Uninvited Guest

Sofia's POV

Leandro didn’t speak a word as we walked back to his office.

And honestly? I was grateful for the silence.

The tension from that boardroom still clung to me like smoke. Adrian’s smug face, the bruise on his jaw, Hugo Florencio’s brutal dismissal of his own son… it all replayed in my mind like a slow-motion train wreck. And through it all, Leandro hadn’t flinched once. Not even when Adrian practically announced to the room that he’d punched him for me.

We entered his office, and the moment the door shut behind us, I exhaled — long and shaky.

“You okay?” he asked without looking at me. He walked over to the mini bar, poured a glass of water, and handed it to me without ceremony.

I nodded, took a sip, and let the coolness ground me. “That was… intense.”

He leaned against his desk, arms folded. “Adrian wanted a reaction. I gave him one yesterday. He won’t get another.”

“And his father?” I asked, lowering the glass.

Leandro’s mouth twitched into something between a smirk and a scowl. “Hugo knew exactly what his son was doing. Letting him hang himself in front of the board was his way of washing his hands.”

“And you?”

“I’ve already buried him.”

There was no rage in his voice. No bitterness. Just calm, cruel finality. That’s what made Leandro so terrifying — he didn’t threaten. He executed.

I leaned against the couch and sighed. “Do you think this is over?”

“With Adrian?” Leandro met my gaze. “Not even close.”

I was about to ask what the next step was when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned, then looked up at me sharply.

“Security just alerted me—someone’s making a scene outside the building. Screaming that her daughter works here.”

My heart stopped.

No.

No. No. No.

Leandro was already moving toward the security panel, but I was faster. I rushed to his side and grabbed his arm. “What does she look like?”

He gave me a strange look. “Older. Mid-50s. Bright red blouse. Loud. Security says she’s yelling your name.”

My stomach dropped so hard it hurt.

I didn’t need to see the footage. I didn’t need confirmation.

I knew exactly who it was.

“My mother,” I muttered, breath catching in my throat. “Shit.”

“Sofia,” Leandro said slowly, like he was testing the weight of the word. “Your mother?”

I nodded, frozen in place.

I hadn’t seen her in two years. Hadn’t spoken to her in nearly one. And that silence had been earned — painfully, over years of being used, drained, manipulated. The woman never called to ask how I was. Never offered support or affection. Only ever reached out when she needed money, rent, or a favor. And now she was here?

Causing a scene?

In front of everyone?

“Oh, God,” I groaned, turning away from him. “I need to go handle this.”

“Sofia—”

“Don’t. Please.” I didn’t want the questions. I didn’t want the pity. “Just give me a few minutes. I’ll get her out of here.”

He studied me for a long moment. “I’m coming with you.”

“What? No. You don’t need to—”

“I’m not letting anyone embarrass or harass you on my property,” he said simply, already reaching for his suit jacket. “I won’t interfere. But I’m not letting you go alone.”

I didn’t have the strength to argue. And truthfully? Part of me was relieved.

We took the elevator down in silence. The closer we got, the more my heart pounded. By the time we stepped out into the lobby, I could already hear her.

“Sofia! SOFIA FLORES! I know you’re in there, girl!”

Heads turned. Staff looked panicked. Security guards were trying to reason with her, but she wasn’t budging. She stood just outside the glass doors, hands on her hips, wearing a red floral blouse and cheap heels that clicked furiously against the pavement.

She looked exactly the same.

And exactly like my worst nightmare.

I pushed through the doors, heat crawling up my neck.

“Mom,” I snapped, approaching her quickly. “What are you doing here?”

Her eyes lit up with fake joy. “Ahh, there you are. I've been standing here for over fifteen minutes, screaming my lungs out!”

“Why?” I hissed. “What do you want?”

“Oh, don’t be dramatic. Is that how you greet your mother?” she said loudly, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d come see my hardworking daughter at her big fancy job.”

Bullshit.

She’d never visited me when I lived fifteen minutes away from her.

“Mom, you’re causing a scene,” I muttered.

“I haven’t even started causing a scene,” she shot back, her voice rising. “I raised you! I fed you! Now I need a little help, and suddenly you’re too important to even call me back?”

I froze.

There it was.

The real reason she was here.

Money.

Embarrassment clawed at my throat as people inside the lobby peered through the glass. I felt like I was shrinking — being reduced to that girl again. The one who was always apologizing. Always trying to explain why her mother made everything worse.

“Go home,” I said, voice shaking. “I’ll call you later.”

“I’m not leaving until we talk,” she said, crossing her arms. “Right here is fine.”

And then a shadow stepped beside me.

Tall. Dark. Commanding.

Leandro.

My mother’s face changed the second she saw him. Her mouth parted, eyes darting between us, and for once, she was quiet.

“I suggest you leave now,” Leandro said quietly, but firmly. “You’ve embarrassed my staff enough for one day.”

“Your staff?” she repeated, blinking.

“I’m Leandro Rossi. Sofia works directly under me. And whatever personal issue you two have, this is neither the place nor the way.”

Her mouth opened again — but for once, she had no comeback.

I turned to her, voice flat. “Goodbye, Mom.”

I walked away before she could say another word.

Leandro followed me back inside, and we rode the elevator in silence. My cheeks burned with shame. I hated that he’d seen that. I hated that anyone had seen that.

When we reached his office, I barely made it inside before I felt the first tear slip down.

“Don’t,” I whispered, brushing it away. “Don’t say anything.”

“I wasn’t going to,” he said, voice gentle now. “But… if you want to talk about it, I’m here.”

I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat.