“Mr. Harper,” Leah called out steadily.
Jeremy turned around swiftly and Leah saw him face to face for the first time. Yes, people had described him to be very wealthy and commanding and good looking, but no one ever described how he looked perfectly. Pictures of him on billboards didn't even do justice. This man was dripping in finesse. “How can one man be this good-looking?” Leah wondered. “Leo, is it?” Jeremy asked, his piercing blue eyes scanning her from head to toe. He was a very classic man. Leah swallowed her nerves, deepened her voice and answered, “yes, sir.” “You start tomorrow,” he said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand. Leah almost skipped out of the mansion. She'd done it. The job was hers. On reaching home, she saw that her mother had been discharged, and it was Noah who had taken care of the hospital bills. Her mother had been in a myasthenic crisis but was doing better after receiving treatment at the hospital. She only had to keep taking her medication, avoid stress and have enough rest, then she'd be fine. Her siblings were around their mother. Noah was there too. She could feel the love and warmth in the atmosphere. Even though they didn't have money, they had what mattered the most – love. Feeling mischievous, Leah put on a sad face and dropped her bag. Noah quickly approached, concerned. “Is it about the interview?” Leah just feigned a frown. She didn't say anything. Everyone then turned to console her. Then she screamed, laughing, “I did it!” “Everyone, you are looking at Leo, the caregiver for Mr. Jeremy Harper,” she said, sounding manly. “What? Come here! I'm so proud of you. I knew you could pull this up” Noah lifted her off the ground. Her siblings and mother congratulated her. Keira and Ivan, her siblings, suggested a celebration, and mama supported. After they had supper, Leah's mother asked her when she would resume work and how long she planned on putting up the show. She was afraid Leah could get caught anytime, and the pain of starting afresh. She couldn't bear to see Leah sad. “Mama,” Leah interrupted her mother. “It'll all be fine. I've got this, trust me. I'm resuming tomorrow. It's you I'm worried about. While I'm there looking after Mr. Harper, who'll care for you?” “Do you not see how strong I am now?” Mama stood up and playfully shook her waist, making everyone laugh. “It's your boss who's on a wheelchair that needs to be cared for. You just do your job diligently, you hear me?” “Yes, mama,” Leah nodded. “Listen, my dear, I will be fine. Keira and Ivan are here, and Noah, too. Am I right, kids?” They all nodded in affirmation. When she and Noah were alone, he handed her a few of his clothes and schooled her on how to act manly. He gave her a few tips on things to do and what to avoid, so that she didn't get found out. “What would I do without you Noah?” She hugged Noah really tight and it meant a lot to him. Noah wanted to be more than just friends with Leah. He liked her a lot, but didn't want to risk losing their friendship. He only hoped that she'd eventually realize how much he loved her and love him back. – – – Leah, as Leo, arrived at the mansion the next day. Maggie showed her around, pointing out her room and the areas she wasn’t allowed to enter. She advised Leah to stay calm and remain in the boss’s good graces. She knew the boss was tough. The first few weeks were tough. Jeremy was bitter and demanding, barking orders at her for the smallest things. He’d lost the use of his legs in an accident, and though he was physically helpless, his attitude was anything but. “Your cooking is atrocious,” he said one morning after Leah served him breakfast. “It’s not Michelin-starred, but it’s edible,” she shot back before realizing she’d spoken aloud. Jeremy’s eyes narrowed, but instead of lashing out, he smirked faintly. “Watch your mouth, Leo.” Despite his harshness, Leah saw glimpses of vulnerability in Jeremy – like the way his voice softened when he spoke about his late parents or how his hands lingered over old photographs on his desk. One evening, he was drinking in his wine bar. Leah came around to inquire if he needed anything, but he just commanded, “sit.” She obliged. She was extremely cautious whenever she was around him. Her posture, her voice, everything had to be in check. “You see, this is my favorite spot in this mansion. Can you guess why?” Jeremy asked. “For obvious reasons, sir,” Leah answered. “Which are?” Jeremy pressed, watching her intently. “I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to…..” “Speak up! What are the obvious reasons? Speak up,” he interrupted, his voice laced with