Love's Remedies: Falling For My Stoic Hero

Chapter1 He Doesn't Want Me Anymore "Nate, be careful... It's too much for me..." Leanna Powell heard the voice of a woman whose moans intensified from the bedroom. At twenty, Leanna was no stranger to what these sounds usually meant. Yet, in this villa, it was just her and her uncle, Nate Holland. She refused to believe he was the one that made the woman moan in the bedroom. The folder fell from her grip, papers scattering everywhere, as Leanna hastened to the bedroom door and flung it open. Inside, the light was faint, a man's back visible, moving in a steady rhythm, his lower half obscured by a thin quilt. The man's face was out of view. Just by seeing his back, she knew it was her uncle. Underneath him, a woman appeared to be in the throes of immense pleasure. Overwhelmed with emotion, Leanna picked up a shoe by the door and threw it at them, shouting, "Nate, I hate you!" Then, she bolted from the room. After she slammed the gate of this villa, Nate sat up, tossing aside the quilt. His upper body was bare, but he was wearing pants. Lighting a cigarette, he inhaled deeply and exhaled, the smoke blurring his attractive features. His eyes were cold and menacing, showing no lust. The woman sat up, too. She reached for Nate's waist with a seductive smile. "Let's not let this upset us. Shall we go on?" Nate looked at her unemotionally and ordered sharply, "Leave now." The woman hesitated, longing to turn their staged act into reality. "Nate," she whispered, tracing her fingers along his waist. In this city, Elesmond, Nate Holland's authority was unmatched. His commands were seldom challenged, and those who did often faced severe consequences. Without a second thought, Nate shoved the woman off the bed. "Darren, escort her out." "Understood, boss." The woman put up a fight but eventually, Darren Willis, his assistant, escorted her out. Standing beside the bed, Darren reported, "Sir, Miss Leanna left for her friend Maisie's house. She hasn't signed the papers for traveling abroad yet." "Bring them to her and ensure she signs them. She will." "Understood, sir." After leaving the villa, Leanna headed straight to her best friend, Maisie Fowler. At this moment, she sobbed on Maisie's shoulder, saying, "Maisie, how could he do this to me?" Maisie consoled her, "Leanna, remember he's your uncle. A romantic relationship isn't possible. Plus, he's thirty. It's natural for him to start a family. You must move on from your feelings." Leanna, feeling wronged, protested, "But he isn't my biological uncle." "Even so, he's the one who raised you. To the world, he's your uncle, and you two are family," Maisie reminded her. Leanna became quiet, contemplating. Maisie's words hit. Denying their familial connection made little sense when everyone viewed them as family. Their lives were entwined, barring any chance of a different kind of relationship. Leanna remembered fleeing from her abusive uncle and aunt at sixteen, seeking refuge with the Holland family. Her grandfather had once said that Colten Holland, the former head of the esteemed Holland family, owed him a favor and could be approached for help in tough times. However, when she found herself in the grand hall of the Holland family, she discovered that Colten had retired and isolated himself, no longer residing there. Sitting in the living room, she caught the critical eye of Kristy Holland, the new wife of the current head of the Holland family. In the grand reception area, young Leanna felt out of place, twiddling her thumbs as Kristy, with a look of scorn, ordered the maid to hand her a hundred dollars and dismiss her. Just as Leanna's cheeks turned red with humiliation and she was about to reject the money and storm off, a scornful and derisive voice echoed, saying, "Mrs. Holland, is your generosity only for the show when my father's around? Why can't the Holland family take care of a young girl? What's the fuss about? Making a scene over this seems unnecessary." Leanna glanced up in surprise and spotted a chilly man standing on the stairs. Dressed in a gray suit, he stood with his arms folded, watching them from above like he was amused by the scene. Chapter2 Her Admiration Means Nothing To Him Leanna's eyes instantly grew wide. She had never laid eyes on such an attractive man before. His features were precise and refined. His look was icy and daunting, with a slight, mocking curve to his lips. He stood with a grace and stature that seemed almost divine. For Leanna, this was her first experience of feeling safeguarded. Since then, she had been captivated and devoted her affection entirely to him. The Holland family didn't welcome her in their home, and she had no desire to stay with Kristy. Eventually, she made a bold request and moved into Nate's separate residence. This villa was a present from Nate's father, Ricky Holland, gifted when Nate returned from his studies overseas at 25, ready to take on the Holland family business. Nate told her, "Your grandfather once helped mine. I've got your back." Those words transformed Leanna's life completely. She left her tiny attic room at her uncle's for a spacious fifty-square-meter bedroom. She got a wardrobe of her own, which was filled with brand-new designer clothes. Finally, she could say goodbye to the old clothes she was wearing, which had been her cousin's but were later given to her because her cousin no longer needed them and her aunt and uncle refused to buy her new clothes. She now had staff and maids attending to her, a stark change from before. The sixteen-year-old slender girl swiftly gained weight and grew taller. Her uncle and aunt had kept her from school, but now she was learning at home with tutors. Leanna was incredibly bright. Within two years, she covered all the material from junior high and high school. At eighteen, she got into a top university in Elesmond. Finishing her undergraduate studies in just two years, she seamlessly transitioned into a graduate program through recommendation. Over those four years, despite Nate's busy schedule and infrequent visits, he ensured everything was for her. Leanna felt his concern about the little things. Nate became the guiding light