To Love and Avenge

Chapter 89

I smirked at him arrogantly. Raising my brows at him while I waited for him to continue.

“I'm Leo Santos, by the way, head of security assigned to Miss Ale since her childhood.” He started and offered his right for a friendly shake, but I could only spare a glance and ignore it. I wanted to say that I don't like to chat and exchange pleasantries. It was but an unnecessary thing. It was just a waste of time. What I wanted was to know what he wanted. And so, I leaned back on the backrest, crossed my arms to my chest, showing him that I was not interested in his Dili-dallying.

"Well, I won't mind your rudeness, but mind you, we are on the same boat here." He said in an overly friendly tone. He even blinked maliciously

“Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't like it, but let me start by showing you the real me first.” Therefore, he slowly stripped off something like a small nude tape under his chin. Leisurely pulling it upward like a thin skin that was peeling off.

A mask? I thought.

Time has been ticking like forever as I wait for him to fully remove everything that he puts on to, eagerness and curiosity arouse inside me. Only if I can snatch it and strip it all off myself, but no, I have to wait.

After removing the– I think the last piece of it, I was in total awe. Staring at him with my mouth wide open in disbelief that I can only blink a couple of times.

He is…

“Surprised? Have you recognized me?”

Of course, how can’t I? But, how?

Opening my mouth and then closed it again as I cannot find the right word to say, still dumbfounded at the sight right in front of me.

He was my brother’s best friend, though I barely saw him and remember him in person, at least I saw him together with my brother in most of his kept photos.

“I..Uhh…” was all I could manage to utter, still at a loss of thought. Glancing at the waiter with a juice at hand, I quickly snatched it from his hands. And hurriedly drank it all as I suddenly felt the dryness of my throat.

When finally my senses has regain from shock, I started to ask some questions.

“Now, you dare to ask?” he calmly stated, yet it made me feel my cheeks starting to burn. I'm blushing, feeling ashamed of my acts.

“I was just confused.” I reason.

“Of course you are. I understand.”

“But… how?” I asked with a knitted brow, letting my guard down.

“After your brother’s death, I take the liberty to apply as security at the Alforques. This way I can slowly worm myself in until I can give justice to your brother’s death.”

“ Then what took you so long to do it?”

“It wasn’t as easy as I first thought. I had to kill first the real Leo Santos- their old head security after a long time of following and observing every detail about him. Just then that I had this prosthetic face made exactly the same as his.”

“You mean…”

“Yeah, I have it all done meticulously while waiting for the right time. Until everything is ripe enough to rip off.”

“So, why do you suddenly call me?”

“What do you think?” He asked back.

I hate it when someone answers my question with a question, somehow, my current state is different. I seemed to have swallowed my words and even experienced an incoherent thought.

“Are you asking for compensation?” was the only thing that came to my mind.

Hearing my words, he burst out into laughter, as if he found my words amazingly ridiculous.

“Sorry about that, I can't help it. But you can outsmart that one out.” He mumbled in between his laughs.

“Then what?” I asked in a pissed tone. He is starting to get on my nerves.

“Easy, I just wanted to give you a piece of advice since we are in the same boat. Why don't you take it easy? She had been suspecting everyone, she trusts no one so you must be careful. As for me, I have this plan ahead of time, so everything was set and is waiting for the right time.”

Listening to him, I played with the glass in my hands, pondering his possible ideas. Since he has come this far, he sure is brewing a bigger plan.

“Why don't you focus on Dauis instead and leave her to me?” He suggested.

Considering this, I slowly nod in agreement.

“That would be a double blow for her, and as for her family, I will take care of them all.”

“You mean to say…”

“Yes, here’s the plan…” He leaned forward to get near me and slowly lay out his detailed plan and its possible outcomes in a very low voice, and he seemed to be pleased with all this.

I was rendered speechless by his words and was now at a loss while staring at him in disbelief.

I never knew that he was way more tormenting than mine. However, I find it rather disturbing to hear somebody else’s plan for her fall.

Why do I feel uncomfortably angry about his plans? Could it be because of my recent discoveries? But, I was fixated on revenge, only now that I hear Leo as he spoke...

“ What do you think?” he asked, devilishly smiling at me, feeling content with his plan.

Still contemplating him, I unconsciously shook my head.

“I think that you agreed on this, right?” he maliciously thought out at my hand that was currently wrestling right above the table, holding my glass firmly.

His touch sent a goosebump feeling to me. Thus, I quickly pulled my hand under his touch.

“You dare not.” I snarled.

“Because I said so.” with that, I hardly stood up and turned my back to him just because I remembered something that I had halted from stepping away.

“Remember not to touch whatever belongs to me, including Ale. She owes me her life, so no one else other than me is allowed to touch her. Otherwise, dig your graveyard. I tolerate no one and yours was not an exemption.” After saying this, without even the need for me to look back at him, I knew that he had fully understood my words.

“Just continue keeping an eye on her and report to me.” Then, I marched away without a second thought.

Upon hearing his plan, I felt suffocated and wanted to strangle him to death. I don't know what came into me when the sudden feeling of anger engulfs me.

But why? Could it be that… I thought confusedly.

It was perhaps invidious to refuse such a good plan. Not just that, I was being rude to the person who has the same resentment as I have. We have a common adversary, but I was instantly disgusted and unreasonably mad.

Maybe because I was so fixated that whatever may happen, she should fall into my hands no matter what.