Chapter 28 ~ Someone's Jealous

Suddenly, as the conversation faded into silence, Jefran leaned in closer.

He gently cupped Jeslyn’s cheek and lowered his voice.

“I love you, Jes…” he whispered, leaning in slowly, attempting to kiss her lips.

But right at that moment, Jeslyn instinctively turned her head to the side, dodging the kiss.

“I… I’m sorry,” she blurted quickly, standing up from her chair and pretending to fix her coffee cup, though it hadn’t moved at all.

Jefran looked at her with a furrowed brow, confused. “Jes? What’s wrong?”

Jeslyn bit her lower lip, unsure of what to say. She knew her reaction must’ve hurt him, but she couldn’t lie to herself.

“I… I’m just not ready,” she whispered, avoiding his eyes.

“But we’ve been together for a long time. We’re engaged, Jeslyn,” Jefran said, his voice hurt but still trying to remain calm. “I don’t get it. You’ve been distant, quiet… and now this?”

Jeslyn lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I just need time, Jef.”

Silence fell between them. They were trapped in confusion and unspoken emotions.

But Jeslyn’s mind wasn’t with Jefran—it was haunted by Leonel’s face and his warning not to let any other man touch her.

“I don’t understand…” Jefran continued, frustration creeping into his voice. “We’re not kids anymore. And you’re pulling away… just because I tried to kiss you? Tell me the truth, Jes. What’s going on?”

Jeslyn closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her racing heart. It wasn’t Jefran who made her nervous—but the memory of Leonel. His piercing gaze. His cold voice. His subtle threat.

“Jeslyn,” Jefran said again, his voice firmer this time. “If there’s something you’re hiding… whatever it is, please tell me.”

Jeslyn finally looked at him, but her eyes were clouded with fear, uncertainty, and unspoken pain.

“I… I just need time, Jef. That’s all,” she said softly. “It’s not that I don’t care about you, but…”

“But is there someone else?” Jefran cut her off, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jeslyn didn’t respond. But her silence said it all.

Jefran’s expression hardened. The pain in his eyes was impossible to hide. He slowly stood, trying to maintain his composure despite the storm inside him.

“Who is he, Jeslyn?”

Jeslyn bit her lip, wanting to be honest but afraid. Afraid of making things worse. Afraid of how Leonel would react. But more than that… afraid of losing control over her own life.

“Someone who… shouldn’t have a place in your world,” she finally said, her voice barely audible.

Jefran frowned. “My world? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Why ask me, Jef? You know exactly what I mean. There’s another woman in your life. I’ve tried to understand it. Maybe I’m not enough for you, especially since we got together through an arranged engagement,” Jeslyn said, and Jefran looked visibly uncomfortable.

“That’s not what I—Jes, there’s no one else. It’s just you—”

“I’ve seen her, Jef. So please, stop denying it. I told you—I wouldn’t get angry, and I wouldn’t ask you to change anything. I tried to be understanding,” Jeslyn replied firmly. “Just… please, don’t push me.”

The air grew heavier. Jefran’s face turned nervous and awkward, while Jeslyn’s gaze sharpened with clarity.

“She’s just a friend, Jes. Nothing more,” Jefran said. “If you’re still unsure, I’ll introduce her to you.”

Jeslyn said nothing, only meeting his eyes in silence.

***

Meanwhile, Leonel sat arrogantly in a black leather chair inside his dim, luxurious office. His eyes were fixed on the large screen in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere. He twirled a sleek silver pen between his fingers while the air in the room pulsed with tension and cold calculation.

A light knock at the door. His assistant—dressed in a crisp suit—entered with measured steps.

“The target who was secretly watching Miss Jeslyn has been taken care of,” the assistant reported calmly.

Leonel gave a slight nod. “Clean?”

“No trace left.”

“Good.”

The assistant, Edric, opened another file on his tablet.

“But there’s a small issue at the northern port. A shipment from Kaelmoor has been delayed. Authorities conducted a surprise inspection just as the ship was docking. Most of the goods were moved, but one container was left behind.”

Leonel’s brow furrowed. His smirk disappeared, replaced by a steely glare.

“Who ordered the inspection?”

“We’re still investigating. But it looks deliberate. Too calculated to be random.”

Leonel stood, his movements calm but full of silent fury. He walked to the large window, staring out at the darkening city skyline.

“Which means there’s a traitor. Or someone’s getting too close to the fire,” he muttered.

Edric waited, knowing well the storm inside Leonel was ready to explode at any moment.

“Send your men. Silence anyone who knows too much,” Leonel finally said. “And Edric... find out who dared interfere with our route. I want names—before nightfall.”

“At once, sir,” Edric replied with a respectful nod and exited the room.

Leonel remained by the window, his eyes narrowing.

“Who’s trying to provoke me?” he murmured bitterly.

He picked up his phone and dialed. “Where are you?” he asked.

“I’m still in front of Miss Jeslyn’s café, sir,” replied the man he had assigned to watch her.

“They’re still inside?” Leonel snapped, voice laced with fury.

The man on the other end hesitated, clearly shaken.

“Y-yes, sir. Both Miss Jeslyn and Mr. Jefran are still in her private office.”

The reply made Leonel’s blood boil. His eyes flared with emotion—jealousy burning like a wildfire.

He clenched his fist, his jaw tightening. His voice dropped, cold and deadly.

“Do something. Find a reason to get Jefran out of there. Now.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll handle it,” the man replied, clearly afraid.

The call ended. Leonel stood with his back to the window, the fading twilight casting his silhouette in shadows—his presence heavy, dangerous.

“You’re mine, Jeslyn. Not his… not anyone’s,” he whispered fiercely, like a vow. A promise to himself that no one would ever take her away, even if he didn’t completely have her yet.

Another knock.

“Tuan,” Edric said as he stepped in again, “We have intel. Someone from the inside might have leaked the shipment schedule. One of the port supervisors has likely been bribed.”

Leonel’s eyes narrowed. “Prepare the interrogation room. I’m handling this myself tonight.”

Edric gave a sharp nod and left the room.

“Dmitri,” Leonel muttered under his breath. “It has to be him.”

***