It was a bad idea I shouldn't have walked with Ryan into his office but that was exactly what I was doing, it was like I was being controlled with a remote. I didn't know how to stop myself, when I saw him outside I wanted to get back into the car and zoom off but he invited me to have tea in his office. I hesitated a bit but went with him.“Have a seat” he pointed to an empty sit opposite a big polished tableThe office was grand and intimidating, just like him. The massive, polished desk dominated the room, spotless and perfectly arranged. Shelves lined the walls, filled with untouched books, while bold, expensive artwork hung in between. A crystal chandelier sparkled overhead, casting light on the leather chairs and golden accents that made the space feel more like a showroom than a workspace. Everything was luxurious and cold, more about showing off wealth than creating a place to work. It was impressive but felt empty.“Thank you,” I said slowly taking a sit“Coffee or tea?” he
I rushed back to the house, it was almost time for my evening session with Leon and I also didn’t want him to notice I was away. It would just lead to a lot of questions and I didn’t want that. My heart was pacing quickly in my chest thinking about how badly my meeting with Ryan could have turned out the rage in his eyes was so scary anytime I thought back to it made me shudder.Him getting worked up when I mentioned him being threatened by Leon was quite unexpected, he flared up so much that I couldn’t help but wonder why he reacted so badly but I was wondering enough for me and the end of being nosey.As I opened the door of the house I was so shocked to see Leon and Nick seated in the living like they were waiting for someone“Hello” I whispered, as I turned to head upstairs praying that he wouldn't stop me but his harsh voice shouted me in my tracks“Where were you?” He asked“I went out,” I said, there was no reason to lie to him or tell him the truth either. His jaws were clenc
Leon sat quietly for a moment, his eyes distant like he was somewhere far away. The gym felt heavier somehow, the silence stretching between us until he finally spoke.“When my father was alive,” he began, his voice low and steady“I didn’t feel like an outsider in the family, I knew I wasn’t welcomed by others but my father didn’t treat me differently so I didn’t care about the looks and whispers I got. He wasn’t the type to show affection. He wasn't warm or emotional but he treated me like his son. Not some illegitimate child” he continued I stayed silent, giving him the space he needed. Something in the way his voice carried made my heart ache for him, even before he said anything more. He didn’t have to tell me, the pain his voice carried as he spoke told me how he was struggling to let me in but he continued.“He was strict,” Leon continued, his gaze still far away, “All about business. Family get-togethers, vacations, or anything like that? He didn’t care for those. But I work
RYANI was raging in anger, I swept everything from the top of my desk causing everything to scatter and shatter on the floor in pieces. I paced back and forth, rage pulsing through my veins. My desk was a mess, papers scattered everywhere, broken glass crunching beneath my feet. I couldn’t stop myself, I grabbed another vase and hurled it at the wall, watching it shatter into pieces.“How dare she!!” I shouted pushing the shelf that held books in the office to the groundI was so angry that I felt like killing the bitch, she had the audacity to throw insults to my face. No one has ever dared to do it to my face, I was in disbelief at some point that I couldn't say a word.I had to teach her a lesson and waste no time doing it, I had to show her I wasn't to be fucking messed with.“What is the matter?” I heard my mother say, I looked up to see her standing by the door, her eyes fixed on the mess I had created.“I don't need you around me Mom, leave!” I roared at her but she didn't mov
LEONAlthough I was pissed at Naya for going to see Ryan, it came from a place of worry. I knew what they were capable of and what they could do to her if they wanted to and not only that but she was bringing the attention I was trying to avoid right to me. I kept thinking of the possibility of things that they could try to hurt her or ridicule her but nothing was forthcoming.I was to meet up with Ryan which was something I hadn’t done in a long time. The last time Ryan and I had a sit down it didn't end well and I was about to do it again. I just couldn't sit still while he plotted to do whatever it was to Naya. I would never let that happen not on my watch. I was intrigued by how confident and fearless Naya was. She gave me a bit of confidence why there was no reason to be scared of them or what they could do. It should be the other way around.They should be scared of me.When there were rumors of me being the next president of the company Ryan tried to threaten me that he would l
NAYALeon was responding well to the treatment and therapies and that was the best thing that had happened to me in a long time as little as it was. It was a huge progress. This was someone who was told he would never be able to walk but he could stand for a few minutes before his legs gave out, the longest we have recorded that he stood for was exactly three minutes and that was the happiest three minutes of my life.The results I had been yearning and wishing for were finally playing out, it felt like I could finally breathe. Now I knew that he could definitely walk again with just a few more push to go, but I didn't want to push him too hard so I gave him more space to rest his muscles instead of two sessions a day I made it three times in a week.“Hey Nick” I waved at him as he walked into the living room“Good morning ma’am,” he said making me groan, he just didn't want to let go of the whole ma’am thing“Is Leon out of bed?” he asked “He would be somewhere around, we have no re
