Alison walked outside the reception floor with Paige, which housed a lounge and a minibar. She and Paige waited for a woman and her child to use the entrance revolving door, moving to the side for them to pass, the woman looked at her gratefully appreciating her kindness, she only smiled at her and waved at the little boy who smiled back at her. Her heart tore into shreds, she missed Samantha so much, calling her and checking up on both her grandmother and Lily every day could not suffice the emotional hole digging in her heart.She missed Samantha's naughtiness, her mischievous smile and her endearing laughter. She wished she was the woman who just passed with her son, holding Samantha in her hands, with Samantha beside her she would have seen each nook and cranny of the hotel. Sam was adventurous unlike her, who stays locked up in her suite only working, eating, sleeping and working again.Calling Samantha every day, and checking up on Grand Karen at equal intervals, she was happy L
Settling in the office was a good thing. It rid her of thoughts about Leonardo and his gestures, her new appointed driver, Garret. It distracted her thoughts for a while, at least for now she could pour her attention on the files in front of her.She is currently reviewing the application by Johnson's Construction company, she flipped the leaf of the file over reviewing their request.It covered the initial agreement for the cooperation of the Adriano project, but the company proposed some recent developments due to their work.They were offering to introduce another allied company to aid the faster development of the Adriano project, to her she doesn't see any reason why it should not be approved.Punching the telephone buttons, she rings Paige and waits, shifting the folder away from her work focus.Scanning her desk she sighted another file, waiting for her approval, looking at it for a minute she decided it needs to be reviewed first by the financial team under her before getting
Alison had half of her face smeared on the glass window of Leonardo's car.Her mind recalled the last time she was in here with him, he almost had an accident but that accident that seemed so terrifying at that time looks less distraught and terrifying now.What terrified her was her growing proximity with him?The only thing that kept replaying in her thoughts was his smooth lips smashed on hers last night.Her resolution seems to be at its weakest point now and there is nothing she can do.Her eye skimmed over to Leonardo's side, taking him in for a moment. He wore a grey shirt that matches his dark trousers, a golden wristwatch decorated his wrist, she has never seen him wearing accessories before.It was then he noticed how tight his hold was on the steering wheel he gripped it so tight his knuckle were almost snow-white, the pressure he exerted on his arms caused wry veins to rope around his thick arms.She slightly drooled at such sight of masculinity, he seemed to notice her ga
"You can't love me, Leonardo. You shouldn't."The next string of words that escapes Alison's lips plummeted his hopes and increased his fear of rejection.Leonardo took a hold of her wrist, the one she snatched out of his hold.Maybe he can make her understand, that she is the air he breathes now, her presence is what he seeks.Maybe, she would turn back on her words and finally realize he isn't joking a bit about his feelings.Her soft palm lay on his coarse own, he flicked his gaze to her and is surprised to see tears pouring down her face.That's is not the only thing he saw. He could see the pain reflecting in her eyes, the anguish she is passing through.Was she also hurt like him?The days he suffered taking refuse in the bar house, drinking himself to sorrow and puddle of vomit. He felt the need to end the pain of the betrayal Felicity poured on him.He felt the need to prove he won't let a woman plunge him into another terrible depression and lack of hope.He also promised him
Back in their suite, Alison quickly had a bath. She stayed under the shower allowing the water to wash hairSo much happened, today but it felt like a whole week. In just three days, her relationship with Leonardo changed.He changed it and now he is starting to change her mentality too.She poured her favourite peachy shampoo, the last time she used it she loved it and it was the closest thing to the one at home.Gently she massaged her scalp, running her fingers through her hair.Leonardo loves her, that sounds so weird in her mind, it feels weirds.And as much she wants it to be untrue, a part of her knows Leonardo truly loves her.She could feel his love in his touch, his smiles, his playfulness with her.And his kiss? That was simply breathtaking. Her inhibitions to love are simply from her past. She can't simply let her heart love again, she fears love now.Richard scarred her, and she wonders if she would ever heal, each time she felt like opening up she closes back even harder
It has been a week, since Leonardo's departure to Spain, Alison tried not to attribute her loneliness to the hole dug in her heart that deepens with each passing day since he travelled. It confused her thoughts even more and only causes her thoughts to conflict harder. Of course, she tried not to attribute this feeling of emptiness to Leonardo, is it possible to fall for someone in a month? Maybe, but she would not like to believe such can happen in her case. After she met with Leonardo's confession, she has never been herself. Her thoughts always find a way to reach out to him, and no matter how hard she tries to repel these thoughts they come back double the force. For the first time this week, she would truthfully attribute her absent-mindedness to Leonardo's absence. She has to be truthful with herself. The last time she felt this way was back at home. She shamelessly anticipated seeing him again but that is
