11 Spemar chapter. A Story Untold Leonica's eyes sparkled with the memory of Gabriel. She smiled and said, "It was nice and really charming. The best Christmas gift if you ask me." "Oh?" Cassandra exchanged a look with her husband. "Is that so?" Leonica nodded her head with a charmed smile. "Yes mom." The warmth of that winter day and the promise made on the beach lingered in her heart, marking the beginning of a story that would unfold over the years Unvelling Secrets Leende a's of flew bused with the fun of theseret lights, a stark contrast to the mirase settling in her stonsach after seeing: Owen's tundidesi espression "What's polog on, Oseen?" she Inquired, her as nanowing with comen. "Talk to me, what's wrong?" She asked agiln after he had remained silent for far too long, too long for Lronica's liking Taking a deep breath, Owen bepan, "After Ashley's bathulay party, I had one donlits in the present Angelina gave him, su Thad a chat with my friend, the designer of that very stipinine, the testified to a few of the Elpicines podig missing, and thought that win all, but I dila't. From whit I saw, Angelina me. Seit diba't made sense for a woman whe clearly wasn't the hirulliest of person towards you; bet artlig toe have deceived a few people, doesn't have good latentions towards you to paint of her wow, puelase a stolen figurine, all because she wanted to ghee YOU TIE full a present." He paused. and stand pointedly at Levira waiting for the moment she would catch the chift.
Although she setsed something was wrong with Angelina's action, just like bark at Ashley's birthday party when she had given him the figarine, Leonica couldn't quite plopoint what exactly was wrecip.
"Where are you going with this?" She asked, sense of citiusity growing as mich, as the dread in her stomachs "Lasked and, comected the dots and pulled a few strings." Owen pulled out his plonse, opening up a batch of pleture before placing it on the table and sliding it to Levok a where she now sot. The first picture was that of a purchase receipt. Lomica carefully read the receipt details while Owen explained. A few days before Ashley's birthulay pity, Angelina hal the lignine delivers to her, it was apparently purchased by Stuart Campbell, irrelevant in this matter, and at beast that was what I thought mill found this." He said as he took the phone, made a few swipes and handed it back to Leonica is eyes widened, realization dawning upon her after she saw a picture of the figurine Angelina had given Ashley and another figurine of the sbrand. The original Ligarine, Comparing the two, it was hings that the first one had been messed with. "That can't be prod." She muttered the obvious and Owen nokkel. At once, she was unher feet, passing the phone back to Owen as she headed for the akot, "I need to leave." Knowing this wasn't going to end well, or even begin well, then stood up and quirldy blocked her path, thanking the stars that brightened up the sky at night that he was taller than the betale despite being younger. "Whoa, where are you going?" Leonica squinted her eyes, silently asking if he didn't know the answer to that question. He did, but still wanted to confirm with her before he did nything. "To contions Angelina" She stated at once.
Her answer had earned a sigh along with a disagreeing head shake from Owen. "You can't do that, Leonica. Look, I showed this to you so that we can noid the situation before it happens, not cause a situation "So you wantto let her walk scoot free?" "Not exactly. What I mean is that we should first attend to Ashley's safety, pather mough evidence, as in have the figurine in our possession along with camera footage from the day of Ashley's birthday party to pair up with the receipt, before we confront the culprit. If we do things otherwise, she just might get away." Owen explained and watched as Leonica huffed, visibly calming down.
"Now, where's the figurine?" He asked It took Leonica sometto think, trying her hardest to recall where Ashley had told her he was going to keep the toy. When she recalled the spot, she gently snapped her finger. "The toy box. Her voice cout in a gentle tone, low and nearly inaudible, but Owen who was standing close to her, heard it clearly. "I'm sure it's in there." "Well then let's go. I'll drive." He offered, not because he did not trust her driving ability at the moment, but rather, because he worried about her safety. The chances of her getting to the figurine and then moving to confront Angelina were bigger than stall And from the vibe he got from this Angelina woman, be knew she wasn't a walk in the park Leonica looked like she was about to turn down his offer. She opened her mouth, but clammed it shut and nodded, walking out of her office with hasty.
Thankfully, when they arrived home, Ashley was still at school.
Ms. Romero, is there something you need?" Grace asked when she saw them walking into the house.
"I need to get a few things from Ashley's toy chest, do you know where it is? Leonica asked.
