“Fuck, what am I going to do Wesley?” Leo ran a frustrated hand over his hair. They were in the spacious living room in his apartment. The escort he had hired as his fake fiancée had not shown up. As it is, he was pretty much late for the family gathering.
After his talk with Alberto in the hotel, Leo had put a call to Wesley for help. His friend had in turn put a call to his other friends, who had released the names of some reputable agencies.
It had taken him two whole days to find what he was looking for. The girl had been elegant, beautiful and pleasing to the eye and could easily pass as someone he could date.
Everything had been going fine. He had paid for her dresses, debriefed her on the matter at hand. Requested for her measurement in order to order for extra new clothes. All she had to do was remember what she had been told, look
“If I do, my sister will have me where she wants me. Rosa is very greedy,” Leo said. “She has been heading the company for eighteen years. It's only right she should step down for me to complete the other half, as has been agreed on. But from what I have heard she intends to remain there. And for her to succeed, she would have to shine a bright light on my irresponsibility. Focus on my flaws and make sure everybody is of the idea I can't handle the company as she can.” “If that's the case, can't you think of someone else who might fit into that role.” “What do you mean?” Leo mumbled coming to sit across Wesley on the double row white couch fighting the urge to turn his wristwatch over and check the time. Well aware time was running…and it was running pretty fast. “Like a past girlfriend. A woman you've had a fling with?” A thought crossed Leo's face, but he dismissed it at onc
His eyes were running over her face as though he didn't know where to begin. That thought almost made her laugh in happiness and surprise. Her staunch boss was fumbling for words. He turned to Wesley as though to demand help however his friend shrugged and turned to his phone. Leo's eyes returned to her. For a few seconds, he did nothing. Paige got the distinct impression he hadn't had cause to seek the help of any woman he wasn't close to in a long while. Just as she finished that thought, to her utter surprise she saw his face harden, his gaze sharpened. Even his hands on her shoulder had tightened a little in its grip.“Paige, I know this might come as a surprise to you. But I need you to be my fake fiancée.” If she understands him correctly, he wanted her to be his fake fiancée which meant she would be around him more often than she normally was. Wasn't that asking to be discovered?  
On arrival at the airport, a private jet was already waiting for them. “Remember, we must always act like we're in a relationship. Now I know this might be hard for you, but do this for me please,” Leo muttered staring at her. They were inside the private jet, which Paige learned belonged to his family, and for several minutes the opulent interior and decor had her gawping like a fool. She couldn't be blamed; she had never been inside one before now. When she turned to her boss, she noticed his eyes were on her, and he seemed to be waiting for an answer. Paige fought the urge to laugh. It wouldn't be hard to do what he was saying because she was in love with him. How hard can it be to express what she already felt? She let a smile grace her face and nodded her head in understanding. “I perfectly understand.” “Are you sure y
The dining room overlooked the outside, lit by several lights and the table overflowing with food ranging from Spaghetti Carbonara to Pesto to Risotto and some others she didn’t know but which looked positively mouthwatering. Cutleries clinked and clanked as the family drank one of their brand wines, Amore. A sparkling white wine with a characteristic fruity taste which tended to soft velvet. Paige met Rosa’s gaze across the table and the brunette smiled raising her glass to her lips. When she lowered it she said, “You know, you two, how did you meet?” “Leave the girl alone, Rosa,” Aunt Gemma mumbled. “Question her when we are done eating.” “But Gemma I think it’s alright if the girl wants to speak, looking at that face I know she wants to tell us but If none of you will listen, you can all close your ears and I will do the listening for us."
