Chapter 17 – The Mysterious Man

"What's wrong? You've been quiet this whole time," Jefran asked, glancing at Jeslyn while driving.

"Oh, I'm fine," Jeslyn replied, trying to hide the confusion and anxiety on her face.

This couldn’t be a coincidence—she had seen that man multiple times. He wasn’t just a frequent visitor to her café, he seemed to show up wherever she went. Even at the supermarket.

“Does that mean he knows where I live too?” Jeslyn wondered silently.

 "Jes..."

Jeslyn flinched when Jefran suddenly took her hand in his.

"Ah—yeah?" She turned to look at him.

"You look pale. Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I’m fine, Jef. Don’t worry," she replied with a sweet smile.

Jefran turned his focus back to driving. They headed to the office, and once they reached the basement parking lot, both walked toward the elevator. While waiting for the doors to open, Jeslyn glanced behind her, scanning the area, making sure no one was following or watching her again.

The elevator ride felt unusually quiet. The only sound was the faint instrumental music coming from a hidden ceiling speaker. Jeslyn stood beside Jefran, who was focused on his phone, checking his messages. His fingers were still loosely holding hers, but his attention was clearly elsewhere.

The elevator stopped at the lobby level. A man stepped in. The sharp scent of masculine cologne filled the air, followed by steady, familiar footsteps.

Leonel.

Wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, one hand in his pocket, he glanced at Jeslyn and smirked.

"Having lunch together, huh?" he said in a low, clear voice, laced with a teasing undertone only Jeslyn would recognize.

"Oh, you just had lunch too, Leon?" Jefran asked casually.

"Yeah," Leonel replied.

Jeslyn instinctively gripped Jefran’s hand a little tighter, as if to show Leonel that she belonged to someone. She kept her expression neutral, unwilling to escalate the subtle tension between them.

Leonel noticed and gave her a slight smile. He stood beside her—close enough that she could smell his distinctive cologne. His gaze swept across her face.

Jefran didn’t seem to notice. He remained engrossed in his phone, unaware of the subtle standoff happening beside him.

Jeslyn gasped when Leonel gently brushed her arm with his fingers. She quickly turned to him with a sharp glare, but he only responded with a mischievous smile.

She looked to Jefran for help, but he was oblivious.

Jeslyn averted her gaze quickly, her cheeks burning from a mix of embarrassment, anger, and confusion.

The tension in the elevator was suffocating. Jeslyn felt like she was caught between her boyfriend and a lover—an absolutely infuriating situation. Especially since Leonel kept teasing her, brushing the back of her hand despite her subtle attempts to push him away. He showed no fear that Jefran might notice.

"Oh, by the way, Jeslyn. Once you're done with your tasks, come to my office. There are a few things I need to discuss," Leonel said with a tone Jeslyn was sure had nothing to do with work.

"Yes, Sir," she replied, unable to refuse—after all, the annoying man was still her boss.

"By the way, Jes, did you bring your car today?" Jefran asked, slipping his phone into his pocket.

"I didn’t. I took a taxi earlier," Jeslyn said.

"I have an appointment later, so I won’t be able to give you a ride home. You’ll have to take another taxi, okay?" Jefran added.

"Tch. Come on, Jef. You're seriously going to let a woman go home alone by taxi at night?" Leonel interjected.

"Well, I really do have plans," Jefran defended himself.

"What kind of plans, Jef?" Jeslyn asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Jefran fell silent, rubbing the back of his neck as if searching for a good excuse.

"I’ll take her home," Leonel said calmly, drawing both of their attention.

"N-no, that’s not necessary. I don’t want to trouble you," Jeslyn quickly refused.

"It’s no trouble. I’m not busy later anyway, so I can give you a ride," Leonel insisted.

Jeslyn opened her mouth to decline again, but Jefran spoke first.

"You're the best, Leon. I trust you with Jeslyn. Jes, you’ll be safe with him," Jefran said with a relieved smile.

Leonel smiled back. "Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets home safely," he said, his gaze locking with Jeslyn’s, full of hidden meaning.

“You’re wrong, Jefran,” Jeslyn thought bitterly. “It’s precisely with him that I won’t be safe.”

The elevator arrived at Jeslyn’s floor.

"I’ll get off here and walk her to her office," Jefran said.

"Sure," Leonel replied.

They both stepped out. Jeslyn glanced back. Leonel was still inside the elevator, watching her with that trademark smirk before winking at her.

Jeslyn let out a quiet sigh. Her heart pounded—not from nervousness, but frustration, and maybe... a hint of fear. Leonel’s gaze and body language had become increasingly hard to ignore. Every glance, every word from him carried a hidden meaning only the two of them could understand.

The elevator doors closed behind them.

"Leonel may seem strict and harsh at times," Jefran said, walking beside her. "But he’s someone you can trust. Even though... yeah, he can be cold and intimidating."

"Cold?" Jeslyn thought bitterly. "He’s the most irritating man in the entire building!"

She gave a faint smile, unwilling to comment further. In her mind, she just wanted to get to her office, lock herself inside, and shut out all the chaos that had been building up since earlier that day.

When they reached her office, Jefran stopped.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" he asked again, this time his voice softer, almost a whisper.

Jeslyn nodded, meeting his eyes. "Just... a bit tired."

"Then take a break. If you need anything, just call me." He gently patted her head.

"Thanks, Jef."

He lightly touched her arm before leaving with a polite farewell.

Once the door closed, Jeslyn leaned against it and took a deep breath. The office was quiet, but her thoughts were anything but.

There was Leonel, who somehow always knew how to unsettle her.

There was the mysterious man who kept shadowing her like a ghost.

And there was Jefran—who lately felt more distant than ever.

