After Divorce, Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant-Chapter 124 Bitter Taste Of Defeat.

Like hunger driven pests, the press and their paparazzi has flooded into the conference venue the moment word of a conference from Leonica was released.

Sitting in the lounge, a few feet away from the stage, Leonica listened to the chatter of the crowd, their voices muffled by the sound proof wall and closed door.

"Five minutes still we make a statement," Kennedy announced, pacing the room with his tablet, sometimes having to bark orders at the staff present.

"Are you nervous?" A voice whispered close to her ear.

"No." She answered and turned her head to the side, locking eyes with the familiar brown ones of Arvan’s. "I’ve had to face worse."

Arvan smiled at her words, his expression softening. "True." He said, slipping into the chair beside her. "So, what do you intend to say?"

"What is meant to be said. The truth. Nothing but the truth."

"Sounds good."

"Alright, two minutes, we have to move, Ms. Romero, Mr. Richardson." Kennedy said, pointing his hand towards the door.

Taking in a deep breath, Leonica exhaled sharply and stood up, keeping her mind calm and clear as she followed behind the staffer, Arvan right behind her.

The moment she stepped foot on the podium, her ears were greeted by the voices of reporters and the shuttering of cameras.

"Is it true that you’re seeing Owen Lee?" One reporter asked.

"What is your relationship with Arvan Richardson?" Another reporter asked, soon turning towards the said man who was standing beside her. "Senator Richardson, care to comment on the rumors circulating around you and Ms. Romero? The voicing recording released earlier was it true?"

As the conference room began to get noisy, Leonica raised her hand, silencing the room without even needing to raise her voice.

“How about we all do this the civil way? One person at a time, one question at a time and I promise, I’ll answer all your questions to the best of my abilities.”

Her response was met with silence and she nodded her head, a small smile appearing on her lips. “Perfect. Who’s the first person?”

“Me.” A hand went up and Leonica pointed at them, the young female standing up, a microphone in her hand. “You and Owen Lee were recently spotted together at a restaurant and you two were acting close. What’s the nature of your relationship?”

Leonica thought about that answer for a few seconds, humming, before answering. “Owen and I are close. We lived next to each other when we were kids, but unfortunately, he moved away and we lost contact, and now that he’s back, we’re simply trying to catch up on all the moment missed.”

“Does that mean there’s intention of a relationship between you two?” She pressed on and despite the fact that Leonica knew she had said one question per person, she took the initiative to answer.

“That’s more of a private question,” She began and chuckled. “But as of late the press seems to know more about my life than I do. So what’s the harm in answering.” As she paused, all their ears perked up, hands ready to write or record whatever Leonica may say. “...I’d be lying if I said there was no intent of such. Owen and I, we’re both grown adults, so if we wish to have a relationship, then I don’t really think anyone has the right to question that.”

The reporter’s eyes widened at her response, but her attention was immediately grabbed by the next person raising his hand.

“How about you and Senator Richardson, what’s the nature of your relationship?”

Their relationship? Leonica glanced at Arvan who offered her a smile and stepped forward to speak before she could.

“Leonica and I...were nothing more than friends. Close ones who really enjoy hanging out in each other’s presence despite social media and the press’s attempts at painting us as a couple. So rest assured, we’re not, nor are we going to be. Anything like that.” He ended his speech with a smile and stepped back.

“Next question.” Leonica spoke, pointing at the next person.

And just like that, the questions continued to come, Leonica answering them one by one and settling the rumors that had arisen due to them.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Oslo, Camera lights and Press microphone pressed equally close to Owen’s face as he too drew his speech to a close.

“As my fans, I understand you all care for me, love me. I appreciate that and love you guys just as much, but that I won’t because of that, change the way I speak, dress and deny my personal feelings. As an idol, I’m very much aware that it’s part of my job, but as a person, and a man, I want to live freely. I can’t do that under S.G Entertainment and for that, I want to say a big thank you, for helping me get where I am today, but now, it’s time for me to take the next step. So, with that, I’m ending my contract with S.G Entertainment, effective immediately and will no longer be performing under the company, but I hope that you guys will continue to support me, in the future. Thank you.”

His words were followed by a wave of murmurs and shouts of his fans, most of which were sad that he had chosen to end his run with S.G entertainment, but they also understood his decision, and cheered for him nonetheless.

Owen looked at the people surrounding him, smiling and bowing as he was bombarded with more questions, Owen realized that solving his problems were easier than he thought.

Not all his fans were crazy enough to spray paint gates or send threat messages.

Not all his fans would accept his feelings for Leonica, but the ones that did, those were the ones he truly cherished and called his fans.

“Alright everyone, that’s enough. He’ll answer any remaining questions another time. Thank you.” Alistair said and lead him off the stage, the reporters following behind.

Owen stopped walking and turned around, bowing his head once more. “Thank you, for being so understanding.” He said and walked away, leaving the press behind, wondering what Owen was planning next.

“That went better than expected.” Alistair said, the two of them walking out the back door.

“Of course.” Owen answered with a smile. The smile however, faded when he saw another car that wasn’t his, parked outside and the person resting on it.

Gabriel.

“What is he doing here?” Alistair muttered, half awed to see Gabriel in person and half confused.

