Chapter 22 Captured in Light
Leitana squinted against the sudden flash, blinking rapidly to make sense of what had just happened. A woman was walking up the stone steps toward her, dressed in a pant suit unlike anything she’d ever seen. The blazer was slightly open, and… her chest was partially exposed. Leitana didn’t know what kind of clothing it was, or why it seemed so daring, yet the woman carried it effortlessly, radiating confidence with every step.
“I’m so sorry,” the woman said softly as she approached, her voice calm and warm. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Leitana only nodded, words failing her.
The woman crouched slightly, holding a small camera toward her. “I couldn’t help myself,” she said, smiling. “You were just… so beautiful, I had to capture it.”
Leitana’s eyes widened as the woman showed her the photo. Her chest tightened, hands trembling. Her long hair spilled to her thighs, moonlight catching every strand. Her chest and waist seemed sculpted, and her gaze lifted skyward—innocent yet magnetic. She looked… like a temptress.
“I…I… that’s… me?” she whispered, small, disbelieving.
“Yes,” the woman said, stepping closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her fingers lingered gently. “You… are extraordinary. Do you… model?”
Leitana froze. “Mo… model? I… I don’t know what that is,” she admitted, confusion coating her words.
The woman’s eyes widened briefly, then she laughed softly, rich and amused. “Ah, you’re teasing me! No, no… I see. That’s fine. Truly, though—you are stunning. In front of a camera? Even more. You have presence. An aura. People notice you immediately.”
Leitana’s stomach twisted. “I… I don’t… I’m not… I don’t know…”
The woman smiled reassuringly. “It’s alright. You don’t need to know yet. But this… this is special. If you wanted, you could do so much. Photography, modeling… campaigns. You have the kind of beauty that draws the eye naturally.”
Leitana’s heart pounded. She didn’t understand why the photo, the woman’s words, the touch of her hand—everything—made her feel alive, exposed in a way that was thrilling and terrifying.
Finally, the woman introduced herself, professional yet gentle. “I’m Lafu. I’m a photographer. I work with magazines, brands… campaigns. But tonight, I just had to capture you. You’re unforgettable.”
Leitana swallowed hard, staring at Lafu, at the camera, at herself in the image. She’d never imagined this… never thought the world could see her like this.
Lafu smiled warmly, reaching into her blazer pocket and pulling out a sleek card. “Here,” she said, handing it to Leitana. “I’d love to work with you. I’m always looking for new faces, models, actors, influencers… but you… you have something different. You could be big. Truly big. I want you on my team.”
Leitana stared at the card, heart hammering, words failing her. She opened her mouth, unsure what to say, when suddenly…
“Little lamb.”
The voice… dark, low, impossible to ignore. Leitana’s head snapped up. There, at the top of the steps, stood Ravial. His blindfolded eyes, black and intense, seemed to pierce straight through her. Without a sound, he had rushed down the stairs, his long coat flowing like a shadow behind him.
Before she could react, he reached her. Strong hands brushed over her shoulders, lifted her chin, cupping her face as if she were fragile porcelain. “Why did you leave my side?” he murmured, husky. “And why are you standing out here, little lamb?”
Lafu froze, jaw dropping. Ravial Ashbourne. The Trillionaire. The man whose name made her colleagues whisper in awe and fear. The one who practically owned half the agencies she worked with. The man who could intimidate anyone with a single glance.
And yet… here he was. Holding this small, delicate girl.
Lafu’s hands trembled as she watched him hold the tiny woman, impossibly beautiful against his chest. Who is she? How did he get here so fast with that blindfold?
The rumors she’d heard at the agency… all true. Some said he couldn’t see at all. Others whispered he could see perfectly, but no one dared question him. Now, watching him, she knew he could see. Every trembling detail, every subtle breath. And he was only looking at her.
She shrank slightly. That black blindfold. That massive frame. That presence… he looked like he could snap her in two. And yet… the small woman in front of him seemed untouchable, wrapped in his dark, commanding aura.
“You…” Ravial’s voice cut through her thoughts, low and lethal. “Who are you?”
Lafu blinked, words tangling in her throat. “I… I work… I work for…” she stammered. “One of your agencies, sir. I… I’m with your entertainment and modeling department.”
He didn’t react. Not a flicker. Not a care. She knew his empire, fashion, entertainment, modeling, agencies, beyond. She’d heard the whispers, the fear. And yet… nothing.
Lafu swallowed hard, fumbling with her camera. “I… I took a picture of her. She’s… she’s beautiful. I thought… maybe she could get into modeling.”
The moment the words left her lips, Ravial’s head snapped toward her. The intensity of his blindfolded gaze made her knees weaken. “You took a picture of… my wife?” His voice was low, deadly, calm.
Her heart skipped. His wife? That tiny… perfect little thing? The rumors were real, standing right in front of her.
“I… I….” she stammered. “I thought… I mean… she looks amazing in pictures… she could get into modeling…” She raised her camera, trembling, showing him the photo.
Ravial’s hands tightened slightly around the small woman, still focused entirely on her. “Modeling?” he murmured, almost to himself. His lips curved faintly, brushing her world with dangerous warmth.
Lafu felt the weight of the room crush her. She’d seen him from afar, heard the whispers, feared him but none of that prepared her. Not seeing him rush to his wife. Not seeing him react this way. Not seeing her completely consumed by him.
The photograph in her hand suddenly felt like a key. More than a picture. Proof of the only thing untouchable in Ravial Ashbourne’s world: the small, fragile, utterly beautiful wom
an who had captured his attention and made everything else vanish.