Chapter 49- For Him
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Leonard was led to Xander's room by Nanny Mira to change his wet clothes. He just put on one of Xander's sweatpants and t-shirts.
By the time he got back to Aurora's room, Gemma had already changed Aurora's wet clothes too. He noticed Melvin kept giving him side eyes, which made his smile sly.
He was still waiting for Melvin and Gemma to speak up about how he showed up and why he'd been coming to Auri's room at night. He knew they knew.
When Gemma noticed him, she got up from the bed and did the unexpected. She hugged him, sniffing.
Leonard stayed still for a moment before lifting his hand to pat Gemma's hair. He was fond of hair, long ones, particularly.
Gemma broke the hug and faced him. "Thank you... for being there in time. You saved my girl..." She muttered.
Before he could say anything, Dr. Nina was led in by another maid.
"We've been waiting," Melvin said.
"I'm sorry, sir..." Dr. Nina apologized.
"Nina, she... she did it again... It's Ginny's birthday... she jumped in the pool. What if Leo wasn't there..."
Melvin had to put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
"She still hasn't woken up. But she threw up all the water. I'm confused," Melvin said.
Dr. Nina sat near Aurora on the bed. "Her body properly shut down. Today brought out too much in her."
"When will she wake up?" Gemma asked.
"Any moment. She'll be fine." Dr. Nina replied, checking Aurora.
Leonard was just standing with folded arms, leaning casually on a wall.
"So what do we do?" Gemma mumbled.
"Be careful when she wakes up. Don't talk to her about what she did. No scolds. No stress or anything," Dr. Nina replied.
"But I might need to inject her..." Dr. Nina paused, throwing a glance at Leonard, then at Melvin and Gemma.
Gemma swallowed. Melvin sighed tiredly.
"What injection? For drowning? We inject folks for drowning now?" Leonard raised an eyebrow.
"Who is he?" Dr. Nina asked Gemma.
"He's my friend's son. Auri's childhood friend, Leonard," Melvin said.
"Oh..." Dr. Nina looked at Gemma.
"Yes, he's the one I told you about," Gemma said.
"What's the injection for?" Leonard repeated.
"Carry on, Dr." Gemma said. "Let's go." She told Melvin and went to take Leo's hand, leading him downstairs.
Leonard let her take him down.
Reaching downstairs, Gemma sighed deeply, letting go of him.
"What business does an injection have with drowning?" Leonard asked.
"Leo, look..." Gemma breathed.
"Just let the doctor do her job. Please. Thank you for saving my daughter," Gemma said.
Leonard felt Melvin shift, removing his hands from his pockets. Here it comes.
"Leo."
There it was.
Leonard smiled, a sly, mischievous, crazy smile.
"Proceed, Uncle Vin."
"Melvin," Gemma whispered, sensing it.
"The guards have been informing me someone always shows up here at night and climbs up to Aurora's room."
"I figured," Leonard replied, surprising Melvin.
"So you know we're aware," Gemma said, puzzled.
"It's obvious. First night, they noticed, tried not to let me know they did, and went to report to you. Next night, they pretended not to see me," Leonard said freely.
Melvin and Gemma were asleep, but his phone started ringing. It was one of his guards.
"Sir, Leonard just climbed up Miss Aurora's room."
"What?" Melvin said.
Gemma woke up, touched his arm, puzzled.
"What happened?" she mouthed.
"I'm on my way," Melvin hung up.
"What happened? Where are you going?" Gemma asked as Melvin headed for the door.
"The guard said they just spotted Leonard sneaking up to Aurora's room right now."
"What?" Gemma asked. "What... why? And why aren't we hearing anything from her room?"
"And what if it's not Leo? What if it's someone else?" she asked.
"You saw how he was acting with her at the reunion earlier," Melvin replied.
He immediately started heading for the door.
"Vin, no," Gemma stopped him with a whisper.
He stopped. "No? Seriously?"
Gemma walked to him slowly. "Leo and Auri kissed earlier in her room."
"What?!"
Gemma quickly covered Melvin's mouth.
