Chapter 10: A Day of Reflection

I sink into the plush chair and exhale slowly, letting the soothing scent of lavender calm my nerves. It feels strange to stop and just breathe. Between the bakery, Winter Wonderland, and everything else piling up, this spa day almost feels like a stolen moment.

Celine sits across from me, a glass of cucumber water in her hands, and I can feel her eyes on me, even with my eyes closed. “You know,” she says, her voice smooth like honey, “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you this relaxed.”

I crack open one eye to glance at her, surprised by the observation. She’s right, I haven’t been this at ease in forever. But I don’t know how to explain to her that it’s not just the spa day that’s helping. It’s the fact that I’m finally not buried under the pressure of running a bakery that my mother left behind. Or at least, that’s how it feels right now.

I take a slow breath, settling into the chair. “Yeah. It’s nice,” I say, not quite sure what else to add.

Celine leans forward, her gaze sharp but laced with curiosity. “So, how’s everything going with Sebastian?”

My heart stutters, a little caught off guard. I haven’t really talked about Sebastian with anyone, not in depth. And I certainly haven’t had a chance to reflect on us.

I smile, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “It’s good. Really good, actually. We’ve been spending more time together. Things feel natural.”

A small, knowing smile tugs at Celine’s lips. She doesn’t speak immediately, but her eyes narrow just enough for me to notice. “Natural, huh?” she repeats. “Is that what you think? Because you know, men like him, they don’t really do ‘natural,’ you know?”

I tilt my head, puzzled by the way she says it. "What do you mean?"

She raises an eyebrow. "Oh, you know. The rich, powerful ones, especially someone like Sebastian. They like the thrill, the excitement. But when it comes to real commitment? It’s rare. Trust me. They get bored quickly."

I feel a flicker of unease at her words, something twisting deep in my stomach. Sebastian’s been nothing but kind, supportive even, but Celine’s words leave a crack of doubt.

“He’s not like that,” I say quickly, though my voice feels thinner than I want it to. “He’s different with me. I think he wants something real.”

Celine chuckles softly, the sound light but there’s an edge to it, something almost dismissive. “Sweetheart, you’re gorgeous, no doubt about that. But don’t let that beauty fool you. It’s easy for a guy like him to take what he wants, and when he gets tired of it, he’ll move on to the next one. You really want to risk your heart on someone who might see you as just another pretty face?”

I can feel my pulse quicken, my stomach knotting in a way that has nothing to do with relaxation and everything to do with her words hitting a little too close to home. I try to shake it off. “I don’t think that’s true,” I reply, though it’s more to convince myself than to her. “He’s different with me.”

A sharp, knowing laugh escapes Celine, as if she’s been here before, watching this play out over and over again. “Sure. But trust me, Selina. I’ve seen this story unfold before. It’s all fun and games until you’re left wondering why it ended.”

I try to push the growing anxiety out of my chest, but it lingers like a shadow. “I don’t think I’ll be left wondering,” I whisper, but my voice doesn’t hold the conviction I want it to. “This isn’t like how it was with Victor and me before. Sebastian is different from Victor.” Victor was my ex. The one who shattered me completely when he walked away.

Celine shifts in her seat, her tone softening ever so slightly, but I can tell there’s something beneath her words. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all. You deserve someone who sees you for you, not just for your beauty.”

Her words sting more than I expected, and I find myself staring at my hands, the tension creeping up my arms. Maybe Celine has a point. Maybe I’m holding on too tightly to something that isn’t real.

The conversation shifts, but the unease lingers. Celine begins asking about the bakery, her tone light but her questions pointed. “It’s doing well, isn’t it?” she asks, sipping her water. “But are you happy with it? Like, truly happy?”

I blink, surprised. “Of course. It’s... it’s my mother’s legacy. It’s important to me.”

Celine tilts her head, studying me. “Important doesn’t always mean fulfilling, you know. You’ve spent so much time building something for her memory. But is this what you want for the rest of your life?”

Her words hit me like a cold gust of wind. I’ve never thought about it that way. The bakery has always been more than a job. It’s been my connection to my mom, a way to keep her close. But is it enough? Is it really mine?

“I’m not saying you should walk away from it,” she continues, her voice gentle now, almost conspiratorial. “But maybe it’s time to ask yourself if you’re living your life for her or for you.”

I stare at my hands, her words sinking in like stones. The bakery has always been my anchor, my purpose. But has it also been my cage?

By the time we leave the spa, my mind is swirling with doubts I hadn’t even considered before. As I check my phone, a message from Sebastian lights up the screen: Hey, I was thinking about you. Let’s meet tonight.

My heart skips, the familiar warmth of his attention washing over me. But even as a smile spreads across my lips, Celine’s voice lingers in the back of my mind: Be careful, Selina. Not everything that glitters is gold.

I glance at Celine, who gives me a knowing smile, and I can’t help but wonder how much of her advice is really about looking out for me, and how much is about something else entirely.