Chapter 55: You can sleep at my place

" You are safe now !"

As Leo was getting into Derrick's car, Barbara rushed up to him, a smile on her face.

"Hey, Leo, wait!" she said, out of breath.

Leo turned to her, curious, and raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Barbara?"

Barbara's smile grew wider. "Myra just gave me permission to escort you," she said, her voice excited. "She said it was okay for me to go with you."

Leo's expression changed to one of surprise, and he looked at Derrick, who was watching the exchange with interest.

Derrick shrugged. "I guess I'm not needed anymore," he said, grinning. "You can ride with Barbara instead."

Leo nodded, and turned back to Barbara. "Okay, let's go," he said, gesturing to her car.

Barbara's face lit up with a smile, and she led Leo to her car, which was parked nearby.

As Barbara drove Leo back to his apartment, they chatted and laughed together, enjoying each other's company. When they finally arrived at his building, Barbara pulled over and put the car in park.

"Thanks for the ride, Barbara," Leo said, smiling at her. "I appreciate it."

Barbara smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling in the evening light. "No problem, Leo. I'm just glad I could help."

As Leo got out of the car, Barbara leaned over to grab her purse from the passenger seat. "I'll just head back home then," she said, smiling at him.

But as she turned the key in the ignition, the car refused to start. Barbara frowned, trying again and again, but the engine wouldn't turn over.

"Come on, come on," she muttered, banging her hand on the steering wheel in frustration.

Leo, who was standing on the sidewalk, walked back over to the car. "What's wrong?" he asked, peering in at her.

Barbara sighed, looking up at him. "The car won't start. I think the battery might be dead."

Leo nodded sympathetically. "Do you have jumper cables?" he asked.

Barbara shook her head. "No, I don't think so. And even if I did, I'm not sure I could jump-start it myself."

Leo thought for a moment, then smiled at her. "Why don't you just stay over at my place tonight?" he suggested. "We can figure out what to do with the car in the morning."

Barbara looked at him in surprise, then smiled. "Are you sure?" she asked.

Leo nodded. "Yeah, I'm positive. It's no big deal. You can stay in the guest room and we can sort out the car tomorrow."

Barbara thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, thanks Leo. I appreciate it."

As they got out of the car and walked towards Leo's apartment, Barbara turned to him and smiled. "I'm glad the car broke down," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Leo raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? Why's that?"

Barbara leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because now I get to spend the night with you."

Leo chuckled and led her inside.

As they walked towards his apartment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness.

He hadn't planned on having Barbara stay over, but now that she was, he wasn't sure what to expect.

As they entered the apartment, Leo gestured for Barbara to make herself at home. "Can I get you a drink or something?" he asked.

Barbara nodded, smiling. "That would be great, thanks."

Leo went to the kitchen to get her a drink, feeling a sense of awkwardness.

He wasn't sure what to do or how to act, but he was determined to make her feel loved.

He came back and gave her a glass of passion juice.

"Thanks," she said, taking a sip of the drink.

"I'm glad I'm staying here tonight. I don't think I could have handled sleeping in the car."

Leo laughed, feeling a sense of relief. "I'm glad you're staying too," he said, sitting down next to her on the couch.

"I wouldn't have wanted you to be stuck out there all night."

She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.

But as he looked at her, he couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that had been gnawing at him all day.

He had slept with Myra, Barbara's best friend and boss, and the weight of that secret was crushing him.

He felt like he was living a lie, pretending to be a good friend to Barbara while hiding the truth about his relationship with Myra. He knew that if Barbara found out, she would be devastated, and he couldn't blame her. He had betrayed her trust, and he didn't know how to make it right.

As he sat down next to Barbara on the couch, he felt like he was sitting on a time bomb, waiting for it to explode. He knew that he couldn't keep his secret hidden forever, and he was terrified of the consequences.

He was torn between his loyalty to Barbara and his desire for Myra, and he didn't know which way to turn.

" Leo, What's wrong ?" Barbara asked realizing that he was solemn.

" Nothing" he said and got up.

"I'm going to take a shower," he said, his voice distant.

Barbara looked at him, confused and concerned. She had been trying to talk to him, to connect with him, but he seemed to be pushing her away.

" Your room is over there.."

Leo directed her to the guest room, telling her to sleep whenever she wished.

"Make yourself at home," he said, his words feeling hollow.

Barbara nodded, but her eyes narrowed, sensing that something was off. She felt a pang of frustration and hurt, unsure of what to do next.

As Leo walked away, Barbara's expression changed from concern to anger.

She wondered what kind of boyfriend he was, pushing her away like this. Didn't he care about her feelings? Didn't he want to talk to her, to be with her? She felt a surge of emotions, her mind racing with questions and doubts.

Barbara stood there, feeling angry and confused, unsure of what to do next.

She looked around the room, feeling like a stranger in a strange place.

She didn't know what was going on with Leo, or what he was thinking. All she knew was that she felt hurt and rejected, and she didn't know how to process her emotions.

As she walked towards the guest room, Barbara couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment.

She had been looking forward to spending time with Leo, to getting to know him better.

But now, it seemed like he was pushing her away.