Leandro watched Jean play with satisfaction. He was sitting not far droll her watching her play the piano and practicing her voice. She was so beautiful. He couldn't get enough of watching her. She seemed oblivious to how beautiful she was. She sang her heart out. Even though she came across as shy her music was implying anything but a shy girl was performing. She was able to express her personality through music. He didn't mind her music even though he didn't like the song itself. He only cared for her voice. Hearing her made him have feelings he never had or ever thought he could. Was it a sin to listen to her? He was hoping it wasn't. His father would have known. He was what he wanted to be. His father was his idol. The only man he looked upto. His father was his mentor. His words and views mattered to him.
Leandro at the thought of his father leaned forward and held his face in his hands taking a deep breath. He wasn't sure if he wanted to introduce her to his father. He couldn't put this fragile girl in front of man who's stare burned holes into any one. It took practice for men to avoid his gaze. He was meant to introduce her to his father or his father was going to be very cross. Leo had already told their father about his girl. She was part of the family who served generations of rosarios. Elena was a misfit but her family were quite traditional. It was nothing that couldn't be fixed with her. Leandro had to see his father but he needed to plan what to do if the background check failed. For the first time he felt so much fear and doubt in his life. He never feared anyone but his father and right now he was worried his father was going to reject his girl. Her background on file didn't point to anything of concern. If her family was the enemy his father wouldn't have let her in. But accepting a student into the school had a different procedure to getting accepted into the family.
As much as Leandro hated it he had to find out his father's verdict. If he told him tonight there was a chance he was not going to see jean again if his father decided to banish her. His father was going to make sure he didn't associate himself with anyone he considered a threat to the family. So Leandro decided to enjoy the time while it lasted.
Leandro stood up and walked to jean. He slowly walked to her and jean didn't notice he was standing behind her. He clapped for her when she finished and startled her. She stood up and turned looking into his eyes "You scared me.
Leandro thought to himself "If you think I am scary wait till you meet my father." He said "Jean. Do you want to grab a soda? I want to talk to you about something."
She nodded without protest. She followed him. He had been kind enough to let her practice there at his club and let her remember her songs she hadn't practiced for a long time. The least she could do was to be nice.
Leandro went behind the counter and poured soda into two glasses. His love for soda was inherited from his father. He pushed a glass towards her and said "Take a seat."
Jean sat down on a stool next to the bar and stared at her glass which was easier than looking up. She found him too handsome right now. When he looked relaxed he didn't seem as intimidating and his gorgeous blue eyes showed their colour.
Leandro sat on a stool behind the bar opposite her. He said "Drink. The fizziness will be lost soon. You don't want the drink to go flat. He then started drinking.
Jean looked up "I like my soda flat."
She then quickly looked down as she saw his eyebrows furrowed. She sensed like she had said something offensive. Did he love his drink fizzy?
Leandro finished his drink and put it down "Well. You will get used to it Jean. Try it with the fizz. We will have plenty of time from now on to get used to it..."
Jean looked up confused "What... what do you mean?"
Leandro explained. "I will take you to grab a soda quite a lot from now on."
Jean said "You will?" She was shocked. She was not sure what he meant.
Leandro had to tell her. He had told her brother. Now it was her turn to know.
Leandro said "Look. I need to talk to you about something. I don't expect you to understand. You won't. It takes time. But from today onwards ... my heart belongs to you..."
Jean was frozen not being able to talk. What did he mean?
Leandro said "From today my heart is yours and only yours. No matter what you feel it won't change or stop what's in motion. I talked to your brother. He trusted me enough to leave you alone with me. I am honourable. Now I need to talk to my father. If he approves then I am going to see your parents. I know they are back and forth with the ranch business. I will talk to them too. I see you look scared. Don't be. I don't know how else to tell you. I love you jean. I can't imagine my life without you..."
Jean hardly had any breath now but she managed to say what bothered her "You Just met me..."
Leandro said "I know. That's what I don't understand. I just met you but I feel like I know you already. I can't stand the thought of not being close to you. I am meant to tell my father straight away but I won't. Not until you are ready and I wait. Right now I just thought you have the right to know that the heart in my chest only belongs to you. What happens now? I will give you some time. I will call your brother in to talk to you. You don't have to say anything or do anything. Just know I love you. I live by the rules. I will be seeing you around jean and I will be watching you..." He then stood up watching her who was looking around nervously. He didn't expect her to say anything. But he wished she did. As he was about to walk away he noticed she looked up shyly "Thank you... For being honest... Other boys just didn't take rejection well and wanted to date me..."
Leandro balled his hands into fists behind his back trying hard not to show his outrage "Other boys? I thought you were home schooled mostly... What did Jacob do about it?"
Jean looked down "I hid the letters I got... I don't know. Boys liked my white blonde hair. They just liked me because they said I am pretty. I was home schooled but I did go to school some days and there are always parties. Hale community in Michigan is pretty lively. It's a blessing we moved because my father is expanding his ranch business and is on the move for sorting out his business..."
Leandro was going to confront Jacob about this. He said in a low tone "I am glad you moved..." He then thought to himself "I am going to find every single boy who fancied you and will hunt them down." He said "I will see you later jean. Relax. I am not going to do anything to upset you. I won't pressure you. I have rules." He then walked away. He left the building and Jacob wasn't hard to find. He in fact came face to face with Jacob who was sitting on the floor in front of the door. As Leandro lad opened the door he had been thrown forward and now was looking at Leandro.
Leandro walked to him and said "You will make a list of every boy who has ever been living in your home town. I want a list by tomorrow. Now go inside and talk to your sister."
Jacob gave him a strange look but he didn't think much of it. The guy was obsessed with information. He welcomed the chance to go in.
As Leandro walked towards the crowd at the karaoke, there were whispers. Quickly the crowd parted making way for him. Leandro went straight to Leo who was sitting next to the platform and his eyes were glued now at his girl at the other side of the platform.
Leandro commanded "Time to leave. Grab your jacket. I am going to sort out the cars. You can get rid of the crowd. You want to help at my club. Get rid of them as quickly so we can go home quick. It ends now..."
Leo stood up "Wait. Please. It's my turn to sing with Elena
Leandro said "Well. I gave you an instruction. Follow it or face the consequences tomorrow.
Leo pleaded. " Come on Leandro. I will owe you a favour for this. Please. Don't make me leave now. I am your brother. Give me a break."
Leandro thought over it and said "All right. You have 10 extra minutes. Then you will clear the area and if it's a good record I might employ you to do clearing up duty with my men. You mess it up I will ban you from here again..."
Leo said "10 minutes is too short?"
Leandro pretended the noise was too loud to hear him "Did you say something? I will make it 5 if you want. Is there a problem?"
Leo shook his head with a fake smile "I will follow instructions. No problems at all."
Once leandro walked away Leo heard his big brother "That's What I thought."
Leo cursed him once he was out of ear shot "You kill joy. Damn you and your rules." If Leandro heard it he was going to be floored.
Leo didn't waste time as Elena came up and popped the question "Will you be my girlfriend?"
The crowd went silent.
Elena gulped.
Leandro from a distance stopped walking and turned sharply.