Trapped and Betrayed
The night had been going smoothly—or at least, as smoothly as it could when Celeste had both Adrian and Lucas watching her like hawks. She had managed to navigate the gala without further tension, though Adrian's jealousy was palpable whenever Lucas so much as looked at her.
But just when she thought she could breathe, fate had other plans.
Celeste excused herself to use the restroom, relieved to have a moment alone. As she stepped inside, she was met with an unexpected sight—Emily.
The other woman was standing at the mirror, fixing her lipstick, but when she saw Celeste enter, her expression hardened.
Celeste sighed internally. She wasn't in the mood for another confrontation.
Emily, however, smirked. "Surprised you even have time to use the restroom with how busy you are—entertaining him."
Celeste stiffened but kept her voice calm. "I don't have time for this, Emily."
Emily scoffed. "Of course you don't."
Rolling her eyes, Celeste ignored her and entered a stall. A moment later, she heard the door open and Emily's heels clicking as she exited.
She took her time freshening up, splashing cool water on her face. But when she went to leave, she found the door... locked.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Frowning, she jiggled the handle. Nothing.
A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. "Hello?" she called out, knocking against the door.
Silence.
Panic started creeping in. She reached for her bag—only to find that her phone wasn't there.
Her chest tightened. No. I know I had it before I walked in.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked harder. "Hello? Is anyone out there?"
Still nothing.
The minutes stretched, her heartbeat growing erratic. Fear clawed at her throat.
Then, she started banging. "Help! Someone's locked me in here!"
Just when she thought no one would hear her, footsteps pounded from outside.
"Celeste?"
Lucas.
Relief flooded her. "Lucas! The door won't open!"
"Step back!"
She barely had time to react before she heard a loud bang—Lucas was forcing the door open.
The lock gave way, and the door burst open. Lucas stood there, slightly disheveled, panting from exertion. The moment she saw him, all the fear she had been holding in came crashing down.
She collapsed into his arms.
Lucas hesitated for only a moment before steadying her, his touch warm and grounding. "It's okay. You're okay."
But before she could say anything, another voice broke through—
"Celeste!"
Adrian.
She barely registered him before he was at her side, pulling her out of Lucas's grasp and into his own.
"Are you hurt?" Adrian's hands cupped her face, his dark eyes scanning her for any injuries. His grip was firm, protective, possessive.
Celeste shook her head, still shaken. "I—I don't know how—someone locked me in."
Adrian's jaw clenched as he turned to Lucas. "What happened?"
Lucas fixed his coat, his usual easy demeanor absent. "I don't know. I just heard her calling for help."
Adrian's fists tightened. "Who else was here?"
Celeste opened her mouth to respond—when a voice cut in.
"What's going on?"
Emily had returned.
Celeste turned sharply, still trembling. "Where's my phone?"
Emily blinked. "What?"
"My phone. It's missing. I had it before I went in, and now it's gone." Celeste's voice shook with barely restrained fury.
Emily rolled her eyes. "How would I know?"
But then—
"Wait," Lucas said, his gaze narrowing. "What's that in your bag?"
Everyone turned to Emily's clutch, which was slightly open. A familiar glimmer of gold peeked out.
Celeste froze.
Adrian stilled.
Lucas reached over and pulled it out.
It was Celeste's phone.
The room turned suffocatingly silent.
Emily's face paled. "W-What? I—That's not mine! I don't know how it got there!"
Celeste's rage exploded.
"You set me up." Her voice was low, dangerous.
Emily took a step back. "No! I swear, I didn't—"
Celeste slapped her.
The sharp crack echoed in the hall.
Emily gasped, clutching her cheek. "Are you insane? I didn't do this!"
But no one looked convinced.
Adrian's expression was unreadable, but the disappointment in his eyes was evident.
"You took her phone, locked her in there, and made her panic," Adrian said, voice cold. "That's low, even for you, Emily."
Emily shook her head frantically. "I didn't! I would never—"
Lucas stepped forward, eyes unreadable. "Emily, it doesn't look good for you."
Emily's hands balled into fists, her entire body trembling. "This isn't right. I—I don't even know how that phone got there!"
But no one listened.
Celeste, still seething, turned away. "I don't want to see you right now."
Adrian followed her immediately. Lucas trailed behind, shooting Emily a final glance before leaving her alone.
Emily stood frozen, tears welling up.