Conversations floated around them in Italian, their accents thick in the air with words Paige didn't know. But even though she couldn't understand the words, she had a vague sense they were talking about them, her suspicion was all but confirmed when she heard one of them say in English. “I say if I was any younger I would have snagged Leonardo for myself,” Aunt Elena declared and everyone laughed. Everyone except Rosa. When they continued looking at themselves like that still lost in their personal thoughts someone else muttered, “Oh well, just kiss her already Leo. Non so cosa c'è che non va in lui.” And everyone laughed. That broke them out of their trance and Leo looked down pulling his gaze away for a minute before he looped his arm around Paige’s shoulder drawing her closer and Paige tried not to feel anything but that was impossible. Because at that action, she had felt
Leo looked at the man who had the same cut jaw as him, the same brown eyes but was far older, with white stubble on his face, and drawled out, “Father you sent for me.” Carlo motioned to a chair in front of him and Leo sat down. Even though his father had handed the company to Rosa eighteen years ago, Carlo had never fully withdrawn his interest from the company, neither had he stopped working. He was the type who felt everything would go wrong without their presence or interference. A trait which had caused many a fight between father and daughter. Right now they were in his study in the down floor of the palazzo which could easily be accessed by a hidden panel on the wall, Carlo perusing some paper but at his entrance had lifted his head from the paper and removed his glasses to hold in his right hand. They were still garbed in their dinner attire, Leo in his white shirt and
His concern would have been sweet had it been real and not just because he was worried about what his sister said to her. And his hands on her shoulder was making her loose herself in his warmth. She almost felt like closing her eyes to enjoy it. Lowering her eyes Paige murmured, “No, she didn’t come here.” When he continued staring at her obviously not believing her, Paige let a big smile cross her anxious face. “I thought I forgot something, that was why I was worried, but on a second thought now I realized I didn’t.” “Well, what is that?” The words were spoken slowly, yet it reminded her of an anxious child. Eyeing him askance, Paige mumbled, “it’s a female necessity.” Feeling uncomfortable for all the lies she was spouting. Did he have to come in when she was thinking out loud? A reluctant smile broke out on his face and then straightened as thou
“With no other living relative, my grandma took me in. Things were hard, life was hard. My grandma tried, but it wasn't enough. I had to work several jobs even though I was still in school. And when it was time to go to college I worked my ass off to get a scholarship, there I took a student loan to cover the rest of the expenses.” She skipped the part she met her ex and said, “Finished school and worked four years in an advertising firm and here I am.” Paige explained, spreading her arms and acting like she wasn't bothered by any of what she had just said. When she turned she expected to find Leo repulsed, but the expression she saw on Leo's face toppled her defenses as she did not know what to think about it. She had expected to see disgust at the type of life she had lived, but what she didn't expect was to see understanding in his eyes. And pain on her behalf. “I think you turned out well. Your pare
The cool air was gentle and caressed Leo's skin as he stood on the porch watching the beach from their house. He could still hear the merry and laughter coming from inside the house where Paige had taken it upon herself to turn into the family jester. Most of the jokes were told at his expense, Leo hadn't minded as long as it made Paige happy. He had sat through it quietly and would have continued to do so had his mother not recounted one embarrassing moment in his early childhood, Leo wished to God no one will hear about. Embarrassed, he had to come outside to save face. That was where he was, casually sipping his champagne, his cheeks slightly flushed when he felt a presence. Quickly, Leo turned his head only to come face to face with hissiste
There was a strange glint in his eyes. "I'm expected in Italy soon." It took Paige a moment to realize what that meant. "You are leaving?" Paige murmured, unaware of the sadness that had crept into her voice. It must have called to him because his face scrunched up. And his adam's apple bobbed up and down. "Don't say it like am casting you away after one night of sex." "Then how is it?" "You know that's not what it is." Paige squeezed their linked hands, covering it with one of her own and stealing Leo's attention with the trembling of her lips. "We just entered into a relationship and you are already leaving?" What will happen to our relationship when you are gone. You will be in Italy, busy with work while I will be here, what will happen to us. And don't tell me we could go into a long-distance relationship. We've hardly
