Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 316: A Father’s Observations

Chapter 316: A Father’s Observations

Leander got relieved knowing that Vito had affection toward Viviana and was almost as excited as her to meet her. It would put him in a hard position if Vito truly didn’t love Viviana. He wouldn’t be able to let that slide.

Leander smiled seeing Viviana looking at Vito with puppy eyes.

She’s a little too much. My cute little mouse...

She was merely staring at Vito as if her brain had frozen. The puppies barged out of their designated area. She had a little fence built for them but they’ve managed to jump over them.

Ah, right. He forgot to close the gate.

The puppies had a habit of finding anyone two feet near Viviana as a threat. They don’t like it when Leander gets too close to her. They definitely won’t like Vito.

Just like he predicted, the three loudspeakers started blasting at high volume. The entire yard echoed the barks of the three puppies who were gaining almost a pound a week.

"Excuse me," Viviana gathered herself hearing their barks.

Vito took a step back seeing the three ferocious beasts dashing at them. It’s human instinct to fear beasts. He was no exception. Leander noticed Vito reaching to his waist but he stopped himself.

Reaching for the gun must be an instinct for Vito but stopping was a choice. Leander smirked. So, Vito doesn’t want to make the same mistake his son did.

"Enough!" Viviana stopped in front of the dogs with open palms and then balled her hands. She trained her dogs to get quiet using that gesture.

"Athena..." her voice got deep as Athena kept on growling.

"Come on," she whistled and walked to the front. The dogs followed her. Athena glared at Vito for a couple of seconds before following Viviana back into their enclosure.

"Stay," she said before locking the gates.

The dogs sat and stared at her, tongues out and wagging their tails. Viviana gave them some treats and they went on doing their business happily.

Vito was watching everything closely.

"Her dogs only listen to her," Leander said. He was proud of her. He’s seen her handling the dogs ever since they were small puppies and still, he is amazed by her amazing leadership qualities.

He wondered why she hasn’t introduced Vito to her dogs yet. With how excited she was to meet Vito, he thought she would do that first.

"It appears that way... Many believed her to be meek. I knew they were wrong," he mumbled.

Leander smirked.

Meek?

She’s nothing but meek. She just lacks conviction at times. But there is no one who can love stronger than her.

"She is my blood," Vito said staring right at Leander his eyes bright with pride.

Leander smirked. "Right."

Vito can try and take ownership of her blood or whatever. But no one can even touch her shadow without his permission. She is his [wife] first and foremost.

Vito looked at Leander. He could sense the hostility in Leander’s smile. Vito’s eyes hardened. Till now, he doesn’t have much against his son-in-law. But the decisions he’s making lately didn’t look good.

He has to make sure his daughter has a happy future ahead. She might have struggled all her life because he didn’t know of her existence. He can forgive himself for that.

But her future should only be filled with happiness. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.

He had no interest in separating the couple. He could see the love between them. But he needed to know what Leander’s plans are.

"I heard Signora Kastello cooks really well," Vito said with a smile.

He can interrogate Leander later. But first, he wanted to spend some time with his daughter.

Or... maybe he can do both. Dinner would be perfect for that.

Leander nodded. He was pleased to know Vito considers her as his wife. That’s better. But mentioning her as Signora Kastello developed an unwanted taste in his mouth.

But his eyes... Wow! She is his daughter. They have the exact same eyes.

It stirred a feeling deep in his heart. Vito should be feeling very happy to see his offspring inherit something of his. Not his wealth, but some of his DNA; something that has the possibility of passing down. In the future, Leonardo’s child or grandchild might have the exact same eyes as Vito because it was in their DNA.

It must be a good feeling. What would my child inherit from me? My smile? My nose?

He cleared his throat. He cannot have children. Not now. Maybe not ever.

"Come in," Leander invited Vito in. "She’d be back soon..."

Vito looked around as he walked in. "Nice garden," he said.

His wife used to love gardens. After her death, he stopped caring about the landscaping of his yards. He paid people to do it and it looked nice. But he wouldn’t miss anything there if all of them got destroyed.

"Yeah... Melanie chose everything. I left everything to her," Leander said.

She keeps on bringing flowering plants. He didn’t care either way.

Vito said nothing. "Hydrangeas were her favorite," he said standing beside a patch of shrubs.

Leander stopped and looked at Vito. There weren’t any flowers and yet Vito could recognize the plant. He knew that look.

He was surprised. He would never expect that look on Vito’s face. He misses his wife that much.

Leander hoped he never lives to feel that way. If she dies before him, he would follow her immediately.

They got inside and Vito looked around.

"Excuse the mess," Viviana got inside the living room in a hurry. "I haven’t gotten around to fixing everything yet," she smiled awkwardly. "It’s all...rustic..."

Vito didn’t care about that. All his life, he was around luxuries. He knew Leander can afford any luxury he wanted. He was happy Leander let her take her time in filling up the house rather than hiring a decorator to do the job.

A house becomes a home only when the wife makes it so. It’s good that Leander had that sense. They are kids. They can take their time to figure everything out.

Viviana was about to ask them what they wanted to have to drink but the loud cry of the baby distracted her.

"I’m sorry. I’ll have to..."

"Go, go... I’m not going anywhere," Vito smiled.

Viviana nodded at Leander and ran upstairs. On the way, she asked Martha to serve refreshments to the guest.

"You have the gall to bring your ex-lover’s child into your home to be raised by your wife," Vito said crossing his legs.

The smile he had for Viviana was replaced with a serious frown.

Leander leaned back on the couch and spread his arm on the backrest casually.

What’s with his blaming tone?