But I don’t know anything about business so I guess I’ll have to take Leo’s word on that.
“You live here alone,” I say. “No… girlfriend? Wife?”
A dimple appears in Leo’s cheek. “Are you asking if I’m single?”
“No,” I say quickly. “Just an observation.”
“No girlfriend. No wife. It’s just… easier that way. Given my line of work. I’m gone a lot. Most women don’t put up with me. Now, enough questions.” He pats the table. “It’s been a long day. I’m sure you’re tired from cleaning the entire house. I’ll let you rest.”
“Of course.” I scramble to my feet, picking up the dishes. “I’ll just clean these first.”
“You don’t have to, Emma.” He murmurs my name so effortlessly on his lips. “I can do it. It’s the least I can do.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Go rest in your room.”
“Ok. Thank you.” I hurry away from him before I can say or do something stupid. I’m in over my head, I know that. This tingling, excited feeling in my chest whenever Leo is around is new for me. I like him, I know that. But he’s my boss. And a stranger still.
I have to be careful. My mother kept me locked away all my life. I don’t know much about the world. But she would always tell me I was naïve and the last thing I want is to prove my mother right.
Leo takes me out to a park near his house.
“It’s beautiful here,” I say, gazing up at the trees that overlap, turning the walkway into something out of a fairytale. “Thank you for taking me.”
“You’ve been working hard these past couple of days. It’s…fascinating. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work so hard before.”
I blush under his compliment. My hands hold onto the dress he bought for me – a soft pink one that makes me feel like a princess.
“You’re not used to compliments, are you?” he asks. “You always turn red whenever I give you one.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. You really are innocent, aren’t you?”
“Why do you keep saying that? I have nothing to hide.” Except, I do. My mother. Leo cannot know everything about her. I don’t want her finding me.
“Mmm,” is all he says. “I think a lot of people have things to hide. Me included.”
“What are you hiding?”
He winks. “If I told you, then I’d have to kill you.”
I’m becoming more accustomed to Leo’s humor. The way he teases me. It’s so unlike the way my mother spoke to me.
We reach the end of the park that leads back to the main road. Mothers and their little kids are out running around, enjoying the sunshine. My mother would never let me have a fun day out. The smile and laughter on the kids makes me happy. They deserve it.
One child – a little girl – runs right out into the road. Her mother is distracted with two other kids.
It’s then that I see a car coming… right in the direction of the girl.
Without even thinking about it, I run into the road, grab the girl and pull her out of the way before the car can hit either one of us. The driver of the car honks his horn like we’re the problem and keeps on driving.
My body hits the ground but the little girl is ok, even though she immediately begins to cry. The mother runs over, taking her daughter from me.
“You saved her life,” the mom says. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“It was nothing,” I say, pushing myself to my feet. “I saw she was in danger and just acted. I would have done it for anyone.”