in Leanna's life, growing brighter with each brief meeting until it filled her entire world. Leanna yearned for his presence, often inquiring about what was going on in his life. She knew he was a decisive leader, under whom the Holland family's business in Elesmond flourished. He was widely respected. Leanna was also aware that Elesmond's high society women all competed for his attention, employing various strategies to get close. But he seemed uninterested in them. He even ejected a well-known actress from a party for being too forward with him. Seeing him with another woman shattered Leanna. How could she come to terms with that? Were the tales of his disinterest in women just rumors? Whether they held the truth or not, what she witnessed today shattered all her illusions, and brought her back to reality. Leanna understood then that a future together was not in the cards. He would never see her in a romantic light; he had merely cared for her out of respect for his grandfather's friend. The deep feelings she had harbored for four years were insignificant to him. It made sense now why he was eager for her to sign those papers and move abroad. He had someone new in his life and needed her gone to make space for this new woman. Leanna dried her tears, her eyes now reflecting a newfound resolve. If Nate didn't care for her, why should she hold on to him? She wasn't the same young girl who had once begged desperately to take up residence in his villa. Maisie held her hand, her voice laced with concern. "What's your plan?" "What other choice do I have? I'll sign the papers and then leave the country as Nate wishes. I'll disappear from his life." Chapter3 Not Liking Her At All? That evening, a tired Leanna returned home. She immediately noticed Nate on the sofa, engrossed in his computer work. "Serious men are the most attractive." Leanna wholeheartedly believed in this saying. Even though she was hurt by what he did today, her heart still fluttered at the thought. However, her face lost color again when she saw his black loungewear. The humiliating scene from earlier lingered in her thoughts, leaving no room to ponder the identity of the woman involved. But upon thinking about it, she recognized the face as familiar. The woman was Jillian Murray, the famous actress and singer, wasn't she? Leanna had looked up to Jillian before today's events. Jillian had recently shared some photos on Twitter, casually clad in loungewear from the same brand. Oh. Her idol and the man she cherished... They didn't live together, yet they shared a style in loungewear as if their hearts were aligned, transcending distance. Leanna hadn't anticipated her uncle's preference for more mature individuals. Well, Jillian was undeniably captivating, drawing the attention of many men. Leanna examined herself. With her perfect skin and delicate features, she was considered beautiful at college but lacked a certain allure. Her and Jillian's allures were worlds apart. Leanna felt a pang in her heart. She wasn't Nate's type, even in terms of looks. Nate heard a sound and glanced up, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort. He motioned towards the sofa across from him, saying, "Come over here." Leanna approached at a leisurely pace and took a seat across from him. He slid a folder over to her and suggested, "Why not sign it?" Grasping the pen, Leanna couldn't resist asking, "Is Jillian your girlfriend? Are you planning to marry her?" Nate reclined, a smile playing on his lips. "Why did you get so upset earlier? You should have seen intimate scenes on TV. How old are you now? Surely you're not that naive, are you?" Nate's smile, tinged with mockery, struck a chord. Leanna's hold on the pen tightened. His ease in discussing his life with her confirmed he did see her just as a niece. Maybe she wasn't seen as a woman in Nate's view. Nate's demeanor softened when he talked about Jillian, clearly showing his deep affection for her. His fondness was so intense that he felt compelled to be intimate with Jillian, even with her possibly in the house. Marriage could even be on the horizon... "Aren't you excited about having an aunt?" Nate prodded when Leanna stayed silent, once more hitting a sore spot with uncanny accuracy. An aunt... The word felt alien to Leanna. She had dreamt of being his partner, not bound by some obligation. Leanna bowed her head to hide the sourness in her gaze and hastily scribbled her signature on the paper. She planned to leave the country as soon as possible and never return. Nate took the signed document. "In two months, you'll head abroad for your studies. Tomorrow, make time to visit our family home." Leanna gave a soft acknowledgment and withdrew to her room, fearing she'd soon be unable to suppress her tears. As Leanna vanished into her room, Nate's gaze lingered before he removed his glasses and massaged his forehead. Despite her fatigue, Leanna lay awake in bed, unable to sleep, as troubling thoughts danced through her mind. Suddenly, she sat up in bed. Leanna's eyes turned towards the closet, sparkling with a sudden idea. She recalled a recent shopping trip with Maisie, where Maisie picked out a mature dress that somehow ended up with Leanna. Did Nate really not like her at all? Given that she was already on her way out, why not give it a shot before she left? How could she let it slip away without even attempting it? Chapter4 A Test It was past two in the morning when Nate was in his study, engaged in a video call. Then, a scream echoed from the room next door. He rose abruptly, forcing the adjacent room's door open. With the room empty, Nate grew anxious, calling out, "Leanna? Where are you?" From the bathroom, a faint sound emerged. Nate hurried to the bathroom, discovering it flooded. Leanna was halfway crouched, trying to rise with the wall's support. He quickly picked her up, and she exclaimed a surprised "Ah," gripping his neck tightly. The smell of gardenias wafted from Nate's body, which was the scent of her beloved shower gel she always used. In past close encounters, Leanna had to steady her breath, worried he'd detect her deep-seated emotions. But at this moment, she was resolved to take a courageous leap... &6&