Destinied Hearts

Part 14

Author's POV

Milana's belongings were to be collected from her house. Leo requested Rocco to get someone there to collect her things, but in the process, he was to properly inspect the whole place so that anything which could prove useful to them was not missed, and all they came back with were her journals.

Leo had spent hours in his office going through the journals Rocco had recovered from Milana's house. From one entry to another, she wrote of her thoughts, of her fears, and of her dreams. The more he read, the more he realized she had been telling the truth all along. Her life, complicated with connections to her father, had been an attempt to find an escape and to build something of her own. She wanted to be known for her talent and not her father's shadow.
Leaning back into his chair, taking a deep breath as he closed the last of the journals, he felt a sad feeling coming over him. He hadn't expected to see that side of her. He knew her only through the prism of suspicion, while now he saw a young architect trying to carve out her identity.

Rocco had prepared for this by providing Milana with one of Leo's computers, so that she would be able to continue to hold her online classes, and she could not do anything that would put her safety in jeopardy or compromise his operation. Leo has also made contact with her college dean and ensured that online classes were in place, allowing her to come into school as soon as it becomes safe for her to do so in person. He is ensuring that her life has some semblance of normalcy in the time he watched over her from the shadows.

At the end of the evening Leo returned home. He opened the door to his bedroom and froze in surprise, so he was by the sight of what lay before him. Milana had fallen asleep on the couch and her books and pens lay strewn all about her. One of her sketch books had been left open and its pages showed the intricate drawings really showcasing her talent. He stood there for a moment, taking all that in: the calm look on her face, the way she tried to keep awake, perhaps over study, late in the night.

He walked silently over to her and took her in his arms, very gentle when raising her. She stirred slightly but did not wake as he carried her to the bed, spreading the blanket over her. He stood there a moment, simply watching her sleep, thinking how someone could so essentially remain innocent amidst the chaos surrounding her life.

He began picking up her stationery and books from the floor after a while, organizing them with care, which he rarely afforded to anyone. He even saw to the ordering of her clothes in the walk-in closet, automatically hanging them on the other side of his. It was only then that he stepped back to survey what he had done when the actuality of what he had just done hit him. He was meticulous, almost protective, and it shocked him.

Daylight managed to penetrate the guest room where Leo started staying. He got up earlier than he was accustomed to, by the hour of his responsibility that day. The realization of what he did during the night bothered him. He didn't want to acknowledge to himself how he's weakening—soft for Milana. It was dangerous for both of them.

Determined not to lose control, he walked down to the kitchen. Nana Blair was there, stirring some conga for breakfast, just as every morning.

"Nana," he started, making his voice casual, "I require a favor from you."

She looked up, her curiosity ignited. "What's it, Leo?

"If Milana asks, say that it was you who arranged her clothes in the closet. I don't want her to think that was me."

Nana Blair arched an eyebrow; she knew that smile, the kind that only tickled at the corner of your lips and tempted you to reveal a secret. "And why would she think that it was you, Leo? I don't see you as the type to organize anyone's wardrobe."

He glanced at her; she was smiling, and she giggled softly. "Alright, alright, I'll say it was me. But you know, Leo, she's a sweet girl. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she thought someone here actually cared."

Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not that simple, Nana. Just do this for me, please."

"Of course, dear. But don't be too hard on yourself. You're only human, after all.".

Leo nodded his appreciation and then took up a cup of coffee and went back into his office. His workplace became an absorption of the life lived therein; he called late into the night, final moments of his concentration were about finding the Hawk. Each lead he followed, and each thread he tread, seemed to be in circles, making him go round in circles, finishing on the same riddle. And he was bloody infuriated by it all, but it maintained his concentration and kept him from musing over the girl across his bed.

Hour by hour went slowly, until the mansion became quiet. Thoughts of Leo were yet everything else. He just could not forget Milana slept on the couch, amidst sketches. He thought to himself that it was just a weak moment, but that was nothing more than that. In truth, though, he knew it was something he shouldn't overlook for so long.

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