•LEILA•
It felt unreal that everything was over and I was now living happily. All my life I had known one life and that was bad, toxic, and abusive. Living in this beautiful life right now made me wonder if it would ever last. I had times in the past when I thought I was happy and that nothing bad would ever happen, but it did and it ruined everything. Would it happen again now that I was happy? I didn't think I was meant to be happy; however, I wanted to believe that I would.
There I was, breastfeeding my baby girl, who was my light in that ugly yet beautiful world. Ever since I gave birth to Mia, I had promised myself to protect her and never let her live what I had lived. I wanted her to grow up with kindness and love. I wanted her to live without violence and abuse. Not that anyone here was going to do anything bad to her, but still, I would make sure that she lived happily unlike her mother.
"Are you done, baby?" I said in a baby language. Cindy was sitting beside me and trying to get my attention.
Sorry, Cindy.
Mia was done eating and she immediately fell asleep. I put her in her bed slowly and made my way towards Cindy to give her some love and attention.
I picked her up and placed her on my lap when the door opened revealing Rio. He looked at me and raised his brow.
"What?" I grinned.
"I see we have two children now." He smirked and sat beside me.
"Of course, Cindy is our daughter too, isn't she?" I replied playfully.
"Yes, she is." He chuckled and kissed me on my cheeks.
"So...I want to ask you something." He started earning a nod from me, encouraging him to continue. "Would you like to go on another date with me?" He said gently.
"Of course, I would. But what about Mia?" I asked.
"Our mothers can take care of her, don't worry." He smiled warmly.
"Then, I would gladly go on a second date with you." I licked my lips grabbing his attention on them.
"You like to play with fire, don't you?"
"I am fire, Rio," I replied and pressed my lips onto his.
* * *
The next day had arrived and it was the day that I would be going on a date with Rio. I was very nervous for some reason, I didn't know why, but maybe because I had a feeling that he would propose to me; however, I didn't think he would because if he did, he would have taken over the mafia, and I didn't think he wanted to do that now.
After feeding my daughter, I gave her to my mother and she took her to the backyard at the back of the house for a change. I went to my room and looked through my closet, trying to decide what to wear on this date. I wanted to wow him. I picked up the first dress, which was red and strapless. It was tight and shaped my body, but I couldn't wear it because my body was still recovering from birth. So, I settled on a more stretchy dress, which was white and off-shoulder. It was tight just above my belly and the rest was flowy. I placed the dress on the bed and walked to my bathroom to take a shower.
I washed my hair, and body, and shaved everywhere. After the shower, I walked into the room and started getting ready. First, I blow-dried my hair and then straighten it with my straightener. After that, I applied a very little amount of makeup that I put on every single day. When I finished my hair and makeup, I was ready to wear my dress and heels, and then wait for Rio to come.
He's probably ready.
I picked up my dress and put it on. I then grabbed my white heels and put them on as well. I snatched a small black purse from my cabinet and left the room.
Walking downstairs, I heard voices coming from the living room. Everyone was probably there including Rio. He must be waiting for me.
"You look stunning," Rio said as soon as he laid his eyes on me. The rest had smirks on their faces.
"You look handsome too," I replied shyly.
"Shall we?" He asked softly.
"We shall."
We left the house and got into Rio's car. Lorenzo and my father wanted security to be around us and we didn't say no because no one knows what might happen.
I didn't know where was he taking me and I knew that If I asked, he wouldn't tell me.
He was driving with his left hand and his right was intertwined with my left hand. He always likes to do this whenever we were in a car as if he couldn't let go or couldn't, not touch me.
After half an hour, we arrived at the destination.
A...house?
"What is this place?" I asked as soon as I stepped out of the car.
"Come, I'll show you." He took my hand and I followed him. We entered the house alone and the security stayed outside, guarding the place.
The house was empty but was clean and so...artistic. There was only one table in the middle of what I assume was the living room, with two chairs on each side.
"Do you like this place?" He asked worriedly, taking both my hands in his and looking at me intently.
"It's beautiful. So beautiful." I replied truthfully.
"Come sit." He took out the chair for me and I sat but not before thanking him. He went to the other side and sat himself down.
Suddenly, 2 men entered the room and placed food on the table.
"Aren't you going to tell me what is this place?" I asked curiously because I truly wanted to know.
"Patience, darling." He smirked.
We started eating slowly and in the middle of it all, he said, "This place is my grandfather's. He left it for me hoping that one day I would bring my wife and live here."
My heart started pounding and my suspicions were true.
"It's a b-beautiful place." I stuttered.
"Indeed, it is." He smiled warmly, "Leila, I have never thought in my whole life that I would get married or even fall in love with any girl. But . . . everything changed when I met you for the first time. I knew that something will happen between us and I knew that one day we will be together. I just felt it. You are different, kind, loving, caring, passionate, a fighter, a survivor, and a mother. I admire you a lot and I cannot believe that I am saying this, but before meeting you, I was this cold, arrogant asshole who only cared about the mafia and killing enemies. When you came, you became my light in my darkness and you changed me. You made me feel things I never thought I'd feel. When I look at you, I get lost in you. I could look at you for hours and never get bored." He swallowed hard.
"Leila, I love you and I cannot see my life without you. So, I want to ask you...Would you give me the honor to be your husband and you my wife?"
After what I just heard, I felt like fainting. I felt sick, but a good sick. I felt weird and different. I felt...happy. So happy. Very happy that I felt that my heart was going to be ripped off at this moment of happiness.
"Leila?" His voice cracked.
I stood up and slowly walked towards him. I sat on his lap and kissed him passionately. Our mouths fought together and our tongues fought for dominance. When we broke the kiss, I looked him in the eyes and said, "I love you too, Demetrio, and nothing would make me happier than being your wife."
"I promise you, I will love you forever, my Leila." He whispered and captured my lips again.
* * *
2 months later.
I walked into our room and saw him sleeping peacefully with our daughter. They looked so cute that I wanted to take a picture so bad, and I did. I later sent it to the family's WhatsApp group.
I walked towards them and laid down beside them, hugging both of them in the process. This caused Rio to open his eyes and smile at me and then close them. I closed my eyes and let sleep consume me.
When I used to look back at my past life, I used to see awful things, but after being with Rio, every time I look back, I see struggles and bad experiences that I went through and was strong enough to survive all of it.
I learned that everything happened for a reason and every bad thing I had gone through, taught me a lesson. I was thankful, for everything in my life.
God gave me a second chance at love and I would forever be grateful.
Forever.
I was grateful that I married this amazing man, and I just couldn't believe that we are Mr. & Mrs. Gonzalez.
* * *