Chapter 30: “Away from the fact…”

LISA'S POV 

I watched Leo's expression change, his eyes hardening as he nodded. "Take all the time you need." But I saw something else there, something that made my heart sink.

Resentment. Frustration. Maybe even hatred. I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized Leo was tired of me, tired of the drama I'd brought into his life. Tired of me.

I took a step back, feeling like I'd been punched in the gut. "Leo, I—" I began. But he cut me off. "Just take the time, Lisa. Think about what you want." His voice was cold, detached.

I nodded, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. This was it. This was the end. I turned and walked away, leaving Leo standing alone in the room.

As I closed the door behind me, I felt a sense of despair wash over me. I'd lost him. I'd lost everything. I wandered through the streets, my mind reeling with thoughts of Leo, of my family, of the mess I'd made.

How had it come to this? How had I let things spiral so out of control?

I stopped in front of a small café, staring blankly at the menu. A gentle voice interrupted my thoughts. "Lisa, are you okay?"

I turned to see Rachel, concern etched on her face. I shook my head, feeling tears spill down my cheeks.

Rachel wrapped her arms around me, holding me close. "What happened?" she asked.

I took a deep breath, letting it all pour out. "Leo hates me," I sobbed.

Rachel's expression turned shocked. "What? No, Lisa, that's not true." But I knew it was. I'd seen it in his eyes.

"Maybe it's for the best," Rachel said gently. "You were getting in too deep, Lisa. With Leo, with the company...you were losing yourself."

I stared at her, realization dawning. Maybe Rachel was right. Maybe this was my chance to break free. To find myself again.

But as I looked back at the café, I saw Leo standing outside, his eyes locked onto mine. Cold. Hard. Unforgiving. My heart sank. This wasn't over. Not yet.

Rachel followed my gaze. "Lisa, be careful. He's not the same man you fell in love with."

I nodded, knowing she was right. But I couldn't help feeling drawn to him, even now.

As I walked away from the café, I felt Leo's eyes on me, burning into my skin. I quickened my pace, but I knew I couldn't outrun him. Not forever.

I stood outside Leo's door, my heart racing with anticipation. I knew I shouldn't be here, not after everything that had happened. But I couldn’t help myself. I needed his help.

I took a deep breath and knocked. The door swung open, and Leo stood before me, his expression unreadable.

"Lisa," he said, his voice neutral.

"Leo," I replied, my voice firm. "We need to talk."

He stepped aside, allowing me to enter. I walked in, my eyes scanning the room.

"So, what's going on?" Leo asked, closing the door.

"You know exactly what's going on," I said, turning to face him. "You promised to help me take down Andre, but so far, nothing's happened."

Leo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Lisa, I told you, it's complicated."

"Complicated?" I repeated, my voice rising. "You made me promises, Leo. Promises you haven't kept."

He looked at me, his eyes flashing with frustration. "I'm trying, Lisa. But you're not making it easy."

"Not making it easy?" I laughed. "You're the one who's been distant, who's been avoiding me."

Leo's expression softened. "I'm sorry, Lisa. I know I've been preoccupied."

"Preoccupied?" I scoffed. "With what? Your business dealings? Your social life?"

Leo's jaw clenched. "You have no idea what I'm dealing with, Lisa." "Then tell me," I demanded.

He hesitated, and for a moment, I thought he'd open up to me. But then his mask slipped back into place.

"Let's just say it's complicated," he repeated.

I felt a surge of anger. "Complicated? That's all you ever say. You're always making excuses, Leo."

He stepped forward, his eyes blazing. "I'm doing the best I can, Lisa."

"Your best?" I laughed. "Your best isn't good enough."

The tension between us was palpable. I knew I was pushing him, but I couldn't help it.

"You need to decide what you want, Lisa," Leo said, his voice low.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Either you trust me, or you don't," he said. "Either you're with me, or you're not."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. What did I want? Did I trust him? Did I love him?

Or was I just using him for revenge?

The questions swirled in my mind, but I knew one thing - I couldn't give up on my revenge.Not yet.

"Leo," I said, my voice soft. "I need your help."

He looked at me, his expression guarded.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked.

