The Italian's Fake Fiancée

38

Her eyes widened inexplicably, and then gradually came down to their normal size. She bit her lips and Leo waited patiently. Her hand fell from his cheek.

"I...My ex-boyfriend, anytime he invited me to a function like this, it was just another way for him to make me feel small. At the time, I was so madly in love with him, I didn't care. I thought it would get better with time. He always used to say I didn't belong in that kind of function that's why he brought me around to learn one or two things about class."

When she finished speaking, Leo's face contorted. He wanted to find that ex-boyfriend of hers who had done serious damage to her like this and extend the same generosity. 

He grabbed her hand and with the other hand lifted her chin so he could stare into her eyes. "You will fit perfectly here. You were born for this type of show."

"You surprise me, boss." Her voice quivered. 

Leonardo's face changed slightly he didn't like that she was calling him boss and couldn't mention it because of the situation. Nevertheless, he had to point out something.

"Be careful the way you call me boss. One day you might just forget yourself and call me that in front of my family."

She raised her chin and bit her lips, her eyes wide. "I'm worried that one day, after this charade is done I will forget myself and call you Leonardo."

What was the beginning of a smile stretched Leonard's lips. "That wouldn't be so bad," Leonardo muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing."

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

Soft sound of music echoed in the surrounding. Thick Italian accent flowing in the air. Several people clad in tuxedos and gowns of different shades and designs sat at various tables while waiters carried food and drink for anyone who might need them.

Champagne was the order of the day and so was one of D'Angelo's most popular brand *Amore.* It was a sight to behold. 

Paige smiled, Leonardo had been right, upon seeing her with the bracelet she had gifted her, Flavia had hurried over to her and given her a heartfelt hug and then introduced her to some of her friends, while Leo stood behind her like a dutiful boyfriend. Answering questions that were thrown their way. 

His hand either wrapped around her waist or on the small of her back. Either way, his hand never left her body for once and people who saw that commented on it, saying he couldn't keep his hands off her. Of which he smiled and shrugged. But only Paige knew the truth.

Eventually, he was called away to meet potential investors and business partners, and Paige was left to fend on her own. Which she did, and was surprised she was able to hold her conversation with some of the guests. 

After a while she excused herself, and slipped away to a chair where she was sitting now, watching Leo interact with the guest as she has been doing half of the night. But who could blame her? Seeing Leonardo dressed in a tuxedo, his hair sleeked back did something to her. 

He caught her eyes and smiled at her, and Paige felt her heart melt.

And after a while, she hurried away from there so he wouldn't think all she did since he left her was to gawk at him.

She attached herself to another group and listened in on their conversation. Even though she couldn't hear what they were saying, she enjoyed the flow of Italian words coming out of their mouth. And it allowed her to get lost in her thoughts.

The young woman didn't think she would enjoy the party this much. It was all thanks to Leonardo. 

There, sitting a little off from the group on the table, Paige didn't think she would attract any attention to herself if she just sits quietly and listened, but to her surprise, somehow one of them notice her, and within a blink of an eye all attention focused on her especially when it became known she was Leonardo's fiancée.