A Mansion In Kalorama

A Mansion in Kalorama

Gina Arnolds picked her up at the airport. She turned out to be friendly and motherly. During the ride to Leon's house, they easily bounded. Gina showed Nora pictures of her children. A curly black-haired boy and his adorable round-faced younger sister.

"Oh! They are so sweet," Nora said. "I hope to meet them someday."

"Of course," Gina replied. "Sometimes, Leon takes them out for ice cream or to the park to rollerblade."

"Really?" Nora was surprised. "I didn't know he liked kids." She couldn't imagine that someone as stiff and reserved asLeon playing with children.

"You'll see for yourself later." Gina glanced at her with a smile on her face. "Besides, you two will have your own.”

A warm flush spread along Nora’s cheeks. She wondered how much Gina knew about her marriage to Leon. Could it be that Leon hadn’t told her that it was only a contract marriage?

Nora was relieved when they finally arrived at Leon’s house. The cool spring air of Washington, D.C., gently caressed her hair and face as she stepped out of the car. Her eyes gazed up at the classic Georgian-style mansion that stood tall in front of her.

The mansion was located in a quiet neighborhood, where all the buildings were elegant. Leon’s house had dark red brick walls with a symmetrical upright roof. White-framed windows jutted out from the building, facing the best part of the garden.

The garden in front of the house is large and neat. It looks well-maintained, surrounded by a low iron fence that gives a sense of privacy while being welcoming. Several large trees provide shade, while the flower buds that are about to bloom display a typical spring scene.

“I can’t take you inside because I still have to go back to the office,” Gina said. “Just come in, don’t hesitate. Diego is inside. He can give you a tour of the house. Leon won’t be home until tonight.”

After Gina left, Nora took a deep breath, then dragged her two large suitcases across the courtyard. Her hand reached out to grab the metal door knocker, but the large wooden door suddenly opened.

“Hi.” A tall man stood in front of her. Nora was stunned. The man looked a lot like Leon, but with a different style, plus a wide, ignorant grin on his face. “I heard the sound of Gina’s car that I’ve been waiting for. You must be Nora, Leon’s wife.”

Nora realized the man must be Diego Carusso. “Yea. Hi.” Nora smiled nervously. “And you must be Diego....”

“Your brother-in-law.” Diego nodded. His hand reached out, shaking Nora’s hand with a slight shake. His dark brown eyes scanned Nora with interest. “Please, come on in. You don’t have to be shy.”

Diego stepped away from the door, letting Nora pass through. At the sight of Nora’s luggage he quickly took it from her hand.

Behind the large wooden door was a brightly lit hallway leading inside. The wooden floor beneath his feet muffled the tapping of his shoes. Along the walls of the hallway were artistic paintings that looked carefully chosen.

Diego followed behind, carrying Nora’s luggages. “Leon loves paintings,” Diego said. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed that he can also paint.”

Nora turned to Diego in surprise. “No, I didn’t know. He never told me.”

“Yeah, well... It’s just between us, I don’t think he’s really that talented.” Diego winked at her as if inviting a conspiracy.

Nora chuckled. She instantly liked Diego.

They arrived at the spacious living room, with large sofas covered in blankets of woven ethnic fabrics. Artwork was carefully displayed, seemingly from countries Leon might have visited while on assignment. Soft light from hanging lanterns refracted on their surfaces. The room felt warm.

“Well, welcome to your new home.” Diego. “For me, it’s a bit boring. Very typical Leon.” Diego grinned. “I hope it’s more cheerful now that you’re here.”

“Before I show you the main room, as per Leon’s orders, I’ll show you something first.” Diego gestured for Nora to follow him.

Diego headed to a room at the side of the house. The door was closed and Diego opened it carefully. There was a whimpering sound that Nora recognized.

“Mojo!” Nora entered and saw her cat standing on a wooden easel mounted around the wall.

Mojo jumped into her lap and purred happily, recognizing the owner.

“This is Mojo’s room,” Diego said. “Leon renovated this room after consulting with an animal consultant.

Nora looked around the room. There was a large glass wall, wooden easels, a tower, cushions and cat toys for her cat. Nora was touched.

*

Nora found herself alone in the master bedroom upstairs when Diego left her, giving her the privacy to freshen up and change. The room was spacious and felt warm from the adjustable lights. The wooden floor in the center of the room was covered with a thick, oval-shaped carpet. There wasn’t much furniture, so the air didn’t feel stuffy. However, there was no trace of Leon in the room, making Nora wonder where he usually slept. She wondered if Leon had also arranged a separate room for them. If so, it was a relief to her.

Nora was walking down the stairs, dressed and feeling more comfortable when she heard Diego’s voice calling her from somewhere. She found Diego in the kitchen stirring something in a pot. The smell of cooking spread throughout the room.

“Please sit down, Sister In Law. I made you spaghetti. I know you haven’t had lunch yet and it’s too early for dinner. I was going to take you out to eat, but I wanted to show you off a little.”

“You can cook?” Nora was impressed.

“Not as good as Leon’s cooking. But I’m better than Max.”

That was another piece of information about Leon that made Nora realize even more that she really didn’t know the man she married.

Diego turned to her. “You didn’t know Leon could cook either?”

Nora shook her head. “No.”

When the spaghetti was finally served and Nora tasted it, she was even more impressed. “Diego, this is so delicious,” she said. “Where did you learn to cook?”

“I taught myself.” Diego grinned. “But Leon says he learned to cook from my mom’s aunt.”

They ate as they chatted. Diego was good at finding light topics of conversation so Nora no longer felt awkward.

Suddenly, as if he remembered something, Diego stopped eating.

“I’ve been thinking since I heard your name long before you became my brother-in-law.”

“And what did you hear?”

“An influencer named Elleanore Williams who we offered to be an endorser for our new housing.”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“I knew it!” Diego slapped the table hard. “Now it makes sense why Leon persuaded me to offer you the proposal.”

“What makes sense?” Someone stepped into the kitchen. Leon Carusso, standing in front of them both. Incredibly handsome as always, in Nora’s eyes.

“You should have come home at night,” Diego said.

“You should have left earlier,” Leon retorted.

“I was keeping your wife company and filling her stomach.”

Leon no longer paid attention to his brother. He looked at Nora. His lips curled. “Hello, Wife. I’m glad to see you here.”

Leon leaned toward her and Nora knew what he was about to do. Her heart was racing, and her hands were about to move to stop Leon.

But when Leon unhesitatingly pressed his mouth to Nora’s, his rough beard rubbing against her chin in the most delicious way, her brain instantly shut down. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close, and he put his hands in her hair, feeling the silky strands between his fingers.

The warmth of Leon’s lips flowed through the various emotions in her cells. It brought an intimacy she never expected in their contract marriage.

When Leon finally released Nora gently, he looked up at Diego. “It’s time for you to go, lil bro. I want to be alone with my wife.”

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