After speaking to him I left him with his thoughts. It was up to him to decide if he wanted to go or not. I found myself on Kayla’s social media page. It was something I had become accustomed to and I did it every night, I had trouble sleeping or before I went to bed. I was scared to sleep most nights because the nightmares were relentless. Before I had a reason to stay awake reading and researching the whole night but when I didn't have to do that I ended up falling asleep after staring at the ceiling for a long time and I would wake up sweating or screaming. It was like I was being hunted by my sister.Images of her body replayed in my dreams every night, it was torture that I hated falling asleep, so instead I stalked Kayla's social media wounding my heart more and more by digesting videos and pictures of her living her best life, there was a video of her flaunting the new sports car she just bought. She was living life and seeing her happy made my heart ache badly. She didn't dese
It was going to be Leon’s first public appearance in years. That fact alone was enough to make my hands tremble as I adjusted the small clasp on my bracelet. For someone who once thrived in the public eye, Leon had spent years retreating into the shadows. Now, he was stepping out again, and I was stepping with him.I wasn’t nervous because of the cameras or the stares I knew we’d get, I don't know if I could handle that. But I had to, no matter how the thought of it made my stomach twist. I understood the weight of what this night meant for Leon. He was doing this in memory of his father, a man whose legacy was complicated and painful for him. And he was doing it with me by his side.When he asked me to come with him. He tried to make it sound like a joke, but I saw through it. Beneath his sharp words and casual shrug was a vulnerability he always liked to mask. So I agreed. Of course, I’d agreed. How could I not, when he was putting himself through so much just to show up?As I stood
LEONHearing Nyla say those three words that scared me more than anything wasn't on my bucket list. It caught me off guard that I didn't know what to say or how to say anything. My silence made hurt flash across her eyes and that wounded me deeply. I felt like I had failed her by not being able to say it back but those words caused me deep-rooted trauma that I haven't been able to grow out of. Love isn't the same word to me as it is to everyone else.I saw my mom suffer in agony alone all in the name of love. I was a product of love and I always said repeatedly to myself that my mom’s life would have been so much better if they didn't have me.I like Naya without a doubt, I was attracted to her both physically and sexually. She made me feel things I have never felt in my life and do things that I have never done before. But Love? That was a stretch.Love was just a cruel word and the last thing I wanted to do was anything that would hurt her.It was hard to fall asleep knowing I hurt
NAYAI lay in bed, feeling the warmth of the sheets wrapped around me. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. The soft glow of the bedside lamp casts a golden hue over everything, making the space feel even more peaceful.Leon was next to me, lying on his back with one arm resting behind his head. He had just come out of the shower, his damp hair slightly messy, and the scent of his body wash filled the air. He looked relaxed, but I knew his mind was always working, always planning his next move.I turned on my side to face him, resting my head on my palm.“You’ve been staring at the ceiling for the past five minutes,” I pointed out.He glanced at me with a lazy smirk. “Just thinking.”“About?”“What if I say you?” he asked and I just laughedHis smirk deepened, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he reached over to the nightstand and picked up a sleek black box. “Here,” he said, handing it to me.I looked at him, then at the box. “What’s this?” I aske
RYANEverything seemed to be happening at once. My mind was spinning, struggling to make sense of what I had just seen. Leon? The CEO of TechNova? No, there was no way. It just couldn’t be true.TechNova was one of the fastest-growing companies, the name on everyone’s lips. Their products were everywhere people talked about them, used them, and praised them. I used them. My phone, my laptop, and even the computers at work were all TechNova products. And I wasn’t the only one. Everyone I knew used their devices because they were the best.The company was so good at what it did that no one ever questioned the identity of the anonymous founder. There were rumors, of course, speculations that went around from time to time. But it was never something I paid attention to. Because it didn’t matter.Until I saw Leon standing on that stage, taking credit for everything.Of all people Leon? How did he pull it off? It was just a regular company but it was a multi-billion dollar company and he di
