I Want You Back

Angel Leffman

It's been a long time since I felt this happy and at peace, and I owe it all to Sofia. I wonder why we didn't do it earlier. What if his dad was telling the truth and she lied to me? Did Elisa and everyone else make me look like a fool? But what if not? What if it's Sofia and her dad who lied to me? I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts. If I want Sofia back, I need to try to trust her.

"What are you thinking?" I heard Sofia ask me. "You look so serious."

"Nothing. I'm just thinking about all this between us, and why didn't we do it before?"

"Because you cannot stand being in the same room as me, aside from the company or events." Her eyes looked so sincere when she said that.

"Have I told you that you look beautiful today?"

She flipped her long hair. "I am always beautiful, and you're just noticing it now."

I laughed at her confidence. "I've always known you are beautiful; I was just angry because I thought you were dating Kevin."

Sofia gave me a look and shook her head. "I don't know why you believed I'd ever be with that idiot. Who told you that, or is it because of the rumor?"

I remember the night when I saw her enter that room, and then Kevin and Elisa confirmed it to me. After that, the rumor about them dating spread like wildfire.

"That's not important. What's important is that it's clear you didn't. Let's not talk about it anymore."

"There are topics we cannot avoid and need to talk about, Angel." I know, but I don't want to. "Will you tell me where you'll take me, Mr. Leffman?"

"It's a surprise, and I hope you'll like it," I told her with a smile, and she smiled back.

An hour passed, and we reached a cabin by the lake. It's surrounded by a forest with palm trees, and it'll give you that calm and peaceful feeling after a stressful week. I breathed in the fresh air and instantly felt that energy boost.

I turned to Sofia and saw an excited smile on her face as she jumped out of the car and looked at her surroundings.

"Angel, it's beautiful! Where are we?" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with happiness.

"It's my Grandmother Celia's cabin. I used to spend my holidays and weekends here when I was a kid. I'll just go around the cabin to climb the mountain, and on the other side, there's the ocean. There is a nearby small village full of tourists." "You really love your grandfather and grandmother, don't you?"

I let out a small smile. "Let's just say that they were my parents rather than my actual parents. Mom spends her time with leisure and a capricious life, and you won't see the love of a mother in her. And my dad... well, all he can think about is the company and money."

"I can understand you. I lost my mom when I was young, and I grew up with a mother at boarding school. I didn't get to spend much time with Dad, so I thought he preferred a son, but every time we're together, he'll spend most of his free time with me. We'll walk and tour around. I think he didn't take my mother's passing well, and she left with a six-year-old daughter, so..."

"It seems like you look up to your father, and you trust each other." I couldn't help but comment.

"Well, not so much if I thought that he wanted a son and that he would never leave the company to me because I am a woman. I guess I didn't think I had the intelligence for that, at least until now."

"Us and our parents. Enough with them, and I'll show you the house." I invited her and wrapped my arm around her waist to guide her inside.

When we got it, I saw surprise and awe in her face. The cabin is spacious, and you'll see a hallway on the left where the rooms are. You'll see a bar where a variety of liquors are available; there are mini-sports or games; as well as our portraits hanging on the wall. You'll see the kitchen at the far back, where there's a door where you'll see a beautiful view of the mountain.

There are four rooms on the second floor. One is my pops and grandma's room; one is for my father; and one is for Angelica and me. My grandma had it renovated when we were born.

"Your grandma has good taste," Sofia commented, clearly liking the cabin.

"Many people disagreed when they saw me." We heard Pops saying this from the stairway, and I didn't think he'd be here.

"It's a pleasure to see you, Mrs. Leffman. I thought you already forgot about me." Pops greeted Sofia as he reached us, and Sofia went to hug and kiss him.

"The pleasure is all mine, pops."

Pops then turned to me with a stern gaze. "And you finally came to see this old man."

"I didn't know you'd be here, pops."

Looking at the two of them, it's still a wonder to me how they're close.

"I like being here. This is my home."

"I thought your home was the mansion," Sofia pointed out.

"No, little girl. That is the house close to the business, but this is my home. We used to stay here often until the children were born."

"So you spend your days here when we can't see you?"

"Or at the company, because I like the smell of the workshop," Pops whispered to Sofia, but I heard it anyway. "Alright. Don't just stand here. Come and let's have hot chocolate."

We followed him to the kitchen, and we saw our maid, Rose. He requested cups of chocolate, and we went to the back door while waiting, Sofia let out a loud gasp when she saw the amazing view.

"Beautiful, isn't it? Celia likes the mountain, and when she saw this place, she knew she had to get it, and she did. She's the one who brought Angel to climb the mountain."

At the memory, a smile grew on my face. "We spent a few hours climbing it, but it was worth it because from up there, you can see the village and even this cabin. It was such a beautiful view, and I'll show it to you one day." "I'd like that. The view is beautiful here, and I can't imagine what it's like up there."

"I am glad that Angel brought you to our favorite place. It's yours as well, so you can visit anytime you want."

"Thank you."

The hot chocolate was served, and we talked about my childhood as we sipped it. When Pops started talking, no one could stop him, and we ended up laughing. Sofia can be funny when she wants to.

"May I go to your washroom, please?" Sofia asked when she stood up.

