Chapter 33

Leonardo smiled all through as he walked back into his house, even though it wasn't the best of dinners, regardless he enjoyed it.

“Hi boss” a voice greeted him from behind, his facial expression changed because it was someone he had not expected to see for a while, and seeing him meant something was wrong.

“Vito, why are you here?” he asked

"Not much, Boss, except that Mr Rossi has been calling consistently for the past how many days. "I would have given him the house line, but I know you would not want that, so I came to deliver the message myself," he responded.

Leonardo gazed at him for a while. "What does he want?" He inquired abruptly.

"No idea, I did not pick it up since the call was meant for you, but my guess is about his daughter," Vito responded.

"Hmm, okay, I will talk to him later. I hope everything is okay on the other side." Leonardo inquired

"Things are fine; we are still looking for the other shipments, but otherwise everything is fine. I heard you were having a dinner date, boss," he said incredulously. Leonardo did not say anything, instead giving him a slight nod.

"Boss, do you think it is okay to go on date nights with her?" People could easily misunderstand and besides she is your captive not dinner partner and she might misunderstand, remember Mr Rossi has been acting funny. Just one call I would have called Ashley or Gwen to come accompany you for dinner.” he uttered,

"If you are sexually attracted to her, you can have her and no one will object; the dinner dates are not really necessary. Madam Laura would not be pleased to hear about it." Vito expressed his concern.

"To hell with Laura, and Isabella is not a pleasure thing to me!" Leonardo yelled out angrily

Vito despised Leonardo's constant attention to Isabella and concern for her.

Leonardo paused for a moment before returning his gaze to Vito. "I have told you several times not to question my decision; it is my choice, Vito, and if you are worried I will fall for her, you do not have to because I have already done so. Let's leave it at that ”

Vito did not like what he had just heard, but he knew Leonardo better than anyone else, and any more words would land him in the hospital for stitches.

"I want to be alone; I will call Mr. Rossi now, so you can go to bed," he said abruptly.

As he sat on his bed, the scent of her perfume still lingering in the air, he could not help but smile to himself as he recalled the events of his recent dinner date with her. Even though she didn't smile all through the dinner her presence meant a lot to him.

He quickly had a hot shower and then decided to call Mr Rossi, the phone didn't ring much before the call was picked up as though the receiver was waiting for the call.

“Hi Mr Leonardo,” the voice at the end of the phone said

“è passato un po' di tempo signor Rossi ( it's been a while Mr. Rossi” Leonardo said in Italian

“You have been ignoring me, I just want to know how my baby girl is doing,” Mr Rossi said in a calm tone

“Your baby girl is fine but I can't assure you how long she would be fine. You have not given any update on what I want from you.” Leonardo stated

“ I have already told you I know nothing about your shipments, I have been legit for some time now, so why would I take your shipments? Regarding your father's case, I am still looking into it; I believe I am being framed." Mr Rossi clarified. He had tried everything to find out what had been hidden, but every lead he followed led to him; it was then that he realized why Leonardo saw him as the suspect.

"Keep digging, so why the consistent call, Vito just told me about your calls?" he said.

"I have a favor to ask." Mr. Rossi pleaded

Leonardo's eyes narrowed, "Ask for a favor; do you think you are in the position to ask for favors?"

"I am not, but I just want to speak with my baby girl; it has been months. Mr Rossi pleaded, "All I want to do is hear her voice."

Even the loudest sound could not break the silence between them.

“Are you there?” Mr Rossi asked to be sure

"I was taking in your request; you will speak with her, but first tell your men to leave my property; I am sure you are aware I moved her. I am still debating whether to kill her or not; she attempted to flee. But for the sake of old times, I will let you talk to her, but take your men off all my properties, I do not want to kill anyone now, and I am taking a break." He ordered.

"Thank you so much, just forgive her this once," Mr. Rossi said excitedly before the call ended.

Leonardo checked the time; it was nearly midnight, so he entered the bathroom to take a bath before going to bed.

The hot water cascaded down his body, easing the tension in his muscles as he stood under the stream of water. The steam filled the bathroom as he closed his eyes, letting the memories flood back to him.

He remembered the first time he saw her, sitting in her father's parlor innocently, and how he couldn't get her off his mind ever since.

He chuckled as he remembered how he would park his car on the street below her building, pretending to be engrossed in his phone as he stole furtive glances at her. He felt guilty for invading her privacy, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Each time he saw her, his heart raced a little faster, and he found himself yearning to know more about her.

“which sick person would kidnap a lady just for the lady to fall in love with him,” he said to himself. He knew he was sick in the head, he would have just asked her out like any other young man out there and that was the problem he wasn't like the others. He didn't want to spend any day away from her even though she wasn't his yet but he knew soon, she would have no choice but to fall in love with him. Then he can tell her the main reason behind her kidnap.