Chapter 13

Ester Gisella looked even more beautiful wearing a loose soft pink shirt with tight denim jeans. Her pale face had regained its color. She wasn't sick or had no reason to reschedule her photo shoot. But her mood was horrible. She was afraid of affecting her performance and the people involved. She confidently walked towards the agreed-upon place. Sofi had returned to her boarding house in the Manhattan area earlier. She left a few messages that Ester didn't find particularly useful. But Ester wanted to talk less and followed what Sofi said. She was sure that Sofi's eyes were filled with surprise at her behavior today. It didn't matter as long as Sofi went home soon. "Miss Lily agreed that you'll have a day off tomorrow," Sofi informed before leaving Ester's apartment. "Yes, I know," Ester replied shortly. "Rest. I'll bring breakfast and lunch here tomorrow." "Yes, yes. You go home." "Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you, Miss?" Although the woman was annoying, Sofi felt worried and caring toward Ester. "Do you want to disturb Mr. Leonel and me?" Sofi quickly covered her mouth. She nodded and waved again to bid farewell to Ester. Ester remained silent for a while, surrounded by the food, medicine, and vitamins Sofi had prepared. She had eaten some of the served food. Regardless of the number of calories entering her body, she needed to release the pressure weighing on her. Satisfied with three slices of pizza, a plate of pasta, and a can of soda, Ester chose to spend her time watching a rarely-seen drama series. She was waiting for the time when she would meet an old acquaintance. Well, not precisely an old acquaintance. They had met a few times and finally agreed that they had the same goal. "It's been a while?" Ester asked when she saw the person she was supposed to meet already sitting and playing with his gadget. A cup of latte coffee was served before him, along with some snacks. "Oh," the man looked up and smiled widely. "Please sit." Ester sneered. "How polite." The man chuckled. "What's wrong with behaving like this?" Ester's smile was thin. "What's up?" She sat down as a waiter approached. She ordered a strawberry smoothie for this conversation. "Nothing. I just wanted to ensure the model working with Layson Group is doing well." Ester sighed and folded her arms across her chest. "Is that all?" "Yes. Just that." The man sipped his coffee, enjoying the perfect blend of sweetness and bitterness. "And it seems like my concern is excessive, right?" Ester sneered, doing the same with her glass of drink. "Lucas told me to rest more. If that's all, I think our conversation is done." The man, Josh Langham, grinned. "That's if you're sick. To me, you seem perfectly fine." "Are you warning me about the compensation?" Josh laughed, irritating Ester slightly. "How much do I have to pay because I missed two days of photo shoots?" "I take it as a challenge from you, Ester," Josh replied, still with a hint of laughter. "But no, I came here to meet you, not to discuss something like that." Once again, Josh sipped his coffee. "Mountain Pte will celebrate its anniversary soon. You know about it, right?" Ester put on a reluctant expression. How could she not? Almost every year, Ester restrained herself from entering the hall of one of the famous ballroom hotels during the celebration. It wasn't because she didn't receive an invitation; almost all of her colleagues who had connections with Mountain Pte would attend. The event, which attracted a lot of public attention, was one of the occasions to expand each guest's interests. However, Ester couldn't stand the fake affection that Leonel created. Mountain Pte, owned by Grisham, which Leonel managed well, was where the beloved dove of the Grisham family was released. Leonel greeted anyone who approached with a bright smile. His gaze was always submissive and courteous toward those around him. His steps were never far from Leonel and other members of the Grisham family. As for Ester? She was treated like any other guest. That's why she never had any intention of attending. She always used the excuse of conflicting photo shoot schedules or the classic reason of being out of town. "What does it have to do with me?" Ester asked softly, her eyes fixed on her conversation partner without intending to be distracted. "Do I have to tell you directly?" Josh replied with a condescending tone. Ester fell silent, which Josh took as an opportunity to continue speaking. "I've noticed several times recently that you've been able to enter that luxurious house. There must be a reason, right?" The remaining coffee in his cup was two or three sips, which Josh quickly finished. Even though his eyes were still fixed on his silent conversation partner, Josh didn't mind. "You should be able to... I can say, commit yourself more." The sound of the cup being placed down became their companion. Soft, melodic music played in the café as well. "You have a great opportunity, Ester. Don't waste it." "What about you?" Josh tilted his head, giving a slight grin. "I'll make the party the beginning for myself too." *** As he drove his luxury sedan towards his house, Leonel occasionally massaged the bridge of his nose. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, ready to pounce on anyone who disturbed him. Even though his heart was filled with restlessness due to the discussion at Chris's house, it only added to his burden of thoughts. What Chris said about the Grisham family was true. He was born as the only son, and many rules had to be upheld within their immediate family. Uncles and aunts from his father's and mother's sides still firmly held the long-established traditions. Chloe's offer was very tempting because Leonel knew and believed adapting there was challenging. He was puzzled himself; how could a simple girl like Chloe enter and be accepted so well into the heartbeat of the Grisham family? Considering their marriage was more advantageous for Chloe in material terms. Who wouldn't want the position of a daughter-in-law in the Grisham family? At a time when she could support many businesses, whether small or medium-scale. However, Chloe didn't take advantage of that. Not at all. "Besides, you've already brought Ester to your house, right?" Chris asked casually. "That means, indirectly, you're agreeing to what Chloe wants." "You know what Ester means to me, Chris," Leonel replied curtly. His eyes were no longer looking at Chris in front of him. He chose to enjoy the neatly organized and tidy workspace instead. "I've taken care of the divorce filing you requested. I'm just waiting for you to sign the papers." Leonel fell silent for a moment. The divorce was finally happening after being trapped in a loveless marriage for five years. Although Chloe played the role of a wife very well, in Leonel's eyes, love was still absent. Instead, in his imagination, Ester was there, sailing through life with him and not hiding like before. "Think carefully because once those papers are signed and returned to me, your divorce cannot be avoided." "This is Chloe's desire, not mine," Leonel quickly retorted. This made Chris sigh. "But this has been your wish for a long time. Chloe granted it because she is as she is now. Don't think I'm too blind to see your behavior out there, Leonel." The well-dressed man fell silent. "I already consider you as my child. Robby loves you, Agatha, too. They also know what Chloe means to you. But you..." Chris pointed. "You can't see Chloe from another perspective. Well, I understand and know how love works. It makes you forget that there's someone whose heart is in pain but trying to be okay." Leonel wanted to refute everything Chris said, but he couldn't. "Maybe you can deceive your parents, Leonel, but not me. I've been covering up all your actions outside with Ester. You know that for sure, right?" Chris sighed softly. "Think carefully about Chloe and what she has done for you all this time. Also, what she has endured during your marriage." "Take care of the larger share for her." Chris sighed. "That's not what I meant, Leonel." "But she's the one who asked for the divorce. She pressured me to grant it, including the absurdity of bringing Ester into the Grisham family." "After you two separate, won't Ester still be part of your family?" Leonel gritted his teeth. "Or do you intend to refrain from introducing Ester? Have a secret relationship behind your parents' backs? Is that it?" "Forget it; talking to you is making me more frustrated." Chris chuckled. "I'm not making you frustrated, Leonel. It's because you're not firm with your own heart. What is your desire all this time? If you want this divorce, you should happily accept it and hand it over to Chloe. Waiting for her to sign it, and then blam. Your relationship is over. You can be with Ester, marry her, live your life as you wish." Leonel fell into thought. "Think carefully. Is that what you want? Or just your selfishness?"