|Crumbling heart|

The maroon Rolls Royce felicitously hustled inside the enormous celestial gates as the guards instantly spruced up at the sight of the person. 

A bulky and intimidating bodyguard unfastened the door to let the man dressed in an extravagant suit step out. 

The facsimile of colossal crystal shone on his polished black shoes as the old man grimly fixed his glasses and took powerful strides in his company.  

"Good Morning, Mr. Kwon," the secretary addressed him when he trod into the elevator. 

"Morning. Is back Sung-Ho from Ulsan?" Daeshim, the father of Sung-Ho, and chairperson of the largest international fashion designing company; Crystal Paradise.

"Not yet, sir. But he said he would be back soon," the secretary replied as he shifted uncomfortably, wanting to say something but couldn't. When they reached the fifth floor, the man could not remain silent and apprehensively spoke, "Sir, somebody is waiting for you."

"Who?"

"I don't know. She is a woman."

Daeshim furrowed his thick eyebrows. "If you don't know why would you let her in?"

"She had the golden entry card."

The old man's heart momentarily dropped and his breath plucked in his throat. Only the family members had the right to carry a golden entry card. When his footsteps culminated in front of his office, his secretary push opens the door. 

The dark Rapunzel was sublimely lotus on the huge swivel leather chair. Her obsidian velvet gloves swathed her pearly hands up to the elbows.

"Hello, sir," she greeted. Her turquoise eyes heaved up to crash with the stunned old man, who stared at her with pure incredulity. Leona smiled, heart-swelling up with the avalanche of emotions. "Or should I say, dad?"

"Who the fuck let her in?!" Daeshim hollered at his poor assistant, eyes bulging out of sockets but the reaction didn't surprise Leona.

"Calm down, don't you have a blood pressure issue," She asked him, voice abandoning all the sass that she gloriously crowned her tongue with.

"Get out!" he commanded the man with a strident tone, and they were soon left alone.

Leona's heart trembled, pondering how long it had been since she smiled at her father and he patted her head.

"Your presence is staining my office," Daeshim said, his eyes throbbing with wrath revolved into pure animosity.

Leona kept her hands folded against her chest, staring at him with a cadaverous smile, but the noise of her heart smashing to smithereens tormentedly inflamed her ears.

"Time flies by, doesn't it? It's been five years since we met," She said, throat aching and simmering with ennui.

Daeshim clenched his jaw. "You are shameless, aren't you Leona?"

The next moment an acrimonious sting flared in the room. Leona's cheek prickled with the slap that was just bestowed on her. 

"How the hell you gathered the courage to look in my eyes?" he growled, rubbing his sore palm.

Tears brimmed her eyes, nuzzling down her scarlet face. A lump of pain rose in her throat, but she bit her tongue hard, favoring the searing blood to grope her absinthe mouth. 

"You prostitute! Why are you even alive? To disgrace me? Wasn't what you did years ago enough? This face! I loathe it! How dare you step your filthy feet into my company?"

Aren't fathers supposed to protect you? Tug you in his arms when the world turns monster?

Why doesn't he look relieved to see me fine? To see me alive? Why not say that he missed me, Leona looked down at her feet, before amassing herself and looking into the hate-filled eyes.

"Happy birthday dad," she said with a firm voice and a smile that didn't extoll the silver streams of her unshed tears. "I wish you to live a long life. If I could, I would have given you the rest of the years of my life."

She stepped right, she headed towards the door, leaving the man glaring at her.

"If you want to give me a gift, then just don't show your disgusting face to me or my family. I can't risk this all for you," his voice boomed behind her. Leona smiled to herself, embodying her sunglasses and departing from the office.

She traveled out of the company, heading straight to the car park for her. Ryan immediately held the backseat door open for her to slide in and he ascended into the driver's seat.

Sighing out heavily, Leona purged off her shades, staring out of the window. Through the rear mirror, Ryan attentively scrutinized her.

A red mark on her cheek was prominent and it burst his heart with rage.

"How the fuck he lay his hands on-"

"Just drive," Leona sharply cut him off. "Jimin too must be cursing me for being late."

Clenching his jaw and gulping the vehemence directed towards Daeshim, Ryan commenced steering.

.

.

.

"Yes, mom. I am fine. Just a little migraine won't kill me," He assured his mother, looking at the files in his hands.

"Your migraine is becoming worst. Chohee and Chul told me how it troubles you. Jimin, take a break. Shoots and work can wait."

"I will. You know the New York art festival is around the corner. There's a lot to handle. But I am fine." He rubbed his temples when a sharp sting struck his head.

Seren sighed. "I wish I was there to twist your ear and drag you home."

I wish that too. "Then take care of yourself and be healthy so you can come back home. I didn't tell you but dad broke your favorite pan, vase and how can I forget that insanely expensive limited edition perfume bottle."

Silence filled in, and Jimin knew his dad was busted. "Son, I am inviting you to the funeral of my ex-husband."

Jimin laughed, feeling a lot better. "Don't bail on me saying I told you. Let me call you back later, I am heading to meet someone."

"Girlfriend?" A slight playful shift in her lavender voice sailed his mood.

Jimin rolled his eyes and glanced at the Rolex watch on his wrist. "Secret wife. Now, I am leaving. Rest well, I will visit you soon." With that, he hung up and called his manager to check up on Leona.

"Is she here?"

"Yes. She just arrived. I will guide her through the VVIP route to her office. Don't worry, the section is cleared for her."

Jimin hummed and disconnected the call, silently hoping that nothing goes wrong. He was still manifesting about Sia and Leona. But all he could conclude was that maybe the reason behind Leona's soreness towards Sia revolved around the beauty pageant crown. 

