The drive to Leon's apartment felt almost magical. He held my hand gently, his thumb tracing slow, calming circles on my skin while he focused on driving with the other hand.
I hated how my mind kept comparing him to Michael.Leon deserved to stand alone.
Michael had barely made me feel worthy of love. With Leon, love felt soft. Safe. Real.
I was falling in love in a way I had never experienced before.
Leon felt like home already and that scared me more than anything.
It had only been four months since my relationship with Michael ended. Four months since being ghosted, left with unanswered questions and emotional scars I pretended had healed but I doubt if I'd ever heal.
Yet here I was loving again, beautifully, and hopelessly.
Leon turned on the radio, and Khalid's "Better " filled the car. We sang softly along with the music, our voices blending with the rhythm of the night.
I remembered how obsessed I used to be with Khalid's music. I once prayed I would end up with someone who loved his songs just as much as I did.I just didn't know I would have to break first before finding this kind of love.
But I didn't regret it not anymore.
We finally arrived at his apartment.The nervousness I felt earlier that day was gone. His place was peace ,comfort and warmth and I wanted to believe he was my safe place.
He held my hand as he led me inside, but suddenly, my heart began racing for a completely different reason. This wasn't excitement, it was fear.
The kind that comes from old wounds you thought had healed. The Michael effect.
The what-ifs I had buried were suddenly screaming in my head.
What if he was pretending?
What if he hurt me worse than Michael did?
What if I was being too fast or too emotionally available?
I didn't realize he had already unlocked the door and was waiting for me to step inside.
"Babe, are you coming?" Leon asked gently.
"Uhmm… yeah," I replied, my voice slightly unsteady.
He noticed, of course he'd noticed.
There was concern in his eyes, soft and warm, like he could see the war going on inside my head.
If I was being honest, it wasn't fair to him. We had both been broken by love, yet here we were, trying to heal each other at the same time.
"If you're rethinking this, I can take you back home," he said quietly. "We don't have to rush anything."
His words almost broke me.
"I want to be here," I said honestly. "I was excited about this. It's just these fears. They keep ruining the beautiful moments."
He nodded.
"I get it," he said. "I have fears too. But sometimes, we have to choose the love we want to have instead of the fear we already know."
Those words stayed in my chest.
"I'll follow your lead then," I said softly.
"Are you sure you still want to stay for the night?" he asked again, softer this time.
"I'm here," I said with a small smile. "I'm not leaving."
After stepping further inside, I finally got a clear look at his apartment. It was small, but it was beautiful in its honesty.He wasn't financially stable yet. He was still building his life while balancing web3 work with night shifts at the club.
The sitting room was modest, connected to the kitchen and a small dining space.
Framed NFTs decorated the walls like quiet trophies of his dreams. He also had a passion for animation, still learning, still growing.There was a couch, a TV, and his gaming system carefully arranged like he wanted everything to feel organized despite the chaos of building a future. It felt like the beginning of something beautiful.
I like it.
"It's small and it's not what you expected, right?" he said suddenly, his voice slightly uncertain.
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Yeah. It's not much."
"You have got to be kidding me," I said gently. "It's perfect. This is your beginning. You don't have to apologize for building your life step by step."
I squeezed his hand.
"You're a good woman," he said softly. "Even before we met, you believed in me and my dreams. That's enough reason for me to love you more every day."Then he kissed my forehead.
Like he was sealing a promise.My cheeks warmed immediately. Those forehead kisses made me feel protected in ways I couldn't explain.
"I love you," I said. "And this is growth and I'll be here supporting you."
We stayed silent for a while and the silence felt louder than words.
Love didn't always have to be loud.Sometimes it lived in shared breathing, in soft touches, in quiet understanding.
I didn't want to let go.
But my phone started ringing and ignored it, but it kept ringing.
"Wouldn't you pick that? It sounds serious," Leon said gently.
"Alright," I sighed.
I picked my phone from my bag. It was Becca and Kelly.
"It's my friends." I said.
"I'll give you privacy," he said. "I'll fix dinner and prepare your bath."He kissed my forehead again before walking away.
I went online and texted them.
Me: Hey girls, sorry I didn't text earlier. I'm safe.
They would have already been worried. I had forgotten to share my location.
My phone buzzed instantly.
Becca: You know you scared us, right?
Kelly: If you didn't reply, I would have officially labeled Leon a serial killer.
I laughed.
Me: We just had a good time. I was completely away from my phone.
Then the questions started.
Becca: Did you guys do it already?
Me: No!?
Kelly: Are you sure? Not like we would judge.
Me: We just got here. I don't think we're ready for that.
Kelly: Hmm.
Becca: He's giving gentleman vibes.
Me: He is. He even got me a gift. I felt bad for not getting him anything.
Becca: Diamond bracelet?
Kelly: Or necklace?
Me: No. A book. Something we talked about before we even started dating. He remembered.
Becca: A book? Seriously?
Kelly: You're joking, right?
Me: No. And I love it.
Kelly: Is he rich?
I felt my mood shift slightly.
Me: Not really. He's doing okay. He loves me and that's what matters most.
Becca: Love doesn't pay bills though.
Me: Michael had money and still broke me.
That shut them up for a moment.
Kelly: Sorry. We were just looking out for you.
Me: It's fine. I have to go now. I shared my location so you won't worry.
Kelly: Good, but I have something to tell you.
Me: Okay?
Kelly: Shane proposed earlier.
My heart stopped. Shane proposing after cheating felt wrong somehow and I prayed she hadn't said yes.
Me: Okay… what was your reply?
Then Becca sent a picture of Kelly's hand.
With a ring.
Me: You said yes?
Kelly: You don't sound excited. But what you think doesn't change the fact that we're getting married.
Me: It's your life. Do what makes you happy. But don't you think it's weird he proposed right after you thought he was being unfaithful?
Kelly: He isn't cheating. Tana is trying to destroy our relationship. Why can't you just see that?
Tension grew through the chat.
Me: Becca, why aren't you saying anything?
I needed someone to stand with me.
Becca: She made her choice. And honestly? All men cheat anyway. So why leave when he's proposing?
My chest tightened. One more word against her engagement, and I would become the bad friend.
So I swallowed my doubts. If it made her happy, then so be it.
Me: Okay then. Congratulations, Kelly, on your engagement.
Maybe I don't know much about men but I know what betrayal feels like and I refuse to settle for love if love means pretending not to see the truth.