Not So Perfect

22||

|Five years ago|

She was fidgety.

The aroma of her favorite meal replenished her lungs, but the sizzling food seldom enticed her. Instead, a particular male arrested her interest. She was crushing. Her eyes trailed across the dining table when he chuckled at something her mother had said. His laugh was intense, like him. Dark hair was short from the front and long enough to nuzzle the nape of his neck. He was devastatingly handsome. His mouth was the full, pointed nose, sculpted jaw with a devilish smile and a deep dimple kissing his right cheek.

As if he sensed her timid gaze and heaved his neck. His dark eyes snapped at her, with a powerful impact that her heart jumped in her throat. She visibly startled and wrecked her eyes back at the delicious food.

"Honey," the soft caramel voice said as Leona's mother leaned toward her. "What's wrong? Don't you like the food? You are barely eating."

Leona shook her head, heat whisking in her cheeks, and yet again, she glimpsed at him. He was staring right back at her. She looked away. "No. I like it, mom. I just ate waffles on the way back home."

"Oh, you shouldn't have. You have to maintain your health, sweetie. Or you can just forget about the crown." Her mother smiled warmly. Eleena Pierce, her mother, was glamourous. The sleek short hair applauded her hazel eyes. her eyes were like molten gold with flecks of emerald. The fine wrinkles grazing her supple skin, and yet she was just as beautiful.

Leona nodded, muttering an apology and eating her fruit salad. That was her favorite meal. Or she was raised to believe that.

"She has a dietician mom, you don't need to worry about it. Let her eat," Ian interjected. His eyes solely focused on his phone, but he shot his brotherly smile at Leona. Ian was the eldest of them. A gentleman to his core, and devoted to work. Lev strayed away from the business and academics and threw himself into sports. She had always admired her both the brothers from the bottom of her heart. Though Lev undoubtedly was her favourite and closest to her.

"I should get going," His deep voice rumbled as he stood, ready to depart.

No, don't go, Leona almost whined.

This man had left a deep impression on her heart. Since she met him for the first time, she was bewitched already. Crushing hard on him for nearly a year. People were right about him. He was a magician. The hypnotizer who knew his way to the heart of people.

"Of course, dear. Come over anytime you want for dinner!" Her mother chirped. Leona traded a look with bored Lev, who silently mouthed, I told you so.

When she was in Greece for her schooling, Lev kept updating her about everything. He continued going on and on about this splendid male, who landed back in Los Angeles as the most handsome business man, who was their brother's friend, who came over often, and their mother loved him more than she loved Lev. Leona wouldn't blame her mother. He was beguiling and had a marvelous way with words.

"Yeah. You should expect me more often in the house," He paused, looking at Leona. "Now."

She kept thinking her feelings were one-sided, and he would never be hers. But she was also aware of his piercing gaze, teasing smiles, and flirty eye contact. She was just too coward to act upon those signals.

"This is my house, not your lodge. Get lost," Ian rolled his eyes.

Eleena nodded at Leona. "Would you mind walking him out, Lia? I have packed some food, help him keep it in the car."

Leona's nerves chilled as he arched his eyebrows, defiantly pleased to get a few moments alone with her. She wouldn't protest against the idea. Nevertheless, it made her a nerve-wracking mess.