Marry me', he said, like it was a business deal. Cold. Calculated and final
'Typical Leo Callahan', Nora thought to herself.
Two weeks ago,they had met again after their partly painful split five years ago at a dinner meeting both parties had attended reluctantly.
Leo had just barely managed to detach himself from his overtly excited mother who wanted to introduce him to anyone and everyone....what could he say.... since he came home a month ago, everyone was curious about the man who had stolen the "most eligible bachelor" title 3 days after returning home.
He saw his escape chance when his mom went to get him a glass of wine after saying he looked patched.
He slipped away before she could even reach the wine glass tower...he went to the balcony to enjoy the night view undisturbed
Nora felt out of place in the dinner meeting...all around her were business gurus,CEOs, Shareholders and Stakeholders of the leading company in the country...DX groups..."why am I here again?" she asked Ivy,her best friend..
"You my dear friend are here as my date since I don't have a real one, besides it's also for your good.... you haven't gone out since 2 months now,it's better than just sulking alone all day"
"So can you please quit complaining and whining like a child and enjoy the party, it's just an hour left".
"Okay ma'am ", Nora said with an eye roll.
Ivy turned and mistakenly bumped into a waiter spilling wine on Nora's immaculate white dinner dress...Talk about embarrassing situations
Nora wanted to evaporate
Almost 360 pairs of eyes in her direction.
She really wanted to die there...the waiter apologized very properly... almost superficial
Ivy felt very bad,she tried to offer help but Nora insisted she was fine and left the charade of a party.....she went to the balcony to be undisturbed, maybe then she would be able to forgive Ivy for bringing her there.
"At last!,some alone t-t". Nora WA s at loss for words when she stared into the eyes of someone she was almost sure she could never run into again....Leo Callahan....He was still smug, infuriating,and jeez... still insanely hot..
"Get a hold of yourself", Nora scolded herself.
Wait.....was that a smirk she just saw??... Could he ever change?
"Nora Storm... fancy meeting you here"
" Well I'm not sure if I can say so"
"Still fiery,I like that "
"Whatever, aren't you meant to be somewhere, being rich and annoying?"
"Yeah right, but I am stuck here... speaking of which, I didn't know you were the dinner meeting kind of girl "
"I'm not, but that doesn't make us close enough to sit around and talk"
" Easy there, don't flatter yourself, I know how to waste my time just fine "
" I hate to say it but I agree with you on this one,I came up here hoping to get a serene and comfy view but you can't help ruin it, I'll leave first Leo"
"Thanks for the favor", Leo said nonchalantly
"Ugh!!",Nora said wishing she could scratch out his eyes.
Turning to leave without looking,her heel caught on a uneven stone, sending her tumbling forward. Time seemed to slow as she felt herself losing balance, her heart racing with a mix of panic and embarrassment.
But before she could hit the ground, strong arms swooped in, catching her mid-fall. His warm hands wrapped around her waist, steadying her, and she felt a rush of safety and security.
As she looked up, their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them melted away. His gaze held hers, a spark of concern giving way to a warm, gentle smile. She felt her cheeks flush as she gazed into his eyes,those eyes...time seemed to stall....her heart skipping a beat.
"Steady?" he asked, his voice low and soothing, his breath whispering against her skin.
She nodded, still caught in the intensity of their shared moment. As she regained her footing, his hands lingered on her waist, sending shivers down her spine.
The world snapped back into focus, but the connection between them lingered, a palpable spark that seemed to hum with promise.
Flustered,she left hurriedly ,her brooch falling out
"Wait" He said,she stopped in her tracks. He came closer,"You ain't no Cinderella", he said putting back her brooch in her hands
"So stop running off like that leaving an accessory".
His hands lingered. She removed her hands quickly and turned leaving quickly.