"Leo?" Mia breathed. The unexpected encounter left her speechless, especially considering the location—the very hotel Olivia in which was competing. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

“The entire royal convoy is billeted here,” he replied. He kept his head on a constant swivel, and every muscle in his body tensed as if he was expecting to be discovered at any moment.

An eyebrow quirked upwards on Mia's face. She tilted her head to the side, her long hair cascading down one shoulder, "And why," she began, her voice low and a thread of suspicion woven into her curiosity, "do I get the feeling you're about to drag me into something I might not want to be a part of?"

A sly smile tugged at Leo's lips. "Just a teensy favor, I promise," he said, his hazel eyes holding hers.

Mia sighed as a defeated puff of air escaped her lips. She shook her head slowly with a wry smile. "Let me guess," she began, "you need me to help you escape the clutches of the Stooges again.”

"The who?" Leo furrowed his brow, genuine confusion etching lines across his forehead. "The...?"

"Stooges!" she exclaimed, unable to contain a small smile. "You know, the Three Stooges? Hilarious, utterly clueless guys who were always getting themselves into ridiculous situations?" Leo's expression remained blank, his eyes wide with bafflement. Mia stifled another giggle, realizing the obscure cultural reference was lost on him. "Ah, never mind," she conceded, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll explain later.”

Panic darted across Mia's eyes as she spotted a hulking guard rounding the corner, his heavy boots pounding a relentless rhythm against the marble floor. Reacting purely on instinct, she grabbed the collar of Leo's shirt, yanking him close. The wall pressed against her back as he stumbled towards her, his breath catching in his throat.

His hazel eyes widened as they met hers before taking in the uncharacteristic pout that marred her face. It lent her an air of unexpected allure, a dangerous mix of innocence and defiance. His heart hammered a frantic tattoo against his ribs. "What are we doing?" he rasped as the guard's approaching footsteps echoed ominously off the hallway walls, each thud a drumbeat of impending discovery.

Mia nibbled on her lower lip before formulating a plan. "Keeping you hidden from them," she finally blurted, her voice a hushed tremor. Her gaze, usually so steady, darted nervously towards the approaching guard. Long lashes fluttered down for a fleeting second before snapping back up, revealing a hopeful smile. “They wouldn't suspect a couple, would they?"

Leo, catching on quickly, felt a slow smirk spread across his face. He mirrored her movement, stepping closer until their bodies were pressed together. A low rumble vibrated in his chest as he leaned in, his voice a warm whisper against her ear. "Just like in the American movies, right?" he said, one hand snaking around her waist to pull her even closer.

Mia's response was a curt nod. Her throat constricted like a fist was squeezing it. A single, choked whisper escaped her lips, "Exactly." The air around them crackled like a force field that held them captive in their own little world. The approaching guards marched past, oblivious to the drama unfolding mere inches away. The bustling hotel hallway dissolved into a hazy backdrop, the cacophony of voices a distant hum. It was as if time itself had slowed and the world outside had ceased to spin. Only their eyes remained, locked in an intense, silent dialogue.

Mia squeezed her eyes shut, inhaling deeply in a desperate attempt to wrest control of her runaway emotions. A strange pull, a magnetic force she couldn't explain, tugged her closer to him. Was it the honeyed words that trickled from his lips or the captivating aura that emanated from his very being? A yearning bloomed within her, an insatiable need to unravel the mystery that was him. With a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "I think he's gone.”

Leo became acutely aware as he was practically hovering over Mia, his height a stark contrast to her petite frame. He watched, mesmerized, as she blinked up at him, her eyes wide and luminous. Every fiber of his being screamed to close the distance between them, to feel the warmth of her lips pressed against his. But a sliver of control remained, a dam holding back the flood of desire threatening to engulf him.

Clearing his throat, he forced himself to step back, the movement breaking the spell. Straightening his posture, he cast a quick glance down the hallway, relief washing over him as he saw it clear of guards. The first thing that tumbled out of his mouth, the product of a racing heart and a muddled mind, was, "Smart and beautiful." It was a clumsy compliment, utterly inadequate to describe the whirlwind of emotions she had invoked within him.

