Chapter 4

The minute Cedric Bettencourt stepped out of the elevator, the whole floor went silent, except for me. I was leaning against a curly-haired guy’s desk, saying something that apparently sounded funny, because he was laughing.

Out of nowhere, I felt this shift in the air. Cedric’s eyes were on me. I didn’t even have to see him to know.

He rolled his eyes at me like I was doing something criminal and slowly walked toward us. The curly guy caught sight of him right away and clammed up, but I was still laughing, my back to Cedric.

Then came that cough. Sharp, deliberate. I froze instantly, recognizing his presence before I even turned around. Slowly, I faced him, biting my lip in pure nerves.

“Are you done with your chit-chat, or should I wait, Ms. Koch?” His tone was cold and sarcastic, his eyes scanning me from head to toe like I was some kind of nuisance.

“S-Sorry, sir…” I whispered, shrinking a little as I followed behind him toward his office.

I tried to pull myself together and do my job right. “You… You have a meeting with Irina Starkville at 12, then you’re supposed to be at lunch with Alfred Smith. I already booked a table at Mildred’s. All the information you’ll need for the lunch meeting is arranged on your desk. After that, you’ve got a board meeting at 6. They’ll be discussing the new Seattle project, so I emailed you all the finance reports and other details.” I blurted it all out in one breath, praying he’d at least acknowledge that I was on top of things.

Cedric just gave me a short nod before stopping at the door of his office. His eyes locked on me, and I swear I must’ve looked like a lost puppy the way I stood there.

“What now?” he snapped.

I straightened my shoulders. “I arranged your schedule in a new journal, read through all the files and the documents in your last secretary’s folders,” I said proudly, smirking like I’d just accomplished something huge.

He tilted his head, mocking me. “What do you want me to do? Give you a chocolate every time you do something you’re paid for?”

My smile fell. That stung. “I just want you to know that I’m not a total lost cause,” I said, forcing another smile. Innocent but defiant. I could tell my smile did something to him, though he tried to hide it.

“That’s for me to decide,” he said flatly before disappearing into his office.

I was left standing outside, frowning in disappointment. It felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t win with him. He probably thought I needed humbling or something, but God, did he have to be so cruel about it?

By lunchtime, his driver took us to Mildred’s for the meeting with Alfred Smith. As soon as the car stopped, I hurried out and waited for Cedric to step out. Together we walked inside, and I went straight to the receptionist.

“Hi, cutie, we had a reservation under Cedric Bettencourt…” I leaned casually against the desk and flashed the guy my brightest smile. “Care to show us our table?”

He smiled back, clearly charmed, and called a waiter to guide us. Cedric and I followed, but I could feel the daggers he was throwing at me with his eyes once we sat down.

“What did I do now?” I asked, pointing at myself.

He arched his brow. “Is that how you talk to boys?”

“I… was just asking him,” I said defensively.

“No, you looked like you were flirting,” he scoffed.

“Flirting? I’m not!” I was ready to argue when I spotted Alfred Smith walking in.

“He’s here,” Cedric muttered, shutting me up instantly.

We ordered, and the meeting began. Cedric went straight into business, pushing hard for Alfred to accept the proposal. But Alfred just kept shutting him down, shaking his head.

Alfred Smith was stubborn as hell, full of pride. No matter how logical Cedric’s points were, the man wasn’t budging.

“Your company is collapsing, Mr. Smith. Believe me when I say this collaboration is your only choice now.” Cedric gave his final push, but Alfred’s ego wasn’t having it.

“The only reason I agreed to this meeting is because I thought Greg taught his son better,” Alfred shot back. “But you’re just like every other stupid young man who thinks he’s the smartest businessman alive. You have no respect for traditions, Cedric. I was the one who taught your father the basics. Who do you think you are? I’ve been in this business longer than you’ve been alive!”

On and on he went, and Cedric just sat there, probably fantasizing about dumping soup over his head.

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Mr. Smith,” I cut in, “I was reading about your company today and I came across something about your son’s affair. Just to be clear, are those the traditions you’re talking about?”

“Ms. Koch…” Cedric hissed under his breath, gripping my hand under the table so tightly it hurt. “Don’t meddle.”

Alfred gave a sarcastic laugh, stood up, and adjusted his suit. “Is that why you called me here? To insult me?”

Cedric tried to calm him down. “Mr. Smith, sit down. We can talk—”

“Bullshit!” Alfred barked, pointing at Cedric before storming off.

The second he was gone, Cedric turned his fury on me. “What the hell did you just do?!”

“We both know he needs this deal more than we do,” I argued, keeping my voice steady. “So why are we bending to his demands?”

“That’s not your headache!”

“It’s just an opinion.”

“You’re not paid to give me your opinion!”

I pushed back my chair, standing up to face him. “On the contrary, I think it’s my job to—”

“Your job is to do what I ask you to do!” His voice thundered. “Your father might be one of the wealthiest men in the city, but you’re still a nobody in the world of business, Celeste.”

