Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 852 : Not a Date

*Bianca*

America was not like Italy at all. Unlike the ancient stonework of my home country, the history that descendants have built upon generation after generation, everything in America was shiny–bright and flashy, with neon signs proclaiming what their products could or could not do. Everything felt loud and obnoxious like every store and sign was trying to capture the world’s attention simultaneously.

Even the buildings were too tall and brand new in a way that made my skin crawl.

I liked America well enough, but it felt different than before.

Now, I was returning here all alone.

Though, not completely alone, I thought, sneaking a glance at the burly man to my side. Leo drove casually, his eyes hidden behind dark shades, only one hand on the wheel but completely in control at the same time.

His muscles flexed as he rotated the wheel, and I couldn’t stop the small feeling of heat that crept up my body. He was attractive, I had to admit.

I turned to glance out the window, stomping on those thoughts like weeds under a shoe. I wasn’t in the market for a new man. My fingers tightened into fists in my lap as my thoughts traveled back to where I didn’t want them to go.

I’d had enough of men.

“Here we are,” Leo called out, giving me a charming smile as we pulled into the compound. It was just as beautiful as I remembered, sleek and modern, but the roots contained undeniable elements from Italian architecture.

I smiled, feeling more at home as we pulled into the garage. Leo pulled off his sunglasses, tucking them on the dash, and I caught a glance of his eyes for the first time since we’d first met.

“We’re home.” He winked, so naturally like it was obvious.

I couldn’t help the smile that crept up my lips at his playfulness as he got out of the car. I followed, heading to grab my bag, but Leo was one step ahead.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to pick me up, Leo,” I told him as he lifted my bag out of the backseat, completely natural like it was obvious. I had to admit, my heart skipped a beat at the chivalry, something that no man had ever done for me before.

“No problem, Bianca.” Leo grinned casually, carrying my bag in one hand like it weighed nothing to him. I tried not to stare at how the muscles in his arms flexed. “I’ll show you to your room. It’s changed a bit since the renovation, so if you want to change anything just let me know and I’ll have it done. You can even change the whole floor to your style if you want. I don’t mind.”

He chuckled, casually strolling into the house through the side door. I chased after him, my heart beating unusually fast, which I tried to calm. Renovating the whole house? Was he crazy?

“There’s no need to go that far for me. I’m not worth spending so much–” I tried to protest but Leo halted in place, nearly causing me to run into him before turning on his foot to face me. There was a gentle smile on his face. We were unbearably close, merely a foot apart, and I could feel the heat of his breath brushing across my face as he leaned down to be at eye level with me.

I wasn’t short by any means–tall for a girl actually–but even I felt small and dainty in front of him. It was a feeling I’d never felt before, so curious to me. But I didn’t dislike it either.

“This is your home now, just as it is mine. I want you to feel comfortable here,” Leo explained with a soft look, and I was unable to tear my gaze from his unbelievably blue eyes–they were like the fresh morning blue of the sky. “Besides, money is nothing to me, especially for such a beautiful and classy woman like you.”

He winked, shamelessly grinning as he flirted with me. Despite my instincts telling me to push him away and draw a line between us, I just couldn’t. I bit my bottom lip, my heart feeling lighter than it had in the months since I’d been away.

“Oh really, Leo?” I asked just as playfully as I took a step forward. “I bet you say that to all the women.”

“Of course not. You’re special. Not every woman can tell a Firebird at just a glance,” Leo breathed, eyes fixated on me like I was something fascinating to him.

I had to admit, it stroked my ego a bit to have a man like him so obviously attracted to me.

But I wasn’t here for romance.

“I’ll take you at your word then,” I chuckled, stepping past him to head upstairs.

I still remembered the way to my old room, but Leo followed me half a second later, grumbling something to himself. I had to stop myself from giggling at how charming and adorable it was.

My room wasn’t much different from before. The layout was still the same, though the furniture had obviously been replaced and was brand new. The bay windows leading to a small balcony were a nice added touch that I enjoyed, especially since it gave off a view of the gardens below.

It was pale in color, beige and brown, and boring. I had half a mind to take Leo up on his offer to redecorate, though not nearly on the grand scale he was thinking about.

“You have the whole east wing to yourself, so feel free to do whatever.” Leo placed my suitcase on the floor next to the bed, looking rather awkward as he gave me a sheepish smile.

I nodded, not really happy about that. The east wing was massive and I was just one person. It felt really empty last time and now that it was just me and Leo, it knew it would probably be even more so.

“Uh, I know we’re just roommates, but I was hoping we could have dinner together.” Leo’s eyes went wide with panic as I gave him a surprised look. “Not like a date, but just like ’cause we’re living in the same house, y’know? It’s just more convenient! The cooks could just make one meal and all.”

His flustered expression almost made me want to tease him, but I took pity on him, giving him a bright smile.

“I know what you meant. Sure,” I laughed.

He nodded, giving me a few last lingering looks before leaving. I could tell how reluctant he looked, like a puppy begging its owner not to leave it, but as cute as it was, I needed some time to myself.

