Where were you?

FOURTY-SEVEN

LEONE

“I got some things for Isabella at the market, but I was thinking that I should get her something that would make her think of you. All I know is that chocolate cake. Mam, that would be good,” Lynn said softly beside me.

I lightly brushed an invisible stain from her lips. “Do what you wish,” I said softly.

She blushed as she tried to avoid my gaze. How adorable could she be? We were already close to t he house, and I was relieved. Staying at the hotel was literally driving me insane, and I had not liked it one bit. There was no place like home.

“Lynn,” I said fondly, ignoring the driver. She turned to me, her cheeks still flushed. “I want to kiss you.”

Lynn gasped. “But…” she looked pointedly at the driver.

I sighed as I lazily played with her hair. She looked a bit shocked at my audacity and that made me even more amused. How cute could she be?

“Come on, now. It’s just the two of us here,” I teased.

She placed her hand warmly on my cheek. “That is not true. But, think about…”

I didn’t let her complete her statement as I kissed her squarely on the lips. It was like my body became alight at that moment. She gasped, and that gave me the opportunity I was seeking for. I allowed my tongue to slid in her mouth, and used it to do damning things to her mouth. She moaned her hands slowly caressing my face in the heat of desire.

“Leone,” she said when I finally released her.

I smiled. “You taste like haven. I think I would get accustomed to this with time.”

Her eyes bulged. “No, please remember that our parents… You know,” she stuttered, and looked at the driver once more.

I smirked at her as I leaned closer to the door. Her cheeks were flushed. It made her look more adorable. She pulled her shirt closer like it was necessary, and then tapped her jeans. I would have burst out laughing if I didn’t know why she was so antsy. Though, there was no way I would talk to her about that now.

“Mom was a bit different this morning,” I said quietly, changing the topic.

She looked at me then, and sighed. “I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.”

I smiled. “I’m happy. I mean, all these while I was mourning her, thinking I had lost her forever, but she was always close to me. I don’t know, it’s the most amazing thing ever. I believe if she gets well, she would support us. She always loved love. I think it was her weakness.”

Lynn placed a hand on my arm. “She would get better. I believe it. Now, you’ve known about her, it would be easy for her to heal and let go.”

I blinked back the tears that had gathered in my eyes. “I hope so, Lynn.”

She squeezed my hands in encouragement.

We were in companionable silence for a while until we got closer to the mall where I had gotten the message that had spiralled my life in a new direction. I made the driver pull over, and I stayed behind so Lynn could get the cake. We couldn’t trust these drivers some times. It was nice that we were speaking in codes, so there was no way he would have been able to decode what we were saying.

With Lynn gone, I thought back to the last couple of days. It had been hectic, and life-changing. The fact that I had always cursed the messenger for sending me messages, not knowing that there was truth to his words was crazy.

I don’t know what would have happened if Lynn had not pushed me to text back. It had solved everything. I wished I could meet the person, so I could show him my gratitude. That would have made everything so much better, but I couldn’t now. It was just what it was apparently. But, if he ever came before me, I wouldn’t hesitate to thank him from the core of my being.

And, mother, I would shower her with love. She was with me now, and she would never have to be alone in her lifetime. She would be fine till the end of time. I would definitely make sure of it. I would make sure she becomes sane again.

Lynn came back with a huge ass chocolate cake. I helped her place it between us, and the driver drove off again. I could imagine that Isabella would be fucking thrilled by the cake. She loved cake when it was all brown and yummy.

A doll; that’s what she was.

The driver pulled into our home, and the house was just as we had left it. The guards came closer to us, and helped bring out our things. Then, I paid the guards, and we were on our way in. Lynn held the cake with poise. Now, we were home, it was important for us to act like we didn’t care for each other.

Ok, we can’t overdo it. But, we just didn’t need to give an air that we were lovers. Lynn didn’t need to be told. It would be a bit difficult to pull off, but I believed we could do it.

Isabella suddenly bolted out of the door, and clutched our legs in a firm hold. Damn! I’ve missed her. I leaned down, and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead. I felt slightly guilty that I had not been able to call her to check up on her when we were out. That was not a good way to be a brother, and I would have to change.

“How are you doing, pumpkin?” I asked softly.

She chuckled. “That won’t save you. You didn’t call me for once, and even when sister Lynn wanted me to speak with you, you refused to. You’re so mean.”

I made the face that would fool her, and pulled her close, hugging hard. “I’m so sorry, darling. I didn’t mean to snub you. It’s just that I was under the weather, and I didn’t want you to worry. Will you forgive me now?”

Her little hands closed around my neck, causing me to smile.

“I’m not mad at you anymore,” she beamed.

“Here is what your brother got for you,” Lynn said softly.

I released Isabella, and watched as her eyes widened in happiness. “Chocolate cake,” she squealed. “That is my favourite. I would eat this in one sitting,” she announced.

I shook my head. “You would not. We would have to eat it for a week, so you wouldn’t get sick,” I said calmly.

She pouted sweetly, but soon cheered up. “We shall see about that.”

I and Lynn couldn’t help but laugh. We slowly made our way inside when I caught a sight of father and Mrs Racquez at the sitting area, with their back turned to us. When did they get back? I looked at Lynn, and she was equally shocked. She had no idea they would be returning today either, or how long have they been here?

“Go with Isabell, I would handle this,” I said softly.

She looked at me with a sigh. “What are you going to tell them?”

“Shoo… I have no idea for now, but I would text you, so we will both be on the same page,” I said calmly.

She frowned. “I should greet mom, too.”

I shook my head. “No, if we are both on the spot, it would make things more difficult.”

She sighed and then walked away with Isabella and the maid, who now had the cake in her hands. I took a deep breath, wishing I had thought of all these earlier. I was always a bad liar, but this time, it had to work.

I made my way to them, and Mrs Racquez was laughing at something that father said. Did they even know that we were back or were they acting indifferent? Seriously, I couldn’t understand these two sometimes, and it was frustrating.

“Dad,” I said easily.

He turned to me, a frown tugging on his face. “You’re back,” he said simply.

I nodded. “Yes, I am,” I said calmly.

The truth was that looking at him in his checkered shirt and tailored pants was annoying the crap out of me. I had to control myself though. I couldn’t give anything away just yet. I had to put this all under control to make things work out for the best. It was the only way out of this mess.

His eyes were cold, though. “Where were you?”

I shrugged.

“I don’t like my daughter going out for days without telling me her location,” Mrs Racquez added.

I guess she was done trying to fit into the family. Though, I could care less about her. “Well, there is nothing to worry about,” I said coldly. “Lynn and I decided to go visit my friends. It was a birthday bash, and coincided with school things,” I lied smoothly.

“Oh,” she said. “I’m sorry about how I spoke just now.”

I scoffed.

“You may leave, son. Welcome,” dad said.

I gave a stiff nod, and walked out on both of them.