Chapter Twenty Seven

Thea stepped into the penthouse after a long day of playing pretend with Posy. She was just in time to freshen up and get ready for the dinner plans she had with Celine.

“Good evening, Ms Thea.” Butler John greeted as soon as Thea walked in..

“Good evening John.” Thea replied, ready to hurry up the stairs and get ready as fast as she possibly could. “Is Seth back?”

“Mr Seth is back and your dress is already in your room.”

Thea nodded and hurried up the stairs, she needed to be as fast as possible, not because she didn't want to keep Seth waiting, she was excited to see Celine again.

She walked into her suite, her mind buzzing with the thought of the evening ahead at Celine’s.

She got to her quarters, stripped down and took a quick shower before returning back to her room where the dress Seth had got her, laid on her bed.

She was too much in a hurry to notice earlier but now she did. He surprisingly had a good taste, if he really picked this dress himself that is.

It was a green long form fitting dinner gown, a color that made her amber eyes sparkle. The fabric hugged her curves before falling into soft waves around her feet. The neckline plunged daringly low, showing just a hint of cleavage, and the back was completely open, almost reaching her waist. High slits ran up both sides, revealing her long legs with every step. She wore simple earrings and let her dark brown hair fall in loose waves around her shoulders.

When she walked out of her suite and started down the grand staircase, she saw Seth waiting in the living room. He was dressed in a dark tailored suit, a wrist watch and h8s hair neatly styled to a stray strand of hair curling down his forehead.

He was standing by the large windows, seemingly lost in thought.

Thea walked down the stairs, her heels clicking on the floor, his head slowly turned.

His eyes landed on her, and for a moment, he froze. His gaze swept over her, from her hair to the daring neckline, down the flowing green fabric, and then lingered on the open back as she turned slightly.

What the hell was he thinking? Picking that dress? His eyes were wide, and he couldn't seem to look away.

Thea felt a thrill run through her, he was staring at her, his eyes watching every of her movement silently.

She continued down the stairs and when she reached the bottom, Seth cleared his throat, pulling his eyes away with much effort.

“You look magnificent, Ms Thea.” Butler John complemented, seemingly pleased with how beautiful she looked.

“John. Is the car ready?” Seth asked, pulling out his phone in hopes of distracting himself. The phone almost slipped out of his gasps but he caught it in time but not fast enough for Thea not to notice how clumsy he had suddenly become.

"Yes sir.”

He gave a curt nod and led her out to the waiting car. Seth settled behind the wheels, while Thea took the seat next to his. Seth didn't need a driver tonight, he's going to do the driving.

Or so he thought.

The ride to Celine's house was quiet, but Thea could feel Seth's gaze on her from time to time. He struggled to keep his eyes on the road and Thea played the fool, pretending to be oblivious to his stares..

Finally, they arrived at Celine's house, which was not like Seth's penthouse.

It was a grand, old home nestling in the woods with several acres of land surrounding it. It felt like a family house, somewhere Seth must have grown up in.

Big, strong oak trees stood around it, and soft lights glowed from inside. As they walked towards the front door, the air smelled of freshly baked bread and roasted meat.

“This is…beautiful.” Thea muttered. “And different from your house.”

“Celine likes it here. I can’t get her to leave.” Seth said, his eyes scanning the field like he was recalling a distant memory.

Seth pulled the door open for Thea and she walked past him, filling the air with the smell of her perfume and jasmine shampoo. His grip around the knob tightened, his eyes fixed on Thea's bare back.

He still couldn't believe he chose that outfit! He really shot himself in the foot there. He shuts the door behind him quietly, his eyes scanning the house in silence.

It's still the same.

Celine herself met them in the wide, inviting hallway, her face lighting up with a beaming smile.

"My sweethearts! You're here!" She hugged Thea first, then pulled Seth into a warm embrace. “I'm glad you came.” She whispered, a knowing look in her eyes.

Seth avoided her gaze. Celine turns to Thea in excitement.

“My dear, you look absolutely radiant! That dress is beautiful!"

"Thank you. Seth got it for me." Thea said with a teasing smile.

Celine gasped, a playful look in her eyes. “I see the vision now.”

Thea and Celine burst into laughter, meaning Seth confused. What are they talking about?

"Your home is beautiful."

"Come, come!" Celine urged, leading them into a spacious living room.

The room was cozy despite its size, filled with soft armchairs and wood furniture. On a large, ornate table by the fireplace, Thea noticed many picture frames. They were filled with photos of Seth as a boy and a young man: Seth with a missing front tooth, Seth on a small bicycle, Seth playing with a dog, Seth in a graduation cap.

