Unspoken Feelings, Unspoken Emotions
Celeste watched Adrian's retreating figure, irritation simmering beneath her skin.
Stay away from Ethan?
Who did he think he was, dictating who she could and couldn't talk to?
She shook her head, exhaling sharply, and turned back to her phone. She was about to reply to Ethan when another message popped up.
Her lips twitched. Smart and intuitive. He didn't even ask what happened—he just knew.
She set her phone down, ignoring the way her pulse quickened slightly. This had nothing to do with Adrian. She needed a place, and if Ethan could help, she wasn't about to let Adrian's controlling behavior stop her.
She refused to let him stop her.
?
Later that afternoon, Celeste wrapped up work earlier than expected.
Adrian was still in a meeting.
Good.
She grabbed her bag, slipping out of the office as quietly as possible. If she was lucky, she could be out of the building before he even realized she was gone.
But just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand shot between them, forcing them open.
Celeste closed her eyes briefly, already knowing who it was.
Of course.
Adrian stepped inside, his expression unreadable as the doors slid shut.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm.
"Home," she replied smoothly.
Adrian turned his head slightly, his sharp gaze raking over her. "Dressed like that?"
Celeste glanced down at herself. She had swapped her office blazer for a cropped cardigan over her silk camisole, paired with form-fitting jeans. It wasn't anything extravagant, but the way his eyes darkened told her he had noticed.
She crossed her arms. "And what exactly is wrong with my outfit?"
His gaze flickered, lingering a second too long before he scoffed. "Nothing. Just seems like you're going somewhere else."
She arched a brow. "And what if I am?"
Adrian's jaw tightened.
The elevator dinged, and Celeste stepped out, expecting the conversation to end.
But Adrian followed her.
"I'll ask the driver to take you home." His tone was casual, but there was an underlying edge to it.
Celeste nearly laughed. "No need. I can handle myself."
Something flickered in his eyes—something unreadable—but he didn't argue. "Fine. Get in touch when you get home."
She blinked. "Since when do you—" She stopped herself, shaking her head. "Never mind."
Adrian smirked, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just don't get yourself into trouble."
Celeste rolled her eyes. "How considerate."
She turned on her heel, walking away, but she could feel his gaze burning into her back until she disappeared through the doors.
?
The café was quiet, tucked away from the usual city bustle.
Celeste spotted Ethan at a corner table by the window, already waiting for her.
"You look like you just escaped prison," he teased as she sat down.
Celeste smirked. "Something like that."
Ethan chuckled, signaling for the waiter. "So, what do you need help with?"
She stirred her coffee absentmindedly. "A place to stay. Preferably something I can buy."
Ethan leaned back, raising a brow. "You're finally leaving?"
Celeste nodded. "It's overdue."
For a moment, he simply studied her, as if trying to read between the lines. Then, he pulled out his phone. "I can help with that. My family's got several properties that might suit you."
She leaned forward slightly. "Really?"
He nodded. "I'll send you some listings later. You can check them out and let me know if anything interests you."
Relief washed over her. "Thank you, Ethan. I owe you one."
He grinned. "Nah, consider it payback for entertaining me with last time's drama."
Celeste laughed, shaking her head. "I wasn't even trying to be entertaining."
Ethan smirked. "Still, I haven't seen Adrian lose his cool like that in a long time." He tilted his head, watching her. "You really get under his skin."
Celeste's smile faltered slightly. "Not for long."
Ethan arched a brow. "You sure about this?"
Celeste exhaled, staring down at her coffee. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
Ethan watched her for a moment before a teasing smirk tugged at his lips. "You know, I used to think you were kind of a spoiled brat."
Celeste raised a brow. "Oh? Do tell."
He shrugged. "Entitled, whiny, throwing tantrums when you didn't get what you wanted..." He smirked. "But ironically, also really easy to walk all over."
Celeste snorted. "Wow, don't hold back."
"Just being honest," Ethan said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Back then, I didn't get why Adrian agreed to marry you."
Celeste blinked, caught off guard. "Wait—agreed? You mean, he wasn't forced?"
Ethan leaned back, smirking. "Like anyone can force Adrian."
A strange sensation settled in Celeste's chest. All this time, she had assumed Adrian had been pushed into it—just like she was. But hearing Ethan say it so casually made her stomach twist.
Before she could dwell on it, Ethan spoke again. "But hey, I like this version of you."
Celeste tilted her head. "Oh? And what's so different about me now?"
"You actually fight back."
She rolled her eyes. "How flattering."
Ethan chuckled, but then his expression turned thoughtful. "You know, for what it's worth, Adrian does... care about you."
Celeste scoffed. "Right. That's why he treats me like I'm some reckless child who needs supervision."
Ethan gave her a look. "If he didn't care, he wouldn't bother."
Celeste paused, then shot him a challenging look. "Do you think Adrian loves me?"
For the first time, Ethan hesitated. His usual quick wit faltered, and he glanced down at his coffee. "That... I'm not sure about."
The weight of his words settled between them. Celeste stared at him, trying to read his expression, but he only offered her a small, almost apologetic smile.
And just like that, he changed the subject. "So, why did you like Adrian, anyway?"
Celeste hesitated before sighing. "Our families used to be neighbors. We practically grew up together."
Ethan leaned in, listening intently.
"My parents were always busy with work, and my grandfather was... well, let's just say he wasn't thrilled that I wasn't a grandson." She exhaled. "He was strict. And sometimes, strict turned into... more than that."
Ethan's expression darkened slightly, but Celeste continued.
"Adrian was the only one who ever tried to stop it. He'd step in when my grandfather got too harsh, and whenever I got hurt, he'd give me piggyback rides or walk me to school so I wouldn't have to deal with the bullies alone." She smiled faintly. "I had a crush on him since then."
Ethan listened silently, his teasing demeanor gone.
"But after he left for university, he barely came home," Celeste said. "I took an entrance exam at his school just to follow him—only to find out he already had a girlfriend."
Ethan exhaled, shaking his head. "Damn."
She let out a short laugh. "Yeah. So I distanced myself. Then one day, out of nowhere, I found out I was engaged to him."
Ethan whistled lowly. "That's one hell of a history."
Celeste sighed. "Yeah. And now, I just want it to be over."
Ethan studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then let's make sure you get the apartment you want."