The Missing Piece

Chapter 31 (Everything at stake)

Call it a hunch or not but Gilbert had a really awful feeling brewing inside his chest.

"Was the information really correct?" He asked his older son Francesco who looked far too relaxed but a bit confused at his father's irratic behaviour. Sure he had his moments sometimes but the oldest son had never seen him sweating due to stress.

"Hmm. Andre is looking at it himself. It was just a normal kidnapping. I can't understand why you seem so weary."

Gilbert's hands shook slightly. Francesco cautiously noticed. He leaned forward, putting his hands crossed on the table.

"What are you not telling me?" He asked.

A glint of something close to fear passed in his father's eyes. Francesco was quick to catch it.

"This kidnapping is far from anything normal. If those brothers struggled to stop that measly kidnapping, then it is fucking serious. I have a feeling that this won't just end here."

"And, what do you mean by that?" Alexander's voice interrupts them.

Francesco and Gilbert both looked up to find him standing at the doorway.

"You are most likely implying that someone is on to the Lambordi family. I don't care about rest of them but Leila is mine! She is my prey and I won't let--" This was Alexander's turn to being cut off.

He looks at his raging father stunned while holding his face where he just got smacked.

"YOU FOOL! It's not only those bastard's family on line! This is a sign that everything we and they built is on the sake!"

It was Alexander's turn to face his father in shock. Even Francesco couldn't mask his surprise for a split second.

"And, why is that?"

Gilbert took a deep breath, trying to calm himself but it did no work. He could feel his nerves shaking. Worry was eating up his insides.

"First thing first, arrange a meeting with Silas and Lambordi's. We would really need to work together once again."

Alexander turned to look at his brother feeling doubts and questions playing in his own mind.

"It all started even long before Sofia Lambordi was kidnapped----"

****************

Leila could only think that Mrs. Silas was kind. The woman was actually her godmother but it didn't dull the fact that she never really got to spend some quality time with her except tonight.

The said woman was tending to her feet, massaging them thoroughly with oil. For god sake, she was the queen of an empire. But the way she was treating her so kindly, with the touch of motherly had made the poor girl's eyes water again.

She was somehow glad that Jennet probably think she was shaken up or missing her brothers, thus the reason of her sadness.

But unaware to her, Jennet was completely aware. She was a mother of two even if she didn't give birth to one of them. She still understood. The reason, because she loved her kids so dearly and Jennet placed Leila amongst two of her sons.

"I think it's enough, aunt Jennet. I feel better now and my ankles feel perfectly fine. It's getting late now. You should head to bed." She said quietly.

Jennet smiled at her and finally stopped massaging her feet.

"Do not worry my dear. I will go to sleep after knowing you are well rested."

Leila blinked a little, a barely noticeable smile coming across her lips.

"Thank you so much for everything, Aunt Jennet. Caring for me and letting me stay a night here."

Jennet gasps playfully, placing her hands on her cheeks.

"My my. You are too polite like your mother." The words made Leila blush, a bit embarassed. It had been too many times since she was compared to her mother, having similar emotional and facial traits but everytime it made her feel weird.

In truth, she was not even far too close to her mother's beauty.

"Let me tell you something intersting." Jennet's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked up at Jennet curiously who gracefully put her elbow on her knee, holding one side of her face with her hand and a gentle smile playing on her face as if she reminisced some memory.

"When I and your mother were in our junior year, the school organised a trip to a hill station. There, I slipped and fell resulting in the same position as you with my ankle sprained. Sofia kept awake whole night, taking care of me just like I'm doing to you. So, it's just like I'm returning my best friend's favour."

Leila watched her surprised for a moment at the newfound information.

"Oh." She could only voice out after few moments.

"Thanks aunt Jennet for sharing this with me."

Jennet moved forward to ruffle her hair affectionately. Leila's eyes followed her moves, a bit dazed.

"Your welcome, Leila. This was one of the many treasured memories that I won't mind sharing with you."

She said while tucking her to the bed.

A bit of persuading later, Jennet finally left after making sure that the girl was really falling asleep. This was going to be the troublesome night for her. It was likely that she will have nightmares but Jennet wanted to be here for help. However, she didn't want to intrude her privacy. Every person had different way of coping with traumatic experience.

Jennet would again have to remind herself that Leila and Sofia might be same in many things but still there were few differences. Sofia had nightmares. A very awful one and Jennet was always there to support her when they were young and grew older until she married and her husband took that responsibility.

Jennet wasn't sure what to say. She knew Leila but didn't know her perfectly. Maybe, she had shared this thing all along with her mother too.

With a small sigh bubbling in her throat, she headed out of the room only to pause as her eyes found her husband's. He was leaning against the wall, seemingly in deep thought.

"I'm worried about what's going to happen next." Aurelio speaks slowly.

Jennet could not help but share the worrisome look back.

"Is your hunch was correct? Could it be  really him?"
Jennet paused for a moment before carefully choosing her words.

"But even if he is alive after all those years, why would he target Leila? He must know that she is hi--"

Aurelio winced at the mention and seeing this Jennet went quiet.

"Don't worry. It cannot be him. Lucifer had said that he was dead. This is merely a coincidence."

His eyes moved to the closed door of the room where Leila finally fell into a peaceful slumber.

"We will be meeting King and Lambordi's tomorrow. But first, call Ace and Adriano in meeting room. This is urgent. They need to know and be prepared."

Jennet could only nod and followed behind her husband. Unbeknownst to all these, Leila was having her sleep invaded by nightmares but a ray of hope protected her everytime. It belonged to none other than her brothers. In her sleep too, she trusted they would save her.

They had promised!