bitterness. “You think I sit here to drink and drown my pain over that damned accident that made me a cripple?” “I'm sorry, sir. That's not what I…..” Leah was terrified. She found it difficult to speak. “Get out!” he snapped, his frustration boiling over. “Get the hell out!” Jeremy’s anger stemmed from his accident and an unspoken burden that weighed heavily on him. One night, Leah overheard him crying and begging someone to come back to him. “I'm miserable without you. Why'd you leave me? Please, come back,” his voice was breaking as he spoke. “You'll throw away all we shared just like that? I love you, babe. I love you! Please, come back,” he pleaded, his words drenched in desperation. Leah pressed her ear closer, her heart twisting. A long silence followed, and Leah imagined the painful rejection on the other end of the line. Suddenly, a loud thud startled her. She peered in to see Jeremy throw his phone across the room, shattering it against the wall. His wailing filled the air, a storm of rage and sorrow. He drank himself to stupor that night. He was wailing and cursing, “I hate you. I hate you.” His voice cracked with anguish, raw and unfiltered. Then he passed out. Leah felt pity for her boss. He was a miserable man. Someone had broken his heart. Perhaps, that was why he was haughty, because deep within, she'd seen his soft side. She helped him to his room. There her phone rang, and believing he was fast asleep, she answered and spoke with her feminine voice. “Noah, you’ve been calling me repeatedly. What's up?” Jeremy stirred. “What the fuck?” he slurred, barely conscious. His eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, his brows furrowing. Then he passed out again.“Ugh! My head aches so bad. Leo! Leo!” Jeremy called out, gripping his head and groaning.“Yes, sir,” Leah rushed in as if she had been waiting to be summoned. She barely had enough sleep the previous night, wondering if Jeremy had found her out or not. She was uneasy.Jeremy just looked at her and mumbled, “lousy man.”“Make me some lime juice, for my headache. I'm having a hangover from last night.”“What? Last night?” She asked even though she had heard him clearly. She was terrified. She had been careless last night and she could've sworn that he heard her. Oh God! She prayed silently in her heart.“Are you deaf? You better hurry!” “Yes, sir!” She hurried out and came back with a glass of the lime juice.“Sir, I have arranged the clothes you'll wear. Will you have breakfast downstairs or should I bring it here?” Leah asked.“You aren't my babysitter, are you? I'll let you know when I need something. Get lost!” He snapped at her. Leah couldn't understand why he was so difficult t
Jeremy seemed to be watching Leah closely after the previous night and Leah could feel it. She became extremely careful. She had told herself that whether she was alone or not, as long as she was in the mansion, she was “Leo.”She did her work swiftly and avoided him like a plague. She couldn't risk getting caught. Her life depended on retaining that job and getting her monthly salary.Thankfully, a month flew by, and payday arrived.She received her salary and got a bonus too. Her boss wasn't so bad, after all.Her once-a-month weekend leave had arrived, and she was eager to go home and be herself again.“Mama, how have you been?” She greeted her mother, kissing her cheeks.Her siblings, Keira and Ivan, welcomed her warmly, arguing over who would carry the groceries she brought. Their playful bickering made Leah and their mother laugh.Leah cooked Noah's favorite dish, porridge, and invited him over. “Noah, I appreciate all that you do for me. You're more like a brother to me than a
Jeremy looked dashing in his navy-blue suit, polished shoes, gold wristwatch, and the faint scent of designer cologne. Stepping out in style, he was driven to the office, where his arrival created a buzz akin to a presidential visit. As the company’s president, his presence commanded respect. Everyone welcomed him with warm smiles. He shook hands with a few colleagues, and wheeled his chair to his office. It felt good to be back. Everything was in place. His secretary walked in to brief him on the things that had been going prior to his resumption. She expressed how happy she was that he survived the accident, and said that she was optimistic that he would walk again. He cut her short. He didn't like talking about the possibility of walking again. Having high hopes and expectations cut short wasn't something he was ready for. Jeremy, however, quickly changed the subject. He wasn’t ready to entertain false hope. Thanking her for holding the fort, he instructed her to prepare the
