Chapter 7

Celeste’s POV

Xavier had been a part of my childhood. After losing his parentsin a tragic accident, my parents had taken him in. Back when he lived with us, Xavier was a quiet boy, carrying the sadness of his parents’ passing.

We had all tried to help him, and I also did what I could to make him feel welcome. Eventually, we grew close and he quickly became one of the few people who understood me without having to explain myself. Which is something I didn’t enjoy doing.

Then life had placed us in different directions. I married Sebastian, while Xavier went to chase his dreams. For ten years, I didn’t hear a word from him. Although, I kept a close ear forhis name. And his name did pop up occasionally.

He had gone and become a successful business man, but still kept a private life. Just like I did in the past six years.

“Miss Laurent?” the receptionist called, pulling my attention back to her.

I swallowed, gripping the edge of my desk tightly. “Where is he?”

“At the reception area.”

I ended the call instantly and stepped out into the corridor. I could feel my heart beating faster than I wanted to admit. And the question I was scared to ask popped into my head… why was Xavier here?

Outside my workers, he was the only one else who knew my secret about Éclat. My mind raced through a dozen possibilities, none of them looking comforting.

I reached the reception and stopped just before the entrance.Xavier stood near the windows staring outside, his back partially turned toward me. He was taller than I remembered, broad-shouldered and dressed in a dark elegant suit that fit him perfectly.

His hair was neatly styled, and his posture carried the quiet confidence of a man who no longer needed to prove himself to anyone. A waiter approached him with a menu. But he politely declined it. Then he turned and our eyes met.

For a brief moment, neither of us moved. Then his expression changed first. The calm aura of a business man quickly disappeared, replaced by a warm smile on his face. “Celeste,” he said softly.

My throat tightened as I stepped closer. “Xavier.”

He too took a step toward me, his eyes scanning my body, as ifhe was confirming I was real first. “It’s been a long time.”

“Ten years,” I replied before I could stop myself.

His gaze sharpened immediately. “You actually remember.”

“Of course I remember.”

How could I forget the boy who had once been my closest friend?

He gave me a faint smile. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me.”

I studied him carefully. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He held my gaze for a moment before answering. “Because Ileft, and perhaps I should have come back sooner.”

Something about his words unsettled me. But before I could ask what he meant, he glanced around the restaurant. “This place is remarkable. You’ve done really well here, I must say.” he said.

“Thank you.” I answered lightly, hoping someone wouldn’t hear us.

“I’ve heard about the legendary restaurant everyone in Starling city keeps talking about. And, I wanted to come see it… for some time now actually.”

I frowned. “For some time?”

He paused. Then he looked back at me. For seconds, I could only stare at Xavier. Then I broke the silence before it got too awkward. “Let’s talk in my office.”

He nodded and followed me.

Inside the office, Xavier sat across from me, looking almost the same as I remembered him, yet different enough to remind me that ten years had passed since we last saw each other.

The boy my family had taken in after his parents died was gone. And in his place now was a successful man with sharper eyesand broader shoulders, as well as a confidence that came from self awareness.

But when he smiled at me, I caught a glimpse of the young man who used to cover up for me whenever I stole cookies from thekitchen, and teased me constantly.

“You still have that look on your face,” he said.

I raised an eyebrow. “What look?”

“The one you get when you’re trying to figure out if someone is lying to you or not.”

“Perhaps it’s because people tend to lie often.”

“Or perhaps you’ve just always been too suspicious.”

I grinned playfully. “I’m probably here because of that.”

He chuckled, and that moment, something inside me melted. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed him. For years, I had surrounded myself with work that I barely had time to miss mybest friend properly.

Even those around me I considered friends rarely saw the woman behind my carefully maintained image. But Xavier knewme since before all the elegance, luxury and the entire business. He had known me when I was just a stubborn teenager who hated being told what to do.

And judging by the way he was looking at me now, he hadn’t forgotten a thing.

“So,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Are you going to explain why you disappeared for ten years, or should I start asking questions?”

His smile faded slowly. “That’s fair.”

“Good. Because I have a lot of them.”

“I expect nothing less from you.”

I studied him for a moment before glancing toward the office entrance. “We shouldn’t have this conversation here.”

“Why not?” he asked with a raised brow.

“Because people might wonder why a mysterious billionaire is having a private meeting with the restaurant’s manager.”

His eyes narrowed with amusement. “The restaurant’s manager?”

“Yes.”

“Is that what we should be calling you now?” he teased.

Typical of him.

I gave him my warning look. “Don’t start with me.”

He laughed out again and I shook my head, trying hard not to smile. My identity as Éclat’s owner had remained a secretbetween a handful of trusted people. Most people thought I was merely managing the business for the anonymous owner…which I intended for it to remain that way, until I was ready.

“Come on,” I said, rising from my seat. “If we’re going to catch up, we might as well do it properly.”

Xavier rose to his feet. “And what does that mean if I may ask?”

“It means we’re getting a dinner reservation like normal guests.”

He glanced around my office. “I don’t get it. You own this place, yet you’re making everyone believe you’re simply its manager?”

“According to the public, I don’t own anything here.” I said, still unwilling to admit even though I knew Xavier knew the truth.

“Of course. I forgot how much Celeste Laurent enjoys keepingher secrets.”

“You have no idea.”