[44]
Chloe walked gracefully, her hand reluctantly on Leonel’s arm. She held intimately, perhaps, because Chloe couldn’t see clearly. What she could make out now, in her wandering gaze, was only the bright lights. Some conversation and laughter among a group of dark shadows. And some bright colors that Chloe assumed were the dresses the women wore at the party.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here,” Leonel whispered, words she wanted to turn upside down. She didn’t need Leonel now. What for? It was pointless. Maybe five years ago, if Leonel had said that to her at the entrance, she would have happily thrown herself to worship Leonel’s love again.
But now, she had thrown all of that away.
She needed help to remove Leonel’s presence here. It wouldn’t just embarrass her; maybe Chloe was no longer ashamed. Begging for Leonel’s love all this time, wasn’t that embarrassing enough? Especially being openly cheated on. But she had to maintain the Grisham name. Mama Agatha and Papa Robby were behind them, literally. Chloe was curious to know if they had yet mingled with other guests.
“Oh my goodness, Chloe?”
The woman looked startled. Leonel made her feel slightly calm with the whispered information he had just heard. “Mrs. Cester called you. Do you remember Mrs. Cester?”Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Chloe didn’t need to respond to that statement because she was now in Cester’s embrace. “Oh, my God.” Cester stared at Chloe with an unbelieving gaze. Her eyes welled up with tears. “I heard about the accident that happened to you, Sa. But forgive me, truly, for the past five months, I’ve been so busy in Paris.”
“Yes, Mrs., I understand.” Chloe released herself from their embrace.
“But are you sure you’re okay? I heard from Mrs. Agatha about your condition.” There was a touch of sadness in Cester’s every word. She gently caressed Chloe’s soft, blushing cheek. “I’m concerned about you,” Cester said sincerely. Not just because she was Grisham’s business partner, which involved Agatha Theodore. It was more than that.
Agatha and Chester had a very close relationship. Even several times, she inquired about Chloe’s condition after the accident. Knowing the latest news, even now that it showed signs of recovery, made Chester very grateful.
“Thank God, and I’ve shown much improvement, Mrs.”
Cester nodded happily. Once again, she brought Chloe into her embrace. “I’m so happy you can return to your old self, even though you’re not fully there yet. But don’t lose hope, dear. This is a test from God.”
Chloe just smiled. “Yes, Mrs.”
“Take care of her, Leonel. Don’t let her feel down, especially about therapy. I’ve heard many stories from Agatha about Chloe’s therapy.”
“Yes, Mrs.” Leonel obediently nodded. He approached Chloe again, declaring his complete possession through his body language. His hand even dared to rest on Chloe’s slender waist. He didn’t care if his wife suddenly tensed up because of his actions. On the contrary, it made the thin sneer on Leonel’s lips even more pronounced. He also didn’t care if anyone saw him.
They were husband and wife, right? In the eyes of others, they were very harmonious and affectionate. Why not show it even more deeply?
“Relax, my love,” Leonel whispered, kissing Chloe’s temple. It made his wife growl in annoyance, but Leonel was sure this beautiful woman wrapped in a black dress couldn’t do much. That woman couldn’t possibly say things that would make others speculate further, right?
“Ah, you make me jealous,” Cester remarked. “I always hope that your relationship is going well.”
“Thank you for your prayers, Mrs. I will always care for my beautiful wife,” Leonel said with a mischievous gleam. If Chloe could see it, there would surely be a look of annoyance and hatred in her eyes when they locked gazes. “Enjoy the party.” Leonel stepped aside, and it seemed that Chester let them walk away.
“Remove your hand,” Chloe said as quietly as possible. With a small smile, of course. She couldn’t show a disliking face while here. Who knows if someone has ill intentions towards Grisham Group, which prominently featured her photo with a sad expression during the party. It’s possible. She considers that many journalists were invited to provide unique coverage, just like in previous years.
“What are you saying, sweetheart?” Leonel asked while resuming his activities, kissing Chloe’s temple and ignoring her protests. Indeed, for tonight, Leonel wanted to be with Chloe, close to her. He was greedily inhaling her body’s scent. And if necessary, he would even disband this organized party so that he could be alone with his wife. Or they wouldn’t return home. Was he inviting Chloe to be alone in a top-notch hotel room in New York City? It wasn’t a complicated matter for Leonel, right? He just had to leave a message for Deborah, and boom! Everything could happen.
Leonel could see the understanding smile thrown their way. And some whispers that were audible as they walked. Did he care? Not. He didn’t like the glances of other men that seemed hungry when they looked at his wife. Maybe Chloe didn’t fully understand the details of what she was wearing now. Leonel had to find out about Chloe’s dress. Who came up with this idea? It made his blood boil at a very high temperature.
