Chapter 25– A Craving He Never Knew

Morning at the Office

Leonidas stepped into the towering glass building that bore his name, his presence immediately commanding attention. Employees stood straighter, greeting him with quiet respect, while his security team trailed at a discreet distance.

The air inside was cool, the scent of polished wood and expensive cologne lingering in the space. The world here was structured, efficient, cold—just as he had always preferred it.

And yet, today, something felt different.

He moved through the halls with his usual precision, but his thoughts were not on the contracts waiting on his desk or the high-profile clients expecting his undivided attention.

Instead, his mind kept drifting.

Back to her.

Back to Anastasia.

Did she eat breakfast properly?

Was she still flustered from this morning?

Was she thinking about him, even just a little?

His jaw clenched. It was infuriating. Distracting.

Leonidas was a man who prided himself on control. On focus. But today, his thoughts kept wandering to the delicate woman he had left at home.

Home.

The realization made him pause as he entered his office.

For the first time, the house he had built—one of many properties scattered across the country—felt like home.

Before Anastasia, he had never cared where he slept. He had houses, not a home. He would stay wherever work demanded, moving between luxurious penthouses and estates without attachment.

But now?

Now, for the first time, he found himself craving to go back.

Back to her.

To her quiet presence. To her hesitant, stolen glances. To the way she looked so small in his arms this morning.

A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.

His secretary, Adrian, entered with a stack of files, placing them on the polished desk. "Your first meeting begins in ten minutes, sir."

Leonidas exhaled slowly, forcing himself back into reality.

He could not allow himself to be distracted.

Not now.

Not yet.

The day moved forward in a blur of meetings, negotiations, and decisions that would impact entire industries.

A deal with a foreign investor—securing their cooperation for a high-profile merger.

A meeting with the finance board—reviewing quarterly reports, numbers flashing across LED screens.

An internal discussion on restructuring—employees presenting strategies, all eyes on him for final approval.

Leonidas handled each task with his usual ruthless efficiency, but something had changed.

A small, nagging thought at the back of his mind.

Would Anastasia like the new flowers he had planted in the garden?

Would she find the library to her taste?

Would she be waiting for him when he returned?

The thought sent a strange, unfamiliar warmth through him.

By mid-afternoon, he found himself checking the time more often than usual.

It was infuriating.

Never in his life had he longed to leave work early. Work had always been his escape, his refuge.

But now…

Now he had to fight himself not to abandon everything and drive back home.

His grip tightened around his pen as he signed another document.

His executives were still discussing logistics, but the words blurred as another thought intruded—

What was she doing right now?

Was she still in the library? Was she wandering the garden? Had she found a place she liked?

The idea of her slowly claiming his home as her own sent an unexpected sense of satisfaction through him.

A voice cut through his thoughts.

"Sir?"

Leonidas looked up.

His secretary, Adrian, stood waiting, a questioning look in his eyes.

He had missed the last five minutes of conversation.

Leonidas exhaled, regaining his composure.

No.

He would finish his work. Then, and only then, would he return to her.

But for the first time, work was no longer the most important thing.

Meanwhile… Anastasia's Quiet Day

The morning passed peacefully in the quiet sanctuary of the library.

Anastasia ran her fingers along the elegant spines of books, marveling at the vast collection. She hadn't expected him to have such a grand library.

There were classics, poetry, history, rare first editions, and even books in languages she didn't understand.

She hesitated before pulling out a small leather-bound book, settling onto the large velvet chair by the window.

The scent of old paper and polished wood surrounded her, comforting, familiar.

For the first time, she felt a sense of belonging.

After spending most of the morning lost in pages, she decided to explore further.

She had never spoken much to the staff, but today she gathered the courage to approach the estate workers.

The gardener, an elderly man with warm eyes, was tending to the roses.

She hesitated before speaking.

"I-Is there a place you like most in the garden?" she asked softly.

The man smiled. "Ah, yes. There's a quiet corner, hidden by the willow trees. Peaceful, beautiful. Perhaps you'll like it too, Miss."

Her curiosity piqued, she followed his directions, stepping through the winding stone path.

And then—

She found it.

A small, secluded spot beneath towering willows, where sunlight trickled through the leaves, dappling the grass with gold.

It was beautiful. Serene.

And for the first time since arriving here, she felt like she had discovered something of her own.

A place just for her.

She smiled, a real, genuine smile.

By lunchtime, she returned inside, slowly growing comfortable in her new world.

She had a quiet meal, watching television—a rare indulgence.

The house, though large and imposing, didn't feel as cold as before.

Perhaps because…

She wasn't afraid anymore.

As the sun began to set, Anastasia decided to prepare for the evening.

She wanted to be clean, refreshed.

Maybe even… presentable.

For him.

The thought made her heart race.

She slipped into a warm bath, letting the steam relax her body. The scent of lavender filled the air, soothing her nerves.

When she emerged, she reached for something light, delicate.

A soft, flowing dress, simple yet elegant.

It wasn't fancy, but it made her feel beautiful.

She hesitated before stepping in front of the mirror.

Would he notice?

Would he even care?

A blush crept up her neck at the thought.

And yet…

Deep down, she hoped he would.

As the sky darkened, Anastasia waited.

Unknowingly, she was waiting for him.

And far away, Leonidas was counting down the minutes until he could return to her.