Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 209: Not Belong Here

Chapter 209: Not Belong Here

Viviana almost stepped forward, but she held back as she noticed Evander’s weird smile. She still doesn’t know why Evander invited the Palatini family to Leander’s birthday celebration knowing the history behind Helena and Leander.

Whatever the reason was Viviana figured that it won’t be innocent.

Like a good little wife, she took a step back. Holding his hand, she hid half of her body behind Leander. Leander gently squeezed her hand and she could say that he appreciated her backing off.

In the end, she cannot interfere in the domestic issues between the couple unless she was asked for help.

She didn’t know whether what she did was right or not. But Evander looked disappointed and that was enough for her to conclude that she made the right decision.

Leander’s disturbed heart settled as she leaned on him. He loved this about her. She’d act all mighty and sanctimonious when they are alone and when in public, she’d turn to this pity-inducing little mouse.

It only increased his protective instinct when she acts this cute.

"The meeting will be elsewhere?" Leander asked Evander.

The old dons weren’t very keen on a meeting regarding the Vitale family. They decided to leave it to the heirs. Leander was told that Evander arranged this "party" as a facade for the meeting so that the Vitale family won’t get the scoop.

It was why he had to attend the birthday party.

His eyes ended at the door thinking of Lionel. He said he would attend the party. But he’s not here yet.

Thinking about Lionel reminded him of Gabriella and the tape that he came across. No matter how he sees it, there is no way Lionel will forgive him for abandoning Gabriella. Their friendship will not survive this trouble probably.

It broke his heart. But he will have to face the music. There should be a way they can get over this. Although he knew it is almost impossible.

"Come this way," Evander pointed in a direction.

Leander looked at Viviana and she nodded. She didn’t know what meeting Leander was talking about. It must be a business meeting. She didn’t want to be in the way.

She walked to the couch but was blocked by Nicholai.

"What’s the hurry, Sugar? Aren’t you going to talk to me?" he tried to hold her hand.

Viviana cleared her throat and took a side step. She had never attracted the opposite sex ever in her life. These days all the nasty men around Leander are trying to grab her. What should she do?

She knew it was not because of her allure. It’s because she is the wife of Leander, these men are trying this on her in an attempt to provoke Leander. How should she act in these situations?

"How are you, Mr. Palatini?" she tried to smile. She searched for Leander and he was standing by the side watching her. He already had a glass of whiskey in his hand.

Her heart started to pound.

Evander joined in as if he found something interesting. "Don’t be scared of him. He just wants to give you a greeting kiss," he said.

Viviana’s heart skipped a beat. When did Nicholai want to kiss her? Why is Evander saying that?

"Yes, give me a kiss on my cheeks," Nicholai grabbed Evander’s words and leaned toward Viviana. "Let me smell you..."

Viviana looked at Helena and she turned her face. She looked angry and disgusted. Who wouldn’t be disgusted if their husband acts this way with other women?

"Shall we?" Leander walked with another glass of whiskey and pushed it into Nicholai’s hand.

Nicholai said something to Leander that angered him. But he composed himself and walked to the next room.

Viviana with a sigh walked to the couch. Her hands were shaking. She didn’t understand what this life is all about. These people are all wealthy and yet they lack basic courtesy. What is the purpose of their life?

She looked around. There were some young men and women in the room chatting and laughing. Nadia followed Evander out of the room. Everyone was wearing expensive clothes and jewelry.

She saw a couple of girls going around, kissing every man in the room. They were laughing and enjoying themselves.

Viviana felt like she does not belong there. She is not that open. She does not want to be that open either.

She wanted to leave.

She opened her clutch to get a smoke. She needed it. She opened the pack and took out a cigarette. It was then she realized that she does not have a lighter.

Sigh!

She leaned back on the couch closing her eyes. What a terrible day!

’I’m sorry for my husband..."

Viviana looked up hearing the gentle voice of Helena. She sounded so gentle and elegant.

"Oh, never mind," Viviana waved her hand with a bright smile. She scooted to the side to see if Helena was willing to sit with her.

