Chapter 7: Hellfire Lava

“Here you go, your order. Straight out of the oven,” said Jeslyn, setting a plate of steaming chocolate molten lava dessert in front of Leonel, along with a sharp-smelling cup of Americano.

“Wow, the owner herself is serving,” Leonel commented, a thin smile tugging at his lips as he sat up straighter.

“Of course. I’m a very friendly owner,” Jeslyn replied with a bright smile, though her eyes remained piercing. “And today’s first guest just so happens to be my dear brother-in-law. Naturally, I have to serve you something special.”

Leonel raised an eyebrow, lips curving slyly. “Ah... you’re suddenly sweet. Just earlier, you were like a lioness in heat.”

Jeslyn immediately scoffed, taking a deep breath like she was counting down from ten to stop herself from hurling the baking tray at the man’s head.

“If you weren’t Jefran’s brother, I’d have burned that white shirt of yours,” she hissed, hands on her hips.

Leonel chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Jeslyn glanced toward the kitchen and whispered sharply, “I don’t want my staff to get suspicious and start gossiping about us. They all know I’m engaged to Jefran.”

The air between them turned dense, like a storm cloud had suddenly loomed overhead. Jeslyn began to turn away, but Leonel’s hand suddenly caught her wrist.

“L-Leonel?!” she gasped, her voice nearly choking with panic.

“Sit,” Leonel said calmly. “Keep me company while I eat. I don’t like eating alone.”

Jeslyn stared at him, eyes wide. “Sorry, but I’m busy. Besides, you came here alone, so you can eat alone.”

“Your hospitality lasts only two minutes, huh?” Leonel teased, biting back a grin.

“My hospitality is for normal customers. You? You’re like a glitch in my personality system,” Jeslyn snapped, yanking her hand away and striding quickly toward the kitchen, though her heartbeat refused to settle.

Leonel watched her retreating figure with an amused smile.

“What an adorable lioness,” he murmured to himself.

He took a sip of his Americano, savoring the taste. It was incredible—especially the aroma. This was the first time a coffee actually made him feel more awake and refreshed.

From behind the kitchen door, Livia peeked out and whispered excitedly to Nico, “Bro! Did you hear that? Their convo was full of hidden codes. Just like those 9 p.m. soap operas.”

Nico raised an eyebrow. “Like... how?”

Livia mimicked Jeslyn’s dramatic tone, “I’m Jefran’s fiancée!” then copied Leonel’s voice, “I don’t like eating alone~” with a mock soap-opera flair.  

Nico facepalmed. “Again... too much drama in your brain.”

“I’m serious! That guy definitely has a past with Jeslyn. And I bet... it’s spicy!”

“Like the lava cake?”

“More like my life, Bro. Way too spicy to handle,” Livia giggled.

“Huh? Spicy?” Nico asked, confused, and Livia just shrugged dramatically.

Jeslyn stood behind the counter, arms crossed over her chest, eyes locked on Leonel who was calmly spooning the dessert. Steam curled from the center of the lava cake, thick chocolate oozing out like a volcano eruption. But that wasn’t what worried her—it was the fact that Leonel still looked completely unaffected.

“Wait, he looks... fine? Doesn’t he taste the spice?” Jeslyn thought, scrutinizing his expression. “Could he be immune to heat? I put so much chili powder in that.”

She had deliberately added two full teaspoons of cayenne chili powder to the cake batter.

Two. Teaspoons.

That should’ve been enough to make anyone cough, cry, or combust from the inside out.

“Wait… why is he okay?” Jeslyn narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Leonel lifted another spoonful to his mouth, chewing slowly. His expression was calm, almost appreciative. His lips didn’t pucker, no flinching, no sweating—none of the usual human reactions to extreme spiciness.

“Is he… a robot?” Jeslyn muttered under her breath.

“Mmm,” Leonel hummed with a nod. “Interesting. There's a spicy kick to it. New experiment?”

Jeslyn’s eyes widened.

What?! He likes it?!

“Uh… yeah,” she answered quickly, almost reflexively. “It’s… a new variant. Hellfire Lava Dessert.”

Leonel smirked. “Nice name. Fits a woman like you.”

“A woman like me?” Jeslyn raised a brow.

“The kind who tortures others without mercy,” Leonel replied coolly.

Jeslyn nearly threw a spoon at his face if not for a customer entering just then, the café doorbell chiming.

Livia emerged again from the kitchen carrying a tray of latte art, but she hadn’t missed the exchange.

“Hellfire Lava Dessert? Jeslyn’s really going all out to torment that man,” she whispered, eyes sparkling with admiration.

“Careful she doesn’t get hit with karma,” Nico muttered, though a smirk betrayed his amusement.

Jeslyn let out a long sigh and walked back to Leonel’s table with a forced smile.

“You came all the way to this café just to… torture your tongue?” she asked flatly.

Leonel touched his Americano, sipping slowly. “I came here for one reason.”

Jeslyn crossed her arms. “And that is…?”

Leonel looked up, staring deeply into her eyes. His gaze was like a blade slicing through her defenses.

“To see you.”

Jeslyn froze, her breath catching in her throat.

“Stop talking nonsense.”

She turned to walk away, but his voice stopped her again.

“Nonsense?” he said calmly. “I’m only telling the truth.”

Jeslyn halted mid-step.

The café, once warm and lively, now felt cold. Silent. As if the whole world paused just to listen in.

She slowly turned her head. “Then... have you finished seeing me now?” she asked.

Leonel checked his watch. “Yes, I suppose so. I have to head to the office. It’s my first day as the new CEO.”

Jeslyn raised her eyebrows. “CEO? Since when?”

Leonel stood and adjusted his suit with elegance. “Since the Board decided the old one needed replacing… with someone a little more fiery.”

“Fiery from eating lava cake?” Jeslyn sneered.

Leonel chuckled. “That’s just a bonus.”

“This place and your office are miles apart. You must have a lot of free time to drop by,” she added sarcastically.

“Like I said—I had to see my woman first,” Leonel whispered as he passed her, sending chills down her spine.

And just like that, Leonel walked out, leaving Jeslyn frozen in place.

“He’s absolutely insane,” she thought, letting out a heavy sigh.

***

Leonel stepped out of the sleek black car that had brought him from the café. The morning air outside Clovis Group’s headquarters felt colder than usual—or maybe it was just him.

The moment his shoes touched the marble lobby floor, his eyes landed on Jefran, standing tall in a navy suit and gray tie. Beside him stood an older man with a commanding presence and sharp gaze—their father. Behind them, a line of senior managers and executive assistants stood neatly, ready to welcome Leonel.

“Director Leonel has arrived,” whispered one female staff member near the entrance, her eyes gleaming as she watched him approach.

Leonel took a deep breath, gave a subtle smile, and walked forward. His steps were calm, his face unreadable.

“Sorry… I’m late,” he said, lightly touching the edge of his jacket as a polite gesture. His eyes flicked between his father and Jefran. “I… was a bit nervous for my first day.” A lie.

His father raised an eyebrow, though his expression remained warm. “The Leonel I know never gets nervous,” he replied shortly.

Jefran crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. “Nervous? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Leonel gave a faint, mysterious smile. “Just go with it,” he replied, making Jefran roll his eyes.

Then, with a small nod to everyone, Leonel walked toward the executive lift, flanked by his father and brother, his steps calm and composed.

***