Wife For Sale

Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The True Identity of Gabrielle Ruiz

 

January 18, 2013. Friday. Leianne appeared at Moms live. Suzie Abrenica, a mother herself was the host of the late morning talk show.

Suzie Abrenica’s introduction went like this – “Our special guest mom for today is a famous children’s storybook writer and illustrator. All her five books namely Ivan, Jefferson, Adelaine, Ella and the most recent, The Dame and the Brute were all bestsellers. Today, she will reveal to us her true identity. She was born on March 9, 1982 in Los Angeles, California with both pure Filipino parents. She had a career as a successful physical therapist until she went back for good in the country on her twenty-sixth birthday. Her grandfather died a day before her twenty-sixth birthday. It was her grandfather’s dying wish for her and her brother to return and reunite their clan broken by jealousy and anger. As she tried to mend the broken pieces of her clan, she had managed to have a career as a children’s storybook writer and illustrator. Without further ado, let’s all welcome Mommy Gabrielle Ruiz.”

All the people at the studio welcomed her by a standing ovation. She wasn’t disguised anymore as Gabrielle Ruiz. She wasn’t wearing an eyeglasses or her wig. She was on her usual pixie haircut, white classic shirt elegantly tucked on her black skinny denim jeans and red pointed toes high heel pumps. She was wearing the bracelet her husband gave her as an anniversary gift, her favorite small clear diamond stud earrings on a white gold base she bought from her first ever salary as a physical therapist, her wedding ring, and her favorite white gold wristwatch Geoffrey had given to her before she left Los Angeles, California for good almost five years ago.

Suzie Abrenica gave her a bouquet of different colored carnations. They sat down by the comfy single couches facing each other as well as the audience.

Suzie preempted the interview and paused for a commercial break.

When the TV show aired again, the interview started.

Suzie stated, “I’m sure everyone here at the studio are all eager to know your true identity, ma’am. So who is the real woman behind Gabrielle Ruiz?”

Leianne answered, “I’m Mrs. Leianne Villar-Torres.”

Everyone who didn’t know was so surprised. They couldn’t believe that the very simple wife of the former basketball star player was the same famous writer/illustrator.

Suzie asked then, “Why did you use a pseudonym and where did the pseudonym originate, ma’am?

Leianne answered, “Suzie, please feel free to call me Lei. This is one reason I opted using pseudonym. I don’t like much of the formalities. I happen to have successful grandparents. I don’t like any special treatment because I’m carrying the surname Villar. I want to be appreciated for my work not because I’m a Villar but because my work has the merit. Gabrielle was my favorite name. I once came across such name when I was still a child. Ruiz, then is my mother’s maiden name.”

Suzie inquired, “Who were you inspirations for your five books?”

Leianne answered, “My first book Ivan was a story I based from my brother Ian. He has Asperger Syndrome. I was inspired to write such story book so as to let the people know that despite having such disorder won’t stop a person from succeeding. My inspiration for my second book was a very special patient I had encountered five years ago. He had badly injured both his feet from a motocross accident which ended his career as a professional basketball player; ramp and commercial model movie and TV personality; and professional  motorcycle racer.”