CHAPTER 50
That evening as the sun gradually began to set, Leo took Rachel on a tour of the village.
Outside, the village is bustling with activity. The streets are lined with small shops and vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handmade trinkets.
The smell of baking bread and roasting meats fills the air, and the sound of people talking and laughing can be heard all around. Rachel is enamored by the sights and sounds of the village, taking in every detail with wide eyes.
They stroll through the winding streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the local culture. Rachel is particularly taken with a small seamstress shop she comes across, and she spends a good amount of time picking out fabrics and prints.
The shop is small and quaint, with racks of colorful fabrics and textiles lining the walls. The air is filled with the sweet scent of freshly pressed cotton and linen.
Rachel takes her time browsing through the various prints and patterns, running her fingers over the soft fabrics. The shopkeeper greets her warmly and offers to help, but Rachel declines, preferring to take her time and explore on her own.
There are bolts of fabric stacked up in every corner, creating an impression of a small but well-stocked store, with different types of textiles, from silk to cotton and linen, in different colors, from the brightest red to the softest beige. Some of the fabrics are printed with beautiful floral patterns, while others have intricate geometric designs.
As she continues to browse, Rachel comes across a beautiful emerald green silk fabric that catches her eye. She holds it up against her and turns to Leo with a smile, “What do you think? Would this look good on me?”
Leo decided that they visited the market as soon as she was done. The local market is a bustling sea of color and sound, the vendors shouting out their wares as people push and jostle through the crowded aisles.
Rachel is entranced by the sights and smells, the vibrant displays of fruits and vegetables, the racks of clothing, and the trinkets and knick-knacks. Leo is right beside her, his hand on the small of her back as she browses.
She stops at a stall selling textiles, running her fingers over the soft, brightly colored fabrics. She picks out a few prints that catch her eye and holds them up against Leo’s chest, a mischievous glint in her eye as she judges the color against his skin. He chuckles, indulging her as she continues to shop.
As they make their way through the market, he tells her to buy whatever she wants, that his money is limitless. She rolls her eyes playfully, but can’t help the smile that spreads across her face as she continues to pick out items. They haggle with vendors, laughing and joking as they go.
Rachel is taken aback by the man’s sudden intrusion as he approaches her while she’s picking out food items at the market.
She tries to ignore him and goes back to her shopping, but he persists, asking her personal questions and making her feel uncomfortable. She glances around for Leo, but he’s still on his phone call and seems oblivious to her distress.
Just as she’s about to speak up and ask the man to leave her alone, another person approaches, camera in hand.
They start snapping pictures of her, capturing her surprised and bedazzled expression. Rachel’s heart races as she realizes that these must be paparazzi, and she starts to feel trapped and overwhelmed.
She looks around frantically for Leo, but he’s still on the phone and doesn’t seem to notice her distress. She starts to feel like she’s in a nightmare, trapped in the middle of a crowd of strangers with no way out.
As she starts to panic, she spots Leo out of the corner of her eye. He’s finally finished his call and is making his way back to her. She’s never been so relieved to see him, and she starts to make her way towards him, her heart racing with relief.
He sees her distress and immediately steps in, his face darkening as he realizes what’s happening. He steps in front of her, shielding her from the cameras and the paparazzi.
He speaks to them firmly but politely, asking them to leave her alone and stop taking pictures. The paparazzi try to resist at first, but Leo’s commanding presence and clear authority makes it clear that he means business.
But his smile quickly turned to a frown as another person approached them. The same menn, sleazy looking characters with greasy hairs and crooked noses, began asking Rachel personal questions again and taking pictures of her without her consent.
Leo quickly stepped in, snatching the camera from the man’s hands and crushing it underfoot.
“Get away from her,” he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Rachel looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. “What’s going on?” she asked.
Leo didn’t answer, instead he grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the crowd. He called his security team, Leo’s men arrived quickly, dressed in black suits and sunglasses.
They were tall and imposing, with an air of confidence and authority around them. They efficiently dispersed the paparazzi, escorting Leo and Rachel out of the market and into a waiting car.
Rachel felt a little intimidated by the men, they seemed like they were straight out of a movie..
“Who were those men?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Leo hesitated for a moment, almost slipping and mentioning the Dante company.
But he quickly recovered, plastering a smile on his face. “Just some pesky paparazzi,” he said, trying to brush it off. “They’re always looking for a story, no matter how insignificant. Are you OK?”
Rachel nodded, but he could tell that she wasn’t entirely convinced. He led her out of the market, hailed a car and they drove back to the hotel in silence.