Afraid to Love ✔

Part 12

Mia

"Aww look at you two all cute." Larry's voice woke me. Oh, I must have fallen asleep. I open my eyes and look around. Laurent has his eyes closed with one arm around my neck, his other arm is draped across me holding my waist. Geez his strong.
I grab his arm from my waist to move it but he grumbles, "No." And thread my fingers through his. Larry is snickering from the front seat.
"Hi Larry, did you have fun today?" My voice sounds a little deeper than normal so I clear my throat.
"Yeah, you?" His responds barely containing his laughter.
I poke at Laurent. "Can you loosen your death grip?" My voice now sounding more normal.
"No!" He whines like a child, who was asked to share his favorite toy as he slightly tightened his grip around my waist.
"I got to know a little about your brother." I try to inch away, but Laurent halts my escape and pulls me tightly into his body, "Stop it." He whines.
Larry laughs harder then quickly takes a picture with his phone.
"You said you no more run," Laurent whispers his complaint sounding the same as he first said it.
"I not run, you squeeze too much," I mimicked his whining voice and broken English with a smile.
"Oh my God! You sound like two children." Mai chortles getting into the car. Larry is suddenly quiet. What was that? Whatever it is Mai is putting space between her and Larry. I'm not the only one who caught it. Laurent was now awake and staring at his brother.
"Are you okay?" Mai ask as she turns to face me. I could see the serious concern on her face.
"I am." I grab Mai's offered hand and squeeze. I give her a 'What is going?' face. "Thank you for asking." She smiles and pats my hand. She give me her 'Don't worry, I'm fine.' face.
I felt Laurent release his grip as he starts talking to Larry about their schedule.
After hearing something about a workshop. I really didn't try to listen anymore. I turn away from Laurent, close my eyes and went back to sleep.

____________
I woke up a little later in my bed still in my costume, with an arm draped across my body. A quick glance to my side shows Laurent is asleep beside me. Nope not good.
I eased out of bed, change into regular clothes then walk to the kitchen. After grabbing some water and fruit from the kitchen I set up my laptop in the dining room.
I am eating the last grape while reviewing a report when I feel someone watching me. I look around spotting Laurent leaning against the wall, smiling at me.
"Tomorrow, I'm buying you a bell." I roll my eyes and return my attention to my work.
He sits down beside me. "What you doing?" He asks putting his face in front of the screen. Freaking kid, I swear.
"I'm behind on my work." I admit moving his face from in front of my screen.
"Modeling work?" He frowns.
"No, I'm reviewing some reports for the company; contracts, financial statements, stuff like that." I explain as I start an email.
"You run company?" He sounds astonished reading my signature block. I am slightly offended. Did I seem not capable? I glance at my signature block and smile. If only he knew.
"Not alone, Mai and Zoe have been covering a lot of the day to day, which allows me time for my other job." I look at his impressed face. "It was decided that I would be the face of the Mora company." Because my grandfather adopted me making me heir to his empire. His name is respected and feared in the industry and me as president of my company and CEO of his, proves that I can take over his empire some day.
"Your title is president of Mora Inc. but you no president?" He asks. He does think I'm not capable.
I sigh, "I... Why are you awake?" I ask trying to change the subject.
"You left." He pouts with a sad eyes.
I stiffle my smile, "My presence shouldn't dictate your ability to sleep," I announce continuing my work.
I finish listing corrections to the last contract and send it back to legal, then log off my laptop.
"You finished?" He asks.
"I am." I close the laptop.
"Good, we go for a walk." He picks me up. Don't fight, don't run, just breathe.

Laurent

"You trust me now?" I kiss her hand.
She smirks. "I trust Mai," then stops walking.
"You by youself with me, no security." I pull her closer.
"So that's what you think?" She answers with her eyes closed. "I always have security watching me." Mia wraps my arms around her waist shivering.
"You ready for go home?" I kiss her hair as the sun comes out.
"Can we watch the sunrise?" She leans against my chest.

Mia

Thankfully the next few months were busy for both of us. Laurent with his tour and me preparing for the Fall Showcase with Chris. Laurent and I speak on the phone when we have time.
I always laugh at his Diva 'she' keeps me calm. I like the sensitive, spoiled brat he shows when he can't have his way. I'm even getting used to the Beast. Okay, not really but I'm learning how to handle him.
Mai and her enormous mouth told Larry about William's upcoming parole hearing. When Laurent found out about the parole hearing, he tried to be there with me. He threatened to cancel jobs and fly to me. As sweet as this is, I honestly don't want him anywhere near it. One call to his brother and that was the end of that. I know it's wrong but he went Beast on me when I asked him not to come.
He was still sulking about it a week later, so I offered to spend time with him after the hearing so he can stare at me obsessively, I mean, so he can see I'm fine. But seriously, every time I see him I feel like he is memorizing every nanometer of my face.
Anyway, I agreed to see a movie, but he choose a horror movie. He knows I hate horror movies, he thinks it's because they scare me, but honestly they are all stupid. (Clip of movie above, Freddy's Nightmare)

Laurent

After the parole hearing, Mia agreed for see a horror movie, but when I went to pick her up after rehearsal, she run! She run more now than before, she run from me, she run from my touch. 'As you get closer her fight or flight instincts get stronger.' I remember Mai's words. I smile at the thought of approaching my goal. I just need to push her to tell me what I already know.
"Stop playing Lau." Mia warns as she takes a stance. She changes her mind then ducks me and runs again.
"You know better," I run after her. She's pretty fast but I catch up to her easily wrapping my arms around her.
"Lau really stop!" She pleads as I turn her towards me.
I look into her eyes, "Fine, I stop, when you tell me how you feel for me." I smirk feeling her tense.
She blushes, "Okay, I'm sorry I ran I will work harder not to run away. Can we go in the movie now?" That no answer my question. She's such a- "Chicken", I laugh as we reach the street across from the theater. I offer my hand, "Come on, your security is waiting." I tease with a smile seeing Matt across the street.
She rolls her eyes and laughs but doesn't take my hand. So I wrap my arm around her waist as we cross the street holding her close to me.
"You know this movie is going to be garbage, right?" Mia sighs as I pay for the tickets.
"Non, it going to be good." I drag her into the theater.
The movie was garbage like Mia said it would be, but I enjoy her laughing through the movie.

Mai

"Mrs. Mora Lopez the doctor will see you now." A young woman smiles at me.
About time, I feel like I'm dying. I stand gathering my bag, take a step and the floor moves.
"Mrs. Mora Lopez? Are you ok? Ma'am? Can I get some help here?" She yells holding my hand.

Laurent

"She tripped and fell over nothing, how does that happen?" Mia rolls her eyes.
I laugh as Mia's scrunches face at her phone rings.
"Hi Z!" She forces a smile when she answers then her face hardens. "Calm down, Mai what?...Hold on I'll ask." She put the phone on mute.
"Is Larry in France?"
"No, he's at the hotel." I stare at her trying to figure out what is going on.
"Can you call him and see if he had plans to meet Mai?" She looks irritated as I dial my brother.
"Hey, you seeing Mai today?" I ask Larry.
"No she said she was buried in work." He answers. I shake my head no.
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Finally Mia is softening towards Laurent, about time right? But what's up with Mai? Tell me what you think? Thanks for reading.