Ryzen POV

The last thing I remember before I fell into a deep sleep was Lennox's tight embrace.

I remember clutching on him tightly, finding comfort in his scent and warm caresses.

After I cried like that, in front of him especially, it was kind of embarrassing.

But, it's not like I regret it.

Honestly, I have to admit that his presence was really the salvation of me.

If he wasn't there, I was probably going to lose my mind and drown into loneliness all by myself.

I opened my eyes slowly, blinking a few times, as if I was half-asleep.

Once I woke up, I thought that I would be all alone...

However, I found myself leaning on someone's chest.

Although I was aware, I felt like my mind was very slow. My head was blank, so I lifted my gaze and suddenly saw Lennox, who was reading documents on his phone.

He had different clothes from what he wore yesterday. His hair was also still wet. Somehow, I can smell the same shower scent I use on him.

Hmmm... he's still here? And he already showered and changed his clothes...

It's really fortunate that he had some of his clothes in my condo.

Lennox seemed to sense that I was already awake, so he turned his head and met my gaze. His eyes were tinged with warmth as he put a soft kiss on my forehead.

Then, he put his phone on the bedside table and wrapped his arms around me, his hands drawing lazy circles on my back.

"Are you alright?" he said with his low voice, smeared with worry.

I nodded at him and let out a small smile.

"Mmm. Thank you, Lennox." I replied sincerely.

He let out a deep sigh as his grip on me tightened. He looked like he wasn't really convinced with my answer.

"Really... I'm okay now. Once I'm done crying my heart out, I'll be fine afterwards. There's no need to worry." I murmured softly, using the most sincere tone I had.

It was the truth, anyway.

Ever since I was a kid, whenever I faced grievances, such as not having the highest score on my exams or my mother not praising me, I would cry easily. But afterwards, I will be fine.

In a way, that's the kind of self-resiliency that I had...

Of course, it would be a lie to say now that I am not totally in pain anymore about what I have learned, but the shock that I felt was mostly relieved after I cried my heart out.

It's been a long time since I did that, actually...

Most of all, the one who really comforted me, was this man.

My eyes actually hurt a bit now. Even though I cannot see myself, I can feel that my eyes are very puffy from all the crying that I did.

I smiled bitterly as I attempted to kiss his jaw lightly.

Now, how do I word this?

"You know what, I had a nightmare. It was horrifying, almost making me wish that I never existed. It turned out, that my whole life was a lie. My family was not my real family. And as I continued to exist, I will only bring endless pain to them. I... don't even know how to say it properly. It doesn't even make sense, why am I reacting this much, right?" I said.

I tried to say it in a light tone, in an attempt to ease his worries, but in the end, my tone was very gloomy.

I know I wasn't very convincing. But how else can I say it?

It's too complicated to explain. I don't even know where I'm going to start.

Besides, it's not like I have the energy for it.

But even so, despite the very unconvincing reason that I had, Lennox didn't seem to probe into it more.

It's like... he sensed that it was difficult for me talk about it.

Even yesterday, he only listened quietly as I said my useless mumblings. He never probed or pressured me into telling him more.

He was patient, and he was just there, wanting to comfort me.

"It's okay. Your feelings are valid. Just remember that you're not alone, okay? You have me. You don't have to take it all by yourself." he mumbled in a gentle voice.

Ah, why is it that this man is not only good at reading situations, but also good at words?

Why did he have to say it so accurately?

Why does he understand me so much?

Hearing his words, my mouth widened instantly into a smile.

However, at the same time, my eyes couldn't help but become a bit misty. I bit my lips and averted his gaze just so my expression wouldn't be revealed.

I saw him frown as he wiped the little tears that started to roll down from my eyes.

I tried to calm myself down, but he kept on planting kisses on my cheek and eyes that were wet with tears.

"No, I'm fine. I wasn't lying with what I said. But, it's just that... I realised that I am so lucky that you're here. Thank you for giving me your warmth." I whispered to him in a shaky voice.

