Chapter 41- Fear Of Whats To Come
Unending wet kisses and touches from him she’d never get used to.
Leonard broke the kiss, sitting up on the bed and pulling her effortlessly onto his lap.
Her cheeks were flushed; her head stayed low, avoiding his eyes. Her hands rested lazily on his shoulders, trembling just a little.
Jesus Christ.
She’s beautiful.
“You’re shy? Very cute,” he whispered, voice deep, teasing.
“I’m not…” she mumbled.
“You lie a lot, you know that?” His voice dropped as his hands slid from her waist down to her hips, slow, deliberate, claiming.
Her lashes fluttered before her gaze finally met his.
“Who released you?” she asked quietly.
“Goldie,” he replied easily.
“Huh? I heard you call your mom that once, on the night of the reunion… and speaking of that, you barely talked to your dad. In fact, you didn’t at all—”
“You talk too much,” he cut her off, tone calm but sharp enough to silence her.
She frowned slightly. “Why do you prefer me calling you Ren?”
“I already told you before.”
“Except that,” she pressed.
“That name was given to me by Goldie, from the deepest part of her heart.”
“So why do you want me to…”
“Not answering that,” he interrupted again, voice low, final.
“Then get out of my room,” she snapped, trying to get off his lap.
He caught her wrist, dragging her right back. “A brat too,” he murmured, thumb grazing her cheekbone as his eyes softened for half a second, then darkened again.
“You don't know how badly I wanted you on my lap like this in that fucking place.” He whispered.
Aurora rolled her eyes but the frown didn’t hide the way her chest rose and fell too fast.
Leonard shrugged off his jacket, leaving him in just a black tank top.
The dim light hit his skin, tracing the hard lines of his arms and the curve of his collarbone. His tattoos came into view, dark shapes inked into muscle, barely visible but tempting all the same.
Her eyes followed each line, each mark. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath until he smirked.
“Like them?” he asked, voice dipping into that dangerous softness that always made her shiver.
“You barely show them,” she whispered. “You always wear jackets.”
Her fingers moved on their own, tracing one of the tattoos lightly.
Leonard’s jaw flexed. “That’s risky,” he said, eyes fixed on her fingers.
“I don't care.” she whispered.
Leonard’s eyes lifted to hers, slow, dark, burning. “You should. Because I don’t stop when I start.”
Her throat bobbed. “Then don’t start.”
He tilted his head, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You really think you can tell me what to do?”
“I—”
He leaned closer, his breath brushing her cheek. “You talk too much, Noelle.”
Her heart raced, but when he rested his forehead against hers, everything went quiet. The world outside didn’t exist, only the slow drag of his breathing against her skin.
“Sleep,” he whispered finally, his tone softer now, almost protective.
“I don’t want to.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
She glared faintly, but he just chuckled under his breath.
When she finally lay back, eyes fluttering shut, Leonard stayed, elbows on his knees, watching her. One hand brushed her hair from her face, lingering for a second too long.
He kissed her forehead, eyes, and nose. And when he finally reached her lips, he planted a soft kiss there but her eyes opened, her lips parted and the kiss moved on fast from being soft.
He broke the kiss. “That's enough, naughty brat. Sleep.”
She frowned slightly, drowsiness slipping in. “Bastard, you're the one that…”
“Shhhh…” He placed a finger on her lips.
She finally closed her eyes.
He didn’t leave until her breathing steadied, until he was sure she’d fallen asleep.
He left his jacket there on purpose.
He took another quick look at her sleeping face before jumping off her balcony.
NEXT MORNING
The morning sunlight crept through the curtains, spilling soft gold across the room. It was too calm, the kind of calm that almost made her uneasy.
Aurora blinked, slowly sitting up. Her hair was a mess, her eyes half-open, her thoughts even worse.
Then it hit her.
Last night.
Her lips parted just slightly, not in shock, just that quiet kind of disbelief that makes your chest tighten. She didn’t feel scared. Not like before. It was strange, almost terrifyingly strange… how okay she felt.
Her gaze drifted across the room, tracing the spot by the balcony where he’d stood. Leonard.
Her throat tightened.
Why does it feel like that name alone could make her pulse skip?
