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Chapter 28
3 weeks later. . .
Bethany
If anyone had told me I’d be in Romania, living with a man who treats me like I’m a walking goddess, I would’ve called them crazy. Yet, here I am.
It took me a couple of days to think about what I wanted to do. I couldn’t tell if I wanted to take this massive leap of faith and jump off the diving board with Leon, but I knew how much I’d regret it if I didn’t at least try. It would’ve kept me from sleeping, constantly plaguing my mind with guilt from not trusting myself.
My gut has been telling me Leon is the man of my dreams. He isn’t a phony, fraud or sleaze. He’s anything but, being a complete gentleman. Whenever I’m in our house I usually end up slipping away to the small library we have. He doesn’t know this, but I love to peel through the books. When I look through them, I try to find a book about a man like him and a woman like me.
Natasha thinks I’m hysterical, since I told her about what I was doing, but I’m not. I simply have a feeling like our love is one for the history books, and maybe there’s another accurate representation of it. That, or I’m looking for some sort of document that states Leon is actually a prince and I’m living in a complete fairytale.
“Are you ready to get going?” Leon asks, smiling from ear to ear as he comes towards me.
Am I ready? More like is he ready. He doesn’t know it, but I have a complete surprise planned for him today. I talked him into taking me on an elaborate sightseeing tour today, showing me the beautiful castles of his country.
Since we’ve been back Leon has been stuck in his office for hours on end, catching up from how much work piled up while he was with me stateside. I’m still not exactly sure what he does. Hell, I might never know. Now I’m not an idiot. Leon is part of the Romanian mob and a very high key figure at that. From what I can tell Mariana and Ion are the head honcho’s and Leon is one of their generals so to speak.
From watching enough mafia movies and reading books I know not to ask questions. Honestly, I’d rather not know. If I know details I imagine all I’ll be doing is worrying constantly.
“Yep, let’s get a move on!” I say, jumping from my chair I stand straight up in my emerald green dress with black leggings. I have a pair of black boots over my feet and one of my peplum style jackets is hanging on a coat rack in the corner of the room.
“You seem eager. Never knew you wanted to explore Romania this much,” he jokes, taking my hand in his own as we walk over to grab my coat. My cross-body purse is hanging from the same hook and I grab it, even though I know I won’t need it. Leon is always adamant about not making me pay for anything. I hate it, but I know there’s no use in fighting him. He’ll tell me he wants to do it until he’s red in the face. Frankly, it’s not worth the argument.
“Yes. It’s no fun going around and exploring a new place if you have no one to do it with. I’ve been waiting for this day for ages!” I say, smirking up at him. He has no idea what’s coming his way, or what I’m about to do, but damn I’m so ready for it.
Leon has on a black peacoat that looks to be lighter and not too heavy. “Well, I’m glad I can finally get a day from my cave and explore. Now will you put on the coat? It’s only about sixty-degree’s out today from the cold front that’s moved in overnight,” he says, and I slide my coat over me, zipping it up.
“Better?” I question, getting a small smile from him.
“Yes, thank you. Now, you wanted to go around town and see a couple of the old castles and architecture, right?”
“I sure did!” Sliding my hand back in his own, we head for the grand staircase in our inner-city home, pass some of our house employees and exit the front door onto the streets of Bra?ov. When I first moved here with Leon I was shocked with the culture. Nothing could’ve prepared me for any of this. Unlike the major cities in the United States there isn’t a coffee shop on every corner. In fact, there actually aren’t any chains here. Every type of shop you go to in Bra?ov is family owned. It’s a small fact that I absolutely adore. There are no giant corporations here and it’s refreshing to have the small town feel in a larger city.
“Have you gone to the black church yet?” Leon asks,
I furrow my brows as we make our way down the street, “What’s that?”
“Only one of our most distinctive monuments here in Bra?ov. In sixteen-eighty-nine a fire destroyed a portion of the church. The fire ended up staining the walls, and afterwards it has since been called the black church.” He goes on to tell me more of the story as we continue to walk down the streets.
There’s a slight chill in the air, so I’m grateful Leon did tell me to put my coat on. I imagine we’d both be freezing without our coats today. “So, do you know how the fire started?” I inquire, wanting to distract the man.
If I’m still going to have any balls to do this, I need to do it soon. I don’t want to chicken myself out, not after I’ve thought about it for the past couple weeks.
“I’m actually not sure how the fire started. I’m sure there’s a historian somewhere around here who can answer your specific questions. Shoot, I’d hate to tell any sort of misconception.” He goes on to say.
I stop walking right in front of the church at a dead stop, like my feet are glued to the stone sidewalk. Fuck, I’m losing my courage. I planned to have him show me around the city and do something entirely romantic. Something I hoped he’d never expect. I know if I don’t get it out now, I never will.
“Marry me.” I say it loudly, so loud that people turn to stare on the street as they pass us by. Leon looks at me like I’ve gone mad, losing my ever-loving mind. Maybe I have. Maybe I haven’t.
“What?” He chuckles, surely thinking this is a joke.
“I want you to marry me, Leon. You have no idea just how much you’ve improved my life. Since I met you I’ve found my self-worth and self-love again. You were there for me in a time when most would’ve bowed out to deal with someone who had no issues. Instead, you’ve made my life better. Leon, I’ve found the partner I’ve always wanted since I was a little girl in you, and I don’t want to waste another moment. Not when life is never guaranteed.” I barely manage to keep my voice from choking out as I speak to him from the heart.
His mouth gapes open, “I feel like this is a fucking joke. Am I being screwed with right now? Did you find it?”
“Find what?” I ask,
