Chapter 53

I was changing my clothes when I heard a knock on my door and Leandro emerged from the other side of the door.

“Just checking on you. You haven’t gone down for breakfast.” I watched his eyes indiscreetly travel to my chest where Cara engraved her mark, as I put my shirt on. His eyebrows began to knit together as soon as he noticed it.

“Yeah, I’ll be down. Just gone to check my emails.” I said, walking towards him. He nods before stepping away from the door. We then walk down together to the dining room.

I sensed their discomfort while we were having our breakfast. Damian was his usual happy go lucky self, enjoying his food but Leandro and mom, not so much.

“Where’s grandma?” I asked.

“She already ate her breakfast in her room. She wanted to stay in and read novels. You know how she is.” Mom smiled as she spoke fondly of grandma.

I noticed in the corner of my eyes that they’re looking at each other as if they’re speaking silently through their eyes. I seriously did not want to think too much about it. My head was still aching from the hangover I have. Leandro let me drink some shit that tasted gross. He said it helps with my hangover. It did actually. I feel a lot better than when I woke up.

“Honey, are you in a hurry with your work?” She cleared her throat before asking. I noticed she was waiting for Damian to come upstairs before finally talking to me. Ollie was hot on his heels as soon as he got up on his feet.

I shake my head. “No. No rush today. Why?”

“We just wanted to talk to you about something… after this.” She added. No wonder the two have been acting weird.

“Is this about you two again? Are you asking permission for my mom’s hand?” I teased Leandro who in return gave me a grin. Mom just smiled but then dissolved into a not so genuine one.

“It’s about you, Lincoln.”

I waited for them in the living room, turning on the tv as I distract myself. After washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen and dining table, they immediately followed me in the living room.

“You two seem tense.” It was meant to be a joke but I can’t help but let out a serious look when the two obviously were tense and nervous. I gotta hand it to Leandro for acting cool even though he’s anything but. His face is just good at looking cool.

“So what do you want to talk about?” I said as I transferred to an armchair while I let them sit on the couch where I previously sat. Leandro’s arm rests on mom’s back.

“Lincoln, please don’t get mad at what we’re about to say. I was wrong for not telling you this sooner. I just…” Mom started to ramble. I knew it’s not good news when she starts to act like this.

“What is it?” I asked, concern filled my voice as I watched them suspiciously.

Mom and Leandro look at each other. Leandro nods before mom looks at me again. “I know about you and Cara, honey. I already know everything.”

I looked at them for a while, giving myself a moment to ponder what she had said. I breathed deeply as I realized what she meant about knowing everything. My fists clenched as the guilt in me began to surface. Guilt, pain, anger. “I’m… How did you know?” A deep frown etched in my face.

“She came here a week after your visit.” My head whipped to her in a flash, eyes wide in shock. “Don’t cloud your mind with anything else first. I want you to listen to me, okay? I just want you to know that I understand where you’re coming from.” I know that she’s telling me this to avoid me freaking out about it. That or maybe to avoid me lashing out on her because she hid it from me.

“So you knew she’s in the mafia then?” I asked hesitantly. I don’t know if I should continue feeling guilty when she already said she understood what I had done. I honestly don’t know what to feel anymore. We’re talking about Cara here- the woman who has filled my mind and heart all day and night ever since.

“She told me everything, sweetie. I was shocked and scared at first but she showed me that I shouldn’t be and that I should trust her. Although I wasn’t convinced before, she sent Leandro here for the family.”

I stare at them in shock. Fuck. Fuck! I fucking knew it. No wonder I felt something off about him. I just knew he was no ordinary man and there’s something familiar about him. Granted we didn’t exactly meet before but there was just something about him.

“Not only that, she…” She eyes me with hesitance and concern. “She offered to pay for everything here.” She saw me breathing deeply, closing my eyes as if controlling my emotions. “I assure you, dear, that I refused her offer but she already did it. I had no choice but to accept.”

I rubbed my face with my hand in frustration. “I guess it’s why you haven’t asked me about her.” I stated more than asking. Mom nods. “And Leandro…” My eyes traveled towards Leandro who was acting calm yet his posture was stiff as a rock. I could see in his eyes he was nervous. This could put their relationship in a tight spot again.

“He’s staying here all along to protect you.” Of course, a familiar move from Cara. “I guess it’s where your relationship developed.” I saw Leandro opening his mouth to speak but I stopped him by raising my hand. “You don’t have to explain. I get it.” I mused. “I get it.”

Absentmindedly, I was on my feet probably to get out for air. The room was suffocating me.

“Linc-”

“I need to get some air.” I walked out not even sparing them a glance to know how they were looking at me.

I found myself walking towards the park. It was a weekend so I saw a lot of people and families spending their time here. I was glad that I was the only one who occupied the bench. I just want to be alone. Watching the people and kids here running and playing around got my mind off certain things.

After my mom’s confession, feeling hurt was the last thing I expected. Not because mom kept the truth from me but the thought of Cara brought only immense pain to my chest. It’s like I just brushed off the rest of the truth and only kept her in my mind and in my heart.

I always, always adored her unexpected kindness. Everytime she did something good, it threw me off completely. My heart would flutter every damn time. Mom telling me how she helped them only reminded me that I was no longer able to feel impressed or be surprised in front of her whenever she did something out of her character.

I miss her. I do. Every fucking day since she left. Despite the pain she bestowed upon me, I still can’t help what I feel. I still want her. I still love her.

At first, I felt blank like I didn’t know what to feel when she suddenly cast me aside. Then, I was furious and disappointed how she had changed drastically because I thought she had felt the same way. I tried to remain calm and collected just so they could see that I was fine despite my inner turmoil. I didn’t want to worry my family.

I guess I didn’t pull it off well when they decided to tell me the truth.

“When I said to get some air, I meant I needed to be alone.” I said as Leandro sat down beside me. I have been sitting here not knowing how long and managed to calm myself down. I didn’t expect him to come after me.

“I know. But you need to hear the entire truth, Dylan. You can’t run away right in the middle.”

“I wasn’t trying to.”

“I hope that what you’re about to hear, you won’t.” He replied solemnly.