⭐ Leona's POV⭐

I mentally groaned for the millionth time remembering how I hugged Rafe earlier that night. That was a dangerous thing to do, I shouldn't have done that because... because...it reminded me of a small incident that happened seven years back.

I had forgot about it and everything related to it but now everything comes rushing back and my stomach churned with nervousness remembering if that thing happened with me again, then I will be in deep trouble and I don't know whether this time I will be able to get out of it or not without getting hurt badly.

I was brought out of my thoughts as the elevator dinged and I stepped inside his penthouse with him behind me.

He was making me nervous...he didn't even say anything till now yet I was feeling very nervous.

It's okay...I can deal with this...

Trying to avoid him for sometime, I promptly walked up to my room and shut the door, taking in a deep breath to calm myself down.

Since it was about bed time, I changed out of my dress and into my night dress and scrolled through my phone to distract myself before I go to his room.

Finally gathering some courage, I went to his room and as usual he was there, standing in front of the mirror and brushing his hair.

Silently, I walked over to my side of the bed and sat down on the edge of it when he asked, looking at me through the mirror. "So...you are scared of butterflies?" And put down the hair brush.

I shrugged. "Yeah...I have a phobia of them...since always..."

"Hmm...but they are beautiful creatures...so colourful and gorgeous..."

"So what if they are beautiful...", I said playing with my fingers, "it doesn't matter that all things that are beautiful on the outside, are the same on the inside..."

My lips itched to curl up in a smile. "Besides...someone once told me that if a man only loves you for your outer beauty then you should tell him to fuck off."

Rafe turned around and chuckled softly. "Hmm...sounds like an intelligent person..."

I got up and walked closer to him. "Actually, he's a complete idiot, but for the first time in his life he said something worth listening to."

He took a step closer, a smirk forming on his face. "You still remember it?"

I rolled my eyes, taking a step closer and smiled. "Of course I do. I don't have a bad memory."

He lifted his hand and gently brushed a strand of stray hair behind my ear, whispering softly, "Leona..." His eyes roamed my face, settling at my lips for a second.

There was this voice, somewhere deep inside, urging me to close the gap between us and kiss him, do what I have been craving for, for such a long time.

And I took a step closer as his palm cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing against my lower lip and for a fleeting moment, my eyes closed.

My stupid, fucking heart was chanting, "Please kiss me." Or, "Kiss him."

"Are you expecting a kiss, Mrs Andrews?" I heard him say, his tone laced with amusement.

My eyes snapped open and I took a step back as he smirked and I cursed at myself.

What the fuck just happened?

I turned around to walk towards the bed and he said, "You didn't answer my question, Leona." The way my name rolled off his tongue in a seductive way had me clenching my legs.

Something is wrong with me. Something very wrong.

So, ignoring him, I quickly got on the bed and pulled the duvet over my face so that I don't see him smirking abd grinning and I don't die of embarassment.

I hate him. That's it. Nothing less or more. I hate him and every part of my body agreed with that except my stupid heart. It's always the stupid heart. Always.

.

.

.

The next morning, it was a Saturday so we didn't have to go to the office and it was awkward between us...well...just me, as for him, he seemed to be enjoying my flushed face and my efforts at avoiding him.

I was in my room late that morning, lying down on the bed when there was a rhythmic knock on the door and knowing it was none other than Rafe, I got up and opened the door. "What do you want?"

He looked frustrated but for the first time not with me. "The trainer is here."

At that, even I let out a frustrated groan, throwing my head back. "I don't want to do any training and all."

"As if I am jumping with excitement to do that." He replied, rolling his eyes. "Now, come with me."

I scowled. "Fine! Where is that so called trainer?"

"In the gym. Follow me." And turned and started to walk downstairs and I followed behind him.

"You have a gym? Why did I never see that?"

"Because you are not interested in doing it..." He replied in a duh tone.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever..."

We reached his gym and I entered inside after him and found a ginger haired man standing at the end of the room, setting up some targets, who looked to be in his thirtees.

