Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 140: Desire And Suffering

Chapter 140: Desire And Suffering

Leander sent Martha home and only Steve followed them at a distance. He brought her to a fancy French restaurant. The restaurant was full although Viviana didn’t see many people in the mall. Maybe people come here for lunch or for business meetings. None of those people looked simple including the man she was with.

One man was arguing with the manager of the restaurant because he was not given an empty table. The manager was trying to convey that the empty table was already reserved for someone. But that guy took none of the explanations.

Seeing Leander, there was a slight murmur among the patrons of the restaurant. They were talking about Leander as it was obvious. And some stood up to greet Leander or to brown nose.

The manager immediately walked to Leander signaling the security to throw the man out. The man went silent the moment he laid his eyes on Leander. He asked the manager if Leander Kastello was the one who booked the table.

The manager completely ignored him and welcomed Leander with a polite smile.

Leander didn’t even look at the commotion the other guy was creating. He screamed that they are favoring one of the patrons more than the other. He was told that Leander has membership for their restaurant and so he will be prioritized. That didn’t go well with the man. He insisted that he wanted the membership too.

A million dollars for the membership, he was told.

Viviana gulped. She won’t pay membership for the supermarket she frequents for the benefits. But he pays a million dollars just to have pre-reserved seat in a restaurant? Wow!

She couldn’t hear that man again. But she heard another familiar voice. Tabitha Bruno.

Is that her son?

Viviana took a quick glance back. Tabitha was not pleased to be leaving the restaurant. That guy wrapped his hand around her shoulder and cajoled her as he brought her out.

Son...? Doesn’t look that way, does it? Whatever!

Turned out, Leander didn’t have access to pre-reserved tables but something better. The manager of the restaurant brought Leander to the back where there were a few cabins. The lavish cabin gave them much deserved privacy.

Viviana, having no experience dining in such a place, followed everything he did right after he did it.

"No one’s watching you," he said.

Why is she a bundle of nerves? She can relax.

"I know..." Viviana pouted. "I’m learning..."

Leander smiled.

The waiter came for the order and Leander passed her the menu card. Viviana passed it back. It’s not like she would know what any of that means. She can’t read French and she is not familiar with French food either. She didn’t care much about the type or label of the wine either. As long as it was fermented grape juice, she will like it. So, why bother?

Leander ordered for her. She sat with her back straight and watched Leander speaking perfect French. Or it might be broken French. What would she know? But it was nice to hear—his voice.

She didn’t think that he would offer to help Celine so easily. She was very touched by him for that. She wanted to thank him for that. But she didn’t know how he will take it if she brings it up again.

Maybe she will bring it up casually later.

The waiter left and she slumped on the table supporting her cheeks on her elbows. She couldn’t keep his eyes from him as he texted someone back and forth.

I tattooed my first love on my chest...

He said that. She almost asked him as she couldn’t contain her curiosity. But she decided not to.

The waited came back with the dishes and she wouldn’t say she hated it. She is not someone who gets used to change easily. And she didn’t want to form an attraction to something she might never have again.

Why bother to like something when you know you can’t have it again? If she likes the dishes, she will start expecting that he will being her here again. And when he doesn’t, she will get disappointed and that would make her react negatively.

So, why like something?

Buddha was right. Desire is the root of all suffering. So, she never desires anything.

Nothing... Love, marriage, husband...happiness... she will not desire anything.

She doesn’t deserve anything.

When he asked her if she liked the food, she brought on her best smile and told him that she had never eaten such delicacies in her life. He tried his best to feed her and that’s the least she could do.

"I prefer your cooking," he mumbled behind the napkin as he wiped his mouth.

Her heart skipped a beat. He called her his better half earlier. And now this. Every time he does something that makes her heart pound, she wants to desire for something she never deserves.

It’s not good.

So, she will tell herself excuses for why he might have said those words, excuses for why he might have done it. He might have wanted to provoke the mother of the woman he missed... He might be trying to actively throw her into the murderous hands of his grandfather... He just likes her cooking; nothing more...

There might be something more. But she doesn’t have to know. If she knows, she will want it... She will want him. She will want his love.

She cannot allow that to happen.

She burns everything she loves. She will not put anyone through that certainty by loving them.

Viviana thought that it would be all and they will leave the mall. But he brought her to a clothing store.

"Go, get whatever you want," he said.

"I don’t want anything," she said.

Why would she get things from him when she can’t give him nothing back? It’s unfair.

He glared at her. Turned out he was not suggesting her. He was ordering her to buy something. She dragged her foot and looked around thinking of picking something cheap.

But there were no price tags in any of those clothes or accessories. Guess it is one of those stores that say if you have to ask for the price you can’t afford it.

She sighed and walked to the belts section. Those probably cost less than everything else, she concluded. But she didn’t like it either.

Why would people want to wear something that is obviously from a certain brand?

She suddenly came to that thought. And from there, she drifted into her thoughts. Her sanctuary.

"You don’t like anything?"

The deep voice brought her out of her reverie.

"I..." she searched for words.