Today was hot and humid, that was the main reason Paige and Alison thought a day at the pool would do good. It was Saturday, so they don't have to go to work, Alison parked the sun lotion and some towels and placed them in a little beach bag, she noticed Paige walking into her room and halted on her steps, leaning close to the door. She wore a grey single strapped top and denim shorts, her cheeks extra flushed today due to the heat. Her brown eyes lingered on Alison for a while watching her pack some of the items into the little brown bag. Unlike Alison, Paige was a bit taller and more on the slim side, her body well proportioned. She had light brown eyes and a straight feminine nose. Her lips were full and sensual with an angular face framed with her shoulder-length brown hair. Alison was neither a contrast of her nor similar to her in any way. Finally, she finished gathering the items and gently zipped the bag. "Are you done?" Paige asked standing upright. Alison nodded, "L
"Mr. Leonardo was here that night?" Paige asked. A question Alison could not bring herself to answer. How did she slip in her words in just a second? She knew Paige's determination to find the truth or work something out was unbeatable. Meaning some time later in the future, she would have to succumb to her questions. The future can be a minute from now or next week or two hours later. It doesn't change the fact that it was still the future. "Answer me, Allison," Paige pressed her light brown gaze never meet hers. "Yes...he was there," she admitted, she can't lie to Paige. Paige has a nose for this kind of thing. Paige's face scrunched at that answer, occasionally she would pad the water with her hands to keep her afloat. Gently she reached the high pavement of the pool and sat on it, waiting for Paige's answer, Instead she got, "I am tired of swimming, let's go get a drink," Paige said surprising her. She thought Paige would want to hear every topic concerning her and Leona
Alison wondered where they are as the car they rode in drove around little streets away from the major roads. Leonardo busied himself with some magazine, while she sat unsettled by the change of environment. This was their fourth day in Italy he persuaded her to come out with him without giving a particular destination.She snatched the magazine he read drawing his attention towards her, "Where are we going to? "She peered out the dark window glasses looking at the streets the driver drove through.Every where was rowdy and loud with stalls around.Is this a market? She wondered.Suddenly the car came to a halt, "You will soon find out, "Leonardo said taking hold of her hands, trudging out of the car with her into the open streetsIt was loud here and smelled funky, with different items from flashy to dull displayed in the stalls that stood at the sides of the road.She looked at him expecting some kind of explanation "This is a market, " he explained."Figured, what are we doing in a
Back in the penthouse, Alison could not face Leonardo without turning a full shade of red, she can't believe how wild they were yesterday. They had sex under an open sky and in a glass house, all she could think about was how she shamelessly gave herself to him, no regrets though.But this is how shameless she has become, doing crazy things like having sex in a transparent house what if someone caught them on camera or saw them.Leonardo came out of the bathroom looking wet, his lower body tied in a towel, revealing his hard ridges made by lean muscles, the sight of him alone had her hormones dancing, she look away feeling shy for having such dirty thoughts."Don't look away my sweet Alison, you own all of me now, " he teased, capturing her lips in his.She felt his bulge forming on her stomach, "I am addicted to you, see even he has the same opinion." He gestured to his erection, her eyes widened to that effect and she slid away from him feeling shy, and a bit overwhelmed by their s
Warning: Mature scenesHe brought her to an open artificial lawn in the greenhouse on the floor was a blanket, he took her to it and instructed her to lie on her back with her eyes shut.She found the request weird but she did as she was told, wondering what the surprise was all about.Leonardo moved to the automatic roof button and pressed it, it slid to opposite directions as it opens up to a now darkened sky with stars littered like grains of sand on it.After waiting a few minutes, Alison felt some lying beside her, his hand slid into her as he grasped it tightly, "You can open your eyes now." His deep masculine broke through her piqued mind.She fluttered her eyes open meeting the most beautiful sky she has ever seen, the stars were bright and contrasted perfectly with the dark sky. "It is beautiful," she muttered."Not as beautiful as you though"You never stop flattering me, I feel slightly embarrassed when you do that, " she said feeling her cheeks getting hotter. He always
