Chapter 114: The Uninvited

Leitana smiled at Willow as she ushered her into the living room. “Welcome,” she said, feeling awkward but keeping the smile in place. Then she turned to Jim, who followed behind Willow with that same knowing smirk. He took the seat right next to her without asking, legs spread wide like he already owned the space.

“Wow,” Willow breathed, eyes wide as she slowly turned in a circle. “When they said the boss lived in a villa-style house, I didn’t picture this in my wildest imagination. It’s really beautiful.”

The room was massive, vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking acres of manicured gardens, cream marble floors veined with gold, and custom furniture that looked like it belonged in a museum. Willow’s gaze drifted over everything, jaw slightly slack.

Leitana forced another smile, side-eyeing Jim, who was openly scanning the space like he was appraising it for resale. She remembered inviting only Willow for lunch. Not her manager. She just didn’t know how to say it politely.

“How rich do you have to be to afford all this?” Willow murmured, still mesmerized, eyes tracing the wide, spacious living area. She’d seen big houses before—been in them—but this was jaw-droppingly different.

Jim turned to Leitana, smirk sharpening into something shark-like. “It seems you have to be bloody rich,” he said, laying heavy emphasis on the word bloody. The way it rolled off his tongue didn’t sit well with her at all.

Willow didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes suddenly dropped to Leitana’s legs, then traveled up. One perfectly sculpted brow arched.

“Is that… a boxer brief you’re wearing?”

Leitana’s face flushed crimson. It hit her all at once—she was still in Ravial’s oversized dress shirt and his black silk boxers underneath. No proper clothes. No bra. Bare legs. Bare feet. Hair wild from sleep and running around.

“Hehe, you’re so cute,” Willow said, laughing lightly. She stood up, towering over Leitana in her heels, then reached out and gently pushed a long, frizzy curl behind Leitana’s ear. “You’re drop-dead gorgeous even in just a simple cloth and frizzy hair.”

Leitana blinked. “Tank yu,” she said softly. She didn’t know what frizzy meant exactly, but Willow’s tone made it sound like a compliment, so she took it that way. Then she cleared her throat, glancing at Jim.

“Um… why Jim here?” she asked as politely as she could manage. “Mi invite only yu, Willow.”

Willow’s smile faltered. She opened her mouth…

But Jim stood up smoothly, cutting her off. His hand slid around Willow’s neck, casual looking, but possessive, thumb brushing her collarbone like he owned the skin there.

“Well, I was with her today,” he said, voice smooth and oily. “We were going over her next itinerary, photo shoots, brand meetings, the usual grind when she suddenly said she had to leave because she had to see you.” His eyes locked on Leitana’s. “I said, ‘I’ll come too. I’d like to pay my respects to the boss’s wife in person.’ And she said yes.”

Willow shifted uncomfortably under his grip. Her eyes flicked to Leitana, quick, almost pleading then away.

Leitana noticed.

She took one small step back, smile still polite but thinner now.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “What can mi offer yu?”

Willow opened her mouth. “Oh, I’m fine…”

“I’d like some wine,” Jim said immediately, sprawling back into the chair like he’d been invited to stay forever. “In this big mansion of yours, I’m sure you have wine.”

Willow shot him a look. “Jim…”

He cut her off with a soft “Shh, princess,” still smiling. But there was a cruel edge to it now.

Leitana took a deep breath. Annoyance flickered in her chest, not hot, not explosive, just a quiet, steady pressure. She didn’t know how to express it the way Avery would. She didn’t snap. She didn’t raise her voice. She just… felt it. And decided she didn’t like this man in her home.

She smiled again, a small calm smile.

“Mi staff will attend,” she said softly. “Mi go change quick.”

She turned and walked toward the kitchen.

Behind her, she heard Willow hiss something low at Jim.

She didn’t look back.

In the kitchen, the staff were already gathered, Clara, Maya, Rose, Phoebe all of them staring toward the living room with varying degrees of disgust.

Clara was the first to speak. “Who is that jerk?”

Maya crossed her arms. “Right? He gives me the ick.”

Rose shushed them. “Quiet, girls.”

Leitana stepped in, voice soft but firm. “Plis attend to him. Whatever he asks. But… watch him. Mi no trust him.”

Phoebe raised a brow. “Should we give him wine?”

Leitana nodded once. “Yes.”

The girls exchanged glances then nodded.

Leitana turned and hurried upstairs.

In her room, she closed the door, took a deep breath, and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. Ravial had taught her how to call, patiently, one tap at a time.

She pressed Lafu’s name.

It rang twice.

Lafu picked up immediately. “Leitana?”

“Jim came wid Willow,” Leitana said quietly “Him no supposed to be here.”

Lafu’s tone sharpened instantly. “That asshole.”

Leitana almost smiled, Lafu swearing was rare and oddly comforting.

“Mi need yu help,” Leitana continued. “Mi wan get Willow alone. Jus’ her. No Jim. Can yu find way?”

There was a pause then Lafu’s voice came back, low and determined.

“Leave it to me. I’ll be there. Give me ten minutes. You keep him distracted.”

Leitana exhaled. “Tank yu, Lafu.”

“Stay safe, okay? And if he tries anything… scream. Ravial’s men are everywhere.”

Leitana nodded even though Lafu couldn’t see.

“Mi know.”

She hung up.

Took another breath.

Then she changed, quickly, into a simple sundress, soft yellow, loose and comfortable. No boxers this time. No bare legs. She brushed her hair, smoothed it down, and looked at herself in the mirror.

She still looked soft.

But inside… something had hardened.

Not anger.

Not hate.

Just… resolve.

Jim thought he could walk into her home and play games.

He was wrong.

She walked back downstairs.

Willow was laughing at something Jim said, forced, too bright.

Jim’s eyes flicked to Leitana the moment she appeared.

His smile sharpened.

Leitana smiled back, sweet, calm, utterly disarming.

And somewhere in the back of her mind, a quiet thought formed:

He doesn’t know who he’s playing with.

Because she might not get angry.

But she did protect what she loved.

And right now…

She loved Willow enough to save her from him.

Even if Willow didn’t know it yet.