HOMOPHOBIA [BXB]

CHAPTER 55

ROME'S POV

"How are you dear?"

I nodded staring at Leo's mom who was sitting on the stool behind the counter staring back at me with a kind smile on.

"I'm good... It sometimes hurt knowing that Henley isn't my friend anymore but I guess it's better for Leo and I if only I let go of him."

She nodded agreeing with me.

"Leo recently told us about his nightmares... Did he get any in these past few days while he was here?"

"Yeah...on the night when everyone found out about us and then again a few days later. He gets triggered very easily whenever he think about how Henley reacted or about him getting kidnapped."

"Oh my."

I let out a sigh nodding at her who looked worried for Leo's mental health. In fact, I'm worried too because I fear the hate and judgement but never had any experiences in my past like Leo.

Sure, I've had breakdowns and days where I felt like giving up on myself trying to fit into the social standards but Leo's past is different.

He has been suffering from a very young age and that surely does create an impact on him mentally. I'm sick worried for him but I ain't showing it to him not wanting him to get sad and start to overthink again which will do nothing but worsen the situation.

I hope everything will get better soon.

Leo is still struggling within himself and I know that but I'm trying to distract him as much as possible because I myself am getting sad over everything but not more than him.

Earlier after Leo put on some decent clothes, we came back downstairs and they teased us for awhile and then his dad talked to me personally about how to deal with Leo's nightmares and panic attacks.

His dad was really a chill kind of person, broad minded and oh how I wish my dad to be the same. Leo is very lucky to have a father like him.

Leo, his dad and my mom are currently in the balcony which is connected to our bedroom decorating that place with plants which his parents brought along with them.

I smiled at the thought of how happy he got immediately after seeing his family.

"I know you probably don't want to know about this but Henley moved out two days ago as he got a job in the company he always dreamt to work in."

I looked up at her mom and nodded taking in the information.

"To be honest, I still care for him even if I know he hates me. We are not friends anymore but the memories we created together are still vivid in my mind. He was always one of those people who was the closest to my heart.

I'm happy that he got what he wanted in his life."

She smiled looking down at her intertwined fingers which are on the counter top.

"Grace broke up with him the same day they found out about you and Leo. I mean- I understand why she didn't want to continue the relationship anymore... He's my son but I ain't supporting him in this. She deserves better."

It honestly shocked me knowing that they broke up. Henley and Grace were like the 'made for each other' couple in our friends circle. We thought that they would even get married one day but here they are left with nothing but broken hearts.

They love each other but it's better to let go of each other for their own sake and betterment. I can imagine how Grace would have felt that moment and honestly any person in her place would do the same.

Sometimes letting go of the person we love is better than holding onto them as we get nothing but hurt if we keep holding them back.

"I already did apologize Leo and now want to apologize to you...behalf of Henley. I know it should be him who's supposed to apologize but still I'm sorry for my son's deeds."

"It's okay."

It's not.

"Mom! Rome! Come on, we've decorated the balcony with the plants!!"

Leo skipped into the kitchen looking all excited about the plants in our balcony. I ruffled his hair taking his hand in mine and turned to his mom who was fondly staring at the both of us.

"You look cute together."

I blushed meeting Leo's eyes scanning his face and chuckled at how his cheeks turned colour as he stared at his mom with a surprised look on.

He cleared his throat with a shy smile forming on his face and grabbed my wrist pulling me out of the kitchen with his mom following us close behind continuing to tease Leo.

My eyes widened in awe once the three of us entered the balcony with my mom and Leo's dad still adjusting the plants in their own respective places so that they get enough sunlight.

"What do you guys think?"

"It's awesome."

I said to which Leo's mom nodded walking forward and admiring the plants. Leo left my hand walking towards his parents talking to them.

"Rome."

I turned to face my mom with a smile on to which she smiled back pulling me in for a hug. I hugged her back taking in her scent which really helps in calming myself down whenever there's something going on.

"You're going to the company right so did you talk to your dad?"

"He apologized and said that he's ready to take me back but didn't clarify whether he's actually ready to accept me..... I did ask that but he changed the topic."

"Oh he probably is still thinking, let's just hope that he'll accept you and then you can even introduce that cutie of yours to him."

I rubbed my nape glancing at Leo who was laughing at his dad looking so happy. The fact that he's genuinely happy relieves me.

I'm happy if he's happy.

"Well, dad didn't tell you about me asking him?"

"No as I said earlier he is ignoring me or walking away whenever I bring you up in our conversations."

"Oh."

I hope he will accept me soon.

My mom passed me a smile before walking away out of the bedroom probably to fetch her mobile phone because I so very well know she'll click pictures of all these plants and show them to dad.

I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket and frowned taking it out and unlocked raising my brows at the text message I received just now.

It's Hazel.

"Hey, how are you? Let's meet.. What say?"

I sighed scrolling up reading the message she sent this morning but I've left it on seen just like the one I'm going to now.

"You didn't tell me that you resigned the job and you seem to be ignoring  me as well.. Did I do something which hurt you?"

I resigned the job recently as I'm going to be the CEO but did not tell Hazel anything because I've been ignoring her calls and texts since the day she kissed me on the cheek.

It was obvious that she's getting her hopes high and I don't want that so decided to ignore her for the better but today she messaged me.

What should I do?

"Are you okay?"

I looked up and saw Leo staring at me with a worried expression on. I shook my head faking a smile indicating that everything is fine when nothing is.

I'll continue ignoring Hazel.