THE D'ARGENTO SECRETS

EPISODE 14

THE MEETING

The next day, Leo sat across from Julian D'Argento in the sleek, glass-walled boardroom of his company’s headquarters. Julian looked every bit the part of a business mogul—polished, composed, and completely unreadable. Leo, on the other hand, felt every ounce of the weight pressing down on him. His palms were sweaty, and his mind was racing with a hundred different thoughts.

Julian’s eyes remained steady, his gaze never wavering from Leo’s. "You requested this meeting," Julian began, his voice smooth, with a slight edge. "Tell me, Leo Astor, What's the issue?"

Leo took a deep breath, swallowing down the tension that coiled in his chest. "Astor Conglomerate is facing financial ruin. We need help, Julian. We’ve tried everything, and we can’t pull out of this on our own."

Julian tilted his head slightly, his gaze thoughtful. "And you think I should just give you my resources? You haven’t given me a reason to help you." His voice was calm, yet there was an undercurrent of challenge.

Leo felt the pressure building. He wasn’t used to asking for handouts. He hated the idea of begging, especially not from someone like Julian. But he had no choice.

"I’ll offer you a percentage of the company," Leo said, his voice steady despite the growing anxiety inside. "In exchange for your help."

Julian leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together as he considered the offer. "A percentage, huh?" His lips curved into a faint smile, but there was no warmth in it. "And what makes you think that’s enough?"

For a moment, Leo’s mind went blank. But then, he reminded himself that this was just business. He didn’t need to explain everything. "You’re the only one who can help us," Leo said, his voice quieter but no less firm. "That’s enough."

Julian studied him for a long moment, his piercing gaze never leaving Leo’s face. Finally, he spoke. "I’ll help you. But make no mistake, Leo Astor. You’ll owe me."

Leo exhaled slowly, relief washing over him, though he still couldn’t shake the unease. "I understand."

Julian stood, his sharp eyes lingering on Leo a moment longer than necessary. "Then we have a deal."

As Leo left the room, his mind was buzzing. This deal might have saved his company—but it also opened up a new chapter in a story he wasn’t sure he was ready to face.

---

The Celebration Party

Julian D'Argento had kept his word. After stepping in to save Leo’s company from the brink of collapse, things began to stabilize. Julian’s intervention had ensured the Astor conglomerate remained afloat, much to Leo’s relief and his father’s silent approval. In return, the Astor family hosted a small celebration to show their gratitude—a private gathering at their family estate. Invitations had been sent out, and Elara, Leo’s younger sister, was particularly excited about Julian’s attendance.

Elara had always admired Julian from afar. His stoic demeanor, his reputation, and the sense of mystery surrounding him made him a figure she found intriguing. She knew he was an important person, but she had never imagined that he would actually show up to their family’s celebration. The thought of meeting him in person again thrilled her, and the idea of seeing Leo’s savior face-to-face filled her with anticipation.

---

Nathan’s Frustration

Nathan Hart, Leo’s ex-lover and present pleasure mate, had heard through the grapevine that Orion Group—Julian D’Argento’s company—had helped save Astor Conglomerate. Leo hadn’t reached out to Nathan for help, even though they had a complicated past and a present, as well. Nathan had been Leo’s confidant and lover for a time, but the growing distance between them had made things tense. Nathan felt betrayed by Leo’s decision to rely on someone else, someone who shared the same first name as his childhood best friend. The fact that Leo chose Julian, of all people, stung.

He wasn’t about to let this slide. Nathan had planned to confront Julian at the celebration party, to remind him of Leo’s place in his life.

---

The Party

The celebration party had been underway for about an hour when Leo walked into the room. His calm composure masked the churn of thoughts in his mind—his relationship with Nathan was still strained, and he couldn’t help but notice the awkward energy between them. Nathan had made no secret of his displeasure, and Leo was acutely aware of it. But he kept his demeanor cool.

