The Games They Play
Celeste adjusted the folders in her arms, mentally preparing herself as she approached Adrian's office. The day had been exhausting enough without dealing with his mood swings, but she had no choice. Work was work.
Just as she reached the door, it swung open from the inside.
Emily stepped out.
Celeste came to an abrupt stop, her eyes narrowing at the sight of her. Of course. She should've expected this.
Emily's perfectly manicured nails rested lightly against the doorframe as she blinked in feigned surprise. "Oh, Celeste. What a coincidence."
Celeste arched a brow, her grip on the folders tightening. "Emily." She gave her a slow once-over before adding, "Did you lose your way? I didn't realize Adrian's office had turned into the company lounge."
Emily let out a breathy, practiced laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was just catching up with Adrian," she said smoothly. "You know, reminiscing about old times."
Celeste's lips curled into a smirk, but there was no humor in it. "Old times?" she echoed. "Oh, you mean the time when you left him for someone else? That must be a fun story to relive."
For the briefest second, something flickered across Emily's face—annoyance, maybe even guilt. But she quickly masked it with another sweet smile. "I see you haven't lost your sharp tongue."
"And you haven't lost your bad habit of lurking where you don't belong."
Emily's smile twitched, but she didn't take the bait. Instead, she took a step closer, lowering her voice as if they were confidantes. "Celeste, I actually wanted to talk to you about something."
Celeste sighed dramatically. "Let me guess. You want me to be the bigger person and let Adrian go?"
Emily tilted her head slightly, her gaze turning almost sympathetic. Almost. "It's obvious, isn't it? You're holding onto a man who was never really yours."
Celeste's nails pressed into her palm, but she kept her expression neutral.
Emily took her silence as an invitation to continue. "Adrian and I have history. We understand each other in a way you never could. You're just... a chapter in his life. One that needs to end."
Celeste tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "Then why hasn't he let me go?"
Emily's confidence faltered for a second before she quickly recovered. "Because you're manipulating him," she said, her voice sharpening.
Celeste chuckled, shaking her head. "That's cute. But you're mistaken. I'm not the one stopping this divorce, Emily. He is."
Emily's jaw tensed, her fingers tightening against her purse strap.
Celeste took a slow step forward, her smirk deepening. "If you know Adrian so well, why did he marry me?"
Emily's lips parted, but no words came out.
Celeste let the silence hang between them before brushing past her, finally stepping into Adrian's office.
She shut the door firmly behind her, inhaling deeply before turning toward Adrian.
He was standing by the window, his back to her, his shoulders tense. The moment she entered, he turned, his expression unreadable—except for the storm brewing in his eyes.
Celeste crossed her arms. "Let me guess. You're mad?"
Adrian exhaled sharply, grabbing his phone and tossing it onto the desk. "Check the news."
Celeste's gaze flickered to the screen. A tabloid article. Her and Ethan, photographed together, their conversation twisted into something salacious.
A scoff left her lips. "Seriously?"
Adrian's jaw tightened. "You don't seem to care that your name is being dragged through the mud."
Celeste shrugged, unimpressed. "I don't care what people think."
His eyes darkened. "I do."
Celeste let out a short, humorless laugh. ""Oh, suddenly you're interested?"
Adrian took a step closer, his presence suffocating. "Don't test me, Celeste."
She met his glare without flinching. "Or what? You'll finally sign the divorce papers?"
Silence.
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Celeste smirked. "Thought so."
His fists clenched at his sides. "Stay away from Ethan."
That made her laugh, genuinely amused. "You're unbelievable. You refuse to divorce me, get mad when another man breathes near me, and then expect me to just sit around waiting for you?"
His expression hardened. "I'm just asking you to be careful."
Celeste's smirk faded slightly. She studied him for a long moment before shaking her head.
"You're not protecting me, Adrian. You're protecting your pride."
His eyes flickered with something—something she didn't want to name.
Before he could argue, Celeste turned, walking past him without another word.
But instead of storming out, she went straight to her desk, sitting down with a composed expression, flipping open a file like nothing had happened.
Adrian watched her, his frustration clear.
She didn't spare him a glance.
She acted as if he wasn't even there.
That, somehow, pissed him off more than anything else.