~LEONA~
"Stand still Dave," I whispered into his back.
" Why? It's just the paparazzi. They don't bite. " He whispered back.
Of course I can see it's the paparazzi.
" Save your questions and lectures for later but please just get me outta here."
" Why? "
I sighed and bit his back. " Ouch. " He groaned.
" Let's go... Please."
"Okay." He turned swiftly and hugged me. My face was pressed into his chest with his hands covering my head.
"Take a step back." He said.
I Did and he asked me to take another until my back was hitting the car door.
The door opened and he made me sit while his full body covered the door.
Once I was in, he also got in beside me and shut the door in the faces of the paparazzi.
"Okay, so what was that for? You even made it worse. Now they've got something to talk about for months. "
"I just don't like to be in the limelight. I hate media attention. I like my privacy and I think I have to stop moving around with you to avoid that. "
" Everyone hates it. Especially me but there's nothing I can do. "
" Whatever, you can go talk to them. I'm sure this is not the first time you'll be doing that so please go and tell them to leave. I have to go do some work. "
" I'm not gonna speak to them. "
" And why? "
" Because I only came to drop you. I wasn't coming here. "
" Take me wherever you're going then. "
" Are you sure? You just said you don't wanna go out with me again. "
" Yeah, I just want to be away from them till they're gone so I can come back."
" As you wish. As you can see, I like having you around so it won't be a bother." He put his hands around me and told the driver to drive us to a location I failed to grasp.
After a minimum of thirty minutes, we arrived in front of yet another tall building. I surveyed the place once we got down and I instantly fell in love with how beautiful and serene the place was. The huge tall building was surrounded by trees and a lawn. Beautiful flowers were grown at the edges of the lawn and it looked absolutely beautiful especially with how there was a touch of nature around the building.
He took my hands again. I looked up at him and he gave me a warm smile before we walked into the building.
The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. Everywhere was quiet. It was as if no one was present until I saw a smartly dressed lady at the front desk with a slight smile. She got up once we got to her.
"Good morning sir." She greeted me with a smile. I returned it. She's friendly.
Dave just nodded and we walked on.
All those we saw greeted him until we got to a door that had a sensor on it.
I was standing at the front so I thought it would open but it didn't. Dave chuckled and pushed me aside, standing in my position, the door slide open and we walked in.
"Does that mean no one can enter except you?" I asked and looked around the big office.
" Yeah. I can only come in. No one else but I plan on allowing someone else." He got his suit off and placed it around his chair then sat. "You can sit, Miss Grande." He showed the chair opposite him.
I sat and watched him switch on his computer then began to work something on it with full concentration.
After some minutes, he spoke. "Welcome to my firm."
I was confused at first before he added. "My offer is still intact."
I smiled. "This is your architectural firm?"
" Yes, dear."
" What are your services?"
" Architecture, Brand Design, Consulting & Real Estate, Digital Experience Design,Interior Design etc. " He rumbled proudly.
" Wow. That's wonderful but all that you mentioned sounded foreign to my ears."
" Don't worry, just accept my offer and you won't need to go to school to learn them. I'll be your personal teacher. I'll train you."
I grinned at him. " Thanks, Mr. Anosova."
" So?" His eyes were full of hope.
" My mind has not changed."
" Alright. But you can do this for me." He got up and walked to his shelf. He brought a document and placed it in front of me.
" What's this? And why are you giving it to me?"
" I'm not giving it to you and you don't have to know anything. All you need to do is sign them."
" I can at least read it right? Who knows, I might be signing my death warrant." I chuckled and flipped the pages.
He held my hand, stopping me from flipping further.
"You don't trust me?"
KATHIE
" Mrs. Anosova!" I barked as I entered Dave's parent's mansion.
"Mrs. Anosova," I called again as I rushed upstairs.
"What's the matter, Katherine? You look upset." She appeared in her bedroom.
" I'm really upset. Dave has done his worst and I refuse to tolerate it, mum. I'm fed up. I can't do this anymore." I said and wiped my eyes.
" What do you mean you can't do it anymore? Please come in, let's discuss." She pulled me into her room.
" Tell me, what did he do again?" He asked after we got in and she has given me some water.
"I caught him red-handed in bed with one of his employees. Can you imagine? A common employee." I spat in disgust.
" I'm sorry. When was that?"
" Just yesterday. When I confronted him at the spot, he slapped me and threaten to beat the life outta me after he kicked me out and I refused to leave." I cried some more.
" It's a lie." She muttered.
I almost slapped her. How dare she call me a liar?
" I can't believe Dave did that to you. I know my son. He can never put his hand on a woman. He'd never do that." She shook her head.
