The Italian's Fake Fiancée

58

Ready to greet Leo, Paige dashed outside but to her surprise, saw no one. Paige's brows puckered in a frown and she turned around in confusion. That was when she spotted the bouquet of red tulips lying on the front door.

How had she missed it?

With hesitant steps, Paige walked to the front door and picked it up. Her heart beating wildly against her chest. And searched around for a note, but found none.

Again, she turned around in confusion, tulips in hand as though she expected Leo to materialize before her. Once again, she was disappointed. Her baby blue eyes became bright, and she felt like cursing out in frustration. And in that moment of desperation and weakness, and longing, she fished out her phone and dialed Leo's number.

He picked up on the first ring. Oblivious to the torment going on within Paige

"Hello."

His voice low and throaty, and filled with surprise at getting a call from her.

"Did you come to my apartment this evening?" Paige sprout out in a small voice filled with uncertainty.

Leo kept quiet for what seemed like an eternity. "How did you know?" He said at last.

"My friend saw you from her window."

He sighed as though he hadn't wanted anyone to discover he had been there, and Paige imagined him rubbing his temples. "Yes, i was at your apartment."

"Well, why didn't you come inside?"

"I didn't think you will want me to."

"You didn't think I would have wanted you to?" Paige muttered to herself with a frown. What was he saying? "I would have wanted that more than anything."

He kept quiet, and Paige could tell he was regretting it. "Well, I didn't know that."

Suddenly, Paige became very shy. There was still one thing she wanted to know. "I'm assuming you are the one who left the tulips."

"Did you like them?"

"They are beautiful," Paige muttered, wishing she can see his face now.

"Not as beautiful as you."

The words tumbled out of his mouth so sincere, Paige sucked in an audible breath.

He chuckled. "What? Surprised am calling you beautiful? Oh Paige, you are beautiful and tempting. You don't know how much I think about you."

Hearing that, Paige felt a warm feeling spread through her. She couldn't believe it. "How much?"

While she waited for him to answer, Paige went to sit on the stairs. Curling her toes. It was cool outside, the type of air that chilled the body if one stayed too long outside. And if scantily dressed, as she was dressed in a pink tank top.

"All the time. *Principessa.* Every single time." Came Leonardo's voice.

"I don't believe you?" Paige said in disbelief. She couldn't bring herself to believe she occupied his mind that much.

Why, she did have many sleepless nights and agonizing nights because she thought Leo was avoiding her, and here he was saying she occupied his mind. Paige didn't know what to make of it. It thrilled her as much as it confused her.

His response was to chuckle softly. And she imagined him throwing his head back.

"Oh, Paige, if you know what goes on in my head. You won't repeat that statement to me."

"Then tell me."

A pause, but tense.

"I think I will prefer to say it physically. Well, let me not keep you. I'm assuming you are inside watching a movie."