EPISODE 16
1753 Words
A CONFRONTATION AT MIDNIGHT
The party finally came to an end. Guests filtered out, laughter and farewells filling the grand estate as people departed.
Leo bid his family goodnight before heading to his car. He was exhausted. The night had been long, filled with too many conversations, too many eyes watching his every move. He just wanted to get home, take a hot shower, and not think about Julian D’Argento or his cryptic ways.
But fate had other plans.
When Leo arrived at his penthouse, something was off. The second he stepped inside, he felt it—the thick, charged tension lingering in the air.
Then, he saw him.
Nathan Hart.
He was sitting on Leo’s couch, legs spread slightly apart, hands clasped together as he stared at him. His expression was unreadable, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed the storm brewing inside him.
Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Really, Nathan? You’re waiting for me in my home now?”
Nathan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he studied Leo, as if searching for something. Finally, he leaned forward slightly.
“You asked him for help.”
Leo stiffened.
Nathan’s voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge to it. “Julian D’Argento. That was your first choice?”
Leo exhaled. “Nathan—”
“And don’t act like it was just business,” Nathan cut him off, standing up. His tone darkened. “You’ve been watching him all night. I saw the way your eyes followed him.”
Leo scoffed. “Oh, so now I can’t look at people?”
Nathan’s jaw clenched. “It’s not just that, Leo. It’s him. Do you even realize who you’re dealing with?”
Leo folded his arms. “He’s a businessman. One who helped me when I needed it.”
Nathan let out a bitter laugh. “Julian D’Argento doesn’t do favors for free. No one does.”
Leo’s patience was wearing thin. “Funny. He told me to forget the debt.”
Nathan’s eyes flashed. “And you believed him?” He took a step closer. “Do you have any idea what kind of man he is?”
Leo stared at him. “Do you?”
Silence stretched between them, heavy and unyielding.
Then, Nathan spoke again, voice lower this time. “Why did you go to him, Leo?”
Leo narrowed his eyes. “Because I needed help.”
“You could’ve come to me!” Nathan’s voice rose, frustration bleeding through.
Leo let out a dry chuckle. “Right. Because you would’ve helped me?” He shook his head. “Don’t make me laugh, Nathan.”
Nathan’s expression darkened. “So, what, now he’s your savior? Is that it?”
Leo’s fists clenched at his sides. “Why do you care so much?”
Nathan took another step forward, now close enough that Leo could feel the heat radiating off him. “Because you’re mine.”
Leo froze.
Nathan’s voice was quiet, but the possessiveness in it was unmistakable. “Or have you forgotten?”
For a brief second, neither of them moved. The air between them crackled with something intense, something dangerous.
Then, Leo let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “We’re not in a relationship, Nathan.”
Nathan’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. “We—”
“No.” Leo cut him off, his voice firm. “All we’ve ever been is two people satisfying each other’s pleasure while figuring things out.”
Nathan’s jaw tightened.
Leo exhaled, stepping back slightly. “I don’t owe you an explanation for my actions. I don’t report to you, and I sure as hell don’t belong to you.”
Nathan’s hands curled into fists, his body rigid. But before he could say anything else, Leo turned away.
“This conversation is over.”
Nathan’s eyes darkened, his lips pressing into a tight line. But he didn’t argue. Instead, he let out a sharp breath before storming past Leo, shoving the door open and disappearing into the night.
Leo stood there for a long moment, shoulders tense.
The confrontation had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
And yet…
As he finally moved toward his bedroom, his mind wasn’t on Nathan anymore.
It was on Julian D’Argento.
Elara & Julian D’Argento: An Unexpected Bond
Elara’s Persistent Pursuit
The following days passed in a blur, but one thing remained constant—Elara’s persistence.
Julian D’Argento had barely returned to his usual schedule before his phone began buzzing at odd hours with messages from the ever-determined Elara.
[Text Exchange: Day One]
Elara: Good morning, Julian! ☀️
Julian: Good morning, Elara.
Elara: Busy today?
Julian: Always.
Elara: Great! Then you can make time for lunch with me!
Julian: …That’s not how it works.
Elara: But it is! I know you’re a busy man, but a short lunch break won’t ruin your empire.
Julian: Sigh. Where?
Elara: I knew you’d say yes! There’s a cute little Italian place I want to try. I’ll send you the address.
Julian: Fine.
And just like that, she won.
---
Lunch With Elara
The moment Julian walked into the cozy restaurant, he spotted Elara waving enthusiastically.
“You’re two minutes late,” she teased as he sat down.
