[22] a
Did Ester sleep peacefully all night? No, not at all. Instead, her mind wandered off somewhere and couldn’t be redirected to things that made her happy. It always led to Leonel, who, for some reason, left his room. There were many questions she wanted to ask, but oh God! Why did Leonel treat her differently as time went on? Since Chloe’s accident, Ester tried to stick closer to Leonel because it was a rare opportunity. Also, when Chloe, in Ester’s eyes, foolishly asked her to join the Grisham family.
She thought that with that permission granted, their divorce would happen soon. She could be with Leonel forever. She wouldn’t have excessive worries about Leonel possibly turning away. But it turned out that the accident became a turning point where she became the threatened party day by day.
Ester was not blind to seeing all of that happening around her.
When she opened her eyes after struggling to push away all the things weighing on her chest, she immediately grabbed her phone from the nightstand. She called Sofi and asked to be picked up in two hours. At least she had time to prepare. She still had plenty of tricks to bring Chloe down, including her presence at the Mountain Pte birthday party. It would be challenging for everyone to turn away from her radiant company. Compared to Chloe? There was no comparison.
So she needed more preparation. If others couldn’t turn away from her, Leonel couldn’t either.
“Don’t be late,” Ester emphasized at the end of the phone call.
“Alright, Miss.” Sofi was always ready to answer and obey whatever Ester commanded. That was what made Ester like this girl to work with her. As for the rest? Because she complained too much and worked slowly, which made Ester angry, and she fired several people before Sofi started working for her.
Putting aside her thoughts still revolving around Leonel and Chloe, especially the shadow from last night at the dining table, made her blood boil. She didn’t care if what she did behind Chloe’s back with Leonel was even crazier and more intimate than what her eyes caught last night. Her principle was that it wasn’t her fault but Tisaa’s-that flawed woman who took Leonel away from her side.
Growling in frustration, Ester moved to drench her body with running water. She tried to ensure she could wear a broad smile when Ester left her room later because she had to face Chloe and Agatha. Especially Agatha. That middle-aged woman was also an obstacle to getting Leonel.
She remembered the first time Leonel brought her to the Grisham family dinner. Luxurious and classy. She never forgot how tense she felt when they stepped out of the elevator to the restaurant in one of the strategic places inside this towering building.
“No need to be nervous, Ester,” Leonel said with a smile. Ester always fell in love when the man next to her displayed his genuine smile. His handsome face multiplied several times. Not to mention his always neat appearance adorned with his favorite brands, making Leonel’s appearance captivating forever, causing the girls around him unable to divert their gaze quickly.
“I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing, Darling.” Ester grasped Leonel’s hand a little tighter. In the reflection of the glass they passed by, Ester ensured there was nothing wrong with her appearance. The Salem-colored dress with a ribbon accent at the waist, with her arms covered to the elbows, looked modest, but Ester was still Ester. The dress hugged her beautiful body quite tightly, only reaching her long calves, which she paired with black heels and a matching clutch.
Most of the accessories she wore to complete her appearance tonight were gifts from Leonel. The beautiful and classy black gem was a gift because Ester finally agreed to spend the night with the Grisham family. Deep down, Ester could already read the Grisham family’s movements regarding Leonel. Being an heir is undoubtedly not easy regarding romantic relationships with just anyone.
But Ester was Ester. She couldn’t be shaken just because of their social status. After all, Ester wasn’t an unemployed person who only knew how to spend Leonel’s money. She worked hard to make a name for Ester Gisela and be accepted into the modeling scene in Indonesia. Her goal didn’t stop there; as long as she was capable, Ester would continue striving to showcase her talent internationally.
“Mama and Papa aren’t the types to speak without thinking. They are relaxed, Ester. You relax too.” Leonel gently tapped Ester’s hand near him. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
It was true. What Leonel said always stayed the same and was always fulfilled. Throughout the dinner, where many courses were served and looked delicious, Ester did her best to keep up with their conversations. Especially when Leonel’s mother, Agatha Theodore, asked her questions.
