The cool air was gentle and caressed Leo's skin as he stood on the porch watching the beach from their house.

He could still hear the merry and laughter coming from inside the house where Paige had taken it upon herself to turn into the family jester.

Most of the jokes were told at his expense, Leo hadn't minded as long as it made Paige happy. He had sat through it quietly and would have continued to do so had his mother not recounted one embarrassing moment in his early childhood, Leo wished to God no one will hear about.

Embarrassed, he had to come outside to save face.

That was where he was, casually sipping his champagne, his cheeks slightly flushed when he felt a presence.

Quickly, Leo turned his head only to come face to face with his sister, who was leaning by the door watching him.

As soon as they made eye contact, she walked up to him, stopping only when she was standing close to him.

Leo turned his head away, a frown slashing on his face.

It's been four months since he assumed his position as the new CEO. After proposing to Paige Five days later, they had gone to Italy where she continued to work as his assistant. Though he had tried to stop her, many times of which she refused. Insisting that she enjoyed working with him.

During that period, Leo scarcely saw his sister. It was as though she was suddenly occupied with something.

Honestly, he had waited for some kind of action from her, but when none occurred, he had relaxed.

Until four months later, his parents having forgiven him and his fiancée for their deceit had thrown a party in honor of them at their beach house. Which was where they currently were.

Even there, he and his sister barely said a word to each other.

Though there were times she looked at him like she had something she wanted to say to him. Her eyes regretful, or so Leo had thought.

But she never said a word, nor did she try to seek him out until now.

Edging closer to him, Rosa gripped the banister with her right hand and looked down briefly. It was obvious something was bothering her, judging by how she won't look into his eyes. She swallowed several times nervously As though to dislodge a lump that had grown there, and when at last she looked up and said,

"Congratulations on becoming the new CEO."

On hearing that, Leo threw his head back and gulped his drink. Wincing as the liquid went down the wrong pipe. "It certainly took you long to wish me well."

Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Leonardo stared at his sister, his eyes distrustful.

"And I know you must be seething whenever you remember your plans did not work."

Immediately, he said that what seemed like regret flashed across Rosa's face. Which was the strangest thing ever, because this was not an expression Leo was accustomed to from his sister.

Her face fell. Her fingers gripping the purple scarf around her neck tightly. She looked tired, regretful. And presently was looking unseeingly ahead as though calling upon a long-lost memory. "Contrary to what you believe, I'm glad I'm no longer the CEO."

Leo, who had joined her to look at the scenery, upon hearing that slowly Leo turned his head, and look at her! Really looked at her.

How strange.

Without knowing it, his face had contorted. "Then why do I find that hard to believe. You have always hated me, Rosa. I can't see you being content with me being in charge of everything. While you watch from the side."

"I know my past attitude might have seemed like that, but I have changed." She turned towards him suddenly.

"I hadn't realized how much of my children's life I was missing while I was busy trying to prove how competent I was compared to you. And in my obsession to overthrow you and prove how better I am, I didn't realize I was putting my marriage at risk. I missed out on so many important aspects of my children's life I did incite their hate towards me. I feel horrible."

She swiped a finger under her lashes and Leo realized she had been trying to stop herself from crying. Now that he thought of it, he rather thought her children looked deprived of motherly love. And always thought her marriage might have suffered a bit from her obsession of overthrowing him. Rosa spent most of her time working.

More like a workaholic. And from his deductions, One who spends ninety percent of their time in a workplace won't have time for their family. It's no wonder she was having problems at her home.

Leo frowned. Though there was bad blood between him and his sister, he couldn't help the pity that surged through his heart.

It might be stupid to do so, but Leo felt sorry for her.

In the time he had been lost while thinking, Rosa had been busy trying to stop herself from crying and when at last she succeeded, she looked up at him.

"Please, I know this might not count for something and might not make up for all the times I have hurt you badly, but I wanted you to know I'm sorry. It's only now that I realized how cruel I must have been to you. The things I said and did to you when we were young. I've been rethinking my life and I want to start on a new path, but before I do, it I have to make amends for my past mistakes so please forgive me."

The first thing Leo did after hearing that statement was to see if she meant it. And upon closer inspection of her eyes, he realized she meant it. Rosa looked remorseful to the point she was wearing regret on her face. She suddenly looked older than her age, the strain, the tired eyes.

"You made my life miserable."

"Of which I'm sorry for." Her eyes were on his face, never leaving it. It compelled him to look at her. Instead Leo pulled his gaze away.

There was a short silence before she said, "Say, you have forgiven me."

That I cannot do without knowing how I feel about this new development.
I can't give you that assurance, Rosa. Until i have sorted out my feelings."

