Is This Enough ||MxM || Lgbtq+ [ON Hiatus]

Chapter 23

Leonardo's P.O.V

The early morning sun beamed through the kitchen window, creating a tranquil atmosphere. I, wearing my pyjamas and bonnet, was standing in front of the open cupboard, my eyes glued to the remaining bran flakes in the box. On the other side of the kitchen was Vinnie, his expression filled with concern and remorse.

Looked upon the old box of bran flakes, I was overcome with a wave of nostalgia. Every memory of the good times we shared together came flooding back; each kiss, each caress, each date that was special and unforgettable. But now, all that remained was a half-eaten box, a reminder of that it was all tainted. I sighed in reminiscence and muttered to myself, "I used to love these."

He released a deep sigh, his eyes pleading with me as he asked, "Leo, please, can we talk about this? It's not what you think."

I pivoted to face Vinnie, arching an eyebrow as I spoke with a touch of irony laced in my words. "Oh really? Please do explain how kissing someone isn't what it looks like."

He extended his arm in an attempt to clasp my hand, but I evaded his touch. "Leonardo, you have to understand. It was a mistake. I didn't initiate it. It was just a moment, a lapse in judgment."

"A lapse in judgment? Our entire relationship is a lapse in judgment if you ask me." I spoke in a quivering tone, conveying the painful words I had uttered.

He clamped his eyes shut, trying to control his feeling. But despite his best efforts, the tears started to gush out with an overpowering force. "Please, don't say that. You mean everything to me. That kiss... it meant nothing compared to what we have."

I scoffed with indignation as my feelings of insecurity fuelled my rage. "Oh, of course, it meant nothing! You just let her plant one on you, huh? Just like that? Like you were a helpless victim."

"Yes, you saw me, but you didn't see everything!" he pleaded.

The stillness of the kitchen was almost deafening as our gazes locked, both of us lost in thought about the fate of our relationship, not knowing if it could ever be repaired.

"Vinnie, you have to understand how it looked from my perspective." The fury that had been present was beginning to dissipate, though still detectable.

"I understand, I do. And I'm sorry for how it looked. But you have to trust me, trust us." He begged, his eyes glistening with sincerity.

I took a deep breath and nodded his head. "Trust is earned, Vinnie."

He was hurt but he still had a bit of optimism, "I'll do anything to earn it back, baby. Please, give us a chance."

He came up to me, offering a hug, but I responded with only a warm pat on the back. I said, "Only time will tell."

I left him in the kitchen to dwell with his thoughts. Once inside the room, I closed the door and locked it. My phone was abuzz with messages from my boss, but I silenced my phone. The outside world could wait.

I snuggled into the bed, enveloped by the comforting warmth of the duvet. The light in the room was dim, the curtains drawn, because of my transition to his room. The tears that had been welling up in my eyes spilled over, soaking the pillow.

Under the duvet, the world felt small and safe. The cotton walls shielded me from the reality outside — that my relationship was crumbling before my eyes. I clutched the pillow to my chest, squeezing it as if it were Vinnie himself.

My thoughts raced, replaying every moment, every conversation, every interaction with him in search of answers. How had I missed the signs? In films, all of the hints were there for the audience to observe: the manipulation, the mysteriousness, and the shift in physical and emotional interests. But with him, none of those signs were present.