The tension in the car was unbearable—like there was a sword hovering right over my neck, just waiting to drop.
Everything looked calm.
The temperature was cool.
Leo's driving was smooth.
Even the Audi Q3 purred like it had nothing to worry about.
But Leo's mind? Definitely not calm.
After breakfast, we'd talked a little—just enough to cover the basics. I explained how he ended up becoming my fake boyfriend and the whole ugly mess with Alex.
He didn't show much emotion.
No reaction, no questions.
Just a polite nod and a quiet, "Go get ready. I'll drive us to work."
He even offered me clothes.
And not just any clothes.
He opened a wardrobe that looked like it belonged in a magazine ad—branded suits, custom-tailored everything, and fabrics I'd only seen from behind display glass.
He picked out the smallest size he could find for me.
A dark brown suit—sleek, powerful, expensive.
I put it on and instantly understood why Leo walks the way he does.
That kind of confidence comes stitched into the seams.
I got ready in under an hour.
Now here we were—trapped in this silent tension on the way to the office.
"Do you live nearby?"
Leo's voice finally cut through the quiet.
I checked my phone. 8:30 a.m. Fifteen more minutes to go.
"Yeah…"
I set the phone down.
"Near the convenience store."
He nodded. That was it.
I turned my gaze from the window back to him.
And wow.
How had I never noticed how ridiculously handsome he was?
If I'd met Leo before Alex…
Maybe everything would've been different.
The next fifteen minutes passed in complete silence. No more talk, no more nods just still driving.
He parked his car in the basement of the company, which was eerily quiet—barely any other vehicles around. As I reached for the handle to get out, the door suddenly locked itself. Confused, I looked over at Leo, who said nothing. For two whole minutes, he just sat there, silent, like he was gathering his thoughts—or maybe trying to decide how to say whatever was brewing in that secretive mind of his.
Then, slowly, he unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned in toward me. His eyes met mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. He scanned my face—slowly, purposefully—until his gaze landed on my lips. And like a magnet, mine followed his.
His hand came up from behind him, reaching for my cheek, his fingers grazing my skin gently. I knew my face had gone red, and I didn't even care. He wasn't looking at my cheeks anyway—his entire focus was on my lips. I could tell what was coming, and somehow, instead of pulling away, I leaned in too. I wanted it. I wanted him.
His breath brushed against my skin, warm and tempting. I closed my eyes to feel it fully, to give in to the moment—only to feel his fingers slide from my cheek to my lips, rubbing them slowly. I opened my eyes, startled, just in time to see a smirk tug at his mouth.
Then, in the softest, most seductive tone he could possibly use, he whispered, "Your kissing skills are horrible."
And just like that, he pulled away, sitting back in his seat while I stared, stunned. He burst into laughter, absolutely losing it at my reaction while I sat there, burning with shock, rage, and total embarrassment.
Furious, I yanked open the door, stepped out with dramatic flair, and slammed it shut behind me. I turned back to glare at him, cheeks still flushed—part anger, part humiliation, and part... something else I didn't want to admit.
Throughout my walk from the parking lot to my department, I was drowning in replaying Leo's behavior. Why did he do that? I wondered repeatedly, my mind tangled in questions. Lost in thought, I opened the office door and took my seat—and immediately heard cheers echoing through the department. I knew exactly who it was.
Zara breezed in and perched herself on the edge of my desk, flashing a grin from ear to ear—her expression practically screaming "Tell me everything."
"What are you doing here, Zara?" I asked, still flustered from the car incident.
"Someone's cheeks are red as tomatoes," she teased, nodding to my still-flushed face.
I brushed aside her teasing and asked the question buzzing in my head.
"You made it home safely, right? Last night?"
Her body jolted as I asked, and she jumped down, grabbed my hand, and steered me toward the office terrace—a rare quiet spot, even a bird wouldn't be found up here at that time.
"Yes, I did—thanks to your boyfriend's friend."
She spoke with a teasing tone, but I could hear something cautious behind it.
Seeing her safe was a relief, but her expression shifted. Her face was a storm of questions I wasn't sure I could answer so soon.
"Let me explain everything about what's going on between me and Leo," I started carefully.
As I spoke, Zara's face morphed through confusion, concern, suspicion, and something like… protectiveness? She bit her lip, forming words in her mind long before speaking them.
"So he kissed you in front of everyone… to claim you?"
Her tone made it sound like she was mentally digesting an entire blender's worth of shock.
I nodded slowly.
"And now? What's your relationship with him after the kiss?"
Her question remained firm, suspicious, and slightly hurt.
"I don't know."
I winced at my own honesty.
"We haven't really talked about what happened yesterday... not fully."
Her frustration spiked.
"How could you not? At least clear things up with him."
She exhaled sharply.
"He promised me he'd escort you safely after you fainted."
"He did," I confirmed.
"He took me home, explained everything—said my drink was drugged, and that's why I passed out."
Zara pulled out her phone—probably ready to start a plan or a search or at least a dramatic group text.
I reached out and stopped her.
"Please don't. I'm fine. It's all okay now… thanks to Leo."
She slipped her phone back into her skirt, but I could tell she wasn't entirely pacified.
"If that person—Alex—shows up again, call me immediately."
"I will."
I offered what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
"But you can relax now. Leo said he'll handle things."
I exhaled, feeling a rush of relief—I trusted Leo. And I knew that no matter what Alex tried next, he wouldn't win this time.