Mister Leonard's office building is situated in the middle of the busy part of Rome and it's hands down the most beautiful building around there.
Malik and Edna are dressed to kill for what is a party/meeting and of course, she is putting on a diamond ring for their fake engagement.
Her blue dress is as beautiful as the sky and the silk material is held up by her right hand.
Malik's hand is around her waist as he walks her to the front door.
They are met by some workers who lead them in, it seems that Malik is not a stranger to them.
Edna causes heads to turn with her mild makeup. She had done it by herself, trying her best to keep it simple and natural.
She knew it was good because when Malik walked into the room, he was too astonished to speak.
She knows that she looks gorgeous because throughout the drive, Malik couldn't keep his eyes off her and she just chuckles to herself.
As they walk into the building, Malik keeps him around her back in a protective manner to assure her that he is with her throughout.
Mister Leonardo is in the conference room together with some other men who are all sitting.
There is only one more woman in the room, her face is heavily made up and her nose is up in the air.
Even with the fact that she is trying to turn back the hands of time to reverse her age with makeup, one can't deny that she was a diva in her youth.
There are glasses of wine in their hands and Edna can't help but wonder if this is supposed to be a meeting or a party. They are welcomed and Malik pulls out a chair for her to sit on.
The men are staring at her, the silence in the room is deafening, Edna swallows hard and looks away.
Under the table, Malik takes her hand and places it on his thigh. She looks at him and gratefully gives him a little squeeze.
He looks up at the men, the meeting is about to start.
" I'm glad that all of you have made it here today. " Mister Leonardo says. " This is not a gathering of foes but of businessmen with the same goal. "
Mister Leonardo looks around, he has this smile on his face even though the room is tense.
" I know that all of you have the money to buy this company from me, I know that you all are good men, but only one of you will be the last man standing. " He says.
Edna feels the tension as everyone looks around themselves in the room, there is a stiff tension and she looks at Malik to make sure that he is alright. She is surprised when she finds him so calm, he is the calmest of all the men.
" Malik, you guys were running a little bit late, but that's understandable. " Mister Leonardo grins. " Young couples like you guys are like this so it's not a big deal. "
Edna feels her face turning red, but she smiles it away. She doesn't give a fuck if they think that they are having sex while they are supposed to be having this meeting.
" We apologize. " Malik says. " It's good to be in your company. "
The men nod their heads and some of them murmur answers.
" This is Malik and he is the youngest man here, with him is his beautiful wife-to-be. " He looks up.
" What's your name, sweetheart?" The woman suddenly asks, her eyes are on Edna.
" I'm Edna Taylor. " She says.
The lady nods with a smile but doesn't say anything else. Edna is being very careful, this might be a test, she doesn't know.
Mister Leonardo takes up his wife's hand and kisses it. Mister Leonardo might be a sucker for young beautiful women, but he loves his wife so dearly.
" I'm going to tell you guys that marriage isn't Rosy all the time, but don't worry. " He assures. " It's beautiful when you are going through all of that with the right person. Are you guys right for each other?"
" Yes, we've been through so much and we have just found out that there aren't any people out there for us. " Edna smiles.
" How do you know that you guys are meant for each other?" Mrs. Leonardo asks. " You guys are so young, how do you know?"
Malik is looking into her eyes, she has a feeling that he wants to say something huge.
"Because I have loved her since I have been in high school. " He stares at her. " She was this timid girl and I was captain of the football team but we somehow noticed each other. "
Edna's heart is beating against her chest. Is this part of the act or is he trying to say something that he has kept in his heart for a long time?
" Wow, that's so sweet. " Mrs. Leonardo comments. " Edna, was it the same for you?"
Edna tears her eyes away from Malik even though it's so hard. She forces her stiff face to smile.
" Um, he has saved me so many times. " She tells them. " He saved me from a bully and even from an abusive marriage. He also told me I was special and great when I was doubting myself. "
Even the men who have somehow made Malik their enemy are now interested in their story.
" Edna is amazing. " Malik says. " She has worked for my father for years now and that company is where it is because of her. "
" A career woman, huh? " Mrs. Leonardo sounds impressed. " That's the kind of woman I like to see. Is she going to be working for you if you get this company? "
" Work for me?" Malik snickers. " She will be right there by my side, the company is going to be for both of us. She is a great leader and shouldn't be sidelined. "
Edna has never felt more proud of Malik and it's not because he has just said lots of good things about her, but because he gave Mister Leonardo and his wife what they wanted.
" Do you hear that?" Mrs. Leonardo turns to her husband. " A man who respects women. "
*****
Long before the meeting ends and Mister Leonardo announces Malik as his final pick everyone knew already.
Edna and Malik's small story stole the heart of the old couple and with the wife's string backing, Malik came out victoriously.
Edna is so happy for Malik that she hugs him tightly and kisses him on his forehead. He looks surprised, but he smiles at her.
Mister Leonardo and his wife end the meeting, but not after inviting the whole attendees to come to a party that is already holding, a party for Mister Leonardo and his huge partners.
Edna and Malik are led by Mrs Leonardo and she takes them to the cushion at the side of the hall, where not everyone gets to see them.
Her husband has gone around, greeting his guests, but his wife is more interested in speaking to Malik and Edna.
A waiter pours out drinks for them and they start to speak more lively. Mrs. Leonardo might be past her prime, but she is still a vibe.
Her husband soon joins and the atmosphere gets even more lively. They are drinking bottles and bottles of alcohol, they are slowly becoming drunk.
" So how is the sex?" Mrs. Leonardo fires at them.
Edna chokes on her drink and begins to cough. Malik takes the glass from her and gives her small rubs to calm her jerky movement.
" I'm sorry about that. " Mister Leonardo laughs. " My wife has no shame. "
" No, it's okay. " Malik smiles. He wants to avoid the question, but he can't. " The sex is great."
"Just great?" Mister Leonardo scoffs. " You guys are so young and you are having " just great " sex?"
Edna holds her hand over her mouth, she is not coughing anymore, but the look in her eyes tells Malik that he has to answer this one alone.
"Um..." He bites his lips as he thinks. " Well, the sex is more than good, there isn't a word to describe it. Edna and I are just giving ourselves all the love in the world. I don't see myself having sex with anyone else. "
Edna chuckles and combs through his hair with her hands. The alcohol is taking the greater part of her.
" That's great kid. " Mister Leonardo commends. " Have sex now all you want because one day you are going to become old and tired but at least you will still have the food memories. "
Malik smiles. He looks at Edna, she is drinking from her glass again.
" Drink! Drink some more, this is a party for God's sake. " Mister Leonardo tells Malik.
He picks up his glass and clinks it against the one in Mister Leonardo's hand.
" Cheers. "