Brax was a bit worried when he woke up to find the bed empty beside him; he looked around the room but couldn't see Leila. He was hoping what they had talked about last night hadn't freaked her out. Brax got out of bed and slipped on his shorts before opening the bedroom door and heading into the kitchen.
He was surprised to see Leila sat a the kitchen table, as he got closer to her it was then he noticed she was sat staring at her wedding ring which she had taken off and placed on the table in front of her.
"Leila" Brax said softly causing Leila too jump "Sorry, are you ok?" he asked as he sat on the chair next to her. As Brax looked at the table again he noticed Leila also had her engagement and wedding rings from Jimmy in front of her. Brax quickly took hold of Leila's hand "It wasn't your fault" he said softly.
As Leila turned to face him Brax could see the tears in her eyes "I still can't believe I was so stupid. I didn't have a clue" Leila replied fighting back her tears.
"Hey no-one could have guessed that. What they did was cruel and twisted" Brax moved a stray strand of hair away from Leila's face.
"I just don't know how I can be normal with him when he comes back" Leila looked straight into Brax's eyes.
"You've got no choice, if you want to make Geoffrey pay for what he did then you need to do this" Brax sighed, he knew how Leila felt after the time he had spent with Leila while Geoffrey was away, Brax wasn't sure how he was going to feel watching them together when he returned.
Brax watched curiously as Leila wiped her eyes "Do you fancy going out somewhere today?" she asked with a small smile creeping across her face.
"Ok but where did you have in mind?" Brax wondered.
"I'll show you when we get there" Leila smiled as she got off the chair kissed Brax's cheek and made her way to the bathroom "You can come and scrub my back if you like" she winked. Brax didn't need asking twice he quickly stood up and followed Leila into the bathroom.
"Get in there you" he ordered as he looped his arm around Leila's tiny waist. Leila let out an excited shriek as Brax dragged her into the bathroom closing the door behind them.
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Ashleigh could here the loud groans coming from the bathroom as she walked into the kitchen; she was closely followed by Heath "Do you think they can hear us?" Heath whispered.
"Nah, I wouldn't worry, sounds to me like they are busy anyway" Ashleigh teased as she drew Heath's attention to the noises coming form the bathroom.
Heath grinned widely "Well you know what they say well the cats away the mouse…"
"Gets frisky with a River Boy" Ashleigh interrupted with a cheeky smile. Heath laughed "Yeah something like that" he smiled.
After Ashleigh had let Heath out she quickly headed back into her bedroom, just in time to see Brax and Leila come out of the bathroom wrapped in towels. She smiled to herself as she watched them disappear into the bedroom.
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Later that morning Leila and Brax finally managed to leave the house. Brax frowned as Leila pulled up outside a huge stately home. It looked like some kind of hospice. Leila parked up the car and led Brax to the door.
As Leila and Brax walked through the big oak door Brax was surprised to see a nurse standing near the doorway. "Hello Mrs King" the nurse smiled. Brax frowned he had no idea where he was or why he was here.
"How is he today?" Leila asked the nurse.
"Oh he's been fine, he missed you yesterday though" the nurse replied. Brax watched as Leila's gaze fell to the ground.
"It's alright Mrs King it's completely understandable that you need some time to yourself. I mean you are here everyday" the nurse squeezed Leila's hand.
"Thanks Tracey" Leila replied as she lifted her head up to look at the nurse. Brax was still confused.
"Leila grabbed Brax's hand and walked slowly towards a white door which had football stickers on it. There was also a plaque on the door which was green with footballs on it; written in black writing were the words Mason's Room.
Brax was extremely curious by this point, he watched as Leila opened the door and then he followed her into the room. He noticed the little boy sat in a chair by a window "Hey Buddy" Leila said softly as she approached the child.
"Mum" The child quickly turned round. It wasn't until he turned round fully that Brax realised this child had some kind of disability.
"Hello baby" Leila said as she pulled the boy into her arms. She turned slowly to Brax "Brax this is my son Mason"
Brax had no idea how to react. He knew he would have to say something soon though because he didn't want Leila to think he was freaked out "Hey mate" Brax said as he crouched down beside Mason.
