After Divorce Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant (Leonica and Gabriel)
Chapter 120

"That was a cheesy line, even for you." She said and leaned one hand on the bed as support and used her other hand to push his hair out of his forehead while she gently placed hers on his, just like when they were younger. "You're still warm, are you sure you're feeling better?" She asked.

"Mhm," Owen answered, enjoying the feeling of her hand against his skin. "But my head doesn't hurt as much anymore."

"That's good to hear." She said and sat up, her hand leaving his face.

Owen didn't miss the way his chest constricted at the loss of contact.

"How'd you sleep last night? The chair didn't make your neck ache, did it?" He quickly brought up a small time topic to coupe with the loss.

"A bit." Leonica admitted, rubbing her neck. "But I'm fine, the pain will go away in a few minutes."

"Come here." Owen ordered and patted the bed.

"Huh? What's with the sudden order?"

"Lay on the bed. I'll rub your neck."

""You don't have to."

"I want to. I'm the one who's been causing you trouble since last night. So just this once, please, let me be useful."

Leonica sighed, knowing fully well that if she continued this way, neither of them were going to do anything eventful. "Alright." She gave in and sat on the bed, leaning forward and positioning her head right in front of his knees. "I'll start now." He warned, his hand finding it's way into her hair.

The feeling was strange.

Leonica relaxed against him, allowing herself to get lost in the feeling of his hand rubbing her neck.

"Leo." Owen called, his hand stilling against her neck.

"Hm?" She hummed, opening her eyes and looking back at him.

Owen looked her in the eye, a serious expression on his face. "Do you know how I feel about you?" He asked.

Leonica stared back at him, her gaze searching his, looking for the reason behind the sudden question, but found none.

Now, even though she knew the answer, she looked away and shook her head. "No." Her answer was followed by a quick attempt to change the topic. She wasn't ready to get two confessions in less than twenty four hours. "Are you hungry?" She asked, getting up. "I'll go and warm up your porridge."

"Wait," Owen held her wrist, preventing her from leaving. "You didn't answer my question."

"I did." Leonica turned around, looking down at him with a frown. "I told you, I don't know."

"But why?" He questioned, his brows creasing. "I've been pretty obvious, haven't I?" Of course he had been...

But...

Tu Some For A Kiss

"Owen," She started, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Have you considered the possibility that you're in love with the idea of love? Not actually in love with... Me?"

"What?" He looked at her like she had suddenly grown a second head.

Leonica stepped closer, ready to explain. "When we were younger, we spent a lot of time together as tutor and tutee, right?" She asked and continued in even though he didn't give a response. "So, what if your in love with the idea of having that attention and you're mistaking it for-"

"I'm not." He interrupted, no, completely shut her up. "I'm not confused about my feeling, Leonica." He stated sternly. "And this isn't some phase either. Ever since 11th grade I've fallen in love with you and honestly, I'm still falling." Leonica was at a loss of words.

"And no," Owen added, seeing her mouth part, probably ready to shoot some counter argument his way. "It's not because of the way you take care of me. Yes, I do like that, and yes, the way you treated me made me fall even more in love, but, that's not the only reason." Leonica listened, and Owen continued, taking her silence as a chance to voice his feelings.

"You're a very beautiful person, Leonica Romero. You're smart, you're kind, and you're strong. You're the most amazing person I've ever met, and no, it's not because I've grown up seeing you, or because we spend so much time together."

Leonica remained silent, her eyes searching his, trying to find the lie behind his words.

"And, even if you don't believe me, can you at least accept my feelings?"

Leonica looked back at him and her heart ached at the way he looked. Like a kicked puppy.

"I don't know Owen. Up until this point I've always seen you as a younger brother," Leonica said, the words sounding rehearsed, just like when she gives the excuse of Gabriel being the father of her child and that being the only reason she still associated with him. "I don't want to ruin what we already have."

"You won't." Owen shook his head, reaching forward to take her hand in his.

"Owen..."

"I promise." He said. "I'll do my best, just, please, give me a chance?"

Leonica sighed and closed her eyes, her hand tightening around his. She was silent for a long time, but when she opened her eyes, she found him looking at her with the same expression as before.

She couldn't say no, and even if she could, some part of her didn't want to. Perhaps it was because she didn't want to hurt him. When Owen saw the look of hesitancy in her eyes, he added. "You don't need to give me an answer now." Leonica nodded.

"Then, for now, I'll settle for a kiss." He said and tugged at her hand, pulling her forward.

"A- a kiss?!" She stuttered, sudden heat rising to her cheeks.

She didn't have time to react or decline before his hand was at the back of her neck, pulling her down, and his lips met her forehead.

"I won't take a real one until you accept my feelings." He promised. "And I don't think my lips are the ones you'll want to be kissing anytime soon, seeing how sick I am."

"Right." Leonica nodded, her voice a bit high pitched, a blush staining her cheeks.

"For now, just, this is enough." He said and pulled her down once more, placing another kiss on her cheek, just next to the corner of her lips.

Leonica allowed his hand to linger around her neck as he stared into her eyes, smiling.

"Thanks for giving me a chance, Leo." Owen whispered.

"Yeah." Leonica responded, the sound coming out breathy and weak and when she finally had the strength, she pulled away. "I'll go heat up the porridge, you need to eat and take your drugs." "Yes, ma'am." He said as she walked out of the room.

As she walked towards the kitchen, mind between Owen's confession and what she'd prepare for herself for breakfast, but mostly on Owen's confession, she heard a knock on the door.

For Now TH Settle For A KISS

4/4

"Owen, it's me, Alistair, open up." Alistair spoke through the bell before she could even reach it. When she opened the door, he looked genuinely surprised to see her, obviously not having expected her to stay the night.

But the surprise on his face instantly fell and he quickly shoved her inside, looking both ways before stepping inside and closing the door.

"Good morning to you too." Leonica sassed.

"I apologize for my rude actions, Ms. Romero," He said and bowed. "But please understand that there's a good reason behind my actions." "And that is?" She prompted, curious as to why he was acting like a wanted criminal.

Before he could answer, Owen Stepped out. "Alistair, what's going on?" He asked and Leonica now took notice of the way he seemed a bit edged.

"The press is at it again, Owen," He confessed, walking towards the television and turning it on.

"We're not sure who the woman is, but our sources state that it's possible Owen has a new lover." The announcer stated, and the screen changed to a video, showing when Owen had hugged Leonica when they met outside the restaurant for the meeting. "The two were caught hugging in the parking lot of the restaurant where an official business meeting was set to take place, and according to an insider, they had a private talk in a VIP room-" There was a pause in her statement as someone quickly appeared on the news, giving her new updates. "Ah, yes, we've just gotten a new update. Thanks to the testimony of a loyal fan of Mr. Owen Lee, his rumored lover's identity has just been revealed."

Leonica and Owen exchanged looks, before turning back, just in time, as the newscaster announced.

"Her name is Leonica Romero."