As the workday drew to a close, Jeslyn realized she still hadn’t responded to Leonel’s invitation.

Her phone buzzed suddenly.

Leonel:

Still busy? I’m waiting. In my office.

Jeslyn bit her lower lip. After a moment’s hesitation, she stood, grabbed a file as an excuse, and headed toward Leonel’s office.

Standing before the gray door, she hesitated.

“Jeslyn?” came Leonel’s voice from inside, as if he knew she was already there. “Come in.”

Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and stepped inside.

The room was dimmer than usual, the blinds half-closed. The scent of coffee and subtle woody cologne lingered in the air.

Leonel stood in front of the window, his back to her.

"You came," he said, turning around and leaning against the windowsill, arms crossed.

"You said you had something to discuss," Jeslyn replied firmly, keeping her emotional distance.

Leonel smiled faintly. “Yes. But it’s not all work-related.”

Their eyes met again.

"You know, Jes... you must’ve realized something’s not right with Jefran. Yet, you still stay with him. I just want to know... why?"

Jeslyn froze, her heart racing. "How is that any of your business?"

Leonel took a step closer. Then another. “Maybe it’s not. But lately... I feel like I need to know. Because you’re not just anyone to me. You’re... someone who—"

"Stop," Jeslyn cut him off, her voice barely steady.

Leonel halted just a few steps away.

"I’m here because you're my superior and you said there’s work to discuss. If not, I’ll return to my office," Jeslyn said firmly.

The tension hung for a moment before Leonel raised his hands in surrender.

"Alright. Let’s talk work... for now."

But the smile on his lips never truly disappeared. Jeslyn knew—this man was full of unpredictable moves.

She handed over the report in her hand, her expression still cold.

Leonel accepted it and sat calmly at his desk. He skimmed through the pages and gave a small nod. “Your presentation was excellent. Clear and precise.”

Jeslyn remained standing, keeping her distance.

"Have a seat," he finally said, nodding toward the chair across from him. “We need to go over next week’s targets.”

Jeslyn sat down, lowering her gaze and jotting down notes as Leonel spoke.

Then, his voice softened.

"And one more thing," he said quietly. “I’m sorry for what happened this morning.”

Thud.

Jeslyn looked up, surprised. She never expected an apology from someone like Leonel—proud, arrogant, and unfiltered.

"Why the silence?" Leonel asked, their eyes locked.

“It’s fine,” Jeslyn replied, shaken. “Just... let’s not have that happen again. Especially not in the office.”

“So... it’s okay outside the office?” Leonel teased.

“No!” Jeslyn snapped, flustered.

“But back then... you paid for my body so cheaply. And now I’m not even allowed to touch you?” Leonel said.

“That was—just hush money,” Jeslyn stammered, her face burning with shame at the memory of that night.

“Pretty cheap hush money for a café owner,” Leonel muttered.

“How much money do you want?” Jeslyn challenged.

“I have plenty of money and not lacking a single cent. So, pay me with your cooking,” Leonel replied.

“What?”

“You want to make sure I keep my mouth shut, right? Then shut it with food—your dishes or your desserts. I crave them. But next time, use honey instead of chili,” Leonel teased, making Jeslyn’s cheeks flush. He had figured out she was messing with him earlier.

“You’re really good at negotiating, aren’t you?” Jeslyn said.

“Of course. That’s how I became a director,” Leonel answered confidently.

Jeslyn let out a deep sigh, trying to calm herself down so she wouldn’t be provoked by Leonel’s word games. “You’re so annoying, you know that?”

Leonel leaned back in his chair, staring at Jeslyn without losing his mischievous smile. “I know I am. But you like it, don’t you?”

Jeslyn crossed her arms, trying to stay firm. “Tch, don’t get too full of yourself.”

“In that case, I’ll make work a little more exciting, so you won’t get bored so easily.” Leonel placed the report back on his desk. “Tomorrow, accompany me to the investor meeting. You understand this report best, so you’ll be the one to present it.”

Jeslyn frowned. “Isn’t it usually your assistant or secretary who does that?”

“I’m the boss here, so my decision is final. And right now, I want you.” Leonel’s tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Jeslyn sighed. “Fine. But don’t expect me to keep following your orders, especially if it’s outside of work.”

Leonel let out a low chuckle. “We’ll see about that, Jeslyn.”

***

Jeslyn stood in the office lobby, her bag in hand, ready to call a taxi. But before her fingers could touch her phone screen, the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention.

“I thought you were going to leave me behind.”

Leonel stood there with his blazer folded over his arm, looking more relaxed than usual.

“I haven’t decided whether to take a cab or wait for you,” Jeslyn replied, half-joking.

“Then hurry up. My car’s waiting,” Leonel said.

They exited the building and got into Leonel’s car. During the drive, Jeslyn stared out the window, feeling an odd sense of unease, like eyes were watching her… again.

It wasn’t long before the car pulled up at her apartment building.

Jeslyn glanced at Leonel behind the wheel.

“Thanks,” she murmured, this time without sarcasm.

“Should I walk you up?” Leonel offered.

“No need. I can manage. You should go home,” Jeslyn said as she got out of the car, leaving Leonel behind with a wildly beating heart. Once again, she’d left him feeling unsettled.

Ding...

Jeslyn reached her apartment floor. As she stepped out of the elevator and headed toward her door, she suddenly noticed a man crouching and attempting to hack into her apartment’s passcode.

What shocked her the most. It was him.

The mysterious man who had been following her all this time.

Him? Jeslyn’s heart raced with fear and panic. She backed away, but accidentally bumped into a nearby trash bin, causing a loud noise.

The man turned his head toward her.

Startled, he immediately took off, chasing after the terrified Jeslyn as she ran down the hallway.

***