Suspicious Behavior.
Along with the unwilling shivers that went down her spine due to Gabriel’s close presence, Leonica felt her heart pick up it’s pace at the mention of her son.
Eyes wide, barely stopping herself from panicking and ultimately snapping at Gabriel in a nasty manner, she calmed herself and with efficient speed, shoved the man in front of her
away.
“No matter who you are, Gabriel, this is just you getting way over your head.” She warned. Whoever that man was has nothing to do with you. It’s my matter and if I were you, I’d stop poking. The natural thing that a Stranger should do.” She placed great emphasis on the
word
stranger.
Unknowingly, Gabriel found himself wincing. He opened his mouth, intending to retort, however before the words could leave his mouth, the gate to her house opened and the approaching presence that they both had not noticed, appeared.
The house keeper, a lady in her earlier thirties who had been hired by Leonica to watch the house, and previously Ashely in tow, glanced between the two.
Concern, as well as worry flashed across her face when she realized the tension hanging hot in
the air.
“Madam,” She began, taking to Leonica’s defensive aid.
“It’s fine.” She waved her hand, shooting a tough glare at Gabriel. “This conversation is already over, I was just about coming in.”
Not even bothering to glance in his direction, Leonica turned around and entered the house, leaving the housekeeper and Gabriel to stare after her.
The woman, feeling the sudden awkwardness and discomfort that filled the atmosphere, quickly excused herself, following Leonica, who was making her way towards the entrance of her house.
Gabriel sighed heavily as soon as both females were out of sight.
Alcohol was a bastard, but he couldn’t totally be mad at his choice of acting under the influence of it. He had, after all, gotten something other than answer to work with.
Although Leonica had not openly admitted it, the moment Gabriel had asked the question of Ash’s father, it had shown on her face, the panic,
Unlike the expressions he had seen her with so far, Leonica had seemed tensed, panicked and feared even, the moment he mentioned Ash.
No one needed to tell him, Gabriel, even in his half intoxicated state, could sense that she was hiding something.
Schpunom tchavor.
2/4
Eyes narrowing as he stared at the dark painting of her gate, a passing thought, or rather, at new determination formed in the back of his mind, making it a personal priority to uncover whatever she was hiding, with regards to the boy
Her night, just like the right of her day, had gone by in a blur, making it so that when she woke the next morning, she felt less refreshed than the previous day, even though she had evidently slept longer than her previous days.
Her arrangement to begin her day at work felt out of place, as for one, there was no tiny figure running around the house with a black furred bunny in his arms. Each time she recalled the absence of the small child, almost panicking, she had to remind herself that he was now staying with her parents, for the time being that is.
The second thing that felt unusually out of place was the conversation between she and Gabriel that had taken place the night before.
It was unusual for him to focus on something other than degrading her- in his words disgraceful behavior.
Even by the time she had arrived at work, seated behind her desk, the white-ette still couldn’t
seem to wrap her head around his odd behavior. And at last, after chugging it up to him working under the influence of the alcohol, she moved on to worrying about other things. Precisely worrying over how, said man who was currently roaming her mind, Ashely’s
nickname.
It had been the first time ever, night before, he had uttered it and truthfully, it had left her in a
state of shock.
Leonica would have been lying if she said that she hadn’t spent a whole chunk of her night trying to find the source in which Gabriel had found out about her son’s nickname. However, even by the time she had woken up and began her daily routine, her efforts were
futile.
‘How did he even know that nickname?’ She gnawed at her red manicured nails.
Her moment of thought was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. Although she wasn’t entirely deep in thought, the noise still caused her to flinch. Glancing in the direction of the humming device she sighed upon seeing the name of Gabriel’s school principal written across her screen.
The moment of relief however, was short lived as she answered the phone.
“Leonica Romero speaking.”
“Ms. Romero, hello.” The principal, clearly a male from the sound of his voice, greeted. “1
Supalous Helsavior.
apologize for calling so suddenly, but sadly, there’s been an incident at school, concerning your son, Ashley Romero, that needs your attention.” “Incident?” She was on her feet in seconds. “Is it serious?”
“If your son getting into a classroom fight with his classmate classifies as serious, then yes.” The principal answered.
Hearing his words, Leonica’s eyes narrowed. “Ashely got into a fight?” She questioned, being well aware of the type of son she had raised.
Ashely was a bit mischievous, but not bad by nature. He’d never start a fight.
“Yes, that happened. Could you please make out time and come to the school, it’d be easier to settle the situation with both parental side present.”
“Of course.” Hastily, she shoved a couple of things into her purse and rushed out of if the office. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
WHE
Hanging up from the call, she turned to face her driver who was already starting expectantly at her. “Where to Ms. Romero?”
“Norlights Kindergarten,” She responded, before turning back to her assistant who had followed her out. “Stay and handle things back here.” She instructed.
