Hera shook her head, holding onto the basket. She liked the feeling of carrying it herself. Usually, she would bring it up after her morning runs, though sotis the caretaker would deliver it for her.
Still, this simple routine brought her joy—it was a small mont of peace that helped her forget the weight of her responsibilities, the scheming, the hardships that lay ahead, and all her worries.
So, she kept the basket and didn’t hand it over to Dave.
Dave pouted, and Hera caught his expression in the reflection of the elevator doors. The sight made her chuckle. The n around her had so many different sides—like how Dave could be both childish and mischievous yet still eloquent and decisive when it ca to politics.
Xavier could be incredibly determined and dedicated to his work, yet as lazy as a cat when he wanted to be. Luke had a gentle deanor but could turn ruthless when the situation demanded it. Rafael was intimidating at first glance, yet beneath that exterior, he was kind and gentle. Zhane carried himself with a stern and stoic presence, but his care and dedication never wavered.
And then there was Leo—mysterious in his own way, yet one thing Hera was certain of: he was honest about his feelings for her. Protective and kind, he wouldn’t hesitate to cross the Atlantic Ocean if she so much as willed it.
Hera nodded as she considered their contrasting sides. Even she had different facets to her personality, and perhaps that was what made people so interesting and three-dinsional.
Lost in thought, she and the others reached the penthouse. Just as they stepped out of the elevator, they spotted Leo standing in front of the large door, his hand hovering over the doorbell. At the sound of approaching footsteps and the familiar sensation of being watched, he turned his head toward them.
The mont his eyes landed on Hera, they softened, warmth replacing his usual composed expression. In that instant, his gaze shimred like a million stars, filled with quiet affection and sothing deeper—sothing ant just for her.
"Good morning," Leo greeted Hera, though his voice was noticeably hoarse.
"Do you have a sore throat? Are you not feeling well?" Upon hearing his rough voice, Hera’s expression imdiately shifted to concern. Without hesitation, she strode over to his side, her eyes scanning him carefully as she searched for any signs of discomfort.
Seeing Hera’s concern, Leo’s smile brightened, but he shook his head. "No, I’m fine. I just drank a little too much at an engagent with my business partners last night, and on top of that, I had so cold drinks. My throat’s a bit strained and hoarse, but other than that, I’m perfectly fine," he explained.
Hera blinked a few tis, studying him.
Sothing felt different about Leo—subtle, but noticeable. Normally, the mont he saw her, he would step forward and pull her into an embrace. Yet this ti, he remained where he was.
She pushed the thought aside, convincing herself she was overthinking it. Instead, she took a step closer, wanting to hug him. She hadn’t seen Leo for a while, and though it hadn’t been that long, it felt like forever.
So, she took the initiative to hug him, but just as she was about to, Leo instinctively took a step back.
"Babe, sorry," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I still sll like cigarette smoke, and I don’t want you breathing it in. Secondhand smoke isn’t good for your health."
The mont he saw the flicker of hurt and surprise in Hera’s eyes, regret imdiately hit him like a punch to the gut. His heart twisted, as if wrung like a wet cloth. He hated seeing that look on her face.
"Don’t be sad, okay?" he coaxed, his voice softer now.
Hera, however, blinked in surprise. "You smoke?" she asked, genuinely taken aback. She had never once slled cigarettes on him before. Leo always carried the fresh scent of mint—clean and crisp, never tainted with the harsh stench of tobacco.
Hearing him ntion the lingering scent of cigarettes on his body genuinely surprised Hera. She had never associated Leo with smoking, and the thought of it unsettled her.
But Leo quickly shook his head. "Not ," he clarified. "The people at the engagent were the ones smoking."
Dave, who had been silently watching Leo like a hawk, finally spoke up—his usual sarcastic edge lacing his words.
"You’re telling my sweetheart that secondhand smoke is bad for her health," he drawled, crossing his arms, "and yet, instead of walking away, you just sat there, breathing in all that toxic air?"
He paused for a beat, as if rembering sothing, before snapping his fingers dramatically. "Oh, right! I forgot. You’re a manager. You can’t just get up and leave the table whenever you want, huh? Gotta endure the smoke and suffer in silence." He let out an exaggerated sigh.
Then, with a grin, Dave slung an arm around Hera’s shoulders and pulled her closer. "If you ever feel uncomfortable in negotiations like that, just give this big brother a call." He patted his chest confidently. "I’ll handle it for you. Anything to make sure my sweetheart doesn’t feel heartbroken seeing you at a disadvantage."
Dave, seeing a golden opportunity to show off in front of Hera, seized it without hesitation. He deliberately kept repeating "this big brother" to emphasize his supposed superiority.
Since Leo was only a manager and lacked the power to fully protect himself, Dave made it clear—for Hera’s sake—that he would step in, ensuring she never had to feel bad seeing Leo in a vulnerable position.
At the sa ti, his words carried a subtle jab. He is indirectly telling Leo that his only job should be to stand there and look handso in front of Hera while he and the others can act as his big brothers—his protectors and safety net.
But beneath the playful bravado, there was an unspoken challenge. If Leo accepted that role, it would place him at the very bottom of their group—the most powerless, the most useless.
Leo, sensing the hidden provocation in Dave’s words, cast him an unreadable look, one eyebrow slightly raised. He remained silent for a mont, letting the tension linger. Hera, quick-witted as always, imdiately caught on to the underlying jab in Dave’s words and was about to step in to defend Leo—but before she could, Leo spoke first.
He let out a light chuckle, slow and unhurried, exuding an air of effortless confidence. "I appreciate Young Minister Dave’s kind offer to be my big brother and protect , but... being my big brother requires both capability and common sense. I can handle myself, but thank you for the thought."
_______________
PS: Another month has passed, and I’m genuinely grateful to see so many of you continuing to support and engage with the story. Your ongoing enthusiasm and encouragent an a lot to . As a token of my appreciation, please accept this redeem code: . You can redeem it for 10 Fast Passes at the Redeem Center located in your Profile section, just below your Purchase History. The code is valid for 10 users on a first-co, first-served basis. I hope this small gesture brings a smile to your face and encourages you to keep supporting . Thank you again for being part of this journey!
Reviews
All reviews (0)