chapter 17

LEONARDO

I stared at Lyxaria through the window. I clenched and unclenched my fist hoping it will curb my anger.

"I told you you don't need her Son. There is no need to cancel the wedding, you will get married to Simone." I heard the foolish old man say.

I really wanted to make a huge dent in his face.

I turned around and signaled Alfredo who was standing at the door to come.

"Take him away." I ordered Alfredo.

"You can't do that Leo. I'm your Father and I am the former Boss. You can't chase me away because of a whore." I heard him scream as Alfredo dragged him away.

I showed him enough respect by not letting the mere guards take him away and instead I told My right hand man to do it.

Once he has gotten rid of the old man he came back into the dinning room.

"Boss,Lyxaria is not anywhere near the vicinity. Do you need us to get her back?" He asked me.

"Leave her. I have a feeling she will come back."

I walked away and entered into my home office.

I sat down on my chair and opened the bottom drawer. I made duplicate of all her pictures.

I pulled out the first picture that I saw and it made me smile.

This is the picture I took of ber when she was sleeping the first time she came here. After the incident in the basement.

I know she will see me as a freak if she finds out about the pictures but I can't help it.

She seems familiar. Like as if we knew each other long before we met but I could not pinpoint where or how.

I sat on my chair pondering over the issue over an over again but I could still it figure out anything.

LYXARIA.

Sage and I arrived at our favorite coffee shop and came down.

I ordered a cup of latte while Sage ordered a cup of dark coffee.

We sat down close to the window and I could not help to look outside into the streets.

"Are you ready to say something. I heard your father going around and telling everyone that you are getting married this weekend."

I simply nodded my head. A lot was going on in my mind right now.

"What did he say?"

"What did who say?" I asked.

"Leonardo. What did he say?"

" I don't know Sage. This has been his idea all along. Did you know that there is a useless mafia tradition where after the man sleeps with the girl for the first time they display the sheet as an evidence."

I saw the look for shock pass though her face before she held my hand that were on the table.

"This is so bad Lyx. I need you to know that I'm always there for you okay. Whenever you feel troubled you can come to me. I know that one day your father will definitely get what he deserves."

I wiped the tears that fell down my eyes. I really thought I was all alone in this world but I guess I wasn't. I have someone who gives me the love greater than what a sister or a father can give me.

" I love you Sage."I could not help but say.

" And you know I love you too."

" Now no more crying. Even though you don't want this wedding, that doesn't mean you won't look pretty for it."

" What do you mean?"I sniffed

" Let's go shopping for a wedding gown."

I quickly shook my head. The last thing i wanted was to make it seem like I'm trying to adapt to this arrangement.

" You are not doing it for anyone but yourself. I know how much you like shopping for new clothes. It might cheer you up."

I decided to give it a try. Let's see how it goes.

Sage and I both got into the car and her driver drove off to the boutique. I never thought I'll be shopping for my wedding gown less than a month ago to a guy I barely knew.

LEONARDO.

" What is it?" I asked Alfredo who just stepped into my office. My chair was turned against the door facing the ceiling to floor window that overlooked the city of New York.

"Boss it's been reported that Lyxaria just left the cafe."

"Where is she going to?"

"She and her friend just arrived at a boutique that sells wedding dresses."

"I see"

I smiled inwardly. It might not be noticeable but slowly she's adapting to her new life.

"Let the store attendants know that she's not paying for anything. I can't allow her use her money to pay. Understood."

"Yes boss".

He nodded and quickly left the room.

I will do everything to make her happy.

LYXARIA

We stepped into the boutique that had displayed different designs of wedding dresses. There was even another collection in the second floor that was on full display. Everything looked so beautiful but one of them caught my attention.

It was a long white slimy gown with little white gems sewn round the dress. I went closer to take a closer look at the dress and as I was about to touch the dress I heard an irritating voice behind me.

"I guess spreading your legs finally did you a favour since you are here shopping for dresses." I heard a familiar voice saying from behind me.

I turned around to see both Jennelle and Simone standing behind me.

" And I guess you recovered quickly from you water trauma"I retorted back.

" Oh please. Don't try to act smart. I heard Bro Leo did not even know that yous renout here shopping for wedding dresses. That just shows how desperate you are to get married to him."

I decided to ignore them but Sage wouldn't let them have it.

" Well I guess you seem to be so bitter since you aren't getting married to him."

" What are you talking about?" Simone stuttered.

" I've heard everything. How you were rejected by Leonardo and now you are so bitter. You should really need to let go" she immediately started laughing and I could not help but join her.

I saw the way Jennelle and Simone's face turned so red from anger it looked like it was about to burst.

Just as she was about to say something the store attendant approached us.

" Any problem here ladies? " The store attendant asked.

" Of course there is a problem. This young lady want this dress that I want." Simone quickly interjected.

I can't believe it. She has no interest in the dress at all.

" That's not a problem ma. We have another of this dress so the both of you can have it."

" Like I will buy the same clothes with a cheap whore." Simone scoffed.

The moment the store attendant heard that I was a 'whore' she looked at me in disdain.

" Since that's the case miss Riles, please follow me so we can check the dress out." Both Jennelle and Simone with the store attendant looked at me with disgust as they walked past us.

I could feel Sage fuming beside me. This was so embarrassing and disgracing.

" Let's go Sage, I can't stay here any longer."

I held her hand as we approached the entrance.

" Why do you like running away Lyx. You can't continue being a coward and a chicken. I can't stand the fact that you keep quiet when you get insulted all the time"

I could see the sadness in Sage's eyes. Even I felt the sadness within me.

As we were about to exit the store the manger approached us.

" Miss Bishops?"

I turned around to see a middle aged man standing behind me.

" Good afternoon sir. There is no need to worry, we are already leaving." I quickly said.

" That's the problem Miss Bishops. You can't leave unless I will lose my job." He immediately begged.

" What do you mean?" I heard Sage say.

" I just got a call from Mr Demarco's office the owner of the security company guarding the whole of New York and they have ordered us to serve you to your satisfaction."

I could not believe it. That Leo had actually ordered them to attend to me.

" The dress I want has already been taken by someone else because of your store attendant. I would rather go elsewhere than stay here in a place where they insult their customers." I was no saint. If I had an opportunity to drag down those that hate me then I will definitely do that. I don't throw the first stone but that doesn't mean I would throw a larger one back.

" Consider that store attendant fired miss Bishop. You won't ever see her again.

Infact we have a brand new collection up stairs. It's a limited edition and it's only one of a kind." The manager quickly suggested.

Before I could respond Sage immediately spoke up.

" Then lead us there sir. And I hipe you will keep to your promise by ensurimg that store attendant gets fired."

" I will do exactly that.lets get you upstairs. I'm sure you will love what you will see."

He led Sage and I up the stairs and when we reached upstairs I was in awe.

The whole floor was covered in limited edition wedding dresses. I have read a lot about them in the fashion magazines but I had not really seen them physically.

Everything looked so beautiful ans it looked better than the one I had originally chosen.

The sparkling white dress with different designs on it made it hard to choose from.

Sage and I both walked along the aisle looking for the best one.