Chapter 1 Long Live

Leona's POV...

" Dad! Do you have to leave us? Please stay. I love you so much. I can't live without you too!"

When I cried out loud with my broken heart in the court. My Dad held my hands and pecked on them as he used to do before he left for business trips.

But on that day, it was his last kiss before separating from our small sweet family.

Yeah... To me... It was a happy sweet home. I didn't understand what sadness was. A beautiful mother, a handsome Dad, and a great society where I grew up.

But on that day, My Das left lots of kisses and told me...

" One day, you will understand why Dad had to leave. Until then, please grow up as best as you can. If you need Dad's help. Dad will be there anytime for you!"

On that day, I couldn't wait to become a grown-up girl and learn about the reason for his leaving.

But till today, I have learned one thing. Dad has done a great thing by leaving Mom. And I don't have any remorse for thinking this way. If I was in his place, I would have left her as well. She doesn't fill the category of the wife, not even a lover who should be cherished.

Right now,

I have been watching my mother's new look. She has been busy with herself, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Recently, thanks to modern procedures and plastic surgeries, she looked younger than me.

When she forces me to go with her out, people think she is my younger sister and she seems to be proud of that comment.

Well, I don't have any kind of reason to mind it. She always has been like this. A woman who is unable to accept her aging and cowardly scared of nature's miracle.

But, one thing I hated. She never treats me as her daughter. She forbid me to call her Mom because it will embarrass her.

" Leona! Make me a glass of Detox Juice. You bought cucumber and lemon, right?"

That's it. I think she gave me birth because she was aware that everyone would leave her because of her arrogance and selfishness but her daughter.

" OK! Mom!" I sighed, putting the kitchen apron on.

" I told you! Don't dare to call me Mom."

" OK. Whatever. What do you want to eat tonight?"

Since I know my duties in this house. I don't want to make things difficult for me as well.

I have just reached my 18th birthday. It's way too long for me to move out. Once I can get a suitable part-time job around my school, I will move out. This is my plan for the future.

" Don't need to cook today. We are eating out!"

" What? Why again?" I asked since there have lots of fresh veggies that I bought today. I thought I would make something healthy but tasty for dinner.

" What do you mean why again? Of course. To meet your new uncle. I have found my soulmate!"

She smirked walking towards me and grabbing a piece of cucumber that I just slided.

" Again? You said you were going to date another one from your last Date."

" No. Sweetheart. This time. I will directly marry him. He is single. Didn't marry before. A billionaire has a chain of commercial hotels and international businesses. A fortune for us!"

" It's not possible, right? Why would he Marry you? Mom. He deserves better!"

Well, I spoke my mind again and in response, a slap across my face fell. I know that every time I open my mouth. I ruin my face.

" Look at yourself and your mouth. He deserves better? He should be happy to have such a beautiful woman like me." She growled at me.

But to be honest, I don't think I like my mother. She is an unreasonably greedy and wicked person. She is a manipulative and deceiving person. Not me, who wishes to get a mother like her. I miss my Dad. But I don't call him either. I heard he married once again and have a son who is ten years younger than me. I don't want to destroy their happiness.

I am pretty sure she introduced herself as a virgin with no bad past. When I am the proof of her entire life of lies.

But why did she tell me not to cook? If she doesn't want to eat here tonight,‌ I will cook for myself.

" Here!"

I closed my eyes when I felt a heavy dress fall on my face. She threw it on my face with purpose. Hah!! Have you ever seen a mother becoming so self-centered and doubtful of her daughter's beauty?

My mother hates how my skin looks flawless. She doesn't want to accept the fact that I am only eighteen to get compared to the skin of a 40-year-old lady.

" Wear this for tonight's dinner. Behave and introduce yourself as my niece. No. You better not talk. I will say what I need to say. You just nod if he asks something. Did you get it?"

" Why me? You never took me to your all Blind Dates. Why today?"

" This is not a blind date. We have already discussed our marriage. We are going to get married tomorrow. Tonight, I will introduce you."

"You are getting married!"

I screamed. I didn't believe it when she said she will marry him. I thought she would suck the money until she can and leave him. But marrying him, she is serious.

"Why are you screaming? Finish your work and get ready. I need to get ready for my special night. I wonder what kind of diamonds he will gift me today!" She daydreams again. This a perfect definition of gold-diggers.

Now I feel pity for the guy who is going to marry this fake woman, my mother. But I also felt relieved thinking, those guys who were on the line next to him, have survived bankruptcy.

At evening...

She put makeup on my face since I don't have any cosmetics. My Mom's dialogue, " You should keep your skin clean. There does no need to apply makeup on your face!"

And, I accepted. I don't know how to do makeup. So I didn't bother. I don't go out that much. The local high school where I am studying doesn't allow makeup. So, I am comfortable with everything.

.......

