Leonardo Point of View

Flowers – set

Wine – set

Food – set

Ring – set

Letter – set

Music – set

Me – set

Great, all the arrangements are done perfectly and I'm all set and ready to welcome my Lilliput for this romantic dinner date.

I had one of my restaurants close today and make a classic arrangement for mine and Lilliput's dinner date. It took me whole day to instruct all the employees to make this dinner a perfect.

It's already been 6:30 PM and Lilliput is nowhere to be seen. I instructed the valet to park and her car and escort her inside when she arrives but she's not here yet.

Will she come?

I was suddenly scared and doubtful about this. After seeing her breakdown yesterday, I wonder if she's trying to avoid me and the date.

I wanted to pick her up and bring her here but she just rejected my offer and said curtly that she'll be here herself. It squeezed my heart painfully when she was behaving like I don't matter to her at all, like I'm nothing but a stranger to her and it hurt my heart and my pride a lot.

Eventually, the clock stuck 7 yet there was no clue of her. I was getting impatient and nervous thinking if she would come or not.

I was getting feeling edgy and called the driver that will drive Sienna here. He picked up his calls after six rings and informed me that they are here outside. Releasing a breath in relief, I tightened my loose tie and buttoned my suit jacket.

Walking towards the entrance, my breath caught in the lungs and I choked suddenly looking at the most beautiful lady I ever saw. Lilliput got down from the car in a bright violet gown with golden flower intricates on it. She looked breathtaking in the dress that I forgot to take a breath for a long minute.

Gorgeous!

I immediately scurried to her and offered my hand to her to take and surprisingly she took it. We walked inside the restaurant and from the corner or my eyes I observed her looking at all the decoration and arrangements in awe.

That's what you get when Leonardo Bianchi loves you, my Lilliput!

Once we reached the only table in the large hall, I handed her the bouquet of fresh flowers. Lilliput just took it with a small thank you but I didn't miss the look of nervousness on her beautiful face.

Hmm?

Moving the chair back, I offered her to take a seat and I took my own, opposite to her. She was looking nervous and glum but still she looked beautiful. She did not speak a single word till now nor did she looked at me into my eyes.

I was a bit hurt that she's even avoiding looking at me but I remembered Arse's wordsand tried my best to maintain a pleasant smile on my face.

I need to show her that she can have her own life style even after marrying me. I need to prove her that.

Clearing my throat, I was looking for an opportunity to clear this awkwardness. "Food." I said suddenly not knowing where to start.

"Huh?" She questioned looking at me briefly.

"Food is ready. We have all you favorite dishes here." I said and clapped my hands twice to let the waiter know that we are looking for food. The waiter brought a bottle of white wine and served it in two glasses.

"I'm sorry." I confessed suddenly not knowing how to start the conversation. Anyways, It is better express it directly rather than beating around the bush.

"What?" She looked at me with a confused questioning stare.

"I said I'm sorry."

"For?"

"For everything"

"And what is that everything?" She asked leaning over to the back of the chair and crossed her hands over her chest.

Do not look over there, Leo. You need to confess your feelings to her with a sane mind not with a boner dancing for attention.

I took a deep breath trying to control myself and closed my eyes tightly to let my dilated eyes settle back.

"Look Lilliput, I – I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I'm sorry for misunderstanding you, for not listening to your explanation, for letting my anger overtake me and for taking advantage of you, for spoiling you for others without your consent – "

"And?"

I ran my tongue to wet my dry lips and looked right into her eyes with all the power I have and pinned her with my stare. "And I love you." I finally confessed to her. A stream of emotions passed through her eyes but she covered them immediately with a blank look.

"I – "

"Let me complete, Lilliput." I cut her off and leaned forward holding her hand in mine and rubbing circles with my thumb. She tried to take her hand off but I held it tightly letting her know that I would never leave the hand.

"The other day when you cried and expressed your distress, you must be thinking that I didn't feel it but I did. I felt every pain of yours. It hurt me more than you think seeing you crying you and begging for your independence. I felt every single scar on your heart." I said softly and genuinely. Getting up from my chair, I went round towards her chair and knelt before her, taking both her hands in mine.

She looked surprised and was about to stand up but I sat her back on the chair and knelt closer to her.

"You think that getting away from me is freedom but I want to show you the liberty you get even by marrying me. I want to prove you that my love and dedication towards you can make it possible. The invisible chains you are experiencing now, my love can remove them. I will give you all the care, love and time you need. I will give you a family you never had. I will give you myself completely, Lilliput. I – I just need you with me." I kissed both her hands and looked up towards her and saw tears rolling down her cheeks. I rubbed my thumb and wiped them off, "And will never let these tears in your eyes again. I just need one chance. One chance to be with you. To be yours."

Lilliput's hands shivered a little and her eyes were making a silent plead to stop all this. "Please let me in, Sienna. Please give me a chance to alter every bad I did or said to good. Please let me love you forever. Please."

I placed my head on her lap trying to hide the little tear forming in my eyes. I felt her lay her head on mine and cry.

Oh, please don't cry!

She hugged me from above and cried a lot like a child, like she is letting out something heavy through those tears. I just laid my head on her lap and rubbed her waist as gesture to console her to comfort her.

"P-Please get up." She hiccupped and lifted my head from her lap.

"Please don't tell me things that can never happen, Leonardo. Please understand how important a breath of fresh air is to me. Please don't stop me from living. I – I understand you like me, love me but I cannot love you back unless or until I love myself and the only feeling I have for myself is pity. Please let me go at least till I get rid of all the heaviness from my heart." Lilliput cried, cupping my face and pecking on my forehead.

No please... don't Lilliput. Please

She reluctantly left my face and opened her clutch and brought out a rectangular looking card.

"This is a lottery card I bought few days ago and I won 60 million on this. The money will be processed in two days." She said with a shaky voice. Standing from the chair weakly, she cupped my face yet again and this time she kissed my lips for few seconds and hugged me tightly before leaving me standing there in the middle of an empty decorated restaurant with nothing but a lottery card, heart full of hurt and tears at the back of eyes.

I can't let you go Lilliput. You think I am not capable of freeing you and I think you are correct at some point. I may not be able to clean away all the pain from your heart but trust me, my love can.

I'm sorry I'm yet doing another thing to hurt you by marring you against your will but thins hurt is necessary.

I'm sorry I'm going to still marry you but it is for giving you everything you could never been able to experience.

I'm sorry that I love you.