Episode 9

LEILA

My time with Katya's grandparents has been quite pleasant; I always accompany them on their business ventures or shopping trips. I never knew what it was like to have grandparents because Mr. Villareal's parents don't know I exist, and even if they did, they would probably ignore me just like he did. My mother told me that Mr. Villareal's father had an affair that resulted in two children he never acknowledged, children who were forced to suffer on the streets, and nothing has been heard of them since. I've been thinking that they would be ideal allies in my quest for revenge. I'm trying to track them down, but to find them, I need to be in New York where they vanished. That's another reason I have to go back.

"LEILA, I'm a bundle of nerves, and here you are, absorbed in your computer," Katya asked.

"And what do you expect me to do? It's your party, not mine," I remarked, without taking my eyes off the computer screen.

"It is my party, but you're going to see Alek Romanova today. Aren't you nervous?" Katya inquired.

"No, what worries me is being spotted by Ivone. Her father is a friend of Mr. Villareal, and he cannot learn about my plans. So, I won't be joining you downstairs. I need you to send Mr. Romanova to the back garden so I can speak with him," I stated, leveling the conversation without looking at her.

"I know, I didn't want Ivone here either, but my grandparents invited her because her parents are very important business partners. Do you realize that if you manage to marry Alek, it will crush Ivone's ego?" Katya said.

"Why would it?" I questioned, not understanding.

"Ivone has always tried to get close to Alek, but he’s so distant and unexpressive. He can't stand clingy women, so he never gave Ivone a chance. I think she convinced her father to set up an arranged marriage with Alek's grandfather, but Alek refuses," explained Katya.

"At least he's smart. No one in their right mind would get involved with Ivone. She's been embraced by too many," I commented.

"Yeah, she's easy," added Katya.

After getting ready, Katya went downstairs alone, while I headed to the back garden. I stood in silence until I heard footsteps approaching.

"Suppose you're my fiancee?" "said Alek."

I looked at him incredulously. I was supposed to be here persuading him to marry me, and now it turns out I was already deemed his fiancee?

"I thought I had to convince you of that," I said, staring intently at the nearly two-meter-tall man before me, his black eyes as though they could unveil your darkest secrets and his perfect physique would drive many women mad, but I was the exception. Now, all that mattered to me was revenge; his face seemed sculpted by the gods themselves.

"A woman who can prove my innocence and who helps prevent theft deserves to be my wife, but you must know there will be conditions," Alek declared.

"I'm listening," I replied, looking straight at him.

"I must have a child within three years of marriage, or I will lose all the power I hold," he said.

"Give me one year without children and living in New York. After I settle some scores, I will give you a child, provided that you commit to never harm or separate them from me," I stated coldly.

"I would never hurt my own child. If you want a year child-free, I can agree to that. But you'll understand I have needs, and I can't be unfaithful because if my family or the press found out, it would be scandalous," Alek pointed out.

"Don't worry. I’ll fulfill my wifely duties, but I trust you will be a gentleman, as I lack the experience that you have," I remarked, maintaining eye contact.

"Don't fret. I'll take care of you like the most precious flower, and you'll have my support. But why do you need my help to return to New York?" Alek asked curiously.

"There are people who owe me a great deal. Among other things, they’re responsible for my mother's death and the suffering I've endured my entire life. These people wield significant power in New York, and I cannot return there alone. I needed the backing of the most powerful man, and that’s you, am I wrong?" I asked.

"You’re not mistaken. If you need to seek revenge on anyone, tell me, and I will make them pay. No one will harm my wife and get away with it" not on my watch, "Alek declared."

"This revenge is solely mine. I only need your help to return unnoticed and have a safe place to stay. When I return, I'll make them suffer, and they won't have the slightest idea who caused it all. And when they can no longer endure it, I’ll reveal myself and say to their faces that it was I, the girl they scorned and cast out of the country for being the spitting image of the man who begot her, who destroyed them. I want them to know, and I want to be the one to tell them" when the time is right, "I said, betraying no emotion."

"Then I will assist you. But first, this," he pulled a velvet box from his suit pocket and took my hand, placing a gorgeous diamond ring on my finger.

"It’s very pretty," I said, without much enthusiasm.

"It suits you," he encircled me with his arms and drew closer to my neck. I tensed up immediately.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"My parents and grandparents are watching us from across the way. They saw me put the ring on your finger, so a hug and a kiss would be the expected response," he moved towards my lips and kissed them. I felt very tense, wanting to push him away, but his family looked on, and as I had never kissed anyone before, I did my best to reciprocate and rested my hands on his chest, feeling like he was taking advantage of the situation as his hands roamed my waist.

"Son, won't you introduce us?" interrupted an older gentleman.

"Of course, grandfather. This is Leila Scott, my fiancee, and the future mother of your great-grandchildren," Alek introduced me, yet how he knew my name was a mystery; I never told him.

"A pleasure to meet you, sir," I said respectfully.

"The pleasure is mine, girl. Finally, a miracle has occurred, and this boy is getting married. Just call me grandfather, come here," Alek's grandfather said warmly, contrasting his grandson’s serious demeanor with a more relaxed and expressive attitude.

"She’s my daughter, and this is her husband, Alek's parents, and this is my wife," he introduced the rest of the family.

"A pleasure to meet all of you," I expressed.

"The pleasure is ours. When's the wedding?" Alek's grandmother asked.

"In a month, grandmother, because in a month and a half, I will travel to New York and stay there for a year. There are business matters to attend to, so we'll be living there during that time," Alek informed her.

"Son, we hoped you would stay close, especially if you're planning on having children. We want to watch the new family members grow," Alek's mother commented.

"Don't worry, Mom. It'll only be a year, and I promise that once our first child is born, you'll see them often and spoil them as much as you like," Alek assured her.

"Well, we hope so, but we need to start planning that wedding now," Alek's grandmother insisted.

"Yes, that's true, but honestly, I don't want a big wedding. I don't like crowds," I said, embarrassed since they probably wanted a large celebration.

"How about we have an intimate wedding with just the family? Later on, we can hold a presentation as part of the family or do it when our first child is born. That’s feasible, right, grandfather? You wouldn't want the bride to run off, preventing me from ever marrying," Alek supported my preference.

"No, it will be as you wish. Just family, and we’ll hold the presentation when the baby is born, introducing both at once. As long as you marry, I’d even accept a wedding at the city hall just the two of you," Alek's grandfather conceded, provoking laughter from everyone.

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