“Well?” Leo prompted, and Paige clenched her eyes shut. When she opened them, Leo was looking at her in confusion. Several lines appearing on his forehead. He might not know it, but when he had leaned over her chair a few minutes earlier Paige had felt her heart stop and then start suddenly with a pounding, she feared he would hear. It was a mess, and she worried he would notice how stiff she was, mostly because she was trying to stop herself from turning and hugging him.
This was close to the fantasies she had had of him in her head which somehow never happened in real life and was also the first time she had ever gotten this close to him ever since she started working for him. And ever since she fell in love with him. Not for lack of trying on her path, but because situations like this rarely appeared.“Paige!”Her head snapped in his direction, and she squeezed her face instantly, and before Leo knew what was happening, she was looking like an adorable and pitiable girl. “I'm sick.”“You are?”Paige rested one hand on her stomach. “You see, I have been having this urge to throw up all morning and I feared I would do it all over your desk and computer.” She lied.He appeared panicked, and he eyed his desk askance. “Are you pregnant?” His brows furrowed.“Of course not!”“Then can you… Are you sure you can work?”“No am alright, and I can work,” Paige drawled loving what she was doing “But you see the urge comes from time to time, and it's better to throw up in my office than all over your desk and computer.”His eyes flashed. There was something about the way he looked at that instance that almost made Paige blow up in laughter. His expression had veiled, and he stared at the desk with disgust and Paige could almost imagine him shuddering at the sight of his mahogany desk covered in puke.Well, that serves him right.For a second he looked undecided, staring between her and the desk. Paige could almost feel the wheels turning in his head as he looked like he was thinking. And then with one glance at her, he waved her away with one hand.Paige stepped into her office and dropped into her seat, breathing out a sigh of relief. For a moment there, she hadn't known what to answer him. He might not have known it but leaning behind her like that wasn't a thing she could sit through quietly. Because not only was she reacting to his nearness but was also getting excited, and it was only a matter of time before all the tale sign showed, and he reads meaning into it.The rest of the work was finished in her office. He called her many times into his office to clarify some things and by the look on his face, it was clear he wasn't happy about it. And by the time Paige was finished with her boss, she was already late for her date with Finn. Finn was the guy who was trying to date her and is a rocket science professor at UCLA.Even though Paige was in love with her boss, she knew there was no way a relationship could ever develop between them. There was a thin line between fantasy and reality. But that doesn't mean she didn't get jealous anytime she saw him with other women. And he knows how to pick them. Beautiful women. In fact ever since she fell in love with Leo, she had come to realize what a jealous person she was. Never had she thought she was capable of such jealousy.Paige left the building at 4:55 pm, flagging a taxi to take her to the restaurant where she was meeting Finn.The first time she met Finn, and he had desired for a romantic relationship with her, she had told him she had no romantic interest in him and when he had asked if she was dating anyone, and she said no. He had suggested they continued seeing each other. Which Paige had agreed, but should have cut off when she noticed his feeling for her was growing deeper. However anytime she brought it up Finn always found a way to sidestep it. He was always good at that and good at making her feel safe and loved too. A feeling she one day hoped to wring from Leo. Besides, it was not like she hated the guy. She just didn't love that was all.She should have cut it off a long time, but she was selfish as this was the first she had come close to a relationship in seven years.The first time she had tried to sever the relationship, Finn had disagreed. “If there was nothing wrong, there is no need to break it off.” But in her mind, everything was all wrong. Sometimes she gets the feeling Finn knows she has her heart out for someone else and is probably waiting for her to miraculously fall out of love with that person and fall in love with him. If it can happen, she did like that. Finn was a nice man and sweet too.Whereas Leo was the man she loved but could never have. They were many obstacles in their way, and they were way out of league and out of level with one another, though it didn't stop her from wanting him.The problem was that she couldn't even approach him and tell him she was in love with him because of the insecurity of her past. She will never feel like she was good enough. Steams from a bad break up with her ex in college. Who was very rich and after getting into her pants told her she would never be good enough for him? What can a poor girl like her offer him? His words, not hers.And here she was in love with another rich bloke, only now the feelings were ten times stronger“I'm sorry am late,” Paige muttered as she reached their table in a fancy Spanish restaurant Finn did discover newly. He was sitting over at a table facing the window at one corner.