“Around two o'clock,” I replied.
He glanced at his watch, making me glance at it, as well. It was currently half past nine in the evening. Still four and a half hours left before I got to leave.
“Right,” he nodded, grinning back at me. “I'll be back by then.”
Before I could respond, he kissed me full on the mouth. It was brief but gentle. He flashed his lopsided smile at me, and then winked.
“See you later.”
With that, he left. I faintly saw Marco standing up and following after Leo.
While I was left there, with a goofy grin plastered on my face.
This was going to be a good night.
Chapter 2: Life in The Hamptons
It was strange to see Ariana's mouth stretched wide in a grin like that. It was even stranger that Sarah was wearing the exact same expression.
I decided to ignore them and continued to pack the last of my essentials in my navy blue gym bag that I haven't used in a while. I took the remaining pair of shirts on the bed and put them inside the bag. I stopped to look around my bedroom, thinking of things I might have forgotten to include.
See, I was going to The Hamptons for the weekend – specifically in a small town called Sagaponack. Curious, I researched about the place this morning and found out that its ZIP Code was listed as the most expensive in the country last 2009.
Wow.
Good thing I wasn't going alone. I actually shouldn't have been surprised that Leo would take me to somewhere like that. Other than the fact that he and his family could afford it, it fitted their lifestyle perfectly.
A couple of weeks have passed since we made the 'no strings attached' deal, and it had been undoubtedly the most amazing two weeks of my adult life. We might not see each other every day, but Leo tried his best to see me almost every other day. When he could, he would stay at my place for a few hours. He never once stayed all-night, though. We only stayed overnight together at hotels. Oh, and I've never been to his place.
This was probably the first time he would bring me to a place that his family owned. At first, I didn't want to because I felt like I was getting pretty personal. But then, he'd reason out that he went to my apartment, met my little sister and best friend. He said that it was basically the same thing now, but I would only get to meet their care-taker and gardener there.
I reluctantly agreed to take the weekend off at Rusty's so that I could spend the entire Saturday and Sunday with Leo out of town. I didn't get to go on trips with my friends so much when I was in high school. So it was like I was taking the chance now.
Ariana liked Leo, by the way. At least, she liked him for me. It was safe to say that she was a big supporter of 'Team Leo'. I didn't dare tell her about him being the Mob Prince. She only knew about his very public social status, but nothing about his secret life.
Sarah, on the other hand, believed that this thing with Leo was good for me. She thought that he was my ticket to experience the fun that I deprived myself of having these past years.
I'd think she was being melodramatic, but she was her snobby-lecturing-self when she said that so I knew she really believed that I was 'depriving myself of fun' all these years.
“I still can't believe that you're dating Leonardo Russo,” giggled Ariana, hugging my pillow as she sat on my bed. “It's like a fairy tale turned to reality. You're like Cinderella, and Leo's like Prince Charming!”
How fitting, I thought humorously. Leo's somewhat a prince and he's charming.
Sarah seemed to have thought the same thing because I caught her eye, then she burst into a laughing fit. I smiled despite myself.
“I'm not dating him,” I clarified to Ariana. “We're just friends.”
“So you say,” said my little sister, giving me a knowing look.
I shook my head. “Seriously, it's more like I'm seeing him rather than dating.”
“What's the difference?”
“Oh, there's a lot of difference,” piped out Sarah.
Sarah and I exchanged glances. She raised an eyebrow as if asking permission, I nodded for her to go on. I jumped on the bed, completing the form of triangle we seemed to have had.
Ariana wasn't a kid anymore. Besides, since she turned fourteen, Sarah and I had been open to her with girl stuff as much as we could.
“You know the movie with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis?” Sarah asked her.
Ariana frowned a little. “'Friends With Benefits'?”
We waited, watching her reaction. She was a smart girl. She would figure it out. Then, her creased forehead slowly smoothed in understanding. Her mouth opened and formed a tiny O, while her eyes grew wide as she looked at us.
“Oh,” she squeaked.
“Bri's a brave soul to have agreed to this,” Sarah told Ariana.
I faced to her. “How?” But the answer came to me as soon as I asked.
Sarah looked at me with a mischievous smile. “Because it'll be a miracle if you wouldn't fall head over heels in love with Leo by time you both decide to call it quits.”
Crap. That was what I feared she would say. I feared it because it was precisely the same thing I dreaded to happen in the future.
“It goes on both ways,” blurted out Ariana.
Our heads turned to her. She shrugged.
“It's true, isn't it?” she continued. “As far as I've observed since I met him, Leo's already pretty crazy about my sister – with or without a label. It'll be a wonder if he wouldn't fall for her eventually.”
My heart melted at her words. It was really sweet of her to say that. Although I tiny bit liked what I heard come out from her mouth, it was impossible that Leo and I would end up together and have a proper relationship. It was just farfetched, considering our backgrounds.
Nevertheless, I reached for Ariana's head and ruffled her neat blonde hair.
“You don't have to say that, kiddo,” I said, smiling a little.
“I love you, too,” she laughed, pulling her head out of reach from my hand.