"He’s so..." With a sigh, Helena sat beside her.

"You smoke?" Helena asked pointing at the cigarette in her hand.

"Oh, no... " Viviana placed the cigarette back in. She didn’t want to smoke near a pregnant woman. "Well, it’s been a while since I smoked. I miss it though," she said.

"I see..." Helena smiled. "Leander does not like smoking, does he?"

"Yeah," Viviana nodded. "I had to pick a fight to get this pack. But that guy is smart. He didn’t get me a lighter. Now I can’t smoke," she rolled her eyes.

Helena blinked her eyes. "He bought you these...?" she asked. The tips of her fingers caressed the cigarette box with loving gentleness.

Viviana saw her eyes and her expressions were pretty similar to that of Gabriella’s when she was talking about Lionel.

Is she still in love with Leander?

Viviana found her heart filling with bitterness. This is the woman who stole Leander’s heart for the first time. And can he even be blamed? She is elegance personified, and her eyes were dripping with love. How could he have not swayed by her?

"Guess he has changed," Helena mumbled.

Viviana inferred that Leander really does not like smoking if Helena is surprised this much. She decided to keep the cigarettes safe in case he decided to take them back.

But she didn’t want to be talking to Helena anymore. She was not feeling good. And she felt guilty for being jealous of Helena.

"Bellissima!"

Viviana stood up out of reflex hearing that familiar voice.

"Mr. Yannis!" she walked to Lionel. Lionel held her hand and kissed it. "I came here only for you. Now, where is the birthday boy?"

"He went that way with Evander and Mr. Palatini. They were talking about a meeting?" Viviana said with uncertainty.

Lionel was not looking at her and Viviana looked where he was looking. He was looking at Helena who now walked over to the window.

"What was she doing with you?" he asked.

"Just talking," Viviana shrugged. She could see that Gabriella and Lionel share their hate for Helena. Talk about being a match made in heaven!

"Hmm," Lionel scoffed. "What a... Be careful with her, Bellissima. I know your husband is planning something, but... stay safe," Lionel held her hand.

"What is he planning?" Viviana asked.

"He didn’t tell you?" Lionel sighed. "It’s... all taken care of. Don’t worry. Just be alert," he said.

One of the ushers came to Lionel and whispered something in his ear.

"I have to go," Lionel squeezed her hand. And then his eyes softened. Viviana knew what he was going to ask.

"Gabby is fine," she said. "Well, she’s not fine, fine... But she is trying..."

Lionel nodded pursing his lips. "I’ll talk to you later," he said. "Stay safe."

"I have a lot to say to you too," Viviana spoke hurriedly. "But first, do you have a lighter?" she asked.

Lionel got a lighter from someone and gave it to her without asking any questions and rushed out of the room.

Viviana went back to the couch. Sitting cross-legged, she lit a cigarette and started smoking. No one bothered to approach her and she had her smoke in peace with her eyes closed.

Her mood got a little better.

Just as she stubbed the cigarette, Helena walked to her. Viviana smiled widely although she didn’t want to talk to her. She did not like that she had turned this petty. She didn’t know jealousy is such a terrible thing.

"Everyone’s saying that we look like sisters, Mrs. Kastello," Helena sat beside her.

"Just Minerva, please, Mrs. Palatini," Viviana smiled. "And yes, I’ve heard that too."

"In that case, you can call me Helena, Minerva," Helena smiled. "By the way, how old are you? I turned twenty nine last September," she asked.

"I’ll be twenty-nine this coming January," Viviana said. But she is already twenty-nine by her real birthdate.

"Oh, then we’re the same age, you and I," Helena smiled brightly.

"Yeah," Viviana nodded. "Your birthday is in September?" she asked. Her real birthday is in September too.

"Yes, twenty-ninth," Helena said. "Twenty-ninth September."

"Oh?" Viviana asked.

Twenty-ninth September—the same day as her.

And...

2909—Leander’s password...

So, that password got nothing to do with her. It was about Helena.

He still has Helena’s birthday as his password!