THE D'ARGENTO SECRETS

EPISODE 18

A VISIT TO D’ARGENTO GROUP

The moment Elara heard that Julian D’Argento had accepted the collaboration with her brother, she wasted no time pulling out her phone. With her usual enthusiasm, she typed a message:

Elara: "Congratulations on the partnership, Julian! I know you’ll do amazing! Fighting! 💪😊"

Julian was in the middle of reviewing documents in his office when his phone vibrated. Seeing Elara’s message, he smirked slightly before typing back a simple:

Julian: "Thank you, little one. I appreciate it."

But that wasn’t enough for Elara. A few minutes later, she called.

Elara: "Julian! I want to come visit you at your office!"

Julian exhaled a soft chuckle, shaking his head at her persistence.

Julian: "You don’t need an appointment to see me, Elara. Come whenever you like."

Elara grinned. "Perfect! I’m bringing you something special, so don’t eat anything until I get there!"

Julian raised an eyebrow. "Should I be worried?"

Elara: "Hey! My cooking is amazing. You’ll love it."

Julian sighed, giving in. "Alright, I’ll wait. But no promises on loving it."

Elara: "Hmph, just wait and see!"

---

Julian’s Office – D’Argento Group Headquarters

A few hours later, Elara arrived at Julian’s office, carrying a sleek, insulated flask. She walked past his secretary with the confidence of someone who had been here many times before.

Julian was seated behind his grand desk, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, his ever-present black mask covering the lower half of his face. His silver cufflinks gleamed under the soft lighting, and the city skyline stretched behind him through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

As soon as Elara entered, she set the flask down on his desk with a satisfied smile.

Elara: "Alright, big boss, time to eat."

Julian leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "And if I say no?"

Elara narrowed her eyes. "Then I’ll force-feed you. I didn’t spend hours in the kitchen for you to refuse my masterpiece."

Julian chuckled softly. "You’re quite demanding, aren’t you?"

Elara: "Only when necessary. Now eat!"

Julian sighed and reached for the flask. He opened it, revealing a beautifully prepared meal—savory braised beef, jasmine rice, and a side of sautéed vegetables. The rich aroma filled the room, making even him pause.

Julian: "It smells… impressive."

Elara beamed. "Told you! Now, hurry up before it gets cold."

Julian picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. He chewed slowly, then nodded. "Not bad."

Elara: (mock gasp) "Not bad? That’s a five-star meal right there!"

Julian smirked. "I don’t hand out five stars so easily."

Elara: "Fine. How about four and a half?"

Julian gave her an amused glance before taking another bite. "Maybe."

As he continued eating, Elara sat across from him, resting her chin in her hands.

Elara: "You know, Julian, you’re always so mysterious. You never take off that mask, even when eating. What’s the deal with that?"

Julian’s hand paused briefly before he resumed eating.

Julian: "A habit. And a necessity."

Elara: "Necessity? What, do you have a secret identity?"

Julian’s eyes gleamed with quiet amusement. "Something like that."

Elara pouted. "One day, I’ll make you take it off. Mark my words."

Julian smirked. "We’ll see about that."

Once he finished eating, Julian closed the flask and pushed it toward her.

Julian: "You win. It was good."

Elara clapped her hands. "See? You just need to trust me more."

Julian pressed a button on his desk, calling for one of his drivers. "I’ll have someone take you home safely."

Elara grinned. "Aww, look at you being all protective. You’re such a softie, Julian."

Julian sighed. "Don’t push it, little one."

She laughed, standing up and waving. "See you soon!"

Julian watched as she left, shaking his head with a smirk. She really was something else.

---

Astor Family Estate – A Family Discussion

The Astor family estate was a grand, sprawling mansion with high ceilings, intricate chandeliers, and a warm yet elegant atmosphere. The scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air as Leo sat across from his parents, Charles and Eleanor Astor, in their private lounge. His younger sister, Elara, lounged beside him, a satisfied smirk on her face.

Leo set his glass of whiskey down and leaned forward slightly.

Leo: “Father, the deal with D’Argento Group has been finalized. We signed the contract yesterday. It’s going to be one of the biggest projects Astor Conglomerates has handled in a long time.”

Charles Astor, a dignified man with silver-streaked hair and sharp eyes, nodded in approval.

Charles: “Good work. Julian D’Argento isn’t an easy man to negotiate with. If he agreed, then that means he sees great potential in this project.”

Leo exhaled. "That’s exactly what I thought. Though, I have to admit, it’s going to be interesting working with him. He’s not like most business moguls.”

Eleanor Astor: (raising a curious brow) “Interesting how?”

Before Leo could respond, Elara clapped her hands together dramatically.

Elara: “Julian’s office is like a damn palace. The luxury, the size—I mean, I’ve seen high-end executive suites, but his is on another level.”

Leo rolled his eyes. “We’re talking about business, Elara, not interior design.”

Elara ignored him and turned to their mother.

Elara: “I cooked for him, you know? He ate every last bite! I even made sure he didn’t leave a single grain of rice in the flask.”

