Not An Idiot

Celeste’s POV

“Whatever you've done, fix it!” A scream rippled out of her throat, her glare almost like a physical blow.

“But I haven't done anything.” Aside from meeting Kade, I haven't—Wait, he called it off this fast? On mutual grounds when my mother didn't even know about it? What was he doing?

My mother's cracked voice shook me out of my reverie, and she rubbed her palms together.

“Please stop this. I'm your mother…. I'm begging.”

Something exploded in my chest.

“You slapped me because I wanted a divorce! Never for once did you ask me why, you never cared! Now I should stop?”

“What exactly did you tell him? We can't lose him!”

Not one concern about the fact that Henry cheated, not one. It was all about the merger for her future embezzlement.

My smile came out bitter.

“Where is Nancy?” My mother looked me dead in the eyes and lied to me.

“She travelled—”

“You wanted to see me?”

Both our heads whipped in the direction of the voice. My younger sister, a curt smile spread across her face as she approached us. My nails dug into my palm as I eyed down the length of her.

“So we are still pretending?” I started off.

The smile disappeared like warmth had never once touched that face.

"Pretending? We both know I give Henry the pleasure you never could, no matter how hard you tried.”

My jaw dropped, but I picked it up fast.

“So why are you running away? You like the spotlight, don't you?”

She let out a snicker.

“I'm the sweet one, remember? I want you to enjoy the spotlight a little. It was pitiful to watch you crave that one thing your whole life.” Her crass words hit me square in the chest.

“I took care of you, i—”

“A slave would take orders, yes.”

My breath caught.

“What happened to you? What went wrong with us?”

She let out a groan, rolling her eyes so hard I thought they would roll right out of their sockets.

“God, shut up, Celeste.”

“Yes, tell her!” My mother couldn't help but support her favourite child.

Another sour smile settled on my face.

“Have Henry. I think I have someone better.” I let the words roll off my tongue as soft as a purr, the exact moment she lost her marbles heavily rewarding.

“Kade? A man like him wouldn't look twice in your direction! You're so delusional it's almost embarrassing!” She raged fire and brimstone. The person in front of me was not my sister. It couldn't possibly be.

The old Celeste would've believed the mean words she spewed, but I had no reason to.

“Oh, but he will. Can't you see you've been the one in hiding? You're not even proud of your actions!”

She froze, then her hands began trembling, like she couldn't believe the ‘undermined’ sister could raise her voice at her.

“News flash, someone is definitely pitiful between the both of us right now, and it's not me.”

“Celeste!” Her eyes went red, her fists shaking with the urge to hit me, but I simply strutted past.

“I hate her! I hate her so much! Let's get back at her!” I heard her screaming in the distance, but for the first time in my life, my mother had more pressing issues on her mind than her own daughter.

“The merger, Nancy. Stop yelling so you don't agitate her, or do you want to kill your mother?” Mother's voice came out in a shaky, careful whisper.

“I don't care about any stupid merger, leave me alone! She's ruined everything!”

For years, I had crumbled under the weight of their words, but now I was the one ruffling their feathers.

My mood lit up.

……

The next day evening came, and Henry still hadn't returned. I didn't care. I didn't even want him here.

I picked out a black leather jacket, a white tiny top and a black leather skirt with pointy boots. I took forever to admire myself in the mirror when I got dressed.

I put my hair up in a messy bun, because God forbid I looked like I'd put any effort into looking this good.

The house felt like a silent warzone as I made my way out, like any move in the wrong direction, all hell could break loose.

Mom was mourning the loss of the merger in her room, being so hard on all the staff, but only I understood the full weight of her heartbreak.

She hadn't dared cross me even once. It was thrilling to know she thought I was behind it.

I got into my car and drove straight to my appointment, making sure I carried my medicine bottle with me.

The location wasn't what I was expecting.

In fact I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it just…it wasn't a beach house.

Security let me in, then I drove over a large stretch of land, up until the main building.

I received a glass of wine right at the door from a waiter, and I was led to him.

There was nothing about this place that screamed his personal residence in my opinion.

When I walked into the room to meet him, I found him standing, holding a gun.

At first I stood rooted in my tracks, on high alert, then I took in the room in one fast sweep.

Oh.

Oh.

The weight in my chest dissolved.

An indoor shooting range.

He craned his neck, a smile curling up his lips when his eyes met mine. I was still rooted to the door, failing to hide the panic attack I just survived.

I swallowed, then forced my legs in his direction.

“Why here?” I stood beside him, my eyes catching the ambience of the room.

“What? Can't handle a challenge?” His eyes dipped to my outfit. He hummed in approval. My cheeks flushed secretly.

“Some of us have jobs, Kade.”

“Sure. Here, let's see what you've got.”

He tried to hand me the gun.

“I just want to show you something—”

“I'll hear you out only after this.” His voice came out in a low whisper, making me realize there was barely any space between us. I shifted.

“This is definitely not how business meetings work.” My jaw tightened as I took the gun from him and aimed it at the target.

I felt heat from a broad frame next to me right then.

Kade’s. He had come up behind me, his hand working its way up my arm, then rounding the gun, trying to help me steady it.

“Get off me, Mr Thorn.” I thanked the stars my voice didn't shake like my insides were. This man didn't just make my heart skip.

“I don't like your tone.” His voice dropped as he backed away, his tone firm like it was supposed to scare me. Too bad.

“Well, you're making me do this,” Then the gun went off. I squinted as the shot hit the exact middle of the target.

I saw him go still for a moment, staring open-mouthed.

“You know your way around a gun…” he trailed off.

A victorious smile blossomed across my face.

“You're almost better than me, partner.” He added.

I scoffed as I shook my head.

“I'm definitely better than you.” A smirk twitched at the corner of his lips.

“I have to prove you wrong then.”

That's how we went into a full blown exercise. I almost forgot myself because the challenge was so thrilling.

After watching him shoot a few times, his hands steady, his skills inclined towards pure instinct, I knew I wasn't going to admit the truth, so I let it die down.

“I would really like to come here again.” The words slipped past my lips before I could stop myself.

“Its always open, whenever you need to destress.” He sounded dead serious as silence stretched between us.

“Thank you,” I breathed, my heart almost leaping out of my chest under the weight of his stare.

“So, you wanted to show me something?”

“Right, yes.” I reached for my bag and pulled out the medicine, my hands somewhat shaky.

I handed it over.

“What is this?” He stared hard at it.

“A drug. I would appreciate you using your expertise to find out its components.”

“And I'm guessing it's yours.” His gaze lifted to meet mine.

“Not anymore. I've stopped taking it. I just want to know what it's for. I have no idea why I began taking it in the first place.”

He nodded, pocketing it.

“I'll take a look at it.”

“That would be appreciated.”

He nodded again, and I couldn't handle the thick silence anymore, so I opted for small talk.

“I saw the news. Your actions are heavier than your words, apparently. My mother is currently going insane.”

“She hit you. She should go insane.”

Genuine warmth filled me from the inside out.

“That also means you won't be marrying my sister anymore?”

He shot me a grave look.

“I'm not an idiot, Celeste.”

I let it sink in, but when I looked up at him, his gaze was transfixed on something behind me.

I craned my neck to follow his line of sight, and I gasped. Standing by the door was the last person I was expecting to see here.

“Henry?”