My Bully, My Neighbour

Chapter 19 (Edited)

The night after the luncheon, Leo took papa and myself out for dinner. Leo said that it was time for me and papa to enjoy steak, so he took us to a fancy restaurant that was known for its high quality steaks. The restaurant had a semi-formal dress code, so I wore my red cocktail dress with a black shrug over it while papa and Leo stuck to wearing blazers and trousers. Leo had gotten us one of the best seats in there and I couldn't help but feel like I was back home, attending some fancy function that papa was invited to. While papa was checking his phone, I leaned over to Leo and whispered, "Leo, are you sure this isn't too over-the-top?" "Nah. Anything to make a good impression on the parents, princess." Leo smirked.

"So, Leonardo. How is university?" Papa asked as a waiter filled our glasses with wine. "It's good, sir. I'm very close to completing my second year." Leo said, his voice filled with pride. "That's good. Is there something you youngsters would like to tell me?" Papa asked. I turned to him with a confused face. "What have I not told you?" I asked, frowning. ""I don't know, Aria. Maybe a little something about the two of you liking each other. I don't know about Leo, but ever since I have arrived, you have spoken a lot about him." Papa said with a superior look. Leo turned to me with an amused expression. I ignored him. "Papa, that's hardly any basis for liking someone." I scoffed and raised my glass to have some wine. I needed to hide the blush on my cheeks. "I guess your right. But then again, I saw you two in a passionate embrace yesterday. Is that proof enough, Aria?" Papa asked with a knowing grin on his face.

I almost spat the wine that was in my mouth and Leo choked on the piece of prawn he had been eating. I got up and thumped his back till he regained some colour in his face. Once he was better, I sat down again. Leo wiped his mouth with a cloth and said, "Sir, I am so sorry. I didn't know that it wasn't allowed- I mean I knew you wouldn't like it- but I couldn't resist...." Papa stopped Leo's explanation by raising his hand. "I have call to make." Papa said sternly. He dialled a number and put the phone to his ear. Leo and I nervously watched as he waited for the person to pick up. I had no idea where this would lead. When the person answered, he began to laugh jubilantly.

"Rivera, we were right to make our children neighbours. They get along so well! They might even like each other!" Papa ranted on in Italian and I watched him with a shell-shocked expression. I had never pegged papa to be the 'shipping' kind of parent. When he kept his phone down I asked, "Papa, were you and Mr.Rivera planning all this?" "Well, we definitely wanted you to become friends again. It was sad to watch you both pretend like you didn't know each other. You were friends at one point, am I right?" Papa smiled and Leo laughed. "He's right you know." Leo shrugged when I glared at him. "Oh, loosen up princess. It turned out to be okay." Leo said and held my hand which was resting on the table. Papa, too, noticed that.

Leo cleared his throat. "Sir, I have not spoken about this because I didn't know what your reaction would be, but I would like to know your thoughts now." Leo said and papa nodded at him to continue. "I've told Aria about this. I've liked her since school. I get a feeling that my father told you about it. And none of my feelings have changed. I would like to know if you have any objections to me taking your daughter on a date. As a couple." Leo stated clearly and I mentally applauded him for choosing such a perfect moment to bring the topic up. Papa looked at us and asked me, "Aria, is this what you want?" I squeezed Leo's hand and smiled. "Yes. For quite a while now, I've wanted this." I said. I couldn't stop grinning as Leo laced his fingers through mine and waited for papa to say something.

"Well, if my daughter has no problems with it, then neither do I. But I have some words of caution. Don't give her your credit card. Aria gets a little too generous with shopping at times." I let out a cry of protest and Leo laughed out loud. "Second, keep my daughter happy. Be there for her. Because I can't have her call me every time she has something to cry about. If she calls me, then I will assume that something between you is wrong." Papa said and his face grew serious. "And last, break my daughter's heart and I will send the army in after you." Papa said and Leo nodded tersely. "Understood." He said.

The rest of the evening continued to be light and funny. "So Leo, how is your mother?" Papa asked as he let a waiter clear his plate away. The meal had been amazing- I had never had such perfect steak in my entire life. "Oh she's good sir. I spoke to her last night. She's in Germany till tonight. Then I think she'll shift to Austria for a few months before coming home for a couple of weeks." Leo said. "I'm sorry, I've forgotten what your mother does." I said. "She's an ambassador for Greece. She lived in America for a long time. Now she's been going around Europe, trying to find a place closer to dad, but not too close." Leo said and I nodded. "They're divorced?" I asked. "They are. But it was a mutual thing. No hard feeling between them. If there were I would be a messed up kid." Leo grinned.

After an amazing desert of sizzling brownies, Leo dropped us home. Papa hugged him before coming in, because he was leaving the next morning and wouldn't be able to meet Leo as Leo would be in lectures. "Take care, sir. Goodnight. " Leo said and I blew him a kiss before shutting the door and retiring for the night.