Chapter 37
He pictured Richard smiling face, kissing Ella and another wave of terror flashed in his eyes. If Richard had been present at the moment, Leon would have designed his chest with at least ten bullets and watched him die with pleasure.
“You want to leave because Richard is back? Or is it because he is doing so well?” Leon’s glare was frightful, sending chills down Ella’s spine. “What does that make you?”
Did Leon just try to insinuate that she was a gold digger? Ella’s thoughts were in frenzy and her mind was bitterly enraged. She lifted her hand intending to slap Leon. But he caught her hand in mid-air and pinned both hands behind her back, causing her to wince in pain.
“You are crazy!” Ella yelled as she tried in vain to wriggle herself free. “You’re a lunatic! I hate you. I want out!” She screamed as burning tears flowed down her cheeks. “Let go of me! I don’t want anything to do with you anymore! I’m done with you!”
Leon’s fury melted at the sight of Ella’s tears. Her hurtful words cut deeply into his heart. He had never felt this weakened by anyone in his entire life. He suddenly felt like a disgusting beast, who had terribly hurt his beauty. He had not intended to make her cry. He wished he could take back his harsh words.
He loosened his firm grip on her wrist and pulled her close into his arms, allowing her to drain her tears on his shirt.
.....
Ella struggled and punched him in the chest. But after a few seconds, she became calm and just sobbed in his arms.
“I’m sorry, Ella.” Leon’s eyes softened and he stroked her freshly floral shampooed hair tenderly. “I guess I went too far with my scolding. I have a very short and bad temper. I am also a possessive man. I can never share my girl with any other man. I almost lost it at your house when Richard called you his baby.” Leon spoke calmly.
Ella gently wrapped her hands around Leon’s neck. Though she felt hurt emotionally and physically on her wrist, she didn’t want to lose Leon either. She couldn’t explain her feeling for him. But, she knew that she wanted to remain in his arms at the moment.
“I’m sorry too,” Ella whispered as she sniffed in Leon’s arms. “I didn’t mean those words I said. They were just angry words. Richard stole a kiss from me. I didn’t see it coming and I didn’t return it either.”
“That’s because he wants you back. I saw it in his eyes today and it enraged me.”
Leon slightly released his hold on Ella and cupped her face tenderly with his hands. He lovingly gazed into her wet shimmering eyes. “Ella, you are so special to me and I mean what I said about making you happy.” Using his thumb, he wiped the tears off her face.
“it’s okay if you want to go back to Richard. He is your first love, and it’s normal to still have feelings for him. We’re not married yet, hence the contract can be destroyed.” Leon paused and swallowed hard. He felt a hundred double-edged swords jabbing at his heart. Ella was capable of shredding his already mended heart in bits with her choice. And just like years back, he may not survive this one. He hoped she would never consider Richard as an option.
“But, if you still want to go through with the marriage contract, you would make me the happiest man alive. Richard or any other man with interest in you, can’t be found around you. You must end every communication with Richard starting from this moment. So, what is your final decision?” Leon could feel his heartbeat quadruple.
Ella looked down, but Leon lifted her chin and gazed keenly into her eyes.
“Richard cares about my well-being. I can’t deny that I also care about him too. But I am not emotionally drawn to him the way I am drawn to you. His kiss made me realize that I want to be with you. I...” her word was swallowed by a passionate kiss from Leon.
Their heartbeat synchronized and complimented each other. Ella and Leon couldn’t admit to the fact that they were crazily falling in love with one another.
Ella broke away from the kiss to catch her breath. Then she hugged Leon tenderly.
“Okay, you can speak with Richard but you can’t be found around him so that he wouldn’t take advantage of you. Does that suit you better?” Leon wanted to desperately please her.
“Yes, thank you,” Ella smiled genuinely. It was as if Leon read her mind. “I promise not to be found in a compromising situation with Richard or any guy, other than you, for the duration of the contract.”
Leon’s ocean blue eyes sparkled with affection and desire. He kissed her again affectionately.
“How about we get married tomorrow and leave town for a week?” Leon said with a curious glance.
“Huh... Are you sure about that? What about your family? You told them a week from now?” Ella gawked at him puzzled.
“Don’t bother about that. If you say yes, I’ll make preparation and we would have a civil marriage tomorrow at the state high court. We would have only two witnesses; my friend, Tom, and your friend, Denise. Dare to take a chance with me,” Leon persuaded with a hypnotic smile.
