Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 90: New Perspective

Chapter 90: New Perspective

Lionel, although felt like he was slapped in the face by fate, decided to listen to the whole story before reaching a decision.

It can’t be... If the Leona she speaks of is the Leona he is thinking of, then he does have a valid romance plot.

But...This woman who is sitting in front of him can’t be "that" girl! She just can’t be! Because if it is she, how could she be here, as Leander’s wife? Impossible! She supposedly died.

Yeah, supposedly.

It is not that impossible. It made sense too. Her features match.

But no... It is too much of a...

F*ck this!

While Lionel was in his own thoughts, Viviana was frantically trying to take back what she said. It’s not that she doesn’t want to say Leona’s name to Lionel, but she didn’t want someone to trace them back to Abenney. That would be the last thing she needs.

"Anyhow..." Viviana spoke in an enthusiastic tone hoping to get away from discussing the name. She said Leona’s name and he acknowledged it. It would be weird if she changes her name now.

"After wiping the dust off herself, Darcia who was butt-hurt tried to walk away. Her pride was hurt and she had already forgotten how Leona saved her. Leona, who was actually hurt in the butt stood up and ran behind Darcia. And now it was time for Leona to placate Darcia. Well, it didn’t take much but a small piece of toffee for Darcia to be placated..." Viviana paused.

Now that she thinks about it, she realized that she didn’t even thank Leona that day and acted as some spoiled brat. She usually acts politely with everyone. She didn’t know what prompted her to act that way with Leona.

But she was thankful that Leona didn’t leave her that day.

Lionel looked a little disturbed. Viviana asked for a drink for him and soon Lionel started to focus.

"After that, both of them spent a lot of times together. Darcia didn’t know whether she truly liked Leona or the toffee she offers her everyday," Viviana laughed.

Lionel raised his brows.

"Told you... She’s not female lead material. No one likes a meek woman with an attitude," Viviana said.

"I don’t think so," Lionel begged to differ. "Based on her background, it is not that surprising that she acted this way. I find her interesting. She’s not meek. She is strong. And she has her pride. She liked how sure Leona was when she protected her and she was feeling insecure. That’s why she couldn’t accept it when Leona called her stupid."

"Insecure?" Viviana was surprised. She didn’t think of herself as someone with insecurities.

Well, she did have insecurities. Her entire life was barely stable. But she prided herself that she never let her problems over come her.

Am I insecure?

"Hmm, that’s an interesting opinion," Viviana accepted. "So, why did she decide to hang out with Leona even after that? For the toffee?" she asked.

"Toffee? Sure that might be a bonus, but for Darcia, Leona is not just a bringer of her favorite snack. Surely, she wouldn’t get toffee everyday in the orphanage. But it’s Leona. She hung around with Leona because it was Leona. She didn’t have many friends, right?" Lionel asked.

"Yeah," Viviana shrugged. "Well, Leona did call her stupid from time to time but Darcia still maintained her friendship."

"What situations?" Lionel asked curiously.

"Well, Leona reported her bullying incident to the principal of their school. Oh, I failed to mention, Leona was eleven at that time and attended the same school as Darcia. It was a school owned by the Church and the elementary school, junior high, and high school were all located in the same campus and were under the same management."

Lionel nodded. He couldn’t shake off this feeling in his heart.

"Bullying complaints were taken seriously and the principal knew Darcia was the favorite of Father Patrick. She was called to the office with Leona as witness. Those who were identified as the bullies were brought to the principal’s office too. And guess what Darcia did when she was asked if she was bullied?

"No!" Lionel shook his head. "No way..."

"Well," Viviana shrugged. "The punishment for bullying was to kneel on the wooden floor for an entire night. She didn’t want her bullies to endure that punishment. So, she lied."

Lionel was silent for some seconds. "See, I told you," he looked at her. His hazel eyes were filled with a blend of emotions. His voice was soft. "I like her. I dig kindness over whatever is marketed as "strength" these days. Forgiveness is beautiful," he said, looking at her without even blinking his eyes.

Viviana cleared her throat. He looked like how he would look on screen when he pretends to be in love. She didn’t know what he is doing giving her the same look.

And, he couldn’t be any more wrong.

"It was not out of forgiveness or anything. It was more of a self-preservatory decision. So, don’t go all giddy over her," she spoke the truth.

"Ah," Lionel let out a deep breath. "She knew that the bullies would bully her more if she spoke the truth. She caved to pressure..."

"Coward, Leona called her... and stupid too," Viviana laughed. But then her face turned serious as she thought about that day. "They were standing under a rose bush that day. Leona was warned not to lie by the principal, and the other kids were warned too. Darcia was ashamed to have brought trouble to the one who tried to help her. But she was the one who shared a dormitory with those bullies. She needed to eat with them. For her, it was her life."

"They fought?" Lionel asked.

"No," Viviana shook her head. "Leona asked her about her life in the orphanage. Leona was mature for her age and was not like other girls her age. She had different preferences and interests. Darcia, having an ear to listen to her woes, told Leona about everything. Leona went silent and she said nothing until they returned. When it was time to leave, Leona held her hand and told her that she..." Viviana took a sip of water and looked out through the big window.

She closed her eyes as she remembered the scent of the evening breeze from the sea that carried the scent of salt and food. She remembered smelling food maybe because she was hungry.