"Yes. Remember when I left to search for them? I saw them kissing in her room. I was shocked like you too. I was dumbstruck, but..."
"But what?" Melvin asked, wide-eyed.
"I walked away like I saw nothing without alerting them. They were so locked in the kiss. Particularly Auri, I could see how lost she was."
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Melvin asked. Gemma shushed him.
"Let them be. If Auri literally let him kiss her and kissed back? It's a big deal, Vin. She hated everyone before we came back to this city, and now, it hasn't even been a month and she's already kissing? It's huge."
"Can you hear yourself?" Melvin protested.
"Vin, think about this. He's her childhood best friend... and sweetheart. It makes sense. She's opening up. We were told about this. Remember, we didn't just know it'd be this soon." Gemma held his hand.
Melvin sighed. "It's so strange hearing this about her."
"I know, but it's also good," Gemma replied.
"But you also know one way or another, she'll have to..."
"No, no. Please don't. Let's focus on the good part," Gemma quickly interrupted.
"And what if she falls for him? He might be Charlene's son, but that doesn't mean he can't be a problem too. You saw him earlier. Does he look like a good boy?" Melvin said.
Gemma suddenly smiled. "Then maybe our daughter's cure is a bad boy..."
[END OF FLASHBACK]
"Ah... smart," Leonard smiled.
"Leo... listen..." Gemma went closer. "Auri is currently... dealing with something..."
"Gem," Melvin cautioned.
"I know," Leonard said.
"Huh?" Gemma said.
"You know what?" Melvin came closer.
"Yeah. The victim Ginny, the idiot Zane, and the whore Bianca. I know," Leonard said.
"Wh... what? How?" Gemma stuttered.
"Noelle told me."
"What?" Melvin asked.
"When did she..." Gemma started.
"During her attack," Leonard replied easily.
"She had an attack in front of you?" Gemma said.
Dr. Nina came down. "It's done," She said softly.
Gemma couldn't think. "Thank... thank you."
"Remember what I said. Don't pressure her," Dr. Nina said.
"You said she'll wake up soon. But the injection will put her in a deep sleep now," Melvin said.
"Yes. She'll wake up by morning," Dr. Nina nodded. She left.
"Okay..." Gemma breathed. "Make me understand. Auri had a trauma attack and told you everything. It means it was serious, and she didn't even say anything when she got home. She's doing it again... she's hiding things again..." Gemma muttered.
"What's happening exactly?" Melvin muttered.
"Even Oma didn't tell me anything," Gemma muttered.
The parents were still dumbstruck, putting two and two together.
"Again. What is the injection?" Leonard asked.
Sean drank slowly, his mood ruined. It was noisy and wild here, but he didn't care.
He asked Oma about Aurora, but she said she was at home.
What was the use of coming? He was already relieved that Leo didn't show up, at least he wouldn't be with Aurora like on her birthday when they were together in his Villa. Who knows what they did in there. He was still hurt over what happened that night. It haunted him.
But both Leo and Aurora weren't here, and he was bothered. Were they together?
He hissed, gulping down his drink.
Meanwhile, Oma and Mason, Roseanne and Jaxen, were dancing.
Mason kept moving with Oma, rocking her body, while Jaxen was worse with Roseanne, constantly pressing against her.
Ivy and Ricky were nowhere to be seen.
Elara was dancing with another guy, clearly enjoying herself.
Xander, on the other hand, was in a corner, face buried in a girl's neck as she moaned while he fingered her.
Outside...
A car arrived, stopping loudly. It was white.
Kimberly stepped out.
She flipped her black hair. She was wearing a fishnet outfit, barely covered.
Phones and cameras clicked rapidly, gossip spreading instantly.
She strutted inside, hips swaying.
But before she could reach the main event, another car screeched in, almost hitting her.
She nearly cursed.
It was an expensive red car.
The door opened.
Heels hit the ground. Fine legs stepped out. A girl, Kiara.
If Kimberly was dressed provocatively, Kiara should have been banned for what she was wearing. Parts of her body were exposed. She looked... dangerous.