“Wait here.” Owen instructed instead of answering and walked up to the car. “What are you doing here? Not one fans I’d assume.”

Gabriel chuckled unamused, shaking his head. “No. I’m here to talk to you about something.”

“About what?

“Leonica.” He responded, the name alone was enough to gain Owen’s full attention.

“What about her?”

Pushing himself off his car, he stepped closer, pocketing his hands. “I need you to stay away from her.”

Owen scoffed at his words. “And why would I do that?”

“Because if you don’t, she’ll keep getting in trouble, dragged into scandalous trends because you’re included in them. This one for example.” He said, bringing out his phone and showing the post of Leonica’s conversation with Irene, and how people constantly kept dragging it back to the article of she and Owen that had been released.

“She’ll keep getting in trouble, and the media won’t leave her alone. Not until you two stop meeting up. So, please, just stay away from her, for her sake.”

Owen stared at him, wondering why the fuck he was talking about her like she was his, or his girlfriend, when she was his ex.

“I’m not going to stay away from her.” Owen spoke, his eyes narrowed. “Not for you, not for the press and not for the people.”

Gabriel bit the inside of his jaw and sighed. He had expected this much.

“You’re going to ruin her life.” He uttered.

“I’m not you,” Owen’s come back stunned him speechless. “And that’s not for you to decide. Leonica’s a grown woman, I’m sure if she knows I’m bad news, she’s know what to do.”

And with that, he turned around and walked back to Alistair, not for once bothering to look back.

~•~

With her conference drawn to a close, Leonica’s next task was to finally have the spray paint on her gate taken care of.

As she relayed the message to Grace, the sound of commotion from down the Hall caught her attention.

“...oh would you just stop it already!” Arvan exclaimed and as Leonica drew closer, she realized he was speaking with another person, a female.

“Arvan, I’m your wife.” The woman argued and it took Leonica a few seconds to realize the voice belonged to none other than Irene Rosewood.

“Ex wife,” Arvan corrected her, sighing as he did. “Irene, we’ve been through this so many times. You left me, remember? Because of your cheating ways. Don’t pretend like you weren’t the one who left. And even after everything, I was willing to take you back. But what did you do?”

He paused and looked her In the eye. “You tried swindling me of my fortune. And now you have the audacity to show up here, demanding that we get back together.”

“You can’t be serious!” Irene laughed out loud. “Do you really expect me to believe that’s your reason for not wanting to take me back? You’re not a kid, Arvan. You should know how to handle your emotions at this stage.”

“My emotions?” Arvan shook his head. “There’s nothing you can say that can make me feel the slightest amount of affection for you.”

Irene’s lips formed into a thin line. “And why is that? You don’t love me anymore, or have you found someone else?”

“None of your concern.” He responded, taking his attention away from her and placing it on the one walking towards them.

“Is it because of her?” Irene sneered. “She’s a no good home wrecker. Why would you want someone like her?”

Arvan was quick to snap. “Shut your mouth, Irene. Don’t ever speak of her that way.” He stepped forward and lowered his voice. “I’m going to give you one last chance, take your shit and get out of our lives. Or else...” The rest of his words trailed off but Irene knew the meaning.

It was a threat and Arvan wasn’t one to take lightly when he threatened someone.

With the taste of defeat bitter in her mouth, Irene glared at both Arvan and Leonica before storming off.

“Are you okay?” Leonica asked.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I thought the security would have handled her before she made it inside.”

Leonica shook her head. “It’s alright, there no need to apologize.”

Nodding his head, he quickly changed the topic. “The conference went well.” He pointed out and Leonica nodded.

“It went perfect. Thanks to you, my close friend.” She said and extended her hand.

Arvan looked down at it, chuckling at the words before taking her hand. “Glad I was of help. By the way, I’ll have to leave now, something urgent came up. Take care, Leo. We’ll speak later.”

“Bye.” She said, waving him off and fetching her phone out of her pocket after feeling it vibrate.

She smiled slightly when seeing the caller. “Hey Owen.”

“Hey. I just saw your press conference. You did awesome.” He praised.

Leonica found herself blushing slightly. “Thanks.”

“Well, I also have good news. I terminated my contract With S.G entertainment. I’m officially free to become your Idol, and date you.”

She chuckled at his words, biting the inside of her jaw as she fought the blush that threatened to spread.

“Idol? Are you sure you’re not just becoming a normal guy?”

“Nope. I’m still going to be your idol. Your number one idol.”

“That’s not a lot of competition.”

“Ouch.” Owen muttered, laughing after. “So, now that all that is out of the way, how about a date. You and me?”

A date? She thought, a smile unconsciously making it’s way to her lips.

“What do you say?” Owen repeated, wondering why the line was silent.

“Hmm, fine.” She finally answered. “When?”

“Tomorrow, Six Pm, I’ll pick you up.”

“Fine.”

“Okay.” Owen responded, not wanting to cut the call, but doing so anyway. “I’ll see you later, Leo.”

“Bye, Owen.” She responded, cutting the call and sighing to herself.

For a moment, she was able to forget her problems and focus on the things she wanted to.

And that thing was true happiness. Ironic how she only felt that when she was around Owen.