'Remember Leo, Calista is different. If you sincerely love her, you should protect her honour, not destroy her!' Leonard thought, warning himself.
--
Leonard, who had been dragged into the vicious circle of lust, seemed to ignore the warning in his heart. His ego soared, and he no longer cared that this attitude could hurt the woman he adored the most.
"This is the modern era, so it's no longer a secret that lovers live together, and some even have a relationship like..."
"Enough, Leonard! If what you're looking for is just satisfaction, please look for another woman but for that, leave me first!"
"So you'd rather me find satisfaction with another woman, huh? I didn't think you would be willing to share to maintain your ego."
Calista's lips immediately carved a wry smile. No shouts or curses pierced Leonard's ears. Her voice still sounded soft, but that gentleness could slap his ego very hard.
"You should have learned from your mistakes in the past so that no one will purposely crush you to... pieces. Do you think anyone would be willing to pick up your pieces, huh? The answer is no. You know why?" Calista paused for a moment. She tilted her head closer with a sharp look in her eyes.
"If there are still many choices of intact and good glass, then why should I pick up the shards that can hurt at any time?" Calista added while lifting the corners of her lips.
"So, you know my past with Casandra?"
"Of course I know… everything."
"Who told you?"
"Should I say it?"
"Yes."
"But sadly, I don't want to tell you."
"You know all about me, but I'm blind about you. Is this fair, Calista?
A pair of grey eyes silhouette instantly dazzled sharply.
"If you want to know more about me, why don't you find out yourself?
"Why didn't you just tell me?" Leonard asked.
"Have you ever asked and have I asked a lot of questions about you too? Haven't I?"
What Calista said was true. She never asked about his past and the incident a few hours ago when he met Casandra. She remained silent. She decided to keep her wounds to herself to avoid a fight.
"Since when did you know all this?"
"What's the point of discussing the past?"
"Answer me, Calis. I need to know."
'Do you also know about my dark past?' Leonard thought.
"Listen to me! I don't like discussing the past, and one thing you need to remember is that..." Calista paused. She seemed to take a deep breath.
"You can't treat all women the same. By maintaining the women's honour won't lower your ego as a man!" Calista snapped.
After that, she strode toward the door, and before opening it, she showered Leonard with a stern glare full of warning.
"And yes, one more thing, women were born into this world for you to respect like how you respect your mother, not instead you make a tool for satisfaction..." Calista's gaze glanced at Leonard's crotch.
Meanwhile, Leonard was still standing without being able to say a word. He stared blankly at the door that Calista had just slammed very hard.
Everything she said was true. A woman should be treated with respect, not abused.
Leonard sat limply, remembering everything. He thought for a long time until he finally decided to chase Calista.
He headed to the lobby in a half run but what he was looking for wasn't there. With a limp step, he went back again to the top floor.
He tried to call Calista's phone, but there was no answer. He then grabbed the car key, not wanting to lose the woman he loved so much.
He was like a crazy person driving a car at high speed until the car accelerated. He ignored his safety. The only thing on his mind right now was Calista and Calista.
Calista's apartment was still very dark. It made Leonard wonder if Calista hadn't arrived yet. If she wasn't in the apartment at this hour, then where was she?
'Could she be in the pavilion?' Leonard thought but what he was looking for wasn't there either.
'Baby, where are you? Did something happen? Stupid, dumbass, ridiculous, I should be able to suppress my ego instead of hurting her.' Leonard thought, regretting his action.
When he was about to call back Calista's phone, he heard the sound of the door opening. He immediately ran there, and he smiled with relief when the woman he admired stood in front of him.
"Baby, thank goodness you're okay."
"I'm fine, Leo. You better go home."
"But… I want to apologise for all my mistakes."
"I have forgiven you. Now go home!" Calista's tone was gentle even though she was currently being hit by anger.
"I'm really sorry," said Leonard as he hugged Calista.
Not long after the hug broke, Leonard's eyes conveyed a deep sense of loss.
"Please, Leo, go back home!"
"But, baby."
"Go back, Leo!" Calista snapped. She couldn't stand it anymore. Her anger was unstoppable and finally exploded.
Not wanting to hurt his beloved woman, Leonard finally left Calista's apartment despite his unwillingness.
🍁🍁🍁
This morning, Calista didn't go to the office because her stomach was cramping until she couldn't get out of bed.
"Baby, should I take you to the doctor?"
"No need. I just don't feel well. Just taking a little rest should be fine."
"But your voice is shaking, baby. I know you must be in pain, right?"
"Don't worry too much about me. It's okay. I want to rest."
After that, Calista immediately hung up the phone.
Leonard wanted to go straight to his woman's apartment, but he was involved in an important meeting for now. He was also unfocused because he was constantly anxious about his beloved lover. At the same time, she didn't pick up his calls several times.
It was undeniable that Leonard was panicked so that during his recess, he used it by visiting Calista's apartment.
'Has the password been changed?' Leonard thought as he tried again, and it failed.
'The password has been changed.' Leonard thought.
Leonard immediately called Calista's phone again, but her phone was busy. He also wondered who exactly Calista called?
'Maybe her parents. I don't need to think otherwise.' Leonard mumbled to himself.
Leonard's legs were sore because he had been standing in front of the apartment for almost 25 minutes while there was no sign that the door would open, so he decided to leave.
While passing through the lobby, he accidentally caught Calvino walking in a hurry to the elevator, so he didn't hear his call.
'Well, after all, he is there to take care of Calista.' Leonard thought as he drove the car to the office.
For some reason, Calista couldn't disappear from his mind. He kept thinking about her until he couldn't focus on driving and almost ran a red light.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, now, his woman has been rushed to the hospital.
🍁🍁🍁
Next chapter ...