Chapter 27 ~ Surrendering

“What were you two talking about?” Jefran asked again as he walked closer to them.

“We were just discussing work,” Jeslyn replied quickly.

Leonel glanced at her, clearly displeased by her answer. To him, there was nothing to hide—even if Jefran knew what they’d been talking about.

“Oh, come on, bro. Do we really need to talk about work during our day off? Let Jeslyn relax. Don’t burden her with business all the time,” Jefran said lightly.

Leonel gave a faint smile, though it carried no warmth.

“You’re right, Jef. But sometimes… work doesn’t wait, not even on a holiday,” he said coldly, throwing one last glance at Jeslyn before turning and walking away.

Jeslyn let out a long breath, as if she had just stepped out of a pressure chamber. Leonel’s last glance lingered in her mind—sharp, intense, and filled with unspoken meaning.

Jefran gently took her hand. “Sorry if my brother made you uncomfortable. He can be a little… too intense sometimes.”

Jeslyn nodded slightly. “It’s okay,” she lied, forcing a small smile though her chest still felt tight.

“Let’s go back inside. I’m sure Mom’s waiting,” Jefran said kindly, and Jeslyn followed, hiding the turmoil still stirring in her heart.

But from behind the upstairs curtain, another pair of eyes was watching—cold and calculating.

Dmitri.

He had witnessed the whole exchange from the beginning. A small smirk tugged at his lips, chilling the air around him.

“Interesting… very interesting,” he murmured.

He turned away, pulled a phone from the pocket of his blazer, and tapped the screen. “Prepare plan B. We’ve got a new pawn… and I can’t wait to see how this game ends.”

***

The lunch gathering was over. Jefran was now driving Jeslyn home.

“Are you sure you still want to stop by the café?” he asked.

“Yes. I haven’t checked in for a while, and I want to see how things are going,” Jeslyn replied.

“You’ve been quiet since earlier. Is something bothering you?” Jefran asked, glancing at her from the side.

Jeslyn turned to face him, their eyes meeting. “No, I’m probably just a bit under the weather. I think I need some rest,” she said—not a complete lie.

Jefran nodded, though the worry in his eyes lingered. “If you’re not feeling well, we can just go home. I can ask your barista to email you the latest updates instead.”

Jeslyn shook her head. “No, I still want to go. I need the distraction. Besides… being at the café sometimes calms my mind.”

Jefran gave a small smile and turned his eyes back to the road.

“Alright. But after that, promise me you’ll rest. Don’t push yourself too hard, Jes.”

Jeslyn only nodded quietly. She watched Jefran in silence. He was always caring, always gentle—as if she were the only one that mattered. And perhaps that’s why she had once misunderstood his affection. But now… she realized he wasn’t just like that to her.

And Leonel…?

Jeslyn didn’t know what Leonel truly felt. He was too enigmatic, too full of secrets.

“Oh, Jef—about Uncle Dmitri. He’s your dad’s younger brother?” Jeslyn asked.

“Yes, he’s the youngest sibling,” Jefran replied.

***

When they arrived at the café, Jeslyn got out first, greeted with warm smiles from the staff. She returned the greeting, trying to appear normal.

Inside, the cozy atmosphere and rich aroma of coffee enveloped them. Jeslyn went straight to her private office, with Jefran following behind.

“Are you really taking it easy today?” Jeslyn asked as she placed her bag on the desk and sat in her large chair.

“Well, it’s my day off. Time to spend it with my fiancée, right?” he chuckled.

Jeslyn smiled faintly, though her heart remained heavy.

“Thanks for making time for me,” she said softly as she opened her laptop, trying to shift her focus.

Jefran pulled out a chair across from her and leaned back casually, his eyes fixed on her face. “Jes… are you sure you’re okay? You seem different today. Too quiet, too… distant.”

Jeslyn paused. She knew Jefran was sincere. But there was a fine line between honesty and destruction—and she wasn’t ready to let everything fall apart. Not yet.

“I just need some time. Working in two places is still… exhausting. I guess that’s normal,” Jeslyn said, trying to sound convincing.

Jefran nodded, though he didn’t look fully convinced. “If there’s anything I can help with, just tell me. I don’t want you to feel alone in this.”

Jeslyn nodded again. Before things got too emotional, she stood.

“I want to do a quick round—check the bar, the kitchen, and the stock.”

“Alright. I’ll wait here then,” Jefran said, pulling out his phone.

Jeslyn walked out of her private office, greeted a few staff members, and headed toward the bar.

She approached Livia and her teammate, asking a few short questions about any recent issues.

“Everything’s running smoothly, Ms. Jeslyn,” Livia replied warmly. “We’re just a bit low on vanilla syrup. We’ve ordered more, but it won’t arrive until tomorrow.”

“Alright, I’ll double-check the inventory. If needed, we’ll find a temporary substitute,” Jeslyn said, typing a quick note into her phone.

After a brief chat, she continued toward the kitchen. She greeted the team there and inspected cleanliness, equipment, and ingredient stocks. Despite her jumbled thoughts, her professional instincts kept her grounded as she moved from one area to another.

Jeslyn exhaled deeply as she looked out the café window. She was here with her fiancé—something that rarely happened. Yet somehow, all she wanted now… was to be alone.

Jefran’s presence no longer gave her the comfort it used to. And she didn’t know why.

Jeslyn returned to her private office, carrying two cups of coffee—one for her, one for Jefran. She tried to smile as she opened the door and stepped inside.

“Wow, you brought one for me too?” Jefran said, standing to greet her with a warm smile.

“Yeah, you’ve been with me all day,” Jeslyn replied, placing the coffee on the table. She sat down and took a slow sip, trying to quiet the storm in her mind.

Their conversation remained light. Occasionally, Jefran cracked a joke, and Jeslyn responded just enough—trying to mask her swirling emotions. But from the way Jefran looked at her, it was clear…

He had started to feel the growing distance between them.

***