He pulled away from her then, breathing heavily. His hair was a mess, and his eyes were filled with love, unspent. “Not fair,” he growled. “You are still clothed while I'm naked. It gives you more advantage—"“Then take it off," Paige commanded.His eyes darkened, and he reached out with the intention to pry her off one of two clothes, and with a twist of her body, Paige escaped his arms and ran towards the king-sized bed, laughing when she saw the surprise in his eyes.She felt powerful, naughty, and so in love. Well aware she was teasing him, and that even though it might seem like he was annoyed, he wasn't bothered by it.It felt so good being this way with him. Being able to play with him like this. It made Paige smile. Then she saw the bulge in his pants and her
“Do you know how difficult it was for me to remain there acting likeIwasn’t affected by the things you said to me? LikeIwasn’t falling more and more in love with you. The gentle way you talked to me, your understanding.” He swallowed nervously. “Don’t you understand it, Leo? You confused me like no one has ever done before. You did kiss me at times whenIwas sure none of your family members waswatchingand then say nothing later. No explanation. And of course,Icouldn’t tell you that it was bothering me, thatIwas in love with you lest it turns out you reciprocated no such feelings for me too and was only pretending to, as the charade required.When that happens,Ifeared you might feel uncomfortable with me, and eventuallymightwant to lay me off after the charade was done andI&
Few minutes later, Paige was inside the ostentatious house. After navigating for a while, and pulling open several empty rooms, she finally found Leonardo upstairs in one of the rooms.Contrary to what Wesley believed, Leo was standing by the window. Which gave a natural view of the outside. One hand in his pocket. He had discarded his jacket and was left only in a white shirt and his pants. He was backing her so Paige couldn't see his face, but he must have sensed her presence because he said without turning, “I thought i told you to gohome, Paige.”Paige stepped inside quietly, closing the door. Waiting for him to face her, but he never did. "I don't want to. I don’t want to go home.”He turned then, his eyes resting on her arms, the tear in the hem of her gown. Her knee, and then finally her belly, and his
Leo studied her intently. She was serious. He frowned. "Very well. Do what you want. Stay in the car if you want. That won’t guarantee i will give you a listening ear."After saying that, Leo signaled his driver to head straight to his house.She relaxed then and Leo realized she had been holding her breath. Which Leo did not understand.Another thing he didn't understand was why was she here? Why was she hellbent on explaining herself? What reason did she think she would give that will change his mind? He wanted to believe there was a good reason for this, but he couldn't think of anything."I'm sorry." Leo hadn't realized he had been staring at her until she said that.He turned his face towards the window. Not wanting her to see how that wo
Downstairs, in the half-deserted hotel hallway, Leonardo ran an agitated hand over his hair, puffing out air from his mouth. He felt like smashing his fist into something. Worst, he didn’t feel like that would relieve the pain in his chest. It felt like a large hand was closing in around his heart. And squeezing it tight. How could Paige do this to him? And to think that he asked her before if she was pregnant and she lied through her teeth. She looked him straight in the eyes and lied. Made Leo want to curse out in frustration. What has he done to deserve this? Was he thatdespicable? Shewould rather tell Finn she was pregnant than tellinghim?The father of the child.
Finn stood up from theground,looking so lost. “Does he know? Your boss?" He gestured with his hand. "Does he know you are pregnant?"His green eyes rested on her stomach, and then back to her face. Paige shook her head. “He doesn’t know.” "He doesn’t know?" Finn repeated, his face serious. Paige could feel the wheels turning in his head. He seemed to be thinking hard. Then he ran a hand over his face and planted it on his waist as if coming to a sudden conclusion. "Don't tell him." “What?” “I said don’t tell him.” "You can't be serious!" Paige cried. “Hear me out before you say anything," Finn said, stepping closer to her. Paige knew she hadn’t told Leonardo anything about her pregnancy, she knew she was delaying, but she was going to tell him, eventually. However, what Finn was suggesting was the opposite. He was insinuating she shouldn’t tell Leo at all. He grabbed her hand, and Paige trie
Finn, who was talking with his friends, tried to call her, but she ignored him and dashed out of the door. "Paige!" Finn called and hurried after her. Immediately she stepped out of the reception which was held in the halls of a fancy hotel. Paige hurried to the nearest hallway. On getting there, she rested her back on the wall, and closed her eyes, clenching her purse tight. Paige was trying to gather herself before Finn reached her. However, she was not successful. Because in the next second Finn's hands were on her shoulders and he was turning her around. "Hey, what's wrong? Look at me," Finn said when Paige wouldn't look at him. Tipping her chin, he looked into her eyes. "Are you crying? Don't cry." Finn cooed. There was something about trying to hold back tears and then someone offering sympathy that suddenly made the tears come faster. That was the case with Paige because immediately Finn cooed that word 'Don't cry.' Not minding sh