Jacob was following Leandro. he kept asking what he was going to do but Leandro was not answering. After Leandro heard about what had happened he had walked away and had instructed his deputies, regarding the training in progress. Jacob had gone after him with questions. Leandro was not trying to get rid of him and wasn't answering. There was a change in Leandro. It seemed like when it came to Jean getting hurt he didnt play around. Jacob was protective of his sister and was upset with Rosana but even he forgave accidents eventually.
Jacob kept trying "Leandro where are you going?"
Leandro had enough. He said finally "Stop asking questions. Where do you think I am going?"
Jacob asked "I dont know. Thats why I ask."
Leandro said nothing.
Jacob noticed they entered an area that said "danger please keep out sign".
Jacob cleared his throat "This is a dangerous area. Isn't it?"
Leandro said "Only for trespassers."
Jacob said "Am I one?"
Leandro said nothing.
Jacob couldnt believe how a school like this existed. Nothing here was normal. Leandro's reactions varied and his mood changed. Some times he was talkative and sometimes not. It seemed like if Jean was hurt he was not upto being cocky on the outside. He seemed thoughtful.
Jacob recognised Leo from far coming their way with some files in his hands.
Leo slowed down as he saw the hardened expression on Leandro's face and the puzzled look in Jacob's eyes. He knew that look in his brother's eyes. Someone was in trouble. He hoped it was neither him or Jacob. He was starting to like Jacob. He had stood up to Arcangelo and Leandro. Leo liked people with backbone.
As Leandro was approachingLeo, the younger brother gave Leandro a forced smile "My favourite brother. What can I do for you? Is Jacob getting private tuition from me at this survival camp?"
Leandro reached Leo and he said sharply "Its about Jean."
Leo said "Oh."
Leandro said "Rosana has injured my girl. She is your girl's sister. So You have the task to prepare paper work for expulsion since you are on duty for this week."
Jacob was shocked "Expulsion? isnt that abit extreme."
Leandro gave him a hard look "No it isnt actually."
Leo gasped "You are expelling Rosana."
Leandro said "No. I am expelling Rosana and her sister."
Leo said "What? Why?"
Leandro said "Because the baseball captain is Elena. She failed to report her sister to me. All injuries must be recorded.Elena's hippie careless approach got her to the end."
Leo shook his head "There has to be a way. Can you bring down the level of sanction please?"
Leandro said "I already have. Your girl has shown preference for her sister hiding the truth from me. She hasn't taken her duties seriously."
Leo said "Then demote her. Change the baseball captain."
Leandro said "No. Now you give them the news and tell them to pack their bags. I may lose my control and will issue a much worse sanction if they are not grateful enough." He then walked away.
Jacob followed Leandro " An apology for flower pot is all that's needed. It was an accident. Come on Leandro."
Jacob stopped walking and then stared at Leo who was looking at Leandro walking away.
Jacob said "Aren't you going after him?"
Leo said "No way. Did you not feel the tension in the air. He probably will be having an ice bath right now. No joke. I know when not to poke him."
Jacob said "I want to help you."
Leo said "You go back to the recruitment taster. I will give you updates if I get to talk to Leandro again. I have more paper work to do."
Jacob said "What's next? Diving in shark tank."
Leo said "No. You will ace the next challenge I have a feeling. You will be chopping wood blocks for fun with an axe. You are from country. It will be easy."
****
Leandro was walking in survival camp. He reached the archery and shooting fields and watched as the girls were being briefed. He recognised Jean amongst them. She was onto the special gun that was suitable for training. She seemed like a natural. He was surprised. She was from the country side. But still such skill to get the bull's eye was not common. The girls were gasping at her. He felt proud of her. in archery she seemed perfect too.
When the session finished he walked by and watched as the girls froze. They hadn't noticed him watching. He walked upto jean and said "Soldier, I need to see you. Come with me."
Jean followed him. When they reached a clear space he turned to Jean and said "You are quite exceptional Jean. How did you learn to shoot and throw arrows like that?"
