WHEN WAR BEGINS!√

Chapter 24

*He had us worry

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I take in the warmth of Leo's bedding, soft and cosy. Slowly waking up from my half dream half nightmare sleep. I lazly sling my arm towards the pillow. Never knew I could be so comfortable on a bed that is not even mine, its unusual. The pillow smells of Leo and so does he smell of himself....wait ,wait, no no no!, wake up that is no pillow... I push my subconscious out the window avoiding its alert jokes. I nuzzle my head like a puppy trying to move closer to the warm side. A quite minty breath fans over me slowly waking me with a cutaneous sensation on my face. I stretch out wiping my eyes and....oh shivers, no way my subconscious was not joking. I slept with him, not like that kind of slept, the type were you literally both sleep on one bed. I slowly lift my head looking at Leo, he looked so peaceful and had a newborns appearance, his hands were protecting me, one under my body the other rested on my waist. Our bodies weren't even apart, my leg was literally sprawled on his groin....groin, did I just say groin, what happened to me last night....His arms tighten around me and I could feel his body tense. The covers weren't even on our bare skin. Our position was just really compromising. After a while I gain my conscience removing myself from him slowly. He pulls me closer until I'm placed against his chest. I nuzzle my nose on his chest trying to break his sleep but instead he places his chin on the center of my head breathing over my hair. I try breaking from his hold but, I mean he weighs a ton over my body.
"Leo, wake up,  Leo,"I whisper on his chest inhaling his ever so lasting scent. He mumbles a long -mmh fanning my hair with his warm breathing...oh darn it..
"Leo,"I tenderly pat his soft tanned skin. I pat again and he begins to tense, guess he woke up. I could feel him lift his head over me, he removes his arms that were cirlcling me and my body starves. I remove my leg immediately and move away from him pulling the rising shirt down.
"Shit..." He looks at me and turns his whole body lying face flat on his stomach.
"Go and wear something now," He muffles through the pillow.
"but, I don't..",
"Wear your jacket, just go now, please" He commands again in a low husky tone through the pillow. He just told me to leave, I walk out the room in anger. Again I do not know what I did, but its fine I'll leave. I tiptoe to the guest room and closing the door behind me. The sunbeam brightened up the room making me notice how beautiful this room looked. Last night I never even noticed it now I do, for the first time it was so odd seeing the sun risen at 6am in New York. Well ever since I have been here, unless maybe it has once, this is so usual back home. The sunlight makes me miss Cape Town, I even got irratated by it but now guess I was already attached to it seeing how it brought a smile apon my face. I need a shower, for the first time ever I will be repeating the same clothes, nothing is wrong with that. What is so wrong, I will be wearing the outfit I wore in a party to school and it must be smelling like the toxicated air back from that party. All I need is the water pouring on my body, to bring me back to my thoughts. Maybe I could think straight, I'm not right now nor was I last night. I dont know what had gotten into me, my mind played games with me, offering me obstacle courses and challenges to observe my esteem.

