A/N: I am really grateful to all the readers and reviewers, KenLalaLaura and hodhod2011danger, for reviewing, following and marking this story as their favorites. It really means a lot and encourages me to write, thanks a lot for all your support!
Chapter 15
(Leon's POV)
I drove John and myself to the café, where we usually go out to have our lunch. Like always, John had something to talk about and I just listened to whatever he had to say, responding whenever it was needed. Within next 10 minutes or so, I was parking my car in front of the café. Today we were meeting up with Claire and have our lunch together. We both walked to the place and spotted Claire waiting for us, sitting on an outside table. She waved to call us over, when she spotted us among the people.
"Hey how are you guys doing?", Claire got up to hug us, as we joined her, "I've been here for a week and I haven't seen you after you came to receive me at the airport", she added to me.
"I have been and still am a little busy with work", I told her the truth.
"Yeah Kate told me that she's seeing you on the couch lately", Claire said with a laugh.
"Yeah she's keeping me from freezing to death", I joined in the joke, "Anyways how's work at the new place?"
"It's the same", she replied stirring her drink, "But still too much to do that I even missed the lunch meet yesterday. You guys had a lot of fun without me yesterday, didn't you?", Claire said pouting a little.
"Not really for the first half it was awkward and tense", John replied, thinking about it.
"Why? What happened?", Claire asked casually.
"Well Kate got distressed because of Leon's ex and her friends", John answered, looking in my direction as if it was my fault.
"You were the one who said about not bugging us on our date and that got them triggered", I reminded him.
"But I cheered her up in the end", John said with a smile, possibly referring to the moment he caught my hand over hers.
"Well she was really upset, John; she was crying", I gave him a reality check. There was a fine line between hurting and amusing someone with jokes, and sometimes John crossed that line unintentionally.
"What?!", John said surprised, "I didn't mean to…"
"I know, but she seemed really hurt, so you shouldn't do that again", I sort of warned him about it, "You have to be careful with her; you never know what might hurt her."
"What did you say to her?", Claire asked John casually.
"Nothing much I was just telling her why women were jealous of her or something", he replied, remembering it vaguely, "I told her to enjoy being in Lauren's shoes when she had the chance."
Claire hit his arm real hard, "You idiot! Why did you say that to her?", she scolded him really angrily, "You know the situation, right? Whose side are you?"
"Am I missing something here?", I asked my friends, who were talking stuff that didn't make sense.
Both Claire and John looked at me and gave me awkward gazes, but before they could say anything someone else did, "Sorry guys I am late", we all looked at the owner of the voice, it was Kate, "Am I interrupting something?"
"No, nothing", Claire said shaking her head, as Kate took a seat by my side.
I heard a bark and noticed she had brought Shadow along with her, "You brought him too?", I questioned her, petting my dog happily.
"Yeah he somehow knew I was going to see you and he held on to hem of my dress every time I tried to leave him behind", she told me with a smile, "He really loves you very much."
"You called Kate over?", John asked me in a tone of surprise.
"I called her over", Claire replied with a smile, "The four of us couldn't get together yesterday, so I thought it will be best if we to do it today."
"So what were you guys talking about?", Kate asked us collectively.
We all were a little lost at words, "Nothing much", the three of us said together.
"I guess it was personal", she said with an understanding smile and opened the menu not asking about it anymore, "Why don't we order before your lunch breaks are over."
We discussed what should we have for lunch and ordered whatever we wanted to eat. We had a much better time today than what we had yesterday, so good that we forgot that our time was limited. And when we realized it, there was no other option but to gobble down the food hurriedly, before our break was over. And although, we didn't spend too much time together but the four of us were unanimous, that we should really do this more often.
(Kate's POV)
I tore my eyes off the magazine and looked sideways, as Leon settled next to me. We, with a team of 4 members from Leon's work, were flying to city, where the convention was supposed to take place. I had zero interaction with this team and the lead investigator was still very doubtful about me being a part of his plan. I don't really know what I would have done without Leon in this situation, but then again I was in this situation because he asked me to help and my stupid heart just couldn't stand saying 'No' to him.
Leon smiled at me, fastening his seatbelts, as the airhostess gave some instruction. I paid attention to whatever she was telling us about the safety drills, "It's your first time flying?", Leon startled me a little, when he asked me that.
"Yeah", I gave him a nod, "You must be travelling often right?"
"Yeah but I don't like being in airplanes", he told me with a sigh.
"Fear of flight?", I asked him, even though he didn't look the type who was afraid to board a plane.
"No, it's not that", he shook his head, "They are pretty boring and I don't like to stay idle."
"I knew you were going to say something like that", I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.
"You really know me well now", Leon commented, as the airhostess wished us a safe flight.
