A/N: I never thought this story would have 50 chapters but here it is! It's all thanks to all the support you guys have been showing; I am really grateful to all the views, favorites, follows and reviews that have always encouraged me to write. Last but not the least; I want to thank hodhod2011danger, Adela and GrayFox786 for leaving lovely reviews.
Disclaimer: I don't Resident Evil or any of its characters, they all belong to Capcom.
Chapter 50
(Leon's POV)
I was woken up by Shadow's barks and once he realized I was up he started licking my face. I pushed him back, since I was really sleepy but he started barking like mad and whining too. I held my pillow real tight trying to ignore him, hoping Kate would tend to him soon but nothing like that happened and Shadow started tugging on the blankets, "Shadow!", I couldn't help but say and he started barking again, "Quiet down boy! I am trying to sleep here, go find Kate!", I said to him, not opening my eyes but he didn't stop.
"He won't quiet down, he's hungry", I heard Kate's voice from somewhere close by, "Now leave me, I have to fill his bowl. It's pretty late, he must be really hungry to wake us up", I opened my eyes to find it wasn't the pillow I was holding but it was her. She lifted her head off my shoulder let out a scream, "Ouch", since her hair got stuck on my shirt button. I untangled it for her and she mumbled thanks and got off the bed, and took Shadow out of the room.
I lied still on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling for a while before heading straight to the bathroom to wash my face to get the dog drool off me. When I got back to the room, I found Kate's phone ringing on the bedside table. I moved and picked it up and saw it was Rivette calling. Just seeing his name was enough to make my blood boil. I contemplated for a bit if I should take the call or not but then again I was her husband so I pushed the call receive button at the last ring.
"Hello", I spoke monotonously.
"Why did you pick up the call?", Rivette asked recognizing my voice and not making an effort hide his annoyance about it.
"Well Kate's not here that's why", I replied to him in an obvious tone.
"What did you do to her?", he asked in a voice full of hate.
"Slit her throat and buried her in my backyard", I replied in a serious tone.
"Coffee?", Kate said appearing at the bedroom door and of course it was loud enough that Rivette could hear it on the other end.
"You got a sick sense of humor", Rivette commented bitterly.
"Who are you talking to with that kind of expression?", Kate asked holding the coffee tray in front of me, so I could take my coffee.
"Your friend", I told her handing her the phone and taking the coffee.
"Oh is it Claire?", she asked setting the tray and I choked on my coffee laughing at the fact she didn't even consider Rivette her friend.
"It's Rivette", I told her sitting on the bed.
(Kate's POV)
"I see", I said and put the phone against my ear saying, "Hello?"
"Hey Kate! How are you doing?", he asked me cheerfully.
"I am good Rivette", I answered him taking a seat next to Leon and his eyes followed me inconspicuously.
"So I called to tell you I'll be there by 8:00 PM and that I've booked Blue Palms Restaurant. I hope that's fine with you?", he said slowly and hopefully.
"What are you talking about?", I asked him because nothing he said made any sense to me.
"Don't tell me you forgot? You agreed to have dinner with me tonight", he told me happily.
"I did?!", I almost screamed in surprise and Leon looked at me.
"Yeah you did! Remember I called you last night and asked you about it, and you clearly said yes", he told me and I grabbed my head. I did remember talking to him but I didn't remember what we talked about, because I was worried about Leon and I just replied with yes or a 'hmm', which he probably took as a yes, "Please don't cancel it", he literally begged me, "Even your husband can come along, but please don't cancel it", his tone changed when he mentioned Leon but I knew from experience he wouldn't budge on it and nag me about it till I agree to go with him.
"Okay I'll ask him and let you know", I said to him.
"Yeah sure", he said pretty much happy on the other end.
"Rivette's inviting us on dinner", I said to Leon disconnecting the call.
"I don't want to have dinner with that guy", Leon said making a disgusted face.
"C'mon he's really pushy about it", I tried to convince him.
"No! Your friend you deal with him. I am not going", he said to me finishing his coffee and setting the cup on the tray.