"Hello, where's Geoffrey Mum" Mason asked.
"He's gone away sweetie" Leila replied, she was trying to assess Brax's body language.
"Good I like it better when you come without him" Mason smiled. Brax and Leila both laughed a little "Who's that" Mason asked when he heard Brax laugh.
"Oh this is Brax, he works with me" Leila replied attentively.
Brax was shocked beyond words that Leila had kept a secret like this from him. But the more he thought about it and got to know Mason the more he realised he should be feeling honoured that Leila trusted him enough to introduce him to her son.
Leila was surprised how well Brax and Mason got along. Brax seemed to see past Mason's disabilities. He had spent the afternoon telling jokes and reading books to him. Mason was a little sad when his mum said it was time for them to go home, but she reassured him that she would be back tomorrow. Brax walked into the corridor so Leila could have a few moments alone with her son.
"Your first time here?" a nurse said as she watched Brax.
"Yeah, I didn't even now she had a son" Brax replied.
"No Leila is very private when it comes to Mason. She must really trust you if she has brought you here" the nurse said honestly.
"Does he get many visitors?" Brax wondered curiously.
"Not really just his mum and Ashleigh his Auntie…Oh and Leila's husband comes with her sometimes but he waits outside" the burse explained.
"How come?" Brax was a little shocked Geoffrey waited in the corridor.
"Mason doesn't like him, Leila visits are always shorter when she brings Mr King with her" Brax could sense the nurse wasn't keen on Geoffrey either "Leila's a fantastic mum, any parent would find it hard to cope with Mason's condition"
"Ok are you ready to go?" Leila interrupted, Brax turned quickly he noticed the tears in her eyes.
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Brax was a little shocked when Leila walked out of the hospice and got in the passengers side of the car "I'll drive then shall I" he joked trying to get Leila to crack a smile but she just turned away and looked out of the window. In fact she spent the entire journey home looking out of the window. Brax could see the odd tear trickle down her face. He had so many questions to ask Leila about Mason's condition but he knew now wasn't the time. Leila was obviously devastated about leaving Mason. Brax just simply reached over and grabbed Leila's hand, he smiled when he felt her squeeze it gently.
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Leila was shocked when they arrived home to find a familiar car parked in the drive way "Shit" Leila exclaimed.
"What?" Brax wondered why Leila had snatched her hand away from his so quickly.
"Elizabeth's here" Leila gasped
"What as in Geoffrey's ex-wife?" Brax asked curiously as he climbed out of the car and followed Leila to the front door "So what are we gonna tell her?" Brax wondered.
Leila just looked at him "We don't need to explain anything" she said coldly.
Brax walked behind Leila as she walked into the lounge, Elizabeth was sat on the sofa with a glass of wine "I take it you used the information I gave you then?" Elizabeth smiled. Brax was stunned as he watched Elizabeth stand up and give Leila a hug. This was so different to what he had witnessed at Angelo's a few months ago.
"Yes I did thank you, did you do what we talked about?" Leila asked, it was almost like these women were speaking in some kind of secret code. Brax was now extremely puzzled.
"Yes all the transfers have been sorted" Elizabeth was now wearing a callous grin "It's ok Mr Braxton I know all about you and Leila's little arrangement" she added as she tapped the end of her nose with her finger tip.
Brax was keen to wrap his arms around Leila's waist but he resisted, Brax wasn't entirely sure about what 'arrangement' Leila had told Elizabeth about.
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Heath and Ashleigh were tucking into a Meat Lovers pizza at Angelo's when Ashleigh's phone rang. Ashleigh tapped a button on the screen and sent the call straight to answer phone.
"That's the fifth time you have done that Ash, who is that?" Heath wondered, he was starting to get a little tired of her phone constantly ringing.
"Its no one for you to worry about, tell you what I will turn it off" Ashleigh replied with a fake smile. She knew full well the person who was trying to contact her definitely wasn't no-one to worry about.
Sorry if this chapter seems a bit rushed. Please review and let me know what you think.
Coming up-
Geoffrey returns!
Leah's jealousy gets the better of her will she really reveal Brax and Leila's affair to Geoffrey?
Who is trying to contact Ashleigh?