Nodding her head, she said, "I understand." And they elapsed into silence until Paige bundled out of the door in a bright green dress and upon seeing her, the tightness in Leonardo's heart released. And for the first time since Rosa came to join him, Leo smiled. Paige smiled back at him and then made eye contact with Rosa, who gave her a stiff smile. Greeted her casually and left.

Leo's fiance stared in wonder, her mouth hanging open. And her slim finger pointing awkwardly after the departing figure of Rosa. "Did she just smile at me?" She asked, which brought about a cute smile to Leo's face.

"I believe she did." And he spread his Leo arms open for her.

Knowing how rude and unapproachable Rosa had been to Paige in the past, he can understand her reluctance to believe what she had seen.

Paige rushed into his arms and he circled his arms around her, inhaling her scent.

Already, he was feeling less hurt about the whole affair. Now that Paige was in his arms. He felt more like himself again, and less in pain. His mind far away from dangerous thoughts.

Her cheek was on his breast, her palm on the other side chest caressing it." What were you two talking about?"

Leo looked down at her head and planted a kiss there. Not being able to stop himself.

Looking up at him, she smiled.

"Rosa came to apologize to me."

"She did?"

Yes, my love," And as soon as he finished saying that, Leo turned her around to face him and claimed her lips. When at last he pulled away, he murmured, "Now why have the love of my life come to find me.

"Because she missed you." Immediately after saying that. She grabbed hold of his hand. "Come, let's go sit at the seashore." Of which Leo protested, saying he didn't want to get near the water.

However, a few minutes later, Paige was dragging a reluctant Leo by the hand closer to the water. Until it was rushing by their feet only, then did she leave him. Twirling around with a sort of careless laughter that portrayed one who was content and happy with where she was.

Leo watched her with a sort of twinkle in his eyes. "Careful there, I don't want you to fall."

"The baby and I are fine," came her rejoinder, and she stretched out a hand. "Come and join me. The water is cool." Of which Leo remained where he was.

Ever since she reached the second trimester of her pregnancy, Leo had become conscious and worried about her safety. Ever since he learned of a friend of a friend's pregnant wife who did have a minor accident. Though Paige had tried to tell him that wasn't enough grounds that the same thing would happen to her.

He had been adamant. You can't blame him for worrying.

Paige scowled. "So you won't join me."

"I'm happy watching you from where I am," He stated. That answer did not seem to satisfy her because she looked down sadly, an expression which tugged at Leo's heart, and he almost caved in when suddenly to his surprise she bent down, scooping water in her hands and splashed it on his body laughing when cool water drenched the front of his shirt.

It had all been an act! Her sadness, the coyness. but she had him caught him with that. He couldn't believe he had been so easily tricked.

A stunned Leo had only a few seconds to process what had happened before another round of water landed on his body. And this time his fiancee's laughter grew louder.

It must have been the devil, or simply the way she stood there laughing so hard at him, that made Leo shrug off his slippers and pursue her, forgetting that only moments ago he had been against the idea of going near the water at all.

She did run, but soon he caught a shrieking Paige in his arms. Infected by her joyous laughter. He did join her and started laughing. Though he still had it in mind to chastise her for misbehaving, however before he could utter any word.

Paige rose on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips.

Leo blinked once, twice, before a cheeky smile made it across his face. He always loved it whenever she initiated the kiss first.

In their four months of dating, she must have realized that and was using it to her advantage, because upon catching his smile, she smiled back and embraced him tightly.

The way she did that, Leo got the impression that she knew he was still thinking about all that had transpired between him and his sister. Also, she did bring him out here to take his mind off it and offer him comfort.

Leo wrapped his big arms around her, inhaling her scent.

They stayed like that. In that environment, Paige offering comfort to him, while he received with everything in him.

Though it only lasted for a few minutes, it felt like an eternity to Leo.

Everything around them faded into the background except the occasional sound of the water as it brushed on their feet.

Slowly, they pulled away from each other, with Paige complaining about how Leo was crushing her tummy. To which Leo apologized, and she said she had only been joking. Which brought about a rise in Leo's brow. And she laughed and hugged him again.

Laughing, Leo kissed her forehead and declared their daughter was going to be a handful just like she was and if she continued like this, he might forget about his promise to wait six months until they have gotten to know each other more and marry her next month.

To which Paige dared him to do. At last they agreed to stay true to their promises to one another.

And with that, the two couples headed towards the house to join the others. Secretly, Leo stole a look at Paige and smiled, thinking how lucky he was. To have found love amidst fighting for his father's company.

Though all that wouldn't have been possible had she not been his fake fianceé in the first place.

In the end, he had Wesley to thank for bringing them together. For without it, he wouldn't have looked twice in her direction. And as so, would have lost a wonderful woman.

A woman dear to his heart.

Authors Note

This book has finally come to an end. Thank you for reading. And please check out my other books. I would appreciate that.