Chapter 213 - 213 I Want To Be Selfish
He wanted to badly please his wife but he didn’t want to do it at the expense of his grieving mother.
He could manage Yvonne and even put how where she belongs but his mum was different. She had just lost the number one man in her life. So, naturally, she will be clinging to him, as her everything, and, he didn’t want to disappoint her.
He remembered Nana Esther’s warning that he should neither abandon his wife nor his mother. But he didn’t need much convincing from Ella to know that his mum and sister were really maltreating her. He could also confirm this due to the way Ivory had been standing up for Ella.
Ivory was one person in the family that had an unbiased mind. It was said that she inherited this good trait from Nana Esther. As long as there are no malicious agenda behind a cause, she would always stand up for the truth.
Thinking hard and silently while soothing Ella, he decided to discuss his dilemma with her.
“Babe, I’m sorry for everything my mum and sister have done to you. Please, stop crying so that we can rub minds together.”
Ella shook her head in response and sniffed severally to clear her airways. She felt a bit cozy and sleepy in Leon’s warm embrace. So she sat up to shake off the sleep and give him her full attention.
“Thanks!”
.....
Leon’s lips curved into a smile as Ella stopped crying.
“You know, Nana Esther once told me to treat you and my mum with love and care. She told me to never abandon one for the other. However, since my mum has her reservation about you, she tends to whip up trouble to gain my attention.”
“Hmm...in other words, your mum wants you to hate me and love her.” Ella sighed.
“Yes, that’s exactly what she wants. Hence, I feel trapped between loving you and caring for my mother the way I should; especially now that she just lost her husband.”
“I understand! But, you don’t expect me to succumb to her ill-treatment just to make her happy.” Ella raised an eyebrow animatedly causing Leon to chuckle.
“Not at all. I just wish you guys could avoid each other’s path in the meantime.”
“Hmm!” Ella chuckled. “I could perfectly do that but your mum and sister wouldn’t let me be.”
“I can imagine!” Leon smirked. “You know, before I came here, I was called back home by Yvonne. She told me that you had a knife to my mother’s neck and were planning on killing her.”
“What!”
Ella widened eyes almost popped out in bewilderment.
“That is not true! My goodness!” Ella cupped her open mouth. “I’m sorry to say this but your sister is telling a lie. Although, I did point a knife at your mum when she moved towards me menacingly. I thought she wanted to beat me up or pull my hair as she did before. So I armed myself to keep her away.”
“Really!” Leon chuckled due to Ella’s stunned expression.
“It’s not funny, Leon,” Ella’s forehead furrowed. “I’m telling the truth! You have to believe me! I didn’t mean to raise a weapon at your mum but I acted on impulse. I didn’t want anyone to hurt me again! You can even ask Ivory, she witnessed everything. Yvonne instigated the whole drama.”
“Ella, take a deep breath!”
Leon placed his hands on Ella’s shoulders to calm her down.
Ella inhaled and exhaled before bombarding Leon with more questions.
“Are you mad at me for pointing a knife at your mum?”
“If I have to be honest, then yes!”
“Argh! I’m sorry! I swear it was never my intention!”
“It’s okay! I was mad at you before. But now, I have forgiven you.”
“Thank you!”
Leon observed her face for a change in expression. When he saw how remorseful she was, he leaned closer and kissed her lips.
“I’m happy things didn’t escalate from there. I can’t afford either you or my mum getting yourselves hurt. You, my mum, my sisters, and my uncle are the most important people in my life right now. I will literally kill anyone who messes around with you guys.”
“Hmm... Leon, how would you propose I defend myself, whenever your mum and sister threaten me? You won’t be there all the time to shield me from them. Also, I don’t think I will allow anyone to raise their hand at me ever again. I will fight back!”
“I understand, my love. I’ll speak to my mum and sister again to let you be. However, if they don’t heed my warning and bother you again, then feel free to address the issue your way as long as dangerous weapons are not involved.”
“Good!”
“Can I ask one more favor from you?”
Leon stood up and pulled Ella to her feet. Then he wrapped his hands around her waist and gazed into her eyes.
“Okay, if it’s within my powers, I will grant it.” Ella moistened her lips seductively as Leon roving hands slowly trailed from her nape down to her waist. She wrapped her hands around his neck and fondly stroked his ear lobes.
“Can you please leave the kitchen to my mum?”
“Why?”
“Because she’s nagging me about it!”
“So, I should starve to death because your mum doesn’t want me to go into Nana Esther’s kitchen, huh?” Ella looked at him quizzically.
“No! Not at all! From henceforth, Ivory or myself will be preparing your breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next two days. Or we could always eat out.”
“Hmm! Such a tempting offer! I will consider it on one condition.
“Shoot!”
“How about you spend the whole day with me here? If we get hungry, I will allow you to go get us something nice to eat.”
“What if my attention is needed at home?”
Leon’s caressing gradually intensified. He could feel the heat building up between them and he was desperate to devour her.
“Easy!”
Ella took his phone from his pocket and switched it off.
“Everyone can manage without you for today! I want to be selfish with my husband for the next seven hours.”
“Hmm... I like the sound of that!”