Chapter 268 - 268 Two Messages
Although she missed Denise’s company already, she was grateful to her for occupying her mind with so many activities that she rarely noticed Leon’s absence.
Paul, who had been dotting on her like a father figure ever since Leon left was the first to welcome her excitedly.
“Good evening, Mrs. Treshvire,” Paul beamed as he took some of the bags Ella was holding. He quickly instructed some female house staff members to take the shopping bags John was carrying to Ella’s bedroom.
“Hello Paul, good evening,” Ella replied with a tired smile. ” I trust everyone is doing great?”
“Yes, ma’am!” Paul nodded politely. “Would you like to eat something first before going upstairs?”
“Eat!” Ella’s eyes widened in alarm. “Do you all want to stuff me with so much food? Please, no more food until morning. I can barely breathe after Denise made me eat heaven and Earth,” Ella said smiling.
“Oh!” Paul beamed. “Madam Denise is an amazing friend.”
“Yes, she is!” Ella’s eyes sparkled as the thought of Denise filled her with so much joy.
.....
“Ma’am, I will leave you to go and rest. But remember, if you need anything at all, just press the red button by your bed,” Paul said as he observed Ella yawning out of tiredness.
“Red button! What red button?” Ella raised an eyebrow quizzically.
“We installed some new communication devices in all the bedrooms, should in case you need anything.”
“Oh, Paul, you’re such a sweetheart!” Ella touched his shoulder lightly. “Thanks for always caring for me like I was your daughter.”
Paul didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as Ella’s show of gratitude touched his very soul. Ella’s humble and genuine nature continued to dazzle him every day, leaving him always speechless.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Paul mumbled as happy emotions clogged his throat.
Feeling tired and sleepy, Ella slowly trudged up the stairs to her bedroom. She sleepily took a cool shower that further relaxed her nerves and change into a cozy nightwear, before climbing up her bed.
Before she snuggled under the duvet, she briefly texted a short message to Leon. Then she turned off her night light and immediately drifted off to Dreamland.
—————
After Tom left Leon behind at the Play Lounge, he stayed back for a few more minutes to analyze all Tom had said.
Although he had expected Tom to give him some positive news about his little chat with Denise, he felt disgruntled when Tom told him that she was also threatening him.
“Denise threatening me!” Leon scoffed and chuckled. “Who or what does she think she is? Now I don’t need a soothsayer to tell me that she has been filling my wife’s head with bullsh*t. She is the reason behind Ella’s sudden aggressiveness.”
Leon thought for a while about how to manage Denise’s excesses without provoking his wife. But when he critically analyzed it, he saw that Denise was as invincible as his wife.
Denise was not just his wife’s best friend or second mother as she called herself, but she was also Tom’s fiancee. So hurting her in any way was out of the question.
However, a dialogue with her was like asking a lion and a hyena to come to terms. It was simply impossible. Denise had an untamed mouth and was also provokingly fearless.
Another thing that pricked Leon’s conscience was the fact that Denise had always been there for his wife even before he came into the picture. She was more than a friend or sister to Ella.
Leon was even certain that there were some things he didn’t know about his wife that Denise knew. He also knew that Denise would never encourage Ella to do something stupid aside from challenging his authority.
Feeling a migraine from different conflicting thoughts, he decided to retire home and rest his head. So he stood up and left the lounge after ensuring the tipped waitress, who served him a drink and a note from the strange lady had been fired.
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Back at the second mansion, Leon took a light dinner after having a cold shower.
When he retired to his bedroom, he picked up his laptop and climbed on his king-size bed. Then he buried himself in some unfinished office work
While he was tapping away on his laptop, he received a message from Xia.
[Xia: Hi Mr. Treshvire, or can I call you just Leon since we are no longer in the office, (three smiling face emoji).
I just wanted you to know that I have made some arrangements to acquire an exquisite house down by the beach. I would appreciate it If you can accompany me to check the house tomorrow.
Also, I wanted to let you know that I have signed the contract and sent it to your inbox. I can’t wait for our next hangout. Goodnight and see you bright and early tomorrow.]
“What does this silly girl take me for, her boyfriend?” Leon hissed and angrily tossed the phone aside before refocusing his attention on what he was initially doing.
Just when he was getting deeply engrossed in his work, his phone beeped again.
Leon’s face scrunched in anger as he picked up the phone again. He was about to cough out something nasty, thinking Xia had sent him another message.
However, he was surprised and strangely happy to see that Ella sent him a message.
Also when he hurriedly checked the content of the message, he felt breathless for a few seconds.
[Ella: Hi baby, I miss you. I hope you are not working late tonight. Take care of yourself and be safe. I love you. Sweet dreams.]
For the rest of the night, Leon felt emotionally traumatized by Ella’s message. He found it difficult to think or do anything.
The fact that she had been mad and aggressive during the day but charming during the night left him speechless and unable to think properly.
“Did she mean every word in this message or is this another way of tormenting me.” Leon pushed aside his laptop and lay back on his bed, deep in thought.
He thought of placing a call across to her but a part of his mind decided against it.
“Maybe she is just playing a game on me as she did back in her office. Maybe this is a trick to get me to come home.”
Leon’s head began to throb all over again. In the process of trying to calm his spiraling thoughts, he drifted off to sleep.