Ruthless Love (Broken Series 3)

Chapter 6

Leanne

I quickly get up from the bed when I open my eyes and saw a familiar room. I looked around and realized that what happened to me yesterday wasn’t a dream. Seeing Kuya Theo and his friends. Seeing my family that I chose to left behind. 

To be with my family again feels I'm in cloud nine. I feel I'm whole again after eleven years of being alone. 

Maybe I'm successful on my career. My colleagues thought I'm happy in my success but in reality, they were wrong. I'm not happy, nobody knows that I'm empty inside. Now, because of my family I'm whole again. 

I know in need to go back to London as soon as possible after I’m done with my brother’s divorce. Even if I wanted to stay here in the Philippines in the meantime, I know it's impossible because left a lot of responsibilities in London. And more importantly, I can’t leave Evan’s Law firm. I love working there and I owe them my success. Especially to Madam Pat. She helps me a lot, way before I became a lawyer.

I got out of the bed and went inside the bathroom. I wash my face and brush my teeth. Thankfully, there’s a new spare toothbrush inside. I was about to take a quick shower when I heard a knock from outside.

I went immediately to the door and open it. I was welcomed by my mom smiling face.

"Good morning dear. Breakfast is ready. Come on let’s eat!" she said. 

I nodded. "Okay but I’m to change my clothes first." I was about to go inside the room again when mom stops me.

"No need to change your clothes. You’re PJ’s fine and look I’m still wearing my sleeping wear too. It’s still the same like before." 

I look at her. She still wore her sleeping wear it’s just covered with a silk robe. We used to eat breakfast before wearing PJ’s or sleeping wear when we’re having a family day like we will have today.

"Okay!” I said.  

I went out of the room together with mom. While we were going downstairs, my hand automatically clings on mom’s arms. She smiles at me and kisses me on my forehead.

"Happy Birthday mom!" I greeted her.

"Thank you!" her smile get even wider.  "I really miss this baby. Mommy miss you so much This is the best gift on my birthday for the last 11 years without you" she hugged and we went inside to the dining area together.

Dad and my two brothers were already seated when we arrived. I sit beside mom. Dad was seated in the center. Mom is on his left side while Kuya Theo is on the right. Brent is beside Kuya and I’m in front of Brent.

"Good morning" Brent greeted me. "I miss your morning face Ate Leanne" he added.

"Good morning." I greeted them all. "And I miss your morning face to baby bro." 

While we were eating, mommy paid more attention to me again. I’m starting to feel embarrassed because of the mischievous look that my brothers have given me. Imagine I'm twenty-eight years old and mom still acting that I’m a child.

*****

We spent our morning and afternoon together watching a lot of movies. It’s five in the afternoon now and we’re drinking tea at the patio. Brent telling us about the opening of his restaurant. I feel proud while listening to him. I can’t believe that my baby brother is now a chef.

Brent was interrupted when we heard a phone’s ringing, it was dad’s phone. Dad stands up and stays away from a little to us, Brent continues his story until he’s finished. Dad went back at the same time.

Dad looked at mom immediately. 

"Hon! Our friends called they told me that they were coming here tonight with their children. They’re going to join us on celebrating your birthday." he pauses and glances at me. "And they knew that Leanne’s back they want to see her." Dad added. 

Mom’s forehead knotted. "What are we going to do now? We didn’t prepare enough food for them. And how did they know about Leanne?”

Kuya Theo clear his throat. "Mom, I was with Xander and Alex when I met Lucas and Leanne yesterday. Maybe they’re the ones who tell everybody.”

Mom immediately looks at me. I can see the concern in her eyes or maybe sadness. I don’t know. I can’t understand why?

"You already saw Xander?" She asks. I think she was concern about me seeing Xander again. She doesn’t need to b concern about it.  

"Yes, mom!" I answered shortly.

I thought she was going to say something more but she didn’t.

We went silent again but it fades when Brent suddenly chuckled. "Mom don’t worry about the foods. I’m a chef and I’m excited because it’s going to be the first time that I can make Ate Leanne taste the food I cook.”

