Leandro's Revenge

chapter 03

“You’re finally home.” Helen Gonzalez, Leandro’s mother, was teary-eyed as she watched him descend the stairs. She rushed to him once he reached the landing and threw her arms around him.

“It’s nice to see you again, son.” His father, Conrad, chimed in, standing behind Helen. He, too, gave him a heart-felt hug. Though they always visited him in jail, finally seeing him as a free man was still overwhelming.

The whole family was present, including his brother, Elijah, who’s five years his junior. He seldom visited him in jail as he had been helping his father run the company while Leandro was gone and, most of the time, he was out of the country on business trips.

“You look good, bro.” Elijah patted his shoulder and smirked. “Though, you might want to shave.”

Leandro scrunched his nose, looking at his brother, and asked, “Have you been drinking?”

Elijah’s face paled. “No.”

“You reek of alcohol.” Leandro insisted, turning his back, and walking to the kitchen where the smell of food wafted in the air. He was surprised when he saw his wife behind the stove, stirring a hot pot. She smiled widely, one that he hadn’t seen for a while. The sight made his stomach churn.

“Oh, he was out the whole night. I doubt he even showered.” Conrad said, eyeing his second son with disappointment. Elijah just chuckled and ignored his father.

“You didn’t have to cook, Isabelle. The maids can do that for you.” Helen said, settling in one of the chairs. Conrad sat beside her and seconded her notion.

“I haven’t cooked for Lee in a while, so I thought I should make his favorite food.”

Lee? She hasn’t called him that since after the wedding night.

“My sister-in-law is such a sweet wife. I wish I could find myself one.” Turning to Leandro, Elijah said, “You’re one lucky bastard.”

“You will not be able to find one if you don’t stop fooling around,” Conrad intoned, giving him an icy glance.

Elijah cleared his throat. “Dad, how can I find one if I just settle with anyone available? It didn’t work out with any of those girls in the past because they’re just too needy. Obviously, they are not the one.”

“Stop this nonsense. I have already set up a few blind dates for you. What did you do? You stood them up. Look at your brother here. Their marriage is perfect and far stronger than ever.”

Leandro’s eyes flew to Isabelle, whose back stiffened at the mention of their marriage. If only Conrad knew that his daughter-in-law had not been faithful. His jaw clenched. They were deceiving everyone by making them believe they had a perfect relationship.

She prepared a shrimp bisque, pesto pasta, citrus shrimp salad, grilled boneless chicken breasts, and apple pie for dessert. The Gonzalez’s praised her cooking skills except for Leandro, who brooded while he ate.

“Something wrong?” Isabelle reached to touch his arm lightly. He scowled at where her hand was placed.

She quickly withdrew her hand and frowned.

He hated the idea that she was so good at pretending that even his entire family was smitten by her. The rest of the family continued to munch on their food, unaware of the tension between the husband and wife. Once finished, Isabelle, together with Laura and Patty — their maids — cleared the table.

Meanwhile, Leandro’s father spoke with him privately in his study.

“I can’t do it right now, father. I’ve been out only for a day. I still need to adjust. Besides, what will the stakeholders say? An ex-convict as CEO? It’s not a very smart move.”

“I don’t care what they say. This is your birthright. They will keep their mouths shut because I said so.”

“Why not let Eli take care of it?”

“Are you stepping out of your position?” Conrad eyed his son in disbelief. “You’ve been the CEO for years. Hadn’t it been for the accident, you still are. You’ve been working your ass to get to the top. Why back out now?”

“Things changed,” Leandro said quietly.

Conrad sighed. “I’ll give you a month. Eli doesn’t want the company. You know him. He and I just stepped in because you weren’t there. Think about it.” Conrad walked to the door but stopped. “And by the way, your mother is hosting a party this weekend to welcome you home. Our closest friends and relatives will be there.”

Soon, the Gonzalez family left. Leandro went to the gym on the fourth floor and worked out for a couple of hours. He was thankful they made sure the equipment was taken care of and everything was still working fine. He wiped his face with a clean towel and looked over the garden and saw Isabelle wearing her floral dress, watering the flowers. He noticed that she had braided her long black hair, making her look younger. He liked his wife this way, feminine and innocent. But she seldom dressed like this before. She had always worn expensive clothes that covered almost nothing.

Whatever happened in those four years he was away, he liked what he’s seeing now. Then memory came rushing back and he groaned in distaste. He almost forgot he hated her.

Growling, he went back to his room and took a cold shower. He thought of this father’s words. He was right. It had been his goal to be the best CEO in the country. He knew one day he’d be one. But that was four years ago. Spending years in prison had done things to him. He was robbed of his confidence. He knew people would question his past and he wasn’t ready for that.

“Mr. Gonzalez, someone is looking for you.” Patty informed him behind the door.

With knitted brows, he went downstairs and was surprised to find Celeste seated comfortably on the couch. He looked around, searching for Isabelle. Did she not see Celeste coming in?

She smiled widely, throwing herself at him. “I missed you!” Celeste said. “Why didn’t you tell me you were out?”

“I haven’t contacted anyone yet.”

“Let’s go out tonight. I’ll invite Mateo and Eli.”

Laura came out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of refreshments and snacks. Placing them onto the table, she left after briefly glancing in Celeste’s direction.

When Celeste finally decided to leave, he saw her going out to her car. He saw Isabelle coming out from the greenhouse at the side of the house. She stopped in her tracks, watching them. He wasn’t prepared when Celeste tiptoed and kissed the corner of his mouth. Before he could even react, she already walked to her car and drove away.