Chapter 6 Can I Stay With You

He looked once again at Abby's figure who was already fast asleep. Leon could only sigh a little, coming closer to kiss her cheek again. Without thinking about anything else, Leon immediately left Abby that night.

Leon came to a fire scene, which was the apartment where Beatrice lived. It is known that the fire originated from the room next to Beatrice, which immediately spread everywhere. Even Leon could immediately find Beatrice who was sitting listlessly while sobbing.

"Hey, are you okay?" Leon asked as he approached her.

Beatrice looked up from where she was sitting. Her eyes were puffy from crying. She sobbed at Leon's figure who came so soon after she asked to come.

"Leon..." she called weakly as she leaned against his leg.

"Are you hurt?" Leon asked, sighing as he lowered himself.

Once he reached Beatrice's level, Leon looked at her face, or her surroundings to see if she was hurt or not. Not yet finished scanning for injuries, Beatrice suddenly hugged him tightly. Then, Leon only heard her sobs.

"I really didn't expect something like this to happen. I... Everything I had was burnt down." Beatrice sobbed while hugging Leon.

Leon could only sigh as he hugged her back. His hand gently patted Beatrice's back to calm her down. He didn't say anything for a while, waiting for Beatrice to calm down enough to talk.

After a while, Leon took Beatrice to a nearby convenience store to buy her a drink. Beatrice drank it slowly. Her facial expression was blank, making Leon a little worried.

"This isn't the end," Leon said, patting her shoulder lightly.

"Yes, I know that. Maybe God wants to give me something else big, that's why he took things away from me first. To replace them with new ones." Beatrice smiled slightly at Leon.

"You can think so. You can attract many positive things that way."

Leon just nodded his head. He then leaned back as he looked around.

"All my clothes are burnt," Beatrice said as she wiped her slightly watery eyes.

Leon glanced at Beatrice again. The girl was still wearing her work clothes, it looked like she had just gotten home when she found out that her apartment was on fire.

"Abby usually has clothes to donate. She often sorts through and selects clothes that will probably never be worn again every six months. You can wear those clothes for a while," Leon said.

"You're really going to let you wear your wife's old clothes?" Beatrice gave Leon a more cynical look.

"She's your cousin. After all, if you don't want to, Leah will help you too. Why don't you ask Leah for help then?" Leon replied.

"Mm, I guess that's fine. After all, I'll be your wife too, won't I?"

There was a change in Leon's expression, which had been calm. It was as if Beatrice's second sentence had just hit him very hard. There was something that made him feel uncomfortable about the fact that Beatrice would be his wife soon.

"Leon, since I'm going to be your wife soon, can I stay with you?"

"No, no. That's mine and Abby's house. I bought it specifically for me and Abby, or the kids-"

"You don't have kids. Abby can't give you children," Beatrice interrupted.

Leon wrinkled his forehead, clearly offended by Beatrice's remark. "Don't just give a verdict. Even the doctor didn't say it like that."

"The doctor just softened the words," Beatrice muttered softly.

Leon chuckled. He turned his face away. He thought Beatrice's words might have some truth to them. They would be married soon, and Beatrice would also be his wife. Maybe it was good to get used to it, and they could consider it a simulation.

Maybe Beatrice and Abby wouldn't get along at first, Leon knew that. But the fact that he and Beatrice also had a past, Leon knew Beatrice well. Beatrice would probably be better able to adjust to Abby than Abby was to adjust to Beatrice.

***

Abby woke up from her sleep. Her hand felt the empty bed, to find her husband. Unfortunately, he wasn't there, making Abby sit up slowly.

"Mm? Leon...? Hubby?" Abby looked at the bathroom door, expecting Leon to be there.

Abby got up and went to the bathroom, where it was empty.

Abby tied the sleepwear she was wearing around her waist. Then walked out of the room to look for Leon. Thinking Leon might have left for work early, Abby ended up going to the kitchen to have breakfast first.

While getting milk, Abby heard the sound of the front door being opened. She put the milk she was going to drink on the table. Then she rushed into the living room.

"Hubby, I thought you had- Why is he here?" Abby's brow furrowed.

Abby stared at Beatrice who had Leon's coat wrapped around her. Beatrice seemed to be comfortable in Abby's husband's coat. She just smiled faintly at Abby.

"What the hell, Leon?" Abby glared at Leon who was walking behind Beatrice.

Whether he realized it or not, Leon seemed a little anxious to face Abby now. He furrowed his brows while hissing softly, he felt he had made a mistake.

"There's something we have to talk about now. Beatrice's apartment caught fire, a lot of her things were burnt down. And she... she'll probably stay with us for a while while I-"

"No! I won't allow it!" interrupted Abby while glaring at Leon.

Leon sighed as he approached Abby who was staring at him angrily. Her pouting lips clearly showed that she didn't like Leon's idea.

"Listen to me first! I-"

"You don't have the right to decide. After all, this house is his. You're just his wife, you don't contribute anything. You should realize that your position doesn't give you the right to such permission." Beatrice again interrupted Leon.

"Shut up! Why is everyone jumping on me and not letting me speak?!" Leon snapped.

Leon might be able to stand it if it was just one time. But he still wouldn't be happy if his sentence was cut short. Leon looked at Beatrice and Abby in turn.

"I didn't sleep all night, and neither did she. I don't want to talk about this right now. I'm going to bed. Damn it!" Leon walked away, not giving Abby a chance to argue with him.