That’s where the closeness ended. He disentangled himself from her and she strangely mourned the loss of all his warmth and strength. It had felt good, having him talking her through, being able to rely on him.
Now, he was all business.
‘I’m sure you’d like to see your room.’
She’d been in Leo’s magnificent Milan property before. One of the few people privileged to see the living areas on the ground floor at least. Not many people had. Whilst style magazines gushed over his other residences that were dotted around the world, he’d never invited them into this one. The only photographs of it available online, were old real estate listings before he’d purchased it and done an extensive renovation. Whilst the palette of the villa was all warm neutrals, from the glorious, honeyed floorboards to the creamy walls, the spaces were punctuated with pops of colour. From the large antique rugs on the floor to the soft furnishings and art on the walls. It was a place that looked…inviting. Loved. Lived in. Unlike his more modern interiors, which struck her as showpieces, this one had history about it. It felt more like Leo than any other place she’d seen.
Like home.
Instead of heading into the lounge area Leo made his way up a flight of stairs to the upper floor, then up another flight to what appeared to be an attic area.
‘I’ve given you the whole top floor. I thought you might appreciate the privacy. The main bedroom’s below you.’ He opened the door and walked in. She followed.
The space stole her breath. It was unlike any other part of the house she’d seen. Once Leo had asked Simone her favourite colour and she’d said she had none, probably more in a fit of rebellion than anything else. This room,herroom, was entirely decorated in shades of white and cream. It should have looked cold, soulless, but the space was anything but that. The ceilings were ornately moulded plasterwork.
Against one wall was a four-poster bed in a pale, whitewashed wood. The covers were plush and soft and it was stacked with pillows that looked like you could sink into them and never want to leave. The canopy and drapes were filmy and light, tied back against the posts, giving the room an understated opulence. A velvet covered bench sat at the end of the bed.
Along a wall opposite to the bed sat a large couch in an off-white linen with matching cushions. It was a space designed for someone to inject their personality should they wish, yet still felt complete just as it was, an elegantly conceived blank canvas.
Designed by someone who’d listened to her.
‘This is glorious,’ she whispered, her eyes burning with emotion at Leo’s thoughtfulness. Her own room in her old family home had been decorated by an interior designer. What Simone had wanted hadn’t really factored into the plan at all. Her mother had demanded the space match the rest of the house and so Simone had always thought it was cold and soulless.
This room was none of those things.
‘I hope you’ll be comfortable here,’ Leo said.
‘I know I will.’
She couldn’t look at him right now, because if she did, she might be totally overcome by it all. Instead, she moved to one of the windows set into the sloping ceiling and pulled back the filmy curtain. Below them sat a walled garden, a slice of green with lush plantings and what appeared to be a huge magnolia tree in the back corner, which would look magnificent when it flowered.
‘Is there anything you need?’ Leo asked.
All Simone needed was time to regroup. She shook her head. ‘I think you’ve done more than enough.’
She turned and tried to smile but it felt weak and shaky. Leo didn’t seem to notice. Nothing about his demeanour changed, apart from looking a little pleased with himself.
‘As you’ve done for me. Don’t think your efforts are unappreciated. For this morning, I have some work to do—’
‘Can I help?’ Work. That’s what she needed to get back her equilibrium. It reminded her of what her role really was here, as his valued executive assistant.
Leo shook his head. ‘It shouldn’t take long. Something a little time sensitive is all.’
That of itself was strange. Disappointment settled like a stone in her stomach. Simone knew everything about his work and she’d seen nothing on her email indicating anything time sensitive had come in. There was also something a bit different about Leo in this moment. He appeared a little closed off. Though perhaps the ‘work’ had something to do with the ‘surprise’ he’d scheduled in for tomorrow.
‘I also realise the only time you’ve seen Milan is for your job, so if you’d like me to take you sightseeing after I’m done…’
Simone didn’t need more time in close proximity to Leo, not after this. And especially not with the risk of photographers following them to capture every glaring detail without the time to prepare herself. What she really needed was space and sleep. Perhaps if she was a little better rested her head would clear. At the moment, her thoughts and emotions were a complicated tangle she needed to undo.
‘Maybe another time,’ she said. ‘I’d like to catch up with my sister this afternoon. Give her a call and see how she is.’
‘Of course.’ Leo hesitated. Slipped his phone from his pocket and checked it. Frowned. Tapped a quick message. Pressed send. Returned his gaze to hers with a tight smile. Clearly he wasn’t happy about something. She might have asked what, but if he wanted to tell her he would. ‘Your bags will be up soon. Remember our day trip tomorrow. Dress—’
‘For a day on the water. I remember. I packed appropriately.’
‘Of that,cara, I have no doubt. I’ll let you get settled.’ He gave her a sharp nod, then turned and left the room. Alone with her thoughts, doubting everything.
Leo motored the boat he’d hired across Lake Garda. The breeze cool and fresh over the vivid blue water. His mother had always spoken fondly of growing up around this place, before moving to Milan and meeting his father. An idyllic childhood in a little village, swimming on the lake, catering to tourists. They’d been back to Lake Garda a few times when he was a child, but then the family furniture business had taken over and consumed everything. He’d wondered whether his mother had felt landlocked, moving away from the water and a place she’d loved so much.
