Leo closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat,leasurely twirling the glass of bourbon in his hand as he thought about everything that had happened the past few days. It was precisely on monday evening 4:30 pm when everything changed for him.
He was on the verge of closing a multi-billion deal when he received a call from his homeland that really changed all his plans . His older brother Sebastian Kristakos heir to the throne had unexpectedly died in a car crash while coming back from a diplomatic party which he had strongly insisted on driving back himself.
He clenched his jaw in anger when he thought about it again. He felt something tickle down his palm and as he looked down he saw blood dripping from his hand.
Shit he must have gripped it too hard as he remembered his brother's very stupid action that caused him his life.Distastefully taking the bottle of wine and pouring on the wound he absently wrapped it with a handkerchief as he recollected the sudden decisions that he had to make.
Being the founder and CEO of the Kristakos Securities he was always working nonstop but due to this recent problem he had to promote his most trustworthy and efficient worker Ethan as new CEO.
No he was not quitting his company but would now only be part of the decisions making as the head of the board members with major share.
He knew he was considered a god in Wall Street and many of his unworthy competitors were probably celebrating thinking he was quitting the market. He evilly grinned knowing they were in for a surprise. He might not be active as before but he was always going to be part of every company decision making.
Back to his brother, you might think he was being cold blooded and not mourning his death but the truth was he was never close with his brother. Come to think of it since kindergartens they were both schooled seperately and followed different routines and hardly saw each other to form any kind of strong bones, although his brother being a gentle, soft-spoken person tried to be with him as much as possible. Sadly he was more a lone wolf kind of person and hated unnecessary chit-chat. He knew it was his fault that he could not form a strong bond with him and now, he was gone forever.
Fuck. Fuck, Fuck.
Why did that shithead decide to drive himself back when he had people doing it for him he couldn't know but it had happened,and he was gone forever and had left behind all his duties and responsibilities for him to take up- unfortunately.Well as much as he hated stepping up to the throne he would do it for his kingdom's sake .
But.
One thing he couldn't despise was his late brother's bride-to-be, Diana de león who he had been infatuated with since he was 6 years old.
He looked out of his penthouse windows in Lower Manhattan with unseeing eyes and remembered how ethereal she had looked when she came for the funeral on Tuesday morning.He had nearly jolted in shock when he saw her and had barely managed to control his body's reaction to appear unaffected by her presence.
"Fuck", he swore aloud.
Why couldn't he control himself whenever she was near. He always felt tongue tied and jittery around her. But this was nothing surprising because since he first saw her with her cute little face,big violet eyes,blonde hair which looked more white than blonde and creamy white skin he had fallen for her. He still remembered when she first approached and asked him for his name he thought he heard an angel's voice.It was from that moment on that his heart found a new owner - Diana.
She was the daughter of the kingdom's military chief commander and lived in a bungalow near the palace.It was the day after her fourth birthday that she came visiting the palace holding her father's hand.Since a young age he had always felt mature for his age like having an old soul and didn't hurt that he was already accepted as a child prodigy by his teachers.
That fateful day he first saw her he had just been returning from his afternoon class when he came across them in the palace main hall.
He could still clearly see her on his mind wearing a white dress,her beautiful snow like hair flowing down her back and a small girlish bag on her free hand. On seeing him her father bowed and said," Good evening,young lord".
I bowed in kind and silently turned my gaze towards her.
"Oh,pardon my bad manners young lord this is my daughter Diana. Ana greet the young lord".
"Hello my name is Diana.Nice to meet you".
I nodded again not saying anything, not because I didn't want to but at a tender age of 6 I was still recovering from the lightning stroke my heart endured encountering an angel for the very first time.
She smiled at me,"Can I know your name as well young lord?".
I simply replied,"Leonidas".
"Leonidas,can I call you Leo instead?", she gazed at me with doe eyes .
Her father answered saying," No my dear you can't do that, apologize to the young lord immediately".
Turning towards me with a apologetic look he started,"I'm really-".
I interjected his words,"It's fine don't worry Sir Anthony and yes I don't mind being called Leo".
"Really?!!", she excitedly questioned.
Looking at her vivacious smile I couldn't help but smile back,"Yes really".
"That's very kind of you young lord, we're so sorry for taking much of your time we'll be on our way".
Even though I was too young to know what I was feeling I couldn't help but panic thinking of being far from her and quickly asked her father-
"Sir are you both going somewhere?".
"No young lord it's just,you see it was Ana's birthday yesterday and -".
She interrupted by showing her four fingers and proudly stated,"I am now four years old".
She was looking too cute and I had to control myself to not show any emotions. She continued," And papa agreed to take me around the palace and that I could visit the garden!! How wonderful right!".
"I see . Good for you".
" Well she had been begging me for months to visit the palace and this sneaky little thing knew when to strike so that I wouldn't be able to deny her". Her father looked down at her indulgently and patted the top of her head.
Showing a toothy smile she added," It's my birthday gift".
" Wish you a happy belated birthday".
"Thank you Leo".
An idea suddenly popped into my mind,"Why don't I show you around the palace and we can play in the garden later ".
"Really Leo !!".
"Uh..young lord I don't want to trouble you. It's ok you don't have to".
" It'll be my pleasure Sir Anthony and through this Diana and I would come to know each other better".
"Nai Nai papa, please say yes ".
Even at six I knew she could have everyone wrapped around her little fingers and I remembered how her father couldn't muster up the courage to deny her and agreed.
It's like I can still mentally feel the softness of her hand as she took my hand in hers and started running towards the stairs with her father's voice behind telling us to be careful.
Coming back to the present I think about how the years have been good to her. I groan and rub down my face with my uninjured palm. I can still remember her gorgeous eyes as she lifted her gaze to look at me at the funeral service in the church. I felt a kick in the gut and I'm sure she felt the immediate attraction that sizzles between us because her eyes widened as she noticed me and blinked as if coming out of a reverie.Not to mention when she swallowed hard and that pulse in her neck jumped I knew the attraction was mutual.
When it was her turn to pay respect she slowly came forward and laid down a bouquet of white flowers over his casket and whispered,"Wherever you are I hope you are happy Seb".
She then turned her gaze on me and said,"It's been a long time Leonidas".
I simply nodded and thanked her for coming aware of so many eyes and ears focused on our interaction. I didn't want to give anyone a chance to stir up another scandal especially not at my brother's funeral, I maybe a asshole and a selfish person most times but not to this level. So I acted indifferent and let her go that day even though my body rebelled against me to .
Well patience makes everything sweeter and seeing as she'll be coming to my Manhattan office here tomorrow to discuss matters on how I inherited all that was his-including her.
I console myself to wait a little bit more longer seeing as I now I have all the time in the world to exact my revenge on her. Why you ask?.
For choosing him over me when I knew she had feelings for me and not him.Throwing away what could've been a beautiful future for us.
I smiled to myself knowing she's never escaping from me again.
Shit I can't wait for tomorrow to come sooner.
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