Ella was thrilled and overwhelmed. “Okay!” Ella smiled shyly, “let’s get married!”
Leon excitedly lifted her in his arms, kissed her tenderly again, and took her to her bedroom.
Before leaving her room, he tended to her hurt wrist and planted a kiss on her forehead.
...
Back at the Robinsons’ mansion, Chloe locked herself up in her room. She had been too embarrassed to show her face in public after her disgraceful episode with a lowlife scoundrel.
She was befuddled and exasperated when she saw the viral video of her disgusting sex episode. But thankfully, her dad had brought down the viral video using his connections in high places. She was also frustrated because she couldn’t remember what led to her drug bingeing.
Yeah, she did little drugs back in high school and college. It was the rebellious lifestyle of a teenager or young adult, she guessed. Even at that, she never ran in the circle of the indigents. She had always hung out with only the affluent and famous.
Also, in all her bingeing, she had never taken this high amount of drugs and booze that had made her completely wild.
Although her parents were disappointed with her, they never said it. Instead, they were seen dotting around her and trying their very best to make her happy. She whined occasionally and made unnecessary demands. Even at that, her parents did everything in their power to please her.
Mr. Albert Robinson even got hold of the old faggot that had taken his daughter in public like a cheap tart. After several brutal tortures with no useful information, the old scoundrel was wasted.
Even the cheap club where Chloe had partied was raided and several persons were arrested. Also, the club was shut down and marked for demolition.
Her dad did not stop there in finding justice for his abused daughter. The motel she had passed the night was also raided and some of its staff were arrested for questioning. The motel was also shut down permanently.
Unfortunately for her dad, nothing seemed to point to any foul play. It all pointed to the fact that Chloe; who had a history of substance abuse, got hold of some hard drugs illicitly and let loose herself.
The only information he had gotten was that a particular girl, named Ariella Porter had publicly humiliated his daughter in a restaurant, prior to her bingeing. He sent his little minions to search and get information about Ariella. And he swore under his breath to ruthlessly deal with her.
Albert was so disappointed in his daughter. But he didn’t show it for fear of her hysterical behavior.
Why couldn’t she behave like a normal loving child, he pondered in agony. He had always done everything she ever wanted. Yet, she chose to scandalize his name.
When his wife had told him of how Chloe had ditched Marissa at Leon’s house, he had instructed her to apologize on Chloe’s behalf. He also called Rex Treshvier, to be certain he had no bad blood against him. It had taken him years to build a formidable relationship with the Treshvires. And he didn’t want anything to hamper that relationship.
Chloe stared at her parents with mixed feelings. “Should I feel sorry for the humiliation I have caused them?” She thought. “Never, it’s their duty after all! They have to please me.” As a selfish girl, she only felt sorry for herself and the opportunities she may miss out on.
She was told that Marissa had tried calling her severally and then stopped towards the end of the day. At first, she doubted if Marissa knew anything about the viral video. But after calling Marissa severally without her answering, she confirmed that the worst may have happened.
Currently, Chloe was undergoing a brief private rehabilitation section with a professional counselor; who majors in human psychology and neurology. She was irritated by his boring procedure of questions, counseling, and instructions. She couldn’t wait to leave the boring mansion and her parents consistent and excessive fondness.
Most importantly, she wanted to know where she stood as the mistress of Leon’s villa.
...
At the Treshvires mansion in Carlpole, Marissa smiled slyly as she seeped a glass of wine and listened intently to her private investigator. He gave her detailed information about everything there was to know about Ariella Porter.
“Beautiful work!” She praised him and rewarded him handsomely.
When he had left the mansion, Marissa placed a call to the airline company and book a round-trip flight to Springchad.
Very early the next morning, Marissa left home for the airport.
After a two hours flight, she arrived at Springchad. With the help of an airline staff, she chartered a luxurious car and left the airport for Ariella’s home.
Maggie was busy pruning the flowers in front of her home when an exotic black limousine pulled in front of her driveway. She stopped what she was doing and stared at the beautiful, delicate, and elegantly dressed lady that came down from the limo.
The lady walked up to her and spoke in a reticent and soft manner.
“Good morning. Please, is this the home of Miss Ariella Porter?” Marissa asked politely.