Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 48: Lionel Waldorf

Chapter 48: Lionel Waldorf

Leander clenched Viviana’s dress and pulled her closer to him as he took a step back. His chin touched the crown of her head and his hot heavy breath fell on her hair. Viviana held her breath.

She couldn’t see his face so she couldn’t see his expression. She hoped that he doesn’t listen to his mother and throw her back to Evander.

"Yes, mom. You are right. Evander is never wrong," Leander said. His hands on her back were shaking.

Viviana felt the pain in his tone. She sensed the exasperation in the words he spoke without seeing his face. It appeared that this was not the first time Leander was dismissed.

She unconsciously looked at him. She couldn’t see much, but Leander was smiling. That smile hid the pain that was accumulated over the years with a carefully crafted degree of cheerfulness.

For a fleeting moment she thought that maybe, he is not that different from her.

She averted her eyes as he looked at her. She didn’t want to anger him by looking at his face.

She still remembered how he got angry at her for talking to the doctor about his fever. She figured that he wouldn’t like her to pity him. She understood him. She wouldn’t like to be pitied in such a situation either.

Leander let go of her dress and she immediately stepped behind Leander. Viola was still glaring at Leander.

As a mother, shouldn’t she have recognized the pain in Leander’s face by now?

Viviana was still shaking. She still was not entirely safe. She didn’t want to worry for Leander when she is in a much more dangerous position.

"Yo!"

The entire hall went silent at the powerful voice that rang inside the hall turning everyone’s attention to the flamboyant guy entering. He was wearing a bright red tweed suit and bejeweled sunglasses (Yes, in the evening, inside a hall!). With a bright smile, he waved at Leander.

Viviana recognized him—Nellie Yannis. Movie director, actor, and rom-com producer. That’s how the whole world knows him. It took some serious digging for her to find out who he really is.

Real name: Lionel Waldorf, the heir of the Waldorf Mafia family, and a close confidante of Leander.

She couldn’t find any pictures of them together, but people close to Leander were sure that they were friends. She had a hunch that they met in secret because they were more than friends.

Both didn’t have girlfriends. One was said to be the epitome of masculinity while the other showed himself as more feminine. Nellie once attended a premier wearing a skirt causing a frenzy. She still couldn’t believe how his family is putting up with this all.

She believed both men had some deeper connection.

But after spending some time with Leander and hearing about Helena, her opinion wavered. Maybe they are just friends.

She watched Nellie’s directional debut movie. It became a major hit and stays in the top 50 best romance movies of all time each year. She had watched some of his interviews. He didn’t appear to be a genuine person to her. She couldn’t say for sure. She has that feeling about most of the actors.

Or maybe he appeared disingenuous because he tries to hide the fact that he is from a mafia family from the world.

Lionel Waldorf waved his hand at Leander. Viviana noticed Viola pushing Evander to the front. She could guess that the Waldorf family connection must be important for the Kastello family.

Whatever! She didn’t care about them. Her legs have gone weak, and she needed to gather herself.

Everyone was getting busy with Lionel Waldorf. She used that chance to sneak out to the balcony. She picked up the bottle of wine and sat on the couch hugging it.

Peter Kastello was observing everything. Evander never changes. He always wants what Leander has. And now he has set his eyes on Russo’s daughter just because Leander is interested in her.

He sighed.

What more troubles will he create? Leander cannot be provoked now.

Peter watched as Viviana carefully sneaked out of the banquet hall and onto the balcony. Leander was following her with his eyes. With his fists clenched, Leander looked mad.

It won’t be that hard to control Leander if he likes that woman that much.

But that woman...

She appeared to be docile. She was not trying anything. If she was the woman who attacked Evander, she wouldn’t have allowed Evander to touch her like that.

Peter was relieved as that weight was lifted from his heart.

That’s right. Leander will never betray him.

Peter looked at Lionel with relief in his eyes. He used to think that he needs to end this guy to save the pride of the Kastello family. But Leander likes women! That’s a relief considering he is the only one who can give him heirs.

Yes. Leander will never betray him.

-----

Lionel passed Evander and hugged Leander. "My man! I missed you!" he said holding his cheek.

Leander with a smile punched him in the chest to get him off. This guy never gives up an opportunity to cause speculations. If there was a bigger crowd, Lionel would have kissed him just to create a scene.

"Oww! That hurt!" Lionel wrapped his hand around Leander’s shoulder. "Ah, I love hugging you...we are the same height, and it feels so right. Don’t you think so?" he whispered in Leander’s ears.

"Why are you so handsy today?" Leander tried to get out of his hold. But Lionel didn’t let him. "You’re getting stronger..." Leander said giving up. He was frustrated with everything.

"So..." Lionel pulled Leander closer. But then he stopped. "Whoa! Is that lipstick?" his narrow eyes widened revealing his amber irises. His lips curved with intrigue.

"What?" Leander’s frustration was replaced with a fluster. He made sure he wiped it off before he left. How would it still be there? He licked his lips to get rid of it.

Lionel was shocked to see Leander getting flustered. He could see that it was a long-wearing lipstick, and it can’t be wiped off with his hands. But he wanted to tease Leander further. It’s not every day he gets to see the stoic Leander flustered like this. He’s blushing even!

"Oh, wait... Was it transferred?" Lionel asked with a playful grin. "SHE was wearing the same shade too."

Leander pushed Lionel and walked away. At least he tried to. But as a duckling following the mother duck, Lionel followed Leander.

"Uh, it must have been hard to kiss her... She didn’t even reach your shoulder. You should have stooped low to even~"

"Not if we were horizontal!" Leander said merely to shock Lionel to silence. But his plan only backfired.

"Yo! You finally popped your blueberries?" Lionel almost shouted. "Those poor balls... they might have been so blue after you neglected them for decades. You should have taken Helena when she offered herself, or Brie when~"

"Lionel!" Leander glared at him.