What a curious family the Ashford's are. At first glance, they seem cold—each member wearing a face that could send shivers down your spine—everyone except Jennifer. She stood out like a burst of sunlight in a gloomy sky. Brimming with energy, the kind that could spark a volcanic eruption, she practically radiated excitement. It was clear this family was stitched together with love—it just didn't show on their faces.
The first time I saw Leo's father, his expression was severe, eyebrows drawn together in a permanent scowl. He looked especially displeased with Leo and me, and I couldn't help but assume the worst. Maybe there was some classic father-son conflict. Maybe Leo had left the house after a fight and taken on the role of CEO as a form of rebellion. But as I spent more time observing them, I realized how wrong I was. Beneath the stern exterior was a close-knit bond—a father and son who cared deeply for each other, just in their own reserved way.
"The chauffeur will bring the car in a few minutes. Until then, feel free to chat with my family," Leo's voice pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts.
Then came the question I hadn't prepared for.
"So Jake, when did you two first meet?" someone asked.
My heart skipped a beat. That question wasn't in the script.
All eyes turned toward me, waiting. The room suddenly felt smaller, hotter. Inside my head, thoughts spun like a tornado—none of them useful.
"At his house," Leo answered smoothly, cutting through my mental storm like a blade. His voice was steady, confident. I turned to look at him—his eyes were focused, his posture unwavering. He was ready to face his family, to stand by me.
"His house?" Jennifer raised an eyebrow, pausing before adding, "And what exactly were you doing at his house?"
Honestly? I didn't even know. Why had Leo shown up that day, holding takeout containers? Was he working a part-time job? Spying on me? Or had we somehow met before and I'd unknowingly wronged him, and this was his elaborate revenge plot?
"It was because of Raven," Leo said, pulling me back to the moment again.
He explained, "Raven had a food delivery scheduled and I went along with him. Just as we reached the building, he suddenly needed to use the restroom. So I ended up delivering the takeout. But I rang the wrong doorbell—and that's how I met Jake."
A ripple of laughter followed as Jennifer shook her head in mock disapproval.
"You couldn't even manage a simple delivery," she teased, grinning. "And you expect us to believe you're running a whole company?"
The room erupted in laughter, and in that moment, the icy Ashford exterior melted just a little.
As laughter filled the room, the chauffeur arrived and handed us the key to the luxury car parked at the entrance. It gleamed under the porch light, looking undeniably stunning.
Leo took the keys, and it was finally time to say our goodbyes. That's when a hand grabbed mine and pulled me aside, into the corner of the porch.
"If you two are really dating—or just pretending—it's not my business," Mrs. Ashford said gently, taking my hand in hers. "But Leo looks happy with you. Please take care of him for me. He might act all tough and rude, but deep down, he's still just a boy."
I gave her hand a reassuring pat. "You don't have to worry, Mrs. Ashford. He has me, and I'm not planning to let go of his hand. You can rest easy."
"Thank you so much, son. And if you ever have time, please visit me. I'd love your company."
"Of course, Ms. Ashford. I will."
A honk from the high-end car broke through our conversation, making us gently release each other's hands.
"We should go now," Leo called, motioning for me to sit beside him.
I got into the car and gave a final wave to the Ashford family.
As time passed, Leo drove in silence, letting my thoughts drift freely. The road was quiet and dark, not a single other vehicle in sight. It was a calm, almost meditative journey home. When he decided to break the silence.
"Thank you for coming with me to see my family. I really appreciate it," Leo said, breaking the silence as he gently placed his hand over mine.
"I had fun too. Your family seems like lovely people."
"Ohh, everyone's nice—except Jennifer." The moment he mentioned his sister, his eyes lit up with a smile, and somehow, even the air around us felt lighter.
Leo seemed closer to his sister than anyone else in his family. They were hilarious and adorable together, and honestly, I loved her presence at dinner tonight. The silence took it's place again but not for a long time.
"I need to talk to you about something important."
Just like that, the warmth disappeared. The smile faded from his eyes, and the peaceful vibe in the car evaporated. His expression turned serious as he slowly eased the car to a stop beneath a lonely streetlight.
"What is it, Leo?" I sat up straighter, instincts on high alert, bracing myself like I was preparing for battle.
"I want you to come live with me."
Those words... they... they short-circuited my entire nervous system. My brain scrambled to process what he'd just said. Out of nowhere, he dropped a bomb that detonated every stable thought I had.
"After everything that happened with those leaked videos, I think it's safer for you to stay with me for a while. When things calm down, we can go back to our normal lives."
Leo stared silently at the road ahead, his face unreadable—void of emotion. That blank expression, after saying something so big... that's what sent a chill down my spine.
"You do know what you're saying, right?" I asked, needing to hear it again, needing him to mean it.
Meanwhile, my mind was spiraling through a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and god knows what else.
"Yeah, I just realized it's safer for you to live with me. No one will question it—everyone already thinks we're in a real relationship," Leo said, his voice calm as ever.
He restarted the car and began driving again, the headlights illuminating one streetlight after another, until the car finally returned to its original pace.
"Can I have some time to think about it?"
"You can," he replied, eyes on the road, "but don't take forever. Give me your answer tomorrow."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips while my brain practically threw a party of panic inside my skull.
After dropping that emotional bomb, Leo slipped back into silence, focused on the road like nothing had happened. I, on the other hand, tried to distract myself with my phone.
Zara had messaged me, asking how dinner with Leo's family had gone. She'd been excited for me—she was the one who'd helped me earlier today, giving me tips on everything from styling to surviving small talk.
As I scrolled through her messages, a new notification popped up and shattered the car's quiet.
It was from the editing department:
"All staff are required to attend the annual party tomorrow."
Cue another mental storm. Fantastic.
"What happened?" Leo glanced over at me, studying my face without taking his hands off the wheel.
"It's just a message about the annual party for the editing department," I said, trying not to sound overwhelmed.
"Is it tomorrow?"
"Yep."
He nodded. "Where is it?"
"I think… Elysian Haven Hotel."
He smiled. "That's perfect. I have a meeting there tomorrow. Call me when it's over—I'll come pick you up."