"He's not my friend", I emphasized on it as he began to move out, "I already said yes so I have to go whether you go or not", I added following him with the tray, hoping that this info would convince him.
"Well why the hell you agreed to go on dinner with him if you don't want to go", Leon asked me in a not-give-a-damn attitude, descending down the stairs.
"It's all your fault", I couldn't help but blame him.
"How?", he turned reaching the foot of stairs and flung his arms wide, "How is it my fault now?"
"Well I wasn't paying attention to what he said because I was worried for you", I told him ducking past his arms, "Anyways I'd go with him, it be a few hours anyways", I added with a sigh moving to the kitchen, "he probably expected that you'd say no, I guess, otherwise he wouldn't have offered to bring you along in the first place."
"Yeah true", Leon answered as I put the cup in the sink.
"That's more the reason to go", I said to him, washing my hands preparing to make dinner for Leon.
"Men have their dignity", Leon told me in an obvious tone, acting a little arrogant.
"Dignity? More of an ego", I said throwing a kitchen towel at his face.
"Yeah that too", he replied shrugging.
"What's the deal with you two anyway", I asked getting stuff for dinner from the refrigerator.
"You don't want to know", he shook his head smiling.
"Believe me I want to", I told him with an emphasis on my tone.
"Well we always had a bit of rivalry", he started explaining as I began chopping onions, "He is a year older and he… sort of, lost to almost everything he challenged me to, so…"
"So he became bitter about it", I concluded looking up at him.
"Yeah you can say that", he replied smiling.
"But there's more to it, right?", I asked him reading his expressions.
He sighed, "There's no hiding things from you", he said smiling, shaking his head in disbelief, "We were in High School and he liked a girl from my class. When he offered to court her she friend-zoned him and about a year later she started dating me. About two weeks into dating her, I came to know that she cheated on me, so I broke up with her. Unfortunately she got herself pregnant as well, and about a month later people came to know."
"And they started blaming you?", I asked him and he nodded.
"Some did, others did not. Rivette, however, was among those people, who believes that I got her pregnant and left her, since he was very good friend with her", he told me casually.
"Did you sleep with her?", I asked Leon, my heart beating tenfold at even the slightest possibility.
Leon shook his head confidently saying, "No, we were taking it really slow, since I didn't really know her. I only kissed her and I don't think it could get her pregnant. Hell, I wasn't even in town when she got herself pregnant", he told me defending himself, "And how far do you think I can get in two weeks? I just started going out with her because she literally begged me about it."
(Leon's POV)
"Liar", Kate said shaking her head in disbelief.
"Well she didn't beg but she did ask me out", I told her the truth.
"And you said yes?", Kate asked back.
"Of course she was hot", I replied in an obvious tone, "Why do you think Rivette had his eyes on her? She was the High School Queen. You know blonde hair, hot figure, cheerleader...", I described my ex-girlfriend to Kate.
"I get it", she said cutting the description in between and I looked at her expressions; I couldn't read them but I could see that her chopping speed had definitely increased.
'Is she jealous?', I thought but there was only one way to find out, "She was a great kisser though, just had those perfect pair of lips", I poked her a bit and she responded by turning her back on me, "I always wondered how she was in the bed, if only she hadn't…", I continued letting out a fake sigh of disappointment, as she put the pot on burner and began cooking. I moved besides her and leaned on the kitchen counter next to her so she could see me, even from the corner of my eyes and I could see her face, "She was a true beauty, such a soft touch", I carried on the description as Kate's face turned red with fury and she tried to move past me but I blocked her way.
"Will you shut it already!", she finally spoke up.
"Are you jealous?", I asked her smiling widely.
"No!", Kate denied is flatly and walked away to fill Shadow's bowl. And before I could say anything more, her phone rang and she took it, "Hello?", she waited for the person to speak, "Oh yeah I got occupied elsewhere. Leon said he can't make it", I guess it was Rivette, "Yeah I'll be coming", she paused again, "okay see you then", she sighed as she disconnected the phone and she had calmed down too, "You were saying something?", she looked up at me and said.
"I was saying it wouldn't hurt if you admitted you were jealous", I said to her.
