CHAPTER 12
"-In the evening." She completed, recalling that she had to submit some designs to Stefan to take a look at. Taking up her laptop, she began to email the designs to him. If this goes well, she would be able to gain recognition in the fashion world just like she had done in painting.
Stefan looked at his phone when the buzzing sound of incoming messages rang out. It was the designs he had previously requested 'Belle' to submit today. How punctual.
From the corner of his eye, Leonardo could see the designs and he felt that the designer was so detailed to the letter. All styles had its significance which were complemented with the little but intricate patterns.
Wow!
"Your new designer?" He asked and Stefan simply nodded. He wasn't ready to talk about his venturing into the fashion world yet and Leonardo himself understood and didn't want to bother him about it.
Fabian arrived two hours later and began to report his progress. "The board knows that you're in charge of all dealings with the international investors... The problem is..." He paused unwilling to finish his statement.
"What?"
"Your father is abroad and is unyielding to your demands." Fabian continued.
Leonardo just tilted his head to the side seemingly not surprised by this information.
Asher Graham had always been self-serving and was never trusted with company matters. He had always taken it upon himself to deal with company-related issues just to selfishly benefit from it. In the business world, he was never trusted and was seen as a shrewd businessman. This led to the patriarch of the Grahams assigning everything to Leonardo who was equal to the task at such a young age. This decision made Leonardo the youngest businessman in A City and as years passed, he had singlehandedly taken Graham Empire to greater heights. It also made some of his relatives envy him.
"Drive." He ordered, not in the mood to deal with Asher just yet.
At this time, Stefan had left to deal with his business.
***
It was already the evening and Alika had a transport company move all of her things to Glow Field manor. She was about leaving when Giovanna's words stopped her- "Are you finally leaving?"
Alika looked her up and down without saying a word and wanted to leave but she was stopped again. This time, by Giovanna's hand grabbing her wrist.
"You do not have to save face. Soon enough every person in A City will know who you are and recognize you as the daughter of the Langstons who stole money from her own company!" She yelled in Alika's face.
Alika could not fathom if this was just new or if Giovanna had always been like this but she had turned a blind eye to it.
She instinctively gave Giovanna a smack across the face venting out the anger she had been suppressing for two whole years. This unexpected move made Giovanna stagger and fall to the floor in pain. Her whimpers couldn't be heard by anyone and even if they were, no one would come to her rescue as even the workers in the mansion always supported Alika since they had known her since she was a little child. They would instantly understand that Alika wasn't the one who started it.
Alika took in a deep breath and gave Giovanna a condescending look before returning to her usual calmness. "Do not cross that bridge next time... I'll make sure you don't make it out alive." These words were said with absolute serenity but Giovanna could sense the debt of the warning. Alika was a domineering person but Giovanna never expected it was up to this extent. She watched as Alika walked out the door and started to shiver in anger but then realized that Alika was the one suffering; she was the fiancée of a disabled. She will never hold her head high in front of others. This thought had Giovanna at peace and she forgot about the stinging pain on her left cheek.
***
"Welcome Young Miss. What would you like for dinner?" Hasina Forrest who was excited to see Alika asked with concern.
"Baked salmon and roasted vegetables." Alika said, recalling how tasty Hasina always made this dish that it surprisingly became her favourite dish from her.
Hasina quickly put her things away went and on to prepare the food.
Something rubbed against Alika's long legs making her flinch. She became calm seeing that it was her very best friend. "Solace!!! How have you been?!" She shrieked in excitement. Solace was a Maremma Sheepdog which was also bought by Grandma Olga when she turned eighteen. Maurice had rejected it back then because he was allergic to dogs so Grandma had it sent to Glow Field manor where she knew it would be well taken care of.
Its joy was evident as it wagged its tail endlessly jumping around her and barking in excitement.
"He really misses you a lot." Hasina said as she set up the table for Alika. "He's so big now." She responded while tickling Solace.
***
Leonardo lay down on his bed with his eyes closed but was completely weary of his environment. He had insomnia and always found it difficult to fall asleep. Usually, he would sleep for only two hours at night and that was it. It was only that night after the banquet that he had actually slept peacefully without awakening amid his sleep.
He thought that it was the woman's perfume and had sent Fabian on a journey to find any perfume with chocolate and woody sent. Fabian had bought forty-two expensive perfume brands with that sent but ended up trashing every one of them away the following day because his boss 'no longer needed them.' He eventually questioned Leonardo about it- "Master Graham, why do you need it?"
"I need it to sleep better."
Fabian became confused. To sleep?
If he thought about it further, it was possible he was going to lose his mind so he brushed it off.
He got up from the bed and decided to take a walk down the dark and quiet street.
Meanwhile, Alika got a call from Noor asking her to come bail her out of jail.
"Bail you out?! What do you mean?!"
"Just get here quick before Dad finds out."
Her tone sounded like she was scared. Noor had never been to jail before and was scared out of her wits seeing the kind of people who were present there. Some were even fighting the police officers and like it was a normal hobby, everyone cheered them on.
"I'll be there soon." With that, Alika hung up and rushed out of the manor to her car. "You didn't touch your food." Hasina said politely as she watched Alika dash out into the night. Worried about her safety, she asked to go with her but she declined.