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After doing my personal business in the bathroom I leave wearing my grey matched up undies entering the room to the scent of Leo's presence and I'm more shocked he left me an outfit. I get it people who date always tend to claim their boyfriends shirts but I doubt they wear them to school, what is so special about this one?
I greatfully wear it and when buttoning the last button the shirt finds its way in my heart. It was red and it didn't seem nor look short, it stopped just below my mid thigh. His so not getting it back, although this one seemed like a half formal and half casual I dont see him wearng it ever since he told me he doesn't wear formal. I leave the room wearing my timberlands, this outfit seemed to mixe in with the weather even though my legs are exposed. I quickle rush down the stairs forming a smile as I smell food but I have to go.
"There you are, come help me set out breakfast,"Tessa catches me and I stop at my steps. I needed to go to school, but how. Now its too late to come up with a plan. Tessa just asked for my help and honestly I never turn down any person older than me, that's just how I was taught, always respect and offer a helping hand.
I loved the way Tessa was, even though she could hire any one to do caterings for her, she never let anyone stand between her and her kitchen. The kitchen too is one of my favourite place's not because it only has food but its were you can be creative. I wash my hands on the basin, after drying them out I make my way into the glorious kitchen. It was as beautiful as ever, no wonder Tessa was always in it. She was wearing a new apron and her hair was up in a ponytail. She was so beautiful, I guessed she might have been in her early forties. She was cute, and her body was so young and flawless. She puts out eggs and beacon and I think back to my church. She instructs me on what to do and she puts a pan in front of me and I grin widely seeing I have a great idea on how to make my egg. I personally look through the great fridge for cheese.
"You know I'm glad the outfit I chose for you suited you,"Tessa looks at me pleased and my face turns red, she chose this shirt for me. I felt like asking her so many questions, why would she treat me like this whereas I'm an outsider, a stranger for heavens sake.
" Thank you, would you mind me asking a question,"I ask lifting my pitch higher as I grate the cheese. She grabs sauce and shrugs for me to go ahead.
"Inviting a stranger to your house, is it that easy, I mean..."I stop when she shakes her head wanting to say something badly.
" No, you are no stranger, Leo never brings anyone home, Dylan and I just knew you meant something to him, you said you are South African right?"She curiously asks looking at me whilst rinsing the Lettu'ce.
"Yes that's right," I nod
"So you new here because it seems as though you are, if you aren't then you sure are strong, you should know the American accent is really addictive,"
"No, just new, during the holidays," I laugh shaking my head, she was really sweet really.
"Oh so you met him at school,"
"Its weird really, we were on the same plane, his came from...",
"Stephie's wedding, ooh his older sister lives in Cape Town, you do too?" She widens her eyes in excitement and I nod at her.
"Yes, its just my mom had to replace this side, so I had to leave everyone and everything," I mumble as I pour cheese on the egging, its ones of the best.
"Oh, it happens to the most of us, sometimes you have to sacrifice in order to gain. I'm from the Colorado its a qiuet and peaceful area but I had to move this busy corner and leave that sweet lifestyle. Sometimes as a person you can never be too comfortable in a place you love." She says putting out utensils and I'm so happy to help her. I empty out the egg and rinse my hands for my grand, I loved doing this when I visited Grammy's helping her out actually even my mom.
"Do you ever get used to it?",I ask as I follow after her with my hands full of food walking towards the dining area.
"Oh I have sweetheart, of everyday you begin to adapt to a place, Boys!, breakfasts ready!"Tessa shouts and the first to get to the dining table was Leo's father, he didn't seem so professional but I could tell when he had to work he did have that serious look on his face. Leo comes to the dining room with only his pants and my heart beat race's so fast as though I was running a 110m twice.
"Leo, how many times have I always told you to wear a shirt once you have come out the shower?" Tessa scolds pouting at him and instead he flex's his muscles and AB's stretching out every inch. My mouth falls open as I scan his 8 pack.
"It's uncomfortable, smells great in here, what's smells so great?" He mumbles looking at the food in front of him. I tear my gaze away once he looks my way and mistakenly I make eye contact with Dylan and he had an entertained look marked all over his face. I turn in embarrassment and focus on the food I was setting out....caught.Leo's father saw you Elizabeth, you were eyeing his son and he caught you....I push my subconscious away and sit down once done.
