Wife For Sale

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

The Meeting

October 14, 2011. 9:00 PM. Geoffrey came late to Doña Laureana’s birthday party. The first person he looked for at the spacious garden of Villar Mansion was Leianne. She was sitting alone by the gazebo when he joined her. It was situated in the garden but a little secluded.

He said and stood by the bench in front of her, “We meet again, Leianne.” He looked at her attentively. Her looks hadn’t changed. She still had that alluring pixie haircut.

Leianne was surprised, “Is that you Geoffrey?”

He smiled. He was glad she still remembered him, “Yeah.” They hugged each other.

She smiled, “It’s nice to see you walking again.” They sat next to each other.

“Yeah but I still limp a little. I had to use a cane to lessen the possibility of slips,” he answered with less confidence. “So why are you alone here? Everyone was having fun at the garden.”

“I just need a moment of quietness. I’m not really into parties. Besides I don’t like the idea of my Lola matching me to a prospective husband who can help the family business,” she told him. In the past, they had been very comfortable talking to each other. It still felt the same at such moment.

“Yeah, I was told that you were behind the rehabilitation of the company financially,” he responded.

She freely told him how, “I’m into writing children’s storybooks. I’m earning well. That’s the least I can do for my grandparents.”

He then guessed, “So you’re Gabrielle Ruiz?”

She smiled, “How did you know?”

“I have all your three books. I’m a fan. I’m not a child anymore but the stories were all so inspiring. Knowing about you and your family, I may say that you had written your first book based from Ian, your second book based from a patient of yours – me, and your third book based from your Tita Adelle,” he deduced.

“You’re still the same, Geoffrey. You can always see through me,” she smiled and commented. “So you still haven’t gained your full confidence after the accident.”

“You can also see through me, Leianne. Yes, I haven’t been the same confident Geoffrey Torres. Most of the women who approached me were just after the luxury that I can provide. They don’t like the limping Geoffrey Torres but only the rich me,” he answered. “Your sister for example, I know she isn’t fully interested in me but she was trying very hard to lure me for your father’s sake.”

“Whoever wished to marry Ian or me will definitely be in a big trouble,” she stated. “I still don’t have concrete proof but I think my own father and uncle are behind my grandmother’s poisoning, my mother’s car accident, my aunt’s abduction and my brother’s gun shot. It will just be a matter of time until I become the next victim.”

“So you’d rather don’t marry,” he assumed.

She asked him in response, “If you were in my situation would you?”

“I cannot answer for you. I can only answer for myself. Let me help you, Leianne,” he answered. “I need a wife who can fully understand me and you need a husband who can help you, your family and the company.”

She had sensed his sincerity. “I appreciate your willingness to help me out, Geoff but this is a family crisis. I believe that we can sort things out by ourselves.”

“It’s more for me, Leianne. You’re the only woman who can fully understand me. I also know that you are not after the luxurious life that I can provide. You can turn your back on this family crisis and have the quiet life you, your mother and your brother had in USA but you all chose to stay because you value your family so much. I need a wife like that so help me and be my wife,” he expounded.