CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

A month had passed, since Mrs. Griffon's death. It was unexpected and sad. Her friends mourned her death and consoled Jack.
Jack blamed his father for his mother's death. He believed that if his father hadn't divorced his mum, then she wouldn't have killed herself.
Jack was left with his mother's remaining assets. He sold the family house and used it to pay off his debt. He spent what was left on mainly drugs and alcohol.
Jack's father had come to know about his involvement with the loan sharks. After the funeral, he completely cut ties with him.
Josiah on the other hand was performing excellently. The Griffon Group had shot up, from the top forty to the top thirty, setting a new record for itself.
Josiah had also found the girl that he liked, although they haven't disclosed their feelings yet.
Mabel took the supporting character role, Jack had managed to get her. She couldn't sleep her way up the ladder this time, So she had to manage what she had.
Lia's father was discharged from the hospital and was ready to make up for all the time he missed with his daughter.
Lia's father wanted Lia to move back in with him. However, Lia didn't see anything wrong with it, but it didn't sit right with Leo.
So of course Leo played the role of an obstacle to their father and daughter relationship. Ben wasn't happy with that, his dislike for Leo grew every passing day.
Lia being married to Leo reminded him of the past, when his sister was slowly deviating from him from the day she met her husband and completely drifted herself away from him before she went missing.
Ben was always scared of losing his elder sister, who was the only family he ever had, to a stranger. Ben never agreed to his sister's marriage, but he went with it to make her happy.
He didn't want history to repeat itself, this time he wanted to be the happy one.

Lia was currently working on her laptop. She had the day off today.
***Snip***
She felt a ticklish sensation on her scalp and the sound of scissors cutting something invaded her ears.
Lia turned around and saw Mr. Black stuffing a zip lock bag with her hair.
"What are you doing?" Lia asked.
"Why do you have to be so nosey?" Mr. Black grumbled as he sealed the bag shut and got rid of the surgical gloves he wore.
"That's my hair in that bag," Lia said pointing out the obvious.
" If you must know, I need it for some research"
" Which is?"
" Now that's none of your business"
" I feel sorry for anyone who gets married to you and has to put up with your arrogance"
Immediately Lia said that, she remembered something.
*** " So tell me, Ellie, what do you like about Mr. Black?" Lia asked.
" His rude behavior and his arrogance are first on my list"
" That's a really weird thing to like about a guy"
" I just can't help it, it's so sexy when he acts that way," Ellie said dreamingly. ***
Lia shuddered.
" The woman I will get married to will know me inside out. I wouldn't just get married to anyone, and I believe the perfect candidate is our dear Ellie"
Mr. Black smiled.
" you know about Ellie?" Lia gasped.
" I'm not as dumb as you, It's hard to not know someone, when you are constantly stalked by them"
" What makes you think I'm not smart in that aspect?"
" That Jacky boy followed you everywhere you went for a whole week and you didn't notice"
" You knew? Why didn't you say anything?"
"I'm sorry, I just have a tendency to mind my business"
" You could have at least said something. What if I was kidnapped?"
" Hmm, I didn't think of it that way. But you know what?"
" What?"
" That's still not my business"
" You are so annoying"
" Now about Ellie, don't tell her anything about what we discussed today. It's cute watching her hide every time I turn around" There was a sparkle in Mr. Black's eyes.
" Wow, I did not expect that you had a heart"
" Well, now you know. I have to get going. Mr. King will be here in fifteen minutes to pick you up for lunch"
" Ok" Mr. Black stood back watching Lia as if he were waiting for her to do something.
"Anything else?"
"Aren't you going to change?"
"Why? I don't think what I'm wearing is bad" Mr. Black narrowed his eyes.
"It's not about what you think Mrs. King. You may look pleasing in your eyes, but not to the people around you"
" I don't care what people think about me"
" When will you understand that it isn't just about you, it's about the name you carry. You are a King"
"Sigh" " I'll go change"
" Hurry up, don't make Mr.king wait too much"
" I won't, Goodbye" Lia went to change her clothes.
She put on one of the dresses the madame had arranged for her. She didn't wait long before Leo came to pick her up.
They arrived at a fancy-looking restaurant. It was well furnished with the addition of expensive-looking antiques.
Someone was already waiting for them at the entrance. He led them straight to another room, void of another soul.
It only had chairs enough for two.
"Did you book this whole room?" Lia asked.
Leo nodded and excused the person.
" I wanted to be alone with you"
" We can stay alone at home"
" Home isn't special, I also want to compensate you for not being with you often enough"
Lia was confused. They saw each other every morning and night, except for when he went on business trips.
"It's ok, I mean we see each other every day"
"That's not enough"
Leo took her hand in his and leaned for a kiss. Lia turned her head away, but Leo used his hand to turn her head back and gave her a wet kiss on her plump lips, causing Lia to turn red.
"I'm hungry, let's order something," she said and took her seat.
Leo handed her the menu.
"Thanks" She mumbled.
Lia took a glance at the prices and choked on her saliva. How could food be so expensive? She wondered.