Secrets and Things (MxM)

Chapter 22 - Are you ok?

Previously:

"...Leo? What are you doing here?"

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POV: Nero

Leo looked straight up flabbergasted and stammered out in disbelief, "Wha-what? What do you MEAN what am I doing here? I've been in calling your name for the last two minutes without any response. You were just staring at the wall without any movement. An-And when I approach you to touch you, you jump to the other side with complete trauma written all over your face. And you still didn't respond to me when I called out your name right in front of you. You were just... lifelessly staring at my face."

It took a while but once everything he said registered, I could only dumbly respond back with, "I did?"

"YES!" He threw his arm up in exasperation. "You scared the living daylights out of me! I was about to call the ambulance but you came back down to earth."

The feeling of confusion was quickly replaced with guilt and I looked down at the ground in disappointment. What is WRONG with me? You just had to fuck up everything again didn't you? Had to worry him and put more work on him this way didn't you? With a regretful tone, I stuttered, "I-I'm s-s-sorry. I didn't m-mean to c-cause you an-any trouble o-or worry you in a-any way..."

I heard a small sigh. Great. He real bad at me. "Nero." His tone was delicate but insistent. I still didn't look up and continued to look at both our shoes. All of a sudden, there was two fingers under my chin and was forced to look up into the ocean of gold that was Leo's eyes. Instead of being met with frustration, anger or disappointment, I was met with care, worry and tenderness. He brought his free hand to clasp my right hand and squeezed in reassurance. I felt my guilt melt away and replaced with a welcoming warmth instead. He then said with a caring voice,

"Nero. I am by no means angry with you nor did you cause me any trouble. Yes, you did worry me but I'm not mad at you for it. I just want to know if you're ok and if there is anything I can do to help. You were so unresponsive, it terrified me. I had no idea what happened so I didn't what to do to help you out. I still want to help you out now because I need you to be ok... Are you ok?" Leo proceeded to move the hand under my chin to rest on my cheek, brushing his thumb against my cheekbone.

The action knocked me breathless and left me speechless. All I could do was stare at his gorgeous eyes in disbelief and be wary it of any fakeness in his words. However, it was all legit and that was when I realised... He was doing immeasurable things to my heart. Am I... falling for him? I don't like that but it also seems intriguing because it's him (and he's hot) but it also seems like the definite road to heartbreak because surely he just sees me as an employee and nothing more. I bet he cares about his employees just as much. I always heard he was a good boss. On a more random note though... my neck is beginning to become sore from craning up for so long. I just had to be so much shorter than every other human being.

But Nero, do you really think Leo would stroke the cheeks of his employees, every single one of them with a loving look of affection that is not faked because clearly that is not fake.

Shut up Nero. I don't have enough self-esteem to believe you. Stop getting my hopes up... And even if that was the case, I'm broken. I don't deserve anyone, let alone him.

I ended my inner monologue and put my full attention back on the man in front of me, who still hadn't let me go. I could tell that he was expecting an answer out of me but instead, I felt my eyes trail down his face and lock on to his lips once again. I wonder what they taste like. Wait what the fuck? I shouldn't be doing this! I'm going to get caug- never mind. It's too late. Leo caught me staring and I felt the blood rush up so fast, that I actually got lightheaded for 5 seconds. It didn't help that he was now flashing a smug smirk and amused eyes. Mother fucker. I've seen that look one too many times. I don't hate it but I hate it. I tried to pull away from him and although the hand on the cheek dropped, he kept a firm grip on my hand. His serious demeaner was back and I knew it's about time I respond to his stupid question. I tried doing it as confidently and unshaken as possible.

"It was j-just something on the phone. I'd really r-rather not talk a-about it. As corny as t-this is going to s-sound, I'm doing a-al-alright thanks to y-you. You kind of brought me b-back to earth. So thank you. Really."

Leo still looked at me worriedly but didn't push it. He nodded. "If you're sure then. Just know, if you do need me, my doors are always open."

"No they're not. Your secretary is y-your third-line of d-defence."

Sir jokingly glared at me. "Smartarse. After getting through Cindy, they're always open. I'll just tell Cindy you're free to enter anytime, happy?"

I gave him a small shrug and directly said, "Who says I'm going to use your service in the first place?"

"You wanker." He tugged our attached hands towards himself and got me in a headlock. I attempted to pry him off while squirming and half-screaming but holy shit, this fucker was strong. At that rate, I had to get aid from the demon's power. Luckily, Cindy popped out of thin air and yelled at the both of us,

"I'VE BEEN WAITING IN THE CAR FOR 15 MINUTES. GET YOUR ASSES BACK IN THE CAR NOW! LEO YOU A MEETING IN 55 MINUTES AND THERE IS 45 MINUTES ON THE ROAD. IF WE'RE LATE FOR THIS FUCKING MEETING, I WILL TAKE TIMMY AWAY FROM YOU FOR A WEEK AND KEEP HIM WITH ME."

Leo immediately let go of me, we both straightened up and the other man practically yelled back, "YOU WOULDN'T DARE!"

"Try. Me."

Leo growled at her before mumbling incoherent curses (I think). "Let's just go." And we began walking towards the exit.

It was then that I remembered that we had the very important contract signing with Mark. "Hey, sir... where's mark?" Leo just gave me a look and said, "I'll just explain in the car."

"Did we at least get the collaboration project?"

"Yeah." Leo grinned widely at me while approaching the car's doors. Apparently, the grin was contagious because I felt my lips widen into a similar grin and return it back.

It wasn't until later when I realised that neither of us let go of our adjoined hands up until we got into the car