Leon POV
I sipped my jasmine tea slowly, walking back and forth across the room. Her face lingered in my mind—soft, innocent, quietly beautiful. Something about her stayed with me, like a memory I couldn't shake off.
A knock broke my thoughts.
"Who is it?" I asked, setting the cup down.
"It's Mom," came the reply.
I opened the door to find her smiling brightly, a little too excited. She stepped inside and made herself comfortable on the couch.
"My son," she began, "I heard there's a girl you're spending time with. Is it true?"
"No, Mother. I've only driven her home twice," I answered calmly, but her smile only grew wider.
She leaned forward, voice softening. "But remember—you've always stayed away from women. I've been so worried these past years. People are starting to talk… saying the only son and heir of the Atlandas Empire might be gay."
She said it gently, but I could hear the desperation beneath the words.
"Please, my son," she added, her eyes searching mine, "if you have feelings for this girl, don't hide it from me. Let me help you."
After she finished, she remained still, watching me. I could see her posture stiffen slightly as she glanced toward the door. Her smile faltered.
"I see... my son wants me out of his room now." Her voice cracked slightly.
I didn't know what to say. I just stood there, silent. Part of me wanted to reach out, but I didn't move.
Mom had always been alone. My father and I were hardly ever home. He claimed she shouldn't be involved in business because she was his 'queen'—meant to rest and be admired, not to work. But that admiration became a cage. She had no outlet, no connection. And now, all she wanted was to see her only son emotionally alive... and maybe to silence the rumors.
Her fears echoed in my head: that I had no interest in women, that I was cold stone, unreachable.
To ease her mind, I finally spoke. "Mother, if I find that I have feelings for her… I'll let you know."
Her reaction was instant. She rose to her feet, beaming with joy. Without another word, she left my room, still smiling like the sun had finally returned.
And I... I stood there, frozen.
Did I feel something for that girl?
Was she special?
I didn't know. I'd closed off my heart long ago, after Gladise. Since then, I've come to believe most women were heartless—skilled at pretending, talented at betrayal. They could shatter you when you least expected it.
But Cielo didn't seem like them.
Still, I wasn't ready to believe.
I stood by the window for a while, lost in thought, before I finally shook myself out of it. I needed a distraction—something to silence the questions forming in my chest.
A shower. Some wine. Maybe meet with old friends.
Just something... anything to help me forget that, for a moment, I had wanted to believe in someone again.