My Bully, My Neighbour

Chapter 17 (Edited)

I couldn't stop blushing as we drove to the airport to pick up papa. Once we had gotten there, Leo chose to stay in the car while I got off and went to look for my father. I spotted him inside the airport and waved my hand, hoping that he would notice me. When he finally did, pap's face lit up and he came forward to hug me. "Hi papa! I'm so happy you're finally here!" I exclaimed. "Yes, me too. You look like you've grown older." Papa smiled at me. "So, how did you come here?" Papa asked me. "I came with Leo." I said. "Did you force that poor boy to give up on his sleep just to come pick me up? I could've hired a driver Aria." Papa admonished me. "I didn't force him! It was completely his choice!" I said, feeling a little ashamed.

Leo saw us approaching the car and rushed out to help papa with his luggage. "Hello sir." He greeted papa and shook his hand. "Hello, Leonardo. How are you?" Papa asked. "I'm good. Let me take your luggage." Leo said and began to stack the bags in the back. Soon, we were on the road, heading home. "So Aria, how is your new apartment?" Papa asked from the back seat. "It's amazing papa. It reminds me so much of our house that I've hardly felt homesick." I turned back and said from the passengers seat. As faced the front again, I stole a glance at Leo who was completely focused on the road. "Papa, are you free for lunch tomorrow?" I asked hopefully.

"I think so. Yes, I am. Why?" Papa asked, looking up from his schedule. "There is this lunch that Leo's friend has invited us to this morning and he wants us to be there." I said. "It's a big event papa and there will be a lot of people to talk to. You now you love socialising." I said, trying to get an answer out of him. "If you insist Aria, I'll join you." Papa said finally and I sighed. "What friend is this Leo?" Papa asked. "We were room-mates when we started at NYU. He was doing architecture. Then I got the apartment and he got a new person to share the room with. But we're still in touch." Leo said. Papa seemed satisfied. We got papa's luggage up to my apartment and Leo took his leave.

I walked him to the door while papa settled down in the guest room. "So what's the plan for tomorrow?" I asked. "Andrew's expecting us to reach by eleven thirty. So, get ready to leave by eleven. It's not a very long drive. But just in case, wear something comfortable." Leo suggested. "Okay." I smiled. "Don't smile at me like that." Leo said. "Like what?" I asked, still smiling. "That cute tired-but-not-tired smile." Leo said and I blushed. "Good night Leo." I rolled my eyes at his comment. Leo kissed my forehead and wished me goodnight before going to his apartment.

"Aria!" I heard papa call for me and quickly rushed to his room. "Are you okay?" I asked. Papa was standing near his window, his back facing me. "Papa?" I called, stepping into his room to stand next him. "You never told me that you had such an amazing view from your house!" Papa exclaimed. It as true. The guest room had a magnificent view of the New York skyline. I had decided to leave this room for the guests because tourists should be able to see the skyline. Also, the view had no competition with a walk-in closet. "I'm glad you liked it. Do you think you'll be able to sleep for a while?" I asked, stifling a yawn with my hand. "I'll try. You go to bed." Papa said. He kissed me and I shuffled back to my room. Even though my body rebelled against staying awake for longer, I wanted to keep my outfit for tomorrow ready, so that there was no delay.

I rummaged through my closet, finding nothing classy enough for the occasion. The I remembered that I hadn't unpacked the clothes I had bought when I went shopping with Leo that morning. I went through the bag and brought out one dress that I was madly in love with. It was a navy blue dress that ended right above my knee. Its lacy sleeves covered three-fourths of my arm. It had a belt cinched around the waist and it had a pencil skirt, making it very flattering for my petite figure. It emphasised on my mostly-overlooked curves. It put a hanger through the dress and hung it right in the front of my closet. I placed my black pumps under it and visualised the make up I was going to apply so that I didn't rush tomorrow. Then I quickly washed my hair and put on some serum.

As I lay in bed, I wondered if tomorrow would be as great as I hoped it would be. Emma seemed to be an amazing girl from the brief conversation we had over text. It had turned out that she and Andrew had been together for over two years. They seemed to be so happy together. I wanted that for me and Leo. What? Shut up! I mentally slapped myself. I still couldn't get over the fact that Leo was not at all upset about his break up with Prudence. My phone buzzed and I checked it to find a goodnight message from Leo.

The butterflies began in my stomach again and I clutched my phone to my chest and grinned. Maybe everything would turn out to be okay, for me and Leo.