~Lorenzo

I had been here two days. Nothing has happened whatsoever. Well, Enzo has become even more annoying, if possible. But that's it.

"LEONARDO ROMANO!"

speak of the devil

Enzo barged into my office, obviously completely disregarding manners, manners like to knock, or say hello. Instead, he dumped a large bag of what seemed to be books on my desk.

"Do you fucking mind?"

"Yes actually. I do mind. I need you to do me a favour."

"How about no. I don't do favours. Especially not for people who I pay to do me favours."

At my answer, a very loud whine escaped Enzo's mouth.

"Leooooo, please. All you need to do is take these down to the library. I would do it, but Killian needs my help with something." He explained.

I sighed. I really didn't want to help Enzo, but I also didn't want to do this fucking work. I've been in a terrible mood. Knowing that I'm so close to Aria, but stuck inside.

"Fine."

He jumped up, clapping his hands together like a 5 year old.

"YAY! thanks Leo! You won't regret it!" He cheered and then ran out of my office.

I ran my hand over my face, standing up and stretching before grabbing the bag of books with one hand and walking out of my office. Why did Enzo even borrow these books? He only reads ones with pictures and even then it takes him about 6 months.

~~~

I looked up at the large, majestic building. 'Library' was on the front in ornate gold letters. I took a deep breath and walked in.

When I walked in, my breath hitched. I was expecting to find an elderly lady, with glasses on a chain.

But what I found was a million times better.

Aria.

She was here. Right here.

She didn't hear me come through the door, too engrossed in the book she was reading. I could hear her humming along to a song, similar to the way we first met.

I walked right up to the desk, a gentle smile on my face. She still hadn't realised that I was there so I cleared my throat.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, how can I help-" she looked up and she froze. Once it had sunk in, she smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen.

"Leo!" She leaned over the desk and tried to give me a hug but because I was so tall, she only ended up hugging my torso.

"Hello, amore."

She blushed at the endearment and leant back in her chair, starting to play with her fingers.

"So, um, what are you doing here? Not that I don't want you here! I just- yeah I'll stop talking now." She stated, all in one breath.

I chuckled. "Just for a business trip." I replied, deciding it's probably better to not tell her I'm here to kill some men.

"Wow, your job must be very important and fancy if you had to come all the way over here." She sighed.

If only she knew.

"Yeah," I began, "Aria, I have something for you, amore," I said and I pulled her necklace out of my suit pocket. She gasped.

"my necklace! You found it! How-"

"You left it on the table, bambina"

"Oh. Oops." She smiled sheepishly, taking the necklace from my hands. She was trying to attach the necklace but it kept slipping from her hands.

"Let me do it for you, bambina,"

She nodded and walked around the desk and stood in front of me. She looked up at me through her long lashes, her green eyes full of innocence staring up at me. She handed me the necklace and then turned around.

I moved her hair to the side and carefully clipped the necklace round her small neck.

"There." I whispered, placing her hair back where it was.

"Thank you." She mumbled, playing with her fingers. I reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"What time does your shift finish, baby?" I asked. I cringed internally at the nickname. I've probably scared her off now.

"Umm.." she paused, counting something on her fingers. "In an hour"

"Okay, I'll wait here and then I can take you home."

"No, no, it's okay I can just go-"

"Aria, just go back to work, I'll wait here."

She huffed, walking back behind her desk, starting a conversation with the old man behind the counter, they look quite close. Assuming he's her boss.

~~~

An hour later, she walked over to me, a small, tired smile on her face.

"You tired, amore?" I asked, opening my arms hesitantly to see if she would hug me.

To my surprise, she walked straight into my arms, snuggling up against my chest and I would be lying if I said it wasn't the best feeling I have ever felt.

I closed my arms around her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, I doubt she actually felt it.

"Are you hungry, bambina?"

She nodded. "Mhm."

"Okay, come on Ria, let's go get you some food." I pulled away from the hug and held my hand out for her. She grabbed hold of it and wrapped her hands around my arm as I walked her out of the library. Before we left, an old couple walked towards us, giving me an odd look as they looked lovingly at the small girl to my left.

"Aria? Are you okay my dear?" The woman asked.

She looked up at the couple and smiled kindly. "Of course Mrs Campbell, this is Leo, Leo, this is Mr and Mrs Campbell, they own the library." She introduced us and I nodded and smiled at the two people.

We soon bid them goodbye and walked out of the library. The cold winter air hit us and I felt Aria shiver beside me. I shrugged off my jacket and wrapped it around her. She tried to give it back but I refused.

I'll be cold, I won't let my baby freeze.

I led her to my car and I helped her in before I ran back to my side. I got in and drove to a diner I saw not that far away when I drove here.

When we arrived, I helped her out of my car and sat us down in a booth. A waitress soon took our order and we spoke until our food arrived.

~~~

I closed the door after me as I climbed into my car. We had just finished eating and it was fair to say that Aria was as good as asleep at this point.

"Aria?"

She hummed as a response to show that she was still awake.. partially.

"What's your address baby? So I can drop you home."

She didn't respond so I looked over and saw that she was asleep, her head resting on the window. I didn't have the heart to wake her so I decided to head to my house.

~~~

I walked into my house, Aria in my arms. I quietly closed the door behind me. I was desperate not to wake her, it's obvious she needs the sleep. However this was interrupted when a certain someone made an appearance.

"LEO!"

I glared at Enzo and he sheepishly smiled, scratching the back of his neck.

"Ah, sorry. I'll just go" he walked off, smirking at a wide-eyed Killian who was standing a small distance away. I watched amazed as Killian begrudgingly handed $20 to Enzo.

I shook my head, choosing to ignore that interaction until the morning. I walked upstairs and went into my room. I laid Aria down on my bed after taking her shoes off and pulled the duvet over her.

"Goodnight, Aria baby." I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and laid down on the sofa in my room.

Finally, I found my Queen again.

~~~

Author's Note:

<3