"She wouldn't be jealous of Sia cause she won the crown, right?" he pondered. "Is she seeking some sort of revenge? Then her tricks are childish." 

Shrugging off his thoughts, he trudged into the elevator to get on the floor above him though there was an elevator that directed led him to her office.  A strange feeling nestled in the pit of his stomach at the inkling of seeing her again.

He couldn't lie.

 Leona is the hottest and the most seductive woman he had laid his eyes on. The fact that she didn't try to be one just amplified a stroke of glitters to her charm. Everything about her is enthralling. Her extraordinary eyes, dainty nose, spine-chilling smile, saffron complexion to her cheeks, and her long hair veiling her juicy ass. And he-

"I fucking need to wash my brain with acid," he groaned, apprehending where his dirty mind was heading.

With a low clatter, the elevator finalized and Jimin traipsed out. Highly genteel shoes clicked on the glossy ivory tiled floor, as he walked with his right hand in the pocket of his trousers. 

"I don't like this." It was her.

His eyes rolled on their own accord when he heard her fusing even before getting inside her office. Jimin pushed open the tinted glass door and the next moment his eyes found her. 

Again a strange sensation thrilled his bones when he looked at her infamous ice floe face.

"Hey," he said to her and smiled at Ryan, stepping into the chilled office.

"Jimin," she called out so delicately that momentarily he froze, balling the hand in his pocket.

"Yes?"

"This," Leona gestured at her turtle neck charcoal Bodycon dress that stifled her irresistibly curvilinear waist and viscid ass. As usual, her artistic hands were captured in burnished velvet mittens, although her fingers were unleashed and the ink engraved on them was in view.

"This is worldwide known as black color, you seem to not know that fact," she said, eyes dwindling in sheer displeasure. 

"And?" Jimin shrugged, running his hand through his hair and looking around the vibrant office. 

"Jimin. I am not going to work in this office," Leona said in a rigid tone. The man could read the uneasiness in her voice.

"Look," He started, "I prepared a house for you just the way you wanted, and let me tell you that more than fifty people worked on the interiors. It cost me a fortune. That house is your private place, but this is my territory, Leona. There will be my rules."

"Like I give a damn about your rules."

"Oh baby, you should," a smirk crept on his lush lips and he darted his tongue out to run it over his lower lip. "I am your boss, you seem to not know that fact."

Leona sighed and for the first time, she didn't make a comeback to shut him up which he found odd. Like always, she looked out of place. An otherworldly goddess crowing her dark aura that didn't blend with the sunlight twinkling throughout the silky curtains.

"My eyes hurt," she rumbled.

My dick too, he silently said. 

The lavish office was sprinkled with whites, marines, and turquoise. He personally selected those colours. From the ceiling to the furniture, everything was glowing bright and cheerful. He made sure that not even a sliver of black dwelled in the interior.

 "You will get used to this. I mean, you got no choice, anyway," he told her.

"At least, give me a black chair so my ass can relax," she said, hanging her purse to Ryan.

Jimin chuckled, shooting a flirty wink. "You can always use my lap to feel relaxed, you know."

"Fuck off."

Smirking, Jimin settled on the turquoise couch and motioned her to sit on the creamy blue tub chair. She reluctantly took the seat, trepidation clear in the ocean of her eyes.

Why she's so uncomfortable around colors? She's an artist for hell's sake.

Chul placed the cups of place black coffee and creamy latte on the small table and withdrew out of the office with Ryan.

"These are some legal papers that need your immediate attention, go through them one's." Jimin handed her the files and she accepted them without a word.

Leona picked the mug and seized a sip, heaving a breath out of condolence. Weariness was apparent in her striking features.

"Where were you this morning?" he asked, knowing she wouldn't answer him.

"With your father, on a date," Leona deadpanned. "Any more questions?"

"My father got good taste in woman, so you got no chance," Jimin chimed.

For some reason, Jimin found her...sad. As if she was clutching her bleeding soul, trying to fix herself by acting all rude and cold. 

Why are you like this? he almost asked.

"I talked with Ronald's son. He doesn't know your identity, he thinks you are an old man," he said, shifting his tone to professional so he could avoid any intense conversation.

Leona hummed in response, silently urging him to speak further.

"I had a conversation with him about transferring your all paintings over to Park Visions. But he said he would do that once you send him an official email regarding your termination."

"I will get it done." She nodded.

"Fine. Also, the media and fans are berserk. They are literally hanging around the airport thinking Ebony will be back due to the death of Ronald. Your identity is in great threat for a while. I asked Ronald's son to not give any official statement regarding your resignation from Kang's Corps. Even Parks hasn't given out an official statement. So, in this company, only I and Chul know about you. Try to not leave the house."

Leona nodded her head, not even looking at him, and Jimin grew impatient. 

Come on, say something sassy, argue back. Why so dull, cub?

"Are you okay? Is something wrong?" He asked, a glimmer of concern prevailed in his tone, though he didn't want to sound bothered.

"Is the question related to my work?" Leona looked astonished at his question and the expressionless gleam obscured her face. 

Jimin cleared his throat, flickering his eyes away from her fiery eyes. "No, I j-"

"Then mind your fucking business, Mr. Park. I guess we are done here, you can leave." She stood, and just like that the Leona he was aware of, growled.

Jimin sneered, standing up and staring at her. "Watch your mouth when you talk to me. As much as hot and alluring you look while swearing, I will still make you regret it, Leona."

⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆

ʜᴏᴡs ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ?

ɪs ɪᴛ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʙᴏʀɪɴɢ?
ᴛʜᴇɴ sᴏʀʀʏ!

ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs.

It's a slow burn guy, we have a long way to go. Hope you stick around.