"Okay fine, I was a bit jealous", she admitted and it made me real happy to know that.
"I really doubt if it was just a bit", I said and she glared at me.
Our talk turned more casual and we discussed trivial things. Once dinner was cooked she served it to me and headed upstairs to get ready for her dinner with Rivette. I moved to study and started working on the report on recent viral infestation. I typed away my report when Kate stepped in my study and I looked up at her; she really looked beautiful. The fact that she was dressed for Rivette got me a little infuriated and maybe she read it on my face because she said, "It's a 5-star restaurant and they have formal dress codes."
"I see", I said checking her out.
"You sure you don't want to come? He invited you too and I am not making that up", she asked me again.
"Yes, I am sure. I can't stand that guy and besides I have work to do", I said nodding my head towards my notebook.
"Okay then I just came to tell you that he's here, you might not have heard the doorbell, the room being soundproof and all, and that I am leaving", she told me, "Call me if you need anything."
"Where are you going again?", I asked her.
"Blue Palms Restaurant", she told me, "It'll be a few hours before I get back."
"Hmm… have fun then", I said sportingly, I know she was going with Rivette but it wasn't like she wanted to and there was no point ruining her evening by making her feel guilty about it.
"I guess I'll be going then", she said and started to move, "take care!"
"You too", I said with a smile as she exited the room.
I looked at the screen of my notebook, my chest hurt a bit seeing her leave with Rivette but I knew it was nothing and that she'd be back in few hours. And if it gets more than 2 hours I'd go and get her myself from that restaurant. With that thought I got back to my work and tried to concentrate on the report.
(Kate's POV)
Rivette and I got out of his car, and a valet came to take his car to the parking. Rivette gave him the car keys and led the way inside the Restaurant. I really felt awkward being here with him, when I could be back home doing my housework or just be with Leon. I tried not to show my discomfort and looked around to ease off. The lounge looked really lavish, a place exclusively for sophisticated people, no doubt they had dress codes here. Rivette confirmed his reservations and a host led us to our table. Shortly, after the valet brought Rivette's car keys and he tipped him generously, with a broad smile on his face. Once the valet left, Rivette called in the attention of the waiter and we placed our orders.
"You really look smoking hot, tonight!", Rivette said as the waiter left with our order.
"Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself", I said to him with a courteous smile.
"So you liked the place?", Rivette asked me.
"Yes, it has a nice atmosphere", I told him; the place in itself was beautiful.
"I am glad you liked it, I was little worried about it", he said with a sheepish smile.
"No this place is fine", I told him.
"Your husband takes you to dinner like this?", Rivette asked me as the waiter got us our drinks.
"No, he's too busy", I told him, "Though he takes me to dinner sometimes, if he's free but it's not to some fancy restaurants like this."
"I see", he said sipping his drink; "If I was your husband I would have travelled half the world with you by now. He really takes you for granted."
"Like I said he's very busy! He hardly gets time to even think about himself", I told him defending Leon.
"I don't really see your point for being with such a guy honestly, no offense", he said smiling.
"What are you trying to suggest?", I asked him raising my brows.
"Well I was hoping to keep my main talk till dessert but you are a smart woman", Rivette said grabbing my hand that was resting on the table.
I pulled my hand back almost in reflex, "What are you doing?", I couldn't help but say trying to keep my voice down. I didn't really want to make a scene or embarrass him.
"I like you, Kate", he said seriously, trying to sound convincing and sincere, "No, like is not enough, I love you."
"I am married to Leon!", I reminded to him in a stern tone.
"So what?! There's always divorce plus it's not like he cares for you or anything. I know that things are not that great between you two; you fight a lot and you couldn't even stand each other's presence. Everyone at work knows it and he pretends to be in love with you in front of me. I know him down to the core, so you cannot fool me", he said emphasizing on it.
"Look I don't care what is between you and him but don't drag me in between", I warned him, keeping my anger at bay.
"I am not dragging you in between I am just asking you to be honest with yourself, leave him", he tried to convince me, "I am not asking you cheat on him, you can divorce him and be with me!"
"I cannot do that, Rivette", I argued with him, "I cannot leave him and be with you."
"Why? What is wrong with me?", Rivette argued, "I have everything he has, if he's good in bed than I assure you won't be disappointed with me."
I don't know when I threw my drink at Rivette's face, getting all the attention from the people present there. I didn't want to make a scene because I didn't like all eyes on me but this was even too much for me. I grabbed my bag and walked out of the restaurant with Rivette running after me, calling out my name. I called for a taxi and luckily one came and stopped in front of me and as I was getting in the cab, Rivette grabbed me by my arm, "Rivette leave me", I said to him struggling a little.
"No, you listen to me", he said to me a bit frustrated.
"I don't want to listen to anything, just leave me", I tried to struggle but his grip got tighter and tighter on my arm that it started to hurt.
"I am not letting you go unless you listen to me", he said with determination.
(Leon's POV)
I typed away even the minute details of the mission on my notebook, because the report was supposed to be for President himself and Bio-organic warfare was really a delicate issue at the moment. It had been almost an hour since Kate left for her 'supposed date' with Rivette. Although she asked me to come and I declined the invite but I couldn't help but feel a little worried about it. Multiple times I thought of crashing their date, just to enjoy the look on Rivette's face, but restrained myself and kept dropping ideas, since it's more likely that Rivette and I cause trouble for Kate. And so I decided to embrace my loneliness for a while but then again Shadow's here too, acting like a good dog relaxing in my study. And of course this report was doing a great job in keeping me company as well as distracted. I only looked up when the door to my study opened and I was a bit surprised to see Kate, since she was back way before than my expectations. It seemed the first thing she was doing after returning was checking on me.
"Hey sweetheart you got back early?", I couldn't help but comment getting back to my work.
"Are you busy?", Kate asked me and I looked up again.
"No", I replied wishing I could read her like she reads me.
"Can you do me a favor?", she asked me, her tone and her expressions were unreadable but something about that didn't feel right to me.
"Yeah anything", I said rising from my seat and moving to her and her eyes followed me.
"Take me in your arms, please!", she requested and I moved closer to her and she wrapped her arms around my upper torso as I wrapped my arms around her too. She kept her head against my chest and I don't know how long I stood there holding her, not speaking even a word. I couldn't read her but I could read the atmosphere, that this is all she wanted from me at the moment and I'd gladly do it for her. It was when my phone rang that my attention shifted a little off her as I looked over to the phone, "Don't get it", she again requested and I complied. The phone rang a couple of times but I didn't move to get it, "Talk to me", she spoke again after some time.
"Uh…", I felt really lost at words and my throat felt dry, "How was the dinner with Rivette?", her grip tightened around me.
"I don't want to talk about that", she said to me.
"What did he say to you?", I asked her feeling an upsurge of anger from within, "Did he do something?"
"Leon, please!", she said in the weakest of her tones and gripped my shirt.
"Okay I won't mention it", I said making my grip tight on her protectively, "You look beautiful tonight", I told her but she didn't reply, "And smell good too, almost provocative. And if we keep hugging like this, then don't blame me if I lose my mind and do something totally crazy. You won't be able to stop me either", I sort of warned her and it wasn't a total lie, this proximity was getting all rusted engines running. Her dress being backless wasn't making it any easy for me either, because my fingers couldn't get enough of that smooth skin.
"I know", she finally spoke something and I looked down to see a slight smile on her face, her eyes were closed.
"So, are you doing this on purpose", I asked her smiling slightly myself, "Not that I mind but just asking, you know", she didn't say anything again, "Is this one of those days I might get lucky?", I asked her in a slight tone of excitement and surprise.
"Do you just flirt or are you serious when you say those things to me?", Kate asked me pulling away from hug and looking at me directly. She looked at me piercingly in anticipation and anxiousness.
"Of course I am serious when I say those things to you", I told her in an obvious tone, "I sure do flirt but it's not average flirting. I am serious when I say you're beautiful, sexy and drive me crazy", I told her cupping her face and then leaned in capturing her lips, kissing her as passionately as I could trying to reinforce what I just said to her.
