Chapter 001

Chapter 001

Celeste's POV

My legs wobbled uncontrollably as he thrusted in from behind aggressively, my thighs clamped together when he pulled out, pushing me out of the bed onto the ground like I was a burden.

I pulled my legs to my chest, hoping to hide my bare body a little. I sat curled up in a corner as tears flowed down freely, he lit a cigarette and sat on the bed before looking back at me.

"Clean yourself up and stop whining like a fvcking infant!" He threw my blouse at me and it landed on my head covering my face.

It seemed to tell me I was trapped, in something more or less a cage... Called marriage.

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The ride in the car was silent, my belly rumbled repeatedly but he choose to ignore it.

Alan has always hated my body, he called it unattractive and his solution to that was making me starve.

We arrived at the venue and the moment we stepped in, his eyes landed on Stephanie, his definition of attractive and sexy.

Skinny and an hourglass figure, she has the body type most men including my husband adored dearly.

He immediately let go of my hand when she saw us, she gave a bright smile as he walked towards her hurriedly.

I followed behind slowly, the corset pressing against my belly tightly.

The hall was illuminated with golden and bright lights, guests spread across their designated seats and I? I stood behind my husband while he spoke to his crush.

"Celeste?" Stephanie called, her eyes glinting like she had no idea I'd been here all along.

"Hey Steph." I waved dryly and she ran her eyes down to my belly as if studying it and she chuckled dryly.

"Is it your first time wearing a corset? You look... Uncomfortable."

She was right, it was my first time but she didn't say it because she was concerned, she only loved to tease me.

"Don't mind her, she's just hungry." Alan's stare hardened and she seemed to be enjoying every moment that haunts me.

"Is that so? You should eat cake then." She lifted a small plate of cake and Alan took it from her.

"She'll gain more weight." He took it back and my belly rumbled making her laugh harder.

"Look, the CEO is coming towards us." Steph said and Alan panicked like a child peeing his pant, he smoothened his suit out and Steph straightened her posture.

It didn't take long to find him, The CEO. He was engrossed in a conversation with the people beside him as he walked towards us.

Even though I'd worked for the company for 2 years, I had never seen him up close.

He looked better compared to his photos and his presence? It made even executives like Alan tremble when he came close.

"Stephanie McClure, but I'd like to be called Steph." Stephanie introduced herself shaking his hand with both of her hands wrapped around his. She knew how to be flirty even around the CEO.

"Stephanie McClure? I believe you handled last year's display production?" He asked almost immediately and she smiled innocently like a dove.

"Ah yes, that was me." Her silly laugh was annoying.

"Alan Jackson, I'm a top Executive." He reached for an handshake also but then everywhere fell silent after.

My gaze fell on my feet and Alan nudged my shoulder making me look up.

"You are?" The CEO looked nicer than I thought, he extended his hand for a handshake when I wasn't even looking.

"I'm..."

"She's my wife." Alan cut me short.

"I believe you have a name?" He pried further and when I looked up, our eyes met.

"Celeste... Celeste Jackson. An employee, I work for the marketing team." I reached for his hand that had been hanging in the air and shook it slightly.

"The color looks good on you Mrs Jackson, nice meeting you." He left as soon as he said this and my body reacted to it.

Was it butterflies? Or was it the way Stephanie got Angry noticing how I got complimented by the same outfit she condemned. Everything made me feel good.

The dance started shortly and Alan immediately reached for Steph as the music started.

I felt ashamed, a bit and I couldn't just stand by.

I picked a plate of cake and headed outside, I sat beside the fountain that spilled water endlessly into the golden lights.

I took my heels off and loosened a few straps of the corset before I started eating the cake slowly while enjoying the view.

"Celeste?" Someone called from behind and I froze, what if it was Alan?

I knew I shouldn't be caught eating cake with my corsets loose.

But then I turned slowly and I would've preferred it to be Alan but instead, it was him.

The man who must've thought my dress was beautiful but then seeing me gobble up cake like a lunatic.

He smiled and I immediately stood up, trying to adjust my dress

"It's fine, don't mind me." He said and quietly sat a few inches from where I was.

I sat slowly and wiped my mouth before reaching for the last slice of cake.

"Shouldn't you be inside dancing with your husband?" His question caught me off guard, but he was right. I should be inside with him but he choose the woman that was easy to lift and not the other way around.

"Uhm... I... I don't like dancing so he's dancing with a coworker."

The lie curled around me and he smiled like everything I said amused him.

"I see." He stood up and I thought he'd leave but then he stood in front of me.

"Can I have this dance, Celeste." The Jazz hummed softly from the main hall and my cheeks were filled with cake, I wouldn't call it safety.

The way he didn't at all seem bothered by my barefeet, loose gown and stuffed mouth.

He extended his hand to me and my eyes moved from his hand to his eyes again, everything that told me he was safe.

I slowly reached for his and he pulled me up, his grip on my hand was soft and gentle, almost as if he didn't want to hurt me but that was stupid, I was used to being held roughly so being held gently felt strange.

"You have something here." He reached for my mouth and...

"Celeste!" I heard Alan's voice and I immediately shifted away from him.

"I'm sorry, I should go." I pulled my hand away and immediately reached for my heels, he picked the other one and handed it to me, forcing me to look at him again.

"Thank you... Sir." I took it and ran towards the exit."