Chapter Fifty-Six: Standing In The Gap

EVELYN’S POV:

The moment the door clicked shut behind him, I rushed upstairs, quietly tiptoeing as I neared Leonard’s room. I didn’t know why, but my curiosity burned—what was Leonard up to?

As I approached, I caught snippets of his conversation through the slightly open door.

“Listen, Mr. Watt,” Leonard’s voice was calm and firm, “by next week, everything will be sorted out. You’ll have your meeting with her. I promise you won’t regret this. Evelyn’s sharp, and you’ll gain so much from collaborating with the company. You just need to give us a bit more time. I know there’ve been delays, but trust me—right now, she’s not fit for an official meeting.”

It hit me like a wave. Leonard had been managing my schedule, helping me when I couldn’t help myself. Mr. Watt should’ve been furious over these constant delays, but he wasn’t—because of Leonard. He’d been standing in the gap for me, silently ensuring things didn’t fall apart.

 But, I wondered if this was the reason behind Leonard's reaction.

If it is, I am very certain that I could trust Leonard with my life, because he cares much.

Lost in thought, I didn’t catch the rest of his call. I pushed the door open, and Leonard looked up, now sitting on the bed.

“Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual, “you good?”

Leonard smiled warmly. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Right,” I replied, feeling my heart soften even more toward him. “Dad’s waiting for us for breakfast.”

He nodded and stood, walking toward me. Before I could say anything else, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I’ve got you, Evelyn. Always.”

“Thank you for being wonderful,” I blurted out, my voice soft.

Leonard grinned. “No, thank you for being wonderful.”

We both laughed, the tension breaking for a moment. As he walked into the bathroom, I couldn’t help but let my thoughts spiral.

I was so deeply in love with Leonard, yet I didn’t fully understand what we were. He was a huge part of my life, but he wasn’t family, and he wasn’t officially my boyfriend. What would happen if things changed? Could I lose him? I needed answers—clarity on where I truly stood, and I need them soon.

Leonard came out shortly after, his damp hair falling effortlessly into place. I grabbed a chocolate bar to distract myself from staring at him too much. My heart fluttered as I watched him get dressed.

Once ready, we headed downstairs and joined Dad at his place. Breakfast was relaxed, filled with light jokes and laughter—almost normal. After eating, we moved to the balcony, where the conversation turned serious by time.

It was there I found the courage to reveal everything to Dad—starting from the moment I woke up at my engagement party. My father’s face fell as realization dawned.

“Evelyn,” he said quietly, “why didn’t you tell me sooner? Do you think I’m so weak I couldn’t handle this?”

Guilt gnawed at me, but I quickly assured him. “No, Dad. It wasn’t you—it was me. I thought I could handle it alone. I didn’t want to burden you.”

“It's past now dad,” I said, reaching for his hand. “I’m here, and we’re talking about it now. That’s what matters. We should think of what to do now. I tried to explain as I sensed the disappointment in his tone.

We spoke at length about Dana, Caleb, and everything Leonard had suggested so far. We agreed to trust Leonard’s plan and wait for the next steps.

The rest of the day passed peacefully at Dad’s place. At around 6 p.m., Leonard and I headed back to my place. But before we reached the door, Leonard turned to me with a playful grin.

“I have something planned for us tonight,” he said.

“A date?” I asked, excitement bubbling up.

He nodded. “You’ve been stressed, and you deserve a break. What do you say?”

“Yes!” I said, without hesitation.

Leonard's thoughts could never go wrong, always perfect and soothing.

I hurried inside to pick out a dress. Leonard leaned against the doorframe, his eyes full of amusement as he helped me decide on a navy blue gown. Simple, yet elegant.

“Perfect,” he said, smiling.

I touched up my makeup—light eyeliner, mascara, and a bit of gloss. When I stepped out, Leonard’s jaw dropped slightly.

“You look…” he began, pausing to find the right word. “Breathtaking.”

I blushed, grinning at his million compliments.

He took my hands and placed kisses on them.

The evening sky was painted in soft hues as we walked hand-in-hand. The moon’s glow added to the magic of the night. I glanced at Leonard and felt a surge of gratitude, as always.

Arriving at his mansion, Leonard led me upstairs so we could both get ready properly. He looked dashing in his dark suit, every detail perfectly in place. I felt like a princess beside him. When we were both satisfied with our looks we stepped out.

When we reached the front of the house, I gasped. A sleek, black limousine was waiting for us. Leonard opened the door, gesturing for me to step in.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Leonard smiled mischievously. “You’ll see.”

The limousine pulled away, and I leaned back against the plush seats. The city lights streamed past us, the world outside sparkling. Butterflies danced in my belly, and I allowed myself to simply enjoy the moment.

Leonard watched me with that familiar, affectionate gaze. “You look happy,” he said softly.

“I am,” I replied truthfully.

“Why wouldn't I be?” I asked playfully.

Tonight felt different—special in a way I couldn’t quite describe. As Leonard took my hand in his, I realized something: I didn’t need all the answers right now. All I needed was this moment, and him beside me.

And for now, that was enough.

“I'll let things go naturally, as they already have been.”

Leonard leaned in and kissed me on the lips, almost ruining my lip gloss.

“Yes.” But I didn't mind. Not a bit.