Chapter 14: NOT YOUR LEON

**HE IS NOT LEON, HE COULD NEVER BE**

**LAYLA || NOW**

Raya and Layla had their mouths open when they saw him casually walking, one of his hands tucked in his pants pocket.

"What the...?" Raya stood up immediately but didn't dare to stop him. The look on his face was nothing less than murderous, and Raya being who she is professionally, takes lectures whenever Layla craves sugar, shuts her mouth as she sees Zaley crossing them.

So Layla had to take it upon herself and follow him.

"You should be resting." She told him, keeping up with his strides.

What is he, a robot? How can he get up and walk when it has been just two hours since the surgery? It's not a big one, at least not for Zaley but Raya said he may experience discomfort, fatigue and even chest pain. If he is experiencing any, he doesn't show it on his face.

"Can't."

"But there is a risk of infection. Just stay until evening."

"Won't."

"Come on, Zaley. Don't be a baby." She gasped at her own words before she covered her mouth with her palm. Oh, shit!

Zaley turned towards her ever so slowly, his blue eyes held her gaze, his jaw ticked, and he took a step towards her as she took one back.

"I didn't mean to. I only have your best interests in my mind."

When he didn't say anything, she lowered her head and mumbled, "I am sorry."

His warmth enveloped her like a cocoon as he stepped closer. Gently, he tilted her chin up with his fingers, forcing her to meet his ocean-blue gaze. It felt cruel for someone so devilish to possess such beautiful eyes. While his face remained calm, his eyes betrayed a different story, brimming with unspoken emotions.

"Never, I mean, never hold your head down when you know what you are saying is right. Even if it is wrong, don't cower. Always hold your head high, Layla. No one will do that for you."

Hearing his say his name for the first time sent an unexpected shiver down her spine, a rush of warmth that mingled with unease. It was as if he had cast a spell, each syllable wrapping around her, drawing her in.

She searched his eyes for answers, but all she found was a depth that both fascinated and frightened her. Why did hearing her name on his lips feel so intimate, so unsettling? Maybe it's the familiarity of it and she wonders if he could ever feel an ounce of what he makes her feel.

"Stay," She whispered. "You need to rest."

"Louder."

"Stay," Her voice was just above whisper.

"Again."

Layla sighed. "STAY."

The corner of his lips twitched or maybe it was her mind playing tricks on her. "Perfect." He said and turned around and started walking as if none of the past one minute when she held her breath didn't happen.

She grabbed his forearm, stopping him from taking a step forward. "Stay." She says firmly just like how he taught her.

His eyes travelled from his muscular and defined forearm, his skin tanned, with subtle veins running just beneath the surface to her delicate hands that held him tightly.

"Aren't you getting too comfortable with me, Layla?"

She abruptly left his hand and took a step. Why is he saying her name a lot?

"But you said you will stay."

"I merely taught you how to say that, doesn't mean I will listen to it."

"But...."

He looked bored, annoyed even.

"I am only looking out for you."

"Didn't you say you wouldn't even look at my face if it was not for your daughter?"

"But you saved her."

"Not for free. So don't you ever change your feelings and think we are close. Don't talk to me like you know me. Know your place, Layla. I give the orders and not the other way around."

Tears stung her eyes and she looked away, blinking. "Go ahead, get yourself killed."

In one swift motion, she was against the wall, he was over, his hand was on her throat, and his lips were merely an inch away from her that she felt the exhale of his breath on her nose.

"Do not talk to me like that."

What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Didn't he teach her not to bow to anyone? Realisation dawned on her. Anyone but him.

His focus shifted from her eyes to her lips, then to her slender neck, assessing her. "You are so small." He murmured against her throat. "I can snap your neck and end your life in seconds, Layla. So do not test my patience."

Her breath hitched, and her heartbeat picked up as she started to struggle in his hold. "Be a good girl and when I said leave, you leave."

She nodded her head and he released her, walking out as if he was never there leaving her to mourn the loss of his warmth just like before, just like always.