Jeremy made arrangements for Leah to go shopping and get classy dresses befitting of her new status as his wife.It was all mixed feelings for Leah. She was anxious and excited. This was a good offer. At the end of the six month contract, she'd have saved enough to change her family's story for good. She hadn't even told anyone about the new development. She would surely tell her mom and her best buddy, Noah.The car pulled up to a luxurious spa, where Leah was treated to a full-body massage, facial treatments, and even a manicure. Afterward, the driver drove them to a high-end beauty salon where her hair was styled into soft waves that cascaded down her back. By the time they reached the boutique, Leah barely recognized herself in the mirror.She tried on several dresses, each more elegant than the last. Jeremy, seated in his wheelchair, watched silently, his eyes narrowing with every outfit she modeled. His gaze wasn't one of criticism but of astonishment. Leah, in all her understa
“Leah?” Jeremy called out softly. Leah swallowed hard. He had said ‘no strings attached,’ so what did he want? She wasn't a cheap girl and he had to know that. Jeremy wheeled his chair closer to her instead. “Leah, look at me. Come close.” Leah froze, her heart hammering in her chest. She bent to face him, feeling vulnerable and helpless. She breathed heavily and Jeremy could hear her heart beat faster. He raked his fingers through her hair and Leah closed her eyes, motioned to receive a kiss, as Jeremy's move hinted at her. “Are you trying to seduce me?” Jeremy’s question broke the spell, his voice low but teasing. Leah quickly opened her eyes, her cheeks flushing with heat. “Seduce you? Excuse me?” she retorted, her tone defensive. “I’m not trying to do anything of the sort!” Jeremy curled his lips. “Then, the incident at the boutique…and right now, you're wearing a transparent robe in my room. What are you up to?” “Oh, God. It's not what you think at all. Why would I
Jeremy had missed several therapy sessions. He felt they were useless. He had in fact given up hope of ever walking again. That accident broke him. It changed the whole existence of his being. There was no such thing as unconditional love. If there was, Sarah would have stuck with him and supported him.Sarah’s departure had left a wound deeper than the physical scars on his body. It was the kind of hurt that ate away at his soul.He was hurt. He had no one. Only Maggie had stayed with him, yet, for some reason, he resented her.He cared about her. He didn't want her to be homeless or anything of that sort, but he didn't appreciate her trying to act like a mother to him.He had no one, and that was fine. He was fearless and feared. He had built a fortress around himself, a wall too high and too thick for anyone to climb. He commanded authority. He was alone now, but not lonely. He liked it like that.That morning, he had an appointment with his orthopedic doctor, but it didn’t matter
After Big Margaret and Conrad had left, an oppressive silence descended upon the room. The air was thick with tension, “Leah,” Jeremy said quietly, “what’s going on?” Leah hesitated, her lips trembling as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t. Finally, she turned to him, her eyes filled with a quiet desperation, and shimmered with tears that refused to fall. “I’ll explain everything,” she said softly. “But not here.” The drive back to the mansion was long and quiet. Leah had acted really brave but Jeremy could still sense the fear that Big Margaret's presence had on her. “So, Big Margaret is your aunt? How? I don't understand anything,” Jeremy broke the silence. He was too curious to just wait till they got home. Leah began to shiver as she burst into tears. “She took everything my father ever worked for after he passed away and allowed us to suffer in abject poverty.” Jeremy handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face as he tried to console her. He put her head against his
Leah kept acting weird the next couple of days. she looked at Jeremy with softer eyes, as though seeing a man beyond the scars and bitterness; a kind, fine man. She served his meals specially. She ensured he took his medications and went for his therapy sessions. She cared for him, and he let her.Maggie, who had been observing Leah keenly, decided to bring it up. The opportunity came on a bright Friday morning while Leah was in the kitchen, humming softly as she made coffee. Maggie stepped in, leaned against the counter, and crossed her arms, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.“You care so much for him, huh?” Maggie said, her voice teasing.Leah squeezed her forehead, wondering where Maggie was heading to.“Don't we all care for him? He's been through so much,” Leah replied casually.“Mmm. We all do. But you care for him specially, don't you?” Maggie insisted.“Well…I'm his caregiver, I mean. If I don't care for him, who will?” Leah said, leaving a wry smile as she poured a cup of co
