Chapter 49.

Chapter 49.
Lexi's POV.

I watched him walk away, and I found myself wishing he would turn back, that he would come back to me and nag like a kid, but he didn’t. The cold distance between us felt heavy, wrapping around me like a shroud.

As I turned away, aimlessly wandering, I couldn't shake the feeling of regret. I never meant to hurt him; my words just tumbled out, unfiltered and raw. Why do I keep hurting people with my words?

His voice echoed in my mind, "Fine, I'm everything that's dangerous to humanity... But there’s one person this so-called dangerous person will never attack. One human this dangerous person would protect until his last breath, and that person…that human...is you!" 

I winced at my own words that led us here. "You're the first person I should stay clear from. You're everything that's dangerous to humanity!" 

“That was harsh, Lexi… really harsh,” I muttered, frustration bubbling within as I scolded myself. 

But his accusation about Sam gnawed at me. It made no sense. Sam would never hurt me... he's the embodiment of everything good that stood against crime so why could he possibly be the culprit? How is that possible?

And why would anyone even be hunting my life? I couldn’t think of a single enemy, any potential threat that could have targeted me. I didn’t even have friends—people capable of harboring resentment. My brother was the one in charge of our father's company; surely, anyone with a vendetta would go for him instead. After ruminating, I couldn't find anything or anyone that pointed to a threat against my life.

Crouching at the edge of the pool, I tried to gather my thoughts, drew in a deep breath, and released a heavy sigh. Just then, a tap on my shoulder broke my reverie.

“Are you alright?” an old woman nearby asked, her voice gentle but filled with concern.

Forcing a smile, I replied, “I’m okay.”

“But you don’t look okay,” she said so kindly that it surprised me. A furrow formed on my forehead.

“Is it that obvious?” I asked, a hint of disbelief in my tone.

“Child, I’m an old lady. I’ve lived your life, I was once in your shoes, so yes, it’s very obvious to me,” she replied matter-of-factly. 

"Well, you're right. There's a lot... a lot's troubling me." I cast my gaze downward, the shimmering surface of the pool reflecting my inner turmoil.

"You shouldn't be troubled when you have someone to talk to. Young woman, go home to your husband and share your heart," she urged gently.

"Is that what you do when trouble finds you?" I asked, still focused on the water, searching for answers in its depths.

"Of course! It helps a lot," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Then you should be thankful to God that you have one, unlike me..." My voice trailed off, carrying a weight of resignation.

"Oh dear," she empathized, her gaze softening as she looked at me. I knew everyone believed I should be married by now, but my life was an uncharted mess.

"But you do have someone who cares about you," she said, a hint of encouragement in her voice.

"I have lots," I answered, the certainty cascading through me.

"I'm not talking about family and friends," she insisted, her tone shifting to something deeper.

"Oh," I breathed, realization dawning. "There are two," I replied, my mind flickering between Leo and Sam.

"No..." she countered, shaking her head slowly. "There's one, just one," she said, unwavering in her belief.

I chuckled lightly, skeptical. Who did this woman think she was? She couldn’t possibly know my life better than I did.

"I think you're mistaken; there are definitely two," I corrected her, my tone playful yet defensive.

"It can't be two; it’s just one," she insisted, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "Your heart knows him deep down."

"If you're talking about love..." I chuckled, shaking my head. "... then you've got the wrong girl. I don’t do love, not anymore."

She laughed gently, her joy infectious yet bewildering. "Naive little girl," she teased, and my frustration flared momentarily, but I forced it down.

"If you say so, I’ll agree with you," she concluded, her eyes still twinkling with mischief.

"But I’ll give you one piece of advice, my child: don’t push him away. He just might be the one for you. So keep your cool and get to know him better," she said and I raised a brow at her.

"I'm saying you shouldn't use your 'I don't do love' tactic to push away someone who could truly be the one for you," she added, her voice earnest and filled with concern.

I cast my gaze back to the shimmering water, her words echoing in my mind when suddenly, a cry pierced the air — the pained wail of a little boy. A young woman rushed to his aid, her instincts kicking in as she helped him up. The sight of the bandage on his knee triggered a painful memory of Leonardo's wounded eyebrow.

With a sense of urgency, I rose to my feet and hurried to his hotel room.

As I approached his door, I knocked softly. Moments later, it creaked open, revealing his face, an impassive mask that gave nothing away.

"May I come in?" I asked tentatively.

Without replying, he stepped aside, an invitation tinged with something unspoken. 

I walked in, my heart racing. He drifted over to his bed, plopping down and regarding me with a fixed yet expectant look.

“I... I want to apologize for how I spoke to you earlier,” I stammered, the words tumbling out awkwardly. “I’m really sorry; I shouldn’t have said all those…” I trailed off, feeling the weight of his silence pressing down on me.

Expecting him to reply, I was met with an uncomfortable quiet. “I’ll just take my leave... goodnight,” I said, turning back toward the door.

“Wait,” he said, his deep voice slicing through the tension, and I turned to face him again.

“Where would you spend the night if you leave?” he asked, crossing his arms defiantly.

“My room should be fixed by now, but I could always find somewhere else,” I responded, attempting to keep my tone light. He nodded, his expression inscrutable.

As I pivoted to leave once more, he halted me again. “Is that all you came here to do?” he asked, his dark eyes drilling into mine. I nodded, though my mind was racing with unspoken words.

“This,” he said, pointing to his wounded eyebrow. “Who's going to tend to this?” he pressed.

“I…” I began, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

“It happened because of you, so take responsibility for it," he cut me off. 

"I need a first aid kit," I said, my voice steady despite the urgency of the moment.

"I got it," he replied, pulling the box from the floor with a slight sigh. "I was about to use it, but since you're here..." He shrugged.

It amazed me how quickly his annoyance dissipated, transforming his mood into one so bright it felt like the sun had broken through the clouds. Just a moment ago, we had been at odds, yet here we were, caught in a suspended moment.

"What are you waiting for?" he urged, a playful tone edging into his voice. I fought back the urge to smile and walked over to him with purpose and settled in front of him.

As I worked, a comfortable silence enveloped us. I could feel his eyes on me, their intensity both unsettling and exciting, but I chose to ignore the weight of his gaze and focus on the task at hand.

"It's done," I announced, the finality of my words breaking the stillness. 

He didn't respond verbally, just continued to gaze at me, his expression a blend of appreciation and something deeper. I found myself lost in his deep, searching eyes, feeling the air around us thicken with unspoken tension. As he slowly leaned in, the world around us seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of us in that moment.

Finally, he closed the gap, capturing my lips with his in a kiss that felt both electric and tender, an uncharted territory that made my heart race in a way I had never anticipated.