Chapter 3 - Leo's P.O.V.
1107 Words
Leo’s P.O.V.
“Place the shipment on the next boat, and make sure no mistakes are made,” I order one of my subordinates, as my phone starts to ring.
Seeing Ben’s name on the screen, I groan.
“What is it?” I ask, my intuition telling me I already know why he’s calling me.
“Apologies, Boss, but little miss has run away again,” He says, letting out a sigh.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, letting out another low growl.
I knew it! My intuition is never wrong!
“How can three grown-ass trained men be unable to keep watch over a nine-year-old little girl?” I ask, not really wanting an answer.
“She is her father's daughter; very quick and elusive, Boss. We are searching for her all over the m… Hold on, I think I see her. Yes, it’s her. She’s talking with a blonde woman,” He says, his voice suddenly serious, making my back strengthen.
“Have you ever seen that woman near my daughter before?”
“I don’t think so, but something about her seems familiar,”
“What do you mean?”
“She just seems so familiar, but I can’t place her.”
“Keep a close eye on them, I’m on my way,” I say, grabbing my keys from the desk and heading out quickly.
Who could this woman be? And what does she want with my little princess?
I should have known Claire would run away from her bodyguards again. I broke my promise to spend some more time with her this week.
Truth be told, I have been neglecting her as of late. The older she gets, the more she resembles her mother and I find it really hard to be around her. It’s not her fault. Not even in the slightest, but I miss her mother so much. She was the love of my life, the one and the only person who could keep my cold heart beating. She was the better part of me and I wanted to be a better man for her. But since she was killed in that f*****g accident, I lost most of my will to be better.
I do try, sometimes, to be that man again for my little princess, but it’s a lot harder than I ever expected.
We should have been a family, the three of us, but our glue is missing.
I am fully to be blamed for her not being here with us. I was the one that gave out the order to find my little girl at any cost. I just never expected it to cost me my wife.
Driving fast, I arrive at the mall in no time.
My phone beeps as I step out of my car.
Ben texted that they were sitting at a table near the creamery.
We used to go there all the time. Especially when she was pregnant with our little Claire.
Shaking away my wondering thoughts, I make my way inside.
As much as I want to scold Claire for running away, One look at her sad eyes and my resolve wavers.
I know she knew running away would bring me here in no time. She’s done it before to gain my attention.
And it works every damn time!
The closer I step to the shop, the harder my heart thumps against my chest.
Why is that?
Claire’s guilty face is all I need to see for my anger to dissipate.
I can’t be mad at her for wanting to spend some more time with me.
I really do need to learn that my Mallory isn’t coming back and that I have a piece of her. An amazing, priceless piece of her and I need to take better care of my little princess.
I need to learn that even though she looks like her mother, she isn’t her, and that’s ok.
Claire babbles on about the woman she was talking with just minutes ago, claiming she was her mother. It is quite far-fetched, but she seems to believe it wholeheartedly.
I tried my best not to be too blunt and tell her it’s impossible. That is until she pointed to the lady in question, walking away briskly with the man I hate most in the world.
He is the reason I wasn’t able to bury my Mallory.
Alexander Berlusconi.
That mother fucker!
Is he trying to plant someone near my little princess and take her away from me too?!
I will NEVER let that happen!
Even thinking this, seeing the woman she was pointing at, my heart freezes inside my chest.
How could this even be possible?! She died in that accident five years ago! How could she be alive now?
Am I missing her so much that I want to believe Claire’s story? But are my own eyes deceiving me?
She was my Mallory. I swear it had to be her!
She’s blond, the same as when the accident occurred. It can’t be a coincidence.
“Ben, find me every one that had a say in the rapport I received five years ago when Mallory was presumed dead. Everything! And fast,” I grumble, lifting Claire into my arms as she yelps for me to let her walk back to the car.
If Alexander is here, I’m not taking any chance and letting my daughter out of my arms until we are safely home.
She gave up fighting, realizing she wouldn’t win against me.
“Daddy?” She calls, while I drive us home.
“Was that really mommy back there? Why doesn't she recognize me?” She asks, her lips quivering with each word.
“I’m not a hundred percent sure it’s her. For all I know, she’s supposed to be dead. But I will look into it. I promise you’ll be the first to know if it turns out to be your mother, my little prinssessa.” I try reassuring her.
“Ok,” She replies, turning her head toward the widow.
We stay silent for a while, the only thing breaking our silence is the pop music on the radio.
I keep glancing at her, a few questions eating at me inside.
“How… How did she seem? Mallory?” I finally decide to ask, my hand gripping the stirring wheel tighter.
“She seemed pretty happy while we were talking. She got me a double scoop of cookie and creme Ice cream! She got the same too.” She says, unable to keep the smile off her lips.
Cookie and creme Ice cream… Her favorite.
- Writer
