Viviana didn't even notice the isolated instance when Leander tried to impress someone other than his grandfather. Clumsy an attempt it was, and yet it still was a rare decision he made which sunk his heart to void by her unintentional snub.
She shrugged. "Should I be sorry for not wanting to stay here as your b*tch?" she asked. Her lips were curled, and she looked displeased.
She still couldn't come to terms with what he did earlier.
Leander pressed his lips. He did not like the framing of her words. He does not want her as his b*tch. Why would he want her as a female dog?
He just wants her as... He just wants her.
Although his first attempt bombed as she didn't notice his heroic appeal, he decided to remind her of something.
"I have a pet lion in the yard. What are your feelings about big cats?" he asked.
He tried to don the serious, contemplative gaze, parroting the male lead of the one romantic comedy he endured watching a very long time ago. But his face broke out a smirk as he remembered how scared this minion was of a cat.
How much more scared will she be of a lion?
He loved to see the panic on her face. He loved teasing her. He's never felt this way with anyone. To scare them to spit out secrets, yes. But teasing someone just for the sake of it… This is the first.
His lips curved up as she didn't disappoint. Her yellow skin almost turned purple out of fright. But only just for a moment.
Viviana cleared her throat. Rubbing her lips with her finger, she seriously contemplated. The Kastellos have the pull to raise an exotic pet at him. If there is a lion in the yard, she won't be able to escape.
Wait…
"You don't have a lion," she said as she remembered it.
She had researched him. And an exotic pet like a lion would have been hard to hide. He did successfully hide the fact that he raises cats inside his house, but big cats would be in a different league.
Leander raised his brows. He doesn't. But he wanted to see the little frown between her eyes and the dance of her fingers on her lips once more. It did something weird in his lower abdomen. It was painful and yet he wanted to feel more of it.
He also needs to keep her from escaping.
"Eh, I'll get one tomorrow to play in my yard. Maybe I can get a couple, what do you say, Minnie? One lion would get lonely," He smiled at her.
Seeing her panic, his heart filled with happiness. He continued, "Maybe a couple of Bengal tigers too…and jaguars. I love panthers; bobcats too. Their ears are so…beautiful…There are so many breeds of cats. Which one should I choose?" He rubbed his chin holding his laugh.
Viviana pouted. He can get any "breed" of those devil spawns he wants. But, just in a day? Isn't that too excessive? She glared at him as she realized that he is mocking her.
With a scoff, she turned and walked to the door. She does not have to wait and get teased by this beast for her phobia.
What does he know? There is a reason she hates cats.
"Wait!" he called her. "Where are you going? Come here..."
"I'm leaving. I don't have to stay here. And you should know that my name is not Minnie," she waved her hand without turning to look at him.
Minnie… That was too close to her real name. Minnie, Melanie… A lot of times when people called her name, she used to hear it as "Melnie". The "l" in her name would get silent most of the times. She didn't want him to utter that name that reminds her of the past.
Although she understood who he was, she didn't feel any danger from him then. She decided to take advantage of his good mood and leave before he lets out his unstable side.
"Minnie," he said. "Come here."
Viviana gulped as she felt the chill in his voice. There was no gentleness left in his voice anymore. His angry side had awakened.
"What?" she turned to face him. But not because she was scared of him.
She heard scratching noises at the door and that was followed by the unapologetically evil call of the demon spawn. So, she might as well face the "lion" than his cat.
The stiffness on his face gently melted away as she glared at him. Her face relaxed as she saw his eyes. They've lost their luster and were pleading for something. He perspired as he placed his hand on his left shoulder. She didn't know why his knitted brows affected her. She could see him turn paler and she took an unconscious step forward.
He took a sharp inhale and clenched his jaws. She stopped getting close to him. He had a high temperature earlier. He obviously was in extreme pain. She wanted to say something, but she remembered that he was not pleased when she spoke to the doctor about him.
It was hard for her to not speak her mind. But she kept quiet. She feared he would let the meowing cat in.
"After everything…" With clenched jaws, he looked at her. "Don't think you can leave…" He took in a deep breath.
Viviana sighed remembering that she need not worry about him. She is the one trapped here. Not him. "What do you want from me?" She asked, hoping to get an answer this time.
"Repay me for the money I spent on your treatment," he said.
Viviana raised her brows. She wondered what is going on inside his brain. She hurt his brother, and him. But for some reason, he saved her and is asking for repayment…? She never wanted for him to treat her!!
"You probably have access to my bank account by now. I don't have any money left. I spent it all because I was planning on not living anymore, you see… Maybe sell my kidneys, heart, and eyes. You'll-"
"Help me clean the wound and change the bandage," he said looking right into her eyes.
That serenity she maintained in her heart was disturbed once again as she met his eyes. Those tired eyes were filled with pain; some other deep emotion in his eyes, urged her to hug him.
She couldn't understand what he wanted. But more than that, she couldn't understand herself anymore.
"You know which wound I am talking about."
Why not ask the doctor?
She wanted to ask. But she didn't for whatever reason. Seeing his pain, she was moved to act. He was truly suffering. Or it was just guilt. She caused his wound, after all.
She didn't stay there thinking about whether she should help him or not. It was like her heart had already made the decision for her.
"Where's the first aid box?" she asked.
He looked surprised for a moment, but then pointed at the dresser near the door.
"Remove your shirt," she said and walked to the dresser.