Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The man paused for a moment, his gaze shifting to York. "Leda, who's this?" he asked, clearly expecting Leda to do the introductions.

York was just as curious to hear how she'd introduce him. He kept his expression neutral, though he was all ears, a flicker of anticipation dancing in his eyes.

"Oh, this is York, the heir to the Gibson family," Leda said casually.

Well, that was... not wrong, but not quite what the two men were hoping to hear. "So, is he your...?" the colleague probed further.

This time York didn't wait for her to answer. He jumped in, "Boyfriend. I'm her boyfriend." He repeated it for emphasis, "I am her boyfriend."

The colleague turned to Leda for confirmation, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

This made Mr. Gibson chuckle with a mix of amusement and frustration. He wrapped an arm possessively around Leda's waist, pulling her closer.

Leda played along, leaning gently into his embrace and nodding at the colleague. "Yes, he is," she confirmed.

The colleague walked away looking a bit deflated.

As soon as he was out of sight, Leda stood upright and swatted York's hand off her shoulder. "Alright, enough. He's gone."

York winced at the sharp smack, shaking his hand as if to shake off the sting. "Ow! Could you be any gentler?!"

Leda smirked, "Nope."

unanswered, texts

kept calling over and over, Mr. Gibson? Haven't you got anything better

on time,

what? Did we have an appointment?" Leda looked genuinely

widened. "Didn't you say you didn't have to work late

asked you to pick

an all-nighter, but that didn't mean she could leave immediately. She still had work to wrap up and besides, she had her car

looking a bit

tone slightly.

uh, official boyfriend-this was the sort of thing I should do." Content

you're not even close to having the

froze for a second, then

anged, his voice

a softer,

Is this

finally cracked a smile.

the passenger

car's just over there," she