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Chapter 37 – Meeting Halfway

With a deep sigh, I sunk onto one of the sea green plush couches in the living room as soon as we arrived. I feel like a beaten up Barbie doll with the skimpy strapless powder blue dress Louella picked for me. I bent over to my feet to remove the high-heeled shoes. My feet hurt. A lot.

Louella and Becky came in after me laughing as they did. They seemed to be getting along well. Both of them threw frustrated looks at me when they saw the strappy heels lying about on the floor.

“You’re ruining your outfit.” Becky grumbled throwing me an upset look. “We wanted to see Leon’s reaction when he sees you so put the shoes back on.”

“No. My feet hurt like hell and I’m dog tired.” I rolled my eyes in protest and curled on the sofa burying my face on the armrest of the couch.

“Sarah.” Becky sounded like my mother. “Sit up straight, will you? You’re ruining your makeup.” She pulled my arm up but I fought back.

“No. Becky. Please…” I whined half-sagging half sitting up.

Louella sat in front of me, crossing her legs daintily then rested her chin on one of her manicured hand. There was an amused look about her. “Becky, let Sarah rest. It’s been a long day after all.”

Almost instantly, Becky let go of me and grudgingly sat beside Louella. “Okay,” said she in a very retriever way. Great, just great. Urgh.

Just then, I heard the revving of engine as a familiar car slowed then stopped outside. It was Arthur’s R8 and I scooted up nervously at the sound of Leon’s voice as he argued with his Dad, again in accented French which was practically incomprehensible to me at the time. I am so taking advanced French next school year.

I bowed down fumbling on my shoes in a hurry to get them on. I was worried that Leon was upset but I didn’t know why. I couldn’t ask why and being as useless as I was, I couldn’t comfort him.

“Sarah!” Becky ran to me and sat on the floor, totally not demurring if she would ruin her new pink dress. “Let me—“ said she already on the second strap of my left shoe.

With an exasperated grunt, Louella ran to the door and held the door knob with both of her hands. “Hurry up, guys!” She hissed. The door knob twisted and Louella seemed to be struggling to hold Leon up. “Wait a second, Len.”

From behind the door, I could hear Leon shuffle.

“What is up with you girls?” His mellifluous voice made my heart hammer against my chest that I had to struggle in steadying my breathing.

Suddenly, a strange feeling crept in the pit of my stomach; something like stage fright. It was as though I was in second grade talent show again, meaning to play Chopin’s waltz number 10 in B minor, but my hands just froze and I ended up as a charity case.

“Oh forget about the straps!” With an annoyed sigh, Louella let go of the knob.”Get up Sarah,” said she with a hint of encouragement.

Struggling to keep my balance, I stood up worriedly as the door opened. Leon emerged with a dark look about his eyes, looking upset before he threw his bonnet on the piano seat and turned to my direction. Becky stood in front of me blocking the way so he wouldn’t see me at once.

“We’ve a surprise for you Leon,” said she before sidestepping and joining Louella.

I keep my gaze on the floor as I discreetly pulled down the seams of my skimpy dress, feeling my cheeks reddening, and my breathing ragged. When I looked at him, his blue eyes were fixed on me with something between surprise and admiration and I held his gaze for several moments before Becky pretended to clear her throat, tugging on Louella and Arthur’s arms.

“So, we’ll be leaving you alone now.” A satisfied smile played on her lips as she winked at me which I answered with a grateful nod.

Once we were alone, Leon stepped towards me with the corners of his flawless lips curling up into a smile.

“So, you’ve been busy?” He said crossing his arms as his crystal eyes swept on me from head to toe and back.

I answered with a shy nod, keeping my gaze on his chin to keep from being distracted since my heart was about to jump out any minute. It was hard to look at him when I felt so pathetic deep inside. Because I was so uninteresting, I had to try so hard to be good for him; to be the right one for him.

Was I that desperate? Maybe I was.

Pathetic. Urgh.

“I-it’s Louella’s idea,” I spluttered taking one step toward him but as I did lost my balance for a fraction of a second. My right shoe slipped off of my foot and flew past Leon’s right ear with a hair’s breadth. It sailed across the room and toppled a black empty vase on the cherry wood table near the piano with a loud clatter.

Just in time, Leon caught my forearms before I hit the floor and carefully leaned me on his chest. My eyes started to water as a lump formed in my throat. It was no use. No matter how I struggled to be the right… no, the perfect girl for him, it just became more and more apparent how ridiculous and hopeless my futile attempts were.

Leon’s baffled eyes shifted to me then to the broken vase and back. By the way the corner of his lips twitched infinitesimally, I could tell that he was curbing a smile.

“I… I’m sorry.” I looked down, feeling the blood rush to my cheeks as my voice broke. “I s-shouldn’t have tried.”

Without another word, Leon let out a quiet laughter and knelt down to remove my other shoe. When he got to his feet, he wrapped an arm on my waist and hoisted me with one effortless lift so that my toes were standing on top of his loafers. It took the wind out of me and from under his button-up shirt I could feel his delicately trimmed chest.

A soft laughter left his lips as he wrapped his arms around me.

“Thanks for trying, but you didn’t have to change anything for me, Sarah.” His low velvety voice was making it harder to breathe. “You’re perfect as you are.”

My heart skipped a beat and suddenly, all my uncertainties and fears vanished as though they had not been there at all. I looped my arms around him and embraced him tightly, feeling the odd warm fluttering in my chest.

Very soon, Becky’s blonde head craned from upstairs as though she was sneaking a look on us. “I think they’re okay.” She murmured to someone behind her and I realized it was Louella.

“I was sure I heard something broke.” Her dark wavy curls protruded from the baluster where she and Becky were crouched.

They hushed each other and ducked lower, perhaps thinking that we had no idea they were spying on us.

“I swear I’ll pay for that.” Giving him a wry smile, I motioned to the broken pieces of porcelain on the floor.

It was embarrassing as hell and all I wished for was for the ground to part and swallow me whole. When God showered the world with coordination, I was probably sound asleep that I didn’t get any.

Leon let out a quiet laughter as his face inched closer to mine. I closed my eyes feeling his leisurely breathing against my face. When his lips weaved through mine, I let myself get lost in his trance, my lips moving with his. The ramming in my chest just got louder.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

My hand trailed on his nape, my fingers stoking his dark hair.

When we pulled away from each other, Leon took my hand and touched it on his lips as he peeked at me through his long lashes. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I could not believe that this wonderful being is mine and I, his.

Up until now, it didn’t make any sense. But all those theories and speculations didn’t matter at all. All I know is that I would never love anyone else as much as I love him. No. I’d never love anyone else. Period.

Holding back a smile, he kissed my forehead and enfolded his arms around me as though we’ve never seen each other for ages; as though he’d never ever let go.

“There. Fully paid with tip,” His melodious soft laughter chimed through the room.

From upstairs, I heard Becky whisper to Louella.

“Mission accomplished.”

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I hope you like this chapter as with all the previous ones. I'm happy that there are still people who read my works. I know they aren't perfect. I might need to do a radical rewrite when I finish this story... But I hope this makes you smile even the slightest. Just that and I'll be really contented...

thanks to you! ~~shim xoxo