waiting eagerly for trene to drop in a lock of hair.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Irene however, hesitated. Was this really safe? She thought, afterall, giving a handsome creep a locket your hair wasn''t the safest thing to do out there


    But the need to confirm or deny if the man in those photos was her father outweighed the risk, and she did as told, pulling a single locks off and dropping it into the zip bag. "Thank you. "Jamil shed her another channing smile, one she didn''t return and he stuffed the envelope back into his packet, then stood up. "I''ll contact you in two days." Ashe tumed to leave, lene asked. "Why are you doing this?"


    "Didn''t I tell you," Jamil said as he stopped and nced over his shoulder "A sibling of yours happened to catch my eyes and the only way Lean love her is to ruin This happy family of her, break down everything she had ever struggled to protect, that way, she''de rating to me, begging that I help her. And when that times, I''ll dly do so."


    frene''s face twitched ufortably. at his words. "What the hell is wrong


    cong with you?" she couldn''t hel


    help bon askatter he was done spealing.


    Sure, she wanted to make her father pay, and surprise sumpsise, she had a valid reason behind it, not this dude, Jamil Vanadas or whatever his name was, seesned Like crazy psycho


    Destroying someone''s prace home all be of a sick infatuation


    Alfer question, Jamil answered with a smile. "Love makes you do crazy things."


    with that, he tumed back and left, leaving bene alone with her thoughts.


    What a creep she thought as she picked up her pause and headed out.


    It was around the same time at the next day, Lronica was hard at work in her office. She was cuently signing of a contract when there was a knock on the


    "Come in." She called, her eyes still trained on the paper.


    When the door opened, her assistant, Kennedy entered.


    "There''s some


    someone here to see you Ms. Romero," He informed and she nodded her head.


    Send them in


    Kennedy nodded and stepped aside, allowing.


    g the guest, to enter the office.


    Leonica had been so busy with the contract, that she didn''t bother to nce at the person "Leonica, Hi."


    person who entered, not until they spole.


    Her head snapped up at the sound of Jamil''s voice. He shed her a smile the moment their eyes met. She nced at Kennedy at this and the assistant, as if realizing his mistake, quickly bowed.


    "The guts you have to return here, Vanaday." She spat


    "Is that how you greet an old friend, Leonica?"


    "Old friend?" Leonicaughed. "The audacity you have. Get out. I''m not in the mood to deal with you. She turned her attention back to the papers she had been signing, only raising her gaze at the sound of Jamil''s approaching footsteps.


    He stopped in front of her desk and shamelessly leaned on it. "You still haven''t cropped that hostile attitude of yourself."


    your ass out of my


    "I''m only hostile towards people I dim enemies. Now," Leonica put downher pen, a bored expression on her face as she looked up at him. "Get your hospital before 1 have security throw you out."


    "Same old threat." Jamil chuclded as he reached forward and suddenly ran his tinger through her hair. He took a second to enjoy the feeling of her hair, before pulling back. "But fear not, I didn''te here for that. And since it seems like you still don''t have an answer to my request, I''ll leave. But remember what I said Leonica, it''s not good to make me wait Time''s ticking"


    Leonica narrowed her eyes at his audacious words. Was he threatening her?


    "And if I still refuse?" She asked,


    Jamus stopped to think of an answer even though he didn''t need to, but just decided to be dramatic. After a few seconds, he answered with a bright smile. "You''ll regret it."


    Ruining The Romero Family


    "You''ll regret it."


    Leonica thought about famil''s words as she sat in front of her vanity miror, taking off her make up for the day


    But no matter the number of times she thought about it, Lronica really couldn''t tell what he meant Anobilous blut, she thought,


    He had always been a person who liked to boast, especially when he knew he believed he had a trump card ur two


    Jamill, even back in high school, had been a confident one, be always acted as if he was better than everyone else, even if he wasn''t, which was the case for Leonira and as soon as he malized that, thetronce happy rtionship weel snaf,


    He med her for people looking down on hian, med her for being to straightforward, for having better grades, family and dress sense than him.


    And as their rtionship got more toxic, Leonica was forced to realize that even if im was a great boyfriend, his toxic and prideful side was something she couldn''t put up with.


    Then she broke up with him and that marked the beginning of the bullying, Jamil took that as his own way of getting revenge, he started off by calling hernames, insulting her, but that soomescted to the point where he got physical, all in the bid to mend what he imed to be a broken heart.


    But right before the start of college, he disappeared, transferred schools, but that didn''t quench the hatred Leonica had developed for him


    She hated him and his guts just as much.


    So when Jamil, after all those years, came back, asking her for a partnership, she didn''t think twice about refusing, not because she feared him or his threats, but rather became she didn''t want any business with him, didn''t want him anywhere near her.


    But yet, bere he was, back with his threats, all because he wanted that very same Rtionship be destroyed.


    Lennica scoffed at the thought, she''d never give him that chance, post lilie Gabriel, he had lost a shot at her heart.


    Speaking of Gabel, Leonica''s mind dashed back to their encounter at the hospital and she recalled that a long with Ashley, she had to show up for their weekend hang out.


    H


    "Great," she muttered wealdy with a sigh as she trashed her used malup wipes "1 already have one fish on my te, why not throw another one in."


    She didn''t want to show up, she didn''t want to meet Gabriel, not when she had a lot going on and thest thing she needed was a headache.


    (wasab


    And she was certain Gabriel would be one, after all, he had been just that before he lost his memories,


    Memories, she thought as she slipped under the covers of her bed, wondering when or if he was ever going to get them back


    Not that it concerned her, right now, she had other things to think about Ashley was one of them, the most important in fact and then there was her rtionship with Owen, it was second important to Ashley. After that, Gabriel followed and Jamil, he was the least of her problem.


    But despite that fact, a voice in the back of her mind couldn''t help but war her to be careful of Jamil, as she drifted asleep.


    so when she had go


    Two days for trene felt like an entire week, so when she had gotten the call from Jamil, telling her that he had gotten the results for the DNA test, she didn''t waste a single minute and rushed down to the cate


    dno time and took a seat in front of him.


    Jamil was already seated in the same spot as thest time and she wasted no


    "The result, where is it?" She asked eagerly.


    "Calm down." Jamil chuckled: "I have it here." He fished around his suit pocket, pulling out a brown envelope, and handing it over to her.


    As expected, I tore at the cover, desperate to get to the white paper inside which contained the information she needed.


    And the moment she saw it, the percent reading 99.99%, her eyes widened, only to narrow secondster as she spotted the name of her supposed father.


    "My dad is Benjamin Romero?" Her question was filled with disbelief and the nced at Jamil for answers.


    "Oh, did I forget to mention that?" Jamil questioned, frigning innocence. "Well, yeah, that old man is your father. Congrattions." He joyfully announced, but Irene''s face was far from joyful.


    In the few seconds that famil had confirmed the identity of her father and the seconds it took her brain to rey theirst conversation, trene connected several dots.


    "Then_my sister, is the -?"


    Jamil mimicked the sound of a ringing bell with his lips. "Connect! Your sister is Leonica Romero."


    Irene''s facepletely fell.


    "What? Wasn''t the resemnce obvious?" Jamil imorteil.


    "That woman is my half sister?" trene shouted


    "Yup," Jansil confirmed. "But that aside, you know Leone?"


    Irene cringed at the nickname "Who doesn''t? That bich bad in the mussion to ruin early everyone''s life, mine included!"


    you hate her?" Jaanil interpreted her words in simpler tems" "And you''re willing to pull her down, making her pay for malning you such a pathetic soul?" Chich, Irene thought, but choses ignore the obvious insult. "Ofme Twould, butst frbecked, the bitcit''s untouchable. As much as i hate to admit it."

 Chapter 175

    "Untouchable?


    "Yeah. Haven''t you seen what she did to her uncle? It''s huge news."


    "Of course it is. But that''s not a problem, because unlike Rodrigo Romero, I''m not just using strategies, I''m also using my brain." Jamil tapped on his temple to. emphasize his words. *Brain or strategy, one of that makes you any different from That fool if you''re going to get caught."


    "But I''m not!" Jamal quickly interjected, a wide smile on his lips. "You see, the mistake Rodrigo made was that he went for the big fish. He wanted to quickly make his way to the top. Unlike him, we''re going to do things slow but swift. Rather than going after Romero Empire that is now out of Benjamin''s hands, we''d go for his other enterprises, the smaller ones. From there, we''d win his clients favors and soon, we''d have enough backing to ruin and buy Romero Empire. We''d y her exact game, except this time around, we''d be more nithless. When all that is done, we''d simply paint Leonica red and have her name taken off the family register, making sure she has ess to nothing and when we''ve officially ruined her, she''de begging."


    Jamil exined, the look in his eyes growing more and more crazy by the minute.


    1 pederne out and for a second, she pitied Leonica.


    "From the way I see it, this is only benefit you. Where do I get my fun."


    Jamil chuckled "Don''t you worry, you''ll get your fun. When the timees, not only would you be able to take revenge on your half sister, you''d also have the proving to get revenge on the women who had stolen your father away from your mother. And along with all that woulde a great reward." He smiled deviously at the end


    Irene, however, wasn''t interested in whatever reward jamil had in mind, all she cared about was the fact that the one person she had hated since growing on, Cassandra Romero, was finally about to suffer the justice she deserved.


    ch, and not go forget her lovely half sister Leonica had frustrated her so much in the short period they knew themselves. From stealing Arvan''s heart away, to stealing herr spot in Daisy''s life, then there was the fact that she was her father''s favorite, and the list was endless


    So yeah, this was her chance, the only opportunity she''d get to finally get rid of the people who bring her so much frustration


    Lin" She dered, a wicked smile on het like.


    Jamil matched her wicked smile, his blue eyes shining brightly.


    "ut nurse you are. You didn''t have a choice to begin with "Bringing his hand forward, he offered a hand shale which trene dly epted. "I look forward to mining the Homeen family with you, Jane Rosewood Romero Stares And Whispers.


    ontstri than brotica Liked and even though she pueleized to stay in bed and rest away. getting brady when it was approaching the set time fut she and Mhley''s hung out with Gabriel


    Ashley modifie


    sodie, paiting it up with ck leggings and a pair of sandals, her hair pulled back to a penstall, leaning


    pu stranuts lomme, framing


    done when Ashley bounced into her room, looking happy and energetic mommy!" He greeted with a gummy smule, hopping het leg once he got close enough


    tic about the day ahead


    today)


    mza retumed his greeting with a smile of her own "Are you ready to hang out with dad shead and Leonica couldn''t help but shuckle "d to hear that." she said and tumed to pick up her phone when Ashley pulled on her sleeves, thet attention, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue ne


    12a Drotica asked, a bit confused about why he was giving her the ne.


    lev answered and held up the need any


    Leonice down so that they were on the same level and took the necidace from him, her eyes scanning over the simple yet pretty chami:


    "This is beautiful darling, where did you get?


    "Aunt Anastasia bought for me." He answered with yet another boothy smile


    Anastasia did? Legnica thought as she looked the ne''s design over once more. No wi


    step it seemed so familiar.


    "Aune Anesta said could give it to the person 1 cherish." Ashley added. "And Lebensh mammy the most!"


    Hearing this warmed Leonica''s heart and she smiled gleefully, giving him a peckon the cheek to show how much she appreciated his gesture. "Thank you darling." "You''re wee, mommy." Ashley responded and hugged her When they pulled apart, Leonica offered. "How about you help me out it on?"


    hijay''s smije grew wider than Leonica had ever seen. It almost looked as it she had uttered the exact words he wished for


    Smiling, she named:


    back to him, allowing him ess to the nape of her neck


    After a few seconds, she felt the chain rest against her neck and when she named back, she saw a proud look in his ves


    "You look gorgeous, mommy."


    Thank you." She thanked, patting his head gently. "Now let''s go.


    By the time Leonica and Ashley arrived at the location Gabriel had texted a new amusement park situated in the heart of Oslo, he was already there, waiting for


    them


    Seeing him, Ashley rushed to him, excitedly calling his name which had him tuming towards them.


    He was in a simple white t-shirt and ck jeans, a casual look but still attractive nheless.


    When he saw Leonica, dressed casually rather than her office, elegant wears, he couldn''t help but admire how she still looked like the most unique being present. "You''re early." Leonica greeted him as she walked over, Ashley by her side. belga a slight pod wanted to see if it was okay or not." Tuming to Ashley, who he effortlessly swooped off his teet and into his arms, he asked. "Do you like it buddy?"


    Astley looked between his mother and father and a bright smile settled on his lips "1 like it!"


    The idea of his mother and father being together had him jumping with joy, and just imagining that for today, they were one happy andplete family going on a tun tale, had him ecstatic


    "led to bear that." Gabriel returned the mile, his eyes ncing at Leonica, who was also smiling-


    she noticed his gaze and she averted bers, looking at the amusement parkFrom N?velDrama.Org.


    After theirst encounter at the hospital, it was clear that she had gone backto bring awkward around him.


    Had he pushed his luck too fa


    "I haven''t been to an amusement parkin a while, she said, changing the topic


    Neither have 1. dabnel admitted "Nowe on, 1 reserved cristatus


    With that, he led the way, Ashler being in the center of them both with a happy smile on his face.


    for the first few hours, they went from one attraction to the nest. The three of them, especially ashley had a lot of tun.


    Once, they stopped at a price boor and Ashley couldn''t help but be reminded for the first time he and gabriel ved something simr


    He still had one of the partures that they had then, one that he had odden from his mother and slept with every night.


    the wanted a new one And he wantedius mother to be in this one.


    "Mommy, I want to y." He dered as he pulled Leonea towards the stall, Gabriel following.


    "Alright." She smiled and looked at the pales. "How about we try to get a bear?"


    "Ubbuh "Ashley nodded and she picked up the toy pull


    Angling the gun, she found it feeling weird in her prip. It was obvious the


    had never yed one of thinse games, she had a hard time getting used to in


    had been designed to be easy for children to use, but for her, a grown woman who


    "Need some help?" she beard Gabriel''s voice and felt his warmth as he moved behind her, his hands guiding hers. "Holding it like this is best." He added.


    "okay." Leonicamumbled, feeling a bit awkward with their proximity


    She could feel his chest against her back and the warmth his body radiated, the warmth his breath on her skin gave her and for a second, she couldn''t focus, her aim thrown off and she ended up missing the target. "That''s not good mommy." Ashley shook his head, while Gabriel decided to take a step back, giving her much needed spare.


    "Sorry," She apologized, feeling slightly embarrassed.

 Chapter 176

    "Don''t worry." Gabriel said. "You''ll get it the next time."


    Leonica didn''t give any form of reaction to his words and focused on hitting the target and that she did. ""Mommy got it!" Ashley cheered.


    "I did."


    "Leonicaughed.


    "Now you have to do it two more times.


    "That I can do."


    And sure enough, she did it.


    "We did it." She announced.


    knew mommy could do it."


    Leonica smiled. "Now, which one would you like."


    Ashley pointed at the tall white Bear stuffy and the stall manager wasted no time in plucking it off the shelt.


    "Congrattions ma''am," He said as he handed it to Leonica. "You and your husband are the first ones to win a price today."


    At his words, Leonica telt a defensive side of hering up and she stuttered. "He-he''s not my


    "Thank you." Gabriel interrupted her, talding the bear and handing it over to Ashley, who dly took it.


    "Thank you." Ashley thanked and hugged the bear


    "You''re wee." The stall manager offered them a wave. "And I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here."


    Gabriel and Leonica exchanged a look before he led the way,


    The next few hours were spent on the rides, and they all had a great time, even Leonica gradually became more rxed around Gabriel.


    At some point, Ashley became tired and they had to seat by a river view to allow him nest.


    As they chose a spot, some couple other people present nced their way, whispering incoherent words while Obviously pointing at them. Leonica didn''t like that.


    "I guess here''s okay. "The sound of Gabriel''s voice had her looking away.


    He set Ashley down, the young boy''s face flushed from the running around he had done, the exhaustion evident on his face.


    "You really exhausted yourself Ash," Leonicamented as she joined them, rubbing her son''s hair.


    He offered heratoothy smile. "It was too fun, I couldn''t stop,"


    "Yeah?" she mused, watching as Ashley shot up the next second at the sound of an ice cream truck


    He stared hard at It before asking. "Can I mommy?"


    Leonica nced at the distance, it was less than five feet away. "Sure, let''s go."


    As she tried to stand up, Ashley stopped her, "No!1-1''ll go alone!"


    Leonica''s brows dipped, "What?"


    Without answering his mother''s


    question, Asidey turned to Gabriel and stretched his hand out "Daddy, please give me some money, Gabriel hesitated, ncing at Leonica for a second before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a ten dor bill


    "You sure you want to go alone?" He cautiously asked, earning a vehement nod from the child. "Alright, just be careful and be back here, fast." "yes daddy!" Ashley said as he took the money and rushed in the direction of the cream truck "Don''t pun, Ashley!" Leonica called out to him.


    She watched him for a seconds before her attention was once againcaptured by the people staring and discussing amongst themselves.


    The mute the tard, the more abnusmal it pot. Normally, she was used to people staring at talking, but this, this was something Something wrong, she could tell by the look in their eyes.


    "Hey, yonakay?" (tabulel schispeted, gently tugpbig an berlinger to get bur attention


    Without taking her eyesoft hertest targets, she answered.


    Kubriel followed her gare and he too soon I


    Was it because they wear together?


    People knew all about Leonica and Owen''sttionship. It was led topic, sa prihaps seeing her with him was.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Misleading then, maybe?


    Ali, what if a scandal were in originate from this?


    Leonk¨®w and tweg''s rtionship was same have a fall buscause of 11, list as tengit¨ª


    The dider''t want to win Leonica''s heart by going low and creating a misunderstanding in fire current rtionship and be sure as hell didn''t want to see het hout from nald Miamuleistanding.


    "I think we should leave," He said alles jeteling to peaks at his watch. "It''s getting quitete and with winter approaching, it isn''t advisable for Ashley to stay


    Leonica found pavan in his wo


    wunds. They indeed needed to leave, not because of the growing states, but buscause of Ashley


    Peeling her paze away from the


    She took it and lie pulled her ups, a little to hand They were injkat


    Lenica was the first one to leak the silence floatd descrded ontheim.


    I


    hand for naise her p


    "Thank you," Her voice was ameie isper as she stepped back and wiped her hand on her trousers, finding them more moist tha She didn''t wait for his response atal intral, cattentiisicondurr son, whheading towards them with a popsicle in hand.


    "Meniny, daddy, Thought it the announced luppilly more in front


    than they should be


    Leonica smiled. "That''s good" she nokluster hand,e on ow, let''s go to a diffeteist ce." Ashley looked between his mother and Gabel, who offeredma convincing, sanile. "Let''s go Adj #1) "Alright."


    Alter die agreed, Lennica began leading them towards the exit, however bumpeddders with some "Ali, Lapologize." The individual who had beennd tos plooie, stopped to. Lesnica questioned in confusa, rifting ber head to examine the person sealing "Have we met before?"


    "Myfamily


    The males face flushed at her action "We sent in hortore, but you''re partly popr, Everyone''s talking about your family news, Temuita was eyesi mape contused.


    Seeing the lookof uncertaintyontestare, the


    erasked. "Are younat Leonica Romero


    Brdope Lennozaruld espneel, Gabriel stepped prutertively hirside lien, "WILE''San


    o apologize, Init


    tipon looking at the fu


    person he had bumped into, his brows Lurrowed.


    who waster simpi?ved to see him look at Lengia willia soltes expression "Is everything; alright, Leonica?"


    on here?" He asked in an intima, slightly scating th


    V-yeah diut," she was now.calous "Ward you mean by ''news about my familly?"


    She asked and the stranger didn''t hesitate to raise his ne, showing Trendca the article he had just beriteading


    the


    e stranger,


    A lisa secondster, a wave of shock and confusion wasted over her when she read the Article''s headings, which were written in bald letters, "SCANDAL UNTOLDA HETIRED JUSINESS MOGUL''S SECRET LOVE CHILD SHOCKS THE NATION!" Unsettling News.


    "Is this true! The stranger asked, ncing from Leonica, who hail a neutral expression at her face despite the wave of conturion paning phone which still had the article open on disy.


    ak innode, and his


    "I mean, you don''t have to make an official statement or anything like that know how vounch people are, reputation and all, but - "That''s enough," Gabalel internipted him, pushing the phone away from Leanica''s path of view. "It''s very rude to question someone over a falsely written article.


    cer setacted. "Well, how can you so for me that it''s false? The stranger


    "And who are you to say it was written based on true facts?" Leonica asked, finally regaining herposure after the tabloid she had read


    What a load of bullshit, she thought as she shook her head, people sure were thirsty for her family''s downtall to have enough time to create a bullocks rumor like


    this.


    But then again, she shouldn''t be surprised, it was expected


    "I''m just saying-"


    "Nothing." Leonica shot him a ce, causing him to shrink back and step away, then she sinkled "Please learn to mind your own business from now on


    With that, she turned around and picked Ashley up, not failing to notice the way a couple other people looked at her once they recognized her. Some even pointed and whispered.


    Now it was really starting to make herfeel ufortable.


    "Let''s go Ashley," she said and walled away from the stranger, Gabriel following along


    The atmosphere was filled with silence until they had reached the parking lot and Gabriel was the one who broke the silence


    "Leonica," He called out as he gently held her waist and pulled her in the opposite direction of her car. "I''ll do you guys home. He added upon seeing the look of confusion that gathered across her face.


    "No, that won''t be necessary" she rejected without a second thought. "Thanks for the offer though."


    In normal cases, Gabriel would have backed off, allowing Leonica to walk away, have her way, but not today.


    Today was different because he could tell how unfocused she was. The way her eyes seemed to flicker back and forth, the way her fingers twitched, the way her lips, he could tell she was over thinking, probably trying to make heads of the article she had seen along with those people''s states: No matter how unique Leonica is, she was just like every other elite, caring greatly about her family''s reputation and an article like leave a temporary dent


    He could tell she was feeling unsettled.

 Chapter 177

    So, rather than allow her to drive home with her mind cloaded, most likely put her, along with Ashley in danger, he held her tighter. "Tinsist." He stated and continued leading the way to his car


    "Really, there''s no need." Leonica said.


    "But I''m taking you".


    "I have my own car


    "I''ll return it tomorrow." He pulled open the passenger door to his car after unlocking in. "Just let me drive you home, okay?"


    e that true or false, was sure to


    Leonica was conflicted. A part of her wanted to reject him and go home with her own car, while another part of her was too tired to argue.


    "Fine," She eventually agreed and ced Ashley in the back seat, before settling in the passenger seat.


    As soon as they were buckded up, he started the engine and they drove off, the silence between them remaining the same.


    However, Gabriel was the one who decided to breaki


    "Do you want to talk about it?


    "Talk about what?" Leonica askord in a nonchnt manner.


    Gabriel shrugged. "The article, or even the states."


    "I''d rather not." She ceplied, not once tuming to look at him.


    cabriel took note of the coldness in her voice, it was the same tone she had used each time she intended to put a wall up


    A sign that she was feeling uneasy, that she didn''t want to let him or ampone in


    Gabriel respected that and chose to remain silent for the rest of the ride.


    By the time they arrived at Leonica''s ce, Ashley had already dosed off, his bear clutched tightly against his cheat,


    Leonica didn''t bother waking him. She scooped him out of his seat, being careful not to wake him and stopped out the car, only to find that tabel had joined her "You don''t have to walk me to the door." She informed him, watching as he packeted the lees to his ca


    She was about to say something else when the design on Galitiet''s loychain caught her attention.


    It was a forget-me-not flower, the very same one Ashley had given be to give matter the fire incident The exact same symbol that was on her ne


    Her eyes went to Ashley''s sleeping, form and she sighed "a, clever chili."


    Using News


    But could she really me him? Every child wanted their parent together.


    "Thanks for the drive home." Leonica spoke, turning her attention back to Gabriel, who offered a slight no.


    "Don''t worry about it." He looked like he was about to say something more, but opted against it, cuffling Ashley''s hair instead, before he bid then goodbye and walked away.


    Leonica went inside after that, ced Ashley in his bed and went to get herself a drink, throughout which her brain reyed the article she had read and soon, she had pulled her phone out and began browsing the different type of articles based on what she had read, As expected, they were all about the same thing.


    But it wasn''t what had her worried.


    No, she was worried because she didn''t know where or who begun it. Was this another stunt to bring her family down, or was


    she shook her head. No, thing like that was not healthy.


    She wasn''t going to assume the worse just yet. And hopefully, her mother wouldn''t.


    Putting her phone down, she decided it was time for a shower. Perhaps she could call Owen, after all, his voice always had a way to calm her down


    Three hundred and fifty two thousand views in less than a day


    Irene smirked at the numbers written underneath the article that would soon bring about the end of her so-called Father''s demise,


    "Looks like the media is having a field day with this," Jamilmented from where he sat, his eyes glued to his phone as he too monitored thement section. I told you this was the right move" "yeah," trene replied, not once tearing her eyes off her screen. "We need to spread more rumors, so that when we officially release the news, Benjamin would have no other choice but toe clean." "And when he does, he''d have no other choice than to ept you into the family. That''s when the


    real work begins."


    "Yes," Irene nodded, a smile on her face as the thought of raining her bastard of a father and the rest of his family became even more exciting "can''t wait."


    Jamil mirrored ber smile which grew more after he spotted onement.


    Crazy news, but it has to be true, after all, I just ramin anymore than this news would.


    Leonica Romero and she seemed tongue tied. Probably doesn''t want to ruin the reputation of her family


    He chuckled after reading thement "Looks like this is going to be easter than expected."


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    im


    Father''s Love Clubl, What is Her Nane?


    rassic woke up the next day to the sexeshet lie phone tembling banden her beddide stoel. She groaned and toned on her side, blindly searching for the vibrating device mind she teamdil Without looking, she wipedanthe awesom, at least hoped she did and pressed it to her rat.


    "Leo." Henegesimally opened at the sound of her father''s voice and she pulled the phone away from her ear for a few seconds to nce at the caller ID.


    it was todend her father. Why waste siddeadly calling her!


    "Father, why are you calling seathe in the moming?" she asked, nobbing her eyes to aid the sleepiness, while she nced at the time,


    It was just beniminniespost seven, quite eatly father to be wake on a sudaw morning.


    "Come home besonica, there''s something important we need to decus. Benua answers, his voter sounding stren


    "something important?" She repeated, hechoows kaming together. It waster a few seconds that something clicked in her heal and she recalled the article that stager had shmushet vestenby, that along with the now me she had real was the feeling? -


    ","She wased, already getting of bed oose it had reached the eyes of her father. What about her mother? Had she seen them? How was the Certainly, Just give me a little time, I''ll be there sieht away."


    the line went dead after that. Leonica?ouldn''t even bring herself to town. She knew how hates behave in serious situations, never being his usual sweet self Bot that begged the question, what was so serious about a false tabloid?" Diwas it perhaps something else?


    macbe the tablebl wasn''t take:


    Lennica teli abitter taste glide down the back at her throat at the thought. Thit it wasn''t because she didn''t want to embrace the idea of having an additional shling, sone, that was hund, but not as hand as imagining what her mother would feel.


    She knew the feeling of betrayal from your spouse all too well. And just as well, she remembered how she had felt when Angeline informed her of her pregnancy back at the amusement parki


    World her mother teel the


    presentable.


    way? Leonica''s heart clenched at the thought, prompting her to increase the speed in which she applied in getting herself to look


    By the time she arrived at the family house, it was quarter past nine. She was greeted by n who led her to where the rest of the family had been gathered, the main living room


    "Leonica, "Melvin was the first to greet her. He stood up from where he sat beside their mother, meeting her half way


    "everything alight?" she asked, ncing from Leonando, to her father, then tusally, her mother.


    Melvin took her hand, leading her towards the spot where he had been seating "you''ve seen the articles, haven''t you?" He whispered.


    "yeah," she whispered back even though she wondered why they were whispering "is that suit this is all about? They''re fale, ateu''t they?"


    This time around, Melvin remained silent, guiding ber roseat beside thetemother.


    "please leave us, n." Benjamin finally spoke up, dismissing the butler, Dace they were alone, be began. "I''m sure you all are aware of the rumors spreading online," He paused, Eiving a few seconds gap, ananging his words carefully before he condimed. "There aur maatre versions of this, but they all point to one thing: that I have an illegitimate child."


    DDD "Father, we know that isn''t inie."Leonardo, The first one lo speakup, assured him.


    Benjamin however, answered with an amazed yet light chuckle. He really loved how his children loved and respierres him, each in their own ways.


    Unfortunately, he didn''t have enough time to fully cherish their reactions.


    "Well, unfortunately." He began, the smile on his lips long gone. "This isn''t entirely a lie "


    Leanca couldn''t bring herself to look surprised. However she was worried, about her mother who had remained silent since she walked Janked like he was struggling to get the rest of the words nut of his month


    She nced at Mehin and rounda. Unlike her, they baths looked suprised


    "Bad Thawattexnation for it,"


    nd her father who


    "An exnation, "Cassaadia spoke for the first time, mumbling under her breath before chuckling, lifelessly, "sir, exin how you got you had a child out of Wedlock


    Bindido act in his wife''s tement. He had to let her pour out her aECT SONIEWAY.


    "Years ago, before i met your mother, I was seeing a woman. She was snipense Timet through a lend, moll ssmate, and we quickly fell for one another. However, my father didn''t approve of our rtionship bocase she was from a lower background. Acoustiones, be called lier. He husisted that Timarry someone of equal status, a hrness like my self and at that time, his ideal daughter inw happened in be vant inother."


    He paused, allowing the little indentation that had been added to sk


    Lennica seemed the most interested with her father''s story. She listened intently, waiting for the moment where she could use as a detense point to her mother. "However, Insisted. I loved the woman with all my heat and was willing to do anything to be with her, including delving my father''s wishes even nume so when she revealed that she was serving owchild. And su, nned to elope with her. But sosumprisingly, my father had the entire country packed with security. We wete stopped at the bounders and bienight in. But," There was another pone in his speech.


    Benjamin''s face contaded as he remembered something unpleasant. The moment Alice mai painots, she acted differently, the sevealed her time nalime, saying that she wi money. She mere threatened to sue me in court forchild are ligener


    My father was merciful ragh to bend to her wishes. He made her sign an NDA and paid her off, making her promise mey


    then seat her bak?


    "And the baby?" Leonica asked betone she could stop heisell


    "She was meant to deliver it to alter binhing the child. But she disappeated atter her taber, along withahe dull.


    to speak a word about the family again,


    Legnica was the list to speak. "So, what do you want to do?"From N?velDrama.Org.


    Berjamtered lus daughter a smile filled with gratitude before answering. The right thing. Now that that child has grown, it''s only right to bring her home and

 Chapter 178

    "I will not allow that "Casunda objected


    i daughter of that witch would not step a foot buiny house".


    "Cassandra," Benua tried to sooth his wife but went quiet when be received a harsh te from her.


    "she will not step tool in my house. Cassanha repeated.


    "Mother, calm down." Leonica said. "Don''t get worked up over nothing:


    "Nothing?!" Cassandra repeated, taming to herughter. "How could you say this is nothing:?!!


    Lenicached at her words, soon bealizing that she had been insensitive. "Mother..."


    "I''m not angry," Cassandra ut homing to Beton. "De I will be it that child steps foot in my house. Do I make myself clear with excusing herself as she walked out of the main living room, ut, she stood up.


    have


    "knew this would happen, I would have searched hunder for her." Tenjamin shook his head, dejected with how the situation had turned out "I should he take that child away from her." He mumbled, and had fallen in love. The only mistake he had


    Leonica felt sorry for her father. Honestly, she saw no problem in what he had done, st like her, he was young an made was keeping the existence of that child securt.


    it was threatening to slip pass her lips as she patted her father on the shoulder, before


    Damn, no she had another sibling?Leonica had to suppress the sigh that proceeding to find her father, determined to calm her down.


    Soon enough, she found the blonde standing in front of the small pond in their garden, teeding the fishes, She quietly settled beside her, folding her hand at her back as she pondered her words. had spoken first.


    "I''m not angry at your father, Leonica" Her mother spoke, her words more surprising than the fact that she h Yource hot?


    Cassandra shook her head. "I''m not. Rather, I''m insecure... Inerable"


    "Wlnerable? Leoluca repeated. "Biwhy?


    Her mother hesitated for a bit before speaking. "As you know, your father and I''s mariage is an arranged marriage, it was never love at first sight and it took a while until we both developed genuine feelings for one another, so when I found out he had a child, with the woman he loved, I teated...


    she couldn''tplete the sentence, but Leonica knew what she wanted to say


    There''s nothing to fear," She reassured as she ced her hand on Cassandra''s shoulder. "I''m sure father still loves you and that he would never want


    antone else."


    Her mother offered a light smile and tumed to face the fishes agains


    silence settled between them, afortable one, but it was broken by Leonica''aous words.


    "Father''s ex mistress, who was she?"


    Cassindiastuugged. "didn''t know Alee Rosewood all that well, but="


    "Rosewood!" Leonica sears pecked up at the oddly familiar name, Cassandia nodded at the question and a feeling suddenly settled in Loorea''s stomachi "Father''s love child, what is her name? Cassandra thought for a while. "Imemberectly, he said Alice picked the name Irene. Irene Basewood,"


    Best To Get The Ball Rolling


    Irene Rosewood, huh?


    Seating infront of herptop, fingers just above her keyboard, Leonica gazed at the picture of her supposed half sister.


    It had been more than two hours since she left her family house and in those two hours, she had done numerous research on Irene, leaming all there was to know about the gld


    Exins a couple of things, she thought, analyzing the all too obvious simrities in their faces.


    it wasn''t that free had done a face lift, she simply just took after their father, who Leonica also happened to take after.


    However, that wasn''t what bothered her, what did was the fact that Irene who had remained quiet for all these years, suddenly decided to show herself.


    Was it simply a coincident? Leonica didn''t think so.


    Her reason? The articles. They all seemed too well crafted, but had one thing inmon, neither of them revealed Irene''s name, only pointing fingers at her father, calling him unjust.


    It was almost as it someone was trying to move Benjamin''s hand.


    But to do what exactly?


    Her thoughts were intrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. Leonica tore her gaze away from herptop and when she nced at her phone, seeing Owen was thecaller, she felt a sense of rxation even she didn''t know she needed. "Hey."


    "Hey," Owen''s voice filled her ears and her eyes immediately closed, rting to the sound like a luby.


    "How are you doing?" He asked, worry evident in his tone, of course he had seen the articles.


    "Better now that I''m talking to you, Leonica replied as she leaned back in her chair. "What''s up?"


    "Nothing mach, I just wanted to checkup on you. The inte''s going crazy."


    Of course he had seen the articles.


    "Of course it is," She chucdes dily at her own words. "That''s what they do best. Eat up every story they get lile big bad wolves.


    "Yeah," Owen agreed, after all, he too had experienced his fair share of the intemet. A few seconds gap passed before he asked, "You don''t need to answer, but r just want to ask, is it true?t


    Lesesca nodded, slowly. "Unfortunately,ves."


    Another wave offortable silence descended on them before Owen asked, again. "And how are you feeling about it?".


    Leonica opened her eyes at his question, narrowing her eyes in confusion. Almost as if she hasn''t expected that question. No, she hasn''t expected that question


    All day, she had been too worried about her mother and brothers reaction to even process how she felt.


    "How are you feeling about it?" Owen repeated, sounding more concerned.


    It was Leonica''s tum to be silent as she thought hard about how she felt. How did she feel about her father having a love child?


    How did the feel about having a half sister?


    How did she feel about the possibility that said half sister had started this rumor, just to destroy their family name? That said sister was someone who clearly dufn''t like her considering their previous counters?


    How did she feel about it?


    "Honestly, I''m not sure," she said, her voice soft. "I mean, I don''t hate the idea of having an additional sibling. But..." She bit her lower lip, remembering how insecure hermother had look and how guilty her father had looked. "It it means my family''s going to sutter because of that, then I don''t like the idea either." "It''s okay, you''re allowed to feel whatever you feel, Leonica. There''s no wrong or right in your case, lucemia


    "Yeah, you''re right. She chuclded lightly, "You''re always right."


    "Yeah, so you should listen to me when I tell you not to worry too much just like previous obstacles, you''ll get over this one too, I''m sure."


    "Yeah." Leonicamused with a smile. Chen weintly had a way of cheering her up.


    "And hey, if things get too serious, we can always hop on my jet and take a long vacation in my mother''s home town"


    Leonica chuckled "yeah!"


    "Yeah. But, speaking of travels." He didn''t need toplete the rest of his words,


    "Are you going somewhere? She asked.


    "The movie, one of the scenes takes ce in front of the Cologne Cathedral and the director insists that we do the it in within the real area. But I''d only be gone fot


    a few weeks. One week at tops," He stopped. "we know what, I should cancel. The director can find another male lead. I think you need me "


    "Owen," Leonica interupted him. "There''s no need to cancel."


    "Are you supe


    "Yes, I can handle myself and everything here." slie assured.


    "know, and that''s what I fear. I don''t want you taking on too much while I''m gone. I don''t want the world to change my Leonica." Leonica sanded, "Lon''t change. So don''t worry."" tem is dat


    "yeah, twill and you, focus on your family, don''tten to what the inte has to say. That way, you''lle out of this taster."


    "Yeah," she agreed, knowing well enough that it would take some time, but with collective help and understanding, her family would get over it What was amadditional figure in their family? It obviously couldn''t be that bad.


    Oh, it was that bad!


    Because the very next day she stepped foot inside her family vi to check on her mother, the first thing that greeted her ears was the sound of ss shattering followed by her mother''s loud voler.


    "1 swear to God, if you bring the daughter of that focking whore into my house I would fucking leave!" cassandra threatened.


    "Cassandra, please try and understand me." Denjamin pleaded.


    "No, you try and understand me, please." As Leonica walked into the dining area, she found her mother''s hands together


    "I can''t bear the thought of seeing her face. Please Benjamin, have mercy."


    "Mom," Leonica called, getting the attention of both her parents.


    Cassandra looked at her and upon seeing her daughter, she quickly tried to hide how distraught the whole situation was making her.


    "L¨¦o, what.what are you doing here? What about yourpany?!


    a fight had


    "I came to check up on you," Leonica nced at the wrecked dining area. The table was littered with broken tes and wasted food. It didn''t look like a broken out, rather a tantrum. "I''m d I did."


    Her mother caught her gaze and quickly tried to defend. "This... this is nothing. It''s just a little misunderstanding."


    ""Mother, please don''t lie."


    Cassandra bit her lower lip


    "I know that this is a sensitive topic and I understand how you''re feeling, but, can''t we please have an open-discussion? Father had no intentions to hurt us. He was jast afraid and-"


    "Leonica," Benjamin cut her off. "That''s enough, no need to try and defend me."


    "I''m not defending you, I''m stating the truth, don''t just stand there and allow mother think your the perpetrator in this situation." She scolded before tuming to fare her mother. "Mom, dad didn''t do anything wrong. He had the right to have a child out of wedlock. He wasn''t matted, nor did he cheat. So, let''s be more rational and have an open discussion.''


    Cassandra looked at her, then at her husband before shaking her head. "You don''t understand-


    "Then make us." Leonica interrupted


    Cassandra was silent, then sighed.


    "It''s not as simple as it seems."


    Because I''m scared." She admitted, her voice bing smal


    smaller. "What if that child ruins our family?"


    Leonica frowned. "Mother, that''s not going to happen. We as a family, we''re going to make it out of this."


    "No, no huts. We''re going to get through this together y?" Her voice became sotter at the end and Cassandra couldn''t help but feel reassured "Now," Shir nced back at her father. "How about we think of a way to solve this together?"


    As she said this, an idea suddenly came to mind.


    "What is it, Leonica?" Her mother questioned in regards to the look on her face.


    "I think I''ve found a way to save our family''s reputation while solving this mess." She nced at both her parents who still looked confused. Ah, she''d have to exinter, but for now, she felt like it was best to get the ball rolling "Away?"


    Benjaminquestioned and the undded.


    "Yes, but you have to trust me. Both of you."


    Liere didn''t answer. She was too busy staring at the house in front of her.


    she had always known what the mansion looked like it was amon thing, after all, and luxurious


    most houses that wear built within the capital werte


    always g


    The house had three levels and was designed with thetest architecture.


    I had a pool and a garden, the walls painted white.


    In a word, the house was simply amazing


    Miss Rosewood, shall we goin?" The voice of the driver who had been sent to suddenly pick her up, interrupted her thoughts and Irene turned to him, offering


    "Yes, please lead the way. The driver bowed and pulled out the small bag she had carried, pulling it towards the entrance of the V.


    He pressed a button and within seconds, the gate had been pulled open, granting them ess to the main building


    The moment they stepped through the gate, they were greeted by a couple of maids and butlers.


    They bowed before her and trene couldn''t help but wonder what made them so polite, or was it out of fear?


    Whatever the case, it didn''t matter, because seeing them all bow their beads to her made her feel a sense of superiority. Like she was bom for people to bow down


    to her.


    "Hello second madam. I hope the ride was pleasant


    "Yes, thank you." She replied.


    "Follow


    me then, sir has been expecting you.


    "I bet." She muttered as she was lead inside.


    Once inside, Irene found her self staring in awe. The ce was huge and beautiful. The interior was done with a lot of care and detail.


    she passed by a family picture in which teorica was smiling happily and she couldn''t help but frown


    That spot was supposed to belong to her. This happy y family was meant to belong to her.


    "Please have a seat,"


    she was snapped out of her thoughts by the maid''s voice and she found herself seated in the living room, alone.


    A few minutester, she heard footsteps from behind and got up to face the person, but the person she saw wasn''t who she was expecting and especially with that expression on herface. "Wee sister," Leonica said with a smile as she walked towards Irene. We''ve all been expecting you. I hope the ride was luxury enough to your liking.


    Weing The Illegitimate ChildThis content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Alew hours before Irene''s anival


    Leonica, along with her parents, we''re both gathered in Benjamin''s study. After Cossandra''s tantrum, care about that, no, rather she couldn''t bring briself to care about it at this momND? surrounding them seemed thick, but Leonica didn t


    "If you stiuly all these attides well, yourd realize that they all have one thing inmon," She exined, ming the huge television set in her fathers office as a viewing board. Her parents listeneikintently, ryes scrolling through the articles their daughter had briefing brought up, befuse contiming. "The fact that they are


    I have an ending sounding like they expect father to do something" all crafted to sound like a prompting note. This, this and ewn that,


    *No Lromita, you''re simply thinking too couch into it," Benjamin sloot his head with a sigh as he spoke. He should have known that the news would also affect Leonicathis way.


    Who wouldn''t be affected,


    "No, father," bronica objected. "I know what I''m saying. Look here," She pulled up the only article that serioed different from the ones she had readst night The article had the same contents as the previous ones, exining the situation that was happening, and as usual, not mentioning tiene''s name, but there was une thing differem about it; rather than the usual suggestive ways, it ended with these few words.


    dling matters in brutal ways, respond to this?


    "Could this be it for The Bo Family and how would tronica of the Romero family, famous for handling "This is different. The person who wrote this didn''t add any suggestive ending to it. They weren''t even focused on you."


    Once Leonica had pointed this out, het mother and father realized quieldy realized it,


    "So what are you saying? This is a nned attack to force my hand? Benjamin questioned.

 Chapter 179

    "From the looks of it, yes. And that''s where my nes in. If anyone, whoever wrote this articles, is expecting ate response from you, mother anger, internal family crisis, things like that that can act as a ton of dy, giving them the opportunity to capitalize on it," She nced between her parents as she added herst point. "So we''re going to beat them to it."


    How?" Cassandra asked.


    Leonica held up three for her fingers. Firstly, we''re going to bring Trene home-"


    Before she couldplete her words, Cassandra interrupted. "That''s got to be a joke?" II


    "Mother," Leonica gave her a stern state. "What did I ask of you earlier? To trust me, right?"


    Cassandra pressed her lips into a thin line at this, silently showing that for how, she was going to agree and watch onl


    Facing her father, she continued. "Secondly, we''re going to release a press conference, addressing the tabloids, exining that Irene now lives in the family mansion and has been epted as a Romero. However, I''d be the one speaking at the conference." "What? Dean''t allow you do that, Leonica. Benjamin rejected, not liking the fact that lie''d put Leonica in the spotlight over someone he should have handled correctly years ago.


    But Leonica had another thing in mind "Father, do you trust me? If you do, allow me do this one thing


    Of course he trusted her, but didn''t want to see her under heat for something that was his doing


    But even if he wanted to object further, the look of determination in Leonica''s eyes made it hard for him to utter another word.


    He sighed. "Alright." He agreed. "And what''s the final thing?"


    Leonica looked at her hand and smiled. "Simple, it''s waiting and see. If after all this things we''ve done, coincidental things still continue to happen, then I''d be convinced that someone''s pulling the strings and Irene, she''s just a puppet." Present time


    Leonica stood up the window of her father''s study, watching as n and a few other maids weed free into the mansion


    There''s no turning back no, she thought, stepping away from the window just as Meredith, another maid of the house came up to inform her of Irene''s arrival.


    "Thank you Meredith," She said with her usual kind smile, before proceeding to ask "Did you prepare the room 1 sloed for?"!


    The maid nodded her head. "Yes madam."


    "Thank you once again,Leonica gently patted her shoulder. "Please take care of tree while I''m not alound


    "Madam," Meredith was moved by her words. Not everyone had the heart to ept the sudden appearance of an illegitimate child, but Leonica had done just that, with open arms will do pust that."


    brenica smiled at her once again, before leaving the room and making her way downstairs, where Irene had been led to the living room.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Wee sister," she greeted the moment her eyes met Irene''s. "We''ve all been expecting you. Hope the tide was luxury enough to your lilding


    "you, what are you doing here?" trene questioned, looking irritated by her presence.


    "This is my parents house, yes?" Came Leonica''s simple answer. "Just like you, I have the right toe here.


    "Right, of course," Irene chuckled sarcastically, I should have expected this much, seeing as the world basically revolves around you."


    Leonica offered a tight tipped smile. "This is Meredith," She pointed towards thedy beside her. "She''d be taking care of you for as long as you stay here." Turning around, she beckoned, "Follow me, I''ll show you to your roomi." Irene did just that She followed the blonde she led her upstairs, ce there, they tamed night and entered a wom


    "This would be your sleeping quarters." Leonica intoned, but the moment free stepped into the said room, she couldn''t help but bell with anger. The room waspletely empty, not even a single bed was present,


    This this is a joke right ?" she turned to Leonica, but the blonde simply shook her head.


    "No, not at all. I''m sure this would suffice."


    are you just insecure that


    *Suffice?" She scuffed and stepped forward, Looking Leonica dead in the eyes. "Do you also n on making my life miserable here? the are you happened to be your half sister, that you''d stoop so low as to giving me apletely empty room?" Leonicadia''need to respond to her''s words, because Meredith had beat her to it.


    "Such insolence!" She eximed. "The miss was caring enough to ask us all to emply this room so that when youe it''d be filled with furniture to your liking. but here you are, talking as if the miss is an evil person."


    "She..she did?" Irene was taking aback and could only nce at Leonica in shock. After few seconds, her cherls sidelenly reddened, the embarrassment of how


    had jumped into conclusion, settling in


    "It''s alright, Meredith," Leonica patted the maid''s shoulder. "I''m sure this was a misunderstanding, and that my sister is just overwhelmed.


    Meredith didn''t say anything else, instead, she walked over to trene and offered her a one of a kind ck cand..


    "Here, you can manage this for now. I''ve contacted the bank and given the instructions to prepare a Visa infinite card for you, but you can use this for now. There''s enough money inthere to get you whatever furniture you''ll need." Irene stared at the card in her hands. She had never seen one before. It was a shiny metal with the word ck Card writter


    She was speechless.


    (written on it


    "Use it wisely, okay?" Leonica reminded, "Oh, and also," She paused, taking something from Meredith''s hand, it was a phone. "You''d be using this phone from nowon," She nced at the one in her hand and tsked. "As expected, the one you use can bring shame to the Romero name.


    A wave of embarassment but Irene Laster than a moving train. "How dare you..."


    Leonic ignored her as she continued. "You''r kind smile. "I''ll leave my sister in your hands, please teach her the ways of a Romero,"


    part of the Romero family now, so art more sophisticated in the future." Turning to Meredith, she offered the maid a


    Meredith bowed "Certainly, madim."


    "Good," She gave trene a look, before wallding past her and making her way out the door.


    "Breakfast is by eight, lunch by three and dinner by six. If you ever feel hungry or in need of anything, don''t hesitate to use th you time to settle in and be back."


    use the phone over there. For now, I''ll give


    With that, Meredith was gone, giving Irene the opportunity to look around the room. It was empty, but spacious and very neat.


    just thinking about all the things that she''d fill the room with was enough to excite her.


    However, her excitement didn''tst long as she recalled she had to call tamil and update him.


    Swiping open her phone, the o one which Leordra had effortlessly referred to as a disgrace, she called the male.


    "I didn''t expect you to call so soon." Jamil''s voice sounded out as soon as he answered. "Are you there?"


    "Yes, Fam nut She couldn''tplete her words as the image of Leonica''sce appeared in her head "But what?"


    "I was weed, but not by father, instead, it was by Leonica."


    §ä§Ú§â


    "Ah," Jamil mused in surprise, for the second time today. The first time was when trene called to inform him that the Romero family driver way here to picklers and now being the second time. "That''s interesting, but it hasn''t affected our ns" "No, but it in ambettling, Leonica''s sudden kindness and all"


    pamil chuckles. "You''re reading too much into it. Put your rivalry for Leonica aside, for now. The real order of business now, is getting into Benjamin''s good books, understand


    "Yes," trene mattered, not liking his words. She didn''t like the fact that she''d have to put aside her rivalry with Leonica, but he was right.


    For now, she should focus on the bigger fish, her father.


    "Father''s attention fast, Leonica ne


    bat so? Lesnica bummed as he watched me from the spy cam she had installed in her Lacking then off her phone, she pulled her earbuds out and pushed her weight off the wall she had rested on "Now," She began with a heavy sigh. "How should I deal with this without drawing her aplices attention?


    TOO. "It seems like I was right"


    Rich Egoism


    So she was right, a thought with a smirk during the cat de back bome. Trene


    Now, who would it be?


    za porem, and the real culpot must be someone dose


    she didn''t have an answer for that, but it didn''t matter, what did was the fact that the now at proof that the had been right


    the could now move on with her


    Her n, Leonica sighed as she leaned her head against the window, how many times since she came back to Norway she had to concoct a n to catch some mastermind Said minds were enposingly dull, but that dida 1 stop them from being annoyinE And Irene was going to be no differem


    Leica had no beet with her she could hold her ountable for being brought into this world, but she could hold her ountable for joining hands with


    someone to gain her family.

 Chapter 180

    which begged the gontion, w it were they actually hoping t


    To soil her father name and make him looklike an uncaring father in the eyes of the public, thus leading to the dedine of the immer family would also cause her wealth to declin


    De did they simply just want


    No, she shook her head, Not everyone was as shallow as ANGLES.


    There was something bigger to this, something even she needed to concentrate harden in other figuwitout


    Something that needed the existence of trene to be exposed. What is it?


    "Leonica groaned as she massaged bethead Damn, how she hated that they having to decipher enemies moves in other to


    Pulling out her phone, she licked a few button and dialed enervate investigator an


    The phone rangforated befowed". Romero, how can


    bowenthelp you?


    "I need you to keep an eye on somente De Dota way that cow any attention. Hernane a Irene Rosen


    The other end was left second before respondence, Mass there anything else?


    Leonce thought for a few before nodding to herself. "As a matter of fam, there is."


    The next day Irene woke up feeling horrible. As she got easy to go to the department integrumbles about how she had slept en nothing but thinyers provided by Match That was no way for them to treat the family''s first daughter


    "Good moming second madam Meredith greeted wted ibe spotted tree stepping out "Are you beadingszerbete


    prepared1-


    Irene answered without even sparing the maid nce e them prepare a ran


    Meredith ignored the age words and date was told Soo news ring towards the department store in the Masbach that had been prepared for her


    When shaved, the driverbed the door open forber. As sheText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Surely she could get used to this.


    ad find the fumiture department? Irene and the driver as she handed tom her bag


    The man simply pointed to


    1. the semind floor am


    Once there, Irene took time to browse through all the things there before couple of them


    The sales person who had been helping het was mined by the amount of things Trane wanted


    "Miss."Hebegan. "Are you bude you meant all these? The pores here at our stores are quite high."


    "Are you doubting me?" these asked, namowing bere,esar him wh ata mo ettang? do his words "Are you saying I''m poor


    The man quindy shook his head, not wanting to get in trouble with her. "19, of course not, I didn''t-


    How an


    Find the angerat


    When the driv


    nk I d be disrespected De


    stumed to bendover who was standing a linde tus ed. "You," She bed?sed him


    wales penson, finched, before rushing to do as they were told


    on the other hand old help but feel pleased by the action of the two


    The driver, along


    Irene, on the orie


    It was just a few secondster that the same


    thing he did was to ask for an renation


    frame over and after Hing the crowd that was growing because of the scene was causing the first


    "What''s going on her He questoord the mployer who silently pointed between Irene and ber stack of these things


    "Excuses, Incalled, not liking the fact that the manages didn''t address ber immediately this sales person is ride. He has been treating me dumpectfully Idunk on know I deserve an apology" w about we allow his


    **Hello, Miss, i''m sorry for my employer''s unde bebucion. He''s still new to the job and isn''t aware of how he should act with a customer. How


    actions pass and settle your "The manager was stummed when the tourd and sww all in


    "schoosing "This This is yous, ima''am


    "yes, and t''d be paying with this she pulled out the ckand Leonica had givenhet.


    The manages early choked on his saliva.


    "This.. this is ack cand. Only three percent of the world''s poption has these and yet you You''re Lapologize for my imprudence, Ma''am, please forgive trene was speechless with her eyes wide for a tew seconds, but after seeing the manager bow and show utmost respect, her lips curved into a delicious smile,


    ch, was this how the richest of the rich got theated? Was this how Leone got theated? How she was going to be tirated from now on


    If that was the case, then, this was certainly heaven.


    And oh, how she could get used to it


    "What is your now?


    "Manager Conner Ma''am" The manager, Comer, a answered with a loud voice.


    "Connot," Irene smiled devilishly as she stepped forward and raised the manager''s head. "There''s no need for you to bow, the one who made the mistake is over there" Invene swift movement, Connor''s head spun to face the employee. "You, pet over here and apologize."


    "Bur."


    "Get here, get down on your knees and apologize if you don''t want to lose your job!"


    "Ma''am," The employee quickly got down on his knees and apologized. "I''m so sorry, please, please forgive me


    After a couple minutes of begging, kene felt satisfied and as the manager dismissed the employee, the people who had been watching began to whisper.


    "Isn''t this abuse of power?"


    "Some rich people truly are disgusting.


    "The manager shouldn''t have allowed himself to be pressured." "Ma''am, please this way, let''s finish your purchase over there."


    Irene ignored the whispers of the people and followed Comor


    She was so high on the feeling of power that she failed to notice someone, Lena Rowan, holding up her plinne''s camera, videoing The moment she was gone, she ended the video and sent the entire thing to Leonica. the entire thing


    All Too Coincidental.


    Their wasakosken Gabriel''s attice door, momentarily distracting bon trom the paperwork anchis table.


    *ter," He called. The door was pushed oprit and Billy, poked his head through the rack


    *Sir, sorry for th


    tian, but I''ve got something agent for you."


    Gabel nced at the papers in his hands, before nodibine "Come in."


    the door behind him Walking towards the male''s desk, be ced a white envelope


    "A while ago ven asked me to look into the individual whom had been digging into the komein family''s part," He stopped, walling f¨¹r his best''s eraction before cordining


    sabriel, picked the envelope and opened it, pulling out the contests ust his brows arched the moment his eyesnded onthe


    "Mbahe?" He asked, looking up at Billy


    "His name is Jamil Vanadas," Billy exined. "He''s the content CEO at Herox Media anduwas several branches and subsidiaries in the Middle East of! further investigation showed that he and Ms. Honorio were quite.-rloor in high school * Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Close Asan best Intends?"


    Hesitantly, Billy shook his head. "Not exactly, but they were more than just fiends, they were well, losers,


    "Lovers?" cabusked calmly, but the look in his eyes was amthing but calm,


    "Yes, And," The assistant quickly scrambled to change the ubject before the alt became any more tenue "it is suspected that Mr. Jamillo the mademund behind the recent events."


    "How is that?" cabinei questioned, sally teasing his eyes off the photo in his hand and looking at tilly


    *Like I said earlier, Hetox Mecha owns many subsidiaries, which includes media, a few of the news articles published:


    sed recently, mere all published under 11" addresses linked to thepany.


    *Imm," Gabriel bummed as he ced the papers down. "good jobs nilly. Please tell me when you have mnie infammation -


    "Of courses." The man bowed, but before he could leave the office, Gabriel asked


    "And Doctor Bailey? Have you been keeping an eye on him?"


    "Of course, Sir, I''ve kept an eye on him as you requested."


    "Good. Be sure to inform me if he tries to teach across to Leica


    Billy hesitated in answering. He for one, wasn''t a buge fan of keeping tabs on stages phone calls, but at this point, with Gabriel''s recently weirdly developed. attitude, it was clear to him that his obedience was the only thing keeping his job intact. One wrong move and he could say goodbye to his cushy job and hello unemployment.


    So he simply nodded his head.

 Chapter 181

    Even though Leonica had been aware that something of sort was going to happen, she found handling the press''s constant interview invites, media''s curelenting probing in her life and everyday watchful eyes, more moving than she had thought.


    If anything, she could tell her father was having at the worst, not knowing how much his family and family name would be atlected after this whole thing was OVET He had been getting a lot of calls and letters, some from the shareholders of his other businesses, souse But not once did he show how affected he was, because his family, his children, wer his just priority


    As for Cassandra, the woman was quiet, keeping everything inside while emitoring Irene''s every step in the house


    to think et, namely,


    It was safe to say the illegitimate child was walling on eggshells her very own home that it was like Leonica caned, she had other things to the the press conference she was currently getting ready for "Here madam, this looks great on you


    "Thank you." Leonica gave her the same tight tipped smile as thedy finished the final touches to her hat, The Lady had done a good job, she noted as she caught. he reflection arenss the mirror. Her har had beenbed tillit shined and her malipo was past as peitteet.


    She looked wless, and that was a plus for the interview she was about to build


    *Thank you, Annx " Leonica thanked the makemp antists which had been led by Kennedy, who gave her a gentle smile


    I should be thanking you, madun It was anhener todo your makeups!!


    Leonica retained the selle "Please, the honor is all imine =


    A knockwasheand at the door and Kennedy, who was waiting enssle the mom, entered


    Lants in Frer tantes." He informed.


    "Doderabund, Thank you, Kemirdy"


    cination onest tiem, before psosling herchais ka


    "Good back, mudan," Amated as Lemnica walked towards the door


    "know," the replied with a soft


    Axexpected, the conferre Hall washnoring with reporters the moment de depped in. She took a deep breath, wealying herself, before making her way in the podium *Hellreveryone, thank you all foring


    At the sounded her voice, the mom became dead silent and everyone''s attention was turner


    -"Leonica pained, letting the tension grew, before continuing "Aryanary alimardy korom,


    on the behalf of my family, texlear upavimany things as possible concerning the clerting CUMMER.


    She looked around the poem, making rye contact with as many people as possibile.


    *The truth is, bene Bosewood is indeed,


    The silence was intenspted bezepsand?


    inst daughter of the Homeen familyTM


    uns, but Leonica paid them no mind the kept her mist straight, sticking to the sept she had taken alt might toBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Leur Bosewood was a child bomsout of wedlock, out of my father''s previous love affair, but that''s not en say that we won''t wee Berindo perfamily Infact, as I speak, she''s ahrady settled into one family''s home. We''re trying our best to make lies feel weed and counfortable :


    Kiepotter mise his hand. "Doesn''t the second madan''s preserve affect the family in anyway? After all, isn''t it hard to ept the sudden appeterent


    Lica chuckled and shook her head. "Tous, she isn''t a stranger. Ever since learning of heresatrice, Dee Taken Terne


    copter E''ve always wished to be


    about how bronica shoudit be the


    An obvious lie, but of course the press didn''t louw this and they happily pobbled up her answer, divrinsing among standard fut anston LL


    Less than a few seconds had gone by when mother reporter rose her hand Optow is the first madam acting to the sudden pratance of a liver thalid?


    Leica didn''t even hesitate to respond. "My mother was a litle shocked at test, but she ino, is warming up to frene and I''m d for that Another mund of mumus tollowed and a few more questions were thrown about here and there, all which Lennera had prepared for Alter fifteen minutes et answering questions, Lronica nced ar berwachant sedived it was time to wrap


    "Let''s take thest question, please." A temale reporter stood up when she said this and it only took her a ten seconds to recognize the Florence.


    "Since the conference began, you haven''t for once exined why Ms. Ime was separated from her father in the first ce. Either have you ented anything about her birthmother, and so I was wondering, what exactly happened? Did Mr. Romeen heartlessly tumhis back on the tamily he had imponsibly began building in a bid to marry Cassandra Homero, the previous heiress of Pandora Holdings, thus abandoning the illegitimate child?" The moment Florence finished, the mom was filled with a deafening silence. Everyone''s eyes were glued to Leonica, waiting for her to speak


    But the thing was, she didn''t know how to answer that question. Out of everything she had nned for, Florence showing up and asking this, wasn''t one of them "Ms. Romero," Flounce continued, talding the opportunity given by Leonica''sck of response. "Is the Romero family perhaps hiding something? Do you yourself, have an ulterior motive for being so epting of your father''s illegitimate child?"


    At the sound of the usation, Leonica narrowed her eyes. Florer wasn''t going to get the best of her today.


    "Miss," Leonica called, ignoring the questions and instead, focusing on her. "Why are you to curious about the past? Do you, by chance, have a grudge against the Romero family? De, are you perhaps trying to impose something?"


    Now all eyes were on Florence. The female was taken aback, not expecting her questions to be tumed back at her, and in her shock, she found herself answing "No." She shoolchart head "Of course not, I''m just doing my job as a reporter and malding sure that M. Irene''s story gets the justice it deserves


    Leonica''s face was nk for a few seconds before it brightened up with a smile. "I appreciate your concrm Miss Winslow, but my sister is getting the justice she deserves, so, please respect the Romero family''s privacy and know your boundaries


    This time, it was Florence who was speechless, and as a result, Leonica took the opportunity to conclude the presscontenence "Everyone, thank you foring today and I hope to see you at the introduction party thising Saturday, Goodbye. with that, the lights in the room went off and Leonica was led backstage.


    The moment she was out of the public''s sight, her fare dropped,


    "Who let Florence Winslow in her?" She asked Keneily as he led her towards her car through the hidden exit.


    "I''m not sure, maden The suity was tightened, so she must have bribed the guards to let her in "


    "I see," Leonica lumined, not liking his response. "Please investigate this and ser to in that the gourd who epted the bebe idealt with. He should know that the tamero''s doesn''t take kindly to prople Frying to harm us."


    Kennedy simple undded, and without saying; another word, he held the door open for her as she stepped on into the parktang lot


    However, her steps halted when she spotted a figure bearing against het rar


    "Lennira," Jamil stood up straight andaflv?ed her ¨¤ sample ware as soon as he spotteller. "Hi


    Leriniraskertanything but pleased as


    mited back to nce at Kennedy who quickly howed in apology see to it that th


    sinity is changed "Was


    Turning back, she staredar La


    "What are you doing here?"


    Jamil pulled out a single cose from his pocket at her question "I came to congratte you on how well you did on the conference today." He walked closer and tred putting the roue in her hair. "Who would thought that every single thing you said was a lie-" Leonica harshly pping the rose away, had his sentence cut shut. "I''d prefer if you''d not try to get close to me."


    Jamil frowned, clearly displeased. "You didn''t use to be this cold, Leo.


    "And you didn''t use to be this toolish. The Vanadas Ines, realized when he needed to stop fooling around and right now is right about that tim


    Jamil''s brows twitched but his lips pulled back into a smile. "You''re adamant on rejecting my offer."


    Leonica looked at him, her face was cold and her eyes were emotionless. "I told you Vanadas, I''d much rather get screwed by a dog than give you a second chance So fuck off."


    Jamill was quiet for a while, his gaze on her was intense, and for a split second, it was as if his eyes had changed, bing dark and full of hate, but it was gone just asdast, making her doubt whether she had seen it or not


    "Alright," He finally spoke, his voice calm as he took a few steps back. "I''ll run it down a notch for now. But the next time you see me, it''s you who''d be meto take you."


    "That''ll never happen," Leonica responded, her words were like a dagger that pierced through famil''s p "We''ll see about that" with those final words, Jamil turned and walked away.


    when he was gone, Leonics allowed her gaze to drift to the rose on the floor, with one thoug


    It was all too coincidental


    Florence appearing at the conference, Jamil, waiting for her after the conferenci


    It was as if everything was happening ording to a n


    pride.


    thought Lingering in her mind


    To Get Back All That Leonica Had Stolen.


    "saw the conference video today,ce mia."Owen''s voice boomed from Leonica''s phone as she had him on face tune, "You did great."


    "I know," Come Leonica''s answer as she finished changing into her to be and sat in front of the camera. I know I did good because everything wrot ording to n. Well, everything but Florence''s appearance." She muttered thest part, but Owen caught on quic¨ªdy. "Florence Winslow? The reporter who you had an interview with? What of her?" He asdord.


    Leonica contemted telling the entire story. For some reason, she felt like telling Owen about Jamil wasn''t the smartest choice. It was like Owen held an


    spoken vendetta for the male


    But then again, maybe she was over thinking it. Owen wasn''t that type of person, and holding a grudge for someone he barely knew wasn''t something he''d do.


    So with a shrug, she spoke. "Florence works for Jamil Vanadas, This words were enough to pet owen feeling more alert than he previously was. "Her questions seemed kind of... "Leonica knitted her brows, trying to ce her finger on the right word "Rehearsed. Every line sounded as if she had nised that one question over and over in her heat. But even that wasn''t as disturbing as the fact that famil happened to show up after the conference


    Owen''s expression was dark and serious, and it didn''t go mnoticed by Lee "Owen"


    "Sorry, I got a bit distracted." He shed her smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes: "And what did Vanadas want?"


