Not Playing by the rules

Chapter 11

“Why did you not like it?” asked Leon still mesmerized in the awesome flavours of the cupcake.

“Well that was quite a stunt you pulled there, but until we are in his retainer I can’t complain,” said Mr. Ford.

“I am sure you won’t boss. And not after you have a bite of this awesome cupcake I am having. And from the looks of it I am declaring rose-velvet flavor to be my personal favourite from now on. You should try it as well,” said Leon finishing the remnants of the cupcakes.

“I would love to take up on that offer but I shall let you on a little secret. I am diabetic, so I can’t splurge on sweets although I have an extreme sweet tooth but no one could do that favour to me till today. And I don’t like those sweets with no sweetness or flavor in them. But we are not here to discuss my cravings for sweet and not being able to have them but you pulling that stunt off,” said Ford.

“I thought you liked my stunt, and you were not complaining since we are on the retainer of Mr. Tharper,” said Leon looking at him.

“I am not complaining Leon. But as your boss, and your father’s biggest enemy it is my right to know what you are doing and why you are doing it,” said Ford taking a seat.

Leon sighed and thought that this was serious if he brought his status of enemity with his father. That was the sole reason that he had got the job in the first place in this company. Their rivalry had been legendary and still is.

“Ramsey, I am going to say this only once in my life and I don’t want any single word of this going out of this room. I have never shared this detail with anyone in my life,” said Leon with seriousness in his voice and eyes.

“You have my word Leon. Go ahead,” said Ramsey Ford taking a seat on the couch.

“Eleven years ago I graduated from law school and came back home. I was so happy to be finally becoming the worthy son of my father. I knew that I was going to party like hell tonight and the next morning I was going to join my father in his office where I shall start my career in law. I was having a whiskey when my mom pulled me aside and said that it was not only my homecoming party but my engagement party as well. I did not know this girl but my father was taking over their firm so it was a benefit for both the families in that way. Mom said that I had met her earlier in some parties but I could not recall that girl at all. Not that I wanted to also. I was furious at my parents for doing this to me but I knew that I was never going to be the worthy son in the eyes of my father. I was just a means to an end which he wanted to achieve in his life from his future generation. Since that was the day I had come back, my bags were already packed and I did not have a chance unpacking so I took my passport. Some pictures which were in my album and left home that day. I have not contacted them in the last eleven years neither have been I contacted by them under any circumstances,” said Leon in one single go.

“Which means that you did not like what you did or what happened to you and to correct that you went for this,” said Ford in a thoughtful manner.

“Actually that is not all, I thought after hearing about this girl that I never had bothered to check what happened to that girl who had just graduated from high-school. It was my action that I caused them if not any problem financially then humiliation to a great extent. I just don’t want the same fate for these two kids as well Ramsey. I could not help but feel that Fate has brought this case to me so that I could right the wrong that I had done, and I need to change it for this,” said Leon so passionately that it made Ford tear up which he did not bother to hide even.

“Then my son, you have a lot to work upon and you have a lot of lives and reputation to save on the behalf of your most recent client. You know Leon when I saw you ten years ago what made you select me for this firm?” asked Ford looking up at Leon.

“Well until this point of time you never shared this Fun-fact with me,” said Leon with a smile.

“I liked your honesty and passion even at that point of time, which was raw at that time unlike now but I knew a gem when I saw one. And you my boy, are one,” said Ford emotionally getting up from the couch.

“I must have done something really correct otherwise a man does not get these many compliments in a day,” said Leon as Ford came forward and pulled him in for a hug.

“Enough of pity-party. Now get back to work for your billable hours,” said Ford as he went out of his cabin.

He did not say that he did not want this case going to court because he had his doubts about the veracity of the situation and after seeing Mrs. Tharper his doubts had not been quelled in any chance. The woman who was sitting before him had definitely a missable brown hair which was shoulder length and she had obscured her features unlike the Jean Anne Leon knew but the eyes were a dead giveaway. Nothing could change the brightness and cold vibes of those eyes. Anyone could change the colour of the eyes by lens but the look in them was the reflection of the soul possessed by that person and for Jean Anne it was the soul of a sadist. She had messed him up and if by God’s grace he gets a chance she was going to pay back for it very dearly.

