His heart was all over the place.

On Monday, Alexis was at the airport, and to her surprise, Leonel was there already, helping with her Luggage.

“I can manage," she insisted, noticing his solitude.

Leonel's sparse words and her curiosity about his lone presence hung in the air as they proceeded to the security check-in.

Leonel had reserved their adjacent seats in the sparsely filled business class, ensuring they were alone.

The air between them grew subtly tense.

Alexis settled down, ready to drift off to sleep when Leonel's voice whispered near her ear. “How did the blind date go?"

She opened her eyes to find his face uncomfortably close to hers.

Shifting away discreetly, she replied, “It was alright. But discussing this, Mr. Douglas, seems inappropriate. We can remain silent if you don't want to talk business. Also, you don't need to be so close."

Leonel's voice was a hushed murmur. "You better hope your blind dates don't work out, because I won't let you be with anyone else."

Alexis shot back, "Aren't you the shameless one?"

She gave him a chilly look and closed her eyes, but her expression softened once they were shut, losing the sharp, cutting edge.

She appeared more gentle, obediently by his side.

Leonel curled up, gazing quietly and greedily at her sleeping face.

He missed her too much and couldn't resist gently touching her fingertips.

As Alexis slept, he cautiously held her hand, careful not to grasp too tightly.

Only in vulnerable times Like this could he catch a glimpse of her embrace.

Two hours later, the plane landed in Czanch.

Leonel had arranged a hotel room for Alexis, but she opted to go to the Evans family's residence instead. "I'll stay at Evans Gardon," she announced.

Leonel reached for her hand. "Then I'm staying there too."