In an instant, he brought his face closer to mine, kissing my lips and gently sucking on my lower lip. When he moved away and looked at me with a gentle gaze, my eyes were trembling slightly.

I should be getting used to his kisses by now. However, every single time, I would still feel flustered.

"I've never saw you so vulnerable and hurt.... For the first time, I was in so much agony, just by seeing you cry like that. I felt really helpless. If I could, I wanted to take all the pain that you had. I don't want to see you suffer." he murmured softly.

He had a sulking expression, with his eyes dropped down and lips slightly frowned. I only smiled at him and caressed his cheeks softly. Then, he caught my hand and stopped me from what I was doing. Instead, he brought it to his lips and kissed it softly.

I snickered at his actions.

"But you did help me. Honestly, you saved me from being completely consumed by that nightmare. Your presence itself consoled me. That's the magic that you had." I said sweetly.

His jaw only clenched as I said those words, but I could tell that his sulking face was long gone.

Compared to the previous kiss, this time, he was not gentle at all.

This time, he grabbed the back of my head as he softly bit my lower lips. Swiftly, he inserted his tongue into my mouth.

He pushed his tongue deeper into my mouth, licking my soft lips and enjoying the taste of my mouth.

Lennox continued to tease the insides of my mouth as he kissed me deeply for a long time.

When the swooning kiss was over, I stared at him while trying to catch my breath.

Just when he was about to put his face closer into my neck, a loud buzz interrupted both of us.

Lennox let out a soft curse as he turned to his phone that was on the bedside. He only looked at it briefly before turning it off completely.

Just then, I finally seemed to be getting back on my senses.

It's already morning, right?

Ah, that's why he showered and put on formal clothes already...

He should be at his work right now!

"Why are you still here?" I asked him worriedly, frowning my brows a little.

Lennox looked at me as if he was seeing something funny and snickered a bit.

"It was you who was holding me tightly and told me to stay behind. You told me that I shouldn't leave you. I was also worried about you, so..." he said with a smirk.

No way!!!

I really did that? Why can't I remember at all?

But suddenly, my cheeks reddened even more as I remembered a faint memory.

I only thought that I was dreaming at that moment, but I felt that Lennox was gently removing himself from my grasp. I kept holding onto him and telling him to stay with me...

"I'll just shower then I'll be back. I promise." he whispered slowly.

It was only then that I stopped with my mumblings and fell asleep again. Then, when he came back, I leaned myself on him as I continued to sleep even more...

I shook my head, as if my actions are going to be effective in forgetting that shameful memory.

Looking at my flustered reaction, Lennox only let out a low chuckle.

"You... You! Go to work now. You have to leave!" I said in a slightly panicked tone.

I lightly pushed him off the bed but he wouldn't bulge. He only caught my hands that pushed him.

"Are you sure?" he murmured in a teasing voice.

I glared at him a bit, annoyed at his smirk.

"Yes! Do you really want to make me a beauty that will turn you into a fatuous leader? No! I can't let that happen." I replied in a flustered tone.

Truthfully, if I were to follow my desire, I do not want to let him go. I just want to stay by his side the whole day, so I can truly relax.

But, if I do not control myself, I will really lose my sanity! I feel like I am getting too used to this. I'm too spoiled!

Also, what will others think of him? It might only cause trouble for him as well.

Especially now, the national government is wary of him. They are watching his every move and only waiting for an opportunity to see him fall.

Lennox let out a sigh as he released my hands that he was still holding. Swiftly, he took me in his embrace as he caressed the back of my head softly.

"I don't why... but, I'm feeling a bad premonition. I'm worried about you... I don't wanna leave you." he murmured softly.

Unconsciously, I bit my lips, too flustered at what he said.

I raised my head a little so I can give him a quick kiss on his cheeks.

"I'm really okay now, you know. There's no need to worry..." I whispered, trying to assure him.