Mr Popular and The Assassin

Chapter 23

R I O N A

"Drink this," Leonardo offered me water from the dispenser.

"Thank you." I collected the cup and gulped all the water down instantly then gave him back the empty cup.

"You finished it so fast, are you still thirsty?" He asked and I shook my head.

He sat down next to me after he tossed the empty cup in the trashcan.

"Are you much calmer now?" He asked and I nodded.

"What's wrong with your dad?" He questioned.

" I don't need your help anymore, remember what we agreed? You won't talk to me after this. Your car's not here so I can drop you off at your house but that will be it."

" I see you're back." He chuckled lightly before wearing a weak smile.

" What's so funny?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Nothing." He got up from the chair. "You don't need to take me home, I'll find my way." He continued.

"You came all this way for me, the least I can do is-"

"No," he waved off the idea. "You can go home, I'll be fine." He assured me.

He assured you Rie, you don't be worried anymore. Wait, I'm worried? Why am I worried? I have to stay away from this boy before I start caring for him more than I should.

"If you insist." I nonchalantly dashed out of the hospital.

Why do I feel bad leaving him here? No, Riona focus on your family.

When I got into my car and put my hand on the steering wheel, my mind drifted off to when Leonardo held my hand in the elevator and when he hugged me earlier to comfort me.

I took off my glasses and placed them on the passenger seat and ran my hand through my hair.

What's wrong with you? Go home already! Why do you keep thinking of that stranger? Your father is on the brink of death!

The sudden thought of father made me feel anxious. How would I tell my siblings that our father might die with or without the surgery? My eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

A knock on my car window brought me back to reality. I rolled down the window and saw Leonardo again.

"Did you change your mind?" I questioned rather expectant.

"Why? You want me to?" He asked me instead with a smirk.

When did he start talking to me so confidently?

"What do you want? Didn't I say not to talk to me?" I rolled my eyes.

"From tomorrow," he corrected. " Today's today. Besides I was leaving but I noticed you were still here so I came to say bye. You looked sad again, just remember everything will be fine."

" I wasn't sad, I know how to handle my emotions." I answered back to him with a sigh.

" I know you're a strong woman, that's what I like about you." He smiled and I looked up at him. " Bye!" He waved and jogged away.

He likes that about me?

Ugh! I groaned and kicked the air before resting my head on the steering wheel.

Are you really fighting your steering wheel because of a boy? That's embarrassing.

I regained my composure and started my car then drove home. I knocked twice before Thalia opened the door.

"Look who's home," Thalia gave me a cheeky smile.

"Not in the mood Lia," I groaned and pushed her back so I could come in.

" How's Leo?" She questioned as she closed and locked the door.

"Where are the girls? I know they aren't asleep, it's only seven." I ran my hand through my hair before sitting on the sofa.

"They are having a sleepover at the Winston's." She informed me.

" Oh."

" Now that we have the house all to ourselves," an evil smirk appeared on her face. " Tell me about Leo." She sat next to me.

"Nothing happened!" I hastily replied and got up from my seat. " Why are you so hung up on the Leo idea?" I shook my head.

"Leo's different. He's a really nice boy. Besides Iris likes him, I didn't want to say it in front of the girls but I also like Leo."

" Well too bad, nothing happened and nothing will happen!" I yelled so she could let it go.

" Fine." She released an exasperated sigh and fell on the couch.

"Lia, there's something we need to talk about and it's good Cassidy and Iris aren't here to eavesdrop or overhear our conversation." I turned to her with a serious expression.

"You're scaring me," she muttered as she sat down on the couch instead. "What happened?" She asked.

"It's dad," I answered and I could already feel her shaking. "He's not well and he needs a surgery." I told her.

"Surgery?" She tilted her head. " Surgery is good, it'll help him get rid of the tumor once and for all yeah?" She turned positive.

" No, his chances of survival is fifty fifty and there's a chance it won't be successful."

" Then there's no need to risk his life."

" If he doesn't get the surgery he'll also die."

" What do you mean he'll die if he doesn't get the surgery?" She burst into tears.

" It's alright Lia, it's alright." I went to her and rubbed her back soothingly.

" How much money will it cost?"

"About thirty thousand dollars."

" Around thirty thousand dollar!" She yelled. " Where are we supposed to get so much money from Rie? I can get a part time job but that won't even be able to cover anything!"

" No, no, no. No part time jobs I told you before! I'll fix it. You don't have to do anything while I'm with you. All I want from you is to just enjoy your high school years. Have fun, I'll do all the work."

" Rie you don't have to do that! I can't imagine how it must have felt for you to hear all that alone! You must have cried a lot and there was no one to comfort you right? Come here." She pulled me into one of the most comforting hugs ever.

"I wasn't alone," I muttered.

"What do you mean you weren't alone?"

"Well," I hesitated telling her. "Leo was there."

" Leo was there?!" She pulled away from the hug. " That's so cute!" She squealed excitedly.

" Don't say it like that Lia, I was vulnerable and weak. I wasn't me, all I wanted was to let out all my sadness and he just had to be the one there."

" Rie, if someone wants to take care of you, you should let them. You deserve it." She pulled me back into a hug again. " And about dad, we'll figure it out. We always do."

It's not that easy Lia,my life is restricted.

**