THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S LOST HEIR

Chapter 7

The security guards bowed to them as they walked into the company building. As they stepped into the large and vast entrance, they were greeted by the staff while they also whispered in awe behind their backs. 

“Oh my goodness, it's Jayden Romano.”

“I thought he was dead.”

“He grew up to be so good looking. Goodness!”

“Where has he been all these years? I heard he went missing.”

“There is a board meeting currently ongoing. We are late.” Estella informed Leonardo and they took the elevator to the top floor, where the meeting was being held. 

“Are you nervous?” She asked him as they disembarked from the elevator and walked down the hallway. “I mean, it's going to be your first board meeting. It's okay to be nervous.”

“Surprisingly, I am not.” He replied to her. “I look forward to the board meeting.”

As soon as they set foot into the board meeting, the once lively room suddenly fell silent for a few seconds and everyone in the room eyed Leonardo curiously. 

“Good day, ladies and gentlemen of the company's board of directors and investors.” Estella began, a small polite smile on her face. 

“Allow me to introduce to you, my dearest, long lost brother and the new CEO of the company…Jayden Romano.”

The eyes of the men and women in the room protruded in disbelief and some of them gasped softly. 

“No. This cannot be true. Is he truly Jayden Romano?” A voice whispered but loud enough for others to hear.

Leonardo caught a face that had gone pale and crimson white, as though the person had just seen a ghost. Although the pale face quickly hid its shock, Leonardo wasn't surprised. He expected it.

“Yes, he is.” Estella replied and some of the board members rose up from their seats and shook hands with Leonardo.

“Welcome back, sir. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“We are glad to have you again.”

And then, there was another young man who looked a few years older than Leonardo. He had a smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes and he shook Leonardo's hand firmly. 

“Little brother.” He called Leonardo and then added, “Don't tell me you have forgotten the face of your older brother already.”

“Antonio.” Leonardo's eyes softened at the realization that this man was his brother and he wondered how he could have forgotten those violet blue eyes and thick curly hair of his own brother.

“Let's have a reunion talk at your office after the meeting. Is that fine with you?”

“Sure.” Leonardo answered without any hesitation and Antonio sent him another smile again before he walked back to his seat.

“A little advice from your sister.” Estella whispered into his ears from behind, her eyes locked to Antonio as he sat down. “Do not trust him. Antonio is the devil himself.”

……………

After the board meeting, Estella showed Leonardo to his new office. It was a spacious, modern office that overlooked the rest of the city and Leonardo fell in love with it at first sight. 

“This used to be dad's office. But we had it rearranged and prepared for you before you came. How do you like it?”

“Very much.” Leonardo replied with a smile. “I like it very much, thank you.”

“You're welcome. I'm glad you are not as picky as the rest of us.”

Just then, a knock came on the door and the door was slowly pushed open to reveal Antonio, with a smile pasted on his face again. He walked towards Leonardo, ignoring the sneer on Estella's face. 

“Enjoying the view of your new office?” He asked Leonardo, who nodded in response.

“I most definitely am. They did a great job with it.” Then turning his head to face Estella again, he said to her. “Do you mind giving us some privacy?”

But Estella remained stubborn and rooted to her spot, a deep look of suspicion in her eyes. “Are you sure…”

“I'll call you when we are done.”

With a deep sigh of reluctant surrender, Estella walked past them, leaving the office. Once they were alone, Antonio spoke again with a small chuckle.

“I never take the things she does to heart. She is only a child.”

“Maybe she is.”

Antonio strolled around the office, his eyes surveying the entire room.

“You know, for fifteen years, we all thought you were dead. Well, except for mom and dad. My guess? Their strong faith kept you alive.” 

“It is a shame that I didn't get to see them alive when I finally found my way back home.” Leonardo plodded himself on his seat and Antonio drew himself another seat and sat down in front of him.

“But I am curious about one thing, though.” His eyes dimmed as if he was trying to decipher something on his mind. 

“Where were you all those years? And why couldn't we find you even though we literally curbed the entire country in search of you?”

“I have been right here all along.” Leonardo replied. “Living with a poor couple, whom I thought were my parents until they died a few years later and left me alone to fend for myself. My life was hell.”

“Really?” Antonio's brow rose and something like amusement played in his eyes. “Permit me to ask you a question brother. Do you think it is right to wake up from the dead just one day and claim everything that shouldn't be yours in the first place?”

Leonardo could see the greed and ambitions in Antonio's eyes as he spoke. And that was when he knew Estella was right all along. Antonio was not to be trusted. 

“And do you have a problem with that, dear brother?” He leaned in and whispered into Leonardo's face and as they stared daggers into each other's eyes, Antonio suddenly burst into laughter and ruffled Leonardo's hair playfully.

“Oh, come on. Why should I? I am super happy for you. You are my little brother, after all.” 

Leonardo pulled his head away from Antonio's touch, his eyes still locked to him. He knew the games Antonio was playing already and he was not that dumb to fall for it. He glanced at his wristwatch before looking back at Antonio again.

“Do you have somewhere to be at?” Antonio asked, taking notice of his action.

“Yes.” Leonardo rose from his seat. “I have to pick up my daughter from school.”

“Woah. You have a daughter? Would you look at that!” Antonio chuckled again but Leonardo's face was as plain as ever. 

“Stay in the office for as long as you like. Have fun.” He said to Antonio one last time before leaving the office. 

As soon as he stepped outside his office, he was surprised to see Sophie waiting by the hallway. As soon as she saw him, she hurried over to him, a smile plastered on her face.

“Leo…”

“Jayden Romano.” He corrected her immediately. “That is my name.”

Sophie looked a little taken aback by Leonardo's harsh response but she composed herself again and slipped a smile back on her face.

“Oh. Please, forgive my ignorance, Mr. Jayden Romano. I was just wondering…”

“What do you want?” Leonardo went straight to the point, ignoring her fake acts.

“To apologize.” Her eyes softened and grew teary. “For everything I did to you. For the divorce. For sleeping with your best friend...”

“You can sleep with him however you like. I don't care anymore. Goodluck to you two and to your soon to be born baby.” He finalized and made to walk away but she held him back by the arm sharply to stop him. 

“Leo…please.”

He turned his eyes to her, cold and hateful. “The next time you touch me with those filthy whore hands of yours, I promise that you will regret ever coming close to me. You disgust me.”

So saying, he snatched his hand away from Sophie, almost causing her to lose her balance.