Chương 17: Lenford: A Matter Of Time

I eased my car into the parking space before pulling the car to a halt. I then pulled the break and glanced towards Len.

He was breathing softly as his chest rised and fell. I wanted to touch him. But I knew I shouldn't. Yesterday was too spontaneous of me. I wanted him to want me as well.

I steeled myself and shook him softly. "Len? Are you up? We're here."

Len stirred and groaned before blinking his eyes groggily. Our eyes met and I found myself transfixed to his dark grey eyes.

Len backed against his seat and I knew he felt uncomfortable. He told me he was up while I smiled and moved to unbuckle his seatbelt before ruffling his hair.

I then moved to my seat and turned off the engines before getting out of the car. Maybe it's just me, but, Len seemed to like me patting his head. Well, I'll admit that I did enjoy him touching my hair as well.

"Your hand, My Lord." I joked as I pulled the door open and extended my hand towards Len.

Len laughed but accepted my hand as he lowered his gaze bashfully. He always knew how to grab my attention.

All of a sudden, Len tugged my hand and glanced up at me, asking me an unexpected question. "Doyle... are you... okay?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" I felt curious about his question and tilted my head as I smiled at him.

"Umm... Your ch--" Len's words were cut off when a group of women entered the elevator.

I noticed his hands slipping out of my grasp as he was pushed aside to a corner of the elevator. I glanced at him before noticing the women now crowding around me.

"O.M.G. HAWWTTT!♡♡♡ You alone, sugar?"

"Wow! What a hottie."

"Sir, are you with someone?"

"Would you like to join us?"

"Why don't we exchange contacts?"

I knitted my brows and narrowed my eyes at them. They acted like they didn't see Len! It was annoying having to deal with them when I was about to have a good chat with Len.

I glanced at Len and noticed his upset expression, making me steel my nerves as I decided to tell them off. I would usually join such women some times and maybe get a good fuck, but lately, I didn't feel like sleeping around and only thought of Len constantly.

"Sorry, I'm with someone. I don't really have time to spare on hostile women who would bombard me with questions the minute they meet me and push my date aside." I said as I pushed my way towards Len from amidst the annoyed gasps of the women and grabbed his hand.

The elevator door opened at the best time and I pulled Len aside with me. The elevator door then shut as the women inside threw curses in my direction. I ignored them and straightened my jacket before holding Len's hand and walking straight to a private room in the far back.

"W-was it alright?"

"What was?" I asked as I shut the room door and pulled a seat for Len.

I was happy that I had an excuse to hold Len's hand in front of all those people. I knew Len was more of the reserved type and prefer displays of affections behind closed doors, so it was great that I could show him off as my partner.

"E-earlier... in the elevator... when you said I was your d-d--..."

"Date?"

"T-that..."

"Why? Are you embarrassed?" I asked teasingly as I smirked at Len.

"Eh?! B-but... that... uhm... I'm not a woman..." Len had a panicked expression on his face.

"What does that have to do with anything? I brought you out for dinner with the assumption of this being a date. Did it not feel the same for you?" I asked as I found my voice growing harsher. Did he think I merely invited him to dinner as a superior?

"Eh? But... yesterday you... ..."

"... ... It's fine to just take this as a dinner with your superior then. If it helps you take your mind off things." I said as I focused my gaze on the dishes aligned neatly on the lazy Susan. My heart felt as if it had been squeezed. He didn't want to be on a date with me...

I then picked a few of the dishes with a chopstick and placed them on a plate which I then placed on the lazy Susan. These are dishes I think Len might like... I spun the lazy Susan towards Len before repeating the actions and picking some dishes for myself.

"I... I'm sorry if I've offended you..." Len whispered as he squeezed his eyes shut. I glanced at him and dropped my chopsticks.

What... did he take me for? Was I so petty in his eyes that I would be offended by words he himself wasn't certain of?

I walked towards him and slumped to the ground on my knees. I cradled his face in my hands as he slowly fluttered his eyelids open. Ah... those beautiful pair of eyes...

"Why does every situation with you end up with me losing my cool?" I muttered to myself, not realising it was loud enough for Len to hear. I caress Len's cheeks with my thumbs as I stared into his eyes.

"Eh...? What do you... mean?" Len questioned me as he blinked rapidly, almost as if he was expecting something.

"You haven't offended me. Well, maybe a little. But I guess I wasn't clear enough with my feelings." I tried to explain myself as I ignored the warning signs blaring in my head.

"H-huh?"

"It's a little hard for me to say it... I mean... I haven't prepared myself mentally enough but... Uh... I... Uh... Erhm..." I said as I felt my body start to heat up. Is it just me or did they increase the temperature in this room?

"?"

"Whoo... Deep breaths... Haa... Len... I... I love you." I finally mustered out. Man... that was so uncool.

"E-eh?!" Len exclaimed as his face turned beet red. I instinctively looked down as well as I tried to rein my thoughts.

"Was it too sudden...? Maybe it was... Yesterday... was... uh... thoughtless of me... I guess I wasn't in the right state of mind as well but... Eh? Len?"

I glanced up in time to notice Len looking as if he was going to topple over. I quickly grabbed him and secured his head and waist so that he wouldn't bump into anything hard.

"Ah... was it too soon?"

***

Our date had to be called off and I had to pack the food back. I wanted to call an ambulance but decided against it as I noticed Len probably got light headed from my words.

Still, I felt a little worried so I contacted a doctor that was on call. They arrived shortly after and told me he was fine and only needed to rest.

I thanked them and tucked Len in bed. I glanced at his sleeping figure before tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything...

I shook my head before heading to the bathroom. I wanted to contact his family but his cellphone showed no contacts under emergency or anyone registered under family.

I ran the shower and thought about his expression when he heard my confession. Was it so unexpected that he fainted upon hearing it or was it a sentence he didn't want to hear from me which caused him to faint?

Well... whichever it was... It was only a moment of time till I make him mine.