Just as Leo thought he could manage the situation, the door opened, and Julian D’Argento stepped inside. His presence immediately commanded the room, and despite being in a room full of people, he seemed to hold everyone’s attention. His sharp features were accentuated by his impeccably tailored suit, and his calm, controlled demeanor only added to his magnetic appeal.

---

Elara’s Excitement

Elara, who had been anxiously waiting, spotted Julian the moment he entered. Without a second thought, she jumped to her feet, a bright smile lighting up her face.

"Julian D’Argento!" she squealed.

She rushed toward him, her excitement undeniable. The moment she reached him, she didn’t hesitate—Elara hugged him tightly. Julian froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard by her sudden display of affection. But then, with a soft sigh, he returned the hug, his arms gently wrapping around her.

"I’m so glad you came," Elara said, pulling back to look up at him with sparkling eyes. "My family’s been so grateful to you for helping us!"

Before Julian could respond, she grabbed his arm and tugged him toward her parents, eager to introduce him.

---

Nathan’s Growing Irritation

Nathan, who had been watching the scene unfold from across the room, wasn’t pleased. The sight of Julian hugging Elara, the ease with which Julian interacted with her, made his jaw tighten. He could already tell that Julian was getting too close to Leo’s family—and that irritated him.

Nathan had his plan. He needed to confront Julian, to make it clear that Leo was his—no matter what role Julian had played in saving Astor Conglomerate. This wasn’t just about business. This was personal.

He kept his distance, waiting for the right moment to speak with Julian in private. But the longer he stood there, the more frustrated he became. He couldn’t just let this slip by.

---

Julian and Elara’s Introduction to Leo’s Family

Julian followed Elara as she pulled him toward her parents. As he walked with her, he couldn’t help but notice her enthusiasm, her genuine admiration for him. It was flattering, but Julian couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had been gnawing at him since he’d first agreed to attend the event. His feelings for Leo had never gone away, but they had become more complicated with time.

When they reached Elara’s parents, Julian greeted them with the same polite smile and respectful demeanor he always used. But in the back of his mind, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation—this celebration wasn’t just about business, it was about being around people who had become more involved in his life than he’d anticipated.

---

The Tension In The Air

Nathan, still watching from across the room, saw how easily Julian had integrated into Leo’s family. His irritation grew, and he knew that it was time for action. He had to make it clear to Julian that Leo was his.

Leo, for his part, noticed the subtle tension between Nathan and Julian. He was trying his best to maintain a neutral stance, but the situation was growing more difficult to ignore. The complexity of his relationship with Nathan and his undeniable feelings for Julian seemed to be pulling him in two directions.

---

As the evening wore on, the small celebration continued, but a subtle tension hung in the air. Julian engaged with the other guests, his demeanor as composed as ever, but Nathan remained fixed on him. Leo, for his part, kept to the background, but the tightness in his shoulders suggested he was keenly aware of Nathan’s displeasure.

Julian’s presence was both a gift and a reminder of Leo’s own complicated feelings. He had been grateful to Julian for helping his company, but seeing him with Elara, seeing how effortlessly Julian interacted with his family, stirred something in him. It was impossible to ignore the undercurrent of emotions that had been swirling ever since they’d last met.

Julian had saved his company, and yet, Leo couldn’t quite shake the discomfort that came with seeing him again. Their paths had crossed once, and now, with the tension in the air, it felt like fate had no intention of letting them stay apart for long.

But for now, Julian D’Argento was a guest—nothing more, nothing less. Leo would do well to remember that, even as the evening continued.

---

A Private Confrontation Coming Soon

The celebration continued, but the undercurrent of tension between Nathan and Julian couldn’t be ignored. Leo knew that sooner or later, Nathan would approach Julian for their private conversation—and when that happened, Leo would be caught in the middle once again.

For now, the party moved forward. But the quiet storm between Nathan, Julian, and Leo was far from over.