Marrying my high school bully

Melissa

Seeing that everyone was already seated in the boardroom, including Leonardo and the rest of the staff, I stood up to address them.

“I’m sure you are all wondering why I called for this impromptu meeting. It’s because we have an important announcement to make, but before that, I’d like to appreciate everyone who is working tirelessly to ensure that Hills Jewelry is back to the top again.” I said and they followed my speech with an ovation.

I spoke to them with an air of confidence, passing glances at Leonardo who tried to hide his frown.

If only he knew what I had in store for him today, he wouldn’t be present at the meeting at all. But I found a way to lure him here, promising him that I was going to help him return to his former position.

“You all showed me love and unwavering support, and in these few days of working together, we have been able to convince Troy Golds to partner with us. The partnership will be more beneficial to us because of their influence in the market, but sadly, I won’t be able to continue as CEO in the meantime.” I announced and the previously silent room became noisy with murmurs.

The members stared at each other, muttering inaudible words of disapproval while I folded my arms.

I glanced at Leonardo who smirked and relaxed on the headboard. Since he was sitting close to me, it wasn’t hard for me to see the thumbs-up he flashed at me.

“You can’t do that, Miss Rogers. Ever since you stepped into the leadership position, the fate of the company has turned around for the better. We make good profits because of how well you’ve been able to inspire the sales and marketing department, and the rate of our stocks has also increased. Please tell us why you want to hand it over to someone else, and who you have in mind.” Mrs () said.

I took a deep sigh and leaned on the large desk. “You all don’t have to be worried about anything, because I’ll be handing over to someone very capable. A lot of things are going on in my life presently, and I don’t want to be inefficient, hence, the reason for my decision.”

“So who is it then?” She snapped.

“Relax, madam, they’ll be here any moment from now.” I smiled curtly.

A tap by my side got my attention, then I gazed at Leonardo, whose face had turned red. He probably wasn’t expecting the twist, and I wished to tell him to sit tight because there was more from where it came from.

“This wasn’t the plan.” He muttered through his clenched teeth.

The door flung open, with Mr Manor and Mrs Gonzales trotting in. I sank onto my chair and locked my gaze with Leonardo who pushed his chair backwards in a bid to run away.

“You!” He pointed at Mr Manor, “What are you doing here?” He yelled.

Mr Manor ignored him, going through the copy of the documents I returned to him some days back. When he finished, he darted his gaze towards Leonardo and chuckled.

I liked how brave he looked. The fact that he was not as broken and messed up as he was the first time I went to visit him, showed that he had gotten his life back on track.

And I also noticed something else, which was the connection he had with Mrs Gonzales. I didn’t mind any ways, because they both made a great team and they would help each other to heal from their traumatic pasts.

“I’d like to make a formal introduction of both of them. Mr Manor, and Mrs Gonzales, can you both get up?” I asked politely and they did.

“Mr Manor here used to be my mother’s lawyer. Miss Sarah Hills.”

“What!” Half of them chorused simultaneously.

“How can that be possible?”

“You are Miss Melissa Rogers. How can your mother’s name be Sarah Hills?”

“Miss Hills had only one daughter before she died and her name is Lorraine Hills. So why are you trying to impersonate her?”

A series of questions were asked by some of the board members who were already riled up, so I had to come up with a quick explanation that might lead me to reveal my identity.

“I’m not impersonating anyone, I’m simply her daughter,” I stated casually. “She gave birth to me and died by the hands of this wicked man seated beside me.” I pointed at Leonardo.

His orbs widened in fear as he shook his head vehemently. “I didn’t do that, she is lying.”

“You say I’m lying?” I scoffed. “There’s a lot of evidence to back up my claims, and I have them ready.” The screen behind me came on and the old video that was taken by Dante when I was kidnapped began to play.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Everything he said, including how he killed my mother and planned to take over her company was displayed.

His eyes lit up with realization as he gasped loudly. “How did you get the video?”

“I have my ways, Leonardo. And for your information, Emilia’s pretty ass is locked up in the station. It’s just a matter of time before the case becomes official and the both of you will be tried.” I informed him, enjoying the horrified look that blazed in his darkened eyes.

I reveled in his fear, just the way he did while I was in pain.

“Just because of your selfish interest, you murdered Mr Manor’s family in cold blood. He almost lost his sanity because of what you did to him.” My statement wasn’t loud, but the hurtful tone behind it was enough to incite his guiltthat was if he still had a conscience. “You bring nothing but pain to everyone around you, and that’s why you aren’t going to leave here without getting the due punishment. I told you that I’d have my revenge, right? Well, here I am.”

His lips were parted as he slid down the wall he leaned on, sinking to the ground with beads of sweat cascading down his face.

“Lorraine? Are you back?” He asked with uncertainty.

“It’s Melissa now. Only family members are allowed to call me by my old name.” I warned him sternly.

The cops were already around, awaiting my order so that they could come and whisk him away. Any other thing that I’d say to him would be during his trial.

I quickly sent a text to Inspector James and immediately, he trooped in with other cops, their guns raised in mid-air which were directed at Leonardo who raised his hands in surrender.

“Don’t try to do anything smart, Mr Jones. We don’t want to do this the hard way.” Inspector James said with a very calm voice while approaching him carefully.

Then he burst into a fit of scornful laughter, and in a fleeting second, he produced a gun from his pocket. My chest tightened as I hid under the table, knowing that I was his target.

I could hear the chairs being shuffled, and the members scampered for their safety. I didn’t blame them, as they had seen firsthand how crazy Leonardo could get.

“If you people don’t leave right now, I’m going to shoot anyone I see.” He rumbled, as he advanced towards them.

In total, there were about five cops in the boardroom, and I wished that they wouldn’t fall for any game that Leonardo was about to play.

They could shoot him dead for all I care.

“Drop your gun, Mr. Jones, this place has already been surrounded by the American police. There’s no hiding place for you.”

Leonardo’s voice cracked, and then he let out his signature devilish chuckle that used to send shivers down my spine when I still lived with him. He was the definition of a psychopath who had crazy methods of making anyone do what he wanted.

A gunshot resonated into the air followed by heavy footsteps headed towards the door. I raised my head and found Leonardo running out with the cops chasing after him.

I palmed my forehead as fear laced with disappointment enveloped me. Then I realized that he was on the loose, so he was still a threat to my family and me.

Several gunshots rang outside, but they were of no use. He wasn’t going to be caught that way.

It had to end, and there was only one way to achieve that.