Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 280: Life Goes On

Chapter 280: Life Goes On

Leander sat on the lawn watching Viviana with a smile. It has been two months and the puppies have already grown. All, except one.

Aphrodite—that was what she named the puppy. She thought that the runt was the most beautiful of all the puppies.

He was afraid that she won’t get over it when she named the puppy, but she did her best to make the puppy comfortable as it was put down. They buried the puppy.

The remaining puppies were named after Greek gods and goddesses too. Apollo—the male puppy that had tan fur, and bright yellow eyes, Athena—the violent female, and Ares—the majestic male puppy.

He thought she had her hands full with those three puppies, but she didn’t ignore him. He never once felt that she was preferring the puppies more than him. She did everything she did in the past and took care of the puppies additionally.

Lionel took a sip of the tea and smiled. Sitting with his legs crossed, he looked peaceful as he admired Viviana’s talent. "Bellissima surely is a woman of many talents. It would be a waste not to appreciate them," he said.

Leander looked at Lionel. He kicked his leg hard. He felt like it and so he did. Lionel almost spilled the tea on his trousers but he managed to protect himself.

"Why did you..." Lionel shook his head in disappointment.

Leander shrugged.

"I’m not staying here when I am not welcome," Lionel got up to leave.

What a rude guy!

Viviana saw Lionel getting up to leave and walked to him. The puppies ran in front of her. They do not like outsiders on the lawn. It was their instinct. She never taught them to bark. But they always barked as if they wanted to bite the head off of those, they didn’t want near them.

This was the first time Lionel was home and for the puppies, he is a stranger.

"Stop!" She commanded. Both Apollo and Ares came to a halt looking in her direction. They obeyed her commands just after she utters it once.

"Athena! Stop! Stop I say!" She shouted.

Maybe she thought she was a princess, Athena had trouble listening to orders. She is the only one testing her patience.

Leander would mock her saying that she shouldn’t have named that puppy after herself (Athena is the Roman equivalent of Minerva), but Viviana thought that Athena needed more patience and discipline. The last thing she needs is an untrained guard dog that is a mix of two powerful breeds. Accidents will happen. She would never want her dogs to hurt anyone.

Thankfully, Athena learned that there is no getting around her mother’s commands and stopped. Apollo, the level-headed one in the bunch whined in Athena’s ears probably rebuking her for not listening to their owner, but Athena had an indifferent attitude. Ares was looking at her with his posture so perfect, waiting for her praise.

"You did good, Ares. You too are a good boy, Apollo..." She gave the treats she kept in her pockets to the two dogs who listened to her the first time.

Athena whined. She didn’t like to listen to commands but she wanted treats.

"Not for you, Athena," Viviana spoke in a deep commanding tone.

Athena whined with her head bowed. She looked pitiful. But Viviana didn’t waver. She needs to be a responsible pet owner. That includes being stern with them when she trains them.

"Nellie," Viviana with a bright smile walked to Lionel. "Look here..."

Viviana then told simple commands like "Sit", "Stand", and "Rollover". The three dogs did it all in perfect unison.

"See how well-trained they are. If you happen to need a dog for your movies, you can cast our dogs," Viviana said. She was proud of her puppies.

"You’re making your dogs nepo-babies?" Lionel asked.

Viviana shrugged. "Why not? They are beautiful and they are so adorable. They also look good on camera..."

"Right," Lionel chuckled. "I noticed you using hand signals," Lionel observed that she was using hand signals along with her commands.

"Yeah, I am training them to listen to gestures next. They are intelligent dogs," she said. "And I love them! Don’t I?" she sat on the lawn.

"That would be pretty useful in a movie set. But I might cast them for their manager though," Lionel laughed.

Viviana laughed along. She didn’t think Lionel was flirting with her. But she missed Leander’s deadly expression.

Leander picked up his teacup and Lionel scooted to the side out of instinct. Leander smirked. He then turned his attention toward Viviana.

The moment Viviana sat on the grass, the puppies got on top of her and started to rain kisses on her. Viviana giggled as she played with the puppies.

"She looks happier than the last time I saw her," Lionel looked at Leander.

Leander got up. Lionel got up. He understood that it was his cue to leave. Maybe he asked too much of Leander.

"Are you going to the office? I’ll start on dinner soon. Ask Nellie to stay for dinner," she told Leander.

But seeing the weird smile on Lionel’s face, she was confused. "Are you guys having domestics again?" she scoffed.

They fight more than girls!

Leander scoffed.

Viviana then continued to play with the puppies not expecting his answer. She didn’t know what goes on between them. One moment they would bunker up for hours discussing something and the next moment they would act as if they don’t know each other.

Leander stopped and stared at his wife for a moment. He then looked at his friend.

Guess he stays for dinner then.

"To the office," Leander said and walked to the front.

Lionel with a smile, walked behind Leander. He could see how much influence Bellissima has on Leander. She is a good woman and so that’s okay.

Leander locked the office door.

"Do not even entertain the notion that I will allow my wife to act in the movies," Leander said. His jaws were clenched, and his eyes were sharp and unimpressed.

"I got the message loud and clear," Lionel raised his hands in a surrendering motion.

Leander nodded. "Keep it that way."

Lionel didn’t mind Leander’s scowl and walked to the bar to pour himself a glass of vodka.

"Got any news about..."

Lionel paused. He wanted to ask if he investigated more about the death of Victoria, but then he didn’t think it would be appropriate.

"Did the Vitale family contact you?" Lionel changed the topic.