Not So Perfect

13||

"You did this?" Leona's voice was absentminded, her eyes roaming over the grandeur of her new place. The mansion seemed like it teetered on the edge of the universe: cold, silent, and shrouded in darkness.

Tayson's voice, tinged with offense, echoed around them. "What's with the judgmental tone? Do you doubt my abilities?"

"Of course I do. Have you seen your apartment?" She could feel his gaze tracking her movements. "What's wrong with my apartment?"

"You bleached your apartment instead of your soul. What more could be wrong?"

Tayson sneered. "I prefer my space neat, clean, bright, and artistic. I apologize if God gave you zero taste in aesthetics."

They were standing in the mansion where Leona was about to move in. The place captivated her with its icy shroud of shadows. Everything was black, from the sleek night-sky furniture to the deep velvet curtains. Daylight had to fight its way through the satin drapes, like the midnight sea casting a veil over the gothic windows. It was the exact opposite of Tayson's minimalist taste, and yet he had executed it flawlessly.

Leona's eyes, a blank slate before, now sparkled with wonder as she admired the chandeliers and the lavender-scented candles glowing softly. Her boots made a harmonious click as she ascended the inky stairs. This wasn't just a house; it was a palace.

"Either this guy has a fortune, or he's hiding corpses in here," she whispered to herself, making her way down the corridor leading to the bedrooms. As she had hoped, her bedroom did not disappoint.

The room was a testament to opulence: a black mattress, velvety curtains, a polished marble desk, and candelabras arranged with meticulous care. It was a bedroom fit for a queen.

"You look thrilled," Tayson remarked, his footsteps echoing as he followed her into the room.

"I've seen better." Leona gave him a withering look as he flopped onto the bed with an air of ownership. It might as well have been his, but whatever. "Get off. I don't need your gross perfume on my bed."

"Why? Are you tempted to join me?" Tayson propped himself up on one elbow, resting his cheek on his palm, a provocative smile playing on his lips. Dressed in a casual black t-shirt and joggers, his usually meticulous hair was tousled. He looked almost endearingly disheveled, and it grated on her nerves.

Leona turned away, heading toward the deck. The brisk winter wind greeted her with a fierce kiss as she looked out over the small lake and expansive yard. The view was breathtaking, and she felt a pang of satisfaction. The house, with its tranquil setting, was impressive. She was struck by the realization that she was back for good, despite her previous resolve never to return. Life, as always, had a way of being a capricious tormentor.

Tayson's broad frame appeared beside her, taking up more space than necessary. Though he wasn't touching her, his presence was overwhelming, his warmth palpable. He smelled clean, like fresh mountain air and forest mornings.

"So, do you like the place?" he asked, his voice low and casual.

"Like I said, I've seen better."

She heard the sneer in his voice, though he chose not to comment further. They stood in silence, listening to the whispers of leaves stirred by the wind. The mansion in Malibu was roughly an hour from Los Angeles—an ideal distance since she wouldn't be visiting the company often. It was a perfect retreat, even if the road to her return had been anything but easy.

"Leona," Tayson's voice was closer now, rich and silken. Leona swallowed thickly and hummed in response. "How's London?"

His casual question threw her off balance. She almost asked him to leave but opted instead to answer, "Better than Los Angeles. People mind their own business."

"You know people there? That's surprising," Tayson remarked, a teasing chuckle in his voice.

"You speak as if you have brunch with everyone on the street and socialize like your life depends on it," she retorted, rolling her eyes as she took out a cigarette and lit it.

"I don't. But I also don't scowl at every living being who tries to strike up a conversation," he shot back. "Seriously, if we're going to work better together, we need to know each other more."

"Alright, I'm Leona. I'm Raven, and I'm rich. Your turn," she said, puffing out smoke and giving him a nod to continue.

"Wow, I feel like I've known you forever. Can you please not overshare?" His taunt was accompanied by a smirk, and Leona found herself chuckling.

"Did you just chuckle?" His astonishment was genuine. He stared at her, and despite herself, she had to admit he was excruciatingly handsome. His thick, luscious hair danced with the wind, and his bright eyes regarded her with an unsettling familiarity. "Wow, you actually chuckled. Be careful," he warned with a playful smirk. "Or I might start thinking you're falling for me."

Leona leaned in closer, her voice a soft whisper. "You should be careful because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're the one falling."

"For you?" His eyes sparkled with amusement.

"No, right off this balcony. I'm a millisecond away from pushing you down if you don't leave," she said, a dangerous edge to her voice. His laughter rang out, rich and genuine, and it startled her. She hadn't expected to find his laughter—let alone him—so captivating.

Her fingers grazed against his on the balustrade and even through the black velvet gloves she felt heat crackling down her spine, simmering her lungs with zeal. Her eyes moved from their hands to his face, only to realize that he was already looking at her. His expressions taunt, eyebrows in a slight scrunch.

Before she could pull away, Tayson distanced himself. "Since I've confirmed that there aren't any issues with your stay, I'll take my leave," he said, nodding at her. "There will be tight security around since the locality is quiet. It's for your safety."

Leona inhaled deeply from her cigarette, hoping to exhale her annoyance along with the smoke. She watched Tayson saunter out of the bedroom, his presence still unsettlingly vivid in her mind. From the sundeck, she saw him chatting with one of the security guards. As he approached his car, he glanced back at her, and she couldn't resist.

"You waiting for me to blow you a kiss or something?" she shouted, her voice cutting through the evening stillness.

Tayson shook his head with an amused smile, then slid into his car. The engine roared to life, and the sound gradually faded into the cool night air. But even as the rumble of his car disappeared, his presence lingered like a stubborn perfume.

Leona watched him drive off, and with a huff, she tossed her cigarette butt into the ashtray. "What a show-off," she muttered to herself.