Chapter 11. Paint the Town Red

Leila’s POV

I lay in my room, catching my breath from the whirlwind encounter with Dominic and Luca in the office. My heart still raced from nothing that happened per say, but impossible not to notice was the tension that seemed to fill the room whenever Dominic was in it. It was like a heavy cloud that followed everywhere to make breathing hard.

What did he make of me? So stand-offish, talking to me like I was another piece of furniture in the room, yet, in his eyes, there spoke something deeper. Something that I just couldn’t put my finger on. I shook my head hard, rattling the thoughts suddenly swimming in my head. I had to focus on my work, not on Dominic.

The soft knock at my door broke the whole silence. Even before I could answer, Luca’s voice was again, so cheerful and full of energy: “Leila, open up! I’ve got a surprise for you!”

I walked toward opening the door, where Luca stood, his eyes shining with excitement. “What is it, Luca?” I asked,