Sometimes, she keeps forgetting that he is Z, Zaley, the devil, and she has to be careful around him with her actions and words. But what could she do when all her life, she only stayed in the cold and when warmth engulfed her like before, she couldn't differentiate between the fire and light. They were just warm.

"He can experience bruising and swelling. He can become nauseous and the medication causes bone pain. How the hell is even walking like that? Why didn't he sit and take the order, Layla?"

"Why the hell didn't you stop him and do your job as a doctor?" Layla questioned her friend.

"Because he is Z, the devil." Raya rushed towards Layla and whispered in her ears, "He crushed a guy's throat with his bare hands."

Layla released a shaky breath. The same hands were on her a few minutes ago and he threatened her that he could break her so easily yet she wasn't terrified. She is an idiot.

"They call him the devil for nothing."

"That's why he didn't take the orders. You don't order the devil, Raya."

"But I thought you could convince him."

"You thought wrong. He is not Leon. I am off to see Lilly. You take rest." Saying this, Layla walked out of Raya's office room.

*

The room was hushed, filled only with the soft beeping of machines and the faint rustle of nurses outside. As she stepped inside, Layla felt her heart clench at the sight of her daughter lying so still on the hospital bed.

Pale and fragile, Lilly's face was framed by the stark white sheets, a contrast to the vibrant spirit she usually exuded. Tubes snaked from her arms, connecting her to the monitors that tracked her every heartbeat.

She moved closer, the scent of antiseptic sharp in the air. The sight of her little girl's chest rising and falling—steady but slow—brought tears to her eyes. She reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed against the cool skin of her daughter’s hand, wishing for a squeeze, a sign that she was still fighting.

“Lilly,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “It’s Mom. I’m right here.”

There was no response, just the steady rhythm of the machines. She couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness, the weight of uncertainty heavy on her chest. All she could do was wait, hope, and pray that her daughter would wake up and see her again.

With a deep breath, she settled into the chair beside the bed, determined to be there for her girl, even in silence.

She looked at the empty chair beside her and couldn't shake off the feeling of loss. He was just there for one night and now she suddenly became habituated to his silent presence when she waited for her daughter to open her eyes? That shouldn't have happened. She is alone in this, always has been. She has been through countless lonely nights but why the hell does it hurt so much today?

Maybe, because of the operation she never thought would happen, maybe because it finally happened or maybe the anticipation of what comes next. Layla burst into tears, feeling the hollowness in her chest and tired, so fucking tired.

The girl who dreamt about having a penthouse and everything felt like an alien. All she wants now is to go to sleep without any thoughts and nightmares. All she wants is a healthier Lilly. And that's a luxury she can't afford.

She opened the Facebook messenger app she once used to be her entire world and opened her chat with Leon.

* "I feel so lonely. Not sure why. I have always been lonely. But it is different today. You were there and you were not there. I just want to sleep, Leon. I want someone to hold me and our girl and say, everything is alright that I am here. I want one night, just one night of dreamless sleep. I miss you."*

Then she closed it, feeling like a stupid. Whenever she feel lonely, she will send him a text but they were never received because he was never there. She feels more lonely after sending them because her head hurts with all the memories she tucked away somewhere deep inside her.

But she would go back to texting him again, and again like a ritual just to feel pain that proceeds. At least, it is a constant in her life.

*

**ZALEY || NOW**

He looked at her last message that read I miss you. Then he tossed his phone away.

"Pathetic." She murmured.

His chest still tingles with the feel of her body against his. He is trying hard not to feel anything towards her. But the angry redhead is making it impossible. He had no idea if he wanted to snap her neck or fuck that attitude out of her.

"Kirill," He called his guard or soldier. He doesn't believe in labels. They did though.

"Someone cursed at me."

"Everyone curses at you. For Ylumia, you are the monster from the sea. Remember?"

"They looked me in the eyes and ...."

Kirill didn't even let him complete the sentence before he snatched his gun. "Did you kill him?"

"Nope."

"When are we going to kill him? We have a reputation to uphold."

Zaley shook his head muttering something inaudible under his breath. Kirill is still furious.

"Did you find Leon?" He asked him.

"Yes, Z."

"Good."