Julian raised a brow. “You’re lucky I showed up at all.”
Elara beamed. “And yet, here you are.”
The waiter arrived, and before Julian could even glance at the menu, Elara ordered for both of them.
Julian arched an eyebrow. “Are you always this pushy?”
“Confident,” she corrected with a grin. “Besides, I have good taste. You’ll love what I picked.”
Julian smirked, shaking his head. “I see where Leo gets his attitude.”
Elara’s eyes gleamed. “Speaking of my brother—”
“No,” Julian cut in smoothly.
Elara gasped, placing a hand over her heart. “You don’t even know what I was going to say!”
Julian gave her a pointed look. “It’s either about how I should help him more or something else about him.”
Elara pouted. “Maybe I just wanted to talk about you, Julian.”
“Doubtful.”
Elara laughed, taking a sip of her drink. “Fine, you got me. But can you blame me? You’re one of the few people Leo actually acknowledges.”
Julian took a sip of his espresso. “That’s his problem.”
---
[Phone Call: Two Days Later]
Julian: Elara.
Elara: Julian! What’s up?
Julian: You called me. You tell me.
Elara: Oh, right! Dinner.
Julian: I don’t recall agreeing to dinner.
Elara: You didn’t. But you will.
Julian: …I see.
Elara: Just say yes and pick me up at seven.
Julian sighed. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, you keep picking up my calls,” Elara teased.
Julian chuckled, conceding.
---
Shopping Chaos & Dinner With The Family
Elara had practically dragged Julian from one high-end boutique to another.
“Julian, this jacket is so you,” Elara declared, holding up an expensive dark coat.
Julian barely glanced at it. “I have enough clothes.”
Elara scoffed. “You can never have enough.”
Julian sighed, checking his watch. “Are we done yet?”
“Done?” Elara gasped. “Julian, we’re just getting started.”
Julian gave her a long stare. “God help me.”
After hours of shopping, Julian finally dropped her off at her home, but before he could escape, Elara grabbed his wrist.
“Dinner,” she announced.
Julian frowned. “What?”
“You’re coming inside for dinner,” she said simply. “I already told my parents.”
Julian hesitated. “Elara, I—”
“No excuses.” She tugged him toward the door.
Julian sighed but allowed himself to be led inside.
---
Dinner At The Astor Estate
Dinner was lively, mostly due to Elara’s endless chatter.
“Oh! And you won’t believe what happened today—” Elara launched into another story, gesturing animatedly.
Julian sat quietly, listening with a small, amused smile.
Elara’s mother gave Julian a warm look. “It’s been a while since Elara brought a friend home.”
Julian inclined his head. “She’s… persistent.”
Elara grinned. “And you love it.”
Julian chuckled, shaking his head.
Mr. Astor turned to Julian. “So, Julian, tell us—do you always let Elara boss you around?”
Julian smirked. “Only when she gives me no choice.”
Elara beamed. “Exactly! See? We work so well together.”
Julian took another sip of his wine, humoring her.
---
Elara’s Office Visit: Operation Make Julian Fall for Her
Elara practically barged into Leo’s office the next day.
Leo barely looked up. “Do you own the concept of knocking?”
Elara waved him off. “Leo, listen to me—”
Leo sighed. “Do I have a choice?”
“No,” Elara said firmly, dropping onto the chair across from him. “It’s about Julian.”
Leo’s brow twitched. “What about Julian?”
Elara leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “If he’s not into men—meaning he won’t fall for you—then that means he’s into women.”
Leo stared at her blankly. “...Your point?”
Elara grinned. “Which means—I’m making him fall for me.”
Leo blinked. Then, he leaned back and laughed.
Elara frowned. “What’s so funny?”
“You,” Leo said, still amused. “Julian isn’t the type to fall for anyone, Elara. And you think you can make him?”
Elara crossed her arms. “Watch me.”
Leo sighed, rubbing his temples. “Elara, I—”
“Don’t Elara me,” she interrupted. “Julian likes me. I can tell.”
Leo sighed. “He tolerates you.”
Elara scoffed. “Tolerate? Leo, he takes me to lunch, dinner, and shopping! That’s not tolerating. That’s bonding.”
Leo smirked. “Or he just finds you amusing.”
Elara huffed. “Whatever. Point is, if he’s not falling for you, then he’s falling for me. It’s simple math.”
Leo sighed. “Elara, Julian isn’t—”
“Shh,” Elara cut him off. “Just sit back and watch.”
Leo pinched the bridge of his nose. “God help Julian.”
- Writer
