Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 42: A New Name

Chapter 42: A New Name

Leander went to his side of the closet and started dressing. He just wanted to talk to her for some time. But she doesn’t like to.

It hurt. His heart pounded out of fear. He didn’t want to bring her there. He didn’t have a good feeling. He found out that his grandfather was still planning on announcing his engagement with that lamebrain. But he couldn’t get why his grandfather still wanted her at the party. And there is Evander.

What if he recognized her?

His stomach rumbled out of fear. He didn’t remember the last time he was this afraid of something.

He took in deep breaths to find out what he was afraid of. It’s something simple he does that works every time. Oftentimes, we fear something that is not under our control. Once we accept that being afraid can’t do a thing, we can find a way to cope.

A lot is riding on this. If his family comes to know that he is keeping Evander’s attacker alive, that will ruin his family relationships forever. He will be ostracized and even executed.

But he found that his fear was not rooted there.

She... What will happen to her if they find out the truth?

That thought rendered him frozen. He was afraid for her.

His eyes ended up on Viviana unconsciously. She was seriously painting her face with so much concentration. And each minute, she was getting more and more beautiful.

What can I do?

---

Viviana finished her makeup and hair. Leander was wearing a bowtie. She figured it would be a formal party. She did formal makeup that made her appear pleasant and delicate. She did a loose feminine bun on her hair so that no one could guess the length of her hair.

Wherever she is brought to and whatever Leander was planning, she didn’t want to reveal who she was to them by herself. She didn’t want Evander to identify her. She wanted to be a silent observer of the demise of the Kastello mafia family. She should live for that.

That’s why she did her best to look entirely different from the night she was with Evander. She was planning to do her best to survive the night.

And, to find a way to escape...If there is a good crowd, she can find a way.

Her plans may fail, and Evander might recognize her. Or Leander might be planning on offering her to his family today.

In that case, she will face it with no regrets.

She was calm. She had no fear either way.

"Are you ready?" Leander asked.

She nodded.

"You look... the same..." he reached his hand to her face. His heart was crying. He couldn’t control it. "...except for the spots on your face that are gone..." his fingers trembled.

He put his hands in his pockets without touching her. What if this turns out to be the last time, he touches her?

Her eyes are not giving him any solace. She looked fearless. That is not a good sign considering where she is going. She should be scared for her own survival. Even he gets scared to attend these dinners to which every family is invited.

It reminded him of the time he met her on that ledge. He saw hatred in her eyes and when she was about to jump, her eyes turned somber, just like now. She had the same expression when she jumped out of the car too.

Every time she sought death, her eyes turn somber. It was as if she thinks of death as a long-lost lover she can’t wait to reunite.

It scared him.

"You’re not wearing any jewelry..." he walked to his dresser. She said she didn’t want any. But he wanted her to wear something. She is coming with him as his woman and...

He stared blankly at the jewelry lumped together inside the drawer.

His woman?

Viviana watched Leander spread the lump of gold jewelry on the top of the dresser. He shifted through it with his fingers and picked some brooches and chains. Out of them all, he picked out a brooch.

"The dress has embellishments, and I won’t need any jewel~"

"Wear it on your hair," he held her hand and placed the brooch on her palm.

His hands were cold. And his eyes...

Why is he sad?

Not wanting to confuse her heart by looking at his eyes, she looked at the angel wings brooch in the palm of her hand. That looked expensive.

"Go on..." Leander told her.

If there really are angels, he hoped that all of them protect her today. He placed his hand on his chest over the angel tattoo.

It hurt.

Viviana didn’t even know if she could set the brooch in her hair. Leander was staring at her, and she set it using bobby pins not wanting to anger him. The brooch did add elegance to her outfit. She hoped that she doesn’t lose it.

"Help me with this," Leander said pointing at a bunch of jewelry.

Ah, right! He likes to wear lots of jewelry!

Viviana helped him with the cuffs and rings. She couldn’t reach his neck for the brooch. He’s so tall. She shook the chain brooch, and it made a soft jingle.

He stared at her.

Again, his eyes...

They were filled with strong emotion, and it made her heart skip a beat. "I can’t reach," she shook the brooch.

He bowed for her.

"There, all set..." Viviana patted his suit. "Shall we leave then?" she asked.

"Viviana Mattias..." he looked at her clenching his jaw.

"Yeah?" she asked. It was weird hearing her name from him after hearing him call her Minnie all the time.

"...is dead."

Viviana raised her brows. "What?"

"You are Minerva Russo," Leander added. "Your friends and family call you Minnie."

"Oh-okay," Viviana said coming out of her shock.

So, is he not planning on revealing who I am yet?

"Minerva? That’s..." she shrugged. So, what if it was an old lady name? It’s not her real name. "Russo...All right!" she gave a thumbs-up gesture. Russo is a common name and probably that’s why he chose it.

Minnie—the name my friends and family call me?

Viviana took in a deep breath. Till now, only Leander had called her by that name.

She didn’t understand what Leander was planning and plainly listened to him as he spoke.

"You’re from the South...from a fishing town. Do you know any names of...Forget it. Don’t speak much and..." he stopped.

She was looking at him with a bland expression as if she didn’t care. He is talking about changing her name and her entire life story and she was listening to him as if she was hearing him telling a story.

What is her deal? Does she even realize the seriousness of everything happening around her? Is she not planning on living?

Viviana took an unconscious step back as she could see the odd expression in his eyes getting replaced with anger.

She didn’t know what she did wrong. She was agreeing to everything he says!