20. Chapter Twenty
With Lea’s head on the left side of my chest, I wouldn’t mind if she took my heart’s position at this point.
She pumped my blood with adrenaline that only her voice and overall presence could cause.
This moment could last forever, and I wouldn’t mind as long as I spent it with her.
“As much as I always want to hold you this way, I don’t want you crying while I do so.”She sniffs and laughs at my dead joke. I don’t mind the embarrassment if it means I get to see her smile this way every day. I join in her laughter, and the sound is a perfect symphony that fills the room.
As much as I always want her by my side, I don’t want to stifle her dreams and aspirations. She has wings, and I will give her room to fly, not to clamp down on her desires.
If San Antonio is where she wants to be, I will figure out a way to be there with her if I don’t want to be separated from her.
I could use some time off work to spend time with her now and then. We could go on vacations and travel the world together during our free time.
“Lea, I want to hold you close to me, but I never want to hold you back from doing what is best for you.”
She lifts her head and peeks at me with the most adorable eyes I have ever seen.
We stare at each other until our lips cave into the longing for each other. This kiss is deep, filled with every emotion and word we had left unsaid.
We stopped to look at each other, love filling our eyes and a confirmation of our forgiving each other for the earlier arguments we had.
“I’m sorry again, Lea. Please forgive me.”
“I forgive you, Damien, and I’m sorry too.”
“It’s okay. I’m just happy I can hold you in my arms like this right now.”
She snuggles her neck underneath my head, and time stops for a second.
There, the idea clicked in my head like a light bulb switch that was just turned on in my brain.
“Lea, have you booked your flight already?”
“Yeah, Kelvin booked it. Why?”
“I want to come with you.”
“What? Are you serious, Damien?”
“Yeah, I want to, and please don’t say no.”
“Ummm…what would you do about work and the million and one things you have to do?”
“I can put my schedule on pause for an entire week or more. I would love to be with you through this process, holding your hand and raising a glass to this victory because it is our win. Yes, ‘ours’”
“Damien…” she said in what almost sounded like a whisper.
“Plus, I also get to see Kelvin and Laurel after all these months. I just want to be around people I love and, most importantly, you.”
“Aww, Damien. I would love to be with you on this trip, too. You’ve mentioned that I need someone to hold and hug when the pronouncement is read out in court.”
“I’ll be there always, Lea. Always.”
We hug tightly, and nothing else could be more perfect. If only there was an artist in front of us who could capture this beautiful moment in an excellent art piece. I’ll hang it before my bed and watch it every night as I drift to sleep.
“Thank you, DM. I cannot wait to be on the flight with you tomorrow.”
“That will only happen if I eventually get to book the flight. If you keep holding me like this, we might need Aladdin and his flying carpet to take us there instead.”
Her eyes shut in laughter again, and I couldn’t hold back mine either. The prettiest thing in the room was her smile right now.
“I’ll give Jenny a call to help me with this. She can pull some strings for us to sit beside each other.”
“Don’t think I missed out on what you said about being with people you love.” There’s a look of mischief in her eyes. What is this woman up to?
“What are you on about?”
“You indirectly said you did not love the people in your office when you said you want to be with people you love. I will keep your secret safe, CEO.”
She was referring to my statement about being with people I love: Kelvin, Laurel, and herself.
This woman is hilarious, but I would not have it any other way.
“Since you came into Selware, I don’t think I love anyone else there as much as I love you.”
“And I don’t think you ever will.”
“I never want to.” I draw her closer till she is sitting on my lap. We laughed over our silly joke again, and I attempted to make the call to Jenny.
Her stomach is loud enough for both of us to hear, and her cheeks redden.
“Oh no! I just remembered I was about to have an avocado sandwich before you came in. I forgot about it completely.”
“Amidst our confessions, there was no way you could have remembered.”
She gently unwraps herself from my embrace and strolls to the kitchen to grab her sandwich.
“Do you want some, too? Tea, coffee, or juice?”
“Dinner.”
“What?”
“Yeah, let’s go out for dinner. Nothing too fancy, if you don’t want it. It’s been a stressful day, and we need to unwind.”
“Well, my flight…sorry…our flight is not until evening tomorrow. Also, my face doesn’t look too good for the public eye now.”
“It would only be ‘our flight’ when I call Jenny. I don’t mind how your face looks. My eyes just want to be fixated on you and nothing else.”
She giggles, takes a bite of her sandwich, and turns back to the counter to brew some coffee.
I called Jenny about the flight ticket, which, as usual, she always has a way of making available with her numerous connections.
I also ask her to request an upgrade of Lea’s ticket from Business class to First class. Her comfort is my priority and I will go to any length for that.
She walks up to me with two mugs of freshly brewed coffee. I give her a hand with the mugs, and she sits on my lap.
“You’re so beautiful, Lea.”
“Thank you.”
This is about to be the best week of my life.
“On a second thought…” she says. “I don’t mind going out for dinner. It’s dark. Who cares about how my face looks?” She giggles, stands up abruptly, and walks towards her room.