Lyfers OLD VERSION

Chapter 9 - Somewhere Only We Know

 The view of her father waiting at her door nearly made her jump. It was extremely rare he would come to check on her, so why now? If he were to see the man sitting on her couch, it would end up badly, and she knew it.

– Hi, Leto, her dad simply said.

– H-hello... What are you doing there?

– I learned about what happened at the Serenade, yesterday. Can I enter?

She did her best to hide her shocked expression, transforming it into a weird smile and pointing to the towel around her.

– Huh, not the best timing, I'm... I've just came out of the shower, so...

– Okay, do not worry. But we'll still have to talk, Leto.

Him letting go off so easily startled her even more: it was totally out of character, but it was arranging her, today.

– Y-yes, sure... Just call me, and I'll come.

– Good. Take some days off, too. You've had enough for this week.

He showed her a smile before leaving, rejoining his two Lieutenants who were waiting for him in the corridor. Leto closed the door in a rush, sighing.

– Holy shit, that was close...

– Is everything okay?

She turned around: Rhy was standing behind her, visibly worried.

– Yeah, sorry, that was just my father... He would've got the wrong idea if he saw you.

– Oh, that... Wrong idea?

– Yup.

They shared an embarrassed laugh.

– I'll go put on some clothes.

He nodded, and she left to the bathroom again. Deciding what to wear took her more time than getting changed, but eventually, she made a choice. She put on her burgundy off-shoulder with tulle piece top along with high-waist black jeans and came back, her hair still wet. The young man smiled when he saw her: she was undeniably cute, with her messy pink locks all over her face.

– I'm ready, she said, cheerfully.

– Should we go?

– Sure!

They headed outside the apartment. But as soon as they did, the cold air made Leto realize she did not take in consideration the current season. However, she did not say a thing, walking next to the red haired man.

– So, where are we going? She asked him.

– Well, I was gonna ask ya that, he chuckled. I might sound dumb, asking ya out for lunch without having booked at a restaurant, but I didn't think you would accept, to be honest.

– Why wouldn't I? I'm super duper hungry.

They shared a laugh, then Rhy pointed to a red sport car, even flashier than Ishael's one, which surprised Leto.

– Wow, that's quite showy, she giggled.

– Eh, sorry about that, it's-...

– No worries, that's cool!

She smiled as they got in and drove off.

– I know a pretty good place in Downtown, he told her, I just hope they won't check their reservations.

Some minutes later, they arrived in the middle of Downtown, right into the business district. Traffic there was extremely dense, and finding a parking place was ultimately the worst. When they finally found one, Rhy couldn't hide his satisfaction, and Leto her amusement.

– Driving there is so troublesome, he sighed.

– It's why I don't have a car.

– Really?

She laughed wholeheartedly at his question.

– No, I just don't have my driving license. Anyways, let's get going!

They got out of the vehicle, walking side by side until the restaurant. When she saw the chic, classy building, Leto immediately recognized it: it was her stepmother's one. She abruptly stopped, and so did he:

– Is there something wrong?

– Huh, how to put this into words without looking like some dumb teenage girl... Well, I don't wanna upset you or, eh...

Seeing her concerned look, he showed her a reassuring smile.

– If something's making ya uncomfortable, you telling me won't upset me, quite the contrary.

His phrase surprised her: wouldn't it make him mad, if she refused to go there? She hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck.

– Well, I know the woman who owns this restaurant and... And to be honest, she's my stepmother and that would kinda ruin the moment.

– Then come, let's find another one.

Smiling, he offered her his hand, and Leto blushed: she couldn't tell when was the last time someone respected her choices, and if it ever happened. Seeing how a man who was still a stranger to her some hours ago would be so careful about taking her feelings into consideration while her own family couldn't do half of what he was doing was making her both sad and happy. Without any doubt, she took his hand and they left. Strangely, walking along this man made her feel safe, like nothing bad could happen to her, like she did not have to be constantly on her guard, and step after step, she could hardly ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

But she got out of her thoughts when, in turn, he paused.

– Hey, I just had some crazy, crazy idea... he started, amused.

– The crazier the better, she answered.

– Then I hope yer shoes are comfortable.

– Wh-...

She couldn't finish: suddenly, he started running, dragging her with him as he didn't let go off her hand, and the young woman could not help but laugh as they rushed the streets, between the unknown people who could not care less about them, who did not even noticed them. But in their ecstatic race, the world around them did not matter.

After some dashing minutes, they arrived in front of an old, abandoned building, but Rhy did not stop yet, leading her upstairs.

– Are we there yet? Panted the pink-haired girl.

– Not that far. But I can carry ya if you want, Sugar.

– Su-...

He turned red, nearly as much as her.

– I'm... Sorry, I've been dying to call ya this way... Your hair... Sorry, won't do it again.

She intertwined her fingers with his, chuckling.

– It's fine. I like it.

He smiled back, a bit surprised of her reaction, but did not add a thing. They headed to another corridor, and ultimately, he pushed a door: they reached the rooftop.