The Italian's Fake Fiancée

37

Perhaps because he didn't care now if anyone discovered he had a soft spot for the girl or that his emotions were tangled when it comes to her. 

When he got to their room, Paige was nowhere to be found.

With one or two questions put in the right places, he found out she was with his mum and went to collect her only to see her crying.

The scene left a mark on his heart and he was ushered into this state of helplessness where he didn't know if he should step in and console her, or disappear before she sees him for fear she would be embarrassed if he saw her crying.

So he had carried himself back to their room and tried to figure out why she was crying, but for the life of him he couldn't come up with anything.

In the end, he feared it had something to do with him. Maybe he had offended her in a way and she couldn't talk to him because he was her boss or maybe because the charade was getting to her, and his sister and family members are giving her a hard time and all she wanted to do was go.

That conclusion scared him and caused a lurch in his heart. There was nothing keeping them here, aside from his selfish reasons. He wanted to spend more time with her and feared that once they left this palazzo and the pretense of a relationship was lifted off their head, it would be hard getting the woman he was so used to, to like him.

Here their situation threw them in the same circle, but outside, they will be too far apart and there might just be some unforeseen circumstances beyond his control.

Leo sighed and rubbed his temples. He was in the process of pouring himself another glass of wine when the door open and he looked up just in time to see Paige stepping into the room.

Unconsciously, he sat up straight on his seat and stared at her. Though there were no longer tears in her eyes. He couldn't deny they were a little red and puffy and her mood wasn't particularly bright. 

Leo swallowed, suddenly feeling guilty. Slowly he sprang up from his seat, and sensing him, she turned towards him with those eyes of hers.

Their eyes met and Leo held her gaze, not allowing her to drop it, but after a while, she broke the stare.

"Where have you been I was looking for you," Leo asked walking towards her.

"I...I was with your mother."

"And?" He stopped, hoping she would clarify more and he would figure out why she had been crying

Instead, she fished out a bracelet, which he recognized instantly. He had been there the day his mother had bought it and she joked about giving it to anyone that would one day be his fiancée. He hadn't thought she was serious, nor that the bracelet was still much around.

"Sshe gave it to you?" Leo blurted out, surprised. Perhaps the bracelet has always been there and the only reason he did not know was that none of his past girlfriends ever made it to his family house before.

"Yes and am planning on returning it as soon as the charade is done."

Was she that eager for the charade to be done? "Well, you can keep it."

Her blond head snapped up in surprise. She was stunned, and so was Leo.

"What?" She said in disbelief.

Leo smiled around his mouth. "I said you can keep it," he uttered more firmly having gotten a reaction from her.

She stared at him. "I don't understand you."

"You don't have to understand me." If it helps, he didn't understand himself either. He can't help thinking he didn't mind if she had something of his mother's and if possible he'd like her to have something of his too.

"One would think that you will be in a hurry to return your mother's bracelet and here you are offering it on a platter of gold," she said,
moving to a chair to pull off her sneakers. "Still I can't keep it."

Leo watched the gentle way she did the action and sighed. Settling back into his chair.

"Let's save the argument for another day. Why don't you go freshen up and change into a dress, there's a party happening downstairs and we are expected to come, hurry so we wouldn't be missed.

"A party?" She stared at him and Leo realized she was only noticing for the first time he had changed into a tuxedo, and he felt the tingling of sensation down to the tip of his toes as her eyes appreciated his physique. Leo clenched his hands by the side of his chair as he felt a stirring below. His breathing becoming labored.

"Alright, I will keep that in mind." She smiled and disappeared into the bathroom.

As soon as the door closed Leo switched his wine for a glass of water and downed the content in one go, hoping she hadn't noticed his erection. Then he took out the necklace he had bought for her and pondered if he should give it to her. 

If she was like this, stubborn about the gift his mother had given her, how will she behave to his present of buying her a necklace. 

She stepped out wearing a red silk gown with a spaghetti strap hand and silt on the right thigh standing by one white cushion.

Without knowing it, his legs moved towards her.

"You look beautiful today?"

"You think so?" Her blue eyes met his, and he nodded.

Taking her in slowly and breathing in the way she smelled. "But do you know what will complete that look of yours? This." He fished out the necklace.

She started to refuse, but he held her shoulders and she stilled, looking at him from under her lashes. The strap of her red gown barely offered any protection from the warmness of his palm.

They were touching skin to skin and speaking of skin. Hers was smooth and soft. "It's alright." He wore her the necklace. "There are big shots coming to this party and you need to be complete with accessories. You should wear the bracelet too. I think it will make my mother happy."

"You said there are going to be big shots in the party?" She pulled away from him, hugging her arms.

He nodded his head, looking into her eyes. She had gone white. 

After a while. "Do I have to come too?"

Leo frowned. Seeming to understand the pattern this was going. "Is there any reason you will not like to go?"

"Why will you think that?" She gave a nervous laugh. 

"Because I understand you." He grabbed her hand and lifted it to his cheek. "Tell me the real reason you are nervous."