The door closed behind him with a soft click, and for a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
The room was dim, lit only by the small lamp besides the bed. From the open window came the sounds of the night. From the open window came the sounds off the night—crickets, cars rolling past, someone laughing faintly down the hall before it faded away.
Felicity stayed by the door, her hand still resting on the knob. She wasn't sure if she should hold on or let go. Leon stood a few feet away, shoulders tight, hands shoved into his pocket.
He didn't look like the smooth, confident Leon everyone else knew. Right now, he just looked tired—like he'd been carrying something heavy for too long.
"You shouldn't have come," she said finally. Her voice was quiet but firm, even though her heart was racing.
Leon gave a weak smile that didn't seem believable. "I told myself that about 10 times before I got here."
"Then why did you?"
"Because I needed to see you" he admitted. "I've been driving around all day—trying to outrun everything. My father. Myself. I believed it'll help but it didn't. I just ended up here."
She paused for a moment, staring at him, studying him—the bags underneath his eyes like he hasn't had a good rest in a minute. The way his throat tightened with each word he spoke like he found it difficult or he was afraid to express himself. To let himself be vulnerable.
"And what did you think you would achieve by coming here?" she asked calmly.
I don't know. I didn't think about it. But what I did know was that I wanted to see you. So I guess whatever happened wouldn't really matter.
Silence settled between them, though neither of them could look away.
Felicity turned towards the desk besides her, trying to tidy up the scattered books and the half half-empty cup of coffee. Her fingers traced round the rim without it occurring to her.
She turned back around.
"I haven't had a good night sleep in a long while." He said.
She nodded. Still looking down at the mug, "But you know you shouldn't be here Leon. Especially not around this time."
"If anyone finds out—"
"I don't care if people find out, Fel." He cut in, his voice low but still steady. "But if that's what you're worried about, no one saw me, I promise."
She finally looked up at him. Their eyes met, and just then it felt like something shifted between them. But the defiance in his tone didn't quite match his facial expression. Beneath all of the façade he had put on for so long, there was something fragile. Something she never quite saw. Something almost breaking.
"Because of your father?" she asked.
He nodded. "Because of everything."
"Leon" she said softly, "what happened?"
He gave a quiet, bitter laugh. "My father. He's at it again. Trying to fix my life like it's another business deal to him. He's putting everything on the line this time—my freedom, my name, my inheritance. He said "everything I have belongs to the family."
Felicity's brows drew together. "That's not a choice."
"It never is with him" Leon said. "They built this perfect version of me—the way I look, talk, act, I almost feel like a robot. I've never really felt like myself."
"Well except when I'm with you."
Her heart twisted. "And you think coming here would change that?"
He gave a small shrug. "No. But seeing you…made me feel lighter. Like I could breath again, even for a bit."
She looked him in the eyes, swallowing hard. "Leon, I don't see how I can help you though?"
"But I'm not asking you to. In some way, just us. Here. Now. Is enough."
The words hung in the air between them.
Felicity stepped closer, her heart pounding. "You're not alone." She said softly, "You never were."
He searched her face, eyes tired and uncertain. "What about Imran?"
Her chest tightened. "What about him?"
"You still love him" he said quietly. "I saw it that night."
Felicity sighed. "It's complicated."
"Is it?"
"Yes" she whispered.
"I ruined it?"
"You didn't run anything Leon" she responded. "You just reminded me that love may not just be the safest option. Something it is stepping out of your comfort and following your heart"
He took a step closer, then another, until he was right in front of her. "Tell me if you want me to leave." He said, with his voice low. "And I will."
Her pulse quickened. The words were right there, waiting to leave her tongue, but her lips were sealed.
Every inch of her body knew she was making a huge mistake—but she couldn't resist, she couldn't bring herself to push him away.
"I can't"
That was all he needed to hear.
He reached for her hand, slow and uncertain, his fingers brushing against hers like he was asking for permission.
When she didn't pull back, his grip tightened just slightly—gently, like he was holding onto something delicate.
"This is wrong." She whispered.
"I know."
"But I don't think I want you to go." She said, barely above a breath.
He leaned in< "I don't want to go either", pressing his forehead against hers. For a moment, it seemed like the world came to a halt—the laughter coming from the hallway, the street noise buzzing through the windows, the mess waiting beyond the room.
There was only the quiet rhythm of their breathing.
Then came a knock on the door.
They froze?
"Are you still up? Fel." Victoria's voice called from the hallway.
Felicity's heart skipped a beat. Leon took a step back instantly, pulse racing.
"Don't make a sound."
"Yeah. But I'm just about to sleep, Vic."
A short pause. The Victoria's footsteps faded down the hall.
Felicity exhaled. The silence that came after was heavier than before. "Okay. You have to go" she whispered.
"Yeah. I know." He said quietly as he traced her faced, like he wanted to draw a clear image of her in his mind.
He walked to the door, but before he could reach for the knob, she grabbed his other arm.
"Leon," she said, her voice cracking. "Whatever happens…don't let him or anyone break you. You've got this."
He looked back at her and his expression softened.
Then he slipped out. His footsteps echoed as he went down the corridor until it faded into the night.
Felicity stood in the same position she was, staring at the empty space he had left behind.
Her chest ached knowing she craved for something she couldn't have.
Outside the city lights flickered against the window. Somewhere in the distance, a car door slammed shut, followed by the rumble of an engine pulling away. In her mind she pictured it was him.
For the first time in a long while, Felicity was clueless on what she was going to do.