25. Indecisive Hearts

I woke up in the dim light of the night; my phone on the bedside was vibrating. Even though it was vibrating, the sound was barely audible, but it was loud enough to wake me up. I lifted my head slightly; Leo's head was resting on my chest, and he was sleeping peacefully. His hair was soft and wavy, and his face was covered with a soothing calmness. He had wrapped his left hand around my waist, and even his fingers exerted a comforting weight on me. He had been sleeping like this for hours, and I began to feel numbness in my body; my tired muscles seemed to have succumbed to gravity.

I reached for the phone with my other hand and tapped to unlock the screen. The blue light of the screen blinded me for a moment, making it hard to comprehend my surroundings. I squinted and checked the incoming messages. I had to strain my eyes to see who had messaged, as the drowsiness still prevented me from fully coming to my senses.

As usual, there was nothing but a few work emails and trivial notifications. However, one message caught my eye: a text from my mother. My eyes rested on the message; I wanted to open it right away, but I had to be careful not to wake Leo. I was torn between two choices. Should I carefully lift Leo's head from my chest and put it on the pillow? Or should I take a risk and read the message right away?

Eventually, I couldn't resist and opened my mother's message. Though her message was just a few short sentences, it evoked a feeling of unease in me. My heart felt like it stopped for a moment. Being careful not to wake Leo from his deep sleep, I gently placed the phone on the pillow and leaned my head back.

I didn't know what to do or how to react. On one hand, there was the warmth and peaceful sleep of Leo; on the other, the troubling truths in my mother's message.

In the darkness and silence of the night, I had to make a choice between my heart and mind. Slowly, I began to get dressed.

"Why are you getting dressed?"

"Did I wake you?"

"I woke up when you moved," he said, sitting up in bed. He turned on the bedside lamp and looked at me, questions evident in his eyes.

"My mother messaged," I said, taking a deep breath. "I need to go to her."

"Now? At this hour? It's 2 AM," he said, furrowing his brows. I wasn't pleased with the situation either, but if I didn't go now, I wouldn't be able to handle things with my mother later. I had experienced this several times before.

"I know, but I really have to go," I replied. He threw off the duvet and got out of bed.

"I'm coming with you," he said, reaching for his pants on the chair.

"No."

"I don't understand."

"I don't want you to come," I said in a firm voice.

"Isabella."

"Please, Leo. I can handle this on my own. I promise I'll call you once I get there," I said gently. A mocking chuckle escaped his lips. Without replying, he continued dressing. When he put on his pants and shirt, he strapped his watch from the dresser onto his wrist.

"Leonardo," I said, using his full name just as he'd addressed me.

"I'm going alone."

"You can't even take a step out of my place at this hour. So, either we get back in bed or you grab your bag and we leave."

"Don't you understand? I don't want you to come."

"Do you not get it? My woman can't just leave my bed at this hour," he said, approaching me. My eyebrows furrowed. Where did the gentleman I knew go? Now, there was a fierce Italian bear standing before me.

"I just have to deal with something regarding my mom. That's why I need to go alone," I replied, using my most innocent tone.

"This isn't up for debate, Isabella Rivera. Either we leave together, or we get back in bed and make love. Choose."

"I'm leaving alone, Leonardo De Luca, and even if I do get back in bed, forget about making love."

"Your period won't prevent me from being inside you, only from certain acts, love. Now, decide. Either we leave together, or I don't penetrate you all night, but I'll bring you to climax with my hands. Which is it?"

I stayed silent for a long time, trying to resist his determined gaze. The idea of introducing him to my mom, when I had known Leo only for a few days, made me uneasy. Yes, our physical attraction was undeniable, but what did I truly know about him? I couldn't see the warmth of our shared nights or my curiosity as a reason to introduce him to her.

I was torn: there was the allure I felt towards Leo and then my bond with my mom and my protective instincts. My eyes locked onto his blue depths. Being with him... it was incredible. But introducing him to my mom? That was a whole different realm, and I wasn't ready for that. Not ever!

"Bella," he said, a mix of surprise and mild anger in his voice.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going alone," I said, trying to send him a clear message through my gaze. I needed to walk to my mom's house without bringing him along. There were several reasons for this, but now wasn't the time to explain them to him.

I heard his deep intake of breath; maybe he felt disappointed, or perhaps he understood. "Bella, if this feels right for you, go. But call me, okay? I just need to know you're safe."

His words eased my concerns. Knowing he still worried about me shifted my thoughts about him. "Thank you, Leo," I whispered. "Please, go back to bed. If you want to see me later, we can. But I need to leave now."

He placed his hand on my shoulder, gently pulling me closer. For a moment, he touched his lips to mine—a soft yet emotive kiss. "Go," he said. "But please, come back."

After one last shared gaze, I left the room. As I moved through the silent hallways of the house and reached the door, a sense of sorrow gripped me. But with a conscious decision, I closed the door behind me and stepped into the night. He didn't follow. And maybe, for that moment, it was for the best.