(Kate's POV)
Tears streamed down my face as I closed my eyes to Leon's kiss and it almost made him pull away but I kissed him back asking him to stay. I wanted this kiss more than anything, I needed it. He wiped away my tears not breaking the kiss and held me protectively. I don't know how long the kiss went on for, if it was long or short but it was soothing, comforting and romantic in every way. I didn't want it to end but we had to pull away from the kiss, when we were short of breath. We stayed there for a while, faces inches apart, panting a little and trying to catch our breaths so we could maybe close the gap once again. Leon's hand slid from my shoulders, grabbing my arm and a weak cry of pain left my lips, making him he look down. He noticed the bruise on my arm as I tried to cover it up with my own hand.
"Did Rivette do that?", Leon asked pulling my hand away.
"I am fine", I told him, avoiding eye contact with him.
"That bastard!", Leon cursed moving past me angrily.
"Leon, wait!", I tried to stop him before his anger reached its peak, "Where are you going?"
"To find Rivette", he answered exiting the study.
"And what will you do?", I asked stopping him by grabbing hold of his arm.
"Settle things", he replied cracking his knuckles and again moved to head out.
"With fist fights, like a teenager?", I asked following him.
"How can I let him get away with hurting you", Leon said crossing the living room in long strides, "You should have called me right away. Why didn't you call me?"
"Leon, just calm down!", I couldn't help but say.
"Calm down!?", he said turning back, stopping to look at me, "Kate, what's happened to you? You are a strong woman, the least you could do was punch him in the face for doing that!", he almost yelled at me.
"I am fine now! This is just a bruise and I'll be fine by the morning", I tried to hold him back.
"Today it's a bruise, tomorrow it'll be something more", Leon gave me his reasons, "I thought it wouldn't get more than him badmouthing me but…", his gaze drifted to my arm and I could see the regret in his eyes, and I impulsively hid it from him, "I've been stupid."
"No, you warned me about him", I told him shaking my head trying to lift that feeling of guilt of him, "I should've known better."
"I should have stopped him the first time he approached you", he said feeling remorseful about it, "I knew he was trouble."
"You're thinking too much", I told him closing the gap between us, "It's not your fault."
"It's the first time I couldn't protect you", his words really touched my heart.
"I don't need you to protect me always", I told him with a slight smile as tears welled up in my eyes, "I just need you to hold me."
Leon again pulled me in his arms and I felt really secure. He was taking the blame for something that was in all entirely my fault. Time and time, he had warned me about Rivette but the more I tried to shut that guy away the more persistent he got, and once again I was the cause for Leon's trouble. I held him tight in my arms, mentally apologizing to him and he placed a kiss on my head.
We both were startled with the doorbell and then someone beating the front door, "Kate, open up!", it was the last person I was expecting.
"Think about the devil", Leon cursed and I felt his anger shoot up, as we pulled away from each other.
"Leon!", I tried to stop him as he moved towards the main door to confront Rivette.
"You stay back and let me handle this", Leon pulling me back.
"Violence is not going to solve this", I told him as he reached for the door.
(Leon's POV)
I pulled the door open and Rivette gave me a foul look; his perfect nose seemed a little distorted, meaning Kate did throw a punch at him. But it didn't change the fact that I wanted to mill every damn bone in his body for hurting her. I had warned him to stay away from her but he didn't listen and now he had crossed the line of my tolerance.
"I want to talk to Kate", He said arrogantly, nodding his head in Kate's direction, as he was informing me. I really couldn't believe his nerve for showing up here, after he hurt her.
"Leon, no", Kate said grabbing my shirt as my fingers curled into fists as I briefly looked at her from the corner of my eyes.
"I am not making the same mistake twice", I told Rivette, pulling Kate behind me.
"You're the mistake here", Rivette said and tried to push past Leon to get to me, but Leon grabbed his hand.
"Don't even try to touch her", Leon said angrily.
"Just because you sleep with her, it doesn't make her your property", Rivette said furiously to Leon, "She's too good for a guy like you!"
