Bought to be his Fake Wife

Agreement

LEO POV

Leo stepped into the grand entrance of his home, his thoughts swirling with the gravity of the day's events. His father's words echoed in his mind, mingling with the gnawing worry about his impending marriage to Gabrielle. The house, filled with opulence and the usual hum of activity, felt cold and distant as he made his way down the hallway to Gabrielle's room. Each step seemed to echo his inner turmoil.

He reached Gabrielle's door, knocked lightly, and then entered, finding her sitting on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed out the window as if seeking solace in the view. The sight of her, so isolated in her predicament, made Leo’s heart tighten. This wasn’t how he had envisioned their first encounter as a married couple.

“We need to talk,” Leo said, his voice firm, as he closed the door behind him. He watched Gabrielle’s expression shift from one of distant contemplation to confusion as she turned to face him.

Gabrielle's eyes met his with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. “About what?”

Leo took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility that lay upon him. “About why you’re here.”

Gabrielle’s sigh was heavy, her frustration palpable. “I was forced to come here against my will.”

Leo nodded, understanding the gravity of her situation. He had been there, himself, listening to the plans laid out by his father and grappling with the consequences of his own decisions. “I can help you, Gabrielle. I have a plan.”

Gabrielle’s brow furrowed in skepticism. “A plan? What kind of plan?”

Leo’s face softened into a reassuring smile, though his heart raced with the tension of what he was about to propose. “A plan to set you free.”

The statement hung in the air, and Gabrielle’s eyes widened with shock. “Are you serious, Leo?” Her disbelief was evident in her tone.

Leo’s nod was solemn, underscoring the seriousness of his offer. “Yes. It’s a difficult situation for both of us, Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle’s gaze was intense, trying to read him. “What are you suggesting?”

Leo took a moment to gather his thoughts, the weight of his next words pressing heavily upon him. “I need to consummate my marriage, Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle’s jaw dropped in disbelief, her eyes widening with shock. “Take my virginity?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with a mix of anger and fear.

Leo nodded, his expression grave. “I know it’s a lot to ask, Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle shot to her feet, her movement sharp and disbelieving. “You must be joking, Leo. This is insane!”

Leo remained calm, his voice steady as he faced her. “I’m not joking. If we do this, it will allow us to stage your death and then you can disappear. You’ll be free to leave this life behind.”

Gabrielle’s eyes searched his face for any sign of insincerity but found none. “Leo, did you pay that fortune to me just so I could leave later?”

Leo shook his head. “Gabrielle, I don’t need that money. My goal is to help you escape this nightmare.”

“How can I be sure that I can trust you?” Gabrielle’s voice was laced with doubt and frustration.

“You can trust my word,” Leo said earnestly, hoping his sincerity would break through her skepticism.

Gabrielle remained wary. “I’m not sure.”

Leo’s patience was wearing thin, but he remained composed. “I’m offering you a way out. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck living a miserable life next to me. This is your chance to reclaim your freedom.”

Gabrielle’s eyes were filled with contemplation, her mind racing through the implications of Leo’s proposal. “I’ll think about it, Leo.”

Leo nodded, understanding her need for time. “A few items will be delivered to you today. Get prepared because you will be meeting my family tonight.”

With that, Leo turned and walked out of the room, leaving Gabrielle to wrestle with the enormity of the decision she faced.

He headed to the living room, where his father, Maurizio, was waiting with an air of expectancy. The walls of the room seemed to close in, filled with the weight of unspoken expectations and judgments.

“She’s quite a handful,” Leo muttered to himself, feeling the exhaustion of his day weigh heavily upon him.

Maurizio, ever perceptive, looked up from his papers. “The money you spent on that woman could potentially lead to a successful marriage.”

Leo’s mind was elsewhere, his thoughts tangled in his complex emotions. “Don’t worry, Dad. It will pay off.”

Letizia, his mother, entered the room with an air of disapproval. “You’re all set for tonight’s dance,” she said, her tone implying more than just the evening’s event.

Leo looked at her with a mixture of weariness and determination. “Why are you looking so upset, Mom?”

Letizia’s eyes were filled with frustration. “She’s not the right woman for you, son.”

Leo’s patience snapped. “Stop being negative, Mom. That woman is attractive, well-educated, and she will be a good wife.”

Letizia’s skepticism was evident. “Well-educated?” she repeated, her tone questioning his assessment.

“My marriage is irrelevant here, Mom. Gabrielle will fulfill her role, and you will continue with yours,” Leo asserted firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. He turned and left the room, feeling the weight of the confrontation with his mother bearing down on him.

“Dad, will everyone from Diavolo be present?” Leo asked as he rejoined his father.

Maurizio nodded. “Yes, the entire mafia is looking forward to your wedding.”

Leo’s face tightened with the realization of the stakes involved. “Except for me, Dad,” he muttered under his breath, feeling the personal cost of his choices.

He retreated to his office, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of his surroundings.

Lighting a cigar, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. His thoughts drifted to Jianna, the one person who had provided him with genuine comfort and understanding. Their connection had always been a refuge from the pressures of his life, but now, as he faced the prospect of a marriage with Gabrielle, he felt a deep sense of loss.

Jianna had been his rock, her presence a balm to his condition. Now, as he faced the reality of managing his illness on his own, he felt a pang of dread. He needed to find a doctor who could help him navigate the complexities of his condition, or risk losing his mind in the midst of the chaos surrounding him.

Gabrielle’s acceptance of his proposal was crucial. If she agreed, they could stage her death, allowing her to escape while he retained control over the Mafia. It was a calculated risk, but one that seemed necessary to ensure both their futures. He hoped that, despite the convoluted nature of their arrangement, Gabrielle would see it as an opportunity for freedom rather than a trap.

As Leo pondered the intricate web of relationships and power plays that had ensnared him, he knew that tonight’s events would be pivotal. The outcome of his plan would determine not only his own fate but also Gabrielle’s. It was a high-stakes gamble, and he could only hope that it would bring them both the resolution they so desperately needed.