Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 207: [Bonus - ]The Lioness

Chapter 207: [Bonus Chapter]The Lioness

"See, you don’t know," Leander said.

"I know that you’re my husband and I am your wife," she said.

"No," he shook his head. "That’s not... Can’t you sense the difference? You are MY wife." He placed his hand on his chest.

She didn’t see any difference. She only got annoyed.

"Really? Why don’t you enlighten this fool?" she asked.

She didn’t want to argue with him. She knows what it means to be his wife. She should be his shadow, hiding behind him, and doing whatever pleases him and his family. He will spend money on her and she would gratefully accept it as compensation for losing her free will.

Isn’t that what it means?

But if she thinks about it, it’s what being a Kastello wife means. Leander is not very terrible. Although he won’t accept it if she wanted to do something for herself—like get a job.

Despite being married into a mafia family, she has a pretty good life.

Yes, there are a lot of dangers hanging on her head. But who is totally safe in this world?

Her husband blindly trusts his family and chooses them over her, but at least he is not a wife-beater.

He enjoys her cooking which his family deems too low-class. He depends on her for certain things. He treasures her gifts. And he has a cute smile and a nice body.

And look at him all so adorable with red lipstick on his face... Aww!

Overall, her life isn’t that bad.

She fixed her makeup and hair, while he sat by the side watching her.

"You’re very skilled at this," he said. "It’s beautiful to watch your fingers and hands work..."

Viviana closed the compact powder box and looked at him. He looked very serious. Maybe that’s why he couldn’t stop looking at her when she does her makeup. He is admiring her.

Her heart skipped a beat. Joy bubbled in her heart.

Being in love is not all bad, huh?

"Tell me what you’re thinking, Minnie," he asked.

"Why?" she asked.

"You’re smiling... It’s very alluring," he said. "I want to know what you were thinking about." He leaned to her face.

Viviana gulped and slipped away. She couldn’t handle the pounding of her heart. And what is she going to tell him? That she loves him...? She can never tell him that!

She is a jinx.

"You’re very mean, Minnie... Meanie Minnie..." he grumbled.

"Aren’t we late?" Viviana tried to open the door.

"No, wait. I’ll open the door for you," Leander stopped her. "I got the knives from you because I didn’t want you to get hurt," he said.

Viviana didn’t understand it. Is he thinking that his brother might use that knife against her?

And what’s with this new habit of opening doors for me? So gentlemanly!

Her heart skipped a beat. She was never treated as a lady by anyone other than her father before.

"You’re my wife," he repeated.

Viviana almost rolled her eyes and opened the door. But he held her hand. "Look at me."

She looked at him. "Say it," he said with his eyes pleading. "I am Leander’s wife. Say it."

Viviana wanted to ask him what stupid game he was playing. But she didn’t want to waste time.

"I am Leander’s wife," she said. And while saying that she realized something. He did not say Leander Kastello. He said, Leander. Leander—the man, not his family.

Wow!! Just wow!!

"I am Leander’s wife," she repeated. Her hand reached for her heart as she understood the deep meaning behind those words.

"I am the lion’s wife. I’m the lioness."

As she said that, in her heart rose a feeling of belonging and as her blood rushed through her veins, she got confident.

"Good girl!" he kissed her forehead. "You finally got it."

When Leander opened the door for her, she held his hand and alighted from her heart. She didn’t remember ever feeling that confident in her life.

And in his eyes, she saw pride.

Hmm...

Leander looked at Steve as they walked past them. Steve bowed his head. Viviana had a feeling that they had a conversation just then. But she didn’t know what it was.

What are you planning, husband?

She looked at him. Only then she realized that he still hasn’t wiped the lipstick off his face.

"Here," she offered him a wipe but he bent in front of her. She wiped his face with a wide smile.

"Red suits you, Leander," she said. "Especially, blood-red."

He smiled. And she knew it. She knows him well.

Leander looked at a particular window on the top floor of the building. Viviana hooked her arms in his and he kissed her. They both walked to the elevator.

Watching the smile on their faces, Evander clutched his hands.

-----

"He’s not going to let them live in peace," Luca said looking at the faint shadow on the window Leander glanced at. "Just like Peter didn’t..." he mumbled the last part in a very low voice.

Steve didn’t even acknowledge him. Why should he? He follows the lion. He is not going to worry about a cackling hyena.

"My father was Lucius Kastello’s loyal chauffeur..." Luca cleared his throat. "He used to say that his boss loved his wife very much... Signora Victoria. My dad called her a fairy... Watching Capo and Signora Minerva, I suddenly remembered my father, and the stories he would tell us... It’s such a shame, what happened with Signora Victoria. Lucius Kastello was never the same without her..."

"Signora Victoria died of an illness, Luca. Surely, you know that." Steve said.

Luca furrowed his brows. "I didn’t say otherwise. What are you insinuating?" Luca asked hurriedly. There might not be others nearby but who knows? He didn’t want to be quoted saying something dangerous.

Steve looked at Luca pensively. "Capo is not his father. He will not give up on his wife," he said.

He was sure of it. And that sure belief caused him headaches.

"Sure!" Luca agreed. He looked more scared to be misunderstood than, to be honest.

Steve patted Luca’s shoulders. "Luca, have you ever wondered... My cousin’s death caused rumors. Your father’s death which was so close to Lucius Kastello’s death too caused rumors... And we are placed closely on Capo’s side... Why?"

"Hmm...hypothetically speaking..." Luca rolled his tongue inside his mouth. "If any of us had hard feelings against the don and did something against the family, then..."

"Capo would be blamed."

Both of them said at the same time.

Both of them then looked into each other’s eyes searching for their thoughts. It was obviously clear that the don always set Leander up for failure. He was looking for reasons to deny a place in the family for Leander.

But their Capo was strong. He held on and faced everything like the lion he is.

The two men who admired Leander in their souls cleared their throats and walked in their own way.

Talking about the rumors of the past is a rabbit hole they didn’t want to jump into.