I smiled upon hearing it. That will be the first time. I always cook for Brent before, so it will be exciting for me too to taste the food he will make.

Mom nodded "Okay Brent! You take care of foods. I’m going to tell help our people for preparing tables in the garden. It will take time to decide about the preparation. Why it does need to be so sudden? It’s so much luck in time." Mom frustratedly says.

"Want me to help you, mom?" I offer my help. 

She nods. "Thank you, baby. That would be helpful" 

*****

It took more than an hour to set up the tables in the garden. Thankfully, we finished it with the help of maids here in the mansion. Mom and I went upstairs after to freshen up and change to clothes.

I scan the walk-in closet to look for a formal dress. I choose a skin tone fitted sleeveless dress. It covered my back and chest. It’s not provocative and it’s so classy dress. Way too different from the clothes I wear eleven years ago.  

I applied some light make-up. I don’t usually wear make-up. I'm ok with face powder and light red lipstick when i'm meeting my clients. And I let my hair down, it naturally have a wavy end.

I looked at my wristwatch. It’s already past seven pm. So, I spray my perfume. Thank God! I bought it with me yesterday.

As I went go downstairs, I can already hear voices coming out of the living room. I’m having hesitation to enter the living room alone. I was hoping to mom, dad or one of my brothers are not inside already but as a minute went by, I realize that they’re already inside.

I was about to go back upstairs when a voice made me stop behind me.

"Running away again?" 

I turned around and saw Xander who’s leaning against the wall. I guess it's been leaning there for quite a while now.

I ignored it and just kept walking. But before I could go, he grabbed me by my arm. I madly look at him. "Let go!" I said while staring at his brown almond eyes.    

"I think you forgot what I said yesterday. I'll never let you go again" he said while staring at my eyes too. 

"Well, I don’t give a damn s**t to whatever you said. Just let go of my arm Xander" 

He deeply breathe. "I miss hearing from you say my name. If only I can record it. So, I can play it over and over it" he said. I know he’s going to hug me so I push him. 

"What is your problem, Xander? I'm not up for your drama and emotional s**t" I said to him and turn around.

I decided to go inside the living room than to deal with Xander’s drama. As I entered, the people inside stopped talking and look at me. Lucas was here and I notice also a beautiful woman who’s sitting beside my brother, Theo.

My parents are with their friends. So, I decided to walk closer to them and to greet them.

"I was about to tell your brother to fetch you from your room." My mom told me when I arrived in front of them.  

"It’s alright mom." I response and look at my parents’ friend. "Good evening!" I greeted and smiled at them. 

Tita Sam was the first one to speak. "It’s good to see you again Leanne…" She looks at me from head to toe. "And wow you look more beautiful than before." She said as she hugs me. Tita Sam is Xander’s mom. Her husband, Tito Zach also greeted me. They have another child, Cristina who’s the same age as me.

(A/N: Tito / Tita – is what Filipino calls at their parent’s friend as a sign of respect.)

"Thank you for the compliment tita" I said and chuckled.

She chuckled "your welcome" 

I turned to Tita Ales and Tito Claude. They are Kuya Alex and Beatrice's parents. 

"Welcome back Leanne!" they said.

"Thank you!”

My eyes went to the door when Xander went inside. He stares at me when he sits beside Lucas. I look away and I notice that Beatrice and Cristina are also staring at me. There was sadness in their eyes as they looked at me but I ignored it. They were my best friends before but like Xander they turned their back on me. They judge me and shut me off to their life before.

I know it's not right to keep my anger inside me but I really thought that at least one of them will believe in me because I know they knew me. That I can’t do what Xander accusing me but I was wrong, no one did believe and stand by my side. They all accuse me of something I never did.

I shook my head. I can’t believe that I will saw them again. Our friendship was long gone now. I’m a different person now. I will try my best to stay away from them. I don’t want to feel the pain that I felt before.

The damage has been done and it cost me too much.