15 Under Surveillance

Leon's chuckle filled the air, a light sound that contrasted with the gravity of his presence. Holding onto Clara's hand a moment longer than necessary, he looked into her eyes with an intensity that was almost palpable. "Ah, forgive my manners," he began, his gaze unwavering, "I am Leon. And you must be Ms. Chloe? You are definitely more beautiful than I expected."

Clara's light smile was her attempt at keeping things cordial, though she couldn't ignore the peculiar sensation that crawled up her spine under his gaze. It felt as if he was attempting to dissect her very soul.

But she was distracted when John smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Planting a light kiss on her forehead, he interjected with warmth, "Indeed, she is Chloe. And I'm Jack. We're thrilled about making your community our first shared home."

Leon's attention shifted to John, and the two men exchanged firm handshakes. The intensity in Leon's eyes didn't waver. "Ah, Mr. Jack," he mused, "I must say, the addition of such a vibrant couple to our community is indeed an exciting prospect. I've heard whispers of your collective endeavors. So, a clothing business, correct?"

Clara, regaining her composure, nodded. "Yes, Jack is the hands-on man, tackling the on-ground operations, while I prefer the technical intricacies and marketing side of things, mostly working remotely."

Leon's eyebrows rose in evident approval. "An astute division of labor! Last I heard, your brand was making quite the waves in the industry. I've always had a penchant for high fashion and unique brands. If ever you're looking for an angel investor, you'll find me quite interested. It's not every day I come across brands that truly pique my interest."

John, always the protective one, laughed lightly, deflecting, "That's very generous of you, but we're holding our ground quite well for now."

Clara, seizing the opportunity to play into their cover further, grinned cheekily, tugging playfully at John's arm. "While that's true, I've always harbored plans for expansion. But," she sighed dramatically, looking up at John with mock exasperation, "my husband here isn't too keen on venturing out of his comfort zone."

Leon's laughter, rich and resonant, filled the garden. John, slightly taken aback by the playfulness of the moment, laughed awkwardly, "Chloe, you really shouldn't tease me in front of our host," he chided with feigned look of hurt, "But, if expansion is what you desire, you know I've got your back."

Leon clapped his hands together, a gesture signaling a finality. "Well then, it seems we've come to a decision!" He focused his gaze on her, a hint of that earlier intensity returning, "How about we meet tomorrow, at my place, around 4 pm? We can delve into the details then."

Clara, understanding the importance of maintaining their cover and establishing trust, nodded, her voice steady, "That sounds wonderful, Mr. Leon. We'll make it a date."

Leon's lips curved upwards, for a brief moment, but his next words were all business, "Owen," he gestured towards the man who'd greeted them earlier, "will give you a comprehensive tour of your new abode. Should you need assistance or have any inquiries, he's your man."

Pausing for emphasis, he added, "And if there's something Owen cannot assist with, don't hesitate to reach out to me personally. I like to be involved with every aspect of my community."

Clara, feeling the weight of the moment, responded with genuine appreciation, "Thank you, Mr. Leon. We truly appreciate the warmth and hospitality."

***

After the thorough tour of their lavishly furnished villa, Clara feigned admiration for the modern decor while carefully sliding out her phone. The discreet app Julia had installed, disguised as an innocent looking calendar app, came to life as Clara activated the scanner.

John, hovering near her, discreetly peered down at the phone's screen. The application began its search, the interface displaying a radar animation. Every few seconds, a beep signaled the detection of a device. Slowly, dots began to pop up across the layout of their new home, indicating the placement of each hidden surveillance tool.

Clara tried to mask her surprise, shooting a quick glance at John, whose eyes widened ever so slightly. They were both well aware of Leon's tendency to keep a close eye on those near him, but this level of intrusion was something they hadn't expected.

"We should check out the garden," John whispered to her, giving a nod towards the back door.

Once outside, Clara and John hurried to the far end of the garden, behind a dense cluster of shrubs, ensuring they were out of range of any possible hidden microphones or cameras. The scanner on Clara's phone confirmed they were in a safe zone.

Taking a deep breath, Clara dialed Julia's number. The call was picked up almost immediately.

"Clara? How's it going? You settling in?" Julia's voice came through, sounding casual but with an underlying urgency.

Clara wasted no time, "Julia, you were right. The house is bugged. Everywhere. The scanner picked up devices in every room."

Julia let out a soft curse on the other end," Haa, that creepy bastard. I knew it."

Clara's voice wavered slightly as she spoke into the phone, "But the worst part is... there's one installed in the bedroom too."

There was a sharp intake of breath from the other side, "He put one in the bedroom?" Julia exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief and concern.

"Yeah," Clara replied, the gravity of the situation settling on her shoulders.

Julia let out a slow sigh, "Look, I know it's uncomfortable and way beyond what we discussed, but no matter what, you two can't break cover. Leon's not just testing your stories; he's testing your relationship. If you two act like strangers in the bedroom, it's going to be a red flag for him."

Clara's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red as she bit down on her lip, "Wait, does this mean I have to... you know, share the bed with John? As in... together??"