Page 11 of Leo

“No comments there!” He smiled slightly at her flashing eyes.

She felt the anger and frustration draining away. She had brought him in, and it was not fair to take her anger out on him. “The honeymoon…”

“I was thinking Italy and Paris,” he interjected smoothly. “We could make it a working one. I have business interests in both places, and you could explore the various cafes and restaurant and get some ideas about their cuisine. Your aunt expects a honeymoon, so we do not want to disappoint her.”

She stared at him with a frown. “Why are you being so accommodating? If word gets out and it probably will, this will not bode well for you. As my aunt said, you are a man of immense means, and this could ruin your reputation.”

He smiled at that and turned to face her. If he told her now that he had fallen for her all those years ago, she would take off running. It was not time. He could wait or at least, hope he could. “I told you why I am doing this. I am sick and tired of women chasing me for what I can give them. With this, I get to be off the market, so to speak.”

She eyed him for another few minutes before shrugging. “Just promise me that if this gets too weird, you will let me know.”

“Done.”

She brooded for another minute as he watched her. “How many rooms in your townhouse?”

“Four suites in total.”

“Suites?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” She blew out her breath. “We won’t get in each other’s way.”

They stepped out of the car and walked up the porch steps in silence. He could feel her hesitation, the weight of the situation pressing down on them both. As they reached the door, she paused and turned to him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt or reluctance.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "For everything."

He nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. "We're in this together. We will make it work."

She unlocked the door, and they entered the dimly lit hallway. The house felt empty, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling around them. She led him to the living room,where they sat down on the worn-out sofa, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words.

"I never imagined it would come to this," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "Pretending to be married, planning a honeymoon... It is all so surreal."

He reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're doing what we have to do. For your aunt, and for you. We will get through this."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and something else - something deeper, more vulnerable. "I don't know what I would do without you," she confessed, her voice breaking.

He felt a surge of protectiveness and affection for her, wanting nothing more than to ease her burden and make her smile again. "You don't have to worry about that," he said softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

For a moment, they sat there in the quiet, their hands clasped together, drawing strength from each other's presence. The future was uncertain, filled with potential pitfalls and challenges, but in that moment, they both knew they could face it together.

She took a deep breath and leaned back against the sofa, her tension slowly easing. "So, Italy and Paris, huh?" She said with a small smile. "I guess it could be worse."

He chuckled, relieved to see her mood lightening. "It could definitely be worse. And who knows? Maybe we will even enjoy ourselves."

She laughed softly, the sound like music to his ears. "Maybe we will."

During the drive home, Leo felt himself reflecting on the evening. He had left her place with the assurance that she would contact him.

As Leo drove through the quiet streets, he could not help but replay their conversation in his mind. The gravity of their situation was undeniable, but there was also a newfound sense of resolve between them. It was as if, amidst the uncertainties, they had found something solid to hold onto - each other.

He pulled into his driveway and turned off the engine, sitting in the car for a moment, allowing the evening's events to sink in. His thoughts drifted to the upcoming trip. Italy and Paris were more than just destinations; they were a chance to escape, to create memories that might help them navigate the complexities awaiting them back home.

Leo stepped out of the car and entered his house, the familiar surroundings providing a semblance of comfort. He headed to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of water, and leaned against the counter. The quiet of the night enveloped him, contrasting sharply with the whirlwind of thoughts in his head.

His phone buzzed on the counter, breaking the silence. He picked it up and saw her name on the screen. A small smile tugged at his lips as he read her message: "Thank you for tonight. I feel like I can breathe a little easier now. See you tomorrow?"

Leo typed a quick response, his fingers moving with newfound ease. "Always here for you. Sleep well, and yes, see you tomorrow."

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