"Underoath his bed. Shall 1 help you look for what she need?" "That won't be necessary, Owen's already here to help me." She pointed towards the said blonde who lowered his head in a respectful bow which Grace petumed. "You can go back to whatever it is you were doing, I'll be sure to call you if I need anything." "Of course, Ms. Romero. Grace sald and turned to Owen, bowing as she excused herself.
Once she was gone, Lomnica looked over her shoulder and beckoned for him to follow her up the stairs. He did just that, all the while admiring the terior of her house.
Even after all those years, she still liked the sthing; we couldn't help but chockle silently at the thought, relieved that the woman in front of him was still the sperson he knew Arriving at Ashley's enorm, they careful dug through his toy chest, before they spotted the tigarine and Leonica gently pulled it out.
twin was quick to collect it and carefully examined the figurine, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the out of place arrangement. Pulling the hand off, the wrist to be precise, he spotted a tiny needle tucked away discreetly.
Leonica's expression becgrim as she saw the needle. "Innocent my foot," Owen muttered after recalling Gabriel's work on the day of Ashley birthday party. He took another second to examine it before coming to a conclusion, "Whatever this needle is, it seems clean. I don't think Ashley's Relief washed over Leonica as she realized Ashely hadn't laid a finger on it. But the relief was soon run over by anger towards Angelina's woman was so cruel to the point that she had brought Ashley, an innocent child into her unrequited, one-sided hatred What the hell was wrong with her? Sure, Leonica was not surprised by this action of her, after all, she had never believed in her stadden change and this wasn't a new trick in the bible at all, but the fact that she had dared bring a child into this entire mess, was something she couldn't wrap her heal around Sighing, she placed the disturbing thoughts away, making a mental note to deal with Angelina in a few hours, but as for now, she need to thank Owen and perhaps, settle things with his confession before he turned into a part two of Angelina. Handling one Angelina was bad enough, talk less two, one created from her choice of ignorance.
"Thank you, Owen," She said with a smile, her gratitude sincere. "You might have just saved Ashley from whatever Angelina had planned." Owen offered a small, reassuring smile, his gaze lingering on Leonica. "It's the least I could have done. But that aside," He passed "That aside?" Leonica repeat with a tilt of her head.
Leonica's eyes furrowed as she studied Owen more closely. It wasn't the first tthat something about him tugged at the edges of her memory, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Sensing her confusion, Owen decided to jog her memory. He rolled up the sleeve of his jacket to reveal his wrist which had a triple star tatton-a small, intricate design that held a world of memories." Remember this?" He asked her, hoping that this much was enough to trigger her memories. The amount of relief he felt the next second as Leonica's eyes widened when recognition dawned upon her was unspeakable.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Owen?" She muttered now seeing the boy who been her neighbor many years ago.
Except, back in the days his nhad been Owen Benet, his father last name, now that she thought about it. And his hair had been a lovely chestnut brown that Leonica recalled complimenting and running her hand through each tthey had a tutor session. Those two things aside, many other things had changed.
His height was one of those things. Owen had been shorter than Leonica, reaching her someplace around her shoulder, now he towered over her with a noticeable gap. Another thing that had changed was his body build and his countenance. Owen from all those years ago was shy and reserved, never dared to talk back to the bullies when he rayed around with him and stole his lunch money.
Now here he was, being the star of the century. Who could have phantom that.
Owen chuckled at her astound expression, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think I'd changed too much." It took her a few seconds more, but Leonica couldn't help but smile, a flood of memories rushing back as she stepped closer and examined his face, now noting the resemblance between him and her forgotten tutee. "You've definitely changed, but I should have known that mischievous glint anywhere." Owen feigned a wounded expression, placing his hand on his chest to seem all the more tic. "I was a bit heartbroken when you didn't recognizewhen we met in your company." Leonica laughed at his act, the tension of the moment dissipating as she reached forward and patted his head, noting that she still enjoyed patting the younger boy on the head just like she did years ago.
Owen however, wasn't too fond of the way she looked at him with the seyes from all those years ago. I Had she not seen his speech? His confession? Was she dense to his romantic feelings both then and now? Or had she simply chose to ignore them? "You know you shouldn't treatlike a kid anymore, Leonica." He said.
Like he was still a lid.
"What? Oh," She quickly withdrew her hand, believing that it must be awkward for Owen after all these years and he might probably be offended seeing as it had taken her close to three works to recognize him.
She wouldn't even have recognized him had he not shown her the tattoo she had taken him to get just before he moved away with his mother after his parents had divorced.