She exhaled, long and shaky, rubbing her temple like it could chase the memory away, but it didn’t. It only made it clearer.
The way he looked at her. The way he touched her like she was something he’d waited for too long.
And then, his scent.
That familiar, sharp note of Dior Sauvage Elixir still hung faintly in the air. Clean. Addictive. Him.
Her eyes found his jacket on the other side of the bed, black, crumpled, heavy with the same smell.
Without thinking, she reached for it.
The moment her fingers brushed the fabric, something inside her melted a little. She pulled it close, pressing it against her face, sniffing it.
A small smile graced her lips. “Fuckin rascal.” She whispered into the fabric.
She brought it closer to her nose. Sniffing it deeply.
The calm didn't last long.
The pain came like a betrayal.
At first, it was just a dull ache, the kind she could ignore. But then it twisted, deep and sharp, making her curl up under the blanket with a shaky breath.
“Not now.” She whispered to herself. “Please, not today.”
Her stomach cramped again, harder this time. She felt the wetness between her thighs and froze, realizing what it was. Her period. Great timing.
For a second, last night flashed back in her mind, Leo’s touch, the warmth of it, the way he’d looked at her before leaving.
Her being moist and sleeping like that. Ew.
And now this? Blood and pain replacing everything that felt soft and dizzying just hours ago.
She pressed her palm against her lower stomach, wincing as another wave of cramps hit.
“Perfect.” She muttered bitterly.
She got up from the bed slowly, careful to keep her thighs apart, a wave of disgust washing over her.
Her bed was stained.
A sharp pain struck again, forcing her to sit back down with a gasp, but the sight beneath her made her shoot up almost instantly. Another stain.
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to move. Step by step, she gathered enough courage to head to the bathroom.
Her breaths came heavy and uneven. Every movement hurt. Every step felt like a small battle.
It hurt so badly.
She cleaned herself up quickly, disgust pushing her to move faster.
In seconds, her closet was a mess, she tore through drawers, tossed clothes aside, searching frantically for her sanitary pads. Panic clawed at her chest when she couldn’t find them… until she finally did.
She exhaled shakily. Relief.
Aurora’s a heavy flower, her flow always is. Just thinking about how awful the next few days would be made her want to scream.
Sometimes, most times, her period lasts an entire week.
And she was so not ready for that.
She finally put on the pad and dragged herself back to bed. School was definitely cancelled for today.
Pain. After pain. After pain.
Her fingers curled around the sheets, knuckles pale. She tried to convince herself the cramps were easing, but they weren’t.
She needed something cold. Anything cold.
Her eyes drifted to the bathroom.
She got up slowly, every step heavy, and when she reached the tiles, she didn’t think twice. She lay down.
Her bare tummy pressed against the floor, dry, cold, merciful.
A deep, heavy breath slipped from her lips.
For a brief moment, she felt relief. Just a flicker, but enough to pull her under.
Her eyes fluttered shut. Sleep, exhaustion, or unconsciousness, it didn’t matter. She wasn’t awake anymore.
---
ALAYAH’S PLACE
A loud knock echoed from the front door. Alayah stepped out, barely covered, sweat glistening on her skin.
She frowned when she saw who it was.
Asha.
Alayah scoffed. “Here for another fight?” she sneered.
“It was your idea,” Asha shot back, frowning.
Alayah turned to close the door, but Asha stopped her with a hand.
“Nicole is dead,” Asha said, her voice breaking a little. “Kimberly literally showed up again on Monday. We can’t hide forever.”
“Then go. Why are you here?” Alayah crossed her arms. “Go back. Am I your backbone now?” she smirked.
“Ala—”
“I’m busy,” Alayah cut her off sharply.
That’s when a guy appeared behind her. He slipped an arm around her waist, pressing his lips to her shoulder before burying his face in her neck.
“You said you wouldn't take long…” His voice came.
Pink hair. Trouble written all over him.
Alayah smirked again.
Asha’s brows knit together.
“I said,” Alayah repeated, eyes cold, “I’m busy.”
“Ala…”
The door slammed in her face.
Asha stood there for a second, shaking with anger. Then she hit the door hard with her fist.
“It was your idea, and I’m the one suffering for it!” She yelled, before storming off.
