Chapter 20 Peaceful night
CHAPTER 20
Peaceful night
Nora and two other staff members served them, but even they moved with extra softness, aware of the unspoken atmosphere between Leo and Ruby.
Ruby only managed half her food. She was hungry, but something about the way Leo sat across from her calm but intense made her chest tighten.
“You’re not eating,” Leo noted gently.
“I am,” Ruby replied softly, taking another small bite.
He studied her quietly, then placed his fork down.
“If you’re tired, we can stop here.”
Ruby shook her head quickly. “No, I’m fine. Really.”
He didn’t push further. He never pushed—he only observed, as though trying to learn her without making her uncomfortable.
After dinner, Leo stood from his seat, slipping his hands into his pockets casually.
“Come with me,” he said.
Ruby blinked. “Where?”
“To my favorite place in the estate.”
Her heart skipped.
Without waiting for questions, Leo walked ahead, and Ruby followed. His long strides were slow enough for her to keep up. They passed the hallway, the large staircase, and then a smaller, dimly lit corridor Ruby hadn’t seen before.
“Where does this go?” she whispered.
“You’ll see.”
At the end of the corridor was a glass door leading outside. The evening air brushed Ruby’s skin as they stepped out. A stone pathway led to a small elevated garden overlooking the wider fields behind the mansion. The sky was dark but clear, sprinkled with thousands of stars like scattered diamonds.
“This is where I come when I need silence,” Leo said quietly.
Ruby stepped farther, her eyes widening.
“It’s beautiful.”
Leo’s gaze drifted to her.
“Yes,” he murmured, “it is.”
A soft breeze brushed her hair across her cheek, and Leo reached out instinctively—then stopped himself. His hand hovered for a second before falling back into his pocket.
“This is also where the fireworks happen,” he added.
“Fireworks?” Ruby asked, turning to him.
“Yes. On New Year’s, on business milestones… and on my father’s request when he wants to celebrate something.”
Ruby bit her lip. “Have you ever watched them alone?”
“Often.”
She looked at him, her eyes soft.
“That sounds lonely.”
Leo gave a low exhale—something between a laugh and a sigh.
“Being lonely is normal for me.”
Ruby’s chest tightened.
“You don’t deserve that.”
His gaze snapped to hers, caught off guard.
“Ruby…”
“There’s something you need to know.”
Ruby nodded, waiting.
“My stepmother is hosting a birthday party tomorrow night.”
Ruby didn’t expect that. “Oh…”
“It’s a house event,” Leo continued. “A rather large one. Family, business associates, partners… many people will be there.”
Ruby tensed. She already imagined herself hiding behind the curtains.
Leo noticed.
“You don’t have to be scared.”
“I’m not,” Ruby lied—poorly.
“You are,” he said calmly. “But it’s okay.”
She lowered her head. “…Do I have to attend?”
“Yes.”
His voice was firm but gentle.
“I need to introduce you to my father.”
Ruby froze completely.
“Your… father?” she whispered.
“Yes.”
Her fingers trembled slightly.
“But… Why me?” she murmured. “What would I say? What will he think of me? Won’t people judge—?”
Leo stepped closer, just enough for her to feel his presence.
“Ruby.”
She looked up slowly.
“No one will judge you,” he said. “Not while I’m there.”
Her breath hitched.
“Leo…”
“And my father,” he added, “needs to know who you are. I won’t hide you.”
Those words washed over Ruby like warm water. No one had ever introduced her with pride. No one had ever wanted anyone to know her at all.
Leo continued softly, “You’ll stand beside me. That’s all you need to do. I’ll handle everything else.”
She nodded slowly. “Okay… if you’re there, I can try.”
Leo’s lips curved into the faintest hint of approval.
“Good.”
After a moment, he looked toward the small stone bench at the center of the private garden.
“Sit. I brought something,” he said.
He walked toward a side box under the bench and opened it, removing two small containers—snacks.
Ruby’s eyes brightened. “You keep snacks out here?”
“It’s my private stash,” he said simply. “Don’t tell Nora. She’ll hide them because she thinks it’s unprofessional.”
Ruby laughed softly.
“That’s adorable.”
Leo stiffened slightly.
“Adorable?”
Ruby nodded playfully.
“Yes, very.”
He coughed, looking away, embarrassed.
“I don’t think anyone has ever called me that.”
“I just did,” she giggled.
He shook his head, trying—and failing—to hide a smile.
They sat together on the bench. Ruby opened a container and gasped softly.
“Cookies?”
“Chocolate chip,” he replied. “Nora bakes them sometimes. She leaves them here when she knows I’ve had a stressful week.”
Ruby lifted one. “Do you eat them often?”
“No. I usually forget.”
“Then I’ll help you eat them,” she said, taking a bite.
Leo watched her with an amused expression.
“That’s fine.”
They shared snacks quietly, the peaceful night wrapping around them. The stars glimmered above, the breeze carried the faint scent of flowers, and for the first time in a long time… Ruby felt safe.
After a few minutes, Ruby yawned softly.
Leo looked at her immediately.
“You’re tired.”
“No… just a little,” she murmured, rubbing her eyes.
“You’re still recovering,” he said gently. “You shouldn’t push yourself.”
Her head leaned slightly, and before she knew it, it rested on Leo’s shoulder. Her body froze in embarrassment, but he didn’t move away.
Instead, he breathed out quietly… calmly… like her presence eased something inside him.
“You can sleep,” he murmured.
“I didn’t mean to—” Ruby whispered, half asleep.
“It’s fine.”
Ruby’s eyelids grew heavy.
Leo shifted slightly to support her head better, making sure she wouldn’t slip.
“Leo?” she whispered, half conscious.
“Yes?”
“Why are you… being so kind to me?”
He looked down at her small frame leaning against him, her fingers curled gently, her breathing soft.
“Because you need kindness,” he said quietly.
“And because… I’m not as heartless as people think.”
Ruby let out a tiny, sleepy sigh.
“I don’t think you are.”
Leo looked at her for a long time.
Then, with a soft exhale, he allowed hi
mself something he rarely did—he relaxed.
Eventually, Ruby’s breathing deepened. Leo leaned back slightly, his own eyes heavy from the long day.
He didn’t intend to sleep. He only meant to rest for a moment.