As Summer went downstairs and walked past the dining hall, she saw Douglas sitting stock at the table. It looked like he had not moved his chopsticks yet. Seeing her, Douglas asked, “How is Leonardo?”
“He’s fine, I guess. I’m sending dinner to him.” She disappeared into the kitchen. After placing the food on a tray, she came back out only to see Leonardo sitting at the dining table.
He glanced up at her, and Summer stared at the tray in her hands, then said, “There you are.”
He just replied with an “Mm” and began to eat.
Summer put the tray back into the kitchen. After she came back out, she sat next to Leonardo and secretly glanced at him. He appeared the same as he did on any other day. There was nothing unusual, and he was extremely calm.
…
Leonardo did not say a word during dinner. He got up and went back upstairs to his study room once he finished. Not wanting to disturb him, Summer entered the bedroom. He did not return even after she fell asleep. At midnight, she was jolted out of her sleep. She instinctively reached her over only to find the space beside her empty. Was Leonardo still in the study room?
Sitting up on the bed, she checked her phone; it was already one in the morning. She decided to put on a gown and go to Leonardo’s study room. The door was unlocked. When she pushed it open, strong smoke attacked her nostrils. With no light, the room was pitch-dark, but she could see a spark of red light. Leonardo was smoking.
Without turning on the light, Summer groped her way forward. They could not see each other in the dark, but they could sense each other’s bodily scent.
She sat down beside him, coughing as the smoke agitated her nostrils. The spark of red light flickered for a second, then died down. In the dark, Leonardo’s low and hoarse voice made him sound like a phantom.
“Why are you here?”
“Just coming to check on you,” Summer replied softly, reaching out to grasp his hand. His usually warm hand felt as cold as ice.
Holding his hand firmly in hers, she tried to give him some warmth, but Leonardo quickly retracted his hand. Then, he spoke.
“It was in that abandoned factory that they used me to threaten her.”
Summer knew he was talking about his mom. Just one sentence told her everything. Despite realizing it was probably true through his reaction earlier today, hearing it from his own mouth was still a shocker.
“It happened right before my eyes,” Leonardo continued. “They tied me up and surrounded her…”
Fifteen years ago, he was only eleven. An eleven-year-old had to witness a group of men violate his mother… Upset at hearing that, Summer wrapped her hands around him.
“Leonardo, stop it already.”
“When Michael finally arrived with his men—”
“Leonardo, please stop it!” Summer cut him off with her trembling voice.
His voice was so calm that it frightened her. As he still had no intention of stopping, she moved her lips up to kiss him. As she could not see his face in the dark, her lips landed on his chin at first, then she moved up an inch and found his lips.
Unmoved initially, Leonardo quickly took the wheel. He drew her tightly into his arms as if he was going to snap her in half. Not to be outdone, Summer bit his lips. They were entangled as if they were wrestling. It was not until Leonardo pushed her onto the couch that she realized what Leonardo was doing. However, it was too late. He did not give her a chance to react, and by the time she knew it, he was inside her.
The last time they did it was in the Golden Cauldron. Back then, Leonardo was drugged, but he still had superb self-control as he guided her every step of the way. This time, he was visibly rougher.
“Aargh…” She could not help but moan in pain.
“Relax.”
“Get out first…”
“Impossible.”
Not only did he not back down, but he was flooring it. Summer bit her lip as hard as she could, but her moans still slipped from her mouth, however slightly. That aroused Leonardo even more, his motions getting rougher and wilder…
…
Summer lost track of the time, and she had no idea when it ended. By the time she woke up, it was already morning. She even found that she was not on the sofa in the study room, but on the bed in the bedroom. She could smell herself. She was as fresh as a daisy, so someone had to have cleaned her up. She did not have to look to know that Leonardo was not in the room because his scent was not present. That was how strong Leonardo’s sense of presence was.
When she brushed her teeth in the bathroom, she noticed that her lips were a little swollen and her neck was covered in hickeys. These were all signs left behind from their actions last night. She found a turtleneck top and wore it under her overcoat. She then let her long hair cover whatever marks and signs that the turtleneck could not hide.
Had Leonardo not been grieving last night, she would not have offered herself. There would be no more next time. She was not going to spoil him anymore.
When Douglas saw Summer coming downstairs to the living room, he jumped out of the sofa. “Summer, you’ve finally woken up.”
“What’s wrong?” She was dead sure that Douglas would not have known about last night. Nevertheless, his words still turned her into a bundle of nerves.
“Leonardo’s left for work. Before he went, he let me wait for you. I almost wanted to knock on your door just now.” Douglas carried his school bag and went up to her. “I’ve gotten you breakfast. You can eat it in the car. I’m running late.”
She blushed at the mention of Leonardo, but she still put on a poker face. “It’s probably the cold. That’s why I overslept.”
“No wonder Leonardo stopped me from waking you up.” Douglas nodded without the slightest doubt.
Once inside the car, Summer asked, “Are you okay going to school alone today?”
“Why not? Ben Burton’s injured. I’m sure he’s not coming to school today. Even if he comes, I’m not afraid of him. He’s no match for me after all.” Noticing Summer’s face darkening, he made a sudden turn. “If he comes looking for a fight, I’ll tell the teacher.”
It was as if he was still in primary school, needing the teacher to save the day. Summer tried hard not to laugh but failed. “Little rascal!”
Douglas pouted, not looking too happy. “Little old lady!”
“Say that again!”
“I’m sorry.”