We are much more relaxed today, winding down from last night’s chaotic ball.
I’m wearing a romper with black shorts and a lacy white top. I’ve paired it with a pair of red heels for a pop of color. Leo is wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a red polo. Relaxed, enjoying the day, and in the moment—that’s how I like us.
As we walk through the streets looking in the different markets, I spot an issue of TMZ Italia with Leo and myself on the cover. My heart stops a little seeing myself on the covers of magazines, again.
One cover reads: “Billionaire Leonardo Forte Brings American Girlfriend to Charity Ball.” Pictures of us from the red carpet pack the cover. I scan the article and don’t see any mention of who I am, except for ‘American girlfriend.’ I’m glad to see TMZ hasn’t done their research.
Seeing pictures from that night brings back both conversations I overheard, and I know what I need to do. I’ve been debating this since our mind blowing evening making love—yes I said ‘making love,’ don’t judge me—but the magazine cover is a reminder.
“Leo, I need to talk to you,” I say as we stop walking at the corner of the street.
“Yes, cara. What’s up?” he says, with a look of happiness in his eyes. He has no idea what is going to happen, but his look changes as he reads the seriousness in my expression.
“Leo, I love you. I know we’ve only known each other for a very short time but I feel like you are the only person I feel completely comfortable around. You are my Trevi Fountain wish. I wake up thinking about you and I feel so lucky that I can spend each night with you. But you deserve so much more than me.
“You are Rome’s most eligible bachelor, and I know you don’t believe in marriage—which, I realize through loving you, I do. Your family, the people of Italy and your company deserve for you to be with someone who can stand by you and represent you like you deserve. That’s not me and it’s been made very clear to me by the people in your life. I haven’t been accepted since we started dating and I know it will only get harder for us. If this is just the beginning, I can only imagine what would be ahead. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be with someone who I feel like less of a person with. I have to let you go to find the person you are meant to be with.”
The tears roll down my face, and I’m sure we look crazy standing on this street corner holding hands.
“Elena, I don’t know where this is all coming from but I don’t agree with anything you just said. That’s all ridiculous. We’ve been through this before—you, and only you, are the one that I want. I need you standing by my side, and you do make me proud. I have never felt the way I feel about you towards anyone else.”
I can barely look in his eyes because I don’t want to back down from my own opinions. I know what I am doing is for his benefit, even though it breaks my heart into a million pieces. I have to let this man go because we are both going to get hurt in the long run.
“Leo, I can’t be with you anymore. I won’t be with you.”
“Elena, you don’t mean this. I can’t be without you again. That was the worst time of my life, I will fall apart.” He looks at me, pleading, and squeezes my hands in his.
Through the tears I manage to get my hands out of his grasp. “I have to go. Please leave me alone.”
I run across the street and fight not to look back at Leo, who is still standing on the corner watching me in shock. I hear the paparazzi; they must have just noticed their prince, and people start to shout, “Leo! Leo! Leo!”
Flashes go crazy. I turn to look back one last time and I see in the crowd of photographers one man in black. He’s not carrying a camera and he’s not shouting for Leo’s attention … instead, he’s holding a gun! Panic races through my body, and I look at Leo, who stands unaware. His eyes stay locked to me—he’s in a trance.
The man in black lifts his gun and points it right in the direction of Leo! Before I can think about what I’m doing, I sprint across the street. I’ve never run so fast in my entire life.
“Noooo!” I scream as I hear the shot ring out. I jump into Leo, knocking him to the ground, landing right on top of him. The last thing I remember is looking into his emerald eyes and whispering, “I love you,” before I pass out from the overwhelming pain.
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My Mr. Beautiful: Eternal City Love, Book 1 Page 14
