Chapter Twenty nine

Angel's POV

Dinner was over and they were getting ready to leave . " It was nice finally  meeting you , Angel " Rosa hugs me lovingly into her arms smiling widely pulling back " Likewise " I give her a genuine smile she was the only person who made me feel welcome tonight .

" See you soon" Antonio firmly shook my hand " of course " . Marcus said goodbye to Lucas and the girls then comes to me , a smirk on his face " Goodnight " he raised my hand to his lips and kisses it slightly . I shivered in disgust quickly pulling my hand away . Lucas was too busy talking to his father to notice .

Leona walked up to Lucas " hum goodnight Lucas " she smiled slightly but it soon disappear when Lucas gives  her a blank face . She sighed then kiss the girls foreheads  then stares  at me but only  walked pass me not even saying anything .

When they were all gone Lucas turned to me " Are you alright ? You know ,after all this . I know my family can be a handful " He smiled sheepishly at me " I'm alright  ." He guide me to the living room couch and pulled me to him . I snuggled him .

" May I ask you something ? " I lift my head off his chest and placed I on his shoulder looking at him " Of course . Anything you want " I smiled at his words " What's the issue between your sister and you ? " I asked the question that had been on my mind . He face goes blank  " It's nothing you need to worry about ." He dismissed

I sighed feeling a bit sad . " Hey ," he lift my chin to look at him " It's really not important " he reassured " I just want to know . I know it's none of my business , but  it's concern you " " Alright " he quickly kissed my lips softly .

" Leona was supposed to take my father's place in the Mafia , but she was removed , she didn't exactly have a good life back then  " I frowned " what do you mean ?"

He shook his head his eyes filling with disappointment " At that time she started going to clubs everyday doing all those ungodly stuff " he sighed and continued

" When we all became to see this we all forbid it . Leona liked her freedom . My parents protected us until we were old enough to go out alone , but Leona saw this as a chance to live that life . I begged her to stop I was worried about her , but she never once let listened , and because of that , we drifted apart . " I urged him to continue

" And that's when she met  Nicolai , her boyfriend . I already knew he was bad news from the moment I layed my eyes on him . I know that we shouldn't juge people based on their looks , but he just gave me bad vibes . I confronted her she got mad and we had a huge fight which made her move away from us the next day with him . She didn't tell anybody where she was and she was gone for a whole two years until a year ago ."

" What hurts me more  is that she wasn't there when I needed her the most " I lifted my head from his shoulder and stared in confusion I wanted to ask him what he met but I refrained to , but he saw the confusion on my face and elaborate .

" Leona and I were really close but with the incidence we were not anymore . When the girls ' mother left , it chartered me and I really needed her there   I reached out to her but she never answered you know , until a year ago  then started acting like she cared " he rolled his eyes my eyes softened .

" Leona cares for you especially for the girls "  I place my hand on his trying to reassure him . The love in her eyes when she interacted with them was so evident " Maybe she had good reasons for not contacting you " He rolled his " Who ? Nicolai ?" He scoffed and I stayed quiet . He took my silence as a yes and slowly rise from his laying position . " What did he do , Angel ?"

His voice turned deep and scary has  he said it I slowly gulped " I'm not sure Lucas , but it's just a hunch ." I gently stroked circles on  on his chest in hopes to calm him down . " Tell me your hunch then "

I bit my lip nervously " I know it's none of my business we only met today and I've no rights to be in her business... " I trailed off " just say it. Angel " he said impatiently .

" When we where done with dinner, Heaven and I went to the kitchen and on our way there we passed the garden where we saw Leona crying . I gave her tissue to wipe her tears , and when she did , a bruise came to view ." I finish off nervous . Lucas frowned " A bruise ? " I nod " And it did not seem like it came from a fall or her hitting herself . "

" So you mean it was given to her ?" He ask worryingly I nod his eyes instantly widened in panic " we shouldn't make assumptions you know , it might be from someone el -" Lucas cut me off .