“Thanks again, Leo,” I told him softly, gently shutting the door between us before he could respond.

As soon as the door shut, my smile dropped. I heaved a sigh, heading to the small suitcase I’d packed.

I was stiff as I unpacked, pulling out the hurried bundle of items I’d stuffed inside–only essentials and a couple of momentos. At the bottom of my suitcase, I felt something cold and hard in my hand, and I stiffened as I pulled it out–a gold necklace, just a chain and a circle with a small diamond pendant, one that looked more like a collar than a piece of jewelry. I didn’t have to check the chain to know what was written on it.

‘Matteo’

My ex-boyfriend... and the one I was running from. He was a psycho who pretended to be altruistic, a wolf in sheep’s clothing who’d bullied me into a relationship.

I bundled up the necklace in my hand, my anger returning as I thought back to our toxic relationship. It had started off innocently, then turned ugly after I started my studies in America. He had been the main reason I’d been stuck in Itay for months, chaining me to his side.

He’d tried to trap me, to become the perfect housewife for him. My last straw had been when he’d demanded I stop my studies in America and stay in Italy so he could take care of me... more like so I could wait on him hand and food. Then he accused me of cheating when I’d told him no.

It had been an ugly fight that night, and I had been terrified that I would end up broken under his fists. The only reason he didn’t hit me was because I left before he could.

I’d had to rush back to LA once he’d refused to accept our breakup, stalking me and my parents. It wasn’t until I talked to my cousin, Mia, and her husband, Alessandro, that it finally stopped.

I didn’t know what he did, but Al had bought me a plane ticket and told me he’d take care of my parents and Matteo, and that I should go back to my studies at UCLA. It had felt a bit odd in the way he’d spoken, saying his family would take care of me while I was here. As far as I knew, Leo didn’t even have any family connections to Al, but I was so desperate to escape, I hadn’t questioned it.

Matteo was a monster, one I was relieved to be thousands of miles away from.

I headed over to the small trash bin, dropping the necklace from Matteo inside and not giving it another thought. He was in the past now. I wasn’t even sure why it was in my bag.

Once I finished unpacking everything, I stored my suitcase in the closet before deciding to wander around the estate. Classes wouldn’t start for a few days and I didn’t really know anyone here, so I thought I should at least check out the renovations Leo had said were done.

I hadn’t gotten very far out of the east wing and into the main section of the house before I grew bored of the plain walls and floors, only broken up by the occasional artwork. It was all so monochrome that I found myself lost in the same winding hallways, absolutely confused about which way was left or right any longer.

“Merda,” I murmured to myself, it being a habit of mine to slip into Italian whenever I was alone.

I jogged down the hallway, beginning to panic a little after twenty minutes of searching. Even my phone had lost its battery due to not charging it and just when I turned the corner, expecting to see even more plain halls, I ran straight into a brick wall of muscle.

A hand wrapped round my waist, preventing me from falling as the force of sprinting into whatever I hit pushed me off of my feet, and I was completely held up by a single arm. I gasped as impossibly blue eyes stared into mine.

“Bianca? What are you doing over here?” Leo asked in confusion. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

I blushed, glancing at his arm still holding me up and he panicked, gently putting me down on my feet as he immediately stepped back, shoving his hands behind his back.

“Um, I got lost,” I said awkwardly, and I was happy to see he looked just as flushed as I was. But as embarrassed as I was, I had to admit that I was actually glad to see him.

I didn’t want to start a relationship, not after Matteo, but he was attractive, chivalrous, and nicer than any man I’d ever dated. Plus, he was a terrible liar. A man like him who showed every emotion on his face so shamelessly probably had no secrets or hidden agendas, and it was a relief to have someone so straightforward by me.

Even if I didn’t want to date, I knew it would still be nice to have a friend.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t expect to see you over here. This is the southern wing. Nobody comes over here anymore,” Leo explained sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Though I’m glad to run into you. I was wondering, do you have anything to do today?”

The eagerness in his eyes as he stared at me, silently begging me to say no, had my heart skipping a beat and I couldn’t help but smile, actually happy to be around another person for a change.

“No, I don’t,” I said, curious what he wanted to do. I’d have to turn him down if it was a date, but I thought a nice outing just as friends could be nice.

“Well, you’re still relatively new here, and Al said you haven’t had the chance to see anything besides the compound and university, so I was wondering if you wanted to go see the rest of LA. I’m a guaranteed fun tour guide and I know all the best spots, so what do you say?” He grinned, though I could see the hint of nervousness in his smile, like he was afraid I might say no.

My lips slowly pulled into a smile as I took a step forward.

I knew it would be nice to get out and see everything LA had to offer. Plus, sightseeing didn’t count as a date, so it was safe to say yes, right?

“Sounds great, Leo,” I easily agreed, smiling just as widely up at him. “I’d love to head out with such an esteemed tour guide.”

His face lit up like fireworks.

It wasn’t a date, I told myself as my heart thudded loudly in my chest as I followed him side by side, pretending like I didn’t notice as he brushed his hand against mine.