Chapter 19: Chapter 19
(Vivienne)
"Sweetie wanna go for ice cream?"I asked Skylar as soon as we left the school grounds. I guessed Victor already told the principal about my arrival because I thought I had to do some formalities
"No don't wanna" she muttered without the venue looking at me. It hurt me to see her not wanting to talk to me, especially now
"Maybe we can go to the park...do you want that?"I asked, still smiling at her, she stopped right where the car was parked since the driver came to get her. I could see her frowning a little and I went to my knees so I could talk to her properly
"Should we go to the park sweetie...it will be fine and we'll buy ice cream on the way?"I said, reaching for her face hoping she would smile a little but she didn't.
"No I want Papa ''Skylar said in a low voice breaking my heart once more. I was about to say something when a red car drove by and stopped right before us, getting my attention as I turned to look who it was. The door opened and to my shock, it was Martha who came out smiling. It had been three years since we saw her. She looked even more beautiful with her blonde hair cut in a bob style. Dressed in a designer black dress that reached above her knees hugging her curves just the right way with an open slit in front. She looked tall and elegant with black heels like a model
"Auntie Ma!"Skylar startled me when she burst out running towards Martha who did the same as she extended her arms as if receiving a hug. I remained there watching as the two hugged it out
"Hey baby...missed me...aww who looks cute...yes you," Martha said as she lowered down embracing Skylar in her arms. I heard her giggle and the way she was holding Martha had me averting my eyes. The two exchanged a few childish words and broke the hug
"So I came to get you...my work ended and...hey Vivienne long time," Martha said but when she saw me standing there she smiled and held Skylar's hand protectively and led her to where I was
"Hey...how have you been?"I asked, smiling faintly at her. She looked down at Skylar and she was holding her tightly. My heart arched seeing how the two looked. I guess these past three years they got close
"I'm good...you don't look so bad yourself...what brings you here," Martha said showing off her dimples but I didn't know what to tell her
"Actually…"
"Anyways it's good to see you...come, Sky...I have a surprise for you" Martha cut me off as if she didn't want to hear what I had to say. She didn't even ask me anything and just took Skylar away. I wanted to stop her and tell her I was the one to take her home but she already got Skylar in her car. I heard her laughing and Skylar's giggles and I knew I wasn't needed. Martha drove her car away from there
"Madam," the driver who had been waiting said gesturing for me to get in the car but why should I
"Thanks but I'll take a taxi" saying that I held my black purse close and proceeded away from the school gate and made my way down the road hoping to get a taxi. I wanted to call Victor to inform him I wasn't with Skylar but I dropped the idea and decided to go back to my apartment.
***
"Just go back to him...it's not that bad" it was enough. Alexis was too much, and talking to her over the phone wasn't working. She strictly told me doctor Maverick was a bad doctor but now she was calling me from work saying she wanted to know the medicine he gave her to stop the pain
"Fine, I'll try talking to him in the meantime...bring the two files I left on my desk and my laptop, "I said and waited for her to give me a thousand reasons why she was not at work but on a date with our co-worker Kyle.
"Don't be such a bitch damn it" I said laughing at how perverted Alexis was. I didn't even know what to do but I disconnected the call and dug in my purse for the keys since I already reached my apartment door
"Huh" I was surprised when I tried unlocking the door and it was open. This startled me not sure if I forgot to unlock but recall leaving Victor back.
"That damn man...I left the keys for him"I recalled leaving my spare keys for him I guess he forgot to lock the door
I walked in and closed the door when I heard the TV on.
"Did he leave the TV on as well" this was too much, how could he be so careless as to leave my apartment a mess when I walked to the living room I stopped upon seeing the man lying on the couch with a bucket of popcorns watching a cartoon
"Leo?"
