Leanna by Miu

"It was a first for me seeing such deep brown eyes full of emotions. Your eyes have always been honest and genuine. I was happy just staring at you until my greed wanted more. I knew by then I was falling for you."

I didn't know how to respond. I was always a sucker in expressing my feelings. I didn't even know how this man could easily express his.

I hid my emotions beneath a pout. "Wasn't it because you're just enjoying being in love for the first time?"

Ahh . . . I really wanted to hit myself.

You're supposed to be expressing your feelings! Not argue with him! Idiot!

Cain smiled and gently pinched my nose.

"It's not being in love that makes me happy . . . It's being in love with you that makes me happy."

. . .

. . .

I bit my lip. Say something!

Even though he didn't say it, I felt that he wanted me to say something to him. Wanted me to re-affirm our relationship.

Our affection.

He wanted to hear some kind of assurance from me that feel the same way he does.

Idiot! Say something!

Anything!

What should I say?

. . .

. . .

What should I say when my feelings couldn't fit into words?

. . .

. . .

The silence was so thick I could cut it with a knife.

. . .

. . .

"I love you, Leanna."

I gasped. My brain, like always when facing this man, short-circuited. My stomach churned in violent motion. My heart pounded hard against my chest like it wanted to come out. I breathed through my mouth when I felt breathing with my nose was not enough.

Cain's 'I love you's' was not like any other 'I love you's' that I heard from Tristan nor my friends nor from my families. When he said the words, his face was calm, voice smoky, not a shred of doubt.

But that was not it –– it was his tone.

His helpless tone.

It was like he couldn't help it, he was already hopelessly in love with me.

"Do you also love me?"

I was surprised when his voice turned serious and confrontational.

I averted my gaze.

How in the world did our conversation end like this?

"Y-you already know the answer . . . ," I stammered. "I wouldn't be here with you today if I didn't."

My hand covered my lips when his face edged forward to mine.

"I want to hear you say it."

"I-I already did a while ago."

"I want to hear you say it again."

How stubborn!

"Please . . ."

I lost it when his tone turned pleading.

Is this his newfound voice to get what he wanted? –– 'Cause it's working!

"T-t . . . I-I . . ."

"Leanna . . . Please . . ."

Oh, God!

When his child-like pleading tone didn't work, he changed it into a soft, brittle voice that was about to cry.

"D-don't . . . ! I love you! I love you! Alright?!"

I was overwhelmed with too much emotion, and I blurted out the words.

Cain's face held a satisfied triumphant smirk.

Damn it! I lost again!