Chapter 9

“You're bleeding,” he stated, his voice was a low, almost indifferent murmur. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

“Bleeding?”, I asked as fear enveloped me. No, no, no, no. This just had to happen when he clearly said no mistakes.

My hand reached out to the side of my face he was looking at and when I retreated my fingers, sure enough there was blood on it.

I tried my best to wipe it off with my shaky hands but I was sure I was making it worse by the looks on Leo's face.

“I…I just need to…excuse me,” I muttered, not waiting for a response from him before dashing off to the bathroom I saw earlier.

I did do a good job making it worse for sure, I thought as I looked at my reflection.

He's going to be angry.

He saw it.

Why did this have to happen here?.

I got some tissues instantly, wiping all traces of the blood clean. I thought the wound would have closed up by now.

I tried my best not to mess up my makeup while ensuring I looked flawless like Leo wanted.

I mustered up courage and left the bathroom. Leo was talking to another person but he immediately turned towards my direction as if he sensed my presence.

“Sorry about that,” I whispered when I got to his side.

His eyes darted to the exact spot again. “It's still bleeding,” this time a little more firmly. The indifference from the first time was now a more direct yet calm assessment.

I didn't even notice him taking a step closer to me, towering over me with his eyes fixed on that spot.

My heart couldn't stop beating so hard. It wasn't the blood I was scared about but rather the likely consequences that would follow after we got back home.

In a split second, he grabbed my hands and started walking towards the exit. “We're leaving,” his voice was low and decisive, leaving no room for any argument.

He nodded at anyone who acknowledged him on our way out.

I got into the car instantly thinking of how to plead for forgiveness to reduce whatever punishment he had in mind.

He was silent all through the ride back to his house. The ride was suffocating but I was wishing it was longer.

We were back home much to my dismay, I quietly went straight to my room. Trying to prepare myself for the confrontation I heard a knock which made me jump in fright. Mrs Thornton entered my room with a warm smile.

“Hope you had a lovely time,” she said as she approached me. Her smile gradually disappeared as she saw the blood, “Honey, are you alright?”

“I'll take it from here Mrs Thornton,” Leo's deep voice resonated in my room and fear grabbed me by my neck.

He had a glass of whiskey in one hand and the other hand tucked inside his pocket. Mrs Thornton rubbed my shoulder warmly before leaving us alone.

He's drinking…it never ends well when dad drinks right before he scolds me.

I was a trembling mess on the inside, bracing for his anger, for the "consequences." I replayed his facial expressions from the dinner, I was convinced I failed him and would be punished.

I stood stiffly, clutched my hands in front of me while wishing I would disappear as I waited for him to start.

“What happened?” His calm voice cut through the silence of the room.

His voice was low and controlled which interpreted to one thing, punishment. My mind raced looking for an excuse but unfortunately, my tongue felt heavy and useless. The words stuck in my throat, I kept my head bowed as I couldn't meet his gaze.

He's angry.

What should I say?

I'm sure he'd be worse than dad.

“Is that from the ponytail?” His tone was hardening, a hint of impatience. I snapped my head up, surprise filled my eyes. He sighed, finishing what was left in his glass before getting close to me.

“First, you cut your hair.”

He noticed?

It wasn't a drastic cut to anyone else, not even truly noticeable unless one was looking closely. He truly was always a step ahead, seeing things I thought invisible. He knows. He sees everything.

“Then, you're wearing this ridiculously tight ponytail, and now... you're bleeding." His gaze still fixed on the side of my head as he lifted a hand and I couldn't stop myself from flinching and just gestured towards the damp stain near my temple. "Explain this.”

My lips trembled as I couldn't get a single word out. “I'm sorry, it won't happen again”.

“I didn't ask if it would happen again, I asked for an explanation”.

I had an excuse but it wasn't something I wanted him to know, like ever. If he knew of my actual past, then he might also see a free pass to also do the same just like my boss.

“Mrs Thornton!” He was very audible and seconds later, Mrs Thornton entered the room. “Loosen up her hair”

She nodded and approached me, taking me to the vanity table and sitting me down. She slowly tried to loosen it in order to not hurt my head any further. And after some minutes, she succeeded, the tension on my temples instantly subsided.

“Clean the wound!” Leo said, still standing there.

“I can do that,” I said.

“Mrs Thornton!”

“Sì”

She disappeared into my bathroom before coming back out with a first aid box I didn't know I even had.

She traced it to my most recent wound I had. She took her time clearing the wound. “You don't have to pretend like you don't feel the pain, no one's going to hurt you for being human”

My dad did.

She started brushing my hair like I was a doll and I cringed at the amount of hair I lost.

Oh, Kelly.

I couldn't turn to the side because I could still feel Leo's gaze on me. “When taking a shower avoid getting your hair wet, alright,” she whispered into my ear before turning to Leo, “I'm done” Mrs Thornton announced when she was done cleaning and dressing my wound.

Leo spoke to Mrs Thornton before leaving the room, “Scoprire cosa ha causato quella ferita”. find out what caused that wound.

“Why don't you take a shower and head to bed,” I nodded robotically. “We’ll talk tomorrow”

I took a shower, scrubbing the mountain of makeup off my face. I got changed and was ready to get into my bed when someone barged into my room making me scream in fear until the lights came on and I saw his face.

“L…Leo?”

“Who are you working for?” He asked, leaving me deep in confusion.

What?