Chapter 25 ~ A Thrilling Situation

"Are you seriously going to stay here?" Jeslyn asked, folding her arms across her chest, eyeing Leonel who was still sitting calmly on the bed.

"Why?" Leonel replied nonchalantly.

Jeslyn, already dressed up and looking gorgeous, simply rolled her eyes at the man.

"Jefran will be here to pick me up any minute now," she said.

"Let him. I’ll be happy to welcome him," Leonel replied with a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Come on, Leonel. I’m thinking about my parents. I don’t want Jefran to find out about us!" Jeslyn hissed.

"Oh? And what exactly is 'us'?" Leonel asked, his tone deliberately annoying and sending Jeslyn’s blood pressure skyrocketing.

“We’re just future in-laws. You’re supposed to be my future brother-in-law,” Jeslyn snapped.

"The kind who spends the night in bed together?" Leonel teased. "You think that’s normal?"

Of course not! Jeslyn screamed inwardly.

“I don’t want any trouble, Leonel,” she said, trying to remain calm.

"Do you know Jefran has another woman?" Leonel asked.

“I know.”

Leonel raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you still clinging to this fake engagement? You clearly know Jefran doesn’t want you.”

“My parents really want this arranged marriage to happen. I don’t want to disappoint them—at least not until Jefran calls it off himself,” Jeslyn replied.

“Tch… Foolish.”

Jeslyn glared sharply at Leonel, who now stood from the bed with a scornful look on his face.

“What did you say?” she asked, trying to hold back but her voice rose an octave.

“Foolish,” Leonel repeated without hesitation. “You’re willing to be hurt and belittled just to please your parents? While Jefran—who doesn’t even fight for you—is free to fool around?”

Jeslyn clenched her fists tightly, fighting the mix of anger and shame swirling inside her. “You don’t understand, Leonel. You didn’t grow up in a family like mine—where their decisions are law, and we live with whatever fate they hand us.”

Leonel stepped closer, locking eyes with her. “So you’re just going to live a lie forever? Adored as a good fiancée while your so-called fiancé sleeps with other women? Aren’t you tired?”

Jeslyn looked away, avoiding his piercing gaze. Because deep down, she agreed with him. His words stabbed the wound she’d buried long ago.

“It’s not like I didn’t sleep with you,” Jeslyn said quietly. “At least that makes us even.”

Leonel lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Tell me… What am I to you, really? Just a man who satisfies you in bed?” he asked.

Jeslyn swallowed hard. Even she didn’t know what to call whatever they had.

“This is your fault—you keep seducing me,” she protested, making Leonel chuckle.

“But you were tempted, weren’t you?” he asked. “Say it, Jeslyn… What am I to you? I don’t want to be just your outlet for lust.”

Jeslyn froze. Her breath quickened, her thoughts scrambled. She had never expected Leonel to ask so seriously, his eyes both demanding and sincere.

“I… I don’t know,” she whispered, unable to meet his eyes. “You came out of nowhere and made everything complicated, Leonel.”

Leonel moved closer, narrowing the space between them. His hand rested on her waist—gentle, not demanding.

“I can leave… if you really don’t want me in your life,” he said softly. “But don’t ever reduce yourself by saying we’re even just because we slept together. I’m not your escape, Jeslyn. I have a heart, too.”

Jeslyn looked at him then, unable to hide the turmoil inside her. There was pain, guilt… and undeniable attraction.

“Do you think it’s easy to fall for a man who’s supposed to be your brother-in-law?” she murmured, barely audible. “Do you think I’m not confused by these feelings?”

Leonel gave a small smile. “That’s exactly why I’m asking. I’ll step back—but only if you truly don’t want me. So tell me now, Jeslyn… Should I leave?”

The room fell silent. Only the ticking clock and their breath could be heard.

Jeslyn opened her mouth to answer, but the sound of the doorbell shattered everything.

Drrttt…

Both of them startled. Jeslyn instinctively pushed Leonel’s chest.

