35

"What did you just say?" He howled. I wasn't afraid of him, instead, I spoke even more.

"Do you think your wife is innocent? I mean, she let you sleep with her even while I was supposedly her best friend. You guys don't consider yourselves innocent, do you? Or am I mistaken?" I sneered at him and forcefully snatched my hand away from him.

"And don't you dare grab my wrist that way, ever? You have no fucking rights!" I pointed my index finger at him with a deadpanned look plastered on my face.

"You have grown bold..." He said just as the elevator opened. I walked out.

"She's carrying a bastard," I said as a matter of fact before the door shut closed.

Henry appeared immediately after.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah..."

He nodded. I felt he wanted to say something, I knew he wanted to react with more than just a nod.

I felt accountable to him about earlier, we were a couple of on probation.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?" I arched a brow at him as his eyes were lingering on me.

"Well, there's something I would like to ask you, but I'm sure you are tired now. We'll talk about it later." He replied with a soft smile.

"But I want to talk about it now." I insisted, I didn't want to keep pondering on what he was going to ask me until he finally asked.

"Can we at least find somewhere to sit?" He suggested.

"Sure." And we went down to the lobby. Since it was well past lunch hour, no employees were walking around, and we could have anywhere to ourselves.

"How are you feeling?" He asked affectionately, his big hands took mine in his and gently squeezed them.

"I can't say," I thought for a while. "But I feel I have opened myself up to the entire world," I muttered, taking in a deep breath.

"Well, I feel you've done the right thing." I had hoped he'd say that. Henry was naturally one to cheer people up.

"Thanks. What did you want to ask me? I queried.

"It's about earlier..." He looked into my eyes, and I was projected into his mind.

Leo, what Nathan had said.

"Do you think I'd make a good father?" He was sober and I felt my heart shrink.

"Yeah..." I didn't hesitate to say. He slightly nodded.

"Is it about what Nathan said?" I questioned, staring intensely at him.

He looked away for a moment, sighed, and turned to look at me.

"Sincerely, I was taken aback." He smiled wryly.

"It was just a child's nonsense." I tried to justify Nathan.

"But that's what is on his mind. A child doesn't talk nonsense, you know ..."

I didn't even know what to say. Certainly, he was hurt.

I placed my other hand on his hand which was holding my right hand "You should not be concerned about that, give Nathan some time, I'm sure he will see you in that way," I nudged him, trying to make light of the situation. He slightly chuckled.

"Well, I can't help myself. He must have met Leo Cooper a couple of times for him to have that thought in mind."

"Probably..."

"It's funny he sees me almost every time and yet has never said such things to me, isn't it?" He let out an awkward laugh.

I could only stare at him.

Was he someone I could keep by my side?

"I'm so sorry for bothering you." His voice broke my thoughts.

"No, no... I wanted you to tell me what was on your mind." I spoke and smiled at him.

He quietly nodded. I briefly rubbed the back of his hand.

"Let's go find Nathan, he must be waiting." He said finally.

There was something about the way the snow was falling from the sky as I sipped coffee in a diner the next morning. It was so refreshing, my eyes were transfixed on the mesmerizing drops of white falling lazily without care.

"Here you go!" Henry placed my breakfast in front of me, sitting merrily.

"Thank you."

"How's the coffee?" He asked.

"Hmm, it's quite sweet." I acknowledged.

"This place is quite cool..." He looked around admiringly.

"Yeah." I agreed. The décor and setting were really what attracted me to the diner, despite the fact that it wasn't the best we could come to.

"Should we come back here next time?" He smiled.

"I should want that." I grinned. "You said there was a wedding you wanted us to attend, right?" I segued to another topic.

"Yeah...is there a change of plan?" He arched his brows.

"No, not all...it was supposed to be a reminder."

He chuckled.

"Ah, I'd like us to have a getaway somewhere outside the States." He said.

I wasn't thinking that far. I only nodded.

"Do you mind?" He asked when I didn't say anything.

"Could you be selfish for once?" I chuckled.

He laughed.

"I think I'm already being selfish asking you to eat out."

"I don't mind, I chose this place after all," I assured him,

When do you think we can have the getaway?"

"Perhaps..." My eyes locked with Leo's.

What was he doing here?

He was standing at the entrance, and he wouldn't look away.

"Perhaps?" Henry's patient voice broke our eye lock. I returned my gaze to him.

"What's wrong? You look dazed."

"It's nothing... I'm sorry." I looked up again, and by then Leo had taken his seat close to the door. He couldn't possibly be following me, could he?

"What time of the year will be convenient for you?" He rephrased.

"I..." Leo's eyes wouldn't take his eyes off me, and I was becoming very distracted.

"Are you okay?" Henry frowned, looking around, but thankfully, his eyes missed Leo.

"Can we leave, please?"

"Why?" He looked surprised. "We just got here."

"I know, but I don't feel comfortable here without Nathan." I lied.

"Sure," he said, sounding downcast. "Let's go." He pushed back his chair.

"This way..." I beckoned towards the second exit, which was closer to us and farther from Leo. I wouldn't want them to meet and create an awkward situation.