He sits opposite me from afar eyeing my every move, why won't he just eat, why does he have to look at me, firstly I dont know if I am supposed to say this but he put me in the right place but just at the wrong time. I did feel safe after all since I was no longer in that party but he took me to his parent's mansion, that was so wrong and too early. No, its not early, I mean its not supposed to be happening, I feel as though I'm about to marry him right now. Why would I say that?, because I'm at his parent's house and his acting like I have always stayed in this home, as if I am not new in all this.
"How did you sleep though Elizabeth?, Leo didn't bother you right, boys can be bugs trust me,"Tessa winks whilst eating like a queen and my whole face warms up....wooah its hot in here...I choke and clear my throat out a bit so I'm not revealed.
"I slept well, uhm thanks," I answer and Leo's father passes me a glass jar full of water.
"Leo you didn't get into her room right, girls hate that you know.",
"Nope not at all," Leo says and our eyes meet, he smirks and I look away. I knew he wanted to laugh, I was the one that paid a visit to his room not vice versa. I hate it when guilt creeps up my neck, I'm the type that is so bad at lieing or even trying to hiding something. I pour out my breakfast leaving the beacon and I'm not even thinking of eating it.
I smile totally impressed by the part I cooked it look  delicious as usual. I say my Grace internally, I felt embarrassed to say it out loud even though God wouldn't really appreciate me being embarrassed of him.
I dig in just like the rest and fun part was that I was being myself for once in a while. Back home I never really was myself when I ate with my mother and father, they just ate so professional and I couldn't the me I am because my mom would give me that eye scorching terrible look.
"You don't eat beacon?" Dylan ask, how did he catch me, I thought, again he catches me
"Uhm, well no, some Christian churches restrict it specially mine so I really don't or can't," I mumble and the room becomes silent, ARKWADLY!!, again I dont know what wrong I said but everyone just seemed to go into thinking zone. Or maybe its because I'm Christian, what now did I do, guess the blood here is strong, they seem to all time out. Especially Leo and I felt like asking why but I hold my question in, it's not needed now.
A phone vibrates and the ring tone was of Miley Cyrus-Malibu. My eyes pop wide open when the ringrone came from Leo's Father.
"Seriously Dad, you haven't changed your ringtone yet?" Leo says totally irratated by the song, I laugh out loud and cough when I notice my laugh was too loud. Leo's father switches off the phone and gestures his hand fanning his face with it and pouting at Leo.
"Oops, my bad,"Dylan says in a fake girl tone causing my to burst out in giggles. He was so fun, I dont get how he would be a busy man and still make time for his wife and son too. Leo shakes his head shocked at his dads actions. We eat in silent but Tessa was still muffling laughs and so was I, even I don't listen to Miley yet unexpectedly a man not berely close to this age listens to her. After feeling like everyone was done I stand up and begin collecting the dirty dishes.
"I'll be back down in five, so we can leave," Leo says standing up and moving out the area we were in. He runs out and I nod placing clearing the leftover's onto one plate.
"I have been dieing to ask her though ever since she came" Dylan mumbles and I could tell he was talking about me to Tessa.
"You shouldn't," Tessa scolds. I grab the dirty dishes and Tessa helps me too. Once you are done eating you should always clean after yourself its the way it is.
"I don't see why, Elizabeth what's your last name?" Dylan asks rubbing his chin smiling at me checking the time on his watch.
"Oceans, Elizabeth Oceans," I say with pride and Dylan's smile falls so does Tessa's. She leaves me still with the dishes and walks to the Kitchen. Now I said something wrong again, why am I such a problem that can't be handled by people, I'm a burden.
"Is something wrong or..",
"Daughter of Eric.M Oceans?" He follows me to the kitchen furrowing his eyes as if trying to sum up something wrong. I nod slowly placing the dishes near the basin. Tessa was acting all ignorant like she did not want to see my face, she place the dishes in the dishwasher nervously. I gulp in fear, again I did something wrong, thanks to my well known evil father.
"Yes that's right," I say wiping a sweat that was now falling from my face. I wonder what my Dad did now or what problem his in.
"The two of you look alike, just not the personality which is...",
"No, I get it Sir, everyone says it but I'm nothing like him at all, I, his just a trouble in life, if its..." I mumble off fiddling with my hands but he stops me.
"No I see that, just I don't get why you are this side?" He says grabbing his newspaper and his Butler arrives into the kitchen.
