Put Me in Jail and He Came Begging

Chapter 2: The Unreachable Love

From the moment I laid eyes on Leonardo Romano, my world tilted on its axis. It was at a charity gala, a glittering event attended by the elite of the city. Leonardo stood out not just because of his commanding presence, but because of an aura that seemed to draw people in. He was tall, with a chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes that could look right through you. He wore his wealth and power with an ease that was almost arrogant, yet utterly compelling.

I was there as David's wife, a role that felt increasingly suffocating. David was charming enough in public, but his indifference was a cold weight on my shoulders. As I moved through the crowd, my eyes kept drifting back to Leonardo. He was surrounded by people, yet there was a distance in his gaze, a certain aloofness that made him even more intriguing.

Our first interaction was brief, almost incidental. I had been standing near the bar, trying to escape the noise and crowd, when he approached. "You look like you could use a drink," he said, his voice smooth and deep.

I looked up, startled, and found myself staring into those mesmerizing blue eyes. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. He handed me a glass of champagne, his fingers brushing against mine for the briefest moment. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through me.

"I'm Leonardo," he introduced himself, though he didn't need to. Everyone knew who he was.

"Alina," I replied, trying to sound composed even as my heart raced.

He smiled, a slow, knowing smile that made my knees weak. "Pleasure to meet you, Alina."

From that moment, I was lost. I tried to convince myself that it was just a harmless crush, that I could admire him from a distance without it affecting my life. But Leonardo was like a magnet, drawing me in with a force I couldn't resist.

I began to find reasons to be where he was, attending events and parties where I knew he would be. Each encounter was brief, a stolen glance here, a fleeting conversation there. I lived for those moments, for the way his eyes would linger on me just a second longer than necessary, for the way his smile would make my heart flutter.

Yet, Leonardo remained out of reach. He was always surrounded by beautiful, sophisticated women, each one more stunning than the last. I watched from the sidelines, a silent observer to his glamorous life. I knew I could never compete with them. They were confident and worldly, while I felt like a shy, awkward girl in comparison.

One evening, I found myself at yet another event, a fundraiser for a children's hospital. Leonardo was there, of course, looking effortlessly handsome in a tailored suit. I watched him from across the room, my heart aching with longing. He was talking to a woman, her laughter ringing out as he whispered something in her ear. I felt a pang of jealousy, quickly followed by a wave of self-loathing. What was I doing, pining after a man who would never notice me?

I was about to leave when he caught my eye. He excused himself from the conversation and made his way towards me. My heart pounded as he approached, a mixture of excitement and fear coursing through me.

"Alina," he greeted me, his voice warm. "It's good to see you."

"You too," I replied, struggling to keep my voice steady.

He looked at me for a moment, his gaze intense. "Would you like to get some fresh air?"

I nodded, too stunned to speak. He led me out onto the balcony, the cool night air a welcome relief from the stuffy atmosphere inside. We stood in silence for a moment, the city lights twinkling below us.

"Tell me about yourself, Alina," he said suddenly. "I feel like we always meet at these events, but I hardly know anything about you."

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. What could I tell him that would make him see me as more than just another face in the crowd? "There's not much to tell," I said finally. "I'm just... me."