A Father's Verdict
Celeste was nursing a mild headache when her phone rang. She groaned, rolling over in bed, squinting at the screen. Dad.
Her stomach dropped.
Bracing herself, she answered, "Hello?"
"Celeste. You and Adrian. My office. Now."
Her father's sharp, no-nonsense voice instantly woke her up. She shot upright. "Dad?"
"I don't want to repeat myself."
Click.
The line went dead.
Oh, this was bad.
—
By some twisted fate, Adrian arrived at her father's company at the same time she did. They locked eyes in the lobby.
Celeste lifted her chin, determined to act indifferent. Adrian, of course, was his usual infuriatingly calm self, hands tucked in his pockets like he had nowhere better to be.
Neither spoke as they stepped into the elevator, the tension thick enough to choke on. The ride up was painfully silent, neither willing to acknowledge the chaos of last night.
When the doors slid open, they were met with the imposing figure of Charles Lancaster.
Her father sat behind his massive desk, arms crossed, an expression so severe it made grown men cower.
"Sit," he ordered.
They obeyed without a word.
Her father let out a long, exhausted sigh. "Do you two have any idea what kind of mess you almost caused last night?"
Celeste shifted in her seat. Adrian, predictably, remained unfazed.
"If I didn't own the biggest broadcasting station in the country," her father continued, voice dangerously calm, "your little bar stunt would be headline news." He shot Celeste a pointed glare. "Sinclair Heir's Wife Declares She's Single—Chaos Ensues!"
Celeste winced. Okay... maybe I'd been a tiny bit reckless.
Adrian, on the other hand, barely blinked. "We appreciate your efforts, sir."
Her father's glare sharpened. "Don't give me that corporate politeness, Adrian. I didn't clean this up for you. I did it for our family's reputation."
Celeste's father leaned forward, fingers tapping against his desk. "Now, tell me. Are you two really getting divorced?"
"Yes."
"No."
Their voices clashed.
Silence.
Celeste turned to Adrian, glowering. Adrian simply met her gaze with a cool, unwavering stare.
Her father sighed. "You can't even agree on that."
Celeste huffed. "I want a divorce."
Adrian, still infuriatingly composed, leaned back in his chair. "And I said no."
Her father exhaled sharply. "Then fix your damn marriage."
Celeste's jaw dropped. "What?! Dad—"
"No." He held up a hand, silencing her. "I'm not done."
Then he turned his gaze to Adrian, his expression unreadable. "I may not be your biggest fan right now, but I also know marriage isn't easy. God knows how much I've wanted to throw her mother out of the house several times but I can't."
Celeste snorted despite herself.
Her father ignored her. "But that doesn't mean you just give up. If you two want to fight, fine. But do it properly. Fix it—or at least try."
Celeste gritted her teeth. "I already did. It didn't work."
Her father's lips twitched—like he knew something she didn't. And that's when she got suspicious.
Her father smirked. "You said you wanted to work, didn't you? Learn business?"
Celeste hesitated. "Yes...?"
His smirk widened. "Then congratulations, Celeste. You're Adrian's new secretary."
Silence.
Adrian sat up straighter. "Excuse me?"
Celeste choked. "WHAT? No!"
Her father raised an eyebrow. "What? You wanted to work in business. Adrian is one of the best. You'll learn from him."
"That's not—"
"No arguing," her father cut her off. "Celeste, you need business experience. Adrian, you need to learn how to handle your wife. It's a win-win."
Celeste clenched her fists. "Dad, I wanted to work for you."
He shrugged. "And I decided Adrian will be your boss instead."
Her father was trying to act like this was a logical decision, but oh, she knew. She KNEW what he was doing.
She turned to Adrian, glaring. "Say something!"
Adrian finally spoke, voice even. "I don't think it's a good idea."
Her father smirked. "Why?"
Adrian hesitated for half a second. "Because... I don't mix personal matters with business."
Celeste narrowed her eyes. Liar.
Her father, clearly unimpressed, leaned back. "Or is it because you don't want Celeste to be independent?"
Adrian tensed.
Celeste's eyes widened slightly. That—that actually shut him up.
Her father grinned. "Then it's settled. Celeste, you start tomorrow."
Celeste groaned, burying her face in her hands.
Adrian clenched his jaw.
They both lost.
—
The moment they stepped out of her father's office, Celeste turned to Adrian, furious.
"Fix my marriage? FIX?! How am I supposed to fix something that was never—"
"Celeste."
"What?!"
He stared at her for a beat, then reached out and flicked her forehead.
Celeste froze.
Her eyes widened. "Did you just—"
He smirked. "You were about to start a whole speech."
Her face heated. "You—!"
Adrian turned smoothly and walked ahead, hands in his pockets. "I'll pick you up at eight tomorrow."
She stomped after him. "For what?"
"For work."
Celeste gritted her teeth. This man.
She halted. "No need. I'll go on my own."
Adrian stopped walking, then tilted his head slightly, looking amused.
"Celeste," he murmured.
She crossed her arms. "What now?"
His lips twitched. "You don't even know where my office is."
Celeste opened her mouth—then paused.
Shit.
Adrian's grin widened.
He took a step closer, leaning in slightly. His voice dropped, smooth and teasing.
"Pick you up at eight."
Then, with a knowing glance, he walked away.
Celeste stood frozen in place, scowling.
She hated him.
She hated him so much.
But her heart?
It was doing stupid, traitorous flips.
This can't be.