"I'm sorry, and I owe you, Owen. How about I treat you to dinner as an apology and a thank you?" She offered with a smile.
Owen's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'll take you up on that offer, Leonica" The restaurant was a cozy haven, filled with the comforting aroma of delicious food. Over a shared meal, Owen and Leonica caught up on the years that had passed. They spoke of life, love, and the unexpected twists that brought them back together.
By the ttheir short vacation had cto a close, they had caught up with the yours of life they had missed and Leonica telt much better. However, coincidental glance at the restaurant's clock told Leonica that she had enjoyed her meal with Owen far too much. It was alreatly close to evening, post the tof closing for Ashley's school. Normally, she wouldn't have been in a rush to pick him up seeing as the school laus would have done her work, Init today was different; after all, she had personally offered to pick him up after school.
Linverling Secrets "I'm meant to pick Ashley up." She said and clicked her tongue to the top of her mouth. "This was fun Owen, we should definitely do it sother time, but as for now, I have to leave." She said and stood up, Owen did the same, not ready for their ttogether to cto an end so soon. "How about I accompany you to pick up Ashley from the kindergarten? I'm sure he'd be glad to seeagain." He proposed. Leonica chuckled as his narcissistic words. "Confident, aren't you." "What do you expect when you're a mother and son's favorite person?" Owen said as he hailed the waiter over and handed his card to him..
"No, it's my treat, I'll pay." Leonica protested.
"Just because it's your treat doesn't mean you should pay. And besides, having you here withis more than enough." Owen said and winked. After he got his card back, he said. "Now con, we don't want to keep Ashley waiting any longer than he already had, now, do we?" Leonica chuckled underneath her breath before she followed him towards her car. Thankfully, the ride to Ashley's school as short as the restaurant Leonica had chosen was coincidentally close to it.
Stopping into the school, Leonica nearly ran into Arvan who looked confused after seeing her. "Leonica? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" "Everything's alright." Leonica answered as she chuckled at Arvan's question. What else was she doing in a kindergarten if not to pick her son up? "And I'm here to pick Ashley up. Have you by any chance seen him?"" "Not really, but," Leonica smile flattered at his last word.
"But?" She repeated.
"I ran into the principal a couple of minutes ago and he toldthat Ashley was picked up by his godmother." Leonica sighed at the news, but her relief ctoo soon as Arvan added. "What did he say her nwas again?" "Anast-" Leonica had begun but Arvan's words interrupted hers.
"Angelina." Leanica's smile completely faded and she asked. "What... did you just say?" "Her name, the principal said her nwas Angelina." Spin to Claim Your Surprise Reward! Play Your Son Will Suffer The Consequences.
Earlier in the day, while the sun still bathed the city in warm hues, Angelina paced the space of her room, chewing on the tip of her nails as she concocted a sinister plan.
It had taken a few days, but soon she had Recognized that Leonica must have kept the figurine away from Ashley because till this day, she was yet to hear news concerning Ashley's life being in danger.
In shorter sentences, her plan had failed and she was possibly screwed.
uffered the wrath of her anger and toppled over, transparent glass "Pack!" She cursed loudly, kicking her coffee table with her leg. The poor furniture suffered on the top shattering into small piece the moment it hit the floor, creating a loud bang, In seconds her maids had rushed in, worried for her safety. "Ms. Fernandez, is everything okay?" Her head maid asked as her eyes trailed from the broken coffee table on the floor to her messy wardrobe, broken vanity mirror and toppled over makeup chair. Without another word, she knew exactly what was happening. Her mistress was having yet another tantrum, and from the looks of it, the glare with bloodshot eyes that Angelina was currently shooting in her direction, it seems like she was about to be caught in the crossfire of said tantrum. "Who gave you the permission to step into my room without knocking?" Angelina sneered.
The head maid was quick to lower her head, but apparently, that wasn't enough for Angelina. The moment she had gotten close enough, she pushed the female down onto her kneels. She winced at the feeling of tiny glass shards scraping her skin.
But know what was good for her, she gathered herself and managed to speak. "I apologize for the Intrusion, Ms. Fernandez, I was simply worried for your wellbeing after hearing the commotion. Please forgive me." "I should forgive you?" Angelina questioned in a taunting voice, earning a desperate nod from her head maid. "But, if I do that, who's going to forgive me? Huh?!! "L.. I don't know, Ma'am." The bead maid, who didn't even know the cause of her mistress's tantrum nor the answer to the question which had just been asked, answered honestly.