Smoky make-up, bold, fierce, proud look.
People murmured, confused, shocked.
Tiffany and Amelia's jaws dropped.
Kiara threw a smug look at Kimberly, then turned to the crowd, taking photos.
Yeah. There was no way Leo could resist her tonight.
Leonard had already left by this time.
Gemma and Melvin were still sitting in the living room, both confused.
They were in shock, Aurora had spilled so much to Leonard.
Things they had refused to tell him about, including the purpose of Dr. Nina's injection. And now he had left, probably processing everything in his own way.
The two of them sat in silence for a moment, glancing at each other, trying to make sense of it all.
"How... how fast is all this happening?" Gemma finally murmured, her voice trembling slightly.
"Just a month... a little over a month," Melvin replied quietly, eyes fixed on the floor. "And she's already letting him in like this."
Gemma exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I didn't think it'd happen so quickly. Not like this. Not with him knowing so much already... I mean- I know I wanted this, I still do, but it's all so... Sudden."
Melvin leaned back, running a hand over his face. "We've got to trust her judgment. She's opening up... but it's happening faster than I imagined."
The room fell quiet again. Both of them absorbed the weight of the moment, the fear and relief tangled together.
Gemma's gaze drifted toward Aurora's closed bedroom door, worried but also strangely hopeful.
Kiara and Kimberly faced each other, tension practically crackling in the air. Kimberly's eyes narrowed, voice sharp.
"Where did you borrow all this from? Your car, that dress... everything. Trying a little too hard to impress, huh?"
Kiara didn't flinch. She stared back coolly, her voice low and even. "Mind your business. And don't think you can try anything stupid to me again."
Kimberly laughed, a sharp, dismissive sound. "I don't even have the time for that. I've got somewhere important to be, with someone important. Not on petty stuff like you."
Kiara's gaze followed her, icy and unreadable, as Kimberly walked away.
Muttering under her breath, Kiara cursed softly at Kimberly's back. She straightened her hair, adjusted her posture, and swayed away, strutting like the queen she felt herself to be.
Meanwhile, Kimberly's path crossed Tiffany and Amelia. She barely spared them a glance and walked past, utterly unbothered.
Inside, Kiara's eyes scanned the dance floor and landed on Oma and the others. Oma noticed her first, jaw dropping in surprise. Roseanne followed, equally shocked at Kiara's glow-up and her striking look.
Roseanne and Oma abandoned Mason and Jaxen mid-dance, rushing over to Kiara. Shocked, they both stared at her down from head to toe.
Kiara tilted her head, a small, mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Did I surprise you, my darlings?"
Oma blinked, confused. "I don't know, but... are you trying to impress someone? This isn't even the Kiara I know."
Roseanne laughed softly, taking in Kiara's transformation. "Yeah... you look... wow."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're used to seeing me basic?" Kiara frowned slightly.
Oma shook his head. "No, not that. It's just... sudden. And girl, you're practically almost naked."
"Are you tryna steal mah boyfriend?" Roseanne joked, Kiara chuckled.
"Of course not. I like someone else and he'll be mine soon."
Roseanne and Oma blinked. "Really?" Oma gaped.
"Finally! Ivy got her man now. So you're left out. But good. You got your man too." Roseanne gushed.
Kiara chuckled again. "But... It isn't just me, Aurora would be left out too. She's also single."
Roseanne rolled her eyes and groaned. "Girl come on. Everyone knows something deep is going on between her and Leo. He made Kim and the other bitches kneel for Aurora. She entered his VILLA." Roseanne emphasized.
Kiara's fake smile faltered for a second. "We'll... Oma has been there.. Right? So Aurora isn't the only one"
"She didn't go there for romantic reasons." Roseanne scoffed.
"Girls... Stop." Oma spoke up. "Forget this, Let's enjoy this party, okay. See ya." Oma went back to Mason who was currently drinking with Sean.
"Come on, let's dance." Roseanne pulled Kiara with her.
Ricky and Ivy were in another world entirely.
