Chapter 12 : Black Horse

Fiona laments to herself in the mirror. A knee-length satin dress with shoulder straps and a slightly open bust enveloped her slender body. The maids do her makeup, paint her thick lips red, accentuate her small eyes, and pin her curls back. In this sexy yet beautiful look, Fiona feels like she's in a fairy tale. Exactly who is Leonard? Why did he have to do this to her?

"Come, Miss Fiona." Yulia invited Fiona to leave the room. She was wearing heels with silver straps around her ankles.

Usually, when Fiona attended official events held by publishers and several large literary literacy communities in Paris, she practically only wore simple dresses without fashion. She also just put her hair in pigtails and put on makeup perfunctory. But when she put on these high heels, Fiona felt her confidence suddenly doubled. Surprisingly, she can walk perfectly in those high heels.

Led by Yulia, they walked down a long hallway where the floor was covered with a dark red carpet. Along the walls of the hall are displayed several photos of buildings with a variety of unique and futuristic designs. As she walked by, Fiona glanced at the small initials at the end of the painting.

C.H.

Fiona's brow furrowed slightly. She took a step forward to match Yulia's steps in front of her.

"Yulia, whose photo of this building?"

Yulia followed the direction Fiona pointed at. She smiled as answered. "This is the work of Mr. Cornelius Harrington. He is the father of Leonard. A well-known architect who has built five luxurious pavilions in the city center, twenty-five-star hotels with a distinctive architectural style, designer of the Sky Tower in Central Jakarta and several museums in Italy and France."

Fiona almost opened her mouth but she swallowed back her shock to keep herself calm.

So Leonard's father was an architect? Fiona went back to remembering the first day she visited the boy's office.

The luxurious office is called Black Horse. The name itself was a little odd, but at that point, Fiona didn't have time to argue or think about what an office really was. But she remembered several people and the photos in front of the office lobby were of buildings like this.

Does that mean Leonard is also an architect? But why does the architect go to the bar every night and stalk herself?

"Yeah, obviously because I'm crazy about you." Leonard's words hit Fiona in the head. She sighed in frustration. Until now, Fiona has never believed that there is a form of love that can only be seen in the physical form.

Fiona is a writer. She always has an overestimation of something. Various sides deserve her attention and that's why she never believes what people say. Let alone Leonard's perverted words.

But judging from his family background which is so rich and respected like this, shouldn't he be a man of high standing?

After going through a wide spiral staircase, Fiona arrived at the dining room at the back of the house. From the middle of the room, she saw several maids busy preparing food on the table. Fiona's stomach quivered with hunger. She only realized since this morning, after Leonard carried her to the car forcibly, she had not touched any food.

From behind, someone grabbed her waist and hugged her tenderly. Fiona was surprised and jumped away. But the movement was restrained. She turned and found Leonard in a neat suit and a small smile on his face.

Fiona took a deep breath.

"Nice choice of dress," Leonard's eyes devoured Fiona's entire appearance. Fiona tried to escape from the boy's noose but failed.

"Don't start. Today we want to welcome my father."

"I don't care," Fiona said curtly.

Leonard pulled Fiona's waist closer so that their faces almost touched.

"You promised to be my wife. No matter what, you can't get out of here," Leonard whispered thinly and sharply.

Fiona smiled crookedly. She looked at Leonard half teasingly then wrapped her arms around the boy's neck. "We'll see." After saying that Fiona pushed Leonard away and gave him a sinister look. She leaned casually over to the dining table and took her seat.

Leonard secretly smiled. From the beginning, it was not easy to get this girl. Hearing Fiona's challenge, Leonard was worried that she would be desperate to run away.

With one hand, Leonard summoned his bodyguard who was standing guard in the corner of the room. The bodyguard put on earphones and approached Leonard.

"Tonight, guard all the doors. Don't let Fiona escape."

"Yes, sir." The bodyguard spoke through earphones giving out the order just now and left. Just as Leonard was about to take a chair, from the entrance his father appeared. Leonard turned his head and smiled casually.

"Dad," Leonard called politely.

Cornelius Harrington appeared with his five bodyguards. He walked with quiet steps. From where she was sitting, Fiona looked at the door. The neatly dressed middle-aged man was hugging Leonard tightly while patting him on the shoulder.

Seeing the confusion on Fiona's face, Yulia, who had been standing guard behind her, whispered, "Miss, that's Mr. Cornelius Harrington. Hope you welcome him."

Fiona sighs. "Cut it off. Why do I need to? It's none of my business."

Yulia was surprised. "Miss, but—"

"Leonard! My one and only son!" Someone intervened in the crowd again. Fiona turned toward the door. Now there is a woman dressed all in red with a gold necklace around her neck. Her hair is soft and long. It looks beautiful even if it's a little too much. Hugging Leonard in a friendly gesture.

"That one is his mother?" asked Fiona curtly.

Yulia nodded. "That's right, miss. Miss—"

From where Leonard was, the boy turned towards her and pointed at Fiona. Fiona slightly narrowed her eyes. It didn't feel awkward at all when everyone stared at her. Only Yulia moved back slowly.

Fiona didn't know what they were talking about but her heart knew very well that they must be talking about her.

In the middle of this table, only Fiona herself sat down first. As Leonard and his parents spoke, they approached the table and sat down without saying anything. Leonard took a seat beside her.

At that, Fiona glanced at the beautiful woman earlier. The woman's eyes were big and she was watching her. When they met eyes, the woman smiled but Fiona looked away unconcerned.

"Fiona. Remember me?" The man started the chat.

Fiona looked up from her empty plate. Staring at the man with no expression.

"Who?"

The man smiled. His smile immediately irritated Fiona. Very similar to Leonard's perverted smile.

"I've seen you at a French Literature show. You're an erotic writer who gets criticized, right?"

Fiona involuntarily gave a wry laugh. "Well, sort of. But sorry I never knew you."

The man shook hands calmly without raising his head, "I'm Cornelius. One of the investors at the event. Leonard said you were on vacation to Jakarta?"

"Vacation or escape from trouble?" The beautiful woman replied. Making Fiona calmly glance at her.

Neither Cornelius nor Leonard fell silent.

"You could say both," Fiona answered without hesitation.

Leonard glanced at Fiona who was completely disinterested in this chatter. But secretly he enjoyed the girl's sharp gaze. As if making his heart explode. Moreover, the satin dress suits her perfectly. Fiona's charm increased dramatically and even the sharpest words did not bring her pride down.

"Sorry, mom. She's a sadist when she talks. Forgive her manners," Leonard said casually. Cornelius smiled, not the least bit offended while his mother snickered.

"Even though she's beautiful, if her manner is zero, what's the point? I'm sure Giovani suits you better."

"I don't like Giovani, Mom. Dad has agreed that Fiona and I will get married next week."

Fiona chewed her food without passion and pretended not to hear. She was too busy looking around. Counting guards.

"No, he didn't say yes. He didn't answer anything. Right, honey?" said the woman.

"I don't care," said Leonard.

When the debate had not finished, from the door someone quietly entered. Fiona held back her mouthful, seeing a girl her age appear in a luxurious, revealing gown.

The chest is split up to the middle of the stomach. Highlighting her large breasts. It walks while lounging casually. As soon as Leonard's mother stopped arguing, she turned to the girl's appearance and screamed.

"Giovani! My beautiful lady! You have finally come!"

***