Chapter 5

Celine POV

“My… boss?” I stuttered in utter shock. Of all the bosses in this city, why him? I had never seen him before, nor did I expect that the man I bumped into and slapped earlier would be my boss.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

“I am sorry about earlier…” I began, but he cut me off.

“Just have a seat,” he said authoritatively.

I nodded, still trying to process the fact that he was my boss.

He didn’t waste time. “I’m going to be very direct. The Phoenix deal—what’s going on?”

I took a deep breath. “I’ve been negotiating with them. They’re interested in collaborating, but the final decision is expected in two days. That’s why I haven’t submitted the final proposal yet.”

He looked at me intently. “Two days, and you didn’t think it was important to update the board—or my secretary?”

“I wanted to have something concrete before coming forward,” I explained quickly. “We’ve spent months trying to get their attention. If I rush and mess this up now, all that effort will be for nothing.”

He tapped a pen on the desk, thinking. “You should know—two days is a lifetime in this industry. And silence makes investors nervous.”

“I understand,” I said. “But Phoenix is ready to work with us. They just need final clarifications, and I’m confident we’ll close the deal.”

Christopher was quiet for a moment before leaning forward. “Then here’s how it’s going to be. You’re not leaving until that proposal is ready. We’ll work from here.”

I blinked. “Sir?”

“You heard me,” he said firmly. “We’re doing this together. If this deal matters to you as much as you say, then we finish it here and now.”

It wasn’t what I expected, but I nodded. “Alright. I’ll stay.”

“Good.” He handed me a folder. “Show me everything you have so far.”

The next few hours were intense. We went through numbers, projections, and presentation drafts. More annoying, he was so close to me—just an inch away—I could perceive his cologne and the warmth of his breath. Once he held my hand, it awakened my hormones; Nathaniel had barely touched me for a month.

What broke the silence was the rumbling of my stomach.

I froze. He looked up from the screen. “When was the last time you ate?”

“I’m not hungry,” I muttered.

“You are,” he said, standing. “Come on. We’re getting food.”

“Sir, we’re in the middle of…”

“Not a suggestion, Mrs. Celine.”

I sighed, defeated. “Fine,” I muttered, too hungry to argue.

We headed downstairs, and he insisted on driving me in his car, but I kindly refused—the last thing I wanted was to sit with him.

It barely took five minutes to arrive at the restaurant, as it was just close by.

We headed inside, and he pulled out a seat for me.

“Relax,” he said, glancing up from the menu. “I don’t bite.”

I forced a small smile.

He chuckled. “You know, you and I had the worst first and second impressions,” he said, gesturing to the server to bring some dishes.

“I believe we can move past that. You know, you are not only damn gorgeous but smart—your work is impressive.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “You… like my work?”

He nodded.

I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever acknowledged my effort before—not Nathaniel, not the board, no one.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said, pausing.

“Let’s skip the formalities. I have something very important to discuss with you,” he said.

I stared at the server serving the food while mentally preparing to deal with whatever he had to say.

“I need a wife,” he said calmly, like it was the most normal request in the world.

I rolled my eyes and muttered, “Not this again.”

“Allow me to be your—”

“No!” I interrupted. “I’m married, remember? That little detail that keeps slipping from your head?”

He laughed mockingly. “Married? Or rather, a sick joke of a marriage. Allow me to show you what marriage actually looks like.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “I am not some love-starved idiot waiting for a savior! And definitely not your type—someone who thinks playing with another’s emotions is fun. You are just arrogant and self-centered.”

“Easy with your—” I cut him off.

“You know what? I am done with this conversation,” I said as I got up angrily and stormed out of the restaurant before he could utter anything.

My hands trembled as I walked to my car, filled with anger. The moment I shut the door, tears pricked my eyes, but I was too tired to cry.

I quickly started my car and drove off, while my mind replayed memories of Nathaniel—memories of when we first got married. I could swear he would never cheat on me, but not after what happened the past few days. Somewhere in my head, I felt I was to be blamed. After all, I was the reason he never had a child.

Going home to face him wasn’t an option—not after what I saw: his hands on her, his smile…the same smile he once had for me.

And going to my parents’ house wasn’t an option either. The only choice I had was going to his mom’s place, Mrs. Emily, as the only friend I had slept with my husband. And Mrs. Emily felt like a safe pillar.

In less than five minutes, I arrived at Mrs. Emily’s house. I took a deep breath, wondering if this was the right decision. Then I finally left my car and headed to her door.

I knocked. The door opened. And the moment I saw her, everything inside me broke. Tears spilled before I could stop them.

“Nathaniel… cheated on me,” I blurted out.

But instead of shock or concern…

She just smirked.

“Finally. It was long overdue.”