    Now Leonica really doubted it she should say what Jamil really wanted she knew that look on Owen''s face. He was jealous

 Chapter 182

    He was jealous


    "Nothing important," She brushed it off. "Anyway, mough about me, how''s your trip goingText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Ownshrugged. "Same as usual, boring and firing. Although the shot is meant to wrap op next week


    "I see," Leonica hummed as she reached out and grabbed herptop. "So, you should be back home by next week, right? Wanna get dinner with me when you''re back? "Would love to lucemia. I have rehearsals to get back to, but


    the sure to call me if you need anything."


    "Will do." Leonica said and reached for her phone, about to end the call when Owen spoke up


    "Do me a favor, hoce mia?" when she hummed, giving him the green light to continue on, Owen added. "Please be careful around jail. He''s up to something, I can tell."


    Leonica smiled. "I know, but don''t worry. I can handle myself."


    "I know you can, but I can''t help but be conceed. After all, with everything going on, he can suddenly decide to capitalize on the opportunity."


    *Capitalize on the opportunity?" Leonica repeated more to herself rather than asked a question, as a bunch settled in.


    "Yeah is everything alright."


    "Yeah, I just.chought of something. I''ll talk to youter."


    *Sure hace mia. Good luck at the party."


    "Thanks, Bye." She said and hung up, instantly proceeding to flipping herptop open and pulling up one of the articles concerning trene''s appearance. Then she checked the IP address from where the article was sent andpared it to the other IP addresses and all of them lead back to one single culprit. Herox Media Company''s IP address


    "Damn it, Vanadas." Leonica mumbled to herself. "You''re just too desperate, aren''t you?


    The more she thought about it, the more her anger boiled


    It was just too obvious. Jamil''s been using Florence and his mediapany as a way to smear her father''s name and make it so that the public would turn against The Romero''s


    But what did he hope to gain from this?


    Her affection? Surely he didn''t think that if her family suffered such a tiny blow he could show up as her light in shining armor, save her and have her falling into his arms, begging for his love


    Ha, just the thought of that was fucking revolting!


    But thankfully Leonica didn''t have the attention to ponder all about her scummy ex boyfriend, instead, she wondered; just how many people were in on Irene''s appearance.


    After the security fred she had watched, it was obvious that trene had an aplice, so just who were they?


    And what was famil''s involvement in this entire thing? Was he a pawn like me? Manipted like she was to release all those posts?


    Leonica sighed as her brainstared to hurt. So many things were going on, and it was hard for her to keep track of everything.


    She really hated it when things got out of hand like this.


    "Ah, I just want peace already she thought as she closed herptop and tacked herself underneath her duvet.


    Fire aplices, tem, oreventwenty, all of them would be the same.


    As long as she had the means to take them down, then that''s all that mattered.


    And she did have the means,


    So all shhad to do was wait patiently for them to slip up


    And her target imparticr was their lose end, en osewood.


    The day of the introduction party had arrived in the blink of an eyes. The venue, arge manor built on the hills in a farer of Norway, was beautifully decorated and big enoughto amodate all the guests and reporters that had been invited. It was a sight that would have made trene feel like a fish out of water, if not for the fact that she had been getting a taste of this sort of life while being married to


    However, het mood wasn''t as bright as her soundings. She had a scowl on her face, the moment she spotted Leonica wallding through the entrance double door, Benjamin and Cassandra both at her side, smiling lovingly at their dangghter. Their legitimate daughter.


    Although she had test entered the Borero family with intentions of pulling Benjamin clown, which hadn''t changed, Irene couldn''t help but feel of the family Leonica had


    They seemed, no, they were perfect. Too pr


    perfect.


    And that, was supposed to be hers, the thought once again crossed her mind, blooming like a rose in its blooming season.


    she, along with her mother, was the one meant to have such a happy life. So what right did Leonica and her mother, have toe and steal that away fr Her hands tightened. She wanted it back, all that belonged to her and she was going to get it back. from her


    "Miss Irene, are you alright?" Meredith, who had been standing beside her, asked after having watched her expression of hatred directed towards Leonica "I''m fine." Irene replied, her wordsing out harsh as she turned and noticed a few people whispering and pointing at her.


    F


    the resemnce is evident, I''m sure she''s the illegitimate child. One of the elites closest to free, said


    "I dont know," Another shook their head, giving trene a look of scrutiny that she did not miss. "She''s not as pretty as their original daughter"


    "Oh please," The aristocrat who had started the conversationughed loud enough for her to hear. "No one canpare to Ms. Romero, especially an illegitimate


    The conversation, or rather the insults, had her blood boiling and her hands shaking


    Illegitimate child. Falur. A child born out of wedlock.


    The words were endless, and all of them were thrown at her at her very own weing party!


    Inne was buming from head to the with embarrassment. So much so, that she had to chug down an entire ss of wine to calm herself down.


    But even that, the aristocrats found fault in


    was just a few meters away from her. She drinks wine like a barbarian.


    "New unctured" Another woman mustered under her breath, not knowing Irene was "It''s not surprising, seeing as she didn''t get a good education, much unlike Leonica Romero." Aman, a noble from one of the big families, spoke, causing others tough. tene felt humiliated and enraged. The nerve these people had, talking shit behind her backwhen she was just right there!


    And the cause of it all, the person they were constantlyparing her to, was Leonica


    The


    As it once with her thoughts, Irene''s eyes scanned the crowd and found Leonica, except she was a bit taken aback when the younger female was already staring at her, asmickying on her lips, almost as if she knewall that was being sold. No, she knew all that was being said!


    And to make matters worse, she gently raised the wine ss in her hand and gave it


    gave Irene a toast


    This act caused a nerve to snap in Irene''s brain, tipping on a switch that gave only onemand at the moment,


    To get back all that Leonica had stolen from her. Her perfect family, reputation, daughter''s attention and even her ex husband, all of which Leonica had taken away from her to brown pleate


    she was not going


    to let Cronica will. No, not again.


    It was her tum to shine. To have it all while Leonica was left with none.


    Act Fast Fire Bonys Time is Running Cut!


    Stripping Her Of The Reputation She Had Built On Lies.


    sen her daughter for the first time in two days. "You handled those reporters


    50h Leonica, you did wonderful!" Cassandra eximed the moment sheid hereves en like a true Romeco


    "Thank you mother," Leonica soaked in her mother''s praise, putting her into a right hug before facing her father: "Hidad."


    "Leonica,"Benjamin walked up to his daughter, cing his hand on her shoulder and giving in a protle squeeze. "I''m sorry for having put you though something


    Shaking her head, she offered him a smile. "Don''t be dad. And besides, 1choose to handle the press confere


    Hearing her words, Benjamin couldn''t help but minor his daughter''s smile. "Thank you."


    e, it''s the least I can do during this situation."


    "What''s family for. Shall we?" She pointed towards the door which led to a hallway leading to the main Hall where the party was being helit.


    Asthey walked, Leonica asked. "How''s brene fitting in?"


    Cassandra scotted. "That child is proving to be more of a pest than you''d think. Just the other day, she came back with a storen shopping bags, and began ordening the maids around like she owned the ce." Shalding her head, obviously not trying to hide her displeasure with Irene''s existence, Cassandra added: "Why again are we lening her stay at OUR house? And why the need for this introduction party?"


    "Mother," Leonica began, patting the woman on her shoulder as a sign to calm down. "You need to calm down. Besides, we discussed this, Irene preds introduction party as a way to make her debut, thus helping us spread the news that the Romero family has finally weed their illegitimate child. It 11 help clear any doubts the press may have had and furthermore, it''ll help the Romero''s pain some of the respect we''ve lost during this whole shenanigan.


    "she''s right." Benjamin agreed as they got closer to the entrance, spotting Melvin who had already been waiting for them. "This is the best way to handle this. Now, let''s drop this matter. How''s Owen and my grandson?"


    TH


    "Owen''s in German for movie shooting," Leonica answered as she waved at her brother "And Ashley''s doing fine.


    "His health?"


    Doctor Bailey said it had improved." She lied. Seeing her parents get worries over Ashley''s health right now, with everything going on is thest thing she Wanted.


    "That''s good. But don''t lower your guard. You and Owen should start making preparations for the wedding and another child as soon as possible." He said, but when Leonica remained silent, he nced above his shoulder and added. "That is it you''re over that ex husband of yours."


    Leonice chuckded. "Things with Gabriel is in the past, father." She tumed to Melvin who was walking beside her and asked. "Where''s Leonardo."


    "The Philippines," Came his answer. "He''s there for a research,"


    The moment they stepped foot in the Hall, the people gathered tumed their eyes towards the Romero''s and began to murmur.


    "Mr. Romero has finally arrived."


    "Along with the First Lady, their son and daughter."


    *t that Leonica Romero, I heard she''s the one who helped her family ept the illegitimate child


    "Ms. Romero has such an amiable personality."


    "You''re quite popr," Melvin whispered just before he parted from them, having his own set of quests to greet


    Leonica paid him no mind, surveying the interior of the room as she took a ss of white wine from a nearby server. Then she spotted Gabriel and it was clear be had spotted her.


    "Benjamin!" The sound of Noah''s voice, a long time business partner of her father''s, had her looking away and watching as he approached them with a wide smile on his lips. "Ever so popr, even during times like these." He teased in Danish, bis nativenguage. "Hello Noah," Benjamin responded in Danish as he shook the man''s hand and smiled. "I''m d you could make it


    "Of course, I''d never miss a Romero party, especially one where something hot is happening." He turned his gaze to Leonica and Cassandra. The tormer giving him court nod of acknowledgement. "Cassandra, looking as beautiful as always and Leonica, you''ve grown into a fine woman


    "Thank you."Cassandra effered him a gentle smile, equally responding in the man''s nativenguage.


    "Of course, but," Noah scammed the empty space behind them. "I don''t see the stat of tonight, where is she?


    Cassandra''s smile visibly dropped at the question, but Leonica stepped in before it could be noticed, "sene," She scanned the crowd, finding the gif quickey, Pah she''s over there."

 Chapter 183

    With a smile on her lips, she tipped her ss in Trone''s direction when their eyes seemed to meet


    "Ah, I can see the arsennce. A beauty she is Call her over Benjamin."


    The said man hesitated, ncing in his wife''s direction, but a nod from her was all it took to have his lips moving.


    "Tere!" He called out to the child, beckoning her overwhen she noted his hand lived in the air


    with poised steps, Irene approached, a forced senile on her lips.


    "Hello.." She paused not sure if she should all Benjamin father


    He caught onto this and briskly cut in "This is ML Larsen, a business partner of mine. Say hello" Torne turned to him. "Hello, I''m Rosewood "Horwood? Does she still go by that name


    w''ne taking things slow for now. "Came Bevin''s replc, not bothering to trante for frene who looked like a lost puppy as they conversed in the North "She seems lost, idoes she not speak Panishi" Noah fasally caught an


    "et conse not," Leonica teplied without hesitation. "My sister''s education wasn''t pound, so she didn''t get the chance to learn, such things." This, Leomica said in Irene''s eyes twitched, clearly offended by the older tensale''s wonds, but she couldn''t  anything, seeing as fenjaninh look of shame on


    "Ah, Isee. What a pity."


    "fisdeed, it is "Leonica agized, shing Msih a smule, which he rebus "put woy not, mbete toteach my dearest sister the ropes, even if she was previously a


    "ell, won''t that a blessing." Themented, Loghing heartily, Bad it was different for me who lopbest file she was burning, from heat tutor will


    i was just what she wanted, pecause the w


    ivament lurve malescanustake and messestigi, bet aplice was sure to show some type of


    Sup, Levica thought, it was just


    That was het goal belund her constant Lanting wonds and actions.


    "Then assume I should speak in English watil then"


    "Messeda."


    "Then Benjamin, what is the tter, ene was it?" The gull med and "After he is bought into the fully booght it the family? Word has it that she had been married to Senator Richandson before he became Senate and had set up a tew businesses for her. Surely you have ns to push some clients to herside,


    That is still being discussed but of course, we''ll do our best to assist ber she is, after all, my child.


    Benjamin''s reply had a smile practing teene''s lips. He was going to aidehes, she thought and nced at Leonica, did she heard? She wasn''t so special after all! That smile hom ever, disappeared the memeut she saw Long cackle, what? Who was she tough?


    "It was nice talking with you, Bergmin," He shook his business partnershand. "Cassandra lovely seeling you, Pecked thedy on her cheek "Leonica, continue to pesme, look forward to the day when you''ll st the world once again, and of course, trene." Noah tuned his attention towards the girl. "Thope we can world together in the future. Now, please excuse me


    The bowed, wishing the man a good night betere he disappeared into the crowd.


    "171 go gret socrather guest." Benjamin announced.


    Hanyou" Cassandra offered.


    Leonica, I''ll see you in a bit," He patted her shoulder and paused beside tree. She looked up, expecting words just like Leonica''s, but much to her dismay, he said. "Please, don''t disgrace the Romero name." And walked off ene was trozen in ce, her eyes glued on her father''s retreating back, a band clutching at her dress at the side while her heart thundered in her chest.


    "You heard what Father said, Irene Leonica spoke up, catching her attention. "I''ll also take my leave now."


    Leica attempted to walk away but was stopped by trene''s grip on her hand. "This is all you fault, you know." "Excuse me?" Leonica raised abow, staring down at the hand holding hers and waiting for it to let go.


    "All the ridiende and humiliation," She rified. "And what did you mean by those words? My education iscing because I was amoner?"


    "Exsonly, did i stutter Leica shot back hea tome dripping with sarcasm which liene found or ritating than the condescending smile she gave her. "How dare you!" She snapped, but just as quickly, Cronica had quieted her "Krep your voice down Or don''t you remember what father said "


    Taking a quick look amunal, Irme notices that people were indeed stating, whispering underneath their baths, All bad things, she could tell by the way their eyespared her to Leonica.


    Fuck, it was so annoying how they all thought she was the bad one, all because she was an illegitimate child and Leonica, being the legitimate child, was automatically painted the saint. She tacking hated it and wanted nothing more than to prove them wrong, strip Leonica of the reputation she had built on hes


    And with all these people watching,


    Leica stared at eng, watching, as


    wheels imber firad spam, formting a ushe had alt rady anticipated.


    So when the older female suddenly stepped forward, it was in surprise to Lewes, but she still acted supuised.


    "Ament you called me, but I''ll hater you know, our inlexa mother" She said lisa lowione, smiling at the face Leonica mde


    only reversed because your whot of a mother decided to steal what rightfully belonged to my


    Now, even though Lesnica liad nned for something like this, could''t help the may her hipstwitched upon hearing the isle free addressed her mother with think about it," benended.


    knew that it hene couldn''t get to her through petty means, she was going to


    "Mind your words, Irene." Leonica warned, sounding more grim than she had intended.


    "Or what? You''re going to show everyone that you''re a bitch just like your mother? do ahead." She looked Leonica in the eyes and boldly added. "I dare y


    you."


    She had almost been too sure that she''d get away with her words, or at least, Leonica would hit her and get tagged as the bad egg, but oh, had she not expected Leonica''s move


    From a table beside her, the youngest Romero grabbed a bottle of wine and without so much as a hint of hesitation, poured the entire thing above her head.


    The red liquid drenched her, staining her white gown and causing her hair to stick to her skin.


    The room wente


    quiet.


    everyone was shocked, but none dared speak


    "I told you to watch your words, and you chose to ignore me." Leonica calmly said, putting the bottle back and stepping forward to look her straight in the eyes." Game or no game, don''t you dare open that mouth of yours and insult my mother, else I''ll make you regret the day you were bom."


    The Rejection


    was telling the ien ting she s kt


    (bottle had been empty, and all eyes weur didici, riving to ntoich were add


    steme Vica who had poised the mur eces beri, she thought with gritted teeth, her eyes bonising with anger.


    so who were then not showwing JOW PAIN.


    umust have crossed bei Neunes? Someone vakhwith a click et les tempre, the distaste modener in theis vonce.


    tested an illegitimate child, who''kavourmonter at this Disgraceful "Andther chimed in


    ""Well wh


    ?male Ms. Komple was provoked by hesen else she wouldn''t have reacted the .slie did "


    Koment''s air kinowatbe very well maniered "


    Len, ends a few people expressed the distaste dos tronica''s action.


    od won several times, watch you wouth "All these people awet teel you


    ? bid sand, Benjamin, along with Mels in, cante voshing towards thent


    What is the name of this?" Mesama steady demanded


    turne was absent to open her mouth and speak, seeing this as a chance to past tenisica ck in het Lather''s eyes, when she realized that Benjamin''s question along. with his tare, was drowned at her Huh? This was not what she expected.


    "What did venda, Leo Melvin asked, but the look in his eyes showed no twof the harsh scolding renewaisted.


    They were nteng bollynte her and no one is the crowd dated speak up for heal that realization was me sent than any time she had tasteil in her life.


    She iusally managed to fund het voce "She ente the e me because testunted her about the harsh words she used on me." She


    Tix this time. Leonea?" Benjaminasked, turning his gaze to lus scd daughter and without besitation, she nodded.


    Ha, now she was going to get scolded, preferably thrown out of the venne, lieve theaght as she fought backher smile. Who said her adion was going tobeateral waste"


    *Ha," Benjamin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knew it was only a matter of tie betere something like this happened. Leonica had been 30 sensiderate, putting her feeling asle and trying to tox his mistake, so of course she was going to explode at some point. Pointing towards one of the doors, he instructed. "Baloo, pa there and cool down." simille that tiene had been tiving to hidepletely disapprised


    cool down our on the balconw? No, she was meant to get kicked out. Why was Benjamin not giving her the treatment she deserved.


    "Yes, Lather." Came Leonica''s obediem teply and attet a glue in her way, she walkedett.


    "And you," Benjamin tamed to face het, regarding her with eyes of scene "erstand that you''re still trying to fit into our family, but this is a ce of celebration, not a yground to children."


    His words were like a slips across her face, and she felt her body heating up, but the fact that she couldn''t even say anything because he had been right, had her butline


    change into new clothes and I hope you won''t act like this again." With that final warning, Benjamin tinned and walked off, followed closely by Melvin. trene could only gut her teeth in anger. They were ruthless, but oh well, she low she had, to some extent, achieved her goal, when she heard someone say "Wow, I got the whole thing. I''m going to upload it online."


    The smile returned to her lips,


    She would have to thank that stupid social media fanaties Later.


    so n Adid not work, Leones thought as she stated at the moms, guess it was time to move into n


    Tapping her sonsart watch, which she found useentent that her sat phone, she tested Lena and instructed her with only a few words,


    [Upload the video II


    "Hey," Avery caught Leonica''s attention pulling her away from her smartwatch.


    she looked op jest online


    seabriel perch beside her, offering a bottle of water


    She be stated, of course she would, cubtiel thought I began withining the bottle, but she snatched it out of his hand, and cracked the cap open


    *Thanks" she said as star sipped it''s content. "I''m spise my father let you in here with the way he spoke of you "Lacking the cap, she gave a look that screamed Te didn''t sneak in her slid you!Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    who he really is. It he


    Gobel cinclded, lightly. "You Lathes has his ways of treating people. He may tall harsh, sound even harsher, but that''s past hin showing virally hatedam


    line, he wouldn''t have sere adinvitation letter to ite, nusch less, allowed me here towel."


    Leanica nodded inderstanding, but she was pretty sure:


    y sure that her father wasn''t the one who sent that invitation letter. It obviously was Melvin


    "Anyways," Gabriel spoke up, changing, the subject. "The drama with your so called half sister," He paused and chuckled. "The whole country''s talking about it.

 Chapter 184

    Leonira nt the bottle water down and her fingers found it''s way to her engagement ring, fiddling with it. An action that did not go unnoticed by Gabriel


    "Honestly I''m line. The entice thing isn''t as tasking as the whole country''s making it out to be." She said.


    "You''re line?" rulotel nced into the event mom. "Well things didn''t seem quite fine backthere."


    Leonicadidn''t bother giving him an amoker. Her actions were her own and she didn''t need him prying into it


    *Are you sure everything is okay?" He tried again, but his questiononly bused hand off Leonica


    She sighed. Why did be keep prying/Print the car, then her house and newhere


    If he kept being this inny, then she just might prefer the him who ignored her during their marriage.


    "It''s noneel your besturss, Gabriel."


    Her words had him taken aback, an silence followed soon after, which was broken a momentter by Leonica herself.


    "Look, I appreciate your concem, but you need to understand that we''re just co parents, acquaintance, and thus, our problems are ours, not yours. So stop sticking your nose where it doesn''t belong." She tumed her head to face him and shed himasmile. "Understand? Gabriel''s eyes narrowed. His gaze on her had tumed cold, but not in a threatening manner.


    "But what if I don''t want to? And what it." It turned to fare her, taking her wrist hur not holding it tightly, "I want to be inner than a co parent or an acquaintance."


    His eyes we''re enough to pass act


    sacross the memo, so when he opened his lips once more, intending toplete his speech, she cut him off.


    "Stop." She shook her head. "Don''t finish that sentence. Because the moment you do, I''d give you an answer and with that answer, you can kiss whatever rtionship is between us, goodbye. And I don''t want that. Because despite all the shit you put me through during our manage, you''re still Ashley''s father and was once friend of mine. So," Stepping back, she pulled her wrist away, not missing the hurt in his eyes. "Work your feelings out and please, don''t drag me into it." Her words were harsh, but that was how it was and will always be. She had no intention giving Gabriel a second chance at romance or even give him any sort of idea that might lead him on.


    "Thope you understand." Leonica sad and without a second thought, walked away.


    Leaving him, standing in the deck, all alone


    "I see.."Gabriel murmured to himself as he watched Leonica wallcoff


    "I''ve been rejected, He let out augh, one filled with sorrow and defeat. "I''ve really lost you, huh."


    It was his own fault, and he knew this, but he couldn''t help but feel frustrated


    "What am I supposed to do?" He asked no one, not really expecting a reply, as he leaned on the calling and hung his head. "What am really supposed to do to change that, Leonica?"


    Nothing. Leonica had made it clear and as she walked back into the party room, she hoped Gabriel had gotten the clear memo


    "Lronica, dearie, there you are, Her mother''s voice had pupped her thought bubble just as she approached the drinktable. "I''ve been looking all over for you. "What do you need mom?"


    "Your tarher is about to give his speech, introducing that child, but she''s nowhere to be seen. Would you be an angel and fetch her?"


    "Of cour, mom *


    With a peck on her mother''s cheeks, Leonica walled away, going straight for the dressing room as she knew well enough that Irene would be there after the wine she had humbly offered her.


    As she approached the dressing room, she could family make out trene''s voice, and the closer she got, the clearer it became that she was on a phone call. "That stupid bitch mined my entire day!" Irene buffed angrily as Leonica pressed her ear on the door, trying to listen for the person she was conversing with But it was clear that only tree was in the room.


    Was she on a phonecall


    "This wasn''t part of the n "trene was sounding more angry, but that didn''t concern Lorca, what did however, was the voice that answered her


    "Of course it wasn''t. What part of the n stated that your could taunt her?"


    Leonica''s brows cerased. Wait, she had heard that voice somewher. Whese though? She wondered, pressing her eat more on the door to see if she could make out the voice through the mutlle nies


    "She deserved it, besides, I was only stating facts. That woman stole everything that should have been mine. Even now, they''re treating me like dirt, so allowed to speak the truth i deserve just as much as she inan."


    "you''re the illegitimate child, and you''ve still trying topare yourself with Leone, don''t be stupid and stop ying with line.


    Leonica''s browscremed. Leople? Only one person calls her by that disgusting name


    "If you lonew that I couldn''t bepared to her, then why appeach me in the first ce, Janal "


    crashed to the floor with a loud ng.


    Her Happy. Yet Delusional Thoughts


    "If you knew couldn''t bepared to her, we approach me in the first ce, Jamil," tiene stated angrily as she finished adding the essory to go allow with bernew outfit. "You easily could have found- The sound of something falling from outside cut her off and in seconds, her head snapped in the door''s direction.


    "What was that?"This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    "Are you asking me Am I the one there?" Jamil answered sarcastically.


    ene noted him and stood up, making her warto the door.


    Do tell me, yea allowed a rat spy on you? Or better yet, maybe a snake,"


    Bruke. The moment he said the word, a certain person came to her mind, and tree didn''t waste any time opening the door, only toe face to face with thest person she had expected to see. "M-meredith? What are you doing here? She questioned the maid who had just finished picking a fallen mop up.


    "The First Lady sent to fetch on. Mr. Romero is about to give his introduction speech"


    "Oh." Irene scanned the maid from head to toe before smiling. "Tell my father I''d be right there."


    "I do that"Meredith bowed, not moving once until trene had stepped back into the dressing room and closed the door.


    Only after she was gone did Meredith dare to look down the Hall where Leonica walked out from where the maid had hidden her.


    Raving beindex finger, she pressed it against her lips, a silentmand for the other female to remain silent, before gesturing for her to follow. Without hesitation, Meredith did as her mistress requested, following the younger female away from Where Irene could potentially hear them.


    Back in the dressing room, Irene walked back to get her phone, picking in from its stand on her vanity mirror.


    "It was just Meredith."


    "Meredith?" tamil questioned.


    "My personal mald. Now if you''d excuse me, I have a debut to make "She said anogantly, but just as she was about to hang up, Jamil stopped her. "trene, don''t forget, you''re doing this to get back at Benjamin Romero for what he did to your mother. No amount of love or riches he gives you now can make up for how your mother died loving him."


    And with that said, Jemil hung up, leaving Irene to think of the past.


    Ticow," She spoke ina soft tone, purting her phone down before a smirk found its way to her lips as she admired her luxurious looking appearance in the "But the dead''s the dead and the Ling''s got to find a way to survive. You''ll understand, right mother?" She smiled weetly, but it was anything but sweet as all she thought of was destroying Leonica, and without a second thought, she picked up the handbag that munched her dress and headed out, closing the door behind be


    "Did you fellow me1"Was the first question Leonica asked Meredith when they arrived at a deserted part of the Mamion.


    The maid avoided eye contact, but couldn''t bring herself to lie. "Yes, but it was only because I was worried about you, madam. Please forgive me."


    "There''s nothing to forgive," Leonica responded, not a hunt of anger or anything else in her voice, much to Meredith''s surprise. "As a matter of fact, I should thank you. 12 in Wesen for you showing up in time, Irene would have seen me. Thank you Meredith " Meredith was more than happy to see Leonice smile at her and even more happier to receive praises from her, but all that happiness seemed to be diluted by a sour


    glimpse of frete i conversation she had overbeard.


    ¦°


    the second mitte ki.. the seems to dislike you. She said with a gloom expression


    Leonira nized her head to the side, studying Meredith''s reaction before the asked. "You heard?


    The maid nod


    only a small portion." She rified, eaming a nod from LeonicE.


    "Don''t worry yourself Meredith, things like this happen all the time in families; sibling conflict as many would call it." Leonica gently patted her on the absoulder, Smiling 10m ear to eat. "?ie her sometime, I''m sure she''de aroun


    with couldn''t help the smile of adoration that bloomed on her face: "You truly have a big heart." She suddenly bowed. "I swear, from today


    Ali. Tore T''ve gottenmpelt;


    giant, Leonica couldn''t help but truly smile at that thought, how pleasent


    "Meredith, you don''t use to be so extreme, and please raise your head. This is no ce for a bow. Leonica gently instructed.


    mament rolored Meredith cheeks


    You should head back now, and please inform my parsers that I''d join them shortly."


    "Of course "Meredith said and alter final bow, she was gour retracing her steps to the main all


    once alone, Leonica allowed the masked pleasantries to fall from her face, revealing how truly worried she was by her recent discovery.


    + thating?


    No, there was no way she could have seen it


    after all, the two had nothing doing with each other, which breed the question, why were they suddenly


    2/20


    Happy Yet Delusional Thoughts


    cooperating?


    Who approached who first?


    She said, uning her fingers through her hair in the process


    Well, at least she could rule one thing out now; Irene''s aplice. It was pretty clear to her that it was Jamil.


    Suddenly, she groaned. Of course it was him, perfectly exins why all those articles were released from several branches of hispany and why Florence had showed up at the conference and he afterward. But what did he hope to gain by doing all these?


    She paused, pondering.

 Chapter 185

    If he was smart, he was during their high school days, or even smarter, then he''d have to have some sort of a n. And knowing him, she knew he''d never do anything unless he had a goal in mind.


    So what was his goal? As she thought, her eyes suddenly caught her reflection against the full body mirror and she remembered all Jamil had said so far.


    He wanted her, but he wasn''t going to ask again and the next time they met, she''d be the one begging him.


    So was she his goal?


    She scoffed at the thought, that was too much credit given to herself. No matter how much Jamil wanted her, his desire wasn''t strong enough reason to ruin an entire family.


    There had to be something else. But just what was it?


    "Well, we''d just have to see." She mused as she walked out of the room she had dragged Meredith into.


    At least now shew who and who she was up against, all she needed to do now was just flush out their agendas.


    She smirked. For someone as predictable as trene, it was going to be pretty easy.


    an with all that being said, I''d like to introduce to you, the newest addition to the Romero family, a child of my flesh, frene Romero."


    Whispers filled the crowd, some pping, after Benjamin had introduced Irene who proudly walked beside her father and gave an over dramatic wave. "Adrama queen, ain''t she? Melvin whispered to Leonica who was beside him, eyes trained on their newest sibling. "Oh, she far more than that." Her answer contused Mehan, but before he could ask, she had walked towards her father and whispered something in his e the crowd was taken with line


    car while


    "You want me to do that?" He asked and Leonica "And as a weing present, I''d he putting Irene''s name on the list of my sessors."


    gave him a nod, showing that she knew what she was doing. He turned back to the crowd, raising his microphone.


    And that was enough to have the crowd going wild with whispers, while trene stared at her father with wide eyes.


    at was happening, although she and Jamil had nned for something like this, Irene hadn''t expected Benjamin to put her name in his list of sessors so early. She hasn''t even done anything, so why was the favoring her so much? She pondered when suddenly, an idea came to her mind The way her father had treated her so far, he''d been harsh to her and withheld any form of affection towards her, simply because he couldn''t stand being reminded of het mother


    Hell loved her mother so much that it ached to look at her and see the resemnce and somewhere deep down, he was also afraid that she''d leave him just like


    Irene chuckded quietly. ''Don''t worry father, I''m not going anywhere. I''m going to stay right here and be your precious daughter. She thought, quivering slightly from the happy yet delusional thoughts. trembled:


    Yeah, that''s right, Leonira thought as she returned to her previous position beside her brother, keeping her eyes on Irene as her body to your delusion get the better of you,


    "That way, it''d be easier to pull you down when the timees. And in that moment, you''ll confess everything about you and jail''s ns


    d with happiness, let


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out


    (Can''t Steal The Spotlight.


    sleden ?grand note and events as sited went home happy andment.


    messamin gently pained hoodoncider''s book as the on him


    she uttered him a sintle betiere imiting to her mothes audinceive the wPUTAT.


    cs¨¦retion¨¦," L''assundua said ay she squeezed Leonica had betone pulling back and holdinghothrot her shoulders. "That I


    hat ce is still qu


    cimled "Olveuse, metbe she hade both berpents goodbye, wing wil the car had driven off before al barst to address free who watching her withawng look "Verhave ahaba ot popping up in the mend niespected plio


    The pocu maid probably wouldn''t stand her atter all the rubbishishe heard bene spout.


    How can you act like this? Did you not hear what Lather said?!


    het tengine, s? trene now adhessed lum that way.


    to include veen natte among his sessor''s list? Well yes, tail and congrattions." She teplied indifferently, crossing her am as she scamer stes them head to toe. "It that''s all you have to song, then let me ask you mie question. Why did reveal you existence an MY father''s daughter?" lo von believe anby vendeseive a happy family? so because of that i should have kept my mouth shat?" Shur mirrored Lennin''s stance, except hers had


    Lattegatve while Levmica''s own hadacmandcollected dement.


    i venit exbushand, You''re a only where you "Deathing we''ve had up unul new, has been powded be taller. Thepany, your cousections heck, even yenit ex


    you are today because not tachet briped von "She chuckled, hen gare humming ovalescending. "And you think you''re better than me? You''re just an ungrateful bitch who thinks


    milled to everything because she''s his real cul."


    tam who tam today because tather sided everything to me?" Leonca couldn''t help but chuckle. She found it funny how the believed that her father had


    Star, be bad given her thepany, but she didn''t get it handed to her on a silver tter. She worked hard and proved herself worthy of seating in the president


    sdeventben, it had been taken from her. Hul she not bought it with HIER money, Raniero Empire would be singing a different song


    mot still amazes me up till this point," Leonica Lunted, but just as quickly as her smile had appeared, it disappeared, leading a more serious and pression across her tace. "But don''t kid yourself. I got everything I have today by my own hand and nothing more so if you think for a second that sereed to phot viner name on his lunefosses you''ve be a threat to me, you''re wrong."


    1


    tightened her jaw. is that so she asked in a challenging tone


    "Came Leottica''s answer as her driver finally pulled up behind her, holding the door open for her. Just before she stepped in, she looked above her shoulder. he onest time. "know your ce Inne Rosewood. This isn''t a fantasy wild where anillegitimate child like you gets to y heroine and steal the


    hr protagonist"


    the car, mming the door shut as her driver, without having to be told, dive of


    And Leica car disappeared from view, the sexession trene had on, chopped and a scowl etched it''s way on her face.


    "She really thinks she''s superion. She gambled, clenching her tists, "hist you wait, 111 make you beg at my feet after stripping away everything you love." Pulling out her phone, she called someone, when they answered, she instructed, "111 pay you any amount, all I need you to do is dig up dit on someone for me." Het souter on the other and must have agreed because instantly, her lip twitched up into a satisfied smirk. "Leonica Romero, that''s the name."


    "Mommy"" Ashley rushed into his mother''s am as soon as she had returned home.


    Tweetie," Laita coed, wrapping her arms around the hore, peppering his cheeks with kisses. "Were you a good boy while mommy was away?" Ashley nodded. "Yeah. Grace hade do my homework after which we watched cartoon together all afternoon" Lentica made a surposed face. "Did you now?


    "Came Ashley''s owes in between giggles as his mother retuned him to the floor and Grace stepped out of the kitchen


    Vee home, Madame The cartakergiented


    "He Gra Thank you long after hably once again


    -Most certainly. How was your night2


    "Exhausting."Cama Leuca''s answer as she sank into one thej? parties, Lemmever get used to them" *would you like something to drink, madon!


    e of the couches, not bother to change out of the dress she was in "No matter how many times 1 goto


    Grace went back into the kitchen and to


    and not longter, she came out with a cup of hot chocte


    "Here"She offered the cup and Leonica took it with a thanks, taking a sip from it while noticing how trace lingered nearby. *Is there something you want to discuss with me, re?" She asked atst.


    The caretaker, tentatively stepped closer, diddling with the tips of her finger. "Forgive me for asking, but while watching tv shows with Waldey, Chiappened toe as the speech Mr. Romero was giving at today''s party and.."


    The rest of her words trailed off as Leonica ced her cup down, "You couldn''t help but wonder if all father said was true, yes?" Annd from the caretaker answered her question Lentoa sighed. "It''s toe, Irene Rosewood is not part of our family" "Don''t look so worried," Leonica added as she stood up, briefly stretching "Thave everything understand control,"


    thought with worriedFrom N?velDrama.Org.


    Yeah? That was the exact same thing she said four months ago when they sat in her room and discussed the topic of her messy love life, Grace though


    etaker was a lundred percent sure that Leonica had not found it in herself to fully open her


    She also imed to have that one under control, yet till this day, the caretaker was al heart up to them.

 Chapter 186

    "Now tell me, did anyone visit while I was away?"


    4. Ah, but there was a parcel drop off for you once rushed to where she had dropped the small brown box, while Leonica watched her in confusion. Aparel? She wasn''t expecting one


    Secondster, the maid returned with a small box that had been neatly wrapped. The sender, was unknown?


    Leonica stared at the box for a minute, wondering who could have sent her something like this, when suddenly, her mind went to one particr person.


    Could it be him?


    Quickly, she took the box and toe it open, eyes widening when she saw the prettiest red gown,plete with a pair of high heels.


    This, it had to be owen. Her suspicion was confirmed when she called the blonde and the first thing he said was


    "Did you get it?"


    "It''s bowtiful," Leonica said with a smile. "But what is it for?"


    "My shot is wrapping up in a few days, remember that dinner you offered we get?"


    "Yeah?" Lronica was suddenly grinning from ear to ear at this and Grace found the sight quite amusing. Perhaps she had been wrong.


    "I''m going to be a bit selfish and switch it up a bit."


    "Switch up a bit?" she asked.


    "yeah, but it''s going to be a secret. Do you trust me, luce mia. "


    She did "Iwon''t have agreed to be your fiancee if I didn''t?"


    could sense Owen grinning because of her answer. "It''s settled then. I''ll see you in Saturday, love."


    "I''ll be waiting." And just like that, the call was over and Leonica had a bright smile across her face.


    "It''s from Mr. Lee assume?" Grace asked.


    "Yes. Mease put it away for me, would you?"


    Grace nodded and picked the dress, sneaking a peak at it onest time before covering the book "He has a keen eye, the dress is pretty, just like it''s owner." *Thank you Grace, but you''re not getting a sry raise." Leorica teased and the older woman could only shake her head.


    you read far too deep into people''s actions, Madame. It was a simplepliment."


    "Uh-huh. Was all the young woman said before her phone started ringing and the ID caller read ArvaEL.


    Leonica''s brows dipped. It was unusual for him to call thiste.


    "Arvan, hey," She answered the phone, pressing it to her ear while she unbockled her heels, giving her toes the much needed relief they craved. "Is everything alright."


    "Hey Leonica. Yeah, everything''s okay. I just need to speak to you."


    "Oh," Although she was slightly taken aback by his words, her eyes found the clock hung on her wall. "Ah, well it''s alreadyte, would it be alright to discuss whatever it is over the phone?


    "No," There was a pause. "I''m in front of your house, pleasee outside Leonica"


    He Sent A Spy To Watch Her


    The first thing Leonica noticed as


    The second thing being Arvan''s ser


    he stood in front of him, herts fucked in the porket of the ottivat


    "You sme chose to best time to show up, helend, taking note of how her bath seemed in tekemisty from bete disappearing "What is it you need "wanted to drop this off," Peaching into the pocket of histout, Arvan pulled out a small town eming and handed it is her "p''s the final documera ku


    instate the cooperation between suparilej !


    thoughtful of you, Leonica said the examined the envelope.


    The man stared at her, as If he was contemting whether to speak his miradorast


    vely Phang you calle all the way to thy honde for, Arvant


    "I saw the articles, Leonice," He said atst, watching as the slowly nodded her head, uently mouthing the word ''ont "Surprised, weren''t you?" Leonica chuckled, "Who would have thought youre wife would mouth be my half siste Now that she said it out loud, it sounded inore irunic to her. Her life trally sounded like ayer hall, exstantly interveling withi


    "Leonica," Arvan called out softly, drawing ber attention


    besitant


    from her thoughts and for the firtime since knowing him, Lebrina Ann Jooking truly


    low this might be bad timing rendering all that''s going on around you, but I just want you to know, my feelings for you, wenn''t promigrert benen


    of the resemnce between you and Irene. You two may look alike, but I learnt that you''re


    "Arven," Leotica nut him off, smiling at how he had rambledon. "You''ve exined this before, haven''t your she reminded, stepping forward an hands on her to assure him that the truly understood. "It never really bothered me


    "So you were okay with the fact that I might have fallen in love with you because of your sister''s faced


    "But you didn''t," Leonica shed him a smile that damn nearly had his heart jumping out of histheit. "And from the looks of it, those sweet feelinigyan gone


    aren''t they?" She gently shook his hand, waiting for has answer


    of course they weren''t. He couldn''t just use the feelings he had for her in three months,


    He was more fond of her than he was of that one gold fish he had backin college, and even that took him almost over when his tend took in attes


    But of course he wa''t going to tell her that. As much as he wishes his feelings would be reciprocated at idel, he cherished their friendship end wouldn''t dare to let things be ankwart between tham


    "Of course they are," He lied, mirronng her smile.


    man that blonde


    Weirdly enough, Lesnica felt a sense of relief. She had feared than when Arvan spoke about his feelings, things would eventually end up like they did with turtel a couple hours prior


    But it turned out to be totally different. In fact, she felt more at ease around himThis content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    So much so, that she wanted to hug him and thank him for not pushing his feelings on her and quietly soming it out, much thinking how it was far toote to do so


    Instead, she offered him a soft squeeze on his shoulder, silent message that she was grateful for their friendinip.


    Arvan could only but smile, hoping that with time. His feelings would inde


    "Now then," Prepping back, she held up the envelope that he had given her "1


    Arvandanaged a thin smile.


    especially now that the hem


    ?ke Dabriel, but decided aga¨¨NE IT


    this processed by Monday, so expect a call from Kennedy.


    "Then, I''ll be heading back inside," Leonica began walking back when suddenly, side movement caught her attention. But the moment


    direction, the movement steeled


    Strange, something had definitely just moved now?


    "Ah." She looked backar Aurven, offering


    smile: "Good night..


    ding and her eyes searching, trying to ipot the movement she had seen, but id was to no limit


    slipped into her house, shrugged off her coat and made a


    I deteitaly wasn''t sering things,


    to pull up the footage for she at


    where she had teeti motacked.


    prise, pressing the rewind button going frame by frame at the gut was eatyviable


    It was a prsion dressed in a dark outfit their fece nonrealed by a muck, and holding what serinant ai


    "jamii, you sirkbastard. She concluded, churkding darcy as she shook her head.


    Well, that was one way to keep t sin her


    "How supet of fum in thirri d?ave sother


    lemmvery morniny breded against their opponent


    For him to us AD


    thing for time against her koukayow, Mimething to truly thich out his intentions before his


    not work and potentially tumour to harm her


    All it took was a few solid minutes of thinking before she came up with a side n, adding it her already effective master n and her puppet was none other than


    If he and jail had a n, them all Leonica needed was to find a way to get under their skin and drive a wedge between the two, that way, their n would be eastly fodled and their partnership would end.

 Chapter 187

    their n would be eastly fodled and their partnership would end.From N?velDrama.Org.


    And what better way to do it that using the publics voice


    "Let''s just hope that this works." She mused, standing up and walking back to her bedroom.


    "I seem to have a lot to lose it doesn''t,"


    "I really don''t see what you see in Leonica,


    ne huffed as shepleted her skincare routine before picking up her phone and facing Jamil who she had video


    called. "She just an average bitch who tails a lot of smack that she can''t even backup."


    "She''s fenfrom an Average bitch, trene, I''m sure she proved that to you tonight"


    "Pit, so what? she''s got a smart mouth and daddy''s power. Big deal."


    "Big deal indred. Now, if you want that to be you, I suggest you watch your behavior in front of the Romero family. We''re trying to make them adore you, abhoryou. But that aside," Jamil paused and pped twice, loudly. "Congrats on malding sessor''s list in such short period." "Hab," Irene churked arogantly. "Of course, what did you expect from someone like me."


    "I''d have expected nothing less, Irene. But remember, our cooperation and hard work isn''t owe riches and fame. There''s a bigger picture here that you dare not forget, else I''d have notch but to crop you out of our picture."


    Irene rolled her eyes. "You don''t have to remind me, I clearly remember the game nt gain their Romero family''s affection and trust, getting enough backing and then muin Laur¨²ca to a plump, thenger ward.jamil nodded his head to her words. "But now that I think about it, your only goal here is to ruin Leonica, do you really care how it''s done?


    yes. It has to be done the way I''ve nned, else Lesnica would always find a way to stand back up." As he spoke, Irene''s phone dinged with a message from the person she had called earlier. Dont dengate from the n, Irene, else I''d hate to do it my way and I''d hate to get rid of a useful ally."


    "yeah yeah." Irene merely swetted his words away like a y, clicking on the message she had gotten. It was a video and as she watched it y out, she couldn''t help the smirk that optat cross her lips.


    at''s with that look on your face?" Jamil askard.


    "Nothing," Cama Irene answer "I just thought of a brilliant method to us tonica faster


    Sultry Escapade


    Waking, op to her phone buzzing had be a camal for Lronica. So, the following day, when she was awoken by the sound of her phone numbling, she was in no


    "Ugh," She proated, reaching over and grabbing her phone, wiping right in the call "Hello?"


    "Comming, Ms. Romero," It was Kennedy.


    "Kennedy, why you calling on a Sunday," Sheined, raising herself up into a sitting position and trying to nib away sleep from her eyes.


    "Forgive me Ms. liominio, but it''s a pressing matter."


    "What could be mute perssing than mestrep," She punddel


    "it''s about the article that has been teleased iy," Kennedy answereil.


    "Article?" That inediately woke her up, sitting her straighterup in berbed


    "yes. It was published in the tabloid magazine, i


    Leonica was quiet. So Jamil won''t wasting time,


    what''s ab


    I''m afraid this one has made its rounds to several news sites,"


    Keedy besitated tower. "I''ll send you a link, Ms, fomen


    Things were never good when he said something like that, she thought as she grabbed her tablet when it dinged with message and she opened the link Kennedy had sent


    Artist all she was staring at was a familiar looking hallway. Too familiar, she thought and tried to ransack bec brain for where she recognized it.


    But as the video yed and someone stepped into view, hrt eres narrowed. That was her and this hallway was the very same one from Ster''s party!


    As expected, the video slipped to when she had stepped out of the roomter that morning, highlighting the time difference and visible hickeys on her neck.

 Chapter 188

    And then the headline popped up.


    ''Leonica Romero''s sultry escapade


    "Sultry escapade?" she asked herself out loud, watching as the video ended just before nagelina stepped into viewText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    She clicked off the screen, throwing her tablet away. "What rubbishis this Kennedy and how did the press get their hands on this video?"


    "Madam, I''ve just checked the source. The video was leaked by the security camera that''s installed in the hotel." He informed. "Another thing I noticed is that they kept the name of the second partyimolved a secret."


    Of course they did, Leonica thought as she rolled her eyes, no one dares to offend Gabriel


    "Is there a way to track the culprit?" She asked even though she already had a good idea of who had done it.


    "We''re trying, madam. But, we''re having some trouble getting through."


    Lepenicammed. "How are the reactions of the public?"


    "The positive reactions are outweighing the negative. But I still advise you give a speech first thing tomonow, deny all allegations and let the public know that the video had been worked on


    But it hasn''t been. The person in the video was


    as indeed her and she could tell Kennedy low this much.


    "Is there really ampneed for that?" She sighed, rumming her fingers through her messy hair as she stood up. "This is the twenty first century, Kennedy, so what if I slept with a man I met in at a party? If people still have their heads stuck in the old era, then that''s their problem I''ll not waste my precious time exining myadi.

 Chapter 189

    "ML Romero,"


    "I''m not saying that I won''t defend myself, Kennedy, But if those who judge me based on an inelevant video like this are my supporters, then I have no use tor them. And I sure as hell not gonna lie to those who honestly support me."This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Kennedy thought her words for a few seconds. "You''re right. But we still need to reduce the blowbark. Nowadays, your enemies would look for any mutans to pull you down," They sure as hell ane, Leanica thought, "So how about announcing to the public that the man who you slept with gabriel. I''m sure they''d sympathize once they know it''s Ashley''s father


    "I will do no such thing "Leonica instantly rebuked.


    "But Ms Romero, I''m sure that''d get the media off your back"


    "Kennedy." She took a deep breath. "You''re aclever man, but right now you''re acting rather ludicrous."


    "Madam,"


    "Whether it''s Gabriel I slept with or not, is my business. What do you think the inte would make of it once they know that? They''d start a new story, dragging


    for supposedly cheating on their favorite Idol She sighed, feeling ber headacheing back

 Chapter 190

    "Madam. I was only thinking about the best of you


    "And Owen? What about him?" She sighed once again. "I thankful for that, Kennedy. But all you need to do is the usual. Release a statement and set up a press conference. I''ll handle the rest.


    "Thank you." She hung up, rubibing her temples and wishing stucould just go back to sleep. But now that she was awake, she couldri


    "tama," a little voice called and Leonica looked over to see her son standing at the done of her ledionen


    "Hey," She smiled, holding her arms out. "Why are yourup so early?"


    Ashley rubbed his eyes, still sleepy, "I heard noises," He wallied inwards her, climbing up her bed and into beraman. "Who were you talking to


    "I was just Kennedy," She Idsued his head, catching sight of her phone ringing once more, "How about you po back to sleep, mommy''s gotta take this tall. - "okay," He nodded, resting his head against her pillow and closing his eyes while Leonica picked ber nte. "Hello"


    "Is the antides." It was Gabriel and he sounded worded. "Is everything alright?"


    "That''s a very funny question, Gabriel," she sucked on her teeth, "not yes, Fin line, so don''t worry yourself about anything and don''t do anything funny." Without hesitating, she hung up, but hell did she not feel guilty


    and even if she did, she didn''t have any time to feel that. Her phone was going off once again, except this time, the caller Irread, "Mother''...


    "Leonica,"


    "Mom, I can exin."


    "I know you can, but that''s not why I''m calling."


    "Leonica." The next voice that sounded out, taking the phone from Cassandra was Benjamin. "Dear,e to the house, would you? I have a few things to discuss with everyour


    "Alright." Leonice answered and smiled after ending the call.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    cheme, you reacted the exact way I wanted you to, she thought. Now it w


    was time to y.


    "Good morning everyone." Leanica preted as she walked into her father''s study and the first person she noticed was frene''s alience, "You''rete, Melvinmented.


    "And where is Irene


    "She''s not here." Melvin sighed. "Father has something to tell us and it seems to b


    to be quite urgent, so he insisted that w


    we gather here. And I''m sure it''s because of


    Leonica suddenly yelped when he pinched her cheek.


    ""You''re always the center of attention."


    "Ah, fuck off Melvin," She whined, pulling bertheckout of his grasp. "It''s not my fault that a certain someone is jealous of my position, "Children, please," Benjamin chided as he walked in, Irene following behind, "Now''s not the time and ce for you to banter." "Tather," Leonica acluwedged the man, eyes momentarily meeting Trepes, who smirked at her.


    Beg


    walked around his desk, sitting in his chair "I''m sure you''ve seen the articles online. Not only the rumors about eonica having a sultry affair, but also about her maltorating Time So''vee up with a solution to change all that, "And what''s thar¨¡"


    sked, trulycurious


    "The contam of Mr. Xavier, 1 nion giving it to drese."


    Now this truly caught Leica nfl guard and her eyes widear


    Kavre Lucas''scetract was worbillions and her father was just giving it to free all because he wanted to change the inte''s opinion?


    Leonaca, still surprised, looked in trene''s direction only to find bestaring back with a smirk and then it hit her.


    Oh, so that was. That was what she and Jamil wanted.

 Chapter 191

    You''ve Regained Your Memories, Haven''t You?


    "n-romero Empire?" Jason stammered. "But sir," He paused, thinking of the perfect way to word his next sentence "hut sir, surely you''re aware of the recent event that happened? The event regarding Tyche Smith" Hot course, who isn''t, But that is none of my business. What is, is Benjamin Romero''s life. His words contosed Jason.


    Benjamin Homero? As in the previous Caner of Romero Empire?


    "Get me information on him jaxson and when I mean information, I don''t mean the ones you can easily find online. Get me something interesting


    "at sir, Benjamin Romero isn''t the head of Romero Empire anymore." Jaxson finally voiced his thoughts.


    "Of course I mow that," His boss answered confidently as he crossed his leg and gave him a look that told him, he had something up his sleeve.


    Jaxson didn''t question him, because as a wise man once said, curiosity falls the cat.


    "Alright, I''ll do my best." standing up, he bowed. "I that''s all, I''ll be on my way,"


    He didn''t wait for a response, because he knew his boss didn''t need him anymore.


    "Jaxson," Hisboss called when he had his hand on the dont handle, "Remember, get me something worth a billion dor partnership, Don''t fail me, not again." Jasson gulped. "Yes, Sir."


    Back at The hospital Ashley''s test waspleted and while he was looked after by a nurse, Doctor Bailey exined the results to Gabriel and Leonica.


    "Not good," He said once all three of them had settled in the hallway outside the room Ashley was in. "The test shows that Ashley''s injury has rapidly sped up, reducing the years he has before the surgery to three years." the presented Leonica with the x-ray sketch ''t there


    Herexpression took a tum for the worse when she examined the sketch. "Three years?" she mumbled, earning a nod from Doctor Balley. "Isn''t_isn''t t anything we can do to slow the process down?


    Doctor Bailey shook his head. Unfortunately, no." Disappointmentshed across Leonica''s face and she was very much aware of his next words.


    Looking between them both, Doctor Balley states. "Nothing can be done for Ashley, except a suitable donor is found sooner orter and in his case, a transnt from a sibling would be the best."


    A sibling that she was yet to make any ns for, she batterly thought, tightening her hold on the x-ray sketch


    "And a donor outside the family can''t be found?" cabriel asked,


    Doctor Bailey shook his head. "No. But in an event that does happen, it isn''t advisable as Ashley could sufferplications if the transnted bone marrow isn''t a hundred percentpatible with his body." He exined, giving Leonica and Galiciel a few seconds to let the painfully familiar news sink in. "I have a few other things to do, so I''ll take my leave now. He bowed and then lett


    Once he was gone, silence fell over them, a thick cloud of tension floating in the air.


    "I''m sorry." Leonica finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper


    Gabriel raised a brow, and a frown made its way to his lips. "Sorry? Why are you apologizing?


    "For the first time, I feel like a useless mother. I can''t even protect the most important person in my life.


    "Leonica, this isn''t something you could control, don''t beat yourself up."


    "But I can''t just stand around and do nothing. My son, he''s sick. And I want him to be cared."


    Gabriel sighed, the town on his face deepening. He had no idea what to say or do. All he could think about was how and she sounded.


    And he wasn''t a fan of it.


    "Leonica," He called, cing a gentle hand on her shoulder, which at first, she wanted to shrug off, but decided otherwise. "Don''t worry, I''m sure everything would work out in Ashley''s favor."


    "You think so?" she asked, ncing up at him.


    He nodded his head. "Yes, of course. Ashley''s a strong child, and he''ll pull through."


    Leonica smiled, and Gabriel was d to see that it was a gemine one. "Thankyou Gabriel."


    Hemimored her smile, hand traveling from her shoulder to cup her cheek


    "Anytime,"


    His action, although very little, had benso unexpected that it caught Leonies off guard and for the first time in a long while, Gabriel saw the surprise written all over her face while her eyes searched his, looking for something he wasn''t all to sure what it was. Their moment, however, was short lived when Ashley came out with a nurse, and seeing the distance between his parents, a huge grin appeared on his face


    "Daddy!" te eximed, rushing to hug his father, who without a doubt scooped him up in his arms. "Are we going home now!


    Gabriel casted a quick nce at Leonica who had turned away, but he could still see her hacking strands of her hair behind her ear.


    He chuckled subtly and then shook his head, answering his son''s question. "No buddy, you have to go home with your mother. Daddy has a few things to attend to Maliley''s expression fell, and it wasn''t long before a few reced it. "Oh, okay."He the nced at his mother and with acute little pout, he begged "Monum, Can I stay with ddy for a few days? teater?"


    "Again?" Lennica blinked inconfusion when her son nodded. Trying her best to ignore how til stared at her, she came closer to her son, cing her hand on


    777


    his cheek, however, quickly removing it when he calling Gabriel''s action. "Honey, didn''t you juste back from your father''s ce about a week ago! Don''t you want to spend time with mommy?"


    "N-no! I want to spend time with both mommy and daddy. But The child hesitated as he recalled his teachers words when he was having a hard time


    His mommy and daddy had chosen to spilt up and he might be a little different from the other children seeing as he might have two mommies and daddies.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    The teacher had then assured him that everything would be okay, but still, Ashley couldn''t help but feel sad


    He only wanted one deddy and one mummy and he most definitely didn''t want them to be apart


    "Hey, hey," Leonica said, breaking him out of his thoughts "Ashley, what''s wrong?


    The ch


    took his head, a fake smile on his lips, but Leonica could still see the little quivers. "N-nothing." He lied, his tone weak


    Even though she knew it wa


    she didn''t press on, instead she shared a knowing nce with Gabriel.


    "Listen bud, how about we go out this weekend?" Gabriel asked, wanting to ease his son''s sadness. "We can go to an amusement park, just the three of us How''s that sound?


    Ashley''s entire demeanor brightened upon hearing this "Really? Can we go to an amusement park and see the fireworks too? Pretty please?"


    Gabriel agreed with a bright smile, whith Ashley returned. "That''s okay with you, right


    1, tight Leonita?"


    No. It wasn''t. She still felt the need to keep her distance from Gabel, more so after that little action of his. But seeing Ashley''s expectant expression, she couldn''t


    ng herself to blurt out those words of rejection.


    "Yeah, let''s do that." She said, eeming a delighted squeal from berson. "Let''s go this weekend.


    Ashley eximed and threw his hands in the air.

 Chapter 192

    Seeing his reaction, Leonica''s mood also lifted, and with a smile, she reached over and ruffled his hair. "Come on," she said, holding her hands out to her son. "Let''s go


    Wither


    esitation, he grabbed onto her hand and followed her, not forgetting to wave his father goodbye.


    "Bye bye daddy!"


    "Age Boddy."


    When the mother and


    son were out of sight, Gabriel felt his phone vibrate and fished it out from his pocket call from Bully, he answered.


    "Hello Mr. Bryo


    thing to report to you." Billy said, his voice devoid of emotion


    "An hour ag


    one began sniffing into Ms. Romero''s family history


    The information had fabel stopping in his tracks and his eyes narrowed. "Family history? What kind of information were they digging for?"


    Tm not sure McBryte, but wherever the person was searching for, it seemed to be pretty important"


    Horrowed, and he sighed. Someone''s gone digging huh? Good thing he had Billy monitor Leonica''s family closely.


    Forsefey sebes, of course.


    you to get me information on this person


    Gabriel ended the call, resuming his walk towards the exit, when Doctor Belley suddenly showed up


    several things to attend to be tried to dismiss him, but Doctor Bailey pressed on


    And that was enough to gain Gabriel''s full attention. When he turned to face Doctor Bailey, the elderly man shed him


    d said. "You''ve regemed your memones, haven''t you


    For Free Carry DapenText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The Wrong Set Of Consequences.


    The look that rested an Gabitel''s face altri Boston Badley''smunds was like that of a dollumotigen its neutral espiralisi.


    It was unicble.


    "Your memories." Doctor Bailey began, now doubting what he boil seemedies en schien he asked alotel aprestontici he couldonly have teminderstiti busmeisiles "They''vee back, haven''t they gaboset sumbed, but it didn''t quite reach bis eyes. "Peter Bailey, I suggest you stop making assumptions, especially mestisat could potentially bout a permut


    Doctor Bailey lend himself speechless as cubel stepped tonwand and ced his hand on the elderly man''s suddet


    "What type of person would trustem to be it treg Maelum memotes and disha''t intensyon at bronica? Don''t you think it''s a problem that could potentialle min


    lose people close to m He whispered and squee and his shoulder.


    "1-1 apologize Mr. Bryce," Doces Bailey stammered. "It was wrong of me to jump into conchisions."


    Gabriel removed his band to his shoulder and stepped back. "It was, thope this won''t even tepeat itself," its resketed. "The, There''ll be a lot of consequences, especially for you!


    With that, he contioned walking, not spating a single nce at the ridere docto


    He got out and once he was outside, he pulled out his phone and dialed Billy''s mumber.


    -Bill, get someone to monitor Doctor Bailey. He said one milly picked up...


    "Ot course, sir. Do you have a trasound youwant him toted?"


    cabriel sucked on his teeth for a few seconds before answer. "He''s a nosy old man."


    "Alright, Ell do just that


    "Good" With that, Gabriel ended the call and drove home, his mind not once leaving the thought of the fact that Doctor Bailey had made sach a veild assumption,


    The next day, As soon as Leonie atved at herpany, Kennech; informed her of an abrupt appointment


    "Herox Media?" she asked, walking towards her office while looking at the details of saidpany on mesh''s tablet. The boss''s profile was left nk, but that didn''t disturb her, she was confident enough that she could take on whoever it they turned out to be troublesome. However, what lillistuth her was when she saw Florence as one of the stalls, "They want anseeting with the?


    Kennedy nodded. "Yes The cro was rather insistent"


    Leonica sighed. "Very well then, I''ll entertain their request." She said and continued reading the contents of the email. "They want a panitenship?" she raised a brow and casted acurious nce at kennedy


    "That''s what it says here," Kennedy exined, his eyes not meeting that of his boss". "They sent an email stating that they wanted to form a partnership." "Now that''s getting a bit ahead of themselves, aren''t they?" She handed the tablet back to her assistant and pushed berotice door open. "Owen?" She was surprised to see the blonde male seatingfortably in her office


    He smiled. "Hi, Leonica."


    "What are you doing here?" she asked as she dismissed Kennedy, telling him to set the meeting for sometimeter in the day, "1 thought you had shooting today?" "I did, but I cancelled it," He answered as he stood up and walked towards her, wrapping his as around her waist and pulling her closer. "Cancelled it? For what reason?


    "Well," He began, shing her a bright smile. "Isn''t it obvious,"


    "You canceled an entire schedule just so you cane and meet me? That''s a waste of resources."


    "You consider spending time with the woman I love a waste of resources. Tell me, me this luce mia, who''s more important, me or thepany." Leonica swarted his arm as she stepped away. "Don''t be a baby


    "How was Ashley''s checkup?"


    "Worse," She muttered, running a hand through her hair. "It seems the injury is speeding up and his life is at stake. We have to find a donor and soon "And what''s stopping you from finding one


    "Me. "She answered. "I still haven''t nned for a second child and I''m afraid that by the time I get to have one, Ashleymight not even be around anymore." Owen sighed, walked up to her and gently massaged her shoulder. "Rx lucemia. I''ve always told you, I''m ready to be a father anytime you want."


    She chuckled, a sad smile ying on her lips. "But i don''t want you to be a father just for the sake of giving Ashley a sibling. I want it to happen natically, where the two of you would bond and have a genuine father and son rtionship. Just like what Gabriel and Ashley have." She muttered thest part, but owen being as close to her as he was, head.


    And to say he liked was an utterl


    *Yeah?" He asked, watching as Leonica nodded her head while rxing intos touch.


    "I don''t want you to pat your lively and fatherhood at stake. Destroying another person''s life to save another doesn''t sound ideal."


    The Th?ng Set of Consequences.


    "But I don''Tinind. "Oven ced a kiss on her neck as he ended the massage session. "I would be more than happy to be a father


    "Yeah, well, you can''t just say that without thinking of the consequences." the named and looked him in the eyes. "You won''t just have one child to worry about.


    You''d have had.


    Owen''s smile widened. "And I''m more than ready to raise the both of them. Leonica, I know you''re worried about Ashley, but trust me, he''ll pull through. Legnica gave a slight nad otherhead, but even though she had agreed with Owen, she wasn''t une Imundred percent on the idea,


    "alright," She said, baiming around. "If that''s all, I have a meeting to get ready for "


    "Alright," He whispered and nted a kiss on her cheek I''ll see youter."


    She simply nodded her head and watched as he walked out.


    H


    A few impte minutes was spend in between working and thinking, before Remedy came to intermer that I was time for her meeting with Herox Media. "Bring themup" she instructed as she stood up and went to stand by the font.

 Chapter 193

    Aframinutester, the door Eennedy, along with Jassou, Florence and a third manatend never seen before entered. "He, M. Nomura," Josh sad, his head held form,


    "Hello," She greeted and turned her attention to the unfamiliar face. "May I know wh


    The man stepped fond and shed her acharming smile, holding his hand out. "I''m Hero''s CEO,


    Leanica, for some reason, hesitated, but the moment she took his hand, he pulled her into a tight hug.


    meet you again, Leonica


    Arhus wards, she pushed him way. "Have we


    Hemed course you forgot. All


    met before?" she questioned.


    me to jog your memory." And with that, he moved forward and did another brazen action.


    The sound of Leonica''s palm making contact with the supposed stranger''s lett cheek was what drew every single person present out of the haze they had been put In alter witnessing what he had just don


    Stappering a few steps hack due to the Impact, he covered his stinging check, while Leonica spat on the floor, going the extra mile to wipe her lips to show how much his act disgusted her.


    "Ldn''t know who you u are, but you should have at least known better than to do something like that, especially with someone like me. Don''t you think that''s a bit


    reckless?


    Jaxson swallowed thickly, not knowing what was happening as the other three people in the room stared at the CEO with shock in their eyes. "Florence?" Leonca called, catching the other female off guard. "Is your boss crazy?" Florence remained silent at the question, not because she was too afraid to answer, but rather because even st


    even she didn''t know the answer to the question.


    I mean, who kisses someone they just met out of nowhere? Love at first sight aside, only a mad man would dss ady to jog her memory.


    Wait a minute, Florence thought, narrowing her eyes, what did her boss mean by jogging Leonica''s memory?


    Had these two met before?


    Leonica sighed, and turned to the male. "You, what''s your name?


    He shed her small smile and answered. "Jamil Vanada."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The name rolled effortlessly off his tongue that to the others present, it meant nothing, but to Legnica, who was currently trying her best to keep her expression neutral, it meant everything. She knew him.


    Who wouldn''t recognize the face of their high school bully. The one person who, along with his goons, had nearly made life a living hell, despite all the authority and riches she had thanks to her family name. "You," she began, pointing at Jason and Florence. "And you, get out." She ordered, warming a look of confusion from the two.


    ""Excuse me?"


    "Get out." She repeated. "Unless you want to stay and watch as your boss males a fool of himself."


    The stranger, Jamil, as he was now known as, chuckled and turned towards his two employees. "Love." Hemanded.


    When Florence and Jason, Florence especially, showed signs of hesitation, the smile on his lipspletely disappeared, "Stay if you want the first thing you see tomorrow moming to bey off letter." Hearing this, they didn''t dare utter a single word and quickly left, leaving Jamil and Leonica alone in the office.


    "What the hell are you doing here, Vanadas?" Leonica asked as the crossed her arms, eyes never loving the man in front of her.


    "Wow," Heughed. "You still hate me, don''t you."


    "Of course, I do. What type of question is that?" she


    ir retorted.


    Jamil chuckled, finding her retort funny. "Oh,e on. Are you still mad about the past? You''re holding a grudge against me."


    "I have a right to. Now, tell me what you want or might as well walk your ass out my door."


    ty, aren''t we impatient," He muttered, earning an eye roll from the woman "Alright, alright. I came here because I''m interested in forming a partnership with


    "No shit Sherlock" Leonica sassed. Of course she knew that, she had read the meeting briefing.


    God, now that she thinks about it, perhaps she should have declined this damn meeting.


    "Tell me the real reason Vantadas."


    Jamil sighed. "Fine," He said, stepping forward "ut straight to the chase, I want you."