The phone slipped from Jeremy’s fingers. He barely caught it before it hit the floor. His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, a deafening rhythm in the stillness of the office. He looked at Leah, his face expressed disbelief—shock. Perhaps he was hoping that she might confirm that this wasn’t real, that it was some cruel illusion crafted by his stressed mind."I... I don't understand you," Jeremy said finally, his voice rough and uneven, still battling the reality Maggie had just thrust upon him.Maggie's voice trembled through the speaker. "It's true, Jeremy. He's here… at the penthouse in Japan."Jeremy's lips parted, but no words came out. His hands tightened into fists at his sides. His wide, unblinking eyes stared through Leah, through the walls, through everything.His head was filled with thoughts.How?And if true, why?Why had the man stayed away all these years?Was he here now out of love and loyalty or was he plotting something sinister with those who had been tr
Jeremy frowned as he dialed Maggie’s number for the third time. Again, the call didn’t go through. The automated voice repeated, "The number you're trying to call is currently switched off. Please try again later."He pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at the screen like it would change the outcome."Her phone is still off," he said, puzzled.Leah turned to him from across the desk, arching a curious brow. “Maggie’s phone is off?”“Yeah. It's weird. Her phone is never off,” Jeremy muttered, eyes narrowing. “Something feels off. She always picks.”“Try again?” Leah suggested, though her voice lacked urgency. Her gaze had shifted. Like she was less focused on the problem at hand and more on him.Jeremy was about to dial again, but when he glanced up, Leah was staring at him… differently.Her head tilted ever so slightly, her lips parted just enough to reveal a hint of a sultry smile, and her eyes darkened with unmistakable mischief. Slowly, she rose from her chair and walked ar
Leah could perceive the sweet aroma of freshly baked croissants and sizzling eggs as she stepped into The Maple Grove, a quaint yet upscale eatery nestled between two tall buildings on Eastbourne Street. The morning rush hadn’t quite begun, so the place felt warm, inviting, and quiet—just as she remembered. It was the kind of place that offered comfort in chaos, and today, she needed that comfort.The hostess greeted her with a soft smile and recognition in her eyes. “Ms. Leah! It’s been a while.”Leah smiled back, her voice a little strained from the weight of everything she’d been carrying. “Yeah, it has. Just stopping by for breakfast.”“Jeremy not with you today?” the hostess asked, leading her to their usual corner table by the window.Leah shook her head. “No, he’s at the office. I’ll be taking some breakfast to him, too.”The woman nodded knowingly, placing the menu before Leah. “The usual?”Leah nodded. “Yes, please. Two of everything.”As she waited, she looked out the window
The morning sun shone brightly, lighting up the Fisher estate. The living room was quiet—a calm before a storm everyone could sense but couldn’t see. Leah sat at the edge of the sofa, her hands folded across her lap, trying to hide her nervousness.Jeremy stood by the window, staring out with a pensive look, his jaw tight. His phone buzzed on the table, and he glanced at it before ignoring the call. His mind was elsewhere, calculating, preparing.He turned and looked at Leah, concern evident in his eyes.“Sure you’re strong enough to go with them to the airport?” he asked gently, stepping toward her.Leah looked up at him, offering a small but determined smile. “Yeah, I am. Don’t worry.”She knew her body wasn’t in top shape as she was still recovering, but her spirit, her will, wouldn’t let her stay back. Not when the people she loved were being sent into hiding, even temporarily. She had to be there. She needed to see it for herself—that they were safe, that they got on the plane, t
