Chapter 9

Five Years Later. The warm sun. The sound of joyous children as they ran around the park, playing and Blooming cherry blossom. It was the start of spring, Leonica’s favorite season. Staring out the glass window of the shop she was standing in, she admired the beautiful scenery of spring in Colorado. It has always been a sight that marveled her ever since she settled in Colorado. It was a peaceful neighborhood that had become her home ever since five years ago. Smiling warmly at the sight, Leonica’s attention was drawn away by the sound of approaching footsteps. “Ah, this should do the job. It’s the cutest one I have.” Marcus, the shop owner, spoke as he approached her, holding a cute black bunny toy. Leonica smiled brightly and reached her hands out, taking the plush toy and admiring it. Marcus had been a long time friend of her, having met him two years ago. She had walked into his toy shop one day, looking for a gift like a lost soul, when he spotted her. After helping her, they began talking and he eventually warmed up to her, learning that she was new to town. Ever since, the two have been close friends, Marcus always giving her discount on everything whenever she came to buy his toys, which is why she loved coming to his shop. Marcus was an elderly man, around the age of sixty, his face held a permanent smile, though his brown hair was slowly losing color. Leonica handed him a couple of dollars for the toy, Marcus refusing to take the money. "Take it as a gift, from a friend." He smiled, pushing her hand away and handing the money back. Leonica shook her head, placing the money in his hand and folding it over. "You know I can't do that, Mark. You've given me far too much discount. If things continue like this, you'll be losing more than you're meant to." Marcus was reluctant at first, but after some thought, he finally took the money. "But, promise me you'll come again." He said, a mischievous smile stretching across his lips. "You know I can't resist visiting." Leonica responded, giving him a bright smile which was followed by a hug as she departed the store. As she stepped out of the shop, Leonica felt her phone vibrating inside her pocket and reached for it. She glanced at the caller ID and couldn't help but smile upon seeing the name of her adoptive brother. "Leonardo, hey...what's up?" she greeted, holding her phone between her ear and shoulder as she dug around her bag for her car keys. "Hey, I just wanted to check on you. How are you fending?" Leonardo asked. "I'm fine." Leonica honestly answered as she slid her car and turned the engine on. "How about you?" she asked, backing out of her parking space and beginning the short drive home. "Same old. Stressful Company affairs and all, thought it would be much better...if you were back here." Leonardo responded and Leonica chuckled. There he went once more, trying to get her to come back to Norway. It wasn't the first time they were having this conversation. "I told you, Leo, I'm not coming back." She replied. "Come on," Leonardo groaned and Leonica could hear a sigh follow after. "The company needs you Leonica. It needs a suitable president.” "No. Trust me, you're more suitable for that job than I am. If anyone is to know how hard you've worked for that position, then that person would be me. And besides, you know very well, Leo, I can't...don't want to come back to that place." she said, feeling a tinge of pain in her chest at the memory of what had happened five years ago. Leonardo sighed heavily. "It has been five years, Leonica. You can't stay cooped up forever in Colorado." "I'm not." She replied, turning a corner. "I have a life here. One that I'm really enjoying. I don't think I can give that up." "I'm not saying you should give it up completely, but Leo, the company needs you." "The company has you and dad." She countered. "No, it doesn't." Leonardo sighed. "Dad's health has deteriorated drastically. The doctor advised him to stay home from now on, the stress of the company is too much for him." "Oh," Leonica whispered, the news not entirely surprising her, yet not going down pleasantly with her. Her father was already at an old age, so, his health wasn't going to be the same as before. "And now, with the seat of president vacant, the majority of shareholders are planning on inaugurating Rodrigo." "What?!" Leonica slammed harshly on the brakes upon hearing this. Rodrigo? Hell no! Leonica would rather eat her left foot before she could imagine her uncle sitting in her father's office chair, handling the company's affairs. Rodrigo was a greedy bastard, only interested in getting the company's profit and making a living for himself. He didn't care about the welfare of the employees or the well-being of the company. The only reason he was so adamant in becoming the next president was because it meant inheriting the whole company. If that were to happen, the company would be done for. "Those old geezers have to be joking. If they even consider putting Rodrigo as the next president, the company will collapse!" Leonica hissed. "Exactly! And those bastards refuse to even think of inaugurating me, claiming that as an adoptive son I have no right to the company." Leonardo replied clicking his tongue in anger as he recalled their words. "That's why I'm asking you to please come back Leonica. If you don't, dad's life work would be destroyed at the hands of greedy people." "You can handle the company more than anyone." Leonardo continued on. "I know how you operate. If anyone should have a knead for handling Romero empire, it should be the one who anonymous dominated Colorado's business industry, isn't that right, Tyche Smith?" Hearing those words, Leonica pressed her lips into a thin line. It was true. After she had come to Colorado, her mind had been filled with nothing but the memories of