This wasn't just a make out, it was reconciliation. Their lips moved in sync, their hearts pounded.
Ricky couldn't ask for more. He loved every bit of this. They were somewhere secluded, alone. Ivy backed against a wall with Ricky in front of her, kissing her senseless.
The kiss wasn't rushed or desperate. It was slow and sensual. Satisfying their hunger for each other.
Ricky's hand behind her head pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Their heads moved left and right as they explored each other's tastes.
Ivy moaned softly from time to time.
Ricky broke the kiss, and lifted her up to place her on him.
Her hands wrapped around his shoulders.
"I missed you so much." He whispered.
"No you didn't. You were busy with other girls." Ivy replied sassily.
Ricky smiled brightly, almost laughed.
"Now kiss me." Ivy demanded and their lips reconnected softly.
"Happy birthday to you..."
"Happy birthday to you..."
"Happy birthday, dear Ginny..."
"Happy birthday to you..."
Zane sang softly, then laughed, low, cruel, unhinged.
"Happy birthday to my Auri's best friend," he said. "My would-be sister-in-law, if you hadn't ruined my plan."
He laughed again.
"I miss you, little star. So much. So damn much," he muttered.
"How are you even living without me? Pretty hard, right? I know." He inhaled slowly. "We're both suffering. But we'll be reunited soon."
He smiled to himself.
"Leo thinks he's won," Zane continued calmly. "But he's just a side character in this story. And side characters need to die for the main ones to get the spotlight, right?"
He tilted his head.
"When there's a love triangle and two make a perfect match... one has to be eliminated for the greater good."
Zane smiled again, slow and assured.
"Very, very soon, little star," he whispered.
"Await me..."
Kiara scolded herself for the hundredth time for not asking Oma or Roseanne about Leonard.
She couldn't see him.
Everyone around her was loud, drunk, wild, lost in the night, and she felt like she was suffocating.
Where the hell was he?
And where was Aurora?
Why didn't she ask earlier?
The dress, the attention, the make-Aurora-look-unimportant plan, it all went to her head.
Now Oma and Roseanne were nowhere to be found.
Great.
She spotted Elara across the room.
She recognized her immediately, Oma had posted their picture in the group chat before she arrived.
At this point, anyone connected to Aurora was an enemy.
Kiara slowly approached Elara, who was busy supporting a tipsy Xander.
"Hi..." Kiara said, forcing a smile.
Elara's eyes lifted. "Hey..."
"I'm Kiara. The girl Oma mentioned in the group chat. Our group chat."
It clicked.
"Oh. Yeah," Elara said casually. "Didn't notice you because of your outfit and makeup. I'm Elara, just call me Lara."
Xander was already half-asleep, his head resting on her shoulder.
"Of course," Kiara said. "Uh... where's Aurora? I haven't seen her since I arrived. And Leonard too, if you know him."
"Oh, well," Elara replied easily, "Auri couldn't come. She didn't want to."
Kiara smiled, relieved. "Oh. Okay then."
"And Leo?" Elara continued. "That hot dude who never smiles? I don't know. Too bad he couldn't come. I wanted to see him."
She pouted.
Kiara's face fell. "What?!" she blurted.
Elara almost flinched.
"Yeah, chill," Elara laughed. "It's not that deep."
"He... didn't come?" Kiara muttered. "So... so Aurora..."
She turned and walked away before Elara could respond.
Elara stared after her, confused, but didn't dwell on it. She quickly texted the group chat that she was taking Xander home.
The party was far from over, but Gemma had set a curfew, and rules were rules.
Meanwhile, Kimberly was spiraling.
Aurora wasn't here.
Leonard wasn't here.
Not again.
Aurora won again.
Kiara could barely walk now. The heels felt uneven, unstable. Her steps faltered.
Both of them weren't here.
So her plan, the outfit, the rented car she worked her ass off for, every calculated move...
Wasted.
Completely wasted.
Her mind shut down as every noise, the music, the laughter and all, turned mute.
The party blurred.
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TBC...