“That must be Jefran!” she whispered in panic. “Leonel, hide!”

“Where?” he asked calmly.

“How should I know?! Just don’t let him see you!” Jeslyn hissed, dragging him toward the large wardrobe in the corner of the room.

Leonel raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? You want me to hide in the closet?”

“Unless you want to be the star of today’s family drama!” she shot back quickly.

With an exasperated look and a wicked smile, Leonel stepped into the wardrobe.

“If he smells my cologne on your neck, I’m not responsible,” he whispered before the door closed.

Jeslyn shut the wardrobe with trembling hands…

She took a deep breath and rushed to the front door, trying to act normal as the doorbell rang again.

“Hey,” Jefran greeted her with a small smile.

Jeslyn could only return it nervously… because another man was hiding just a few meters behind her.

“Hey…” she tried to sound casual.

“You ready? Shall we go now?” Jefran asked.

“Um… Yeah. Let me just grab my bag,” Jeslyn replied, hurrying back to her room—leaving Jefran walking into the apartment’s living area.

His eyes landed on the untouched breakfast on the mini bar.

“She made breakfast? Why wasn’t it eaten?” he muttered.

Jefran slowly approached, staring at the two full plates that had gone cold. His brows furrowed.

“Two plates?” he whispered, fingers brushing against the glass on the counter. “And two glasses of juice…”

His gaze swept the room.

Then he glanced toward the wardrobe.

“Leonel, you need to leave as soon as I’m gone,” Jeslyn whispered, returning.

The wardrobe door creaked open slightly, revealing Leonel’s calm, piercing eyes.

“You sure you want me leaving half-naked like this?” he teased, flaunting his bare chest.

“Leonel!” Jeslyn hissed in panic. “Wear whatever! Just don’t let him see you!”

Leonel sighed. “You know, I feel like your secret lover.”

“I don’t want any drama. I’m leaving now, please lock the door behind me.” Jeslyn turned to go, but Leonel grabbed her arm, backing her into the wardrobe behind them.

“What are you doing, Leonel?” Jeslyn asked, growing worried.

“Alright, Jessy. But you owe me an answer,” he murmured. “And remember this: You and Jefran may have the label, but the truth is—you’re mine. From head to toe, you’re mine, Jessy. So don’t let your fiancé touch you. Or I swear, I’ll cause a scene.”

Then, Leonel suddenly kissed her.

Jeslyn froze. The kiss was soft—spellbinding—and she could do nothing but melt into it.

“Jeslyn…” came Jefran’s voice from outside. “Is everything alright? I’m coming in.”

Jeslyn panicked. Her heart thudded like it would explode.

Leonel still hadn’t let her go. Their lips parted just a second before Jeslyn shoved him back in panic.

“Leonel, stop it!” she whispered breathlessly.

Leonel stared at her intensely, then stepped back into the wardrobe.

“Don’t forget—you’re mine,” he whispered before the door shut again.

Jeslyn rushed to fix her hair and lips, still tingling with warmth, then opened the door before Jefran could come in.

“Sorry, I slipped trying to find something,” she said quickly, forcing a smile.

Jefran looked at her oddly. “Your face is flushed. Are you alright?”

Jeslyn lowered her gaze. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

Jefran nodded, though his eyes briefly darted toward the bedroom, then back to the untouched plates.

“You weren’t alone this morning, were you?” he asked flatly.

Jeslyn froze.

“I… Kiara dropped by. She left in a hurry—early class,” she said quickly.

Jefran stared at her, unblinking.

“Are you sure?”

Jeslyn could only nod.

“Yeah. Why do you ask?”

Jefran sighed and gave a faint smile. “Nothing. Just curious.”

He headed for the door. “Come on. My uncle’s probably waiting.”

Jeslyn followed behind, heart racing with anxiety.

She glanced back—toward the wardrobe where Leonel was still hiding.

Her thoughts churned:

“How long can I keep hiding this? Leonel… you're truly disturbing my life…”

***