Her Asian Billionaire’s Perfect Match

He settled back against the chair with a sigh. “It’s been a long time for me,” his gaze settled on a plant inside the corner of the room. “My wife was the first and only woman for me and when she died I vowed that was it for me but when my son and his family moved to Scotland, I found myself getting lonely and wanting someone to talk to. I never would have signed up with this place if it was not for that. No offense my dear.” He added quickly.

“None taken,” she told him with a quick smile. “You are going to do just fine.”

*****

Leonie reviewed the files set before her carefully, her brow furrowed in thought. The receptionist Julia had brought her in two calls to be returned and she had two clients to interview in the next hour and she was familiarizing herself with their history. Today being a Friday meant that it was a reasonably light day and she was planning on treating herself to dinner at the fancy restaurant uptown.

Simoniel had gone to pick up little Danny from day care and she had advised her to take the rest of the day off. She was also aware that tonight was the night when Lucas and Asami had their dates and she was waiting with bated breath to hear the end result. She might not believe in that sort of thing but she was a businesswoman and she knew that the better things turned out, the more positive reviews for her company. She had started thinking of it as hers soon after she had made it hers and she had come to love what she did even though she thought that love was for fools and people who wanted to get their hearts broken in two.

Her phone rang just then and she looked at the caller id and realized that it was her mother. It was a little after twelve here so that meant it was almost six pm in Italy.

“Mom, to what do I owe this honor?” she asked warmly, settling back against her chair to enjoy the call with her mother. They had grown closer since that afternoon when she had attacked her and accused her of being the cause of her father leaving.

“What can’t a woman call her only child to see how that child is doing?” Leonora chided fondly.

“Of course,” Leonie said with a smile. “What are you up to?”

“I am here in the beautiful city of Tuscany enjoying a refreshing glass of Bellini and braised beef. Lorenzo has gone into the rest room to do his business so I can talk to you without being interrupted every few minutes. When are you coming by for a visit honey?”

“Mom, we are not just talking about another state, we are actually talking about another country, in Europe no doubt.” Leonie reminded her with a laugh.

“Exactly my dear and both Lorenzo and I would love to have you for a couple of weeks.” Leonora said.

“Mom you are forgetting that you left a company in my care for me to run. I cannot just go off and leave it to fend for itself.”

“Honey you and I both know that Simoniel is more than capable of taking charge for two weeks. Besides you might just find the right man to touch that hardened heart of yours. They are some gorgeous men around here, sweetie. I am about to give poor Lorenzo a heart attack every time I see one of those tall dark and gorgeous types walk by.” She laughed merrily and Leonie could just picture her large dark eyes lighting up with her laughter. She looked like her mother and their resemblance was so uncanny that at times they were mistaken for sisters.

“I am not looking mom, thank you very much.” Leonie told her firmly.

“I saw the interview you did honey and Lorenzo and I were saying that you are such a beautiful woman. It’s a pity that you are still single. When your father left, I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of my life but then I met Lorenzo. I have another chance at love. He is such a peach honey and he treats me like a queen. I just need you to let go of the past and open up to the possibility of love, you never know who will walk in.”

“You sound like you should be the voice of ‘Love in Prime’,” Leonie said in amusement, determined to keep it light. “I should have taped you just then and play it as our public service announcement.”

“You are not taking what I am saying seriously are you?” Her mother asked her resignedly.

“Of course not.” Leonie told her cheerfully. “I am happy for you mom and I am so glad that you found someone after all that but I am contented just the way I am for now.”

“Okay honey, no more being the nosy concerned mother, I will let you get on with your work. I am so proud of what you have done with what I left you sweetie. I could not have done a better job.”

“Thanks Mom and tell Lorenzo hello for me and I will see you one day. Don’t know when yet because I do happen to miss you.”

“I miss you too baby girl.” Leonora said warmly. “I will call again soon. I love you.”

“I love you too mom.”

Leonie gazed off into the corner of the room; her expression thoughtful. Her mother had bounced back from the devastation of her husband leaving her and had gone on to find love, albeit half way across the world. That might just be the slogan for their next advertisement. She thought with a little smile. She just had to run it by Simoniel first.