Not So Perfect

23||

There were myriad reasons why Tayson often lingered in his office long after his employees had departed for the day. Important client meetings, financial reports, and design projects typically held his attention, leaving little room for distractions. Yet, Leona had managed to infiltrate his thoughts, consuming his every waking moment with her presence.

Embarrassment was a luxury he couldn't afford as he delved deeper into his investigation of her. The first article he stumbled upon painted her as a princess born with a silver spoon, a shining star in the pageant world. But it was the absence of any recent articles about her that gnawed at him, leaving him frustrated and restless.

"I can't believe my work has come to this—digging up the past lovers of people," Wes growled from the couch, his annoyance palpable.

Tayson sighed, rubbing his temples as he sifted through more information about Leona. Despite Wes's disdain for the task, Tayson couldn't shake the feeling that uncovering the truth about her disappearance held the key to unlocking the mystery that had consumed his thoughts.

"Did you find something?" Tayson inquired, his gaze flicking over to Wes who was hunched over his laptop.

"Not really," Wes replied, his eyes scanning the article displayed on the screen. "She was dating some guy in college, but they broke up after two months. And when she debuted, nothing. All they say is that she allegedly slept around with judges, bribed them, and got kicked out."

Tayson sighed, his attention drawn to an old picture of Leona displayed on his own screen. She was adorned in a shimmering gown, her smile radiant, yet there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes. What had dimmed that sparkle, he wondered.

"Why don't we try reaching out to people she was close to before?" Wes suggested, breaking the silence with a sigh.

"The only people she was close to are Ryan and Ronald. And we can't reach out to either of them," Tayson remarked, his frustration evident as he closed his laptop.

"I think you're missing something," Wes said, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he approached Tayson with his laptop in hand.

Tayson furrowed his brow as he watched the screen load, anticipation building within him. And then, in a matter of seconds, the image of a handsome young man filled the display, his green eyes mirroring Leona's own.

"Lev Pierce, her younger brother," Wes stated matter-of-factly. "He's the black sheep of the Pierce family, distinct from the rest, especially from his siblings. We only ever see him during his games and occasionally with his friend, Codrus."

Tayson didn't need an introduction to Lev Pierce. Known as one of the quietest and most unapproachable athletes, Lev had mastered the art of avoiding the press while still maintaining his notoriety. Despite his reluctance to attend social events, he was a well-known figure, with every award he received being collected by his loyal friend, Codrus, the captain of their ice hockey team. They have had few drinks together at some events, not to mention that Lev wasn't exactly pleasant one to be around. But Codrus was their common friend, so they had to be around each other. 

Finally, Tayson felt like he was getting closer to unraveling the truth about Leona Pierce.

The rest of the day passed in a blur for Tayson as he buried himself in work. Behind on deadlines and with a mountain of tasks to tackle, he found himself staying back once again in his office. It had become his sanctuary, a place where he could lose himself in the endless stream of tasks and forget about the chaos of the outside world.

His stomach rumbled with hunger, but the thought of eating felt like just another chore. He missed the family dinners they used to have, with Dalia, Axel, and sometimes Codrus joining them. His mother had always loved cooking and baking for their guests, showering them with warmth and hospitality. But after her cancer diagnosis, those dinners became increasingly rare, replaced by long hours at work and the numbing routine of his daily life.