Chapter 15: Chapter 15

We got to Brielle’s house after a couple of minutes which seemed longer than they were because of Leon’s silence. He was so angry and I could feel it radiating off him. I tried to start conversations but he easily let them off and I was losing ideas of what to do.

When we were at the door to Brielle’s house, I noticed no one was home so I asked him to stay over which he agreed to after much pleading.

“Do you want to talk?” I asked for the millionth time as he was seated, staring at the wall like a mannequin. He only shook his head and became lifeless again. “Leon, talk to me. There’s a reason I’m your best friend.”

“I’m fine.”

“You haven’t even been talking like you usually do and you and I know that’s not a normal thing.”

“It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

“Are you trying to convince yourself or me?” “I’m fine.”

“If you don’t want to talk about what happened, then say so. Don’t just lie and say it’s fine.”

“Today is a really sad day for me and I…I can’t help but want to cry as girly as that sounds,” he said and the pain in his voice was evident.

There was an uncomfortable silence. “Do you want to talk about it?” I offered.

“No,” he said after a while. “No, I don’t think I want to talk about it. It would be like reliving it and I don’t want that.”

“That’s okay,” I said and I went to sit beside him.

I’d known Leon for many years and I’d never seen him looking so vulnerable. I didn’t know what had happened those minutes I was away but I knew it wasn’t anything good. I just wished he would talk and tell me what it was because the suspense was killing me.

“What are you trying to do?” he asked, turning to me with a raised brow as I wrapped my arm around his shoulder.

I smiled. “I’ve had my share of sad, bad days and I know that many times I never want to talk about it but goodness, these days are so much better when you know you’ve got someone by your side. And I’ll always be here for you. You know that.”

His lips turned up in a small smile. “I know and I think that’s all I need.”

We fell into another silence and I could have sworn I could hear his heart beating. All I wanted was to help.

“Is it about your father?” I asked him with a frown when I couldn’t take his behavior anymore.

He was quiet for a while until he finally sighed and said, “It’s just family problems. Those things happen to everyone sometime. It’s something that will pass.”

I pursed my lips. “It wasn’t always like that, right?”

“It wasn’t. Honestly, if anything, we had the perfect family and I guess we didn’t realize how much our mother was the one holding it until she died.”

“It’s connected to Stefanos?” “Yes.”

“That’s why your father hates him.”

He looked up. “Hate is a strong word but father blamed him for the loss of his wife and I guess he couldn’t ever act normal around him again.”

“No offense but your father sounds like such a bad person.”

Leon laughed but it wasn’t his usual hearty laugh anymore. “That might be true but weeds are also flowers or at least they once were.”

“What happens then?”

“They were destroyed because they weren’t cared for. It’s hard to get them back to their once beautiful selves but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.”

“That’s what you’re doing. You’re trying.”

He nodded. “It’s hard but there’s nothing else we can do. We can’t just abandon him because he’s family. He’s our father.”

I bit my lip and thought about it. “What did your father really say, Leon? I need to know what’s bothering you because from what you’re saying, he’s always like this so what makes today different.” He didn’t answer. “Leonidas, talk to me.”

“He threatened your life,” Leon shouted throwing his hands in the air. “He threatened your life, okay, and I may have reacted wrongly and…God, I messed up but he wants to hurt you and that is a low blow even for him.”

I gasped. “Why would he want to do that to me? He doesn’t even know me.”

He ran his hands over his face and sighed. “He likes to have his way and I’m rebellious and he’s trying to get at me the only way he knows how.”

“It seems you’re so hot in the market since everyone wants to kill me for you,” I joked and he glared at me. “I’m sorry but I know I won’t be hurt with you around. Besides, your father might just be trying to scare you. He can’t mean it.”

“You don’t know my father,” he said with a dark look in his eyes. “I know him. I know our kind, Paris. You don’t and I’m so sorry for having you drawn into all this. I’ll just go so I can take it away from you.”

My eyes widened. “You can’t leave me. Is this really what you’re going to do? Just walk away because of some threat that isn’t even backed by anything?”

“What do you want me to do?” he shouted. “Let you die? Because I can’t. I won’t.” “You talk as if you can’t handle it.”

“I won’t be there to protect you all the time. I can try but there’s only little I can do. You have to understand that. I need to make sure you’re safe.”

“Don’t go. You can do anything but you can’t leave me. Where in God’s name, am I going to find another friend like you? We’ve been through a lot all these years and I’m not going to let you ruin our friendship like this.”

“There are phones to talk.” “It’s not the same thing, idiot.” “Paris…”

“No. You can ask me for any favor in this world but definitely not that. And if you think of talking about that nonsense with me, you can do us both a favor and get out of here. Now.”

“Paris…”

I shook my head. “I’m serious. You are not going to talk me into agreeing to what would turn out to be the worst decision of our lives so just get out.”

He sighed and stood up. “I’m doing what’s best for you.”

“Who are you to decide what’s best for me and what’s not?” I shouted as I stood up facing him. “You.” Jab “Will.” Jab “Not.” Jab. “Make.” Jab. “A.” Jab. “Decision.” Jab. “For.” Jab. “Me.”

He held my hands as I crashed on his chest and started sobbing. “It would be worse if you’re dead.”

I sniffed. “No one is going to kill me.” “You don’t know that.”

“I do and I am sure that no one is going to be able to kill me.” “Your condition…”

“Is a secret and they would not do anything to get me hurt. Trust me. Besides, if it ever comes to it, I know I can handle myself.”

He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my head. “I’m going to have Milo go everywhere with you. Don’t worry you won’t even see him that often so you’ll survive.”

“See, we can do this.”

“But if you ever get hurt or I notice anything threatening, I’m going to leave and nothing you say will stop me.”

“It won’t get to that.” “I hope so.”

And I didn’t know how long but we stayed in that warm embrace for a long time and as much as I knew Leon needed it the most, I felt as though that was what I needed as well. To have every worry thrown aside.

“You have to promise me one thing,” I whispered ruining the silence that fell between us. “Anything,” he whispered back.

I pursed my lips. “I want you to promise that no matter what happens, you’ll always be my best friend. You’ll always be there for me.”

He was quiet for a while and I thought he wouldn’t say anything but he said, “I promise and my word is my bond.”

I let a smile grace my lips. “I promise too.”