Chapter Five : The Deal

Celeste’s POV

The moment I stepped into Kingsley Tower, the air shifted.

It wasn’t cold, but a chill ran through me anyway. Maybe it was the glass walls, the polished marble floors, or the way people in tailored suits moved with quiet efficiency—like they belonged here and knew it.

I, on the other hand, was wrapped in my old hoodie, head down, already regretting this.

Yet as I made my way toward the reception desk, I noticed something strange.

People were looking at me.

Not in the usual way, not like they were judging my outfit or wondering what a girl like me was doing in a place like this. No, it was different.

They nodded. Smiled. One even offered a slight bow, and I blinked in confusion.

Why were they being… respectful?

“Miss Celeste?” the woman at the front desk asked, her tone smooth and welcoming.

My eyes widened at the sound of my name.

“Uh… yeah. That’s me.”

“You’re expected. Mr. Kingsley is currently in a meeting, but you may wait on his floor. You’ll be met by someone named Briar—she’s his assistant. She’ll take care of you once you arrive.”

“Briar,” I repeated.

“Yes. The elevator’s just to your right. 47th floor.

I gave a shaky nod and thanked her softly, then stepped into the private elevator. As it climbed, my reflection stared back at me from the mirrored walls—messy hair tucked under a cap, hoodie pulled tight, eyes wide with nerves.

What was I doing here?

The doors opened to a minimalist waiting area on the 47th floor. Sleek furniture. Tall windows. Silence so deep it made my heartbeat sound too loud.

A woman approached almost immediately.

She was tall, sharp-looking, dressed in all black with sleek heels and a tight bun. She moved like a shadow—elegant and slightly intimidating.

“You must be Miss Celeste,” she said in a perfectly calm voice.

“That’s me,” I managed.

“I’m Briar. Mr. Kingsley is finishing up a meeting. Please have a seat. Would you like anything to drink? Tea? Coffee?”

“I’m good,” I said, sitting down slowly. “Thanks.”

She offered a stiff nod and disappeared, leaving behind a tray of pastries and a steaming mug of something that smelled herbal. I hadn’t said yes, but somehow… she still brought me food .

Time stretched.

One hour.

Two.

By the third, I was tired from sitting still and hungry enough to nibble cautiously on one of the pastries. It was probably the most expensive thing I’d eaten in a years.

What kind of man made someone wait this long?

Finally, the doors opened.

“Miss Celeste?” Briar reappeared, still composed. “He’ll see you now.”

I stood, legs stiff, and followed her down a long hallway to an imposing door. She opened it without knocking, nodded once, then vanished.

I stepped inside.

Leo’s office was massive. Modern and drenched in soft, natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city like he ruled it, which—let’s be honest—he probably did.

And there he was.

Sitting behind a dark oak desk, flipping through files like I hadn’t just waited three hours to see him.

I lingered near the doorway, unsure if I was supposed to walk in or wait to be acknowledged.

Leo Kingsley.

Older. Sharper. Stronger.

His jaw was more defined now, his features more carved, and the tailored black shirt clinging to him did nothing to hide the man he’d grown into. Even the glasses on his face didn’t soften him—they just made him look more dangerous in a calculated, cold way.

He looked like every billionaire male lead women fantasized about.

God, he looked good.

And I hated that I noticed.

I cleared my throat.

He didn’t glance up.

I shifted my weight. The soft squeak of my sneakers against the hardwood must’ve finally irritated him, because he lifted his head, slow and deliberate.

“Could you not fidget?” he said, voice low but biting. “It’s distracting.”

I froze. “Sorry.”

He finally set the file down and leaned back in his chair, regarding me like I was just another problem to solve.

“I apologize for the wait,” he said, though his tone didn’t match the words. “When I get absorbed in work. I tend to forget... unimportant things.”

Ouch.

I clenched my jaw. “I didn’t mean to be a bother.”

He ignored the comment. “Sit.”

I sat across from him, heart thudding like I was about to be interrogated.

“I need a favor,” he said without preamble. “And before you get any ideas—this isn’t about us. It’s not about reconciliation or feelings or second chances. This is business.”

I blinked. “Okay…”

“My grandmother…” Leo began, his voice steady but without the usual warmth he might have once had when talking about her. “She’s unwell. Her condition’s been deteriorating, and there’s one thing she’s fixated on. She wants me to settle down. With you.”

I blinked, feeling the air grow thicker.

“Wait… What? You mean—us? After everything?”

He didn’t hesitate, his tone crisp. “She’s aware we broke up. She doesn’t care. What she cares about is seeing us back together. She’s convinced that we’re meant to be, that we’re the right match.”

I stared at him, trying to process what he was asking. But Leo didn’t seem affected by the absurdity of it. He was matter-of-fact, detached.

“You want me to pretend to be with you for your grandmother?” I asked, disbelief creeping into my voice.

Leo’s eyes flickered briefly, but there was no warmth in them. “I don’t want to do this. But she’s asking for it. I can’t ignore her request. She’s not well, Celeste. I’d do anything to make her happy, even if it means this.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re asking me to fake date you?”

“Exactly. It’s simple. We pretend for her, give her the peace of mind she wants. I’ll compensate you for your time. It’s a contract, nothing more. Public appearances, monthly payments—nothing personal.

His tone was blunt, no trace of emotion slipping through. He was treating this like a business deal, and I knew better than to expect anything more. Leo had always kept his emotions hidden, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

I crossed my arms, the weight of his words sitting heavy in my chest. “And you think this will make her happy?”

“Maybe. She believes in this. And honestly, I owe it to her.”

Leo stood up and walked to the window, his back to me. “I know it’s a lot, but I’m offering you a way out. Money, security. You won’t need to do much, and we both move on with our lives after.”

The silence between us stretched for a moment as I stared at his back, emotions swirling in my chest. On one hand I felt anger how could he ask me to do this? On the other hand, I understood why he was doing this. Leo had always been close to his grandma and if this was what she needed then I will do it.

If I was being honest with myself I also needed the money he was offering as I was jobless.

I will do it. I said my voice tight. I'll help you for her.