Leon Luren

"Smmch…Mnhhh…." Her heart began to race as his lips started sucking in her stiffened lips while his hands kept caressing the back of her waist.

A wave of panic and guilt suddenly washed over her as Clara stumbled backwards with a gasp while pushing John away.

"Jesus, Clara, are you alright?" John asked with a concerned look as Clara touched her lips with a flushed face and said with a slightly shaken smile, "Johnny…I wasn't expecting you to be that rough…"

What she said wasn't far from the truth as she was expecting just a soft and subtle kiss and not a passionate one.

John gave a apologetic smile as he scratched his hair, "Oh Clara, I am so sorry. I thought it was the best way to make the pic look convincing."

Clara gave a brief smile as she shook her head, "It's fine. I was just startled," Clara tried to keep her cool but her heart was still pounding and Alex's face wouldn't stop flashing in her mind.

She looked at Julia and asked, "We are done, right?"

Julia sighed and said, "Clara, you look too startled in the pic I took. You have to be calm and be natural. The only way to do that is to kiss him back and not let Johnny do all the work."

Clara felt her heart tighten at the realisation that she has to do this again.

"I will be gentle this time, Clara. Don't worry," John said with a wry smile.

"Try initiating the kiss and it will be better as John can follow your lead," Trevor advised with a thumbs up.

Clara took a deep breath as she decided to focus and quickly finish this before she thinks too much.

She stood close to John, put her arms around his neck as her eyes glowed with determination.

She emptied her mind as she pressed her lips against John's and softly started to kiss him while tightening her embrace.

"MmNnn~"

She felt John's hand caressing her bare back as he gently sucked on her lower lip while she kept up with him.

She felt her nerves tingling as her body temperature kept rising like crazy for some reason.

His kiss was soft and gentle yet it made her heart race without control and her cheeks felt hot.

"Smooch~" John sucked her lower lip into his warm mouth and Clara felt as if he was tasting her lip and savouring it like a dish.

Finally, a voice pierced the atmosphere, "Ten seconds, guys!"

Julia's words caused them to break apart instantly. Clara's face flushed a deep shade of crimson, her eyes wide in surprise. It seemed the reality of what had just transpired dawned upon her only then. She took a step back, her fingers unconsciously touching her lips.

John's lips curved into an impish grin, and couldn't help but quip, "That was the best kiss I've ever had in my life."

"Johnny! Stop playing around," Clara rebuked, trying to hide her embarrassment. She fanned her face metaphorically, her eyes darting everywhere but at John. The weight of her emotions was palpable, guilt bubbling up thinking about her husband, Alex. Would he understand if he ever found out about this moment? Such a thought made her feel her heart sink.

Julia, sensing the tension, stepped forward, her digital camera in hand. The screen displayed the photo of their intimate moment, "It's a perfect shot," she remarked with an approving nod, trying to lighten the mood, "Now we can finally move on to the main phase of our mission."

Trevor walked forward and smirked, "I can't wait for us to bring that son of a bitch down," he growled.

Clara, after composing herself, took a deep breath and met his gaze. With renewed determination evident in her eyes, she nodded in agreement. Whatever complications this mission brought up personally, the end goal was clear in her mind.

The luxury red car, with its pristine finish and powerful aura, glided smoothly onto the pristine driveway of the sprawling villa. The engine's deep purr resonated with the grandeur of the place. Tall palm trees lined the entrance, casting long, elegant shadows on the cobblestone pathway.

****

A luxurious red car came to a stop before a modern luxury villa, one of ten such villas located in the newly inaugurated gated community owned by Luren Corp.

Two security guards in sharp black suits briskly approached and promptly opened the doors. John stepped out first, straightening his suit, followed by Clara, who gracefully emerged in her off-shoulder, elegant dress that accentuated her figure and flowed gently down to her ankles. The sunlight caught the delicate fabric, making her seem even more radiant.

Standing at the entrance was a man, clearly of importance, dressed in a crisply tailored suit, his posture exuding confidence. Offering a flattery smile, he extended his hand toward John. "Welcome! I'm Owen, the property manager," he said, his voice smooth and polite.

Owen's eyes then turned towards Clara, admiration evident. "I must say, I never thought the new owners of this villa would be such a captivating couple. Mr. Leon has expressed his excitement in meeting you both. I'm sure he'll find it a pleasure."

Clara, embracing her role, smiled confidently. "Thank you, Owen. We're equally eager to meet Mr. Leon."

"Excellent! If you'll follow me," Owen said, gesturing for them to proceed. Leading them around the opulent villa, they reached the plush garden at the back. The garden was a marvel of landscaping, with vibrant flowers and manicured bushes lining a serene water feature. In the midst of this was a luxuriously set table surrounded by chairs. A solitary figure sat there, engrossed in some papers.

Owen approached the table, his demeanor shifting to one of utmost respect, "Sir," he began in a hushed tone, "the esteemed guests have arrived."

The man at the table stood, pushing back his chair with a muted scraping sound. As he turned around, his appearance was nothing short of striking. Middle-aged, yet with an undeniable charisma, he looked about fifty with handsome features that time had refined rather than marred. A strong jawline, a neatly trimmed light gray beard, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to evaluate everything they beheld. His suit was a vivid blue, tailored to perfection, complementing his physique.

He approached Clara, his gaze locked onto hers, and extended his hand, a charming smile playing on his lips. "A pleasure to finally meet you. I am Leon Luren and you must be...Ms. Chloe, right?" he greeted, his voice rich and deep.