Chapter 44 – Closer to the Fire

"And you still keep getting close to him?" Kiara asked softly.

Jeslyn nodded. "I know I'm being stupid. But every time I try to pull away, something always pulls me back. It's like he's… not just an ordinary man. He's like—"

Jeslyn cut herself off. It sounded too insane to say out loud.

Kiara raised an eyebrow. “You’re starting to sound like a character in those supernatural novels we used to read.”

Jeslyn let out a short laugh, but it was laced with pain. "Maybe because my real life now feels stranger than fiction."

Jeslyn stood in front of the mirror, staring at her own reflection. Her work outfit was neat, her hair perfectly styled, but her eyes looked hollow. Shadows of fear and inner conflict loomed, especially thoughts of Victor—the man recently found dead. Everything about it felt wrong. His disappearance had coincided with the night Leonel had captured him.

“If Victor really died because of Leonel… or one of his men, how am I supposed to face him now?” she whispered, her entire body suddenly covered in goosebumps.

Her phone buzzed on the vanity.

Message from the office:

“Meeting has been moved to 9:00 AM. Please be on time.”

Jeslyn read the message, but her mind was somewhere else. All she could think of was one name—Leonel.

“Focus, Jes. I hope this Victor situation doesn't spiral and drag me into it,” she muttered. She feared getting pulled into the case—after all, the last people to see Victor alive were herself and Leonel.

“Calm down, Jes…” she whispered again and again, trying to steady her nerves.

Grabbing her bag, she walked out of her room but paused briefly when passing the living room.

At the office, Jeslyn parked her car in an empty spot. Jefran wouldn’t be attending the meeting today, as he was still under suspension.

She headed to the elevator and pressed the button.

Ding.

The doors opened slowly. Jeslyn stepped in—only to feel her heart leap into her throat.

Leonel.

He stood calmly in the corner of the elevator, wearing a black suit and a perfectly knotted tie. His signature cologne wafted through the air—familiar, soothing, yet strangely suffocating.

Jeslyn tried to stay composed, keeping her eyes forward and her body turned away. She stood as far as possible from him, fixating on the digital floor indicator.

"You’re not going to greet me?" Leonel asked in a low voice.

"Good morning, Sir," she replied softly, awkwardly.

"I’m confused—are you some kind of chameleon?" he asked suddenly, making Jeslyn turn her head toward him.

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning.

"Your attitude keeps changing. It's hard to keep up,” Leonel said flatly.

Jeslyn fell silent. And then—

Ding.

The elevator stopped at the next floor.

Several employees stood outside and were startled to see Leonel inside.

“G-Good morning, Mr. Leonel,” they stammered, unsure whether to step in or not. But with the clock ticking, they had little choice.

“Go ahead. There’s still room,” Leonel said.

Without hesitation, they quickly entered. More people followed on the next floor, and the elevator became packed.

Jeslyn was pushed to the back, her back nearly pressed against the wall. She looked down, trying to shield herself from high heels and swinging handbags. Someone accidentally stepped on her shoe.

"Ouch—"

Suddenly, a strong arm shielded her.

Leonel moved swiftly, placing one arm in front of her to block the pressure from behind. They were now standing extremely close. Their breaths nearly mingled. Their eyes locked, and the noise of the crowd faded into silence.

Those piercing eyes—dangerous, yes, but strangely comforting. Despite her fear, Jeslyn couldn’t deny the security she felt in his presence.

She stiffened. What is this... her mind raced.

Leonel leaned in slightly, his voice low, almost a whisper, audible only to her.

"Are you alright?"

Jeslyn didn’t respond. Her eyes stayed on his—eyes that once threatened her… but also protected her. And now, in this closeness, one burning question filled her mind.

How can someone so cold and dangerous… still make me feel protected?

Ding.

The doors opened at the meeting floor.

Several people stepped out. Jeslyn seized the chance to escape and quickly exited the elevator without looking back.

But Leonel followed her, his stride calm and composed. He eventually caught up and walked beside her.

"After the meeting… come to my office. We need to talk," he said quietly, not even looking at her.

Jeslyn clenched her teeth. “About Victor?”

Leonel paused. His gaze pierced her, cold but unreadable. He didn’t answer—just gave a faint smirk, as if it wasn’t a big deal at all.

***