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Chapter 20 – Cracks in the Surface
The engine of Leon's car purred quietly as he sat still, eyes locked on the doorway Valeria had just entered. The wind had picked up slightly, stirring the trees and rustling his thoughts. He was rarely this unsettled. But something about tonight had shaken the foundation he'd carefully built around himself.
He finally pulled away from the curb, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel as he made his way home. The mansion loomed ahead—tall, elegant, and cold, like a polished cage. As he entered, the silence wrapped around him, loud in its emptiness.
His grandmother, Ariana, had left for a business trip earlier that day. The staff knew better than to disturb him when he was like this.
He poured himself a glass of whiskey and stood by the window, staring out into the night.
His phone vibrated again.
Claire.
Twenty-three missed calls now. Sixteen messages. And a voice note.
He didn't bother opening it. He couldn't.
Not tonight.
Not after watching the fire in Valeria's eyes, the way she stood up for herself—confident, unapologetic. She hadn't waited for him to speak, hadn't needed him to defend her. She carried her own strength. That did something to him. Something unexpected.
---
Across town, Valeria dropped her heels by the door of her apartment and collapsed onto her couch with a sigh. The scent of shawarma still lingered faintly on her fingers. She smiled at the thought. She hadn't had a meal that satisfying in months.
But it wasn't just the food.
It was Leon.
He was different tonight. Relaxed. Present. Not the stoic heir to a corporate empire, but a man—curious, warm, occasionally charming with his subtle sarcasm.
She stared at the ceiling, an odd flutter rising in her chest. She wasn't supposed to feel anything. This job, this life, wasn't supposed to get personal.
And yet… here she was.
She shook the thought away and grabbed her laptop. Work was her safe place.
But even as the screen lit up, her mind wandered back to the restaurant, to his amused smirk, to the tension in his jaw when Claire had yelled. And most of all—to the way he had looked at her when she left.
Like he didn't want her to go.
---
The next morning arrived too quickly.
Claire stood in front of her vanity, dark circles under her eyes, lips pressed into a thin line. She'd barely slept, her mind replaying the scene over and over. The way he didn't follow her. The way he looked at Valeria.
She slammed a bottle of perfume down, causing it to rattle against the glass.
"Enough," she whispered to her reflection. "You're not going to lose him. Not to her."
She pulled out her phone and dialed.
He picked up on the second ring.
"Claire," Leon said, his voice rough, still laced with sleep. "It's early."
"We need to talk," she said sharply.
A pause.
"Fine. Come to the mansion."
---
Leon sat in the lounge, watching the rain paint silver streaks down the windowpane. Claire entered moments later, dressed impeccably but with fire in her eyes.
"You've been avoiding me," she said.
He didn't deny it.
"And now you're… interested in Valeria?"
He raised an eyebrow. "I never said that."
"You didn't have to," she snapped. "It's all over your face. You don't look at me the way you used to."
Silence stretched between them.
"I've waited, Leon. I've been patient. Loyal. I was there before you had the company, before you stepped into your role. I deserve more than this silent treatment."
Leon leaned forward, his voice low and calm. "Claire, you're not entitled to my love just because you've been around the longest. Relationships don't work on loyalty points."
Her mouth parted in shock.
"I didn't mean for things to change," he added. "But they did."
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back with fury. "You'll regret this, Leon."
She turned and walked out.
And for the first time, he didn't follow.
---
Back at the office, Valeria sat across from Ariana Royales on a rare surprise visit. The older woman watched her with sharp, knowing eyes.
"I hear you've been doing more than just working with my grandson," she said lightly, sipping her tea.
Valeria didn't flinch. "We've been efficient. That's all."
Ariana smiled faintly. "Efficiency can be dangerous when mixed with chemistry."
Valeria blinked, unsure how to respond.
"You're not like the others," Ariana added. "I've seen many women chase Leon—most crumble at the first obstacle. But you… you stare it down and make it move."
Valeria's chest tightened. "I didn't come here to chase him."
"No. That's why he might start chasing you."
The words lingered in the air long after Ariana left.
---
That evening, Leon stood in front of Valeria's apartment again. He hadn't called, hadn't texted. He didn't even know why he was there—only that his heart was louder than his reason.
He knocked once.
The door opened slowly.
Valeria's eyes widened. "Leon?"
"I was just feeling bored and walking around," he said, clearly lying.
She leaned against the doorframe, lips curving into a slow smile. "You want more shawarma?"
He chuckled. "No. I just… wanted to see you."
Their eyes met. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was charged.
She stepped aside.
"Come in