    "You." Leonica''s expression looked stunned for a few seconds before she suddenly busted ourughing. "You want


    "I want what we had-"And that was enough to wipe the smile off Leonica''s lips as she abruptly internpted him.


    "Shut up." Her expression darkened, and she narrowed her eyes, not caring about how Jamil had inclied, "Now listen here, partnership or whatever you call it, I don''t care and I most definitely don''t want it, so you can take your proposal and shove it down your damn that. Get out"


    Jamil remained silent as Leonica spol, but he did manage to give her a small smile before saying "That''s the answer I expected to hear. But," He took a step forward, closing the distance in away Leonica didn''t like but she stood her ground. "Do you think you can reject me that easily, Leonica?" She frowned. "I had my way back in high school, and have it now, I want you, and I will do anything, and I mean anything, to have you. Even if that means destroying you." "You''ve got to be kidding me." Leonica mumbled as her eyes narrowed. "Do you sealously believe you have a chance, Jamil? I was a fool in high school, I gave you a chance, not this time around. So, take yourckeys and your dam self and get the fuck out of my office, before I calls


    Isecurity."


    #ch," fomil clicked his tongue. You haven''t changed a bit, haven''t you. You''re still stubborn and you haven''t gotten rid of your pride, not that''s not a problem," He leaned forward, his lips a few inches away from hers, but she didn''t push him away. Me simply stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

 Chapter 194

    "I want yourthur way. And I''ll get you, just you wait."with that, he tumed around and headed for the door, but it opened before his hanit could even touch the handle and towen walked i


    He paused when he saw jail, but like Leonica, he recognized the male in seconds and he wasn''t in the slightest bit pleased to see Jamil


    Thinking that he might have yet another rival, couple with the fact that famil Vanadas, was the tanned skin pretty boy Leonica had dated back in high school, wasn''t setting; well with the blonde male. Enjoy Ad Free Headings>


    Benjamin Romero Has A Love Child.


    The first everboy Leonica had brought home during her high school days was Jamil Varadas.


    His appearance; tall, tanned skinned, slightly curly brown hair that entuated his popping blue eyes.


    The typical look for spoilt high school bullies. The look that Benjamin and Cassandra Romero, didn''t like.


    So of course, they weren''t big fans of the idea of him and weren''t hesitant about showing their disapproval.


    At that time, Owen had just begun his second year in his school and just like Leonica''s parents, he was also against their rtionship. For his own reasons of course.


    So when word reached him a few monthster that Leonica had broken up with Jamil because of how insecure he was of her, family wealth, smartness and all, Owen was d. He was more thand


    So now, staring right at the very same person he was d Leonica had gotten rid of, he wasn''t very pleased.


    Jamil however, didn''t seem to recognize Owen and simply gave him a smile, then turned back to Leonica.


    "Leonie," He called in a sing song voice, enjoying how she looked like she was about to bath his face in at that moment.


    She looked more cate than deadly.


    "I''ll be waiting for your response. But you see, in this case, it wouldn''t be ideal to keep me waiting for too long." Waving, he tuned back to Owen, smiled once then walked past him, leaving the office. "Was that Jamil Vamada?" Owen asked as he closed the door behind him, a frown on his face,


    Leica nodded with a sigh "Yeah"


    "What was he doing here? He questioned.


    Lesnica, on the other hand, wasn''t in the least bit interested in answering his question and instead, she turned away.


    "why are youwen? Did you forget something?" she asked in a sweet tone, behaving as if she hasn''t been the same person who looked almost about ready to murder Jamil


    Owen wasn''t having it, though. He knew that Leonica was avoiding the subject and the topic.


    why was he here, Leonica? Didn''t you guys breakup?"


    Leonica''s brows furrowed and she shot him a look. "We''re not talking about this, not now, not ever." She turned her back to him. "Now, why are you here, luce mia?"


    When he heard the pet name, we knew it was time to drop the subject, even though he didn''t want to.


    "I forgot my wallet. He said as he walked over to where he had kept it earlier on, stuffing it in les pocket.


    When he turned around, he carefully studied Leonica, surprising her for a second when he suddenly walked closer and wiped theer of her lips.


    *Your lipstick is smudged Without waiting for her answer, he leaned in and pecked her check "let''s talkter, yeah?


    With that, he turned around and walked out, not missing the heavy sigh that escaped Leonica''s lips.


    As he walked down the hallway, heading towards the elevator, he saw Jam leaning on the wall, a smirk on his lips and a phone in his hands.


    "I knew you looked kinda termiliar. You''re that the idol, Owen Lee, Right?"


    Owen stopped, his eyes not once leaving famil''s, and he gave a single nod of his head, acknowledging him.


    "I''m a tan, well, was a fan. You lost me the moment you decided to propose to Leonica"


    Jamil''s smile widered and he pushed himself off the wall. "You and her are engaged, correct? Or is the media spreading a fake news again?"


    "It''s true "Owen answered confidently. But you still haven''t answered my question. Why are you here?"


    "Let''s say, I''m a friend. A close one at that."


    Owen didn''t look amused, in fact, he looked anything but amused and Jamil couldn''t help butugh


    "You''re a jealous one. Feeling threatened already, aren''t you?" He shook his head, and then continued. "You should feel threatened. Especially with me around." "You have no ce here Owen stated, his voice calm and low. "So, gut lost." Jamil shrugged. "I''ll be going soon. Except this time around, I''ll be taking Leonica with me, like I should have done so back in high school."


    "If you think for a second that she would juste back to you just because you ask, then I suggest you rethink that." Owen retorted, his patience urming out. "Oh, trust mir, she''ll being back, just wait I''m not a person who gives up easily, Mr. Lee." He stepped closer, a cocky smirk on his face. "I won. In high school, T was the victor. I got her. But I let her go because situations desanded so Now that I''ve finally seen her again, I''ll make sure she''s mine. No one''s going to take her away Lrom me, not even you."


    Owen snorted at his words. "You let her go because situation demanded so? You were insecure Jamil Vanades. Which you had every right to seeing as she was and will is better than you. And no, you won''t be taking her back. Because you have no business being in her life." Stepping forward, he added, "I''ve dealt with people be you who are always vying for her attention and look where that got me won."


    Jamil''s face twitched at his words, but he confidently said, "Well, let''s hope you''ve won for thest time, because this is yourst battle. I''m the one who''s going To win, not you Trust ine, Mr. Lee "


    Bend Ronera Has & Love Child


    "we''ll see about that."Owen spat, turning around and heading for the elevator, his mind not once leaving the fact that he had just found another enemy, especially since Jamil''s words were filled with confidence.


    Jamil waited till he had left before he went down. Florence and Jaxson were waiting in the entrance for him and they both led him towards his car.


    "What happened back there, sir? Florence asked.


    *1 had a little chat with Leonica." He chucked and turned to Jaxson. "What about the thing asked you to look into?"


    "Ah!" Jaxson quickly fumbled with his tablet before pulling a tile open and handing it to him. "I found this."


    Jamil collected the tablet and read through it while Jaxson exined,


    "Apparently, Benjamin Romero had been in a rtionship with some low ssdy before he married his current wife, Cassandra.


    "Hmmin," Jamil nodded his head, still reading


    "But they were never able to get married. Thedy in question, her name was Alicia, she passed away in a car crash about six years ago. However, twenty four years prior to her death, she gave birth to a baby girl." Jaxson paused, allowing his words to sinkin. "A baby girl?" He asked, his mind already forming a picture of what Jaxson was telling him. Chuckling, he said. "You mean to tell me The righteous Henjanin Romero, has a love child?"


    Jaxson nodded his head and swiped next on the tablet, showing his boss the picture of Benjamin''s love child.


    The resemnce he could see. Jamil backed augh, a devilish glint in his eyes as he stared at the picture. "Jaxson," He called without looking at the male, more focused on the picture of said love child. "Set up a meeting low she has a rich father like Benjamin Romero." ting with her, I''m sure she''s be more than d to


    Time''s Ticking


    Irene sat in the facendcate, picking on


    After a few minutes, he sighed loudly and shook her head, cursing at herself intemally uver the fact that she had actually chosen to mert a total stranger because


    Her father, just the thought of the man she had not known for her entire tanty years of life bringle a sour taste to one''s


    But why did the care se much about him. He had disappeared even before she was born and her mother,, when she had been alive, had always told her the story of how her father had abandoned them both, choosing to marry a rich heiress instead.


    free considered hemaningrateful bustand, and still does, so why show up today? Well it was obvious, scatter his family like he had chosen to hers


    here was pulled out of her thoughts by t


    wanted to find that rich son of a bitch and num


    "Lapologize it I kept you waiting." The handsome st added, "The resemnce really is apparent."


    stranger shed her a smile


    slipped in the chair. His blue eyes scanned her for a few seconds before


    Tiene shrugged hiswordsoft. "And you are?"


    "Jamil Kanadas," He extended his hard, awaiting a handshake that never-rame Calody, he wifrew his hand. "tinent myemployer contacted you, saying he had emcial Information conceming your father. You''re interested in finding hlin, right? I can help with that, for a price of course.


    "Crocial information, price and all, none of that matters as long as ven''t seen prove. Where''s the eviderer the konw whorny fath


    Jamil smiled at this and he pulled out a small browns envelope from his suit porket. "Here''s your proof." He said, handing the rmelope to detThis content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    She took it and pulled out a few old looking pictures of a woman who she recognized to be her mother, clinging happilyouts the arm if a man who was smiling. brightly, and judging by how happy the two of them looked, Tirne knew the man was her faller. These were taken about thirty two years ago.


    "so what?" She spat, forcefully shoving the picture back into the envelope and dixing Jamil with a strin look. "All this proves is that he and my mother were an item. For all we know, my mother could have met someone else."


    "You''re a pessimist," Jamil chuckled. "I don''t me you, though. It must be tough not knowing your father."


    "It''s not," She retorted vehemently. In fact, I consider myself lucky. Not knowing abastant like him has been a pleasure


    Jamilughed at her words as it reminded him a lot of a certain someone he had visited two days ago. "Yeah, the resemnce sure is there.".


    Irene sighed, her impatie growing by the second. "Why the fuck did even listen to some bullshit said over the phone?" She muttered and stood up." obvious you don''t know what you''re saying. So, I''ll take me leave."


    Jamil raised his hand before she could leave. "Hold on, w you wouldn''t believe me so easily." He suddenly pulled out a transparent rip back. "So how about a DNA test to conclude it all


    *DNA test?" she asked as she eyed the bag suspiciously. "How do you n on getting his DNA sample?


    wfamily, quite the happy one,


    "Not him." Jamil mused. When trene gave a look filled with confusion, be added. "Well, let''s just say your dearest daddy started a new I must say, and you see, from that happy family, you have what they call siblings. And I happen to be. "He paused looking for the night words before he continued


    "Infatuated with one of them. She''s the reason I''m doing this. So you see, getting a DNA sample from her to conduct the rest wouldn''t be hard."


    "So, if you''d please, a lock of your hair" Jamil added as he pulled the transparent zip bag open, waiting eagerly for free to drop in a lock of hair


    Irene however, hesitated. Was this really safe? She thought, after all, giving a handsome creep a lock of your hair wasn''t the satest thing to do out there.


    But the need to confirm or deny if the man in those photos was her father outweighed the risk, and she did as told, pulling a single lock off and dropping it into the zip bag.


    up: "111 contact you in


    "Thank you." Jamil shed her another charming smile, one she didn''t retum and he stuffed the envelope back into his pocket, then stood up two days."


    As he turned to leave, Irene asked. "Why are you doing this?"


    "Didn''t I tell you," Jamil said as he stopped and nced over his shoulder. "A sibling of yours happened to catch my eyes and the only way I can have her is to nin this happy family of her, break down everything she had ever struggled to protect, that way, she''de crawling to me, begging that 1 help her. And when that timees, 111 dly do so."


    Irene''s face twitched ufortably at his words. "What the hell is wrong with you? she couldn''t help but ask after he was done speaking


    Sure, she wanted to make her rather pay, and surprise sarpelse, she had a valid reason behind it. But this dude, Jamil Vanadas or whatever his name was, seemed likara crazy psycho.


    Destroying someone''s peace home all because of a sick infatuation.


    At her question, Hamil answered with a smile. "Love miles you do crazy things.


    With that, he turned back and lett, lewing ene alone with her thoughts.


    What a creep She thought as she picked up her purse and headed out


    It was animal the same time and the next day, Lenka was hard at work in her office. She was currently signing of a contract when there was a knock on the door


    "Come in," she called, her eyes still trained on the paper.


    When the door opened, her assistant, Kennedy entered.


    "There''s someone here to see you Ms. Romero," He informed and she nodded her head.


    ""Send them in"


    Kennedy nodded and stepped aside, allowing the guest, to enter the office.


    Leonica had been so busy with the contract, that she didn''t bother to nce at the person who entered, not until they spoke.


    ""Leonica, Hi."


    Her head snapped up at the sound of Jamil''s voice. He shed her a smile the moment their eyes met. She nced at Kennedy at this and the assistant, as if realizing his mistake, quickly bowed.


    "The guts you have to return here, Vanadas." She spat.


    "Is that how you greet an old friend, Leonica?"


    "Old friend?" Leonicaughed. "The audacity you have. Get out. I''m not in the mood to deal with you." She turned her attention back to the papers she had been signing, only raising her gaze at the sound of Jamil''s approaching footsteps.


    He stopped in front of her desk and shamelessly leaned on it. "You still haven''t cropped that hostile attitude of yourself."


    "I''m only hostile towards people I dim enemies. Now," Leonica put down her pen, a bored expression on her face as she looked up at him. "Get your ass out of my hospital before I have security throw you out.


    "Same old threat." Jamil chuckled as he reached forward and suddenly ran his finger through her hair. He took a second to enjoy the feeling of her hair, before pulling back. "But fear not, I didn''te here for that. And since it seems like you still don''t have an answer to my request, I''ll leave. But remember what I said Leonica, it''s not good to make me wait, Time''s ticking."


    Leonica narrowed her eyes at his audacious words. Was he threatening her?


    "And if I still refuse?" she asked.


    Jamil stopped to think of an answer even though he didn''t need to, but just decided to be dramatic. After a few seconds, he answered with a bright smile. "You''ll regret it."


    im Bonus For Free Every Days*


    im


    Ruining The Romero Family.


    ""You''ll regret it."


    Leonica thought about famil''s words as she sat in tient of his vanity mir, taking off her wake up for the day.


    But no matter the number of times she thought about it, Leonica wally couldn''t tell what he meant.


    An obvious bull, she thought.


    He had always been a person who liked to boast, especially when he knew he believed he had a tug cand or two.


    Jamil, even back in high school, had been a confident one, he always acted as if he was better that everyone che, evenit he was! and as soon as he realized that, their once happy rtionship went somet


    beth was the case for Leade


    He med her for people looking down on him, med her for being to straightforward, for having better grades, family and does sense than him. And as their rtionship got more toe, Lorca was forced to malize that even it jamil was a great boyfriend, his toxic al prideful side was something she couldn''t put up with


    Then she broke up with him and that marked the beginning of the bullying, Jamil took that as his own way of getting revenge, he started off becalling her names, insulting her, but that soon escted to the point where he got physical, all in the bid to mend what he imed to be a booken heart


    But right before the start of college, he disappeared, transtered schools, but that didn''t quench the hatred Leonica had developed for him,


    She hated him and his gots just as much


    So when jamil, after all those years, came back, asking her for a partnership, she didn''t think twice about refusing, not because she feared him or Iris threats, but rather because she didn''t want any business with him, didn''t want him anywhere near her


    But vet, here he was, back with his threats, all because he wanted that very same Rtionship he destroyed.


    Leonica scotted at the thought, she''d never give him that chance. Just like Gabriel, he had lost a shot at berheart.


    Spalding of Gabriel, Leonica''s mind shed back to their encounter at the hospital and she recalled that a long with Ashley, she had to show up for their weekend hang out


    She muttered wealdy with a sigh as she trashed her used makeup wipes. "I already have one fish on my ce, why not throw another one in."


    She didn''t want to show up, she didn''t want to meet Gabriel, not when she had a lot going on at thest thing she needed was a headache.


    And she was certain Gabriel would be one, after all, he had been just that before he lost his memories.


    Memories, she thought as she slipped under the covers of her bed, wondering whmorit he was ever going to get them back.


    Not that it concerned her, right now, she had other things to think about, Ashley was one of them, the most important in fact and then there was her rtionship with Owen, it was second important to Ashley. After that, Gabriel followed and Jamil, he was the least of her problem.


    But despite that tact, a voice in the back of her mind couldn''t help but washer to be careful of Jamil, as she drifted asleep.


    Two days forlene felt like an entire week, so when she had gotten the call from Jamil, telling her that he had gotten the results for the DNA test, she didn''t waste a single minute and rushed down to the cafe.


    Jamil was already seated in the same spot as thest time and she wasted no time and took a seat in front of him.


    "The result, where she asked eagerly,


    "Calm down." Jamil chuckled. "I have it here. He fished around his suit pocket, pulling out a brown envelope, and handing it over to her.


    As expected, Irene tore at the cover, desperate to get to the white paper inside which contained the information she needed.


    And the moment she saw it, the percent trading 99.99%, her eyes widened, only to narrow secondster as she spotted the name of her supposed father. "Mydadis.


    1. Benjamin Homero? Her question was filled with disbelief and she nced at Jamil for answers.


    "Oh, didt forget to mention that?" pamil questioned, feighing innocence "Well, yeah, that old man is your father. Congrattions." He joyfully announced, but Trene''s face was far from joyful


    In the few seconds that famil had confirmed the identity of her father and the seconds it book her brain to rey theirst conversation, in connected several


    "Then my sister, is she?"


    Jamil mimicked the sound of a ringing bell with his lips. "Comet! Your half sister in Leonica Romero


    Irene''s facepletely fell


    "What? Wasn''t the resemnce obvious?" pamil mocked.

 Chapter 195

    "That woman is my half sister?!" trene shouted.


    "Yup," pamildimmed. "But that aside, you know Leonie?"


    Irene cringed at the nickname "Who doesn''t? That bitch had made it hission to nearly everyone''s life, mine included"


    "So, you hate her?" Jamal Interpreted her words In simpler terms. "And you''re willing to pull her down, making her pay for making you such a pathetic soul Duch, Trene thought, but chose to ignore the obvious insult.


    "Of course I would, butst I checked, the bitch''s untouchable. As much aut hate to admit it."


    "Untouchable?!


    "Yeah. Haven''t you seen what she did to her uncle" It''s huge news.


    "Of course it is But that''s not a problem, because unlike Rodrigo Romero, I''m not just using strategies, I''m also using my brain." Jamil tapped on his temple to emphasize his words. "Brain of strate


    of that makes you any different from That fool if you''re going to get caught."


    *But I''m not!" famil quickly interected, a wide smile this lips. "You see, the mistake Rodrigo made was that he went for the big fish. He wanted to quickly make his way to the top Unlike him, we''re going to do things slow but swift. Rather than going after Romero Empire that is now out of Benjamin''s hands, we''d go for his other enterprises, the ones From there, we''d win has dients favors and soon, we''d have enough backing to ruin and buy Romero Empire. We''d y her exact gatur, except this time around, we''d be more ruthless. When all that is done, we''d simply paint Leonica red and have her name taken off the family register, mulking sure she has ess to nothing and when we''ve officially ruined her, she''de begging."


    Jamil exined, the look in his eyes growing more and more crazy by the minute.


    It creeped Irene out and for a second, she pitsed Leonica.


    "From the way I see it, this is only benefit you. Where do I get my fun."


    Jamil chuckded. "Don''t you worry, you''ll get your fun. When the timees, not only would you be able to take revenge on your half sister, you''d also have the privilege to get revenge on the woman who had stolen your father away from your mother. And along with all that woulde a great reward." He smiled deviously at the end.


    Irene, however, wasn''t interested in whatever reward Jamil had in mind, all she cared about was the fact that the one person she had hated since growing on, Cassandra Romero, was finally about to suffer the justice she deserved.


    Oh, and not go forget her lovely half sister. Leonica had frustrated her so much in the short period they knew themselves. From stealing Arvan''s heart away, to


    ing her spor in Daisy''s life, then there was the fact that she was her father''s favorite, and the list was endless.


    So yeah, this was her chance, the only opportunity she''d get to finally get rid of the people who bring her so much frustration


    Fine. I''m in."She dered, a wicked smile on her face.


    Jamill matched her wicked smile, his blue eyes shining brightly.


    "Of course you are. You didn''t have a choice to begin with. Bringing his hand forward, he offered a hand shake which Irene dly epted. "I look forward to ruining the Romero family with you, Irene Rosewood Romero, Stres And Whijra


    The weekend came about faster that eonica liked at even though she pretend to stay in bed and rest away all the stress this week had given her, the found bemelt up and geming made when at .appooching the set time for she and Ashley''s hang out with Gabriel, she threw on a simple pokchoodie, patring stop with ck leggings and a pair of sandals, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, leaving a few strands loose, framing


    as post about doute when Ashley housed into her room, looking happy and energetic about the day ahead.


    Pawe?menting many!" He gireted with a gommy smile, hugging her leg once he got close enough.


    "Morning Ash "Leonica semned his greeting with a side of her own. "Are you ready to hang nut with daddy, today?"


    After nodded his head and Leica couldn''t help but chuckle "d to heat that.". She said and turned to pick up her phone when Ashley pulled on her sleeves.From N?velDrama.Org.


    Having gained her attention, he reached into his pocket and palled out a blue ne.


    "W,bort is that, Ash?" Leonica askeid, a bit confused about why he was giving bet the ne.


    "For mommy." Ashley angered and held up the ne.


    Leonica knelt down so that they were on the same level and took the ne from him, her eyes scanning over the simple yet pretty charm.


    This is beautiful catling, where did you get


    "Aunt Anastasia bought it for me." He answered with yet another toothy spiste.


    Anastasia did? Leonica thought as she looked the ne''s design over once more. No wonder it seemed so familiar.


    "Aunt Atsastasia sand could give it to the person t cherish Ashley added. "And I cherish mommy the most!"


    Hearing this warmed Leonica''s heart and she smiled gleefully, giving him a peck on the cheek to show how much she appreciated his gesture. "Thank you darling." "You''re wee, username" Ashley responded and hugged her


    When they pulled apart, Leonica ottered. "How about you help me out it on?"


    Ashley''s smile grew wider than Leonica had ever seen. It almost looked as it she had uttered the exact words he wished for.


    Smilting, she tuned her back to him, allowing him ess to the nape of her neck.


    Altera few seconds, she felt the chain rest against her neck and when she tomed back, she saw a proud look in his eyes.


    "You look gorgeous, thatny."


    "Thank you" She thanked, patting his head gently. "Now let''s go."


    By the time Leonica and Ashley arrived at the location Gabriel had tested, an amusement park situated in the heart of Oslo, he was already there, waiting for them.


    Seeing him, Ashley nished to him, excitedly calling his name, which had him turning towards them.


    He was d in a simple white t-shirt and ck jeans, a casual look but still attractive nheless


    When he saw Leonica, dressed casually rather than her office, elegant wears, he couldn''t help but admire how she still looked like the most unique being present. "You''re early" Leonica greeted him as she walked over, Ashley by her side. Gabriel gave a slight nod. "I wanted to see if it was okay or not." Turning to Ashley, who he effortlessly swooped off his feet and into his arms, he asked. "Do you like it buddy?"


    Ashley looked betweenhis mother and father and a bright smile settled on his lips. "I like it!"")


    ng that for today, they were one happy andplete family going on a


    The idea of his mother and father being together had him jumping with joy, and just imagining fun trio, had him ecstatic.


    "d to bear that." Gabriel returned the smile, his eyes nc


    i ncing at Leonca, who was also smiling


    She noticed his gaze and she averted hers, looking at the amusement park.


    Alter theirst encounter at the hospital, it was clear that she had gone back to being awloward around him.


    Had he pushed his luck too far?


    #ihaven''t beento.


    o an amusement park in a while," she said, charging the topic.


    *Neither have 1," Gabriel admitted "Now rose on, I reserved tickets for us."


    with that, he led the way, Ashley being in the center of them both with a happy smile on his face.


    Lot the first few hours, they west from one attraction to the next. The three of them, especially Ashley had a lot of fun


    ture, they stopped at a prior boot and Ashley couldn''t help but be reminded for thest time he and Gabriel yed something simr


    He still hadimme ed the picturs that they had taken, one that he had hidden from his mother and slept with every night


    But he wanted a new on And he wanted his mother to be in this one.


    "Mommy, Iwand to y." He dered as he pulled Leonica towards the stall, Gabriel following


    "Alright." She united and looked at the prices. "How about we tryingetabrar?"


    "Uh huh." Ashley nodded and she picked up the toy gon

 Chapter 196

    Angling the gun, she found it feeling weird in her grip. It was obvious the toy gun had been designed to be easy for children to use, but for her, a grown woman who had never yed one of those games, she had a hard time getting used to it. "Need some help?" She heard Gabriel''s nice and felt his warmth as he moved behind her, his hands guiding hers.


    "y" Leonica mombled, feeling a bit awkwant with their proximity.


    "Holding in like this in best,


    She could feel hischest against herback and the warmth his body radiated, the warmth hasherath ander skin gave her and for a secust, she couldn''t run, beran thrown off and she ended up missing the target


    "rial''s not good mommy," Ashley shook his head, while Gabriel decided to take a step bark, giving her much needed space.


    "Sorry," She apologized, feeling slightly rebarassed.


    "Don''t worry." Gabriel said. "You''ll get it the next


    Leonica didn''t give any too of avartion to his words and focused on hitting the target and that she did.


    "Mommy got it!" ashleycheered.


    "I did." Leonicaughed.


    "Now you have to do it two more times."


    And sure enough, she did tr


    "We did it." She announced


    "Ikawwmommy could do it."


    Leonica smiled. "Now, which one would you like."


    Ashley pointed at the tall white Bear stutty and the stall manager wasted no time in plucking it off the shelf


    "Congrattions ma''am," He said as he handed it to Leonica. "You and your husband are the first ones wina price today


    At his words, Leonica felt a defensive side of hering up and she stuttered. "He-he''s not my


    "Thank you." Gabriel interrupted her, taking the bear and handing it over to Ashley, who dly took it.


    H


    "Thank you." Ashley thanked and hugged the bear.


    "You''re wee." The stall manager offered them a wave. "And I hope you enjoy the res


    rest of your time bere."


    Gabriel and Leonica exchanged a look before he led the way


    The next few hours were spent on the rides, and they all had a great time, even Leonica gradually became more rxed around Gabriel.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    At some point, Asley became tired and they had to seat by a river view to allow him st


    As they chose a spot, some couple other people present nced their way, whispering incoherent words while obviously pointing at them Leica didn''t like that.


    "I guess here''s okay." The sound of Gabriel''s voice had her looking away.


    He set Ashley down, the young boy''s face flushed from the rating around he had done, the exhaustion evident on his face..


    "you really exhausted yourself Ash," Lesnicamented as she joined them, rubbing her son''s hair.


    He offered her a toothy smile. "It was too fun, couldn''t stop."


    "Yeah?" She mused, watching as Ashley shot up the second at the sound of an ice cream truck.


    He stared hard at before asking. "Can mommy?"


    tranica nced at the distance, it was less than five feet away. "Sure, let''s go."


    As she tried to st od up. Ashley stopped her "No! 1-I''ll go alone!"


    Leonica''s brows dipped. "What?"


    Without answering his mother''s question, Ashley turned to Gabriel and stretched his handout Daddy, please give me some money


    Gabriel hesitated, ncing at Leonica for a rond before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a ten dor bill


    "You sime you want to go alone?" He cautiously asked, eaming sehemented from the child. "Alright, just be careful and be back here, Last" "Vendaddy!" Ashley said as her took the money and rushed in the directions the ice cream track. "Don''t in, Addey" Bronica called out to him.


    The watched him for a seconds before her attrition was once again-capturd by the people staring and discussing amongst themselves.


    ne almostmal it got. Normally, she was used to people staring and talking, but this, this was something else


    Sourthung wong, the coedd tell by the look in theit eget.


    "Hey, you okay? Gabriel whispered, gently tugging on her finger to get her attention.


    Without taking her eyes off hertest targets, she answered. "They''re staring, whispering? Why are they doing that?"


    Gabriel followed her gaze and he too soon became aware of how people stared at them.


    Was it because they were together?


    People knew all about Leonica and Owen''s rtionship. It was hot topic, so perhaps seeing her with him was...confusing them? Misleading them, maybe?


    Ah, what it a scandal were to originate from this?


    Leonica and Owen''s rtionship was sure to have a tall because of it, but as tempting as that offer sounded, Gabriel didn''t want it.


    He didn''t want to win Leonica''s heart by going low and creating a misunderstanding in her current rtionship and be sure as hell didn''t want to see her hurt from said Misunderstanding.


    "I think we should leave," He said after pretending to peak at his watch. "It''s getting quitete and with winter approaching, it isn''t advisable for Ashley to stay


    out thatte."


    Leonica found reason in his words. They indeed needed to leave, not because of the growing stares, but because of Ashley.


    He was more important.


    Peeling her gaze away from the staring figures, she found Gabriel standing in front of her, offering a hand to raise her up.


    She took it and he pulled her up, a little to hand. They were inches apart Close


    Too close.


    Leonica was the first one to break the silence that had descended on them.


    "Thank you," Her voice was a mere whisper as she stepped back and wiped her hand on her trousers, finding them more moist than they should be


    She didn''t wait for his response and instead, focused her attention on her son, who was heading towards them with a popsicle in hand.


    "Mommy, daddy, I bought it!" He announced happily once in front of them


    Leonica smiled. "That''s good." She took his free hand. "Come on now, let''s go to a different ce."


    Ashley looked between his mother and Gabriel, who offered him a convincing smile.


    "Let''s go Ash."


    "Alright."


    After he agreed, Leonica began leading them towards the exit, however bumped shoulders with someone.


    "Ah, I apologize." The individual who had been glued to his phone, stopped to apologize, but upon looking at the p "Huh, it''s you."


    person he had bumped into, his brows furrowed.


    "It''s me?" Leonica questioned in confusion, tilting her head to examine the person speaking. "Have we met before?


    "N-no, not at all?" The males face flushed at her action. "We haven''t met before, but you''re pretty popr. Everyone''s talking about your family news"


    "My family news?" Leonica was even more confused.


    Seeing the look of uncertainty on her face, the stranger asked. "Are you not Leonica Romero?"


    Before Leonica could respond, Gabriel stepped protectively beside her. "What''s going on here?" He asked in an intimidating manner, slightly scaring the stranger, who waster surprised to see him look at Leonica with a softer expression. "Is everything alright, Leonica?" "Y-yeah. But," She was now curious. "What did you mean by ''news about my family?"


    She asked and the stranger didn''t hesitate to raise his phone, showing Leonica the article he had just been reading.


    "This."


    A few secondster, a wave of shock and confusion washed over her when she read the Article''s headings, which were written in bold letters, "SCANDAL UNFOLDS RETIRED BUSINESS MOGUL''S SECRET LOVE CHILD SHOCKS THE NATION!" Enjoy Ad Free Reading


    Unsettling News.


    "Is this true?" The stranger asked, ncing, from Leonica, who had a nestral expressionan hetce despite the wave of confusionenmming amuck inside, and his phone which still had the article open on disy.


    "I mean, you don''t have to make an official statement or amething like that. I know how you rich people are, reputation and all, but


    "That''s enough," cabriel interupted him, pushing the phone away from Leonica''s path of view. "It''s very node to question someone over a falsely witterianticle." *Well, how can you say for stir that it''s false?" The stranger retorted.


    "And who are you to say it was written based on the facts? Lreoica ashed, sally regaining betposine after the tabloid she had real


    What a load of bullshit, she thought as she shook her head, prople sure were thirsty for her tasnily''s downfall to have enough time to create a bulloca nemur like


    But then again, the shouldn''t be surprised, it was expecteil.


    "I''m just saying-


    g him to shrink back and step away, then she sailed. "Please learn to mind your ownbusiness from now on


    "Nothing." Leonica shot him a re, causing I


    With that, she turned arose and picket Ashley up, not talling to notice the way a couple other people looked at her once they recognized her, Some even pointed and whispered.


    Now it was crally starting to make her feel ufortable.


    "Let''s go Ashley," She said and walked away from the stranger, Gabriel following along


    The atmosphere was filled with silence until they hail reached the parking lot and cabriel was the one who book the silence.


    "Leonica," He called out as he gently held her v


    of confusion that gathered across her face


    wist and pulled her in the opposite direction of her car. "I''ll drive you guys home." He added upon seeing the look


    "No, that won''t be necessary." She rejected without a second thought. "Thanks for the offer though."


    In normal cases, Gabriel would have backed off, allowing ronica to wall away, have her way, but not today.


    Today was different because he could tell how unfocused she was. The way her eyes seemed to flicker back and forth, the way her fingers twitched, the way she bit berlips, he could tell she was over thinking, probably in to make heads of the article she had seen, along with those people''s stares.


    No matter how unique Leonics is, she was just like every other elite, caring greatly about her family''s reputation and an article like that, true or false, was sure to leave a temporary dent.


    He could tell she was feeling unsettled


    So, rather than allow her to drive home with her mind clouded, most likely put her, along with Ashley in danger, he held hertighter.


    "insist." He stated and continued leading the way to his car


    "Really, there''s no need "Leonica said.


    ""But I''m taking you."


    "Thave my own car.


    "cetum it tomorrow." He pulled open the passenger door to his car after unlocking in "jast let me daive you home, okay?" Leonica was


    was conflicted. A part of her wanted to reject him and go home with her own car, while another part of her was too tired to argue. "Fine," She eventually agreed and ced Ashley in the backseat, before settling in the passenger seat.


    As soon as they were buckled up, he started the engine and they drove off, the silence between them remaining However, Gabriel was the one who decided to breakti


    the same


    "Talk about what?" Leonica asked in a nonchnt manner.

 Chapter 197

    Gabriel shrugged. "The article, or even the stares."


    "I''d ratherno" she replied, not once turning to look at him.


    Gabriel took note of the coldness in hervoice, it was the same tone she had used each time she intended to put a wall


    A sign that she was feeling uncary, that she didn''t want to let him or anyone in


    Gabriel respected that and chose to remain silent for the rest of the ride,


    By the time they arrived at Leonica''s ce, Ashley had already dosed off, his bear clutched tightly against his chest.


    Leonita didn''t bother waking him. She scooped him out of his seat, being careful not to wake him and stepped out the car, only to find that Gabriel had joined her,


    "You don''t have to walk me to the door. She informed him, watching as he pocketed theys to his car


    She was about to say something else when the designs on Gabriel''s keychain caught her attention.


    It was a forget-me-not flower, the very same one Ashley had given her to give him after the tier incident The cart sale symbol that was on her ne.


    Her eyes went to foldey''s sleeping foun and she sighed, "Ha, clever child."


    Unsettling News.


    "The stranger asked, ncing from Leonica, who had a neutral expression on her face despite the wave of contusion running amuck inside, and his phone which still had the article open on disy


    "I mean, you don''t have to make an official statement or amthing like that. I know how you rich people are, reputation and all, but-


    "That''s enough," Gabriel interrupted him, pushing the phone away from Leonica''s path of view. "It''s very nude to question someone over a falsely written article. "Well, how can you say for sure that it''s false?" The stranger retorted. "And who are you to say it was written based on true facts?" Leonica asked, finally gaining her


    What a loaded bullshit.


    This


    thought as she shook her head, people sure were thirsty for her family''s downfall to have enough time to create a bullocks cumot like


    But then again, she shouldn''t be surprised, it was expected.


    "Nothing." Leonica shot him a re, causing him to shrink back and step away, then she smiled. "Please leam to mind your own business from now on.


    with that, she turned around and picked Ashley up, not failing to notice the way a couple other people looked at her once they recognized her. Some even pointed and whispered.


    to make her feel ufortable.


    Now it was rally starting to


    "Let''s go Ashley," She said and walked away from the stranger, Gabriel following along


    The atmosphere was filled with silence until they had reached the parking lot and Gabriel was the one who broke the silence.


    "Leonica." Hecalled out as he gently held her wrist and pulled her in the opposite direction of her ear. "I''ll drive you guys home." He added upon seeing the look of confusion that gathered across her face.


    "No, that won''t be near." She rejected without a second thought. "Thanks for the offer though"


    In normal cases, Gabriel would have backed ott, allowing Lennica to waway, have her way, but not today.


    Today was different because he could tell how unfocused she was. The way her epes seemed to flicker back and forth, the way her fingers twitched, the way she bit her lips, he could tell she was over thinking, probably trying to make heads of the article she had seen, along with those people''s states.


    No matter how unique Leonica is, she was just like every other elite, caring greatly about her family''s reputation and an article like that, true or false, was sure to leave a temporary dent


    He could tell she was feeling unsettled.


    So, rather than allow her to drive home with her mind clouded, most likely put her, along with Ashley in danger, he held her tighter.


    "Init" He stated and continued leading the way to his par


    "Really, there''s no need." Leonica said


    "But I''m taking you


    ""Thave my owncar."


    "I''ll retum it tomorrow." He pulled open the passenger door to his caratter unlocking in "Just let me drive you home, okay? Leonica was conflicted. A part of her wanted to reject him and go home with her own car, while another part of her was too tired to argue "Fine," She eventually agreed and ced Ashley in the backseat, before settling in the passenger seat.


    As soon as they were buckled up, he started the engine and they drove off, the silence between them remaining the same.


    However, Gabriel was the one who decided to break it.


    "Do you want to talk about it?"


    "Talk about what?" Leonica asked in a nonchnt manner. Gabriel


    I shrugged. "The article, or even the stares.


    "I''d rather not." She replied, not once turning to look at him


    Gabel took note of the coldness in her voice, it was the same tone she had used each time she intended to put a


    a wall up.


    A sign that she was feeling uneasy, that she didn''t want to let him or anyone in Gabriel respected that and chose to remain silent to the of the ride.


    ed out the car, only to find that Gabriel had joined her


    By the time they arrived at Leonica''s ce, Ashley had already dosed off, his bear clutched tightly against his chest. Leonica didn''t bother waking him. She scooped him out of his seat, being catelul not to wake him and stepped i "We don''t have to walk me to the deer." She informed him, watching as the pocketed the keys to his cat


    cas about to say something else when the design on Gabriel''s chain caught her attention


    It was a forget-me-ant flower, the very same one Ashley had given her to give him after the fire incident The court same symbol that was on her ne


    Her eyes went to asd¨®ry''s sleeping form and stir sighed. "i, clever child *


    But could she really me him? Every child wanted their parent together.


    "Thanks for the drive home. "Leonica spoke, turning her attention back to Gabriel, who offered a slight nod.


    "Don''t worry about it." He looked like he was about to say something more, but opted against it, ruffling Ashley''s hair instead, before he bid then goodbye and


    walked away.


    Leonica went inside after that, ced Ashley in his bed and went to get herself a drink, throughout which her brain reyed the article she had read and soon, she had pulled her phone out and began browsing the different type of articles based on what she had read. As expected, they were all about the same thing.


    But it wasn''t what had her worried.From N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 198

    No, she was worried because she didn''t know where or who begun it. Was this another stunt to bring her family down, or was it....


    She shook her head. No, thinking like that was not healthy.


    She wasn''t going to assume the worse just yet. And hopefully, her mother wouldn''t.


    Putting her phone down, she decided it was time for a shower. Perhaps she could call Owen, after all, his voice always had a way to calm her down.


    Three hundred and fifty two thousand views in less than a day.


    Irene smirked at the numbers written underneath the article that would soon bring about the end of her so-called Father''s demise.


    "Looks like the media is having a field day with this," Jamilmented from where he sat, his eyes glued to his phone as he too monitored thement section. I told you this was the right move" "Yeah," Irene replied, not once tearing her eyes off her screen. "We need to spread more rumors, so that when we officially release the news, Benjamin would have no other choice but toe clean." "And when he does, he''d have no other choice than to ept you into the family. That''s when the real work begins."


    "Yes," Irene nodded, a smile on her face as the thought of ruining her bastard of a father and the rest of his family became even more exciting.


    Jamil mirrored her smile which grew more after he spotted onement.


    Crazy news, but it has to be true, after all, I just ran into Leonica Romero and she seemed tongue tied. Probably doesn''t want to ruin ammore than this news would.


    He chuckled after reading thement. "Looks like this is going to be easier than expected."


    the reputation of her family


    Father''s Love Child, What is Her Name?


    Leonica woke up the next day to the sound of her phone numbling hard on her bedside stool. She groaned and turned on her side, blindly searching for the vibrating devine varil she found it Without looking, she wiped on the answer icon, or at least hoped she did and pressed it to her ear.


    H


    "Leonica," Her eyes finally opened at the sound of her father''s voice and she pulled the phone away from her ear for a few seconds to nce at the caller ID.


    It was indeed her father. Why was he suddenly calling her?


    "Father, why are you calling so waily in the morning?" she asked, rubbing her eyes to rid the sleepiness, while she nced at the time.


    It was just ten minutes past seven, quite early for her to be awake on a Sunday morning


    e home Leonica, there''s something important we need to discuss." Benjamin answered, his voice sounding stern.


    "Something important?" she repeated, her brows knitting together. It was only after a few seconds that something clicked in her head and she recalled the article that stranger had shown her yesterday, that along with the many more she had read. "Oh," she mused, already getting out of bed. Of course it had reached the eyes of her father. What about her mother? Had she seen them? How was she feeling? Certainly. Just give me a little time, I''ll be the right away!


    H


    H


    The line went dead after that. Leonica couldn''t even bring herself to frown, She knew how her father behaved in serious situations, never being his usisal sweet self. But that begged the question, what was so serious about a false tabloid? Or was it perhaps something else?


    Or maybe the tabloid wasn''t take?


    Leonica felt a bitter taste glide down the back of her throat at the thought. But it wasn''t because she didn''t want to embrace the idea of having an additional


    bling, sure, that was hand, but not as hard as imagining what her mother would teel.


    She knew the feeling of betrayal from your spouse all too well. And just as well, she remembered how she had felt when Angelina informed her of her pregnancy back at the amusement park.


    Would her mother feel the same way? Leonica''s heart clenched at the thought, prompting her to increase the speed in which she applied in getting herself to look presentable.


    By the time she arrived at the family house, it was quarter past nine, she was greeted by n who led her to where the rest of the family had been gathered; the main living roomThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Leonica," Melvin was the first to get her. He stood up from where he sat beside their mother, meeting her half way.


    "Is everything alright?" Shrasked, ncing from Leonardo, to her father, then finally, her mother,


    Melvin took her hand, leading her towards the spot where he had been seating. "You''ve seen the articles, haven''t you?" He whispered.


    "Yeah," she whispered back even though she wondered why they were whispering "Is that what this is all about? They''re fake, aren''t they?"


    This time around, Melvin remained silent, guiding her to seat beside their mother,


    "Please leave us, n." Benjamin finally spoke up, dismissing the butler. Once they were alone, he began. "I''m sure you all are aware of the names spreading online," He paused, giving a few seconds gap, arranging his words carefully before he continued. "There are many versions of this, but they all point to one thing: that have an illegitimate child."


    "Father, we know that isn''t true." Leonardo, the first one to speakup, assured him.


    Benjamin however, answered with an amazed yet light chuckle. He really loved how his children loved and respected him, each in their own ways


    Unfortunately, he didn''t have enough time to fully cherish their actions.


    "Well, unfortunately," He began, the smile on his lips long gone. "This isn''t entirely a lie."


    Leonica couldn''t bring herself to look surprised. However she was worried, about her mother who had remained silent since she walked in and her father who looked like he was struggling to get the rest of the words out of his mouth.


    She nced at Melvin and Leonardo. Unlike her, they both looked surprised.


    "But I have an exnation for it,"


    "An exnation," Cassandra spoke tor the first time, mumbling under her breath before chuckding lifelessly "Sure, exin how you forgot you had a child out of Wedlock."


    Benjamin didn''t act to his wife''s statement. He had to let her pour out her anger someway,


    Years ago, before I met your mother, I was seeing a woman she was someone I met through a friend, an old ssmate, and we quickly tell for one another. However, my father didn''t approve of rtionship because she was from a lower background. Amoner, he called her. He insisted that I marry someone of equal status, alike myself and at that time, his ideal daughter inw happened to be your mother."


    Die pamed, allowing the little information that had been revealed to sink in


    Leonica seemed the most interested with her father''s story. She listened intently, waiting for the moment where she could use as a defense polis to her mother "Inswever, Lipsided. Heard the worgan with all my heart and was willing to do anything to be with her, including defying my father''s wishes even more so when dhe nevnded that she was carrying my child. And so, nned to elope with her nut unprisingly, my father had the entire country packed with security. We .stopped at the louders and brought in But,"


    There was another pause in his speech and Benjamin''s face contorted as he remembered something unpleasant. "The moment Alice was in the presence of my parents, she acted differently. She revealed her true nature, saying that she was going to expose all the secrets I had told her if we didn''t we give arge sum of money. She even threatened to sue me incourt for child negligence.


    My father was merciful enough to bend to her wishes. He made her signan NDA and paid her off, making her promise never to speak a word about the family again, then sent her back."


    "And the baby? Leonica asked before she could stop herself.


    "She was meant to deliver it to us after birthing the child. But she disappeared after herbor, along with the child."

 Chapter 199

    to do?"Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Leonica was the first to speak "So, what do you want to


    Benjamin offered his daughter a smile filled with gratitude before answering. "The right thing. Now that that child has grown, it''s only right to bring her home and


    "I will not allow that." Cassandes objected. "That daughter of that witch would not step a foot in my house,"


    "Cassandra," Benjamin tried to sooth his wife but went quiet when he received a harsh te from her.


    "She will not step foot in my house." Cassandra repeated.


    "Mother, calm down." Leonica said. "Don''t get worked up over nothing."


    "Nothing?" Cassandra repeated, turning to her daughter. "How could you say this is nothing?!"


    Leonica finched at her words, soon realizing that she had been insensitive. "Mother..."


    "I''m not angry," Cassandra cut her off, turning to Benjamin. "But I will be if that child steps foot in my house. Do I make myself clear?" with that, she stood up, excusing herself as she walked out of the main living room.


    "If I knew this would happen, I would have searched harder for her." Benjamin shook his head, dejected with how the situation had turned out, "I should have taken that child away from her." He mumbled ly mistake he had


    Leonica felt sony for her father. Honestly, she saw no problem in what he had done. Just like her, he was young and had fallen in love. The only made was leping the existence of that child secret.

 Chapter 200

    Damn, now she had another sibling? Leonica had to suppress the sigh that was threatening to slip pass her lips as she patted her father on the shoulder, before proceeding to find her father, determined to calm her down. Soon enough, she found the blonde standing in front of the small pond in their garden, feeding the fishes,Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    She quietly settled beside her, folding her hand at her back as she pondered her words.


    "I''m not angry at your father, Leonica." Her mother spoke, her words more surprising than the fact that she had spoken first.


    "You''re not?


    Cassandra shook her head "I''m not. Rather, I''m insecure.vulnerable."


    "Vulnerable?" Leonica repeated. "But why?


    Her mother hesitated for a bit before speaking. "As you know, your father and I''s marriage is an actonged marriage, it was never love at first sight and it took a while until we both developed genuine feelings for one another, so when I found out he had acheld, with the woman he loved, I feared...."


    She couldn''tplete the sentence, but Leonica mew what she wanted to say.


    "There''s nothing to fear, mom," she reassured as she ced her hand on Cassandra''s shoulder. "I''m sure father still loves you and that he would never want anyone else."


    Her motheroffered a light smile and turned to face the fishes again


    Silence settled between them, afortable one, but it was broken by Leonica''s curious words.


    "Father''s exmistress, who was she?"


    Cassandra Shrugged. "I didn''t know Alice Rosewood all that well, but="


    "Rosewood?" Leonica''s ears perked up at the oddly familiar name. Cassandra nodded at the question and a feeling suddenly settled in Leonica''s stomach "Father''s love child, what is her name?" Cassandra thought for a while. "If I remember correctly, he said Allor picked the name trene, Irene Rosewood."


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 Best To Get The Ball Rolling.

    Irene Rosewood, huh?


    Seating in front of herptop, fingers just above her keyboard, Leonica gazed at the picture of her supposed half sister.


    It had been more than two hours since she left her family house and in those two hours, she had done numerous research on Irene, learning all there was to know about the girl. Exins a couple of things, she thought, analyzing the all too obvious simrities in their faces.


    It wasn''t that Irene had done a face lift, she simply just took after their father, who Leonica also happened to take after.


    However, that wasn''t what bothered her, what did was the fact that Irene who had remained quiet for all these years, suddenly decided to show herself.


    Was it simply a coincident? Leonica didn''t think so.


    Her reason? The articles. They all seemed too well crafted, but had one thing inmon, neither of them revealed Irene''s name, only pointing fingers at her father, calling him unjust.


    It was almost as if someone was trying to move Benjamin''s hand.


    But to do what exactly?


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. Leonica tore her gaze away from herptop and when she nced at her phone, seeing Owen was the caller, she felt a sense of rxation even she didn''t know she needed. "Hey,"


    "Hey," Owen''s voice filled her ears and her eyes immediately closed, rxing to the sound like a luby.


    "How are you doing?" He asked, worry evident in his tone. Of course he had seen the articles.


    "Better now that I''m talking to you," Leonica replied as she leaned back in her chair. "What''s up?"This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Nothing much, I just wanted to check up on you. The inte''s going crazy."


    Of course he had seen the articles.


    "Of course it is," She chuckles drily at her own words. "That''s what they do best. Eat up every story they get like big bad wolves."


    "Yeah," Owen agreed, after all, he too had experienced his fair share of the inte. A few seconds gap passed before he asked. "You don''t need to answer, but I just want to ask, is it true?"


    Leonica nodded, slowly. "Unfortunately, yes."


    Another wave offortable silence descended on them before Owen asked, again. "And how are you feeling about it?"


    Leonica opened her eyes at his question, narrowing her eyes in confusion. Almost as if she hasn''t expected that question. No, she hasn''t expected that question.


    All day, she had been too worried about her mother and brothers reaction to even process how she felt.


    "How are you feeling about it?" Owen repeated, sounding more concerned.


    It was Leonica''s turn to be silent as she thought hard about how she felt. How did she feel about her father having a love child?


    How did she feel about having a half sister?


    How did she feel about the possibility that said half sister had started this rumor, just to destroy their family name? That said sister was someone who clearly didn''t like her considering their previous encounters? How did she feel about it?


    "Honestly, I''m not sure," She said, her voice soft. "I mean, I don''t hate the idea of having an additional sibling. But..." She bit her lower lip, remembering how insecure her mother had look and how guilty her father had looked. "If it means my family''s going to suffer because of that, then I don''t like the idea either."


    "It''s okay, you''re allowed to feel whatever you feel, Leonica. There''s no wrong or right in your case, luce mia."


    "Yeah, you''re right." She chuckled lightly. "You''re always right."


    "Yeah, so you should listen to me when I tell you not to worry too much. Just like previous obstacles, you''ll get over this one too, I''m sure."


    "Yeah," Leonica mused with a smile. Owen weirdly had a way of cheering her up.


    "And hey, if things get too serious, we can always hop on my jet and take a long vacation in my mother''s home town."


    Leonica chuckled. "Yeah?"


    "Yeah. But, speaking of travels," He didn''t need toplete the rest of his words.


    "Are you going somewhere?" She asked.


    "The movie, one of the scenes takes ce in front of the Cologne Cathedral and the director insists that we do the it in within the real area. But I''d only be gone for a few weeks. One week at tops," He stopped. "You know what, I should cancel. The director can find another male lead. I think you need me-"


    "Owen," Leonica interrupted him. "There''s no need to cancel."


    "Are you sure?"


    "Yes. I can handle myself and everything here." She assured.


    "I know, and that''s what I fear. I don''t want you taking on too much while I''m gone. I don''t want the world to change my Leonica."


    Leonica smiled. "I can''t change. So don''t worry."


    "Yeah, I will and you, focus on your family, don''t listen to what the inte has to say. That way, you''lle out of this faster."


    "Yeah," She agreed, knowing well enough that it would take some time, but with collective help and understanding, her family would get over it.


    What was an additional figure in their family?


    It obviously couldn''t be that bad.


    Oh, it was that bad!


    Because the very next day she stepped foot inside her family vi to check on her mother, the first thing that greeted her ears was the sound of ss shattering followed by her mother''s loud voice.


    "I swear to God, if you bring the daughter of that fucking whore into my house I would fucking leave!" Cassandra threatened.


    "Cassandra, please try and understand me." Benjamin pleaded.


    "No, you try and understand me, please." As Leonica walked into the dining area, she found her mother''s hands together


    "I can''t bear the thought of seeing her face. Please Benjamin, have mercy."


    "Mom," Leonica called, getting the attention of both her parents.


    Cassandra looked at her and upon seeing her daughter, she quickly tried to hide how distraught the whole situation was making her.


    "Leo, what...what are you doing here? What about yourpany?"


    "I came to check up on you," Leonica nced at the wrecked dining area. The table was littered with broken tes and wasted food. It didn''t look like a fight had broken out, rather a tantrum. "I''m d I did."


    Her mother caught her gaze and quickly tried to defend. "This...this is nothing. It''s just a little misunderstanding."


    "Mother, please don''t lie."


    Cassandra bit her lower lip.


    "I know that this is a sensitive topic and I understand how you''re feeling, but, can''t we please have an open discussion? Father had no intentions to hurt us. He was just afraid and-"


    "Leonica," Benjamin cut her off. "That''s enough, no need to try and defend me."


    "I''m not defending you, I''m stating the truth, don''t just stand there and allow mother think your the perpetrator in this situation." She scolded before turning to face mother "Mom, dad didn''t do


    right to have a child out of wedlock. He wasn''t married, nor did he cheat. So,


    anything wrong. He had the Pene


    let''s be more rational and have an open discussion."


    Cassandra looked at her, then at her husband before shaking her head. "You don''t understand-"


    "Then make us." Leonica interrupted.


    Cassandra was silent, then sighed.


    "It''s not as simple as it seems."


    "Why not?"


    "Because I''m scared." She admitted, her voice bing smaller. "What if that child ruins our family?"


    Leonica frowned. "Mother, that''s not going to happen. We as a family, we''re going to make it out of this."


    "But-"


    "No, no buts. We''re going to get through this together. Okay?" Her voice became softer at the end and Cassandra couldn''t help but feel reassured.


    "Now," She nced back at her father. "How about we think of a way to solve this together?"


    As she said this, an idea suddenly came to mind.


    "Oh?"


    "What is it, Leonica?" Her mother questioned in regards to the look on her face.


    "I think I''ve found a way to save our family''s reputation while solving this mess." She nced at both her parents who still looked confused.


    Ah, she''d have to exinter, but for now, she felt like it was best to get the ball rolling.


    "A way?" Benjamin questioned and she nodded.


    "Yes, but you have to trust me. Both of you."


    "Are you ready?"


    Irene didn''t answer. She was too busy staring at the house in front of her.


    She had always known what the Romero mansion looked like. It was amon thing, after all, most houses that were built within the capital were always grand and luxurious. The house had three levels and was designed with thetest architecture.


    It had a pool and a garden, the walls painted white.


    In a word, the house was simply amazing.


    "Miss Rosewood, shall we go in?" The voice of the driver who had been sent to suddenly pick her up, interrupted her thoughts and Irene turned to him, offering a nod.


    "Yes, please lead the way." The driver bowed and pulled out the small bag she had carried, pulling it towards the entrance of the V.


    He pressed a button and within seconds, the gate had been pulled open, granting them ess to the main building.


    The moment they stepped through the gate, they were greeted by a couple of maids and butlers.


    They bowed before her and Irene couldn''t help but wonder what made them so polite, or was it out of fear?


    Whatever the case, it didn''t matter, because seeing them all bow their heads to her made her feel a sense of superiority. Like she was born for people to bow down to her. "Hello second madam. I hope the ride was pleasant."


    "Yes, thank you." She replied.


    "Follow me then, sir has been expecting you."


    "I bet." She muttered as she was lead inside.


    Once inside, Irene found her self staring in awe. The ce was huge and beautiful. The interior was done with a lot of care and detail.


    She passed by a family picture in which Leonica was smiling happily and she couldn''t help but frown.


    That spot was supposed to belong to her. This happy family was meant to belong to her.


    "Please have a seat,"


    She was snapped out of her thoughts by the maid''s voice and she found herself seated in the living room, alone.


    A few minutester, she heard


    footsteps from behind and got up to face the person, but the person she saw wasn''t who she was expecting and especially with that expression on her face.


    "Wee sister,¡± Leonica said with a smile as she walked towards Irene. "We''ve all been expecting you. I hope the ride was luxury enough to your liking."

 Welcoming The Illegitimate Child.

    A few hours before Irene''s arrival.


    Leonica, along with her parents, we''re both gathered in Benjamin''s study. After Cassandra''s tantrum, the air surrounding them seemed thick, but Leonica didn''t care about that, no, rather she couldn''t bring herself to care about it at this moment.


    "If you study all these articles well, you''d realize that they all have one thing inmon," She exined, using the huge television set in her father''s office as a viewing board. Her parents listened intently, eyes scrolling through the articles their daughter had briefing brought up, before continuing. "The fact that they are all crafted to sound like a prompting note. This, this and even that, all have an ending sounding like they expect father to do something."


    "No Leonica, you''re simply thinking too much into it." Benjamin shook his head with a sigh as he spoke. He should have known that the news would also affect Leonica this way.


    Who wouldn''t be affected.


    "No, father," Leonica objected. "I know what I''m saying. Look here," She pulled up the only article that seemed different from the ones she had readst night.


    The article had the same contents as the previous ones, exining the situation that was happening, and as usual, not mentioning Irene''s name, but there was one thing different about it; rather than the usual suggestive ways, it ended with these few words. ''Could this be it for The Romero Family and how would Leonica of the Romero family, famous for handling matters in brutal ways, respond to this?''


    "This is different. The person who wrote this didn''t add any suggestive ending to it. They weren''t even focused on you."


    Once Leonica had pointed this out, her mother and father realized quickly realized it.


    "So what are you saying? This is a nned attack to force my hand?" Benjamin questioned.


    "From the looks of it, yes. And that''s where my nes in. If anyone, whoever wrote this articles, is expecting ate response from you, mother anger, internal family crisis, things like that that can act as a form of dy, giving them the opportunity to capitalize on it," She nced between her parents as she added herst point. "So we''re going to beat them to it."


    "How?" Cassandra asked.


    Leonica held up three for her fingers. "Firstly, we''re going to bring Irene home-"


    Before she couldplete her words, Cassandra interrupted. "That''s got to be a joke?"


    "Mother," Leonica gave her a stern stare. "What did I ask of you earlier? To trust me, right?"


    Cassandra pressed her lips into a thin line at this, silently showing that for how, she was going to agree and watch on.


    Facing her father, she continued. "Secondly, we''re going to release a press conference, addressing the tabloids, exining that Irene now lives in the family mansion and has been epted as a Romero. However, I''d be the one speaking at the conference." "What? I can''t allow you do that, Leonica." Benjamin rejected, not liking the fact that he''d put Leonica in the spotlight over someone he should have handled correctly years ago.


    But Leonica had another thing in mind. "Father, do you trust me? If you do, allow me do this one thing."


    Of course he trusted her, but didn''t want to see her under heat for something that was his doing.


    But even if he wanted to object further, the look of determination in Leonica''s eyes made it hard for him to utter another word.


    He sighed. "Alright." He agreed. "And what''s the final thing?"


    Leonica looked at her hand and smiled. "Simple, it''s waiting and see. If after all this things we''ve done, coincidental things still continue to happen, then I''d be convinced that someone''s pulling the strings and Irene, she''s just a puppet."


    19~


    Present time.


    Leonica stood up the window of her father''s study, watching as n and a few other maids weed Irene into the mansion.


    There''s no turning back no, she thought, stepping away from the window just as Meredith, another maid of the house came up to inform her of Irene''s arrival.


    "Thank you Meredith," She said with her usual kind smile, before proceeding to ask. "Did you prepare the room I asked for?"


    The maid nodded her head. "Yes madam."


    "Thank you once again," Leonica gently patted her shoulder. "Please take care of Irene while I''m not around."


    "Madam," Meredith was moved by her words. Not everyone had the heart to ept the sudden appearance of an illegitimate child, but Leonica had done just that, with open arms. "I will do just that."


    Leonica smiled at her once again, before leaving the room and making her way downstairs, where Irene had been led to the living room.


    "Wee sister," She greeted the moment her eyes met Irene''s. "We''ve all been expecting you. Hope the ride was luxury enough to your liking."


    "You, what are you doing here?" Irene questioned, looking irritated by her presence.


    "This is my parents house, yes?" Came Leonica''s simple answer. "Just like you, I have the right toe here."


    "Right, of course," Irene chuckled sarcastically. "I should have expected this much, seeing as the world basically revolves around you."


    Leonica offered a tight lipped smile. "This is Meredith," She pointed towards thedy beside her. "She''d be taking care of you for as long as you stay here." Turning around, she beckoned. "Follow me, I''ll show you to your room." Irene did just that. She followed the blonde as she led her upstairs. Once there, they turned right and entered a room.


    "This would be your sleeping quarters." Leonica informed, but the moment Irene stepped into the said room, she couldn''t help but boil with anger.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The room waspletely empty, not even a single bed was present.


    "This...this is a joke right?" She turned to Leonica, but the blonde simply shook her head.


    "No, not at all. I''m sure this would suffice."


    "Suffice?" She scoffed and stepped


    forward, Looking Leonica dead in the eyes. "Do you also n on making my life miserable here? are you just insecure that I


    els


    happened to be your half sister, that you''d stoop so low as to giving me apletely empty room?


    Leonica didn''t need to respond to Irene''s words, because Meredith had beat her to it.


    "Such insolence!" She eximed. "The miss was caring enough to ask us all to empty this room so that when youe it''d be filled with furniture to your liking, but here you are, talking as if the miss is an evil person." "She...she did?" Irene was taking aback and could only nce at Leonica in shock. After a few seconds, her cheeks suddenly reddened, the embarrassment of how she had jumped into conclusion, settling in.


    "It''s alright, Meredith," Leonica patted the maid''s shoulder. "I''m sure this was a misunderstanding and that my sister is just overwhelmed."


    Meredith didn''t say anything else, instead, she walked over to Irene and offered her a one of a kind ck card.


    "Here, you can manage this for now. I''ve contacted the bank and given them instructions to prepare a Visa infinite card for you, but you can use this for now. There''s enough money in there to get you whatever furniture you''d need." Irene stared at the card in her hands. She had never seen one before. It was a shiny metal with the word ck Card written on it.


    She was speechless.


    "Use it wisely, okay?" Leonica


    ???


    reminded. "Oh, and also," She paused, taking something from Meredith''s hand. It was a phone. "You''d be using this phone from now on," She nced at the one in her hand and tsked. "As expected, the one you use can bring shame to the Romero name." Content Belongs to


    A wave of embarrassment hit Irene faster than a moving train. "How dare you..."


    Leonica ignored her as she


    continued. "You''re part of the Romero family now, so act more sophisticated in the future." Turning to Meredith, she offered the maid a kind smile. "I''ll leave my sister in your hands, please teach her the ways of a Romero."


    Meredith bowed. "Certainly, madam."


    "Good," She gave Irene a look, before walking past her and making her way out the door.


    "Break fast is by eight, lunch by three and dinner by six. If you ever feel hungry or in need of anything, don''t hesitate to use the phone over there. For now, I''ll give you time to settle in and be back."


    With that, Meredith was gone, giving Irene the opportunity to look around the room. It was empty, but spacious and very neat.


    Just thinking about all the things that she''d fill the room with was enough to excite her.


    However, her excitement didn''tst long as she recalled she had to call Jamil and update him.


    Swiping open her phone, the one which Leonica had effortlessly referred to as a disgrace, she called the male.


    "I didn''t expect you to call so soon." Jamil''s voice sounded out as soon as he answered. "Are you there?"


    "Yes, I am. But..." She couldn''tplete her words as the image of Leonica''s face appeared in her head. "But what?"


    "I was weed, but not by father, instead, it was by Leonica."


    "Ah," Jamil mused in surprise, for the second time today. The first time was when Irene called to inform him that the Romero family driver way here to pick her up and now being the second time. "That''s interesting, but it hasn''t affected our ns." "No, but it is unsettling, Leonica''s sudden kindness and all."


    Jamil chuckles. "You''re reading too much into it. Put your rivalry for Leonica aside, for now. The real order of business now, is getting into Benjamin''s good books, understand?"


    "Yes," Irene muttered, not liking his words. She didn''t like the fact that she''d have to put aside her rivalry with Leonica, but he was right.


    For now, she should focus on the bigger fish, her father.


    "Father''s attention first, Leonica next."


    "Is that so?" Leonica hummed as she watched Irene from the spy cam she had installed in her room. "It seems like I was right." Locking the screen off her phone, she pulled her earbuds out and pushed her weight off the wall she had rested on.


    "Now," She began with a heavy sigh. "How should I deal with this without drawing her aplices attention?"

 Rich Egoism.

    So she was right, Leonica thought with a smirk during the car ride back home, Irene''s just a pawn, and the real culprit must be someone close. Now, who would it be?


    She didn''t have an answer for that, but it didn''t matter, what did, was the fact that she now had proof that she had been right and she could now move on with her n.


    Her n, Leonica sighed as she leaned her head against the window, how many times since she came back to Norway has she had to concoct a n to catch some mastermind? Said masterminds were even surprisingly dull, but that didn''t stop them from being annoying. And Irene was going to be no different.


    Leonica had no beef with her. She couldn''t hold her ountable for being brought into this world, but she could hold her ountable for joining hands with someone to ruin her family.


    Which begged the question, what were they actually hoping to achieve?


    To soil her father''s name and make him look like an uncaring father in the eyes of the public, thus leading to the decline of the Romero family''s wealth, which would also cause her wealth to decline. Or, did they simply just want money?


    No, she shook her head, Not everyone was as shallow as Angelina.


    There was something bigger to this, something even she needed to concentrate hard on, in other to figure it out.


    Something that needed the existence of Irene to be exposed. What is it?


    "Ah, here we go again," Leonica groaned as she massaged her head. Damn, how she hated this part of the cycle, having to decipher her enemies moves in other to win the game. Pulling out her phone, she clicked on a few buttons and dialed Lena, her private investigator''s number.


    The phone rang for a few seconds before it was answered. "Ms. Romero, how can I help you?"


    "I need you to keep an eye on someone, Lena. Do it in a way that doesn''t draw any attention. Her name''s Irene Rosewood."


