Chapter 18 ~ The Savior

“Sir, the man who was following Miss Jeslyn came back to her apartment just a few minutes ago.”

That was the message Leonel received from the person he had secretly assigned to keep an eye on Jeslyn.

“Who the hell is that bastard!”

Leonel stepped out of his car and made his way toward Jeslyn’s apartment complex, a storm of emotions brewing inside him.

“If he lays a hand on Jeslyn, I swear I won’t let him live!” he thought furiously.

Just as he approached the elevator, he heard faint footsteps running behind the emergency stairwell door. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open—and at that exact moment, Jeslyn appeared, her face pale with fear, sweat dripping down her temples.

“Jessy?”

“Leon—?”

Jeslyn didn’t hesitate. She threw herself into Leonel’s arms, trembling in fear.

Leonel caught a glimpse of a man at the top of the stairs who had abruptly stopped running and quickly turned away, clearly frightened.

“H-he was... up there...” Jeslyn stammered.

Leonel wrapped his arms around her protectively. Her breath was erratic, her body still gripped by panic.

“It’s okay. I’m here now. You’re safe with me,” Leonel whispered gently, though his voice carried a weight of intensity.

Jeslyn bit her lip, her eyes wide with terror.

“When I reached my unit, someone was trying to force open the door. I ran... I escaped through the emergency stairs...”

Leonel pulled her closer.

“Shh... You’re safe now. I won’t let anyone lay a finger on you.”

A moment later, one of Leonel’s men appeared behind him.

“Search the entire floor. Arrest anyone suspicious. If that guy is still in this building, drag him to me!” Leonel ordered coldly.

“Yes, Sir!” the man replied quickly and vanished with two others.

Jeslyn closed her eyes tightly, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Leonel guided her to a small couch in the apartment lobby, helping her sit down to calm her nerves. He took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

“I was so scared…” she murmured.

“Let’s go to your unit,” Leonel said.

“But—”

“I’m here. You’re safe,” he cut her off, and without another word, he picked Jeslyn up in his arms. This time, she didn’t resist and wrapped her arms around his neck instead.

Leonel walked with firm steps through the apartment hallway toward Jeslyn’s unit. His eyes scanned every corner with heightened awareness. Jeslyn clung to his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat—a steady anchor in the storm of her anxiety.

When they reached her unit, one of Leonel’s men was already waiting at the door.

“I checked the place, Sir. No one inside, but the lock shows signs of tampering,” the man reported, showing a photo of the damaged lock.

Jeslyn tensed in Leonel’s arms. He nodded without a word, eyes fixed on the door.

“Make sure the building’s security is tightened. I want all CCTV footage from the last two hours reviewed. I want to know who this person is,” Leonel said with authority.

“Yes, Sir!”

Leonel carried Jeslyn inside and gently set her down on the sofa. He quickly inspected every corner of the room. Once he was satisfied that everything was secure, he locked the door behind him.

Jeslyn hugged herself, still visibly shaken.

“What does he want from me?” she whispered.

Leonel walked over to the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and brought it to her.

“Drink this,” he said, offering the glass.

“Thanks.” Jeslyn drank it all in one go.

Leonel sat beside her, watching her in silence. Jeslyn turned to him with troubled eyes.

“That man… he keeps following me. I’ve seen him several times—at the cafe, near the office, at the supermarket, even in front of my house. I don’t know what he wants, but I’m terrified, Leonel,” she confessed.

“I’ll take care of him. So you can feel at ease,” Leonel said firmly.

“Wait. What do you mean by 'take care of him'?” Jeslyn asked, concerned.

“What do you think?” Instead of answering, Leonel threw the question back at her.

Jeslyn looked at him, confused and slightly horrified.

“Leonel… don’t tell me you’re thinking of doing something… illegal.”

Leonel didn’t answer right away. His eyes bored into hers as he leaned back slightly, crossing his arms.

“I don’t care about the law… not if it can’t protect you. That man crossed the line, Jessy. If you expect me to stand by and watch you stay in danger, you’re dead wrong.” His voice was resolute.

“But—Leonel, I don’t want you to get involved too deeply. You could get into serious trouble.”

Leonel leaned in slightly.

“I’m already too deep, Jessy. Since that night… you became my concern. And whether you admit it or not, I won’t let anyone harm you—or terrify you like this.”

Jeslyn bit her lower lip.

“I appreciate you helping me. I really do. But I don’t want you to get into trouble because of me.”

Leonel took her hand and held it firmly.

“Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen to me,” he said. “Oh? Are you worried about me now?”

“N-no!” Jeslyn replied quickly, flustered by his teasing.