“Since when have you been involved in modeling?” Agatha asked. Her tone was well-modulated. Her gaze was sharp, authoritative, and friendly, yet not easy to speak, and her body gestures were calculated.
“Since I graduated from high school, Aunt.”
Agatha nodded slowly. “What about your university?”
“I haven’t graduated yet. I’m still preparing my thesis.”
Agatha furrowed her brows and raised her hand, noticing Leonel wanted to speak. “Why is it delayed?”
Ester knew that things like education, lineage, how she spoke, and how she responded to all the small talk questions around the dining table were Agatha’s way of assessing her. She would continue to fight whether she was worthy and could stand alongside Leonel because of her love for Leonel, regardless of whether Ester was sidelined or outright rejected.
“I have many photoshoots that I’ve already signed, Aunt,” Ester replied as she sipped her drink. The opening part of the meal session had just finished. Several servers there began serving the main dishes, including the grilled lobster that Ester could tell was priced fantastically just by its aroma.
“How long have you been in a relationship?” This time the question came from a middle-aged man named Robby Grisham. He still appeared fit, and his sternness was evident on his face. Since Ester’s arrival, he had yet to speak much. He only smiled when he reached out his hand to shake Ester. After that, he busied himself talking to Leonel about work matters.
“Almost three years, Uncle,” Ester replied with a smile at the end of her words.
“Do you intend to get married?” Robby asked as if there was no need to think about anything else. His eyes also assessed Leonel, sitting before him, and then looked intently at Ester. “Leonel?”
“Yes, Dad. But not soon.”Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
There was a noticeable sigh of relief from Agatha and Robby, which Ester could see from her sitting position. “Leonel plans to get married after I graduate, Uncle, Aunt,” Ester clarified their relationship. “Isn’t that right, Leonel?”
“Correct.” Leonel nodded. “That’s what I said, not soon.”
“Are you serious about this woman, Leonel?” Agatha glanced briefly at Ester and then shifted her gaze, staring intently at Leonel.
“Yes,” Leonel replied firmly.
“Have you researched her background?”
“Love doesn’t need a background, Mama. I’ve loved Ester since our first meeting. We came here to seek your blessing so our marriage can begin smoothly. That’s all.” Leonel spoke with a firm tone.
“If that’s the case, you don’t have our blessing, Leonel.” Agatha took one of the large folders she had placed on the chair next to her. “I always find out about anyone close to you-adversaries and people of the same kind. Grishams are not ordinary people that anyone can meddle with, Leonel. You know that very well.”
“But, Mom,” Leonel protested quickly.
“No ‘buts.’ You can read and thoroughly examine the background of Ester Gisela. I don’t care about her achievements in the modeling world, but once she becomes your wife, will that woman next to you be willing to give up everything?”
Ester swallowed hard. Her hands were tightly clenched. She felt extremely frustrated. What was wrong with her background? There was nothing wrong. She was born into a good family, even though it fell apart along the way. She was never involved in any form of crime, including drugs. She could end up with a negative reputation while pursuing her career under the gaze of professional cameras.
“What else burdens Mama about Ester? Leonel has told Mama everything. Mee too. Leonel has often emphasized that all he wants is Ester, not any other woman.”
Robby cleared his throat softly, making Leonel stop speaking, while Ester, defended by the man, gently rubbed Leonel’s arm. To calm the emotions that had surfaced. It was evident from his rising voice and his irregularly fluctuating chest. His jaw also tightened as he finished speaking just now.
“That’s enough, Leonel,” Robby said softly. “Don’t prolong a problem you already know the outcome of.”
Ester furrowed her brow.
“From the beginning, we didn’t agree with you being in a relationship with Ester. And you, Ester, stay away from Leonel. Put an end to everything related to Leonel. If you insist, I won’t hesitate to hinder every step you take.”