The plane started to move on the runway and things really moved fast by my window. I experienced a slight discomfort when the plane left the ground, maybe because it was my first time flying, but I was glad I didn't make a fool out of myself in front of Leon. As the plane soared up higher, things got smaller and smaller, and soon enough the only thing I could make out were the white patches of clouds on the azure sky. They somehow reminded me of Leon's beautiful eyes and I felt hot blood rushing to my face making me blush.
'What am I thinking?", I snapped at myself, if I let my thoughts drifting to Leon on every single thing I see, then it would be super hard to get over this love sickness.
"Hey are you alright?", Leon asked me and before I could reply or stop him, his hand touched my face, "You don't feel sick right?"
"No, I am fine", I told him with a shake of my head, "Just a little excited to be flying for the first time", I made an excuse.
Leon let out a laugh, "I am glad to hear that", he said withdrawing his hand.
(Leon's POV)
Kate got back to staring outside the window and I sighed out of boredom. The flight had just taken off and I was already feeling cramped in here. I started to observe people for some sort of entertainment. The attendants were busy attending to the people, flashing a smile in my direction whenever they passed by our seats. Gray and rest of his crew were either trying to sleep or were already sound asleep, in their seats. I caught Susan looking in our direction, but she pretended to sleep, when my gaze fell on her. It seemed she was still contemplating my and Kate's relationship.
I really couldn't understand women, when they had me they didn't want me. They went ahead and cheated on me, and after it's all done and over they behave, as if they are still dating me. Somehow my relationships felt like an endless loop, repeating itself over and over again. I again let out a tired sigh. I guess I was maybe bored of this routine and needed a change, hopefully a change for better. I was in middle of thinking all this, when I saw a hand being waved in front of my eyes.
"Hello?", Kate's voice reached my ear, "You here?", she asked me a smile.
"Yeah", I replied clearing my throat and sitting straight, "You needed something?"
"No, I just got bored looking at the clouds", she replied with a shake of her head, "They all look the same up close", and I let out a laugh, "You missing Lauren?", she asked following my line of sight.
I thought about her question a little, "Something like that", I told her with a shrug.
"Aww… that's cute", Kate pulled on my cheek, "She'd be really happy, if she could see you like this and knew you were missing her. She's really lucky to have you!"
"Why do you say that?", I asked her with a laugh. Although she didn't mean it that way, but to me, it was equivalent to a joke.
"Because you really love her", Kate replied in a serious tone, "It's not easy to find someone, who you love and they love you back."
"True!", I agreed with her words absolutely, "But just because they say they love you, it doesn't really mean they love you", I stated a fact.
(Kate's POV)
I was a little taken aback by those words and Leon turned his head to look at me, "Are you doubting Lauren?", I spoke out what I was thinking.
"I don't doubt her", Leon said confidently, sitting straight and it didn't seem like he was lying, "I am just stating an obvious thing. I mean sometimes actions speak louder than words."
"Is something wrong?", I asked him a little doubtfully, reading something like a frown on his face, "Did you have a fight with Lauren?", I couldn't help but feel a little concerned.
"No", Leon replied with a shake of his head.
"So why are you talking this way?", I asked him confused.
Leon didn't reply, but he looked thoughtful. He turned his head to look away from me and I followed his gaze. He seemed to be looking at Susan, but his gaze was distant as if he was pondering over something, something that was perhaps very important to him. I wish I could just read his mind right now, to know what was bothering him, if something was bothering him that is.
"I was wondering…", Leon finally spoke, "What it's like to move past dating", he turned his head to look back at me once again, "You know, like getting married?"
I almost froze, when I heard him speak that last sentence, and stopped breathing for a few moments. The fact that he might be considering to propose to Lauren, hit me like a bucket of cold water in winter. My heart ached like never before and I wanted to cry, but I couldn't cry in front of him. He would definitely ask me what got me upset and I wouldn't have any answer for that question. I held my tears that were welling up in my eyes.
"I… I guess it would be beautiful", I said in response trying to sound normal and not show signs of a heartbreak on my end. I tried to think of all things that made me happy, but nothing was really helping me suppress this pain, and then I thought about my life with Leon, "To marry a person you love and to be loved by them, every single day of your life", I pictured us together in the back of my mind, "It's definitely beautiful!" It was ironic that the cause of my pain and its remedy were the same person.
"Now it's my turn to say that the guy you'd marry would be really lucky", Leon repeated my words with a smile, "You'd really make a caring and loving wife", he told me with a smile and then his expressions changed to concerned one, "You really don't have motion sickness or anything right? I mean you're suddenly turning red."
"That's because I am flustered by what you said", I told him the truth.
"Well that was an honest opinion", Leon told me with a charming smile, "And also you look beautiful when you're flustered."
"Are you flirting with me?", I asked, feeling bittersweet because I already knew he was.
"It's not a crime", he gave me friendly smile.