“Leonel,” Chloe warned. This time she acted because she didn’t want to be too close to her husband. Chloe felt Leonel was seeking attention, which she found ridiculous and disgusting. “I hope you know your boundaries.”
Leonel had no intention of listening. On the contrary, he held Chloe even tighter while whispering. Even in the imagined image in Chloe’s mind, it seemed as though Leonel was praising her to death, kissing her cheek affectionately in front of many people.
“What boundaries, darling? We’re husband and wife, right?”
Damn, this Leonel!!!
In Chloe’s memory, which she still couldn’t erase about her relationship with Leonel, she had never been treated like this. Yes, they walked together. Leonel introduced Chloe as his wife. Sometimes he would talk to her in front of his business associates. But other times, Chloe had to wait for Leonel and sit in a corner because he was busy discussing things she didn’t understand. Like a doll displayed briefly, once the owner was satisfied with the outcome, the sweet and obedient companion, the beauty, was discarded.
That was Chloe.
But now? Even though she had longed for this. Leonel’s warm, gentle words, and especially when he whispered so affectionately, his gaze filled with love. She hoped for all of it. Very much. But that was in the past.
“Chloe,” someone called, making her sigh of relief. Agatha Theodore. She quickly moved away from Leonel’s hand and gave her husband a slight push. “Hey, why are you keeping your distance, dear?” Agatha asked with a chuckle. Since their daughter and son-in-law entered the ballroom area, she hadn’t taken her eyes off them to ensure they weren’t up to anything strange. Fortunately, it was just her fear.
What she witnessed was the affection she had been longing for.
“Mama, if you pay too much attention to them, it’s too obvious,” Robby said, standing next to his wife the whole time. They were on the second floor, where they could observe the two people whose marriage was hanging by a thread. Robby himself had some hope for his son’s marriage. Honestly, in his heart, he felt that only Chloe was worthy of standing beside Leonel. She could match him and patiently deal with his stubbornness. However, this might be the breaking point Chloe was experiencing.
Who could tolerate being treated like Chloe? Robby felt that if he experienced that, he would have left his partner long ago, regardless of his feelings of love.
“They look so sweet, right, Pa?”
“Yes, Pa.”
“Mama had high hopes for that black dress, you know.”
“Oh, Mama,” Robby said with a sigh. “If Leonel knew, he would be annoyed with our daughter.”
“Let it be. Who asked Leonel always to be busy with work? Accompanying his wife for shopping or simply measuring a dress for an important event is also a form of affection, Pa.”
“Papa didn’t accompany Mama, though.”
Agatha sighed again. “Because Mama’s goal this time is not to show off to Papa but to Leonel. Let the child see how beautiful his wife is. Just look at that,” Agatha pointed to some men she recognized. Most of them still needed to get official partners. However, some were dating acquaintances because Agatha knew their behavior towards women. “They look at Chloe with admiration. They must think about how beautiful Leonel Grisham’s wife is in their hearts. If only they had a wife as perfect as Chloe.”
Robby just shook his head. “Come on, let’s meet them and start. The party before it gets too late.”
Agatha smiled and took the man’s hand affectionately. Walking with elegant steps and a friendly smile because Agatha wasn’t the type to boast about her husband’s achievements in business.
“No, Ma. Chloe needs to fix her dress,” Chloe made up an excuse. She pretended to be busy when Peni approached her.
“I’ll help, ma’am.”
Chloe was grateful that Peni promptly directed her to a corner. Meanwhile, Leonel seemed unhappy looking at his mother, which made Agatha furrow her brow.
“What’s wrong with you, dear?” Agatha asked.
“You must be behind Chloe’s black dress, right, Mama?”
Agatha chuckled. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Leonel sighed in frustration. His suspicion was correct. Chloe would never choose a dress with that style. Someone must be behind it; he was sure it was his mother’s idea.
“You should be grateful that the dress was finished on time,” his mother said mischievously. “Besides, it goes well with the tuxedo you’re wearing.” Agatha patted her son’s chest gently. “Right, Pa?” she asked for agreement, and Robby chose the safest route.
Nodding. Which made Leonel sigh in annoyance.
“It’s beautiful, but it attracts too much attention, Ma. I don’t like it.”
“Do you dislike the dress, or are you jealous?”
“Mama,” Leonel exclaimed in frustration.
“Enough, enough. Don’t argue because of a dress. Besides, Chloe looks beautiful tonight,” Robby intervened. “Where is that child? We need to start the greetings and sit at the assigned table.”
“Let Leonel catch up,” Leonel quickly said. But before he could walk away, someone called him, and he froze.
“Leonel,”