“There is no problem I didn't wait too long,” Finn said rising from his seat. He pulled her chair out for her, and she sat down smiling. Typical Finn, a gentleman and caring too. He was the lean type with kind eyes and an attractive stubble on his chin. Black hair and green eyes.“You look beautiful today.” This he said while sitting down.“I do?” Paige purred, placing her hand on her chest. “Aww, well thank you, but I can hardly believe you, reasons being I have been working all day with my boss without a moment's rest. And theirs no way I could still look pretty after that. Well, that's by the way,” she said, waving off the rest of the word with a hand and a smile. Finn returned the smile.But, at the mention of her boss name, Finn's expression shuddered and he went quiet and turned the menu over to her to choose her food. Paige picked a Patatas Bravas with extra toppings of chorizo and chicken and returned the menu to him. He picked the same, added a bottle of wine and returned the menu to the waitress.“So when are you coming away with me for the weekend,” Finn asked. He had gotten a week off from the university and wanted her to spend the weekend with him in a little cottage he rented in Santa Barbara. He had popped the question sometime last week, but Paige was withholding her answer. She didn't know. With them not dating, agreeing to spend the weekend with him was like silently agreeing she was his girlfriend, or he was her boyfriend. Besides, Paige was still holding out for Leo. Maybe there was still hope for her.She knew rejecting Finn would make him sad and moody. And that was why she placed her hand on his hand when she said, “I don't know Finn, maybe next time.” To liven his mood, however, when she saw the light that entered his eyes at her touch she cursed her self and discretely retracted her hand.He said nothing but stared at her for a long time before his wounded expression changed, and he nodded his head.Their food came, and he launched into a discussion. Telling her about a science project at the University half of which entered from one ear and left through the other as Paige was busy daydreaming about Leo and how close she had been to kissing him today.This pattern continued for the next twenty minutes until the ringing tone of her mobile phone interrupted them.“Whose that?” Finn asked, taking a napkin to his lips as she fished her phone out of her handbag.”Paige frowned. It was her boss. Unlike the other bosses, she knew Leo hardly called her aside of office hours. He was that reasonable. That he was calling her now meant he badly wanted something. She smiled and put the phone to her ear.Meeting Finn's careful gaze on her, she muttered, “My boss.” He had stopped eating his food and his fork was discarded on top of his food, watching her.“Hello.” Paige's singsong voice filtered through the air.“Paige,” the voice on the phone was dark and rough. “Book me a suite in one of the finest hotel and make sure it's damn pretty.”Paige felt her hands tighten on her phone as she heard a feminine voice whisper his name. So he was with someone.Relax, she told herself. It might just be a friend or a friend's sister who got stuck in something or was injured. Yes, that's it.However, when his next words arrived, it sobered her up. “And Paige buy a pretty dress in size 6 and send it up to the suite.” The phone disconnected. Paige tasted bile in her mouth. When will she ever learn?Her face had lost all color. As she dropped the phone in her handbag. Finn asked if she was alright, and she shook her head and managed a small smile and said she was.Even as she said that she wondered if she was trying to convince Finn or herself because she could swear she could taste jealousy on her tongue. And fuck, it tasted like hell.The private locker room was quiet and empty, with only three lockers there. One for Leo, the other for his friend, and the last was empty. Leaning away from the blue lockers, Leo dropped his phone into his shorts pocket and watched the model in the white one piece tennis dress leave. He had just made out with her in his locker room. Thrown her against the blue lockers and ravished her until she was panting for air and here she was walking away from him all composed as if he didn't just have her against the wall, her little bum shaking and her racquet in her right hand. He doubts she'd even used that thing today. Sighing, Leo waited for a few minutes before he left the locker room and headed for the court. The woman he had taken home two nights ago had thrown a tantrum when he had asked her to leave. He had been very particular about this. Before he took her to his house, he had asked