I let out a laugh and Leon joined me, turning it into a mutual laugh. I was glad that I was able to become his friend. It wasn't same as having him as a boyfriend, but at least it was much better than just being his caretaker. I would have really missed out on a very good person and a great friend, if that were to happen. I felt a mix of emotions being next to him, but I guess it was better to just live in the moment, than to worry about the future.
(Kate's POV)
Leon and I dragged our luggage to the reception of the Hotel. After the flight landed and after going through all the security check, the team members split up and went to stay at different hotels to not cause too much suspicion. The rooms were pre-booked by Leon's agency and situated such that they were close to the place, where convention was supposed to take place, and at the same time not being too much far from each other. As I was Leon's responsibility, so naturally we were in the same hotel.
"How may I help you?", the woman at the reception asked Leon with a smile.
"We have reservation", Leon replied, smiling back at her.
"Your names please", the woman said making a few clicks on her computer.
"Kathleen and Leon S. Kennedy", Leon gave her our names.
The lady put the names in her computer and we waited a little. I looked around the lobby; the hotel really looked royal and expensive. The entrance stairs was lined with velvety soft carpet and the marble floor looked as if it was made of glass. I looked up at the ceiling and it had very beautiful glass chandelier hanging down, at the very center of the room. I couldn't help but be in awe of it all.
"There must be some mistake!", Leon's voice drew my attention back to reality.
"No sir, I am affirmative", the woman at the desk spoke.
"What's the problem?", I asked Leon and he looked at me a little bewildered.
"They booked a single room", he replied taking out his phone, "Give me a minute", and I gave him a nod. He talked to someone on the phone for a bit and walked back to me looking disappointed, "They thought you were my girlfriend and so they booked a single room, since you wouldn't mind sharing a room with me", he told me, "Anyways there's not so much of a problem. I'll pay for one room out of my pocket."
"Okay", I gave him a nod, mentally deciding at that point that I'd pay him back for it, sometime later.
"Excuse me", Leon approached the receptionist for the second time, "I'd like to book another room for one, for one day."
"I'm sorry sir but we are full", the receptionist said regrettably, after checking her computer.
Leon sighed and looked at me, "Should we share?", he asked sounding a little awkward.
(Leon's POV)
"Alright!", Kate smiled at me understandably and I was really surprised by that decision. I thought she would straightaway refuse.
"Okay please check us in", I confirmed our stay at the hotel.
"Paul, show them to the room", the receptionist called on a concierge, "Please enjoy your stay", she added to us with a smile.
"Thank you!", Kate said with a polite smile.
We didn't talk, as the concierge carried our luggage and showed us to the room. I gave him a tip and closed the room door, once he left. I removed my jacket and walked to Kate, who was standing next to the glass window looking through it. I cleared my throat to get her attention and she smiled at me beautifully.
"The view is great isn't it?", Kate asked still smiling.
"Yeah, perfect for a pervert", I couldn't help comment, as I watched women in the bikini, sunbathing, swimming and playing by the hotel's swimming pool.
Kate laughed out loud, "Yeah I guess this room would be heaven for them", she agreed with me.
"You don't mind staying with me in a single room?", I asked not looking at her directly. I've been burning to ask this question, since the time she agreed.
"No", Kate replied and shook her head a little.
"Why?", I couldn't help but ask.
"I trust you!", she spoke very confidently smiling brightly at me, "If you wanted to take advantage of me, you would have already done that a long time ago. I don't think you'd go so far as wait for a perfect opportunity to bring me to a hotel room to have your way with me, and not to mention pay for it as well, unless you have some weird fetishes."
I let out an amused laugh at that statement, "So you're really fine with me being in the same room as you?", I again asked her in confirmation.
"Yeah", she again smiled at me, "I am fine with it as long as you and Lauren are fine with it", and then she gasped in realization, "Oh my god, I totally forgot to think about her, when I agreed. She wouldn't be fine with this arrangement", she spoke in a very distressed tone.
I again laughed at her innocence, "Well I am fine with it", I told her and she looked at me mortified, "And as for Lauren, she shouldn't really mind."
"You sure?", she asked me doubtfully.
"Yeah absolutely", I confirmed nodding, "Besides we are leaving immediately after the convention, and I guess I can resist the temptation that long."
Kate slapped my arm and I couldn't help but laugh. We laughed together and spent some time joking with each other. I was really glad to have her as a friend. She was reliable, caring and very considerate, and now that I think about it, my only friend, who wasn't associated with anti-bioterrorism or security of the nation factions. She was a normal civilian in every way and still she agreed to help us out in the matter of national security and bioterrorism.
A/N: Thanks for reading the chapter! I hope you enjoyed it a little, if not much. I apologize for any typos and grammatical mistakes that might have caused an inconvenience in the comprehension of the chapter. Please feel free to leave your comments, and tell what you liked or hated about the chapter. See you all next Tuesday/ Wednesday.