Tension, Teasing, and Trouble
Celeste stormed out of the gala, her heels clicking aggressively against the pavement.
Her heart was still racing.
She should be furious—no, she was furious. Adrian had no right to kiss her, no right to play these mind games. And the worst part? He knew what he was doing.
That arrogant, narcissistic, insufferable—
"Need a ride?"
She turned to see Adrian leaning against his car, arms crossed, looking every bit the smug billionaire that he was.
She huffed. "I can call a cab."
Adrian arched a brow. "You'd rather sit in some stranger's car than ride with your husband?"
Celeste scoffed. "You mean my soon-to-be ex-husband."
Adrian let out an exaggerated sigh. "Still married, though." He opened the car door. "Get in."
She folded her arms. "No."
Adrian smirked. "Fine. You'll freeze out here in that dress. I'll enjoy watching."
Celeste's eye twitched. Jerk!
With an annoyed sigh, she climbed into the car, slamming the door shut.
Adrian slid into the driver's seat, adjusting his cufflinks as the tension between them thickened. He was about to start the car when—
Knock. Knock.
Both their heads snapped toward the driver's side window.
Emily.
Smiling sweetly, dressed in a slinky gown, and leaning just a little too close.
"Adrian," she purred, "I was hoping you could drop me off at my place. My driver canceled last minute, and I figured—since it's been a while—we could catch up?"
Celeste stiffened.
Adrian, on the other hand, simply nodded. "Sure."
Of course he said yes.
Celeste didn't hide the glare she shot at him, but before she could protest, Emily's gaze flicked toward her—only just now realizing she was there.
"Oh, Celeste," Emily said with feigned surprise, "you're here too?"
Celeste gave her the sweetest smile, dripping with sarcasm. "Yes, Emily. I'm here too. You know, I'm his wife."
Emily barely blinked at the retort. Instead, she let out a small chuckle before saying, "Oh, then Celeste, do you mind sitting in the back? I get carsick easily."
Celeste's jaw clenched. "No."
Emily pouted. "But—"
"Celeste," Adrian cut in, his tone neutral. "It's no big deal. We'll drop Emily off first, and you can sit in front again after."
No big deal.
No. Big. Deal.
Celeste laughed, the sound sharp. "Wow. You really don't get it, do you?"
Adrian frowned. "Celeste, don't be unreasonable."
"Unreasonable?" Her voice rose slightly. "I'm your wife—not some object you move around to accommodate whoever conveniently shows up at your window."
A few heads turned their way, and suddenly, Ethan appeared, looking between them. "Uh, is everything okay? People are staring."
Adrian, still oblivious to the fire he just ignited, let out a sigh. "It's nothing. Just a simple seat arrangement issue."
Celeste scoffed, then turned to Emily, her voice saccharine sweet. "You know what? You can have the front seat."
Emily's eyes brightened, but Celeste wasn't finished.
"Enjoy your couple time."
Before Adrian could react, Celeste unbuckled her seatbelt, pushed the door open, and stepped out.
Adrian's brows furrowed. "Celeste—"
SLAM.
She shut the door in his face.
Adrian blinked.
Ethan whistled lowly. "Damn." Then, turning to Adrian, he asked, "What the hell did you do?"
"Apparently," Adrian muttered, rubbing his temple, "I rearranged a seat."
"Uh-huh. Sure." Ethan rolled his eyes before jogging after Celeste. "Celeste! I'll drop you off!"
Adrian watched them go, something ugly curling in his chest as Ethan reached Celeste, placing a hand on the small of her back as he guided her toward his car.
Adrian clenched his jaw.
Emily, who had been silent until now, gently touched his arm. "Adrian?"
He exhaled slowly, then forced a polite smile. "Let's go."
But the moment he drove away, all he could think about was Celeste's glare.
And the way she walked away from him without looking back.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Celeste.
"Sleep outside."