Chapter 39

But Alondra noticed Emerald was staring at her.
"Is there something going on inside the toilet? Your mood changed when you came out," Emerald speculated.
"Nothing. May I ask where Leandre's company is? I'd like to bring this cake for him," Alondra replied.

Emerald seemed concerned by her question as if she didn't want him to go there. She knows, even if they don't say it or if Leandre says he has a real girlfriend because she knows. When she goes there, she hides her face behind a mask in her sling bag.

"Sure," Emerald replied anxiously.
But Alondra just ignored it. She got into Emerald's car and drove her to Leandre's building she was amazed at what she saw because it was a big company and she knew that many employees worked there and had a large salaries.
"Thank you, Emerald. Aren't you going to join me inside?" she asked.
"Not anymore. My husband called me and is looking for us." Emerald answered with a laugh.
"Okay."
And she intends walked inside when Cheska called her.
"Thank you. I enjoyed our short unwind, Aunt Alondra. Let's unwind next time." Cheska said.
"Okay. I love you, sweetie."
"I love you too."
After Emerald's car left, Alondra put on a mask before entering. She approached the guard.
"Good afternoon. Can I ask something?" Alondra said.
"Yes, ma'am. What is that?"
"Where is Mr. Leandre's office?"
"It's on the second floor, but the woman with curly hair you see at the desk is her secretary, " the guard said while pointing to the woman in front.
"Okay. Thank you. I'll bring it?" she showed the cake box she was carrying.
"Welcome, ma'am. Yes, you can take that for you." answered the guard.
Alondra approached the woman with her back turned.
"Excuse me, Miss. Where is Mr. Leandre's office?" Alondra asked.
The woman smiled broadly.
"I'm his secretary. I can accompany you to him." answered the woman.
"Thank you."
The two women walked together in silence. Alondra didn't know what to say to her or what to say first. So they didn't have a conversation until they reached the closed door. The woman opened it slowly while Alondra just stood there waiting. Leandre's eyes widened when he saw Alondra wearing a mask while following Lexie.
"Someone is looking for you, sir," she said and turned to Alondra.
He didn't know if Alondra smiled when their eyes met.
"Okay. Thank you, Lexie."
"Welcome."
He saw Lexie going out but Alondra stopped her.
"Come back here after half an hour. We'll eat cake because you also have drinks."
"All right."
And Lexie came out for good.
"Don't you want to see me? You're not happy when I appear at your office door. Don't you worry because they won't be able to see my face that's why I'm wearing like this? Your employees don't think that you entertain visitors during working hours." Alondra replied and placed the cake box on the center table.
But Leandre frowned. He doesn't know what Alondra means by wearing a mask if she is concerned about what his employee will say or is there something else she wants to convey? But he chose not to ask and he just answered her question.
"It's not that I'm not happy to see you. It's because you didn't call." Leandre just answered.
"I don't like to call. I like surprises." Alondra said and she landed on his lap and hugged him tightly.
"Let me hug you first," Alondra said, shocking Leandre.
He was worried that someone might suddenly come in and see his and Alondra's position. More embarrassing if they caught them doing nasty things.
"I'll be home later, Alondra. We're in the office, maybe someone will come in." Leandre said harshly.
"Really? Why would you stop the car earlier, but now that we're under the building and no one can see, you're complaining?" Alondra said, causing Leandre to gape.
So this woman trying to flirt with him and make love to him?
"Don't do it, Alondra. Maybe the door will open for us." Leandre said even though Alondra didn't make a move.
She just hugged him and smelled his neck.
"I lock the door. But I have no plans to rape you and then another. I'm sweating." Alondra replied with a laugh, and got out of her arms and sat on the couch.
Then someone knocked on the door and Alondra opened it. Lexie's embarrassed expression opened it with three small plates and a slicing knife and included soft drinks. She approached the table and put down everything she brought.
"I'll slice the cake, Lexie," said Alondra.


