Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Do I look like I’m mad at you?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Leila’s face, already attractive, bloomed into a radiant smile. Seeing her joy illuminate her features, a sudden, almost primal urge surged through Landon. He couldn’t resist the pull, leaning down to press a quick kiss against her lips.
The sudden contact caught Leila completely by surprise. Her eyes widened slightly, a flicker of shock registering in their depths.
After the initial surprise wore off, Leila’s voice emerged, laced with a mix of surprise and mild exasperation.
“What do you think you’re doing? The kids are right here.”
Landon, riding a wave of carefree confidence, grinned widely.
“It’s just a kiss. We’re together now. It’s not like we’re doing anything scandalous. They can see us. It’s fine.”
Despite the logic of Landon’s words, a flush of embarrassment crept up Leila’s neck, staining her cheeks a delicate pink. A distinct click from nearby sliced through the air, pulling their attention away from each other.
They turned to find Sophie, camera in hand, a wide, mischievous grin plastered across her face.
Noticing their combined gaze, Sophie offered an explanation.
“You two looked so sweet standing there that I just had to capture the moment. It was too good to pass up.”
Sophie cleared her throat, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she ducked her head slightly.
“You’re not gonna be upset with me, right?”
Leila’s lips curved into a warm smile, and she extended a hand toward Sophie.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
Sophie, beaming with pride, practically skipped over to Leila, thrusting the camera forward to display her photographic masterpiece.
Although dusk had settled, the photo defied the fading light. The figures within the frame were strikingly clear, beautifully rendered despite the dimming light.
Leila’s eyes widened slightly as she examined the picture.
“Wow, Sophie, you’ve got a real eye. This is a great shot.”
Sophie’s face lit up like a Christmas tree at Leila’s praise, pure, unadulterated delight radiating from her.
Landon, who had been observing the interaction, suddenly piped up with an idea.
“Hey, why don’t we take a family photo? What do you say?”
Sophie’s head bobbed up and down with enthusiastic agreement, while Elma erupted into a flurry of excited claps, her small hands colliding with a cheerful pat-pat-pat.
“Great!” Elma squealed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Leila observed their infectious enthusiasm with a slightly bewildered expression.
Sophie leaned in close, her voice a hushed whisper.
“Mom, we’ve never actually had a family photo before.”
Leila’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Not even one? Seriously?” Sophie simply nodded. When she was young, her parents had been a picture of love, but it was a fleeting image. Then, Leila had vanished from their lives, leaving a gaping hole. By the time they found Leila again, Landon had disappeared. It took a long time for both of them to return, but even then, the deep wounds of the past prevented any chance of reconciliation.
With such a history of heartbreak and separation, the idea of a simple family photo had been an impossibility. There had been talks, fleeting plans to capture a moment of happiness, but fate, as it often did, had intervened, and those plans had crumbled into dust.
Landon’s simple suggestion, therefore, held immense weight for Sophie, filling her with happiness that bordered on euphoria.
A wave of sadness washed over Leila, a quiet, introspective moment where she questioned the very fabric of her relationship with Landon. Had it always been fraught with tension? Elma, her energy boundless, darted off to fetch Calvin.
Though a clear reluctance lingered in his posture, Calvin eventually made his way over, his resistance melting away as he met the hopeful gazes of his sisters. Their happiness was palpable, and he decided it wasn’t worth disrupting with his own reservations.
The makeshift family group coalesced, with Sophie taking charge, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she orchestrated everyone’s positions like a seasoned director.
Calvin found himself positioned in front of Landon, who instinctively placed a hand on his shoulder for the photo. A subtle shift occurred in Calvin’s expression, a flicker of an unreadable emotion dancing in his eyes. He felt a twinge of awkwardness at the unexpected contact but refrained from shaking off Landon’s hand.
Landon didn’t notice Calvin’s change. His gaze was fixed on Leila, who was smiling brightly. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars, outshining the entire galaxy.
At that moment, sensing Landon’s gaze, Leila turned her head. She was momentarily surprised, a flicker of hesitation crossing her features before melting into an even more radiant smile.
Elma expressed her desire for the family to share a single tent at bedtime, which posed a significant challenge. The servants had set up multiple tents, yet none could comfortably accommodate all five family members.
Leila and Landon initially declined the cramped arrangement. However, upon seeing Elma’s dismay, Leila relented.
“Why don’t I stay with you and your dad, while your brother and sister stay in their own tent?” she suggested.
After some gentle coaxing, Elma finally agreed.
Elma repeatedly claimed to be tired, but it took her quite some time to fall asleep.
Leila, who had been sleepy herself, found herself wide awake due to Elma’s agitation.
Once Elma finally drifted off, silence enveloped the tent.
Leila glanced at Landon, assuming he was asleep as well, and began to enjoy the calming sounds of their natural surroundings. The peaceful atmosphere started to lull her into sleep.
Just as Leila was nearing slumber, she felt a noticeable movement beside her. Thinking that Elma had stirred, she opened her eyes, only to find Landon’s face drawing near.
The sudden closeness startled Leila, bringing her fully awake.
Landon embraced Leila tightly, pulling her closer.
Taken by surprise, Leila asked, “What are you doing?”
With a smile, Landon replied, “I just wanted to hold you.” His eyes reflected a rare vulnerability.
It was the first time Leila had seen him so open, and it softened her resolve. Overwhelmed by the moment, she hummed softly, her mild protest escaping her lips. Her concern, however, shifted to Elma.
“What about Elma?” she asked, worried.
Landon tightened his embrace and rested his chin on her head, reassuring her.
“She’s sleeping soundly. I moved her over.”
Leila hesitated.
“Aren’t you worried she’ll wake up and be upset?”
Landon remained calm, shrugging.
“It’s fine. I’ll soothe her.”
Leila nearly rolled her eyes but whispered, “You should handle it. I don’t want to deal with Elma crying.”
Landon heard her words and, instead of getting upset, was amused. He silently began to craft a plan.
“Consider this-I’ll handle the children at home, but you must stay put,” he proposed.
To Leila, Landon’s suggestion sounded somewhat childish. However, she quickly grasped the deeper implication and felt compelled to ask, “Do you feel insecure about me? Is it because I always made you worry in the past?”
Landon fell silent.
Unease stirred in Leila’s heart. She reached out and gently touched his face.