Jean said "Its easy. Its nothing really. I have hobbies like this with Jacob." But she was sure he wasn't there to discuss her hobbies. She waited for him to say why he wanted to speak with her. She was certain it involved her bruise and the one responsible.
Leandro said "Jean... I just was wondering if I can invite you to a .... date. An official date."
Jean blushed and said "A date... What kind of a date..." She had no reason to say no. He was such a gentleman earlier on. His company was ok. He seemed like a good friend.
Leandro said "Any kind you want..."
Jean bit her lip.... "I dont know... When?..."
Leandro said "Tonight.... "
She said "I have plans tonight...."
Leandro said "I can join you on your plans... Whatever you have planned...We can do it together..."
Jean sighed and said honestly "I was planning on cooking and baking tonight..."
Leandro said "Its a date..."
Jean asked " Will you cook and bake with me?"
Leandro said "Why not?"
Jean said "I dont know. Most boys dont like it..."
Leandro said "I would love anything you do with me... Ok. I see you at 5.00." He then stared at her smiling.
Jean was wondering why he didnt mention her bruise... She said "Leandro."
Leandro said "Yes jean."
Jean said "Jacob told me you know who hurt me.... What are you going to do to Rosana? I swear if you hurt her I wont talk to you again."
Leandro changed his expression to a frown "Jean... What do you want me to say? I wont hurt her. She is sister of my brother's girlfriend. She has some immunity... But Elena and Rosana will be sanctioned"
Jean sighed in relief.
Leandro said "Their sanction is not very harsh. Dont worry. Lets say they they wont get hurt but they cant hurt you again."
Jean said "They are my friends. I have a friendship with both of them. Please go easy on them."
Leandro said "Be assured. I am as lenient as I can get here Jean."
****
Leo was reluctantly doing paper work.
Leandro walked in "Is it ready?"
Leo said "Give me 5 more minutes."
Leandro said "You are too slow."
Leo sighed "Leandro. I am asking you to reconsider. How about detentions? If they get expelled they don't get scholarships. They get bad references. It was an accident what happened to jean."
Leandro said "Give me a violin."
Leo said "I change my language. How about this? What do you want in return if you give them unlimited detention? Come on. Ask me for anything."
Leandro said "You seriously think I will do a trade with you?"
Leo said "Yes because it was unintentional. I know your girl is special to you and you don't bend your rules for a culprit who messes with her ... But... It was an accident. I am not saying don't give them a sanction. I say don't expel them. Please Leandro. What is it I should do to make you reconsider. You do have a strong sense of justice."
Leandro said "No."
Leo said "Elena is my girl. You shouldn't separate her from me. How would you proceed if you were in my place?"
Leandro said "I am not in your place."
Leo sighed "For the love of the lord. Show some clemency. Give me a mission impossible."
Leandro said "Why do you insist on me giving you an impossible task? Don't tempt me. If I ask it of you I want it done. If you don't do it or fail, I will make it much worse for your girl and her sister. You want to take that risk. They hurt Jean." He thought back to jean who said they are my friends. Jean liked them. He had to change his mind. It was a matter of time before Jean could hear.
Leo said "It was an accident. Come on. Give me a task. I will do it."
Leandro said "I will give them four weeks of detention with over time community service ... I will ask you to do a task in return...."
Leo said "Thank you... Ask anything."
Leandro said " Recruit Michangelo for our football team."
Leo gasped "What?" Michangelo and his older brother Arcangelo didn't see eye to eye. Michangelo played for the O'Neil school with their cousin Nicandro. There was no way Nicandro was going to let Michangelo go. And Michangelo dated Natalia.
Leandro said "You have until end of the month to convince him to join our football team or your girl and her sister will be getting something much worse and you will be administering it. I am only being nice because of Jean and the fact that Jean is a friend of Elena and Rosana."
Leo knew this was Leandro being nice. Now he was faced with mission impossible as he had requested.