MasukCeline's POV,The moment the plane lands in New York, my heart starts racing.Not the anxious kind.The I’m finally home kind.I barely wait for the doors to open before I’m already unbuckling, glancing at Alex like he might somehow slow me down.He just smiles. “He’s here.”That’s all he has to say.The second I step off the jet, I see him.“CELINE!”Jack comes running toward me at full speed, and I barely have time to brace myself before he crashes into me. I laugh, dropping my handbag instantly as I wrap my arms around him, holding him tight.“Hey, you,” I murmur into his hair.“You’re back!” he says, pulling away just enough to look at me like he needs to make sure I’m real.“I’m back,” I confirm, smiling.His eyes immediately drop to my hand.“Dad, you did really well,” he says, grabbing my fingers to look at the ring again then looking at his father.I laugh.“I did,” Alex says proudly as he kisses my cheek.Then, without hesitation, Jack hugs me again.This is where I’m meant t
Celine's POV,I’m in my favorite place, which is in Alex’s arm, naked after a much needed love making. After the proposal we drove to our hotel, kissing and trying not to rip each other’s clothes all the way from the car to the elevator ride up to our suite. My phone rings pulling me away from my deep thoughts and Alex’s amazing fingers gently playing with my pussy lips.I glance down and my heart skips.Jack. He is the one calling.I look up at Alex immediately. “It’s Jack.”A slow smile spreads across his face, softer than anything else tonight. “Yeah… I might’ve told him earlier.”My eyes widen. “You what?”“He was too excited,” Alex says, smiling. “He’s been waiting all day.”Something warm blooms in my chest.I answer before it can ring again.“Hi, sweetie—”“CELINE!!!”I burst out laughing as his voice practically explodes through the phone.“Is it true?!” he rushes out. “Did Dad really ask you to marry him?!”I grin, already feeling emotional. “He did.”“And you said YES, righ
Celine’s POVTwo years laterIf you had told me back then that I’d be here finished a PhD, building a career halfway across the world, and still somehow holding onto the love of my life, I wouldn’t have believed you.Leaving was the hardest decision I’ve ever made.Tokyo had felt like everything I worked for my dream role at one of the top security firms in the world. But it also meant walking away from him. From Alex. From Jack. From the life we had quietly started building together. From Claire, Nash… from Leo.From family.I almost said no.I would have, if Alex hadn’t looked at me the way he did that night steady, certain, completely unwavering.“You’ll regret it if you don’t go,” he had said. “And us? Celine. I believe in us.”And somehow… he was right.The first year was brutal.Distance stretched everything thin time zones, missed calls, nights that felt too quiet without him. But Alex showed up. Over and over again.Flying out whenever he could. Showing up at my door like it w
Celine's POV,By the time everyone leaves, I'm both exhausted and somehow fulfilled.I'm curled into Alex's chest on the couch, his arm wrapped around me, steady and warm like it belongs there. Leo sits across from us, the glow of the Spider-Man movie flickering across the room."Okay, it's time for your bedtime," Alex says.Jack groans. "But Dad, the movie is ending soon.""You've seen this movie multiple times," Alex replies, amused."Dad, please," Jack tries again."No. Upstairs, now."Jack looks at me, eyes wide, silently begging.I smile, shaking my head. "Sorry, sweetie. You're on your own."He sighs dramatically and drags himself up. "Goodnight, Celine.""Goodnight." I say to him blowing him a kiss.He glances at Leo. "Goodnight."And then pointedly ignores Alex as he stomps off.Alex huffs a quiet laugh. "Get ready for bed. I'll be there in five minutes."Alex stands and leans down close to me. "I'll be right back, baby," he whispers before heading upstairs. His lips brushing
Celine’s POVMy brother Leo is coming into town.And for the first time since Alex and I became… us, I feel nervous.Not the fun, fluttery kind.The real kind.The kind that sits in your chest and won’t leave.Leo hasn’t met Alex yet.And I want them to like each other, no, I need them to.“Stop worrying,” Alex tells me for what feels like the tenth time that morning.We’re in the kitchen, he’s leaning casually against the counter with his coffee, watching me pace like I’m preparing for something far more serious than my brother visiting.“It’s going to be fine, Celine.”“You don’t know that,” I say, turning to him. “Leo can be… a lot.”Alex just smiles, calm as always. “So can I.”That makes me pause.He steps closer, setting his cup aside before reaching for me, his hands settling lightly on my waist.“Everything will be fine,” he repeats, softer this time. “Trust me.”And I do.That’s the problem.I always do.—Leo is staying at a hotel, but Alex had suggested we invite him to sta
Alex's POV,Concerts don’t usually come with a private bar.But this one does.A section has been set up just for us low lighting, a clear view of the stage, and a bartender already preparing drinks like we’re in some exclusive lounge instead of a packed arena.Celine and her friends go straight for cocktails, laughing as they debate flavors and combinations.I keep it simple.“Scotch,” I tell the bartender.He nods, handing me a glass moments later.The place is already filling up crowded with people in their twenties, loud, energetic, buzzing with anticipation. The music before the main set is already blasting through the speakers, bass heavy enough to feel in my chest.I take a slow sip, scanning the room.I feel it almost immediately.Out of place.It’s the noise. The crowd. The energy.And maybe… the fact that I’m older than most people here.This isn’t my world.But then—Celine’s hand slips into mine.I glance down at her, and she’s already looking up at me, smiling like she kn
Celine's POV“You and Celine are boyfriend and girlfriend,” Jack says matter-of-factly, like he’s announcing the weather.My heart is pounding so loudly I’m sure everyone can hear it.“Why do you think that?” Claire blurts out.All heads turn toward her.She raises her hands quickly. “Sorry. Sorry.
Celine's POVJack opens the door before I even knock.“You’re late,” he says dramatically, even though I’m exactly on time.“I am not,” I laugh, stepping inside. “You just have no patience.”He grins and grabs my hand, dragging me toward the dining area where folders, printouts, and what looks like
Celine's POVSomehow, I've convinced myself to stop worrying about my uncle and Alex.Or at least I've convinced myself to try.There's this quiet feeling in my chest that tells me everything will be fine. I repeat it to myself until it almost sounds true. Until I actually start believing it.Alex
Alex's POVThe interview went fine, and I've officially hired Celine as Jack's nanny, though I'm still not sure it wasn't a mistake. All through the interview I did my best to keep my eyes from trailing, but it was hard to. Celine had awakened something in me I haven't felt in forever. I've been ce







