The Singer's Pet Turtle (A Leonardo x Reader Story)

Chapter 2 : The Strangest of Gifts

At the end of the set, (y/n) and David took a bow as the club erupted with applause. It was the standard, yet it still filled (y/n)'s chest with warmth. As she took a second bow she couldn't help but wonder if this was how her mother felt after a performance.

(Y/n) has very few memories of her mother, but everyone she does has involved music. Her mother was a singer. She jumped from bar to bar, club after club, to sing the songs she wrote for anyone willing to listen. It was in one of these bars that she met (y/n)'s father, who at the time was still a college student. They quickly fell in love and got married. It wasn't until after her father got his doctorate that they decided to have a child together. Little did they know, they would only have six years as a family before tragedy struck.

There wasn't much you could do about drunk drivers.

Regardless as to how much pain she was in, (y/n)'s mother sang until her last breath. Holding her daughter's hand as she sang a lullaby before she left the earth. That hospital bed was nothing compared to the stage. Her mother was used to bright lights, loud applause, not fluorescents and tears. Still the woman smiled. Now, (y/n) stood in her mother's place. Having just entertained a crowd with her voice, she got to hear their cheers. Perhaps ehr mother would be proud, even if she knew her father wouldn't be.

(y/n)'s father never wanted (y/n) to pursue music. Maybe it was too painful to see his wife shine though in the talents of his daughter, or maybe it was just because he knew how much his wife struggled prior to her marriage. There was no way to find out now. Afterall, her father hadn't even lived long enough to see her graduate college. (y/n) was officially an orphan. At this point, she had accepted it. Her father had lost his battle to cancer two years ago and her mother had been gone for fourteen. The five stages of grief came and went. There was no longer time in the day for them.

Her thoughts were suddenly broken as a hand landed on the side of her back. Jumping, the girl looked over her shoulder to see David waiting with a smile to lead her out of the lights. Once they were away, the pair shared a quick embrace before going to their separate dressing rooms. The standard ritual. David would most likely hang around the club a bit longer as (y/n) rushed to catch the last train home. Same old same old. So, with a wave, the pair said their goodbyes until tomorrow as their doors shut.

Life is becoming a bit boring, (y/n) decided before walking further into the room to change out of her dress. The beautiful piece of red fabric was resting against her hips when the girl was once again startled, this time by her dressing room door suddenly opening. Reacting fast, she grabbed her dress and hugged it to her body in an attempt to keep herself covered. With a glare she turned towards the door only to see Shane standing in the open doorway rolling his eyes.

"Shane! Knocking!" (y/n) shouted so loudly that she was certain the patrons had heard her.

"Keep your panties on," the man scoffed. "And put back on the dress, the boss wants to see you."

The girl titled her head with confusion as she struggled to redress herself without revealing anything to her stage manager's prying eyes. "Mr. Okoru? Why?"

"How the hell would I know, just get ready." Shane huffed as he turned to leave, only pausing for a moment to smirk at the girl. "Nice tits by the way."

With that final comment, Shane left, slamming the door in the process. (Y/n) could only scoff, and his commentary further instated something within her. I hate men, she thought to herself. Everyone who worked for this club was the same. Comment on her body, her clothes, makeup, how much they want to 'get a piece of that ass'. They honestly disgusted her, but the pay was good, and if she was being honest, (y/n) was afraid of trying to quit. Not to mention, David loved this job. It was his dream. Who was she to take that away from him?