Sarah held him close tightly, her hand still gently stroking the back of his head... As he leaned in closer and sniffed her neck, breathing in, trying to compose himself, the familiar scent of her perfu was a small comfort amidst the toxic emotions in his head...
"Babe, no matter what happens... I would always have your back, okay?" she whispered, her voice muffled as she leaned against his shoulder... "I know that girl... Yamamoto. She can be really difficult sotis, but babe. Don’t let her get to you."
Her understanding, her imdiate defense of him, was now his emotional comfort... He hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear those words, but not just from anyone...from her personally...
He slowly wrapped his arms around her back, returning her hugs, leaning into her body’s warmth... The humiliation still lingered in his mind, but it felt a little less overwhelming with her there...
After a few minutes, Sarah gently pulled back, her hands still resting on his arms. Her eyes, still slightly watery from seeing his distressed expression, she held back her tears... She knew that if she cried, it would only add to Leo’s emotional distress.
"Co on, let’s get you cleaned up. You can’t walk around looking like that."
She led him towards a small employee restroom nearby, a cramped space with fluorescent bulbs above them that seed to highlight his every flaw... Leo looked at himself in the mirror... His reflection was a complete ss... Coffee dripped from his hair down to the tile, his uniform was soaked, and his face was still flushed with embarrassnt...
"Here," Sarah said, leading him towards the restroom sink, dampening a paper towel with water. She then gently dabbed at his face, her touch was soft and careful...
"You know, this is exactly why I wanted you to co with to the modeling and movie set sotis. So you could see this side of things. It’s not all glamour and red carpets or fashion. There’s a lot of stress, pressure, a lot of big egos."
Leo managed to force a weak smile. "I guess I got the full experience in one day."
She chuckled softly and gave his back a gentle tap. "But babe, I’m really sorry about it."
She continued to clean him up, ticulously wiping away the coffee stains... Leo felt a sense of calmness slowly return... Her presence, her simple act of care, was very grounding...
He watched her, observing the focused intensity in her eyes, the way her brow furrowed slightly as she worked her way downwards... This was a different side of Sarah than the cute and carefree, devilish and vivacious girlfriend he’d been with all this ti, but it was just as beautiful. It was the side that showed up, that supported him without question, that saw past his mistakes and faults as a person...
"I was so worried when I saw you," she confessed softly in a weak tone. "I thought... I don’t know what I thought. Just that sothing terrible had happened."
"I’m fine, babe, promise," he reassured her, reaching out to gently cup her cheeks. "Just a clumsy accident. And maybe a very expensive learning experience."
She leaned into his arms, a small smile forming on her lips. "Glad you’re back to your normal self..."
Once he was as clean as he could get without changing clothes, Sarah stepped back to take a good look at him one more ti. "Okay, not perfect, but much better. Now, about your boss, Mr. Yokohama... and my crew mbers."
Leo’s earlier dread returned. "I might lose my job." The thought alone made his stomach clench. His role at the mall, though not his perfect dream job, provided stability and a limited comfort. Losing it now would be a huge setback...
Sarah’s expression hardened slightly. "Don’t worry about Yamamoto or anybody else. I’ll talk to my manager. And about your boss, Mr. Yokohama... I’ll tell him it was an accident, and that you fell down because of a cable wire which was left around. He values my work, I’m sure he’ll listen." She looked directly at Leo, her eyes filled with hope. "We’ll figure it out together, babe. We always do."
Leo swallowed hard and then nodded to her declaration...
Monts later, they both ca out of the restroom. Sarah grabbed his hand, and they both started walking back into the plane departnt zone...
When they got there, she told Leo to wait outside first and that he should let her enter first to ease the tension a little bit...
Sarah pushed the doors open. Instantly, all the attention of the people inside turned towards her...
At first, there were whispers and murmurs, but eventually, they died down a little, giving Sarah the chance to apologize on behalf of Leo...
"Everyone..." she began, her voice a little shaky. She cleared her throat briefly and then continued, "I’m really sorry about what happened earlier. My boyfriend Leo didn’t an to cause any trouble. So please, I wish that all of you could turn a blind eye just this once." She bows...
She turned to Mr. Yokohama, Leo’s boss. "Sir, you know Leo isn’t usually the type to cause any trouble."
Even though the claim seed questionable at the mont, she knew her boyfriend well enough to believe that he could back the claim up...
Mr. Yokohama raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "That may be true, Miss Sarah... but what he did today nearly got soone hurt."
Sarah’s lips parted, but no words ca out right away. She looked down, then back up nervously...
"I understand," she replied softly. "And I’m not excusing him. Just asking for a little chance and patience."
Mr. Yokohama studied her for a mont. The tension in the room hadn’t fully vanished, but sothing in her tone... earnest and tired... seed to soften his stance on the matter...
"Fine, I will overlook this one," he uttered, finally letting out a final breath... "But last chance. Next ti, he answers directly."
Sarah nodded. "Thank you, sir."
"Huh... Sakura, is that all you have to say? Just because he’s your boyfriend doesn’t an we should go easy on him... he ruined my favorite outfit..."Yamamoto exclaid bitterly while walking towards Sarah...
Sarah narrowed her eyes, which were obviously filled with rage. "Yamamoto," she called out to her, her voice was extrely sharp and firm... "Zip it. Not a single word from you. Not now. Not ever."
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