    The other end was silent for a few seconds before Lena responded. "...of course, Ms. Romero. Is there anything else?"


    Leonica thought for a few seconds before nodding to herself. "As a matter of fact, there is."


    The next day Irene woke up feeling horrible. As she got ready to go to the department store, she grumbles about how she had slept on nothing but thinyers provided by Meredith. That was no way for them to treat the family''s first daughter.


    "Good morning, second madam." Meredith greeted when she spotted Irene stepping out. "Are you heading somewhere? Would like if if I asked for a car to be prepared?" "Yes," Irene answered without even sparing the maid a nce. "Have them prepare a car for me."


    Meredith ignored the arrogance in Irene''s words and did as she was told. Soo, Irene was cruising towards the department store in the Maybach that had been prepared for her. When she arrived, the driver held the door open for her. As she stepped out, she smirked.


    Surely she could get used to this.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Where can I find the furniture department?" Irene asked the driver as she handed him her bag.


    The man simply pointed towards the second floor and Irene nodded before leaving.


    Once there, Irene took her time to browse through all the things there, before choosing a couple of them.


    The sales person who had been helping her was stunned by the amount of things Irene wanted.


    "Miss," He began. "Are you sure you want all these? The prices here at our stores are quite high."


    "Are you doubting me?" Irene asked, narrowing her eyes at him, while she took offense to his words. "Are you saying I''m poor?"


    The man quickly shook his head, not wanting to get in trouble with her. "No, of course not, I didn''t-"


    "How audacious!" Irene eximed. "To think I''d be disrespected like this!" She turned to her driver who was standing a little far off. "You," She beckoned him. "Find the manager of this store." When the driver hesitated, she screamed. "Now!"


    The driver, along with the sales person, flinched, before rushing to do as they were told.


    Irene, on the other hand, couldn''t help but feel pleased by the reaction of the two.


    It was just a few secondster that the store''s manager came over and after seeing the crowd that was growing because of the scene Irene was causing, the first thing he did was to ask for an exnation


    "What''s going on here?" He questioned the employee who silently pointed between Irene and her stack of chosen things.


    "Excuse me sir," Irene called out, not


    liking the fact that the manager didn''t address her immediately. "This sales person is rude. He has been treating me disrespectfully. I think no I know I deserve ano apology."


    "Hello, Miss, i''m sorry for my employee''s rude behavior. He''s still new to the job and isn''t aware of how he should act with a customer. How about we allow his actions pass and settle your-" The manager was stunned when he turned and saw all Irene''s choosing. This... This is yours, ma''am?"


    "Yes, and I''d be paying with this." She pulled out the ck card Leonica had given her.


    The manager nearly choked on his saliva.


    "This...this is a ck card. Only three percent of the world''s poption has these and yet...you... You''re... I apologize for my imprudence, Ma''am, please forgive me!" Irene was speechless with her eyes wide for a few seconds, but after seeing the manager bow and show utmost respect, her lips curved into a delicious smile.


    Oh, was this how the richest of the rich got threated? Was this how Leonica got threated? How she was going to be treated from now on?


    If that was the case, then, this was certainly heaven.


    And oh, how she could get used to it!


    "What is your name?"


    "Manager Connor Ma''am!" The manager, Connor, answered with a loud voice.


    "Connor," Irene smiled devilishly as she stepped forward and raised the manager''s head. "There''s no need for you to bow, the one who made the mistake is over there."


    In one swift movement, Connor''s head spun to face the employee. "You, get over here and apologize."


    "But,"


    "Get here, get down on your knees and apologize if you don''t want to lose your job!"


    "Ma''am," The employee quickly got down on his knees and apologized. "I''m so sorry, please, please forgive me."


    After a couple minutes of begging, Irene felt satisfied and as the manager dismissed the employee, the people who had been watching began to whisper.


    "Isn''t this abuse of power?"


    "Some rich people truly are disgusting."


    "The manager shouldn''t have allowed himself to be pressured."


    "Ma''am, please this way, let''s finish your purchase over there."


    Irene ignored the whispers of the people and followed Connor.


    She was so high on the feeling of power that she failed to notice someone, Lena Rowan, holding up her phone''s camera, videoing the entire thing.


    The moment she was gone, she ended the video and sent the entire thing to Leonica.

 All Too Coincidental.

    There was a knock on Gabriel''s office door, momentarily distracting him from the paperwork on his table.


    "Enter," He called. The door was pushed open and Billy, poked his head through the crack.


    "Sir, sorry for the interruption, but I''ve got something urgent for you."


    Gabriel nced at the papers in his hands, before nodding. "Come in."


    Billy did just that and shut the door behind him. Walking towards the male''s desk, he ced a white envelope on the table.


    "A while ago you asked me to look Into the individual whom had been digging into the Romero family''s past," He stopped, waiting for his boss''s reaction before continuing.


    Gabriel, picked the envelope and opened it, pulling out the contents and his brows arched the moment his eyesnded on the picture in his hand.


    "Who is he?" He asked, looking up at Billy.


    "His name is Jamil Vanadas," Billy exined. "He''s the current CEO of Herox Media and owns several branches and subsidiaries in the Middle East of Mexico and further investigation showed that he and Ms. Romero were quite...close in high school." Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Close? As in best friends?"


    Hesitantly, Billy shook his head. "Not exactly, but they were more than just friends, they were...well, lovers."


    "Lovers?" Gabriel asked calmly, but the look in his eyes was anything but calm.


    "Yes. And," The assistant quickly scrambled to change the subject before the air became any more tense. "It is suspected that Mr. Jamil is the mastermind behind the recent events."


    "How is that?" Gabriel questioned, finally tearing his eyes off the photo in his hand and looking at Billy.


    "Like I said earlier, Herox Media owns many subsidiaries, which includes media, a few of the news articles published recently, were all published under IP addresses linked to thepany."


    "Hmm," Gabriel hummed as he ced the papers down. "Good job Billy. Please tell me when you have more information."


    "Of course sir," The man bowed, but before he could leave the office, Gabriel asked.


    "And Doctor Bailey? Have you been keeping an eye on him?"


    "Of course, Sir, I''ve kept an eye on him as you requested."


    "Good. Be sure to inform me if he tries to reach across to Leonica."


    Billy hesitated in answering. He for one, wasn''t a huge fan of keeping tabs on strangers phone calls, but at this point, with Gabriel''s recently weirdly developed attitude, it was clear to him that his obedience was the only thing keeping his job intact. One wrong move and he could say goodbye to his cushy job and hello unemployment.


    So he simply nodded his head.


    "Yes sir."


    Even though Leonica had been aware that something of sort was going to happen, she found handling the press''s constant interview invites, media''s unrelenting probing in her life and everyday watchful eyes, more annoying than she had thought. If anything, she could tell her father was having it the worst, not knowing how much his family and family name would be affected after this whole thing was over.


    He had been getting a lot of calls and letters, some from the shareholders of his other businesses, some from the employees, and others from the public.


    But not once did he show how affected he was, because his family, his children, were his first priority.


    As for Cassandra, the woman was quiet, keeping everything inside while monitoring Irene''s every step in the house.


    It was safe to say the illegitimate child was walking on eggshells in her very own home. But it wasn''t like Leonica cared, she had other things to think of, namely the press conference she was currently getting ready for. "Here madam, this looks great on you."


    "Thank you." Leonica gave her the same tight lipped smile as thedy finished the final touches to her hair. Thedy had done a good job, she noted as she caught her reflection across the mirror.


    Her hair had beenbed till it shined and her makeup was just as perfect.


    She looked wless, and that was a plus for the interview she was about to hold.


    "Thank you, Anna." Leonica thanked the makeup artists which had been hired by Kennedy, who gave her a gentle smile.


    "I should be thanking you, madam. It was an honor to do your makeup."


    Leonica returned the smile. "Please, the honor is all mine."


    A knock was heard at the door and Kennedy, who was waiting outside the room, entered.


    "Ms. Romero, the conference starts in five minutes." He informed.


    "Understood, thank you, Kennedy."


    He nodded and left the room. Leonica nced back at the mirror onest time, before pushing her chair back and standing.


    "Good luck, madam," Anna offered as Leonica walked towards the door. "You''re going to do amazing."


    "I know," She replied with a soft smile as she left the room.


    As expected, the conference Hall was buzzing with reporters the moment she stepped in.


    She took a deep breath, steadying herself, before making her way to the podium.


    "Hello everyone, thank you all foring."


    At the sound of her voice, the room became dead silent and everyone''s attention was turned towards her.


    "I''ll keep this short, so I won''t waste any of your time." Leonica paused, letting the tension grow, before continuing. "As you may already know, I''m here to speak on the behalf of my family, to clear up as many things as possible concerning the circting rumors." She looked around the room, making eye contact with as many people as possible.


    "The truth is, Irene Rosewood is indeed, the first daughter of the Romero family."Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    The silence was interrupted by gasps and murmurs, but Leonica paid them no mind. She kept her mind straight, sticking to the script she had taken all night to formte.


    "Irene Rosewood was a child born


    out of wedlock, out of my father''s previous love affair, but that''s not to say that we won''t wee her into our family. In fact, as I speak, she''s already settled into our family''s home. We''re trying our best to make her feel weed andfortable."


    A reporter rose his hand. "Doesn''t the second madam''s presence affect the family in anyway? After all, isn''t it hard to ept the sudden appearance of a stranger?" Leonica chuckled and shook her head. "To us, she isn''t a stranger. Ever since learning of her existence, I''ve taken Irene as the Big sister I''ve always wished to have."


    An obvious lie, but of course the press didn''t know this and they happily gobbled up her answer, discussing amongst themselves about how Leonica should be the standard for aristocrats.


    Less than a few seconds had gone by when another reporter rose her hand. "How is the first madam reacting to the sudden appearance of a love child?"


    Leonica didn''t even hesitate to respond. "My mother was a little shocked at first, but she too, is warming up to Irene and I''m d for that."


    Another round of murmurs followed and a few more questions were thrown about here and there, all which Leonica had prepared for.


    After fifteen minutes of answering questions, Leonica nced at her watch and realized it was time to wrap up the conference.


    "Let''s take thest question, please." A female reporter stood up when she said this and it only took her a few seconds to recognize the familiar face. Florence.


    "Since the conference began, you


    haven''t for once exined why Ms. Irene was separated from her father in the first ce. Either have you mentioned anything about her birth mother, and so I was wondering what exactly happened? Did Mr. Romero heartlessly turn his back on the family he had irresponsibly began building in a bid to marry Cassandra Romero, the previous heiress of Pandora Holdings, thus abandoning the illegitimate child?"


    The moment Florence finished, the room was filled with a deafening silence. Everyone''s eyes were glued to Leonica, waiting for her to speak.


    But the thing was, she didn''t know how to answer that question. Out of everything she had nned for, Florence showing up and asking this, wasn''t one of them.


    "Ms. Romero," Florence continued, taking the opportunity given by Leonica''sck of response. "Is the Romero family perhaps hiding something? Do you, yourself, have an ulterior motive for being so epting of your father''s illegitimate child?" At the sound of the usation, Leonica narrowed her eyes. Florence wasn''t going to get the best of her today.


    "Miss," Leonica called, ignoring the questions and instead, focusing on her. "Why are you so curious about the past? Do you, by chance, have a grudge against the Romero family? Or, are you perhaps trying to impose something?" Now all eyes were on Florence. The female was taken aback, not expecting her questions to be turned back at her, and in her shock, she found herself answering.


    "No," She shook her head. "Of course not, I''m just doing my job as a reporter and making sure that Ms. Irene''s story gets the justice it deserves."


    Leonica''s face was nk for a few seconds before it brightened up with a smile. "I appreciate your concern Miss Winslow, but my sister is getting the justice she deserves, so, please respect the Romero family''s privacy and know your boundaries." This time, it was Florence who was speechless, and as a result, Leonica took the opportunity to conclude the press conference.


    "Everyone, thank you foring today and I hope to see you at the introduction party thising Saturday. Goodbye." With that, the lights in the room went off and Leonica was led backstage.


    The moment she was out of the public''s sight, her face dropped.


    "Who let Florence Winslow in here?" She asked Kennedy as he led her towards her car through the hidden exit.


    "I''m not sure, madam. The security was tightened, so she must have bribed the guards to let her in."


    "I see," Leonica hummed, not liking his response. "Please investigate this and see to it that the guard who epted the bribe is dealt with. He should know that the Romero''s doesn''t take kindly to people trying to harm us." Kennedy simply nodded, and without saying another word, he held the door open for her as she stepped out into the parking lot.


    However, her steps halted when she spotted a figure leaning against her car.


    "Leonica," Jamil stood up straight and offered her a simple wave as soon as he spotted her. "Hi."


    Leonica looked anything but pleased as she turned back to nce at Kennedy who quickly bowed in apology. "I''ll see to it that the security is changed." Was all he could say.


    Turning back, she stared at Jamil, a look of annoyance evident on her face.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Jamil pulled out a single rose from his pocket at her question. "I came to congratte you on how well you did on the conference today." He walked closer and tried putting the rose in her hair. "Who would thought that every single thing you said was a Re-"


    Leonica harshly pping the rose away, had his sentence cut shut. "I''d prefer if you''d not try to get close to me."


    Jamil frowned, clearly displeased. "You didn''t use to be this cold, Leo."


    "And you didn''t use to be this foolish. The Vanadas I knew, realized when he needed to stop fooling around and right now is right about that time."


    Jamil''s brows twitched but his lips pulled back into a smile. "You''re adamant on rejecting my offer."


    Leonica looked at him, her face was cold and her eyes were emotionless. "I told you Vanadas, I''d much rather get screwed by a dog than give you a second chance. So fuck off."


    Jamil was quiet for a while, his gaze on her was intense, and for a split second, it was as if his eyes had changed, bing dark and full of hate, but it was gone just as fast, making her doubt whether she had seen it or not. "Alright," He finally spoke, his voice calm as he took a few steps back. "I''ll tune it down a notch for now. But the next time you see me, it''s you who''d beg me to take you."


    "That''ll never happen," Leonica responded, her words were like a dagger that pierced through Jamil''s pride.


    "We''ll see about that." With those final words, Jamil turned and walked away.


    When he was gone, Leonica allowed her gaze to drift to the rose on the floor, with one thought lingering in her mind;


    It was all too coincidental.


    Florence appearing at the conference, Jamil, waiting for her after the conference.


    It was as if everything was happening ording to a n.

 To Get Back All That Leonica Had Stolen.

    "I saw the conference video today, luce mia." Owen''s voice boomed from Leonica''s phone as she had him on FaceTime. "You did great."


    "I know." Came Leonica''s answer as she finished changing into her to be and sat in front of the camera. "I know I did good because everything went ording to n. Well, everything but Florence''s appearance." She muttered thest part, but Owen caught on quickly. "Florence Winslow? The reporter who you had an interview with? What of her?" He asked.


    Leonica contemted telling the entire story. For some reason, she felt like telling Owen about Jamil wasn''t the smartest choice. It was like Owen held an unspoken vendetta for the male.


    But then again, maybe she was over thinking it. Owen wasn''t that type of person, and holding a grudge for someone he barely knew wasn''t something he''d do.


    So with a shrug, she spoke. "Florence works for Jamil Vanadas," This words were enough to get Owen feeling more alert than he previously was. "Her questions seemed kind of..." Leonica knitted her brows, trying to ce her finger on the right word. "Rehearsed. Every line sounded as if she had nned that one question over and over in her head. But even that wasn''t as disturbing as the fact that Jamil happened to show up after the conference."


    Owen''s expression was dark and serious, and it didn''t go unnoticed by Leonica. "Owen?"


    "Sorry, I got a bit distracted." He shed her a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "And what did Vanadas want?"


    Now Leonica really doubted if she should say what Jamil really wanted. She knew that look on Owen''s face. He was Jealous.


    "Nothing important," She brushed it off. "Anyway, enough about me, how''s your trip going?"


    Owen shrugged. "Same as usual, boring and tiring. Although the shot is meant to wrap up next week."


    "I see," Leonica hummed as she reached out and grabbed herptop. "So, you should be back home by next week, right? Wanna get dinner with me when you''re back?" "Would love to luce mia. I have rehearsals to get back to, but be sure to call me if you need anything."


    "Will do." Leonica said and reached for her phone, about to end the call when Owen spoke up.


    "Do me a favor, luce mia?" When she hummed, giving him the green light to continue on, Owen added. "Please be careful around Jamil. He''s up to something, I can tell." Leonica smiled. "I know, but don''t worry. I can handle myself."


    "I know you can, but I can''t help but be concerned. After all, with everything going on, he can suddenly decide to capitalize on the opportunity."


    "Capitalize on the opportunity?" Leonica repeated more to herself rather than asked a question, as a bunch settled in.


    "Yeah. Is everything alright."


    "Yeah, I just...thought of something. I''ll talk to youter."


    "Sure luce mia. Good luck at the party."


    "Thanks. Bye." She said and hung up, instantly proceeding to flipping herptop open and pulling up one of the articles concerning Irene''s appearance. Then she checked the IP address from where the article was sent andpared it to the other IP addresses and all of them lead back to one single culprit. Herox Media Company''s IP address.


    "Damn it, Vanadas." Leonica mumbled to herself. "You''re just too desperate, aren''t you?"


    The more she thought about it, the more her anger boiled.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    It was just too obvious. Jamil''s been using Florence and his mediapany as a way to smear her father''s name and make it so that the public would turn against the Romero''s. But what did he hope to gain from this?


    Her affection? Surely he didn''t think that if her family suffered such a tiny blow he could show up as her knight in shining armor, save her and have her falling into his arms, begging for his love. Ha, just the thought of that was fucking revolting!


    But thankfully Leonica didn''t have the attention to ponder all about her scummy ex boyfriend, instead, she wondered; just how many people were in on Irene''s appearance.


    After the security feed she had watched, it was obvious that Irene had an aplice, so just who were they?


    And what was Jamil''s involvement in this entire thing? Was he a pawn like Irene? Manipted like she was to release all those posts?


    Leonica sighed as her brain started to hurt. So many things were going on, and it was hard for her to keep track of everything.


    She really hated it when things got out of hand like this.


    ''Ah, I just want peace already.'' She thought as she closed herptop and tucked herself underneath her duvet.


    Five aplices, ten, or even twenty, all of them would be the same.


    As long as she had the means to take them down, then that''s all that mattered.


    And she did have the means.


    So all she had to do was wait patiently for them to slip up.


    And her target in particr was their lose end, Irene Rosewood.


    The day of the introduction party had arrived in the blink of an eyes. The venue, arge manor built on the hills a far corner of Norway was beautifully decorated and big enough to amodate all the


    guests and reporters that had been


    invited.


    It was a sight that would have made Irene feel like a fish out of water, if not for the fact that she had been getting a taste of this sort of life while being married to Arvan.


    However, her mood wasn''t as bright


    mood


    as her surroundings. She had a scowl on her face, the moment she spotted Leonica walking through the entrange double door, Benjamin and Cassandra both at her side, smiling lovingly at their daughter.


    Their legitimate daughter.


    Although she had first entered the Romero family with intentions of pulling Benjamin down, which hadn''t changed, Irene couldn''t help but feel of the family Leonica had. They seemed, no, they were perfect. Too perfect.


    And that, was supposed to be hers, the thought once again crossed her mind, blooming like a rose in its blooming season.


    She, along with her mother, was the one meant to have such a happy life. So what right did Leonica and her mother, have toe and steal that away from her.


    Her hands tightened. She wanted it back, all that belonged to her and she was going to get it back.


    "Miss Irene, are you alright?" Meredith, who had been standing beside her, asked after having watched her expression of hatred directed towards Leonica.


    "I''m fine," Irene replied, her wordsing out harsh as she turned and noticed a few people whispering and pointing at her.


    "...the resemnce is evident, I''m sure she''s the illegitimate child." One of the elites closest to Irene, said.


    "I don''t know," Another shook their head, giving Irene a look of scrutiny that she did not miss. "She''s not as pretty as their original daughter."


    "Oh please," The aristocrat who had started the conversationughed loud enough for her to hear. "No one canpare to Ms. Romero, especially an illegitimate child like her." The conversation, or rather the insults, had her blood boiling and her hands shaking.


    Illegitimate child. Fake. A child born out of wedlock.


    The words were endless, and all of them were thrown at her at her very own weing party!


    Irene was burning from head to toe with embarrassment. So much so, that she had to chug down an entire ss of wine to calm herself down.


    But even that, the aristocrats found fault in.


    "How uncultured." Another woman muttered under her breath, not knowing Irene was just a few meters away from her. "She drinks wine like a barbarian."


    "It''s not surprising, seeing as she didn''t get a good education, much unlike Leonica Romero." A man, a noble from one of the big families, spoke, causing the others tough.


    Irene felt humiliated and enraged. The nerve these people had, talking shit behind her back when she was just right there!


    And the cause of it all, the person they were constantlyparing her to, was Leonica.


    As if on cue with her thoughts,


    Irene''s eyes scanned the crowd and found Leonica, except she was bit taken aback when the younger female was already staring at her, a smirk ying on her lips, almost as if she knew all that was being said....


    No, she knew all that was being said!


    And to make matters worse, she gently raised the wine ss in her hand and gave Irene a toast.


    This act caused a nerve to snap in Irene''s brain, flipping on a switch that gave only onemand at the moment.


    To get back all that Leonica had stolen from her. Her perfect family, reputation, daughter''s attention and even her ex husband, all of which Leonica had taken away from her for her own pleasure.


    But from now on, she was not going to let Leonica win. No, not again.


    It was her turn to shine. To have it all while Leonica was left with none.

 Stripping Her Of The Reputation She Had Built On Lies.

    "Oh Leonica, you did wonderful!" Cassandra eximed the moment sheid her eyes on her daughter for the first time in two days. "You handled those reporters like a true Romero." "Thank you mother," Leonica soaked in her mother''s praise, pulling her into a tight hug before facing her father. "Hi dad."


    "Leonica," Benjamin walked up to his daughter, cing his hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I''m sorry for having put you through something like this."


    Shaking her head, she offered him a smile. "Don''t be dad. And besides, I choose to handle the press conference, it''s the least I can do during this situation."


    Hearing her words, Benjamin couldn''t help but mirror his daughter''s smile. "Thank you."


    "What''s family for. Shall we?" She pointed towards the door which led to a hallway leading to the main Hall where the party was being held.


    As they walked, Leonica asked. "How''s Irene fitting in?"


    Cassandra scoffed. "That child is proving to be more of a pest than you''d think. Just the other day, she came back with a dozen shopping bags, and began ordering the maids around like she owned the ce." Shaking her head, obviously not trying to hide her displeasure with Irene''s existence, Cassandra added. "Why again are we letting her stay at OUR house? And why the need for this introduction party?"


    "Mother," Leonica began, patting the woman on her shoulder as a sign to calm down. "You need to calm down. Besides, we discussed this, Irene needs this introduction party as a way to make her debut, thus helping us spread the news that the Romero family has finally weed their illegitimate child. It''ll help clear any doubts the press may have had and furthermore, it''ll help the Romero''s gain some of the respect we''ve lost during this whole shenanigan."


    "She''s right." Benjamin agreed as they got closer to the entrance, spotting Melvin who had already been waiting for them. "This is the best way to handle this. Now, let''s drop this matter. How''s Owen and my grandson?"


    "Owen''s in Germany for movie shooting," Leonica answered as she waved at her brother. "And Ashley''s doing fine."


    "His health?"


    "...Doctor Bailey said it had improved." She lied. Seeing her parents get worries over Ashley''s health right now, with everything going on, is thest thing she wanted.


    "That''s good. But don''t lower your guard. You and Owen should start making preparations for the wedding and another child as soon as possible." He said, but when Leonica remained silent, he nced above his shoulder and added. "That is if you''re over that ex husband of yours."


    Leonica chuckled. "Things with Gabriel is in the past, father." She turned to Melvin who was walking beside her and asked. "Where''s Leonardo."


    "The Philippines," Came his answer. "He''s there for a research."


    "I see,"


    The moment they stepped foot in the Hall, the people gathered turned their eyes towards the Romero''s and began to murmur.


    "Mr. Romero has finally arrived."


    "Along with the First Lady, their son and daughter."


    "Isn''t that Leonica Romero, I heard she''s the one who helped her family ept the illegitimate child."


    "Ms. Romero has such an amiable personality."


    "You''re quite popr," Melvin whispered just before he parted from them, having his own set of guests to greet.


    Leonica paid him no mind, surveying the interior of the room as she took a ss of white wine from a nearby server. Then she spotted Gabriel and it was clear he had spotted her.


    "Benjamin!" The sound of Noah''s voice, a long time business partner of her father''s, had her looking away and watching as he approached them with a wide smile on his lips. "Ever so popr, even during times like these." He teased in Danish, his nativenguage. "Hello Noah," Benjamin responded in Danish as he shook the man''s hand and smiled. "I''m d you could make it."


    "Of course. I''d never miss a Romero party, especially one where something hot is happening," He turned his gaze to Leonica and Cassandra, the former giving him a court nod of acknowledgement. "Cassandra, looking as beautiful as always and Leonica, you''ve grown into a fine woman."


    "Thank you," Cassandra offered him a gentle smile, equally responding in the man''s nativenguage.


    "Of course, but," Noah scanned the empty space behind them. "I don''t see the star of tonight, where is she?"


    Cassandra''s smile visibly dropped at the question, but Leonica stepped in before it could be noticed. "Irene," She scanned the crowd, finding the girl quickly. "Ah, she''s over there."


    With a smile on her lips, she tipped her ss in Irene''s direction when their eyes seemed to meet.


    "Ah, I can see the resemnce. A beauty she is. Call her over Benjamin."


    The said man hesitated, ncing in his wife''s direction, but a nod from her was all it took to have his lips moving.


    "Irene!" He called out to the child, beckoning her over when she noticed his hand raised in the air.


    With poised steps, Irene approached, a forced smile on her lips.


    "Hello..." She paused not sure if she should call Benjamin father.


    He caught onto this and briskly cut in. "This is Mr. Larsen, a business partner of mine. Say hello."


    Irene turned to him. "Hello, I''m Irene Rosewood."


    "Rosewood? Does she still go by that name?" Noah asked in Danish, confusing Irene.


    "We''re taking things slow for now." Came Benjamin''s reply, not bothering to trante for Irene who looked like a lost puppy as they conversed in the North Germanguage. "She seems lost, does she not speak Danish?" Noah finally caught on.


    "Of course not," Leonica replied without hesitation. "My sister''s education wasn''t good, so she didn''t get the chance to learn such things." This, Leonica said in English. Irene''s eyes twitched, clearly offended by the older female''s words, but she couldn''t do anything, seeing as Benjamin had a look of shame on his face.


    "Ah, I see. What a pity."


    "Indeed, it is." Leonica agreed, shing Noah a smile, which he returned. "But worry not, I''m here to teach my dearest sister the ropes, even if she was previously amoner." "Well, isn''t that a blessing." Hemented,ughing heartily. But it was different for Irene who looked like she was burning from head to toe with embarrassment.


    Snap, Leonica thought, it was just what she wanted. Because the moment Irene makes a mistake and messes up, her aplice was sure to show some type of reaction. That was her goal behind her constant taunting words and actions.


    "Then I assume I should speak in English until then."


    "Please do."


    "Then Benjamin, what is the n


    after, Irene was it?" The girl


    managed anod. "After Irene is brought into the fully brought into the family? Word has it that she had been married to Senator Richardson before he became Senate and had set up a few businesses for her. Surely you have ns to push some clients to her side, yes?"


    "That is still being discussed but of course, we''ll do our best to assist her. She is, after all, my child."


    Benjamin''s reply had a smile gracing Irene''s lips. He was going to aide her, she thought and nced at Leonica, did she hear it? She wasn''t so special after all!


    That smile however, disappeared the moment she saw Leonica chuckle.


    What? Who was she tough?!


    "It was nice talking with you, Benjamin," He shook his business partners hand. "Cassandra lovely seeing you," Pecked thedy on her cheek. "Leonica, continue to impress me, I look forward to the day when you''ll stun the world once again, and of course, Irene." Noah turned his attention towards the girb "I hope we can work together in the future. Now, please excuse me."


    They bowed, wishing the man a good night before he disappeared into the crowd.


    "I''ll go greet some other guest." Benjamin announced.


    "I''ll join you." Cassandra offered.


    "Leonica, I''ll see you in a bit," He patted her shoulder and paused beside Irene. She looked up, expecting words just like Leonica''s, but much to her dismay, he said, "Please, don''t disgrace the Romero name." And walked off. Irene was frozen in ce, her eyes glued on her father''s retreating back, a hand clutching at her dress at the side while her heart thundered in her chest.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    "You heard what Father said, Irene" Leonica spoke up, catching her attention. "I''ll also take my leave now."


    Leonica attempted to walk away but was stopped by Irene''s grip on her hand. "This is all you fault, you know." "Excuse me?" Leonica raised brow, staring down at the hand holding hers and waiting for it to let go.


    "All the ridicule and humiliation," She rified. "And what did you mean by those words? My education iscking because I was amoner?"


    "Exactly, did I stutter?" Leonica shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm which Irene found more irritating than the condescending smile she gave her. "How dare you!" She snapped, but just as quickly, Leonica had quieted her.


    "Keep your voice down. Or don''t you remember what father said."


    Taking a quick look around, Irene notices that people were indeed staring, whispering underneath their breaths. All bad things, she could tell by the way their eyespared her to Leonica. Fuck, it was so annoying how they all thought she was the bad one, all because she was an illegitimate child and Leonica, being the legitimate child, was automatically painted the saint.


    She fucking hated it and wanted nothing more than to prove them wrong, strip Leonica of the reputation she had built on lies.


    And with all these people watching, she kind of got the perfect idea on how to do that.


    Leonica stared at Irene, watching as the wheels in her head spun, formting a n she had already anticipated.


    So when the older female suddenly stepped forward, it was no surprise to Leonica, but she still acted surprised.


    "Amoner you called me, but I''ll have you know, our roles are only reversed because your whore of a mother decided to steal what rightfully belonged to my mother." She said in a low tone, smiling at the face Leonica made.


    Now, even though Leonica had nned for something like this, she knew that if Irene couldn''t get to her through petty means, she was going to get verbal, she still couldn''t help the way her lips twitched upon hearing the title Irene addressed her mother with. "Yeah, think about it," Irene taunted.


    "Mind your words, Irene." Leonica warned, sounding more grim than she had intended.


    "Or what? You''re going to show everyone that you''re a bitch just like your mother? Go ahead." She looked Leonica in the eyes and boldly added. "I dare you."


    She had almost been too sure that she''d get away with her words, or at least, Leonica would hit her and get tagged as the bad egg, but oh, had she not expected Leonica''s next move.


    From a table beside her, the youngest Romero grabbed a bottle of wine and without so much as a hint of hesitation, poured the entire thing above her head.


    The red liquid drenched her, staining her white gown and causing her hair to stick to her skin.


    The room went quiet, everyone was shocked, but none dared speak.


    "I told you to watch your words, and


    you chose to ignore me." Leonica calmly said, putting the bottle back and stepping forward to look her straight in the eyes. "Game or game, don''t you dare open that


    mouth of yours and insult my mother, else I''ll make you regret the day you were born."

 Taste Of Rejection.

    Irene should have been happy, after all, she was getting the reaction she wanted out of Leonica, but she couldn''t be.


    No, not when the wine bottle had been empty, and all eyes were on her, trying to phantom what wrong she had done.


    Why weren''t they judging Leonica who had poured the wine over her, she thought with gritted teeth, her eyes burning with anger. She was the victim here, so why were they not showing any pity.


    "She must have crossed her boundaries." Someone said with a click of her tongue, the distaste evidence in their voice. "Well, what''s to be expected of an illegitimate child, who''s amoner at that. Disgraceful." Another chimed in.


    "I''m sure Ms. Romero was provoked by her, or else she wouldn''t have reacted the way she did."


    "That''s true. After all, the Romero''s are known to be very well-mannered."


    Whispers of such went on, only a few people expressed their distaste for Leonica''s action.


    "I''ve warned you several times, watch your mouth." Leonica said as her eyes scanned the crowd, trying to see which person who give her the reaction she wanted. s, she saw none. "All these people must feel your shame," She clicked her tongue. "Look, even father ising."


    Just like she had said, Benjamin, along with Melvin, came rushing towards them.


    "What is the meaning of this?" Benjamin sternly demanded.


    Irene was about to open her mouth and speak, seeing this as a chance to paint Leonica ck in her father''s eyes, when she realized that Benjamin''s question along with his faze, was directed at her.


    Huh? This was not what she expected.


    "What did you do, Leo?" Melvin asked, but the look in his eyes showed no form of the harsh scolding Irene wanted.


    They were in out bullying her and no one in the crowd dared speak up for her! That realization was more sour than any lime she had tasted in her life.


    "She... Leonica did it." She finally managed to find her voice. "She emptied the wine on me because I confronted her about the harsh words she used on me." She said, acting meek.


    "Is this true, Leonica?" Benjamin asked, turning his gaze to his second daughter and without hesitation, she nodded.


    Ha, now she was going to get scolded, preferably thrown out of the venue, Irene thought as she fought back her smile.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Who said her action was going to be a total waste?


    "Ha," Benjamin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Leonica had been so considerate, putting her feeling aside and trying to fix his mistake, so of course she was going to explode at some point. Pointing towards one of the doors, he instructed. "Balcony, go there and cool down."


    The smile that Irene had been trying to hidepletely disappeared.


    Cool down out on the balcony? No, she was meant to get kicked out. Why was Benjamin not giving her the treatment she deserved.


    "Yes, father." Came Leonica''s obedient reply and after a re in her way, she walked off.


    "And you," Benjamin turned to face her, regarding her with eyes of scrutiny. "I understand that you''re still trying to fit into our family, but this is a ce of celebration, not a yground for children."


    His words were like a p across her face, and she felt her body heating up, but the fact that she couldn''t even say anything because he had been right, had her boiling.


    "Go change into new clothes and I hope you won''t act like this again." With that final warning, Benjamin turned and walked off, followed closely by Melvin.


    Irene could only grit her teeth in anger. They were ruthless. But oh well, she knew she had, to some extent, achieved her goal, when she heard someone say "Wow, I got the whole thing, I''m going to upload it online." The smile returned to her lips.


    She would have to thank that stupid social media fanaticster.


    So n A did not work, Leonica thought as she stared at the moon, guess it was time to move into n B.


    Tapping her smart watch, which she found more convenient that her smart phone, she texted Lena and instructed her with only a few words.


    [Upload the video.]


    "Hey," A voice caught Leonica''s attention pulling her away from her smartwatch.


    She looked up just in time to see Gabriel perch beside her, offering a bottle of water.


    "Here,"


    She hesitated. Of course she would, Gabriel thought as he began withdrawing the bottle, but she snatched it out of his hand, and cracked the cap open.


    "Thanks." She said as she sipped it''s content. "I''m surprise my father let you in here with the way he spoke of you." Locking the cap, she gave a look that screamed ''You didn''t sneak in here, did you?''


    Gabriel chuckled, lightly. "Your father has his ways of treating people. He may talk harsh, sound even harsher, but that''s just him showing who he really is. If he really hated me, he wouldn''t have sent an invitation letter to me, much less, allowed me here tonight." Leonica nodded in understanding, but she was pretty sure that her father wasn''t the one who sent that invitation letter. It obviously was Melvin.


    "Anyways," Gabriel spoke up, changing the subject. "The drama with your so called half sister," He paused and chuckled. "The whole country''s talking about it. How are you holding up?"


    Leonica ced the bottle water down and her fingers found it''s way to her engagement ring, fiddling with it. An action that did not go unnoticed by Gabriel.


    "Honestly I''m fine. The entire thing isn''t as tasking as the whole country''s making it out to be." She said.


    "You''re fine?" Gabriel nced into the event room. "Well things didn''t seem quite fine back there."


    Leonica didn''t bother giving him an answer. Her actions were her own and she didn''t need him prying into it.


    "Are you sure everything is okay?" He tried again, but his question only bounced hard off Leonica.


    She sighed. Why did he keep prying? First the car, then her house and now here.


    If he kept being this nosy, then she just might prefer the him who ignored her during their marriage.


    "It''s none of your business, Gabriel."


    Her words had him taken aback, and a silence followed soon after, which was broken a momentter by Leonica herself.


    "Look, I appreciate your concern, but


    you need to understand that we''re just co parents, acquaintance, and thus, our problems are ours, not yours. So stop sticking your nose where it doesn''t belong." She turned


    her head to face him and shed him a smile. "Understand?


    Gabriel''s eyes narrowed. His gaze on her had turned cold, but not in a threatening manner.


    "But what if I don''t want to? And what if..." He turned to face her, taking her wrist but not holding it tightly. "I want to be more than a co parent or an acquaintance."


    His eyes we''re enough to pass across the memo, so when he opened his lips once more, intending toplete his speech, she cut him off.


    "Leonica, I like-"


    "Stop." She shook her head. "Don''t


    finish that sentence. Because the moment you do, I''d give you an answer and with that answer, you can kiss whatever rtionship is between us, goodbye. And I don''t want that. Because despite all the shit you put me through during our marriage, you''re still Ashley''s father and was once friend of mine. So," Stepping back, she pulled her wrist away, not missing the hurt in his eyes. "Work your feelings out and


    please, don''t drag me into it."


    Her words were harsh, but that was how it was and will always be. She had no intention giving Gabriel a second chance at romance or even give him any sort of idea that might lead him on.


    "I hope you understand." Leonica said and without a second thought, walked away.


    Leaving him, standing in the dark, all alone.


    "I see..." Gabriel murmured to himself as he watched Leonica walk off.


    "I''ve been rejected," He let out augh, one filled with sorrow and defeat. "I''ve really lost you, huh."


    It was his own fault, and he knew this, but he couldn''t help but feel frustrated.


    "What am I supposed to do?" He asked no one, not really expecting a reply, as he leaned on the railing and hung his head.


    "What am I really supposed to do to change that, Leonica?"


    Nothing, Leonica had made it clear and as she walked back into the party room, she hoped Gabriel had gotten the clear memo.


    "Leonica, dearie, there you are," Her mother''s voice had popped her thought bubble just as she approached the drink table. "I''ve been looking all over for you."


    "What do you need mom?"


    "Your father is about to give his speech, introducing that child, but she''s nowhere to be seen. Would you be an angel and fetch her?"


    "Of course, mom."


    With a peck on her mother''s cheek, Leonica walked away, going straight for the dressing room as she knew well enough that Irene would be there after the wine she had humbly offered her.


    As she approached the dressing room, she could faintly make out Irene''s voice, and the closer she got, the clearer it became that she was on a phone call.


    "That stupid bitch ruined my entire day!" Irene huffed angrily as Leonica pressed her ear on the door, trying to listen for the person she was conversing with. But it was clear that only Irene was in the room.


    Was she on a phone call.


    "This wasn''t part of the n." Irene was sounding more angry, but that didn''t concern Leonica, what did however, was the voice that answered her.


    "Of course it wasn''t. What part of the n stated that you could taunt her?"


    Leonica''s brows creased. Wait, she had heard that voice somewhere. Where though? She wondered, pressing her ear more on the door to see if she could make out the voice through the muffle-ness


    "She deserved it, besides, I was only


    stating facts. That woman stole everything that should have been mine. Even now, they''re treating me like dirt, so I was allowed to speak the truth. I deserve just as much as she has."


    "You''re the illegitimate child, and you''re still trying topare yourself with Leonie, don''t be stupid and stop ying with fire."


    Leonica''s brows creased. Leonie? Only one person calls her by that disgusting name.


    "If you knew that I couldn''t bepared to her, then why approach me in the first ce, Jamil."


    Leonica was so caught off guard by the name that she unknowingly knocked over a mop stick that had been leaning against the wall, and before she could react, it crashed to the floor with a loud ng.

 Her Happy, Yet Delusional Thoughts.

    "If you knew I couldn''t bepared to her, why approach me in the first ce, Jamil." Irene stated angrily as she finished adding the essory to go allow with her new outfit. "You easily could have found-" ng!


    The sound of something falling from outside cut her off and in seconds, her head snapped in the door''s direction.


    "What was that?"


    "Are you asking me? Am I the one there?" Jamil answered sarcastically.


    Irene ignored him and stood up, making her way to the door.


    "Don''t tell me, you allowed a rat spy on you? Or better yet, maybe a snake."


    Snake. The moment he said the word, a certain person came to her mind, and Irene didn''t waste any time opening the door, only toe face to face with thest person she had expected to see. "M-meredith? What are you doing here?" She questioned the maid who had just finished picking a fallen mop up.


    "The first Lady sent me to fetch you, Mr. Romero is about to give his introduction speech."


    "Oh," Irene scanned the maid from head to toe before smiling. "Tell my father I''d be right there."


    "I''ll do just that." Meredith bowed, not moving once until Irene had stepped back into the dressing room and closed the door.


    Only after she was gone did Meredith dare to look down the Hall where Leonica walked out from where the maid had hidden her.


    Raising her index finger, she pressed it against her lips, a silentmand for the other female to remain silent, before gesturing for her to follow.


    Without hesitation, Meredith did as her mistress requested, following the younger female away from Where Irene could potentially hear them. Back in the dressing room, Irene walked back to get her phone, picking it from its stand on her vanity mirror.


    "It was just Meredith."


    "Meredith?" Jamil questioned.


    "My personal maid. Now if you''d excuse me, I have a debut to make." She said arrogantly, but just as she was about to hang up, Jamil stopped her.


    "Irene, don''t forget, you''re doing this to get back at Benjamin Romero for what he did to your mother. No amount of love or riches he gives you now can make up for how your mother died loving him." And with that said, Jamil hung up, leaving Irene to think of the past.


    "Yes, yes, I know," She spoke in a soft tone, putting her phone down before a smirk found its way to her lips as she admired her luxurious looking appearance in the mirror. "But the dead''s the dead and the living''s got to find a way to survive. You''ll understand, right mother?"


    She smiled sweetly, but it was anything but sweet as all she thought of was destroying Leonica, and without a second thought, she picked up the handbag that matched her dress and headed out, closing the door behind her.


    "Did you follow me?" Was the first question Leonica asked Meredith when they arrived at a deserted part of the Mansion.


    The maid avoided eye contact, but couldn''t bring herself to lie. "Yes, but it was only because I was worried about you, madam. Please forgive me."


    "There''s nothing to forgive," Leonica responded, not a hint of anger or anything else in her voice, much to Meredith''s surprise. "As a matter of fact, I should thank you, if it weren''t for you showing up in time, Irene would have seen me. Thank you Meredith." Meredith was more than happy to see Leonica smile at her and even more happier to receive praises from her, but all that happiness seemed to be diluted by a sour taste when she remembered the glimpse of Irene''s conversation she had overheard. "Madam, the second mistress, she seems to dislike you." She said with a gloom expression.


    Leonica tilted her head to the side, studying Meredith''s reaction before she asked. "You heard?"


    The maid nodded. "But only a small portion." She rified, earning a nod from Leonica.


    "Don''t worry yourself Meredith, things like this happen all the time in families; sibling conflict as many would call it." Leonica gently patted her on the shoulder, smiling from ear to ear. "Give her some time, I''m sure she''de around."


    "Oh madam," Meredith couldn''t help the smile of adoration that bloomed on her face. "You truly have a big heart." She suddenly bowed. "I swear, from today onwards you have my loyalty!"


    Ah, I see I''ve gotten myself an allegiant, Leonica couldn''t help but truly smile at that thought, how pleasant.


    "Meredith, you don''t have to be so extreme, and please raise your head. This is no ce for a bow." Leonica gently instructed.


    "Oh," Embarrassment colored Meredith''s cheeks.


    "You should head back now, and please inform my parents that I''d join them shortly."


    "Of course." Meredith said and after a final bow, she was gone retracing her steps to the main Hall.


    Once alone, Leonica allowed the mask of pleasantries to fall from her face, revealing how truly worried she was by her recent discovery.


    Jamil and Irene, why didn''t she see thating?


    No, there was no way she could have seen iting, after all, the two had nothing doing with each other, which begged the question, why were they suddenly cooperating? Who approached who first?


    She said, running her fingers through her hair in the process.


    Well, at least she could rule one thing out now; Irene''s aplice. It was pretty clear to her that it was Jamil.


    Suddenly, she groaned. Of course it


    was him, perfectly exins why all those articles were released from several branches of hispany


    and why Florence had showed up at the Conference and he afterward.


    But what did he hope to gain by doing all these?


    She paused, pondering.


    If he was smart, he was during their high school days, or even smarter, then he''d have to have some sort of a n. And knowing him, she knew he''d never do anything unless he had a goal in mind.


    So what was his goal? As she thought, her eyes suddenly caught her reflection against the full body mirror and she remembered all Jamil had said so far.


    He wanted her, but he wasn''t going to ask again and the next time they met, she''d be the one begging him.


    So...was she his goal?


    She scoffed at the thought, that was too much credit given to herself. No matter how much Jamil wanted her, his desire wasn''t strong enough reason to ruin an entire family. There had to be something else. But just what was it?


    "Well, we''d just have to see." She mused as she walked out of the room she had dragged Meredith into.


    At least now she knew who and who she was up against, all she needed to do now was just flush out their agendas.


    She smirked. For someone as predictable as Irene, it was going to be pretty easy.


    "...so with all that being said, I''d like to introduce to you, the newest addition to the Romero family, a child of my flesh, Irene Romero."


    Whispers filled the crowd, some pping, after Benjamin had introduced Irene who proudly walked beside her father and gave an over dramatic wave.


    "A drama queen, ain''t she?" Melvin whispered to Leonica who was beside him, eyes trained on their newest sibling.


    "Oh, she far more than that." Her answer confused Melvin, but before he could ask, she had walked towards her father and whispered something in his ear while the crowd was taken with Irene.


    "You want me to do that?" He asked


    and Leonica gave him a nod,


    showing that she knew what she was doing. He turned back to the crowd raising his microphone And as a weing present, I''d be putting Irene''s name on the list of my sessors." This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    And that was enough to have the crowd going wild with whispers, while Irene stared at her father with wide eyes.


    It was happening. Although she and Jamil had nned for something like this, Irene hadn''t expected Benjamin to put her name in his list of sessors so early.


    She hasn''t even done anything, so why was he favoring her so much? She pondered when suddenly, an idea came to her mind.


    The way her father had treated her so far; he''d been harsh to her and withheld any form of affection towards her, simply because he couldn''t stand being reminded of her mother.


    He still loved her mother so much that it ached to look at her and see the resemnce and somewhere deep down, he was also afraid that she''d leave him just like her mother.


    Irene chuckled quietly. ''Don''t worry


    father, I''m not going anywhere. I''m


    going to stay right here and be your


    precious daughter.'' She thought,


    quivering slightly from the happy yet


    delusional thoughts.


    Yeah, that''s right, Leonica thought as she returned to her previous position beside her brother, keeping her eyes on Irene as her body trembled with happiness, let your delusion get the better of you, ''That way, it''d be easier to pull you down when the timees. And in that moment, you''ll confess everything about you and Jamil''s ns.''


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 The Illegitimate Child Cant Steal The Spotlight.

    The introduction party ended on a grand note and everyone who was invited went home happy and content. "Leonica, thank you once again." Benjamin gently patted his daughter''s back as she saw him off. "Anytime father," She offered him a smile before turning to her mother and hugging the woman.


    "Come visit us sometime," Cassandra said as she squeezed Leonica hard before pulling back and holding both of her shoulders. "That ce is still your home even though that child now lives there."


    Leonica smiled. "Of course, mother." She bade both her parents goodbye, waiting until their car had driven off before she turned to address Irene who had been watching her with a smug look. "You have a habit of popping up in the most unexpected ces." She regarded her from head to toe, noticing that Meredith was not by her side as usual.


    The poor maid probably couldn''t stand her after all the rubbish she heard Irene spout.


    "What do you want Irene?"


    Irene chuckled, amused. "How can you act like this? Did you not hear what father said?"


    Father, Leonica clicked her tongue, so Irene now addressed him that way.


    "That he''s going to include your name among his sessor''s list? Well yes, I did and congrattions." She replied indifferently, crossing her arms as she scanned her so called half sister from head to toe. "If that''s all you have to say, then let me ask you one question. Why did reveal your existence as MY father''s daughter?"


    "What, do you believe only you deserve a happy family? So because of that I should have kept my mouth shut?" She mirrored Leonica''s stance, except hers had more pride and arrogance while Leonica''s own had a calm and collected demeanor. "Pardon?"


    "Everything you''ve had up until now, has been provided by father. Thepany, your connections heck, even your ex husband. You''re only where you are today because our father helped you." She chuckled, her gaze turning condescending. "And you think you''re better than me? You''re just an ungrateful bitch who thinks she''s entitled to everything because she''s his real child."


    "I am who I am today because father provided everything for me?" Leonica couldn''t help but chuckle. She found it funny how Irene believed that her father had provided all she has today.


    Sure, he had given her thepany, but she didn''t get it handed to her on a silver tter. She worked hard and proved herself worthy of seating in the president seat and even then, it had been taken from her. Had she not bought it with HER money, Romero Empire would be singing a different song.


    "Oh Irene, your humor still amazes me up till this point," Leonica taunted, but just as quickly as her smile had appeared, it disappeared, leaving a more serious and menacing expression across her face. "But don''t kid yourself. I got everything I have today by my own hand and nothing more. So if you think for a second that because father agreed to put your name on his list of sessors, you''ve be a threat to me, you''re wrong."


    Irene tightened her jaw. "Is that so?" She asked in a challenging tone.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    "It is." Came Leonica''s answer as her driver finally pulled up behind her, holding the door open for her. Just before she stepped in, she looked above her shoulder, regarding Irene onest time. "Know your ce Irene Rosewood. This isn''t a fantasy world where an illegitimate child like you gets to y heroine and steal the spotlight from the protagonist."


    Leonica stepped into the car, mming the door shut as her driver, without having to be told, drove off.


    And just as Leonica''s car disappeared from view, the smug expression Irene had on, dropped and a scowl etched it''s way on her face.


    "She really thinks she''s superior." She grumbled, clenching her fists. "Just you wait, I''ll make you beg at my feet after stripping away everything you love."


    Pulling out her phone, she called someone, when they answered, she instructed. "I''ll pay you any amount, all I need you to do is dig up dirt on someone for me." Her source on the other end must have agreed because instantly, her lip twitched up into a satisfied smirk. "Leonica Romero, that''s the name."


    "Mommy!" Ashley rushed into his mother''s arm as soon as she had returned home.


    "Hi sweetie," Leonica cooed, wrapping her arms around the boy, peppering his cheeks with kisses. "Were you a good boy while mommy was away?"


    Ashley nodded. "Yeah. Grace had me do my homework after which we watched cartoon together all afternoon."


    Leonica made a surprised face. "Did you now?"


    "Uh-huh." Came Ashley''s answer in between giggles as his mother returned him to the floor and Grace stepped out of the kitchen.


    "Wee home, Madame." The caretaker greeted.


    "Hello Grace. Thank you for looking after Ashley once again."


    "Most certainly. How was your night?"


    "Exhausting," Came Leonica''s answer as she sank into one of the couches, not bother to change out of the dress she was in. "No matter how many times I go to these parties, I can never get used to them.". "Would you like something to drink, madam?"


    "Please."


    Grace went back into the kitchen and not longter, she came out with a cup of hot chocte.


    "Here," She offered the cup and Leonica took it with a thanks, taking a sip from it while noticing how Grace lingered nearby.


    "Is there something you want to discuss with me, Grace?" She asked atst.


    I.ne


    The caretaker tentatively stepped closer, fiddling with the tips of her finger. "Forgive me for asking, but while watching tv shows with Ashley happened toe across the speech Mr. Romero was giving at today''s party and..."


    The rest of her words trailed off as Leonica ced her cup down. "You couldn''t help but wonder if all father said was true, yes?" A nod from the caretaker answered her question. Leonica sighed. "It''s true, Irene Rosewood is not part of our family."


    "Don''t look so worried," Leonica added as she stood up, briefly stretching. "I have everything understand control."


    Yeah? That was the exact same thing she said four months ago when they sat in her room and discussed the topic of her messy love life, Grace thought with worried eyes.


    She also imed to have that one under control, yet till this day, the caretaker was a hundred percent sure that Leonica had not found it in herself to fully open her heart up to Owen. "Now tell me, did anyone visit while I was away?"


    "No. Ah, but there was a parcel drop off for you." Grace rushed to where she had dropped the small brown box, while Leonica watched her in confusion.


    A parcel? She wasn''t expecting one.


    Secondster, the maid returned with a small box that had been neatly wrapped. The sender, was unknown?


    Leonica stared at the box for a minute, wondering who could have sent her something like this, when suddenly, her mind went to one particr person. Owen.


    Could it be him?


    Quickly, she took the box and tore it open, eyes widening when she saw the prettiest red gown,plete with a pair of high heels.


    This, it had to be Owen. Her suspicion was confirmed when she called the blonde and the first thing he said was.


    "Did you get it?"


    "It''s beautiful," Leonica said with a smile. "But what is it for?"


    "My shot is wrapping up in a few days, remember that dinner you offered we get?"


    "Yeah?" Leonica was suddenly grinning from ear to ear at this and Grace found the sight quite amusing. Perhaps she had been wrong.


    "I''m going to be a bit selfish and switch it up a bit."


    "Switch up a bit?" She asked.


    "Yeah, but it''s going to be a secret. Do you trust me, luce mia."


    She did. "I won''t have agreed to be your fianc¨¦e if I didn''t?"


    She could sense Owen grinning because of her answer. "It''s settled then. I''ll see you in Saturday, love."


    "I''ll be waiting." And just like that, the call was over and Leonica had a bright smile across her face.


    "So, it''s from Mr. Lee I assume?" Grace asked.


    "Yes. Please put it away for me, would you?"


    Grace nodded and picked the dress, sneaking a peak at it onest time before covering the book. "He has a keen eye, the dress is pretty, just like it''s owner."


    "Thank you Grace, but you''re not getting a sry raise." Leonica teased and the older woman could only shake her head.


    "You read far too deep into people''s actions, Madame. It was a simplepliment."


    "Uh-huh." Was all the young woman said before her phone started ringing and the ID caller read Arvan.


    Leonica''s brows dipped. It was unusual for him to call thiste.


    "Arvan, hey," She answered the phone, pressing it to her ear while she unbuckled her heels, giving her toes the much needed relief they craved. "Is everything alright." "Hey Leonica. Yeah, everything''s okay. I just...need to speak to you."


    "Oh," Although she was slightly taken aback by his words, her eyes found the clock hung on her wall. "Ah, well it''s alreadyte, would it be alright to discuss whatever it is over the phone?"  en


    "No," There was a pause. "I''m in front of your house, pleasee outside Leonica."

 He Sent A Spy To Watch Her.

    The first thing Leonica noticed as she walked towards the entrance of her Vi, was dropping temperature at night as winter was quickly approaching.


    The second thing being Arvan''s serious face as she stood in front of him, hands tucked into the pocket of the over coat Grace had insisted she wore before stepping out.


    "You sure chose to best time to show up," She joked, taking note of how her breath seemed to take a misty form before disappearing. "What is it you need, Arvan?"


    "I wanted to drop this off," Reaching into the pocket of his coat, Arvan pulled out a small brown envelope and handed it to her. "It''s the final document to reinstate the cooperation between ourpanies."


    "That''s quite thoughtful of you," Leonica said as she examined the envelope. "But, is that really the only thing you came all the way to my house for, Arvan?"


    The man stared at her, as If he was contemting whether to speak his mind or not.


    "I saw the articles, Leonica," He said atst, watching as she slowly nodded her head, silently mouthing the word ''Oh''.


    "Surprised, weren''t you?" Leonica chuckled. "Who would have thought your ex wife would turn out to be my half sister."


    Now that she said it out loud, it sounded more ironic to her. Her life really sounded like a yarn ball, constantly unraveling with something new.


    "Leonica," Arvan called out softly, drawing her attention away from her thoughts and for the first time since knowing him, Leonica saw Arvan looking truly hesitant. "I know this might be bad timing considering all that''s going on around you, but I just want you to know, my feelings for you, wasn''t prompted because of the resemnce between you and Irene. You two may look alike, but I learnt that you''repletely different persons and-"


    "Arvan," Leonica cut him off, smiling at how he had rambled on. "You''ve exined this before, haven''t you?" She reminded, stepping forward and taking his hands on hers to assure him that she truly understood. "It never really bothered me."


    "So you were okay with the fact that I might have fallen in love with you because of your sister''s face?"


    "But you didn''t," Leonica shed him a smile that damn nearly had his heart jumping out of his chest. "And from the looks of it, those sweet feelings are gone now, aren''t they?" She gently shook his hand, waiting for his answer.


    Of course they weren''t. He couldn''t just erase the feelings he had for her in three months.


    He was more fond of her than he was of that one gold fish he had back in college, and even that took him almost a year to get over when his girlfriend took it after their breakup.


    But of course he wasn''t going to tell her that. As much as he wishes his feelings would be reciprocated and that he''d be the one beside her rather than that blondie idol, he cherished their friendship and wouldn''t dare to let things be awkward between them. "Of course they are," He lied, mirroring her smile.


    Weirdly enough, Leonica felt a sense of relief. She had feared than when Arvan spoke about his feelings, things would eventually end up like they did with Gabriel a couple hours prior.


    But it turned out to be totally different. In fact, she felt more at ease around him.


    So much so, that she wanted to hug him and thank him for not pushing his feelings on her and quietly sorting it out, much unlike Gabriel, but decided against it, thinking how it was far toote to do so.


    Instead, she offered him a soft squeeze on his shoulder, a silent message that she was grateful for their friendship.


    Arvan could only but smile, hoping that with time, his feelings would indeed die out, especially now that she was engaged.


    "Now then," Stepping back, she held up the envelope that he had given her. "I''ll have this processed by Monday, so expect a call from Kennedy."


    Arvan managed a thin smile. "Alright."


    "Then, I''ll be heading back inside," Leonica began walking back when suddenly, side movement caught her attention. But the moment she turned her head in its direction, the movement steeled. Strange, something had definitely just moved now?


    "Leonica?"


    "Ah," She looked back at Arvan, offering him a smile. "Good night, Arvan."


    "Good night,"


    She walked away, her smile fading and her eyes searching, trying to spot the movement she had seen, but it was to no avail.


    I definitely wasn''t seeing things, she thought as she slipped into her house, shrugged off her coat and made a beeline for the camera room adjacent her bedroom.


    It didn''t take long for her to pull up the footage for she and Arvan speaking, fast forwarding to the moment where she had seen movement.


    "There!" She whispered in surprise, pressing the rewind button, going frame by frame until the figure was clearly visible.


    It was a person dressed In a dark outfit, their face concealed by a mask, and holding what seemed a camera.


    "Jamil, you sick bastard," She concluded, chuckling darkly as she shook her head.


    He sent a spy to watch her.


    Well, that was one way to keep tabs on her, a move every enemy needed against their opponent.


    "How stupid of him to think I''d have something for him to use against me." She smirked.


    Perhaps she should give him something to use against her. You know, something to truly flush out his intentions before his game hit the long run.


    She tapped her finger against the table, thinking. What exactly could that be. She wasn''t sure what his true goal was yet, so throwing just anything out there could not work and potentially turn out to harm her.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    All it took was a few solid minutes of thinking before she came up with a side n, adding it her already effective master n and her puppet was none other than Irene.


    If Irene and Jamil had a n, then all Leonica needed was to find a way to get under their skin and drive a wedge between the two, that way, their n would be easily foiled and their partnership would end.


    And what better way to do it that using the publics voice.


    "Let''s just hope that this works." She mused, standing up and walking back to her bedroom.


    "I seem to have a lot to lose if it doesn''t,"


    "I really don''t see what you see in Leonica," Irene huffed as shepleted her skin care routine before picking up her phone and facing Jamil who she had video called. "She just an average bitch who talks a lot of smack that she can''t even back up." "She''s far from an Average bitch, Irene. I''m sure she proved that to you tonight."


    "Pft, so what? She''s got a smart mouth and daddy''s power. Big deal."


    "Big deal indeed. Now, if you want that to be you, I suggest you watch your behavior in front of the Romero family. We''re trying to make them adore you, not abhor you. Bug that aside, Jamil paused and pped twice, loudly. "Congrats on making sessor''s list in such short period."


    "Heh," Irene chuckled arrogantly. "Of course, what did you expect from someone like me."


    "I''d have expected nothing less, Irene. But remember, our cooperation and hard work isn''t over riches and fame. There''s a bigger picture here that you dare not forget, else I''d have not choice but to crop you out of our picture."


    Irene rolled her eyes. "You don''t have


    UT


    to remind me clearly remember the game n; gain their Romero family''s affection and trust, getting enough backing and then ruin Leonica to a plump, then I''d get reward." Jamil nodded his head to her words. "But now that I think about it, your only goal here is to ruin Leonica, do you really care how it''s done?"


    "Yes. It has to be done the way I''ve nned, else Leonica would always find a way to stand back up." As he spoke, Irene''s phone dinged with a message from the person she had called earlier. "Do not deviate from the n, Irene, else I''d have to do it


    my way and I''d hate to get rid of a useful ally."


    "Yeah yeah." Irene merely swatted his words away like a fly, clicking on the message she had gotten. It was a video and as she watched it y out, she couldn''t help the smirk that spread across her lips. "What''s with that look on your face?" Jamil asked.


    "Nothing," Came Irene''s answer, "I just thought of a brilliant method to ruin Leonica faster."

 Sultry Escapade.

    Waking up to her phone buzzing had be a normal for Leonica. So, the following day, when she was awoken by the sound of her phone rumbling, she was in no rush to answer it. "Ugh," She groaned, reaching over and grabbing her phone, swiping right to answer the call. "Hello?"


    "Good morning, Ms. Romero," It was Kennedy.


    "Kennedy, why are you calling on a Sunday," Sheined, raising herself up into a sitting position and trying to rub away sleep from her eyes.


    "Forgive me Ms. Romero, but it''s a pressing matter."


    "What could be more pressing than my sleep," She grumbled.


    "It''s about the article that has been released today," Kennedy answered.


    "Article?" That immediately woke her up, sitting her straighter up in her bed.


    "Yes. It was published in the tabloid magazine, but I''m afraid this one has made its rounds to several news sites."


    Leonica was quiet. So Jamil wasn''t wasting time, eh?


    "What''s about?"


    Kennedy hesitated to answer. "I''ll send you a link, Ms. Romero."


    Things were never good when he said something like that, she thought as she grabbed her tablet when it dinged with a message and she opened the link Kennedy had sent.


    At first all she was staring at was a familiar looking hallway. Too familiar, she thought and tried to ransack her brain for where she recognized it.


    But as the video yed and someone stepped into view, her eyes narrowed. That was her and this hallway was the very same one from Ster''s party!


    As expected, the video skipped to when she had stepped out of the roomter that morning, highlighting the time difference and visible hickeys on her neck.


    And then the headline popped up.


    ''Leonica Romero''s sultry escapade''


    "Sultry escapade?" She asked herself out loud, watching as the video ended just before Angelina stepped into view.


    She clicked off the screen, throwing her tablet away. "What rubbish is this Kennedy and how did the press get their hands on this video?"


    "Madam, I''ve just checked the source. The video was leaked by the security camera that''s installed in the hotel." He informed. "Another thing I noticed is that they kept the name of the second party involved a secret."


    Of course they did, Leonica thought as she rolled her eyes, no one dares to offend Gabriel.


    "Is there a way to track the culprit?" She asked even though she already had a good idea of who had done it.


    "We''re trying, madam. But, we''re having some trouble getting through."


    Leonica hummed. "How are the reactions of the public?"


    "The positive reactions are outweighing the negative. But I still advise you give a speech first thing tomorrow, deny all allegations and let the public know that the video had been worked on."


    But it hasn''t been. The person in the video was indeed her and she could tell Kennedy knew this much.


    "Is there really any need for that?" She sighed, running her fingers through her messy hair as she stood up. "This is the twenty first century, Kennedy, so what if I slept with a man I met in at a party? If people still have their heads stuck in the old era, then that''s their problem. I''ll not waste my precious time exining myself to strangers."


    ""Ms. Romero,"


    "I''m not saying that I won''t defend myself, Kennedy. But if those who judge me based on an irrelevant video like this are my supporters, then I have no use for them. And I sure as hell not gonna lie to those who honestly support me."


    Kennedy thought her words for a few seconds. "You''re right. But we still need to reduce the blowback. Nowadays, your enemies would look for any means to pull you down," They sure as hell are, Leonica thought. "So how about announcing to the public that the man who you slept with Gabriel. I''m sure they''d sympathize once they know it''s Ashley''s father."


    "I will do no such thing." Leonica instantly rebuked.


    "But Ms. Romero, I''m sure that''d get the media off your back."


    "Kennedy," She took a deep breath. "You''re a clever man, but right now you''re acting rather ludicrous."


    ""Madam,"


    "Whether it''s Gabriel I slept with or not, is my business. What do you think the inte would make of it once they know that? They''d start a new story, dragging me for supposedly cheating on their favorite Idol." She sighed, feeling her headacheing back. "Madam, I was only thinking about the best of you."


    "And Owen? What about him?" She sighed once again. "I''m thankful for that, Kennedy. But all you need to do is the usual. Release a statement heus and set up a press conference. I''ll handle the rest."  en


    "Very well."


    "Thank you." She hung up, rubbing her temples and wishing she could just go back to sleep. But now that she was awake, she couldn''t.


    "Mama," A little voice called and Leonica looked over to see her son standing at the door of her bedroom.


    "Hey," She smiled, holding her arms out. "Why are you up so early?"


    Ashley rubbed his eyes, still sleepy. "I heard noises," He walked towards her, climbing up her bed and into her arms. "Who were you talking to?"


    "It was just Kennedy," She kissed his head, catching sight of her phone ringing once more. "How about you go back to sleep, mommy''s gotta take this call." "Okay," He nodded, resting his head against her pillow and closing his eyes while Leonica picked her phone.


    "Hello,"


    "I saw the articles." It was Gabriel and he sounded worried. "Is everything alright?"


    "That''s a very funny question,


    Gabriel," She sucked on her teeth.


    "But yes, I''m fine, so don''t worry yourself about anything and don''t do


    anything funny." Without hesit do


    she hung up, but hell did she not feel guilty.


    And even if she did, she didn''t have any time to feel that. Her phone was going off once again, except this time, the caller ID read, ''Mother''. "Leonica,"


    "Mom, I can exin."


    "I know you can, but that''s not why I''m calling."


    "Leonica," The next voice that sounded out, taking the phone from Cassandra was Benjamin. "Dear,e to the house, would you? I have a few things to discuss with everyone." "Alright." Leonica answered and smiled after ending the call.


