Chapter 3

"Enough with the noise. Are you always like this here, arguing over trivial matters?" he asked.

"Of course, uncle. That's how I show my love to grandma. If I'm not here, what about her? She doesn't want to marry again," Cheska responded, laughing.

His mother gives her a stern look, but Cheska bursts out laughing.

"How about we go to the city to unwind?" he proposed.

"That sounds good to me, Uncle; just get me some ice cream, and how about you, Grandma?" Francheska asked.

"I'm coming; it's not a good idea for you two to leave me here," his mother replied.

"Excellent," he said.

"Just wait outside for me and Francheska, and let's hurry up and get dressed."

Leandre nodded and exited the house, walking into his car. After a few moments, they both emerged, and Cheska dashed into the car, followed by her mother. When they got in, he started the car and drove away.

"I want ice cream and pizza, Uncle," Cheska said.

"All right," he replied.

When his phone vibrated, Leandre realized he had received a message. He just looked at it but didn't read any further because it was from Jade. And the car stopped in the ice cream shop. They all went outside the car and walked inside together.

"Grandma, are you all right here?" Cheska asked.

"Sure, go ahead and order at the counter," his mother said.

Francheska dashed to the counter while he and his mother searched for an open seat.

Minutes have passed.

"Lucille?" Leandre heard a man’s voice behind them. But his mommy ignored him. She just kept fiddling with her phone.

"Mom, someone called you from behind," he commented.

"I haven't heard anything, son." his mother replied.

Then a man in his forties stood up in front of them and stared at his mother with an annoyed look. Leandre's forehead furrowed. His mother knew this old man but she ignore him. The man is old but his handsomeness is still overflowing.

"I don't know. That in the past few years you have become deaf, Lucille." said the man.

But his mother didn't seem to hear anything so the man's eyes turned to him.

"Hi, I'm Lazaro, your mom's.."

"Friend." Mommy interrupted what the man said. Then Leandre felt something fishy, but he didn't say anything instead.

"Nice to meet you. Have a seat, sir. You can join us." he invited the man to sit down.

"Thank you. Maybe next time. I feel like your mom doesn't want to see me. I have to go, Leandre." the man replied.

Leandre was perplexed as to how that man knew him. Mommy suddenly felt uneasy in her seat. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but he held back at first. He wished he could laugh. Perhaps the man and his mother have unfinished business. Cheska then approached their table, carrying two boxes of pizza and ice cream. A waitress stood next to her, carrying drinks for the three of them.

"Enjoy your snacks!" said a waitress in a cheerful voice.

And Leandre noticed Chieska looking around.

"What’s wrong, Cheska?" he asked.

"I think I saw Grandpa Lazaro here, Grandma," said Cheska.

His mother threw a death glare at Francheska and she started eating. Leandre has a suspicion that his mommy and that man have a relationship because Cheska also knows Mr. Lazaro. He just shrugged and started eating. After they ate, he send his mommy and Cheska home because he wanted to sleep in his room. He entered the car inside the gate and noticed the front door was open. He got out of the car and went straight inside the house afterward. And he found Jade sitting face down on the couch. She approached him and kissed him on the lips, but he avoided her and went to the kitchen to drink some water. And Jade follows him.

"What do you want me to do, Leandre? Would you forgive me? I will regret the mistake I made! So please, I did everything for you to forgive me." Jade pleaded.

But he will no longer be at the mercy of this woman. He was cheated once and the pride he had was trampled.

"Seriously? Are you sorry? But why can't I feel it? I can't feel it because your apology wasn't genuine. Why are you staying with me now because the man you traded me for has no money? If you are truly sorry, leave my life!" Leandre burst out in anger.

Jade's eyes were burning with anger because of what he said. Leandre doesn't know where this woman gets the courage to face him after what she did.

"You think I will do what you say? I will use up your wealth and money before I leave you because I have more rights to you," she said.

Leandre clenched his fist to prevent him from punching this woman.

"Alright. Use it whenever you want but remember this you will be put in hell," he said.

Jade was suddenly afraid of what he said and she slowly sat down on the couch.

"I became this way because of how you treated me, Leandre. I don't have the right to change?"

Leandre laughed in his mind. What does Jade want him to react to after seeing them on top of their bed? laugh? This girl is crazy. He lost his love for her a long time ago. Even if she cried blood and knelt before him, he would not forgive her. Never again.

Alondra is in the city. She was planning to look for a job so that her mother can rest for good and stop doing laundry. Her mother has already bought groceries and three sacks of rice. Maybe it will take a long time to run out. She can still find a job. For her, it is fun to go to the city. Even though her pocket is empty, she will be satisfied by looking at the tall buildings as well as the people who are busy with their lives. Alondra can see that she is not suitable for this place because those who come here are rich and have a lot of money. She also tried to find a job in their town, but she could not find one. So she tried to go in here. Good thing, her parents agreed, as long as she was careful.