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CHAPTER 28
LEO
It was torture having Cassandra next to him during the drive with awkward silence between them. Cassandra twirled a loose curl around her finger, keeping her head turned toward the window.
f He drove south through London to Greenwich. Winding around Greenwich Park, he entered the now-familiar neighborhood. Empty storefronts covered in graffiti, littered streets, and abandoned cars were familiar sights in this part of London.
“Where are we going?” Cassandra asked.
“You’ll see. It doesn’t look great right now, but things are about to change.”
Cassandra raised a brow in doubt.
“It’s safe. I promise.” Leo parked in a lot next to an adult learning center. “We’re here.”
He undid his seatbelt, grabbed his tablet computer, and climbed out of his car with Cassandra following him.
“Why are we at a school?” She cast a skeptical eye around.
“I’ll show you. Come with me.”
Cassandra followed him, stepping carefully around a few piles of fast-food wrappers and broken bottles in the lot. He led the way to a clearing not far from an abandoned community park. With an experienced eye, he visualized where the rows of houses and shops that would revitalize this desolate part of the city would be.
He spread his arms wide. “Welcome toRose Village.”
“There’s nothing here,” she said in a flat tone.
“There will be.”
She looked around. “I don’t understand.”
“My partner and I are planning a new community here. We’ll build affordable housing for families, as well as senior citizens.”
Recognition dawned on her face. Cassandra nodded with a smile “Ah, now I get it.”
“We’re revitalizing an entire community.” He pointed to various spaces, trying to make it come alive for her. “It will be a mixed-use project. Housing, but also small businesses that provide social services and healthy foods.” He pointed to an empty space, “Over there will be a farmer’s market on the weekend.” He turned back to Cassandra. Her eyes were wide and filled with wonder.
“It’s going to be amazing,” she said in a quiet voice. She walked closer to him. “It really is, Leo. I’m very impressed.”
Cassandra’s enthusiastic response was reassuring, but it also unsettled him. He was excited to share his project ideas with her, but the years battling against misconceptions about him reared its head.
“Are you impressed because you think it’s a good idea? Or, that someone like me—a celebrity playboy—could envision this project?” he asked, waiting for her answer.
“Why would you say that?” she asked, studying him with curiosity. “When we met, I didn’t know who you were. I’m not impressed by your celebrity. I’m impressed because this is not only a good idea, it’s also a noble cause.”
He believed her sincerity. Relief coursed through him that there was a real possibility to move forward. “Thank you.”
Cassandra nodded. “Why did you decide to build it here?”
“There’s high demand for these kinds of projects, not only in London, but in cities all over the world. My partner and I work with community leaders, so we can understand their specific requirements.” He turned on his tablet and opened the file. “Here’s the plan for Rose Village.”
Cassandra leaned in closer while he found the schematics. Her eyes scanned the diagram with interest.
“Leo,” she said, glancing up at him, “this is incredible.”
“Thanks. Each community determines their most important needs. It might be daycare for children, senior care, after school activities and tutoring, that sort of thing.”
“Who designed the buildings?”