    Oh Irene, you reacted the exact way I wanted you to, she thought. Now it was time to y.


    "Good morning everyone," Leonica greeted as she walked into her father''s study and the first person she noticed was Irene''s absence.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "You''rete," Melvinmented.


    "And where is Irene?"


    "She''s not here." Melvin sighed. "Father has something to tell us and it seems to be quite urgent, so he insisted that we gather here. And I''m sure it''s because of you," Leonica suddenly yelped when he pinched her cheek.


    "You''re always the center of attention."


    "Ah, fuck off Melvin," She whined, pulling her cheek out of his grasp. "It''s not my fault that a certain someone is jealous of my position."


    "Children, please," Benjamin chided as he walked in, Irene following behind. "Now''s not the time and ce for you to banter."


    "Father," Leonica acknowledged the man, eyes momentarily meeting Irene''s, who smirked at her.


    Benjamin walked around his desk,


    sitting in his chair. "I''m sure you''ve seen the articles online. Not only the rumors about Leonica having a


    sultry affair, but also about her ine


    maltreating Irene. So I''vee up with a solution to change alt that."


    "And what''s that?" Leonica asked, truly curious.


    "The contract of Mr. Xavier, I n on giving it to Irene."


    Now this truly caught Leonica off guard and her eyes widened.


    Xavier Lucas''s contract was worth billions and her father was just giving it to Irene all because he wanted to change the inte''s opinion?


    Leonica, still surprised, looked in Irene''s direction only to find her staring back with a smirk and then it hit her.


    Oh, so that was it. That was what she and Jamil wanted.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Proving Her Position.

    "Two big wins in less than twenty four hours, I gotta congratte you, Irene." Jamil praised after having listened to Irene''s story.


    The blonde held her chin high, smiling proudly because she knew today''s oue had only urred because of the action she made. "What else did you expect." Walking to her bed, she sat on it. "Now that we have One of my father''s most expensive client within our grasp, all we need to do is turn him against Leonica and with the public''s option of her right now, that shouldn''t be too hard."


    "Indeed," Jamil agreed. "But don''t forget, the reason why Benjamin gave that contract to you is because he wants to change the public opinion of Leonica. The public may think otherwise about her, but the Romero family clearly still loves her." Jamil''s words, although a simple reminder, peppered Irene more than it should have.


    Why would her father still care about Leonica. She was his first daughter. It was her mother that he loved with all his heart, not Cassandra.


    So why was it that he still loved Leonica rarely after the video she had published on the inte?


    She clenched her jaw. All her effort and all the money she spent on getting that video, she wasn''t going to let it go to waste. Never!


    "Irene," Jamil''s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Don''t overdo it, Leonica is smarter than she looks and the moment she realizes that we''re nning on taking over the entire Romero fortunate, it''s going to be over for us."


    "For someone who only wants a girl, you sure do worry too Much, Jamil." Irene teased. "But worry not, I know how to y this type of game, it ain''t my first time."


    "You better be as confident as you sound, because might I remind you, if I don''t get Leonica, I won''t keep you around any longer."


    "I''m aware," Irene scoffed, not letting Jamil''s threat affect her.


    "Good. Then, I''ll be looking forward to hearing good news from you."


    "Yeah yeah," She waved him off, not bothering to say goodbye before ending the call and scoffing.


    Who was he to threaten her.


    Getting up, she quickly buried Jamil''s unpleasant threat in the back of her mind, heading for her bedroom door as she dimmed the asion fit for a ss of wine.


    Ah, so that''s how it was.


    Leonica clicked her tongue as she clicked her screen off, having watched the entire interaction between Jamil and Irene.


    Irene''s goal was the family''s wealth and Jamil''s, her.


    She shuddered. What a psychopath he was, willing to destroy an entire family for his one sided infatuation.


    Well, as irritated and disgusted as she was when watching the camera feedback from her phone, a small side of her couldn''t help but be grateful.


    She knew when she saw Irene sauntering out of their father''s office in joy, that she was up to something, most definitely going to inform Jamil if the development.


    So she too wasted no time in leaving her father''s office, pulling out her phone and watching their interaction.


    Now who says voyeurism is always a bad thing.


    Now that Leonica knew Jamil and Irene''s goals, she knew which and which steps to take.


    And her first step, she thought as she watched Irene walk down the stairs, humming blissfully to herself, was to get Irene kicked out of her family.


    And what better way to do that than pulling on the sensitive strings of her emotions, painting her the ck sheep then turning the entire family against her.


    She may share half the same blood as her, but when it came to keeping her family safe, Leonica could bring herself to be ruthless, even towards her own sibling. "What? Got something to say?" Irene asked the moment she caught Leonica staring. The younger sibling simply shook her head, a nk expression on her face.


    "I don''t," Was her response as she watched Irene walk to the win bar and pick out a few expensive wines, weighing her options.


    After picking the one that suited her taste, she turned around and boldly asked. "Care to join me, it''s the least you can do to congratte me for the huge contract I justnded." Leonica once again remained silent, letting Irene pop open the wine and pour herself a ss, before she spoke.


    "You do know you didn''t earn that contract, right. Father gave that to you because he wanted to protect my reputation in front of the public."


    Irene paused midway, turning to face Leonica with a re. "So what are you saying? I can never win father''s favor if not for you?"


    "Exactly," Leonica stood up. "Only one daughter exist in the Romero family, and that''s me. You''re just amon parasite who crawled her way in, desperate to take everything I have." Irene mmed her ss down, spilling some wine on the table and her hand. "You damn brat, are you trying to provoke me?"


    "If telling you the truth is gonna provoke you, then see it as so, because I won''t keep quiet, not until I''ve said my piece."


    "Well sadly, no one wants to hear your piece," Dabbing the wine off her hand with a napkin, Irene picked a new ss and grabbed the wine bottle before she added. "Not even your parents."


    "Didn''t you notice that your mother didn''t show up at the meeting today," She taunted as she circled Leonica. "She''s gotten tired of your shit, Leonie," The way Irene called her by amil''s designated nickname for her, caused the young woman to cringe. "Even father didn''t ask for an exnation this morning because he''s already fed up with your shit."


    "In fact," She stopped, chuckling darkly. "He''s probably thinking of ways to keep you on the low down as we speak." She shook her head tutting in the process. "You''ve brought so much shame to the Romero Family, Leonica. And,


    I, as


    your elder sister, has to help father


    fix that."


    "Fix that?" Leonica parroted, chuckling afterwards. "Wait until father knows that you released that video."


    Her words had Irene stopping in her tracks, face pale. "What?"


    "The video. It was you, wasn''t it."


    Denial was clear in her voice as she chuckled. "Baselessly defaming to make yourself look better in this situation won''t help, Leonica."


    "Oh I''m not baselessly defaming. I had Kennedy look into your call records and I have several of recorded phone calls."


    "You did what?!" Irene hissed. "I can have you sued for that Leonica Romero."


    "Go ahead," Leonica smiled sweetly. "But while we''re at it, let me remind you. Posting inurate content online that misleads or harms others is punishable byw."


    "Are you threatening me, Leonica?"


    "Of course not, I''m simply giving a good advice to my senior sister."


    Irene was speechless for a few seconds before she chuckled and shook as her. "I''m not doing this," She muttered, remembering how Jamil had advised her to not provoke Leonica. She walked away, going up about seven steps before she added. "If you want to be jealous-"


    "Jealous?" Leonica barked augh. "About what? The way your desperately trying to worm your way into My family?"


    "It was MY family first!" Irene snapped. "He was my father first! You and your damn mother just had toe along and fucking steal him away."


    Leonica remained silent, observing the way Irene reacted.


    Just a little more, she thought, a little more push and she was sure to crack.


    "All the money, the houses, thepanies, everything was supposed to belong to me. But your mother had toe along and snatch them all. But don''t worry, all that''s eventually gonna change. The cars, affection, money, it''s all going to belong to me soon."


    "Because of one stupid video,"


    Leonica shook her head. "You''reThis text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    clearly stupid if you think that''s all it''d take for them to shun me. Even now, they still love me more than you," Stating this, Leonica met Trene halfway across the stair, startling her. "Do you want me to prove it?"


    Irene instinctively took a step backwards. "Prove it, how?" She asked, frowning when Leonica took another step towards her and grabbed her hand.


    At first she was confused about what Leonica was doing, but then slowly, all the dots connected the moment she saw Meredith walking into the living area and Leonica smirked.


    "Remember this, Irene," And just like that, Leonica took a step back and purposefully missed one step, letting her body fall backwards.

 Getting Kicked Out Of The Family.

    The one thing Leonica knew she had and could utilize to its full potential was her family''s unwavering love for her.


    No matter what happened, no matter how many mistakes she made, they''d always believe her.


    This was the sole reason she had no doubt that Irene would be kicked out of the house sooner orter, all because her mother would not stand to hear that the very child she refused to ept had just pushed her daughter off the stairs, ''out of spite''. And sure enough, Meredith was the first one to arrive, running over to the fallen Leonica with worry, while the other maids gathered around after hearing her shriek, asking if she was alright.


    "Madam!" Meredith knelt beside Leonica, gently caressing her head as her eyes looked over her body, making sure there weren''t any injuries. "Are you alright, what happened?"


    Although the fall from the fifth stairs wasn''t all too painful, Leonica''s ankle did sting from being twisted wrong and the back of her head hurt a bit. But nothing she couldn''t handle, especially since the end results would be worth it.


    "I," She groaned, pretending to have a hard time speaking. "I, don''t know."


    "What going on here?" Cassandra''s voice sounded, causing the maids to stand up, but Meredith remained by Leonica''s side.


    "She fell, madam." Meredith answered and Cassandra, who was just returning from the garden, gasped in surprise.


    "Leonica! Oh my dear, are you okay?" She asked as she took the side opposite Meredith.


    Leonica groaned again. "It hurts," She held her ankle, making her expression look more pained than her ankle actually hurt.


    "How...how did this happen?" Cassandra asked and secondster, her gaze settled on Irene who was still standing eight steps up.


    She flinched under the elder woman''s gaze that burned with clear disdain. Fortunately for her, before Cassandra could get to tearing her apart, Benjamin arrived at the scene.


    "What''s all this noise about?" He asked as he stepped out of his study. Concern quickly took over his features when he saw Leonica on the ground, Meredith and his wife beside her. "Leonica, what happened to you?" He asked as he rushed down stairs, brushing shoulders with Irene who suddenly felt like she mattered little.


    "I...i fell."


    "Don''t lie Madam, i saw it all happen!" Meredith cut her off. Turning her gaze towards Irene, she began. "Mr. Romero, First Lady, I can no longer keep silent about the second madam''s attitude towards Ms. Leonica. Ever since she came into this house, she''s been nothing but mean, even when Ms. Leonica tries to help her and even though Ms. Leonica has assured me that she''s simply having a hard time adjusting I can''t sit by and watch things like this happen anymore."


    "What are you saying you old hag?" Irene finally spoke up, looking puzzled. "If you''re trying to put that fall on me, then I''d have you know that Leonica pushed herself."


    "Pushed herself," Cassandra scoffed. "Can you even hear yourself! How dare you defame my daughter? Youmit such an atrocious act, talk badly to Meredith and you don''t even show an ounce of remorse."


    "I didn''t-"


    "Enough!" Benjamin''s voice silenced everyone and then he turned to face the maids. "Who witnessed my daughter''s fall?"


    None except Meredith raised her hand.


    "Meredith," Benjamin turned his attention to her, looking and equally sounding serious. "Tell me, did Leonica push herself off that stairs or was she pushed by Irene."


    "The second madam pushed her off. I saw it myself."


    Benjamin turned his attention back to Irene, eyes narrowed. "Irene, is this true?"


    "No, dad!" Irene tried to exin, but it was obvious that she was scared. "It''s not, Meredith is lying!"


    "Then why would Leonica push herself, and how did she fall. Did the stairs swallow her whole." Cassandra sneered, ring daggers at Irene. "And if you didn''t push her, howe you''re the only one who hasn''te down to check up on her. What kind of heartless human being are you."


    "This-" Irene tried for defend herself, but it seemed like none was listening to her and everyone was siding Leonica.


    And Leonica, she simply smirked.


    The bitch smirked.


    "You," Irene red, pointing at her. "You nned this all didn''t you?"


    "nned?" Leonica''s expression quickly turned into a pained one. "Why would I ever do that?" She forced herself to stand up, grimacing. "I was simply asking if what Kennedy told me was true."


    "What did Kennedy tell you?" Benjamin asked.


    "He said Irene had contacted the person who spread those videos online."


    Everywhere became dead silent for a few seconds.


    "What?!" Benjamin turned to look at Irene, sounding more angry than anyone had ever heard.


    "Dad," She was panicking now, realizing how everything was going against her and ording to Leonica''s ns. "Leonica is lying! She...she''s just doing all this because she jealous of me. She''s afraid that you all would love me more than you love her." "Are you hearing yourself, child?" Benjamin hissed.


    "Dad!"


    "Mr. Romero," He corrected. "Because no child of mine would harm their sibling this way."


    Irene became silent, looking like she was going to snap at any moment. And Leonica, well she was enjoying the calm before the storm and the storm came sooner than she had expected.


    "I''m also your daughter, so why do you love her so much?!" She suddenly exploded. "Why does she get to have everything I don''t! It''s because of her whore of a mother, isn''t it!"


    "Irene!" Benjamin roared in anger, but secondster, the entire house once again became silent as the sound of Cassandra''s palm pping Irene''s face echoed, leaving a visible red mark on her cheek.


    "This is my house, my family and I refuse to take anymore of your disrespect." Cassandra said, voice as cold as the ice that covered the Antarctica.


    "We''ve given you the opportunity to redeem yourself and you''ve only done nothing but cause trouble. And I''ve had enough of it, take your bags and get out. And don''t even think ofing back."


    Irene looked dumbfounded. "Dad, please, you can''t do this to me. Don''t throw me out, I have nowhere to go."


    "You should''ve thought about that before you pushed Leonica."


    "I didn''t fucking push her!"


    "Watch yournguage, youngdy!" Benjamin''s voice echoed, loud and clear. "And if you have a problem with this decision, then you can discuss it with the police." Irene didn''t dare open her mouth after hearing this.


    "We won''t restrict you from taking anything and you only have by the end of today, so I suggest you get packing."


    "And don''t think of trying toe back," Cassandra added, not bothering to hide her distaste. "You''re not a part of this family, and you''ll never be."


    Irene clenched her jaw, looking ready tosh out once more, but Benjamin was faster.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    "Enough, Irene, leave now, before I decide to call the cops."


    She took a deep breath, looking like she wanted to say more but she bit her tongue, turning around and running up the stairs and into her room. Everyone to check up on Leonica once Irene was gone.


    "Madam," Meredith started, but was cut off when Leonica shook her head.


    "Thank you, Meredith. But I''m fine,"


    "Let me take you to the hospital." Cassandra suggested, but Leonica shook her head.


    "My ankle is just sprained, no need for the hospital."


    "But-"


    "I''m fine mom," Leonica cut her off with a soft smile. "You should stay and handle things here with Irene, I''ll call Kennedy to drive me home now." Benjamin was hesitant but agreed. "Very well then."


    "Goodness me, how is it that you leave the house in one piece ande back with a sprained ankle." Grace fussed as she wrapped a bandage around her leg, shaking her head.


    "You''re overreacting, it''s just a sprained ankle." Leonica chuckled, flinching slightly when Grace tightened the bandage.


    "Overreacting, eh? Just wait till the bruise shows up. Your mother will not hesitate to kill whoever did this."


    Leonica side nced, well, her mother was already in the process of doing that.


    A few more minutes of scolding and bandaging, Grace finally finished, helping Leonica to her feet.


    "How does it feel? Is it too tight?"


    "It''s fine." She smiled, hopping down the stool she was sitting on. "Thank you Grace."


    The older woman nodded and found her way to the kitchen. "I''ll prepare some tea to soothe your headache."


    Leonica didn''t dare reject. Fishing out her phone, she called Kennedy.


    "Yes Ms. Romero?" The assistant answered quickly.


    "I''ve found a way to shake the public''s opinion. If you dig around, you''ll find a video that was posted a few days ago, it''s about themotion Irene created at the


    1.n


    department store she


    things form."


    "Huh, there''s something like that? Why haven''t the public seen it yet?" Kennedy asked, the sound of keyboard clicking indicated that he was doing said research.


    "It was posted by an anonymous ount with no followers, the name is, ''anonymous S'', a really creative one, don''t you think?"


    "Indeed. Ah, I found the post. What should I do with it, Ms. Romero?"


    "Blow it up," Came Leonica''s answer as she heard someone ringing the door bell. "And as for the employee being humiliated in that video, send him apensation price." "How much should that be?"


    "16.5 million dors," The exact amount Irene had spent that day. "Don''t be a stranger to the press, let them know that decision was taken by me. We''ll discuss more on what to do ifizens continue to be stubborn." She said and stood up, hobbling towards the door.


    "Of course Madam. I''ll alert you once all this is done."


    "Alright," Leonica said and hung up, shoving her phone into her back pocket as she reached for the door handle. She had barely finished opening the door when the person on the other side rushed in and hugged her. She was surprised for a little while, until she recognized the warmth and familiar feeling of his body and smiled. "Wee back to Norway," She greeted and shed him a genuine smile when he pulled back. "Owen."

 Disposed Of...

    Thirty minutes of exining what had gone down in a week, omitting the parts she knew would annoy Owen greatly, like mentioning Jamil, Leonica was no faced with a very worried looking Owen.


    "I leave for one week and you totally be reckless." He huffed, shaking his head in disapproval to all the stunts she had pulled.


    "Reckless," Leonica parroted with a grin, finding how he worried for her, funny. "If getting a sprained ankle after being falling off a staircase is recklessness, then I''m all in."


    "Leonica," The way her name slipped through his lips made her smile even more, and she was tempted to wrap her arms around him, but he had beat her to it.


    His embrace was warm and the smell of his cologne, sweet and spicy, tickled her nose. She felt her body rxing and leaning into his, and although they''d only been apart for a week, she realized that she missed this; him. "When are you going to stop being so reckless? You mustn''t always put yourself in harms way to protect everyone. You''re not supergirl."


    Leonica hummed. "But what can I do when my family is in danger. If I don''t step up, everyone''s going to suffer something worse." She snuggled further into his embrace, taking in his scent once more. "So I had no choice but to be reckless and you can say it paid off." Owen didn''t say anything for a few seconds. Instead, he hugged her tighter and whispered.


    "Good job then."


    A grin bloomed on Leonica''s face, never being more happy to receive a praise from anyone.


    After a while, Owen released her, a serious expression on his face. "I''m not going to talk about it if you don''t want to, but at some point, we''d need to address that little video going round. Wanna exin?"


    Ah, she knew he was eventually going to touch this matter. Who wouldn''t when there''s a video of your fianc¨¦e, walking out of a room with another man supposedly in, circting around the inte.


    "Well," She began. "Its really not as the inte''s making it out to be."


    "Of course it isn''t. I wanna hear your side and you don''t have to tell who he was, if you don''t wanna."


    His soft and understanding tone had Leonica feeling more courageous to speak. She took his hands, ying with his fingers as she exined.


    "It happened when I just returned to Norway. Arvan got an invite to a party and I tagged along as a favor. However, I met Gabriel there," She paused to gauge Owen''s reaction. On the outside he was all calm and smiles, but on the inside was cursing the billionaire out. Why did he always have to be around Leonica and why the fuck did it have to be him?


    Wasn''t it enough that he was Ashley''s father and her ex husband?


    He wanted to punch the guy in the face, but he wouldn''t. Not for now, anyways.


    "Anyways, I found out that Gabriel had been doing some digging into Ashley and confronted him about it. But he had been drugged and I was slightly drunk," Hearing the story out of her own mouth, Leonica realized how bad and scandalous the entire thing sounded and cringed.


    "It wasn''t anything serious. That night was only a mistake." She concluded, giving Owen''s hand a light squeeze in hope that he''d believe her.


    He did.


    "I know," He kissed the back of her hand and then hed cheek, before nting a peck on her forehead.


    "I know," He repeated. "And if you want, I can take care of the inte."


    Leonica gave him another cheeky grin. Although she was thankful that he was willing to use his fame and turn the inte''s opinion around, she had already gotten that covered. "No need for that," She answered. "I''m already handling it."


    "Is that so?"


    "Mhm,"


    Owen gave her a soft smile. "If you say so." Standing up, he walked towards her kitchen grabbing a drink or two when Leonica recalled something.


    "Owen?" He hummed in response. "We''re still on for Saturday, right?"


    "Of course luce mia, why''d you ask?"


    "Nothing, I was just curious."


    "About where we''re going?" Owen asked as he sat beside her, passing her a ss of orange juice.


    She nodded. "Yeah."


    "I thought i told you it was a surprise. However, I can make an exception." He said and gave her a knowing stare. "But not for free."


    "And what would that be, sir."


    Owen pretended to think for a bit. "A kiss, should do it."


    Leonica rolled her eyes, but obliged. cing her cup on the coffee table, she turned towards him and leaned forward.


    "Like this?" She asked as she grabbed him by the rope of his hoodie and pulled him close, their noses almost touching.


    "Just like that," Owen responded and closed the remaining gap, pressing his lips against hers.


    She kissed him back, slowly and tenderly and it wasn''t long before his hands were on her waist, pulling her onto hisp.


    His tongue glided across her lower lip and she parted her lips, allowing his tongue ess.


    They fought for dominance for a little while, before her lips were no longer pressed against his.


    Confused, she opened her eyes only to find him smirking.


    "You were gonna give me a kiss, not a full makeout session, right luce mia."


    Her face flushed and she smacked his shoulder. "I held up my end of the deal."


    "You''re right." Owen smiled and pecked her lips onest time for good measure. "On Saturday, luce mia, we are going to visit my father, because I n to introduce you to him, the right way."


    "Two big win and one savage loss," Jamil shook his head in disappointment.


    In front of him, Irene paced his living room, grinding her teeth on the nail of her thumb.


    It had only been a few hours since Cassandra instructed she leave the Romero household and with the time Benjamin her so ''graciously'' given her, she decided to consult Jamil, who wasn''t looking to pleased by the oue. "It''s not the end," She stated confidently.


    "It''s not." Jamil agreed. "Not yet."


    "Then why the hell are you looking like you''re about to give up." She turned her attention on him, temporarily stopping her pacing action.


    Jamil didn''t say much, all he did was open his phone and showed her thetest trending subject.


    The video she had instructed to be


    released came in at number four of hottest trending topic. Number three was Owen, who had just arrived in Norway here to save his fianc¨¦e, as quoted by the uploader. Number two, well it was a post iming that Leonica had sentpensation to the employee Irene had harassed at the department store.


    As Irene looked at thements, she noticed that everyone''s opinion of Leonica was quickly changing.


    Getting to the first trending topic, Irene''s eyes widened in surprise. In a matter of two hours, the video of her acting arrogant at the department store had blown up, nation wide andizens weren''t pleased with the abuse of power.


    "Ha, money always brings out a person true personality. Nasty!" Someonemented, adding a vomit emoji at the end to express their disgust for Irene''s actions.


    "How can you call yourself a Romero, and then act like such amoner. You should be ashamed of yourself." Another one stated, followed by a whole lot more, most of which were negative.


    "You ruffled Leonica''s feathers in the worst way possible," Jamil''s voice brought her out of her trance. Shaking his head he added. "It''s over for you, Irene."


    It took her a few seconds to process his words. "Over for me?"


    "The Romero family isn''t going to keep a stain like you," Jamil nonchntly shrugged as if stating the obvious. "Except you have a trick or two up your sleeves."This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    She didn''t. Irene realized. Her entire


    goal had been to ruin Leonica and she was sure after that video her poprity would drop, but that stunt she pulled and her family''s sudden devotion towards her, ruined that n entirely, something she had not nned for.


    "No back up n, I guess," Standing up, he adjusted his suit. "Then I''m afraid this is the end of the road for our cooperation."


    "What? You...how can you discard me so effortlessly. My reputation is being ruined in public all because you approached me with this crazy n of yours." She used.


    "What?" Jamil''s friendly expression


    disappeared in a matter of seconds. "Wanna pin your ipetence on me? If you knew you couldn''t handle it, you shouldn''t have epted it, ah, but of course your desire to get back at Leonie got the better of you." He chuckled mockingly. "To think you believed you could take her down, you can''t even rival her."


    Walking his stairs he added. "Leave before I have security throw you out and don''t bother contacting me ever again. We''re done."


    Irene blinked in confusion.


    Had she just been...disposed of?


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 A Common Enemy.

    Standing in front of his office mirror, Gabriel adjusted the rumples on his suit, getting ready for the press conference that he had carefully nned for, for the past three days.


    The sound of Billy gently knocking on the office door had his head snapping away from his reflection. "Come in." He called.


    The door opened and said assistant stepped in, holding in his hand, the speech that Gabriel was meant to give today.


    "Everything''s ready, Sir." He informed while handing Gabriel the folder. The male epted it, subtly thanking him, yet Billy showed no sign of leaving.


    "Is there something else you want to say?" Gabriel asked, eyeing the younger male from the side of his eyes.


    Billy hesitated. He shouldn''t have, seeing as what he wanted to say was for Gabriel''s good. He had known the man for close to six years and watching him carry on with his foolish antique up until now, worried him.


    "I know I may be overstepping my boundaries when I say this sir, but I must remind you, there is no urgent need for you to give a speech linking to Ms. Romero. After all, this conference is strictly for thepany''s performance." He added after receiving a creased brow from his boss. "And then again, The public opinion of Ms. Romero has already drastically changed following the release of the news of her rather ''generous''pensation and the article never really mentioned anything concerning you so the public doesn''t know it''s you, that was in that room."


    Gabriel listened to him silently, a contemting look on his face. He knew exactly what Billy was trying to say and although he had a point, it wasn''t enough.


    Perhaps this was his way topensating Leonica for the trouble that video had caused her, because he remembered clearly that that whole night had happened because he was careless around Angelina.


    So mixing a little bit of praise worthy speech for Leonica into the conference meeting he was holding for his stocks, seemed like the right thing to do.


    Maybe then Leonica would consider looking his way?


    No, she wouldn''t. He swallowed the painful truth, recalling what she had told him about a week back.


    Settle his feelings and not drag her into it. She had basically rejected him before he had the chance for fully confess.


    It left a sour taste in his mouth each time he remembered it, but that wasn''t going to stop him from setting out to do the right thing.


    "I understand what you''re saying Billy, but I''m perfectly capable of making my own decisions. All you need to do is assist me in those decisions, that''s part of the reason why I pay you 20 thousand a month." He said, tone bouncing in between the lines of polite and dismissive.


    Billy looked like he wanted to say something, but eventually closed his mouth, realizing that the topic was over.


    "Very well, then, Sir."


    "Good, now, let''s head out, the press has already been gathered." "Of course, sir."


    "The stock prices have stabilized once again, and as for the investors," Gabriel flipped through the document before continuing. "It is reported that they are not too worried about the recent happenings, instead, they are rather looking forward to what thepany has in store. As for the rest, I believe the future for Bryce Enterprise is bright and I would like to thank everyone present here for their unwavering support."


    A round of apuse and camera shing followed, causing Gabriel to pause his speech.


    "I shall not take any more of your time. A question of two please, before we wrap up."


    Immediately, a reporter''s hand shot up. "Mr. Bryce, do you have anything to say concerning the recent controversy of Ms. Romero that has been circting the inte and as her business client and acquaintance, as per spotted in various photos, do you have any words to address these rumors and spections?"


    Gabriel had known such a question was going to be asked, and had prepared an answer ordingly.


    "Yes, I have a thing or two to say. Unlike what those negativements painted Leonica to be, she is actually a very kindhearted person. And as an acquaintance of mine, I know this is true. Those who have had the privilege to interact with her are aware of her generous and selfless character and her love for doing things the right way, so I''d have you know that, whatever negative opinions the public has about her are simply unfounded and I''d like to ask the media to stop spreading false and inurate information. Thank you." With a bow, he ended his speech and began walking off the stage.


    There were several questions andmotioning from the press, but he chose to ignore them, and walked off stage, Billy quickly following behind him.


    "You handled that well, sir." Heplimented.


    Gabriel sighed, loosening the knot on his tie. "Of course I did."


    "Would you like a drink?"


    He thought about it for a second. The only thing he wanted right now was to see Leonica. "No, thank you. I''m heading out, tell the chauffeur to prepare the car." Billy bowed. "As you wish, sir."


    Leonica sat on the couch in her living room, absentmindedly flipping through the channels on her TV.


    Today, being one of those days that she took a leave off thepany to let her ankle heal more and stayed home, she found herself bored, and a bit tired.


    It had only been a week, but she had been through so much, it was as if a whole month had passed.


    "The things I do for family, eh." She mused, sighing softly as she ced her leg back onto the cushion she was using as a prop.


    Suddenly, one of the channels caught her attention. The channel had Gabriel speaking in a press conference, addressing the situation of hispanytely and towards the end of the conference, he gave a speech that surprised her. Cleaver, she thought, he''s addressing the video rumors but still not mentioning himself in an aide to make sure things don''t escte.


    "Was he always this thoughtful," She hummed in thought,ter clicking her tongue.


    Why was he suddenly acting all different, confessing feelings and all, he didn''t even remember her all that well due to his amnesia.


    Sighing, she shook her head. The more she thought about it, the more it made her think slightly that she was the bad person, seeing as she had brutally turned him down.


    "Ms. Romero," Grace''s voice sounded out from behind her and soon the elderlydy was in view. "Someone''s here to see you?"


    Leonica tilted her head to the side. "Who?"


    "Mr. Bryce," Leonica''s expression became serious. "Shall I let him in?"


    "Sure, go ahead." She nodded.


    Grace smiled. "Alright."


    A minuteter, Gabriel stood at the entrance of her living room, looking as good as ever.


    "Gabriel," Leonica greeted, offering him a seat. "Please sit."


    He epted her offer and sat, cing a box on the coffee table. "Are you feeling any better, I heard you got a sprained ankle?"


    He heard? Leonica''s brows creased. How? Ah dang, how could she forget how fast information travelled on social media, even Gabriel was no exception.


    "And I''m doing just fine, thanks for asking."


    "I''m d to hear that." He said, and the conversation died down, silence quickly filling the space.


    "Did youe here for some specific reason? To check up on Ashley Perhaps? He''s currently in school just in case."


    "I know that," Gabriel responded and reached for the box he had brought. "This is for you."


    Leonica eyed the box curiously. It was a ck rectangr one, covered in a silk red fabric, and tied together with a blue ribbon. "What''s this?"


    "Compensation," Came his answer. "For the trouble the video caused you. Please ept this gift as an apology."


    Leonica shook her head, rejecting


    his gift. "There''s no need for a


    has already been taken care of and it wasn''t your fault, so no need for an apology."


    en


    "Leonica, I insist." Gabriel tried once again.


    "And I''ll still decline."


    Gabriel sighed. "Please,"


    She looked into his eyes, noticing the sincere and guilty look in his orbs and sighed.


    "Alright, just this once."


    Gabriel visibly rxed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Open it."


    Doing as she was told, Leonica


    opened the box. In it was a diamond encrusted watch. The band was silver and the clock face had an intricate design, and on the inside, written in a cursive font wasa message.


    ''Leonica.''


    It was simple and elegant, and a perfect fit.


    "I hope you Like it?" Gabriel asked, watching her stare at the piece of jewelry.


    "It''s nice. I''ll store it away so it doesn''t get damaged." She answered, cing the box aside. "Thank you, Gabriel."


    "It was my pleasure," Gabriel smiled softly at her, getting the cue to leave when silence once again descended. "I''ll talk my leave now."


    Leonica nodded, standing up. "Sure. Bye." After watching him leave, she nced back at the watch and sighed.


    Perhaps she was being too harsh on him.


    "Grace," The caretaker arrived in seconds. "Please keep this and take my card, go shopping and have something nice sent to Bryce manor." "Yes, madam."


    As Grace left, Leonica felt her phoneFrom N?velDrama.Org.


    vibrate. She was sure that it was Owen texting her and so, happily picked the phone up. However, her entire demeanor ttened when she saw it was an unknown number.


    [Leonica, let''s talk.] The message read.


    She became cautious.


    [Who is this?]


    The reply came secondster. [Irene. Let''s meet up and talk, I have an information I''m sure you''d love to know.]


    Information she''d love to know. Ah, Leonica already knew what it was, but she yed along.


    [What is it and why should I trust you?]


    [Trust me because we have amon enemy.]


    And bingo!


    Leonica couldn''t help the grin that grew across her face. She had seeded in putting a rift between Irene and Jamil.


    This was great news.


    Now all she needed to do was pry on their stupidity and destroy whatever ns either of them have in store.


    A pretty easy task seeing as both of them were very predictable.

 Snitches End Up In Ditches.

    Seating in the agreed upon restaurant, Irene found herself checking her phone more time than needed so. Why was she so freakingte, she thought, bouncing her legs impatiently as there was still no sign of Leonica.


    What if she wasn''t going to show up? What was she supposed to do then?


    The thought alone had her biting her thumb nail, an act she never thought she''d ever do until recently.


    Her poor manicured nails were suffering so much and it was all because of Leonica. But even when she knew this, Irene had to remind herself to stay calm, after all, she was here to make a deal with Leonica, not murder her, at least not yet. Finally, the bell above the restaurant jiggled and Leonica walked in. Irene watched her walk towards where she was seated, noticing the slight limp in her step.


    "You''rete." She said as soon as Leonica had taken the seat in front of her.


    The younger female shed her a knowing smile. "Yeah I know,"


    Irene gritted her teeth. "You-" She stopped herself before anymore words coulde out and Leonica smiled.


    "So, what information do you have to give me?" She asked, going straight to the point.


    Ireneposed herself before speaking. "You once asked me why after all these years I had decided to show up, reveal my existence, well, I''ll give you the answer, as long as you promise me a solid deal." "That is?"


    "Full reinstatement into the Romero family. And I''d have a fair share of the inheritance."


    Leonica hummed pretending to think about it when she knew in reality, she wasn''t going to do so. "And what if I don''t hold up my end of the deal?" She asked curiously.


    Irene clenched her fist under the table. "Then you can be sure that I''d ruin you. I''ve got a lot of secrets up my sleeve." She lied.


    "Oh?"


    "That''s right. So if you don''t want your dirty secrets leaked out, I''d suggest you agree."


    Leonica''s eyes glinted in amusement, the corners of her lips slowly tilting upwards.


    "Alright, I promise to do what''s within my power. Now speak."


    "Jamil Vanadas was the reason why I showed up. You should know him," Irene began hell-bent on ranting Jamil out and ruining whatever ns he has seeing as he has dumbed her. "He came up to me with a silly proposal, I could know who my real father is and get revenge if I wanted but in return, I has to ruin the entire Romero family."


    Leonica cocked her head at Irene''s exnation. "And his goal?"


    Silence quickly descended and Leonica was surprised when Irene stared at her, giving her the answer to her question.


    "Wait, me?" She asked incredulous.


    "He''s a sick psychopath," Came Irene''s answer as she shook her head while Leonica chuckled humorlessly.


    A man would go through all the stress of ruining a whole family and causing so many scandals on the inte, all because he wanted her?!Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    This was too hrious. To think that she had given Jamil more credit.


    "Wow, he was more stupid than I thought." Her words surprised Irene who''s eyes quickly widened.


    "You... You knew?" She shrieked feeling stupid all of a sudden.


    Leonica had once again bested her.


    "Well, I had my spections, which you''ve just confirmed." She smile, but it looked far from friendly and Instead of intimidating Irene, it angered her. Why was Leonica always a step ahead?


    "Then why did you agree to meet up with me if you knew?" She asked through clenched teeth, feeling like a fool.


    To watch you destroy each other, she thought.


    "I wanted to confirm if what I had assumed was true, and it was."


    Irene grumbled underneath her breath, clearly not happy with the way Things has turned out, while Leonica watched her with a smile.


    Irene had yed into her traps up until now and even though she was not yet done with dealing with her, Leonica decided it was time to focus her sight on Jamil.


    Without backing Irene was useless. Jamil seemed like the more dangerous one.


    "So, is that all you have to share?" Leonica asked, standing up and surprising Irene who had expected her to stay longer so that they can discuss the reinstatement of her into the Romero family.


    "Yes. I just gave you valuable information. Information that can be used against that psychopath.


    "Not exactly," Leonica reached into her bag and pulled out four bundle of money. "From the looks of things, you snitching I mean, it seems like Jamil dropped you and if that''s so, he''d obviously predict this and change his n. So this information you''ve given me is indirectly


    useless."


    "What?!" Irene shot up from her seat looking like she was about to explode. "I''ve told you everything I know and you have the guts to call it useless."


    Leonica simply smiled, ignoring the


    death re Irene was giving her. "It was nice talking to you Irene, and as I promised I will do everything in my power to keep up my end of the deal, sadly reinstatement into the family is out of my hands, therefore I can''t help you on that matter."


    Irene looked like she was going to have a stroke or better yet pounce on her that very moment. But Leonica couldn''t care less.


    "I''ll see you around, Sister." She waved and made her way out of the restaurant, a triumphant smile on her face.


    Everything was working out ording to n and the only thing she needed to do was destroy Jamil, which shouldn''t be hard now that she knew his real goal.


    As she skipped off happily towards her car, she failed to not how dangerously Irene was ring at her, hatred practically spilling out of her eyes balls.


    She had tried to resolve this peacefully, but it seemed like Leonica didn''t want to settle things and leave her be, so she''d have no choice but to teach her a lesson.


    "You think I''d leave you be, just like that," Irene muttered. "You''re so wrong Leonica Romero."


    ~~


    Jamil was in his office when the sound of suddenmotion from outside caught his attention.


    "Ms., please you can''t go in there. Ms.!"


    Abruptly, the door to his office flung open and Leonica walked in.


    "Leonie?" The surprise was written all over his face as he watched her walk towards his table with an impassive look on her face. "Didn''t think you''d be dropping by. Did you change your mind so soon?"


    "Cut the bullshit, Jamil, I know what you did. Irene already ratted you out."


    Of course she did, Jamil thought with a disappointed sigh as the smile on his face dropped.


    "That useless Wannabe was never good for anything," He spat disliking the idea of Irene in whole.


    He really didn''t mind the fact that


    she had spilled on him, he was going to change his n one way or another, but having Leonica ring holes into his head was much more of an inconvenience than he could ever expect.


    "Couldn''t you just have taken no for an answer?" Leonica asked. "I don''t feel like giving you a chance in my life so why try so hard?"


    "Because I want you, Leonica." Came his answer. "And I would stop at nothing to get you, even if it means stooping low."


    Leonica snorted. Was this guy for real?


    If he had been anyone else, she would haveughed in his face, but she had seen him at his worse and so knew exactly how twisted his mentality could be.


    However, that didn''t mean she was going to allow him to get away with his evil schemes.


    "If you''re going to stoop low, then I have no choice but to crush you," She warned, voice void of emotions.


    "Really, and how are you nning to do that, Leonie?" He challenged.


    "You''re smart, right? Figure it out yourself."


    With a final re, Leonica spun around and exited the room.


    Once she was gone, Jamil chuckled loudly, finding her anger as pleasant as her happiness. He was ready to ept any emotion, as long as it came from Leonica and was directed at him. However, the smile on his lips onlysted a few seconds, dwindling when he remembered Irene''s existence. He frowned. At this point, she was nothing more than a stain he needed to get rid off. Apart from mathematical calculus, the other thing Jamil hated was a useless piece of work who''d willingly open their garbage mouths to snitch. And Irene was just that.


    And as per saying, Snitches always end up in ditches.

 Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands.

    Be it Jamil or Leonica, it was clear to Irene that both of them had tossed her out after getting what they wanted.


    "Bastards," She cursed under her breath as she sat in her car, biting on the finger nail of her thumb. "Just you wait." She muttered, scrolling through her contact to see who she could use.


    But no one seemed to be forthing. Those articles and tabloids released about her a few days back had really dented her image, up to the point that those who she considered friends, had distanced themselves. And as for the business Arvan had opened for her, it''s condition worsened more than it previously was, hitting near bankruptcy.


    It was safe to say her desire to be part of the Romero family had caused the rest of she and Jamil''s ns to implode.From N?velDrama.Org.


    But she wasn''t going to give up so easily.


    "I won''t let you win, Leonica," She said, her tone sounding more like she was trying to convince herself than anything, as she scrolled through her caller list and found Benjamin''s number.


    She dialed it, hoping for him to pick up since it was nearly night. The line rang three times before his voice sounded from the other side.


    "Who is this?"


    "It''s Irene," She answered, ignoring the fact that her own father didn''t have her number stored. Well, she wasn''t his favorite child, his legitimate child, so it wasn''t a surprise.


    The sound of Benjamin sighing pulled her out of her bitter thoughts. "What do you want Irene?"


    "For you to help me," She nearly snapped, finding it funny how her own father hadn''t raised a single finger to help her out in this situation, whereas he was ready to take a client worth billions and give to her all to save Leonica. "I am your daughter, you can''t just leave me alone. Do you hate me that much, or is it that just can''t measure up to Leonica." She sneered.


    Silence descended on the other side of the line and Irene prayed that he was contemting her words. "I would have helped you, Irene," Came his response, deting whatever hope she had. "But the things you''ve done to Leonica all in the name of besting her," She could almost imagine him shaking his head. "I can''t support that, not even if you''re my daughter."


    And that was enough to make Irene suddenly exploded. "I just wanted to be epted, have what should have been rightfully mine from the start, back. Is that so bad, huh." She asked, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes. Why was Leonica making her life so difficult. It was all because of her that Jamil approached her. It was all because of her that she now had to feel the pain of being looked down upon by her birth father. It was because of her that her life was in shambles.


    Everything going wrong in her life today was all because of Leonica fucking Romero.


    "She took so much from me," She seethed, gritting her teeth in anger as she bit back tears. "She ruined my life. Why are you still siding her?"


    "I''m not siding anyone, I''m merely looking at things from the perspective of who''s in the right and who''s in the wrong and clearly, you fall into thetter. I''m sorry Irene, but I can''t help you."


    "Of course you fucking can''t!" She finally snapped. "You love your precious family too much to think of the one you abandoned, or at least what''s left of it."


    "I did not abandon your mother and you. I was ready to take full responsibility-"


    "Well take it now!" Irene cut him off. "My inheritance,pany shares and all the other assets and money my mother and I deserve. Give them all to me!"


    "I will not," Came Benjamin''s response. "Your mother was already allocated those privilege even before you were born."


    "What the fuck are you talking about?!" She shrieked.


    "Right before you were born, my father had already given your mother those shares in anticipation that they''d be used to raise you in afortable environment, but your mother went astray and instead chose to spend that money on herself andter, gambling. If you want someone to be angry at, be angry at your mother who had ran away with you. She stripped you of the life you deserved."


    And with that, the line went dead.


    Irene held the phone to her ear for a few seconds more before allowing it slide out of her hand while staring absentmindedly ahead.


    It took a few seconds to register what her father had said and when she did, she blew up.


    "What the fuck!" She screamed, mming her hand on the steering wheel, causing the horn to sound out. "That''s fucking bitch," Her anger for Leonica had temporarily died down, directing it towards her mother who has forced her into this position. "What type of fucking human being runs away with a fucking child?!"


    Her anger was reaching its peak. So much so that she was close to pulling her hair out. But then she realized there was no need doing all this. Even though her mother had been the one to start her misfortune, the person who continued it and made sure it persisted was Leonica. She was currently the source of her problem and she needed to crop that source, one was or another.


    And the solution for her problem came thirty minutester when she had sat in her car, scrolling through all of Leonica''s Instagram picture and dreading how happy she looked in them. And her solution, well it was the blonde woman spotted in a few of her pictures, Cassandra Romero.


    What better way to get back at the entire Romero family than to hurt their most important person. Cassandra.


    A smile stretched across her face and a new found fire ignited in her orbs.


    "Let''s see how well your favorite daughter can survive without a mother, Benjamin Romero."


    Leonica who had just finishedbing her hair in front of her vanity mirror, suddenly sneezed. "Achoo!"


    "Did youe down with a cold?" Owen asked as he stepped into her room, returning from his task of putting Ashley to sleep.


    He had decided to stay the night today and Leonica couldn''t have been more d seeing as Ashley''s check up was tomorrow.


    "I don''t think so," Leonica answered


    as she ced theb down and


    stood up, turning around to face


    Owen who wasted no time in cing the back of his head against her.


    en


    "I told you I was fine," She said.


    "I know, but I needed to be reassured." Owen said as he pulled away and during the time he had his head ced against Leonica''s, he had made two discoveries. One, she was indeed fine.


    Two, they were dark circles underneath her eyes, indicating that she had barely slept for the past week.


    It worried him, even more so when he thinks about how she''d easily wave it off if he dares bring it up.


    Leonica always loved appearing strong and independent in front of everyone, even him, at least to some extent.


    "Is Ashley asleep?" Leonica asked as she pulled away, heading towards the study table in her room.


    Owen beat her to it, closing theptop before she could even start using it. "Ashley''s sleeping, something you should try doing right now."


    "Owen," Leonicained. "My problems aren''t going to solve themselves."


    "It can wait until tomorrow," He answered. "Come on, I''ll take you to bed."


    Leonica wanted toin but decided not to and instead, allowed Owen to carry her and ce her on the bed.


    He pped his hands to dim the light before sliding into the space beside her and wrapping his arms around her.


    "Sleep." He gently instructed and although Leonica wanted to object, she found her eyelids dropping.


    Perhaps Owen was right.


    She was tired, so maybe a little bit of sleep could give her a clearer head sort out Jamil''s nonsense.


    "Alright." She answered and closed her eyes, quickly falling into a dreamless sleep while Owen watched her with a passionate expression.


    It wasn''t everyday he got to see her


    sleep like this, but on the rare


    asions, such as this one, he''d


    usually take his time to stare at her


    burning her every facial features into


    his mind.


    Her long eyeshes, button nose and plump lips added all the more to benign and serene looks. There wasn''t a single feature on her face that wasn''t gorgeous to him. That was just how much he''s loved her since his teenage years.


    Owen leaned down and ced a gentle kiss on her forehead, pulling away with a small smile.


    "You don''t need to fight this battle alone, Leonica," He whispered, running a finger through her hair. "I''m here. I''m not going anywhere."


    Immediately after those words,


    Leonica''s phone dinged and came alive, brightening up the dim lit


    room. He thought of Ignoring it allt


    first, but after hearing two more messages enter, he began to


    wonder if it would be something


    important he''d need to wake


    Leonica up for.


    So, he reached for the device, careful not to wake Leonica and checked the message. Almost immediately, his expression dropped when he saw it was a message from Gabriel.


    Thetest one read; Margret received a package from you. Thank you very much.


    With a frown, Owen turned off the phone and ced it aside, a bitter taste lingering in his mouth.


    This man, he was really persistent and not giving up, even after it was clear that Leonica was engaged to him.


    How persistent, Owen thought, pulling the cover over Leonica''s body and wrapping his arms around her again.


    But, he wouldn''t give up, especially not when the other party wasn''t backing off.


    "Leonica," He called, cing his lips against the crook of her neck.


    "I won''t lose you."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Confrontations.

    The next day, Ashley was no pleased to hear that he had yet another doctor''s appointment with Doctor Bailey. "I''m perfectly fine, mommy!" Heined as Grace got him ready for the day. "Why do I still have to go."


    "Because if you don''t, you''ll have an awful stomach ache," Owen said as he walked into the living room, pecking Leonica on the cheek as he did. "Isn''t that right, dear?" She nodded. "That''s right,"


    "But I''m already healthy," Ashley argued, his lips forming a pout as he stared at his mother with the most adorable puppy dog eyes. "Please mommy, let''s skip this one."


    "No can do, Ashley," She shook her head as she lowered herself to his level, dismissing Grace as she took over the task of adjusting his sweater. "I know you hate needles, sweetie, but you just gotta do this one for me. It''s gonna be thest one, I promise." She stuck out her small finger.


    "Really?" Ashley was hesitant, but the reassuring look in his mother''s eyes quickly washed away every spec of hesitation.


    "Yes, I promise." She responded, hooking her fingers with his when the child brought his rather small finger forth. "Alright, let''s go."


    Owen smiled and picked Ashley up, carrying him against his side and with his free hand, taking Leonica''s hand as they exited the mansion, leaving behind Grace who bowed and bade the goodbye.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    The drive to the hospital was short, with Ashley sitting on his mother''sp as Owen drove, humming along with her to the music ying on the radio.


    Once there, Ashley was ushered into the doctor''s office where Doctor Bailey awaited, his usual smile stered on his face.


    "How are we feeling, young man?" He asked, watching as Leonica lifted Ashley onto the bed.


    "Fine," Ashley answered.


    "That''s great. Well, today''s visit should be quick," He turned to Leonica and Owen shing them a smile that only one of them knew all too well. "Ms. Romero, Mr. Lee, could you please step out for a short while.


    Leonica hesitated as usual, not wanting to leave Ashley alone. But Owen gently gave her shoulder a squeeze, shooting her a look that told her Ashley was going to be okay.


    "Alright," She nodded and kissed Ashley on the forehead. "I''ll be right outside, okay."


    "Okay, Mommy." Ashley smiled and waved at her as she and Owen stepped out of the room, closing the door behind them.


    As soon as they did, Leonica turned around to see Gabriel approaching them.


    "Leonica," He greeted, stopping in front of her, eyes quickly scanning her figure and noting that the bandage on her leg had been removed. "You''re doing better. That''s good."


    She shed a smile, tensed but polite. "Yeah, thanks."


    "How''s Ashley?" He proceeded to ask, barely giving Owen a nce.


    "He''s okay," She turned towards the window, watching as Doctor Bailey carried out the usual procedures on the young child. "The doctor''s with him right now, so-" She allowed the rest of her words trail off, fully aware that the whatever else she had to say wasn''t new


    news.


    She sighed, Gosh, when was she going to hear something about Ashley''s condition that would give her a small glimpse of hope?


    Another sigh from her and Owen''s hand was ced on her lower back, drawing her attention away from Ashley''s check up. "He''ll be fine." He said, smiling and Leonica nodded, feeling slightlyforted.


    The interaction, however small and brief it was, didn''t escape Gabriel''s eyes, and once again, the jealousy he felt towards Owen, grew.


    He clenched his jaws, rolled his shoulder and forced his eyes to look away from the scene, reminding himself that he hade here today for Ashley''s checkup.


    Or so he tried to convince himself, but the more he saw Owen interaction with Leonica, not making any effort to hide his damn admiration, the more irritated Gabriel got.


    It got to a point that he could no longer remain a third party and loudly cleared his throat, disrupting whatever moment the couple beside him was having.


    "I heard from Margret," He started, getting Leonica''s attention. "That you had sent a package for me, I wanted to thank you, and also," He nced at Owen. "To invite you out for dinner some time, as thank you." He added thest part when Owen chuckled silently. Crazy bastard, he thought, inviting another man''s Fianc¨¦e out for dinner right in front of him, it was as if Gabriel didn''t see him at all.


    "You don''t have to thank me," Leonica answered, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "I was simply returning the gesture."


    "Well, I think I do, and I''m asking you to allow me. Please?" He tried once more, this time looking her in the eyes, however his confidence ttering at the look in her eyes.


    "I insist, Gabriel," She stated, sounding much polite than the cold look in her eyes. "There''s no need for any further thank you."


    With yet another rejection from the person he liked, in less than a week, Gabriel became silent, much to Owen''s pleasure.


    Fortunately, nothing more was said between he and Leonica when Doctor Bailey stuck his head out from the room, requesting for Leonica''s attention.


    "Just her alone." He said when both Owen and Gabriel tried following her in.


    "It''s fine. Ashley and I would be out in a sec," Leonica shed Owen a smile and as she walked in, Gabriel found himself wishing that smile had been for him.


    "It''s so obvious on your face," Owen''s voice had his attention snapping from Leonica towards the person speaking. "The way you look at her, like a fucking love sick puppy." He shook his head. "As her Fianc¨¦, I find that really annoying."


    Gabriel blinked once, not in confusion, but rather, in slight surprise that Owen had addressed him, let alone spoke to him.


    "Excuse me?" He tilted his head.


    "You heard me," Owen turned to look at him, impassive expression painted all across his visage. "Asking my fianc¨¦e out to a dinner in front of me, not even bothering to look at me, you must be pretty gutsy."


    Gabriel was taken, but soon found himself snorted. "What''s wrong with that? Are so you insecure that you don''t allow Leonica have male friends?"


    "Male friends ain''t my problem," He stepped forward. "You are. Lay off her already, would you. Forcing feelings that she isn''t going to reciprocate is not gonna make her fall in love with you."


    "Seven years ago you had your chance, you messed it up, bad," Owen shook his head in a taunting manner. "And I''m not gonna allow you ruin her life all over again." His expression suddenly became much serious after saying that. "She far too important for me to stand by and watch that happen."


    Gabriel''s eyes twitched, but before he could say another word, the door in front of them opened and Leonica, along with Ashley stepped out.


    "Did something happen?" She asked as soon as she noticed the tensed air between both men.


    Owen shook his head, smiling blissfully at her. "Not at all, luce mia," He bent down and picked Ashley up, pecking Leonica on the cheek with making eye contact with Gabriel. "Gabriel and I just had a simple talk." Simple my ass, Gabriel thought as he fought to keep his expression neutral. Whilst Owen basked in his obvious victory.


    Once again.


    "Why again do I have to handle these damn board meetings?" Jamil grumbled under his breath as he walked to his office, Florence and Jaxson trailing behind him. "I pay you guys for shit like this, don''t I?" "Yes, but unfortunately we aren''t executive level yet." Jaxson answered as politely as possible.


    But Jamil being who he is, took offence to it. "Of course you haven''t. During your ten years here neither of you have done anything promotion worthy." He turned to face them after stopping just out the door of his office. "And I swear to God, if that goes on for another fucking month, you''re both going to lose your jobs."


    Florence and Jaxson shared a look before nodding. "Yes sir." They said in sync.


    "You''re dismissed." He said and walked into his office. However, the moment he turned around, he nearly got a heart attack from seeing Irene seating on his table. "Fuck. How did you get in here?"


    He remained silent, looking at his with calcting eyes that he didn''t find pleasing in the least bit.


    "You know what, forget that," He stated as he walked towards the bar in his office, pouring himself a drink before turning to face Irene. "What are you doing here?"


    "I came to thank you." Her voice came sounding much more...confident that it previously was.


    Jamil cocked his head. "Thank me?"


    "Yes," She hummed, gently hoping down from his table to approach him. "Thank you. If it weren''t for you approaching me, I would never have known about all the things I was missing out on. All the things Leonica stole from me."


    Jamil chuckled, finding it funny how


    she still allowed that delusional mentality of hers exist. "You''re still thinking like that, I see." He took a sip from his drink and shook his head, to absorbed in his cocky ways to notice the way Irene watched him with expectant eyes. "So is that all? Or did youe here for something else, to beg me perhaps?"


    It was Irene''s turn to chuckle this time around. "Beg you," She scoffed. "What use is a dead man to me. You''ll merely be dead weight."


    "Dead man?" Jamil questioned in confusion and Irene merely looked at his cup.


    "You shouldn''t have disposed of me, Jamil," She said as her eyes darkened. "Because you have no idea what I''m capable of when backed against a wall."


    The realization dawned on him toote, but he wasted no time in discarding the cup, staring at Irene with wide eyes.


    Did she poison his drink? There were over fifty drinks on the bar, How could she have known which one he was going to pick? Did she simply poison everything?


    "It was the ice," Irene spoke up as if reading the questions going through his mind and his eyes widened. "Unpredictable, wasn''t it." She smiled when seeing how he was starting to turn red with anger. "I wouldn''t beg agitated if I were you, that would only kill you faster." "You bitch," He cursed, gritting his teeth, wanting to reach over and strangle the woman standing before him, when he suddenly felt his legs start to grow weak and his body temperature rising.


    "You..." He red daggers at her. "Poisoned... Me?"


    "Yes," She answered bluntly, walking around him as he struggled to stand. "Someone once told me to get rid of waste when it''s no longer needed, and you are no longer needed."


    Jamil wanted to curse at her, but the sudden pain rushing through his heart and brain silenced him.


    "It a poison that makes your death look like stroke from overwork, efficient, ain''t it?" She asked as she raised a small empty bottle in front of Jamil, shaking it for a few seconds before sighing. "It cost me four fucking thousand dors."


    Yeah, like Jamil cared about the


    price. Right now, what he wanted to


    ve


    hear was a means to ease his pain, and since Irene wasn''t saying anything of sort, he sort out the next option, seating in hopes to calm the pain, buy himself some time perhaps, so he moved towards his chair, but before he could even get close to reaching it, Irene had kicked the seat out of the way, causing him to copse to the floor in pain.


    Shortly after, He gasped for air, clutching at his chest.


    "It''s setting in, I see." And with that, she reached into her bra and pulled out a small bottle. "The antidote, reach it and you live, if not, you die She stated bluntly, and watched as Jamil, eager to leave, crawled towards the table, stretching his hand out, but a wave of pain


    §Ö


    suddenly hit him, causing his body


    to shake tremendously.


    He fell to the ground, twitching and spasming violently as he desperately reached out for the bottle, but Irene, who stood right beside him, kicked it away.


    "You were a great partner, Jamil, really, you were. But I no longer have use for you, so," She turned around and walked towards the door, a smile on her face. "I hope you had a great life, cause, well, that''sing to an end."


    And with that, she walked away, leaving Jamil to w and struggle for his life.

 Meeting The Father In-Law, Again.

    Irene kicked off her shows as she walked into the dim living room of her newly rented apartment. It was small, tacky with faded walls, busted pipes and The furniture were worn out, stained and torn.


    But the apartment was cheap, and considering the current situation she was in, it''d make due and price aside, it was the only ce in the entire of Oslo that thendlord had agreed to rent to her. Apparently bad status not only affected her business, but also the willingness


    of Landlords to rent out their ce to her.


    Clearly, they feared being on the Romero family''s bad side more than a few hundred thousand bucks.


    But that didn''t really matter to Irene, after all, she had no ns of staying in this rundown apartment for too long.


    Walking into her room, she strolled towards the wardrobe that looked like it could fall apart with a single push from a toddler and pulled it open and turned on the red light she had installed inside.


    There was none of her dress or essory inside, instead, it was upied by pictures and news letters pinned to the wall by needles, a small map of Oslo, marking a few ces in red marker andstly, pictures.


    Jamil''s, which was now crossed out with a red marker. Cassandra''s was next and after that was Leonica and in the center, the star of her world, was her father Benjamin Romero.


    "Daddy." She uttered with a smile. "If only you''d take me in, I wouldn''t have had to go through all this trouble."


    But she didn''t me him, after all, it was the fault of his favorite daughter, Leonica and that slut Cassandra. They were the ones manipting and messing with his head.


    But soon, she''s get rid of them, just like how she had gotten rid of Jamil who looked down on and once they''re gone, she''d finally be able to live the life she''s always wanted, and deserved.


    "Just wait, Daddy." She spoke, her eyes fixated on the pictures of Cassandra. "I''ll soon get rid of these pest, then you''d see how much you need me."


    After an unexpected tour to the aquarium, suggested strongly by Ashley, Owen sessfully pulled into the drive way of Leonica''s ce.


    The three had been out all day, spending some quality time together, which was something Leonica had really needed.


    And as a result, the stress she had previously carried had disappeared and was reced by a smile, bright and warm, and Owen couldn''t be more happy to see that.


    "Did you enjoy today?" He asked, turning his gaze away from the rear view mirror towards Leonica.


    She nodded. "I did, thank you."


    Owen smiled more when she took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to emphasize her words.


    "Are we home yet?" Ashley called from the back seat, rubbing his eyes as he woke up from his sleep.


    "Yes sweetie," She turned around, leaning her body to the backseat to help Ashley undo his seat belt. "We''re home."


    "Finally," The child muttered, yawning.


    Owenughed and helped him out of the car, taking him in his arms. Leonica, after locking the car, followed the two in.


    As soon as Grace saw them, she walked up to Leonica. "The young master must have had an exciting day." Gently, she took Ashley from Owen, stating that she''s put him to sleep.


    Owen was reluctant to let him go, but eventually did. "Goodnight buddy." He kissed Ashley on the head, waving as the child managed to mutter goodbye.


    "I should get going," He sighed after ncing at his watch.


    "I''ll walk you to the door," Leonica suggested, which Owen dly epted, allowing his Fianc¨¦e to walk him the short distance.


    Once they were in front of the door, about to part, Leonica stuffed her hands into her pocket and hesitantly asked. "You and Gabriel talked about something while I was away, didn''t you? What was it?"


    "You. You were what we talked about." Owen said as he leaned down and pecked her cheeks before she had the chance to respond. "Don''t forget to wear the dress I bought for you, luce mia. I''ll see you on Saturday." And with that, he left her standing there, stunned.


    "That man," She huffed while closing the door. "He sure is unpredictable."


    That Owen was, but right now she didn''t have the luxury to think about it as internally, she was panicking.


    They were going to visit his father on Saturday and surprise, Saturday was just around the corner. Knowing how Taehyun treated her thest time, Leonica was certain the older man would not be happy to see her, not even in the slightest. She sighed. "I just hope it doesn''t turn out to be a disaster."


    Saturday rolled around faster than Leonica could have expected and she was currently seated in her dressing room, ying with her fingers as Gracebed her hair, humming softly,pletely unaware of the current dilemma her mistress was having. "Do you want your hair done up, Ms. Romero?" She asked, stopping midway her song when she finishedbing.


    "I don''t know. Any style is okay." Leonica answered half heartedly, barely paying attention to what Grace was doing. Although she appreciated the special treatment from the caretaker today, she couldn''t bring her mind to fully focus.


    "Any style?" Grace parroted. However she had to disagree. Even though Leonica did indeed look good in ''any style'' today wasn''t one of those days.


    Today was one of her important dates with Owen, Grace could tell. And what did she love more than seeing her paycheck go higher? Simple; Leonica''s absolute happiness.


    So, without another word, Grace got to work, doing Leonica''s hair the best way she knew how, and in less than twenty minutes, the girl was ready.


    "You look perfect, Ms. Romero," Grace stated, a hint of pride in her voice as she stared at the final product. "Mr. Lee is going to be pleased."


    "Thanks Grace." Leonica shed her a smile and stood up, admiring her own reflection.


    The dress Owen had picked out for her was a red cocktail dress, short enough to show off her long legs. The hem of the dress was trimmed with ckce, making the already gorgeous dress, even more exquisite.


    To add a bit of her own re, she wore a pair of ck leather high heels, and the diamond bracelet she had received as a gift from Owen.


    Her hair was left loose, only half of her locks were tied at the back of her head with a red ribbon.


    She looked all dolled up for the perfect night and Ashley''s expression as he rushed into the room confirmed it.


    "Gorgeous, isn''t she?" Grace questioned, earning several nods from Ashley before he spoke.


    "Owen''s down stairs."


    And that was her cue. "Thank you honey," She picked up her small ck purse and pecked his head. "Mommy''s going to be outte so don''t wait for me, okay?"


    Ashley mumbled a ''okay'' underneath his voice, still not happy that his mother and Owen were going out to have fun without him.


    Leonica had just climbed down a few steps when she spotted Owen.


    His eyes immediately found her, and his heart skipped a beat as he admired her beauty.


    The red dress reallyplimented her, not that she needed any further enhancements, he thought, stepping towards the foot of the stairs, his eyes never leaving her.


    "You look...absolutely gorgeous." He stated, extending his hand for her as she neared.


    "As do you," She answered, gently cing her hand into his, feeling her heart race the moment his fingers brushed against hers.


    "Are you ready?" He asked, his voice a low whisper and Leonica nodded, letting him lead her to his car.


    Owen opened the door for her and waited until she wasfortably seated before closing it and walking to the driver''s side.


    "So, your father isn''t going to ssh a bucket of mop water all over me?" Leonica joked as they drove towards Owen''s family V. "You know, considering the fact that I indirectly ruined hisst dinner." Owen chuckled. "He wouldn''t dare do that." He sounded too confident and Leonica didn''t question.


    Shortly after, they arrived at the family V, being weed by the smart butler, Philip, as Leonica recalled his name to be, who greeted them both.


    "Hello Young master, Ms. Romero." He bowed. "The master is waiting for you both in the dinning room." He turned, suggesting they flow him.


    Leonica hesitated. Meeting Taehyun for the second time felt more serious than the first time. Perhaps it was because she wasing to properly introduce herself this time around.


    "Luce mia?" Owen''s voice pulled her out of her thoughts and she chuckled when seeing the look of concern on his face.


    "It''s nothing," She reassured him. "I just got a little tensed."


    He could tell. Showing his support, Owen gently ced his hand on her lower back, rubbing it in a soothing manner.


    When therge doors to the dining hall was finally pushed open by Philip, both Owen and Leonica spotted Taehyun, the former''s father, seatedfortably in the head chair. "Took you forever," He said in the same guff and dissatisfied voice Leonica remembered. "Well I can''t me you, your mother never thought you manners after all. Come, sit." "Hello father." Owen greeted as he led Leonica to the chair free chair, choosing to ignore his father''s words towards his mother since today was an important day to him. "Hello," Leonica greeted politely, offering the man a small smile, hoping that it was enough.


    "Great, you brought the inte Queen," He sassed as one of the servants dished him a portion of food. "I still don''t get why you refuse to marry that sweet girl I introduced you to." "Because I don''t love her, father." Came Owen''s answer as he took Leonica''s hand and smiled at her. "Leonica''s the one I love."


    She blushed at his words, mirroring his smile. But the lovely moment was quickly interrupted by Taehyun as he chuckled. "Your mother said she loved me, preached about it in fact, yet where is she? Miami Florida enjoying her fucking new family." "Leonica isn''t my mother." Owen defended vehemently, earning a loudugh from his father.


    "All Women are the same Owen, they''d screw you over at the slightest sign of trouble. Ms. Inte Queen over there is no different."Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''d appreciate if you don''t talk about my fianc¨¦e that way, father." Owen stated.


    "Fianc¨¦e?" Taehyun looked almost surprised by his son''s words. "You were serious about that? It wasn''t just some stunt you pulled?"


    "It wasn''t." Owen answered and didn''t speak after that, letting His father stare from him then Leonica, with a serious expression.


    Seconds turned into minutes and just as Leonica was contemting if this was a bad idea, he spoke.


    "Love''s going to mess you up, boy. It''s going to turn you dark."


    "I''m not you, and never will be." Owen stated firmly. "And neither is Leonica, is nothing like my mother."


