[79]
Ester sighed in frustration, especially remembering her conversation with Josh earlier. Why did he now seem unwilling to help her? They were so close to achieving their goal. What she did for Josh was significant too.
Besides putting her name at stake, she also had to consider that everything she did could backfire on her. However, she remained impatient to fulfill her desires. What’s so tricky about marrying Leonel? It shouldn’t be.
“Miss Ester has a photo shoot in Bali in the next two days. The schedule is not too packed,” Sofi said.
Ester just nodded briefly, paying little attention to Sofi’s words, let alone her assistant’s expression. She was preoccupied with her phone. She had been sending messages to Leonel since earlier but had not received a reply.
“So busy,” Ester complained, leaning back in the passenger seat. “Rio,” she called the driver. “Head towards the Grisham house. I need to vent my frustration.”
Rio couldn’t deny her request. Through the corner of his eye, he sought Sofi’s approval. After all, he remembered the security personnel at the Grisham residence who had previously kicked them out. Did he have to repeat the same thing?Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Moreover, why did his employer always insist on going there? Rio felt he could go on and on about what his employer was doing. If people like Leonel and the man’s parents had rejected Ester, couldn’t she find another man? Did it have to be Leonel?
Throughout Rio’s time working with Ester, it felt like it was mostly the beautiful woman who made sacrifices. Rio was confident that Ester was an intelligent woman. She would only be in her current position with her superior intelligence, including lobbying with several parties working with her.
Seeing Sofi’s subtle nod, all Rio could do was sigh softly. “Alright, Miss.”
The car started heading towards Pelsivenia. Its speed was a little slow due to the beginning traffic congestion.
“Why don’t you just take a rest, Miss?” Sofi offered gently. “Tomorrow, we still have the final photoshoot with Jana Group. The day after that is a day off for preparations in Bali.”
“Just follow what I command, Sofi.”
The sweet girl smiled reluctantly, nodding in response as she couldn’t object any further. Despite her well-intentioned words, what should they do if they had to go to the Grisham house again? Sofi felt a great deal of embarrassment from their previous discreet eviction.
And now they were going there again?
In the silence that filled the car, Ester’s phone suddenly rang, causing everyone to turn their heads, especially Ester. She immediately reached for her bag placed on her lap.
Leonel’s name appeared on the screen. Ester’s smile widened. “Yes, Darling?” Her voice sounded cheerful.
“Sorry for not replying to your messages. I’ve been too busy handling something.”
Ester burst into laughter. “Okay, it’s no problem. Sometimes I forget how busy my future husband is.”
“Are you… done with work matters?”
“Yes,” Ester quickly replied. “I’m heading to your house. I miss you, Leonel.”
Leonel chuckled. “I was just about to go home, but it seems not to Pelsivenia.”
“So?” Ester straightened her back.
“Wait for me at the apartment, Ester.”
Ah… Was this a stroke of luck? Is Leonel revisiting her apartment? Sudden happiness filled her heart. “Okay, Darling. I’ll go there.”
Shortly after, the phone call ended. Ester immediately informed Rio to change direction.
For this time, the destination slightly brought a smile to Rio’s face. Although they had to take a somewhat longer route, at least they weren’t heading to Pelsivenia
Rio still had his pride. If Ester didn’t have a face, even though her beautiful face was displayed everywhere, he wondered where her embarrassment went.
Meanwhile, in Leonel’s office, Chris shook his head slightly. “Are you sure about this approach?”
“Yes,” Leonel replied firmly. “I won’t let Ester escape this time. I won’t let her go any further.”
“Regarding Josh, have you filed a police report? It is not a trivial matter. It’s all fraud. A perfectly set trap to defame your name,” Leonel growled. “I won’t let her get away with it.”
Chris nodded. “I support you.”
“I think Papa should know. Have you told him about this? You should be the first to inform him, not me.”
Leonel laughed happily. “You’re always the most reliable. Thank you, Chris.”
***
Chloe swore that if there were a chance to run, she would have taken it already. Since her heart became wary of Josh’s presence, she had asked him to leave immediately, even though it was too late.
Everything was too late.
The woman sat nervously in the passenger seat of the car driven by Josh. Meanwhile, the man calmly controlled the steering wheel. His face didn’t appear suspicious at all. But Chloe knew she was in great danger.
“Where are we going?” Chloe asked softly, trying to lighten the mood, even though she used her voice to calm her growing anxiety.
Who wouldn’t be afraid if they were caught eavesdropping on conversations they shouldn’t know about? And she was becoming more suspicious that Josh had a significant role in everything that happened with Leonel.
“Where?” Josh chuckled. “Are you asking where we’re going?”
Chloe sighed softly. “What’s wrong with asking?”
“Of course, there’s nothing wrong, dear.” Josh’s gaze immediately shifted to meet Chloe’s eyes. “You’ll know where we’re headed.”
From the beginning, he knew Chloe was near him. He didn’t talk much, not because he didn’t want to, but to ensure the woman didn’t become frightened. But it seemed like Chloe couldn’t avoid the worries she currently held.
Even if Chloe were to find out about his plans, his wicked intentions, and his ambition to possess the woman he loved, Josh wouldn’t be a concern. He knew who he had to take revenge on for everything.
Ester.
It was all because of her. If Josh hadn’t been dragged into the public like this, he might have been able to keep everything tightly sealed. His plans could have been more organized now.
“Just wait and see, Ester. You’ll know the consequences.” That’s what Josh had firmly imprinted in his mind.
Meanwhile, Chloe trembled in fear. “Josh, where are we going?”
“Why, dear?” Josh spoke again. His smile was still perfectly displayed on his handsome face. “Why does your face look so scared? I won’t hurt you.” With a stable steering wheel and relatively light traffic, he released one hand from the steering wheel and used it to stroke the woman’s cheek sitting next to him gently.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Chloe tightly shut her eyes, trying to gather whatever courage she had left, even though it was minimal. “What… are you planning?”
Josh furrowed his brow. “Planning?”
Chloe kept her mouth shut.
“I didn’t plan anything. Why do you jump to that conclusion?”
Chloe clenched her fists tightly. She tried to control herself on top of the bag she was wearing. Her phone had been vibrating continuously since earlier. She was sure it was Peni calling her. Even though it was faint and soft, she could still hear her ringtone.
When they entered the restaurant earlier, Chloe intentionally lowered the volume of all her calls and phone-related notifications. She was afraid that someone would suddenly call her and expose her.
She had been caught earlier. However, Josh didn’t explicitly say it.
“Your phone is ringing, dear?”
Chloe prayed fervently in her heart. Hopefully, Peni wouldn’t call her too frequently anymore. If something went wrong, the situation would become even more complicated.
But it was just a wish.
“Your phone, Chloe,” Josh requested gently. His hand reached out to Chloe, who was trembling in fear.
“Why?” Chloe asked.
“Quickly, dear.” Josh’s words sounded absolute. Chloe didn’t object after that. She quickly took out her phone and handed it to Josh. She let him do whatever he wanted.
“Follow me, and you’ll be fine, dear.”
“Who… who are you?” Chloe asked tremblingly. “I don’t recognize this, Josh.”
“Who would I be then?”
“Josh,” Chloe pleaded. “Where are we going?”
“Um… Where, huh?” Josh rubbed his chin. “What do you think?”
Chloe shivered as she recalled the loud noise Josh had made earlier, rubbing his cheek again.
“To the place where it all began, dear. You already know too much.”