Fight and Flight

The next hour was spent preparing the dinner, and of course Mili did the cooking while Leo helped by doing the heavy lifting like washing and chopping vegetables and setting up the plates.

Dinner was spent talking about random things and by the time they were done, it was half past ten, and Mili seemed pretty tired so they decided to call an end to the long and exhaustive day.

~ ~

In the middle of the night, inside the dark bedroom, Mili was in a peaceful slumber when she was pulled out of her sleep. She opened her eyes partly and noticed the light outside the room. As her eyes adjusted to it, she saw a figure moving in the dining hall - Leo. He was talking on his mobile, pacing back and forth in only his track pants.

'Who is he talking to at this hour?' Mili wondered as she rubbed her eyes.

"I'm sure Roy, I'll be there." Leo spoke into the mobile, as he walked around. "This is very important."

'Roy?' Mili wondered as she followed Leo's shadow. 'Be where? Was he talking about his abroad trip?'

Leo listened to the response from the other side and sighed. "No Roy, I didn't tell her yet. I just couldn't find the right time and she has been very emotional. But, maybe not telling her is better-"

He walked away from the bedroom and his voice disappeared into the distance while Mili plopped back into the pillow with an angry frown on her face.

'What doe he mean not telling me is better?' She gritted her teeth in frustration as she silently scolded Leo in her head. 'And who are you calling emotional? Who's fault do you think that is?' She grumbled into the pillow and pulled the covers over her head.

~ ~

Mili tossed and turned around, rolling across the bed large empty bed. She then forced her eyes open and sat up. She barely had any sleep and was feeling grumpy. She let out a low groan as she fell back and let herself lie there, spread out on the bed as her blank gaze roamed around the ceiling of the room.

Then Leo's late night phone call bounced back into her mind and she felt worse. She grabbed a pillow and pressed it against her face, rolling around on the bed in irritation.

'Did he leave already?' she thought as she slowly pulled herself off the bed and made her way out of the bedroom, with a pillow in hand.

"Morning, Love" A low, husky voice came from across the room, freezing Mili in her step as she turned towards the voice.

Leo was standing by the dining table, studying the content on the papers which were perfectly spread across the table. He wasn't wearing a shirt, exposing his lean upper body, he looked as handsome as he appeared tired and sleepless. When he didnt hear any response, he pulled his attention away from the papers and turned to Mili. His dark brown eyes sparkled behind his glasses as his lips parted into a mischievous grin.

In a short black night gown, which left her neck and shoulders exposed, Mili stood at the bedroom door with a sleepy face and her eyes wide while her hair was sticking out in every direction. And with the pillow in her hand made up for an adorable scene.

"You look...otherworldly." Leo commented, trying to hold in his laughter but his eyes gave away his amusement.

"Why are you still here?" Mili questioned, ignoring his remark.

"What do you mean?" Leo asked, raising his eyebrow.

"I don't know... Weren't you supposed to be going somewhere else?" Mili answered, crossing her arms.

"No." Leo answered without a second thought. "Why?"

"Then what were you talking about in the middle of the night?" She demanded straightforwardly.

"You were awake?" Leo looked at her surprised, while Mili turned her head to the side. He chuckles, scratching the back of his head as he continued. "Ah, that kinda ruins everything. But-"

"Oh I'm sorry I ruined everything." Mili interrupted, glaring at him with those big eyes filled with grief and tears. But before they could spill, she furiously rubbed her eyes. "But please, don't mind me. Do whatever you want because I don't care."

"Wait? What are you talking about?" Leo spoke, a little confused at her reaction. "I thought you'd be happy wi--uff" The pillow in Mili's hands flew at him, sticking him square in the face and cutting off his words in his mouth.

"What the-". He pulled the pillow away from his face, and was shocked by the sight in front of him.

Mili stood there, her whole body trembling and her fists clenched tightly by her side. She looked like a volcano ready to erupt. A few tears rolled down her cheek as she quickly wiped them away.

The next second, Leo closed the distance and pulled her into a hug, her head resting on his bare chest. Surprisingly, Mili didnt resist and snuggled into him, sliding her arms around Leo's waist, as she tried to hold back her sniffles.

Leo sighed, while gently stroking her hair, he spoke in a whisper. "What's wrong, Mili?"

Mili stood silent for a moment, holding him tightly and then answered. "If you are going somewhere, take me with you. I don't want to be alone."

Leo seemed lost for a while but then slowly pieced the information together and made sense of the situation.

'So she didn't hear everything?' He let out a small breath of relief and then a smile formed on his face.

"So, you thought I was going somewhere?" Leo questioned, as he pulled away and observed Mili.

She slowly raised her head and looked into Leo's eyes with her big blue ones, as she gave a slight nod. That sight amazed Leo, as he never saw Mili make such an expression. She looked like a lost kitten looking up at him with her big pitiful eyes, pleading him not to abandon her.

"Pfft-" That image made Leo break out into laughter and Mili watched in horror as her husband went into a laughing frenzy. "I'm sorry..Its just." he spoke, clutching his stomach. "You looked so cute and adorable. Like a cute little cat-pfft"

Mili gritted her teeth as it dawned on her. 'This guy... he's mocking me.' And so, her sorrow turned into rage.

"You- you..." Mili growled, looking around. She walked to the kitchen counter and grabbed a plate from the isle.

"Wait wait" Leo held in his laugh and stretched his arms forward in surrender. But at the sight of angry face, he couldn't control his laughter and incurred her wrath.

"Gaaah...I hate you, Go to hell." She snarled and launched the plate forward, aimed at Leo.