"Hey princess... welcome, "Leo said as he sat up and turned to look at me
"You are here?"It was surprising to see Leo in my apartment. If I didn't notice this at first then I was a fool. "smells great in here" I said sniffing around and the place smelled like baked something. So delicious that I felt my mouth watering realizing I was hungry
"Well I was bored so I came here... didn't find you so I asked for spare keys and they gave me" he explained as he walked up to me. He entered my house without permission
"And they gave you...what happened to privacy," I said frowning, why would the hotel manager just give anyone my apartment keys
"I told them I'm your brother visiting and since I'm a celebrity...I smiled charmingly and boom they gave" he explained laughing and I knew he used his reputation and status to woo the lady. It was funny that I was helpless to say anything
"And you made dinner?"I asked putting my purse on the couch and he helped me take off the coat and placed it on the side table and we made our way to the kitchen
"Yeah...the little one was working so I thought to make something since I was visiting," he said, Leo was a nice man too good that I wished the lie about being my brother was the truth
"Wow...you are this good" it was surprising to see the delicacies he made for me. He smirked as he took out more dishes and all filled to the brim with my favorite foods. My mouth was already dripping
"Well I'm a man right...my woman will be lucky," he said with a chuckle and I felt bad at his words. Recalling how he treated Monica earlier
"Leo...you shouldn't have done that to her...she loves you and…"
"If she doesn't then she needs to respect you...I told her countless times not to say anything bad to you"Leo cut me off and saw how angry he was. I wondered why he got like this whenever anyone said bad things to me. He got overprotective and didn't spare anyone not even the woman he loved
"It's not like that...she doesn't mean the words she says to me...please call her and ask for forgiveness" I didn't want Monica hating me even more because I was getting in her way especially if Leo was this sweet to me
"The day she starts treating you the way I do will I forgive her" he simply said and walked to the refrigerator. I watched him and wondered what good I did in my past life to deserve such love from him. Was he willing to leave the woman he loved for me? Who would do that for a stranger, he was supposed to support Monica no matter what but he defended me like a big brother would for his little sister
"But why huh...I mean she's the woman you love...why do you defend me like this?"I asked when he brought back a glass jar of freshly made juice and placed it on the counter. I pulled out a chair and sat down since he gestured with his finger and he smiled as he rolled up his shirt sleeves and took out two places and placed one in my spot
"Because you remind me of someone special," he said, and hearing his soft low voice I sensed sadness in his tone. This made me remember that night I saw him with Martha arguing. He was hurt that night and I guess it had to do with his mom leaving
"Really...I mean can you tell me everything...I know I'm not supposed to ask but was she your sister and where is she?"I couldn't help but be curious why I reminded him so much of someone
"Maybe a sister...I never saw...will you listen if I told you about my life?" he said while serving me some meatballs and pasta. They made so much that I didn't know I could finish everything
"Of course, I will...you are my best friend now...tell me,'' I said, taking a form and taking one meatball which smelled delightful and looked so delicious. He took his time as he sat down and poured himself a glass of water
"Leo if it's...I can wait I mean we…"
"Well I was just a little boy when my parents used to argue...they used to do it in secret but things got intense"Leo started and I nodded, coaxing him to go on. I wanted so badly to know something about him so I cod know where all his anger came from
"I didn't know what they argued about but one day my mom came out holding bags and my father chasing after her and begging her not to leave him...I didn't know what was happening since I just came back from school that day" he continued as we ate our food peacefully. It seemed he had a rough childhood
"Why was she leaving?"I asked when he didn't say anything and he looked at me for a while then lowered his eyes to the plate.
"My mom wanted a divorce from my father...she didn't want him anymore...I wanted to know why…" he added and by now his voice was getting lower and I didn't want that. It was hard to see a grown man like him sad hence I left my seat since we were sitting opposite each other I took a seat next to him and hugged him just for comfort
"I found out she had a lover...my father knew about her secret affairs but he never said anything nor scolded her...later I came to know she was pregnant for my father and wanted to terminate...the pregnancy, "Leo said and by now I wanted to know what kind of woman his mother was to cheat on her husband
"She stayed right...a baby brings joy to a family even if it's broken...it's a blessing I'm sure she wanted to stay with your father and you," I said smiling at him. I did everything not to break into tears...why would she want to end an innocent child's life
"She didn't want to have my father's child...she said I was the biggest mistake and the baby in her womb was a curse to her future"Leo muttered and his words broke my heart into little pieces. The thought of a mother saying such things to her son was more than heartbreaking. The agony Leo must have gone through to hear such words from his mother. No one wants to be rejected, especially the one who brought you into this world. They were supposed to protect you and shower you with love but hearing Leo I felt hot liquid lingering in my eyes
"T...then...what happened?"I asked, stammering, not sure if I was ready to hear what happened to him next "s...she must have changed her mind right?"I added hoping it wasn't what I was thinking but when Leo exhaled helplessly and shifted a little and held me in his arms. I knew it wasn't pleasing
"The worst happened which led to my father switching to committing suicide" he muttered and upon hearing his words my eyes widened in shock. My heart raced hoping he didn't mean that. It didn't get that far.