Gemma’s brows furrowed as she glanced at her smartwatch.
Aurora should’ve been downstairs by now. Long before now.
Did she oversleep again? Probably because of…
Melvin had already left early for work, so the house was unusually quiet.
“She’s still asleep?” Gemma muttered, heels clicking softly as she climbed the stairs from the living room toward Aurora’s room.
Her steps echoed down the luxurious hall.
“Auri…” she called, knocking gently when she reached the door. “Auri, you’ll be late. Don’t you have class this morning? Auri?”
No response.
Her frown deepened when she tried the handle. Locked. From the inside.
“Get me a spare key,” she ordered.
Moments later, Nanny Mira appeared with it, worry already shadowing her face.
“My dawn,” Gemma muttered under her breath, unlocking the door slowly and peeking inside.
The bed was empty.
Her gaze swept the room, her daughter wasn't on the bed, and then she saw the jacket tossed carelessly on the bed. She ignored it.
“My dawn…” she whispered again, stepping farther in.
Then she saw her.
Auroraa, lying motionless on the bathroom floor.
“Oh my God! My baby!” Gemma gasped, rushing forward.
She crouched beside her, gathering Aurora’s head into her lap.
“Oh my God, Auri… my dawn…” she whispered, voice trembling.
Aurora’s skin was pale, her body limp.
Panic surged through Gemma’s chest. “Oh God, did she have an attack?”
Nanny Mira appeared at the doorway, breath hitching. “Ma’am…”
“Help me lift her,” Gemma said quickly, and together they carried Aurora to the bed.
Gemma grabbed the glass of water from the nightstand and sprinkled a few drops on her daughter’s face.
“Come on, baby… wake up,” she murmured.
After a few tense moments, Aurora stirred weakly, a faint whine escaping her lips.
“Baby, are you okay?” Gemma asked softly.
“Quit with the baby…” Aurora mumbled, her voice hoarse.
Gemma exhaled shakily, brushing strands of hair from her forehead. “What happened, my love? Did you… have an attack? Should I call Dr. Nina?”
“It hurts…” Aurora whispered, voice fragile. “Mom… it hurts.”
Gemma froze for a moment, eyes widening, then realization dawned.
“Oh, sweetheart…” she whispered. “You’re… on your period?”
Aurora didn’t respond. She just winced again. “It hurts…” was all she could manage.
Gemma’s heart clenched. She pulled Aurora into her arms, holding her as if she could shield her from the pain.
“Oh, my baby…” she murmured, kissing her forehead. “I’ll stay with you, okay? I’m not going anywhere.”
Aurora leaned into her, trembling slightly, gripping her mother’s blouse as though that touch alone eased the pain.
“Mira,” Gemma said quietly, still stroking Aurora’s hair, “get me a clean cloth and a bowl of cold water.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mira said and hurried away.
When she returned, Gemma immediately dipped the cloth into the cold water, wrung it gently, and laid it over Aurora’s stomach.
Aurora exhaled softly, a fragile sound between pain and relief.
Gemma brushed her cheek with trembling fingers. “I’m not going anywhere, my love,” she whispered again. “My work can wait.”
She pressed a tender kiss to Aurora’s forehead, holding her close as the morning sunlight bathed them in gold.
Her little girl looked so calm now. Too calm.
Her gaze drifted to the edge of the bed, that jacket.
Leonard’s.
She didn’t even need to check twice. She knew it. The fragrance is unmistakable.
He was here last night.
Gemma let out a small sigh, her chest heavy with something she couldn’t name.
Aurora was changing, faster than she expected, faster than she was ready for.
She reached out and ran her hand gently over Aurora’s arm.
“She’s opening up,” She whispered to herself. “Again.”
The room was quiet except for the slow rhythm of Aurora’s breathing.
Then, from the dresser, Aurora's phone buzzed softly.
A message lit up the screen. From him.
Gemma didn't see it, just focused on her daughter. Her world.
She bent to place another kiss on Aurora's forehead. Still asleep, lips parted slightly, curled up like a child.
Gemma sighed again, this time with a faint smile.
“I don’t know if I should be scared for you…” she murmured, “…or happy that you're opening up again…”
TBC…