I took a deep breath. "I need you to help me take down Andre."

Leo's eyes narrowed. "And what's in it for me?"

I smiled, a plan forming in my mind.

"You'll get what you want, Leo," I promised. "You'll get your revenge."

Leo's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing. "And what's in it for me?" he repeated. I smiled, my heart racing. "You'll get what you want, Leo. You'll get your revenge."

He nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. But something in his eyes didn't quite add up. A flicker of doubt danced in my mind. Was Leo truly on my side? Or was he using me for his own gain?

I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. "Let's get to work," I said, my voice firm. Leo's smile grew wider. "I've already started."

My eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I've been gathering intel on Andre. We can take him down, Lisa."

I felt a surge of excitement. This was it. This was the break I needed. But as I looked into Leo's eyes, I saw something there that made my skin crawl. A glint of deception. A spark of manipulation.

Was Leo playing me? Using me for his own agenda? I forced the doubts aside, focusing on the prize. "Let's do it," I said.

Leo's eyes flashed with triumph. "I'll make the arrangements," he said. As he turned to leave, I caught his arm. "Leo?"

He turned back, his expression innocent. "What is it?" I searched his eyes, looking for answers. But all I saw was a mask. A carefully crafted facade.

"Nothing," I said. Leo's smile returned. "I'll be back soon," he promised.

As he walked out the door, I felt a chill run down my spine. What was Leo's true motive? And what would he do once he got what he wanted? The questions swirled in my mind, but I knew one thing - I was in too deep.

Days passed, and Leo's plans unfolded. We attended high-society events, gathering intel and building alliances. But with each passing moment, my doubts grew. Leo's words were laced with hidden meaning. His actions, calculated.

I began to realize. Leo wasn't just helping me. He was using me. For what, I didn't know. But I was determined to find out.

At the next event, I made my move. "Leo," I whispered. He turned, his eyes locked onto mine. "What is it?"

I smiled, my voice dripping with sweetness. "I want to know your true motive." Leo's expression faltered. For a moment, I saw the real him. A man driven by ambition. A man who'd stop at nothing.

Then the mask slipped back into place. "My motive?" Leo repeated. "Yes," I pressed.

He leaned in, his voice cold. "You'll find out soon enough." My heart sank. I'd made a terrible mistake.

My heart sank as Leo's words echoed in my mind. "You'll find out soon enough." I'd made a terrible mistake, trusting him. But I couldn't back down now. My heart was racing with anticipation and fear.

I forced a smile, playing along. "I'm impatient," I said, my voice light. Leo's expression softened, his mask slipping back into place. "Soon, Lisa. Very soon."

The rest of the evening blurred together, a haze of champagne toasts and polite conversation. But my mind raced, searching for a way out. As the night drew to a close, Leo's hand brushed against mine. "Meet me outside," he whispered.

I nodded, my pulse quickening. What did he have planned? Outside, the cool night air hit me like a slap. Leo stood waiting, his eyes gleaming in the darkness.

"Where are we going?" I asked. "Somewhere private," he replied, his voice low. My instincts screamed warning, but I followed him anyway.

We walked in silence, the city lights fading into the distance. Eventually, we arrived at a nondescript warehouse. Leo produced a key and unlocked the door. "Welcome to my office," he said, gesturing inside.

The room was sparse, a single desk and chair in the center. Leo sat, motioning for me to join him. "So," he began, "it's time to discuss the details." Details? What details? But before I could ask, Leo continued.

"Andre's empire is crumbling. We just need to push it over the edge." I frowned, unsure what he meant. "How?" Leo leaned forward, his eyes glinting. "We'll use his own secrets against him."

Suddenly, the pieces clicked into place. Leo wasn't just helping me; he was using me to take down Andre. For his own gain. Rage burned within me, but I kept my cool. "And what's in it for me?"

Leo smiled. "You'll get your revenge." But at what cost? I knew then that I had to escape, to stop Leo before it was too late. But as I stood to leave, Leo's hand closed around my wrist.

"You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice cold. I tried to pull free, but his grip tightened. "You're mine now, Lisa." My heart sank. I was trapped.