I kept glancing at that secret door while sipping my orange juice under the bright morning sun.
No matter how I looked at it, it was suspicious. I was certain something was off about that Orion-78 report.
Leonardo must be up to something. My father always acted reasonably.
I walked toward Leo's bedroom door, pressing my ear against it, only to freeze when I suddenly heard footsteps behind me.
"Oh. You must be Mrs. Rhys?"
A middle-aged woman smiled softly at me.
I stood frozen, my mouth slightly open, but no words came out.
Who is she?
"Ah… My name's Erina. I've been taking care of Master Leonardo since he was a baby."
Ah… Erina.
"Hi, Erina. I'm Emily, you can just call me that," I said, returning her smile.
"Are you heading to work before Master Leonardo? You're already dressed so early this morning."
I reflexively looked down at my neatly arranged outfit.
"Ehm, I'm just used to getting ready early. I wanted to make breakfast for Leo," I said, walking over to the kitchen beside her.
Erina opened a paper bag she'd been holding.
"I heard from Master Leonardo that I don't need to clean the room over there?"
She pointed at the room I slept in last night.
Right. She mustn't know we sleep in separate rooms.
"Uh, y-yeah. That's… uh, that's my personal room. You know, I like having some private space for myself," I said, tapping the counter nervously.
Erina chuckled. "You two really are a perfect match. Master Leonardo also likes having his own private space."
"Is his private room the one over there?" I asked, pointing toward the off-limits door.
Erina nodded.
"Have you ever cleaned that room?" I asked curiously.
She shook her head. "No. Master Leonardo always cleans it himself."
"I see…" I muttered, eyes lingering on that door that had been bothering me since day one.
"I thought he would've shown that room to you," Erina added, making me turn sharply toward her.
What does she mean by that?
"What do you mean? Leo already showed it to me. I just didn't know it was his private room. I thought everyone was allowed inside," I said with an overly bright smile, narrowing my eyes at her.
"I knew it, you really are special, ma'am."
"Special…?"
Before I could ask what she meant, the sound of a door opening made us both look up.
Leo stepped out of his room, hair messy, eyes half-squinted. He was wearing only pajama pants, no shirt, his chest bare, revealing a perfectly sculpted body.
He didn't seem to notice us at first; he was still yawning, scratching his head.
"Good morning, Master Leonardo," Erina greeted politely.
Leo looked up immediately, his eyes locking on me and his whole body froze.
"Uh… morning, Erina."
I couldn't take my eyes off him. I mean, seriously, Leo with his bedhead and those abs. God, those abs.
I spun around quickly, trying to distract myself from that delicious view.
Oh god, Valerie! You sound like some deprived virgin!
"You two look adorable together," Erina chuckled.
I smiled faintly, then turned back toward Leo, walking up to him. His eyes widened slightly as I approached. I rose on my toes and kissed his cheek, smiling sweetly.
"Good morning, darling. You want coffee?" I asked, my expression as sincere as I could manage.
Leo looked stunned for a second before placing a hand on my waist, pulling me flush against him. His body was warm, firm, unfairly perfect.
He kissed my forehead. "Morning to you too, darling." Then he cupped my cheeks, squishing them so I was forced to look up at him. "Yes. I'd love some coffee from you."
He released me but didn't break eye contact. "Right, why didn't you wake me up? You're already dressed so early."
I froze, struggling to come up with an answer.
Leo grinned. And that's when it hit me.
He was getting back at me. In the most devilish way possible.
I forced a sweet smile. "I wanted to make breakfast for you, darling," I said, poking his nose playfully.
"O-okay. I'll go get ready then." He turned around and went back into his room.
I exhaled heavily and glanced at Erina, who was putting away groceries.
She turned toward me. "I've stored all the groceries, ma'am. Anything else before I leave?"
I shook my head. "No, thank you, Erina."
She nodded and left, leaving me alone in the kitchen.
I collapsed onto the stool. God, that was exhausting.
Moments later, Leo came back out, shirt on, sleeves rolled up, top buttons undone, no tie.
Even looking a bit disheveled, I couldn't deny he looked annoyingly handsome.
I cleared my throat. "Mr. Leo, would you still like that coffee?"
"Of course," he said, sitting on the barstool.
