CHAPTER 19 HOLDING HANDS
It’s been three hours since Leo left. He goes to Brandon’s house for a meeting with Carmela. She couldn’t help but feel jealous. She’s disgusted! Yes, she knows he cares about her but the fact that he doesn’t trust her, it’s hurt! But, she couldn’t help but feel happy because he cared about her.
She decided to cook dinner so that somehow, she would be busy. She was finishing cooking when she heard footsteps approaching her.
“Rhianna,” Leo said.
Rhianna almost softened in her stance because Leo pronounced her name. His voice was sweet to hear. She annoyance she felt before is gone. She turned to him. He was just looking at her. She looked down because she couldn’t meet his gaze. He approached her. He sighed first before speaking.
“Are you mad at me?” he asked as he approached her.
“What can I be angry about?” she asked again without looking at him. Perhaps, what he was referring to was telling her that she needed to leave the group for her good. She looked up and looked at him.
“Because of what I said earlier.” he said and suddenly his face softened.
She’s not angry, She’s just upset because she feels like she hasn’t contributed anything to the group and she feels like she can’t keep up with them. She feels so weak. She didn’t realize that her tears were already dripping. She immediately wiped it away with the back of her hand before it even slid down her cheeks. Unexpectedly, Leo suddenly hugged her. She was shocked at what he did and did not immediately react.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” he said. That hug also lasted for a while and he voluntarily let go of the hug and stared at her intently.
“I want to protect you, Rhianna. So I’m doing this because I want to protect you but I’ve figured out that I can protect you more when I’m always with you.” he said as he stared intently into her eyes. She doesn’t know what she should feel but she’s happy now because of what he said.
“So? I’m still part of the group?” she asked with a smile on her face. She was very happy.
“Yes. You’re still part of the group.” he said and smiled also. He suddenly pulled Rhianna to the table to sit there.
“Listen Rhianna. Just don’t stay away from me in what we’re going to do to harass those involved in the transaction. Just follow where I am. Be alert always. Do you understand?” he asked while looking at her straight in the eyes. She nodded. She was about to speak but someone suddenly stepped in.
“Do I interrupt something?” Rhianna looked behind Leo. Carmela was standing there while carrying food. Leo also turned around and suddenly stood up when he saw Carmela. She can’t help to get pissed. Leo picked up the Tupperware she was carrying.
“Carmela. Thanks for this.” Leo said with no emotion on his face.
“Can I eat here?” Carmela asked with a grin on her face. Leo looked at Rhianna first as if Carmela’s question was deciding for her if she will let Carmela or not. She gave Leo a why-me look.
“Hm. All right. Let’s eat it.” Leo said as if constrained. She immediately got up and went to the plate rack and picked plates. Carmela followed her. Leo suddenly left his seat because his cellphone suddenly rang.
“Yes Agent Jerald?” he asked and left the kitchen. Rhianna was about to turn around when Carmela asked her.
“I’m still doing the thing that I told you before. I’ll still do everything to get him.” Carmela said. Her grip on the plate tightened. She stared at Carmela. It was good that Leo left because Agent Jerald called on his phone.
“Carmela, I don’t own Leo. Do whatever you want to get him back. Please, excuse me.” she said and went to the table with the plates. Carmela was stunned and speechless at what she said. But, she knew, Carmela was annoyed with her.
“But I know you like him. I’m a woman Rhianna and I feel that.” she said with anger in her voice. She was about to answer but Leo suddenly came. Carmela immediately approached Leo and anchored her arm on his arm.
“What Agent Jerald say?” Carmela asked. Carmela let go of her arm to Leo when they were at the table and sat in a chair. Leo sat in the opposite chair.
Rhianna started spooning the rice that was on the table. She was irritated by the presence of Carmela next to her. Carmela also put rice on Leo’s plate. She was sneered by nothing in time because of what she saw. Too distracting. Rhianna just saw that Leo was looking at her with emotions she couldn’t read. Suddenly, she bends her head to take the dish. Couldn’t he have noticed what she did?
“Enough, Carmela.” he said and Carmela stopped placing rice on Leo’s plate. The one who called me was Agent Jerald. He’s coming back. Tomorrow we’ll go again to carefully plan the drug transaction that will happen because it’s not a trivial transaction. A big drug transaction will take place.” Leo’s long explanation to Carmela. She just listened intently to the two of them.
“Okay.” Carmela said sweetly and held Leo’s hand. She couldn’t help herself to look at it. Her chest tightened at the sight. She has lost het appetite. She ate little of her food.
“I’m done eating. I’ll be in the bedroom first. My head suddenly hurts.” She excused. She got up and walked out of the kitchen. Leo didn’t even look at her! Annoying!
Rhianna went to her room. She frowned at the thought that they were the only two in the kitchen. What are they talking about? She’s going crazy thinking. She was about to leave my room when she heard talking outside the room. Maybe, it’s Leo and Carmela. She barely opened the bedroom door and peeked out. She saw Leo and Carmela in the living room while facing each other.
“Carmela. Our relationship ended a long time ago.” Leo said. His back was on her so she couldn’t see his face. She can see a slight sadness in Carmela’s eyes.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.
“But I still want you, Leo, I want you to be my boyfriend. I’m sorry for what I did way back in college.” Carmela said looking like she was going to cry.
“Stop this nonsense, Carmela. Our relationship won’t be returned. So, please stop chasing me.” Leo firmly.
Leo turned his back on Carmela and Leo was about to take a step closer to the room. She immediately closed it so he can’t see Rhianna peeking in the door. She went to her bed and sat down. She heard a knock on the bedroom door.
“Rhianna. Can I talk to you?” Leo asked.
“Come in.” she answers.
She heard the door lock turn and open. She looked there and saw the figure of Leo approaching her through the bed. She can’t swallow. He looks handsome wearing a fitted gray v-neck shirt. The shape of his body was obvious in what he was wearing. He sat on the bed next to Rhianna. She heard him sigh.
“You haven’t eaten well. Are you annoyed with Carmela?” he asked. She’s not disgusted, Leo! She was jealous. That’s what she wants to say. She shook her head.
“I just lost my appetite. My head suddenly hurt.” she reasoned. She was shocked by what he did. He got up and left the room. Where did he go? It only took a few moments before he arrive. Carrying a glass of water and medicine. He’s worried about her? He approached Rhianna and handed the medicine to her.
“Take the medicine to get rid of your headache.” he said. She picked them up and placed them on the table next to the bed. She couldn’t help but shudder at what he did. Is he that sweet? Is this how he took care of Carmela when he and Carmela were together? So, Carmela’s attraction for Leo remains? She shook her head at the thought.
“Is there a problem?” Leo asked worriedly while looking at her.
“No. I’ll eat first before I take the medicine.” she answers. Leo stood up suddenly and offer his hand.
“I’ll go with you.” he said.
She accepted that and they walked out of the room together while holding hands. She felt pleasure because of their holding hands. Does Leo like Rhianna so he’s like this to her? Or is he just like this because he is responsible for her?