Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 154: Dinner Together

Chapter 154: Dinner Together

Viviana couldn’t figure out what Leander was thinking, but she had a feeling that he needed space. She sat silently until Lionel joined for dinner.

Lionel was not his usual self. She could see that he was deeply hurt by something. She wanted to ask, but then she didn’t know if it was her place to ask. She decided to let the friends talk among themselves.

Lionel took a whiff of the cacciucco she served. She didn’t say anything. He came in unexpectedly and she didn’t think she should make excuses for cooking what Leander liked.

"Should I ask the kitchen to prepare steak for you?" Leander asked Lionel as he was staring at the plate.

"Wha-" Lionel snapped out of his reverie and immediately shook his head. "No, no... I love this dish. Reminds me of my childhood," he said. Viviana noticed a smile at the corner of his lips.

Viviana was glad that was settled without an issue. The more people like her cooking, the merrier she will be. Lionel silently ravished the dish. Viviana noticed that Leander is holding back from having seconds.

"There’s some more in the kitchen," Viviana gestured Mary to bring more. She always cooked for four as it was her habit. She cooked extra for her dad. She doesn’t know how to cook for just two.

Usually, she lets the kitchen maids share it or sometimes Maya would join too. There still will be some leftovers and they will give it to the dog Juno.

She smiled seeing the relief in Leander’s face. There are little things she noticed about Leander these days. She never would have thought that he is the type of guy who would hold back his appetite for someone else, even for his friend.

But this guy surprises her.

Guess the Kastello guy doesn’t only know to take. He can share too, if it is someone he cares for.

He’s not that bad for a Kastello.

"I’m surprised you like these local cuisines," Lionel said.

There was nary a conversation in the table for a long time. Leander didn’t say anything and helped himself with seconds and thirds. Lionel took glances at Leander from time to time again.

"You cooked?" Lionel asked Viviana and she nodded.

He arrived to that conclusion purely by seeing how enthusiastic Leander is about food. That guy usually eats for survival and never to enjoy himself.

"Is it up to your taste?" she asked out of courtesy.

"Yeah, it’s superb! Reminds me of my mother’s cooking," he said.

Leander stopped chewing and looked at Lionel for a second. Lionel looked back. Both of them then continued to eat afterward.

What is going on with those two?

Viviana started to wonder. After finishing the dinner, there was an awkward silence in the room.

"Do you want anything else?" Viviana asked them. Both of them shook their head. "I’ll be..." she looked around. "You two will have stuff to talk about. I’ll be around," she walked out of the dining room not knowing where she should go.

"We’ll..." Leander pointed upstairs. "We’ll be in my office. You go to sleep," he said and walked up the stairs.

Viviana nodded. After helping Martha and Mary to clean the kitchen, they settled in the living room to watch some television, wine in hand. They wanted to know who gets the rose.

After getting disappointed to see her favorite guy getting eliminated, Viviana walked up the stairs having a couple more extra glasses to alleviate her sadness.

Nice guys never get the chance. Seriously! What’s wrong with a guy working 9-5? Why don’t women like stability?

The office was still closed. She didn’t bother to disturb them and walked to the bedroom. After changing into her pjs, she slipped inside the duvet. Although she was tipsy and tired, she couldn’t fall asleep. Her mind was alert wondering if something might have gone wrong between Leander and Lionel.

What if Lionel attacked Leander out of nowhere? What if Leander is hurt right now? Should I go take a peek? But what if he gets mad?

With various negative thoughts ruining her rest, she rolled on the bed unable to sleep.

-----

Leander poured a shot of gin for Lionel and himself. There was silence in the room for a long time and both of them drank shot after shot without speaking.

"Why didn’t you tell me that Venus Point is owned by my family?" Leander asked.

Lionel stopped from gulping down the shot and looked at Leander. He then scoffed. "You’re blaming ME for that?"

Leander sighed.

"What did you think when she said that she got an offer from your brother and then she signed the contract there?" Lionel asked. His eyebrows were furrowed as he couldn’t believe how Leander didn’t put two and two together. He’s usually a smart guy.

Leander clenched his jaws and bowed his head.

"Ah..." Lionel laughed. "Because you disagreed with your grandfather in involving women in business, you thought Peter Kastello would listen to you and change his heart."

Leander would have gotten angry at the tone Lionel used to talk about his grandfather, but he didn’t know what to say. She was right. The proxy was in the dinner party. That means his grandfather knows he’s inviting a man running a brothel to his party. He invited him!

"My grandpa might not know what Evander does..." He still tried to believe that.

Lionel scoffed and gulped the shot. "How did you find out?"

Leander pressed his lips and filled his glass. "I investigated after your burst out... The accounts didn’t tally and..." his eyes turned serious as they met Lionel’s eyes. "Your family is getting paid too...And paying... What kind of deal is between our families?"

Lionel looked at Leander as if he was trying to read his mind. His eyes were groggy and he was drunk. It was surprising that his brain is still working at full capacity and he speaks without slurring.

Or maybe this is just his inebriated brain? How smart is he?

"Were you always this selfish, Leander?" Lionel asked. "Was I the only one who thought of you as a friend? Psycho!"

With a scoff, Lionel leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes.