by Melissa Jane
Pulling away, I touched his face. It was difficult to believe it was real, that he was truly here with me.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was worried about you, Josie. You haven’t been yourself. Distant on the phone, not answering me. That’s unlike you and I know something is wrong.” He studied me carefully. “Now that I am here, I can see my gut feelings were right. Where is the Josie I remember? What’s happened?”
Covering my mouth, a sob racked my body. “So much. So much has happened.”
“It’s okay. I am here for two weeks. We have time if you can’t talk about it now. Just tell me that you are okay?”
“I’m leaving.”
“Leaving where? Paris?”
“Yes.”
He looked confused and he had every right to be. The last we spoke I was thrilled about how my artwork was going. Now it was quite the opposite.
“I quit Lafayette two days ago.”
“Why?”
“I can’t tell you here, but I will. I need to get out of Paris.”
He nodded, trying to compute my cryptic puzzle. “Okay, we will sort it out, Bella.”
I nodded, knowing he always had my back and now was no exception. Looking behind me, Leo called to François. “Make it two shots.”
Taking my hand, he led me back to the bar and we held our glasses up in a toast. “To us, Bella. To finding each other again.”
***
I sat in the cab, my head lolled to the side allowing me the perfect view of Leo’s profile. I still couldn’t believe he was here, in Paris, sitting next to me. The street lights that flashed intermittingly revealed his olive skin and jet black hair. He was the most handsome man I’d ever come across and yet he devoted himself all to me.
We arrived at Leo’s hotel set in the heart of the city and as he led me to the elevator, I could feel that as terrible as they were, perhaps the events that unfolded were for a reason. To bring me back to the place where I belonged. With Leo.
We showered in silence, not wanting to ruin our time together with the truth that was lurking. I relished in his touch as his hands moved over my body with the liquid soap and afterward we sat on the bed where he towel dried my hair.
“How did you know where to find me?” I asked, my back against his chest staring out at the glittering street lights in the distance.
He inhaled sharply. “François told me.”
“François?”
“We go way back. Same for his wife to be Rebecca. When you first met, you told him about your salsa training back home and about the man you left behind. He contacted me and asked if I knew you.”
“He never told me he had spoken to you.”
“I guess he didn’t want you to feel weird.” His voice drifted, smile fading into something serious. “Why did you quit Lafayette, Josie?”
Turning to face him, I could barely make out his face in the shadows.
“My teacher hated me. For weeks, he would have a go at me saying my heart wasn’t in it, that he didn’t understand my technique. He would make a scene, embarrass me in front of my classmates. Then earlier this week he…”
Leo’s face crinkled in concern. His handsome features hanging onto every word I said. “What happened?”
“He told me if I didn’t do what he wanted then we would ensure the commissioner didn’t buy my work. Then he forced himself on me.”
“He what?” Leo sat upright, his voice containing the anger I felt.
“He tried to rape me in my studio, but I got away by throwing my paint thinner in his face.”
“Is that what those marks are on your thigh and hip?”
I nodded because that’s all I could manage.
Moving to the side of the bed, Leo rested his head on steepled fingers. I remained sitting on my folded legs not knowing what to do or say. He was angry and trying to process the words that just spilled from my mouth. Half a minute passed before he moved quickly drawing me into his safe arms.
“I’m so sorry, Bella. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
Wrapping my own arms tight around him, I cried into his shoulder the tears I was made to feel guilty over. The tears people like Cassie and my classmates thought I had no right in shedding. Leo’s hand caressed my hair, soothing me the only way he knew how.
“I’m sorry, Josie. I truly am. For everything.”
“Please don’t apologise. It was something I never saw coming. I thought the guy hated me. I never thought he would try what he did. But he did me a favour.”
Leo sat back waiting for further explanation.
“I had been struggling with the decision to come to Paris from the very beginning. I was torn between a man I had just met, and acting irrationally by listening to my mother’s words. In the end, I chose wrong. I knew it when I made the decision. I knew it when I said goodbye, and I knew it when boarded the plane. Every time I woke in the morning to every night I went to sleep, my heart ached in a way I never thought possible. I missed you before I even left. I should never have gone. Monsieur Bordeaux only sealed the deal that this was not my once in a lifetime opportunity. You are.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I’m coming home and I want to make up for lost time and start a life with you, one I’ve only been dreaming about for the last sixty days.”
A gorgeous smile crept on his handsome face. “You’re really coming home?” he asked, sounding the words like he didn’t believe them.
“When you fly, I fly.”
***
That night we lay spooning staring out into the glittering distance. Leo had his arm draped over me, his fingers stroking my hand. Despite craving to feel him every way I longed for, Leo was behaving the gentleman. Aware of my recent attack and dealing with it himself, we chose to enjoy in each other’s company. Talking without the hindrance of a phone, and laughing at stories we once shared in real life and ones we had lived without each other.
“I’m sorry I ever left, Leo,” I said as a silence descended on us.
“Don’t apologise. You had to do it. If you didn’t you would always be wondering.”
