A ruffian

After leaving the police station. Leo went to the parking area where his car was parked, he looked at his reflection on the car window. He took off his coat, then he loosens up his tie knot while taking off his tie, his shirt and sleeves were smeared with blood. He felt good after bashing the attacker so he didn't care about the pain, even less about this little bit of blood. He opened up two buttons of his shirt to feel some fresh air before fixing his messy hair.

When Leo was about to open his car gate, his guard came out of the police station.

"Prince, the attacker opened his mouth", the guard informed Leo.

"What did he say?" Leo asked.

"The attacker was hired to abduct Princess Andrea and leave her at an empty warehouse outside the City A, he doesn't have any idea who called him, he was told that money will be transferred to his account from an anonymous account to do this" the guard explained.

"Hmm...tell the officer to get more information" after saying that Leo gets in the car and ride back to his office.

Leo was just satisfied with the fact that Andrea was safe and has reached his office in one piece. He could still remember the blood freezing in his veins when he was informed of the attack. He had been informed the minute she had entered the office and Jason had taken over the orientation to make sure she was fine.

After reached his office, Leo took his private elevator. He looked at himself, bleeding hands, messy hairs, and stained clothes. There was nothing charming about this prince. He looked like a ruffian who had just come out of a bar from the fight and had no ounce of regret over his actions. Leo had no idea what had snapped his control. Andrea brought emotions in him that he did not want to examine. When the elevator door opened, Leo saw Andrea dressed in grey pants and a royal blue blouse. Not bad, Leo thought to himself, she was looking beautiful. The only thing that irked him was the high ponytail. He liked her hair down teasing her face. The expression on her face was of utter shock and then fear.

When Andrea saw Leo, she thought to herself, 'What had he done to himself? Stained clothes, messy hairs, and bruised hands, he looked nothing like the prince charming all the girls at university talking about'. The person standing in front of her was no prince charming. He looked like a dangerous warrior who would do anything to protect his territory. If it was not for that trademark smirk, she would have written him off as some ruffian who had tried to come into the building. She could feel him examining her from top to bottom. At least he was in no condition to comment on her clothes today as he was stained.

Andrea was so engrossed analyzing him that she did not pay attention that all other interns were waiting in the other elevator which was for employees, ready to go back. She rushed toward the elevator forgetting about the sprain in her leg and cried out when pain shot up in her leg, falling on the floor. Both Leo and Jason rushed to her.

"You guys go ahead. I will help Andrea. Please tell the receptionist to send a first aid kit," Jason told the interns helping Andrea up as Leo opened the door of his office for them. "Are you okay?" Jason asked concerned.

"Yes," Andrea replied tried really hard not to wince as Jason helped into the chair Leo has pulled for her.

"It's okay, girls usually have that effect when they see me. There is nothing to be embarrassed about it," Leo smirked at her when he knelt down to examine her leg. Her cry of pain had pricked into his heart.

"Yeah, it's the repulsive effect, to run away from a ruffian," Andrea replied.

"Ruffian?" Leo asked with raised eyebrows looking straight into her eyes.

"How would I know you are not any ruffian by the looks of yours and dressing which are giving me the idea of a beggar?" Andrea replied looking in Leo's eyes.

Jason laughed at Andrea's remark. His best friend had finally found his match. The elevator doors opened with a ding sound and a pretty lady in her 20s comes in with first aid kit in her hand. Jason went to take the kit from that lady as Andrea and Leo were playing a staring match. Jason put the first aid kit on the table and excuses himself.

"Nice reply, I didn't think that you would reply to me in that way" Leo replied. He was impressed that she had some spark in her. Not as bland as he thought her to be. When Leo tried to pick up the first aid kit, Andrea reached for it too, their hands touch each other hand. The contact sent currents to their bodies and left all the neurons trembling if after effects.

"I am fine," Andrea stammered a bit trying to gather her wits. "You are the one who needs to have his cut clean. Have a seat."

Leo obliged her and sat on the couch, a smile tugging on his lips. She sat opposite to him; opening the first aid kit she brought the antiseptic out and started applying it. Leo winced a little when the antiseptic came in contact with the cut. Andrea put her other hand on his cheek to soothe him. Their faces were inches apart. The tension in the room was so thick that Leo swore he could eat it with a spoon. After she cleaned the split lips she started on his hands. Leo smiled thinking she was the reason for these wounds and she was the one who was taking care of them. Sometimes he just loved the twists fate takes.

"Now we are even," Andrea said as she finished bandaging his hands.

"What do you mean?" Leo asked confused with what she said.

"You told the nurses in the medical wing to give me special treatment yesterday. Today I helped you. We are even now." She smiled at Leo's surprised face, "You might want to change your clothes; it won't give a great impression on your employees of you go out like this." Andrea said while pointing out the part where his cloth stained in his own blood.

"Speaking of clothes, you look nice today." Leo said gathering his thought, "But there is one thing that does not fit," Leo said closing the little distance between them, "I like your hair down," Leo whispered huskily in her ear and untied her ponytail.

Stunned by unexpected action of Leo, she snapped at him, "Who are you to tell me what to do? My future husband?" Andrea asked him.

"Yes, you are right my dear princess. I am your future husband," Leo announced it to her.

"What rubbish are you talking about? Did you get hit in the head too?" Andrea asked him, surprised by the audacity of this person. "Aren't you engaged to the princess?"

"You are absolutely right Princess Andrea of City D. I am engaged to you," Leo told her and saw her going pale remembering the truth she had so conveniently forgotten long ago.