"Sorry sorry, Mili stop." Leo dodged the plate with ease and it fell to the floor, shattering on impact.

His good reflexes saved him from the second incoming plate too. And while trying to avoid placing his foot on any of the broken pieces, he failed to notice another plate coming at him which hit him on the forehead, missing his eye by mere inches.

"Ah" Leo winced as he fell back. He supported himself with his hand into a sitting position, but hissed again when a piece of broken plate pierced his palm.

Leo's short cry caught Mili's attention and she gasped seeing Leo on the floor, with a hand on his head. She immediately rushed to his side and sat beside him, pulling his hand away from his forehead, revealing a small bruise in the place.

"I'm- I'm sorry, Leo." she whispered slowly, touching the bruise gently with her fingers. But Leo grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes.

"You've become pretty violent in my absence." Leo smirked, before crying in pain again as Mili pressed her hand on the bruise in annoyance. "Oww..sorry sorry."

Mili stood up and walked into the kitchen, coming out with an ice pack and bandages. She placed the ice pack in Leo's hand and pushed it to his head. Then she took his other hand and saw the broken piece cutting into Leo's blood stained palm. She began puling it out carefully and just as Leo hissed from pain, she snapped her head up. But instead of Leo, it was Mili who was on the verge of breaking down as her eyes were brimming with tears.

"Hey hey.." Leo spoke. He was surprised at her demeanor. "I'm alright. Look, Its just a small scratch. Nothing to worry."

"I'm sorry, Leo. I'm so sorry." Mili sobbed as she cleaned the cut and placed a bandage on it. Leo sighed and took her into his embrace. "I'm sorry Leo. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just-"

"Aah, jeez. I told you its fine, now stop crying." Leo consoled her, stroking her back. "When did you become such a crybaby."

"I just..want you to be with me." Mili whimpered and Leo pulled back.

"Listen to me carefully, Mili." Leo spoke firmly, looking in her eyes. "I'm. Not. Going Anywhere."

"You're not?" Mili asked, confused.

"No, I'm not." Leo smiled. "But we are."

"We?"Mili looked at him and Leo nodded. "Where?"

He answered her with a big bright smile as he pulled her back into his embrace.

~ ~

42 Hours Later

It was a small dark room, the windows were closed and covered with curtains, blocking any light from entering the room. Mili woke up heavily and sat on the bed, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. Then she looked at the small paper sticking on the calendar placed on the bedside table,

Mili picked the paper and read it : 'Mornin Luv, Sorry I had to leave early-'

"Again" Mili groaned, falling back on the bed.

'I'll be back by the evening. Just order something to eat and watch some movies. I'll get back as soon as possible. - Leo

She sighed, looking up at the ceiling of the room. The room was filled with silence and she can hear her own breathing. If she knew it would be like this, she would've been better at home. At least there, she'd have her books to read.

'What was the point of coming here together if you were gonna leave me alone and wander off on your own?' she grumbled unhappily. 'Stupid, Leo.'

That was their second day in Italy and Leo was off to do his own things, leaving Mili alone in the hotel room.

They landed in Milan at around 7 in the evening, a day before yesterday. The collected their luggage and got in a cab and arrived at a hotel after another hour of journey. They checked into their room which Leo reserved beforehand and fell asleep. The next morning Leo left early, leaving a note in his place and wasn't back till late in the night.

And the same thing happened today too. Even though Mili and Leo came together, she barely saw him after coming to the hotel.

Mili took in a deep breath and sighed as she threw the note away and went towards the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

She spent the day watching movies and eating the variety of dishes. She even challenged herself to taste every dessert available. She wanted to check out the local places but the thought of going alone drained her energy and excitement.

Time flew by and sun took his leave for the day and darkness covered the sky with little twinkles spread over.

~ ~

The sound of the door lock being opened from the other side was clearly audible in the dark and silent room. The next second, the door opened and Leo walked in. He locked the door behind him and took his jacket off, before collapsing in the couch. He seemed tired and exhausted as he loosened his tie and dropped his head back.

Just as he was about to surrender to his fatigue, he heard some voices. He turned towards the voices and noticed lights flickering in the other room. He checked the time on his watch and sighed. He got up and followed the lights and realized it was the LCD on the wall broadcasting those lights in the dark room.

He looked around and saw the remote on the table, along with empty plates, bowls and glasses. He bent forward to grab the remote but noticed something in the sofa. His eyes widened in shock before they softened and a small smile tugged at his lips.

The bright light from the LCD illuminated a already asleep Mili, curled up in the couch. She was fast asleep despite the bright lights flashing on her face.

Leo got down on his knees, adoring her sleeping face. He pushed a stray hair away from her face, brushing her cheek in the process. Mili stirred in her sleep with a troubled expression on her face. Leo smiled at the sleeping beauty, as he placed a light peck on her lips and Mili's face relaxed as if she knew her husband was right beside her.

"This is not the place to sleep, love." Leo whispered and scooped her into his arms and walked to the bedroom.

He gently placed her on the bed and tucked her under the covers. As he turned around, he felt a tug on his hand. He looked back and saw Mili hugging his hand, still asleep. He tried to pull his hand free and Mili frowned, tightening her hold. She stirred and turned on her side, pulling Leo with her.

He supported himself with his other hand and tried to take his hand back. But every time, she held onto it that much tighter. With his effort not doing much and no energy to spare, Leo gave up and settled beside her. Looking at Mili's sleeping face, he immediately relaxed.

He put his forehead to hers and whispered."I'm sorry for leaving you alone. But, tomorrow will be worth it." He planted a light kiss on the tip of her nose and closed his eyes. "Good night, and sweet dreams."