“It doesn't get better than this . . .”
I automatically glanced at my phone, which was ringing and vibrating at the edge of the bed. A picture of Leo sleeping glowed on the screen.
We all exchanged glances. My heartbeat accelerated, I wasn't sure if it was because of nervousness of excitement. Maybe both. The thought that I would get to have him all to myself for two days turned my stomach into knots.
I didn't realize that I frozen until Ariana poked my arm. I shook my head and rapidly grabbed my phone.
“I'm here,” said Leo's voice as soon as I pressed the 'accept' button.
“Already?” I asked in disbelief, glancing at the clock. “You're pretty early.”
“What can I say? I'm too excited to see you.”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks at that. “You're such a flirt,” I told him, but I was smiling despite myself.
“You say that like it's a bad thing,” he laughed. “Now get your sexy ass down here so I could smother you.”
I ignored his innuendo. “Bossy.”
“It comes with the charm.”
“Says you.”
“Says everybody.” I was quite sure he wore a smug look on his face as he said that. “Are you going to come down now, or do I have to get you up there myself? You do know what will happen if it's the latter, don't you?”
The threat in his voice made me have second thoughts. If he did come up, we would no doubt stay in my room for quite a while – and by that time, the traffic would be awful.
“Yes, I do,” I sighed. “I'll be down in a sec. See you.”
“All right.” I could practically heard his smile.
As soon as I hung up, I ran to the nearest mirror to examine my face.
“He's here,” I told them, still looking at how I looked.
“Don't worry,” Sarah said. “You look hot enough that he won't think to look at another girl while he's with you.”
“She's right, Bri,” agreed Ari
ana with an amused tone, before I could snap a witty comeback. “Remember that you'll have a very good-looking guy with you, there will be jealous girls whether you like it or not. Now go be drop dead gorgeous.”
I wasn't sure if I should be grateful for their compliments or if I should be insecure because they made it seem like I was going out of town with a Greek god or something. Then again, Leo could easily pass that off.
When I was confident enough at how I looked with my floral dress that went just below my knees (which I rarely wore), I flashed Ariana and Sarah a weak smile. I hugged them both at the same time.
“Wish me luck,” I whispered when I pulled away.
“Good luck!”
“Best of luck.”
I picked up my bag and headed for the front door. I looked at them before I fully left.
“Love you both,” I added sincerely. “Take care, you two.” I bit my lip and pulled up my shoulders in a gesture of mixed excitement and nervousness.
Leo met me right outside the apartment building. He was leaning on one of the trees in front. The sight of him almost took my breath away. This was the first time that I saw him wearing casual clothes; blue long-sleeves pulled up by his elbow and well-fitted jeans. My eyes went up to his hair and saw in delight that it was slightly tousled – like after sex bed hair.
My God, he looked so good.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he grinned.
“'Morning,” I greeted back.
He kissed me on the cheek as soon as I was near enough. As he pulled away, he took my bag from me. His free hand grabbed my right hand, pulling me toward . . . a shiny classic black convertible. My eyes widened in surprise.
When he noticed the look on my face, he chuckled.
“It's a Jaguar Roadster,” he informed me, glancing at it appreciatively. “My favorite car among others that I own.”
After getting over my little shock, I noticed another thing that was different.
“Where's Marco?” I asked, watching him put my things in the trunk.
He didn't answer me right away. He waited until he was opening the passenger seat's door for me before he spoke.
“Just us,” he smiled, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“'Just us'?” I repeated slowly, absentmindedly sliding in onto the seat. I stared off into space as I let that information sink in me.
“Yeah,” he nodded cheerfully. “Only you and me this weekend, B.”
I looked at him. And I could see his anticipation through his eyes. His lips were stretched to a crooked grin I've grown to adore.
As the fact finally sunk in, thrill came over me.
“Are you sure, though?” I asked, but I couldn't keep the delighted tone in my voice even if I tried.
“Why wouldn't I be?” he chuckled.
He walked in long strides to his side of the car, making me think that he wanted to get away in the City as quick as possible. If it wasn't for the fact that he had on a blissful look on his face, I'd think there was trouble in his 'secret life' and his life was in danger.
When he was settled in his seat, turned on the ignition, and put on his seat-belt, he looked at me.
“Are you ready for the weekend getaway?”
I just noticed then that the smile never left his face. He was wearing it the entire time, from the moment I laid eyes on him today.
“As I'll ever be,” I beamed at him.
He nodded with an entertained look on his face. Seeming satisfied with my answer, he put the car on gear and we were on the road.
It was weird, though. This feeling was weird.
It was as though I was a teenager going on a road trip with my teenage boyfriend. It was as if we were kids who were having their first taste in love. It was like we were newly weds on our way to our honeymoon.
The weirdest part?
I liked the feeling.
I liked it a lot.
One to describe what I was seeing: WOW.
The houses were ten times bigger than what I was accustomed to, the trees looked ten times greener, and the atmosphere of the town was ten times cozier. Everything here seemed so vast and luxurious – yet so peaceful.
