TEMPTING THE TYCOON

“Celeste, this won’t work!” Eula let out one of those heavy sighs that meant she was seconds away from smacking her forehead. “My God, this would be your thirteenth company!”I paused mid-lipstick application and turned to look at her from the driver’s seat. My best friend had that scolding look on her face, like she was my mother instead of my ride.“It’s your fault we got caught by my dad, so now I need a job to feed myself,” I shot back, my tone sharp and full of blame.“And who came up with the brilliant idea to ruin your father and stepmother’s engagement party?” she snapped, eyebrows practically climbing her forehead. “I warned you, Celeste. But no, you had to go through with it.”Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. I wasn’t used to being called out like that. Growing up as my mom’s only daughter, spoiled beyond belief, I always got whatever I wanted. But after she died six years ago, everything changed. And now that my dad was engaged again, it felt like he had erased

“I should have woken up earlier!” I kept chanting that under my breath as I shoved my arms into a black blazer.Of all days, my alarm decided not to work today. My first day at work, and I couldn’t afford to be late. Not now.“Ease up, Celeste,” Eula said as she watched me frantically comb through my brown hair.“You don’t know him, Eula. If I’m late, he’ll suck the soul right out of me,” I shot back, grabbing my car keys, wallet, and whatever else I needed.“She can’t be that bad,” she teased.I glared at her. “Not that bad? He’s a soul-sucking monster.”One last look in the mirror, and I almost convinced myself I looked put together.“You look hot,” Eula grinned, handing me a peanut butter sandwich.I laughed, wolfed it down in three bites, and sprinted downstairs to the parking lot. Sliding into my car, I checked the time. Twenty-five minutes before 8. If traffic cooperated, I’d make it in fifteen.I started the engine, but my optimism didn’t last long.“No… no… no,” I muttered, st

Reading her father’s flood of messages made Celeste realize how sorry he was, but she turned off her phone. She was upset and not ready to talk to him. Her dad had never hurt her before, until now, when she said something unpleasant about her stepmother. She had to admit it felt like her father loved his new wife more than her mom.Focusing back on work, she started rearranging the planner when she suddenly heard footsteps in the hallway.Leaving her seat, Celeste rushed outside and saw her stepsister entering the office. She furrowed her brow, walking toward her until she stood defiantly in front of her.“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” she snapped.Thelma raised an eyebrow, giving Celeste a once-over. “Obviously, I’m going inside.”Celeste cut her off. “Do you have an appointment? If not, I can’t let you in.”Thelma rolled her eyes. “Celeste, Cedric knows who I am.” She tried to walk past, but Celeste blocked her way.“Show me your appointment, because I’m not getting in