Love My Friends with Benefits

I knew what Aunt Nancy meant. It was too late for me and Leonard to be strangers, though. We'd already gotten to know each other on a much deeper level than she knew. I couldn't answer her, nor was I shameless enough to. I just remained silent.

On this day, Grandma stayed asleep even until it was time for me to leave.

Aunt Nancy was obviously worried as she walked me out. "The doctors and nurses said that it's not a good sign for your grandmother to always be asleep like this."

I couldn't help recalling what the nurse at the cafe had mentioned about Grandma only having a few months left.

I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. I could only force out a smile and say comfortingly, "Don't worry. Grandma's done so much good in her life. I'm sure she still has a long way to go." Aunt Nancy nodded. "You're right."

I left the hospital and went back to my place. The first thing I did was to install my new lock and record my own fingerprint. To be safe, I didn't even set a password.

This way, I was the only person who'd be able to unlock it.

When I was done, I felt a lot more secure. I flopped onto my bed and immediately fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, I felt someone pat my cheek.

"Queena, get up." A man's deep voice rang out beside me.

...

Was there... someone in here?

I was out of it for a while, but when I came to my senses, I immediately jumped out of bed and let out a piercing shriek.

Leonard jumped. "What the h*ll's wrong with you?"

"I changed the lock!" I clutched at my chest, my heart still racing. "How'd you get in?!"

"Did you think a lock was enough to stop me?"

He glanced at me and swept past me, heading towards the kitchen. He moved so easily that it was as if he owned the place.

I glared at his back silently.

A moment later, Leonard came out with two glasses of orange juice and passed one to me. "Here, drink this and calm yourself down."

I didn't accept it.

Slowly, he frowned. "I said, drink it."

He was still the same as always, unable to accept people going against him.

"Leonard, can you stop doing this?" I felt helpless. "I don't want to have any deals with you anymore. Can you leave me alone?"

Leonard's expression turned frosty. He flipped the glass in his hand.

The orange juice spilt all over the white floorboards.

I was too tired to argue with him. I got out of bed and got a rag to wipe up the mess.

If he wanted to vent his anger, there was no way I'd have the guts to stop him.

Leonard watched me as he slowly drank his orange juice. "Don't forget who was the one stalking me, Queena. You started this."

It took me a while to realise what he was talking about.

"At that time, I just refused to take my defeat lying down." I had no choice but to tell him my true intentions. "Now, I know what you're really like, though."

Leonard put his empty glass on the table and said nonchalantly, "So what?"

I said earnestly, "I'll make sure to thank Phoebe for taking you off of my hands."

"Is that so?"

He leaned in close to me and let out a light chuckle. I couldn't discern his emotions.

I didn't understand what he was up to, so I nodded. "I'm telling the truth."

"Then why did you destroy my wedding?" he asked as he pressed me onto the bed.

This position gave me bad vibes.

I put a hand on his chest, wanting to push him away.

Leonard's eyes darkened. He grabbed my hand and kissed me.

The faint smell of tobacco and cologne enveloped me. I felt disgusted at the thought of him and Phoebe possibly hugging, kissing, or even having sex. I turned my head away. "Look, I really regret it now! If I had a chance to redo things, I'd definitely leave your wedding to go on without a hitch. I'd even give you two my heartfelt blessings!"

The two of them were nothing more than pests, and they were perfect for each other! Why wouldn't he leave me alone?

Leonard said indifferently, "There's no cure for regret. You had plenty of chances to push me away, Queena." After that, he pushed my skirt up.

I heard the sound of the zipper being pulled down. It gave me goosebumps.

Some people say that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

I wanted to give the person who coined that saying a thorough beating. If I had the strength to, of course.

Leonard was ceaseless in his torment of me on this night. He seemed to be insatiable.

Every time I started to feel even the slightest bit of pleasure, he'd bite the wound on my shoulder to pull me back to reality.

When it was finally over, I felt like I was going to pass out.

Next to me, Leonard leaned against the head of the bed and lit a cigarette.

It reminded me of the times that we hooked up. It even felt a little like... he was my patron.

He took a drag of his cigarette and blew the smoke at my face.

I choked and coughed. "Put it out!"

"No way." He shot me down without hesitation.

I held out a hand and made a different request. "Give me one."

He shot me down again. "No."

"You!" I was exasperated.

He was deliberately pushing my buttons!

"This is the price you have to pay for making me look like a fool," Leonard said indifferently. "I'm not a saint, Queena. I can't live and let live."

I fell silent.

He continued, "I'll marry Phoebe. After that, I want you to continue being my mistress."

I was so infuriated that I almost jumped out of bed. However, my body still felt like jelly, so I just fell back on the bed.

Leonard was still talking. "I seem to be addicted to your body. You should feel proud. No other woman has ever made me so hooked on them."

"No. F*cking. Way."

I gritted my teeth and turned him down without a second thought.

If Leonard wanted to provoke me, he was doing an extremely wonderful job.

Gail used to be Bell's mistress, and Phoebe was their illegitimate daughter. Because of them, I'd long since loathed mistresses and homewreckers. How could I possibly be one myself? Moreover, Phoebe would be his lawfully wedded wife, while I'd just be some dirty little secret. Wouldn't I just be allowing her to step all over me?

He had his head stuck in the clouds!

Leonard frowned. "Give me a reason."

"Do you even need one?" I sneered, deliberately wanting to provoke him. "I feel disgusted every time I even look at you. Is that reason enough?"

"It's not too bad."

He raised an eyebrow and put the cigarette out before pressing his lips to mine.

I bit on his lip angrily.

He hissed and let me go, then pressed a finger to my wound, putting more force into it threateningly. "I don't hit women, Queena. Don't make me break that rule."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