Mia arched an eyebrow playfully. "Flattery will get you everywhere," she countered, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

Leo, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips, reached out and gently placed a hand on the small of her back. "Perhaps," he conceded, "but it's the truth." He said, guiding her out of the hotel lobby.

They navigated the bustling sidewalk. Five blocks flew by in a blur of conversation and stolen glances. As they approached a quaint coffee shop, Leo slowed his pace. Turning to face her, he met her gaze. "Thank you again," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I suppose that makes it two favors now."

A fond smile etched itself onto Mia's face, crinkling the corners of her eyes, “You're welcome," she replied, leaning in a fraction of an inch. Her voice, barely rising above the city's constant hum, held a hint of playful curiosity. "So, where's this grand escape taking you this time?"

Leo averted his gaze momentarily, his eyes drawn skyward. The towering buildings cast long shadows over the bustling street, vastly different from the sprawling landscapes he was accustomed to. "Nowhere fancy," he finally admitted, his voice laced with a longing for anonymity. "Just...some air. A chance to see New York through the eyes of an ordinary person without guards.”

Mia shifted her weight as she instinctively reached for her hair, long strands escaping her fingers as she tucked them behind her ear. "Well, speaking of ordinary," she said, her voice almost swallowed by the cacophony of rush hour traffic. "I'm actually meeting some friends for drinks soon. You're more than welcome to join us, if you'd like."

Leo's brow furrowed. "I wouldn't want to intrude," he said hesitantly.

Mia's eyes widened playfully. "But intruding twice into my life to escape the royal guard detail is perfectly acceptable?" she teased, a knowing smile gracing her lips.

Leo's cheeks flushed a rosy hue at her words. "Well, when you put it that way..." he mumbled, caught between duty and a newfound desire for a taste of normalcy.

A burst of laughter erupted from Mia, a rich, throaty sound that echoed around them. The sight of her unrestrained mirth was contagious, and a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of Leo’s lips. "So, you'll join us?" she asked.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips, echoing the amusement dancing in his hazel eyes. "Truth be told," he confessed, his voice a low rumble, “I have a hard time saying no to you.”

Mia's smile widened, "Funny," she replied, “I could say the same.”

They ambled through the concrete jungle, the colossal skyscrapers of New York looming overhead like watchful giants. The city hummed with a constant low drone—the rumble of distant subways, the honking symphony of impatient taxis, and the rhythmic thud of construction downtown. It was a melody Mia knew by heart.

As they walked, street food vendors waged a delicious war on their senses. A vendor hawked sizzling hotdogs from a brightly colored cart, wafting greasy deliciousness into the air. Nearby, the warm, yeasty scent of a soft pretzel stand mingled with the elegant perfume of garlic and herbs emanating from a chic French bistro.

Lost in conversation, they walked until Mia, glancing playfully at him, decided to shake things up. "So," she began, "Ever ridden the subway?"

Leo paused, his gaze flickering down to the dark, gaping hole of the subway entrance. The worn concrete steps, slick with the residue of countless shoes and the passage of time, descended into a world of mystery. He could hear the faint rumble of trains coursing through the tunnels and the hurried taps of footsteps on the platform far below. He shook his head, a slight frown creasing his brow. "No," he admitted, "Never been allowed."

A smile tugged at the corner of Mia's lips. "Well, get ready for a day full of firsts," she said with a twinkle in her eye. Reaching out, she clasped his hand, its warmth a grounding presence amidst the urban chaos. Together, they descended the cracked concrete steps, the air growing cooler. Squeezing through the throng of people on the platform, they navigated a sea of tired faces and curious glances. Finally, the train screeched to a halt, its doors hissing open like a weary sigh. They joined the human tide flooding into the car, navigating awkward eye contact and the press of bodies.

Thirty minutes later, they emerged from the underground labyrinth and back onto the bustling streets. The bar's entrance beckoned, and as they pushed open the heavy wooden door as a cheerful brass bell tinkled above their heads, announcing their arrival.