The Divorcee's Redemption

54: Why

"But if I kiss you, will your mouth read this truth?
Darling, how I miss you, strawberries taste how lips do
And it's not complete yet, mustn't get our feet wet
Because that leads to regret, diving into soon"

***

A month had passed since Gary's wedding. Lucy's bump was growing and I talked to her almost every day. Even though the studio required all my attention, I went over to Leo's place at least once a week.

It had been a long time since I stayed over for an entire night but Leo never needed that much time. He could make me come undone with a mere glance and that was insane.

"Hey there pretty lady, what are you sneaking around your ex for?" Jay's head popped out of one of the meeting rooms with a smirk. If anything, his age had made him younger at heart.

"I'm not sneaking around." I rolled my eyes, "There's something I need to talk with him about."

"Hmm? Private love notes?" He followed me to the boss's office and I chuckled.

"Our love notes aren't so private, you know. It's all over the news. Honestly, it's like they have nothing else to write about."

Jay laughed at this. "In you go then," he opened Leo's door for me. "Thanks," I smiled. Jay returned it and closed the door behind me.

Leo was at his desk, looking at me from under his reading glasses. He had a cigarette between his lips and it looked like he was about to snap for not knocking until he saw who I was.

"Hey Mr.Xander," I smiled.

He leaned back in his chair and took his cigarette between his fingers, those pale green eyes didn't hesitate to roam over me as usual. A warm smile played on his lips as he crushed his cigarette and tossed it in the trash.

"Come here," he pushed his chair back, beckoning me over to sit on his lap.

Even though Leo was the most intelligent man I knew, sometimes I wondered if he was plain stupid.

He kept declaring that he didn't love me. Yet, he did all kinds of crazy things for me.

I had seen him talk to women, he never even tried to hide the fact that he was bored and annoyed. He always behaved that way when it came to those who barely knew him. Especially women.

Leo's eyes never brightened for anyone except Lucy and myself.

Of course, I was proud.

During the countless parties that we attended while being married, the wives of his counterparts often bugged me with questions.

"Tell us, Mrs.Xander, how did you conquer such a man as Leonardo Xander?"

I would offer them a cheeky smile, "It must be fate."

Then I'd catch Leo looking at me with that same fiery gaze that was reserved solely for me.

Before the freeze, those women barely came over to talk. My reputation as a stripper had reached all ears. It was embarrassing beyond words but Leo never cared. As long as it wasn't affecting his business, of course, he hadn't cared.

He was different now.

He had been bettering himself ever since Lucy was born.

I loved the change.

But I wish he'd change just a little more to acknowledge his feelings.

"I'm here to talk business, mister." Chuckling, I sat on the chair opposite his desk.