Eleanor let out a soft chuckle while Charles rubbed his temples.

Charles: “So this is why you’ve been so fascinated with him. First, it was constant calls and messages, and now you’re feeding the man?”

Elara shrugged, grinning.

Elara: “What can I say? I like him.”

Eleanor narrowed her eyes slightly.

Eleanor: “Like him… how exactly?”

Elara gave her mother a knowing smile.

Elara: “However he wants me to like him.”

Leo groaned. “Elara, you don’t even know if he’s interested in women.”

Elara turned to him and smirked. “Which is exactly why you need to spend more time with him and figure it out. If he’s into men, then he’s all yours, dear brother. But if he’s into women… well, I’ll take care of the rest.”

Charles sighed deeply and looked at his wife.

Charles: “I don’t know whether to be proud or worried about this daughter of ours.”

Eleanor sipped her tea gracefully.

Eleanor: “Let her have her fun. But don’t get your hopes up too high, Elara.”

Elara simply leaned back with a smug look.

Elara: “We’ll see.”

---

High-End Bar – Nathan Hart’s Drunken Lament

The bar was dimly lit, with golden chandeliers casting a sultry glow over the sleek, expensive interior. Crystal glasses clinked softly, murmured conversations filled the space, and the scent of top-shelf whiskey lingered in the air.

Nathan Hart was slouched against the bar, a glass of bourbon in hand, swirling the amber liquid absentmindedly. Beside him sat his close friend, Damien Reed, a sharp-dressed man who had witnessed far too many of Nathan’s drunken complaints.

Nathan: “I still love him, Damien. I never stopped.”

Damien sighed, taking a slow sip of his own drink.

Damien: “Nathan… you’re doing this to yourself. Leo moved on.”

Nathan scoffed, downing the rest of his bourbon before signaling the bartender for another.

Nathan: “Moved on? With that D’Argento guy? Please. I know his type. Mysterious, powerful, wears a mask like he’s hiding something… what is Leo even thinking?”

Damien smirked. “Maybe that’s exactly why Leo is intrigued. You know he’s always had a thing for enigmas.”

Nathan groaned.

Nathan: “Damien, whose side are you on?”

Damien chuckled. “I’m on the side that doesn’t end up wasted at a bar crying over a man who isn’t even here.”

Nathan exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair.

Nathan: “You don’t get it. I still feel like Leo is mine. And now this D’Argento guy waltzes in, signs a contract with him, and suddenly, they’ll be spending all this time together?”

Damien leaned back.

Damien: “So what are you gonna do about it?”

Nathan tightened his grip on his glass.

Nathan: “I need to tell that masked bastard to back off.”

---

Julian D’Argento & Nathan Hart – A Tense Encounter

Julian D’Argento had been in the private lounge of the bar with Elias Carter, casually enjoying a drink when he decided to step out and use the restroom.

The hallway was quiet, and as he approached the entrance to the men’s room, he suddenly found himself face to face with a slightly unsteady Nathan Hart.

Nathan’s eyes widened for a split second before narrowing.

Nathan: (slurring slightly) “Well, well… if it isn’t the infamous Julian D’Argento.”

Julian simply tilted his head slightly, regarding him with his usual unreadable gaze behind his mask.

Julian: “Mr. Hart.”

Nathan scoffed. “You know my name. How charming.”

Julian sighed, adjusting the cuff of his suit.

Julian: “I assume this isn’t a coincidence. What do you want?”

Nathan took a step closer, jabbing a finger into Julian’s chest.

Nathan: “I want you to stay the hell away from Leo.”

Julian’s expression remained calm, but there was an underlying amusement in his voice.

Julian: “And why would I do that?”

Nathan clenched his jaw.

Nathan: “Because I love him, damn it! I don’t care about this stupid business deal, but I know how things work. You’ll be around him constantly now, won’t you?”

Julian regarded him for a long moment before speaking.

Julian: “Leo Astor is a grown man, Nathan. If he wanted to be with you, he would be.”

Nathan’s face twisted with frustration.

Nathan: “You don’t understand. We have history. And now you’re just… swooping in with your stupid mask and your mystery act—”

Julian cut him off with a quiet but firm voice.

Julian: “I don’t ‘swoop.’ Nor do I interfere where I am not wanted.”

Nathan laughed bitterly.

Nathan: “You think you’re better than me, don’t you?”

Julian observed him for a moment before sighing.

Julian: “No, Nathan. I think you’re a man who is still in love and doesn’t know how to let go.”

Nathan looked away, his throat tightening.

Julian, sensing the raw emotion behind the drunken outburst, placed a hand on Nathan’s shoulder.

Julian: “If Leo still has feelings for you, nothing I do will change that. If he doesn’t… then maybe it’s time you accept that.”

Nathan pulled away roughly, his eyes glossy but defiant.

Nathan: “You don’t get to act like the good guy.”

Julian gave a small, unreadable smile.

Julian: “Perhaps not. But neither do you.”

With that, Julian stepped past him, disappearing into the restroom, leaving Nathan standing there, fists clenched and heart aching.