When he saw us enter, he came closer and smiled softly, holding out his hand for me to shake. "I'm Davis Finch, nice to meet you."

I shook his hand and said dryly, "I'm Leona."

He nodded and then started to instruct us about some self defence techniques and what not.

He then proceeded to teach us by showing them and taught us too for the next hour or so, at the end of which, I was completely exhausted.

I slumped down on the mattress beside Rafe who was drinking water from a bottle and I snatched it away from him and started to drink from it only for it to be snatched away again by Rafe.

"Get your own bottle", he said taking the last sip from it before all the water was finished.

I gritted my teeth. "You fucking idiot! Now go, get me some water."

He got up saying, "Very funny. Go, get it yourself." And he threw the empty bottle in the air before catching it effortlessly and throwing it back at me which I thankfully, dodged.

There was a clearing of throat and I looked up at that trainer who was watching us with amusement, biting his lips to stop himself from laughing.

I glared at him which caused all the amusement vanish from him and he cleared his throat again. "Um...shall we move on to the gun practice?"

I gestured to Rafe go on. "You guys go on while I take a nap." And I was about to lay down but Rafe grabbed my arm and pulled me up on my feet.

I was about to curse him when the trainer interrupted. "She can sit down and watch us while I teach you first."

Grinning happily, I sat down immediately and Rafe shot me a glare before following the trainer.

So, I sat there and watched as Rafe was being handed the gun and instructed on how to use it and all...and I watched them with a boring face.

Slowly, I laid back down on the mattress... there's no fun in watching all this.

Don't know what happened next because I felt asleep.

I woke up feeling someone nudge my shoulder with their foot. "Leona. Get up."

I rolled over to the other side groaning. "Few more minutes..."

And then then someone was talking in a hushed tone and a few seconds later, a glass of cold water was poured over my face making me sprang up in surprise.

The first thing I noticed that the trainer was watching all this with his jaw dropped and Rafe stood there, glaring down at me.

I wiped away the water from my face and stood up furiously and punched his shoulder. "Are you fucking serious?! Couldn't you have woken me up like a normal person?!"

"How can I wake someone normally when that person is completely demented?"

"Aargh! I am not demented, you are! You are an idiot, Rafe Hanzall Andrews! And I hate you!"

"Yes, thank you. Now go train." He turned around to walk to the end of the room where a single chair was and sat down on it.

I looked at the trainer who stood there with lots of expressions embedded on his face, amusement, shock, fear.

I walked past him and towards where the gun was lying on the table and he followed me and continued to teach me.

He gently grabbed my arm abd adjusted them after I held the gun firmly.

If I learn how to use a gun then I can even shoot that idiot Rafe. I mentally grinned at that.

The trainer, whatever his name was, next bent down to adjust my legs and since I was wearing shorts, his fingers brushed against my bare skin and I felt uncomfortable. He next grabbed my waist and adjusted my position and that uncomfortable feeling didn't go away. It's not that he was doing it on purpose but still...I didn't feel good.

Before I could say something, the screeching of the chair was heard and I looked up to see Rafe walking towards us, looking angry.

O-kay...

"Mr Finch." His spoke in a firm tone, coming closer to us. "You can leave now, since you have already taught me how to use a gun, I can teach her that now."

Mr Finch looked confused. "But...how can you--"

"Leave." Rafe stated, glaring at him and he wasted no time in turning around, grabbing his things and leaving from there.

"What was that?" I questioned Rafe as soon as he left.

His jaw was clenched and he was glaring towards the door where he left. On hearing me, he looked at me and his featured softened a little bit.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes scrutinizing my face.

I gulped. "Y-yeah..."

"You were uncomfortable...I could see that...we can get a woman trainer for you if you want..." He explained.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. "Um...if it's possible...then yes..."

He nodded. "I'll talk with dad and uncle about it...you can go now."

I nodded and turning around, left from there.