"Of course, darling."

"Go through the hallway and you'll see a small room on the left. That's the washroom." I instructed her, and I noticed her looking at me with questioning eyes.

"What?" I asked when Sofia left.

•

"Oh, no, nothing. I was just surprised that you brought her here after you asked for a divorce," Pops replied, as sarcastic as ever.

"We decided to give this a try and try to get along and get to know each other."

"After five years of marriage? Oh, kids these days. I'll never understand you," Pops exclaimed as he shook his head and took a deep breath. "But I'm happy because Sofia is a rare gem that you won't find anywhere." "And I'm starting to realize that."

We both turned to the breathtaking view, and I remember my conversation with my father-in-law and with Sofia earlier.

I looked at Pops, and I knew he was an honest person. He will never lie to me.

"What's going on in that head of yours? If you have something to ask, don't hesitate, Angel."

"I hate that you know me so well."

"Naturally, I was the one who raised you to not know you. Now, what's bothering you?"

"Do you play chess? Are you a member of a chess club?"

"Yes, of course. I'm the one who taught you, remember?" So, it's true. "I've been a member of the club since I was sixteen, but how did you know?" Okay, that's one truth.

"Pops, how did you know about my company?"

He hummed under his breath while massaging his chin. "Your company? Heh. Angel, I've been in this world for almost my whole life. When you are in this business, you naturally need to know your competitors, and I admit that I was shocked. A client of mine asked for my advice on buying a car from you, and that's how I found out. A week later, he showed up with your car, and I remember the design you showed me. I asked my trusted contacts, and they confirmed it to me."

"And you found out in the club? Do you know someone there?" I asked to try and catch him, and he gave me a meaningful look.

"I think you already know the answer to that."

The second truth. Sofia didn't really tell her dad.

"May I ask another question? It's been five years since Sofia and I got married, but I still have no idea why we went through a crisis where we almost lost our company. How did we get to that point, pops?"

Grandfather looked at me with a frown. "Where did you get that? We were never in crisis and never on the brink of losing the company. Yes, we lost some branches and deals, because, as you know, your dad can be ambitious sometimes, but not to the point of bankruptcy. As long as I'm alive, I won't let that happen, Angel." He responded with a tap on my back, and that's another truth.

"Then where did Dad get the papers where the company is losing, and we need to partner with Andrew's?"

He didn't get to answer because Sofia came back with a huge smile that lit up the whole place. "The restroom is elegant as well. It feels like I came back to the past. I like it."

I was infected by her smile, and I couldn't help but grin. "Wait 'til you see the village. You'll fall in love with the place."

I stood up and gave her lips a chaste kiss. "I'll just make a call. Wait a second."

When I was out of sight, the smile disappeared from my face, and I gritted my teeth before calling Harry.

"You didn't come to work today," he said as soon as he answered.

"No, I took a leave. How are things?"

"Well, it's going well. By the way, they want a statement from you because of the beating you gave him."

"How did they know that?"

"How else? That shithead told them lies. That the videos are edited and the women are bought. He told them that we invented things because he's going to sue you."

"I should have killed the fucker. Did he say anything about Sofia?"

"He told them that she's the one who came to him, and when you came, she acted as the victim."

I clenched my fists in anger. "I will kill that bastard when I see him."

"No, you will remain calm, Angel. It will just complicate things, and you might end up losing everything."

I took a deep breath and released it. "How about Elisa?"

"I'm almost there. I will let you know once I have the information we need."

"I need it soon. Now, I have a favor to ask, Angel."

Harry clicked his tongue. "Your favors are always dangerous. What is it?"

*I need you to meet with Andrew's lawyer to find out the details about the marriage contract."

""What about it?"

"I need you to find out the conditions that Gerald asked for in that contract."

"Angel, you already knew that. Why do you want me to still investigate?"

"The contract is made by Andrew's lawyer and my dad's. When I was done reading it, I added my condition. I had you check it, but we didn't know who made the original contract."

I remember when I read the contract, it was more in our favor than theirs, and he was giving my dad the right to decide in that company, so I chose to be the president instead of him. "Alright. I'll talk to the lawyer, but what do you want to know exactly?"

"Everything. Who made the contract, what did my dad add, and what was Gerald's wish?"

""Consider it done."

I ended the call and saw Sofia behind me.

"Is everything okay? You look bothered about something," she asked with worry in her voice and her eyes scanning my face.

"Just about work. And by the way, that bastard told the cops that you were the one who seduced him, and when I arrived, you acted as the victim."

She let out a laugh of disbelief and put her hands on her hips. "And do you believe him?"

"Hey, don't worry." I pulled her into my arms and rubbed her back. "I don't believe him, and I want to kill him for lying."

I felt her relax in my arms. "Well, I'm not worried because he has no way to escape."

"Hmm, for some reason, I doubt that."

"I don't. Amelia is a great lawyer, and she hates him, so she was going to destroy him; don't you trust Harry?"

"Of course, I do trust him. Now, do you want to see the village?" I asked, and she eagerly nodded.

"But I don't want to leave Pops alone. Can he go with us?" "Whatever you ask," I told her, and she went back to Pops.

If Dad did lie to me, he would know what I'm capable of doing.