The dinner ended in frustration and jealousy for Paige. She didn't even accept a ride from Finn and took a taxi straight home. Opening the door to her apartment, Paige declared the dinner was a disaster. This she said to her longtime friend/flatmate who was sitting on a couch and watching TV. “All I kept thinking of was him. Can you believe it? I think I am going insane.” Seeing Naomi come out in her bra and pant, Paige paused in her tantrum to frown at her. “Don't tell me you just had sex here?” Naomi was something of a sex freak. She liked to pick up guys, bring them home and have sex with them. Up until today. Paige had never understood why she did that. “Of course I did.” Naomi scoffed, blowing her gum. Paige gave a rueful shake of her head. “I leave you for one minute, and you go and have sex with someone. Who are you?” A secret smile spread acr
Thirty minutes later they were in a long line waiting to get inside the club. A bouncer was at the door checking I. Ds and coordinating the line. From outside, the music drifting out from the club was at a low ebb, but what it lacked in sound it made up in color as the building was caked in an ever-changing light and on top of it read 'Seven Dials' in bold letters. Cars pulled up at all angles, people arrived geared up in party clothes. It was a busy night, even for a Thursday night. Paige turned to Naomi. Her nerves getting the best of her. She was wearing a red gown which had most of her back on display, a little slit on her thigh, and on her legs were a pair of killer heels which propelled her height, so she was almost as tall as Naomi. Her blond hair had been pulled down to rest on her shoulders and her face contained minimal make-up, aside from her lips, which were really glossed up.
At their continued gaze at the man, he propelled towards them. Taking their stare as interest. He was one of those big men with sleeked back hair and a cheeky smile that always looked like they had a secret joke they were laughing at. He reached them and positioned his body towards Paige, and it was more than clear where his interest lied. “Can I get you ladies a drink? On me.” Paige started to say no however Naomi turned to the man, all smiles and sweet. Extending her hand. “Hi, I am Naomi and this is Paige and yes, we would love that drink.” “Any preference?” “A Martini, please.” He turned to Paige, and she said something indecipherable and scrunched her face, but that didn't deter the man. He smiled at t
"Paige, what a surprise to see you here." His eyes rested on her, from her curly blond hair to the tip of her heels, and he seemed surprised by what he saw there.“I didn't think you were the party type,” Leo said, taking a seat near her, and Paige almost swooned as he had taken the seat vacated by Joe. And why was he sitting near her? Paige felt she might have a heart attack. The only time her boss had ever been this close to her was that time at the office when he was leaning over her to point at something on the screen, and now he was so close to her, she could actually count his lashes. Paige blushed, and he raised a brow, seeming amused by her behavior, and ordered for a drink. His drink arrived, and he raised the glass to his lips. “Well,” and watched her through the rim of the glass. “My friend and i…we—er—discovered this club newly, so we decided to come check it out.”
The next day. “My assistant tells me you wanted to meet me here,” Leo said as he reached Alberto's table. “So the one with the sweet voice is your assistant, huh.” Leo smiled. They were in an elegant hotel where Alberto was lodging. The two cousins stepped in for a hug and a pat at the back. “Good to see you, Alberto.” “I can say the same to you too, Leo. It's been wonderful.” They sat down and Alberto shook out a napkin while Leo stared at the dishes displayed in front of Alberto and almost laughed. No wasting time there, his cousin had already ordered all his favorite food starting from the ravioli to the beef brasato. Noticing Leo's interest. Alberto's lips curved into what would have been a smile on another person's face, but on his face was just a twitch of the lips
“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
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