Torrid Affair | LT ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Better Off

AUTHOR'S POV       

~two weeks later~

The time that's passed since the abduction, Larry's escape and Todd being gunned down after an exhausting stand-off it has understandably been an extremely difficult time. From the moment Larry told mama he didn't deserve Laurent after everything to the moment he was released from the hospital he's kept his distance from him no matter how much Laurent tried to talk to him. The only bright side is Larry's testing came back negative for disease and that is without question a huge relief...but his heart is a completely different story. He's returned to work and although he's not as focused as he usually is he truly believes this is the best place for him. However, he does have his moments while he's working. One can say it's been a case of post-traumatic stress because when he walks by Edward's office he has flashbacks of the night Todd banged on his door. He's also had nightmares about his escape and Todd invading their home then finally being brought down so it goes without saying that he's had many sleepless nights. Not to mention several emotional nights as he's also thought about how all of this affected Laurent and mama. That's been the toughest for him. Now that it's finally over mama is home and she's happy to be back...but the distance between the two most important men in her life has really been hard for her to witness and she hopes that all will be well with them soon. Laurent immediately put the house up for sale and moved in with mama which is where Larry was prior to everything but...unable to look at Laurent due to shame and guilt Larry moved into an apartment. Laurent has returned to work too and since his career as an attorney has always kept him busy what's been delayed has put him into overdrive. Andrea and Dave have been working just as hard to which Laurent is extremely appreciative and because of their teamwork things have been steadily progressing. The whole ordeal with Todd was front page news and plastered on every news channel possible so Andrea and Dave are aware of what happened. Of course Andrea knows more about the situation but neither one of them talk about it to Laurent being that it's still extremely difficult dealing with and Laurent is just trying to move on from it. It's Saturday morning and Laurent has been awake for a while but instead of immediately getting up he turned his head to look out the window and started thinking...but not about any of the bad. His thoughts are only about Larry. How he wishes Larry will understand that he simply wants to move forward with him and it hurts him to his soul that Larry moved out instead of staying with him and mama. He has an appointment to look at a prospective home today. He's already viewed a few and while he wishes he can view these with Larry Andrea will be with him instead. He draws a breath then slowly blows it out. He raises up to sit on the edge of the bed and rests his elbows on his knees. He's fighting so hard to not let his emotions overwhelm him but it's simply not possible. His eyes become cloudy with tears and a few of them fall before he hears a knock on the door...

Mama: "Son"?

Wiping his tears away then clearing his throat to reply...

Laurent: "Yes mama"?

Mama: "I made some breakfast for you". 

Laurent: "I'll be out soon. Thank you". 

Mama: "Welcome". 

He hears mama walk away so he resumes looking out the window before finally getting the energy to get up and get ready...

When Laurent steps in the shower the heavy steam hits him warmly in the face and brings about somewhat of a relaxation for him. He steps in front of the stream of water and after he allows it to saturate his body he places his open hands on the wall and drops his head so the water can soak his hair. Feeling satisfied he throws his head back and runs both hands through his hair then over his face. What's intended to be a fairly quick shower will turn out to be slightly longer because he simply can't get Larry off his mind. After scrubbing his body down and washing the suds away he turns around. With the water now hitting his back he again places his open hands on the shower wall, slowly closes his eyes as he exhales in despair then drops his head. In no time more tears are streaming down his face and are competing with the shower water that's still pouring from him...