Love and Survival

Chapter 4

Katherine's eyes widened in surprise. "Good day, you looking for me?" she asked, her tone measured.

Leo's gaze was direct. "Yeah... you must be Mrs. Robert?"

Katherine's expression was neutral. "Yes, I am. Any problem?"

Leo's response was smooth. "No, not at all. I'm just here for some business transactions."

Katherine's smile was polite. "Oh, cool. You have the right... at the same time not the right person. But since I'm in charge for now, I'll attend to you."

Leo's instincts kicked in, sensing something amiss. "So, I'd like to meet the one in charge then," he pressed.

Katherine's demeanor shifted, her voice taking on a colder tone. "Well, he's sick and the acting CEO isn't available for now. The CEO is sick and may die soon."

Leo's eyes locked onto hers. "Wishing him dead is bad. Can I get to see him though?"

Katherine's expression turned stern. "Did you hear what I just said? He's sick."

Leo nodded. "Yeah, I heard you. You said he's sick, and the acting CEO is unavailable."

Katherine's voice took on a commanding tone. "Then turn your back, walk out, and come back when the acting CEO is available... or deal with me directly."

Leo's gaze never wavered. "I'd rather deal with you directly, then."

Katherine's eyes flashed with a mix of surprise and annoyance. "Very well," she said, her voice firm. "Let's get down to business, then."

Leo nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'd like to discuss potential partnerships and collaborations."

Katherine leaned forward, her expression calculating. "What kind of partnerships?"

As they began to discuss business, the tension between them remained palpable, each trying to gauge the other's intentions...

Robert's entrance caught Katherine and Leo off guard. "Ah, Robert," Katherine said, her voice tinged with surprise.

Leo's eyes locked onto Robert's frail form, a mix of curiosity and compassion on his face.

Robert's gaze met Leo's, a hint of recognition sparking in his eyes. "You... you're the one who's been asking questions," Robert said, his voice weak but determined.

Katherine's expression turned guarded. "Honey,what are you doing here?

Robert's eyes never left Leo's. "I wanted to see him for myself," he said, his voice firm despite his physical weakness...

All of a sudden,it all clicked and fixing the puzzle,he realized he was facing his son.

Robert's eyes locked onto Leo's face, a mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. "You... you're my son," he whispered, his voice trembling.

Katherine's expression turned icy, her eyes flashing with anger. "Sweetheart, don't be ridiculous," she said, trying to intervene.

But Robert's gaze never wavered. his voice filled with longing. "My son."

Leo's eyes widened, shock and surprise written across his face. "How... how did you know?"

The room fell silent, the tension between Katherine and Leo palpable...

Robert stared at Leo, taking in the grown man's features, so different from the boy he had last seen. The weight of years bore down on him, and the guilt of being apart from his son for so long was palpable.

His mind flashed back to the day he had to leave Leo's mother in Mexico, the pain of being torn between his family and his secret child. He had built a life on lies, and now the truth was staring him in the face.

Katherine's expression turned darker, her eyes flashing with anger and fear. She knew that Robert's reaction would only fuel the fire, and she needed to control the narrative.

Leo, sensing the tension, took a step forward. "Dad?" he said softly, the word hanging in the air like a question.

Robert's gaze locked onto Leo's, and he felt a lump form in his throat. He had so many questions, so much regret, and so much love to give. But for now, he just smiled weakly and whispered, "My son."

Leo's eyes welled up with tears as he took a step closer to Robert. "I've been looking for you too, Dad," he said, his voice shaking.

Katherine's warning turned into a hiss. "Robert, think about what you're doing. Think about your reputation, your career."

But Robert's gaze never wavered from Leo's face. "My reputation?" he repeated, his voice laced with bitterness. "My career?" He laughed weakly. "I've spent years searching for you, Leo. Years wondering if you were alive or dead. And now that I know you're alive... nothing else matters."

Katherine's face twisted in rage, but Robert continued, his voice growing stronger. "I was wrong to leave you, Leo. I was wrong to believe the lies. Can you ever forgive me?"

Leo's eyes filled with tears as he looked at Robert, seeing the genuine remorse and love in his eyes. "Dad, I...I don't know what to say," he stammered.

Robert's face contorted with emotion. "Just say you'll forgive me, Leo. Say you'll give me a chance to make things right."

Katherine's anger boiled over. "Robert, stop this! You're making a fool of yourself!"

But Robert ignored her, his focus solely on Leo. "Please, son. Give me a chance."

The air was thick with tension as Leo hesitated, weighing his feelings. And then, slowly, he nodded. "Okay, Dad. I'll give you a chance."

Robert's face lit up with joy, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Thank you, son," he whispered, his voice trembling.

Katherine's face turned red with rage. "This is ridiculous," she spat, standing up. "You're a sick man, Robert. You don't know what you're doing."

But Robert didn't care. He reached out a frail hand to Leo, who took it, feeling a sense of connection he hadn't felt in years.

"I'll make it right, Leo," Robert promised. "I'll make sure you know how much I love you, how much I've always loved you."

Katherine's eyes flashed with fury. "You'll regret this, Robert," she hissed, before turning and storming out of the room.

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Robert and Leo alone, the tension between them dissipating, replaced by a sense of possibility and hope...

Katherine's voice was laced with venom. "You're supposed to be watching him, keeping him from getting close to Robert. And yet, here he is, face to face with his father. What were you thinking?"

The person on the other end of the line sounded defensive. "I did my job, Katherine. I kept him from suspecting anything. But Robert...he's not as weak as we thought. He figured it out."

Katherine's anger turned cold. "You're lucky he's where I can now fully watch over him, or you'd be out of this job. Fix this. Find a way to minimize the damage."

Donald watched the scene unfold, a mixture of curiosity and calculation on his face. And then, as he listened to Robert and Leo's conversation, his expression shifted.

"You...you're his son," Donald said, the words tumbling out slowly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the implications.

The room fell silent, the tension so high as Donald's gaze locked onto Leo, a complex mix of emotions playing out on his face…