Destinied Hearts

Part 13

Author's POV

Leo gave Milana permission to go all over the house; he believed that a bit of freedom would compensate for her peace and would allow her to open up even more. He walked her into the living room, where they could have a less formal conversation if necessary. Milana was getting pretty thoughtful, replaying each and every fact she's picked up.

"Let's get ourselves comfortable. There's a sofa here," Leo said as he pointed to the couch.

Milana sat back in the chair across from Leo, who still exudes tension in his posture.

"Well, now what?" she stammered, her voice trembling.

Leo sat down in front of her and was somehow gentler than he had been. "We are trying to work out how to handle things the safest way. I want you to feel comfortable. You will stay here for now, and we will work something out for your safety.".

Milana nodded hesitantly. "Thanks. I know it can't be easy for you either."

She looked at him for a second before he could say another word. "I have something to tell you. Antonio, the man you recognized from your dad's work, he's in Italy.". We've confirmed that. I think it's safer for you to stay here until we can figure out his intentions.".

The colour leached from Milana's face. "Antonio? Here? Does he know I'm here?"

"We can't assume anything, not now," Leo said.

Milana's head spun and began flying through her thoughts and fears. "If he is here. then it's not just me in danger, is it? What about you? Your family?"

Leo's head shook. "We can take care of ourselves. Now I need to keep you safe.".

Milana had kept quiet for so long, weighing all that had come to pass and just what this was going to lead to. Then, speaking quietly but firmly, said, "I think. it's better I stay here. I don't know who might be in search of me, and if Antonio is part of it, then it is not safe out there for me.

Leo nodded. "We will look after everything. You can stay in the room you are occupying now. Feel free to roam the house, but please... don't go out of the property," he said.

Milana looked at him with equal amounts of thankfulness and fear. "Thank you, Leo. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't found me."

He had a reassuring smile on his face. "We will figure this out, Milana. You're not alone in this.".

This conversation continues with Milana, who proceeds to reveal much about her life in Spain and the pressure from her father to marry someone from his workplace together with conversations that she had heard which indicated that something rather sinister was afoot in her father's business. "She says she never really understood what her father was involved in, but there were few visits from Antonio, which always made her feel uncomfortable.".

Leo listened intently as he fitted the pieces she was giving him together. While he still kept an attentive eye, a small part of him started to believe Milana might indeed be innocent of everything after all.She is a prey between these pathologies.

As they bid each other goodbye for the day, Leo reassured her once more. "You'll be safe here, Milana. I will make sure of that. I do not usually make promises but I am making one today, "If you are innocent you will be safe even at the cost of somebody's life but if you are not and are trying to deceive me with those tears then things will get a lot worse for you".

Milana nodded, still looking at him uncertainty, but she trusted Leo's words. "I hope so... I really don't want to be caught in something that I am not part of."

Leo was just about to leave the room; he could not help having a mixed feeling of sympathy for Milana's plight but heavily suspicioned feelings that he could not shake himself out of. He would keep an eye on her, just in case.

As Leo turned around the room, Milana's voice, hesitant but determined, stopped him.

"Leo, wait."

She turned, watching him across her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Milana began to drum nervously over her hands. "I. I have a request. I know that I am coming here for my safety, but I just started college and I need my supplies, my laptop, so that at least I can attend classes online.

My degree and being a college graduate, is everything to me."

Leo's eyes had softened at the tenderness with which he saw how much it meant for her; holding onto some sort of normalcy amidst this general chaos that had ensnared her life all the difference.

Milana, I know how much your studies matter. However, I have to make sure you safety as well.

"I promise not to do things that will endanger my life. I just want my things. Already, it's difficult enough to live away from the place where I grew up and everything I knew. If only I could at least be able to focus on my studies it would keep me sane."

Leo sat for a moment, nodded his head, and said, "All right, I can look after getting your supplies and laptop, but here me: you are to stay on the property and not leave for any reason."

Milana's face lit up at this. "Thanks, Leo. I greatly appreciate it. I'll just stay here, no problem. No inconvenience, I assure you."

"I shall send someone to your place and collect what you require. Just make a list, and I'll make sure that you have everything you want."

Thanks.... Really, thank you. It means so much to me.

Leo gave her a small smile. "You're welcome. Just focus on your studies, and we'll handle the rest."

As he was walking out for what was to be the final time, Milana called once more.

This time, her voice was softer which made Leo feel different. "Leo?"

"Yes?" he said as he looked into her eyes that had a different look from yesterday.

"I....I know this doesn't mean much, but thanks for what you are doing. I know you don't need to help me, I also know that if it were anyone else in your place they would have rather thrown me out on my ass after they got everything they need or even worst in one of those dungeons people say mafia leaders have in their houses and I appreciate that you are not doing that but making sure I am safe."

Leo nodded his head, now with a thoughtful look in his eyes. "I am doing what I can and it was my dad who wanted to do this. Get some rest, Milana. We'll talk more tomorrow.".

Leo not wanting to accept what he actually feels in his heart made it seem like his dad wanted things to go this way.

Milana saw how he slowly went out of the room, a little more secure now knowing that she would not have to sacrifice her studies. It was a paltry victory, but for her in that context, it meant everything.

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