Gabriel, his betrayal and the pain it caused her. Unable to deal with the pain, Leonica had buried herself in work, using her skills the skills she had been groomed with to anonymously enter the business world. At that time, when she had been searching for an anonymous name to use, the name Tyche which belonged to the Greek goddess of wealth and prosperity, had immediately caught her fancy. So, without a second thought, she had used the name. And within months, the name Tyche Smith had gained the reputation of being the goddess of the business world. She was known for being cunning, intelligent and ruthless. Her identity remained a mystery, however, that instilled more fear. If there was one thing the whole business world had come to learn, it was to never go against her, for she would have the ability to turn the tide in her favor and bring her opponents to their knees. "Leonica, are you still there?" Leonardo asked. Leonica let out a long, exhausted sigh. She could understand why her father's company was so important to him. Leonardo had dedicated years of his life working his ass off in the company. If anyone had a right to the company, it was him. "I don't know, Leo," She skeptically said. "I don't need you to answer right this moment, but Just, please think about it. For our family." He begged. Leonica remained quiet, deep in thought. "I'll give you a few days to think about it." Leonardo spoke after a brief moment of silence, not wanting to push her. "When I call again, please, have your answer ready." "Alright." Leonica whispered and they both said their goodbyes, hanging up. As she pulled into the driveway, her phone chimed. It was a text message from Leonardo. She quickly opened it, her brows furrowing upon realizing that he had sent her a document of cooperation. Curious, she clicked the document open, her eyes widening when the first page came up. It was the contract for a partnership being led by her uncle with Bryce Empire. Gabriel's company! Leonica felt like air had been knocked out of her lung after reading the condition and terms of the contract. Her uncle had decided to partner up with Gabriel's company. In exchange, Bryce Empire would be the major supplier for the Romero company, and the shares of the company would be put under his name. "What the hell is going on here?!" Leonica hissed, her body shaking with fury. She knew her uncle was a greedy bastard, but for him to stoop this low! It was a clear sign that if Rodrigo took control of the company, he would sell her family's legacy. Leonica's fist tightened around the steering wheel. "That greedy bastard." She cursed under her breath. He was going to far and she'd be stupid to allow him have his way. "That's it!" Leonica said, making her decision. She couldn't allow her father's company and his hard work fall into the wrong hands. Stepping out of her car, Leonica grabbed the bunny toy and approached her house. Immediately she stepped inside, she was ambushed by a smaller figure. "Mama! You're back!" the small boy exclaimed, hugging her tightly and causing her to stumble slightly. Leonica let out a light laugh and ruffled his yellow locks. "Hello to you too, my little angel. How was your day?" She asked. The small boy pouted, his familiar dull grey eyes staring up at her. "Boring. There were no kids to play with today. So, I stayed with Mrs. Mary all day. She taught me a lot of interesting things." He said, his eyes sparkling. Leonica smiled. "That's good. Now, look what I got for you." She said, presenting the small toy to the child. "A bunny!" He exclaimed excitedly, taking the bunny and admiring it. Leonica watched him with a faint smile on her lips. Her son. He was the most beautiful and precious gift she could ever ask for. He looked exactly like his father, the only exception being the color of his hair. Whereas Gabriel had Ashish Black hair, her son had yellow hair just like during her childhood days. Leonica had always had a gut feeling that her son would end up looking a lot like Gabriel, but the proof was clear, and even though her son reminded her so much of his father, she wouldn't have it any other way. "Do you like it?" She asked and her son nodded his head, a smile stretching across his lips as he hugged the plush toy. "Thank you, mama." He whispered. "I'm going to name her Betty!" "That's a great name." She said, leaning down to his height and placing her hand on each side of his shoulders. Looking into his eyes, her expression became serious as she decided to attend to the matter at hand. "Ashely, how would like to come on an adventure with mommy?" She asked soothingly. "An adventure?" The younger boy tilted his head to the side. "Where to?" Leonica gushed at his cuteness, gently placing a kiss on his forehead before she replied. "Norway, mommy's hometown." "Really?!" Ashely asked with sparkling eyes. "I get to see Grandma and Grandpa and uncle Leo?" She nodded her head. "Yes." "Yay!" He exclaimed. "Let's go mommy." Smiling at his enthusiastic nature, Leonica ruffled Ashely's hair once more. "Sure. Now how about you go out Betty with her new friends and I'll prepare dinner." "Okay." He nodded his head and quickly pecked his mother on her cheek before rushing up the stairs. Leonica watches him with a bright smile which immediately faded as soon as he disappeared from her sight. She reached into her pocket and retrieved her phone, scrolling through her message list and finding Leonardo's number. With her hand hovering above the call button, she bit her lower lip. There was no turning back now. If she wanted her family to remain in peace, this is the least she could do. Pressing down on the call button, she pressed the phone to her ear and listened to the line ring. Seconds later, it was answered and she spoke with new found determination. "Leonardo, I've made my decision."