However, her answer, as honest as it may have been, angered Angelina and in seconds, she projected the anger she had been feeling towards Leonica, onto the poor head maid, slapping her straight in the face. The female yelped and fell back, cutting her palm with a few accidental glass shards.
Angelina however, seemed apather to her pain. She stepped forward, glancing down at her head maid in an almost predator like way. "Of course you don't know. Do you know why?" The words rolled off her tongue with a silver sound to her voice.
The head maid shook her head as her response to the question asked. Angelina smiled as that was the exact answer she had been expecting "I'll tell you why," She squatted down in front and gripped the maid's face. "Because you are a lowly and poor maid." Flinging her face to the side, she stood up and dusted her bands. "Now get out of my sight and do not allow this mistake repeat itself. Even if there's an earthquake in my room, do not enter. Do I make myself clear?" The head maid scrambled to her feet and nodded before she rushed out of the room.
pacing, finger biting and Now left alone, Angelina began to think of possible ways to remedy the situation before it got too bad. Along the way of her pacing. scheming, a plan cto her mind.
Fuck slow polson, it was tto take things fast before she really was screwed. This taround, she was going to kidnap Ashley and have Leonica and Gabriel bend to her will. It was the perfect way to make them pay. Nodding along to her thoughts, convincing to her, but not to any other sane person who hears it, Angelina changed into a simpler and appropriate attire and stood in front of the mirror one last time.
"It's now or neve now or never, Angeline," She told herself as a sinister smile crept onto her face. "Best make it count" Ashley stood near the swings in the playground of his school, watching as the other kids played amongst themselves while he waited for his mother. Beside him, Daisy looked between the other children and him all the while licking her sweet.
After a while, she asked. "Are you sure you don't want to join them?" Of course he wanted to join them, but considering what they were doing, splashing water mixed with sand and roughing each other on the floor, Ashley didn't hesitate to shake his head, turning down his friend's suggestion as he knew his mother wouldn't take too likely to seeing him dirtied "No, I'm okay." He insisted and tore his gaze away from them, loolding around in a bid to spot his mother amongst the other parents coming to pick their children up.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Where is she?' He thought sadly after not spotting her "Can you hold this for me, Ashley?" Daisy asked, handing him the rest of her untouched sweets. "I just need to do something in the rest room quick." real Ashley nodded and collected the sweets, watching as she skipped off in the direction of the rest room before he resumed looking for his mother. This taround it didn't take him long before he spotted a familiar face, but it wasn't that of his mother's. "Ashdry," * His principal waved him over. The boy hesitated, but after dropping Daisy's sweets where she had left her lunch box, he went over. "Your at's here to pick you." He announced, pointing towards Angelina who waved at him.
The boy hesitated once more, but waved back. "Hello Aunt Angelina Are y you... here to pickup? What about my mommy? "She had work to do and sentin her stead," Angelina led lawlessly. "She's going to be busy for the rest of the day and insisted I take you to your || that so?" Ashley questioned.
The brunette nodded at the child's word and turned to the principal "Would that be alright?* "I don't see any reason why not." He said and nimed away. "Have a nice weekend, Ashley," Once he was gone, Angelina tomed to face Ashley, stretching her lips with a fake smile. "Shall we?" Ashby nodded, but he still felt hesitant. Why? Even he didn't know and it confused him, after all, he was going to see his father, he was meant to feel excited not hesitant.
As they left the kindergarten, Angelina spun a web of lies to mask her true listentions. "Ashley, sweetheart, we're going to see your dad. He's been missing you so much," she cooed, her voice dripping with false affection Ashley, ever the perceptive child, felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The route they took wasn't familiar, and doubt crept into his innocent mind. "But this isn't the way to Daddy's house," he voiced his concern. Angelina, no longer bothering to feign landness, sneered, her true colors surfacing. "Your dad will be so happy to see you. We're taking a little detour, As the surroundings becincreasingly unfamiliar, Ashley's unease intensified. He sensed the looming danger, the sinister energy that clung to Angelina like a dark shroud. Before he could voice his fears, Angelina, he was beginning to understand her plan and she resorted to drastic measures. With a swift, heartless blow, she knocked Ashley unconscious, sealing his late in the clutches of her malevolence.
a Back in the present, Gabriel was in his study reading through documents and sorting files that had been much neglected, when there was a knock on the door.
"Cin." He called out, not bothering to look up from his work. The door opened and his butler walked in, only then did he look up. "Jonathan, what is it?" He asked.
