I Want You Back

Angel Leffman

As soon as I got home, the unexpected happened, and my mother and Angelica bombarded me with complaints regarding Sofia.

"Do you know what she told me? That is, if it weren't for her, we wouldn't be able to enter the club. That I should know my place." My mom was the first to complain with a sneer.

"Yes, Angel. She also told us that if she wanted, she could have us taken out of the club." Angelica followed my mother with a pout like she was merely five-years-old.

"Angel, won't you say anything? Sofia insulted your mother, your sister, and poor innocent Elisa." My mother scolded me as if I were a child.

"Yes, brother, she even told Elisa to learn manners and that she's still a Leffman and not her."

My silence clearly annoyed them, and my mother even stomped her foot. "Angel! We're talking to you, and you're not even saying anything!"

"What do you want me to tell you, Mom? Sofia is right. Everything she said is right." I saw how their eyes widened in disbelief. "You have a membership to the clubhouse because that's what you requested when we got married. So if you are a member, it is thanks to Sofia. Visit Job ni b-.com to read the complete chapters for free. Removing you there would be a hassle, but not impossible for her. In case you forget, her family is one of the most influential families in the country, and that clubhouse. What she said to Elisa is also right. She's still my wife."

My mom huffed and crossed her arms. "She still shouldn't have treated us like that; besides, we are influential as well. We have the same status or even more than them," she commented, and I laughed.

"Mom, yes, we have money, we are known, and people respect us, but we cannot be compared to them. The Andrews are a lot more ahead of us, and you two." I pointed at the two of them. "The privileges you're enjoying are all thanks to her, so be careful of your actions."

"So you're now defending her instead of your family?" Mom asked in an upset tone. "Unbelievable. You forgot what that woman did to you and to us."

"No, mom, I haven't forgotten. How could I when you remind me with every chance you get? But it's you who seemed to forget how you're enjoying and getting all you have."

Angelica glared at me. "Big brother! You shouldn't talk to our mother like that! Sofia is the mean one here, and she should remember her place!"

"And pray, tell me what place you are talking about here, Angelica? Sofia is an Andrew, from an influential family, a member of every club and event you can access, a Leffman, my wife. So tell me, what is her place if not those?"

"Angel, what is wrong with you, and why are you talking to us like that?" Mom asked incredulously.

"Because all you do is complain, complain, and complain some more. Mother, it's all thanks to Sofia that you can flaunt your branded clothes and accessories to everyone at clubs and parties, and the same goes for you, Angelica. So it isn't her who should know her place but you two." I told them and left them with their mouths hanging open.

Pops greeted me with a smile, and he patted my back. "How are you, Angel? Where is your wife?"

"Still stubborn as ever. I just hope she's resting after experiencing the effect of forgetting to take her meds. And we argued a little. You know her, pops," I told him with a shake of my head.

"Oh, Sofia. She should take better care of herself."

"She's not because she's stubborn like that."

"You did good, by the way. It's time your mother and sister remembered their place."

I groaned and massaged my temple. "They are driving me insane, pops. I know what Sofia did isn't right, but two of three aren't either."

"That's what women in our lives are. They drive us insane," Pops joked with a laugh.

I licked my lips and turned serious. "Pops, what if what you thought was the truth this time were actually lies?"

"The truth might hurt you, but it's better than letting yourself get fooled by lies."

"What if the truth hurts more?"

"Do you want to continue living like before? When you lose a diamond, it will be hard to have it again."

"If I really did something wrong, Sofia is too high and proud to forgive someone."

"If it's for that reason, you cannot ignite a fire with gasoline, son."

"You are a smart man, pops. How come you like her so much while everyone in this house hates her?"

Pops taps his temple before patting my chest. "Because it'll be hard to fool me at this age, son. I know how to observe and analyze, something that you, my clever grandson, have in business but lack in your personal life." "Do you also think that I've been manipulated because I'm naive?"

"Who said that?" He asked with a frown, but one look from me and he knew. "Little Sofia."

"Excuse me." Our maid, Emily, interrupted us. "The dinner is ready, and they are waiting for you."

"Thanks, Emily."

"Let's eat, pops."

Pops gripped my shoulder. "I hope it'll be a peaceful one." We both laughed at his joke. "By the way, I'm glad you still see Sofia as your wife."

"You don't like Elisa, right? After what happened last time, I know you didn't like that I bought her."

"I have advice for you, son. Do not let impulsiveness ruin what could be something good for you. Maybe it's time you look for answers with a cool mind."

"Sofia is an expert at making me lose my temper, pops."

"You are not a saint yourself. You are not that easy to get along with as well, Angel," Pops said with a chuckle.

"I know. And I know I should look for the truth even though it might ruin me."

"That's right, son, it's time you leave naivety behind and face reality."

We reached the dining table, where my family was already seated and chatting. We joined them, but my mind kept on wandering.

"Angel, where's your mind?" My dad snapped me out of my stupor.

"At business, dad."

"Is there any problem? Don't tell me that Sofis is already bothering you."

"I know her, and I wouldn't be surprised. You can expect anything from that woman." My mom interjected with a huff.

"I know that Sofia's already changing things in the company. Don't leave her to ruin it, Angel," Dad told me, and I felt more tired than ever.

"I agree with Dad; she shouldn't make decisions by herself."

"Sofia's doing a great job like always, Dad. It's her company, so she's free to do what she wants."

"It's our family business, so you shouldn't leave it to her just because you broke things off with her."

God, give me enough patience to deal with this.

"I am not leaving it to her, Dad, but Sofia is now the president and owner of the company, and she has every right to change whatever she wants," I said, trying to hold in my annoyance.

"Angel, do not talk to your father that way!" Mom reprimanded me.

"Did you forget what that woman did to marry you? She's the reason."

I cut my father off before he could finish. "Behind everything, you are all enjoying."

"Angel, that is our company, and you cannot let her have that!" My father said, his voice rising at every word.

"Dad, I'm not gonna let anything happen to it because it is Sofia and I's company. Why you're claiming it as yours, what have you really done for it? Mom, you spent most of your time in clubs, and events, you even haven't set foot on the company. Dad, you waste

your time playing, meeting with your friends, and traveling. You haven't shown any care if there is a problem and you leave it all to me. Angelica is not far behind what mom's doing. All of you have the guts to claim it as ours but do you even know how it works? No. You just want to enjoy the benefits we get from it. If Sofia wants to change something in the company, she has the right to do so and no one can stop her aside from me."

I wiped my mouth and stood up. "Thank you for the dinner. Goodbye."

I left the house to breathe in fresh air because being inside with them suffocates me. I need to evaluate everything in my life. To find the truth.

Sofia, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt because I'd like to think that what I dreamt of was actually a memory.

If Elisa did fool me all this time, her life wouldn't be enough to pay for what she did. You are right that I let myself be manipulated by her.