Desire Me

19- Lean on Me

As soon as we land, I unbuckle my seatbelt and practically dash to Enzo's side, desperately needing his affection and comfort.

He doesn't look down at me, he doesn't speak or smile, but he does pull me tightly against his body with his hands on my hips. With a gentle squeeze, I realise that we are under the scrutiny of Marco and Mattia.

Maybe he has already forgiven me for my outburst?

We walk down the metal steps of his plane and walk towards a black limo which appears to be waiting for us. The wealth that Enzo seems to have at a wave of his hand staggers my thoughts. I have never seen such money.

Enzo's jaw clenches as I look up at him before he opens the limo door for me. I clamber into the car, feeling rather underdressed in Enzo's sweatpants and a hoody, then I notice the bouquet of stunning red flowers.

Not wanting to assume anything, I don't touch them, I cast my eyes away from them until I hear the car door on the other side open and then shut.

Enzo clears his throat, nervously which makes me turn my eyes away from the window, and towards him. In his hand, outstretched towards me, are the beautiful red roses.

"I'm sorry, Lucy." His voice is firm, and leaves no room for me to fill in, to apologise for my own behaviour.

"In the past..." Enzo trails off but I smile softly at him, encouraging him to share something, anything, we me.

"In the past, the trick of a pregnancy, o-of a child has been used to try and trap me, trap my wealth."

I swallow hard as I listen to his words, as I try to make sense of this murky world I am yet to enter into, a world corrupted by money.

"That is why my reaction... my reaction was so wrong... and I'm...I'm sorry that I let my past come through and upset you."

I smile and take the flowers from his hands, taking a soft sniff of their scent.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you, Enzo, and after everything  you've done for me." I gesture around at were we are.

Enzo smiles broadly, a brilliant smile which fills his face and warms my chest. Leaning across the seat, I peck swiftly at his cheek and then withdraw, but Enzo doesn't like that.

Grabbing me by the hips, he pulls me back to him, nestling me under the crook of his arms.

"You're my little hellcat, you know that right Lucy?" He murmurs into my hair as his other hand runs up and down my arm.

"I'm sorry." I mumble again, feeling rather embarrassed, "I'm not good with my emotions when I'm feeling vulnerable."

"Lucia- I mean, Lucy, you are about to deal with a terrible pain, you can shout and scream at me all you want."

I stare up at him and smile at his words. He really is a special man.

"After all, it is my job, as your boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" I ask as the car pulls away, turning to smile ruefully at my boyfriend, apparently.

"Yes, well..." Enzo smiles nervously and runs a hand through his hair, "that's what I want to be..."

My smile broadens at his words and I lean up to press a kiss to his stubbled cheek.

"Thank you," I murmur, "for being here with me."

"Always," Enzo says with a soft smile as he squeezes my hand, "I'll always be here for you."

My stomach drops into the bottom of the car as the sight of the hospital sign appears when we turn a corner.

"Breathe, sweetheart, take deep breaths for me." Enzo encourages as my breath begins to catch in my throat.

His thumb strokes up and down my arm in time to the pace he wants me to breathe. I follow his gentle order up until the moment we walk through the entrance of hospital.

My legs stumble and numb as the weight of the entire building appears to slam down onto my chest.

"I've got you sweetheart." Enzo's hands encircle me as he holds me against his chest, "what do you need me to do?"

"Take me to his room please, otherwise I'm never going to do it."

I squeeze my eyes tightly shut as Enzo holds my hands tight, "I'll take care of you, sweetheart. You need only trust me."

I feel myself being gently lead by the hand but my vision is blurred, my presence distant and miles away.

"Keep breathing for me, ok, Lucy?"

I nod my head dumbly as we enter a lift but all I can see is blurred silver coating my vision. Then, Enzo's face appears before me as he kneels down, clutching at my face as his concerned eyes dart over me.

"Lucy sweetheart, deep breaths for me ok?"

I nod my head frantically but I can't calm my breath down enough to fit Enzo's steady pace.

He sighs and shifts closer to me, pressing a palm over my chest.

"In," his gravely voice grounds me to his demands, "and out. Again."

His tone is firm and leaves no room for me to protest or even think. His dominant orders and tones calm my breathing enough that my vision focusses on his face.

"There's my good girl."

He smiles, stroking his palm over my cheek, "you just keep leaning on me, I'll carry the rest."

Standing once again, Enzo pulls me to lean against his chest before he reaches over to press the elevator button. I realise that we haven't moved, he was clearly taking the time to calm me down before thrusting me up into the ward where I have to say goodbye to my father figure.

Enzo's palms run up and down my arms as the lift raises higher and higher around us.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" He murmurs, kissing my forehead.

I think for a moment, pausing carefully before answering.

"Yes, I want... I need you with me."