Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Her eyes widened inexplicably, and then gradually came down to their normal size. She bit her lips and Leo waited patiently. Her hand fell from his cheek.

"I…My ex-boyfriend, anytime he invited me to a function like this, it was just another way for him to make me feel small. At the time, I was so madly in love with him, I didn't care. I thought it would get better with time. He always used to say I didn't belong in that kind of function that's why he brought me around to learn one or two things about the class."

When she finished speaking, Leo's face contorted. He wanted to find that ex-boyfriend of hers who had done serious damage to her like this and extend the same generosity.

He grabbed her hand and with the other hand lifted her chin so he could stare into her eyes. "You will fit perfectly here. You were born for this type of show."

"You surprise me, boss." Her voice quivered.

Leonardo's face changed slightly he didn't like that she was calling him boss and couldn't mention it because of the situation. Nevertheless, he had to point out something.

"Be careful the way you call me boss. One day you might just forget yourself and call me that in front of my family."

She raised her chin and bit her lips, her eyes wide. "I'm worried that one day after this charade is done I will forget myself and call you Leonardo."

What was the beginning of a smile stretched Leonard's lips. "That wouldn't be so bad," Leonardo muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing."

********

The soft sound of music echoed in the surrounding. Thick Italian accent flowing in the air. Several people clad in tuxedos and gowns of different shades and designs sat at various tables while waiters carried food and drink for anyone who might need them.

Champagne was the order of the day and so was one of D'Angelo's most popular brands Amore. It was a sight to behold.

Paige smiled, Leonardo had been right, upon seeing her with the bracelet she had gifted her, Flavia had hurried over to her and given her a heartfelt hug and then introduced her to some of her friends, while Leo stood behind her like a dutiful boyfriend. Answering questions that were thrown their way.

His hand either wrapped around her waist or on the small of her back. Either way, his hand never left her body for once and people who saw that commented on it, saying he couldn't keep his hands off her. Of which he smiled and shrugged. But only Paige knew the truth.

Eventually, he was called away to meet potential investors and business partners, and Paige was left to fend on her own. Which she did, and was surprised she was able to hold her conversation with some of the guests.

After a while she excused herself and slipped away to a chair where she was sitting now, watching Leo interact with the guest as she has been doing half of the night. But who could blame her? Seeing Leonardo dressed in a tuxedo, his hair sleeked back did something to her.

He caught her eyes and smiled at her, and Paige felt her heart melt.

And after a while, she hurried away from there so he wouldn't think all she did since he left her was to gawk at him.

She attached herself to another group and listened in on their conversation. Even though she couldn't hear what they were saying, she enjoyed the flow of Italian words coming out of their mouth. And it allowed her to get lost in her thoughts.

The young woman didn't think she would enjoy the party this much. It was all thanks to Leonardo.

There, sitting a little off from the group on the table, Paige didn't think she would attract any attention to herself if she just sits quietly and listened, but to her surprise, somehow one of them notice her, and within a blink of an eye all attention focused on her especially when it became known she was Leonardo's fiancée.

"She is Leonardo's fiancée?" A girl with short hair bob said. "I can't believe it." And just like that,

the conversation took a 180-degree turn as it switched from Italian to English language and Paige finally heard what they were talking about.

They were talking about the woman Leo had dated briefly during his college days. It had been arranged. The girl had expressed interest in Leonardo. Her father being a business partner with Carlo D'Angelo, it was easy for the adults in the family to arrange it. However, the relationship only lasted for two months. Leo didn't like her.

It was later Paige found out the woman they were gossiping about Octavia was sitting there and all the info they dropped was so that when they started insinuating Octavia and Leonardo would get back together, she will understand why and the history between the two.

"I should go meet Flavia." Paige stood up. "I think she is looking for me."

"And leave us alone?" The woman in a gold gown by her side cried. "Aren't you enjoying our company?"

"Don't be that rude." Another one chirped in.

"Here, come sit down." Dragged her down on the chair.

