Leo watched her, the air between them heavy with unspoken thoughts. For a moment, he wanted to reach out, to offer comfort, to reassure her of something he couldn’t quite put into words. But he held back, unsure if that was what she needed right now.
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“Mina...” he began, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Why did you want to know?”
She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she turned her head, finally meeting his eyes with a look that was both vulnerable and guarded. “I just... sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever know what it feels like. To be that close to someone. To... feel safe with them.” Her voice trembled slightly, and she quickly looked away, blinking back what looked like tears.
Leo’s heart clenched, a surge of protectiveness washing over him. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You deserve to feel safe, Mina,” he said softly. “You deserve someone who’ll make you feel that way. Someone who’ll take care of you.”
She gave him a small, sad smile. “Yeah,” she whispered. “But not everyone gets to have that, do they?”
Leo opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. He wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that she could have that, that she could have everything she longed for—but the world they lived in was harsh, and sometimes the things they wanted most were the hardest to reach.
So instead, he simply sat there, silently promising himself that as long as he was around, he would do everything in his power to make sure Mina never had to feel alone again.
Mina’s question came out of nowhere, shattering the fragile silence between them. “Leo... how much do you think my virginity is worth?”
For a second, Leo was sure he hadn’t heard her right. But one look at her serious expression confirmed that she was, indeed, asking. His reaction was immediate—a burst of uncontrollable laughter that filled the room, his deep chuckles echoing off the walls. 
Mina’s face turned crimson, her lips curving into a pout. “I’m serious!” she protested, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why are you laughing?”
Leo struggled to catch his breath, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “Mina... you really are a victim of all those mafia dramas you watch,” he teased, shaking his head. “Only in those stories do they auction off virginities, and even then, it’s always some high-profile girl with a rare bloodline—like a long-lost princess, a noblewoman with some grand lineage, or someone with an untouchable reputation.” 
He leaned back, still grinning as he continued, “Those kinds of girls... they auction themselves to pay off national debts, save a crumbling empire, or as some grand gesture for a big project. They’re always these unattainable women with spotless reputations, wrapped in mystery and allure. It’s a whole spectacle—a game for the powerful, a twisted sort of prize.”
Mina’s frown deepened, her eyes narrowing at him. “So you’re saying someone like me would be worthless?” she challenged, her voice tinged with a mix of irritation and hurt.
Leo’s grin softened into a warm, genuine smile. He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers. “No, Mina, that’s not what I meant.” He reached out, gently poking her forehead. “What I’m saying is... you’re nothing like those girls, and thank God for that. You’re real, not some shiny trophy for men with too much money and no morals.”
She huffed, still looking unconvinced. “Easy for you to say. But in this world... it feels like everything has a price tag.”
Leo’s expression turned serious. He leaned closer, his eyes softening as they met hers. “Maybe... but not everything. Not you. And definitely not your worth.” 
Mina lowered her gaze, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her shirt. She didn’t say anything, but Leo could see the turmoil behind her eyes. 
The question she’d asked—however absurd it seemed—came from a place of insecurity, of fear that maybe she was just another item to be used and discarded.
Leo let out a soft sigh, reaching over to gently lift her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.
 “Listen to me, Mina,” he said quietly, his tone more serious than it had been all evening. “You’re worth more than you think. And not because of something as ridiculous as ‘virginity’ or whatever those stupid shows you watch try to glorify. You’re... priceless, okay? To me, you’re not some commodity, but someone I actually care about.”
For a moment, Mina just stared at him, as if trying to gauge the sincerity of his words. Then, slowly, her frown melted into a shy smile. “You’re such a smooth talker,” she muttered, though there was no heat in her words. 
Leo shrugged, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. “What can I say? I’m just good at stating the truth.”
Mina rolled her eyes, but the faint smile on her lips told him that, for now, he had managed to chase away her doubts. 
And that, Leo thought, was worth more than any auction or high-profile deal in the world.
He leaned back suddenly, resting his head in Mina's lap with a mischievous grin. “Come on, think about it! A young, handsome mafia like me is rare—no need to buy pretty girls. They’d be fighting over who gets to sleep with me.”
Mina opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. Instead, she just shook her head, rolling her eyes again.
Outside, the rain began to pour heavily, the sound of it beating against the windows as the room grew quieter. 
Mina absentmindedly ran her fingers through Leo’s hair as he closed his eyes, the moment stretching into something surprisingly peaceful. 
“I’m grateful you’re just an ordinary girl, Mina,” Leo murmured, his voice soft. “You make me feel... normal too.”
Mina’s hand froze for a moment, a strange warmth filling her chest. She looked down at Leo, her fingers still tangled in his hair. She felt something she hadn’t expected—a deep connection, a sense of being grounded in something simple yet real. 
With a tender smile, she leaned down and gently kissed his temple.