The next morning, Leo woke up early, determined not to let Ava go alone. He booked a cab to trail hers to the airport. Once there, he discreetly purchased a flight ticket, only to be shocked when he discovered Ava had booked an economy seat. There was no way his tall frame would fit comfortably in economy.
As he stood there, contemplating his next move, a familiar figure appeared beside him.
"I'll take the seat on her left," Ethan said casually.
Leo glared at him. "What the hell are you doing here? Ava is my girlfriend."
Ethan met his gaze, unflinching. "I promised to accompany her, whatever it takes," he replied before walking toward the boarding gate.
Reluctantly, Leo followed. When they entered the cabin, they found Ava already settled in her seat. Leo took the spot to her right, while Ethan sat on her left. Ava's eyes widened in surprise as she realized what had happened.
The three-hour flight was tense, filled with unspoken words and an undercurrent of rivalry. Finally, the silence was broken by clipped remarks.
Ethan: "Not everything has to be a competition."
Leo: "Are you sure about that?"
Ava sat between them, visibly frustrated. She reached for Leo's hand and held it tightly, her expression a mix of exasperation and resolve.
In Nice, they headed to Ava's childhood home—the same address Leo had looked up long ago. After inspecting the house, they went to the police station to give their statements.
The house was a mess, but according to Ava, nothing had been stolen. Leo was baffled. Why would someone break in but leave behind valuable items like a painting, a rare vase, and even some small jewelry? This didn't seem like a typical robbery.
After touring the house where Ava grew up, Ethan excused himself to take a call downstairs. When Leo and Ava eventually went down, Ethan returned, looking somber.
After some time, Ava decided it was time to head back to Milan. This time, Leo offered to use his private plane. Reluctantly, Ethan agreed, though he couldn't resist commenting on how spacious Leo's plane was compared to his own. 'This guy is relentless,' Leo thought.
The two exchanged a few sharp words before Ava intervened, putting an end to their bickering. For the rest of the flight, Leo sat beside Ava, holding her close and doing his best to ignore Ethan, who sat in the corner, glaring at him.
Leo had hoped Ava would let him stay at her apartment, but she insisted it was too messy. He didn't mind, but her constant dodging made him feel insecure. He lashed out at Ethan, accusing him of being the reason for his insecurity, but Ethan denied it, pointing out that he was the one who had been rejected and felt insecure around Leo. It was true—Ava had chosen Leo over Ethan.
That thought gave him some comfort. He returned to his
hotel and slept peacefully, already planning a wonderful day with Ava.
The next morning, Leo waited at Ava's door, knocking softly. When she opened it, her hair was still tousled from sleep, and her eyes widened in surprise.
"What are you doing here? I told you, my house is a mess. I haven't had time to clean," she said, slightly closing the door to block his view inside.
Leo chuckled and gently pushed the door open. "Ava, my darling, I don't mind. You haven't seen the state of my hotel room every time I check out, have you? This... All of this is way cleaner than my room ever is. So, baby, don't worry," he said, stepping inside.
Ava reluctantly asked him to take off his shoes and wear house slippers, which he agreed to. The slippers were surprisingly comfortable.
The apartment was small but cozy, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen to the left of the entrance. The living room was dominated by a large mahogany drafting desk, meticulously maintained and covered in papers. The walls were lined with sketches pinned to boards, and the other side of the room featured a medium-sized L-shaped sofa, a coffee table, and a few plants scattered around. It was simple yet organized.
'What is she talking about? This isn't messy at all,' Leo thought. In the corner of the living room, he noticed a hidden door leading to the second bedroom. As he reached for the handle, Ava tapped his shoulder. She was dressed in a chic white blouse with a scarf draped elegantly around her neck, a light oak pencil skirt, and knee-high dark brown boots. She carried a matching handbag, looking effortlessly stylish.
"You look so beautiful and cute at the same time, my love. I almost forgot what we're supposed to do today. Can we skip all of it and just take you out of this chic outfit?" he teased, grinning.
Ava chuckled and took his hand, leading him out of the apartment. "Nice try, but I believe you've got plans for us," she said with a playful smile.
Leo picks up Ava in a sleek black Maserati, effortlessly exuding charm in a white linen shirt, slightly unbuttoned, paired with dark jeans. Ava steps into the car with a playful smirk, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Their first stop is a hidden pasticceria in Brera, tucked away in a quiet alley, known only to locals. The café exudes old-world charm, its walls lined with vintage espresso machines and shelves stacked with delicate pastries. An elderly Italian woman, the owner, greets Leo like an old friend and surprises Ava with a custom cornetto filled with pistachio cream.
"You bribed her, didn't you?" Ava teases, taking a bite.
Leo grins, sipping his espresso. "I might have mentioned your little obsession with pistachio."
After breakfast, Leo takes Ava on a spontaneous Vesparide through the city, effortlessly maneuvering through the cobbled streets while she clings to him. They stop at iconic landmarks—Piazza del Duomo, where Leo twirls Ava playfully under the cathedral's shadow, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where he jokes about getting matching rings from a luxury boutique.
