Falling for you

Chapter 6

As Leo navigated the quiet streets of London, the soft hum of the car engine filling the air, a tense silence settled between him and Leanna. Sensing the need to break the ice, Leo cleared his throat. 

"What's the deal with you and Athena?" he asked, his tone cautious. "Why doesn't she like you?"

Leanna sighed, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window. "I wish I knew," she replied with a shrug. "Athena has never liked me, but I have no idea why."

Leo furrowed his brow in confusion, his gaze flickering to Leanna's troubled expression. "That doesn't make sense," he remarked. "You've barely even spoken to her."

Leanna nodded in agreement, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Tell me about it," she muttered under her breath. "Why do you guys let her boss you around?"

Leo frowned. "What do you mean?"

Leanna crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared him down disapprovingly. "She acts however she wants without repercussions. Why don't you or your parents say anything?"

Leo sighed and avoided her gaze. "I told you before, she's been through a lot." It's hard for us to say anything."

Leanna scoffed. "What exactly has she been through that would make you guys scared to stop her rude behavior?"

Leo glared at her. "You don't know her backstory so maybe keep the judgements about my family to yourself."

Leanna didn't say anything and looked back to face the window. 

"So why were you actually at the house today?" Leo suddenly asked, catching Leanna off guard. 

Leanna's eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing to come up with a plausible explanation. "I already told you. I was there for Isabelle," she replied firmly.

But Leo shook his head. "I don't buy it," he stated bluntly. "You weren't there just for Isabelle."

Leanna's jaw clenched in frustration at Leo's refusal to believe her. "Fine," she conceded reluctantly. "I was also there to keep an eye on Adonis. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Leo raised a brow and shook his head. "I don't believe you. The whole time, you were with my mother. I didn't see you go check on them once," he stated skeptically. 

Leanna's frustration mounted at Leo's persistence. "Look, it's not my problem if you don't believe me," she retorted curtly. "I have my reasons for being there, and that's all you need to know."

Leo's brow furrowed at Leanna's evasive response. "What are you planning, Leanna?" he pressed. 

But Leanna shook her head, refusing to meet Leo's gaze as she deflected his question. "Like I said, it's none of your business," she replied stubbornly.

Sensing that the conversation was going nowhere, Leanna shifted gears, desperate to change the subject. "So, what do you do for work?" she asked, her tone casual as she turned to Leo. 

"Don't try to change the subject," he warned but Leanna ignored him. 

Leo sighed, his expression softening as he met Leanna's gaze. "I'm a lawyer," he replied simply. "I work as a legal consultant for the company in Paris."

Leanna nodded in understanding, a sense of curiosity piqued by Leo's revelation. "That's nice," she remarked, her voice genuine as she glanced out the window at the passing scenery. "Why Paris? Everything is probably set up for you here in London."

Leo let out a weary sigh, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "I hate London," he admitted quietly. "There's too much drama here, too many expectations."

Leanna's brow furrowed in confusion at Leo's candid admission, a sense of curiosity gnawing at her insides. "But why Paris?" she pressed gently, her tone filled with genuine interest.