Chapter 12: Babi

Leon Everhart’s feelings for Seraphina Arden were markedly different from those he had for Ava.

To him, Seraphina was in a league far above Ava. Seraphina’s skill in managing tasks, her ability to navigate complex situations, and the unspoken understanding they shared made her indispensable. While she appeared unassuming, her keen attention to detail and capacity to maintain control were unmatched. Even if Leon were to marry, he could easily see Seraphina as his “second.” Leon had made up his mind—he would have Seraphina.

Ava, on the other hand, was nothing more than the daughter of a household maid. Despite her looks, she lacked substance. Her tactics were petty, her ambitions shallow. Though she had a few years of college education, she hadn’t gained any true knowledge or sophistication. Ava’s shallow mindset irritated Leon; her desire to bear his child was laughable at best. She was a phase—someone he would inevitably discard.

Meanwhile, Harper, Henry’s youngest daughter, had entered the picture. The two families had exchanged pleasantries over Christmas dinner. Harper, shy and graceful, had blushed and nodded when the idea of their pairing was floated. Contact details were exchanged, and from there, Leon and Harper began communicating sporadically.

This potential union wasn’t about love—it was a calculated move for family alliances and business deals. Marriage was simply the first step in a larger arrangement, one that promised benefits far beyond the surface-level union.

Leon invited Harper out for a few meals and sent her flowers on Valentine’s Day. He was every bit the gentleman, ensuring she felt respected and appreciated. He knew that marriage was a long-term commitment and required due diligence. Even for a strategic, possibly superficial union, he wanted to fully assess Harper’s compatibility. For now, the courtship remained light, with minimal expense.

Following one meeting with Harper, Leon canceled his remaining appointments for the day. As he escorted her out, he glanced back at Seraphina. She was calmly sipping coffee while diligently organizing the meeting notes, her expression as serene as ever. It was clear that Harper’s presence didn’t faze her in the slightest.

Harper’s arrival, however, shook Ava to her core. She had long viewed Seraphina as her primary rival, even concocting schemes to undermine her. Yet the hierarchy of the company was unyielding. Ava’s baseless rumors about Seraphina never reached Leon’s ears.

Once, Ava tried showing Leon photos of Seraphina with Noah and Lucas, attempting to stir trouble. Leon’s cold response made his position clear:

“Ava, what exactly are you trying to achieve? She’s a secretary. Whatever she does outside of work is her private life—it has nothing to do with you or me. Worry about your own conduct, and don’t cause unnecessary trouble, or there will be consequences.”

That was reality. Under the same roof, Ava’s aspirations were meaningless. When she complained to Leon about petty grievances in the office, his responses were curt:

“You can’t handle this? Why are you even telling me?”

At times, his mere glance silenced her entirely. Ava wasn’t his equal; she was merely a servant and a bed companion. Their relationship had never been one of balance.

When photos of Leon and Harper together surfaced, Ava’s world crumbled. Her mother’s warnings echoed in her mind—this man was never someone to rely on.

One day, Leon tasked Seraphina with discussing a project budget with James, the head of a department. As a secretary, Seraphina couldn’t summon James to her office, so she went to find him. After a lengthy discussion, she stepped out just before lunch.

A hesitant voice called her name from behind: “Seraphina?”

Seraphina turned and immediately lit up upon seeing the speaker. Without hesitation, she reached out to pinch the woman’s cheek.

“Babi! When did you start working here?”

The beautiful woman, unflinching under Seraphina’s playful teasing, replied, “I joined at the end of last year and started after New Year’s. What about you, Seraphina? When did you swim into this pond?”

Seraphina slung an arm around her shoulder. “Babi, let’s grab lunch.”

Babi, whose full name was Barbie, had been Seraphina’s college roommate. Though others affectionately called her “Baby,” Seraphina had always referred to her as “Babi.”

Babi was stunning—tall, with striking features and a confident, outgoing personality. Despite her looks and charm, heartbreak had followed her. Her college boyfriend of four years had left her for someone else just as they were discussing marriage. Devastated, Babi had withdrawn from all their mutual social circles.

Now, two years later, she had finally started to heal. Running into Seraphina felt like a stroke of fate.

Seraphina brought Babi to her office, telling her to wait while she reported back to Leon.

Sitting in Seraphina’s chair, Babi glanced around the executive floor. The office furniture was bespoke and exuded an air of authority. The employees were uniformly polished and professional, making Seraphina the only one who seemed out of place in terms of appearance.

Mia walked in and offered her refreshments. “Would you like tea, coffee, or juice?”

Feeling out of her depth, Babi stood up and declined politely, but Mia returned shortly with coffee and a plate of candies.

As employees trickled out for lunch, Babi sipped her coffee and scrolled through her phone, waiting.

Finally, Leon exited his office, followed by Seraphina. They walked closely, their movements almost synchronized.

Babi had seen Leon before but never this close. Stealing a glance at him, her heart skipped a beat. He was as commanding and magnetic as she had imagined.

Leon’s gaze briefly swept over Babi before he turned and left.

“Let’s go eat,” Seraphina said, dragging Babi along.

As they waited for the crowded elevator, Leon glanced at them. “Get in,” he said.

Seraphina thanked him, pulling Babi in after her. “Thank you, Mr. Everhart.”

Babi echoed, “Thank you, Mr. Everhart.”

Leon turned to her. “Which department are you in?”

“The budgeting department,” she answered softly.

The ride continued in silence.

At lunch, Seraphina and Babi shared a table, their heads close together as they ate.

“So, where’s your ex-boyfriend?” Babi asked with a teasing smile.

“Flew away,” Seraphina quipped.

Babi chuckled. “Still holding out for the perfect man, huh?”

Seraphina smirked but said nothing.

“This cafeteria food is terrible,” Seraphina said, wrinkling her nose. “When you’re not working late, call me. I’ll take you to this alley with amazing restaurants.”