Seeing her cheeks flush, Leonel chuckled softly, his voice low and teasing. “Your face is red, Jessy. Could it be… you really are worried about me?”

Jeslyn quickly turned her face away, trying to hide her blush.

“You’re annoying…”

“But you like it, don’t you?” Leonel whispered near her ear, making her body stiffen. Their proximity was intense, his breath warm against her skin.

“Leonel…” she warned weakly.

He raised both hands as if in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop… for now.” He leaned back casually but his gaze remained intense, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

Just then, Leonel’s phone vibrated. He checked the message.

“Sir, I’ve caught the guy. I’m bringing him to HQ.”

He put his phone back in his pocket.

“Are you hungry? Want me to order you something to eat?” he asked.

Jeslyn nodded slowly, though her mind was still clouded with anxiety. “Maybe... food will help calm me down.”

Leonel pulled out his phone again and opened a food delivery app. “Sweet or savory? Or should we get both?”

Jeslyn shrugged. “Anything. I can’t think straight right now.”

He placed the order quickly and sat back down next to her, this time even closer. His hand reached out to gently touch her arm.

“I’ve ordered the food. Are you still scared, Jessy?” he asked, locking eyes with her.

“Um… not anymore,” Jeslyn replied.

“Good. You don’t have to be afraid. Nothing like that will happen again.”

“Thank you.”

Their eyes stayed locked on each other. “But I don’t want just a ‘thank you.’”

Jeslyn frowned. “What do you mean—”

She gasped when Leonel suddenly kissed her, this time more gently, without demanding too much.

Jeslyn’s mind told her to push him away, but somehow, her body felt too weak to move. She could only sit there, allowing Leonel to continue. His kiss grew more intense, more passionate, as he savored every inch of her lips.

Breathless, Leonel finally pulled back. Their eyes met. He saw how her lips were swollen and flushed from his touch. He gently brushed her lips with his thumb.

“Sweet…” he whispered. “You’re my addiction, Jessy.”

“I crave you. Again and again…”

“Stop…” Jeslyn whispered faintly.

Their faces were still inches apart.

“Say it… that you want me too, Jessy,” he murmured.

Jeslyn struggled to stay grounded. “No…”

“I can see it in your eyes. You want this. You want more,” he whispered, his hand gently exploring sensitive parts of her body, making her breath hitch.

“See? You want more…” he said.

“Please, stop…” Jeslyn whispered, pressing her palm lightly against his chest.

But he didn’t listen. Instead, he kissed and licked her neck softly.

“Leon, please…”

“What?” Leonel teased. “I love hearing you say my name like that.”

“Ah!”

Jeslyn couldn’t hold back anymore.

“See, you want me so badly, down here…” Leonel whispered as he touched her intimately.

“Ah… Leon! Please stop…” Jeslyn’s breathing grew heavier and more erratic.

Now, she was lying on the sofa, Leonel hovering over her.

“Jessy… Say you want me too…” he murmured.

“No… Please stop…”

“Are you sure you want me to stop?” Leonel teased as his fingers began to unbutton her blouse.

“Yes… Stop this… I’m Jefran’s fiancée!” Jeslyn cried out, halting Leonel’s actions.

“…Fine. I won’t force you,” Leonel said, backing off.

Still, there was regret in Jeslyn’s heart. She had wanted more—her body already throbbing for him—but her rational mind pulled her back. This wasn’t right. Jeslyn was engaged to Leonel’s brother and would soon be married. How could she let this happen with her future brother-in-law?

Elsewhere, Jefran was making love to a woman in a hotel room.

The woman screamed and cried out, torn between pain and pleasure from Jefran’s intense movements.

“I love you so much, Luna...” Jefran shouted as he reached his climax.

His body collapsed beside Luna, and he pulled her into a warm embrace.

“Did you enjoy it?” the beautiful woman asked.

“Of course. I always do. The taste of you hasn’t changed—I've missed it,” Jefran confessed.

“Really? Then what about your fiancée?” Luna asked, tracing her finger along Jefran’s bare chest.

“Why are you bringing up Jeslyn?” Jefran asked.

“Because I’m curious. How far have things gone between you and your fiancée—especially while I’ve been living abroad?” Luna said.

“My relationship with her is strictly business. I have no intention of touching her,” Jefran replied.

“But what about your wedding? You’re getting married soon—less than a year from now,” Luna pressed.

“Don’t worry. Even if I marry her, you’ll still be the woman I love the most. You’ll always be my sexy mistress, the one I can’t get enough of,” Jefran said, kissing Luna deeply.

But Luna wasn’t satisfied. Deep down, she thought: “I don’t want to be just your mistress, Jefran. I’ll steal you away from that woman!”

She grinned to herself.

***