Third Person's POV
"I'll close the window." Leo watched the rain drift in and rose, standing naked before the window.
Despite their recent passion, his heart felt colder and heavier than the rain.
"Don't stand there like that, you'll catch a cold."
Sunny, tucked under the covers, saw him staring blankly out the window and quickly warned him.
It was still spring, and the air was chilly, yet Leo seemed oblivious to the cold.
Suddenly, he pressed a hand to his forehead. A surge of pain welled up inside him, unbidden tears reddening his eyes.
Sunny slipped out of bed, threw on a coat, and fetched his robe, draping it over his broad shoulders.
The man spun around and crushed her in his arms, as if to meld her into his very being, to prevent her escape.
Sunny sensed the reluctant sorrow in his embrace—she felt the same ache.
Yet separation was inevitable.
"Sunny, wait for me. It won't be long..." Leo murmured into her ear, his jaw set with resolve.
Sunny nodded meekly, her trust in his words absolute.
"I'll wait for you, until the very end. I can wait," she said, her voice tinged with poignant determination.
Leo gave a faint smile and released her. Wiping away her tears, he said, "Enough. It's not a final farewell, just a temporary parting. Let's not distress each other further."
"I'm not sad, just reluctant," Sunny's lips curved, but tears streamed faster.
"I'll arrange a new place for you and find you a new job. I'll take care of everything. Don't be afraid," Leo said in a deep voice.
"No need. I don't want to trouble you," Sunny's heart warmed with gratitude.
"I want to be troubled by you. Don't deny my help. If I don't know you're alright, I'll be consumed by worry," Leo knew she'd resist—her stubbornness would kick in.
"Alright, if you don't mind the trouble," Sunny relented. Before her loved one, pride seemed trivial.
"For now, stay out of the entertainment industry. Is there any particular job you'd like?" Leo asked softly.
"Particular job? Once, I dreamed of being a writer, a dancer... so many aspirations. But I didn't work hard enough in college, and now my dreams are hazy," Sunny shrugged with self-mockery.
"How about I set you up with a shop? You can be your own boss," Leo suggested. He wanted her free from the frustrations of working for others.
"A shop? What kind of shop?"
Sunny had fantasized about owning a charming café, hiring staff, and spending idle hours counting revenue at the register, watching movies to pass the time—a delightful life.
"A café, with you as the boss. Earn your own pocket money." Leo lightly kissed her lips, his smile warm.
"Great idea! But I'm inexperienced. What if I lose money?" Sunny laughed bitterly.
"No worries. Profits are yours; losses are mine. I'll even connect you with clients to ensure success," Leo grew more confident in the plan.
"Leo, you're too good to me—almost unreal." Sunny chuckled, her eyes glistening with emotion.
"If I don't pamper you, what if you're stolen by another man? Where would I cry then?" Leo teasingly scraped her nose before reluctantly letting go. "I'll help you pack."
"Okay." Sunny felt no sorrow at parting; instead, she anticipated this fresh start with excitement.
"Tomorrow, I'll have someone find you a shop. Take time to research. Starting a new career requires preparation," Leo said, taking out her clothes from the closet. His gentle chatter filled the room with warmth, easing Sunny's heart.
Her belongings, packed into two large trunks, included many precious gifts from Leo.
She seldom wore them, mostly leaving them on display.
Leo made a call and swiftly secured a sea-view apartment, fully furnished and move-in ready.
What he didn't tell Sunny was that he owned a place in the same complex—right above hers.
"How did you find a place so fast? It's not yours, is it?" Sunny asked, amazed.
Leo smirked. "Of course not. Patricia's too sharp. If I gave you my place, she'd find out. Then I'd have to explain—it's a friend's. He's got a vacant apartment there."