KAYLAI was having lunch when I saw Ryan’s message, “Come to my place. Now.” The text read followed by his address.Without thinking twice I grabbed my keys and rushed out abandoning my food“Won’t you finish up before you head out?” My mom asked“I’m done you can clean up” I answered as I went out the doorThe drive to his house felt longer than usual. I wanted to fly to him if I could. I was already there. He called for me first, I didn’t have to linger around him. He called me himself. That was a huge progress right there. By the time I arrived, it was already dark. The guards at the gate let me in without question, and I made my way to the main house. I entered without knocking.The air smelled of smoke and expensive cologne. Dim lights cast long shadows across the room, and there he was, sitting on the couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His shirt was unbuttoned, his hair slightly messy, but his sharp eyes were just as intense as always.“You’re late,” he muttered, taking
The venue was massive, even bigger than I expected. A luxury hotel ballroom filled with bright lights, expensive decor, and an overwhelming crowd of people. From businessmen to reporters, socialites to tech enthusiasts, everyone was here for one reason. The launch of TechNova’s new phone.It was funny how everyone was present but no one knew the face behind the company. I stood beside Leon, my hand linked with his as I scanned the room. Everything was perfect, the shimmering golden banners, the sleek displays showcasing the new phone, and the massive TechNova logo glowing on the stage. The air buzzed with anticipation, and cameras flashed nonstop as reporters tried to capture every little detail.Leon looked unbothered no single sense of nervousness from him. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, his shoulders held high oozing out a great amount of confidence. Even in a room filled with powerful people, he stood out effortlessly.“Are you nervous?” I asked, watching his expression car
NAYAEverything else went smoothly, and all we had to do was wait for them to schedule another election. In the meantime, I kept myself busy by helping out at the office whenever there was work to do. I didn’t do much, but it was better than sitting around all day with nothing to occupy my time.I was seated in Leon’s office while he attended an online meeting. The more time I spent around him, the more I realized just how busy and hardworking he was. He had so many things going on for him that he didn’t even need Valois Group.Leon wasn’t just some ordinary businessman, he was a powerhouse. He owned an investment company with ties to several major corporations. He was the owner of the country’s largest tech company. He even had a private villa, home only to people of high status, those were the few I knew about. And yet, despite all of this, no one had the slightest idea. They thought he was struggling, living in misery, when in reality, he had been building an empire in silence.“He
JENNIFERWhat I received was worse than a low blow. How could Ryan have done something so reckless, something of this magnitude, and keep it from me? At the very least, if I had known, I could have done some damage control. But now, it was too late.I was too dumbfounded to speak, too stunned to react as the shareholders and board members all turned on me, demanding answers. They thought I was part of this mess, but they had no idea that I was just as shocked as they were. I wanted to defend myself, to explain that I had no clue what Ryan had done, but the words wouldn’t come. For the first time in a long while, I was completely speechless.“How could you allow this?” the chairman of the foundation asked“This has to be some type of misunderstanding,” I said trying to calm the situation but they weren't having it and my patience was drawing thin.“Did you think this was a good agreement and made him sign it?” his wife asked me irritating the shit out of me, who was she to question me?
Once again, the election didn’t hold it ended before it even started, worse than the last time. The shareholders couldn’t believe what they were seeing. The moment they finished reading the contract Ryan signed, chaos erupted.Jennifer tried to calm the situation down, raising her voice above the commotion. “Let’s give Ryan a chance to explain himself,” she urged, her eyes scanning the room desperately. But when it was finally time for Ryan to speak, he did the exact opposite of what everyone expected, he stormed out without a word.His sudden exit only made things worse. The board members erupted in anger, shouting over one another. Some demanded answers, others turned their frustration to Jennifer. She was left standing there, trying to maintain control, but it was clear this was a disaster.Leon turned to me, his eyes glinting with amusement. “What do you rate this surprise?” he asked, smiling like he had just pulled off the greatest trick in the world.I folded my arms, pretending
Arriving at the company for the election was almost the same as last time, the eyes of everyone around were glued on us, the camera of the press flashing in our faces. The only difference I would say is that Leon wasn't sitting in a wheelchair he was walking by himself.“Your cane” I gasped remembering he came without it again“I’m fine trust me and I have the best masseuse in the world” he winked at me as we walked in. I just shook my head at himRyan and Jennifer were the only ones not present yet everyone had to wait for them to show up. Everyone’s eyes didn't look away from us they kept whispering and giving us dirty look“Leon” a man called softly behind us and when we turned, it was an older man in his late fifties wearing a classic black suit so I assumed he was one of their family or major shareholders.“How may I help you?” Leon asked ignoring to exchange pleasantries “I am Richard Brokee, I worked as your father's vice president before he died,” he said“Okay and?” Leon ask