Chapter 6

By the time I reached Bayview Villas, I was still seething with anger. As soon as I unlocked the door, I dashed into the kitchen, poured myself a glass of cold water, and gulped it down to soothe the tightness in my chest.

When I turned around, I saw Leo sitting on the sofa with a laptop, quietly watching me. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow that highlighted his refined features. There was something almost too perfect about him—something slightly unreal.

This was my third time I had seen him, and each time he seemed different. It was... intriguing.

"Why are you staring at me? Is something wrong with my face?" Leo asked, dramatically picking up a mirror to examine himself, as if his appearance were the most important thing in the world.

I could hardly say I found him as unpredictable as opening a mystery box. So I quickly changed the subject.

"When did you arrive? Why didn't you tell me?"

“I just got here. My phone died, and I was about to message you from my laptop when you walked in,” Leo replied smoothly, setting the mirror down.

"I see." I lingered at the entryway, taking my time removing my shoes before walking to the living room. "Have you settled in?"

Leo nodded. "I've put my things in the guest bedroom."

I appreciated his thoughtful respect for boundaries. Instinctively, I started toward the sofa where he sat but caught myself mid-step and redirected to the armchair instead.

"Do you need me to show you around?"

"No need," Leo declined politely.

I grabbed a soft throw pillow and hugged it to my lap, glancing around the room without uttering another word. Leo remained silent too.

The atmosphere between us grew thick and painfully awkward.

I brushed back a stray lock of hair, straightened my posture, and was just about to hunt for a safe conversation topic when Leo spoke first.

"Why are you angry? Did someone upset you?"

I'd never been good at hiding my feelings. And since I didn't think I was in the wrong, I immediately poured out my frustrations in a heated rush.

“That’s exactly the kind of jerk he is. I truly regret only seeing his true colors now, after wasting ten long years of my youth on him.”

Only after my outburst did I notice Leo's extremely displeased expression. My heart skipped a beat, fluttering wildly in my chest.

I hadn't paid close attention before, but from this angle, Leo looked even more strikingly like Leopold. They even pursed their lips in the exact same way when angry.

Could it possibly be a coincidence?

"Leo, what's wrong? Did that jerk's behavior upset you too?"

Leo's eyes snapped sharply to mine. His gaze was piercing and ice-cold—not the warm, playful look of a sweet guy who casually hung around bars.

My chest tightened with unease. "Why... why are you looking at me like that?"

Leo set his laptop aside and strode directly toward me, his movements confident and purposeful.

"Do you really want to know?"

He was tall, and with me seated, I had to crane my neck upward to meet his eyes.

"Yes."

Leo bent down gracefully, resting one hand on his knee while the other gently cupped the right side of my face, his touch surprisingly tender.

"I don't like hearing another man's name from your lips. I'm jealous."

I was stunned. What kind of logic was that?

The pressure on my face increased ever so slightly as Leo leaned closer, his presence overwhelming.

"Why so quiet? Haven't you ever comforted someone before?"

I blinked in surprise. "Of course I have."

Just never successfully.

Leo’s eyes gleamed with quiet amusement as he brought the tip of his nose teasingly close to mine.

His deep, velvety voice carried a hint of enchantment. "Then comfort me."

His rich, masculine scent enveloped me completely, wrapping around my senses like a warm, intoxicating fog. My brain turned to complete mush.

As if possessed by some unseen force, I blurted out, "You smell so nice ."

Like Antarctic winds. Like snowflakes drifting over treetops. Cold and fresh.

Leo let out a low, rumbling laugh, clearly pleased by my honest response.

"Your method of comfort is quite unique."

Gazing into hisdeep, mesmerizing eyes, my vision blurred slightly. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw Leopold again.

I snapped back to harsh reality, realizing he was about to kiss me, and pushed him away with forceful determination.

"I'm tired. I need to rest in my room."

I stood up abruptly and hurried to my bedroom. Only after closing the door did I press my hand to my racing heart.

This was pure madness! Leo and Leopold were two different people—why did I keep seeing Leopold through Leo? 

Pull yourself together, Lucinda. The world doesn't revolve around Leopold. Stop thinking about him!

The next day, after sharing a quiet breakfast with Leo, I headed straight to the ballet company. The international ballet competition was fast approaching—a lifelong dream I had poured my heart and soul into for over twenty years. I had to perform.

Before that, however, I needed to cooperate with my doctor’s treatment, which meant requesting two weeks off. I needed to speak with the director.

"Cindy, you haven't been here for two days. Are you still unwell?"

"Yes, when you fell that day and didn't get up for so long, we were all scared. Are you better now?"

My colleagues surrounded me, their faces etched with genuine concern.

I smiled warmly. "I'm fine now."

With so many people around, I chose not to reveal the full truth. After exchanging brief pleasantries, I went directly to the director’s office.

I had barely knocked and stepped inside when I realized it wasn’t just Director Samuel Flores waiting there, but also Asher—the overseas ballet company director who had nearly assaulted me before.

My heart sank like a stone, though I maintained a calm, composed exterior.

"Mr. Flores, Mr. Wood, hello."

"Lucinda, perfect timing. I have something to tell you," Samuel said, gesturing for me to take a seat before continuing. "Next week's Swan Lake collaboration with the overseas company—you were originally cast as the lead, but Mr. Wood, concerned about your health, fears it might affect the performance. He's decided to replace you with Sophia."

My heart tightened painfully as I tried to advocate for myself. "Mr. Flores, I've recovered completely. I've been preparing for this performance for a month. I can handle the lead—"

"Lucinda,"Asher interrupted before I could finish, his tone sharp."I'm thinking of both companies. Neither your company nor mine can afford any mistakes."

Suppressing my rising discomfort, I tried to explain. "But I—"

"Enough." Asher raised his hand firmly to stop me. "Your problem is that you're too proud and inflexible. A dancer must adapt to unexpected situations on stage. You need more practice."

I clenched my fists in silent fury. Too proud? Not approachable enough? This was nothing but petty retaliation because I had publicly refused his sleazy attempt to ply me with alcohol at that dreadful dinner party!

Despicable!

"Of course," Asher added, eyeing me lasciviously, "this decision isn't set in stone. I happen to be free tonight. You could meet me privately to... persuade me."

I understood the vile implication perfectly, but since the international competition didn’t accept individual entries, I needed to remain with the company.

Still, I refused to submit to this kind of shameless exploitation.

"If both directors have decided to replace me, I accept the decision and am willing to support Sophia in a secondary role."

Asher’s expression darkened instantly, twisting into cold displeasure. "You're truly ungrateful!"

Leaving the director's office, I didn't even mention my leave request and headed off to change into my practice clothes.

On the way, I encountered Sophia. She strutted toward me in her towering stilettos, her face smug with triumphant glee.

"Lucinda, I'm sure you've heard. Your lead role is mine now. From this moment on, you're just my background scenery. The principal dancer reduced to this—how pathetic!"

I knew she was deliberately trying to provoke me, hoping I’d slip up and give her ammunition.

I refused to take the bait. "Are you finished? I need to change."

Seeing me about to walk away, Sophia blocked my path with a spiteful sneer.

"Lucinda, you can't win against me. Leopold, the lead role—they're both mine! You're nothing but a clown. One word from me, and you'll be kicked out of this company like a stray dog, with no chance of recovery!"