“what the h*ll 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 place 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 play out with interest.“I know we aren’t meant out 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 the corner like a confused rabbit, sweating under the growing eye
Overnight, that’s how long it had taken for Leonica’s not so peaceful life, to take a sudden turn, for the worse.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 a bone to pick with Gabriel concerning his constant actions projected solely to annoy her, once she has successfully sorted out the matter at hand.And what was the said matter that had caused her so much trouble in a matter of mere hours? Simple; Leaked photos of she and Gabriel kissing, or better yet of Gabriel kissing her. But no one knew that, at least those she hadn’t explained the situation to. People like those brainless outsiders, who even though were entitled to their opinion, couldn’t use their sense and type reasonable things in comment sections of articles.At first, their late night comments had started out as speculations, harmless ones. Someone, obviously too jobless for the
“…With this, I think it’s safe to say the meeting has come to a conclusion?” Standing at the head of the meeting table, Leonica looked at each of the shareholder’s face which now held complete doubts towards Rodrigo’s words after she had tallied not only evidence of wrongful accusation concerning her personal life and private image, but also evidence of how much the company had risen in the last 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 side of 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. Flashing them one last smile of professionalism, Leonica exited the conference room. As she walked out, Rodrigo nearly got slammed in the face by the opening doors. He staggered
"All and every question asked here today, will me answered by me and me alone, so don't bother wasting your time."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 glare from him had the reporter backing off and rethinking his choice of action."Mr. Bryce, would you be confirming the accusations being paid against Ms. Romero later 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 Le
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 island, staring down at the cup of juice lased with insecticide and trying to think of a d*mn good reason why she shouldn’t pick it up and chug the whole F*cking thing down.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 F*cking warned her the very moment she walked to them in on them ten years ago and
Those words were enough to have Leonica racing out of the company without second thoughts. Leonardo was confused, but during the drive, she had taken the initiative to explain the call to him.“Well, did they say what the bad news was about?” He questioned as they got closer to the hospital. Currently, they were stuck in a traffic that looked like it hadn’t moved for the past two hours, but in reality, they had only been there for five minutes.“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 contemplated 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? F*ck, she should have asked questions before hanging up the call and skidding to the lift. She cursed in her mind.“Hey, calm down.
“Ms. Romero appears to be unfit for artificial insemination. Through the series of test conducted on the IVF physicals, we were able to conclude that this situation was caused as a result of complications and high level of stress during her first pregnancy.” Doctor Bailey continued on, explaining to the three people present, all he and his team had learnt.As he spoke, the sterile walls of the doctor's office seemed to close in on Gabriel as he absorbed the weight of the revelation. The news of Leonica's inability to conceive through IVF, a consequence of the stress during her first pregnancy, hit him like a ton of bricks and soon the feeling guilt bubble up in the pit of his stomach.The guilt he felt was as a result of the nagging thought in his mind that if he had been there with Leonica during her first pregnancy, had he not thrown her out, divorced her all because of his pride and misunderstandings, then maybe, no, not maybe, he knew for a fact that the situation would have been
“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 successful 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 contemplating Gabriel’s proposal.Could he blame her, Gabriel was a sweet talker; even he had almost mistaken the devil for a knight in shining armor a minute ago. So what was the guarantee that his sister, Leonica, the woman who had fallen in love with him once, and was clearly still in l