    Said woman, remained silent, allowing the father and son duo sort their differences out. It was something very much needed.


    "You''re making a big mistake, boy." Taehyun stated once again. "A big one."


    "If it''s going to be a mistake for Leonica, then I''d dly do it." Owen replied, his voice a tad bit more softer. "Please ept her as my fianc¨¦e, father." Another few seconds of silence went by, after which Taehyun sighed loudly and dropped his cutlery.


    "I''ve lost my fucking appetite." He stood up, instructing the servant. "Tell Philip to prepare the ne, I need a vacation after the whole PDA show."


    Owen''s face slightly fell as he


    watches his father walk towards the door. He didn''t essentially need the old man''s approval to continue with his engagement with Leonica, but still hoped that for once in life. He''s be a father, act like one and give his approval.


    He scoffed. It looks like even that was too much to ask for.


    "What are youughing about? Don''t


    think you can popte here with mini nuisances just because I''ve decided to watch you get your heart broken." was Taehyun''s turn to scoff. "Children, give them you''re approval and they won''t hesitate to disrespect you." He muttered underneath his breath as he walked out of the dining hall, leaving


    Leonica and Owen in confusion.


    They weren''tpletely sure what to think. Although his attitude showed disapproval towards their rtionship, his words said otherwise.


    But in all honesty, it was his word that counted to Owen, meaning...


    "He approves." Leonica said, almost as if she had read his mind and Owen couldn''t help the smile that bloomed on his lips as he took both of Leonica''s hands in his and kissed it.


    "He did, luce mia. He did."


    "Sir," Philip called out to his master as they boarded the private ne headed for London. "Are you sure it was a wise decision to ept Leonica Romero?" He asked, just as worried for Owen''s heart as everyone else in the mansion was.


    Taehyun chuckled. "Yeah, like he


    wouldn''t still proceed with the


    engagement I didn''t." Taking a sip from his drink, he looked out his window, and muttered. "Leave him to learn the hard way. Although I doubt that would happen." He muttered thest part, not wanting to admit out loud the love he saw between Leonica and his son because for Taehyun Lee, there was no such thing as love.


    "I''m not you and never will be."


    He scoffed upon recalling Owen''s words.


    "Boy sure does got balls. Let''s just hope you don''t end up regretting your decision."

 Being Followed.

    Standing outside with Owen''s jacket around her shoulder, Leonica sighed out and watched her breath turn visible before it disappeared.


    Today had turned out to be much of a sess than she had imagined.


    She chuckled, To think all her fears was all for nothing.


    The feeling of her phone vibrating pulled her away from her thought. She reached the the device in her purse, a thin smile finding it''s way onto her lips when she saw it was a message from Gabriel. [Hey, how are you?]


    It read.


    [I''m fine. Is something the matter?] She replied, waiting only a second for his reply.


    [Not at all, just wanted to check up on you. How''s your ankle doing?]


    Leonica stared at his message for a few seconds and could chuckle. Memory loss sure did a number on him.


    The Gabriel she was used to didn''t even care when he abandoned her on the road on the day of his grandmother''s funeral, but now here he was, asking how her sprained ankle was doing.


    Delightful. She could get used to something like this. But not to used too it, after all, she still had to put some distance between both of them, else he''d misunderstand the situation. And that she didn''t want. [My Ankle''s doing fine, thank you for asking.] She typed her reply and sent it, watching as yet another of his reply came back secondster.


    [That''s nice. I have work to get back to, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.]


    She sure would, Leonica thought as she heard the footsteps of Owen approaching.


    She shoved her phone into her purse, making a mental note to try and improve the rtionship between she and Gabriel as could parents, since he was making several efforts to be a better person. "Done?" She asked as Owen pecked her cheek and took her hand.


    "Yes, I''ve left the message for my father." Owen replied earning a nod from Leonica.


    For a few seconds, they both fell into afortable silence, walking side by side.


    "Well that was a sess." Leonica mused, breaking the silence. "A major one, I might add."


    Owen hummed, not quite sure what else to say.


    His father''s approval was something he had always looked forward to getting from the man and now that he had gotten it, he wasn''t quite sure how to feel.


    Where was excitement that he always imagined? Happiness? Relief?


    All those emotions were nowhere to be found, and in their ce, was a heavy weight, a sense of disappointment that Owen couldn''t understand.


    "Owen?" Leonica stared at him with concerned eyes. "Are you okay?"


    He was. Of course he was, he just couldn''t seem to sort out his feelings towards his father.


    He didn''t hate the man, but he didn''t love him either way.


    "I am," He answered, smiling reassuringly at his Fianc¨¦e. "Just thinking."


    "About what?" She asked, her eyes glued to his face as if to pick up the slightest change in his mood.


    "My father." He answered truthfully as he opened the door for Leonica to seat in the car, heading over to the drivers seat and slipping in once that was done. "I always wanted his approval, looked forward to it since I was kid, heck I even worked my ass trying to fill in the role of the perfect son. But now that I finally gotten his approval on my engagement, I don''t feel anything."


    He sighed and turned on the engine, not sparing a nce at Leonica as he said, "It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, but I don''t feel happy."


    "Maybe because deep down, you''ve already known he''ll approve." She answered and Owen nced at her for a moment, seeing the sincerity in her eyes and nodded. "You said so yourself, he wouldn''t date disapprove of me."


    Owen chuckled, a small smile gracing his lips. Yeah, that was a more reasonable exnation.


    "But even if that''s not it," Leonica took his hand, intertwining their fingers. "I''m gonna be here with you all the way, so we take our time figuring it out, together."


    Owen looked at her hand, particrly the ring on her finger and nodded. "Together." He echoed and pulled away from the drive way, driving his way back to Leonica''s ce when he had an idea.


    "The night''s still young, wouldn''t it be a shame to just return home, luce mia." He looked over at Leonica and smirked.


    She chuckled. "Where do you have in mind, Owen? I''m already stuffed from all the food Philip your maids served us."


    Owen hummed in thought. "How about the theater?"


    Where they had their first date? Leonicaughed. She loved the idea, but just as was about to speak up, her eyes caught the car behind them from the rare view mirror.


    It had been following them for quite a while, she thought with a frown. Ever since the intersection and until now, there was no way it could be a coincidence.


    Without a second to waste, Leonica''s mind shifted to Jamil, recalling the spy he had put on her. She should have suspected something from the very start, seeing as he had been quiet for the past few days. "Hey Owen," She called the male''s attention just as she looked away from the mirror, not wanting to alert. "Slow down a bit, would ya?"


    He did as he was told. "Did I go to fast? Are you feeling nauseous?" He asked, but his question fell on deaf ears and Leonica was to busy watching the car behind them.


    She sighed in relief when it drove past them.


    "Luce mia, is everything okay?" He asked in concern, noticing the slight shift in her mood.


    "Everything''s fine." She reassured him, not wanting to cause any more unnecessary worry. After all, the person behind the wheel could have just been an innocent passerby.


    "So, are we going to the theater?" Owen asked, the eagerness in his voice making Leonica chuckle.


    "Yeah, let''s go."


    ~~


    Leonica found herself enjoying the show at the theater more than she had imagined. By the closing scene, she had long forgotten her thought about Jamil, enjoying her evening with Owen instead.


    As the curtain''s closed and the show


    was officially over, both Leonica and


    Owen pped their hands, along with the audience asN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    a standing et


    ovation was given for the actors and


    actresses who had given a great performance.


    "That was really enjoyable," Leonica smiled, holding onto Owen''s arm as they left the building. "Thanks."


    Owen mirrored her expression. "I only offer my wife the best." He winked, earning a hearty chuckle from Leonica.


    "Wife, oh don''t get ahead of yourself, lover boy." She teased and Owen merelyughed.


    "Oh I''m not getting ahead of myself, luce mia." He leaned closer to her face, their lips mere inches away as he added. "I''m confident, I know you''re going to be mine soon."


    His words made her blush, and before she could even retort, Owen pecked her lips and pulled away.


    "Now let''s go home, shall we?" He pulled open the door for her and headed to the driver''s seat.


    Just as Leonica was about getting in, she heard the sound of a car engine turning on and for some reason, she turned around and scanned the parking lot full of people.


    "Is something wrong, luce mia?" She shook her head at Owen''s question and slipped into the car.


    "Not at all." She lied, knowing the source of her difort.


    "Let''s get you home."


    Leonica nodded, but didn''t look away, keeping her gaze fixated on the rear view mirror as Owen drove.


    And her assumptions were confirmed when the a simr looking car from earlier, appeared behind them.


    "Hey Owen," Leonica called, her voice sounding more serious that it previously did. "Can you drive a little faster? I need to check something."


    Owen looked at her weirdly but did as told.


    "What do you mean by ''check something''?" He asked. "What exactly are you looking for?"


    Leonica didn''t answer him, instead keeping her eyes on the rare view mirror and this eventually caught Owen''s attention and he too soon noticed the family looking car. "What? Are we being followed?" He questioned.


    "I don''t know yet." She answered and as Owen sped up a bit, the car behind them sped up as well, confirming their suspicions.


    Leonica sighed loudly. "We are." What a great way for Jamil to ruin her night.


    "And here I was, tagging tonight as the perfect evening." Owen grumbled underneath his breath as he increased the speed of his car. "Buckle up, Leonica."


    She did as told without a y further word, knowing exactly what wasing next. But Owen could see the slight worry that shed across her face.


    He reached for her hand and gave it a light squeeze. "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure nothing happens to you."


    Of course she knew that. It was him she was worried about. He had nothing to do with Jamil''s nonsense, yet he was getting dragged into this.


    But Leonica didn''t say a word, not wanting to distract Owen from his driving.


    Her hold on his hand however, did tighten when the car sped up. Luckily the road was free, giving them enough space for a maneuvering advantage. But that wasn''t enough to shake whoever was on them, but that also allowed Owen learn one thing.


    "They''re not chasing after us," He stated. "They haven''t for once tried running into us." "So are they tails?" Leonica asked.


    "Well, well only find out if we confront them."


    Huh? Leonica thought but before she could even put a word in, Owen had suddenly stopped his car, right in the middle of the empty road. The other car following them had to


    match fiercely on their break to


    avoid a collision.


    Realizing that they had been caught, they tried reversing, but much to their dismay, the car had suddenly gone off, perhaps due to the sudden stop causing the battery to shift. Owen saw this as his chance. "Stay here," He instructed, unbuckling his seat belt and stepping out of the car.


    Leonica followed suite. "I''ming with."


    Owen didn''t object, instead he paid more attention in finding something, anything. Fortunately for him, and unfortunately for their follower, he spotted an abandoned pipe and picked it up.


    But he made no attempt to swing a throw it, instead, he allowed it drag along the floor as he walked towards the car, knocking on the tinted windows when he was beside it.


    "I know you can hear me, so get out before I drag you out."


    There was no response and Owen took the pipe in his hands, raising it up but before he could even smash the ss, the door opened.


    From behind him, Leonica tilted her head and watched, wanting to see the stupid face of who Jamil had put as a spy on her.


    Was a Florence or that other dude that had coke with him, that day? She thought, squinting her eyes.


    However, much to her surprise, the person who stepped out was far from the two she had predicted, but equally someone familiar. Billy Cadel, Gabriel''s assistant.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Gabriels Betrayal.

    Billy?!


    Leonica was stunned speechless, eyes wide as she had not expected to see the male here, or anywhere as a matter of fact.


    "Bill..." She managed to speak after a while, her brain still trying to process what he was doing by following them. "What are you doing here? No, why are you following us?"


    Owen turned to his fianc¨¦e with raised brows after hearing her address their follower by his name. "You know him?"


    "He''s Gabriel''s assistant," The words effortlessly rolled off Leonica''s tongue as she still tried to understand what was going on.


    Was he working for Jamil? Was that why he was following them? She felt a surge of anger spike within her. Of course Jamil was one to pull a stunt like this, turning those who you least suspect to his favorite weapons.


    "You," Stepping forward, she stared him down with a cold gaze. "Speak, why are you following us?"


    Billy, who was currently looking like a deer caught in head light, opened his mouth, and then closed it again.


    "Speak, Billy." Leonica demanded, taking another step forward.


    "I, I-uh," He stuttered, eyes shifting from her, to Owen and back to her. "It''s, I''m not..."


    "Stop bbering." Leonica hissed. "You know, I''m not a very patient person, so either you give me a straight answer, or else."


    Oh how he knew that and how he wished to give Leonica a straight answer, but his hands were tied here. If he were to give her the answer she wanted, that''d mean him betraying his boss and if he didn''t, from the look in Leonica''s eyes, he was sure that he''d not make it back to report to his boss this night.


    "You''re time is running thin, Billy and honestly you don''t have a lot of it, so I''d be wise if I were you. Tell me, Jamil sent you, didn''t he?" She questioned, but Billy continued to avoid her gaze, contemting between the options he had.


    "Look, Billy, or whatever your name is," Owen began, making sure to show a disy of the pipe even though he wasn''t going to use it. "I know things right now must seem like you''re at a crossroad. Speak, or not speak, which road shall you take? Honestly there''s only one, and that is to speak. You have no choice but to tell us why you were following us. It''s not like you can deny."


    Billy nced at him, and then to Leonica and but still chose to remain silent.


    And that''s when Leonica snapped. "Perhaps I should have your father arrested for the illegal gambling he''s been doing all this years." As she made a show to reach for her phone, Billy panicked.


    "No, don''t do that. I''ll talk," He pleaded, eyes filled with realization that the situation was out of his hands. "I''ll talk."


    "I''m waiting."


    "I wasn''t sent by Jamil Vanadas," He paused, trying to find a way to say his next words while Leonica chose to ignore the fact that Billy knew who Jamil was yet imed to not have been sent by him. "The person who asked me to monitor you is..." The rest of his words trailed off as he mumbled lowly underneath his breath. "Who was it?" Leonica demanded, not bothering to hide her annoyance.


    "Mr. Bryce, it was Mr. Bryce, who asked me to monitor you." Billy answered and Leonica felt like someone had just poured a bucket of ice water all over her.


    "What?" She asked as a new wave of confusion hit her. "Gabriel did what? And why?"


    Billy wanted to withhold information, but for some reason, he felt like telling Leonica everything would be the best course of action. And besides, he was sure to lose his job, why not screw Gabriel over.


    "About two months ago Mr. Bryce visited Ms. Fernandez in at the female city prison," He began, just starting the beginning of the exnation that he was sure would piss Leonica off. And just as assumed, her brows knitted together at the mention of Angelina''s name. Why had Gabriel gone to visit Angelina?


    "But when he returned he was acting strange, much like the way he acted before the fire ident."


    Leonica''s eyes twitched. "What?"


    "He acted the same, almost as if he hadn''t lost his memories in the first ce, but that wasn''t what worried me, it was his sudden interest in you. He requested that I keep tabs on you, monitor you and report to him every week and would asionally ask me to look into your family." "What?" Leonica''s tone was low, and her expression nk. She wasn''t quite sure how to feel, no scratch that, she sure as hell knew how to feel, it''s just that her emotions were currently being dyed from the news she was hearing.


    Gabriel had been watching her, not Jamil. So the person she saw in the woods that night, was Billy, not someone Jamil had watching her. The camera shuttering sound she heard back at the caf¨¦ when Megan met up with Rodrigo, wasn''t a coincidence, but rather it was Gabriel watching her.


    She clenched hed jaws, feeling her anger rising. It exined why he wasn''t surprised when she introduced herself as Tyche Smith, because he already knew. And the news of her ankle, on one had spread it, it was simply Billy who had reported back to him. The more she thought about all his actions, the more she felt sick and angry. To think she had forgiven him, thought that he had changed. To think she was about working on her damn attitude towards him, believing that she was being to harsh. Chuckling, she ced her hand on her forehead and paced. "Wow, wow and wow. I can''t believe I was yed for a fucking fool. I actually thought he was a changed man, but nope, he was ying me from the fucking beginning." "luce mia," Owen called, hoping to calm her before she went overboard.


    But she ignored him, once again fixing her attention on Billy. "And what''s this shit about him acting weird? Has he regained his memories?"


    "I''m not sure, but Doctor Bailey thinks so."


    "Doctor Bailey knows of this?" Leonica chuckled louder. "Wow, just wow." She wasughing. "I don''t even know why I''m surprised anymore, after all, Gabriel has always been a scumbag."


    With a sigh, the smile on her lipspletely disappeared and she stared into the far distance of the darkness.


    Both Owen and Billy were unsure of what to do, the Former was about to speak when Leonica beat him to it.


    "I''ll fucking kill him," She spat, surprising both male when she began storming towards the car. "Where is he?" She asked Billy.


    "At the office." He reluctantly answered.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Owen chased after her. "Leonica-"


    "You can either get in the car and follow me, or failed at trying to stop me," She didn''t even turn to him as she spoke. "But trust me, it won''t end pretty if you chose the second option." "Ms. Romero, please wait," It was Billy''s turn to try and stop her, but he only ended up receiving a chilly re from her.


    "Try and stop me and I swear to fucking God that your entire family would go missing by the crack of dawn."


    With a gulp, Billy stepped away from the door, allowing her to m it shut and start the engine.


    Owen stood there, staring at her as if she had just grown two heads, but soon his expression turned firm and he too rushed towards the car, slipping into the seat beside her.


    Minutes after they had driven off, Billy sighed and pulled out his phone. Even if he had screwed Gabriel over, it was best to call and inform him of the storming his way, because it wasn''t looking pretty in the least bit.


    By the time Leonica had arrived at Bryce Empire, she was absolutely livid, fuming red from head to toe as she stormed into the office.


    The people at the reception had barely any time to register her presence before she was already at the elevator, mming her hand on the button to open the door. When they finally did and the doors slid open, she stepped in, followed closely by Owen who had stepped out of the car despite she telling him to wait back. "Leonica," He began, more concerned for Gabriel than anything else. No one, not even your greatest enemy should wish upon you the wrath of an angry woman.


    "I''m fine," She shed him a smile that nearly looked unhinged. "I''m fine." She repeated as the elevator dinged, opening on the president floor.


    She stormed her way towards Gabriel''s office, stopping just outside his door to turn to Owen.


    "Please, wait here," She raised her leg up and pecked his cheek with a sweet smile. "It''d only be a brief talk."


    Owen knew their talk was going to be anything but that, but choose not to say anything. He merely nodded and watched her push open the door.


    Leonica mmed it shut, catching Gabriel''s attention and causing him to look up from hisptop.


    "Leonica?" He said, slightly shocked and surprised by her sudden arrival, but was quick to stand up to wee her when he noticed the expression on her face. "Why are you here? Is everything-"


    He didn''t get the chance toplete his words as Leonica stormed up to him and without hesitation punched him right in the face.


    Gabriel clutched his nose, groaning loudly as he took a few steps back.


    "You son of a bitch," She spat. "How could you have Billy spy on me." Gabriel''s face paled upon hearing her words. "And your memories, when we''re you going to fucking tell me they were back?" "Leonica, I can exin." Gabriel began, earning a nod and a furious expression from Leonica.


    "Of course you can," She said. "You always have an exnation for each of your fucking actions. But you see, this time around is going to be different in what sense? I ain''t going to listen you the shit you say." She hissed. "To think I fucking forgave and trusted you! No, fuck me, Ashley, he''s your son! Do you know the number of times I have tofort him when hees crying because his asshole of a father can''t ''remember'' him?"


    "Leonica," Gabriel tried calling out.


    "No!" Leonica shouted, the rage she was feeling was enough to blind her. "I''m talking and you''re fucking listening. You screwed up Gabriel, real bad this time around. I trusted you, forgave you for all the shit you previously put me through and how do you repay me? You get your fucking assistant to tail me, dig into my family and even lie about the one thing meant so much to Ashley, hurting him."


    She didn''t even pause to catch her breath, letting out all the frustration and anger that had been building within her.


    "All this while, you''ve known that


    you''ve gained back your memories, but you decided to lie and fool me, all because you didn''t want to lose the role of the saint who didn''t remember a shit he had done. What a fucking coward you are, Gabriel. I really don''t know why I even bothered to forgive you, or believed that you''ve changed, perhaps I should have stuck with my decision to cut you off. I wouldn''t be in this situation if I had done so."


    "Leonica, you don''t mean all these, you''re simply speaking out of anger." Gabriel tried to soothe her but he was doing a damn bad job at it.


    "Yeah, I am angry. I''m beyond furious, I want to kill you, Gabriel, I really do." She took a deep breath, and then another and then a third, aiming to calm herself down. "But I won''t, not because I fear thew, but because I''d hurt Ashley even more if I were to do that." Gabriel sighed in relief and stepped forward, ready tofort her when she suddenly raised her leg up and kicked him in the shin.


    "Don''t you even think ofing close to me," She hissed. "You and I, we''re fucking done Gabriel."


    Gabriel groaned. "You don''t mean that. We have Ashley, we can''t be done."


    "Fuck you Gabriel! If that''s the mentality you''ve been living by then, I''m sure Ashley will do a better job of surviving without a father than with one." She red at him.


    Gabriel shook his head. "You don''t mean that Leonica. I''m sorry okay." He said as he straightened up and seeded in holding her wrist. "It was a stupid move of mine, I allowed Angelina''s words get to me, I''m sorry."


    "Fuck you, fuck your apology and fuck Angelina, I''m done with this shit." Gabriel''s hold on her wrist tightened and he tugged her closer. "Let go." She demanded.


    "I won''t, until you look me in the eyes and tell me that you''re lying, that you''d forgive me." He said, tugging on her once more when she avoided his gaze. "Look me in the eyes Leonica, and say all you just said if you know it''s true."


    Silence veiled the entire room, but soon enough, Leonica met Gabriel''s eyes and with burning hatred, spat, "Everything I''ve said up until now is true. I''m done, Gabriel. We''re over, and it''s not a lie."

 Were Over.

    Gabriel always found it funny when Lloyd and Christian would pity the shitty male lead of a movie each time the female lead cut ties with them, or when their rtionship hit a road block.


    But right now, as he felt Leonica''s words hit him hard, Gabriel understood their pain, understood why they pitied the male lead. Because that''s exactly how he was feeling.


    "Everything I''ve said up until now is true. I''m done, Gabriel. We''re over, and it''s not a lie." Leonica stated as she stared him straight in the eyes, something he thought she''d never do and without any form of hesitation, ripped his hand off her wrist.


    "I would have asked for you to respect my choice, but at this point, I''m certain that''s impossible. You only care for yourself and your feelings and honestly," Leonica paused as she took a second to shake her head. "That''s really disgusting, makes me question why I had fallen in love with you in the first ce."


    Without waiting for a response from him, Leonica walked out on him and Gabriel couldn''t bring himself to follow her.


    Her words had been so sharp and icy that it cut deep into not only his pride, but also his heart.


    And the more he thought about them, the deeper the wounds cut.


    He had known for quite a while that his actions were eventually going to blow up in his face, but he ignored the warning signs, persistent on having Leonica watched and reported back to him.


    He felt In that way, he''d be able to protect her, keep her save from the dangers he had failed to notice the existence of in the past.


    And as for his memories, well, it was exactly as Leonica said. He was a coward. Although he had gained back a great portion of his lost memories the day after Visiting Angelina at the prison, he chose to pretend, not wanting to lose what he had built up between he and Leonica under the false guise of amnesia.


    A cowardly move, many would have called it, but what was to be expected of him the moment he received those horrible memories containing all the horrible things he had done to Leonica.


    He detested who he had be. Hated how he gad blindly allowed Angelina string her along and more so, hated that he had even entertained the thought of never starting a family with Leonica.


    Learning how horrible he had been in the past, he got afraid, fearing that the moment Leonica found out his memories were back, she''d distance herself and eventually leave him, just like she had just done.


    Copsing into one of the couches, he buried his face into his hand and his body trembled, shaking as his tears pooled in his eyes.


    Of course he has to lose her, this was only Karma for all the despicable he had done.


    The sound of the door opening caught his attention and he nced up, only to see Billy standing there.


    "Sir," He called, sounding hesitant as if he already knew what had happened. "I tried calling you, but you weren''t picking."


    Gabriel nced at his phone, remembering he had put it on silent mode after texting Leonica.


    He lowered his head again, shaking it, whilst Billy watched him, expecting his boss tosh out on him at any moment.


    "Billy,"


    He flinched when Gabriel called his name. "Y-yes s-sir?" He barely managed those two words, putting most of his concentration into bracing himself for Gabriel''s outburst. However, his boss simply said; "Go home."


    Billy was surprised, almost speechless by Gabriel''s sudden words. "Go home?" He inquired, recallingte that Gabriel hated repeating himself, especially when he was in a bad mood.


    But as he braced himself for Gabriel''s usual action, nothing happened, not even a single curse word. Instead, the male stood up and found his way in front of the roof to floor window in his office, stuffing his hand into his pocket as he watched the car lights out side, million thoughts going through his head.


    "Go home Billy, you''ve done enough for today." He repeated, confirming what the assistant thought he had heard.


    "A-alright, Sir." He bowed even though Gabriel couldn''t see him and headed for the door.


    Before he stepped out, he took onest look and Gabriel and pressed his lips into a thin line. Whatever Leonica had told his boss, had hit him hard. Perhaps, it was the hardest thing that had hit Gabriel and Billy couldn''t help but think that Gabriel had this path set out for him with all the wrong decisions he had made.


    It was his piece of Karma that was now getting back at him.


    The ride back towards Leonica''s ce was silent. Owen who was currently back in the driver''s seat, would often cast nces at her, not sure of what to say.


    He could clearly see the anger and disappointment she was feeling, which was only normal considering the crappy stunt Gabriel had pulled.


    Internally Owen shook his head. That was low, even for Gabriel, he thought and moved his hand from the gear so that it was on Leonica''s.


    He didn''t speak, but gave her hand a gentle squeeze, letting her know he was here for her at anytime and Leonica appreciated that, she just didn''t know how to put it into words.


    After what had happened with Gabriel today, she wasn''t sure she could trust herself with anything, because it was only because she trusted herself and decided to forgive Gabriel that something like this happened.


    It was her fault, no one else''s. She should have stayed away from him, kept that wall up, standing tall and solid, perhaps then she wouldn''t be feeling as if she had openly allowed herself to get back stabbed.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    But what was done, was done, and there was nothing Leonica could do to change that. She could only learn from it and promise herself to not let this happen again.


    She''d be smarter, know the right people to trust, for the sake of Ashley and Owen. She gently squeezed his hand at the thought.


    When they finally arrived home, the


    first person she wanted to see was her son. She felt that out of everyone, he was suffering the most. Having a broken family all because she had fallen in love with the wrong man, was not fair.


    Ashley was too young, he didn''t deserve any of this.


    She found him in his room,ying on his bed fast asleep. And Leonica could have sworn that her heart ached just a bit more upon seeing him.


    "I''m sorry," She whispered, sitting down beside him and moving the hair from his face. "I''m so sorry, Ash. Mommy''s sorry."


    She leaned forward, kissing his forehead and wrapping her arms around him, wanting to shield him from everything bad, but knowing that was impossible. She was the problem, not anyone else.


    "Luce mia," Owen called from behind, snapping her out of her daze. "Why don''t you get some rest. Today was quite packed."


    She looked at him, and nodded, pulling away from Ashley and following him towards her room.


    "I ran the bath for you," He told her as she changed stripped off the dress she now found stuffy and headed towards the bathroom.


    "Thanks," She responded, a smile spreading across her lips. "Really appreciate it."


    Owen smiled. "My pleasure," He responded, giving her a small kiss on her forehead.


    Leonica chuckled lightly, appreciating how nice Owen was being, not that she was expecting anything less.


    He was Owen, the man she loved.


    The only one she had decided to entrust her heart to despite the crap


    Gabriel had put her through. Sure, §Ö she was scared to get hurt again, but after seven years, she had


    decided not to let her fear and past mistakes hold her down any longer.


    With a small smile, Leonica entered the bathroom, the smell ofvender immediately engulfing her.


    Owen had done well, really well.


    Taking her sweet time, Leonica rxed in the warm water, allowing her muscles to unwind and her mind to ease itself.


    But as the silence settled around


    her, the sound of water droplets


    from the tap and her breathing being


    the only thing that echoed within the four walls of the bathroom, Leonica found herself thinking back to what had happened today.


    It angered her and In a weird way, hurt her.


    She allowed half of her face to sink into the water, bubblesing up when she sighed.


    Looks like she wasn''t totally immune to Gabriel like she thought.

 I Really, Really Love You.

    Gabriel learnt the hard way that it was harder to sooth the pain of a broken heart by just staying in his office and staring at thendscape of Oslo while hoping that Leonica would walk right through his office door and tell him that she was just pulling a prank on him.


    The truth was, that wasn''t happening. Not anytime soon.


    So here he was, sitting on a bar stool in a pub, drowning his sorrow away with alcohol.


    The bartender had already given up on him, choosing to let the male drown in his own misery instead of telling him off.


    Gabriel raised the beer mug to his lips, taking another sip, hoping that the alcohol would magically erase the fact that he had just screwed up and chased away the best thing that had ever happened to him.


    His grandmother sure would be disappointed from up above, he chuckled at the painful truth.


    Lilia has loved Leonica so much. On multiple asions, when she had enough strength to move around, she would request that Gabriele visit her in the garden, only to talk about how much of the ideal daughter inw Leonica was.


    And she was right, Leonica was the best daughter inw, even after the she passed away and Gabriel seemed swarmed with work, she had been the one taking care the funeral preparations and still managed to take care of him at that moment.


    A sigh escaped his lips as he ced the empty beer mug on the table and tried remembering when everything had gone wrong.


    After a while, he could pin point the exact date through his alcohol blurred memory.


    Everything had began going down hill the day he got a call from Angelina. She had just returned to Oslo after several years, but had no one to pick her up.


    Obviously, he wanted to volunteer, but Leonica, who at that time, he had thought was being too noisy in his personal life, had objected, reminding him of the promise he made to histe Grandmother, whichter led to him kicking her out of the car, something he greatly regretted now that he thought back to it.


    After that, he had sessful picked Angelina up, but a couple of rogue children who had been running around, knocked her into the airport''s decorative fountain. Gabriel who tried to pull her out, ended up slipping and falling in the fountain with her, getting soaked in the process.


    He offered for her to dry off at his ce after they had both gotten out, and now that he thought about it, that was the one move on his path that caused things to escte at a rapid.


    Leonica returned home after that and misunderstood things between he and Angelina, and he didn''t make much effort to clear things up and even dared to hit her.


    Chuckling, he shook his head at his own past action. "Gabriel, you stupid stupid fool," He mumbled, reaching for the new beer mug the bartender had just served. "You lost her, and it''s all because you were an idiot."


    The bartender didn''tment on his words, but chose to clean the ss that he had in his hands.


    "Why didn''t I realize earlier? I should have listened to grandma. I should have loved Leonica." He repeated over and over again as he drank one ss after another.


    After a while, the bartender had to step in. "Sir, it''s gettingte, is there someone I can call toe get you."


    "Someone you can call?" Gabriel muttered and secondster, Leonica''s face popped up in his mind. "Leonica. I want to talk to Leonica," He said as he reached for his phone in his pocket, scrolling through his dialer to find Leonica''s number.


    He clicked on it and pressed the phone close to his ear, listening to it as it rang. For a split second, he had been sure that she wasn''t going to answer, but on the forth ring, the phone was answered.


    "Leo? Leonica can you hear me?" He asked, his words slurring.


    There was no response from the other side, but Gabriel could hear the shuffling sound, so he continued.


    "I''m sorry Leo, I shouldn''t have treated you the way I did when we were married. I shouldn''t have brought Angelina into our house and I shouldn''t have raised my hand against you, Leo and I sure as hell shouldn''t have gotten Billy to watch you. I''m so fucking sorry, so pleasee back to me, or let''s start over. Please, I''ll change, I swear." He paused, waiting for a reply, but once again, nothing. "Please Leonica, just forgive me onest time ande back to me, with Ashley and let''s make things work." "Gabriel,"


    "Yes, I''m here." He responded, his voice slightly louder.


    "This isn''t Leonica, this is Owen." The male spoke and Gabriel''s face immediately paled.


    "Where...where''s Leonica?" He asked, fully aware of what it meant for Owen to have Leonica''s phone around five minutes past two.


    "Sleeping." Came Owen''s answer. "Today had been pretty stressful for her."


    And he was the cause of it, Gabriel thought and chewed on his lips.


    "Can I talk to her, please." He requested, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice, but failed.


    The line was silent for a few seconds before Owen softly replied. "I''m sorry, but you can''t."


    Understandable. Owen was keeping to the exact words he had told him back at the hospital, he was protecting Leonica from things that were considered harmful to her and at the this point, he was sure that he fit under the category of those who weren''t supposed to be around her. He shook his head. How fucking Hrious that he had gone from husband to being ssified as harmful, by his ex wife''s fucking Fianc¨¦.


    "You messed up Gabriel," Owen spoke after a while. "But I think it''s my position for me to give you advice, you''re my rival in love, and I sure as hell aren''t open my eyes and hand Leonica over to you on a silver tter. Though I doubt she''d allow that. She''d probably have my head before I can pull something like that."


    For the first time, both Gabriel and Owen agreed on one thing, chuckling light.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "But with all that said, I still wish you luck, try your best to make up with her, or don''t. It''s none of my business."


    And with that, the line went dead.


    Gabriel didn''t put the phone down, but held it close to his ears for a long while, thinking hard about Owen''s words. Did he...really have a chance to make up with Leonica?


    Lloyd was sleeping soundly in his bed with Anastasia beside him when he suddenly got a phone call.


    The ringing of his phone disturbed him and he was quick to answer the call, hoping that it had not disturbed Anastasia.


    "Hello," He answered, his voice hoarse, as he nced at the digital clock on his night stand. "It''s two in the morning, who is it?"


    "I apologize for disturbing your sleep sir, but a friend of yours happens to be passed out drunk at my bar."


    "A friend of mine?" This prompts Lloyd to pull the phone away from his face, sighing loudly when he saw the number calling belonged to Gabriel. "That idiot, what the fuck is he doing?" "He had been drinking all night, sir."


    Lloyd sighed, running his hand through his hair as he nced back at Anastasia, confirming that she was still sleeping. "Alright, I''m on my way, please send me his location."


    Ending the call, he stood up and began to get dressed, but half way in, Anastasia stirred in her sleep and woke up.


    "Lloyd?" She rubbed her eyes, ncing at the digital clock as she sat up. "It''s two in the morning, where are you going?"


    "Sorry for waking you up," Lloyd


    walked up to her, kissing her head as a form of apology before answering her question. "It''s Gabriel, the idiot is drunk and passed out at some bar."


    en


    "What?"


    IMS


    "He and Leonica must have gotten into a fight, she''s the only reason why I can imagine him being this way." Lloyd replied, pulling his jacket on.


    "I''ll go with you."


    "No," Lloyd shook his head. "Go back to sleep. I''ll handle this and join you shortly."


    Anastasia hesitated. "Are you sure?"


    "Yes, Don''t worry, I''ll be fine. I''ll be back in an hour or so."


    Anastasia didn''t argue, simply nodding her head and allowing him to leave the room, heading towards the direction of the garage. When he was gone, she flopped back on the bed and sighed. Leonica and Gabriel, those two weren''t really the bestbination.


    Leonica woke up in the middle of the


    night to find the space beside her empty. Owen wasn''t in bed, but


    instead, she could feel the chilly


    breezeing from the balcony not to far from her bed.


    Pushing the sheets off her, she slipped her feet into her slippers and headed towards the balcony.


    When she pushed the door open, she found Owen leaning on the railing, his back facing her as he stared into the distant darkness. "Owen?" He turned around at the sound of her voice, a smile gracing his lips.


    "Hey luce mia."


    "What are you doing here?" She asked as she came to stand beside him, only for him to wrap her in his arm, pulling into his chest.


    "I was just thinking, sorry if I woke you up."


    Leonica shook her head. "You didn''t. What are you thinking about?"


    "The future," He paused. "Our future."


    Leonica hummed. "What about it?"


    "What if we need up like you and Gabriel?" His question was enough to clear a certain degree of sleep from Leonica''s eyes and she looked up at him.


    "That would never happen to us, Owen." She assured, reaching her palm up with cup his face with a soft smile. "Because I really, really love you."


    Hearing those three words ''I love you'' from Leonica for the very first time since they began dating, felt like music to Owen''s ears and a smile graced his lips.


    He ced his hand above Leonica''s


    hand, pressing it more to his cheek


    as he looked down at her with a gentle gaze. "I''m d you do." He responded, leaning in and giving her a kiss on her lips. "Because I do too, luce mia."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Found Dead.

    "Ugh," Lloyd groaned as he helped Gabriel into his house, tossing him on the first chair he came across. "Fuck! You''re heavy man!" The person he was talking to, groaned, but managed to pull himself into a seating position, burying his face into the palm of his hand.


    "Why in God''s name would you even get so drunk?" Lloyd asked as he walked over to the mini bar and grabbed a bottle of water, tossing it to Gabriel who happened to catch it, once he had gotten close. "Did you happen to fight with Leonica?" Gabriel didn''t answer immediately, instead, he chugged half of the water down, hoping to sober himself up.


    It worked to some extent.


    "She found out that I put Billy up to watching her." He simply said, but that was enough to give Lloyd the full picture.


    "Bloody hell Gabriel," He hissed. "I warned you not to do that. Leonica isn''t your average chick, she''s smarter than them and can easily spot Billy."


    Gabriel silently looked at the water bottle in his hand, trying to crack his brain for a way to make up with Leonica.


    What could he do that''s get her to really forgive him? He pondered, but s, came up with nothing but a nk board.


    He wanted to me it on the alcohol in his blood, but knew better than that. He had always been horrible with handling emotions ever since he was a kid and if youpare the current him to his younger self, on the basis of handling emotions, then it was safe to say that he had grown in that department.


    "What do I do, Lloyd?" He spoke after a while, earning a scoff from his best friend.


    "No, you don''t get to ask me that. Especially when I kicked against this idea of yours. Christian and I warned you, didn''t we."


    They did. Gabriel recalled them hitting hard on the matter and trying to get him go about it.


    He should have listened to them back then.


    "Look," Lloyd began, gaining his best friend''s attention enough for the male to look up. "The only good advice I can give you right now, is to go back to the drawing board. If you want to fix this, you have to make up some really big ns, and that''s not an easy thing to do." Gabriel didn''t respond, instead, his eyes shifted from Lloyd to the water bottle in his hands.


    How the hell was he meant to go back to the drawing board if even that had been totally destroyed?


    "Well, I''ve said all I wanted to say." Lloyd dusted his hands, as he prepared to leave the Gabriel''s house. "If you want to save your rtionship with Leonica, the next move is yours. Good luck."


    And then he was gone, leaving Gabriel all alone with his thoughts for the rest of dawn.


    Leonica woke up feeling like she had a bit of a sour throat and the sniffles. She med it on the weather when in reality, it was because she had soaked in the bath for far too long, but that didn''t change the fact that she was sick. Thankfully it was Sunday and she didn''t need to do anything. Just as she was contemting rooting in the folds of her duvet, the door to her room opened and Ashley, along with Owen who was carrying a small tray, walked into her room. "Mommy, you''re awake." Ashley eximed, a big smile on his face as he jumped on the bed.


    Leonica forced herself up into a sitting position. "Yeah," She said, smiling back at her son and giving him a Pat on the head, careful as not to spread the cold.


    Turning to face Owen, she scanned the tray in his hand. "And what is that?"


    "Breakfast," Owen smiled, walking towards her. "Ashley insisted that hee help me prepare breakfast for you since we both noticed you were running a fever.


    "He did?" Leonica asked, raising her eyebrow as she turned her head back towards her son, earning a nod. "That''s so sweet of you, both of you." She opened her arms and beckoned them in. "Both my boys get a hug for this." Owen ced the tray on her bed side and allowed her to pull both him and Ashley in a tight hug.


    "Thanks


    or taking


    care of me, boys."


    She


    as


    bright smile on her lipsCopyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    kissed them both on their


    cheeks.


    =


    "Anything for you, luce mia." Owen whispered, pulling away and handing her the tray.


    "Yeah, we''d do anything for you mommy." Ashley said, mimicking Owen''s actions and climbing out of bed.


    Leonica smiled and turned her attention to the tray, opening it to see the content.


    A bowl of porridge with a cup of tea, a ss of juice and two tablets.


    "I didn''t know you could cook," Shemented, taking a spoonful of the porridge and eating it.


    It tastes more delicious than anything Leonica had ever tasted.


    The power of love, she told herself, butter cringed.


    "This is delicious, Owen and Ashley." Shepliment and both of them grinned at her.


    A few minutester she was done with the porridge and had taken the drug.


    "Let''s leave mommy to rest now," Owen suggested as he picked the tray and headed for the door.


    Leonica bade them goodbye for the time being andid back down,


    "You''re right, I should let you rest."


    Stealing onest peck, Owen r of


    e room, leaving Lect


    out


    as won the content belongs to


    He really was growing on her and she was surprisingly getting used to him being around.


    Perhaps they should move in together-?


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing.


    She yed around the side table for a while, eventually finding the device.


    "Yes hello?" She presses it to her ear after answering.


    "Ms. Romero," It was Kennedy.


    "Kennedy, do you have a talent for calling on Sundays or what?"


    "I apologize, Ms. Romero, but you know I wouldn''t have called if it wasn''t important."


    She sighed, true. "Okay, what is it?"


    "Please turn on you television,"


    She nced at the remote. It was too far away.


    "I''m not around one," She lied. "What''s the matter?"


    "It''s Mr. Vanadas, he was found dead in his office two days ago."

 The Connection...

    "Mr. Vanadas, he was found dead in his office two days ago."


    "What?!" Leonica bolted upright and rushed for the television remote, turning it on at once. She quickly found a news station and switched the channel to that.


    "...two days ago. We''re yet to receive an official statement from the police, but from our sources, it''s been confirmed that cause of death was a stroke from Overworking." The news anchor on the screen announced.


    "Death from overworking," Leonica parroted but she found it hard to believe, after all, thest time she had seen Jamil, he looked more than capable to fuck a thousand women.


    So howe he was found dead from overworking?


    "Thepany will be closed for the next week or two while the staff mourns his loss and we await the final statement from the police, thank you." The anchor added and Leonica switched off the television, turning back towards her phone. She parted her lips to speak, but honestly didn''t know what to say. She hated Jamil, yes, but never wished death on him. So seeing the news of his sudden death,pletely caught her off guard.


    "But Ms. Romero, there''s something I think you should know." The sound of Kennedy''s voice snapped her out of her thought.


    "What is it?" She demanded.


    "The police found a small vile in the office of Mr. Vanadas, besides his body."


    "A vile?" Leonica inquired.


    "Yes, and the police have concluded that it contained some sort of antidote."


    Leonica was silent. An antidote? Did that mean Jamil''s death wasn''t actually caused from overworking?


    Someone killed him? Who?


    Her brows narrowed. "Who found Jamil Vanadas?"


    "Uh," There was a small pause as Kennedy pulled the paper out from the file his sources had delivered to him. "Florence Winslow."


    Florence huh, Leonica felt like there was more to Jamil''s death than met the eyes and even though her brain was telling her not to get involved, her gut feeling was pushing her into the opposite direction. For some reason, she felt like this also revolved around her.


    "What''s Florence Winslow''s current location, Kennedy?" At her question, Kennedy turned to hisptop and typed a few things and the location of said girl popped up. "The general church." He informed.


    A befitting ce to be on Sunday, Leonica nodded at the thought. "Thanks, Kennedy." She finally responded, ending the call.


    She tossed the phone aside and walked towards her bathroom, taking a quick shower.


    Once she was done, she got dressed and made her way to the kitchen, where Owen and Ashley were busy with their little cooking session.


    "Leonica?" Owen was surprised to see the once sick female walking. He quickly rounded the counter and stood in front of her. "Why are you out of bed?"


    "I need to see someone," Owen took her temperature with the back of his hand as she spoke. "I''m fine, Owen. I''m just going to a church and will be back shortly."


    He didn''t look convinced, mostly because her temperature was still a bit above average.


    "Can''t that wait, luce mia? You''re still sick."


    "I''ve taken drugs, Owen. I''m fine." She insisted, gently pushing his hand away from her face. "I won''t be out long."


    "Leonica," Owen began again and as much as Leonica appreciated his care towards her, being the ever loving fianc¨¦ he had sworn to be, she needed to get to the bottom of this and figure out what had really happened to Jamil Vanadas. "Owen," She took a step forward, pressing her hand to his chest and looking up at him. "I really really have to go." Her eyes searched his, begging him to understand how urgent the situation was.


    "What happened?" He asked.


    Leonica didn''t see any need to hide what''s going on from him, after all, it was spreading on the news like wildfire. "Jamil''s dead," She said. "But It isn''t a normal death."


    "And how does that have anything to do with you?" Owen quizzed.


    "I feel like it does. Call me crazy or even Unhinged, but I feel like I''m meant to know something about Jamil''s death," She paused again and looked him straight in the eyes. "Please don''t try to stop me."


    Owen wanted to, but knew he couldn''t. When Leonica had put her mind to something, she was going to get it done, whether or not he tries to stop her.


    "Be back before lunch," He told her as he stepped aside and joined Ashley, who was now with Grace, behind the counter.


    Leonica could only but chuckle at his words. Be back before lunch, that made him sound like a stay at home husband.


    "Mommy, are you going somewhere? Aren''t you sick?" Ashley asked.


    "Not at all," Leonica stated as she rounded the counter and ced a kiss on Ashley''s forehead. "You and Owen took care of me so well that the sickness got scared and ran off." Ashley giggled at her words and Leonica couldn''t help but ruffle his hair. "Where are you going mommy?"


    "Church," She answered, smiling brightly at him. "I need to see someone, but I promise, I''ll be back before lunch."


    "Okay," Ashley seemed to be satisfied with her answer and continued stirring the batter for his pancake.


    With a smile, Leonica leaned up and ced a kiss on Owen''s cheek. "I''ll see you soon." "See you," Owen smiled and watched her leave.


    Arriving at the general Church, Leonica was surprised to find it more crowded than she had expected.


    She scanned the crowd for a while, before spotting Florence in a white and ck dress, speaking with one of the pastors in a corner slightly away from the crowded congregation.


    Never took her as a religious one, Leonica thought as she approached the female, stopping a few meters away and watching her.


    After a while, the Pastor whom she had been speaking with, patted Florence on the shoulder and left and Leonica walked towards her.


    "Florence,"


    Florence spun around upon hearing her name, her eyes falling on the familiar woman. Her face crumbled up quickly, showing her displeasure for seeing Leonica. "What are you doing here?" She asked.


    "I came to see you. We need to talk." Leonica went straight to the point, seeing no use in beating around the bush.


    Florence eyed her suspiciously at her answer. "What about?"


    "Jamil''s death," Florence tensed up, which didn''t go past Leonica. "You were the one who found him, weren''t you?"


    "So what if I was?" Florence retorted, turning on her heels and walking the opposite way. "I''m not interested in speaking about him."


    Leonica grabbed her arm, halting her movement and making her turn back to her. "I don''t care about your interest, Florence, I just need a few simple answers."


    Florence roughly yanked her hand free, ring daggers at Leonica. "Whatever your questions are, I''m not giving answers." She spat, about to return to her seat when a younger girl rushed to her.


    "Flora look at this " The girl showed


    =


    Q Search...


    news article of Jamil''s death. "Isn''t that your boss?" She asked as looked


    From her phone, at


    ƪ


    Florence then at Leonica who was behind Florence, flinching when she saw the woman''s familiar face.


    "You''re..."


    Menu


    Home


    >


    Contact


    "I-I," Lana stuttered, taking a step back and hiding her phone behind her back.


    Florence was quick to step in front of Lana, shielding her sister from Leonica. "Don''t you think bullying a minor is too shameless."


    "I wasn''t bullying her," Leonica


    carried her hand up in the air, but her gaze still remained on Lana who had began shaking. "I saw simply asking a question. But, I can ask my question to you instead, if you''re willing to answer."


    Florence flinched this time around when Leonica looked her way, smiling from ear to ear.


    "Go to Pastor Goodman, Lana," She instructed her sister. "I''ll be there in a few minutes."


    Lana nodded and turned around, leaving Florence and Leonica alone.


    "What do you want know?" She asked once her sister had scurried over to their family pastor.


    "You were the one who found Jamil, correct? Did you notice anything weird?"


    "Except from the fact that his dying face was extremely ugly, no." She sarcastically answered, earning a indifferent expression from Leonica who wasn''t biting into her bullshit.


    "There was a vile beside him," She said at once. "It had this weird greenish liquid."


    "Anything else?"


    "Nothing," Florence crossed her hands over her chest. "That''s all I know."N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Leonica hummed. If that was really all Florence knew, then perhaps she could take her words and leave, but something deep inside her gut was telling her not to do that. "Was Jamil acting weirdtely? Did he change any of his behavior?"


    Florence shook her head. "Everything was the same."


    So he wasn''t being threatened, she clicked her tongue in disappointment. She wasted her timeing here only to get the type of information that she could have gotten online.


    "Is that all you want to know? Would you leave my sister and I alone now?"


    "I was never after the both of you in the first ce," Leonica answered in a dismissive tone as she turned around and began walking. "Do make sure to tell me if you remember something else."


    "I''d much rather tell the police." Florence retorted.


    "Then do just that, it''s none of my business." She waved her hand in the air, ignoring the words that Florence muttered underneath her breath as she walked out of the church.


    Getting into her car, she sighed and leaned back again her seat, closing her eyes.


    She had hoped that talking to Florence would clear her suspicions, but s, it only left her more confused than ever. But one thing was sure, Jamil''s death wasn''t ordinary.


    Just as she turned on the engine of her car, about to drive off, Florence suddenly appeared beside her window, knocking on it.


    "What is it?" Leonica asked as she rolled her windows down.


    "You asked if there was something else, there is." Florence''s words had her brows knitting. "But I''m not sure if it''s help."


    "Then why are you telling me?"


    "Because it has something to do with you?" Leonica cocked her head before Florence continued, "That half sister of yours, Irene was her name?"


    "What about her?" Leonica felt her confusion rising up.


    "I saw her stepping out of his office that very same day. But like I said, I''m sure not if it''d help." She said, rushing off when Pastor Goodman walked out to beckon her inside, apparently Florence was part of the churches choir. "I''ve told you all I know, so please stay away from my sister." With that, she rushed in, leaving Leonica to her thoughts.


    Irene had been thest person Jamil saw. Irene had also tried ratting Jamil out because he obviously screwed her over. So did that mean...?


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing and her facepletely darkened when she looked at the caller ID and saw Irene''s name shing across the screen.

 What About Mommy Dearest?

    Leonica sped towards her family house at full speed, feeling extremely panicked and on edge as she recalled the conversation she had with Irene back at the Church''s parking lot. "Irene," Leonica had called out after answering the phone. "Why are you calling me?"


    "You wound me Leonica!" Irene eximed, being unnecessary dramatic. "Are siblings not allowed to call one another?"


    Not us, Leonica thought as she tried thinking of a reason why Irene had called, it certainly wasn''t so that they can bond over boy talk.


    After a few seconds of thinking, she came up with nothing and Irene, showed no sign of revealing the reason why she had called, so Leonica took this as an opportunity to confirm the thought that had slipped into her mind after Florence informed her of Irene''s appearance at Jamil''s office. "Since you don''t want to talk, I''ll ask you this. Do you happen to know anything about Jamil Vanadas''s death."


    "That Asshole?" She scoffed, not sounding the least bit surprised to hear about his death. Although Leonica knew his death was all over the news, she couldn''t help but feel that Irene was sounding a bit too rxed. "So he actually didn''t make it." Sheughed, the sound causing Leonica''s brows to dip.


    Now she was just sounding as if she had already known Jamil''s fate.


    "Then," Leonica started. "Are you the reason he didn''t make it."


    The line was silent for a while and that''s when Irene said the words that put Leonica onplete edge. "You''re worrying about that dead fool, what about mommy dearest?"


    Leonica''s expression became puzzled. "What?"


    Irene didn''t respond immediately and the next sound that she heard had shivers running down her spine. Somewhere in the background, Leonica could hear her mother screams as she struggled against wherever she was tied to.


    Leonica felt her blood run cold, while Irene who had already predicted this reaction,ughter maniacally. "Didn''t see thising, did you? But don''t worry, I''m a very generous person, so I''ll give you an hour to process the situation. Ciao, sister." And with that, the call ended.


    She immediately tried calling back, but was met with a dial tone.


    She didn''t bother calling again, knowing full well that it wouldn''t get her anywhere. She could only but hope that Irene wasn''t crazy enough to harm her mother, if she did have her.


    The ride to the manor was a quick one, and in a matter of seconds, after pulling into the parking lot, Leonica had barged through the doors of her house, stopping short when she saw all sorts of men dressed in ck suits, pacing her house with equipment set up in her living room.


    "Leonica?" The sound of Melvin''s voice had her turning to the direction it hade from, and sure enough, there he was. He had been speaking to some of the men in suits when he had noticed her standing by the door, staring.


    "What''s going on?" She asked as she walked up to him, even though she already knew the answer to her question.


    Melvin dismissed the men in ck he had been speaking to. "Leonica, there''s something I have to tell you," He started, looking more hesitant than he sounded.


    "What''s happening going? Why are all these people in our house and where is mother?" Leonica had so many questions, but all she wanted was answers.


    Melvin looked like he was having a hard time, trying to gather the right words. After a few minutes of silence, he sighed. "I don''t know how to say this, but, mother''s been...kidnapped."


    Leonica didn''t speak and he could see the rage burning in her eyes.


    "How long?"


    Melvin lowered his head. "Two days."


    "And you kept this from me?" Leonica hissed. "She''s been missing for two days and you kept this from me?"


    "I''m sorry." Melvin said but he truly wasn''t. He had chosen to keep this away from Leonica, knowing all the troubles she currently had on her own te. He didn''t want to stress her, but clearly, that was a mistake. A mistake he didn''t regret. But while he didn''t regret keeping it from Leonica, he knew she was going to tear him apart at any given time. Thankfully, the appearance of their father saved him before that could happen?


    "Leonica?"


    The blonde turned around to see her father and she felt her heart aches at his sight. He looked sleep deprived, his eyes bloodshot and the usual suit he had worn, had been reced with a pair of casual clothing.


    "Dad?" She muttered as she walked up to him, pulling him into a much needed hug. He hugged back, tighter. "Why did you keep this from me?"Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    "You already had enough on your te, Leonica, we couldn''t keep troubling you."


    "You still should have told me," She said as they pulled apart. "Mother is more important than anything else."


    Benjamin shed his daughter a weak smile. He truly appreciated her devotion towards the family. Ever since she had been a child, she always put the needs of their family first, before hers.


    Benjamin felt, no, he knew he couldn''t have wished for a better daughter.


    "Thank you, Leonica."


    She could only but smile back.


    "Mr. Romero," One of the men wearing a ck suits spoke as he approached them. He acknowledged Leonica with a nod of his head. "The chief wishes to see you, he seems to have discovered something else." Benjamin nodded. "I''ll be there with you shortly."


    The man nodded and disappeared, leaving the father daughter duo alone, who wereter joined by Melvin.


    "Leonica," He hesitated, not sure if she''d rip off his head at any second.


    She red at him. "You and I, we''re going to seat down and talk about this action of yours once this is over."


    Melvin gulped, silently nodding his head as Leonica turned her attention back to their father.


    "Did the police discover something?" She asked, now realizing the identity of the men roaming her family''s house.


    "It seems so." Benjamin sighed. "Do you want toe along?" She nodded her head. "Melvin?"


    The male shook his head, looking remorseful as he spoke. "Beijing sector needs me," He said, telling them all they needed to know. "I-"


    "Go ahead," Benjamin interrupted him, waving his hand. "I''ll make sure these punks work their ass off to find Cassandra."


    Melvin still looked hesitant, but nodded. "Alright. I''ll see you soon, Father, Leonica."


    And with that, he was gone.


    Beniamin tured around beckonina


    =


    Q Search...


    She did just that, following her father from behind when he started leading her to the living room where most of the police''s equipment were set up.


    80


    "Do they...do they know anything about the person who kidnapped mother?" Leonica asked, watching as her father shook his head in disappointment. "Unfortunately, they''ve not been able to identify that yet."


    Leonica narrowed her eyes. So why did Irene call me, she thought as they walked into the living area.


    When they entered, the Chief was seated on one of the chairs, a cup of coffee in his hand as he watched the screen on the wall, a video ying.


    car that took your wife drove off to."


    d towards the screen on the wall, a map instantly popping up.


    Diviys iu


    Benjamin''s brows creased as he looked at the picture. "That...that''s one of my abandoned properties, the one that I couldn''t sell." "You''re certain this belongs to you?" Benjamin nodded. "Could you get us the exact location and map out of the surroundings?"


    Benjamin didn''t need to be told twice, he quickly rushed out of the room, eager to find out anything about his wife.


    When he returned, be had with him, the location of the property he had failed to sell, along with a rough map out of the perimeter.


    Robert took it from him and scanned it before saying, "This is good. Thank you Mr. Romero, I''ll prepare a team and we''ll head out immediately." Saying this, he turned around and called out to a few other officers, instructing them to get ready to move out.


    Benjamin seemed relieved and Leonica felt happy for him. At least now, they had a lead.


    But that relief quickly withered when Leonica recalled Irene. Why did she call in the first ce to taunt her? Was she trying to lead her into a trap?


    Leonica frowned. She didn''t like how crazy Irene had be, it made her seem like she was threat.


    Sighing, she decided to discard all thoughts of Irene, seeing as Chief Robert had already discovered her hide out. She just hoped that they get there fast enough.


    "Do you need a ss of water, dad?" Leonica asked.


    "Yes please."


    Nodding, she promised to be right back and made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water and began making her way back to the living room when she felt her phone vibrate three times.


    Her eyes caught the time across the grandfather clock and she chuckled as she realized that it must be Owen texting her, seeing as she had stayed an hour past lunch time.


    "He''s going to eat me raw," She smiled as she pulled out her phone and checked her messages, but instead of finding a series of angry texts from Owen, she saw the picture of her mother, a tape over her mouth. The picture caused her blood to turn cold.


    Ding!


    A message entered.


    [Times up. Come to this location within one hour, or mommy dearest will be served on a silver tter]


    Immediately after that text messages, another message entered, containing the supposed location of her mother.


    Leonica''s eyes narrowed when she realized that the location written in the text was different from the location of her father''s abandoned property!


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Serving Herself On A Silver Platter.

    Staring at the location of a totally different ce, Leonica became confused.


    Why was she receiving a different idea when Chief Robert has figured out where her mother was being held?


    Was this all part of Irene''s n to throw them off? Or was the building the decoy?


    Benjamin''s abandoned property was on the outskirts of town, far away from civilization and general public, so if the police were to start their journey there now, it''s take them nothing less than three hours to get there.


    But this location she had been given, Leonica thought as she opened Google map and typed it in, was closer.


    If she left now, she''d probably get there within fifteen minutes, maybe less.


    So was this the real ce her mother was being held? And was her father''s building just a decoy? Or was this ce the decoy and Irene was just trying to throw them off her trails, believing that Leonica would cry wolf to the entire police team and her father if she received this picture?


    Well, she predicted one thing correct and that was the fact that Leonica was heading to the ce, but it was just her, not the police force.


    If Irene was trying to throw them off her trail with this picture, then she''d be the one to confirm that.


    "Leonica?" Her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of her father, who was standing by the door.


    She looked up from her phone and smiled at him. "Yes father?"


    "Chief Robert wants to see you for a minute." He informed.


    Nodding her head, she walked towards the living area, handing the bottle of water over to her father as she walked past.


    "Chief Robert, you want to see me?" Leonica asked as she walked into the living area.


    Robert quickly rounded up the instruction he was giving and approached her. "Yes, I have a few questions to ask you."


    "Go ahead."


    "I asked your brother and father earlier and they stated that you were the closest to Mrs. Romero, during thest few days, did you perhaps notice anything weird? Like she being frightened or on edge?"


    Leonica shook her head. As far back as she could remember, her mother seemed normal. "No, not at all." She answered, watching as the police man nodded. "But, why are you asking this, if I may ask."


    "We''re trying to determine the kidnappers motive. If this is simply a ransom case, then they should have contacted your family by now, but they haven''t and that leads me to believe that this might not be a simple kidnapping. There might be an intent to hurt Mrs. Romero, or maybe even kill her."


    Leonica swallowed thickly, her hand tightening around her phone. She couldn''t do this, she couldn''t gamble on her mother''s life. Perhaps it was best to inform Chief Roberts, they''d know how to handle the situation faster, right? Yeah, it was best she came clean now.


    "Chief Roberts, actually-" She stopped speaking when her phone vibrated in her grasp and one glimpse at the screen told her that her actions right now, wasn''t the smartest.


    [Say one word to that smart ass officer and mommy dearest is going to lose a finger.]


    The text read.


    Leonica felt her breath hitch and she looked up, scanning the room to see if anyone was watching her. When her search discovered nothing fruitful, she nced back down at her phone screen. Irene was watching her. One way or the other, else she couldn''t have randomly guessed that she was about to open up to the police man.


    Leonica looked away from her phone once again, except this time around, her eyes scanned the surrounding space not for humans, but for any form of a device that remotely looked like a camera. "Ms. Romero?" The sound of Roberts voice snapped her out of her search and she looked his way, shing him a small smile.


    "I''m sorry, what were you saying?"


    "You were about telling me something," He reminded. "What was it."


    Leonica''s hold on her phone tightened. "Nothing, please ignore me."


    "Is that so?" He hummed, nodding his head as he regarded her with a suspicious look.


    One thing he had learnt throughout his career in the police departments is that you could never trust anyone, not even the victim''s family, especially not the victims family.


    So seeing Leonica, acting the way she was, was sending red gs in his mind.


    "I understand. Be sure to inform us if the kidnapper contacts you in anyway or you remember something crucial."


    She nodded. "I will." Just as she said this, Chief Roberts partner showed up, informing him that the entire preparation was ready and they could leave now.


    As Leonica watched them leave, realization dawned on her. The location she received was the real location and her father''s building was the decoy.


    How did she know this? Well, because the moment Robert announced their departure, a new text entered her phone, this time, the message made her understand Irene''s motive so far.


    It read: Don''t y smart, don''t tell anyone. Any silly slip up, and mommy dearest gets it!


    She sighed after reading the text messages and realizing that this whole thing was a trap and she was Irene''s prey.


    But that didn''t stop her from wanting to save her mother. Rather it gave her an easier way to solve the problem.


    Walking towards her car, she passed Robert and the rest of his team on the way out, stopping just before she reached the door.


    "Chief Robert," She called, gaining the male''s attention. "Are you sure this location isn''t a decoy?"


    His brows creased. "Why would you say that?"


    Leonica looked around at all the eyes watching her. She wasn''t sure what or who was Irene''s eyes, so she yed it cool, shrugging her shoulder. "Just asking to be safe."


    Without waiting for his answer, she walked away, hoping that Robert Martins was as smart as he looked.


    It took Leonica about thirty five minutes to reach the location that Irene had sent her, the ce being an old warehouse, the type you see in movies.


    It was abandoned and looked extremely rundown with over grown weeds and rusty pipe irons.


    Leonica parked her car and got out, taking a second to scan her surrounding. The area was quiet, no human, animal or insect sight. It was almost as if she had stepped into a dead zone. She nced at her phone to see if she hade to the right ce, and indeed, she had.


    "Leonica Romero, it took you a long time to get here, but you made it. Congrattions." Irene''s voice sounded as she walked out of the building, bringing along two beefy looking men. Leonica gulped. Maybe Irene had turned out to be more trouble than she gave her credit for.


    She looked between the two men. Intimidating, size wise that is, but she wasn''t going to waver.


    "Where''s my mother?"


    "Just beyond those door," Irene pointed into the darkness behind her and Leonica squinted, trying to make out the silhouette of a figure, but failing miserably.


    "Come, let me take you to her." Irene


    suggested with a smile, but when Leonica looked like she wasn''t going to move an inch, her smile fadedpletely. "You don''t have a choice, bitch. Walk." She hissed and gestured for one of her henchman to get Leonica.


    The man quickly closed the space between them and grabbed Leonica''s upper arm, pulling her towards Irene.


    "You don''t want to do this, Irene." Leonica warned which in turn, earned her a hard p from Irene when she had gotten close enough.


    "You are not in the position to threaten me." Irene hissed and grabbed her chin, turning her face back to her. "When I''m done with you, no one would ever remember your name."


    She harshly shoved Leonica''s face away and although she wanted to fight back, at least w a few of Irene''s fakeshes out, Leonica reminded herself that she needed to stay calm in other to save her mother. "Take her inside, I''ll be in shortly." Irene ordered and watched the man drag the her into the building.


    Leonica who had willingly allowed herself be dragged in, was soon shoved into the same room as her mother.


    "Mother!" She cried out and rushed to her mother, pulling the tape of her mouth off and undoing the rope that was used to keep her bounded.


    "Leonica!" She pulled her daughter into a hug, sobbing into her hair. "My precious daughter, why did youe here? You shouldn''t have given into that witch''s demand."


    "I had no choice." Leonica whispered as she pulled away from the hug and stared at her mother. "Did she hurt you?"


    "Not really, she just tied me up."


    Leonica nodded and looked at her mother, she was pale and her eyes were swollen, her body trembled from the cold.


    "Mother," She took off her coat and draped it around her mother''s shoulder. "Stay put, I''ll get you out of here."


    "No," her mother quickly said and grabbed her hands, pulling her down. "Don''t do anything, let the police handle it. You can''t go against her. That child is more unstable than even her own mother."


    "I hear you gossiping about me," Irene said as she walked into the room, hands tucked arrogantly in her pocket. "I guess even now the two of you can''t keep what doesn''t belong to you out of your mouth." She sneered. "Why are you doing this, Irene?" Leonica asked as she pushed her mother behind herself. "What do you want from me?"


    Irene gritted her teeth. She hated how Leonica still sounded so calm despite having been kidnapped. But then again, she had given herself in on a silver tter, so why wouldn''t she be calm?


    "You stole everything that was


    meant to be mine," She started. "A loving father a perfect family, a rich upbringing, the perfect life, which was meant to be mine, but your stut of a mother just had to fucking step into the picture and even when I tried to get it back, you," She pointed her finger at Leonica, her temper quickly rising at the sight of her indifferent face. "Ruined myst shot."


    "So when you ask what I want," She stepped forward and looked Leonica in the eyes as she spat. "I want you and your mother to suffer. But I''d give you both the grace to enjoy this mother daughter reunion, before I rip the life out of you two." C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    With those words, she turned around and walked towards the door.


    "Irene," Leonica called out, making said girl stop and turn to her. "Answer this, did you kill Jamil?"


