Chapter Eight

ERWIN

By the time I get out of the bathroom, I see Leo has already passed out cold on the bed. I slowly climb up the bed, afraid that I might wake him up.

Usually I don't like people when they are asleep because when they are asleep they intend to show their most soft and vulnerable part when they do not even want it to show. But for some reason I like to see Leo when he is sleeping.

No, I like to see him in every form and angle possible. When he is sleeping, working and even that very familiar frowned face or that face which wears nothing like a dead corpse. I like all of it. All of them.

The other day, when he slept in my arms, he wore a soft soothing expression on his face. It almost felt like it was saying: "I can be at peace after all". I liked that relieved face of his. There was a warm feeling in my chest for some unknown reason. And if you ask me, I want it to be left unknown. Because I know, once I find out the reason behind the warmth inside my chest that always felt empty, I will no longer be able to go back to the way I was before.

Heartless. Unfeeling. And a money maniac.

But today when I silently scoot over to him to observe him, my heart clenches. His heavenly pretty face twitches uncontrollably, pink brows frowned so deeply that his smooth, beautiful forehead is getting wrinkled. His reddish lips are quivering and big beads of cold sweats are forming in his forehead. I have never seen Leo wearing this kind of look before. 

He is having a nightmare. And a very horrifying one over that.

I know, every nightmare is equally horrifying but for some reason I have a feeling that this man with vibrant pink hair is suffering from a nightmare that is never ending. And worse it is repeating itself again and again.

When someone suffers from nightmare like that one should not wake him up. It only makes the situation worse. So, I gently run my fingers through his beautiful straight brows. My touch as smooth and light as the touch of a feather. And unexpectedly his eyebrows start to smoothen. He seems to have calmed down a little as he leans to my slight touch.

Seeing this reaction my fingers trail up to his beautiful shiny pink hair.

I have always wondered if they are real since this shade of color is very unique itself but I never asked him about it. And right now I have a strong urge to wake him up and ask about.

His expression soothes further as I continue to run my fingers through his thick hair. I wonder what hunts him. What makes him suffer like this? What pulls this kind of reaction out of him?

Is it his family?

Does the heir of the biggest company suffer harassment from his family? If that is so, then why make him the heir in the first place? Or is it that blondie bastard?

No, it can't be because earlier they looked pretty close and they seem to care about each other very much.

And this is the problem. I can't have the blondie mess up things between Leo and me. It will ruin my perfect life. So, there are two ways to seal that mouth of his forever.

First: I kill him.

It will be no big deal at all. I can plan at least fifty ways to make the crime perfect and at least forty among them will be just by accident. But the thing is Leo is not an idiot or whether he is the sharpest person I have ever met. It will not take long before he finds out and I will be done for.

Second: Cut ties with Leo. 

Nope. Not happening. If I cut ties with him then there is no point doing all this hard work. It is almost like throwing away a grand just because you can't handle it.

What a waste…

Wait. There is another path open for me. And it is worth trying.

Third: Call a truce with him.

This should shut him up for the time being. And I will deal with him later when I get his pretty omega bestie pregnant.

Then for at least another hour I plan for my future. But what leaves a huge void in my strategy is Leo's family.

I need to analyze what they are like before I come to a conclusion. And before that I shouldn't let my imagination run rampant. It will bring me nothing but doom. So, I stop my strategy planning for the night and let my head fall on my pillow with a little plop. I snuggle close to the sleeping beauty beside me to feel him more closely.

For some reason I have grown to like his warmth and smell that is almost terrifying. And I have a feeling that if I control my addiction now then I will be hurt greatly in the near future. But fuck that. Let me breathe in his smell and warmth until that moment comes.

 *** 

"You are coming right?" I ask John over the phone as my stylist starts to do my hair.

"I am not sure…" He sounds conflicted.

"You are coming." I say, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Erwin…" He says in a pleading tone, "You see Steve can be left alone by himself for that long."

"Who told you to leave him alone? Just bring him along." I blurt out.

"Are you crazy?" John asks, disappointment clear in his tone, "He sneaked out of the church four times, Erwin. Four times! And you are telling me to bring him along so that he can go wild when I am not looking?"

"Well that's a thing to consider about." I put a figure on my chin.

"I think you have left your brains in your mother's womb, Erwin." John says defeatedly.

"I had a father to give me birth, John." I correct him.

"Oh sorry." He immediately apologizes. "I forgot."

I hate it when he does that. Apologizing for something he has nothing to do with. 

"forget it, forget it." I wave even though I know that he can't see me. "Listen, do you know the old lady next door? Leave Steve there. It should be fine if it's for a few hours."

"Oh that old lady who gives us so many left overs and takes care of us?" He asks as if a bulb in his head has suddenly turned on. 'If it's her then a few hours should be fine. Okay see you at the party then!"

"See you later." I hang up.

Why the fuck is it taking this long?!

When I woke up this morning Leo was already gone and a maid told me that he had some urgent business to attend to so he left early and he appointed a personal stylist who would be coming over after lunch to do my makeup and stuff. He also forbade me to go to college today, so I stayed at home.

And as said he actually came as soon as the lunch ended. And now only the heavens know just what on the earth he is doing with my hair. If I go bald by tugging and pulling then I will for sure peel off his skin with my own two hands.

 ***

By the time I am done with my dress up and look myself in the mirror my jaw falls agape.

Is it actually me?

I am wearing a gray designed suit which is made especially for me and it is without a doubt expensive as hell. And a black tie with a silver crown clip, small diamonds shining over them. But the part I like the most is the black waistcoat which is decorated so nicely with silver and diamond accessories that it is hard to look away from. And the entire suit fits me so well that it is making the best combination ever.

Other than the suit, that stylish has done something to my hair that it isn't even looking like itself. He has done some natural makeup to make my face look at least two times more handsome than it originally is. He has offered me a pair of black earrings and a silver necklace to match the look.

And overall I like what I see. So, I thank my stylist and walk out of my bedroom.

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Leo sent a driver to bring me to the venue where the 'reception party' is arranged. I haven't seen him the whole day. Who knows what he is looking like.

I walk in the main hall with an elegant aura around me but stop dead in my tracks as my eyes fall upon a pink haired man who stands in the middle of the dance floor, at the center point of everyone's attention.

Just when I thought that the man can't get any more beautiful than he already is, he proves me wrong.

He is wearing a pink suit that matches his beautiful hair color with a turtleneck white sweat suit. His hair is styled perfectly but in a different style than his usual one and he has put on some natural looking makeup. He has decorated himself and his clothes with some light jewelry. 

My heart almost stops when he approaches me with a light smile on his face.

"Everyone, I am very honored to introduce my beloved husband to you all." He announces as he intertwines our arms and bring me to the dance floor. "Erwin Warner."

He is so beautiful.

I know this is all an act but I just can't take my eyes off him.

The camera's flush light washes over us, snapping me out from it.

"Hey Erwin!" John approaches us as the wave of flashes die down a little. "Looking fine man!"

He is wearing a black suit, white shirts and black ties. Looking perfect with his ink-blank hair and equally black eyes.

"Who is it, Erwin?" Leo asks with genuine curiosity in his eyes.

"He is my best friend." I grin, "I told you about him."

"Let me introduce myself. John Goodie." He reaches out for a handshake which Leo takes almost immediately. "Nice to meet you, Leo. You are more beautiful up close."

"Thanks." Leo smiles lightly.

"Oi, Leo!" A disgusting blondie approaches us with a bright smile on his face out of thin air. "You?!" But he exclaims out of surprise and shock at the same time as soon as he lays eye on John.

"You?!" John exclaims in the same manner as soon as their eyes meet.