{ AUNT CLARA }
Mariana opened her eyes slowly and the first view she opened up to was Leonard,she was on him,her head resting on his chest. She raised her head and scanned Leonard’s face with her eyes,he was still sleeping,his hand wrapped around her waist.
She let out a smile and pecked his lips which made Leonard open his eyes.
“You were looking like a sleeping beauty just now” Mariana teased and Leonard chuckled
He pulled her back on his chest and kissed her,Mariana leaned more into the kiss.
Her tummy suddenly made a loud sound and she broke the kiss,blinking her eyes twice. Leonard laughed out and she hit his chest
“Don’t laugh” She scoffed and got down from him
“You’re hungry” Leonard said
“No,I’m starving. f-__-king starving” Mariana uttered
“My kisses aren’t enough? Is that what you’re trying to say?” Leonard teased
“Are you for real?” Mariana scoffed
“Let’s go out…”
“Yes!” Mariana gushed
“Go dress up,not like an hungry lady please,dress like Leonard’s Fiancee” Leonard said
“Am I a joke to you? Wait for me” Mariana winked and walked out of the room.
Leonard got up and went into the bathroom,minutes later he was all done and dressed looking hot as always. He went out of his room and entered Mariana’s room.
“You should have knocked!” Mariana yelled and immediately covered her chest
“Oh sorry” Leonard said,almost laughing
“It’s not funny” Mariana said as Leonard turned his back
“Don’t tell me you’re still looking for what to wear Riana” Leonard said
“That’s the problem,I can’t find anything to wear” Mariana muttered and kept searching
“Can I help?” Leonard asked
“I would appreciate that somehow” Mariana replied and Leonard turned his face back to her.
He walked closer and Mariana fell on the bed tiredly
“Are you sure you can?” She asked
“What do you take me for?” Leonard chuckled,checking out the dresses
“Oh sure,probably it’s not your first time anyway” Mariana rolled her eyes
“What??”
“Don’t pretend,you’ve obviously done this for numbers of girls” Mariana said
“Maybe” Leonard muttered and Mariana scoffed
“Got it,here” Leonard said showing her a red short dress
Mariana got up
“Is that mine? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it” She said,looking kind of confused
“Really? How come it’s here in your closet?” Leonard raised his brows
“It’s really beautiful” Mariana smiled and immediately took it from him. She rushed into the dressing room and returned after two minutes
“Wow,” Leonard muttered,his eyes not blinking even for once
“Do I take your breath away Leonard Briggs?” Mariana said with a flirty voice
“Totally” Leonard said,still staring at her
Mariana chuckled and immediately brushed her hair which only took a minute,she did a little makeup and then faced Leonard again who was already on his phone
“All done,let’s go” She said and Leonard raised his head
He lean closer and pecked her lips
“You’re so lucky my lipstick is waterproof,you would have been a proof of kissing” Mariana said
“I don’t really mind” Leonard smiled and hold her hand,they walked out of the room together
They got downstairs
“Good evening boss” The guards greeted and almost opened the car
“No,we are going alone” Leonard immediately said and opened the door for Mariana
She smiled and entered,Leonard also joined her and immediately drove out of the house.
••••••
Charlotte and Octavia came out of the car at the same time then Alexa followed
“Have anyone called Mariana?” Charlotte asked
“Bet she’s with Leonard” Alexa replied
“And Delaney?” Octavia asked and Charlotte scoffed
“Why should we call her?” She asked
“Oh wow wow,that sounds somehow” Octavia looked at her
“I don’t really like her” Charlotte rolled her eyes
“Why? Because Ricardo is interested in her?” Alexa asked
“Who said Ricardo is interested in her! Stop talking about it,it’s annoying” Charlotte said rather angrily and increased her pace toward the apartment
Octavia and Alexa exchanged meaningful glances and said nothing.
Just then,Royce also drove into the compound and came out of the car
“What Octavia,you didn’t tell us you two are neighbors” Alexa said
“I just found out….” Before Octavia could finish,Alexa already ran to Royce
“Wow,you stay here now? I think we should celebrate it” She grinned
“Alexa!” Octavia yelled
Alexa winked at Royce and he smiled
“Of course,come on” He said,leading her toward his apartment
“Charlotte come on babe,we have a small home party to do!!!” Alexa screamed and Charlotte immediately followed her
“Gosh,those girls,I h@ťě them” Octavia groaned and ruffled her hair
She went in with them anyway
“Wow,this place Is amazing” Alexa and Charlotte said at a time,looking around
“Do you guys want soft drinks…..”
“Soft drinks and Pizza!!” Alexa and Charlotte shouted.
Octavia rolled her eyes and sat down
“Pizza,let’s order for that” Royce said
“Do you have an interesting movie?” Alexa asked and almost got up
Octavia grabbed her and pulled her back on the couch
“Movie,sure trust me” Royce winked and his eyes met with Octavia who immediately glared at him.
••••••
Leonard and Mariana came out of the car and Mariana faced him
“No mask?” She asked
“No” He replied and faced back
“Really? What if….”
“I don’t care,let’s go. I booked a private lounge already so don’t worry” Leonard cut in and entwined their hands as they went in
“Oh mine!! Leonard!!” The waitresses screamed,getting the customers attention.
? Wow,it’s true
? He’s with a girl
? Isn’t she the alleged girlfriend?!
? Wow,they look so good together awwwn
Before Mariana could blink twice,flashes of cameras were all over them even as the waitresses led them to the private lounge
Mariana held Leonard’s hand tightly feeling so nervous
“Here is our best private lounge!” One of the waitresses gushed happily when they finally entered
“It’s so romantic as you can see,just the best for you” Another one said
Mariana looked around and her cheeks turned red
“Do you like it?” Leonard asked and she nodded
They both sat down
“Here is our menu list,please check it out and we will give you the best” The waitresses handed them both the menu
“I will eat wh@ťěver you want” Leonard said to Mariana
“Awwwn,I’m jealous” They heard the waitresses murmur
Mariana checked for about two minutes and then looked up
“I will go with grilled chicken and potato salad” She said
“Wow,such a nice choice ma’am.”
“Same thing” Leonard said
“Yes sir Leonard” They bowed
“Choice of wine??”
“Red wine” Leonard answered
The waitresses left happily
“I don’t blame them right now,I’m even nervous of seeing my face everywhere in few minutes” Mariana muttered
“You don’t have to worry about that okay? I will deal with it” Leonard said
They kept talking until the waitresses returned with their orders
“Enjoy” They chorused and then went out again
“Looks delicious” Mariana said,picking the cutleries
She cut a piece of the grilled chicken and looked up to see Leonard’s staring at her
“What,aren’t you eating?” She asked,shoving the chicken into her mouth
“You’re so beautiful” Leonard muttered and she smiled
“I guess you just noticed,I’ve always been beautiful” She said and Leonard chuckled
“You should at least appreciate my compliment” he said and Mariana shook her head
“I’m going to my aunt with Ricardo tomorrow,wanna come along?” She asked
“Why? Why are you guys going there?” Leonard questioned
“To ask her about my real identity of course,what else. I feel like she’s really hiding a lot of things from me so we have to find out” Mariana answered
“Oh,I won’t be able to go with you. I have something important to do tomorrow” Leonard muttered and Mariana nodded gently
“Don’t worry tho,I will tell you everything when I’m back” She said and continue eating while Leonard kept stealing glances from her every second.
••••••