Secrets Aren't Lies

Chapter 18

Jiyeon P.O.V

*Next Morning*

My eyes feel heavy from the lack of sleep like they are chained shut and locked away, never wanting the combination to be cracked to open them. But, sadly they lift themselves slowly, only being widened at the sight from Leo standing in the doorway.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just wanted to check, to make sure you were okay.." Leo rubs the back of his neck shyly.

I sit up slowly in the bed, leaning against the backboard, ruffling my hair and rubbing my eyes. "No, it's alright, just a rough night." I say groggily, with the memories of last night embedded in my head.

"Ah, I see. I took the day off, figuring I could spend the day with you here if you wanted to talk, or just need a friend." Leo smiles in a genial fashion.

"That sounds nice, thank you Leo." My voice turns into a thankful tone, but my lips don't form in a full smile, only a little one.

"Anytime sweetheart. Want some breakfast?" He questions, worried about me.

"Not right now, sorry." I state, still waking up fully, my head is pounding with ache. "Do you have any medicine?" I look at him, rubbing my temple.

"Of course, I'll fetch you some water too." He smiles warmly and goes off instantly to retrieve the necessities. I nod and lie back down, my body still and heavy. My weary eyes try to blink away the pounding pain against my forehead, but it's useless. Seconds later, Leo returns with a glass of ice water and a few pills as he sits beside me on the edge of the bed. He helps me sit up slowly, looking at me with soft eyes. 

"Are you okay?"

I lean against the headboard and gulp down the medicine quickly, finishing off the water. I breathe out deeply and nod to him, but I honestly don't know if I'm okay. I'm mentally scarred from the events with the unexpected Mafia. This only makes me think about Ken and how I have to avoid him for a few days to set my mind straight. I never knew he was doing these nefarious activities right under my nose, but it does explain the times he had to run off so suddenly.

I zone off into space, my eyes lowered and focused on nothing. Leo waves his hand in front of my empty expression, calling my name. "Jiyeon."

"Hm?" I look up at him as a tear streams down my cheek. He wipes it away very gently with the pad of his thumb and apologizes. I lean into his hand, but he very slowly pulls me into his arms and hugs me with sympathy, genuinely curious of what happened to me and why I'm acting like this, but thankfully he doesn't question. He knows it will only hurt worse. I cry silently onto his shoulder, my arms sloppily hugging him back because I feel so weak.

Leo hushes me soothingly while rubbing my back, trying his best to calm me down. "Everything is okay, I'm here for you." His sweet voices slowly melts into my ears. "I have something for you by the way." He pulls away and pulls something small out of a drawer.

"Close your eyes." He says soothingly. I do as I am told. I feel his hands move my hair softly and put something cold around my neck. "Open." He whispers.

I look down and see a thick heart locket. "L-Leo, is this?" I stutter, absolutely stunned and sentimental.

"Yes." He smiles and kisses my head. I hold the heart in my hand and tears flow from my eyes. "Thank you." I weep, feeling like Hongbin is once again with me. I will never take this necklace off.

His warm embrace is surely comforting, but I thank him with a shaky tone. I retreat back over time, looking into his eyes. He takes my hand and holds it, rubbing it. "Would you like to play a game or something? Maybe some fun will help you." Leo smiles assuringly.