Page 39 of Saved By A Dark Billionaire
Leo stopped right by his passenger side door. He leaned down towards me, getting so close to my face again. I didn't move as he leaned in, letting his lips meet mine. I was curious to see how they would feel. They were soft and warm, like plush marshmallows. The kiss was short and sweet, leaving me with a light blush on my cheeks.
"Thank you for today, Leo." I smiled up at him as he opened the door for me. He shook his head no at me, making me furrow my brow for a moment.
"Thankyou, Liv. I know it was not going great until you took us to the arcade." He smiled at me, shaking his head no. "Let's get you back to the hospital."
My phone rang as he came around to the driver's seat. It was the hospital.
"Clear!" I heard the doctor's shout from Mom's room.
They had us wait in the hall right outside her door. All I could see through her room window was her limp hand dangling off the bed. Leo held me close to his chest as I cried, waiting for them to tell me she was okay. I knew her time was coming, knew it would be before the end of the week, but it still shocked me to get the call. The doctor shook his head, calling her time of death, killing me inside. I turned, burying my face in Leo's chest. I couldn't look anymore. It wasn't enough time.This week was not enough.
"I'm so sorry, Liv," Leo whispered to me as he rubbed my back soothingly.
I couldn't speak. All I could do was silently cry. She may have been gone for half of my life, but she was still my mom, and getting to know her again this past week has only made the pain worse. I wish I had more time with her, but cancer is a scary and unexpected thing. Leo led me away, telling the nurses to send any paperwork to my house. He placed me in his car and drove me home in silence. He said nothing, but he held my hand the entire way.
"I'm here for you, Liv," he assured me. "I know part of what you're feeling."
"Thank you, Leo." My voice cracked from not having used it but to cry for the last hour. We got to the penthouse where Hailey was waiting for me with my favorite blanket and hot tea. She wrapped me in her arms, soothing me like an older sister.
"I got it from here, Leo. Thank you," she told him, as her way of getting him to go.
"Text me if you need me, Liv," he said from the doorway, kissing my forehead before he left.
Hailey let me lay my head on her lap while she ran her fingers through my hair, letting Disney movies play on the TV for comfort. The tears had dried up inside me, unable to produce more. I felt oddly numb…numb and weak. The doorbell rang, surprising us both, but I didn't have the energy to even lift my head off her lap. Hailey got up, running to open it. I couldn't hear who it was, but I heard whispers before the door closed again.
"Who was it?" I asked, not seeing her but feeling her in the living room.
My head was lifted and placed back on a lap, but it wasn't the cushiony soft lap of Hailey. No, my head was met with denim and hard muscles. I turned, looking up to see Lucas. He ran his fingers through my hair with a deep look of concern on his face. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if seeing me in pain made him uncomfortable.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"I'm here for you, Rose. Shhh, watch your movie. It's the best part." He pointed to the TV, but I kept looking at him, trying to make sense of this. Why'd he come here for me? There's no sex in this, no gain for him, yet here he is. Not only is he here, but he's here comforting me. I felt myself relax as he continued to play with my hair, his eyes fixed on the screen before us.
"This is my favorite one," he told me, making me turn to look at the TV to see what had been playing. It was Lilo and Stitch, which is one of my favorites too.
"Mine too," I whispered, keeping my eyes on the screen now.
Lucas continued to rub my hair and my arms, relaxing me so much I must have fallen asleep. I woke up in my bed, but I wasn't alone. Lucas laid beside me, his hand over my stomach, but his body was on the other side of the bed. I think he was giving me space while letting me know he was here. I found comfort in him, scooting closer, wanting to feel his warmth more. His sleepy self didn't mind, as he cracked a small smile.
It was only three in the morning, but I was having a hard time trying to go back to sleep. I kept picturing mom's face when I was little and then mom's face yesterday. She always had the most beautiful smile. I'll have to plan a funeral or a memorial or whatever it is. I have no idea what I'm doing, considering I've never had to handle something like this before. Lucas rubbed my stomach with his thumb.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked me in a sleepy tone.
"How to plan a funeral."
"Come here." He pulled me closer to him until both his arms were wrapped around me and my head was in his chest. "Don't think about that now. We'll figure it out together with Leo. We just helped do it for his dad so we can help with your mom. You're not alone, Rose. Go back to sleep."
He rubbed my arms, soothing me with his touch and his words. He brought me enough comfort to lull me back to sleep. I dreamt of mom, waking up with a couple of tears streaming down my face. Lucas wiped them away before I opened my eyes. He stared deeply at me, holding my face in his hands. He pulled me towards his lips, kissing my forehead tenderly.
"Good morning, Rose."
"Morning." I whispered, unable to call it a good one.
"Do you feel up to eating?" I shook my head no, not having the energy to get up or even chew. I also had little appetite.
"I figured as much, so I made you this. You still need something in your stomach." He handed me a green smoothie, making me sit up.
"Thank you, Lucas. This is very considerate of you."
