A Woman's Empire

VI

CHAPTER SIX

Another whole week had passed and the nerves in Audrielle were starting to kick in. After numerous fittings, her mother and herself both agreed on a dress. It was puffy but it didn't need a petticoat so in a way, it had a flow to it. There was no corset, to Audrielle's joy, and it was sleeveless. It didn't have a super long train but with the addition of a veil that was longer than the dress, it gave the illusion that the train would go on forever. Lace crawled up the pleats of the dress, giving the dress an elegant feel. Overall, the dress was stunning and Audrielle was happy about it.

"Ms. Harrington, your fiancé has arrived." The family butler, Stanley, stated as Audrielle sat up from the pool lounger. All she did today was sunbathe, do lengths of the pool and yoga and Audrielle was finally at peace for once in her life. Mr. Harrington had arrived back from his business trip in Singapore and gave Audrielle a lecture on how to be a 'good wife'.

Rule number one: Always greet your husband when he arrives home;do whatever you must in order to make him feel welcomed and calm.

Rule number two: You are there to help him. If he is having a bad day, it is your duty to help him and lift his day up.

Rule number three: Listen to him. Let him talk first and don't question or judge his actions.

Audrielle was astounded by the page of rules she got told about and apparently Mrs. Harrington was taught them all as well. Audrielle didn't understand the whole concept of it. What happens if she was having a bad day? What happens if she needs someone to listen to her? She felt like that once she was classified as a married woman, she wouldn't be allowed to be herself anymore.

Pulling her bottom lip in between her teeth, Audrielle shrugged on the long cover up she had sitting next to her. Tying the string up loosely, she pushed her sunglasses to sit on top of her damp hair as she made her way inside. As she walked in, her eyes immediately found his and Audrielle could see the reaction in his eyes from a mile away.

Leo's eyes scanned Audrielle's body from head to toe as she walked up to him, his eyes still devouring her body when she was at least two feet away from him.

He was suddenly taken back when Audrielle leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "What was that for my beautiful wife?" He chuckled, Audrielle standing back so there was space between them.

"A kiss on the cheek."

"Why not the lips?" Leo questioned.

"Because I am not your wife yet. I do not have to do anything until we're married. That means you won't be getting anything other than a simple peck on the cheek until I have a ring on my finger and the legal papers have been signed." Audrielle smiled at Leo and he coughed out a cackle. Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer, he returned the gesture of the cheek kiss but his lips lingered longer, his hot minty breath fanning across Audrielle's tinted cheeks.

"Mia Amore... I am a man of greed, and you will quickly understand that when we are married, but if I want to devour these lips of yours, you can not stop me. No one can stop me from getting what I want." He whispered in a husky voice, the hairs on Audrielle's neck stood up. Just as Audrielle was about to take a step back, Leo lightly smacked Audrielle's ass and her face went bright red in embarrassment.

(Translation: My love)

"Now, go up stairs and freshen up, you're going to be meeting my famiglia tonight." Audrielle looked up at Leo. His eyes were a dark, intense green and the room suddenly felt like it was caving in. Wriggling out of Leo's hold, Audrielle dashed upstairs and luckily Leo didn't follow.

(Translation: Family)

After a nice warm shower to rinse off the chlorine off of Audrielle's skin, she made her way into her room with a fluffy cream towel wrapped around herself. As she walked to her closet, in the corner of her eye was a little black dress laying neatly on her bed with an envelope and a single red rose on top. Slowly and carefully walking towards the dress, she bent over, picking up the rose and smelling it. She smiled at the kind gesture but the roses weren't her favourite flower. Audrielle adored peonies. They were like roses but were more delicate and sweet.

Placing the rose back down, she picked up the envelope. Written in all capitals was her name. Cautiously opening the little envelope, Audrielle held the small note in her hands as she read it.

To Audrielle,
my soon to be wife,

Enjoy this little gift from me to you.

Dal tuo veramente,
Your soon to be husband,
Leo.

(Translation: From yours truly)

Audrielle sighed and slightly smiled at the handwritten note. It was nice that Leo brought her a dress, she felt like he sort of cared for her and wasn't fully in it for the business side. Drying the remaining water droplets that trickled down her tan skin, Audrielle slipped on some underwear before gently putting the ruffled black dress over top. The dress fit like a glove. It outlined her curves and the dress ended just below her knees.

While Audrielle waited patiently for her hair straightener to heat up, she wandered into her wardrobe, picking out a sparkly, emerald green clutch and a small diamond and emerald necklace to match. With the necklace hanging around her neck and a pair of black stilettos in hand along with the bag, Audrielle started to straighten her hair. Fifteen minutes later, Audrielle walked out of her room with her hair straightened and her makeup done. She didn't want to go all out with make up so she applied some foundation, mascara and a cherry colored lip gloss, making her lips seem more plump.

As she made her way downstairs, she saw that Leo was where she left him earlier. He had his back on her and his hands were stuffed in his pants pockets. He was talking with Mr. Harrington and when he snapped his attention around to the sound of heels on the marble floor, his eyes met Audrielle's. Surprised was an understatement. He was memorised by Audrielle. The way her hair flowed against her back, the way her eyes shone bright like the summer sun and how the dress complemented her body perfectly.

"Wow..." Leo breathes out, his thumb caressing Audrielle's hand as he helped her down the last couple of stairs. Leo was spellbound; lost for words. He couldn't believe that in less than a month, he'll be owning one of the largest oil companies in the world and get to have such a pure beauty to call his wife.

"You're beautiful, Audrielle." Leo hummed as he leaned back, trying to take another glimpse of Audrielle in the dress he gifted her.

"Thank you." Audrielle mumbled, heat creeping onto her cheeks as they walked out of the manor, heading towards the grey Jaguar car that was parked neatly between two black SUV's.

The chauffeur stood next to the car, waiting patiently for the photogenic couple to arrive. He opened the door and Leo's arm unwrapped from Audrielle's as he placed it on her back, guiding her into the car. The car was modern. White leather seats with black tinted windows made the car feel like it was especially designed for the rich.

"Good evening Mr. Amour." The chauffeur politely greeted Leo and Leo nodded his head before hopping into the car as well.

As the car roared to life, Leo pulled his attention to Audrielle who sat quietly, staring out of the window with her legs crossed over and her hands lying on her lap. Leo took the opportunity and placed his hand on her thigh, startling her as Audrielle's eyes focused on Leo's dark, mysterious ones.

"Did you like my gift, bambola?" Leo asked and Audrielle's eyebrows knitted in confusion but nodded her head anyway.

(Translation: Doll)

"I'd rather peonies. But thank you for the dress and the gesture, it's lovely." Audrielle said, her voice like honey and Leo suddenly had a strong desire to drink it all up until it was all gone.

Leo smiled and like a moth attracted to light, the entire car ride, he could not take his eyes off of Audrielle.