Chapter 11

Celeste’s POV

I should have known that Xavier’s return back into my life would complicate things. It had been days since the incident at Éclat, where he and Sebastian had nearly torn each other apart in the parking lot.

I had hoped the whole thing would end there, but I was starting to realize that nothing involving the two men was ever that simple. Sebastian had called me twice since that night. I ignored both calls.

Xavier, on the other hand, had called every evening to check on me. Sometimes, we talked for hours. Other times, he would show up at Éclat with flowers, claiming he was only there because he had nothing better to do.

I knew he was lying. And the worst part was that I enjoyed having him around. I even enjoyed it more than I was willing to admit. This afternoon, I was reviewing some documents when Merida walked in without knocking.

“Your friend is here.”

I barely looked up from my laptop. “Which friend?”

“The tall, handsome one who keeps showing up with flowers and distracting you from your work.”

I raised my head slowly. “Merida.”

“What?” She grinned. “I didn’t say anything wrong.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be busy?”

“I am working. I’m also informing you that your friend has arrived.”

“Then tell him I’m busy.”

Merida stared at me like I had just insulted her intelligence.“You want me to tell Xavier Cross, a billionaire business man, who has been standing at the reception desk with a bouquet for the past five minutes, that you’re too busy to see him?”

“Yes.” I answered flatly.

She nodded thoughtfully. “All right.”

I returned to my laptop.

Three seconds later, she added, “I’ll also tell him you said you don’t like the flowers.”

I looked up. “Merida!”

She burst out laughing and hurried toward the door. I shook my head, fighting off a smile.

A few minutes later, Xavier walked into my office unannounced. He placed a bouquet of roses on my desk and looked at me. “So, I hear you don’t like my flowers.”

I glared at him. “Merida talks too much.”

“She also said you missed me.”

“I did not say that.”

“Oh, but you do.”

I pointed toward the door. “Get out.” I said jokingly.

He laughed and pulled a chair closer to my desk. “Not until you have something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“That’s what you said yesterday.”

“Maybe I’m still not hungry today.” I said playfully.

“Perhaps you need someone to remind you that you can’t survive on coffee.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he was already taking the documents from my hands and placing a box of fries in front of me.

“Five minutes, Celeste.” He pleaded. “ The world won’t collapse if you take a break.”

I stared at him. “You know, for someone who disappeared for ten years, you have a lot of opinions about how I should live my life.”

His smile faded slightly. “I’m afraid you’re right.”

I didn’t expect that response from him.

He leaned back in his chair. “I missed a lot of years. I can’t get them back, and I don’t expect you to pretend I was here when I wasn’t.”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Then I sighed and reached for a fry. “Fine. Five minutes.”

Xavier’s smile returned. “See? You can be reasonable after all.”

“Don’t ruin it.” I warned, my eyes rolling.

Over the following days, Xavier became a regular presence in my life. Sometimes, he came to Éclat for lunch. Other times, we met for dinner. Occasionally, he would call me simply to ask how my day had gone.

It was a small thing, but I had forgotten what it felt like to have someone ask about my day without expecting anything in return.

Xavier even listened when I complained about difficult clients. He challenged me when I made excuses for working too much. And whenever I became too stubborn to admit I needed help, he found a way to offer it without making me feel weak.

It felt dangerous. Not because I thought Xavier would hurt me.But because I was beginning to look forward to him. I evennoticed the way my mood lifted whenever his name appeared on my phone. 

And I noticed the way my heart leaped whenever he stood close.That was the part I didn’t know how to handle yet. Xavier had offered to connect me with a supplier who could provide some of the rare ingredients Éclat needed.

Of course I had refused because I didn’t want to involve him in my business. And he didn’t seem pleased with this.

“You know you don’t have to do everything alone right?” he said to me as he walked me to my car on a cool evening.

“I never said I did.”

“Then why do you keep refusing help?”

“Because I don’t need someone solving my problems for me.”

He stared at me. “Is that all you think I’m trying to do?”

I crossed my arms. “I think you’re getting too comfortable interfering in my affairs.”

He came closer. “And I think you’re so afraid of depending on anyone that you’d rather struggle than admit someone might actually want to help you.”

My mouth opened. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

I stopped and look at him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Xavier.”

“Then tell me that I’m wrong.”

I opened my mouth to speak , but no words came out. Becausehe was right, and I hated that he knew it.

“You’re impossible,” I just muttered.

“And you’re stubborn as hell.”

Despite the unease I felt within me, I smiled. His expression softened as he saw me smile, and suddenly, neither of us seemed interested in continuing the argument.

We were standing too close. I could see the faint scar near his eyebrow, which I recalled him getting years ago after falling from a tree in an attempt to impress me.

Xavier eyes were fixed on mine. For a moment, I forgot what we had been arguing about. Then he reached up and brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face.

My breath caught as his fingers traced my cheek. Neither of us said anything. Then I became too aware of how close he was to me, how easily I could reach out and touch him.

I wanted to. And the realization frightened me more than it should have. I stepped back. “Well,” I said, clearing my throat, “I should get going.”

Xavier lowered his hand. “Of course.”