Chapter twenty seven

It has been a week, since Leonardo's departure to Spain, Alison tried not to attribute her loneliness to the hole dug in her heart that deepens with each passing day since his departure.

It confused her thoughts even more and only causes her thoughts to conflict harder.

Of course, she tried not to attribute this feeling of emptiness to Leonardo, is it possible to fall for someone in a month?

Maybe, but she would not like to believe such can happen in her case.

After she met with Leonardo's confession, she has never been herself. Her thoughts always find a way to reach out to him, and no matter how hard she tries to repel these thoughts they come back double the force.

For the first time this week, she would truthfully attribute her absent-mindedness to Leonardo's absence.

She has to be truthful with herself.

The last time she felt this way was back at home. She shamelessly anticipated seeing him again but that is not the case here.

Back then she could attribute her eagerness to their newfound friendship and his easy jokes, the way he made her temporarily happy, forgetting her past.

It was different now even though the two situations look similar.

There was one outstanding difference, Leonardo loves her.

But yet that doesn't explain the emptiness and wallow feelings buried in her chest.

As much as she wants to deny it, a part of her wants to see Leonardo again, listen to his deep sensual voice that tingles her ears. A part of her wants to feel his grey orbs resting on her.

His large hands intertwined with her small own, she misses all of that.

As much as she wants to deny it, her body-mind, and soul is already used to Leonardo he made such a mark on her in such a short time, it was starting to reflect in her thoughts.

You make me feel things I don't want to feel...

That was a big lie, maybe it was supposed to be in a different context that should sound truthful in her ears.

You make me feel things, I fear to feel...

That is the truth.

Leonardo made her sensitive, she is no longer that Alison that give cold shoulders, unapproachable and all, he made her receptive to his feelings and touches, so much that she feels like reciprocating it, but fears.

It has been so long, so long she doesn't know how to comprehend her feelings, instead, they taunt and haunt her.

She sees herself suffering each day because of Richard hurt, feelings that are meant to be receptive and welcoming remind her of how she willingly gave herself to Richard reciprocated those feelings, and what did he do?

Call her 'nice' names, and left her and her unborn child a divorce paper.

Each time she tries to wonder the reason for his actions she finds none.

Yet, he blamed her and she in turn blamed herself forever loving him.

Why does she want to love so bad then? The love that left her exposed, vulnerable, a mock item.

Love that showed her how horrific it can be, love that hid the hate and disgust Richard was starting to have for her.

A staff came to her and handed her the reports she asked for, deciding to check out how the site was doing, she asked Garrett to drive her there to take a look at the work since she has been busy all week in her office.

She left Paige behind, to work on some files

Settling on one of the plastic chairs provided, she gently flipped through the file taking a look at the reports.

"What of the monthly report for the equipment bought and used. Also here-" she pointed, " -did not specify the rented machines and the cost. Where is Johnson I need to have a word with him."

"He is out today Ma'am, went home for the weekend."

Alison nodded in understanding, "When he is back, give him back these files and tell him to make the necessary adjustments and present it at the office." After that she dismissed him.

Making up her mind to come to the site today and see how the work was going, she was pleased with what she saw. The development of the restaurant was going on so fast that, they have started framing the whole building.

She is pleased everything worked according to the plan she created.

It was different from the last time she came with Leonardo. The ground holding up the frames was covered with steel rods making out the foundation of the building, but now it was taking the form of a real building with its support system holding the building in its weak stages.

The plan was at least effective, she glanced around, and felt relieved when she saw the river the yellow-red hue of the sunset reflecting on the wavy water.

It looked so quiet and serene here, and no work has been done near the Riverside as they intended to do with the floating diner.

She is still working on its building plan.

Walking away from the site, she came to the bank of the river enjoying the breeze flipping her hair in the air.

If Leonardo was here, he would have removed the strands of hair from her face and complimented her beauty. She strolled more, sighting a familiar bush this was the area where Leonardo confessed his feelings.

Goosebumps stood on her skin, and her body shivered as she walked towards the place he stood, she recalled she stood by towards the right close to him.

It was late in the afternoon, the wind got stronger, but her conflicting emotions were stronger than the wind.

"Alison you make me feel things too. Beautiful things."

Things I need to feel... His words were memorized in her heart. It was the soothing words that calmed her and promised her love.

His words are forever imprinted in her head, like an old scar gotten from a deep injury.

She visualized his grey orbs always giving her that soft tender look, that made her knees buckle.

"I don't want to be involved with you..."

"I do... I want to be involved in every part of your life."

Will he also accept Sam? If she gives him a chance would he really accept all of her?

A smile grew on her lips, the first time she would admit it she does miss Leonardo.

She missed him.

Love? Such a strange word but familiar.

Sweet but bitter, a perfect mixture of a living oxymoron.

Always contrasting.

In her case...?

It is something she doesn't want, yet her mind is willing, her whole body is yearning for one person.

Named Leonardo, squatting on her knee she took a little twig poking out from the bushes.

Stabling her legs on the whitish damp sand, she writes carefully on the sand, the wind making her eyes water slightly.

LEONARDO ♡ ALISON.

Backward it reads, Alison ♡ Leonard

A smile spread across her lips.

The thought of giving Leonardo a chance and her heart a chance to heal was too strong on her.

Why does she want to feel loved again?

She would go for lack, whenever you lack something, you feel blessed when you finally get what you lack.

Does she want to love Leonardo back?

Feeling peaceful at the moment she draws meaningless lines with the twig, her gaze resting on the setting sun.

The breeze strength reduced, also the temperature dropped.

At the far end of the sky, she could a half Moon peeking from the clouds, very soon it would be dark.

She recalled that particular night with Leonardo after taking her to the restaurant and teased her about not being able to cook.

His hands held hers and they walked under the naked night, with the cool evening breeze kissing her skin.

What mattered that night was how reassuring he was, he gave her hope with one little gesture.

He held her hands in his tighter, squeezing them reassuredly.

It was that the same night, he wrapped his jacket around her. She fell in love with his masculine scent, a delicious scent that lurked around her nose.

His hot spicy smell.

Did she recall the time he called her a friend for a day? The night he saw her at a restaurant and decided to join her, she remembered being wary of him, cautious, guarded.

While he was all smiles, constant teaser and tricked her into saying her name.

Thinking about it, he flirted shamelessly back in those days.

Smiling at her memories, when last has she felt this happy when being with someone.

Why does she miss Leonardo this much?

She feels her walls were crumbling, and much as she wants to deny Leonardo has infiltrated her system and contaminated her thoughts with his presence in her life.

Allowing herself to love again, doesn't feel as scary as it was before. It feels refreshing, and her heart eagerly anticipated it.

To love is something she is eager to learn again.

Only if it is with Leonardo. She is ready to take that risk.