Every head in the restaurant turned toward us. My cheeks burned, and I dropped my gaze to the floor. Why does everything I do have to go back to my father?

“I-I’m sorry…” It was all I could manage. Explaining myself would’ve been pointless.

“Do you understand me?” His voice was sharp, his glare even sharper.

“Yes, sir.”

The ride back to the office was suffocating. Cedric didn’t say a single word to me, didn’t give me a single task once we got back. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or dismissed.

By the time I left the building at 7:47, it felt like I had lived through two years with him in just eight hours.

“What’s with that face?”

I turned and saw Eula leaning against her car.

“What are you doing here?” I smiled for the first time that day.

“Fetching you!” she giggled.

I was about to slide into the passenger seat when Cedric walked out of the building.

“Who’s that?” Eula asked, eyeing him with obvious interest. “Wait… is that your boss?”

“He is,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Damn, he’s hot!”

“He’s the worst.” I grimaced, watching him climb into his car.

“If I were you, I’d try to get him so I could ride him until—”

“Shut up!” My eyes went wide as I slapped my hand over her mouth, scanning the area to make sure no one had heard.

Too late. Cedric’s eyes met mine, his brows furrowed. My heart nearly stopped.

“Bye, sir! See you tomorrow!” I blurted out awkwardly before dragging Eula into the car.

Once inside, I glared at her. “Your words!”

“And so? Don’t tell me you don’t find him attractive.”

“He’s not my type!” I snapped. Just the thought of Cedric irritated me. No way could I ever like him.

Eula smirked. “Do you see those muscles… that perfect jaw, those kissable lips, ouch!”

I smacked her arm. “Stop! He’s not my type, for God’s sake!”

“Why do you sound so defensive?” she teased.

“I’m not!” I rolled my eyes, laughing despite myself. “Just drive!”

We were on the road when I realized we weren’t headed back to our condo.

“Where are we going?” I asked, unease rising.

Eula stayed quiet.

“Eula, where the hell are we going?” My gut already knew the answer.

“Your dad, I mean…” she started.

“Did Dad ask you to do this?”

“He just missed you—”

“Stop the car. Now.”

“Celeste…”

“I said stop the car or I’ll jump out!” My voice cracked as anger flared. “Why are you doing this? Didn’t I tell you I’m not going home?!”

Eula squeezed my arm gently. “Your dad doesn’t want you to come home. He just wants to see you.”

I turned away, staring out at the city lights. “I hope this is the last time you meddle in my decisions.”

The rest of the drive to the Koch mansion was heavy with silence.

When we finally pulled in, the gates opened to the familiar pine trees lining the driveway. I walked straight inside, ignoring the nostalgia clawing at me.

“Ms. Celeste!” Nora, one of the maids, greeted me warmly.

“Where’s Dad?”

“They’re in the pool area, having dinner with Ms. Thelma and her fiancé.”

I scoffed. “She’s here? I thought she wasn’t coming back?”

“She just wanted to visit Madame Olga,” Nora explained carefully, then tried to change the subject. “Are you finally back? Do you want me to prepare your room and bathtub?”

“No, I’m not coming back.” My teeth clenched as I walked toward the pool.

I could hear my father’s booming laughter even from a distance. They sounded so happy. I was about to ruin it.

“Did I miss something?” I said as I appeared. “I was only gone for two weeks, but it feels like the house is a whole different place already.”

Everyone froze. Olga’s smile vanished, and Thelma glared.

My father, Eduardo Koch, rushed over. “Celeste, come and join us. Your Aunt Olga cooked your favorite food.”

I yanked my hand away. “No, thank you. I’ll just grab my things and leave.”

“Celeste.” His face fell, but I was unshaken.

“As much as I’d love to taste her cooking, Dad, I won’t. She might poison me so she and her daughter can inherit all your wealth.” I smirked at Olga.

The next thing I knew, a sharp slap landed across my face. The force left me numb. Gasps echoed around the table.

I touched my cheek, laughing bitterly. “D-Did you just slap me?” My father had never, ever laid a hand on me before. Until now. For her.

“C-Celeste, I didn’t mean—”

“You didn’t mean?” My voice cracked. “Of course, you didn’t mean it, Dad! Your palm just slipped because you couldn’t stand hearing something bad about your soon-to-be wife, right?!”

“Celeste…” He reached for me, but I backed away.

“Don’t touch me! I hate you!” I screamed, tears streaming down my face. I spun on my heel, blinded by pain, and nearly stumbled.

But someone caught me.

“Hey, are you alright?”

That voice.

I looked up through blurred vision and saw my boss, holding me steady.

“Are you crying?”

I jerked away, stunned to see him there. What the hell was he doing in my house? I didn’t know, and I didn’t care. All I wanted was to leave and never come back.