At Castello Sforzesco, he leads her through hidden corners and quiet courtyards, sharing bits of Milanese history between flirtatious remarks.
"You know a lot for someone who claims to hate history," Ava muses.
"I only remember things that might impress you," he
replies with a wink.
As the afternoon sun casts golden hues over Parco Sempione, they find a secluded spot beneath the trees. Ava sketches lazily in her notebook while Leo watches her, arms folded behind his head.
"You always carry that around?" he asks, tilting his head.
"I don't like missing ideas," she murmurs.
A comfortable silence settles between them before Leo tugs her down beside him, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Then don't forget this," he says, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. Ava rolls her eyes, but as the gentle breeze lulls them, they both drift into a peaceful nap.
As evening approaches, they head to a trendy osteria near Navigli, where the scent of fresh pasta and basil fills the air. Seated on the outdoor terrace, Leo's presence does not go unnoticed. Whispers turn into excited murmurs, and soon, a small crowd gathers outside. Phones flash, voices call his name. Though Leo remains composed, Ava notices his grip on the fork tighten slightly.
A few overly enthusiastic fans push too close. Before the situation escalates, Leo's discreet bodyguards step in, forming a protective barrier. He exchanges a glance with Ava—half amused, half apologetic.
"Not exactly the quiet lunch I planned," he mutters as they 're ushered into a private dining room.
Ava, unfazed, picks up a piece of burrata and smirks. "At least the food's still warm."
Later, Leo has a reservation at an intimate rooftop restaurant overlooking the city skyline. But as they arrive, camera flashes explode in the dimming light— paparazzi waiting like wolves outside the entrance.
"Guess we're the main event tonight," Ava says, amused.
Leo, unbothered, takes her hand. "Come on, I know a way out." With a mischievous grin, he leads her through the back corridors, sneaking out through the staff exit. They make a run for it, laughter echoing as they duck into a waiting car.
Dinner is a quiet affair, the ambiance dim and intimate. Over candlelight, Ava watches as for once Leo seems at peace. No cameras, no crowds. Just them. As the night nears its end, Leo drives them to a secluded viewpoint on the outskirts of the city. Below, the city lights shimmer like scattered gold, casting a warm glow over their quiet refuge. Leaning against the hood of the car, Leo glances at Ava.
"Come to Barcelona with me next week."
Ava raises a brow. "For the Grand Prix?"
He nods. "I want you there."
Ava hesitates. "Leo—"
"I know it's fast," he interrupts. "But I want you in my world. Not just in moments like these, but when things get messy. When I'm at my worst." He meets her gaze, his voice softer. "Just think about it, yeah?"
Ava looks away, but her fingers tighten slightly around his. The city hums in the distance, but at this moment, it's just them. The air is crisp as Ava leans against the car, arms folded, watching Leo with quiet curiosity. The night stretches between them, comfortable in its silence—until Ava finally speaks.
"You know," she begins, her voice soft but steady, "I just realized something."
Leo tilts his head, waiting.
"I don't know anything private about you," she admits. "Yup, not really. Everything I do know... I read online or Milo told me."
Leo's playful smirk falters. He rubs the back of his neck, his gaze shifting toward the city lights below. "What do you want to know?"
Ava hesitates. "Anything. Something real."
For a moment, Leo seems to struggle. He isn't used to opening up, not like this. But as he looks at Ava, something in him softens.
"I was left at an orphanage," he finally says, his voice quieter than usual. "Caritas di Macerata." Ava's eyes widen slightly, but she stays silent, letting him continue.
"They left me there with a birth certificate. My mother's name, Carmen Vargas. She was Mexican. My father, Louis Clairmont. British." He exhales, shaking his head. "Apparently, they died in an accident. No one from their families wanted me, so they dumped me at the orphanage."
Ava's breath hitches, her heart squeezing at the way Leo speaks, like he's long accepted the pain, but it still lingers beneath the surface.
"I was a rebel," he admits, a small, humorless chuckle escaping his lips. "Caused trouble all the time. I got into illegal street racing when I was seventeen. That's where James Maddon found me. He saw something in me that I didn't even see in myself. The rest..." He shrugs. "You already know. Now, I'm here."
Silence settles between them, but this time, it's different.. heavier, weighted with unspoken emotions. Ava steps forward, closing the distance between them. Without a word, she wraps her arms around him, resting her head against his chest.
Leo stiffens for a second, as if unfamiliar with such warmth, then slowly relaxes into her embrace. "I'm here for you, Leo," she murmurs. "Through the good, the bad... all of it. I'll support you even if we're not together anymore."
Leo swallows, his arms tightening around her as if afraid to let go. Then, before he can stop himself, he tilts her chin up and kisses her. It isn't rushed or demanding. It's slow, filled with something deeper, something Leo isn't ready to name out loud.
When they pull apart, he rests his forehead against hers, exhaling shakily. "What am I gonna do without you, Ava?" he whispers, more to himself than to her.
Ava doesn't reply, but the way she squeezes his hand tells him that she felt the same way.