THE D'ARGENTO SECRETS

EPISODE 7

THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE HEART'S BATTLE

Leo had been jumping from one night stand to the next, his life a whirlwind of fleeting pleasures. Each time he woke up next to someone new, the satisfaction was short-lived, the feeling of emptiness growing as quickly as the desire faded. For the past few weeks, though, he’d made a shift. No longer was he indulging in both men and women. He’d made the decision, after much internal debate, to focus only on men for his one-night encounters. There was something freeing about it, something that allowed him to avoid any emotional strings that could tie him down. And for a man like Leo, who had learned the hard way to avoid vulnerability, that was the most important part.

He had made a name for himself in more ways than one—his legacy, his empire, and now, his reputation as a lover. It didn’t matter if he was with a man or a woman; the media loved his scandals, always eager to report on the wild nights of one of the most powerful men in the country. Leo Astor, the heir to Astor Conglomerate Empire, was a regular fixture in the tabloids. It was expected. He was used to it. But now, he couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of detachment. Each headline seemed to push him further into isolation.

One particular headline caught the attention of the media: "Leo Astor's Latest Lovers—A New Chapter?" The stories were full of speculation, not just about his choice of partners, but also about the man’s emotional state. They knew so little about him, yet so much was assumed. The people knew Leo as a force of nature—a man who could destroy empires with a flick of his finger. But they didn’t know the half of it.

On the other hand, the mysterious Julian—the one who lurked in the shadows behind Orion Group—was just as much a subject of fascination. Unlike Leo, Julian's identity was a riddle that the press couldn’t solve. They couldn’t place a face to the name, and yet, the rumors swirled. His voice was known, his power was undeniable, and his company had quickly become one of the most successful and respected in the world. Julian's anonymity, paired with his undeniable charisma and intelligence, made him all the more alluring. If Elias Carter, his equally enigmatic vice president, was considered a sight to behold, then surely the man behind the curtain had to be even more captivating.

Leo hadn’t given much thought to the press—until he received a call from his parents. That conversation was inevitable.

His mother’s voice was sharp on the other end of the line. "Leo, darling, have you seen the latest report? Your… escapades are being broadcasted all over the country! Is this really how you want to be seen?"

Leo’s grip tightened on his phone, his jaw clenching. He sat back in his leather chair, running a hand through his hair. "It’s my life, isn’t it? If I’m not causing harm to anyone, why should it matter? The press has been after me for years, trying to make a spectacle out of every little thing I do."

His father’s voice joined in, steady but filled with underlying anger. "You’re the heir to a legacy, Leo. This kind of behavior—it tarnishes the family name. Don’t you care about the future of Astor Conglomerate? Don’t you care about the legacy you’re supposed to uphold?"

Leo could feel the tension rising, but he had no intention of backing down. "I care, but not in the way you want me to. I didn’t ask to be born into this. And as for my love life—if you think I’m going to settle down to satisfy your expectations, you’re wrong."

His father’s tone softened but remained firm. "We’ve always hoped you’d marry, start a family. You’ve always been different, Leo. But we never imagined you'd live like this—so recklessly."

Leo took a breath, his voice growing cold. "You don’t get to decide who I am. I’ve told you this before. So, let’s stop pretending that you can. I’m not here to meet anyone’s expectations. If you can’t accept that, then we’re done discussing it."

The silence on the other end was thick with disbelief. Leo’s heart pounded in his chest, but he didn’t flinch. It was time they understood. He wasn’t the same person they wanted him to be. His decisions, his choices—they were his alone to make.

With a final click of the phone, Leo dropped it onto the desk, breathing deeply to steady himself. The tension he felt in his chest was a constant companion now. He’d never been good at family expectations, and this latest confrontation only reminded him of how little he truly belonged in their world.

Meanwhile, Julian was silently observing the fallout from the shadows. The news of Leo’s one-night stands hurt more than he was willing to admit. Every headline, every photograph—there was always that sense of bitterness that stung with the realization that Leo was living a life completely out of his reach. Julian had stayed away, as Leo had requested, but it didn’t make it easier.

He was so used to staying hidden, behind the curtain, pulling the strings of ORION Group without anyone knowing the full extent of his power. But seeing Leo like this, detached and living in a world of empty pleasures—it was almost too much to bear.

Even though Julian had vowed to keep his distance, he couldn’t escape the pull Leo had over him. It had been years since they were close, and yet, every time he saw Leo’s name in the news, it felt like a knife twisting in his gut. But Julian remained silent. He couldn’t afford to let those feelings resurface—not now, not after everything.

And then, as if the universe wasn’t done testing him, Nathan Hart, Leo’s ex and business rival, returned to the country. The reemergence of Nathan brought with it a storm of drama. Not only was Nathan an ex-lover of Leo’s, but he was also a formidable opponent in the business world. His return could mean more than just a rekindling of past flames—it was the spark that could set a new fire between two powerful men. And Julian knew it.

Nathan was back, and things were about to get complicated. Leo didn’t want anything to do with Nathan, or so he said. But Julian wasn’t sure about that. He could feel the tension in the air, the possibility that the past would catch up with them both.

And as for Leo? He might’ve shut his parents down, but deep inside, he could feel the weight of their expectations lingering. They weren’t going to stop, not until he gave them what they wanted—a heir, a family, someone to carry on the Astor name. But Leo had already made his choice: he wasn’t going to live by their rules.

Now, with Nathan back in the picture, there was no telling what the future would hold for either of them.