Chapter seven

Leo's POV

As we left the shop, Dylan was carrying the crutches to the car and I was holding Bella delicately. My arm was wond around her waist firmly as her frame pressed onto mine. Having her in my arms I found myself not wanting to let her go, she seemed to belong there.

As I drove to the venue, Bella called someone to inform everyone to hide as we were approaching. We were officially thirty minutes late. Again, Bella refused to use the crutches. I held Bella the same way I did back at the parlor, her soft body pressing against mine with every step. We slowly walked to the garden area which seemed empty all of the suddenly kids jumped up and scram, "Surprise!" to Dylan.

"Mom?" Dylan queried looking at Bella.

"Go on, baby, go have fun. You wanted a party right?"

Dylan nodded vigorously running over to his friends.

Bella scanned the crowd of parents before she spotted one of her friends and ordered me to take her over there.

I placed her on a chair while her friend came over.

"Hey Rita," she greeted.

"Hi," Rita said looking at me.

"Oh this is Leo, Leo, this is Rita."

"Soon to be fiancee," I whispered loudly winking at Rita and the stalking off to where the dad's were next to the barbecue stand.

"Hi," I greeted.

"Hey," one of the men answered, "So, you're Dylan's father?"

"I guess so," I shrugged, "and you are?"

"Jake, Kyle's father, that little blond man talking to the red head." he said pointing at the children, his eyes filled with pride

We started discussing different topics: business, politics, sports, and we stumbled on the topic concerning women. Our conversation piqued the interests of several other men who joined one.

"Women," a guy named Lucas started dramatically, "are only stubborn just to keep us on our toes!"

We grumbled in agreement and another voice added, "My wife met up with her highschool boyfriend just to get me riled up," he shook his head with a dissatisfied frown before continuing, "And it worked. It works every time!"

We all laughed at that.

"I believe a woman needs special attention and care, you know," Jake voiced after a moment, "Pamper her with gifts, you know the saying, show not tell!"

We exchanged numbers and he asked me if I could join their them for poker night the next saturday.

I spotted Armando approaching the garden along with Alvaro, I waved them over.

"Do you have them?" I asked and Armando just sighed shoving a shopping bag in my hands. "Thanks man." I said patting him on his back.

"Dad, who are these guys?" Dylan asked behind me.

"Champ, this is Uncle Armando and this your uncle Alvaro." I introduced before jogging over to Bella.

She was laughing beautifully with her friend, Rita. Her smile was contagious, my lips also tugged upward.

"You should smile more often," I urged kneeling in front of her unbuckling her shoes.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Treating you stubbornness, now hush, and let me do what I think is best." I peeled off her heels stuck to her feet, blood acting as adhesive. She went back to her conversation as I dressed her cuts.

Wrapping the final ounce of bandage around her foot, I went to the right one as well repeating the same procedure. I took out the black slides Armando bought, Bella eyed me suspiciously before moving her feet away.

Bella's POV

Leo placed me on one of the chairs as Rita made her way to me. "Hey Rita," I greeted.

"Hi," she breathed.

I felt Leo's presence besides me and said, "Oh, this is Leo, Leo, this is Rita."

"Soon to be fiancee," Leo whispered loudly winking at Rita. When she looked at me with a raised eye brow, I just shrugged ignoring the slight burn in my cheek.

"I wanted to talk to you," I said looking at her.

"It's about the offer isn't it?" she asked but then continued before I could answer. "I'd like to accept it...after thinking about it I decided that you would have more to offer than being a receptionist at an elementary school."

"Wow...and here I was, thinking of a dialogue to make you agree."

"Really?" she asked with a laugh, "And here I thought you changed your mind."

"The job I have for you leads to fame, are you up for it?" I asked getting straight to the point.

Her entire face lit up as she gasped, and nodded.

"Oh...kay," I chuckled, "I need you to run a business for me, a clothing line to be specific and a music brand as well."

"Okay..." she said as she processed the information, "Why can't you do it yourself, I mean...you are an ex model yourself getting into that industry won't be that hard."

I nodded absentmindedly, should I tell her about my father.

No, I argued.

"I wish I could." I whispered beneath my breath.

"Hey," she cooed taking a seat beside me, "You don't have to say anything okay? Tell me when you're ready."

I nodded and steered the conversation from that mileage.

"Do you know anything about fashion brands?" I asked.

"I know a bit," she laughed awkwardly.

"Don't worry I'll teach you," I said encouragingly.

"That would be amazing, because I honestly know nothing." she said.

"We can start Monday, if you want that it and bring your CV with too." I informed.

"Now I just have to write a resignation letter, gosh I hate typing." she groaned.

"Tell me about it," I said stretch my fingers.

"So we're friends now, right?" she asked out of nowhere. I stayed silent for a while. It would be good to have a friend, besides I only have one friend and having one more would not cost me a dime.

"Yes," I said a bit hesitant, "Yes we are."

She let out a breath before saying, "You sure know how to create suspense."

"I do?" I asked acting oblivious and then we burst into fits of laughter.

Out of the blue, Leo came over smiling? I shrugged his beautiful smile out of my mind.

"You should smile more often," he said kneeling in front of me, everyone's eyes were on us they thought he was going to propose, my heart beats faster as my eyes move to the Gucci shopping bag besides him.

"What are you doing?" I ask he reaches into the bag.

"Treating your stubbornness," he said "Now hush and let me do what I think is best." He took off my heels tossing them to the side and started wrapping bandages around my feet.

I sighed, and looked at Rita who was smiling madly.

"He's so hot!" she exclaimed.

"Hey!" I said slapping her arm, reprimanding myself as soon as I initiated the action.

"Right, he's your man, I'll keep my eyes off him." She grinned resolutely.

"He"s not 'my man'." I echoed.

"Sure..." she said sarcastically.

Before I could answer Leo announced "done!" as he clipped the bandage on. I eyed him suspiciously as he reached inside the bag taking out black Gucci slippers.

I pouted and moved my feet away.

"What!" he groaned looking at me his eyes pleading to wear the shoes.

"Those are so last season," I commented, "And, they won't go with my outfit." His eyes traveled from my bandaged feet, up to the slits on my dress, his eyes lingered there as his lips tugging upwards. I snapped my fingers in front of his eyes

.

He shook his head, clearing his throat, "Damn Bella, that dress."

"Perv," I stated smacking his arm. He just shrugged ignoring me, taking my foot in his hands caressing it slowly sending tingles on my thigh. "What are you doing?" I asked withdrawing my foot but he only tightened his grip.

"It's called PDA," Rita whispered in my ear.

"Huh?" I asked half distracted.

"Public display of affection," she translated.