The grasp on her hand tightened as Leonardo led her to the vineyard pen. She felt apprehensive going there due to yesterday's incident, but Leonardo won't let her be, and he cancelled all his meetings just to be with her today.After yesterday's night incident and his plea for her to come back to the penthouse she agreed, hoping this time the trust surrounding their relationship would grow stronger and Leonardo was eagerly on track with her, ready to open himself up to her, she tried to explain she doesn't want the process of getting all his pain out of his chest to feel forced in any way or fir him to feel like he was being pressured. She wanted him to have the urge to tell her willingly and hopes he would when he feels ready. With a touch on the rusted Pen's door, it clicked open, the musky smell of the animals residing there hitting her on the nose. She followed him behind as he led the way, a familiar bark was directed to her as they walked, it was from the puppy from the other d
Alison dragged her feet to the porch, her skin dripping with rainwater parts of her hair smeared and smothered to her body while some clung to her face. She could hardly feel her skin or breathe properly, her body trembling at the same time and her lips could not stop quivering as she moved forward her steps faltering with every step. She moves an inch closer to the door using her last strength to push the bell and resigned to squat on the porch steps resting her head on the pillar, a sharp pain struck across the sides of her head, her eyes strained and weak under the rain, she fluttered them close hoping the aches all over her body might subside, instead, she felt weaker and slowly succumbed to the darkness billowing around her.Edward heard the doorbell from his study room and wondered if the lousy helpers has responded to it, it was raining heavily and the buzzer might not be audible enough.He stood heading to the front door and twisted it open surprised to see the last person hi
Leonardo could not contain the rage he felt inside, all the hurt he had to nurture in the past came rolling back to him, this time twice the force.He rolled his hand into a fist, and walked towards Alison, trying to keep his pain out of her view, before he could make half of the journey, Edward came closer to Alison and stretched out his hand to her hair removing a leaf from it.Alison smiled at him in gratitude, all he could see were images of that night he wants to erase forever in his head, falling in love with the wrong woman. The woman, who destroyed his capability to reason and delved him into depression.He closed his eyes once more, images of Alison being happy when she noticed that ring on her finger, the moment she raised her toes to kiss him to express how content he made her feel.Alison is not Felicity, he muttered to himself trying so hard to believe it. He trusts Alison with his life, she won't give him the pain that would be twice what he felt during his low times aft
Stirring her eyes wide open, she felt herself cradled in someone's chest, she fluttered her eyes open and is met with Leonardo's face. He looked so adorable when he slept, she drew lines on his face with her fingers and gently dug her hands into his hair raking it a bit.He stirred fluttering his eyes open to reveal his grey orbs staring at her. Feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught, she tried to move away but Leonardo was faster, he drew her back into his arm, she fell on him her finger holding on to his chest.His gaze was intense, and indecipherable using his left hand to hold her in place he gently tucked the hair falling on her face behind her ears. Slowly he said, "Don't you know you can't run from me."She felt a familiar heat rushing from the nook of her neck up to her face. She was blushing, this position was so intimate and he isn't ready to let her go."I wasn't running from you. I felt shy," she admitted truthfully.A slow grin appeared on his face, he leaned forw
All that resonated in Alison's head was the defeated glistening look in Aunt Rosalina eyes, Isabella losing all the cheerfulness she once possessed. As glum replaced the once cheerful feeling they all shared now ruined by the Adriano brothers.Leonardo dragged her still, his anger blinding the fact he was mishandling her. She could see the constraints in his jaw as he gritted them, his teeth clenching representing the degree of his anger. They are now in the open sky, the night fully on with the moon disappearing under the light night clouds.She was exhausted by today's event both emotionally and physically, it drained her off of all the reserved energy she has."Leonardo, you are rough with me, " she called out softly, and immediately he stops an apologetic look on his face, some part of his anger dissipating gradually. "I am sorry," he muttered still faced forward, while she stayed behind, hiding his face from her, hiding his emotions.She could hear the regrets his tone carried.
He was surprised by her scream and was taken aback when she jumped on him, hugging him like he was a lost toy or something like that. Alison could not help the frown forming at her face, or the jealousy burning deep within her bones.She is his cousin, a part of her justified, even so, cousins shouldn't be that close to her Leonardo.Possessive.She twitched her mouth to the side, disliking Isabella, with her hug being unnecessarily long.She finally drew away from him, "I missed you," she muttered, leading him to the dining area, totally ignoring she was present."You saw me in Spain, I spent time with you and went shopping at your request.""That was two months ago," she exclaimed, still maintaining her stance."I wish you would come back to Italy, you are the better brother. You know how Edward is like." she protested, a fake pout etching on her lips, but Alison can't deny her puppy eyes was good, almost as good as Sam's. She noticed the disinterested look on Leonardo's face at the