After Divorce, Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant
Chapter 82 It’s Game Over.

Chapter 82: Chapter 82 It’s Game Over.

As the Emcee’s voice echoed within the event halls, most, if not all of the guest, pausing their current activities to look in the direction of the entrance and watching as Angelina strode in with high and confident shoulders, they began to whisper the exact same question Leonica could have asked herself had she been an outside person, who had been aware of Angelina and Gabriel’s relationship, just like the rest of them.

And soon, one of those outside people, Cassandra Romero Namely, soon found her way over to her daughter’s side and tugged her aside by the arm. “What is that witch doing here?” She whispered through seethed teeth.

“Mom, please calm down,” Leonica tried to sooth her mother after gauging her anger. Not that she could blame her, if she had been her own mother, she would have given her an ear full, and a long lectured and then saw to it that Angelina was escorted off the premises, immediately. But what could she do, it was Ashley’s request after all.

“Don’t tell your mother to calm down, Leonica, answer the question.” Benjamin had slid right into the scene, looking as displeased as his wife, before she could even begin talk less finish her explanation.

“Dad, Mom, calm down,” She repeated, this time around with more determination to get them both to hear her explanation before they went eating her out, for very valid reasons. Once they were calm and she noticed, Leonica muttered a brief ‘thank you’ before she proceeded to her simple explanation. “It’s because of Ashley. Angelina... protected him during a scaffolding incident, and instantly painted this holy saint picture in his head, so he couldn’t help but invite her.”

“What?” Cassandra asked with creased brows. And no, she wasn’t asking for a repeated explanation, neither was she in surprised that Angelina had turned over a new leaf all of a sudden, she was in disbelief over the fact that her own daughter, as smart as she is and aware of Angelina’s deceit, had allowed Ashley, a five years old child who didn’t even know the witch as well as she did, make such a decision. “You allowed that thing come here because your son requested for it.”

Well, if put that way, then it made her sound like a mother who is totally whipped for her son, and she was, and she’d be lying if she said that hadn’t been the only reason, but it wasn’t. Even though she refused to admit it, some part of her had bulged because Gabriel had sided Ashley’s request.

Swallowing thickly, she caused whatever part of her that still thought about Gabriel.

For Christ sake, she had been married to him for two years, two freaking years in which he never for once showed any sign of love towards her, not even when they were in their matrimonial bed, making love, and he even had the audacity to hit her when she confronted when about bringing his mistress home, yet, after all that, she still allowed thoughts of him get the better of her.

‘Can you be any less stupid, Leonica Romero?’ She thought as she stood there, feeling like a child who was getting scolded over staying out late, whilst getting ready for her mother’s lash out.

But it never came.

Sighing, Cassandra tried to calm down, reminding herself that the person she should be angry at was Angelina and not her daughter. Benjamin’s hand on her shoulder aided a great deal in the task.

“Ashley’s request or not Leonica, that woman isn’t meant to be here, so you best keep an eye on her, I don’t want anything disastrous happening tonight.”

Leonica forced a smile, nodding at her mother’s words. “I understand mother.”

From the corner of her eyes, Cassandra spotted Ashley pulling Lloyd and Anastasia into the party venue by their hands.

‘At last.’ She thought, giving parting words to her daughter before she left to rescue her grandson from the hands of his god mother and father.

Once Cassandra was out of hearing range, Leonica turned to face her father, long since having noticed his burning stares. “What is it, Dad?” She asked.

Benjamin remained silent. Even though he had heard Leonica’s explanation and wasn’t convinced that was the entire story, or rather, her complete reason, he didn’t push on further. Instead, he smiled seconds after her question and stepped forward, pecking her on the forehead.

“Since when was it a crime to admire how beautiful my daughter looks.” He said, grinning at the unconvinced look Leonica threw his way.

‘Ah, like father like daughter.’ The thought made him chuckle.

“You really look lovely tonight. Melvin would be proud if he could see you like this.”