Outside of town, in a secretive, quiet place, a lady was standing; waiting, her arms folded across her chest, her breath coming out in even mists as the evening chilled. The only sounds were the distant calls of birds settling in for the night and the subtle crunch of gravel beneath approaching footsteps.Clara appeared moments later, dressed in dark jeans and a loose sweater, her blonde hair tucked beneath a cap. She moved quickly, glancing over her shoulder every few seconds. Her heart was beating fast, but not from fear—at least not entirely. There was something else pulsing through her veins: adrenaline, purpose, the knowledge of what they were about to set in motion.The lady had a striking resemblance with Clara. Their face, height, complexion, everything. They were mirror images. The only difference was that she had sharper edges and a colder aura."Update," the woman said, her tone brisk, as though she wasn’t interested in pleasantries. Even her voice echoed Clara’s, but wit
Morning light came through the curtains, casting soft lines on the walls. Leah woke up, still feeling the effects of the previous night. She lay in bed for a few seconds, enjoying the warmth and Jeremy's gentle breathing—the faint scent of him lingering in the pillows.Slowly, she got up from the bed, careful not to wake him. She yawned as she sat upright, her bare skin kissed by the gentle chill of the room. It was then she realized she was completely naked, her breasts still standing and pointed; sensitively alive, a sweet reminder of how passionately they’d expressed their love just hours ago.Last night had been more than sex. It had been soul meeting soul, a temporary sanctuary from the chaos that constantly clawed at their lives. With Margaret’s evil still echoing through the walls, with betrayal and secrets swirling in every corner of Empire Hub, and possibly Fisher Enterprise, they'd found comfort in the only place that still felt safe: each other.Leah slipped into her silky
Leah had gone with Jeremy to see Ivan. “Please wait for me. Let me go in alone,” she said to Jeremy.“Okay,” Jeremy said without any argument.He trusted Leah so much, more than himself even. She was extremely smart and her gut feelings were usually right.Leah walked in and the warder went to bring Ivan out.Ivan couldn't look at Leah. He bent his head, avoiding her gaze.“Look at me,” Leah said, her tone firm.Ivan didn't look up.“Ivan, look at me, I said!” She sounded authoritative this time.“I can't. I'm too ashamed,” Ivan admitted, crying softly.“You were brainwashed. Big Margaret was very manipulative. I don't blame you, Ivan,” she paused and stretched her hands to his. “I'm getting you out of here, I promise.”Ivan finally raised his head up and looked at her, surprised at her words. She would help him after everything?Leah nodded as if she could hear his thoughts.— — —Jeremy was still being troubled about Clara or Claudia or whoever she was. She was an infiltrator and s
Jeremy was no longer himself. Always lost in thoughts, wondering who that lady, Clara, actually was, and where he'd seen her.Damn! Why couldn't he place the face? He surely had seen her before. The face… It was too familiar.And she wanted to work in his firm as his secretary? He couldn't trust her. No, he couldn't trust anyone. Not after everything they'd been through.His fingers moved reflexively toward the resume she’d left behind. He wanted to show it to Leah. Clara Dane. Age thirty-two. A flawless work history. Multiple firms, stellar recommendations, even a few accolades for administrative excellence. But no matter how pristine the paper trail looked, his instincts screamed that something was off. That woman… he knew her. Or he knew her face, her eyes, or maybe the energy she carried — like a polished blade hidden beneath silk.He snapped out of his daze when Jackson walked in, holding two cups of coffee and humming along to whatever was blasting in his AirPods.“Morning, boss
After Clara left, Jeremy barely waited for the soft click of the front door to fade before grabbing her resume again. His eyes scanned every line thoroughly, every bullet point, searching for something; anything, that didn’t add up.MIT graduate. Former executive assistant at Weston & Lane. Strategic consultant at Silverburn Inc.Everything looked solid. Too solid.And her face, that look. Where had he seen her? Or did she just look like someone he'd seen before? No. He'd seen her somewhere. But where?He stood abruptly and strode down the hall to his office, locking the door behind him. The walls of Empire Hub had always felt like steel, strong, unshakeable. But ever since Big Margaret’s web of betrayal had started to unravel, Jeremy had learned that appearances could be deceiving.He sat at his desk and opened his laptop. A few keystrokes brought up the internal background check system Leah had insisted on installing after the Monica fiasco. He typed in Clara Dane, attached the res