Leon slouched back in the car seat, closing his eyes briefly.
Jake glanced at him carefully before speaking "Boss, I have siphoned the first money from his account"
"Good" Leon replied, eyes still shut "Donate it to the orphanage up in Brooks street, anonymously"
Jake blinked in disbelief, too stunned to understand
That was a lot of money, all for charity?
"Boss, why give it away? You could use it to rebuild yourself"
Leon cracked one eye open, voice firm "I don't rebuild with stolen money. I'll rise on my own terms"
Jake dared not ask any more questions, he started the car
The engine roared to life
Their next destination would change the course of everything, but they didn't know it yet
A flash of memory struck Leon, the fire and his parents calling for help
His fiancée's cold voice "Burn to death, Leon" before she walked away
It was impossible to get through to save his parent
The smoke blurred his vision, and a heavy brick fell on his head
Pain split his skull, and the world spun until he passed out
He thought that was it.
That he would burn to death alongside the two people he loved most.
But a strange lady stepped into the fire, pulling him away
Through his half-closed eyes, he saw only one thing
A birthmark on her shoulder
Before losing consciousness
When he awoke, his parents were gone.
Nothing but ashes. Nothing but loss.
Leon inhaled sharply, forcing the memory out.
The past was the past, but his mission remained
One, take revenge on his family, and build back their legacy.
Two, look for the lady who saved his life
"One day, I'll find her. The girl who dragged me out of hell"
Leon vowed silently, fist tightening on his lap.
Jake stole a glance at his boss, eyes shut and calm.
***
Tara was at the gala, but she would rather be somewhere else.
At home, strategizing for her company or watching a movie
Her phone buzz
The text message on her phone made her a bit happy
It was an escape from Zayn and the gala filled with people.
Her grandfather had summoned the whole family for an important meeting.
"I have to leave" she whispered to Zayn
"Any problem?" he asked absent-mindedly, more interested in his wine
"My grandfather is holding an impromptu meeting, I have to go, it's urgent"
"Oh" Zayn's eye lit up "Why don't I join you?" Zayn asked
Tara didn't like the idea of that, but since he was going to be her husband and in-law, there was no point in refusing
"Sure" Tara faked a smile at Zayn
***
At the Vorene estate
Zayn's luxury car rode inside, parking just beside the rows of already parked cars
"Great. Looks like everyone is here" Tara muttered
"Feels good to be a son-in-law to the Vorene's" Zayn grinned, straightening his cufflinks
"Don't flatter yourself" Tara rolled her eyes,
In her mind, Zayn was only a tool to get what she wanted
Marriage first, divorce later
They both walked inside the mansion
Tara's father and mother were the first to sight them
"This meeting is about you" Tara's mother whispered, excitement dancing in her eyes as she hugged Tara tightly
"Your grandfather wants to announce your wedding with Zayn tonight" her father added in the same hush tone
Tara was elated, she didn't even have any idea the meeting was about her
She had only imagined it was one of the many meetings about the family business.
"Does Zayn know about this?" Tara asked
"No. Funny coincidence, you both came together"
"I am going to be a wife?" Tara danced excitedly
"Shh, your grandfather would announce it himself"
Tara exchanged greetings with her Nephews, niece, uncle and aunt, then she took a seat on the long table
Zayn sat comfortably beside her with a smug smile on his face
It seemed surreal, all she could think about was being a billionaire wife
Obviously, a dream come true, but with a man she didn't love
Moments later, the old man entered the room
Everyone stood to their feet
He was a stern man, everyone had respect for him
"Take your seats" he ordered after sitting on his chair at the head of the table
"Everyone is present. You, boy" the old man pointed at Zayn "Who invited you?"
"Grandpa" Zayn stood to his feet, smiling respectfully "Since I and…and Tara are getting married soon, I…I decided to join her as your son-in-law."
"Son-in-law, my foot" the old man spat
Everyone gasp
Silence, thick suffocating silence
"You would not have my granddaughter as your wife" he spoke ruthlessly
Tara's face crossed. What was this about?
"I uh, Grandpa, I guess you might have forgotten we had a marriage allegiance deal two weeks ago"
"Are you trying to say I have dementia?"
"No…No I would never-"
"Shut up!" The old man sounded
Tara's throat tightened. She glanced at Zayn's clenched jaw, then back to her grandfather.
This wasn't just a rejection. It was humiliating in front of everyone.
"That deal is dead. My granddaughter already has a husband, and it is not you."
Zayn swallowed hard, his ego
"So, unless you are joining us for dinner tonight, don't ever think you are my son-in-law."
Zayn sat back on the chair; he dared not question the old man
"Did you know about this?" He whispered to Tara
"Of course not" Tara replied, confused as much as he was
"Frankie" the old man called to his butler "Serve the food, and also tell my son-in-law to join us"
"Okay, Sir" the butler bowed
He had served the old man for more than twenty years
Moments later, the butler carried a tray of dishes, and behind him a man Tara recognized instantly"
"Dad, is this a meeting to retire Frankie? Is this your new butler?" Tara's father asked
"For real?" Tara's eyes and Leon's matched
Leon was surprised to see her as much as she was.
Senator Alex's granddaughter happened to be the same lady he wanted to avoid like a thorn in his flesh
"Didn't we just see him at the gala?" Zayn whispered
"Yes?" Tara replied
How was it that this man kept appearing in her life?
Now he is her grandfather's new butler?
Everyone sized Leon up, and snickers broke out across the table
He was still wearing the waiter's uniform from the gala
Bow tie hanging, shirt collar creased, jacket missing
"No. He is not my butler" the old man finally spoke "He is Tara's husband"
"What?!" Tara stood to her feet "Impossible"
"Dad, are you joking?" Tara's father asked, looking at the man who looked nothing like a man fit for the Vorene's table.
"Good heavens" one of her aunts whispered loudly, covering her mouth. "He looks like he came straight out of the kitchen."
A cousin laughed outright. "This is a joke, right? Tara's husband?"
"How can a woman of status marry someone like him?"
Tara was too stunned to speak. Did her grandfather hate her that much?
"Husband? Him?" another uncle scoffed. "He can't even afford a proper suit. My God, look at his shoes, so old"
Laughter erupted
Tara stood frozen, color draining from her face.
Her eyes darted from her grandfather to Leon, who met the mockery in complete silence.
He didn't flinch. He didn't bow. He didn't break.
"Leon is none of what you see on the surface. This man is powerful." the old said
"Powerful?" An older cousin leaned forward with an eye of mockery "He looks like he should be clearing our plates, not sitting at our table."
The laughter grew sharper, crueler
Senator Alex finally spoke, his cane striking the marble floor.
"Silence."
The room obeyed instantly.
"Leon Draven and Tara get married now" the old man says
Gasps rippled again, louder this time.
Tara felt the floor tilt beneath her. Marry a nobody?
"This…this is impossible" she choked out. "Grandfather, I can't marry him."
But the old man's face was stone. His decision, final.