Chapter 168: Insomnia talks

Chapter 168: 168: Insomnia talks


Eden struggled to get up to his feet while massaging his waist.


He was speechless at Leo’s manners. He couldn’t believe he had just left him like that to meet the ground.


Now his whole body was in pain.


"What was that all about?" Before Eden could look up, Leo was already in his seat again. His eyes were on the figurine now.


He walked up to him. "You should be grateful that I found it for you. Thank you would actually be appropriate. Not dumping me to the ground."


Leo said nothing. His eyes were on the figurine.


Eden stood there, tracing his eyes to the figurine. He could tell he was somewhat already attached to it.


It was bad news for him. He couldn’t let Helen steal Leo from him without doing anything.


He needed Leo for himself.


He was a powerful figure amongst the lead, and also the smartest. So having him as a support would be nice.


"It’s from a girl, right?" Eden said.


Leo said nothing. He hated the silent treatment.


"You seem to value it a lot. Even though you couldn’t look for it in your room yourself." Eden was getting somewhere as he stared at the figurine.


"Shouldn’t it help you with your insomnia?"


It was a random question from Eden. But it was a question that had Leo staring at him.


"What do you mean?" Leo stared at him.


Eden smiled. At least he had his attention now.


He shrugged. "Nothing. I just thought having something from a loved one could help one sleep better if they can’t. But I guess this wasn’t of any help."


Leo paused, processing the information for a while. And then he scoffed. "I guess Damien couldn’t keep his mouth shut again."


Eden shrugged. "It was to my benefit, I guess."


"So what do you plan on doing with that information?" Leo stared at him. "Use it against me? Torment me with it? What?"


Eden stared at him without saying anything. He could feel the vulnerability in his words. In his eyes.


Even though he was acting all cold and defensive, Eden could somehow guess that he was scared of what Eden might do with the information he found.


But Leo was acting as though it was nothing. And that told Eden a little or more about Leo now.


"Nothing." Eden shrugged, his eyes shifting away from Leo and to the figurine in his hands. "I’m not that pathetic to use something like that against you."


Leo scoffed. He didn’t believe Eden at all.


Eden stared at him. "It’s interesting how y’all already conclude I would be a nasty human to use people’s vulnerable weaknesses against them even if it means hurting them to the core. That’s actually an interesting take on me."


"Isn’t that what you are?" Leo questioned.


Eden scoffed. "I just find you sad. Pathetic. Poor, and maybe miserable." He stared into Leo’s eyes now.


Leo was quiet for a while before he said, "I’m fine. I’m not dying or anything. I’m still strong enough to take off your head. So I certainly don’t need your pity."


Eden stared into his eyes. Deep into his eyes as though he was also going to read through his soul. "You know, it’s okay to be vulnerable too. It’s also okay to not be okay. It’s normal too."


They had their eyes on each other, staring in silence as though trying to read each other.


Eden smiled as he added, "Do you want to know when I also had insomnia?"


"I don’t need to know. So let me read in peace," Leo spoke coldly. All Leo could see was him putting his shield on.


"I’ll speak anyways. Because I had a lot of eras which were filled with insomnia. Like when my parents died. And also when I broke up with..." Eden paused as though he had recalled that it was a topic he never wanted to speak about.


Leo scoffed. "You’re still on about losing your parents’ stuff. Do you think I’ll buy that?"


Eden stared at him. "I’m not begging you to buy it. I’m only telling you because I find you poor. Maybe you also need to hear it. Even if I’m a demon or whatever... I also had a parent. A parent who loved me. A parent who was willing to do anything to make sure I was happy. A parent who lost their life trying to make sure I had it easy..."


His words trailed off as he stared into thin air, trying to push back the tear that threatened to escape. He smiled.


Leo was silent. All he could do at the moment was stare at Eden. And he couldn’t even tell when he began listening. Listening in-depth.


"I had insomnia for a year or two. Or even three. I forgot the details. But it almost became a part of me," Eden smiled.


Leo was still listening.


"But then I met him..." Eden was still staring into thin air. "I could sleep if I saw him..."


Eden smiled softly as he sighed. "That’s by the way. But the point is, you need to find what really can make you at ease. Not a pill. Not a drug. Something... that can bring you peace. Only then will you sleep well."


"Someone like you should stop keeping people at arm’s length. Stop locking yourself up in here and go out. Stop being vigilant around everyone and meet people. Meet someone who will make you feel peaceful." Eden couldn’t believe he was becoming a therapist without even having a license.


But it was also interesting how this plotline wasn’t in the original novel line at all.


It was never stated that Leo had insomnia and such a vulnerable side to him. He was portrayed as perfect.


At least not in the current Chapters that were out...


Eden could already tell that it was part of the changing plotline happening because of his existence in the book.


And he was already used to it at this point.