I'm coming with you

FOURTY-ONE

LEONE

The scent of Lynn was enough to make me feel calm. She smelt of vanilla and musk. She was like my anchor, and I honestly would be lost without her. If she had not stubbornly insisted that she come with me in this outing, it would have been so difficult to breathe.

My head was literally exploding in panic, and I knew fully well that meant. These past few days, I have been functioning like a robot. I had promised Lynn that I would make her experience her best days with me, but so far, I have not done that. I did the literal opposite of everything I had promised her, and I honestly felt awful for this, but what could I do exactly?

I couldn’t pretend that I was happy, and cuddle her. Though, the feel of her soft cleavage on my chest had almost been my undoing moments ago. But, I had chosen not to miss-step. Mom should take centre priority for now.

I had to find her soon.

Ginevra wouldn’t just vanish into thin air. There was no way those pictures were photoshopped. I had looked at it at nights when Lynn was asleep to see if it had been some cruel prank, but there was no evidence that the pictures had been doctored. It was real.

Plus, the doctor at the asylum knew what he was talking about. Yes, he did.

“Do you think the whole thing is made up?” I asked suddenly.

Lynn looked at me in confusion, then I watched her eyes go round as it clicked. I was just telling myself it was true, but I needed to hear it from someone other than me. I was too attached to the topic, and Lynn was a bit detached. Of course, she was worried about me, but she would be more practical than I was.

“It’s not,” she said softly.

I sighed. “How sure can you be?” I asked confused.

She smiled as she slowly linked her fingers to mine. I could feel the quiet strength that resonated out of that one move, and I knew she meant exactly what she had said. It gave me courage that I wasn’t grasping at straws.

“I don’t know, but I am sure of your mother’s existence. There was no need for the doctor to lie to us, because there was a lot he could lose by admitting she was ever in that hospital. You see, the hospital is being made to take care of all those persons. If one of them gets missing, they would be held responsible. In that case it may seem that the best thing to do is cover the case, but oftentimes, it is not so easy,” she explained softly.

I sighed as I turned over her explanations in my head. “You’re right. This is one of the reasons he couldn’t divulge more information to me, and acted like he was deaf and dumb when I fired him with questions.”

Lynn stroked my hands as a breathy laugh escaped her lips. “Yes, he is most likely dumb.”

I tried to smile, but it didn’t come out quite right. Calmly, we made a beeline at an intersection, and we came directly in line to the hospital. It was imposing, and since dusk had risen, it was hard to see who was inside the hospital.

We walked over to the gate, and tried to open it, but it didn’t bulge. It took me a while to understand that they have tightened the security at this point. They wouldn’t afford for more patients to go missing, so it was quite right to take a strict approach to the whole thing, and this is what they’ve done now.

Lynn released my hand and I moved to the furtherest side of the gate, and gave it my hardest shove, it didn’t bulge.

“Leone, someone is here,” Lynn said softly.

I looked back at the direction she pointed, and could see that there was indeed a figure standing at the other side of the gate. I walked closer, and the figure became a man. He was frowning at me.

“Hello, I would like to get into the hospital,” I said easily.

“Visiting hours are over,” he said with a grunt.

I turned back to Lynn, and she nodded in a bid to encourage me. “We aren’t here to see the patients, but the doctor on duty. There are some things we need to go over with him.”

The man frowned. “Listen, mister. Whatever you want to do should be done from 10am to 3 pm. We don’t entertain any guests at this time. Have a good night,” he said, and retreated from where he stood at the gate.

“Hey!” I called out.

The man would not turn. This had not worked according to plan. What was I going to do now? I had limited time. There was no reason for father to stay too long in Paris. He would definitely come back soon. I had to do what I can to make sure that this trip wasn’t null, but still, I was running out of options.

A hand touched my arm, and I looked towards Lynn. Was she still here? I had completely forgotten as I stood right there. Her face was like an angel’s and it made me feel so many things at once.

Lynn squeezed her hand on mine. “Let’s go from here,” she said calmly.

I nodded. “I want to go to the park here.”

She nodded, and we slowly made our way through the street. I honestly couldn’t think of anything right now. The streets were quiet, and the street lamps cast a glow around the area. I chewed on my lower lip as I moved. I was too tired to do anything this time. Thinking was so difficult, and not for me.

Once again, Lynn connected her hands with mine. She squeezed my fingers in a bid to offer reassurance, and I was glad for it. There were no words between us as we made our way to the park. Out of nowhere, a ball landed on our path.

A scrawny teen came out of a building, and apologised as he took his ball. I could see his mates giggling as teens always did. None of those mattered to me, though I was aware that Lynn had said something to him.

We walked on till we got to the park which was a short distance away. There were benches everywhere, but no occupants. I had no idea who was leading between I and Lynn, but finally we sat down on the nearest bench. The trees rained its coloured leaves at us, and I was glad for it. Slowly, Lynn pulled my head down, and I rested on her thighs.

Out of instinct, I clutched at her, and was able to find succour in that moment. Her fingers slowly slid through my hair, making me feel much better. I had no idea when I closed my eyes in bliss. She was my home.

***

LYNETTE

I grabbed my purse from the bedside table, and turned to Leone who was resting his back on the couch as he sipped coffee. The room service boy had brought our breakfast an hour ago. I was done with mine, but Leone was still fussing around with his. The man could be something else sometimes. And, the way his body was roaming over mine, it made my cheeks catch fire.

“Where are you going?” He asked softly.

I shrugged as I straightened my curls with my hands. I knew I was making my hair a mess, but I had to do something to avoid showing Leone how flustered I was.

“Eh,” I said absently. “I was thinking of going to the market to get some things. You see, we left the house, and it’s quite normal for Isabella to request for goodies, and ask if we’ve gotten anything for ourselves. It’s just a way of feeling in the dots to avoid suspicion,” I said calmly.

He nodded, and threw the coffee back down. Then, he lowered the cup on the table.

“I’m coming with you,” he said abruptly.

“What?”

He shrugged. “You don’t know anywhere here, Lynn. You would need a chaperone, and that’s why I would be coming with you right now.”

“But…” he gave me a look. I inwardly squealed. “Fine,” I said, like it hurt me.

He nodded. “I would go get my jacket.”

Even if he sat out allowed me do the whole work, I didn’t mind one bit because he would be somewhere close, and it would be an opportunity for him to relax. Leone had not actually had fun these days. Plus, he was too uptight, and I needed him to cheer up a bit. People would definitely do that for him.

I watched as he took hold of the hotel keys, and came around me. His hands slowly slid around my waist, causing me too blush. I leaned closer to him, feeling protected and at ease. He looked down at me, an smiled, and I did same.