“Yeah?” Leonica mused, looking to the floor as her eyes became misty at the memory of the familiar and well missed individual.

Not wanting his daughter to develop a mood that could potentially ruin the party, he announced. “Come on, let’s go join the others, it seems like Ashley’s about to open his presents.” He beckoned her over, taking her hand in his and walking towards the crowd of guests who were all gathering to see the presents Ashley had been gifted.

Situated beside her father, Leonica’s eyes had unwillingly roamed the crowd. She grimaced and quickly looked away as her eyes found Gabriel situated on the other side of the crowd, staring at her.

Even after she looked, trying her very best to focus on Ashley, who was currently peeling the wrapping off a red toy car and after a green toy car of the same model, she could still feel his eyes on her.

God, why did she have to be so aware of him? She thought as she swallowed thickly, shifted her stance, tapped her foot, avoided his gaze, doing just about anything to get the feeling of his eyes off her and focus elsewhere, thankfully, the lord she serves above delivered her the perfect distraction less than a minute later.

“Unbelievable,” Anastasia scowled at the toy cars Ashley had been holding. They were of different colors but the same model and version. In normal cases, she would have shrugged it off, mere coincidence for her to have picked the same thing as someone else. But not in this case, not when the person who picked the exact same model as her, was Lloyd.

Turning toward the male in question, who was currently grinning at her as if he was already aware of his doing, she asked. “Do you always have to copy everything I do?”

“Who’s to say I copied you?” He defended. “Ever heard of the word coincidence, hm?”

His words incited anger in Anastasia, but luckily, she held herself back at the last moment. “You’re right.” Instead of battling more words with him, she turned back to Ashley, kneeling to his level and gently asking. “Ash, sweetie, be a darling and tell everyone, who’s present do you prefer more. Mine? Or,” She looked over at Lloyd, not trying for a moment to hide the look of displeasure on her face. “That one’s own?”

“Uh,” Ashley wanted to pick the red car, Lloyd’s present, but after seeing Anastasia’s expectant face, he hesitated.

Leonica, from where she stood, could see how troubled her son felt. He obviously wanted to pick the red toy, which came in his favorite color, but didn’t want to upset Anastasia. Deciding it was time to help her son, who had been stuck between Lloyd and Anastasia since earlier today, she stepped forward and took Ashley by his hand.

Ignoring Anastasia’s grumbles from behind, she faced her son. “Ash, are you done with your presents? Would you like to meet your special guest for tonight?”

“Yes.” Ashley answered quickly, half thankful that his mother had saved him and half excited to meet his favorite cartoon character.

Leonica excused them both and made a beeline for where Owen was. All the while Ashley fantasized about how it would feel to meet Sucky Bunny for the first time, in real life. He almost couldn’t contain his excitement.

“You must be really excited for this.” Leonica said as she felt his hand tighten around her.

“Mhm hm.” Ashley nodded, earning a chuckle from her. A few more steps after that brought them face to face with a handsome looking uncle, he didn’t know.

“Owen, this is my son. Ashley, this is Sucky Bunny...at least his voice actor.” She muttered the last parts.

“You must be Ashley,” Owen lowered himself to the child’s height after having a few words with his mother. “You’re mother has told me a lot about you.” He offered his hand.

Ashley looked at Owen’s hand and then went on his tippy toe, trying to see behind him.

“Ashley? What are you doing?” Leonica questioned when she noticed his strange behavior.

“Looking for Sucky Bunny.” Came his honest answer. Sure, the man in front of him sounded like his favorite character, but he looked... off.

His facial structures were nothing like his favorite Character. No funny ears or elongated front teeth and he definitely wasn’t the height of a growing panda. This handsome uncle in front of him was taller than even his mother and last he checked, his mother’s height was taller than a growing panda.

When he failed in locating his funny looking character, he said. “You look nothing like him.”

“Who?” Owen asked.

“Sucky Bunny.”