"I regret disturbing your work, sir, but Ms. Romero is on the line and demands to speak to you, urgently." Jonathan informed which had Gabriel's brows creasing. Lecnica was calling the house phone? What for? "Patch her through" He instructed Jonathan bowed his head and walled out and after a few seconds, after the landline in Gabriel's office berped, he picked up. "Leonica.." He began but Leonlea's voice urgently cut him off.
"Gabriel Gabriel please tellAshley is there with you." Her voice sounded desperate which automatically told Gabriel something was wrong "No, he's not here with me. Why would he be here with me?" "Because... Because Angelina cto the school and picked him up, claiming that she was taking him to meet you." Gabriel's blood pressure suddenly dropped at the news. "What?" "Ashley's gone Gabriel, and he's with Angelina." Leonica said and he could almost imagine her pacing, running her fingers through her hair. "She took him Gabriel and I don't know where...fuck "Calm down," Gabriel said, trying to project the calmness that he wasn't feeling. "We are going to find him." From the corner of his eyes, he spotted his cell phone on the table and raced for it, scrolling through his call log and finding Angelina's number.
He dialed it and watched as it rang and went unanswered, Leonica must have heard the rings from the other end of the line because she commented. The bitch isn't picking up, is she? Fuck, I'm going to strangulate her to death when I get my hands on her." "Hey, you need to keep calm." Gabriel heard another voke in the background, a male voice to be precise, say Are you with someone? He couldn't help but question.
"Is that really a question to be asking right now? Our son is missing, off with sderanged lunatic and what you care about is if I'm with someone? "You're right, I'm sorry." Gabriel's apology did nothing to help the situation, but Leonica took note of it. "I'll keep trying to reach her." He said and tell silent after that, trying several more times to reach her but failing like the previous times. After a while, he felt like throwing his phone at the wall, feeling frustrated at the entire situation and the fact that this was partially his fault. If only he had stood his ground and sent Angeline to England on the fixed date, which mind you, was two days ago, then none of this would have been happening. Ashley would have been safe and Leonica wouldn't have my need to be so worried.
Gabe, Gabriel!" Leonica's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Any luck? Could you reach her?" He shook his head even though he knew she couldn't see him. "No, sorry." "Tur "Leunica calmed herself down before she could complete the word and decided to approach the situation in a different way. "Do you know anywhere that she may poët tabel remained silent, thinking hard about her question. Amidst of the chaos in his mind, a memory flicked. "I think I might know where she's taken 3/3 him," Gabriel announced, his voice a mixture of determination and fear.
He could almost sense her pacing as she cto a halt at his words. "Where?" Leonica eagerly asked. Gabriel was about to answer when his phone rang, the screen displaying Angelina's name. Dread settled like a stone in Gabriel's stomach. His silence seems to have alerted Leonica as she asked. "Gabriel, what's going on? Who's calling?" "It's Angelina" He answered. "I'm going to answer the phone, so try to remain silent, okay?" She didn't need to answer as he knew she had already answered with a nod. Taking one deep breath, he answered the phone. "Gabriel" Angelina's voice oozed through the phone, a venomous whisper that sent shivers down his spine and had his fist clenching angrily around the phone "Angelina, where's my son?"
"Ah, I see that whore has informed you of the... the uh, recent developments," Angelina said and clicked her tongue, cursing at om Leonica smore before proceeding to answer Gabriel's question. "Ah, your son, your son.
He's here with me... dead, just joking, he's sleeping." She chuckled at her own joke, or at least that's what she considered it. But in seconds, she was done joking and had returned to being serious. "But you see, it won't remain a joke for much longer. Gabriel knew the meaning of her words without her needing to say more. "What do you want?"
"Now we're talking business!" She exclaimed. "I'm going to send you a location and I want either you or that whore mother of his, to meetmen there. Alone. If either of you tries to En play smart and bring anyone else along, your son will suffer the consequences. Oh, and Gabriel, whatever your choice is going to be, I suggest you hurry up, after all, I'm not the most patient person. You should know this, right?" Showdown With The Devil
"I'm going to send you a location and I want either you or that whore mother of his, to meetthere.
Alone. If either of you tries to play smart and bring anyone else along, your son will suffer the consequences. Oh, and Gabriel, whatever your choice is going to be, I suggest you hurry up, after all, I'm not the most patient person. You should know this, right?" Angelina said and the last thing Gabriel heard before the line went dead was the sound of her laughter, which he once considered beautiful, sounding