I'd never been to somewhere like this. I'd never even seen this kind of neighborhood from the movies I had watched. Actually, scratch that – Gossip Girl's Season 2 (when they featured The Hamptons) came pretty close to what I was seeing now.
Truthfully, I felt a little overwhelmed by what my eyes were registering.
“This is something,” I whispered under my breath.
“Welcome to my world,” said a deep voice.
I glanced at Leo, and saw that he was smirking.
This is his world. I'm not quite sure if I belonged.
I didn't get to respond because I got distracted when he made a right turn. We drove into a tree-lined avenue. From afar, I could make out a house. I could practically smell the salty ocean from here, so I guessed we were near the beach.
My jaw dropped when we pulled into the driveway, right in front of the most beautiful house I had ever seen in my entire life. I might be exaggerating a little, but what the hell? It was what I was feeling in the moment.
I was faintly aware of Leo getting out of the car. I heard an opening and closing of the trunk, but I didn't turn. My eyes were pinned on the mansion in front of me.
The roofs were a comforting color of blue, while the exterior walls were all shades of gray bricks. The entrance door was wide and had a tall archway, while the windows gave out the impression that the inside had high ceilings.
All of a sudden, my door opened. I jumped in startle, whirling my head to see the cause of my surprise. And there was Leo, with an amused expression on his face, carrying both our belongings in his right hand.
“Cat got your tongue?” he laughed.
I guessed there was still a dazed look on my face for him to make that comment. To save myself a bit from the embarrassment, I ignored what he said and continued to admire his home.
“This place looks incredible, Leo,” I complimented, taking my time to look around while I got out of the car.
They had a huge lawn, and what seemed like a garage that could fit eight or ten cars. Oh, and the house looked like it was three-stories tall – not including the attic, if they had one.
“It's not much,” he shrugged cockily.
I could see the smug look he wore that he was obviously not trying to hide.
“This is not much, huh?” I asked rhetorically, with a raised eyebrow. “I was waiting for that inflated ego of yours to come out.”
“Don't tell me you're not the least bit impressed.”
“I am.”
He grinned triumphantly.
“By the house – or mansion – whatever you call it,” I continued. Smirking, I added, “Not by you.” Then, like a kid, I stuck my tongue out briefly to tease him.
He considered and nodded. “Fair enough. For the record, we call it 'villa.' Now, let's go in.” Using his free hand, he gently took mine into his and pulled me toward the front door.
An old plump woman greeted us as soon as we reached the front door. She wasn't that old, really. If I would have to guess, I'd say she was in her late forties or early fifties. It was slightly hard to say because of her dyed shoulder-length brown hair.
“Leo!” she exclaimed as she ran up to him and kissed him on the cheek. She pulled back and had a good look at him. “It's been quite a while, young man!”
“I was just here last summer,” replied Leo defensively, though he was grinning ear to ear. There was warmth in his eyes as he looked at this woman, like he was looking at his own mother. However, they looked nothing alike.
“Bah!” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “Feels like ages, is what it is. I was so ecstatic when you called a couple of days ago informing me that you'll be coming over to stay for the weekend. God knows this place could use a little more people in it.” She spoke a bit too fast that I didn't realize I was trying to catch up unt
il it she stopped, and her eyes wandered over to me, noticing my existence for the first time. “And who might this be?”
I would have been nervous, if not for her off-guarding warm smile that she gave me.
“This is Bridget,” answered Leo. “The girl I told you about.”
I flashed him a questioning look.
“I told her that you'll be spending the weekend here with me,” he explained, running a hand at the small of my back like he was soothing me.
“Hi there, sweetheart,” the woman told me. She took my hands into hers. “I'm Susan, the ever trustworthy caretaker of the Russo Villa,” she added, gesturing around us.
I smiled at her. She was so bubbly for a woman her age.
I liked her.
“Hello,” I greeted back politely. “It's nice to meet you.”
“Trust me, dear,” she said in a low voice, looking at me meaningfully. “The pleasure is all mine,” she beamed. Then, she let go of my hand and clapped her hands once. “Right, so the fridge and cupboards are all stacked with food. The pool is cleaned, grass is cut, and the rooms are all ready to use – even though I assumed that you'll only use one room,” she added teasingly, which led me to blush and Leo to clear his throat.
Well, that was awkward.
“I'll be back tomorrow afternoon,” continued Susan. She kissed Leo's cheeks again, then mine. “You kids enjoy yourselves!”
With one last smile, she left and headed toward the open garage.
“She's so sweet,” I remarked, watching Susan get in her red MINI Cooper.
“She's one of the reasons why this place feels like home.”
My eyes turned to Leo. He was also watching Susan, who was now driving away.
I thought back a few minutes ago when I first saw him greet Susan, and remembered how he looked so young and vulnerable. Just for that tiniest moment, I envisioned him as a kid who knew nothing much about the world and didn't care about anything but to play and have fun. No responsibilities.
In then made me thought back to a time when I was only a child who only ate, played, and slept. No bills, work, and priorities.
Well, I had none of that now.
Against All Odds Choices (2ndt in a series of contemporary romance books for Kindle) Page 2