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I turn my car back on, pull out into traffic, and head home.
CHAPTER6
Francesca
Iset the box that Leo gave me on my bed and stare at it, too afraid to open it. Anything could be inside. A pretty dress, a personal item from Leo, or even a decapitated head. I take a deep breath. Ok, I doubt it’s a decapitated head. So, then, why am I nervous?
With a burst of bravery, I lift off the top of the box to see … fabric. It’s clothing. That’s a relief.
Then I get a better look at it.
It’s lingerie.
A babydoll dress with a built-in bra. I pick it up gingerly and inspect it, noticing the lace and the sheer see-through-ness of it. I drop it back into the box and back away.
Why did Leo gift me lingerie? He showed such consideration when gifting me the lilies that I found myself opening up to him. Why would he ruin that by giving methis? It’s brazen. Does he expect me to wear it? Why? It’s not as if he’s going to see me in it.
Then I pause. Unless … he wants to see me in it. But I barely know Leo, and I’m so inexperienced; it’s almost painful. Maybe he gifted this to me in the hopes of giving me a headache because that’s what I’m experiencing right now. A headache and sheer panic.
No one has ever shown me the attention Leo has. It’s flattering but also scary because I have no clue what to do with it. I’m in LA because I’m supposed to find a husband. I’m not supposed to be getting distracted by Marco’s second in command, whom Emilia absolutely despises.
A knock on my door makes me squeak as I quickly close the lid on the box, the lingerie disappearing from view. Emilia pokes her head in. “Hey, I wanted to ask if you want to go check out a museum? You’ve been cooped up since you arrived, and I thought it might cheer you up.”
“Thanks. Uh, yeah. That actually sounds great.”
“Great.” Her eyes slide to the chocolates, lilies, and the box with the secret lingerie inside on my bed. “What are those?”
I step in front of it all, though I’m not sure why I don’t want Emilia knowing Leo gave them to me.
Her eyes narrow as she walks into the room, her hands splayed on her lower back. “Where did you get all of … that?”
No use hiding. I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “Uh … Leo gave me this.”
Emilia’s head whips in my direction. “I’ve told you Leo is no good. He treats women horribly. He shouldn’t be giving you anything.”
“But he got me lilies.” I hold them up. “They’re my favorite.”
She sighs and sits on the bed, looking at me with pity. For the first time in a long time, I feel annoyed by my older sister. “I don’t know what Leo is up to, but I don’t trust him. I don’t know why he’s giving you these things, but if he comes back and tries again, tell him no next time.”
Normally, I’d nod and stay quiet, but for some reason, I don’t feel like it today. “Why?”
“What?” Emilia looks startled.
“Why is it hard to believe someone could like me? That maybe Leo is giving me these things because he likes me.”
“Oh, Franny.” She grabs my hand and squeezes. “Because Marco told me what kind of man Leo is when it comes to women. He’s no good. It’s not that I find it hard to believe someone could like you. I just find it hard that Leo is capable of liking any women beyond sex.”
My eyes flit to the lingerie box. “Do you think I’m weird?” I ask it before I can stop myself.
“What? Of course not.”
“Then why did you ask Marco that I am?”
Emilia pauses, opening and closing her mouth, before she sighs and ducks her head. “You heard.”
“I did. And I wasn’t going to say anything. You know that’s hard for me.”
“I do.”
