Chapter 15

Leonica sat in the back of her car, mind replaying the conversation she had with Leonardo. “Are you sure no one would find out?” She had asked, her eyes on her rear view mirror where she could see her son sleeping peacefully. “Yes. No one can track the boy, I’ve made sure of it.” Leonardo assured. Leonica’s jaws clenched, her fist curling. “And are you sure…” “I’m sure no one would bother you or the boy,” Leonardo interrupted her, sensing what she was about to ask. “Right. Thank you.” Those were the last words exchanged between the siblings before Leonica got ready for the banquet tonight. And right now, she was in the back seat of her car which was parked right in front of the venue. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out when her assistant opened the door for her. Instantly, all the paparazzi turned their cameras on her, the flashing light nearly blinding her vision. “Who are you? Is this your first appearance?” “What’s your name?” “My sources tell me that you’re the new president of Romero Empire, is this true?” “Over here, smile!” The questions came one after the other and the flash of their cameras continued to assault her. Just when she was about to be overwhelmed, she felt an arm wrapped around her waist, leading her gently away from prying eyes. “Those paparazzi never miss an opportunity, now do they?” Anastasia huffed, gently removing her hand from Leonica’s waist and turning to face her. “I thought I was gonna have to jump in there and beat their asses.” Leonica smiled and shook her head. “That would have been necessary. I would have handled them if they did anything too out of hand.” “Of course you could have, but you see, I don’t want you doing anything too drastic. Sending those poor people to the hospital would have been too much.” Leonica narrowed her eyes. “Wasn’t that what you were going to do?” “No. I said I was going to beat them, not send them to the hospital.” Anastasia defended whilst shaking her hand. Quickly, she changed the topic. “That aside, girl, look at that dress your wearing.” She whistled getting a better look at the dress Leonica was wearing. “It’s beautiful. Where did you get it?” “From a new clothing brand. The name is Aphrodite, I think.” “Like the goddess of seduction? Suits you.” Anastasia praised. She opened her mouth, about to shower her best friend with more praises, when the whispers of some ladies nearby caught her attention. “Hmph, how shameless of her. She disappears for five years and comes back after successfully latching her claws into the bank of yet another rich city man.” “Excuse me?” Anastasia growled, turning towards the ladies. The female, who had recognized Leonica despite her hair going from blonde to white, didn’t even trying to keep her voice down at this point, repeated. “You heard me. She’s a gold digger, a good for nothing bitch who only wants men for their money. And the audacity of her to come here tonight, wearing a dress like that,” The female stepped forward, a sly smile on her lips as she asked. “Tell me, which millionaire did you dig your nasty claws into this time around for you to be able to make it to this party?” Behind her, her companion chuckled, supposedly finding the degrading words of her friend, funny. “Don’t scare her away, Lana,” She called out. “We don’t want this little cat running away before she could give us our daily dose of entertainment, do we?” She taunted. “Ah, but then again, considering how pitifully her marriage had failed five years ago, it wouldn’t take too long before she loses the leash on her sponsor, right?” Lana added. Anastasia’s jaws clenched and the two females continued to laugh, clearly having forgotten the present of said woman whom they had been insulting. “Is there something funny?” The white-ette questioned, her voice ice cold and laced with venom. “Ah, the bitch finally spoke.” Lana sneered, turning to face her. “Do I have to be a silent wallflower to escape your disgusting tongues?” Leonica questioned, her words dripping with sarcasm. Shaking her head, she added. “It seems like Grace is slacking on who and who She allows into the venue.” Turning, she beckoned over a nearby security. “Be a dear and get your manager for me, immediately.” She ordered. The male, not wanting to displease the woman, hurriedly did as he was told. “What, are you going to complain to the organizer and have us thrown out?” Lana sneered, trying her best to prevent her face from showing the surprise she felt. Leonica knew the manager of such a big event? Who exactly was her backer? “As a matter of fact, yes.” Leonica answered, her raising her chin slightly. “You ladies don’t look like business material to me, and if I recall correctly, the invite for this banquet was only given to high-end business individuals, who have earned the right to be in this place. And from the way I’m seeing it, you two don’t have any qualities befitting businesswomen.” The females' eyes widened, their bodies frozen in their spot as the reality of their situation hit them. But Lana wasn’t willing to back down. She harshly scolded. “You… you don’t have any rights to act all might and talk to me like that, you filthy…” “I’d watch your mouth if I were you.” Leonica coldly interrupted. “The me from before would have tolerated your gimmicks, but not the me who’s the president of the business chambers. I can have you and your husband’s outcastes from the business world for the rest of your life, if I wish so.” The moment her threat left her lips, the ladies’ expressions shifted and their bodies began to tremble, their legs barely keeping them standing. “O-oh, come on Leonica, that…that’s going to far. We were only joking.” Lana quickly apologized. Leonica didn’t say a word, she merely tilted her head. “We’re sorry, okay.” The lady beside her added. “Please, have mercy.” Leonica hummed, her gaze shifting to her fingernails, a sign she was about to turn a deaf ear on them. “Wait, let’s not be hasty.” Lana pleaded. Leonica remained silent. “We’re sorry.” “Yeah, please don’t kick us out.” “What’s going on here?” All eyes turned to watch the even manager, Grace Deloitte, walk up to them, her eyes showing curiosity and confusion. However, they turned clear, filled with respect upon spotting Leonica. “Oh, Ms. Romero, pleasure seeing you here tonight. I hope everything has been to your enjoyment? They haven’t caused any trouble, have they?” “Oh, Ms. Deloitte, these two ladies were just sharing a few jokes with me, aren’t you?” Leonica said, turning her eyes to the two ladies who immediately nodded their heads. However, much to their dismay, Leonica’s smile faded. “However, I despite jokes, horrible ones like yours.” She stated, turning to face the event manager with a new type of smile. “Grace, I believe these ladies aren’t qualified to be in this venue, considering the fact that they are nothing but socialites with no proper background or connections. Be a dear and make sure they are escorted out, would you?” “Certainly, Ms. Romero,” Grace happily replied, clapping her hands twice and having two male guards escort the two females away. Grace bowed her head while Leonica walked away, Anastasia, giving a thumbs up towards her as she walked alongside Leonica. “Now that was fire.” She praised. “Where was this badass bitch five years ago?” She foolishly hid away thinking by doing so she could earn the love of someone unworthy, Leonica thought as she simply pressed her lips into a thin line and remained silent. Anastasia however, continued on. “With a fire like this, you’re sure to bag a bachelor tonight.” “What?” Leonica shook her head as the securities waiting at the door opened it for them to step inside. “No Annie, I’m not here for that. My goal’s to to gain business connections to strengthen Romero Empire, not ‘bag a bachelor’.” “But still-“ Anastasia began, however before she could finish, Leonica was swarmed by business individuals who were either drawn thanks to her looks or having heard of her. Settling into the crowd, Leonica signaled with her fingers to talk later before getting chatting with the crowd. Close to an hour had gone by when Leonica finally excused herself from the center of the crowd and headed for the restroom. Quickly, she fixed her hair, make up and did a few prep talk to her reflection, reading herself to head back into the crowd of socialite m, before stepping out of the restroom. However, she hadn’t taken more than a step out of the restroom when the build of a familiar figure suddenly blocked her way. Leonica took a step back, as to avoid bumping into the figure. In the process, she allowed her lavender eyes wander up to the face of the person blocking her path. The moment her eyes landed on the face in front of her, they widened along with her breath ceasing. Even after five years, with his ashy black hair, dull grey eyes and pale complexion, Leonica could instantly recognize the man in front of her. Her ex husband, Gabriel Bryce.