Chapter 4

Leon's POV.

I've never encountered a girl like her before. She is bold, clear, outspoken, and not to mention, elegant. Her actions caught my attention, something no one had ever done. I sat on the leather chair in my study, leaning back, reminiscing on the scene that had happened at the charity event. The way she stood her ground, fire in her eyes, her voice steady, chin lifted... It was the kind of moment that burned itself into memory. While I was at it, I heard a soft knock on my door.

“Sir,” Darious said as he entered, “your mother is here to see you.” I instantly knew the reason for her visit.

“Leon,” she called, walking in right after Darious gave a polite bow and made his way out, “the family dinner is tomorrow by 7pm. Make sure you come with Isabel so we can discuss the engagement plan there after.”

Isabel Miller is the daughter of Owen Miller and the heiress to her father's multi-million dollar tech company. They believe pushing her to me will make Viremont Holdings stronger, gain more power in Ravelle, and help in securing multiple deals. She's elegant and poised. My mother adored her.

“Good morning to you too, mother,” I replied, not minding the supposed dinner she had earlier mentioned.

“Spare me the sarcasm, Leon. Don't be late tomorrow,” she said.

“I'll come for dinner, but not with Isabel. I already told you I can not marry her.”

“And what is that supposed to mean, Leon? Your father mustn't hear you say such. You know how important this union is to Viremont Holdings, and besides, Isabel is the perfect fit for you,” she argued.

I stood up from my seat and walked towards the bar at the corner of the room, “There would be no wedding, mother,” I said, pouring myself a drink.

“There will be!”, her voice now sharper. “Do you want to ruin this for us? This is not only about you, it's about the company, our future. We can't afford to lose that contract just because of your silly ego. The board needs to see that you're capable, and one of the ways to prove that to them is by having someone by your side. Someone like Isabel.”

I picked up the glass of whiskey, took a sip, and said calmly, “I'm seeing someone else,” fixing my faze on her.

I could see the shock and disbelief in her eyes, “since when?” She questioned.

Does it matter? All that matters is that she's real and I'm not getting married to Isabel.”

She stared at me for a moment, “I don't care. You will be at dinner tomorrow with Isabel.”

Then she turned and walked out, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

I stood there for a while, twirling the glass of whiskey in my hand. Eventually, I returned to my desk, picked up the file that had Amber's information in it, and scanned it through again.

My phone buzzed. It was Isabel. I watched it ring for a second before answering.

“Hey, Leon,” she said, “your mother called, or should I say my future mother-in-law,” giggling over the phone.

“Okay, and?”

“Well, I bet she already told you about the dinner tomorrow. So, I was thinking… maybe we could go together and make an entrance, you know.”

I paused. “There would be no need for that.”

“Come on, Leon. You're always doing this. Did I do something wrong? You've been distant lately,” she said, as her tone dropped into something more personal. “I know you don't fancy the idea of us to getting married, but I can assure you, once you stop fighting it, you'll see that we're perfect for each other.”

Listening to her talk was already tiring. How can one be so… obsessed? No matter how much I spell it to her, she refuses to listen to me. I placed my palm on my face, rubbing my eyes.

“Look, Isabel, I am not fighting anything,” I said flatly, “I'm seeing someone else, and we plan to get married soon.”

“Someone else?” She scoffed, "It's quite funny how you think that matters to me, Leon. I've waited for this moment for as long as I can remember… You can't just shove it off by telling me there’s someone else. Quit the joke,”

“You think this is a joke?” I asked as I turned my chair to the window, tension prickling down my spine.

“Whether it's a joke or not, I don’t care,” She said, her voice warm and dangerous.

I'll see you at dinner tomorrow. Wear something black. You look sexy in it.” She ended the call without waiting for a response.

I let the silence settle around me. The sound of Isabel's voice echoed in my hears. It was very glaring that she wasn't in love with me. She was in love with the idea of me.

With a sigh, I tossed my phone on the desk and leaned back into my chair.

I wasn't sure if this whole idea of seeing someone else would work, but Amber isn't just like any other woman. She was… different.

She must have received my message to her about her debt that I had now acquired. I was quite certain she'd show up. I mean, she wouldn't want to ignore a message from Leon Viremont.

But why am I really doing this? What do I want from her, really? Knowing that her father was the man who had helped me in the past, I could just pay her debts and look away. But I can't help it. She has triggered something in me. Somehow, I knew she was the one who could burn this whole charade to the ground.

Slowly, I stood up from my chair, grabbed the glass of whiskey I had earlier poured for myself, and walked towards my windows, looking down at the city of Ravelle as it glitters gold and ruthless.

I tucked my left hand in my pocket and took another sip.

Let’s see what you do, Amber Rose.

Tomorrow, the game begins.