A Woman's Empire

LVIX

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE

People don't change. Well that's what Audrielle thought. The rain got heavier the longer the night dragged on. The bedroom was dark, the only light from the curtain she opened so she could watch the tear drops of rain fall against the cold glass. She was wide awake all thanks to her thoughts that ran at a speed of a million miles a minute and with every passing hour, they accelerated until Audrielle finally woke up in anger from the lack of sleep.

Leo was fast asleep behind her as she sat on the end of the bed, staring out into the darkness. What was she to do? Her life was somewhat good in Canada, new faces, fresh beginnings. All of these old feelings were rushing back to her and she hated it. She hated Leo for doing this to her. The shirt she slept in was large and loose on her frame, her bare shoulder exposed to the cold and nibbling away at her skin, causing her to shiver. The shirt belonged to Ben and when she retreated to the bedroom wearing it, Leo said she looked adorable in it. She had to hide her smirk when he said that, knowing that he didn't know that he complimented her when she was wearing another man's shirt. It made her heart flutter and her veins pulse, it was some sort of adrenaline reaction she got from it, like she had some unknown power over Leo when she thought of another man. Maybe you could call it revenge; a secret little tease.

It was well into the early morning and the house was deathly quiet. Deciding to grab a glass of water to help clear her thoughts, Audrielle headed downstairs, her footsteps silent as she tried to not disturb anyone. There was some light coming from the front entrance of the house, most likely a security light while guards stood at the front of the house. Other than them, no one else seemed to be awake, even Ronnie wasn't lurking about, cleaning any spec of dust he saw. A deep and heavy feeling settled in Audrielle. It lurked through her nerves and she suddenly felt on edge. Maybe it was the house that made her feel sick. After all, she hadn't been back to Italy for just under six years.

Leo's sudden change was what she really questioned. She wanted to set an invisible boundary between the two, one he wouldn't be able to tear apart and burn to ashes. She couldn't tell if she wanted to distance Leo from her or from Orlando too. The house was silent, not a single sign of someone awake right now, a perfect time for Audrielle to pack her bags and prepare to leave.

So she did. She hurried up stairs with cautious footsteps and gently pushed the bedroom door open until it revealed Leo lying in bed fast asleep. She walked into the walk in wardrobe and reached for the suitcase that was tucked away. Guiltiness settled in as Audrielle tore her clothing from the racks and began throwing them into the suitcase. The maids had even ironed her blouses and steam cleaned her delicate pieces. Hot tears ran down her cheeks and she was so flustered with emotion that she didn't even realise she had thrown in one of Leo's shirts.

"Audrielle? What on earth are you doing? It's three in the morning!" Leo groaned and he rubbed his eyes from the sleepiness. Audrielle didn't bother to look up, instead, she tried to walk into the bathroom but he stopped her, grabbing her arm and holding her against his chest.

"What are you doing?" He whispered as he began to stroke her hair. Audrielle sobbed, unable to hold back the tears as she welcomed his embrace. It was warm and strong and protective, everything Audrielle had missed about him.

"People don't change Leo. You won't change, not now. So I'm leaving. I-I'll catch the earliest flight to Canada. T-this is just all too fast a-and all too hectic-" she was suddenly stopped when Leo raised her chin and her eyes finally met his comforting gaze.

"I understand that this is all a whirlwind of emotions right now but I've changed Audrielle. For the better and for you. You probably haven't seen much but let me prove it to you. Give me two weeks to convince you that I've changed in a good way and then when we get back to Italy you can decide whether you want to stay with me or go back to Canada. It's your choice." Leo offered in a calming tone and Audrielle couldn't help it but melt at the serenity in his voice.

"W-what happens if I do choose to stay? You'll most likely go back to your old self reasonably quickly and Orlando won't have a father anymore." Audrielle whispered and she saw Leo flinch at her brutality.

"I won't go back, I promise."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be promised a false hope and then one day Orlando sees you being cruel to me. I don't want him to be questioning why his father brings other women home when I'm there. I don't want him to be trained into a monster like you were."

"I'm doing everything I can so Orlando can have the best upbringing possible." Leo reassured and Audrielle didn't know whether to believe it or not. There was a sudden moment of silence that thickened around them and Audrielle felt herself slowly drift away from Leo; his touch cold.

"Let's go swimming." He suddenly suggested and Audrielle looked up at him with confusion.

"What? It's dark outside and raining."

"And? I'll grab some towels." Leo said, grabbing Audrielle's hand and helping her off of the wooden floor. Instead of protesting, she followed him as they quietly ran through the large house and outside. The rain was a subtle but constant shower and Audrielle stood by the pool, her toes hanging over the edge as she folded her arms over her chest, trying to conserve her body heat.

Leo's arms snaked around her waist and he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before jumping into the pool. The cold water engulfed Audrielle'a body and sent volts of energy through her veins. Swimming to the surface, she gasped for air and stared at Leo who was grinning.

"See, it's not so bad."

"You're an idiot." She grumbled and began to wade in the water. It was relaxing. Her body floated through the ripples of water and the rain drops splashed against her exposed skin. The shirt she had on was submerged with water and began to float to the surface, pooling around her neck. Deciding to discard the shirt because it wasn't covering her anymore, Leo swam towards her. His arms wrapped around Audrielle's waist and she instinctively snaked her legs around him as she leaned back, arms sprawled out and her hair slightly floating in the water.

"You're beautiful." Leo whispered and he leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on her collarbone. Lifting her head out of the water, Audrielle linked her arms around Leo's neck.

"You say you don't believe in people changing but you have." He sighed, his eyes flickering up to hers.

"Why do you say that?"

"I mean, you've changed in a good way too. You're more independent and mature. And you don't back down. You're not afraid to say no anymore. I find that very flattering." Audrielle slightly leaned away from Leo. The realization hit her like a truck and here she was actually believing something he said.

"You're right. I have changed." She sighed before leaning back into Leo's touch, her lips gently grazing over his and he quickly embraced them for a kiss.

Audrielle believed people didn't change but here she was, swimming in a freezing pool, in the early hours of the morning while it rains. Kissing Leo as she realised that people do change. And she was one of those people.