Chapter 55: His Magic Creation

Sofia's POV

I thought we were heading straight to one of his many high-security mansions or hidden safehouses. Somewhere with cameras, guards, high gates, and alarms that could spot a fly from a mile away. That was what I expected.

But instead, Leandro took a different turn.

We drove in silence for a while. I kept stealing glances at him, wondering why he looked so... calm. Like he had something up his sleeve. I was still shaken from what happened earlier, but being with him made it easier to breathe.

Then we pulled up.

And I couldn’t believe my eyes.

My lips parted in stunned awe.

“What… is this?” I whispered as I looked out the window.

Bright lights. Every color imaginable. Twinkling and dancing in the night. There was a giant Ferris wheel slowly turning in the distance, a beautiful old-fashioned carousel glowing gold and silver, and the faint sound of music playing in the background.

It was an amusement park.

And it wasn't just beautiful.

It was magical.

“You brought me to a carnival?” I asked, still in disbelief, my eyes scanning the fantasyland before me.

“An amusement park,” he corrected softly, pulling the car door open for me. “I figured you needed a breather.”

I stepped out slowly, the wind tousling my hair as I stared at the sight before me.

“You’re Leandro Rossi,” I whispered, half-laughing. “Why on earth would you bring me to an amusement park?”

He didn’t answer right away. Just offered his hand.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s walk.”

I took his hand without thinking.

The moment we stepped inside, I felt like a kid again.

The place was stunning. The lights, the laughter, the soft music playing through hidden speakers. Everything looked so perfect. Like a dream. I’d always loved amusement parks, but this one felt different, like it was meant just for me.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed out. “Seriously… I don’t even have the words.”

Leandro looked around slowly, like he was remembering something. His expression shifted... something quiet, almost sad behind his eyes.

“I didn’t know you liked stuff like this,” I said gently.

He tensed a little.

I noticed.

So I touched his hand and gave it a small squeeze. “You don’t have to explain. It’s okay. Take your time.”

We stood there for a few seconds before he finally spoke.

“When I was a kid,” he said quietly, “my parents used to fight. A lot. Screaming, breaking things... sometimes worse.”

I stayed quiet, listening.

“There was a small field back then. This place. It wasn’t anything like this. Just a broken merry-go-round and an empty lot. But I’d come here and sit alone. Spin on the wheel. Pretend I was anywhere else. Somewhere better.”

He glanced at me. “I told myself if I ever had the chance, I’d buy it and turn it into something magical. So kids like me... could come here and forget.”

My heart twisted a little.

“You own this place?” I asked softly.

He nodded.

I couldn’t help it—I squealed and laughed, holding his arm. “Oh my God, Leandro. That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. You’re full of surprises, you know that?”

He looked away like he wasn’t sure how to take the compliment.

“It’s so beautiful,” I said, my voice quieter now. “You really made something special.”

He just nodded again, hands in his pockets.

“Come on,” I said, pulling him lightly. “Let’s have fun. You brought me here to forget, right? So let’s do that.”

And we did.

We started with the Ferris wheel. It was slow and peaceful, and from the top, the whole city looked like stars on the ground. I leaned against the railing, the wind brushing through my hair, and for a moment I forgot everything that had happened earlier. Leandro didn’t say much, but he sat close. Our shoulders touched. It was quiet, but it felt… safe.

And then we moved to the carousel. I picked the silliest horse I could find, pink with glitters and climbed on like I was five. Leandro chose the serious black stallion behind mine and rolled his eyes when I turned and waved like a princess. I laughed the entire time. He didn’t, but I saw the way he smiled when he thought I wasn’t looking.

Bumper cars came after that. I didn’t go easy on him. Not even a little. I drove straight at him and rammed his car like my entire life depended on it. He looked shocked for a second before grinning and chasing me all around the arena. I laughed so hard, I had tears in my eyes by the time it ended.

And then we found the arcade. He was way better than me at the basketball hoops, but I beat him at air hockey, twice. He blamed the machine and I told him he just had slow reflexes. We both ganged up on the shooting game and won a massive stuffed bear. He handed it to me like it was nothing, but I could tell he was proud.

“You’re kind of good at this,” I teased, hugging the bear.

He smirked. “Don’t let it get to your head.”

And then, roller coaster. I screamed the whole way through. Hands in the air, heart racing, head spinning. He didn’t scream, of course. He just laughed low and deep when I grabbed his arm on the biggest drop and squeezed like my life depended on it.

When it ended, we stumbled out, both a little dizzy, a lot breathless.

“That was insane,” I said, grinning.

“You’re insane,” he replied, brushing hair out of my face.

“You love it.”

He didn’t deny it.

We spent the rest of the evening walking around slowly. Past the lights, the food stalls, the soft music, and the fountains that glowed from underneath.

I leaned against his side, and he let me.

There was something about tonight that felt different. Softer. Warmer.

This wasn’t just a man who saved me.

It was someone who had pain too. Who carried it quietly. Who built something beautiful out of a dark past.

And for some crazy reason… he brought me here to see it.