The Italian's Fake Fiancée

56

Leo whooshed out a breath, his hand curling and uncurling around his sterling. Leo was in Paige's neighborhood. His Maybach S600 parked a little further down the street from Paige's apartment.

The color of his car blended in with the night. His windows reflected off light from the street lamps and occasionally from passing vehicles.

"You can do this," Leo muttered to himself for the second time that evening. Pulling down the mirror in his car, he checked his tongue and then ran his hand across his hair. He was going to ask Paige out this evening, that was why he was so nervous.

He had fixed his appearance thrice since he arrived here.

Stepping out of his car, Leo inhaled deeply. Holding a bouquet of red tulips. Some younger girls who were hailing a taxi saw him. One of them pointed at his hand and then whispered to her friend. It was obvious they were gossiping about him, but Leo didn't care, as he walked purposefully towards Paige's apartment.

Raising the red tulips in his hand, he sniffed it, his mind in turmoil if Paige will like it. This wasn't usually what he goes for, but the woman at the flower shop said the tulips represented true love, which was how he liked to see his love for Paige.

Pure. Without stain. Deep—Ah, so deep.

Leo adjusted his collar, which suddenly seemed too tight around his neck. By now he was running through his lines in his head, phrasing how he would ask Paige out, his brows furrowing in concentration when suddenly he caught sight of a figure ahead of him.

The man, it was definitely a man. Judging by his height and physique was carrying a flower in his hand, and another package in his other hand. Leo smiled and wondered if he was also going to visit his girlfriend. Like he was doing. Paige wasn't his girlfriend yet, but Leo liked to think that way in his head. And also he hoped to rectify that today.

Strangely enough, seeing the stranger in an almost similar situation with him somehow reduced his anxiety, and his shoulders relaxed.

He did even start to enjoy the night breeze as it blew past him, ruffling his hair, and taking more of his tension away.

Sighing, Leo stuffed his hand into his pocket, and as he walked behind the stranger, half immersed in his thoughts of Paige, and what he expected the outcome of tonight to be.

However, as they walked quietly, Leo couldn't help but think something about the stranger was familiar.

It wasn't until the man turned towards Paige's apartment did he recognize him for who he was. Tesla guy. Leo tensed up. He did been thinking before that the man was interested in Paige. And here he was with a fucking flower in his hands. Then he remembered how he was thinking earlier, before he discovered the identity of the man that he was going to visit his girl. Which meant Paige.

Without thinking, and driven by jealousy, Leo hurried after him, and just as Finn was about to take the little steps that led to the apartment Leo caught his collar.

The man turned in surprise at being stopped so suddenly, but as soon as he saw Leo's face, he frowned and said, "You?"

Leo released his collar. "I can see you remembered me."

The man turned properly and planted his hands on his waist. "Why won't I remember you. You are Paige's boss, aren't you? I have been wanting to meet you."

Though his words sounded nice. Leo could not overlook the distaste on his face. For a moment there his pleasantries had almost made him believe he had made a grave mistake that this man may not be interested In Paige as he originally thought.

However, Leo knew what he saw that day in the parking lot. There had been this hard look in his eyes when he had come to collect Paige that suggested Leo should stay away. And it was the same look he was giving him now. As if he was holding a grudge against him.