I made him an espresso and handed it over.
"You're really going to the office looking like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're married now. People will get the wrong idea if you show up like this."
"I've always dressed like this," Leo replied, sipping his espresso.
Ugh. This man is hopeless.
"Where do you keep your ties?" I asked.
"Why?"
"Just answer."
He sighed. "Second drawer on the left."
I walked straight into his room without permission. Like the rest of the house, it was mostly white, with a few potted plants near the corner.
I opened the drawer and found a navy-blue tie.
"Seriously, what are you doing barging into my room?" Leo suddenly appeared behind me.
I sighed in frustration. "Mr. Leo, you're married now. Act like it. Let me put this on you."
"Ugh, no thanks," he said, turning to leave.
I grabbed his hand.
"What, Emily? It doesn't even matter if I wear it or not—"
I looped the tie around his collar, cutting him off.
"Emily, what the—"
"Please, Mr. Leo. At least let me do this. I can't let gossip spread around the office."
Leo's expression softened. "Fine."
I adjusted the tie around his neck, his breath brushing against my fingers as he looked to the side. It made me shiver.
When I was done, I smoothed his sleeves and buttoned the cuffs for him.
He kept sighing quietly.
Was he that uncomfortable with me?
Still, he stood still, obedient as a puppy until I was finished.
"Done?"
"Yes. Sorry if I overstepped, Mr. Leo. But it's necessary, starting today."
Leo nodded and left first.
I let out a long breath, trying to steady myself.
Right. Just keep acting, Val. As best as you can.
~~~~~
That day, everything in the office looked normal. Or at least, that's what I told myself.
Truth was, I didn't really know. Since I started working here, I haven't made any real friends. Maybe Sebastian, if he even considered me one.
I stared blankly at my monitor. So far, there was no real progress. Okay, fine, I discovered Leonardo was involved in the Orion-78 case. But what proof did I have that he killed my father?
I mean… could I just confront him now and force the truth out of him?
Knock, knock.
Someone tapped my desk.
I looked up. Sebastian stood there with a smile.
"Ah… hi, Sebastian. What is it? Are you looking for Mr. Leo? He's in an online meeting, you can wai—"
"No. I came to see you."
"Me? Why?"
"Are you okay?"
Am I… okay?
"Uh, I guess?"
Sebastian sighed. "You really have no clue, do you?"
I blinked.
"Emily, you should really consider resigning. You can't be both Leo's wife and his secretary."
"But why? Is office romance against the rules?"
"No, that's not the point. Everyone's talking about you two."
"I don't mind, Sebastian. I expected that."
"I know, I know. But still. I can't just sit by while everyone talks badly about my best friend."
Wow. Sebastian really is a good friend. I almost can't believe Leo deserves someone like him.
"I'm sorry if it's caused trouble for Mr. Leo. I just—"
"Leo? No, I'm not talking about him. I'm talking about you."
I froze.
"They keep saying you deceive Leo. That you… gosh, I can't even say it."
"Thank you, Sebastian. Really. I appreciate it," I said, holding his hand.
Honestly, I didn't care what people said about me. None of it was true.
I wasn't pregnant.
I didn't marry Leo for his money.
I married him to kill him.
But still, Sebastian's concern warmed me more than I expected.
"You don't have to worry about me. I'm fine," I said with a genuine smile. He squeezed my hand gently.
Then came a sharp throat-clearing sound.
Sebastian and I turned toward it. Leo stood at his office door, arms crossed.
"What?" Sebastian asked, still holding my hand.
Leo's gaze dropped to our joined hands. I immediately pulled away and stood up.
"Do you need something, Mr. Leo?"
"Yes. Emily, in my office. Now."
I hurried past both men toward his office.
"And you," Leo added coldly, "go to hell."
I turned slightly and saw Sebastian smirk before glancing at me. "Bye, Emily. Call me if you ever need to talk."
I nodded, giving him two thumbs up only for Leo to swat my hands down as he walked past me.
Leo sank onto the sofa, loosening his tie.
"What's wrong, Mr. Leo?"
"Sit."
Really? Does he think I'm a dog?
Still, I obeyed.
"What the hell are you doing? What's your purpose?"
What? What does he mean?