Alondra approached the table and took the cake from the box. And slice it, it gave a slice to Lexie, one for itself and her.
So Alondra and Lexie were sitting on the couch facing each other while he gave her a glass of drinks.
"Do you know how to bake a cake, Lexie?" Alondra asked out of nowhere.
"No."
"Sometimes we do it. There are videos on how to do it, right? So maybe it's easy even though I haven't tried it yet." Alondra said.
"All right."
Half an hour later, Alondra said goodbye and she would wait for him outside. So he just leaned on his swivel chair.
He was looking at Lexie while wiping the center table. And he saw her glancing at him.
"Is there something you want to tell me, Lexie?" asked Leandre.
"Nothing, sir," Lexie replied.
"I know there is. You have worked here at my company for a long time so I already know about yourself," said Leandre.
But Lexie kept her mouth shut. So Leandre sighed.
"When Alondra meets someone new, it's easy to feel at ease with her. So I just want to ask you, Lexie, not to tell her about my ex-wife. I'm trying to fix and file a divorce As soon as possible." said Leandre.
Lexie smiled sweetly as if she liked what he said.
"No problem, sir. My work is still more important to me." Lexie replied.
"Thank you."
After Lexie left, Leandre sighed. It's like he's admitting to himself that he's learned to love her. But he won't admit it until he and Jade are completely separated. If everything is okay, he will court her and marry her in all the churches. Leandre left his office and walked outside. He didn't want Alondra to wait any longer. When he left the building, he immediately looked for it. But he couldn't see her.
While Alondra was waiting for Leandre outside, she called Emerald and found out that today is Leandre's birthday, she forgot because she was so busy with work. She said that if she didn't remind by her mother, they wouldn't know, so she looked for a flower seller to give to Leandre, at least by giving him flowers, she would be able to convey her eternal gratitude. Because she can no longer see material things that she can give because he already has everything. Later she bought something and ordered the three teenagers to give it to Leandre as he left the building. And he also ordered them to carry him to the plaza. She also paid them to help her inflate the balloons of different colors and she scattered them on the cement floor of the said plaza. This is the first she did to a man. She knows what she's going to do is embarrassing but she doesn't care because she's so thankful and she wants to leave a happy memory and she'll leave when the day comes when they go their separate ways. When they finished preparing her surprise, she also ordered a teenager to take a video of them.
Leandre frowned as he was outside when a boy approached him with a bunch of red tulips.
"Flowers for you, sir. Red tulips are symbols of true love, " said the curly-haired boy, wearing a black mask, handing him the flower.
Leandre wanted to ask what was going on but the boy insisted on giving him the flower so he just accepted it. And he saw that a boy came to him again with a bunch of flowers and came to him after the first boy left.
"This is honeysuckle flowers symbolize devoted and everlasting love." The boy said he was fat but handsome.

It also left after he said yes. Leandre was perplexed because he had no idea what was going on. He also noticed a handsome boy approaching with red roses.

"These flowers express unconditional love; accept this and follow me," he said as he led him away.

Leandre followed, even though the flower he was carrying obscured his face. And they were staring at him as they walked by. And they led him to a square he had no idea existed. And as they got closer, he noticed that there were many balloons of various colors scattered in his path, and teenagers stood in front with letters and shouting.



"Happy birthday, handsome."

Leandre was taken aback when he heard what they were shouting. Is he thinking a lot because it's his birthday and he forgot about it?

And he was astounded because she only took one hour when Alondra arrived and she did everything? It doesn't matter to Leandre that Alondra discovered his birthday is today, but he is very happy because he just experienced the surprise of someone he just met. Then a beautiful woman emerged from among the men and approached her with a sweet smile.


"I thought you didn't go with them? My plan would have been ruined if that's happening. Only about thirty minutes later, Emerald called saying that it was your birthday if you did tell them, your sister wouldn't remember either. It's good that teenagers are very cooperative with this and their request is for me to feed them only street foods, so I started ordering now." Alondra said smiling.

"I almost didn't go, but I was more curious, and I can't even remember my birthday now," Leandre replied, laughing.


"Let's dance," Alondra said, putting both hands on his shoulders.
And someone took the flowers he was carrying so that he could hold Alondra by the waist. These teenagers have been briefed too much because they know exactly what to do. Alondra looked into his eyes seriously which made his heart beat faster. And the beautiful music soared.
And their bodies started to move. Slowly with feelings and looking into the eyes each other as if they were the only people around.

"Thank you for all your help. For getting me to that hellish place, I don't know what I would have done if we hadn't met." Alondra said looking into his eyes.
Leandre smiled.

"Let's forget the past; it's better to live together without resentment and be happy," Leandre replied.

And Alondra kissed his lips, causing Leandre's eyes to widen. And the audience applauded. A few minutes later, they were all seated at the long table, the teenagers happily eating and conversing with Alondra, who was eager to converse with them. While he was only silent on one side. When his phone rang, he checked it to see who had called. And he recognized it as his mother. He had to say goodbye to Alondra for a moment to answer the phone.



"Hello, mommy. Why?" he asked.
"Where are you? Don't you plan to come here at home? We prepared a celebration for your birthday." answered this on the other line.

Leandre didn't respond right away, instead looking at Alondra, who was happily chatting. He debated whether to return home alone or with Alondra. But he would rather not go and stay with her, but he does not want his mother to sulk with him. But he went with the latter. After saying his goodbyes to Alondra, he walked down to his car. All he could think was that she wanted to meet him at his mother's house. For the time being, she was significant in his life. But she prefers to go with na. The car was cruising down the highway in complete silence. The environment is dark and cold.