Leon decided that the cupcakes were his lucky mascot and he was going to have one for himself every morning now on. Ford was the man whom he considered as his second father after his biological one, who had helped him become the man that he was today. But he also needed to check the background of this woman who had introduced herself as Mrs. Tharper and her husband had no qualms about that as well but there was something so fishy about this whole case that he needed to do some background checking. But Fred was not the proper candidate for the job and he needed someone who had the finesse of handling sensitive information and situations both at the same time with equal plausibility.

So along with this he needed to do one more thing as well. He needed to ask Carrie in Nomaden if they could make some sweet for his boss which not affect his being diabetic. But then again he had to finish his work. He buzzed Fred and asked him to bring him the murder case which was due to in court in the next three days.

“Boss you have a visitor,” said Fred as Leon looked up from his pile of files and found an attractive middle aged woman standing at his door way. And Leon forgot to breathe because this was his elder sister who had no relationship with their family since she married someone she loved.

“Hello Brother. It has been a long time,” said Liberty.

“I never expected you to find me again Sis. How are you doing? Is everything alright?” started Leon as he went forward and hugged his sister who was older to him by nine years.

“I am fine brother. It is good to see you again. It seems you clean up quite well,” said Liberty taking a look at him.

“Well I try,” said Leon flashing his killer smile and kissing the crown of his sister’s head.

“Well it must sound odd but I got your details from Mother,’ said Liberty as they both sat down at the couch.

“That must be an interesting story. Please go ahead, I am waiting for it since I do not know why I have not been contacted by any of them until today and that too in your guise,” said Leon with a bitter smile.

“Yeah I know that you must be upset at how everything went and even I did not come to your rescue when you left home but Leon, if you do trust me then you will also trust this that that was one of the best things that had happened to you in your life. Getting married and then becoming another exact image of our father was not something me or Mother ever wanted. And that is exactly what would have happened if you had not run away from there,” said Liberty taking hold of Leon’s hands.

“I can’t deny the fact that whatever you are saying is true. After all you have seen him and have been manhandled at his handled at his hands for far longer than I have been. I tried to be the good son Sis. Trust me, I tried my best but then I thought that I am never going to be good enough if I keep on being manipulated by him,” replied Leon, sighing deeply.

“I have never thought that I would be saying this but Leon I am here today for a reason. I must say that our parents are ashamed of the fact and they want to mend the fences with us,” said Liberty but her heart was beating faster and her hands were growing clammy.

“He is using you to get me,” said Leon, at the dead drop of an eye.

“What are you saying Brother?” asked Liberty, her mouth agape.

“I am saying that you are not lying but you did not come here by choice. You have been forced to do this by our father, one man whom I detest and as I know you share my feelings. SO what is it that you are not telling me and what is that I could not have helped you with?” asked Leon catching hold of her hands even more firmly since she was trying to free them away.

“I don’t understand what you are talking about Leon. What are you saying at all?” asked Liberty, feigning surprise.

“Liberty, cut the act please. I have had enough on my plate without this nonsense being added. Please tell me how are you being blackmailed by my father so that he can lure me back in that tangled web of deceit he calls home and legacy. He is making you do this and I know that for sure. SO don not say that you don’t understand me. You do pretty well. In case you don’t want to tell me I will offer you a deal,” said Leon, in hopes she would rise to the bait.

Liberty nodded at him.

“I need to know the background of a person who I think has been duping everyone for quite some time stealing an identity and I need to know what happened to the original person quite soon. Can you do that?” asked Leon, knowing that her sister was a master at getting things said and done.

“And you will solve the mess I am in?” asked Liberty, hopefully.

“You have a deal,,” replied Leon.