"Wow, your dress is beautiful. Which designer is this?"

Paige opened her mouth to reply, not knowing it was a trap, and they cut her off immediately. "Oh never mind, I bet it's no one popular anyway," Octavia murmured, and the group laughed.

Fisting her hand under the table, Paige cursed all of them in her mind. She knew she couldn't afford anything expensive like what they were all wearing, but this cloth had been bought by Leo and with him wanting to make a statement, her dress had to cost a lot.

Paige stared at the women at the round table knowing she could take them on, but because she didn't want to bring any unnecessary attention towards herself. She closed her mouth. Hoping the jest will end soon, but it didn't. You can imagine her surprise and how happy she was when suddenly Leo arrived there and, without sparing any of the girls, a glance took her away.

On their way, she turned her head and grinned at the girls, who didn't look particularly happy, especially Octavia. Delighted in their sadness.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing," Paige grinned. Not believing her, Leo turned his head to stare at what she was looking at, but couldn't understand her source of amusement.

This only made Paige laugh harder, throwing her head back. Leo sighed, seeming to give up. "Have you eaten?"

"No." Paige shook her head.

"Then let's go get you something to eat." He took her hand and took her to a table they sat down and he left and the next minute he came back with grilled meat of which Paige stuffed into her mouth unceremoniously. Not realizing how hungry she had been, what with all the wine she was drinking and spying on him, she was doing.

When she looked up at Leo, she noticed he was staring at her with a peculiar expression on his face. Smiling at how she was eating. Paige flushed, and he laughed.

"Please do not stop on my account. I'm enjoying watching you eat."

Paige took a glass of wine and washed the meat down her throat. "I'd rather not, I don't want to embarrass you."

He grew quiet after that and later said, "What do you say we ditch this party."

"Leave the party?" Paige muttered in surprise. "You want to leave the party?"

"Only if you will want to. Will you like that?" He stared at her, waiting for her response.

Paige nodded her head. "I would like that very much thank you."

"Alright then." He grinned and took her hand, and together they left.

Paige was happy to discover that even though they had left the vicinity of the party, Leo still held on to her hand.

That thought made her heart flutter, and she looked up at him. He looked down at her and smiled. Paige's heart catapulted.

Once they reached the hallway, her phone rang, and she stepped aside to answer it. "I'II just take this quickly and be right back. Alright."

He nodded. Only then did he detach his hand from hers and go the other way. Paige sighed and put the phone to her ear. "Hello." Already feeling the loss.

"Paige? Thank goodness I got a hold of you," Finn cried into her ear and Paige winced.

Though she and Finn have chatted many times during her stay in Italy. They had barely called one another more than twice. One of them had always been busy. Well, in her case, she just didn't remember to call him.

"Paige, I went by your house, but your flatmate said she didn't know when you were coming back. You are still coming back, right? Or are you planning to move there?" She could hear the curiosity in his voice.

Paige wondered how much Naomi had told him of her business trip to Italy.

"I'II be back soon Finn."

"That's good to hear. And when you are back, I will like us to hang out together. You know, like a date."

Paige kept quiet. She wasn't sure about that. Was he still hoping he would date her?

From the other end of the call, Finn sighed. His voice turned gentle. "I love you, Paige."

"I thought I told you to stop saying that." Paige swallowed, holding her phone tighter in her hands. How long and he was still pinning after her?

"Okay, I won't say that again," Finn sighed, and she could imagine him massaging his temples. "But I missed you, Paige. Did you miss me? It's the least you can do. Say you missed me too."

Paige didn't miss him. She was fond of him but yet she didn't miss him but how does she begin to say that without sounding rude and so full of herself so she opted for peace and said after what felt like forever. "I missed you too Finn."

"Thank you, Paige." And the call disconnected.

When she turned around, weary from the call, it was to find Leo standing behind her. Tall and handsome with an expression that will keep even the most friendly person away. No longer was he smiling at her. And his eyes were filled with a look of surprise. Paige wondered if he had overheard her call.