    "That arrogant fool," Irene smirked. "It was his fault for thinking he could use me. So yes, I killed him."


    And with that, she turned around and left.


    "Oh Leonica, what are we going to do?" Cassandra asked.


    "We wait," Leonica said as she say down and sighed.


    If the Robert is smart, the police force should be swarming this ce in less than two hour, so until then, they''d just need to seat tight.


    If not, she''d have to result to n B.


    "Candace," Robert called out to his partner who was beside him as they drive towards the location of Benjamin''s abandoned building. "Don''t you think Leonica Romero was acting strange earlier?" "Family members act strange in situations like this, don''t just put her on the suspect list." Came Candace reply as she typed on herptop, refusing to give her partner even a second''s nce. "No, not that weird." Robert rified. "It was like she had something to say, yet couldn''t and thenter on, she told me something really weird."


    ""What was it?"


    "Are you sure this location isn''t a decoy?" He vaguely repeated Leonica''s words. "What do you think it means?"


    Candace shrugged. "Perhaps it was a silent message."


    Silent message? Robert thought back to the interaction he had with her earlier, her behavior and the way she looked, the way her eyes kept shifting towards her phone.


    And then it clicked. His partner was right, Leonica had left him a silent message and he knew just what it was.


    "Candace," He called out as he suddenly swerved to the side, going off course. "Find out where Leonica Romero is at this moment."


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 Underestimating Her...

    Leaning her head against the wall, Leonica stared up at the ceiling, counting the minutes in her head. It had been approximately an hour since she got here and there was still no sign of Chief Robert.


    She sighed. Perhaps she shouldn''t have put her safety in his hands. She wasn''t even sure how smart he was, she had simply trusted him.


    "You''re regretting it, aren''t you?" Her mother''s voice had her ncing her way.


    "What?"


    "Coming here?" Cassandra rified as she sat beside her daughter.


    Leonica shook her head. "I regret nothing." She smiled and pulled her mother closer. "We''re going to get out of this, and we''re going to bring her down. I promise."


    Cassandra nodded and hugged her daughter, a soft smile gracing her lips. If her daughter wasn''t willing to regret, neither would she.


    "I hope the police find us soon." She sighed. "I hope your father finds us soon." She added.


    Leonica chuckled. "They will."


    Her mother mirrored her smile, taking her finger which had her engagement ring on it and fiddling with it. "If...no, once we get out of this, let''s go pick a wedding dress for you." Leonicaughed, a genuine one. "Mother, isn''t it too early for that? Owen just proposed."


    "Your father and I didn''t even love ourselves when we got married, yet look how we turned out; happy with wonderful children such as yourself and your siblings." She sighed. "I know Owen is a great man, so I want to make sure that you two have a proper wedding. I''ll do anything to ensure that." Leonica hugged her mother closer. "Thank you mother, I really appreciate it."


    The sound of the door opening caught both their attention and Leonica quickly shielded her mother with her body as the footsteps became louder.


    "Well, well, well, the mother daughter duo is enjoying themselves, aren''t they?" Irene haunted as she walked in, the man from earlier walking behind her. She stopped in front of her captives and eyed Leonica mostly. "Time''s up."


    Turning to the guy behind her, she gestured for him to get Leonica and he wasted no time approaching her. "Get away from my daughter." Cassandra hissed, her hands wrapping protectively around her daughter. Irene sneered. "Shut up you stupid whore. All this is happening because you existed in the first ce." "Stick to one thing, Irene," Leonica couldn''t help but roll her eyes as the man yanked her up by the arm. "What?" Irene questioned, eyes twitching at how nonchnt her younger half sister seemed.


    "Well, at first you said this happened because I came into the picture and then you said it was because of my mother and I and now, you''re ming my mother. You''re contradicting yourself." Leonica chuckled, watching the color on Irene''s face turn red. "You little bitch, I''ll-"


    "You''ll do what?" Leonica interrupted her, the calm expression on her face vanishing and reced with a nk look. "You want to harm us, right?" She scoffed. "Just because you seeded in killing Jamil doesn''t mean you''re a mastermind killer, Irene." "You bitch." Irene mused.


    "Leonica, what are you doing?" Cassandra whispered to her daughter, worry evident in her tone. She couldn''t understand why Leonica was provoking her, especially after the stunt she had just pulled. "What? I''m just saying the truth. If it pisses you off so much, take it up with me."


    Irene was livid, she was practically steaming from the ears and her henchman could sense her agitation, which was why he tightened his grip around Leonica''s arm, causing her to wince.


    But she didn''t back down. "Why are really doing this? It''s obvious that you don''t like my mother and I, but what do wish to gain from getting rid of us?" "Everything," Came Irene''s answer. "I''ll gain back the life you both stole and my father''s love. With you no longer around, I''ll be his favorite daughter." "And if your n fails? What are you going to do then?" Leonica asked.


    "I guess we''d never know." Irene answered, chuckling devilishly as she turned to the henchman. "Take her out."


    "No!" Cassandra screamed as she stood up. "Let my daughter go, I beg of you."


    Irene didn''t spare her a nce as the henchman began dragging Leonica away, she only looking back to offer her mother a reassuring look, that everything was going to be okay. She was dragged out the door and into a room that had no furniture at all.


    "So, how are you going to kill me?" She asked as the man shoved her into the room.


    She stumbled a bit, but once she had gotten her bnce, she took note of what and what were in the room she had been shoved in.


    A small bed and a camera already set up.


    She frowned, so that''s how it was going to be. Ruin her reputation and then kill her off, making it seem like she had ran away because of the shame the video brought on her. The perfect way to escape suspicion.


    "So You''re not going to kill me."


    "No, We''re going to have some fun." The man smirked as he closed the door behind them, turning to face her with a sickening smile.


    She quickly stepped back when he approached her, but the man was quick to close the distance between them, grabbing her by the wrist.


    "Don''t fucking touch me." She spat, trying to fight him off, which was a bad option as the very next second, the man pped her right across the face.


    The impact sent her flying towards the bed. Her mind spun and her mouth instantly filled with the taste of copper.


    "Ah!" She cried out in pain, gently touching where the henchman had pped her.


    "What''s wrong?" He leaned down, gazing at her with a sickening satisfaction in his eyes, almost as if he enjoyed see her in pain. "Does it hurt?"


    She gritted her teeth and tightened her jaw, but she wasn''t given the time to answer as the henchman yanked her up from the bed, pulling her close to his body.


    "Let''s see what everyone sees in you, Ms. Romero."


    "Oh, I''ll show you," Leonica said and suddenly reached into the back of her trousers, pulling out a gun and aiming it straight at the man''s leg.


    "You should have checked me for weapons, idiot." She said and pulled the trigger, shooting him in the leg.


    The man fell to the ground, screaming as blood pooled out his wound.


    "What woman would serve herself on a silver tter without some sort of self defense?" She said as she stalked around him, staring down at him like a prey as she spat out the blood in her mouth. She looked at the gun and smirked. Boy was she d she had taken it from her car at thest moment.


    "I''ve got to give it to Irene, I thought


    she''d kill me


    me or


    even ce me on the


    ck market, but she decided to ruin my body and reputation. That''s quite creative." She smiled as the man whimpered in pain, the gunshot wound on his leg not seeming to heal any time soon.


    "What''s the matter? Does it hurt?"


    She asked, mocking his words from earlier as she cocked the gun. The man looked like he was about to explode from anger, but seeing as he couldn''t even get up, he could do nothing.


    "Now, what should I do with you? Kill you," She clicked her tongue. She didn''t have the stomach tomit murder. "Or hand you over to the police?" "Gustavo?" Irene''s voice sounded out from the other end, followed by the sound of her footstep as she approached. "I heard you scream, is something wrong?" Leonica nced at the door, then back at the man on the ground and smirked. "How about we y a game of hostage."


    As Irene pushed open the door, Leonica had the gun pressed against the man''s temple, who was on his knees, begging for his life.


    "Your fucking Henchman forgot to check me weapons." Leonica said as she watched Irene''s face fall. "Stupid, isn''t he?"


    "Your mother isn''t too far from here, I can still hurt her."


    Leonica''s jaws tightened, but she quickly schooled her expression, trying her best not to let it show that Irene''s words had gotten to her.


    "Then do it," She challenged, pointing the guns barrow at her. "But first you''d have to get out of here with both your legs."


    Irene barked augh. "It''s not in you to pull the trigger, Leonica-" The rest of her words were interrupted when said girl aimed at the floor beside her and fired one shot.


    "Perks of growing up in a rich family


    on the top of the food chamber is that you''re taught how to defend yourself, even if that means killing. So I''d watch that mouth of yours because I won''t hesitate to blow a hole in your pretty face."


    Irene''s expression became serious, hiding all her emotions, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.


    "You''re bluffing," She spat.


    "Am I?" Leonica asked and pointed the gun towards the man on his knees. "Shall we find out." She pulled the trigger, the bullet grazing the man''s skin and he fell forward, his body trembling. "Do you want me to try again? I''m sure this time," She aimed it at Irene. "it won''t be a graze." Irene face lost all form of arrogance and confidence and she scoffed. "What...do you want?" "Easy, you''re going to call off the rest of your stupid dogs, get me my mother and allow the both of us walk out of here, unharmed."


    "And if I say no?" Irene''s answer came in the form of a bullet flying past her head and etching itself in the wood behind her. "Next one won''t be a warning."


    Irene clenched her jaw, she had really misjudged Leonica and had now ended up losing to her.


    "Fine. Your mother is in the room just down the Hall."


    "I know, lead the way."


    Gritting her teeth, Irene made her way to the room. She couldn''t believe she had underestimated Leonica.


    She was really stupid.


    Leonica was on her heels, the gun in her hand and pointed towards Irene''s head.


    When they arrived at the room, Irene opened the door and called out to the henchman that had been positioned inside to watch Cassandra. "We''re letting them go."


    "But ma''am-"


    "No buts, get out of my way." She spat, and the guy, although reluctant,plied.


    When they stepped into the room, Cassandra was overjoyed to see her daughter.


    "Leonica, are you alright?" She asked, eyeing her daughter with worry as she ced herself beside her.


    "I''m fine," Leonica answered as she pushed Irene forward, thetter turning around with an evil glint in her eyes.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "You think you''ve won, don''t you?" Sheughed and pointed at her. "I''ll make you regret the day you decided to mess with me."


    "I doubt it." Leonica replied and turned to the henchman. "You, tie her up."


    "Don''t fucking touch me," Irene hissed and the guy ignored her, grabbing her by the arm.


    "Ma''am, please cooperate."


    "Screw you, asshole." Irene spat as the guy picked up a rope and began tying her up.


    When he was done, Leonica had Cassandra tie him up, cing both of them side by side.


    "Let''s go mother."


    Nodding, Cassandra made her way to the door, Leonica following behind her, but when the both of them reached the door, Irene spoke.


    "I''ll destroy everything you own Leonica, don''t think I''ll stop here."


    Leonica, who was holding the gun, stopped in her tracks and sighed. She turned around, facing her captors and stared at Irene.


    "No, you will stop here, because once I step out of here, I''m going to inform the police of your location and they''lle here and arrest you."


    "You think I''ll sit by and watch my life go down the drain?"


    "You can''t do anything to stop it," Leonica stated the obvious as she lead her motherpletely out of the room and grabbed the door handle. "You tried, but your greed and hatred caused you to lose it all." With those words, she mmed the door shut and walked towards the direction of the exit.


    "You won''t get away with this, Leonica! Do you hear me!" Irene''s screamed were muffled, but Leonica had no care. She wasn''t going to let anyone stand in the way of her happiness, not even her half sister. "Are you okay, dear?" Cassandra asked her daughter as they got into the car and drove away.


    "Yes, I am." Leonica answered and smiled at her mother. "We are."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 She Paid The Price More Than Once.

    "Are you sure this is the ce?" Chief Robert asked as he examined the building in front of him with his hands on his hips.


    "Yup," Candace came up behind him, holding herptop in one hand, while she typed with the other. "ording to the tracker, Ms. Leonica Romero should be here, but," She looked up from herptop at the building and her face scrunched up in confusion. "This ce looks too...dead." Robert nodded, agreeing with his partner. The building in front of them looked abandoned, no movement of any sort and it had a very dead aura around it.


    It looked like that one house straight out of a horror movie.


    Scary and pretty dead looking, but he couldn''t continue standing here. If Leonica Romero was indeed in there, she could be hurt.


    The sound of his phone ringing had Robert looking away from the building. He nced at his phone, seeing that it was the rest of his team calling.


    "Report." He said as soon as the phone was pressed against his ear.


    "Sir, we managed to discuss the identity of Mrs. Romero''s potential kidnapper."


    "Give me a name to work with."


    "Irene Romero."


    His brows furrowed. "The illegitimate child? Why would you think that?"


    "We were able to get a glimpse of the license te and ran it. Turns out the vehicle was rented under her name."


    "Good job. You guys should still maintain your current route, I''ll ce a call back to the station and have them send out some men to bring Irene Romero in."


    Ending the call, Robert made a call back to the station, requesting for backup. Once he was done, he sighed. At least they now had a suspect to work with, stops Benjamin from tearing their heads off, Literally. "Come on, we''re heading In." He turned around and gestured for Candace to follow him. She willingly did so, cing her hand on her firearm once she had discarded herptop in the back seat of their vehicle.


    "I take back what I said, Chief," She began as the walked into the house, guns pointed straight ahead. "Ms. Romero might just have asked out of curiosity sakes."


    "And the location tracker?"


    "Perhaps it malfunctioned."


    Robert chuckled. Candace was no wuss, in fact she was one of the strongest on the task force, his second inmand, but she, unlike him, tries her best to avoid violence.


    "You''re such a softie." Hemented and she rolled her eyes.


    "I''d rather be a softie and be able to sleep than a heartless robot like you."


    "That''s hurtful," Robert was about to add more words when the sound of someone whimpering from a room beside them caught his attention. "Check it out." He instructed after sharing a look with Candace. Without hesitation, she headed for the door and pulled it open, pointing her gun towards the figure that sat by the wall.


    "Don''t move," She hissed and the figure froze, raising its hand up in surrender.


    "Please... Please help me!" The man in the room weakly begged. Only when she directed her eyes towards his leg, which surprisingly had two hole, did she understand the source of his pain.


    She grimaced. "Chief,e check this out."


    Robert was beside her in second, grimacing at the sight. "Call for an ambnce." He instructed as he rushed towards the injured man, taking off his jacket so that it can be used to apply pressure. "Hey, who did this? Are they still in the building?" He asked. The man was pale and his lips quivered, but he still managed speak. "That bitch, she...she did this."


    Robert''s brows creased and he looked at Candace who had just finished calling for medics. "Who?"


    "Who else, it''s that crazy bitch!" The injured man snapped, clearly not liking the fact that the officer''s question was reminding him off the disgrace he had suffered half an hour ago.


    "Don''t strain yourself," Candace fell into the empty space on the man''s opposite side. "Is there anyone other than you in this building?"


    "How the fuck am I meant to know? That fucking bitch might have harmed them for all I know."


    Candace and Robert shared a look after his word and thetter stood up. "I''ll go check it out, you stay here."


    Candace nodded at his words as he walked away. It only took him a few more minutes before he came across another door, except this one was locked.


    He pulled on the handle and heard muffled noises from inside.


    "Mrs. Romero? Ms. Leonica?" He called out, knocking on the door, but the voice suddenly stopped. "Please step away from the door, I''ll get it open right away."


    Saying this, he points his gun at the handle of the door and with one clean shot, the lock was shattered, allowing him to easily push the door open.


    "Mrs. Romero-" Robert flinched as he walked into the room, surprised to see that it wasn''t Cassandra and Leonica tied up, but rather the illegitimate child of the Romero family and some other man. "You...you''re not Mrs. Romero." "Bright as a fucking light bulb," Irene spat, watching as the man made his way over and undid the rope that had been tied around her. "Finally." She mused while rubbing her wrist.


    Suddenly, a pair of iron cuffs were pped onto her wrist. Irene stared at them like she had seen a ghost. "What the hell?"


    "You''re under arrest." Chief Roberts simply stated.


    "On what charge?"


    "The kidnapping of Mrs. Cassandra Romero,"


    "That fucking whore-" Irene''s word were cut short when Robert ced the metal cuff on her.


    "I''d watch mynguage if I were you, for whatever you say or do can be used against you."


    Irene gritted her teeth. How was it that everything always turned out against her.


    "Chief Robert?" Candace called out and he turned around, finding his partner walking into the room. "Back up arrived."


    He nodded and shoved Irene towards her. "Take care of our suspect, would ya?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Sure thing."


    As the two walked out, Robert turned around to scan the room, ignoring the man who was still tied up as he wondered where Leonica and her mother could be.


    The tracker had said Leonica was here, yet there was no sign of her.


    His thoughts were once again interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing.


    "Sir, this location is clean." His agent tol him as soon as he had answered the phone.


    A decoy, huh? Robert sighed after instructing his agent to carry out a total sweep of the ce. So that must mean this ce was the real deal. So just where are they?


    As he walked past one of the room, the silence in the hallway was interrupted by the sound of his phone vibrating.


    Again, he thought, reaching into his pocket to pull it out, only to realize it wasn''t his phone.


    He frowned and followed the sound, leading him to back to the room he and Candace had first entered.


    His eyesnded on the phone that sat on the floor, it''s screen cracked, but still vibrating.


    He walked towards it, picking it up just as it stopped vibrating and his eyes narrowed into slits when he saw the wallpaper.


    So the tracker wasn''t wrong.


    Benjamin was beyond overjoyed when Leonica, along with Cassandra walked through the doors of his house.


    "Cassandra," He rushed up to his dear wife, pulling her into a tight hug that she reciprocated. "Thank goodness you''re okay."


    "I''m sorry for worrying you, dear." Came Cassandra''s response as she eased into the hug offered by her husband, d to have returned home after two day. Leonica stood by the side, watching her parent''s reunion with a smile, until her father noticed her.


    "Leonica, how...how did you do this?" He asked.


    "That doesn''t matter, dad, what does is that mom is back," She shed a smile at her mother who happily returned the smile. "And everything is going to be fine." "But..." Benjamin was still confused. How did his daughter manage to rescue her mother and put an end to the person who had kidnapped her.


    "Don''t think too much into it, dad."


    Benjamin nodded. His daughter had done well. He''d ask herter.


    "I''ll call the police and inform Chief Robert of the development." Benjamin said, but not before ordering several maids to take Cassandra up and take the utmost care of her. Leonica waved with a smile on her lips at her mother who waved back before being escorted up the stairs.


    When she was finally gone, she sighed and plopped down on the couch, her legs aching, as was her head.


    The adrenaline rush from earlier had faded and the pain and fatigue had set in.


    She leaned back and closed her eyes, allowing her body to sink into the soft cushion.


    She really had paid the price for underestimating Irene. As a matter of fact she always had to pay different prices for underestimating her enemies.


    Angelina with Gabriel''s memories. Rodrigo with pulling a sudden Uno reverse with Melvin and now Irene with the kidnapping.


    It was getting tiring.


    "Leonica," The sound of her father''s voice had her peeling her eyes open. He was standing beside her, looking down at her with an expression that said so much at the same time so little. I''ve informed Chief Roberts about you guy''s arrival. He was...surprised."


    ?.


    "Figures,¡± She muttered as her eyes zed over the clock hung on the wall beside her father and instantly widened. "Oh shit," ¡°What is it?¡± Her father asked as she scrambled to her feet.


    "It''s dinner time."


    "And?" Her father questioned with a confused look. How was dinner time more terrifying than what they had juste out from?


    But only Leonica knew the answer to that question, after all, she was the one who Owen had told to return before lunch, which was nearly nine hours ago.


    "I need to go." She stated and started for the door, only looking over her shoulder once to promise her father a call.


    Once outside, she was almost at her car when another vehicle drove in, stopping in front of her and out stepped Robert. "I got the call from your father." He stated.


    "Yes, thank you for your hard work so far." Leonica bbered in a rush. "But I have to leave."


    "Of course, but before you do." He reaches into his back pocket and pulled out something, handing it to her.


    Leonica was skeptical, but only after taking it did she realize it was her phone.


    "Belongs to you, doesn''t it?"


    She felt up her pocket and sighed. The device had previous been useless because for some reason it lost signal the minute she stepped into that damn building.


    "If you want to thank me, how about


    "Sure, but not now. I really have to leave." She quickly hopped into her car, turning on the engine and driving off, not even waiting for a response.


    "Well, she''s a bit of a busy body."


    Robert noted and shook his head as


    he headed back to his vehicle,


    making a mental note to question Leonica is she was the one who had


    put the holes in that injured man''s legs, the next time they met.

 Her Fate Was Not With Gabriel.

    "Where the hell have you been?" Was the first thing Leonica was greeted with when she walked into her house, followed by Owen''s worried face. "Eight hours, fifty three missed calls and its just now you''re showing up.'' "I''m so sorry Owen. I went to the church to meet with Florence but then Irene called and-"


    Her exnation was cut short when Owen came in front of her and grabbed her chin, eyes darkening at the sight of a bruise on her cheek.


    "Who did this?"


    "Owen-"


    "I said who did this to you?" He repeated and she sighed.


    "Irene."


    "Your half sister?" Owen spat and Leonica nodded.


    "She''s the one that kidnapped mom, but don''t worry, I was able to rescue her."


    "Rescue her?" Owen mumbled, it even sure where to start tackling Leonica from the exnation she had just given him.


    She waste because she went to rescue her mother from the clutches of her half sister and she also got the bruise on her face whilst doing that.


    Which meant he had no route to tackle her from.


    Deciding to leave it be, for now at least, Owen signed and asked. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"


    "No, no. I''m fine. You can stop worrying."


    "Good." He whispered and wrapped her into his arms, pulling her flush against him. "You really worried Ashley and I."


    "I''m sorry,"


    "It''s alright. You did good." He said and pulled away, gazing at her with a gentle smile. "But next time, please inform me before doing anything dangerous."


    "Will do," She promised and leaned up, cing a kiss on his lips. "Where''s Ashley?" She asked as she slipped out of his hold and walked towards the kitchen. "Sleeping," Owen answered.


    "And Grace?"


    "She had to leave early because of a family emergency."


    "Oh, alright."


    Owen watched her make her way into the kitchen, pulling out a box of ice from the fridge and cing it against her face.


    "Come," He held out his hand for her. "Let me help you."


    Leonica dly ced the box into his palm, a small smile ying on her lips as he gently ced it against her cheek, being cautious so as not to hurt her. "Thanks,"


    "Anytime,"


    The silence that ensued wasfortable and peaceful. Only the sound of the air conditioner and the faint buzz of the city life from outside filled the space.


    After a little while, Owen was done with the ice therapy. "You feeling better?" He asked after the ice had been returned to the freezer.


    Leonica nodded, her cheeks hurting slightly, but not too much to be a bother. "Thanks again."


    "Anytime." Owen said as he walked up to her and pecked her lips before heading for his scarf. "I should get going, it''s prettyte." He exined when Leonica continued to watch him with confused eyes. "Can''t you stay over?"


    "Would love to, luce mia, but I have to do a little revision but left my materials at home."


    "I see," She pouted and he chuckled.


    "I cane right back after getting them." Owen offered but Leonica was quick to reject the offer, not wanting to street the blonde any more than she has. "No, it''s alright."


    "Okay, I''ll see you tomorrow." He ced a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Night."


    "Night."


    With those words, he made his way out the door, leaving Leonica alone.


    She sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter, the tiredness finally settling in. She was beyond exhausted.


    She had had one hell of a day, but it wasn''t over yet.


    "Shit."


    Leonica cursed when she felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket. It was a call.


    Without even bothering to check the caller ID, she answered the call. "Hello?"


    "Leonica," It was Gabriel. Leonica contemted hanging up the phone, considering what he had done, but decided not to.


    "What do you want, Gabriel?" She asked, her voice cold as ice.


    "For us to meet and talk."


    "Talk?" She scoffed. "About what? How you ced Your damn assistant on me like a guard dog? Or the fact that you didn''t tell me that your memories were back?"


    "You''re angry, I get it," Gabriel said and Leonica could almost hear remorse in hi voice. "But hear me out, please."


    "There''s nothing to hear from you,


    Gabriel." Leonica said as she walked to her room, smiling when she


    spotted Ashley fast asleep in heret


    bed rather than in his room. "I gave you a second chance, you messed it up so why should I listen to you


    now?"


    "I know," Gabriel paused and took a deep breath. "But just, give me thisst chance. Let''s just meet, onest time."


    Leonica was about to turn down his offer when she spotted the scarf he had given her some time back, along with the wrist watch he had brought for her the day she sprained her ankle.


    It was wise to return all those, right?


    "Fine," She gave in, walking towards the scarf and holding it in her hands as she searched for a bag to pack it in. "I''ll meet with you."


    "Thank you so much, Leonica," There was obvious excitement in his voice, but Leonica didn''t bother pointing it out.


    "An hour from now, let''s meet in the park."


    "See you there."


    With those words, she ended the call. She ced the phone on the bedside table and gathered his scarf and gift into one bag.


    She was serious when she told Gabriel she was cutting ties with him, so there was no point in holding onto his gifts.


    It''s not like she was going to ever need them.


    Leonica arrived at the park five minutes earlier than the agreed upon time.


    She got off her car, immediately spotting Gabriel who sat on the bench.


    His eyes lit up the moment he saw her and he stood up, weing her.


    "Thanks foring," He said.


    "Don''t thank me, I just came to return these." She shoved the bag into his chest and if only took a few seconds before he recognized the things in them. "This is my scarf," He said and then looked at the watch in the bag. "And this is the wrist watch I bought for you."


    "I don''t want either of it." She simply said, crossing her hands and waiting for him to return the items.


    "Why?" He asked.


    "You know why, Gabriel."


    "Yes, and I''m sorry for my actions, so please, don''t cut me out." He pleaded with an almost desperate tone, one that made Leonica''s heart skip a beat.


    She had never heard him sound so broken.


    "What do you want me to do then, Gabriel?" She questioned, the frustration obvious in her voice. "Forgive you? Just like that?"


    "I know what I did was wrong, and I''m not asking you to forgive me right away, but at least try and let me exin myself. That''s all I ask."Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    She didn''t reply.


    "Leonica," He pleaded and took a step towards her, only for her to move back. "Please."


    "Fine," She spat, looking at him with an unimpressed expression. "You have thirty seconds, say something that''d give me a reason not topletely cut you out of mine and Ashley''s life." Gabriel sighed, knowing very well that there was nothing he could tell Leonica right now that would make her change her mind.


    But he still needed to say something, anything that could increase the chances of him remaining in Leonica''s life, even if it meant as a friend.


    "I''m sorry," He began, his eyes boring into hers. "I... I''m so sorry for what I did, Leonica, I''m ready to suffer whatever punishment, but please don''t cut me out of your life."


    Leonica watched his familiar expression, instantly being reminded of how she had begged him to love her five years ago.


    She shook her head. "You''re messed up, Gabriel. And so am I and that''s more the reason why we should end whatever exists between us, before it fucks up Ashley''s life."


    Gabriel''s heart broken at her words. He didn''t want to lose her, even after everything he had done. "Leonica-" He took a step forward and she took one of hers back, holding her hand out. "Don''t make me punch you, again."


    Even if he wanted to, Gabriel didn''t say anything else, but his expression was enough to tell Leonica the pain he was feeling at that moment.


    Knowing it all too well, the pain of an unrequited love, she sympathized with him for only a second, before finally being convinced that her fate wasn''t with Gabriel.


    Lilia had been wrong.


    "I won''t stop you from seeing Ashley. We''ll regte his visiting schedule between ourselves, but don''t expect anything more than that, Gabriel." She turned around to head for her car, but stopped after a single step.


    "And don''t stay hung up on me, it''d be quite the inconvenience to see grandma scolding me for breaking her grandson''s heart in my dream." With that she walked back to her car and got in, driving away without even sparing a nce at Gabriel and it felt good.


    For the first time in a while, Leonica felt like she had made the right decision, coupled with the fact that Irene had been handled and she was happily engaged to Owen, it made her life feel like the clouds were shiting rainbows.


    Something that she could very much see herself getting used to now that all the hurdles has been removed from her life.

 More Peaceful Days Ahead.

    The next few days were more peace and quiet, for Leonica, than she could have bargained for.


    There were no crazy spy watching her every move, no half sisters trying to kidnap her or ruin her life, no ex husband trying to win her over and the only thing she had to worry about was Ashley''s condition. But even that had shown to have improved a bit during theirst


    visit.


    It was all perfect.


    "You''re awfully chipper this morning," Owen noted as they both stood in front of the mirror, fixing their outfits.


    As per to reward herself for how well she had done so far, Leonica had decided to go all out, nning a whole day''s date with Owen.


    "Why shouldn''t I be." She responded happily, already in love with her own idea.


    Getting to spend the entire day with Owen while Ashley hung out with Anastasia and regrettably, Lloyd.


    She still wasn''t sure what those two were doing together.


    "My life''s finally sailing smoothly and I''m even going on a date with my Fianc¨¦, today." Leonica said as she finished up with Owen''s scarf and pecked his lip. "Now tell me why I shouldn''t be happy."


    Owen chuckled. Well who was he toin? He loved when Leonica was happy. Her happiness was his happiness.


    "Alright, you''re all set, shall we head out?" She said, earning a nod from him before he took her hand and led her out of the room, down the stairs and out the house.


    Owen held the car door open for her, expecting her to get into the passenger seat, but much to his surprise, she plucked the car key straight out of his hands, shing him a smile as she headed for the driver''s seat. "I''m driving."


    Owen thought of protesting, but seeing as she was the one who had picked all the date spots they were going to, he decided against it.


    "Okay." He nodded and got into the passenger seat.


    Once they were all settled, Leonica pulled out of the parking spot, a wide grin on her lips.


    She had so many ideas, all which she was excited about, especially the first one, which would serve as a warm up before the main event.


    The first ce was a caf¨¦, not just any caf¨¦, but one of the best and most romantic in the country.


    "Wee." The waiter greeted them with a wide smile, eyeing the couple with an obvious glint of interest. "Please, follow me."


    He gestured for them to follow him and they did. They were lead to a private table near the ss windows which Leonica had reserved.


    The view was beautiful, a garden of roses in full bloom and the sight was even more amazing with the morning sun shining brightly. "Here''s our menu," The waiter said after they had been seated.


    "Actually, I called in advance to reserve an order." Leonica said and the waiter nodded, quickly noting the orders down before turning and walking off.


    "I didn''t know such a ce like this existed in Oslo. How did you find it?" Owen asked and Leonicaughed, the sound sweet like honey.


    "It was all Anastasia."


    And she wasn''t lying when she said that. The day before, when Leonica hade up with the idea of a whole day''s date and wanted to build a list of good ces, she called Anastasia, who, being the expert, hade up with an entire list of amazing ces that served amazing dishes and created the perfect atmosphere for couples.


    "Always reserve the window seat." She had said, and Leonica did exactly that.


    "Well, you definitely chose well." Owenplimented.


    "d you think so."


    As they waited for their orders, Owen and Leonica chatted about all and sundry, the mood in the air being so calm and peaceful, just the way Leonica loved it.


    "Your order." The waiter''s voice broke through the conversation and the two paused, turning their attention to him.


    They had ordered pancakes with some chocte syrup and blue berries, topped with whipped cream and a cherry on top.


    It looked really appetizing.


    "Enjoy." He said before stepping back.


    Owen and Leonica didn''t have to be told twice, they grabbed their utensils and dug in.


    "Whoa," They both said at the same time, eyes widening in awe at the amazing taste that invaded their mouth.


    "This tastes amazing."


    "Right?" Leonica said as she ate another spoonful, the smile on her face only growing wider with each bite. "I''m so d we came here." She added and Owen could only but smile, entranced by how happy and delightful she looked each time she took a bite of the pancakes.


    It was so beautiful.


    "Hey, don''t just stare at me, eat up." She instructed after noticing that Owen had only taken one bite, whilst she had taken nearly a dozen.


    "Right, I forgot." He admitted and Leonica chuckled, watching as he dug his spoon in and took a bite.


    "So, how is it?" She asked after a while.


    "I''d give it a ten out of ten." He answered.


    "d you like it."


    Their next date spot after that was an art museum, Leonica''s choice.


    "You really have a soft spot for paintings, huh?" Owenmented as they walked through the various halls and rooms, staring at the painting hung on the walls.


    "I do, especially paintings that were done by an artist who has no intention of selling their works, because no matter how much money you offer them, they will always hold onto the work because of the value they attach to it." "And why''s that?"


    "Because a lot of their emotions and thoughts went into the piece. Their blood, sweat and tears. It''s like the product of their entire being, something that cannot be reced and that''s why no matter what, they won''t sell it." She exined. "But isn''t there the possibility that the piece will eventually be forgotten, that people won''t know its existence anymore?"


    "That''s a possibility," Leonica began. "But it''s not something that''d hurt the artist. Sure, the piece might get forgotten by the people, but as long as they still remember its existence, they won''t lose their value. After all, those were their emotions, their thoughts and the product of their entire being."


    "I see."


    They continued walking in silence until Owen''s hand came up and wrapped around hers, causing her to turn and look at him.


    "If I had the choice of forgetting my feelings for you, I wouldn''t do it. Not for anything in the world." He stated.


    Leonica smiled. "What''s brought this about Mr. Loverboy?"


    "Nothing," He shook his head, squeezing her hand tighter. "Just felt like saying that."


    Leonica smiled and pecked his cheek.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Good, because I wouldn''t let you forget your feelings for me, even if I had the choice."


    Owen''s face lit up at her words and a wide grin yed on his lips.


    "So where to next?"


    "To the ice rink." She answered and he nodded.


    "Ice skating?"


    "Yeah, you know how to ice skate, don''t ya?"


    Owen fell silent at her question.


    The third date spot was an ice rink, as mentioned.


    Leonica had a wide grin on her face, excited to share her hobby with Owen.


    "This is going to be so much fun!" She eximed, pping her hands in excitement.


    "About that..." Owen began and she frowned.


    "What is it?"


    "You see, the thing is, I''ve never actually ice skated before."


    Leonica''s eyes went wide before a grin slowly broke across her face. "What?!" She shrieked.


    "I never really had the need to," He said and looked away, embarrassed.


    "Oh my god, this is going to be the best." She said and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the counter so they can get a pair of ice skates.


    After paying for them, Leonica handed a pair of the skates to Owen and dragged him towards the ice rink, her eyes scanning the area for a free spot. "So, what am I supposed to do?" Owen asked and Leonica chuckled.


    "Well first of all, you should put the ice skates on." She stated.


    "I''m not a kid, I know that." Owen mumbled as he sat down and began untying his shoes.


    Once he was done, Leonica gently guided him into the ice rink, intertwining her fingers with his so that he wouldn''t fall. "Just try and keep your bnce, okay?"


    Owen nodded and Leonica, knowing he wouldn''t fall, let go of his hand and began to skate, slowly but steadily.


    "Whoa," He gasped and reached out his hand, almost stumbling backwards, if not for the hand that suddenly caught him. "I''m so sorry, I didn''t mean to-"


    "Oh, it''s okay. You didn''t do anything." Leonica reassured him, her arms wrapping around him so she can pull him close. "Thanks." He said and she nodded, giving him a quick peck before releasing him.


    "Now, try and mimic what I did." She instructed.


    "I''ll try."


    Slowly, Owen began to copy Leonica''s actions, taking cautious and calcted steps.


    "You''re doing great," Leonica encouraged. "But you''ll have to speed it up if you want to catch up."


    "Catch up? Catch up to you?" He questioned, earning a nod from her.


    "Of course, I''m not letting you walk in my shadow." She said.


    Owen smirked and nodded. "Well, you better be prepared then, ''cause I''m going to catch up soon."


    "In your dreams."


    Thepetition between the two had begun, Leonica, who had been an ice skater since the age of ten, was at a clear advantage.


    She skated smoothly and elegantly, while Owen could barely maintain his bnce.


    "Whoa, whoa." Owen muttered, reaching his hands out in front of him, his legs shaking uncontrobly.


    "Come on, don''t be a spoilsport. You have to give it your all." Leonica shouted, skating past him.


    "I''m trying my best, here."


    "Is that really your best?"


    Owen scoffed and continued to skate, trying his best not to lose his bnce, but no matter how hard he tried, the bnce was just slipping through his fingers and eventually, be tripped.


    Leonica was there to stop him in a matter of seconds, but the weight of his body pulled her along with his falling figure as soon as she tried to pull him by the hand.


    They both copsed to the floor, Owen groaning in pain as Leonica hadnded on top of him.


    "Are you alright." He asked.


    She swatted his chest. "Worry about yourself you big klutz. You''re the one whonded on your back."


    "No, I''m fine." He chuckled and Leonica couldn''t help but giggle.


    ""You''re more bad at this than I thought."


    "Says the person who fell along with me." His remark earned him yet another swat on the chest.


    "Is that what I get for trying to save your ass?" She said, crossing her arms and pouting once she had gotten back on her feet.


    Owen who was still on the ice, looked up at her and smiled softly.


    Too softly, Leonica thought as she felt her heart flutter when she saw his expression.


    "What?"


    Owen shook his head. "Nothing, it''s just nice to see you like this, all care free and happy."


    Leonica''s smite grew and she nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I guess with everything feeling this peaceful I can finally be myself. Nowe


    on, we still have to visit onest ce." She urged him to getup.


    "Alright, alright." He said as he got to his feet, following her off the skating rink. "So where''s ourst ce?" He asked out of curiosity. Leonica, who no longer saw the need to keep theirst destination hidden, looked over her shoulder at him and with a smiley, announced. "Ekeberg Park."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 The Highlight Of The Day.

    Ekeberg Park was one of the most beautiful parks in Oslo. It was full of flowers and trees and a very nice and rxing ce, perfect for a stroll. A sight that Owen was stunned to see when Leonica, half an hourter, pulled him out of the ice rink. "This is beautiful," Owen said as he continued admiring the scenery while Leonica lead him by the hand, taking him towards the spot she had prepared specially for them.


    "I''m d you like it." She said and he turned to look at her, a wide smile on his face.


    "So where are we headed to?"


    "To the gazebo, right over there." She pointed and Owen nodded.


    "Alright."


    They continued their walk and soon, the gazebo came into view.


    It was a small white gazebo with a table in the middle and two seats. On the table was a basket filled with goodies, including wine and food.


    "Here we are," Leonica said as she walked up the stairs and towards the table, Owen following close behind.


    "This is amazing," He stated and Leonica smiled. "You did all this?"


    "Of course, who else?" She said and began pulling out the items, cing them on the table.


    There were fruits and some sandwiches and even a small cake.


    "I had Grace help me prepare everything, but I did pick out all the stuff."


    "It''s beautiful," He stated and Leonica grinned.


    "I''m d you like it. Now, let''s rx and enjoy each other''spany." She said as she plopped down on the chair and stretched out her hands, urging Owen to sit. He did as she asked and took the seat in front of her.


    "We should start with some drinks," Leonica said and began opening the wine, pouring some into their sses.


    "To a wonderful and happy rtionship," She lifted her ss and Owen mirrored her action, clinking their sses before taking a sip.


    "It''s delicious," Heplimented.


    "Right? Grace is really good at cooking and baking. You should try her apple pie. It''s to die for."


    "I''ll definitely do that," He said and looked over the things she had prepared, his eyesnding on the small cake.


    ""What''s that for?"


    Leonica''s grin grew more at his question and she reached for the cake, pushing it in front of him as she lifted the lid. "It''s your birthday soon, isn''t it?"


    Owen looked confused, not by her words, but by the fact that he had forgotten his own birthday which was in two days.


    "That''s right," He blinked and looked down at the cake, smiling softly. "I almost forgot." He muttered.


    "How could you forget about your own birthday? That''s such a weird thing to do." She giggled as she picked up the cake knife. "Want a taste?" "Yes please." He agreed.


    With a smile, Leonica sliced off a small piece, picked it and feed it to him.


    "It''s good." Heplimented as the mixture of strawberry and vani exploded in his mouth.


    "d you like it." She said and fed herself a piece nodding secondster in agreement.


    It was good, she''d have to give Grace a raise for this.


    After feeding each other a few slices of the cake, Leonica returned it to the basket and opened the fruits, picking the grapes.


    "Want some?" She offered him a grape and he opened his mouth.


    Leonica popped the fruit into his mouth and he munched, enjoying the sweetness.


    "It''s really good, thank you for remembering my birthday, luce mia."


    She smiled. "It''s the least I can do."


    The rest of their date after that proceeded smoothly. By sun down, Owen was in the driver''s seat of his car, driving back to his apartment for what Leonica dimmed, the highlight of the day.


    "Wine or water?" Owen asked once they had arrived at his penthouse.


    "I''m fine with anything." Leonica answered, already in the living room, taking her heels off.


    "Alright,"


    Owen came back with a bottle of water and a ss of wine and Leonica thanked him as she took the ss from him, pouring a little into the ss.


    "This is really good," Sheplimented and looked up, catching a glimpse of Owen''s flushed cheeks.


    "You okay?" She asked and he nodded.


    "Yeah, it''s just, I think I had a bit too much to drink, back at the park and now here."


    "Really?" She ced her ss on the table and stood up, walking over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck.


    "Maybe we should go upstairs and help you sober up a little." She suggested, her voice sultry as her fingers danced on the nape of his neck.


    Owen stopped her hand, peeling it off his body before he could loose all his senses and pin her against the wall.


    "That''s not a good idea," He said and pulled away, sitting on the sofa.


    "Why?"


    "I might get too carried away." He answered honestly and sheughed.


    "You''re talking as if we already aren''t engaged. We''ve had sex many times, Owen."


    "But I never got too carried away." He responded, earning an unimpressed look from her.


    "Okay, maybe one time I did, but that''s not the point."


    "So you''re telling me that you won''t be able to hold yourself back, tonight."


    "If I''m being honest, no, I probably wouldn''t."


    Leonica chuckled.


    "Then I guess I''ll have to take matters into my own hands." She said as she grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, throwing it across the room. "What are you doing?" Owen asked, his eyes roaming her body which was only covered by her bra.


    "You don''t want to do me, right?"


    "Right." Owen answered, but the look in his eyes said otherwise. Leonica smirked.


    "And you don''t want to lose control, right?" She continued to test his limits, stripping her wrap skirt off her body so that she was left only in her bra, pop stocks and underpants. Owen gulped. "Exactly."


    "Then I guess, I''ll have to make you lose control."


    "Luce mia, don''t-" Before he could finish his words, she was straddling him, her lips pressing against his and her arms around his neck.


    When he didn''t react, Leonica pulled back.


    "Do you really want me to stop?" She asked and Owen''s mind went nk.


    He really didn''t want her to. But with all the stress she had been through this week, he feared that if he went all out, her body won''t be able to handle it.


    But even when he knew this, he couldn''t stop himself from blurting out an answer to Leonica''s question. "I don''t." He admitted.


    She grinned. "Good."


    Their lips collided again and this time, Owen couldn''t stop himself from going along with it.


    They kissed, slow and passionately, as if they were trying to savor the moment and when they finally pulled back, the two were breathless.


    Leonica didn''t waste time, she went straight for his cor and began unbuttoning his shirt, slowly exposing his bare chest.


    "This is the best part of going on dates." Leonica whispered into his ear, sending shivers down his spine.


    "And why''s that?" He asked.


    "Because, the date is neverplete until we have sex." She answered and he groaned.


    "You really are testing my limits, luce mia."


    She giggled and pressed a kiss to his lips. "But you love me anyway, so why are youining?"


    "I''m not." He admitted, his hands trailing down her waist to her hips and thighs. "I just can''t wait to rip these off of you."


    "Go ahead." She challenged and with a grin, which suddenly faded when Owen stood up, carrying her along with him.


    "How about we take it to the bedroom? Don''t want the poor couches getting dirty, now do we?"


    "I would have preferred it whatever way." She said and Owen chuckled, his hands gripping her ass as he walked towards his bedroom, his lips finding hers.


    Once they were inside the room,


    Owen pinned her to the wall, their lips never separating as his hand trailed to her chest, massaging her breasts, before going down and


    slipping beneath her bra, pulling it up


    and exposing her breast.


    He squeezed It, earning a moan from Leonica and then went to tease her nipple, the action causing her body to tremble in excitement.


    Owen was really good with his hands.


    "Take this off," She said between kisses, tugging at his shirt.


    "Only if you take this off," He replied, his hand still squeezing her breast.


    "I will, now hurry up and get it off."


    He chuckled and did as she asked, pulling away and throwing his shirt off his body.


    "Happy?"


    Her eyes scanned his exposed torso before she grinned. "Very." She said and unhooked her bra, taking it off her body and dropping it to the floor.


    "And now this." She said and grabbed the waist band of his pants, tugging on it to indicate that he should pull it off.


    "Easy there, luce mia." Owen


    grinned. still have to get you ready,


    first." He said as he picked her up


    once again, earning giggles from her as he carried her and ced her on the bed.


    "And how are you going to do that?"


    Owen didn''t answer, instead he began kissing her, trailing his lips down her body, towards her neck and chest.


    His tongue flicked across her nipples and Leonica''s body tingled in excitement, her hands clutching onto his hair and pushing his head further into her chest. "O-owen."


    He smiled, the sound of his name being called out by her was so arousing.


    His hands found their way to her waist and slowly, he peeled the pop stocks off her body.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Leonica shuddered at the sudden coolness that spread across her bare skin and when she felt his tongue flicking her clit, her back arched in surprise.


    "Oh, fuck!"


    Owen chuckled and continued to eat her out, his tonguepping on her sweet spot while his fingers worked on her breast, kneading them.


    Leonica was moaning his name, her hands tangled in his hair, as his mouth worked her into a frenzy.


    She could feel the heat rushing to her core and when his tongue slipped inside her, she came undone.


    "Fuck, fuck, fuck," She cursed, her body shaking uncontrobly.


    She rode out her orgasm and then fell limp, panting.


    "You''re too good."


    "You haven''t seen anything yet." He said as he wiped his mouth, looking up at her.


    "Are you ready?"


    Leonica nodded and he smiled. "Good, then I''m going in."


    Without wasting a single second, Owen plunged into her, a gasp escaping her lips as his thrusts sped up, hitting her sweet spot and making her tremble.


    "Fuck, fuck, fuck."


    "I thought you weren''t one for cursing." Owen said, grinning as his hips mmed into hers, their skin smacking loudly.


    "Well, that''s because, oh fuck, you always bring out the side of me even I don''t known about."


    Owenughed. "I''m honored." He said, his pace increasing.


    Leonica''s hand reached out for the pillow, her nails digging into the fabric as Owen continued to pound into her, his thrusts bing faster and more violent.


    She could feel his hands digging into her waist and her body was shaking uncontrobly.


    The sensation was overwhelming and she couldn''t stop herself from cumming.


    "O-owen," She called out his name, her body trembling and her back arching as her orgasm washed over her, her legs wrapped around his waist, keeping him buried deep within her.


    She was still reeling from her high when she felt him cum, his hot liquid filling her up.


    Owen pulled out, his breathing heavy and he plopped down next to her and pulled her into his arms, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Thank you for today, Leonica."


    "Thank you too," She said and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his chest as she became sleepy. "Goodnight, mine."


    "Goodnight, luce mia."


    They fell asleep soon after that, both exhausted yet feeling as if tonight was one of the best nights of their lives.


    And Leonica wished that tomorrow


    would be another good day, and the


    day after that and the day after that. She hoped for a peaceful life and a happy ending, one where she would be surrounded by her loved ones and a family of her own.


    It was all she could hope for after all the shit the universe had put her through.

 Future Preparations.

    Leonica woke up first the next morning, feeling refreshed despite the small ache in her lower back. She rolled over to find Owen still fast asleep, snoring softly and she couldn''t help but smile. He looked so peaceful and cute, she thought, wondering if she should find her phone and take a picture of his sleeping face.


    However, after staring at him for a few more minutes, asionally ying with the strands of his hair that had fallen out of ce, she decided against the idea.


    There was no need to take a picture of him when she had him to herself for the rest of her life.


    Deciding to let him sleep in, she slowly and carefully slipped out of the bed and tiptoed her way to the bathroom, hoping not to wake him.


    After taking a quick shower and throwing on one of his shirts that she dimmed befitting, she walked downstairs to the kitchen and prepared a cup of coffee for herself.


    Patiently, she waited for her beverage to be ready, tapping her fingers against the kitchen ind all the while humming the tune of her favorite song, ''The adults are talking by the strokes.''


    It was still early In the morning, around 8:30am and so, when she heard a phone, her phone in particr ringing from somewhere in the leaving room, she was surprised.


    Grabbing her coffee just as the machine finished preparing it, she made her way to the living room, searching for her phone.


    It took a few seconds, but eventually, she found it, sitting on the coffee table and frowned upon seeing who was calling her. Candace Lane, Chief''s Robert''s partner?


    Leonica''s frown only deepened as she picked up the call.


    "Hello," She said and the woman, on the other end of the line, greeted her.


    "Ms. Romero, sorry for disturbing you this early in the morning."


    "That''s okay, what''s the matter? Has something happened?"


    "No, I apologize if this call made you think so."


    Leonica sighed out in relief. "Then?"


    "The station needs your statement. Would you be able toe down today?"


    "Today?" She looked up at the clock and sighed. It was too early for this, especially when she was feeling so rxed.


    "Is it important?"


    "Yes, if you want to be able to testify and see to it that Irene Rosewood''s case is handled faster."


    She sighed. "Right, I''ll head over in a few hours."


    "Good. I''ll be expecting you then, Ms. Romero."


    The call ended after that and as if he had been waiting for the perfect moment, Leonica felt Owen wrap his hand around her wait and ce his head in the crock of her next. "Who was that?" He asked, the sound of his morning voice sending pleasant shivers down her spine.


    "Candace Lane," She responded, closing her eyes and humming in delight when he pecked her neck. "She wants me to head over to the station and give my statement." Owen pulled away and turned her around in his arms. "Right now?"


    She shook her head. "No, in a few hours."


    "Alright." He nodded and pressed a kiss to her cheek before heading to the kitchen to fetch himself a mug of coffee. Leonica trailers behind him. "Want me to drive you?" He asked.


    "You free today?" She answered his question with a question, leaning her elbow against the kitchen ind as she watched him make his way around the kitchen, gathering the needful for his morning coffee as well as ingredients to prepare breakfast. "Yeah, I''m free. And if something alwayse up, you my boss, could order me to take the day off." He joked and sheughed.


    "Well, if you insist, sure, I wouldn''t mind thepany."


    Owen gave her a wide grin and nodded, pecking her forehead before turning back to the pan he had begun cooking some eggs on.


    Leonica watched him, the corners of her lips curling upwards into a soft smile.


    "Do you need any help?" She offered.


    ""Nope, I''m fine."


    ""You sure?"


    "I''m positive, luce mia."


    Leonica nodded her head and took a seat on one of the stools, silently watching him.


    As she did so, she couldn''t help but think that Owen would make a great husband...and father.


    It was a sudden thought, one she had entertained but hadn''t given much thought before, but it wasn''t one she could brush off, not with the image of a toddler running around in her head, the kid having a mop of blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes as he yed with Ashley. She cocked her head. "Mine?"


    ""Yes luce mia?"


    "How many kids do you wanna have?"


    He stopped what he was doing, his hands hovering over the pan.


    "What?"


    "I mean, like in the future, how many kids would you like to have?"


    Owen turned around to look at her, an amused brow raised. "Why are you suddenly asking about our future children, Mrs. Lee?"


    "I''m just curious, Mr. Lee. No harm in that." She shrugged.


    Owen chuckled and turned back to the eggs he had been cooking.


    "Well, I''m fine with however many kids you wanna have. But if we''re talking about an ideal number, three sounds good. That way we wouldn''t have to share our love equally, but would still have arge family."


    "I like that number, but if I had to pick, I''d go for two. Ashley would have his hand full with three other siblings."


    Smiling, Owen finished frying the eggs and ced them on the tes along with the toast he had prepared and some fruit.


    "Let''s start with two and see where that goes." He suggested, handing her a te before walking over to the kitchen ind and cing his down.


    Leonica smiled.


    She liked the sound of that.


    Leonica''s testimony went smoothly,


    with only a


    Lew hups, ie, when she


    refused to testify that she had been


    the one who shot one of her


    attackers in the foot. Self defense, she told the female detective who at some point, had gotten tired of questioning her.


    But even then, they were able to get the whole thing over and done with before noon, which was a relief.


    As Leonica stepped out of the questioning room, she nearly ran into Chief Robert who had just finished interrogating one his recent suspect.


    "Ms. Romero," He greeted. "Here for your statement, I presume?"


    She nodded. "Yes, I got called in this morning." When he nodded, she asked. "How are things with Irene? Has she said anything more?"


    "That, I can not tell you, police confidentiality. But what I can let you know is that she''s currently being transported to hospital for a mental evaluation." ""Why''s that?"


    "She showed mental imbnce during one of her interrogation session, we think she might have developed schizophrenia from a rather young age." Leonica frowned, but still found a way to chuckle. "Irene isn''t suffering from schizophrenia. I''m telling you, that girl is sick." "That''s for the hospital to decide, Ms. Romero."


    She scoffed. "Well, good luck trying to fix that nutcase." She said, waving a hand over her shoulder and walking away.


    The chief couldn''t help but chuckle at her behavior.


    She had a point, though. The girl was a nutcase, the things she said and did during her interrogation sessions pointed all to that. Shaking his head, Chief Robert made his way back to his office.


    It was going to be a long day.


    By the time Leonica who had decided to visit her mother at home, arrived at her family house, it was already well past lunch.


    "Mom!" She called out and a few secondster, she saw her mom making her way downstairs, a few of their maids by her side, along with sturdy men dressed in ck. Father isn''tcking on the security, she thought, wondering if at some point, she should take her father''s advice and ce a few guys at her side.


    You never know how dangerous things could get again.


    "Leonica," Cassandra cooed, a wide


    grin on her face as she pulled her daughter into a hug. "Wee home, darling." She turned her gaze to Owen who was standing beside Leonica, offering a hug which he dly epted. "How have you been, Owen?"


    "I''ve been good, Mrs. Romero. Thank you for asking."


    "Oh please, don''t be so formal. Call me mother we''d soon be a family anyways." She said and motioned, for them to follow her towards the living room. "Come on, I''m sure you must be tired, I''ll ask Viviana to bring us some tea."


    "Tea would be nice." Leonica agreed.


    They took a seat on the couches, and not a few secondster, Viviana and one of the maids came in with a tray of tea and sandwiches.


    "Thanks," Leonica said, taking a sip of her tea.


    "So," Cassandra nced between her daughter and fianc¨¦. "Now that everything finally settled down, when do you guys n to start making wedding preparations?"


    Owen nced at Leonica. "Well, we haven''t really gotten that far yet, but I was thinking, maybe sometime in the next few weeks we can start making preparations and reservations."


    Cassandra hummed, a pleased smile on her face. "Well, whatever works for you guys. Just remember, the sooner you start preparing, the better."


    Owen nodded. "We''ll keep that in mind."


    Their chatsted for longer than Leonica anticipated. Towards the end of their visit, Owen got a call from Alistair, saying that he was needed back at thepany to correct a scene that they saw error in. "You should go." Leonica said when she saw how hesitant he was looking.


    "But-"


    "Listen to her, Owen." Cassandra sided her daughter, understanding why Owen was so worried, just like Benjamin. "I''ll see to it that she gets home safe."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Hearing Cassandra''s words made him less hesitant. "I''m sorry, luce mia, I''ll make it up to you."


    "Mhm, it''s alright." She said and smiled as he pecked her lips, before heading towards the car.


    "He''s a lovely spouse." Cassandra said with her eyes still trained on the man''s figure.


    "Yeah, he is."


    Leonica agreed as they returned inside. After a few more hours of chatting and once again tasting home made food, Leonica was ready to leave.


    "I''ll call a driver for you," Cassandra said as she beckoned Viviana over, passing across the information. "I have to keep my promise."


    "Sure thing." Leonica agreed and a whileter, Viviana returned to inform them that the driver was ready.


    "I''ll see you soon, mom." She pulled the older woman into a hug, and then, after a few more parting words, she headed outside, finding the driver waiting by the car she was meant to be sent home in.


    He held the door open for her, bowing as she entered and muttered the word ''thank you.''


    As the car began moving, she received a text message from Owen.


    [Call if immediately if you need anything.]


    She grinned from ear to ear as she types his reply, unbeknownst of the eyes that watched her from the rearview mirror.


    Robert was in his office, sorting through some files when Candace suddenly barged in.


    He groaned, hating the fact that his focus had suddenly been shattered. "Knock, Candace, I''ve said this-"


    The rest of his words were caught in his throat when he saw the panicked look on her face.


    "What happened?"


    "It''s Irene Rosewood. The hospital just called to alert us that she escaped during one of her examination!"

 Your Death Is Inevitable.

    "Irene Rosewood did what?!" Robert was off his seat in seconds, staring at his partner like he had just received a news equal to his death. But it was, because he knew if Benjamin Romero were to catch wind of this, he could kiss not only his position goodbye, but his entire life in Oslo.


    "The hospital said she slipped away during one of her examinations. They''ve searched the entire building and haven''t found her."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Robert rubbed his temples and groaned, his face scrunching up in frustration.


    "Where was security?! How could they have allowed her escape?"


    "Well, it happened while she was in the restroom. They suspect that she most have slipped out one of the windows."


    Robert groaned once again. This was bad, like real bad.


    "What should we do, chief?" Candace asked. "Should we alert the Romero family just in case?"


    "And lose your fucking job?" He chuckled. "Don''t be na?ve Candace. We''re going to handle this in a more quiet way, starting by putting out an APB. I want this entire town searching for her. If she''s caught, the people responsible are not allowed to mention a word of this to anyone, especially the Romero family, understand?"


    "Yes, sir!" Candace saluted and turned to leave the office, closing the door behind her.


    "Fuck." Robert cursed, plopping down in his seat.


    This was so not his day.


    It had nearly been an hour since Leonica left her mother''s ce, an hour of which she had been chatting with Owen and only when she looked up from her phone did she realize that the road she was on looked unfamiliar.


    "Mister, I think you missed a turn." She said as she nced at the driver from the rearview mirror.


    However, she didn''t get a response.


    "Sir?"


    Still, the man didn''t reply, and that was when the hairs on her skin stood.


    Something was wrong.


    "Excuse me." She called out once more except this time around, the driver met her gaze from the rearview mirror.


    "There was a traffic congestion up ahead, skipping the route was the best option."


    "Oh," She turned her gaze back to the unfamiliar route they were taking and thought.


    ''I could''ve sworn there was no traffic congestion.''


    Unlocking her phone, she opened google Maps and typed in the address of her family house, followed by the address of her own house and clicked on the direction, and her hunch was proven correct. There was no traffic congestion and the driver was far from being on the right direction.


    She swallowed thickly and looked at the rearview mirror and as if the driver felt her eyes, he too looked at the mirror.


    "Is something the matter, Ms. Romero?"


    "No," She forced a smile, hoping that if her so called driver had bad intentions for her, he wouldn''t notice that she had realized that he was taking her somewhere else.


    ''Calm down, calm down.''


    She told herself as her fingers hovered over her phone, turning her location on.


    "I''m just tired, that''s all." She added, and the driver smiled.


    "We''ll be there shortly, Ms. Romero. It won''t be much longer."


    She forced another smile, this oneing easier. "Alright."


    She unlocked her phone once more, and quickly typed a message, attaching the location and then pressed send.


    ''I hope he gets this in time,'' She thought as she put her phone down, her eyes on the rearview mirror.


    ''And I hope I''m wrong about this.


    When his phone dinged, Owen had been working through some of the paperwork concerning the stunt he had to perform in his movie. He picked it up and looked at the screen.


    ''Leonica sent me a location?''


    Confused, he unlocked his phone and when the text message loaded, he frowned. "What the hell is going on?"


    Leonica couldn''t be certain, but she had a feeling her driver was leading her somewhere far from town, and her suspicions were confirmed when the car came to a stop ina secluded area, a few minutester.


    Swnov


    "What''s wrong? Why did you stop the car?" She asked, trying her best to hide the unease in her voice.


    The driver however ignored her and got out of the car.


    ''What the hell is he doing?''


    Her eyes followed the driver''s every movement and when he came to her side, opening the door and yanking her out of the car, her suspicion was proven correct.


    "Let go!" She said, pulling her wrist free and stepping back, away from the driver. "Who are you? What are you doing?"


    "Sorry, miss, but you''re our ticket to riches. I''m not letting you go." He said, and Leonica watched as ten other men stepped out from behind the trees and bushes. ''This isn''t good.'' She thought as she took two steps back. ''Owen would take at least an hour to get here. I need to buy time. I need to run.''


    Without thinking twice, she threw up her middle finger. "Fuck your ticket to riches." And sprinted in the opposite direction.


    "Hey! Get her!" One of the men yelled, and as expected, a few of them ran after her.


    "Get her before she draw attention!" Another yelled.


    Leonica was faster than her


    attackers. Yet another perk of being a Romero was that she had undergone stamina training at a young age, so even when the men chasing her were well built, she was able to outrun them.


    "Shit, she''s fast."


    "Get her, dammit!"


    "She''s getting away!"


    She smirked as she heard their screams of frustration.


    ''Idiots,'' She thought. ''This is the reason you shouldn''t have underestimated me.''


    Yet, the moment she reached a clearing and her foot was caught on a root, her smirk disappeared.


    ''Fuck!''


    She fell, but lucky, broke her fall with her hands, only sustaining minor scratches on her palm. Yet when she tried to stand up and continue running, she felt her ankle throb in pain. "Shit!" She cursed, ncing at her ankle, only to realize that it was bruised.


    But she wasn''t even given enough time to recover, when she heard her attackers getting closer.


    "Find her before she gets away!" One of themmanded and Leonica stealthily slipped behind one of the huge tree branches, hiding from her attackers.


    "Fuck! Who''s idea was it not to tie her up!" One of the screamed in frustration and by the sound of their voice, Leonica could tell they were close.


    She closed her eyes and prayed that they would pass her, and that she could find her way back to the car and grab her phone and make a run for it, and for once, luck seemed to be on her side. "Who knew she was that fast," The voice of her driver said as they walked past the tree she was hiding behind. "Fuck, let''s spilt up."


    Leonica sighed in relief.


    "I''ll go left, you go right."


    "Got it."


    She waited for a while longer, just to be sure that none of them had stayed back and when she was certain, she slipped out from her hiding spot, wincing as her bruised ankle throbbed in pain. ''Fucking shit.'' She cursed.


    She could barely walk, but still, she had to get out of here, and so, despite the pain, she slowly but steadily made her way forward.


    After a few minutes, she came upon the sight of her car and the coast was clear.


    She grinned and increased her pace, rushing to the car. Secondster, she was by her car and retrieved her phone.


    ''Now to call Owen and the cops,'' She


    thought as she dialed Owen''s number through the numerous missed calls she had received during the space of time that she''


    had sent him her location and now, cing the phone on her ear.


    "Luce mia?" His voice wasced with worry and it was then did she realize how scared she was in this situation.


    "Owen, I''m-" She stopped talking at the sound of someone stepping on the fallen leaves just behind her, and her blood ran cold.


    "Luce mia, what happened, where are you?" Owen asked, his voice taking on panicked tone.


    But she didn''t have time to respond, because the moment she turned around to see who was behind her, a fat log of wood connected with her head, sending her unconscious.


    The phone slipped from her hand, and the person who had knocked her cold with the log of wood, stepped on it, breaking the screen.


    "Don''t worry, I didn''t hit you hard enough to kill you," She pulled her heels out of the phone screen and grinned down at the unconscious girl. "But your death is inevitable, dear sister."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 A Trip To The Center Of The Sea.

    The moment Owen heard the line go dead, a sense of dread filled him. He quickly tried to recall her, but much for his dismay, his call went to voice mail. "The user you''re trying to reach is currently not avable. Please try again-" He ended the call before the automated voice couldplete it''s words.


    He had a very bad feeling.


    He tried calling her once more, but his call went to voicemail again.


    The next time he tried to make a call, he called Cassandra instead. Steading his voice as he heard the phone ring, Owen reminded himself to be as subtle and calm as possible. Because for all he knew, Leonica could have possibly butt texted him her location and then ended up dropping her phone, cracking the entire thing.


    Yeah, that sounded like it, he thought, but deep down, he knew Leonica''s voice when she wa rxed and when she was anxious and on edge and her voice a few minutes ago had clearly sounded like she was anxious and on edge.


    "Hello?" The sound of Cassandra''s voice pulled him away from his own mini world.


    "Mrs. Romero? Hi. Sorry to intrude, but I just wanted to confirm if you''ve sent Leonica home."


    "Yes, yes I did, so don''t you worry." Cassandra said and muttered. "Young lovers nowadays sure are quite clingy."


    Owen would have made a jest out of his soon to be mother inw''s words, but not in this situation he couldn''t. He was anxious, pacing the room back and forth before even he could notice it.


    "I see. Thank you, Mrs. Romero." He said and was about to hang up when Cassandra asked.


    "Is everything alright?"


    "Yes," He lied, knowing fully well that if he were to put the elderlydy on high alert over nothing, Leonica would have his head.


    So, he forced a smile and lied, "Yes, everything''s fine, don''t worry, Mrs. Romero."


    "Well, okay. Have a good day and don''t overwork yourself. Bye now."


    And just like that, Owen ended the call, but he couldn''t stop pacing, even after Cassandra''s reassuring words.


    Something was wrong, he could feel it. ncing at his phone, precisely at the location Leonica had sent him, Owen grabbed his jacket and keys and dashed out of the room.


    He couldn''t shake off the feeling that something bad had happened, and he was not going to sit and wait for Leonica to tell him that she''s fine.


    Not when he had a very bad feeling.


    "Owen? Where are you going?" Alistair asked the moment he spotted the blonde striding towards the exit.


    "I need to leave." Came his answer.


    "But we''re not done here, yet. Can''t you just-"


    "I need to leave, Alistair." His manager nearly flinched at the look of seriousness on his face. It was very rare to see Owen, national idol, looking all tough and serious, but when he was caught that way, Alistair had learnt on few asions that it wasn''t to be taken lightly. So without any more words said, Alistair stepped back. "Just have your boss know that you''re leaving early."


    Owen didn''t say anything, but as he rushed towards his car, GPS tuned in on the location Leonica had sent him, he thought, if only Alistair knew it was because of her that he was rushing off this way.


    "Alright people, give me something!" Robert said as he walked into the meeting room made up of the officers He and Candace had let in on the situation with Irene. "Do we have a location yet?"


