All Chapters of Sips of Seduction: The Billionaire Heiress: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The smell of freshly brewed coffee clung to her hair, clothes, and probably her soul. The grinder whirred, the espresso machine hissed like an angry dragon, and Celestine Navarro—known here simply as Celine—was absolutely, one hundred percent, winging it.She adjusted the plain black apron around her waist, glaring at the shiny machine before her. It glared back, taunting her with flashing lights and an ominous beep.“How hard can this be?” she muttered under her breath. “Push a button, pour some milk, smile. People pay a hundred pesos for this?”She poked the steam wand. A jet of steam burst out and nearly scorched her hand. She yelped, hopping back.“Brilliant. The billionaire heiress to Navarro Coffee, singlehandedly defeated by a cappuccino machine. My family would be so proud,” she grumbled.Of course, no one around her knew who she really was. To the morning crowd shuffling in for their caffeine fix, she was the awkward new barista who clearly hadn’t been properly trained. Which

The morning rush at Navarro Coffee was in full swing. The line stretched all the way to the door, the espresso machine hissed like an angry dragon, and Celine’s hair was already escaping from her ponytail like it was trying to abandon ship.“Grande caramel macchiato, no caramel,” barked a customer, staring down at his phone.Celine froze mid-scribble. “So… just a latte?”The man waved dismissively. “Whatever. Just hurry.”She gave him a smile that could curdle milk and passed the cup to the barista beside her. This job is humbling me in ways therapy never could, she thought grimly.And then a familiar voice cut through the chaos like a knife through butter.“Is this the line for the world’s worst barista?”Celine whipped her head around, nearly colliding with the cash register. Standing there with that insufferable smirk was Liam, looking far too calm for someone about to be served questionable coffee.“You again?” she said, eyes narrowing.“Don’t sound so excited,” he shot back, step

The next morning, Celine strutted into the café like she was walking a runway. Chin up, ponytail bouncing, and a smile so smug it could power the espresso machine.“Why do you look like you just won the lottery?” asked Marites, the manager, without looking up from the pastry case.Celine leaned in close, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Because I survived noodles with him and didn’t throw chopsticks at his head.”Marites gave her a side-eye so sharp it could cut glass. “So… it was a date?”“Absolutely not.”“Uh-huh.”As if the universe were determined to expose her, Liam walked in right on cue—hair slightly damp, shirt a little wrinkled, and his ever-present sketchbook tucked under his arm like a lifeline.Celine practically vaulted over the espresso machine. “Welcome back, customer!” she sang. “Please enjoy today’s special: one coffee, free sarcasm included.”Liam leaned against the counter, lazy grin in place. “Do I get whipped cream with the sarcasm?”“No,” she said sweetly. “You g

Celine froze in the doorway, her pulse spiking. The bluish glow of the office computer illuminated Liam’s face, tight with concentration. A USB drive blinked red in the port, its tiny light beating like a warning signal. He startled at her sudden appearance, his hand jerking away from the keyboard.“Celine.” His voice cracked before he steadied it with forced calm. “Hey. I was just—uh—helping out. The system froze, so I thought I’d take a look.”The excuse was too quick. Too clean. Celine arched a brow, masking her unease with a crooked smile. “Really? Since when do customers moonlight as tech support?”Her voice was light, but her stomach knotted. She knew when someone was hiding something—she’d done it her whole life.Liam gave a thin chuckle that didn’t reach his eyes. “What can I say? I hate seeing my favorite café suffer through laggy computers.” His hand hovered toward the USB, ready to pull it out.Before Celine could push further, a brisk voice cut through the air.“Celine!”Sh

Festival day turned the café into a battlefield of caffeine and chaos. The air smelled of roasted beans and sugar, laughter spilling in from the street where booths lined the sidewalk. Inside, every table was full, and the line at the counter stretched to the door.Celine darted from the espresso machine to the pastry display, apron dusted in flour, hair frizzing at the edges. She tried to keep up with orders, but cups clattered, milk frothed too long, and caramel sauce dripped across her hand like sticky honey.“Careful, Worst Barista Ever,” Liam’s voice drawled behind her. “Another second and that customer’s about to get baptized in sugar.”She shot him a tight smile, balancing the tray with exaggerated care. “Better than your latte art. Don’t think I forgot that amoeba you tried to pass off as a heart.”He smirked, sipping his coffee from the counter. On the surface, their banter was alive. But beneath it, the words carried strain. The rhythm was off, like a song played slightly out