Our Car stopped in front of a beautiful restaurant. The exquisite restaurant is too much for someone like us, a typical middle-class family. Well, my mother has money for her Botox, and other things I don't know their names but eating in a five-star restaurant is kinda of dream for me.

Additionally, I didn't get surprised since my Mom is with me. She can even seduce the owner of the restaurant to get VIP service.

Anyway, Walking in mom's high heels, I am feeling like I am flying. Every time I step on the dress that My mom lent me, she gives me a death glare and signaled me to walk properly.

But Dear mother, my legs are not made of steel that I will stay still and walk in balance. You just stood me up on sharp bamboo.

I wish I had such perfect legs to wear heels.

Who cares, Whatever, literally complaining everything about my mother to myself, I followed her inside. I was watching the interior design. And not knowing, that I have my lips parted away like Puff fish.

So, I got another slap right on my mouth from my mother, who is a perfectionist. " He is here. So, keep your posture perfect."

I touched my mouth when she slapped me. She has washed her hand, right? I don't know since she sometimes uses cream on her hands, what if her prince charming kiss on her hand? She must be prepared for every chance. I'm telling you she is crazy. LOL

I walked towards the table from where I could see a tall figure waiting for us. Even the sight of his back is telling me how handsome he would be.

The back is Broad and perfect. Like an athlete and bodybuilder. Straightening my back with slow steps as my Mom suggested, I walked forward following her silently.

" Hi, Vasquez! Thanks for waiting!"

Wow... Just Wow... I was too shocked to react when I heard a soft, warm, and cute voice that came from my tyrant mother. Did she just use a new tone to talk to him?

And, while processing, editing, and auto-toning my mom's voice and creating an entirely new song inside my mind, my eyes went to the person who was silently sitting at the table.

At that time, I swear to God, my time had stopped. And, the brain that was cooking an oddly stupid song in, suddenly stopped functioning.

His eyelashes were long thick and kinda Brown. His tiny beard full face with his deep blue eyes, everything looked so perfect in his side profile.

When he looked up at my mother, his Adam's apple just plopped down underneath the skin, the perfectly done hair with a fainted scent of cologne, I don't know. How to express the moment that I felt for the first time?

And, He is perfect. As perfect as I always dreamed of whenever I watch movies.

But, while losing myself in his pure handsomeness, I didn't realize my mother had been calling my name. And top of everything, the perfect handsome man was staring at me with his blank face.

"Leona! You should sit down. Sweetheart. Say Hello to your Uncle!" she said calmly. But I know she was killing me in her heart repeatedly.

And, to me, when I realized that he watched me how I was staring at him like a pervert woman.

It's feeling like a secondhand embarrassment. I should have dug a grave and said goodbye to the world.

"Hello!" I greeted in a low tone as my mother ordered. I don't want to die soon.

"I have talked about her. She is my niece, Leona Belle. My sister died after giving birth to her and her father abandoned her as well. So I have been raising her alone!"

What did she just say? Everyone was alright. But my Dad abandoning me? How could she?

I kept my fake smile on, but I wanted to throw a tantrum and destroy Her happiness. But I couldn't.

I felt sad and stayed silent.

"Vasquez! I don't want to hide anything from you. Since I have been trying to raise her all alone. I became a mother figure to her. She has nobody to rely on "

"She can stay with us. It doesn't matter!"

Finally, My thought of hatred towards my mother for lying drove me to the man. His deep, hoarse, and cold voice was so nice. To perfect his personality.

But Judging by his expressionless eyes, aimlessly staring outside and didn't even take a glance at us. I'm pretty sure.

He is a RED FLAG for my mother. He doesn't care about it. But How did they finalize the wedding tomorrow?

"Vasquez! Tomorrow is our wedding. Shall we have a small talk all alone? Leona can wait for us"

She tried to hold his hand but wow to this perfect handsome man.

He dodged it flawlessly.

"We are done talking. My father took the decision. I am fine with it!"

Ohho~~

Mr. Handsome is a Daddy's boy. He is obedient. No wonder he is marrying My mother.

"OK. Let's have dinner first. What do you want to eat?" She asked him again shamelessly. I am pretty sure she is ready to kiss his shoes to marry him.

"Which class are you in?"

I looked up when he asked me in a cold tone. I didn't know why but immediately I felt a death glare from my mother.

"She is in grade twelve. Soon, she will take the entrance exam!"

Thankfully, she did a good job this time, talking about me, without letting me talk.

Or I would have choked twice and Boom. In heaven.

He is gorgeous. And, Rich people are always gorgeous. Hehe~

"She will be transferred to our private international school. Is it okay?"

Wow. He has already planned to transfer me somewhere. Is it really happening to me?

I always wanted to study somewhere great and run away from home. So that I can live an independent life.

I think I like my stepfather. Who cares if he is too young to be my father? Long live my stepfather.

LOL. We don't share any relationship. Since I am nobody but my Mom's niece here. However, is my mother truly marrying him?

Or is it just a show?