    A silence he didn''t like overtook the room, indicating that the answer his team had for him wasn''t the one he wanted.


    Sighing, Robert went over to theptop connected to the projector and turned it on, the big bright screen gaining the attention of his team mates.


    "Look at this," He pointed at said screen which had a map and one third of the map was red. "Do you know what that is?" Most, if not all of his teammates shook their heads, making Robert angrily p his hand on the table. "That is the fucking map of Norway, the entire Norway and do you know what that red ce is?"


    His teammates shook their heads once again.


    "That is the percentage of Norway under the influence of the fucking Romero family and this is the prescient," He pointed at a tiny dot in the center of the red map. "What exactly do you think would happen if Benjamin Romero were to catch wind of the fact that we allowed someone who''s considered a threat to the Romero family, escape?!"


    His team mate, who had never for once heard their captain yell, flinched at the increase of voice.


    Many, if not all of them present knew how influential and powerful The Romero family is in Norway, but seeing their captain this way, really made them question just how much hold did the Romero family have in Norway.


    After all, the captain they all looked up to, looked sacred at the moment merely at the thought of Benjamin Romero knowing about the escape.


    "Now listen to me," He began, his voice returning to it''s normal volume. "You''re all going to get up, right now and your going to go out there and find me Irene Rosewood and you''re going to do it as quietly as possible because whosoever slips up and allows Benjamin Romero, not any of the Romero family, get wind of this, can kiss their fucking job goodbye. Have I made myself clear?"


    "Yes sir." His team mates answered, some of them even sounding unsure.


    This angered Robert. "I said have I made myself clear?!" He repeated, voice raised, his eyes ring at the members of his team.


    "Yes, sir!" This time around, his team mates, his subordinates, responded with more determination.


    Robert nodded, satisfied. "Good, now go out there and quietly turn this fucking town around and find me Irene Rosewood Romero."


    Leonica woke up to being blindfolded. The moment she tried to move her hands, she found them tied together and the feeling of the rough material around her ankle brought her attention to the throbbing pain in the ankle she had twisted. But all that was nothingpared to the pain she felt on the left side of her temple.


    ''I got hit in the head?'' She thought, wincing at the pain.


    She could already feel the bump and the cut.


    ''It must have been quite hard. Maybe the guy hit me with a log of wood or something, because there''s no way the blow was that strong.''


    "Oh good, you''re finally awake." A familiar voice said and when the blind fold was taken off, she came face to face with a familiar face.


    "I-irene?" Her voice came out weak and scratchy.


    "You seem surprised." Irene smirked. "Didn''t think you''d see me anytime soon."


    "Robert said you were being transported to the hospital for a medical check up." Leonica muttered.


    "I was, but then I escaped." Irene said nonchntly and took a few steps back, giving Leonica the chance to scan her surroundings and it was then she noticed she wasn''t in any room or car or something of sort, but rather on the deck of a docked boat. "Where are we?"


    "The pier. I''ve always liked the ocean." Irene responded, not answering her question any further. "And I think you''d like the ocean too, once I''m done with you, at least."


    "What are you going to do with me?" Leonica asked, swallowing the fear and unease.


    "I''m going to kill you, Leonica. Isn''t that obvious? trene smirked and reached for the knife she had on the small table, not far from where Leonica tied up. "You''re thestContent from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    obstacle that stands betst


    me


    and well everything. Once I''m rid of you, the Romero family would have no choice but to ept me as their only daughter."


    Leonica''s lips twitched into a frown. "You''re still going on with that delusional mentality, I see."


    "It''s not a delusional mentality!" Irene snapped. "I''m saying the truth. The only reason why father was harsh on me is because you''ve poisoned his mind, made him think I''m a useless illegitimate child. You''ve brainwashed him."


    Leonica shook her head, but instantly regretted it as her head throbbed with pain. "You''re delusional. You have to get that checked."


    "I''m not delusional!" Irene yelled,


    grabbing Leonica by her hair and


    pulling her close, so their faces were inches apart. "Father loves me! He doesn''t love you. No one does. And once you''re out of the way he''d realize that and as for your mother, well I can see Myself forgiving her, only if she promises to be a good step mother."


    Leonicaughed, a full bellyugh, even though her head was throbbing in pain, and theughter only enraged Irene even more.


    "Shut up!" She pulled harder at her hair and then pushed her head away, causing her head to hit the pole she was tied against.


    Leonica cried out in pain and Irene grinned. "Now you know how it feels to be humiliated." She spat.


    "What the hell did I ever do to you?"


    "Everything!" Irene cried. "You took


    everything away from me, starting from my life! My husband and even my daughter! Do you know the pain feel each time I awe Daisy smile at you and look at me like I''m a monster? I''m meant to be her mother, her role model, not you!" Herst words were apanied by a harsh p, and this time, Leonica was certain her cheek would bruise.


    "Your delusional, Irene," She said, truly meaning those words this time around as she recalled what Chief Robert had told her.


    Schizophrenia indeed, she thought.


    "I am not delusional, Leonica!" Irene yelled, her voice echoing across the empty dock. "You''re the delusional one, not me, thinking you can take everything away from me."


    Irene walked away, muttering incoherent words underneath her breath before she walked back and picked up the blind fold and knife, kneeling down in front of Leonica and putting the blind fold over her eyes. "What are you doing?"


    "Shut up." Irene said as she tightened the blind fold around Leonica''s eyes. "However, If you wish to shorten your remain time on earth, go ahead and bber your mouth."


    As Leonica felt her stand up and walk away, she thought, Damn, Irene sure was dangerous this time around and what was different, her unstable mental health.


    Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Irene call.


    "We leave in one hour, I want to arrive at the center of the sea before sundown!"


    Huh? Center of the sea?


    It only took Leonica a few seconds to fix the piece together. The weights on her body, the boat, and now they were heading to the center of the sea, it was obvious that Irene was nning on fucking drowning her!

 The Last Chapter Of Her Life.

    Owen would not have believed that something had indeed happened to Leonica if he hadn''t spotted her phone, broken on the ground of the location she had sent him.


    As he picked it up and examined it, it was clear to him that she had in fact not dropped the phone, like he bad hopes for. Rather someone had deliberately stepped on it, putting a pretty shoe sized hole through the screen. "Fuck," He cursed as he ced the phone in his pocket and then scanned the area, trying to see if there were any tracks, any signs of where Leonica might have gone.


    He didn''t know how long he spent, but in the end, he found none, and that only fueled the panic growing inside of him.


    Realizing that he going in circles wasn''t going to help him out, he decided to finally involve the police. Luckily, he remembered the name of the officer Leonica had told him about, so when he called the station, he simply asked for her. "Hi, um, I would like to speak to Candace Lane?"


    "Agent Lane would be with you shortly, please hold." The customer service said.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Once again, Owen wasn''t sure how long he waited, running his hand through his hair and cursing the fact that he had chosen today of all days to leave Leonica alone.


    He should have been more alert. He should have turned down Alistair job call, he should have stayed, then he was a hundred percent sure none of this would have happened.


    "Officer Candace Lane on the line, how can I help you, Sir?"


    The voice of the officer he wanted to speak with had snapped Owen out of his little world.


    "This is Owen Lee," He stated, wishing that Candace would know who he was to Leonica.


    Thankfully, she did. "Ms. Romero''s Fianc¨¦, correct?"


    He nodded even though she couldn''t see him.


    "How may I help you sir?"


    "It''s Leonica, I think something happened to her. We were texting a few hours back but then she suddenly stopped and sent me her location, I called but the moment I was able to get through to her, the line was suddenly disconnected, not getting to the location, I find her phone destroyed and she''s no where to be found." Owen exined as quick as possible.


    "...i see. Mr. Lee, please hold on for a second while I get my partner." The tone in her voice as she said this suggested that she knew something Owen didn''t.


    Regardless of, he agreed. "Alright."


    As he began yet another wait, Owen researched the road, trying to see if he could see any clue leading to where Leonica had been taken or hopefully ran off to. He was just about giving up when he turned around and a glint from one of the branches caught his eye. He squinted his eyes, trying to get a better look at the object before approaching it.


    ''This...'' He thought, as be carefully plucked the object which he discovered to be a jewelry, off the branch and examining it. His heart sank the moment he realized it was the same ne he had gifted Leonica on Ashley''s birthday.


    "Mr. Lee, my partner, Chief Roberts is here with me, would you please repeat what you told me?" Candace voice suddenly spoke in the phone, pulling Owen''s attention away from the ne. "Of course, officer."


    "Alright, please tell us everything you told me, again."


    As he recapped everything, the feeling of dread and anxiety grew within him, because hearing those words once again when you now knew that something had indeed happened to the one you cherish, was much worse than hearing those words for the first time. "And I even found her ne." He added after concluding his previous exnation. The line was silence for a few seconds and Owen could nearly image them exchanging nces. What for, he wasn''t sure, but he wasn''t about to seat around and let them keep him in the dark about his Fianc¨¦e''s case. "You know something, don''t you?" He finally asked.


    On the other end, Robert realized that it was impossible to keep the situation on the low-low down. People were bound to notice, that he acknowledged and fortunately, Owen, being one of the first ones to realize was a rather smart person.


    "Mr. Lee, have you told anyone else about this?" He asked.


    "No, am I not meant to? What the hell is going on? Do you know what happened to Leonica?"


    Robert shared a look with Candace who nodded, telling him that his decision to bring Owen in on the matter was a wise one.


    "Listen Mr. Lee, we suspect that Irene Rosewood is behind whatever is happening to Ms. Romero."


    "Irene? Wasn''t she arrested?"


    "Yes, but unfortunately, she found a way to escape."


    Owen''s end of the line fell silent for several seconds before he asked. "Is that a joke? One girl, bypassed all of you?"


    "Not all. She had been taken for a medical examination, she took chance and snuck out. But that''s not what matters Mr. Lee, what is, is the fact that with the location Ms. Romero sent you, we might be able to pin point her exact location. Could you please share it with us?" Owen wasted no time and quickly sent the location. He waited for a few minutes before Robert came back on the line.


    "We''ve managed to narrow down the search and we''ve concluded that Irene Rosewood most likely has taken her to the Pier nearby."


    Hearing this, Owen ced his phone on speaker and quickly opened his Google Maps, zooming in on his location to see that there was indeed a Pier not too far from where he was.


    "I can reach it in under fifteen minutes." He muttered.


    "No Mr. Lee, you would not engage," Robert was quick to shut the idea down. "This is a matter belonging to the police. A team of marine agents would be sent out immediately to scoop them area and secure Ms. Romero and bring her back to safety if she is found present. As for you, you''re not a professional in this field and thest thing we need is for you to get injured."


    Owen understood what the officer was trying to say, but that didn''t mean he was going to listen. "So I should just seat back?" He questioned and even though he already knew the answer, he refused to ept it. "I''m sorry but I can''t do that."


    "Mr. Lee, you need to listen to-" The line went dead before Robert could finish what he was saying. "Fucking kids of now adays!" He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.


    Well, at least he got a good clue.


    "Candace, dispatch a team of marine agents to the Pier nearby, Leonica Romero and Irene might be there."


    "Yes sir!"


    As she hurried off to do her assigned task, Robert sat down and thought, ''If anything happens to Leonica Romero, it''ll be my head.''


    Leonica had lost, not only the track of time, but the count of the steps she heard, signaling her capture''s approach.


    ''How much time has passed?''


    She wondered.


    ''Could it be that an hour has passed already and the sun is already setting? Did Owen get my text? Was heing here?'' ''Was anyone going to save me?''


    For the first time in her life, Leonica felt helpless and that sacred her. The thought of death scared her.


    She didn''t want to die and leave


    Ashley when he was still so little and


    Owen, she had only just started embracing her feelings for him, taking them away before she could fully enjoy it was just heartless And then her parents, she was sure her mother would weep for a


    ery long


    time and her father would definitely me himself for not listening to his father at a young age.


    ''Damn, this sucks. I can''t even run.''


    ''If only the rope wasn''t being held down by these damn weights, if only my ankle didn''t hurt, I could have easily kicked her in the gut and made a run for it.''


    But all that was what ifs and the reality was that she couldn''t do anything. For the first time she was at the mercy of her enemy and she prayed that for once, she wouldn''t have to be the one saving herself.


    "Alright people, sundown is approaching, one hours up, let''s get this monster moving!" Irene''s voice rang out and Leonica felt the sank clock of her life being turned upside down.


    How long did she have before they reached the center of the sea and Irene dropped her in?


    She didn''t want to think of it, because thinking about it would only make the fear that was festering inside her, bloom into panic.


    "Boss," Leonica recognized the voice of her so called driver. Fuck, she''d so kick him in the balls if she survives this.


    ''Yeah, even that is like wishing for Santa use to take a trip to Africa.''


    "Yes? Is there a problem?"


    "We just got a report from the guys stationed at the Pier, it''s not going well. The cops are on our tail, and they sentout several marine agentsing this way. We need to leave at once if you want us to make it to the center of the sea before we''re surrounded."


    The cops wereing? Leonica felt an flicker of hope, but her hopes were instantly dashed when Irene spoke.


    "Then we better leave now. If we can''t get to the center of the sea, we''ll just drop her in a part of the ocean that''s deep enough. But know one thing I am not getting off this boat with that bitch alive. Let''s go!" "Yes, boss."


    Secondster, Leonica felt the boat start up and the vibrations beneath her feet.


    ''This isn''t good.'' She thought, as she felt the boat begin to move, her heart rate increasing with every passing minute.


    ''Where are the cops? When are theying? Where''s Owen?''


    Leonica had never been one to hope and wait, and pray that the cavalry woulde to the rescue, but now, she found herself praying as the boat picked up its speed to where she knew would be the end of her life. She prayed, hoped and wished that someone woulde and save her.


    And her wishes were heard, when Irene cursed loudly. "Ah Fuck, how did they get here so fast!"


    Her voice was apanied by the sounds of a megaphone.


    "Irene Rosewood, this is the Norwegian Police force, please cease your movements and return back to the Pier immediately."


    ''They''re here!'' She thought, but a frown soon formed on her face when Irene responded with augh.


    "You must think I''m stupid, right? There''s no way in hell I''m surrendering now that I''m this close." At her words, the boat abruptly stopped. "If I''m going to go down, then I might as well finish the job well."


    And just like That, Leonica felt her body being yanked up and dragged towards where she assumed was the edge of the boat. Her assumptions were proven right when Irene peeled off the blind fold concealing her eyes. "This is where our story ends, dear sister," She cackled insanely at her own words. "But if it make you feel any better, know I never considered you a sister."


    "If it makes you feel any better," Leonica smiled, knowing her next words were going to pain Irene, because if she was going to die here, why not do it the right way. "Know father never considered you apart of the Romero Family." At this, the smile on Irene''s face disappeared and Leonica knew thest of her sand in her sand clock had poured out.


    Without exchanging anymore words


    with her, Irene pushed her and she was falling, and it was then, as the wind brushed through her hair and she felt her body hit the water, that Leonica realized, this was the end of her chapter, because unlike the time she went up against Angelina or Rodrigo, both of which times she had the option to fight, she couldn''t even move a single limb.


    She couldn''t fight the weights that were pulling her body towards the bottom of the ocean.


    She couldn''t fight the water gushing into her lungs at full force.


    And she could fight, thest chapter of her life.


    So she gave in.

 During Her Final Moments...

    During Leonica''s final moments, when the world was fading into the blurry water blue background of the sea and everything bing noiseless, she found herself thinking of two things.


    The first one happened to be the time she had just given birth to Ashley. He was tiny, fragile, and the moment the nurse had handed her over, Leonica was scared, not because she didn''t want him, but because she was afraid of not being able to provide him with the life he deserved. Money wise she was stable, but emotional support wise, shecked, greatly. Her fear had bloomed even more when Ashley was about a month old and he seemed to hate everything she did. He seemed to hate her. That was the first time Leonica ever considered death. Ashley didn''t need her, Gabriel didn''t need her, so why be alive, she had thought.


    What was the point?


    But then she heard Leonardo''s voice mail and realized that she couldn''t run away and Leave Ashley all alone. She had brought him into this world and so she was going to stay with him, whether he hated her or not.


    And that was the first reason Leonica had gotten to continue living after her marriage with Gabriel had ended and till this day, she did not regret the choice she made.


    The second thing that yed in her head, shing like memories did right before one dies, was the first day she had met Owen. At that time he had been ten and Leonica twelve. Hitting puberty early confused her to the point that she once believed that she was into girls. She wasn''t. So the day Owen''s family moved in and her mother took her, along with Melvin to go and greet the new neighbors, thest thing everyone had expected was for her to mistake Owen''s looks at that time, thinking he was a girl and opening-ly dering that he was the one she was going to marry. Their parents of course,ughed it off, thinking it was a joke and that had hurt her feelings. When the day had finally ended, Leonica had found herself running to her room, locking herself in and crying, telling herself that no one would love her and she''d have to stay alone for the rest of her life. That mentality haunted her for a whole week, until she met Owen again and he exined everything to her. He was a guy, the revtion shocked Leonica, but not as much as when he, a ten years old child, boldly proposed to her, promising that when they got older, he''d marry her.


    And it was only now, that Leonica realized he was the first reason why she learnt to love herself and leave her life the way she wanted to, keeping the promise he made to her somewhere in the back of her mind, until her resurfaced again, after eleven who years, ready to fulfill the promise he had made.


    But that was something she couldn''t fulfil.


    And that was the only feeling of regret that she had as the feeling of calmness overtook her and she became aware of the burning feeling in her lungs as the water filled it.


    ''Maybe, in the next life,'' she thought, closing her eyes and waiting for her soul to leave her body. "We''d meet again, I''d be much better of a person and our path will simply be filled with roses.''


    But her peaceful moment of death thoughts were cut short, when she heard the muffled sound of what seemed like someone jumping into the water.


    She couldn''t see the person clearly, but when she spotted the familiar silhouette, the way her heart jumped, the way her eyes widened and the way her body seemed to fight itself and try to bring her up, suggested that she had a pretty good idea who it was. And then his face became clear as he swam in front of her, taking her cheeks in his hand in a desperate bid to ensure that she was okay.


    ''Owen.'' She could barely squeeze a smile through all the pain she was feeling.


    He gave her a reassuring look before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pocket knife, which he used to sh off the rope around her and swiftly swam up to the surface of the water.


    "Leonica! Leonica, are you okay?!" His voice wasced with worry and panic as he pulled her close, hoisting her against his chest with one arm while the other held onto the edge of the speed boat he hade in and sessfully pulled them both up. Leonica would have responded, if her lungs didn''t burn so bad and her mind didn''t feel so fuzzy, so all she could do was weakly ce her head against his chest as sheid onto of him.


    She managed a smile and mutter, "You came."


    "Hey, hey," He called, patting her cheeks to keep her awake. "Stay awake. You''re gonna be fine, just keep your eyes open."This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''m...tired," She muttered, her eyelids bing heavy. "I''m just gonna...sleep for a while..."


    "No," He said. "Don''t go to sleep, Leonica, you can''t, not right now." He called out to her, but she was already half way gone, eyes shut close and mind dulling out every single thing happening as her body tried to cope with theck of oxygen and soon, her breathing slowed down, nearly bing nonexistent.


    Owen noticed this and his panic increased even more.


    "Leonica, hey, baby, wake up." He called, patting her cheeks. When she didn''t respond, he did the only thing he could think of.


    He kissed her, forcing his mouth to open hers and breathing air into her.


    He repeated this twice and when she still didn''t respond, he began performing CPR.


    "Come on, baby, don''t do this to me." He muttered, giving her another breath and continuing his actions, hands shaking as he did so.


    "Mr. Lee!" He nced up and spotted Chief Robert approaching on his own boat, looking between he and Leonica with an expression of worry.


    "Hurry and get the paramedics!" He yelled.


    "What?"


    "Leonica... She isn''t breathing!"


    At his words, the officer wasted no time in ordering his team to rush over.


    ''Please be okay, baby. Please.''


    ~~


    Owen was seated outside the emergency room, his head resting on his palm, his mind going crazy and his eyes red from the many tears he had shed over the past one hour of constant worry.


    I should havee earlier, he bitter


    thought, hitting down on the inneryers of his cheek as he realized that the time he spent making all those phone calls that wasn''t useful, when he first got the message, could have been used in searching for her, saving her.


    Maybe if he hade earlier, he wouldn''t have been seating here, waiting for a doctor toe out and tell him the news of the love of his life.


    Maybe if he had been quicker, he would have been able to prevent all of this from happening, maybe he could have been able to save her.


    No, all if this wouldn''t have happened in the first ce if he had prioritized her over work.


    That was what he kept thinking, but it was just wishful thinking.


    The reality was, he had failed and now, Leonica was paying the price, and so was he.


    "Owen," He looked up at the sound of his name, only to be met with the sight of Cassandra, her face looking as worried as she had been when Owen first called to inform her of what happened. "Where is she? Where''s my daughter?"


    "Mrs. Romero," He stood up to greet the woman, along with Benjamin who was trailing carefully behind his wife with a guilty look on his face.


    "Where is she Owen?" Cassandra asked, barely holding back the tears that had been pricking her eyes since the ride here.


    "She''s-" Before Owen could finish the rest of his words, the door to the emergency room came open and a doctor stepped out.


    "Owen Lee?"


    "That''s me." He walked towards the doctor.


    "I''m Doctor Kareem," The doctor introduced. "You''re the who rushed Ms. Leonica in here, Correct?"


    He nodded. "How is she, Doctor?"


    "Well, we''ve managed to stabilize her, and she''s out of danger, but..." The doctor trailed off, and that only fueled the feeling of unease building within him. "What is it?" He asked. "What happened?"


    "She''s fine," The doctor began. "Physically, at least. We managed to get her back, but mentally, she''s gone into aa."


    Owen felt like a string in his heart had snapped. "What do you mean aa?!"


    The doctor sighed. "As you know, the human body is not built to survive under water for long periods of time especially when it''s close to winter session and the temperature in the water drops, drastically and the longer you stay, the harder your brain fights to keep your body alive, thus, leading Into a momentary state of shut down. I''m afraid Ms. Romero was underwater for far too long. I''m afraid there''s nothing we can do, but wait for when her body dims it okay to wake up."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 The Beginning Of Their New Chapter.

    Doctor Kareem''s words sent a wave of silent shivers down Owen''s spine, pinning his foot rooted to the floor and his mouth glued tight, unable to speak. Behind him, Cassandra threw herself into her husband''s arms and quietly wept and Benjamin lowered his head in guilt.


    "W-when, when would that be?" Owen finally found his voice.


    "We don''t know, it could take a day, a week, a month, even years." The doctor sighed. "For now, I think we should all be d that she made it out safely."


    Yes, he should have been d. ncing behind Doctor Kareem as the door to the emergency room once again opened, this time around, Leonica being rolled out on a metallic bed, hair damp, eyes closed and skin beautifully pale, Owen felt a bitter taste explode in his mouth.


    Yes, he was d that she was alive, but He wanted his Leonica, awake, smiling happily at him like she had done back at the ice rink. He wanted to see her skin shinning with its lively color and her eyes glistening with happiness each time she talked about Ashley or her favorite book. But unfortunately, he couldn''t have that


    "Owen," Cassandra''s voice called out from the pitch darkness that his thoughts had created around him. He felt her hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her, only then realizing that the doctor had excused himself. "Don''t have that look on your face, Son. Don''t me yourself."


    As if trying to soothe his thoughts before they got anymore darkened, Benjamin added. "You tried your best, Owen, it''s not your fault that she''s in this state."


    No, he refused to believe that. It was his fault that she was in this state. He knew what had urred less than a week ago, yet left her side. He let his guard down and she was nearly killed.


    If she did not wake up, he would never forgive himself.


    "Come," Benjamin gently nudged Owen, snapping him out of his thoughts. "She needs you by her side at this moment."


    Owen forced himself out of his thoughts and nodded.


    While Cassandra offered to go home and get a few things that might be needed in taking car of Leonica until whenever she woke up, Owen went into her hospital room.


    The room was silent, except for the quiet beepinging from the monitor. Owen walked to the chair ced beside the bed and took a seat.


    Leonica was lying peacefully on the bed, her face rxed and her eyes closed. Owen would have thought she was simply taking a nap, if not for the bandage around her head.


    He reached out and took her hand into his, holding it and feeling how cold and frail it had be.


    "Leonica," He whispered her name, hoping she could hear him. "Leonica, I''m so sorry. I should have protected you. I should have been more alert. You almost died and that would have been on me. But please, I''m begging you, don''t leave me alone for too long. Don''t leave Ashley for too long." He ced her hand against his forehead and sighed. "Please."


    The beeping of the machine was his only reply and it was a reply Owen did not like, because it only reminded him of how his beloved was in a deep sleep.


    A few hours passed, and the only time Owen had left her side was to use the restroom, and during the time he was away, the thought that she might not wake up, that he might lose her, had been so strong, that he had rushed back, afraid that the moment he turned his back, she''d be gone.


    He didn''t want to lose her, not when their story had just started, and there were so many things left unsaid and undone.


    "Luce mia," He whispered once more, gently holding her hand in between his, rubbing his thumb against the empty spot on her ring finger. "I''m not going to rush you anymore. Take your time and wake up when you feel like. I''m going to be here, I''m not leaving your side until you open your eyes."


    He ced a soft kiss against her knuckle, and then one against her forehead, before he said. "I promise, Luce mia, I won''t leave your side. So please, wake up soon, okay?"


    One year; that has been the amount of time that has passed since Owen had made that promise. He stayed true to his word, visiting the hospital every single day and bringing her fresh sets of flowers every week.


    Cassandra had visited too and even though her visitsted long enough for him to take a break, Owen didn''t leave her side, not wanting to miss the chance of her waking up.


    Ashley had also visited, and although his visit was very brief, it had been filled with tears. The poor child was devastated by the news of his mother''s current state.


    "It''s okay, Mommy. I won''t be angry with you if you take a little more time to wake up, but please don''t leave me alone." He had sobbed, clutching onto his mother''s frail looking hand.


    Owen could only but watch the child at that time,forting him subtly each time he came and was disappointed to see his mother asleep.


    Arvan, Anastasia, Leonardo, Melvin and Megan, all equally came to visit, but unlike Owen, they all ended up leaving and onlying back once in a few months, all hoping that Leonica would some day wake up.


    Now, a year had passed, and still, no changes, but that didn''t stop Owen froming and staying by her side, talking to her and reading to her, because he was sure she could hear him and some day, when she grew tired of sleeping, she''d wake up, sh her bright smile again him and the two would begin a whole new chapter in their life.


    "Good morning Mr. Lee," Kelly, the nurse who had been assigned to watch Leonica, greeted Owen as he walked into the hospital, wrapped from head to toe with seasonal clothes befitting Winter and a bouquet of Dahlias resting in his hand. "Hello Kelly. How''s work today?"


    "Peachy."


    Owen chuckled at her reply, but it sounded humorless. When was thest time he had trulyughed?


    "How''s Leonica?" He asked as she pushed the usual visitor''s form towards him.


    While he signed she cheerfully answered. "Ms. Romero''s condition improved once again! Today might be the lucky day."


    "Yeah," That was the exact same thing he had been hearing over the past one year. "Here." He passed the clipboard back to her and was about to leave when she informed.


    "Ah, before it skips my mind, Ms. Romero received a visitor as well today."


    "Who was it?" Owen asked, expecting to hear the familiar name of one of her family members or close friends, but instead, Kelly simply replied with.


    "Gabriel Bryce."


    Owen frowned. "Gabriel Bryce?" He questioned earning a nod from Kelly.


    What the hell was Gabriel doing here now? As a matter of fact, why did he only visit Leonica now after an entire year of she being asleep?


    Owen didn''t really care about the answer to those question. What he did care about was Gabriel being Around Leonica when she wakes up. If his face was the first thing she saw, he was sure that Leonica wouldpletely go back to sleep. She hated the man that much and the overprotective side of Owen that had manifested over the period of one year did not like the idea of someone, who hurt her, being around her.


    "Do you know if he left already?" He


    asked and Kelly shook her head. "As a matter of fact, some of the nurses


    were just talking about him. ''That one handsome guy on the rooftop''." She quoted the words of her fellow nurses. "If you want to see him, your best bet would be the rooftop."


    No shit Sherlock, Owen thought at the obvious answer but politely thanked Kelly and made his way towards the rooftop.


    When he pushed the door open and stepped out into the chilling winter atmosphere, he wasn''t surprised to find Gabriel, leaning against the rails, staring out into the busy streets below. "What are you doing here?"


    Gabriel didn''t flinch at Owen''s sudden appearance, but from the look on his face, it was clear that he had not expected to see him.


    He thought of giving a snarky response, but that side of him seemed to havepletely disappeared after Leonica cut ties with him a year ago.


    Now he didn''t even have the strength for a normal reply and from his appearance, Owen could tell that.


    His hair which had always been kept at a proper length and wellbed back had grown out, nearly reaching his shoulder. His beard chin also had visible signs of beard growth, something Gabriel never entertained in the past. In other words, he looked like shit, but the good, hot kind of shit.


    "I...came to see her." Gabriel answered after a while. "I heard what happened, and I..." He trailed off, not sure how to exin himself.


    "So youe now?" Owen scoffed, a slight bitterness in his tone. "It''s been an entire year."


    "I wasn''t sure if should have visited her-"


    "You should have kept it that way." Owen interjected while staring him straight in the eyes. "When are you going to let her go, huh?"


    Gabriel didn''t reply. His gaze drifted to the ground and he pondered Owen''s words. Letting Leonica go, he had tried doing that once, the end result, booze, bar fight and a few women.


    But could he really do it, again?


    "Letting her go..." He repeated, a faint smile creeping on his lips. "I could never do that."


    Owen sighed.


    "You''ve silently loved her once, so you must understand what it means to watch her fall in love with someone else. Someone else gets to make her smile andugh and kiss her and tell her how beautiful she is." Gabriel''s fists tightened, and Owen could see that each word he spoke was causing the other man pain, and he was aware of that. But he continued anyway.


    "But even with how painful it all seems, you can''t let her go, even the thought of that is torturous." He looked at Owen and chuckled. "It''s like she''s a fucking drug."


    Owen silently watched him and


    Gabriel realized he wasn''t going to


    be like Lloyd.or Christian and engage in this conversation, he pushed himself off the railing. "But don''t worry, this would be thest time you''ll ever see me around her. I''ll


    step out of her life, for good."C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    He was already walking away when he added. "You take care of her, else I won''t hesitate to snatch her away."


    And just like that, he was gone. Owen too, retreated from the rooftop, heading straight for Leonica''s room.


    Outside was quite cold, he thought, choosing to upy his mind with things other than Gabriel''s words. Not that they mattered to him.


    He nced down at the Dahlias, trying to remember if they fared well during the winter in a jog of water, after all, he didn''t want Leonica waking up to the sight of withered flowers.


    But even at that, he wondered when she''d actually wake up. It had already been a year.


    ''It''s it time for you to wake up, Leonica.'' He thought as he pulled the door to her hospital room open and froze.


    On the bed, sat Leonica, her body turned towards the view of the window, making her back face the door where he stood. But at the sound of it opening, she was snapped out of whatever trance she had been in and turned to look at him, a small smile ying on her lips. "Hey Owen."

 Awake After A Year

    Leonica had her eyes closed, peacefully sleeping when a single snowdrop from outside found it''s way through the window of her hospital room. Itnded in the tip of her nose, melting almost instantly. The cold liquidly sensation had her finger twitching, one, twice and then her eyes fluttered open.


    At first, her sight was blurred. Everything seemed distorted and unfamiliar. Her eyes wandered around the room, taking in her surroundings and her head spun.


    ''What happened? Where am I?''


    These were the questions that raced through her mind, the feeling of dizziness and confusion clouding her brain and then the entire thing came flooding back Into her mind.


    Irene kidnapping her, pushing her into the water, Owening to her rescue and thest thing she heard, the sound of him begging her to stay awake.


    All that, had happened how long ago? She thought as she sat up, looking around the room to assess the situation of where she was.


    It was neither heaven not hell, but a hospital room.


    ''How long did I sleep for?'' She thought, ncing from the hospital machines, IV bags and almost whether Dahlias on the nightstand beside her.


    She reached out to touch them, wondering if they were real, but she had to stop when the door to her room suddenly came open.


    The sudden noise startled her and she flinched ever so slightly, turning around to meet Owen standing at the door, a look of surprise on his face.


    Seeing him, made her body feel like it had just truly woken up. She smiled weakly at him. "Hey Owen."


    "L-Leonica," He stammered, slowly entering the room with a look of both disbelief and relief. "You''re awake."


    "Yes. Did-" Before she couldplete her words, Owen had rushed at her, throwing his arms around her, pulling her into a hug, his action making the smile on her lips grow more.


    "Did I worry you?" She asked, raising her hand to gently Pat his back.


    "No," He whispered and pulled her closer, almost as if he was having a hard time believing what was happening right now wasn''t reality.


    And it was just that. After a whole year of waiting and praying that Leonica would wake up, Owen''s expectation for seeing her awake today of all days had dwindled, yet here she was, awake, and talking, and smiling and hugging him, and Owen could not have felt happier. "You scared me." He said and Leonica sighed.


    "I''m sorry."


    He pulled away from the hug and ced his hands on her shoulders. "How are you feeling?"


    Leonica thought about her answer for a few seconds before she answered. "Refreshed. It feels like I''ve gotten the sleep I actually needed." After saying this, she proceeded to ask. "How long was I asleep for?"


    Owen hesitated to answer, his lips drawing thin lines as he tried to think of the right words. "A year."


    Leonica''s eyes widened at his words, and her mouth went agape.


    ''A year?'' She thought. ''I slept for a year?''


    That would have exined the amount of snow covering the streets and the number of Christmas decorations that seemed to have filled every corner of her hospital room.


    "I slept for a year." She repeated, the words sounding so unreal.


    "You did, Luce mia." Owen ran aforting hand through her hair, she instantly closing her eyes and leaning into his touch.


    He chuckled silently, realizing how much he had missed seeing her lean into his touch.


    "How''s everyone? Are they okay?" She asked with her eyes still closed.


    "They''re fine. Your family''s been very worried."


    Leonica sighed. "I''ve probably missed a lot."


    "No," Owen assured her. "Not much has changed since you went to sleep. I guess the only new things is that Ashley is now in his second grade."


    "He is?" She opened her eyes. "How has he been?"


    "He''s fine. He visits the hospital, often, misses you obviously."


    "I miss him too." Leonica muttered and a few moments passed with silence. "And Irene? What happened to her?" She asked.


    Owen''s fist tightened at the mention of the girl who had Put Leonica in the state she had been in for a year. "She was arrested the day she pushed you into the water. The court has handed down a verdict, and she''s currently serving a life sentence for the death of Jamil Vanadas and attempted murder on your life."


    Leonica closed her eyes again, remaining silent as she couldn''t think of anything to say after hearing Irene''s fate.


    She didn''t feel happy, or sad, rather, she felt pity for her. Although Irene had tried to kill her, that hatred had streamed from the fact that she wanted to be epted by the only family she had left.


    And she would have been epted, if only she approached the whole thing the right way.


    "I''m so d you''re okay, Luce mia." Owen whispered, leaning in and cing a soft kiss on her forehead, making her eyes flutter open. "Don''t ever scare me like that again."


    "I won''t." She promised, her voice sounding soft and soothing to his ears.


    Owen smiled, but before he could say anything more, the door behind him slid open and Cassandra walked in.


    However the moment she spotted Leonica awake, she dropped the bouquet of flower she had been carrying in her hand and covered her mouth with both her hands. ""Hi Mom."


    Cassandra couldn''t believe it. Was the person she was looking at her daughter or was her mind ying tricks on her.


    But no, the person in front of her was indeed her daughter.


    She rushed to her side and threw her arms around her, holding her close.


    "My baby, you''re awake!" She eximed, squeezing Leonica in her embrace, a hug that she dly reciprocated, at first that is."


    "Mom," She began, a little difort in her voice as she felt herself choking, theck of air from her mother''s hug. "I can''t breathe." Cassandra quickly released her, apologizing as she did so. "I''m so sorry honey, I was just so excited. I''m so happy that you''re awake." "I am too."


    "Do you know how worried we''ve all been? And Ashley, he''s so worried, the poor kid. And your father oh, he''s downstairs walking with Doctor


    Bailey, Thave to give him a cousne


    Cassandra rambled on, reaching into her bag and pulling out her phone.


    Owen and Leonica exchanged brief nces as they watched her make the call and in a matter of minutes, Benjamin along with a figure that was not so tiny anymore, rushed into Leonica''s room. "Leonica." Benjamin looked like he was about to burst with relief when he saw his daughter sitting up all healthy and fine.


    "Mommy!" Ashley eximed in pure happiness, rushing towards his mother for the hug that he had craved for the past year.


    Leonica wasted no time in embracing her son and holding him close, not wanting to let him go. "Oh baby, how much you''ve grown."


    Ashley didn''t respond. All he did was taking in the familiar feeling of his mother''s hold and her voice and her scent and how he had missed it all.


    "I''m so d you''re awake, mommy." He muttered into her chest after a while and Leonica smiled.


    "Me too, sweetie."


    Their reunion was broken apart when Doctor Bailey, along with Kareem, knocked on the door and stepped in.


    "Ms. Romero." Dr. Bailey greeted and Leonica smiled at him. "How are you feeling?"


    "Better than ever." She answered honestly.


    "I trust that, but just in case, please allow us to carry out a quick blood draw to check your vitals."


    Leonica nodded in understanding and turned her gaze towards her family. "Is it okay if we have moment, guys? I''ll be done soon."


    Her family and Ashley reluctant at first, all nodded in agreement and excused themselves from the room, leaving Leonica and Dr. Bailey.


    "Please roll up your sleeves." He gestured at the long hands of the hospital gown she was wearing.


    She did and he quickly drew a bit of her blood, cing it in a container and passing it to Doctor Kareem who would go run a few tests and get the results.


    "Alright," Dr. Bailey turned back to Leonica, who had rolled her sleeves back down. "Let''s begin the examination."


    11


    "Your vitals seem to be perfectly stable, your heart rate, BP and temperature are all normal." Dr. Bailey began listing down the result of the test as he wrote them down on the clipboard he was holding.


    "I also had Doctor Kareem run a quick CT scan, and it seems like there is nothing wrong with your brain and other organs, everything looks perfectly fine."


    Leonica, along with Owen and her family Members, all nodded their heads as they listened to all of what Doctor Bailey had to say.


    "So there''s nothing to worry about?" Owen asked, earning a nod of approval from the Doctor.


    "Then, when can mommye home?" Ashley asked eagerly.


    "Soon." The Doctor answered and


    Ashley cheered. "We normally keep patients who have just woken up under a two day watch to see if


    everything is fine despite the test. So


    once her two days watch is


    over,


    Ms. Romero is free to go home."


    "Thank you, Doctor."


    Doctor Bailey smiled. "You''re wee."


    He excused himself and as soon as he was out of the room, Cassandra, Benjamin, and even Ashley, began to crowd Leonica, all talking at the same time.


    "We should call Grace and have her prepare for your arrival. Or would you rather stay with us for a while" Cassandra was the first to suggest.


    "I suggest she stays with us for at least a month so that we can monitor her recovery." Benjamin suggested, a little excited at the idea of finally being able to wee his daughter home. "Yeah," Ashley nodded in agreement. "And we can even throw an ice cream party to make you feel better." He turned to Owen for confirmation. "Right daddy?"


    Eh?


    A wave of confusion washed over Leonica at Ashley''s words and she found herself looking between her son and Fianc¨¦.


    Daddy? She thought, wondering when Ashley had started referring to Owen as his father. Not that she wasining.


    "If your mother agrees, then sure." Owen answered, not sounding fazed by the fact that Ashley had just called him Daddy.


    Perhaps it isn''t a new thing, Leonica realized and couldn''t help but feel a bit saddened that she had missed the very first time Her son referred to Owen as his father.


    While she was wrapped up in her thoughts and family''s concerns, the door to her room slid open once again, except this time around, it was Anastasia and Megan standing at the door.


    "So it is true?" Anastasia said as she approached, tears polling in the bottom of her eyes. "You finally decided to open those stupid eyes of yours, you roon."


    "Ana-"


    "How could you leave us like that for an entire year, huh?" Anastasia asked.


    Leonica could tell that she was not really angry, she was d that her friend had decided to wake up after an entire year of sleeping.


    Leonica smiled and opened her arms, inviting both of them into a hug.


    Anastasia was the first to jump into the hug, followed by Megan.


    "Don''t you ever think of leaving us again." Megan scolded.


    "I won''t." Leonica promised.


    The next few hours were spent entertaining friends and family members, everyone being happy and relieved that Leonica had decided to wake up.


    After a while, it was just her, Owen, Cassandra, Benjamin and Ashley who stayed.


    "It''s gettingte, we should head home." Cassandra informed Benjamin, who was in a conversation with Owen.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Yeah, it is." He agreed and stood up, about to gather himself along with his wife to leave when there was a knock on the door.


    "Come in," Leonica called and watched as the door opened and Doctor Bailey made his way in.


    Concern quickly took ce on the face of everyone present and Doctor Bailey who noticed this, was quick to calm them all down. "Please be at ease, nothing''s wrong with Ms. Romero. Contrary to that, we made an outstanding discovery today during the process of testing her blood, that I''m sure everyone present would be pleased to hear."


    "What is it?" Owen was the first to ask, anxious to hear the news.


    Doctor Bailey gave him a smile. "Well, Mr. Lee. Ms. Romero can serve as a suitable donor for Ashley''s bone marrow transnt."

 Picture Perfect.

    "Bone Marrow transnt?" Cassandra repeated, her tone indicating her surprise and a look of pure relief on her face. "So does that mean that Ashley''s..." "Yes." Dr. Bailey nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It seems like your grandson doesn''t have to suffer anymore."


    Cassandra''s hands came up to cover her mouth as she tried to suppress a sob. Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes and threatened to fall down her cheeks. "That''s great news!" Benjamin was quick to hug his wife andfort her.


    Owen too, felt a wave of relief wash over him, the thought of the day Ashley''s transnt from his half sibling would fail had haunted him for quite a while. And now, it was gone.


    His gaze turned to his side where Leonica was sitting and he was surprised to see tears running down her cheeks.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    "Hey," He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer, her tears damping the material of his shirt. "Why are you crying?"


    "I''m happy." She managed to say. "So freaking happy."


    Owen chuckled and pressed a kiss on the top of her head, not saying anything else and allowing the happiness and relief to envelop them all.


    Doctor Bailey had the decency of giving them a few minutes to enjoy the good news before he asked. "So, would you like to go through with the surgery, Ms. Romero?"


    "Of course!" Leonica replied without missing a beat.


    "Great. Then if you don''t mind, the procedure can start next week since you still need a bit of time to fully recover. We''ll prepare everything and get you the necessary documents. But for now, all you have to do is rest and rx." Leonica nodded. "Okay."


    Dr. Bailey left after saying that, leaving Leonica alone with her parents, Owen and Ashley who was passed out on the couch, using Owen''s coat as a nket.


    "This is such great news." Cassandra was still crying tears of joy as she said. "I can''t believe you''ll be able to help Ashley. Oh my God, thank you."


    "It''s okay, Mom." Leonica reassured her.


    "Yeah," Benjamin agreed. "She''s doing this because she love Ashley and that is enough."


    Cassandra nodded her head and turned her attention back to her daughter. "Thank you so much, Sweetheart."


    "I''d do anything for him." Leonica stated.


    "Alright, let''s head back now." Benjamin said as he walked towards the chair and picked his grandson who had been living with them for a year. "We''lle and visit tomorrow." "Okay. Drive safely."


    "I will."


    Owen and Leonica watched them as they left, and when they were finally alone, Leonica spoke up.


    "I didn''t know that Ashley had started calling you Dad."


    Owen looked at her and chuckled. "Yeah. It just happened."


    "When?"


    "I''m not really sure." He answered. "But I''m notining. I''m more than happy to be a dad to Ashley."


    Leonica smiled. "I''m d."


    Once again, someone knocked gently on the door and after receiving permission to enter, Doctor Kareem walked in carrying a file.


    "Doctor Bailey told me to bring the consent form to you." He handed it to Leonica along with a pen. "It''d need his mother and father''s signature."


    Leonica dly drafted her signature in the mother section, but when she nced at the father section, she wondered if she should tell them that Gabriel was no longer in their life, because he indeed wasn''t. After an entire year of sleep, she didn''t even know what had happened to him.


    Suddenly, the clipboard was taken from her hand along with the pen and Owen smiled down at her. "I''ll fill in the form."


    He then proceeded to scribble his signature on the document.


    "Thank you, Mr. Lee." Doctor Kareem thanked Owen before his eyesnded on Leonica. "Get some rest, Ms. Romero. We''ll see you in a few days." "I will."


    Doctor Kareem nodded and excused himself, leaving the two to themselves once again.


    "I''m tired." Leonica muttered which she found ironic after she had slept for an entire year. Perhaps her body wasn''t used to the entertaining it did after it''s first day of waking up. "Then rest." Owen tucked her in and sat beside her.


    "Wouldn''t you get bored?" She asked.


    "Nah. This wouldn''t be the first time I''ve watched you sleep." He assured her. "And I''ll still be here when you wake up."


    Leonica''s lips curved into a small smile, a feeling of warmth washing over her.


    "Okay." She closed her eyes, a content sigh leaving her lips.


    Her eyelids grew heavy and after a few seconds, she drifted into a deep slumber.


    A whole week went by and Leonica had gotten the best of care from her family and friends.


    Even when she was discharged from the hospital, they were all waiting for her with a feast, a wee home party, a celebration that was well deserved.


    "Congrattions Leon!" Leonardo eximed as he released the confetti as she walked in.


    "Thank you, Leo." She giggled and epted the bouquet of flowers and the card her friend was handing her.


    "Wee home, Leonica!"


    "Thanks Arvan," She smiled at him before turning her attention to Daisy. "How are you darling?"


    She shed a toothy grin. "I''m fine, also, wee back."


    "Leon!" Megan called out as she approached her, pulling her into a quick hug. "Wee back."


    "Thanks, Meggie."


    "Wee home, mommy!" Ashley said as he offered a single flower bouquet. She chuckled, but epted it nheless. "Thank you sweetheart."


    "Wee home Leonica and


    congrattions on a healthy and


    p


    speedy recovery." Benjamin and Cassandra were the ones who greeted her this time around. Thetter greeted her with a hug while the former with a pat on her shoulder.


    "Thank you Dad, Mom." She greeted them back.


    After all the congrattions and weing greetings were carried out, the small party began. Nearly halfway in, Leonica realized Owen was missing. "Mom, have you seen Owen?" She asked.


    Her mother was about to shake her head when she spotted said man walking in.


    "There he is." She announced, pointing towards the entrance


    "Nowhere, just had a little chat with your father."


    "My father?" Leonica parroted as he took her by the hand and led her towards the balcony away from the small party. "What are we doing here?" She asked.


    "Leonica," Owen reached into his


    pocket and pulled out a small velvet


    box. "I was supposed to do this right


    He went on one knee and opened the smallbox, revealing the engagement ring he had bought one year ago after noticing that the one he had given her again the family house, was gone.


    Leonica looked at the shining ring and her gaze melted. "Owen..."


    "Will you marry me, luce mia?" He asked, looking up at her and smiling.


    "Is that even a question?" She giggled.


    "Then say yes."


    "Yes."


    "Good." Taking her hand, Owen gently slipped the ring into her finger and stood up, pulling her into a loving kiss.


    "I love you, Luce mia." He muttered as soon as they broke apart, a smile on his lips.


    "I love you too." Leonica answered honestly with a smile on her lip as she knew in a week''s time, her life would be picture perfect.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Into The Rose Garden.

    Seating in front of her vanity mirror, Leonica watched Grace''s reflection diligently as the elderly woman worked on her hair, trimming it short enough for the surgery.


    A whole week had gone by since she woke up and five days since she had been discharged and today was the big day, the day where she''d donate her bone marrow for Ashley''s transnt. She could already imagine how happy Ashley would be once the surgery was done and over with and how the treatment would start to work immediately.


    It would only take a matter of a week or two for the boy to be healthy again and the thought of that excited her.


    "All done, Ms. Romero." Grace stepped away, giving Leonica the opportunity to admire her hair.


    Her hair once long before was now cut short, the ends stopping a little above her shoulder.


    "I think this is the perfect length." Leonica muttered. "Thank you, Grace."


    "You''re wee." Grace gathered her things and was about to excuse herself when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Leonica called, watching from the reflection of the mirror as the door opened and Owen stepped in.


    "luce mia it''s-" He stopped short, looking astonished by the length of her hair.


    "Is it bad?" She asked.


    Owen quickly shook his head. Contrary to what she thought, the short length actually suited her and the style looked absolutely beautiful.


    "No." He answered, taking a step forward so that he was now standing behind her, hands on her shoulder, while Grace finally excused herself, giving the two much needed privacy. "It''s beautiful, really."


    She smiled, softly. "Thank you. It is time to leave yet?" Owen nodded. "And Ashley?"


    "Your mom and dad''s already taken him to the hospital."


    Leonica nodded, knowing fully well that she''d have to thank her parents in a more grander way for taking care of Ashley the entire years she had been asleep and even now.


    But for now, she needed to focus on the surgery.


    "Alright," She drew series of long breath, trying to calm the spike of anxiety in her nerves.


    Owen noticed and gently massaged her shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile when their eyes meet through the mirror.


    "It''s going to be alright." He said.


    Leonica nodded, feeling less anxious because of his words. "I know. Let''s go."


    Getting up, Owen led the way downstairs. As they stepped out of the house, the television in the living room yed thetest news.


    "After many long years of having their foot in Oslo Norway, Bryce Empire has suddenly decided to move from their founding country, taking their headquarters elsewhere. Sources say that the reason for this recent decision is because their Current CEO, Gabriel Bryce, had undergone a sudden change in his personal life, a change that has caused him to leave Norway. What could have caused the CEO''s personal life to drastically change? Some specte that it had to do with the tragic incident that had befallen his ex wife, Leonica Romero. We''re not sure, but all we can hope is that whatever had caused Mr. Bryce''s sudden change of heart, it would be nothing but positive. My name is Anna, and that is thetest news of the day."


    Arriving at the hospital seemed to have taken less time than Leonica had anticipated.


    Before she knew it, she was already dressed in a patient gown, getting prepared for the procedure.


    "How are you feeling?" Owen asked, noticing how stiff her body was.


    "Fine." Leonica muttered, though her voice came out shaky.


    Owen reached for her hand, gently squeezing it, making her turn her head and look at him.


    "What is it?" He asked.


    She shrugged. "I''m just... Nervous, I guess. I''m scared that something might go wrong, you know."


    Owen gave her a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, nothing is going to go wrong. The doctors are professionals and I''m sure they''d do their very best. Besides, it''s a very simple procedure, it will be over before you even know it." "You think so?" She asked and Owen nodded.


    "I know so."


    She smiled, her eyes lighting up with joy and Owen was reminded of how he had missed that particr light for an entire year.


    "Thank you." She muttered and Owen leaned in, capturing her lips in a quick kiss.


    "Anything for you, Luce mia." He assured her, pressing his forehead against hers and staring into her eyes for the shortest time that the moment allowed.


    "Ms. Romero," A nurse came in, knocking gently on the door. "We''re ready."


    "Okay."


    With onest reassuring nce, Owen left the room and the nurses helped her onto a stretcher, pushing her out.


    "Leonica, everything''s going to be alright." Cassandra reassured when her daughter came across her in the hallway.


    Leonica nodded, not finding the need to use her words because her mother had said it all.


    "We''ll be waiting here." Her father added.


    Leonica gave them a brief smile and turned her head back to face the ceiling, the nurses leading her into a room where a few doctors and Doctor Bailey was waiting. "Good morning, Ms. Romero." Doctor Bailey greeted and Leonica returned his greeting. "Are you ready?"


    "As ready as I''ll ever be." She answered honestly.


    "Alright. Then let''s begin the procedure."


    Doctor Bailey gestured towards the nurses and they immediately went into action, setting the surgical table, the anesthesia, and anything else that was necessary. "Do not be afraid, Ms. Romero. We''ll do our best."


    Leonica smiled and closed her eyes, allowing the doctors and nurses to begin the surgery.


    The entire procedure only took less than an hour, and the doctors and nurses were more than happy to report that it had been a sess.


    "Ms. Romero is going to be fine. And


    Mr. Romero, the bone marrow is on the way to the operating room. In a few hours, your grandson would be able to walk out of this hospital with a new lease on life." Doctor Bailey informed the Romeros and Owen, who were all waiting outside.


    "Thank you, Doctor." Benjamin thanked and Cassandra did the same.


    "You''re wee." Doctor Bailey then excused himself and headed down the hallway to the operating room.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    A little whileter, Leonica was rolled out in a wheelchair, arge gauze covering her backside.


    "Mom, Dad," She greeted with a weak smile, but nheless, looking happy. "The process was a sess."


    "We heard." Owen ced his hand on her cheek, noticing how she closed her eyes and tried to rest.


    "It''s normal." The nurse rolling the wheel chair spoke up when she noticed the look of worry on Owen''s face. "Patients are naturally tired after surgeries. She''d need at least four hours of sleep, maybe a little longer." "Okay."


    Owen watched as his fiance dozed off in the wheel chair, the exhaustion from the surgery catching up with her.


    "I''ll roll her to her wing, you cane along if you please."


    Owen did not reject the suggestion


    and in a matter of seconds, he was beside Leonica, holding her hand as the nurse rolled her over to her room, while Cassandra and


    Benjamin went to be with Ashley, promising to bring the little one over to their shared wing once the surgery was over.


    Leonica opened her eyes to see that she had beenying t on the in ground of a rose garden.


    She nced around and then at her hands as she got up wondering how she had gotten here. And then she heard a voice that shocked her.


    "Leonica, my dear,"


    Her head snapped up nearly at the speed of light, eyes softening at the sight of Lilia. It was then she knew this was a dream.


    She was sleeping after the surgery and dreaming of Lilia.


    The old woman, as if reading her thoughts, smiled softly at her and extended her hand out. "Come dear."


    Leonica did not hesitate. She walked forward and nted her hand firmly in Lilia''s palm, allowing the woman lead her towards a set of pink roses in full bloom.


    "You''ve found happiness, I see." She said after a while and Leonica nodded.


    "Although I apologize, I couldn''t make things work with Gabriel."


    Liliaughed, genuinely. ¡°Don''t apologize, it''s not your fault that child had screwed up one too many times." Her hand found Leonica''s head and even though it was a


    Re


    dream, Leonica could feel any


    affectionately massage her hair. "But what matters most is that you''re happy."


    "And Gabriel?"


    Lilia looked back at the roses, a wistful smile on her lips. "My grandson would be fine, he''s stronger than a simple heartbreak."


    Would he? Leonica thought and when Lilia caught the rare look of worry across her face, she added. "Gabriel''s never been one to dwell on things for too long. Give him a year and I''m sure he''d move on." Changing the conversation, Lilia opened her arms for a hug, which Leonica happily epted. "I enjoyed having this conversation with you, child. Go now, and live the happy life you''ve worked so hard to build." As Lilia''s words faded and the rise garden disappeared from her view, Leonica''s eyes fluttered open to the nd white POP of her hospital wing.


    "Luce mia, how are you feeling?" Owen asked from beside her.


    "Great," She answered, a smile on her lips as she scanned the room, noticing that Ashley''s bed was empty.


    She frowned.


    Weren''t they meant to be done with the transnt?


    Where was Ashley''s?


    Before she could even ask, the door to their hospital wing came open and Cassandra and Benjamin stepped in, thetter carrying Ashley, who was licking a half way gone ice cream.


    However, the ice cream was long forgotten when he spotted his mother awake.


    "Mommy!" He tried jumping out of his grandfather''s hand, all in the bid to meet his mother.


    Benjamin, chuckling at the child''s action, gently ced him beside his mother and the little boy wasted no time in hugging her.


    "Hi sweetheart, are you okay? Did you feel any pain during the surgery?" Leonica asked.


    "Not at all!" Ashley said, raising his hospital gown to show where Doctor Bailey had carried out the transnt.


    "It looks like it didn''t even happen." Benjamin said.


    "Yeah, Doctor Bailey did an amazing job."


    "He did." Cassandra agreed. "We were a bit worried when Ashley didn''t wake up immediately after the procedure, but thankfully, he didn''t need to stay unconscious for a whole year like you." Leonica giggled, but the joke was short lived.


    "Thankfully," Owen added. "And now, Ashley''s finally free."


    "Yeah," Leonica smiled softly. "He is."


    "Does that mean I won''t get a sibling?" Ashley asked tentatively.


    Leonica chuckled, beating Owen to the punch before even here could. She held her finger up and asked. "How does two siblings sound?"


    Ashley''s eyes widened. "Really?"


    "Really." Leonica confirmed.


    "Two!" Ashley cheered, a big smile on his lips as he went over to his grandparents.


    From beside her, Owen ced a kiss on her forehead, muttering words to her that made her smile and confirm that she had indeed made the right choices up until now.


    Sure, there have been several bumps and regrets, but in the end, she was happy with family, friends and the two most important people in her life, Ashley and Owen. What better life could she ask for.

 The Start Of Their Rosy Voyage.

    The bell hanging above the door jingled as he walked in.


    "Hello, wee to Chams Flowery. How may we-" The florist in charge stopped short when she turned away from her current line of work and her eyesnded on the handsome man who had walked in.


    His gray-ish ck hair was pulled up in a neat bun, his sharp gray eyes scanning the surroundings and the light stubble on his jawline indicated that he hadn''t shaved in a while. But dressed in his light brown coat, ck turtle neck and suit pants of matching colors, all the flowers around paled inparison to his beauty.


    "Good evening," He greeted, a small, almost unnoticeable smile on his face.


    The florist''s mouth went dry.


    "Um, good evening." She managed to squeak out. "How may we... I help you?"


    "I''m here to pick up a bouquet. I called ahead of time."


    "O-of course. What''s your name sir?"


    "Gabriel. Gabriel Bryce."


    "Ah yes," The florist looked through her list, quickly finding his name. "The order was made a few days ago, am I right?"


    "Yes."


    "Alright. I''ll go grab it. Feel free to look around."


    With that, she was gone and Gabriel took her up on her offer, stuffing his hands into his pocket as he browsed through the flower isles. After a while, he came upon a set of purple looking Dahlias.


    It reminded him of Leonica and for the first time since leaving Norway- only returning today to get flowers for his grandmother and pay respect to her- Gabriel found himself wanting to see her.


    "I wonder how she''s doing?" He mumbled and as if on cue, the front door of the flowery pulled open and the sound of the bell jingling mixed with the familiarughter that made his heart pick up its pace. "You''re really something else, Anastasia."


    He heard Leonica''s enchanting voice and from in between the spaces of the isle he was standing in, he spotted the sight of her, her smile on full disy, herughter filling the air.


    Seeing her rugged on the strings of his heart because after two whole years, three of which they hadst interacted, Leonica Romero still looked as beautiful as ever.


    The only difference was her hair, which was now cut shorter. But apart from that, her green eyes still shone with the light he had loved seeing, and the curve of her lips and her soft cheeks was still the same.


    Itforted him In a painful way to know that all the articles he had read about she and Owen''s happy marriage and tales were all true.


    Owen was taking care of her the way she deserved, something he could provide.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "What? I''m just being truthful. Huh? Where the florist?" Anastasia asked as she noticed the empty desk.


    "Probably in the back," Leonica reaches forward and rung the bell, giving Gabriel a front roll view to the sight of her wedding ring. "Excuse me, who''s here?"


    "Please hold on!" The florist called back, reminding Gabriel of the flowers he hade to pick up.


    But they were not as important as Leonica who was a few feet away from him. In fact, all the flowers in the flowery seemed to have lost their luster whenpared to her.


    "So, flowers, party designs, cakes," Anastasia listened the items, counting with her fingers. "Everything is set for Owen''s party."


    She nodded her head, moving away from the counter and walking towards the floor isle. Gabriel saw hering and without thinking switched over to the next isle, finding his way back to the counter. "Your order is ready, Mr. Bryce." The florist said as she walked towards the counter with his bouquet.


    "Here." He ced his card on the counter, turning briefly to catch a nce of Leonica''s face once again when the sound of herughter reached his ears.


    She truly was most beautiful in her happy form.


    "Would you like a vase?" The florist asked, snapping him out of his trance.


    "No, thank you."


    "If that''s all-"


    "As a matter of fact, it''s not." Gabriel interrupted, watching as the florist cocked her head in confusion. "The purple Dahlias in that Isle," He pointed behind him. "Can I purchase a few?"


    "Of course! Would you like them to be wrapped up right now?"


    "No, I''d like for you to them to thedy that just walked in."


    The florist nced behind him, spotting Leonica as she indeed stood out amongst the flowers.


    "Who? Mrs. Lee?"


    Gabriel couldn''t help it. He flinched the moment he heard how the florist addressed Leonica. No more Ms. Romero, huh?


    Swallowing the bitter pill, he nodded. "Yes. Please give them to her."


    "Okay,"


    The florist ced the flowers and Gabriel paid, taking the bouquet for his grandmother before making his way out of the flowery, not once stealing another nce at the woman he had once loved and still loved, but now had no chance with. The florist watched him leave before she shook her head and went to get the Dahlias, along with Leonica''s order. When she returned, she rang the bell and called out.


    "Order for Mrs. Lee."


    Leonica immediately showed up at the counter, marveling at the carnations she had ordered. "Wow, these are beautiful." "Thank you, ma''am." The florist then grabbed the purple Dahlias and ced them beside Leonica''s. "These are for you too."


    "For me?" Leonica nced at her favorite flowers, then back at Anastasia who shrugged. "Who...who ordered them?"


    The florist opened her mouth to answer, but for some reason, she thought it''d be best to keep Gabriel''s identity secret. "He didn''t leave a name, Ma''am."


    "I see," She picked the flowers up and smelt them, smiling at their ever pleasant smell. "Please pass along my gratitude if he everes back."


    "I will, ma''am."


    "Alright. We''d be taking our leave then." Having made her payment days before, Leonica grabbed the flower and together, she and Anastasia left, walking to their car and getting in.


    The drive towards she and Owen''s ce was entertainingly short giving Leonica a little time to think back on all that had happened in the past two years.


    After she woke up and Ashley''s


    surgery was a sess, she learnt


    that Gabriel along with his


    matter. Neither did she want to because life after awakening from a year long ofa was a busy one.


    But in between, she and Owen managed to tie the knot and have now been married for two. And she has enjoyed every single second of their marriage, after all, it was one of those right decision she could never regret.


    She was snapped away from her thought as her driver pulled into the premise of the mini estate Benjamin and Cassandra had gifted she and Owen as their wedding gift.


    "Mrs. Lee, we''re here." Her driver announced as he held the door open.


    Leonica took note of the fact that Owen wasn''t back yet as she stepped out. "Come on, let''s set it up before he gets home." She said as she rushed into the house, Anastasia following closely behind.


    "Hi mommy." Ashley, now ten years of age, weed his mother, not with his usual hugs, but arms upied by the cake he was cing on the table. "Is dad home yet?"


    She shook her head. "Not yet, but he should be any second." Saying this, she walked over to the edge of the table and set the flower down, just before Anastasia announced that Owen had pulled into the driveway. "Alright, ces everyone." Leonica instructed, waiting until everyone had gathered before she gave themand to her house Al. "Karen, switch off all lights."


    In a matter of seconds, the living room was shrouded in darkness, a darkness that was only broken when Owen walked in and gave a differentmand.


    "Karen, turn on the lights."


    Instantly, the living room was illuminated and the loud shouts of ''Surprise!'' rang through the air.


    Owen flinched at the sudden sound of their voices and confetti, but after a few seconds, his brain having processed what was going on, a smile bloomed across his face.


    "Happy Birthday, Mine." Leonica greeted with a wide smile, rushing forward and pulling him into a quick hug. "I hope you liked the surprise."


    Owen, chuckling, wrapped an arm around her waist. "I love it, Cara."


    Leonica smiled at the second, no third nickname she had gotten used to, while Owen turned his attention to the crowd.


    "Thank you, all of you, for this. I really appreciate it." He told his guests, the members of the Romero family and few others, before his gazended on Ashley, who was the happiest among them all.


    He opened his arms. "Come here, Ash."


    Ashley wasted no time and ran forward, throwing himself into the arms of the man who had slowly grown into the perfect father figure in his life. His father.


    "Happy birthday, dad."


    "Thank you Ash."


    When the child pulled back, he suddenly showed his father a wrapped gift.


    "For me?" Owen asked with a smile and Ashley nodded.


    "Yup. Mom and I got you a gift."


    "Oh, really?" Owen''s eyes turned to his wife, who smiled.


    "Yup. Open it."


    With the help of Ashley, Owen tore the wrapper and revealed a slim stick painted white and pink and had two red lines in the middle.


    He looked at the gift, trying to decipher what it was.


    "This looks a lot like a-"


    "A pregnancy stick." Leonica finished and Owen''s eyes widened as her words hit him.


    "You''re pregnant?" He asked, looking like a fish out of water and Leonicaughed.


    "I am."


    Owen''s lips stretched into arge smile and he pulled her into a hug. "Really?"


    "Yeah." She assured him, a smile on her own lips.


    Owen, who couldn''t contain his joy, pulled her into a kiss, their guests pping and congratting them.


    "Thank you, Cara. You''ve once again made me the happiest man on earth." Owen thanked her as soon as they pulled apart, a smile on his face and his eyes sparkling with joy.


    "You''re wee, Mine." Leonica visage mirrored his expression as she reveled in the joy of seeing Owen happy from the news.


    "Ah!" Ashley''s voice broke the moment. "The wax is melting! Dad,e blow it out!" Grabbing Owen''s hand, the younger male dragged him towards the cake, pulling his mother along to. "Make a wish and blow it out! He urged.


    Owen bent down, stared at the candle and pulled back.


    "What-?"


    "Blow it out, Cara," He told her, a smile on his face.


    "Huh?" She frowned. "But I''m not the one celebrating my birthday."


    "But I want it to be your wish. A wish for our family." Owen''s hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her close, a loving smile on his face. "So, Cara, blow out the candles in my stead, would you?"


    Leonica chuckled, her heart swelling with so much love for the man that was currently holding her. "Alright."


    Drawing in a breath, Leonica turned to the candle, staring at the dancing mes for a while before closing her eyes and making a silent wish for this happiness tost forever.


    For this happiness to be there until the end of her story.


    Their story.


    When she opened her eyes, Owen was watching her, the love he felt for her evident in his eyes and Leonica smiled, blowing the candles and making the wish.


    And that was the start of their rosy voyage.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!