19. Masaccio
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Masaccio
N o matter what I do Leora is still acting cold and distant.
I need to make a bigger gesture. Something she can’t ignore.
“Nathan.” I call out as I walk towards the security room at the back of the house. I know he was reviewing the weeks footage and then writing his general report.
“Mas, I’m in here.” His voice carries through to me.
I step into the room. He has two other guys working on the computers. It’s a pretty boring job - reviewing camera footage. Not something I would ever want to do.
“Can I talk to you?”
“Of course.” He stands up and follows me to the room filled with the blue glare from too many screens.
“I need you to organize something for me. It has to be a complete surprise. I don’t want Leora knowing anything until it’s ready.”
“Ok.” He says, tilting his head to the side and waiting.
“You know that guy who imports exotic cars? I saw a Chevrolet Corvette in his warehouse last week. I want it. Most likely he arranged it for another client, but I’ll pay more than what he’s asking. I also want it done in a custom color.”
“I can go over there and see if he’s willing to negotiate. I know he owes you a favor so we can call it in.”
“Yes - do that.”
I grin, knowing she is going to love this gift.
“What color do you want the car?”
“Fuchsia pink - with a glitter coat.”
Nathan pulls a face. He doesn’t even try to hide his distaste of my choice.
I laugh. “Obviously it’s for Leora - not me.”
“Yeah - that poor car, sir. It doesn’t deserve to be put through that kind of torture.”
I laugh again. I love his sense of humor.
“Well, I want to really grab her attention with this gift. So fuchsia it is.”
“You’ll be grabbing attention alright.” He snorts a laugh. “Alright. I’ll head over there now to chat to the guy. I’ll let you know the outcome.”
It takes three days for the car to be ready. Including the paint job which they do brilliantly. I head over to the warehouse to make sure it’s up to my standards and I can’t find a single thing wrong with it.
I nod, satisfied and the guy tosses me the keys. “It’s all yours.”
“Thanks. My girl is going to love it.”
The engine growls as I rev it, then pull out of the warehouse and speed all the way home. Leora is out for the day, still avoiding me, still playing it cool when she is around me - but when she gets home, there is going to be something special waiting for her.
I park the Corvette right in front of the stairs leading to the front door, then wrap the giant black silk ribbon around the bonnet.
All that is left is to wait for her.
I’m not the most patient man in the world, so I hardly get anything done as I pace up and down the house continuously listening out for her.
Finally, just before sunset I hear the driver arriving and I hurry to greet her at the door.
I can’t even hide the massive grin on my face as she climbs out of the car and her entire face looks shocked when she stares at the bright pink car waiting for her.
The driver pulls away to park the town car around the back and Leora is left alone on the driveway with her new Corvette.
I walk down the stairs towards her.
“Do you like it?” I am still grinning.
She looks from me to the car then back at me “What is this all about?” She asks.
“Just a little gift for my wife. Something fun, and beautiful - like you.”
“Fun - and beautiful. I see.”
She walks around the car slowly, tracing her finger over the smooth paint finish. I follow her, waiting for her reaction. I think she is a little shocked. Maybe overwhelmed by the gift.
“Do you want to take her for a spin?” I ask, pulling the driver’s side door open. “You can take me for a sunset drive.” I gesture for her to climb into the car.
“Actually, I think I am going to head upstairs to have a shower. It’s been a long day. We can go for a drive another day.”
My mouth drops open in disbelief. She doesn’t look impressed in the smallest bit. She doesn’t look excited or happy about the gift at all. She is just being her now normal cold and distant self.
I felt my jaw muscles clenching.
Leora is halfway up the stairs heading inside the house when she turns around and smiles.
“Thank you for the gift, Masaccio.” She says formally.
I sigh as she turns away again. “It’s a pleasure.” I mutter under my breath, then stare down at the keys in my hand.
I guess, maybe she’ll enjoy it once she takes it for a drive.
I leave the car parked there. If she goes out tomorrow, she can take it.
But I feel angry inside. Disappointed. Let down.
I know I said in the beginning that this was nothing but a marriage for show - but I’ve changed my mind now.
I want her.
She’s my wife and I want a proper relationship with her.
She’s beautiful and funny and sweet and warm and kind - when she isn’t shutting me out - and I am desperate to go back to the way things were before I fucked it all up by being the coldest asshole on the planet.
“Dammit.” I swear under my breath as I head inside too.
I guess there is only one thing left to do to make her see how much I feel for her now.
The next morning Leora heads out, to my relief she takes the Corvette. Thank fuck for that. And while she is out, I get all the house staff to work.
I am moving her entire bedroom into mine. She is my wife, and she will no longer be staying in a separate room from me.
This bullshit has been going on long enough, and it’s time for us to be a proper couple. That means sharing a room and sleeping in the same bed.
To make sure she can’t argue against this I also have the house staff put her bed in storage. Out of the way. So, there is nowhere else for her to sleep but in my bedroom.
This time I am not pacing when I wait for her to come home.
I’m relaxed, getting my work done, feeling less distracted because I know I’ve made the right choice.
When I hear her Corvette arriving home, I get up to greet her.
She walks into the house with a few items in her hands. I take them and set them on the entrance hall table then pull her against me to hug her. She stands stiff and awkward but doesn’t push me away. “Hello, Leo. The chef was just about to start dinner. Have you got any requests?”
“No, he can go ahead with whatever he had planned.”
Her voice is bland, empty, too calm. I want to shake her or slap her and bring back that bubbly beautiful girl who first moved in here after we got married.
I really miss her.
I want her back.
Leora waits for me to stop hugging her, as patient as ever, then steps away, picks up her things and heads upstairs - towards her room which isn’t her room anymore.
I wait in the living room. Giving her the space to figure it out for herself.
From upstairs I hear an angry shout.
“What the hell is going on, Masaccio?”
She comes running down the stairs in a rage.
“Where are my things? What have you done with my clothes?”
“Everything has been moved over to my room. You and I will be sharing a bed from now on.” I say, ignoring her outburst.
“Is this some kind of joke? Because it’s not funny. Put everything back right now.” She yells at me. But I look down at my phone and ignore her. I knew she wouldn’t be happy about it at first, but she will adjust.
“My bed isn’t even in the room anymore —I—I—” she stammers.
“Leo, it’s going to be fine. We are husband and wife. My bed is very comfortable. All of your things are packed in your new cupboards. Everything is there.”
She glares at me for the longest time. I stare back, my expression relaxed, soft even. She will come round. She has no choice.