And he forgot to ask Alondra if she felt cold in her dress. They spent the night together outside due to the long night. He arrived at his mother's house after an hour of driving. He didn't want to waste any time, so he continued inside and went directly to the back of the house near the pool. Then he noticed a long table with many foods and balloons hanging and scattered about. He approached them and greet his mommy with a kiss.


"Thank you for the preparation, mommy. I forgot that today is my birthday." Leandre said that makes everyone around laugh.

Then Leandre sat down next to his mother, got some food, and began to eat. While chewing, he noticed his mother staring at him.

"What's the matter, mommy?" he asked.
"Are you okay? Why did you feel exhausted?" his mother asked. "You don't need to work hard for your company. Unwind and have fun. Don't bore yourself in one place with all the company's documents. You should go out and date."

In his mind, Leandre laughed. And he felt guilty because his mother had no idea he had someone in him at the rest home. But the day will come when she will meet Alondra.



"Yes. I'll do that, mommy." Leandre replied.
"Great." his mother replied and excuse herself for a while.

While his eyes wander. In the distance, he noticed Uncle Lazaro and Geo talking seriously. He understands that everything is for business. Leandre finished eating after a few minutes because he felt like the food he ate didn't digest properly and he choked it because he was upset that he had left Alondra at the plaza.

When Nicholas sat down next to him, he was sitting quietly, drinking juice.

"Where did you leave Alondra, why were you so bothered? You should have brought her here so that your soul could be at peace, and when Aunt Lucille meets her, they will get along because they are both kinds," Nicholas said.




"He didn't come because he wasn't ready to face mommy so at the same time I was relieved," answered Leandre.
"Why?"
"Because maybe Jade will suddenly come here and the two of them will meet and fight."
Nicholas laughs.

"So your ex-wife's feelings are what you've always considered?" Nicholas asked, breaking his silence.

"No, because I know Alondra will leave me if she finds out about me, and I don't want that to happen," Leandre replied as he drained the glass's contents.

"That's what's supposed to happen. That's when we'll know how strong your stance is and who you'll choose between the two of them. And if Alondra stays with you when she finds out about your personality, I'm sure she'll be angry with all of us because we told him what was true from the beginning," Nicholas explained.



Leandre sighed.
And he was surprised because he had been staying behind the house for half an hour, he didn't even see Cheska come out and join them.
"Where is my nephew?" asked Leandre.
"I still have school so I'm not here right now," replied Nicholas.
"Really? Why is it late?"
"Other subjects are late at night. So don't be surprised, in our past, all our subjects were mostly late at night."
Leandre just nodded.

Alondra was silent as she looked around and at the highway that Leandre might be back but still not. And the teenagers with him slowly said goodbye because it's it was getting late. Until he was left alone with the vendors.
When he turned to the other side, he saw Cheska's frowning forehead. What is this woman doing here? Along with a woman about the same age with a small book.
"What are you doing here, Aunt? Where is Uncle?" asked Cheska.
"It was at your grandmother's house and they celebrated your Uncle's birthday," answered Alondra.
"Really? And he didn't take you with him? He just left you here alone and the night was still cold." Cheska said angrily.
"I'm the one who said I won't come. I'm not ready to meet your grandmother yet." Alondra answered with a smile.
But Cheska's mood hasn't changed yet.
"I have to go, Aunt. Take care," he said and kissed her cheek.
"Bye."
Leandre's facelifted when he saw Cheska enter the back of the house without a smile. He ignored her and Nicholas. He took food near him but he didn't even kiss his cheek.
"Your damn ex-wife is inside the house. And you left Aunt Alondra in the plaza alone. How dare you treat her like that? I'm so disappointed Uncle." Cheska said and sat down next to him.
Shit! He needs to get back to Alondra.
"But she insisted that she will leave because she doesn't want to meet mommy first," answered Leandre.

"That's not my point. You can force her to accompany you, but perhaps you're afraid of running into your ex-wife, right? Who do you love out of the two of them? If you don't care about that girl, you can ignore her. Aunt Alondra anywhere and announce to the entire world that she is the girl you love. You chose to let her wait for you there, and if you can't tell my grandmothers she's your girlfriend, you can tell them she's my friend and mommy's friend "Cheska responded.


"You don't get my point," Leandre said.
"I'm sorry, Uncle," she said as she walked away.
While Nicholas remained silent beside him. So Leandre wasted no time in saying goodbye to them all and returned to Alondra. He felt a pang of pain in his heart as he realized Alondra had been left alone. Because she had the patience to wait that long. He flung open the window.

"Come on in, honey," Leandre said.

But Alondra simply turned to him, opened the back door, and entered.



Leandre furrows his brow. Is she upset with him? A few minutes later, the car was speeding down the road, but Alondra remained silent until they arrived at the house.  He stepped down for a moment to open the gate and bring the car inside. Alondra rushes out and sprints to the front door, leaving Leandre perplexed. As he entered the house after locking the gate, he shook his head. He didn't notice her in the living room or their bedroom.