" It's him I knew it ! " He frustratly ran his hands through his hair " I need her to tell me herself " he said " how are you going to do that ? "

~~~

They next day , Lucas invited Leona over for the day . She was really surprised by her brother's invitation , but was happy nonetheless and eager to spend time with her brother and her nieces . With the ring of the doorbell Lucas swiftly moved to opened the door .

" Hi ! " Leona beamed at her brother as he opened the door " Bonjourno " Lucas replied and her eyes yes widen . I guess it wasn't everyday that he  greeted her with no glare or sarcasm .

" It means a lot that you called me over for today , Lucas " She said looking excited he nod " The girls haven't seen you for a while , so I thought it was a good idea for you to come " he responded calmly she sweetly smiled at her brother then her gaze fell to me and her smile dropped .

" Hi Leona " I greeted " hi " she answered dryly and I'm sure she only did that because of her brother" where are the girls ?" She asked . Lucas led her to the living room where they were watching cartoons when they noticed her presence they ran to her .

" Can you play with us aunty ?" Halo asked exitingly . She smiled " of course I can !" They led her to their playroom . " Now we have to make her tell the truth " Lucas said .

He would occasionally make small talks with her to see if she might give away something but nothing much came she was way too happy to talk about sad memories .

" Daddy , can we swim today ?" Heaven suddenly asked " yes , can we ? " Halo backed her up " it's nice outside , can we swim ? " They smiled exitingly " Aunty Leona can swim with us too " Halo suggested " yeah aunty Leo ! " Heaven exclaimed .

" Umm I can't swim " She said nervously " why not ?" Lucas raised his eyebrow questionaly " I didn't bring my swimsuit " " No worries . I've got swimsuit that I bought recently it could be a fit " I said referring to her body she was a bit thinner than me , but it could still be a fit . Leona sent me a death glare  to which I frowned .

Have I said something wrong ?

" See ? Everything worked out " Lucas said . I hand her a three piece swimsuit that was still in its bag once she entered my room " it's in size medium I hope it fits" she slowly closed the door and turned to me " couldn't you just shut up ? " I frown " excuse me ? "

" You always meddle in people's business mind your own for Pete's sake " she looked at me with so much anger in her eyes that I thought looks could kill .

" I just thought you needed one " " well I don't " she spat angrily and I flinched  . " Now I have to wear this stupid swimsuit " she huffed . As much as her words hurt me right now , I couldn't help but wonder why she was insisting to not swim . I silently left her to change then went back to the living room .

" Is everything alright ? " Lucas asked as he tied Heaven's swimsuit around her neck " you could say that " I sit on the couch feeling exhausted . I watch Halo struggle with tieing her swimsuit " Do you need help tieing yours sweetie " I asked  " no , I'm fine " She mumbled and I feel even more defeated .

Looks like some of the Armani girls has taken upon them to dislike me .

Lucas looked at me with sympathy , but I quickly brushed it off with a reassuring smile " I'm ready "  Leona announced her presence in the room . The swimsuit fitted perfectly really giving off the silhouette of a model . They walk back to the backyard where the pool was .

" You not going to swim babe ?" He asked pulling me by the waist. I shrugged " I don't feel like it " he nod in understanding and kissed my forehead . Leona sat on the pool chairs and watch the girls from there .

" So far there is no sign of abuse " he said but still had a phone decorating his face " But I know something is wrong " " we will find out don't worry"

~~~

I finished making lemonade for everyone then I made my way to the backyard on my way there , I heard a gasp . I round the corner to see what happened

" Aunt Leona , you're bleeding " Halo panicked "No , no don't worry it's not that big " Leona quickly took the towel and wiped herself . Halo ran and called her dad and few seconds later he round the corner .

I placed the tray of lemonade glasses on the table and quickly walk to the backyard . I watched with horror as Leona wiped the blood off and more wounds appeared from old to recent ones which made her skin red .

I guess it was all covered up with make-up .

I could feel Lucas's anger from beside me as he stared at the wounds . " Girls , go inside "

***

Hey guys

What do y'all think about the chapter ?

All I'm thinking about is Leona and how sad her whole situation is . And the next chapter is even more chaotic .

Stay tuned to that !

Don't forget to vote , comment and share this story .

Lots of love

~ EstherAli ~