The assistant bowed his head, agreeing without words.
Immediately, she got into the car and the rushed drive towards Ashely’s kindergarten began.
When she arrived, she was instantly greeted by the principal, who led her into his office where Ashely and another small boy sat, both looking downcast, as well as one sporting a small cut on his lip. “Mommy!” Upon seeing her, Ashely got up from the seat and ran towards her.
Kneeling down, Leonica wrapped him into a hug, before gently pulling him away, examining [his features.
“How did this happen?” Her question was directed towards the principal who hung his head, obviously hesitant to spill the beans on the situation.
“Well, the thing is-“
“Mommy, is it true that I’m a bastard?” Ashely cut in, asking in the most innocent was as possible even with the use of such a foul word.
In seconds, Leonica’s head snapped towards the principal who winced under her harsh gaze.
“What?”
“Well,” The principal cleared his throat. “You see, I’m sure you’re aware that we teach children the importance of family and such at the kindergarten, and when the kids were
drawing their family, little Ashley here, drew himself and his mother.”
“But then, the teacher asked who his daddy was, and he said, ‘I don’t have one. So, Dylan here, teased him about not having a father. It was just a small and harmless prank, yet Ashely took
so much offense to it.”
“Took so much offense to it?” Leonica sneered, her blood boiling at the audacity of the small boy. “This boy,” She pointed. “Insulted my son. Now I’m sure you don’t want me to assume that your School permits such audacious insults. Do you principal?” She pressed on, determined to get justice for her son, whatever it may be.
The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed at the obvious threat and the way the situation was beginning to unfold. “N-no, no. I don’t permit such acts. Dylan will be properly punished, I assure you.”
“You’re planning on punishing who exactly?” A third voice suddenly called from the office
entrance.
Both the principal and Leonica turned towards the door and watched as another figure joined them in their midst. Except the woman, clearly the mother of the other boy, didn’t pay attention to either of them and instead rushed towards her son:
Taking his face in both her hands, she examined the damage done.
“Oh my baby!” Blowing things out of proportion, she exclaimed. “What type of mannerless monster could have done such a thing?”
The moment those words left her mouth, her eyes landed on Ashely who was beside his mother. Instantly, her gaze hardened.
“It was you, wasn’t it you stupid rascal.” She matched forward, intending to seize the child by
his arm.
Before her fingers could even graze the child’s shirt, Leonica had stepped in front, cold visage surprising her son’s attacker. “You….what are you-” The woman began, her words fading as the face in front of her became
familiar.
The same could also be said for Leonica who was slowly starting to recognize the woman in
front of her.
“Wait, it’s you.” The woman pointed her overly long nails at Leonica, before barking a hearty but devious laugh.
Leonica on the other hand, sighed.
‘Shit. Why does the universe hate me?’ She cursed inwardly, eyes narrowing.
Just a few days ago, she had met the viper of a mistress and now, only a few days later, the universe had pushed the viper mistress’s minion onto her.
Talk about fucking Christmas.
Placked
Blacklisted.
000
-Chapter 27:
“Ha,” Jena, one of Angelina’s many minions in the past, barked a hard laugh, arm lapping her side. It was almost as if seeing Leonica in a kindergarten after five years was some sort of funny sitcom.
After recovering from her one sided and very much unnecessary laugh, she pointed her hand at the white-ette, voice pitch high as she spoke. “Wow, it really it you, Leonica.”
The said female winced at the sound of how horrible her name sounded coming off from a high pitched voice such as Jena’s and even though she had been addressed, she kept her facial expression icy and didn’t speak.
With her silence dragging on, Jena dared to speak more.
“Really, I can’t believe I’d be meeting like this. You know, after all these years, I never thought you’d have the audacity to show your face,” There was a pause as her eyes gravitated towards the small figure beside her and she snorted. “Is that thing, your son?” Leonica remained silent, but the principal, as old as he is, could feel the threatening aura radiating off her. Quickly, he stepped forward to try and defuse the situation.
“Mrs. Benson, please calm down. Why don’t we all seat down and talk about this like…. responsible adult? I’m sure we can reason something through that is fair for both parties.” He suggested.
Immediately those words left his mouth, Jena shot him a glare, clearly objecting to his suggestion. “You want me and my son, to seat down and talk with this…thing?” She eyed Leonica and her son degradingly. “Never! This bastard attacked my son and he must be punished. If not him, then his mother. But I will never allow injustice like this be done to my son by a fatherless tw-“
Before her mouths could completely utter those words, she was silenced as the harsh sound of Before her mouths could completely utter those words, a slap echoes in the office and her cheek stung painfully.
Eyes wide, her hand went up to her reddened cheek, as she slowly turned to face Leonica, who was calmly glancing at her hand.