“You are the most important thing to me, and I…I should never have accepted the scholarship.”
“Don’t get me wrong, a part of me wishes that too, especially after what has happened. I can’t even begin to imagine how you must be feeling after what the asshole did to you, but I know how it makes me feel. When you told me, seeing the mixture of fear and sadness in your eyes, I thought I would combust from burning rage. I’m so proud of the way you handled yourself, Josie.”
“What if he presses charges? I think I may have caused serious damage to his eyes.”
“Josie, I am taking you home on the next flight out and back to where you belong. He can do whatever he likes, but whatever he does will have no effect on you, I promise you that much.”
Feeling safe in Leo’s arms, my eyes began to close, the warmth of his chest molded to my body lulling me to a sleep I longed for.
“I love you, Leo,” I mumbled.
“Shhh…I love you, Bella.”
Even as I drifted off into a dark abyss, I could sense Leo was wide awake, his heart still pounding an angry beat as he no doubt dealt with what my future almost held.
CHAPTER 38
What felt like only a minute later, the sun came shining through the window and Leo’s Spanish tongue was speaking softly in the room. It was so hypnotic that it was almost caressing me back to sleep, but my curiosity got the better of me. Rolling over, I watched as Leo paced back and forth, head down engrossed in conversation with whoever was on the other end. He was shirtless, his perfectly toned, olive skinned body was a sight for sore eyes first thing in the morning.
Feeling me staring, he glanced up mid-sentence, he winked causing my stomach to butterfly. Seconds later he ended the call and stared at me straight on.
“How do you feel about making tracks back home today?” he announced, a glimmer of somethi
ng mischievous in his eyes.
“Wherever you go, I go.”
“Good. We leave in an hour.”
***
Although my intrigue levels were skyrocketing, I didn’t question Leo about what was happening and why it was happening so quickly. Leaving the hotel, we made a detour to my apartment so I could collect my belongings. Cassie thankfully was at Lafayette so I could pack in peace without her judgmental eye telling me how much she despised my existence.
“Do you have any completed paintings in your studio?” Leo asked as he packed my toiletries.
“Yes, three. If they are still there.”
“We’re not leaving without them. I will go in. You stay in the cab.”
I didn’t want to argue because I was genuinely thankful. It had been playing on my mind how I could get my best pieces back without having to walk into the firestorm, so I was grateful Leo had graciously offered.
Without leaving a note for Cassie, I closed the apartment door behind me without the slightest urge to look back. When we eventually pulled up outside Lafayette, our time window to get to the airport was closing rapidly.
Giving him the briefest of instructions as to where my studio was located, Leo disappeared through the doors, my heart pounding rapidly against my rib cage.
Despite the cold, my body was forming a sweat, anxiety about being anywhere near this place taking its toll. Another cab swung into a park in front of us stopping for barely a second before taking off again, leaving the one man I wished dead standing on the pavement. His left eye had white padding taped over it, his shoulders no longer squared in arrogance. Watching him follow Leo’s footsteps through the door, my anxiety turned to panic.
With the taxi driver drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, I glanced at my watch. He had been gone ten minutes already and Monsieur Bordeaux had been close behind. Taking my phone from my handbag, I went to dial his number when the sliding doors opened and he emerged carrying my belongings and three complete canvases. The driver, eyeing the handful popped the boot and got out to help.
When they both climbed back in, a blast of cold air following them, I looked ashen faced at Leo, his knuckles on his right hand glowing red with little splits across each one.
“You saw Monsieur Bordeaux?” I asked cautiously.
“Yes, he didn’t seem too pleased that I was taking your artwork.”
“You hit him?”
“Maybe once or twice, but not over your paintings. You did a good job with his eyes.”
I bit my bottom lip to rein in the smile.
Gently gripping my chin, he pulled me forward until his cold lips connected with mine.
“To new beginnings.”
***
Unlike when I was taking off from Australia, I had zero emotion when leaving Paris. But now, standing in front of Leo’s bathroom mirror doing my hair, and applying my makeup, I couldn’t be happier.
I watched from the corner of my eye, as the love of my life shrugged on a suit jacket and straightened his collar. Placing my eyeliner on the vanity, I entered the bedroom where he was standing. Wrapping my arms around his neck, he placed his hands on my hips.
“You…I have no words to describe how happy my heart is to be back with you.”
“Could you see yourself with me for the rest of your life?”
I scoffed. “Without a doubt!”
“I was hoping you would say that.” Leaning forward he kissed me gently before stepping back. “Are you sure you’re not too tired?”
“Whatever it is you have planned, I’m ready. I slept like a baby on the place thanks to those awesome seats.”
That mischievous look in his eyes returned. “Good, we leave in five minutes.”
CHAPTER 39
Feeling confident in my tea-length dress and loose curls through my hair, I took Leo’s hand as he helped me out of the car. We had pulled up outside his restaurant, but through the crystal clear glass frontage I could see that there was a function being held. A group of unknowns in formal attire.
“What’s going on?” I quizzed Leo, who still remained tight-lipped.
