A Woman's Empire

XV

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"I don't give a fuck about that at the moment Alessio! I am in Rome, visiting our family while on my honeymoon, and you believe you have the right to call me and say there's been a problem at work?! Ring our father for crying out loud! He's the one who put you in charge of the bloody business while I am away on vacation!"

"Y-You're telling me to calm the fuck down - listen here fratello..." Leo's eyes snapped towards the coughing sound and was taken back when he saw Audrielle, hidden behind the corner, staring right back at him.

(Translation: brother)

"Thanks to you, you've awaken Audrielle. If you call me back anytime at all today, I will hang you by your balls." Leo grunted, touching the screen on his phone before shoving it back into his pocket.

"I'm sorry if that woke you up." Leo apologised and Audrielle smiled, stepping out from the shadows of the bedroom and into the brightly lit hall.

"I've always wondered what it's like to have a sibling." Audrielle sighed, walking into Leo's free arms.

"Sweetheart, you're not missing out on much really." Leo chuckled, kissing her on her forehead before bringing her closer to him.

"My mother was pregnant when I was five. I was going to have a brother or sister but before she could find out the gender of the baby, my father found out and then she confessed that it wasn't his because she fell pregnant when he was at a business conference in Asia. My father told her to get an abortion immediately but she didn't want to and then he threatened her, saying that if she were to have the baby, then he would completely cut things off with her. The money, the inheritance she is eligible for; me even. My mother was so addicted to shopping and the money that the next day, she got an abortion." Audrielle mumbled against Leo's chest as he listened to every word.

Leo didn't know what to say and then Audrielle sighed. "So I think you're lucky to have a brother and a sister, even if one of them is your step sibling."

Audrielle wriggled out of Leo's grasp and walked off towards the bathroom to freshen up. Meanwhile, Leo walked back into the bedroom, strapping on a watch before walking to the living room.

Half an hour later, Audrielle tiptoed out of the bathroom, her hair saturated and only a towel tightly wrapped around her. Quietly closing the bedroom door behind her, she scurried into the room before dropping the towel and using it to dry her hair before walking towards the closet in search for some clothes to wear for the day.

"Oh my, what a surprise." Leo whistled as he walked out of the en-suite with a towel wrapped around his abdomen. Audrielle let out a squeal before she quickly tried to cover up her body.

Leo laughed but Audrielle did not find it funny as she scrambled to wrap the towel back around her. "You've got to stop sneaking up on me like that, Leo." She sighed, turning around and pulling out a pair of blue denim jeans and a white blouse that had frills of lace as sleeves.

"I'm sorry my dear, but I just can't help but admire how beautiful you are." Leo grinned, grabbing Audrielle's waist and pulling her in for a kiss.

_____

Audrielle and Leo walked hand in hand out of the hotel towards their car that was waiting for them. However, unlike when they first arrived in Italy, Leo was the one driving as he meandered his way around to the drivers side, only after he had opened the car door for his wife. Summer in Italy was hot so today Audrielle decided to wear a silk floral dress that just brushed against her knees paired with some white rimmed sunglasses and sandals.

Leo, however, was dressed quite casually compared to his normal blue and black tailored suits. He was wearing some tan coloured shorts and had a simple shirt sleeve blouse that had three buttons undone, showing his golden glowing chest underneath. The pair looked like a couple straight from a Dolce and Gabbana catwalk.

When Leo clicked his seatbelt, he glanced over at Audrielle, smiling before speeding off down the streets of Rome, towards his house situated in the quiet hills of the busy city.

The whole car ride was quiet. The only noise heard was the purr of the sports car as they neared their destination. Just as Leo turned a corner, Audrielle spoke up.

"So is the house we're staying at your family's or your own?"

"It's my own. I brought it five years ago but I barely stay due to the fact that our family business is back in America." Leo pauses. "But all my family will be there, except for my brother, Alessio who you have met. He's back in America looking after things." He said, lazily placing one hand on Audrielle's thigh, causing her stomach to flutter.

"What's the house like?" She asked, looking out of the window as house started to slowly disappear.

"It's very modern compared to the houses here. It has a four car garage, eh, a library, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a cinema, pool, gaming room, office, large kitchen and dining to entertain as well as a vineyard." Leo listed and Audrielle's jaw dropped. A vineyard?! Why would Leo have a house that large if he basically lives in America.

"Why would you have such a large house if you don't live there? I don't see the point."

"Just because I don't spend most of my time there doesn't mean I abandon it. During the summer, I come back for a one month holiday and if I have family members or friends that come over, and want a place to stay, I offer it to them. My butler, Ronnie lives in the pool house all year round and keeps things in order while I'm gone."

Audrielle nodded her head and closed her eyes while Leo continued their journey to his house. When they arrived?, he gently shook Audrielle's shoulder, alerting her that they had arrived. Audrielle sat up straight and looked through the window to see the beautiful house that they had parked outside.

"Wow." Audrielle sighed, admiring the dark green vine that crawled up one wall of the house to the stone water feature in the driveway. Leo smiled and parked the car, hopping out and walking around towards the passenger door to help his wife out.

"When are your family coming?"Audrielle asked as they walked into the house. They were suddenly greeted by a large floor to ceiling wall made completely out of glass that showcase the infinity pool which of course had to overlook the luscious green fields of fruit.

"I specifically told them to come over at four 'o' clock and it's one thirty now, so maybe I should give you a house tour and then before they arrive, a quick dip in the pool, hm?" Leo asked, kissing Audrielle's lips.

"Sounds like a marvellous plan Mr. Amour."