Chapter 2Managing Assets

I woke up the next morning, my voice hoarse. It was... a good reunion.

Julian may be twenty-eight, but his stamina had only improved.

I slipped out of bed. He grabbed my wrist. "Don't go to the office. Stay. It's been three years."

I pulled my hand free, fastening my cufflink. "Don't be ridiculous. I run an empire. My time is money."

He sat up, his eyes intense. "My quotes are only getting higher. I can support you."

I laughed. But I wasn't mad. It was... cute. The naive, passionate declaration of a man who still thinks he's the main character.

I grabbed my Hermès and my Aston Martin keys. "Call me when you make the Forbes list, darling."

He was speechless.

I spent the morning in back-to-back meetings. At noon, my assistant brought in lunch.

Duck and bamboo shoot soup, black truffle-infused mushrooms, cod in a crab-roe broth, and a soufflé.

Leo was a culinary genius. It was, after his face, his primary value.

"Where's Leo?" I asked. He usually stayed to eat with me.

"Mr. Nie dropped off the food and left, ma'am. He... he seemed unwell."

I checked my phone. A dozen missed calls from last night.

7 PM: [The soup is ready. Come home?] 9 PM: [I showered... I'm wearing the... tail... you like.] 11 PM: [If you're not coming home, I'm going back to my dorm.] 2 AM: [Please come back. I'm begging you. I miss you...]

I put the phone down. He cried himself to sleep, and now he's throwing a tantrum. I'll deal with it tonight.

Just as I predicted, I got home and found him packing a suitcase, his eyes swollen.

He ignored me. I grabbed his chin, forcing his head up.

"Why are you leaving? Is my money not good enough? Or am I not f*cking you hard enough?"

His eyes were red, trying to look cold. "Your real boyfriend is back. The stand-in knows when to exit."

I sighed. "Don't you feel it? This isn't just about him anymore."

His lip trembled. "You chose him last night. You... you know I waited all night? The soup boiled dry..."

He broke. "All this time... it was all a lie!"

I frowned. "I don't like men who cry. And I didn't 'choose' anyone.

"I already sent the wire for your mother's medical bills and your father's gambling debts. I doubled it. If you're still upset, I'll add another fifty grand to your monthly allowance."

His sobbing stopped. His eyes, wide and wet, just blinked. "Didn't... choose?"

He wiped his face, a little smile breaking through.

I opened my arms. He collapsed into them.

I stroked his back. He smelled so good. "Honestly, Leo," I murmured, "I have a soft spot for you. The deadbeat dad, the sick mom... your life is a mess. I know this isn't easy for you. I can't stand to see a man cry."

He sniffled, "I'll go shower."

"Good boy."

Men are simple. Give them a little validation, and they're yours.

While he was showering, I checked my feeds.

Julian had posted a new promo shot, his abs defined. The caption: [You Only].

I liked it. Comment: [Needs to be spicier.]

He messaged me instantly.

[Tonight?]

I sent him a picture of my desk. [Working.]

I put my phone down and sipped my wine.

It's exhausting managing this many male egos. Good thing I'm a professional.