"My mother had to come this side but she never told me much only that she had a call from New York to manage and all. If not then Howar...."I mumble and I look at Mr.Howard in realisation. Mr Howard was too a renowned Multi-billionaire, and he was a great enemy of my father. My father always told me to watch out for they were against him. They formed a cooperation together but to my fathers total back out he stabbed Howard in the back and the tradition began. A constant fued between them increased, he claimed it was of racism and selfishness but it was all him. He rooted his own major company in New York because Mr Howard had rooted his own in S.A too. The manager was Stephanie Howard but now I get it, it was Stephie so....oh I can't think any further this is already too much to handle.
"I'm intr, I'm intruding, I..." I mutter nervously the strong words unable to come through.
"I'm sorry, I didn't...." I nervously say again and Leo arrives into the kitchen with my clothes from last night in his hands. I gulp and my whole body shivers my headache sprinting heavily towards the tip of my forehead.
I run out of breath and inhale loudly trying to search for oxygen. I run out and a guard opens before I run into the door.
"Liz, what's wrong," He runs after me so fast he catches me when my legs give out.
"Leo, you are a Howard, you are a Howard, I'm sooooo, so dead," I shiver as my head sends painful impulse's down my neck and body.
"What do you mean, of course I am what's wrong with that?" He asks soothing me gently with his left hand. He carefully caresses my left cheek trying to calm me down and I do. Once I'm calm he lifts me up slowly helping me back into the house ignoring my weak wrestle. If I'm caught here, my dad would provably kill me alive for breaking rules. Tessa walks towards me and grabs me into a hug.
"You are not like him, you are aren't at all," She says and I wipe my daring tears before they fall.
Leo's father appears with a face full of mercy and dissapointment
"Why is she breaking down?" Leo curiously asks his dad.
"Son, she is an Oceans,"His father simply says and I break out of Tessa's warm and tender hug. Leo gives me and unreadable look and look towards the surface of the floor as my tears fall in fear. I'm scared because I don't know what to do, I fear for them, I fear for the War I just created even though I did nothing yet. I have that feeling again, that feeling that this won't end here, I know it won't.
"Don't defy me, you have every right to hate me you know,"I wipe away my tears not tearing my gaze away from the floor.
"We don't hate you, you know you are welcome here anytime, don't be absent just because of this situation,"Dylan says and I nod.
"I'm really sorry for..." I give them an apologetic look. An apology is not enough for the actions of my Dad, I'm doing this for him and I'm determined to male him stop whatever plan he is coming up with even Leo's father needs to stop.
"You dont have to apologize for anything, on my page you did not commit crime,"Dylan says brushing my shoulder. Leo awkwardly shifts dissapearing into the kitchen.
"You know, we both know his found love, don't tell him this but he had us worry,"Dylan mumbles and my eyes widen at the "L" word he used. When did this conversation take a turn to Leotopia. I like this family guess my Dad used too much Hitler propaganda style on it.
"About?" I ask curiously as he comes back with my clothes.
"We kind of thought he was Gay, not that we have any problem with that, but we wouldn't see little Leo's running up and down our living room.",
"Oh trust me he sure isn't," I whisper and wipe a dry tear giggling at what his parents thought about him. He can be such a player yet his parent's think his gay, such a sly machine..
If they only new how he was.
Tessa and Dylan had brushed off the feeling of having the daughter of an enemy in their how's and so did I. Guess today I saw how much I hate love my father, I'm in oxymoron land.
"We already late, we have to go com on Liz,"Leo says with a straight face and my face falls into a frown. I knew one person wouldn't take this in right. He leaves and the same guard of yesterday tosses his car keys back to him in an instant.
"I enjoyed seeing you Mr and Mrs Howard, thank you for having me around and welcoming me," I bend my head in respect and the both smile.
"It was wonderful seeing a girlfriend of Leo's and you are welcome anytime, dont ever forget that,"Tessa says and my blood warms up, they thought I'm his girlfriend to which I wasn't, his just my ride and a stranger I met in a plane, that had me bunk school on the first day.
Leo starts the car and I quickly enter in fear
OH HOW I HATE MY SURNAME!!

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Let the games BEGIN!!, you have it, It was great for a while and peaceful but the fun never lasts. She is an Oceans, his a Howard, they are supposed to repel....Will they

Tessa and Dylan(Leo's Parents)dont seem to mind but Leo does. WONDER WHY...MMMMMMH???

Come on guys please read further and forget the errors..

Luv all my readers and future readers♥♥♥;-)