" I can't believe it either but it happened. He slapped me because of a cheap slut he employed."
" You mean Dave slapped you?" She asked again.
" I can see you don't trust me." I got up and made to leave. She doesn't seem to be buying my lie.
"No, come back. I trust you but it's just too hard to believe that my son did what you're saying. I really taught him to respect women. I can see him doing a lot of things but not abusing a woman. I tried picturing him but I just can't see it."
" So what are you suggesting now?" I glared at her.
" I'll talk to him."
I rolled my eyes. " When was the last time he listened to you?"
" I'll make him."
" Well forget about talking to him about this. I've already forgiven him though it's hard." I wiped my face.
" I understand dear. I'm sorry. I wish Dave can see how good of a person you are and accept you. I pray he does someday."
" Someday? Why not now?"
" What do you mean?"
" We've waited long for him to decide mum, but it seems to be taking forever so why not make a move?"
" I still don't get you."
I bend and whispered into her ears.
"Sounds great." She beamed. "It seems like the best idea ever."
"Yes, mum but there's some other thing we need to take care of."
"What?"
"The bitch he cheated on me with. She's always hovering around him."
" Don't worry. She's mine to deal with." She assured me with a smile.
" I trust you, you're the best."
~CORNELIUS~
It's been weeks since that scary man visited us and hasn't come again.
I'm in so much distress. And tired from worrying about Leona.
Where's she?
I hope she's fine or he has already found her?
And Raymond, I miss him too and I can't help worrying where he has disappeared to.
Oh, Lord!
What is happening?
My first wife, Freda made me promise to take care of them but now I don't even know their whereabouts. I'm so ashamed and disappointed in myself right now.
"Don't tell me you're still busy thinking about your prodigal children. Don't worry, they'll return but won't meet you alive because you'll die from worry and I don't think they'll come anytime soon."
" That's good. At least you'll become my widow."
" I refuse to be a widow. " She yelled.
"Then learn to always be positive minded."
"I'm just saying the harsh truth. Those kids don't even care about you and that's why they left. And here you're busy dying for them. "
" Get out of the room , Tasha. "
" Why should I? This is our room and I have the right to stay. Besides, you don't tell me what to do. "
She has become so rude over the years. The woman standing before me right now is not the loving, caring, respectful, and sweet Tasha I fell in love with after my wife passed on. She has become so selfish, heartless, and greedy.
"I'll have to leave then." I got up and left the room.
" Have you and mummy been fighting again?" Vera, my youngest daughter asked with her innocent sweet face.
" No sweetheart." I picked her.
"You can lie all you want but I know the truth. Tell me, do you want me to talk to her for you?"
I laughed. " Thanks, dear, but you should rather go get me some water."
" Alright, Daddy but can I ask a question first? "
" What is it? "
" When is sister Leona going to come back? I miss her so much ever since mum and Ellie threw her out. "
" What? "
~ LEONA~
Dave drove me back to the company after we left the firm.
I concentrated on my work and I was glad he didn't bother me.
The day escaped me and soon it was time to close. I rounded everything up and saved all the work on my computer then forwarded it.
It was when I was checking things in my bag that I spotted the file that was given to me yesterday. I sat back in my chair and took it out.
Dave had told me that he doesn't have an idea about it but I was told he was the one who sent it. From the look on Dave's face when I asked showed that he was telling the truth.
I took my telephone and called his secretary's office.
"Hi. Good evening Miss..?"
"Mrs. Taylor here." She said. I've never known her name.
"Alright. Miss Leona Grande calling."
"Yeah."
"I received a file from you yesterday which you said was sent by Dave...I mean sir."
" I'm sorry. I have no idea. I didn't call you yesterday."
What? Then who did?
" I think you've forgotten Mrs. Taylor. I really got a call from you."
" I think there's a mix up somewhere but I'm sure I didn't."
" Alright, thanks." I dropped the call.
If Dave said he has no knowledge about it and now Mrs. Taylor then who?
I flipped the documents but it was blank. There was nothing written on the sheets.
"Are you ready?" The door opened and Dave walked in.
"Yeah, but look at the documents I received yesterday." I showed it to him.
" I can't see any documents, Leo. I can only see blank papers and I thought I told you this yesterday."
"Yes it was sent to me by Mrs. Taylor but now she said she has no idea."
" Then it must be a prank then. Who would dare do that in my company anyway?"
" I don't know either."
" Don't worry." He took it and put it in the trash.
I can't help but worry. It was given to me to work on at home and I was asked to close that moment.
Why will the person say that? Is it to get me out of my office? But why?
***....***
Some of the scenes will make sense later.
And Leona will surely speak. Please have patience.