C8 Chapter 8

_NO....

Pablo explained the math problem in meticulous detail, but Amy's eyes were fixed on his face lost in a daze of infatuation

"Do you understand?" Pablo asked

"What was that? Oh I was uh, looking at the problem" Amy stammered, glancing down at the textbook

Pablo cocked an eyebrow "No, you weren't You were miles away What's on your mind?"

"How can I listen to you when you're so breathtakingly handsome?"

Pablo's lips quivered into a grin but he quickly composed himself"Amy you have a test coming up You need to know this I don't want to be a distraction."

Amy's finger pressed lightly against his lips silencing him "Shh" she whispered her eyes never leaving his "Your handsome face isn't distracting me You're just distractingly handsome"

"Thank you, Amy But I have to tell you something I'm already in a relationship"

Amy's breath caught in her throat "Huh?"

FLASH END

Coco erupted in a fit of laughter "Oh, Amy He actually told you that? He said he had a girlfriend? You embarrassed yourself"

Amy cringed sinking lower into the couch"Yeah thanks for rubbing it in Coco."

Coco grinned "I couldn't help it,It's just so...classic Amy! The whole 'distractingly handsome' line, though? I'll be chuckling about that one for weeks"

"whatever"

Coco waggled her eyebrows playfully"You'll find your own Mr. Right"

"I sure hope so" Amy replied

"My mom wants me to move in with Leonardo and Isadora."

Amy's spoon clattered to the table " what? Move in with them? But why?"

"I was just as surprised as you But it looks like I don't have much of a choice"

"Are you sure you'll be okay there?" Coco asked

Coco nodded"It's not just moving in I have a mission there"

"A mission?"

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Jane's jaw clenched as she watched the press video "She actually called her own mother a maid?"

The recording continued to play and Jane's eyes widened as she spotted the subtle hiccups "She's being forced to do this. No wonder she won't pick up the phone Leonardo, you bastard!" she spat, hurling her phone across the room.

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Frustrated and exasperated, Leonardo stomped out of the recording studio, grasping a glass of water "Why am I not getting this right?" he muttered through clenched teeth

"How am I supposed to answer that?"George Said

Leonardo let out a huff his brows furrowing

"That reminds me why are you treating her like that?"

"Who?"

"your wife"

"Isadora is nothing to me She's not my wife Frida is, Isadora's nobody"

"Look I'm your best friend your manager I should be able to offer advice It's not her fault she ended up marrying you In fact she saved you"

"Family matters are none of your business, George You're my friend, my manager Nothing more"

"It's my business when you hit her and force her to say things at a press meeting. You're being downright cruel to Isadora Leonardo. She's a human being and a woman . You don't have the right to treat her like dirt."

"She's an animal She's nothing to me and I have the right to treat my property however I please, because she is my property" Leonardo said

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The door creaked open, and Coco slipped in"Sleeping beauty"

Isadora rolled over her swollen bruised face "Coco"

"Look at you Isadora" Coco exclaimed, striding towards the bed "Doesn't that hurt?"

"I'm fine. It's nothing. What brings you here?"

"Surprise I'm moving in"

"Why"

"To protect you"

"But You don't like me?"

"Well, not yet but I'm sure we'll get along eventually babe"

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Jane's voice amplified by the megaphone rang through the air like a siren"Hey, Leonardo Come out here right now"

The security guards exchanged glances, one of them groaning. "Get that mad woman away from the gates, will you?

The security guard rubbed his hand over his face. "I've told her to go away multiple times but she just keeps coming back."

"You can't get rid of me! I won't leave until I see Leonardo, that monster, that devil!"

Passersby whipped out their phones, recording the altercation as Jane's voice carried on the breeze

"This is a company" the security guard growled grabbing her by the shoulders

"Don't touch me" Jane bellowed, kicking the guard viciously. "I want to see Leonardo, your almighty boss!"

The other security guard stepped forward"You have no appointment You cannot just barge in here"

"And you cannot just ignore me" Jane snapped, hands planted on her hips "I'll make such a scene you'll have to deal with blog posts and comments galore Leonardo better come out here right now."

Leonardo stormed out the cameras flickering like a swarm of fireflies. "What do you want?"

"Leonardo, I'm Jane Isadora's best friend. I'm here to give you a piece of my mind........

"I suppose you're here to beg for money" Leonardo sneered arms crossed over his chest

"I'd sooner beg from a stray dog than you, you animal"

Leonardo scanned the crowd, his jaws tightening. "Enough of this nonsense. What do you want?"

"I want you to stop mistreating Isadora I saw the video I know my friend she's not fine You forced her to say all that, and it's not okay"

The murmurs of the onlookers swelled growing louder and more indignant

Leonardo moved closer "How can you prove I've mistreated her?"

"Oh I don't have to prove anything. All I have to do is tell the world Your fans won't like it. They'll hate you."

Leonardo scoffed, "They won't believe you."

"You think they won't?" Jane cackled, drawing a collective gasp from the crowd. "When Isadora lies, she hiccups that is what she did in that video"

The people surrounding them buzzed with excitement, cameras flashing like strobe lights as Leonardo attempted to pull Jane away "Come with me" he hissed

"I'm not going anywhere with you you bastard," Jane spat wrenching her arm from his grip

"Fine, what do you want? I've got a company to run"

"Give Isadora her freedom. I know you never meant to marry her, but that doesn't give you the right to treat her this way."

The bystanders murmured amongst themselves, their words indistinct but their curiosity palpable "What's going on? What did she say?" they whispered

"I won't" he growled

"Really? Then I'll tell them all that Isadora isn't your real bride That you beat her, molest her That you're a monster A woman beater"

"Go ahead."

Jane smiled. "Oh, I intend to But first I'd like to use my megaphone"

"Do that and Isadora will pay for it."

"You're a monster, Leonardo. Do you think I won't find a way to make Isadora's talk? To tell everyone how wicked you are? The press is circling eager to uncover the truth You can't threaten me You can threaten Isadora but not me So, we have a deal? You'll let her go free or I'll speak right now"

Leonardo's gaze swept over the onlookers, their eyes wide with curiosity and anticipation "A deal about what?"

"You'll let Isadora live her life without your interference. You won't hit her again. You'll treat her with respect. The same respect you demand for yourself. She can do whatever she wants, go wherever she wants, see her mother whenever she pleases. Do we have a deal?"

"You're crazy" Leonardo spat

"I'll take that as a compliment So do we have a deal?"

Leonardo sighed, his shoulders slumping as he looked around at the sea of cameras "And what about the videos? They could ruin me"

Jane's smile widened."If you agree I'll handle the videos. Yes or no? What's your answer?"

Leonardo bit out the answer, his gaze fixed on the ground......