Always
“Hotel guards are everywhere, their personal bodyguards not included, but for sure they’re not few. Every floors are monitored, surveillance cameras is in the corners of the halls.” Said Denard. We are here in Tito Ephraim’s office to discuss what to do at the party. This is the last conversation because we will make the plan later.
It’s a gala for tycoons and also awards night for the most brilliant businessman in the country and Montevero’s are one of their important guests.
I approached its desk and flipped through the blueprint of the hotel itself.
“We’re not doing it inside the hotel so it’s not a problem. We should focus on—” he cut me off.
“We still need to be careful, Lineah. We don’t know what’s going to happen. Everything can go wrong.”
“Nothing will go wrong, Denard. I didn’t spend two years of my life plotting this revenge for nothing.” I strongly promise.
“Lineah’s right, Denard. We need to focus more on the plan itself. It won’t happen at the hotel so we don’t need those things. They have to be exactly five hundred meters away from the hotel so we don’t distract them from what we’re going to do.” That’s exactly the distance we can make the plan—“
“What’s his intentions?”
My eyes widened as Dad entered the office. Denard immediately hid the blueprint in the drawer.
I was swallowed.
Damn it!
Did Dad hear what we were talking about?
“What are your plans?”
The three of us looked back and forth.
“What are you talking about?”
My hands are freaking sweating! Thank God, he didn’t hear anything but what should I tell him?
“Lineah?”
“Y-yes Dad?”
“Answer me. What are you up to?” he said.
“We plan to have fun Dad,” I gulped and glanced to my side, “Right Tito Ephraim?”
“Lineah’s right Ignacio!”
It approached Dad.
“We’re planning to have fun at the event. Even though Salvatore Corporations doesn’t receive an award, we’re still invited so somehow we plan to have fun.”
Dad’s eyes narrowed. He still seems hesitant in our answer to his question.
“To somehow forget that the one who will get the important award is the animal Montevero,” he said with greeted teeth. His grip tightened on the glass with only wine.
“We’re too old to compete just for the iron trophy, Ephraim. With this death of mine it doesn’t matter anymore.”
He turned his back on Dad and sipped the wine before speaking.
“Even then you didn’t have a pack of your achievements Ignacio. You’re so kind that you’re fooled. You weren’t able to identify who the opponent was in the business so you went to the stupid Montevero ---”
“Dad.” Denard cut him off.
“I’m sorry Ignacio, I got carried away,” he said and sighed.
Dad just smiled sparingly. Awkward silence filled the air.
Demard and I were right. I know he can sense the tension a while ago.
I took a deep breath before speaking.
“What are we even doing here? Let’s prepare, the party is near. It’s gonna be the biggest night of our lives. We should have fun!”
I scanned myself in the full length mirror. The gown has a lower neckline and a freaking high slit.
The silver silk cloth wrapped around my body. Showing every curve in their right places. The swarovski crystals shine every time the light hits it. My gown is a little bit heavy because of the swarovski crystals on it but I can handle it. I will also change immediately after the party.
“You’re so beautiful Lei—Lineah.” Tyang said while writing my hair from behind.
“Thank you Tyang.”
“I’m sorry I’m still not used to calling you by your real name.”
“You don’t have to call me by my real name, Aunty. Call me where you’re more comfortable.” I smiled at her through the mirror.
“It seems like everything happened only yesterday. I still can’t believe it.”
We looked right in the mirror. I kept my gaze on Tyang. Even I can’t believe Tyang. You’re not alone. Two years later … Even as time has passed, my siblings’ harassment of me has not left my mind. As well as what they did to my family. They killed Mom and tricked Dad into getting its business. They are shameless!
I smiled at the palm. I can’t help myself every time I think of what they did to us. Tonight I will fulfill what I promised my Mother. I can avenge his death. I will never forgive them!
“Whatever you’re planning, be careful Leigh,” he said.
My forehead furrowed at what Tyang said.
“I last saw your hesitant eyes when you went with Bobby.”
I confronted him.
“What are you saying Aunty?”
“Doubt is obvious in your eyes. There is a streak of sadness and anger in your beautiful eyes, Leigh.”
I averted my gaze and left in front of him. Preoccupied herself with finding the earring on the table.
“W-what are you saying Tyang? Maybe your eyes are getting blurred? You told me to wear glasses.” I said, avoiding the conversation I didn’t want to start.
“I raised you Leigh. I’m not your Mother and you didn’t come from me, but I know you. Until now you still don’t say what happened to you when you disappeared from us. I don’t know what happened but it changed you. I respect your decision not to tell us that but if you’re ready I’m just here. “
I stopped looking for the earrings. My throat is dry. I gently shook my head. My gaze landed on the earring I was looking for. I picked it up and put it on.
“You don’t have to hide ---”
“W-what are you saying Tyang? I really don’t remember what happened. I haven’t changed. I’m still Leigh, before I disappeared and then. Until now I’m still Leigh, Tyang.” I strongly promise.
“Your eyes were full of pain and anger when you came back to Leigh.”
My expression is blank. I took a deep breath. Who am I kidding? This Tyang, he wasn’t the one who raised me but he raised me. She knew me as well as if she had given birth to me. It noticed my actions then. I’m sure he knows what Denard and I are up to but I won’t let him stop me. I have waited two years for this day. I will make sure our plan succeeds tonight.
“I need to leave Aunty. Thank you so much for helping me fix it.”
I grabbed my purse on the table and walked towards the door.
“Be careful, Leigh,” she said.
I smiled sparingly at him and then went down to the first floor of the mansion.
Denard’s mouth dropped open as I went down the stairs. I couldn’t help but be embarrassed. I’m still not used to the affection it gives me. I only felt like this once… With the wrong person and time.
He scanned me fully.
“You’re gorgeous, Lineah.” He said.
“Thank you Denard,” I said, my gaze hovering. “You look handsome as well.”
“This handsome gentleman in front of you will be your husband after we finished this plan, Lineah.”
Her smile was wide on her lips. I couldn’t help but admire her good looks. Especially on this special day. He must be as happy as I am because we will finally be able to take revenge on the people who ruined our lives and killed our Mother, they will pay … The Monteveros will pay.
“We should get going,” I promised.
“Right, the invitation is here.”
He lifted the hard paper in his right hand.
“Are you ready, Lineah?” he smirked.
“Always.”
