Chapter 35: Unknown Feelings
That night, the dining hall was quieter than usual.
Everyone was busy in their own world.
Jack sat comfortably on the couch watching a movie on low volume. Natasha was peacefully enjoying her dinner, completely unbothered by anything around her. Nick stayed glued to his phone, secretly smiling at whatever—or whoever—he was texting.
Smith, meanwhile, was busy chatting with Realiana.
Which day should we meet?
This weekend?
No, maybe after that…
A small smile appeared on his face while reading her replies.
And then there was Jhosen.
Physically, he was at the table.
Mentally? Somewhere far away with Rico.
Leo quietly watched everyone while eating, saying almost nothing.
Then suddenly—
Jhosen froze mid-bite.
His eyes widened slightly like he had remembered something important.
Without another word, he grabbed his phone and rushed outside.
A few seconds later, Realiana's phone lit up.
Jhosen calling.
The moment Smith noticed the caller name, he slowly lowered his own phone and smiled to himself while continuing to eat.
Unfortunately for him—
Leo saw that smile.
Slowly, Leo turned his head toward Smith.
That look alone could have killed someone.
"What's that expression?" Leo asked coldly. "And why are you smiling like that?"
Smith immediately became defensive. "Why are you asking like some possessive girlfriend?"
Jack almost choked trying not to laugh.
Leo ignored him completely. "Answer the question."
"Nothing," Smith replied casually. "We were just deciding which day we should meet."
Leo's hand stopped moving.
"…Who?"
"Realiana."
Silence.
Leo frowned. "You never told me that."
"Yes, I did."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"You absolutely didn't."
Within seconds, the two started arguing like children while Natasha continued eating peacefully as if this chaos had nothing to do with her.
Nick didn't even look up from his phone.
Finally, Leo spoke again.
"So… when are you meeting her?"
Smith opened his mouth to answer—
"Oh, about that, we were still deciding and then she suddenly got a call."
Leo looked at him sharply.
"Jhosen called her."
And just like that—
Something snapped.
Leo suddenly slammed both hands onto the dining table and stood up so fast that everyone looked at him.
Even Jack paused his movie.
A heavy silence filled the room.
But just as quickly as he stood—
Leo sat back down quietly.
Too quietly.
His eyes darkened as he stared toward the window.
Outside, Jhosen was happily talking on the phone, smiling like an idiot, moving around restlessly, kicking the ground lightly and taking random steps in excitement.
Completely unaware.
Leo watched him silently, unable to understand the strange feeling building inside his chest.
A few moments later, the door opened.
Jhosen walked back inside with the biggest smile imaginable.
He was practically dancing while walking, taking small excited steps as if music was playing only for him.
Jack looked at him once and sighed. "Hopeless."
Jhosen ignored him completely, sat down, grabbed his glass, and drank water dramatically in two long sips.
Then proudly announced—
"Oh guys, we're meeting Realiana on Tuesday at 8 a.m. We're gonna enjoy the whole day."
Most of them casually agreed.
"Sure."
"Fine with me."
"Okay."
Everyone returned to eating normally.
Then—
Jhosen's eyes slowly moved toward Leo.
The moment their eyes met, his confidence disappeared.
His shoulders stiffened.
"U-Uhh…" he stammered nervously. "Are you coming too, boss?"
Leo didn't answer immediately.
He simply stared at him with the same cold gaze he had given Smith earlier.
Then slowly, while picking up the knife beside his plate, he finally spoke.
"Why do you have her number?"
The room instantly fell silent.
Before Jhosen could even answer, Natasha suddenly looked up from her food.
"What do you mean?" she asked casually. "Don't you have her number? I thought all of us do."
Leo's gaze immediately shifted toward her.
"What do you mean all of us?" he asked coldly. "I want answers. When did you get her number… and why?"
For a second, nobody spoke.
Then Natasha answered first.
"Actually… I don't even remember why I have her number," she admitted honestly. "I think I got it when she was staying with us in this house."
Leo stared at her for another second before speaking flatly.
"Fine. Forget you."
Now his eyes moved to Smith.
"And you?"
Smith instantly looked away. "I got her number two days ago at the Lie Café," he answered carefully. "She just gave it to me for… something. I don't know."
Leo narrowed his eyes.
Then turned toward Nick.
Nick was still smiling at his phone while texting someone.
"Actually, don't worry boss," Nick said lazily. "I'm not interested in her."
His eyes never even left the screen.
Leo's expression darkened.
"I didn't ask whether you're interested or not," he said sharply. "Answer properly."
Nick slowly put his phone down.
For the first time, he actually looked nervous.
His hands awkwardly came together.
"Actually… I got her number when I picked her up from college once."
"…Alright."
Finally—
Leo turned toward Jhosen.
And Jhosen, unfortunately, was already staring at him in fear.
"…."
Leo said nothing.
That somehow felt worse.
Then suddenly—
"JHOSEN."
Jhosen shook so hard that even the table moved slightly.
"Y-YES?!"
"Your answer."
Jhosen swallowed hard.
"I-I got her number…" he started nervously, "…to give my number."
The room stayed silent.
Then he added proudly—
"To the person who asked for my number."
Leo's expression slowly changed from anger…
to confusion.
"…What?"
Jhosen smiled shyly.
"Realiana said Rico wanted my number."
For one second—
Complete silence.
And then—
From somewhere behind them—
Realiana's voice echoed in their memories:
"Who would even ask for his number?"
Natasha was the first to break.
A small laugh escaped her mouth.
Then Smith started laughing too.
Nick leaned back in his chair, covering his face.
Jack nearly fell off the couch.
Within seconds, the entire dining room exploded into laughter.
Jhosen looked around cluelessly.
"What?! Why are you all laughing?!"
Nobody answered.
That only made them laugh harder.
Smith dramatically stood up holding his stomach.
Natasha literally walked away laughing.
Nick grabbed his phone again while shaking his head.
Even Jack had tears in his eyes.
One by one, everyone disappeared into their rooms still laughing uncontrollably.
Only Leo remained sitting at the table.
Silent.
Completely clueless.
Watching Jhosen, who still didn't understand anything.