A Woman's Empire

XII

CHAPTER TWELVE

As soon as Leo's private jet landed on the hot runways of the airport in Rome, Italy, Audrielle's stomach was filled with knots of nervousness. She had no idea what Italy was like and this was Leo's home.

"Mr. and Mrs. Amour, I am glad to announce that we have arrived in Rome. A car is parked outside now as we speak, ready to drive you off to your house." Ben, the flight attendant announced. Leo grinned, shook his hand and then patted him on the back before dragging Audrielle out of the jet and towards the sleek white Range Rover that was parked.

The car ride was silent and Audrielle could help but notice the numerous paparazzi that lined the gates of the airport, all pointing their cameras at the car while they drove off.

"Ciao." Leo said as he picked up his ringing phone. "Sì, nonna, sono sicuro che possiamo fermarci al caffè e incontrarci per pranzo." He stated. Audrielle couldn't help but admire his accent, it made the nervousness in her stomach calm down.

(Translation: Hello? Yes, Grandma, I am sure we can stop at the cafe and meet you for lunch.)

After that, the car ride was quiet and then as they started to pull up to what looked like a shopping center, Leo gripped onto Audrielle's thigh, startling her.

"Audrielle, we are meeting my Grandma. She's a very cold hearted woman but I am sure she will love you. Everyone in my family will love you." Leo mumbled, pulling Audrielle closer to him so he could plant a delicate kiss on top of her forehead.

When the car came to a stop in front of a fancy restaurant, Leo exchanged a few words with the driver before guiding her out of the car, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Walk very quickly." Leo whispered in her ear and Audrielle turned around to look at Leo.

"What? Why?" Suddenly, a crowd of people and paparazzi swarmed in like wasps and attacked the couple, asking all sorts of questions and taking hundreds of photos.

"Put your head down!" Leo called out and Audrielle immediately looked down at the ground. Finally the couple made it inside of the restaurant where they were met by half a dozen security guards.

"Leo, what was that all about?" Audrielle couldn't help but ask. Growing up she never had to struggle with crowds but that was only because her father basically locked her away. Sure, everyone stared at her when she went to school or went to the mall with her mother but it was never this chaotic.

"They're probably just all news reporters wanting to know the latest scoop on who I have hooked up with now. But what they don't know, is that you're my wife. In their eyes, you're just another one night stand I've become fond of. Paparazzi is something that you've got to become used to especially now that you're my wife." Walking up the stairway of the restaurant, the couple were greeted by two security guards. They opened the door for Leo and Audrielle before they were led into a secluded corner in the dark restaurant. The interior was completely different from the streets of Rome. It reminded Audrielle of her and Leo's personalities.

Sitting in a red sundress was Leo's Grandma, Mrs. Amour. She had a pair of large black sunglasses covering her face and Audrielle couldn't help but notice the chunky diamond necklace around her neck.

"Nonna. Come stai?" Leo mumbled, hugging his grandmother. She smiled weakly before looking at Audrielle.

(Translation: Grandma. How are you?)

"I have been well. I am sorry I could not make it to your wedding yesterday. My health has not been the best lately but I am glad that you chose Italy as you're honeymoon." Mrs. Amour stated, her voice slightly shaky from her aging.

"It is alright, nonna. Your health is more important." Leo smiled.

"And what is your name, sweetie?"

"My name is Audrielle, Mrs. Amour." Audrielle hesitantly smiled. Mrs. Amour ushered Audrielle in for a hug and they exchanged kisses on the cheek.

"You are very pretty. My grandson is lucky." Mrs. Amour said. After a few other words were exchanged, they sat down at the table; Mrs. Amour on one side and Leo and Audrielle opposite of her. Food and drinks were ordered and as soon as the waiter placed down the drinks, Mrs. Amour was already firing questions at Audrielle.

"So last night was your wedding night, sì?" Both Audrielle and Leo nodded their heads.

"Hmm... I am guessing that as the good wife she will be she was waiting till marriage and you took her purity last night?" Mrs. Amour asked. Audrielle looked confused and asked Mrs. Amour what she meant.

"Will you be having any children soon?" Mrs. Amour huffed. Audrielle's cheeks went bright red and as she was about to say no, Leo grasper her thigh under the table before speaking on her behalf.

"Yes, we shall have our first child in nine months." Leo stated. Audrielle suddenly felt sick. With Leo's jaw locked and sharp, and the stone look in his eyes, Audrielle knew what was coming. She had totally forgotten about the whole 'tradition' and she was only twenty one, she wasn't expecting to be a mother this soon.

The room suddenly felt like it had closed in on Audrielle and she couldn't help but excuse herself from the table so she could go to the restroom to freshen up. When Audrielle entered the bathroom, two young women were gossiping in Italian when they suddenly stopped. Both of them turned and looked Audrielle up and down.

"You are Leo's new fling aren't you?" The one with red hair asked and Audrielle shrugged. One of them cackled loudly and Audrielle felt small.

"You're a married woman and you're sleeping around. What is up with that hm?" Audrielle totally forgot about the giant wedding ring and at the mention of it, she placed her hands behind her back, avoiding as minimal as possible attention. The two girls conversed in Italian before giggling and looking back at Audrielle.

"Just wait until the news reporters know about this." One coughed and they both walked out, leaving Audrielle alone. Audrielle sighed. She didn't know that Leo would be that famous and she didn't know if she could handle all this attention being brought to her. The paparazzi outside were enough to handle.

Fixing her lip gloss and running her fingers through her long strands of brown curls, Audrielle left the bathroom, her heels clicking behind her and when she made it back to the table, the food had been brought out. The smell was so swine that when she sat back down, her stomach growled.

Lunch had past reasonably quickly and soon, Leo was paying for the cheque.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Audrielle." Mrs. Amour said and she pulled Audrielle in for a hug. Her little arms wrapped around Audrielle's body and she placed a kiss on her check before stepping back and doing the same to her grandson Leo.

"Bye, nonna. We will see you around. Look after yourself." Leo stated and he left the restaurant with Audrielle in hand.

The newlyweds hopped in the car and neither of them said a word to one another. Audrielle could already tell that what was about to happen was not going to be pretty but instead of trying to simmer the fire, she looked out of the car window and watched the scenery of Rome fly by.