Victoria_Xoxo

He chuckled. “What’s with the face?”

I blinked. “What?”

“You’re blushing.” His voice held a teasing lit, and I could practically hear the smirk behind it.

“Oh.” I raised a hand to my cheek, rubbing absently, only to feel the warmth spreading across my skin. My lips twisted into a small, guilty smile.

Leo’s eyes gleamed with amusement. There was something about the way he looked at me—steady, knowing—that made me uneasy. Not because I felt uncomfortable, but because I had spent so long misunderstanding him.

Why hadn’t I seen his loyalty from the start? Why had I assumed he wanted me for business, for something transactional? A pang of guilt settled in my chest.

“This place is…” I started, glancing around, searching for words.

He leaned back slightly, one arm draped over the chair. “Deserving of a heiress,” he finished smoothly. “I had a work break.”

A warm rush of gratitude filled me, but it was quickly dampened by a lingering thought. Cassie had mentioned something earlier—something about Ophelia storming into Leo’s office. My fingers curled slightly against the tablecloth.

Kill Lila!

A luxury restaurant, the kind where even the air seemed perfumed with elegance. Soft golden lights reflected off crystal chandeliers, casting a dreamy glow over the white-linen-clad tables. The gentle clinking of cutlery and hushed conversations created an atmosphere so delicate it felt like we were dining among clouds. Everything here sparkled—the silverware, the champagne glasses, even the way Leo looked at me. And that was when I started wondering…

Was this really just a date? Or was it something more?

The waiters, dressed in crisp black and white, moved like shadows, appearing only when needed. They took our orders with quiet efficiency and disappeared just as swiftly, leaving behind a silence that suddenly felt too intimate. When I met Leo's gaze across the candlelit table, something in his expression made my pulse stutter. Embarrassed, I looked away.

He chuckled. "What's with the face?"

48. A Time. Lila pov