EPISODE 20
1128 Words
THE CONFRONTATION – AN UNFINISHED STORY
After bidding farewell to Adrian, Julian West made his way toward the parking lot, exhaling deeply. Tonight had been a mix of bittersweet memories and unspoken truths.
But just as he reached his car, a firm grip yanked him back.
He barely had time to react before he was being pulled into the shadows of a quiet alleyway behind the bar.
Julian: (angrily, yanking his arm away) “What the—Leo?”
Leo’s eyes were dark with something unreadable.
Leo: (lowly) “We need to talk.”
Julian scoffed, crossing his arms.
Julian: “Now you want to talk? After months of silence?”
Leo ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
Leo: “Julian, please.”
Julian shook his head, stepping back.
Julian: “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to pull me into dark corners and demand my time like nothing happened.”
Leo’s jaw tightened.
Leo: “And what if I do?”
Julian let out a humorless laugh.
Julian: “Then I’ll remind you that you’re the one who told me to leave.” (his voice shakes slightly) “You told me we can be the way were during our childhood days. That I can't waltzes in and out of your life like I own it
Leo stepped closer, his voice quieter now.
Leo: “I was wrong.”
Julian flinched, but his expression hardened.
Julian: “Too bad. You don’t get a second chance just because you’re confused now.”
Leo didn’t know what came over him. Maybe it was the frustration, the years of unresolved tension, or the unbearable weight of seeing Julian again—without the mask, without the walls.
He grabbed Julian by the collar and crashed his lips against his.
For a moment, Julian froze.
For a split second, he let himself fall into it, the taste of Leo’s whiskey-laced breath, the warmth of his touch—
But then reality came rushing back.
Julian shoved Leo away so forcefully that Leo stumbled back. Without hesitation, Julian swung his fist, landing a sharp punch across Leo’s jaw.
Leo staggered, touching his lip where a bit of blood had smeared.
But Julian? Julian’s hands were shaking.
And then, for the first time in years, a tear slipped down his cheek.
Julian: (voice breaking) “Damn you, Leo.”
Leo looked up at him, his expression unreadable.
Julian: (shaking his head, voice raw) “You don’t get to play with me like this. You don’t get to kiss me like you love me.”
Leo took a step forward, but Julian held up a hand.
Julian: (quietly, painfully) “I loved you, Leo. For as long as I can remember.” (he exhales shakily) “And I was willing to accept that you didn’t love me back. But this?” (his voice hardens) “This is cruel.”
Leo swallowed thickly, his hands clenching into fists.
Leo: “Julian…”
But Julian had already turned away.
With heavy steps and an even heavier heart, he walked off into the night, leaving Leo standing in the cold silence of his own regrets.
---
JULIAN WEST’S BREAKING POINT
Julian barely made it to his car. His hands trembled as he gripped the wheel. He drove fast, too fast, desperate to escape the weight in his chest. When he reached his mansion, he slammed the door shut behind him.
A ragged breath left his lips before he lost control.
He threw a glass against the wall. The sharp sound barely dulled his anger. He overturned the coffee table, sending books crashing to the floor.
Julian: (screaming) “Damn you, Leo! Damn you for coming back into my life!”
He sank to his knees, his breath uneven. The room spun, but the ache in his chest was worse.
Tears slipped down his cheeks. He hadn’t cried in years.
Julian: (whispering to himself) “Why did I kiss him back? Why?”
His fingers dug into his hair. He knew Leo didn’t love him. But for a moment, he had let himself believe.
He staggered to the mini bar and poured himself a drink. Then another. And another.
The night drowned in whiskey.
---
A CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Morning came, but Julian felt like hell. His head pounded, his body heavy with exhaustion. He pressed a hand to his temple, trying to shake the nausea.
Elias Carter, his right-hand man, stood near the doorway.
Elias: “You look like s**t. Should I handle the ASTOR meeting for you?”
Julian groaned, rubbing his face.
Julian: “Yeah. I need a damn break.”
Elias nodded and turned to leave. But then—
Julian’s phone rang.
A sob echoed through the speaker.
Elara: (crying) “Julian, please come. I need you.”
Julian shot up from his chair.
Julian: (urgent) “Where are you?”
Elara: “School… They said I should call my parents, but I called you.”
Julian’s exhaustion vanished.
Julian: “I’m on my way.”
He grabbed his coat and stormed out.
---
The Arrival – D’Argento’s Presence
Julian arrived at Elara’s school in less than twenty minutes. He didn’t come alone. Black SUVs lined the entrance, and his bodyguards followed closely behind.
The moment he stepped inside, the tension thickened. Teachers whispered, eyes wide.
Everyone knew who Julian D’Argento was.
The principal hurried to greet him, her hands slightly shaking.
Principal: “M-Mr. D’Argento, what brings you here?”
Julian ignored her. His eyes scanned the hall until he found Elara.
She ran to him, gripping his coat tightly.
Elara: (sniffing) “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Julian softened, placing a hand on her head.
Julian: (calmly but firm) “Tell me everything.”
Elara wiped her eyes.
Elara: “They blamed me for something I didn’t do. The teachers wouldn’t listen.”
Julian’s gaze turned icy as he looked at the teachers.
Julian: (dangerously quiet) “Is that so?”
The room fell silent. No one dared to meet his eyes.
Julian: “Let me make this clear. Elara is under my protection.” (his voice dropped) “If anything like this happens again, you won’t know what hit you.”
The principal swallowed hard.
Principal: “I-I understand, Mr. D’Argento.”
Julian placed a hand on Elara’s shoulder.
Julian: “We’re leaving.”
He turned, leading her out. The bodyguards followed.
As they left the school, Elara looked up at him.
Elara: (softly) “Thank you.”
Julian gave her a rare, gentle smile.
Julian: “Always.”
- Writer
