Fashioned For Sin

Chapter 41

Leonardo

The morning had barely broken, yet my mind was already racing, a relentless storm of thoughts. The sun filtered through the blinds of our shared room, its warmth casting a golden sheen over Blair’s bare shoulders as she slept. She looked so peaceful, her lips slightly parted and her dark hair spilling over the pillow like ink on parchment.

But I couldn’t rest. Not today.

I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. The floorboards creaked beneath my weight as I grabbed my phone from the dresser. Benedict had sent a text confirming everything was in place, and Daniel had checked in to assure me that the lake—my lake—was ready for tonight.

The lake.

My chest tightened at the thought of it. Memories of winter nights spent skating on its frozen surface with my sister flooded back, a bittersweet reminder of a simpler time. That lake wasn’t just a part of my past; it was a part of who I was. And tonight, it would become a part of my future.

Blair stirred slightly as I moved toward the bathroom. I couldn’t help but glance back at her, my heart softening in ways I never thought possible. She had no idea what I had planned. The thought made me both excited and utterly terrified.

---

After a quick shower, I dressed in one of my usual tailored suits. Pretentious? Maybe. But the presentation mattered to me. It always had. Besides, I had an image to uphold—the sharp, calculated businessman who always had control. Even when, deep down, I was unravelling.

The day started with the usual routine: coffee brewed strong enough to wake the dead, a quick scan of my emails, and a few calls to tie up loose ends. But every action felt heavier today, like my nerves had wrapped themselves around each task, making even the smallest decision monumental.

Around mid-morning, Blair appeared in the kitchen, her hair a tangled mess, and her lips curled into a sleepy smirk.

"Good morning, grumpy," she teased, pouring herself a cup of coffee and adding far too much sugar.

"Good morning, brat," I retorted, a hint of a smile tugging at my lips.

She rolled her eyes, but there was a softness in her gaze that made my chest ache. I wanted to tell her everything—about the ring, the proposal, the plans I’d spent weeks perfecting. But I held back. Blair deserved the surprise.

"Finish up," I said, placing a hand on her lower back. "We have plans today."

She raised an eyebrow. "Plans? What kind of plans?"

"You’ll see," I replied cryptically, earning a frustrated huff from her.

---

The rest of the day was dedicated to her.

First, I took her to her favourite nail salon, the one she always gushed about but rarely visited because she claimed she didn’t have the time. As she sat in the plush chair, choosing a soft blush colour for her nails, I couldn’t help but watch her, my heart swelling with every little smile she gave the nail technician.

Next was the hair salon. Blair had protested at first, claiming her hair was “fine” the way it was. But I insisted, and she eventually relented. Watching her emerge with her freshly styled waves, her confidence shining brighter than ever, I knew I’d made the right call.

Finally, we went shopping.

I had already picked out a dress for her yesterday when we went "accessory shopping" a light gold dress, with no straps and just above her knees and at the waist it was a but lifted, it shimmered like the surface of the lake at sunset.