Scared To Love You Again

42

Leila

I chose to sit next to Apollo at one of the large dinner tables. That way I could breathe freely and enjoy the food without having to worry about hyperventilating or even having a nervous breakdown around Damian who's on the far opposite side. I sneak a few peaks at him just to get caught every time. "So how's the dad life feel, Apollo?" I asked just to take my mind away from Damian. Honestly, I didn't think that was the appropriate question to ask for numerous reasons, but I did it just to make conversation.

He chokes on his drink a little then clears his throat. "It's, uh, something new. He's getting bigger and bigger as the days fly by."

"That's lovely. You have any pictures of him?"

"I left my phone in my room, but as soon as I retrieve it, I got you."

"Say less. How-?" I'm cut off by the sound of a fork tapping against a champagne glass. Everyone is quiet now.

Domenico rises to his feet. "I'm very grateful and appreciative for all of you coming and showing love to me and my soon to be beautiful wife." Imani smiles up at him. "These years with this woman have been truly a blessing. Shit, and a curse." The whole table laughs. "But there's no one else in this world I can imagine wanting to go through those rough battles with. Because without the bad, there's no good. Imani Michelle Campbell, you are my light and my night. You're the one and only woman in my life that can make my heart skip a beat. I've cherished every waking moment with you and I will continue to do so until my last dying breath. I love you, amore mia and I can't wait to make you Mrs. Romano." They kissed each other passionately and the table erupts into eager clapping. "Saluti all'amore."(Cheers to love.)

Everyone raises the glasses, "Salut!" A tear falls down my cheek, so when no one looked I took off to the bathroom by the terrace. I don't got this. Domenico's speech was so beautiful, my eyes immediately drew to Damian. He couldn't take his off neither. I hate that I still love him. I need to get myself together, because this isn't about me and him. This is about Imani and Nico.

I lightly dabbed a tissue under my eye and did a quick check around my face and outfit. Breathing in and out, "okay, I'm good." I rush out the bathroom just to almost bump into his tall figure.

"Hey.. you okay? I saw you run off and wanted to make sure you were alright." Damian says showing concern.

I look down at my toes. "I- I'm okay. Thank you, I just... needed a moment." There's awkward silence. "Thank you for the first class tickets, by the way." I thanked looking up at him and then back down again.

He tilts my head up by my chin to stare into his eyes. What I was gonna say doesn't even matter anymore. "Leila, I miss you... so much." Another tear rolls down my eye. Fuck. He wipes it away with his other hand and starts to lean in to kiss me.

Midway I asked, "how's the baby?"

He pulls away slowly and places his hands in his pockets. "Can we talk?"

"Jesus Christ. There you two are. Everyone's looking for you. Come on. They're about to pass out the food." Romeo interrupted.

"Maybe later." I said to Damian.

The table carried a spread of every Italian food known to man. I thought the Romanos ate a lot, but this can feed a whole nation. Everyone laughed, ate, and danced throughout the night. I didn't wanna overstuff myself so I made sure I grabbed a few to-go plates to take back to my room. Right now, I just need to be alone and I don't wanna bring the room down with my energy so I quietly left.

......

When I got to my room, I changed out of my dress and into some pink laced boy shorts and white tank top. I flipped through the tv to find something interesting. Everything is of course in Italian, but it's obvious I have no issue with that. There's a knock at my door. "Who is it?"

"Room service, signora." The guy on the other end of the door shouted. Perfect, my bowl of fruit and warm towels are here. I allowed him in to push the cart through.

I tipped him. "Grazie mille." He bestows a kind smile and leaves. I settled back into bed with my fruit and continued on with my channel surfing, but I'm interrupted when there's another knock at the door. Oh yeah, he left his cart here. I swing the door open, "I was just about to say you left your c-Damian?" (Thank you so much)

He's leaning against the side of the doorway but then pushes off. "Hey."

"H-Hey." I let out on shaky breath.

Both of us watching each other with such lustful craving. My chest instantly rises and falls as if my heart is ready to explode. Damian grabs my face and crashes his warm lips onto mine. Deepening the kiss as we intertwined our tongues intensely. "Mm." He moaned. Without separating, he picks me up while I secure my legs around his waist. I know this is wrong, but it feels so right. I'm sure I missed him just as much as he does me. Without looking, he kicks the door shut behind us.