L E O N A R D O

How could I raise my hand on her? That's not me.

I released a deep sigh as I was starting to get frustrated.

"How could you almost hit her Leo?!" Iris scolded me.

"I didn't mean to!" I defended.

"She doesn't have the right to insult you." Cassidy pitched in.

" Exactly!" I agreed.

" I don't think its her fault though, it was a misunderstanding." Iris defended Winter before turning to me. "You said you told her about us, what did you tell her?" She eyed me suspiciously.

I avoided her gaze, "Okay so maybe i dudnt tell her," I paused. "Not because i am scared of her or anything but because I don't need her permission for anything and besides, you see how she is? She's crazy!" I confessed.

"Then why did you marry her if you know you don't like her?!" Cassidy questioned me.

"Because I didn't have a choice! I was happy with the way my life was going but ever since I met her, it's been very annoying." I frowned. "But still, I would never hit her or anyone else." My eyes fell to my hands and I shook my head.

"You should totally feel bad about what you did and even if it's a marriage of convenience, it doesn't mean you both can't be friends at least! Is this how you plan to live the rest of your life?" Iris reasoned with me.

"She couldn't stand me before, I'm pretty sure she strangled me in her head already." I sighed.

Iris chuckled, "Get her something to apologize to her and extend a hand of friendship. She doesn't look like a bad person to me." She completed.

"What can I get for her?" I asked both girls.

"A dress?"

"Jewelry."

They said at the exact same time then exchanged looks.

"Diamonds are a girls best friend." Iris pushed her opinion.

"A dress will always remind her of him." Cassidy pushed her own opinion.

"I'll just get both." I announced to end the argument.

"Great idea."

After all of us made our way to the dress store, we ended up getting a red dress then Iris had to go home because she had something to do.  So instead, just Cassidy and I stopped at Cartier and got a nice diamond necklace.

I really hope she forgives me, I don't like her but I don't want her to have the impression that I'm a coward of a man who hits women.

In the evening, immediately I reached home, I saw her mom leave in a car but she told the driver to stop when she saw me pull in.

"Hey Leon!" She greeted me with a cheerful grin.

"Good evening ma'am!" I returned the smile.

"I'm in a hurry right now so let's talk more during the Christmas dinner, alright?" She asked.

"Sure." I agreed then she left.

As I parked the car, I caught a glimpse of Winter strolling into the house, probably after walking her mom out.

I made my way to her with my peace offering and for some reason, I was trembling.

Why do I feel anxious? I'm just apologizing.

"W-Winter!" I called out when I entered the house.

She turned back to face me and my heart skipped a beat.

This isn't me, why am I scared of apologizing? What if she doesn't forgive me and tells her parents or even worse - my dad that I almost hit her and it was because of Iris and Cassidy?

"Can we talk for a second?" I muttered then she nodded.

Her icy blue eyes staring directly into mine made shivers run down my spine . How come I never noticed her eyes before?

"I want to start off by apologizing for this morning and not telling you in advance about Iris and Cassidy. It's really not what you think, I couldn't just explain it to you in the morning because I really don't know what label our relationship has and I get really touchy whenever they are mentioned. I didn't mean to raise my hand at you." I fully apologized.

"You could have just told me in advance," She broke the silence still holding the gaze.

"I know! I didn't know how you would react if I had told you and I didn't have anywhere else to take them, I've spent half of my life with them." I explained.

She sighed, "It's alright. Is that all?" She asked.

Is that it? Has she always been this nice?

"Yeah." I immediately answered. "No, wait!" I called out again as she began to walk away.

"It would be great if we could at least be friends, forget about our first encounter." I stretched out my hand.

"Sure," She smiled then took my hand. I watched her eyes dart towards the bags in my hand.

"Oh and these are for you." I handed the bags to her.

"Thanks." She took them from me. "My mom brought groceries and we will have workers from tomorrow." She informed me.

"Oh? My mom also called to ask if we will need helpers and I told her yes, I'll have to call to cancel."

"Oh yeah? That's crazy." She snorted.

"Yeah."

She turned to leave but I still wanted to talk to her.

What do I say? Shit.

"You know, let's have dinner out tonight." She offered. "You and I plus Iris and Cassidy. I really want to get to know them better." She added.

I was glad but sort of bummed that it wouldn't be just us.

"That would be great! I'll let them know."

"No need, I'll inform them myself." She waved it off.

Has she always been this nice?

"Thank you." I honestly said.

"No problem! Oh and nothing formal, it's a casual restaurant."

"Good to know." I smiled.

"We'll leave by seven." She informed me before going upstairs.

I watched her disappear into the hallway and then turned to face the dining room.

Why did I want to be alone with her? No no Leo! Don't falter! This is a marriage of convenience and feelings are not in the agreement.

It's good the girls are coming with us, I need to snap out of this.

**

Now the real fun begins!