Owen chuckled and shifted closer, bringing his voice down to a dramatic whisper as if he intended to tell a secret. “That’s because your mommy casted a spell on me. She turned me into a more handsome version so I could attend your party.”

Hearing this, Ashley’s eyes lighted up. “Really?”

Owen nodded. “Yeah. You can ask your mother if you don’t believe me.”

And he did. The child turned to face his mother with so much speed that Leonica was startled by his movement. “Mommy, is it true that you casted a spell on Sucky Bunny? Are you Larissa?”

Larissa was the female character from Ruckus house that had a magic wand and posse’s magic powers. Yup, I know what you’re thinking; Larissa is such a normal name, so how does Sucky Bunny fit into that equation.

Beats her, Leonica had thought the exact same thing when she watched the first three episodes of Ruckus house and then proceeded to watch the entire three seasons.

“Wow Ashley, how did you find out?” Leonica acted surprised, going along with Owen’s act. Ashley giggled and placed his finger against his lip, making a silent gesture, but still glancing back at Owen who winked at him. “Well now that you’ve discovered our secrets, you have to keep it a secret.”

“I can do that.”

“Good, now first, let’s start by calling Sucky over here, by his code name. Owen.”

“Why should I do that?” Ashley questioned with creased brows.

Leonica shook her head and index finger at the same time. “Come on Ashley, we don’t want Madam Pokeyo finding out that he’s been transformed into a handsome prince. She could take away my magic and kidnap Sucky... Owen I mean. Do you want that?”

“No.” Ashley shook his head quickly.

“That’s good. Now tell me, for that not to happen, what do we call Sucky?”

“Owen.” Ashley answered.

Owen and Leonica smiled together, the latter reaching down and ruffling her son’s hair. “Good boy.”

After enjoying the treatment from his mother, Ashley turned towards Owen and asked. “Sucky... Owen, can I... hug you?”

Opening his hand, Owen beckoned him over. “Bring it in partner.”

Ashley didn’t hesitate in jumping into the open arms of his favorite character. With his face snuggled in Owen’s chest and mind momentarily relishing in the feeling of having his favorite character hold him, Ashley missed the silent words of gratitude exchanged between his mother and voice actor of said character.

Meanwhile, Gabriel watched from beside the present table, fingers clenched tightly around his glass of wine. Watching Ashley become so friendly with a total stranger made the protective side of a father inside him flare to life. And watching Leonica laugh and smile at the very same Artist Lloyd had teased him about back at the club, had a familiar feeling of anger mixed with jealousy, rising to his chest.

Suddenly, his view was blocked by a familiar back.

“Ashley, darling, happy birthday.”

The sound of Angelina’s voice had all three of them turning towards where she stood, present in hand. Leonica instantly tensed up, recalling her mother’s words. Owen sensed her sudden change in demeanor and was equally on guard. Whereas, Ashley smiled happily at his supposed savior.

“Thank you Aunt Angelina. Is that my present?” He asked after spotting the wrapped gift.

“Yes, it... it’s for you.” Angelina said and then looked to Leonica. “May... may I?” She asked, wanting permission before she stepped forward and handed her present to the child.

Leonica was clearly reluctant, but three tugs from Ashley had her sighing and soon granting the permission needed. “Be my guest.” She reluctantly said and watched as the present was handed to Ashley and he peeling it open, less than a second later.

“Whoa!” He exclaimed upon seeing his present from Angelina was the popular figurine his classmates had been bragging about all month. Apparently it was set to come out middle of next month but their parents had already pre ordered theirs. However, thanks to Angelina, he had gotten it ahead of the release date.

Ashley couldn’t help but offer her a big, genuine smile. “Thanks a lot, Aunty Angelina!” She said, staring at him with fond eyes.

Pretentious fond eyes.

Like hell she was happy seeing Leonica and Ashley, uh, don’t even get her started on that little parasite that constantly reminded her of Leonica and Gabriel’s union.

But that wouldn’t be for only, because the moment the needle inside his beloved figurine pokes him, its game over.