Rivette looked at me over Leon's shoulder and I looked from him to Leon. I might have been able to calm Leon down somehow but now that Rivette is here, it'll be a little tough for me to convince Leon otherwise but still I had no option but to try, "Leon…", I began tugging on his arm and he slowly turned his head to look at me and Rivette took advantage of this opening and pushed him away with all his strength. And before I could get to Leon's aid, Rivette grabbed both of my arms. I let out a scream in reflex, as the pain from the bruise in my right arm shot up, but the next moment Leon pulled him away and threw a punch at Rivette and he fell backwards, "Leon, stop!", I stopped him grabbing hold of his raised arm, "Stop it!", I said and clung to him wrapping my arms around his torso, "Don't do it!", I begged Leon and he calmed down a bit, and held me protectively.
"*Cough*… you see, see that monster in him", I heard Rivette say and Leon's body tensed up.
"Stay calm! Please stay calm!", I muttered softly to him; I didn't even know if it was audible.
"That's what I am trying to show you all along, Kate", Rivette continued, "He's is not the person you think he is. Sure he's handsome, has lots of money but he won't ever love you", that made me look back at him; "you want to know why? Because he's a cold bastard!", I looked up at Leon, his expressions were cold, "God knows how many women he dated and never loved anyone, not a single one. Strange isn't it? He just wants one thing of women. I know… I know because I have known him for years. He can never remain loyal to anyone. He won't remain loyal to you either."
All of a sudden Kate pushed me and within fraction of seconds reached to Rivette, grabbing his collars, "He's been loyal to me for five years… for five damn years! He's never forced anything on me, never! You say you know him?! You don't know him", she let go of his collar, "you don't know him even a bit!", with that she turned her back on him.
"That's all part of his game", Rivette said, "You'll regret not listening…", he was saying when Kate turned and punched his already broken nose. Rivette covered his nose, which seemed to be bleeding, with both of his hands, "You're making a huge mistake!", he pressed on it.
Kate raised her arm to punch him again but I stopped her grabbing her by waist and her hand so that she doesn't launch herself on Rivette, "Woah relax, I guess that's what he wants, you on top of him", I couldn't help but say and she shot an angry glare at me, "Well you got your answer right?", I said to Rivette who seemed shocked at the fact that Kate wouldn't hesitate to throw a third punch at him, "Or do you want a couple of more punches thrown at you?"
"You're making a mistake!", Rivette said walking backwards, realizing Kate was beyond his reasoning, "a HUGE mistake!"
"You!", Kate said furiously, "Let me go, Leon!", she struggled to get lose.
"Easy! Easy there, my lioness", I said smiling holding her tight in my arms, "What were you saying about violence doesn't solve anything", I reminded her of her own words as Rivette retrieved.
"He got on my nerves!", she said furiously.
"Umm… yeah and you're a hypocrite", I couldn't help but say resting my chin on her shoulder.
"I told you he got on my nerves", she repeated dismissively and I released her, "I am sorry for getting you this mess", she apologized turning to look at me.
"It's fine, I got to punch Rivette in the face", I said smiling, hoping to cheer her up.
Kate smiled sweetly and I smiled knowing that my attempt was fruitful, "Do you think we'll be in trouble for punching him", Kate asked me concerned closing the front door, in an possible attempt to change the topic.
"I don't know", I replied shrugging, "If we do get in trouble all I know is I'll be in less trouble than you since you punched him twice."
"Yeah true", she said sighing.
"Well I suggest you tell them he assaulted you", I suggested as we both moved in the living room.
"Very funny", she said sarcastically moving to kitchen and I followed.
"What are you doing?", I asked her as she took bread out of the refrigerator.
"I am hungry I didn't have dinner with Rivette's scenario", she told me; "I'll have some sandwiches."
"That reminds, my report's pending", I said suddenly being reminded of it, "I better work on it, it's due tomorrow."
Kate hummed in response and I stole a kiss before heading to my study, "Leon S. Kennedy!", she yelled furiously after me, it's been a while I stole a kiss from her and it felt really great somehow.
A/N: Thanks for taking out the time to read, I hope you all liked it. I apologize for any mistakes and typos that caused an inconvenience. Hope you all have a nice day.
