Chapter 10 – Back to Work

“Morning, Mom, Dad,” Jeslyn greeted with a wide smile as she pulled a small suitcase behind her.

“Hey, sweetheart. You brought your suitcase?” her father, Richard, asked.

“Yes, Dad. I’m going to put it in the car. After work, I’ll head straight to the apartment,” Jeslyn replied.

“I’m sad you’re leaving us again,” said Margaret, Jeslyn’s mother, showing a glum expression.

“Oh, come on, Mom. I’ll still come home on the weekends,” Jeslyn said, trying to comfort her.

Margaret sighed as she adjusted the scarf around Jeslyn’s neck. “Still... this house feels so empty without you, sweetheart. No one for me to fuss over every morning.”

Jeslyn chuckled softly. “I’ll try, Mom. Every Saturday night, I’ll come home. We can cook together like we used to. How about that?”

“We must!” Margaret replied, eyes glistening as she pulled her daughter into a tight hug. “You always work too hard. Don’t forget to rest and eat properly, okay?”

“I promise, Mom,” Jeslyn said, returning the hug with affection.

Richard patted her shoulder proudly. “You’ve grown so much. I hope everything goes well at Clovies Group. Show them you deserve to be there.”

Jeslyn nodded firmly. “I will, Dad.”

“Oh, is Jefran picking you up?” Richard asked.

“Um... no, Dad. I’m driving myself since I’ll need the car at the apartment later. He’s probably already at the office,” Jeslyn replied.

“In that case, let’s have breakfast first. Mom made your favorite pancakes,” Margaret said.

Jeslyn’s eyes lit up at the mention of her favorite pancakes. “Really? Then count me in, Mom. I’m starving,” she said as she rolled her suitcase toward the dining room.

The table was set beautifully, with the warm aroma of freshly cooked pancakes filling the air, drizzled with maple syrup and topped with fresh fruit. The simple but cozy morning made it all the more difficult for Jeslyn to leave home again.

Margaret poured her a glass of orange juice. “Eat a lot, okay? You’ll need the energy to face that new director,” she teased.

Jeslyn blinked. “New director?”

Richard chuckled. “She means Leonel. Jefran’s older brother is the new CEO now. You’ll probably have more interactions with him than with Jefran.”

Jeslyn almost choked. “But isn’t the deputy CEO, Jefran, supposed to be the one I report to? Why me?”

Margaret and Richard exchanged a glance before Richard answered with a faint, mysterious smile. “Well, yes, Jefran is the deputy CEO. But you’re now the head of the Creative Division. Rumor has it that Clovies Group’s new project is directly overseen by Leonel himself. So... you’ll be working closely with him.”

Jeslyn swallowed hard. Suddenly, the sweetness of the pancake didn’t taste as sweet.

“Besides,” Richard added, “Uncle Samuel said Leonel is the type who likes to know every detail. So don’t be surprised if he asks you to present directly to him. And he’s known to be very strict—you might want to prepare yourself mentally. He doesn’t play favorites, even if you are his sister-in-law.”

Jeslyn exhaled slowly, trying to act calm though her stomach churned. Direct interaction? With Leonel? The image of that man popped back into her mind—his intense stare, his infuriating attitude, and those strange words that had sent shivers down her spine the other day.

“But don’t be afraid,” Margaret said gently, as if reading her daughter’s thoughts. “You’re talented and you know what you’re doing. Don’t let anyone make you doubt yourself, okay? And... don’t forget you’ve got Mommy’s future son-in-law there. I’m sure Jefran will look out for you,” she added reassuringly.

Jeslyn gave a small nod. “I’ll be fine, Mom.”

After finishing breakfast and helping clean up a bit, Jeslyn hugged her parents one more time. “I’m heading out now. Wish me luck on my first day back.”

“Always,” Richard replied, patting her back.

“And remember,” Margaret added with a sweet smile, “if that director gives you a hard time, just let me know. I’ll pay him a visit!”

Jeslyn laughed softly. “Okay, noted, Mom.”

With her suitcase loaded into the trunk and her favorite playlist playing, Jeslyn began her drive to the office.

“All right, this could be the start of something very different,” Jeslyn said to herself as she focused on the road. “Stay professional, Jes. Ignore that infuriating man.”

She stared ahead, eyes filled with determination. Her mind braced itself for the day—one that might test her patience and strength.

Jeslyn’s car rolled slowly into the underground parking lot of Clovies Group, a towering building standing proudly in the heart of the city. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

As she stepped out of the car, a gust of wind swept through the cold concrete structure. With her handbag and laptop in hand, she headed for the elevator. Every step felt heavier—not from what she carried, but from the thought of who might be waiting upstairs.

The elevator doors opened on the 27th floor—the Creative Division. Some of her old colleagues welcomed her with warm smiles and friendly greetings.

“Mrs. Jeslyn! Welcome back!”

“Wow, finally! The office felt empty without you.”

Jeslyn returned their smiles and gave light hugs. “Thanks, guys. It’s good to be back.”

But before she could chat any further, the sound of loud footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. Everyone turned.

A tall man, dressed sharply in a dark grey suit and black tie, approached with a cold presence that seemed to chill the air around him.

Leonel.

His eyes locked onto Jeslyn. That sharp gaze hadn’t changed—still piercing, still... making it a little hard for her to breathe.

“Jeslyn,” he said flatly, almost expressionless. “Meeting room. Ten minutes. We’re presenting the new project.”

Jeslyn swallowed. “Yes, Sir.”

Without another word, Leonel turned and disappeared behind the glass doors.

The staff exchanged glances—some filled with sympathy, others with awe.

“Seriously? That intense in the morning?” one whispered. “Poor Jeslyn just got back.”

Jeslyn forced a smile. “I better get my materials ready. Wish me luck.”

But deep down, she knew this could just be another mind game. Just like before, he would ruin her mood—first thing in the morning.

Jeslyn took a deep breath as she stepped into her office, trying to calm her pounding heart. Her hands moved quickly over her laptop, reorganizing the presentation materials she had prepared before her leave. Her fingers worked fast, but her mind wandered—trying to guess what Leonel really wanted by calling her in so early.

Ten minutes felt like two hours. Clutching her tablet with the presentation files, Jeslyn walked into the meeting room with her chin held high, trying to look composed, even though her mind was battling itself.

As she opened the glass door, she saw that Leonel was the only one inside.

“Would you like to see the materials now, Sir?” Jeslyn asked.

But instead of answering, Leonel pressed a button, and the glass windows of the meeting room blurred, turning opaque.

Jeslyn wanted to ask why, but before she could speak, Leonel pulled her close and cornered her against the wall behind her.

“What do you think you’re doing? Let me go!” Jeslyn snapped, glaring.

“Why? I’m just welcoming you back,” Leonel said with his trademark sly grin.

“Don’t pull this crap. We’re at work!” Jeslyn snapped with emphasis.

“So... if it were outside work, it would be okay?” Leonel teased, grinning even wider.

“You’re insane! Let me go!” Jeslyn struggled to push him away, but it was difficult.

Smooch...

Thud. Jeslyn’s eyes widened as the man boldly kissed her on the lips.

“You—!”

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Jes?” Jefran’s voice came from outside the room, making Jeslyn freeze. “Can I come in?”

***