“You will see.”
Guiding me through the front door we were immediately greeted by a waitress carrying a tray of champagne glasses. Taking a drink each, Leo placed his hand on the small of my back as we joined the group. They all seemed like professionals from thirty years and up, engrossed in conversation as we made our way to one man in particular. I placed him mid-forties, dressed in a designer suit that helped disguise his semi-round belly.
“Mr. Santiago, a pleasure to see you again,” he greeted, his cheeks rosy. “And this must be Ms. Josie Marks.”
“Yes, please just call me Josie.” His smile became wide as he shook my hand.
“I have to say I am a huge fan of your work.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Your paintings,” he gestured to the walls of the restaurant surrounding us. “They truly are spectacular!”
Taking a step back, eyes wide in shock, I looked around the entire room to see my collection from my college exhibition two months ago.
Turning to Leo, he took in my confused expression and held my hand in reassurance.
“You bought my artwork?”
“Yes. I know I’m not a gallery owner, but I am your number one fan.”
“You bought my artwork?” I asked again in total disbelief.
Leo chuckled lightly. “Yes. And while I have enjoyed seeing it on my walls, Mr. Jeffries here, came in one night for a private corporate function and spotted your work. You see, he and those around us, are from the State Gallery looking to purchase your collection.”
“You are?” I asked stupidly, turning to Mr. Jeffries.
“Yes, Josie. You have a rare talent we don’t find often, and while your work will be showcased in the main exhibition hall, we also want to employ you as our art restorer for the Renaissance collection.”
“You do?”
“If, of course, you’re happy to work with us.”
“How is this happening?” I turned to Leo for support. His humoured eyes quelling my disbelief.
“What do you say?” Mr. Jeffries asked holding out hope for my answer.
“Yes to both, I mean, as long as Leo is happy to sell the artworks, then yes!”
Mr. Jefferies took my hand again in a handshake. “Josie, it will be an honour to have you on our team.” And with that he joined his colleagues to share the news.
“You bought my artwork?” I asked Leo again.
“The truth is Josie, Mr. Jeffries dines here quite often and I knew taking one look at these walls with your artworks on them, he would snap them up in an instant. So here,” I watched as he reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a check, “this was going to be torn up if you said no, but since you didn’t, it’s all yours.”
Taking the slip, I looked at the name on the check. Josie Marks.
“Leo, this isn’t right! You purchased them originally. The sale money belongs to you.”
“Bella, I purchased them knowing that Mr. Jefferies would buy them. I saw the potential customers at the exhibition, and I thought you deserved better than to have your artwork displayed in some dingy side-alley gallery.” His hand folded over mine. “It’s yours.”
I was rendered speechless. Pulling me into his arms, I let Leo hold me. “I’ve always believed in you, Bella. I’ve always believed in us.”
***
We left the party early but not before sealing the deal. I would be starting my restoration job the following week, and the check for my college collection was sitting snug in my purse, thanks to Leo’s generosity and foresight.
Taking my hand, he led me through the dimly lit house, past the balcony and onto the sand. I stopped in my tracks eyeing the citronella flames that lined a path down to the water.
“What’s happening?” I could feel my throat constrict, salty tears burning my eyes with anticipation.
Leo didn’t say anythi
ng, just kissed my lips and continued leading us down. The night was as beautiful as I remembered just with the slightest chill in the air signifying autumn.
At the end of the path in the pale moonlight was a picnic blanket spread out with a bucket of ice and champagne. Releasing my hand, Leo poured us each a drink and handed me mine. He was abnormally quiet and my body was trembling from an uncharacteristic nervous energy.
Pulling me against his chest, his arms circled from behind as we watched the moonlight glimmering on the ocean’s ripples. I had missed this greatly. Feeling the tension subside, we sipped our champagne and enjoyed that energy that passed between us.
“A part of me left with you, Josie.” Leo finally broke the silence. “But since being with you again, I just feel whole.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” my voice was a whisper.
“I was planning on doing this in Paris before I knew everything that had happened.” Taking my glass, he balanced them on the sand before turning me to face him. When he got down on one knee, my heart stopped, lungs left begging for air.
“Josie, my beautiful girl.” That was all he had to say before I was bawling like a baby. “I knew from the moment I met you that you were made for me. All it took was one dare, four rhythmic beats and Tequila 47 and my heart was sold. Fate tested us, but I realised that even worlds apart, I didn’t ever want to be without you. Josie Marks, would you consider spending your life with me, eating, drinking, dancing, laughing and doing all the things we do best?”
Wiping furiously at the tears clouding my vision, I nodded, unable to breathe enough to form words.
Pulling a small velvet box from his jacket pocket, he opened it up, the stone glimmering brilliantly in the moonlight.
“Leo,” I choked lacking all composure. “I love you so much.”
Sliding the ring on my finger, he stood, cupping my cheeks and kissing me so passionately, I felt my already weakened knees buckling beneath me. Between us, I could taste my salty tears as they pooled around my lips, Leo claiming me the way I loved and craved.