Thea approached ot quitely, a small smile dancing on her lips. It was a softer, younger version of Seth.

Seth watched her, his hands tucked in his pocket. He watched her trace a finger down the picture he took on his graduation; he was so irritated that day.

He had gotten into a fight with a friend earlier that day, Arian, over a silly prank and he had to take his graduation picture with a plaster in his forehead.

Celine laughs, joining Thea by the table.

“He got into a fight with Arian and they both got a cut on each other's faces.” She pulls the drawer open, showing Thea a picture of Arian and Seth in the same graduation gown, laughing like they didn't just want each other dead a few minutes ago.

Thea chuckled. “Seth fights?” her eyes flickered to him in surprise, a smile still dancing on her lips.

“Oh! It was terrible. I considered putting him in a boxing school one time. Terrible idea. Even his coach couldn't take his punch.” Celine said, recalling the incident had a chill run down her spine.

The old man and to get stitches, it was that bad.

Thea laughs. “That's new. He didn't tell me that.”

“Trust me, I have a lot to show you about his childhood. But first, dinner is almost ready," Celine announced happily. "I cooked it all myself, of course. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal, does it?"

Thea nodded in agreement as Celine hurried off to the kitchen. “I should help you with that…”

Thea joins Celine in an instant.

“No, no, no. You're my guest. You and Seth should go sit in the dining room..”

“No, I want to help you.”

“Thea…”

“You said I was your daughter now right? Let me help you.”

Celine exhaled and nodded.

Thea helped Celine with serving the dishes while Seth watches them both in silence. Something about the duo working together warmed his heart greatly.

The dinner itself was perfect. Celine had made a delicious meal: roast chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, and warm, fluffy bread.

Celine pulled out a photo album when it was time for dessert, a fond smile on her face as she waves Thea over. “Come. I need to show you something..”

Thea moved her seat closer, her eyes brightened as she stared at pictures of Seth as a baby. “Aww, he's so cute!”

“I know right? Who knew this cute baby will grow up to be this grumpy man before us.” Celine clocks her tongue and Thea laughs. Her eyes m9ved over each picture, flipping from one page to another, each outturn had a backstory, one Celine was willing to tell

Seth sat there, watching them in silence. A smile finding its way to his lips unconsciously, it was beautiful. The sight before was…peaceful..

The night went on with Thea engaging Celine all through. Seth played his part well. Almost too well.

His hand would often find its way to Thea's lower back or the small of her waist as he moved past her, a light, lingering touch that felt strangely possessive. When Celine wasn't looking, his deep blue eyes would drift to Thea, an intense gaze that followed her movements and lingered on her lips when she spoke.

Thea remained calm, it's all for show. He made that clear but his touches felt too deliberate.

Dinner finally ended, and it was time to leave. Celine escorts them both towards the door,more than happy to have them as her guests.

"Thank you so much for a wonderful evening.” Thea said as Celine hugged her at the door. "The food was delicious, and it was lovely to see you."

"Oh, you must come over more often, my dear!" Celine gushed.

Thea smiled and nodded. She waved them goodbye as they drove out of her property.

The ride back to the penthouse was quiet again. Neither of them said a word but Seth's gaze lingered on Thea still.

When they finally arrived at the penthouse, Thea got out of the car with Seth behind her. His phone beeped with a message from Ethan, it was a picture of Runes squeezing Thea's arm roughly.

His jaw tightened, his eyes moving towards Thea who was now on the grand staircase. He covered the distance between them in long strides, pulling her arm as soon as she got to the landing.

Seth’s grip on her wasn't tight but it was firm, his eyes struggling to stay neutral.

“Runes Sterling…did he touch you?”

Thea arched a questioning eyebrow. “What?”

Seth shuts his eyes, he was struggling to contain his anger. “That bastard, did he touch you?”

Thea's eyes went down to the phone in his hand, she could see the picture displayed on the screen. She sighed.

“It's nothing.”

“It's not nothing!” Seth snapped, his voice laced with anger at the thought of Runes manhandling his wife.

His woman!

Thea chuckled. “For a man who told me not to fall in love with him, you sure care too much.”

Seth froze, the weight of her words hit him like a daggers to his heart. Was he really…

Thea leans closer to him, whispering into his ear. “I think you already failed.” She places a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Goodnight Seth.”

And with that, she turned on her heels and walked away.