L E O N A R D O

My father is actually letting me rebel? That Is so unlike him! I remember when I told him I didn't want to do business but instead save lives and all he was threaten to cut me off from his will and everything.

I stood at the glass window to admire the winter snow, Christmas was fast approaching and I could already see people putting up their decorations even though Christmas was like three weeks away.

To be honest the festive season never really me happy. Everywhere is so cold and I can't take off my shirt as I pleased.

I sat on the sofa and sipped my hot cocoa, I've been starving but the hotel staffs have decided to take their time in preparing my breakfast.

My phone came alive and the picture which was my lock screen was Thalia, Iris and Cassidy all together. A smile made its way to my lips.

The text was from Iris, Riona's younger sister who is currently in her third year at the University of Essex.

You're in London and you didn't even tell me?

Oh shit! How'd she know I was here?

I replied, I came two days ago. You know I wouldn't leave without visiting both you and Cassidy.

Even after Riona's passing, I still kept in contact with all her sisters. Seeing them alive and well makes me feel Riona's presence.

The messages chimed showing it had delivered and immediately changed to seen then typing.

When are you going back to the US?

Not anytime soon tho. Wya? Are you busy?

Nah, we're at our apartment.

I'm on my way, let's have breakfast together.

I pushed my phone in my back pocket then grabbed my jacket and hand warmers before exiting my hotel room.

After waiting for a bit, I found a taxi that could take me straight to their apartment and didn't waste any time hopping in.

It took about thirty five minutes by road to reach my destination and my fare was pretty fair.

I stood outside a four story building made with bricks and walked inside. I used the elevator to reach the fourth floor where my girls lived and with a smile plastered on my face, I rang the doorbell.

"Leo!" I heard a squeal from inside before the door opened and Iris jumped on me immediately she saw my face.

"I missed you too Iris." I wrapped my hands around her.

She pulled away and looked me in the eye, Iris was beaming.

We closed the door behind us and went inside where I see Cassidy who was sitting on the sofa with her phone in her hand.

"Hey Leo!" She greeted with a cheerful grin but didn't come to hug me.

I'm not surprised though, Iris has always been the one fond of me while Cassidy was well very indifferent to me but I knew she loved me regardless though.

Cassidy is in her final year at the university Of Essex majoring in civil engineering.

"How have you both been?" I asked them, looking around to see if they've been lacking anything.

"Everything's great Leo! Lia sends us money from time to time." Iris reassured me.

"How's your school going Iris?"

"It's quite stressful but I have to finish what I started, I can't wait to be done." She complained.

"Well after you do actually graduate, you'll come work at the hospital with me." I reminded her.

"Can I at least take some time off to build my social life? It's crumbling right before my very eyes." She pleaded.

"Sure, grab your coats let's go out for breakfast." I announced.

They both went inside to wear warmer clothes and came out almost immediately.

"There's a good place nearby." Cassidy suggested and we went along with her.

While both Iris and I were catching up, Cassidy was walking ahead of us, trying to lead the way.

We stopped when we reached a restaurant named Wills. The outside was painted white and the pillars outside were made in a very elegant design. We walked inside and the bell rang, the interior of the place was also nice and felt very homey.

In our table of three, we had wooden chairs and wine glasses arranged for each person.

A cheerful waiter came towards us and greeted us then waited to get our order. I scanned the menu for something I'd like.

"I'll have poached eggs and smoked salmon and a cup of cappuccino." Cassidy was the first to order.

"I'll order a complete English breakfast and a bottle of water please, room temperature." Iris ordered.

"You won't be able to finish it!" Cassidy attacked Iris.

"I will! It's not that much anyway." Iris argued back.

"I'll have avocado on toast and a cup of hot chocolate." I ordered.

"Noted." He wrote the orders down then walked away.

As I turned to face the girls, I could only notice how much Cassidy looked and reminded me of her.

"Why do you have a frown on?" Iris questioned me.

I looked around trying to figure out why she was talking to but she maintained eye contact with me causing me to look down. I didn't even realize I had a frown on.

"Oh," I mouthed. "Nothing, just thinking about certain things." I answered.

"My uni is going on winter break in about a week so we'll be heading to New York soon." Cassidy informed me.

"Oh, so where will you stay?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"We're not sure yet. Thalia is in France and won't be able to make it for this Christmas." She sighed.

"You both can stay with me, we'll spend Christmas together." I suggested.

"We wouldn't want to intr-."

"We're family, I thought we already established this." I convinced her.

"Yay! Christmas at Leo's!" Iris cheered.

Hopefully this whole mess about the wedding would have cleared off by then.

After eating, I dropped the girls off at their apartment and was about to enter a taxi to the hotel when a black SUV showed up in front of me.

That car looks like dad's car.

One of his bodyguards came down and opened the door to the back seat then ushered me to get in.

As I slid into the backseat, I looked eye to eye with my father.

"I'm not getting married." I firmly said.

"I won't talk too much. You will get married next week, otherwise," his eyes filled with determination.

"What can you use to threaten me dad? I don't need your money anymore, I make mine now." I boasted.

"You might not need my money but they do," he smiled devilishly.

He can't mean...

"We're going back to New York immediately where you'll get prepared for your engagement otherwise I wouldn't be able to guarantee the girls education or even their safety."

**
Threats left and right lmao
My protagonists just want to mourn in peace! Why won't their parents let them?!
Find me on IG @theepeachygirl