Beneath Shattered Stars

Chapter 9: The Return to Reality

Celeste tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she drove through the busy city streets. It had been a while since she’d been on her own, away from the suffocating tension of Jared’s mansion and the complicated feelings swirling around John’s return. The air outside the car felt fresh, and for the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe again.

The email from her boss had come just that morning. "We need you back in the office. Urgent." She had been freelancing for months now, but the demand for face-to-face work was inevitable. And, truthfully, she needed the distraction. She needed the money. She couldn’t live off of favors forever.

Her job wasn’t glamorous, but it paid the bills. A mix of marketing work, freelance graphic design, and whatever else her employer threw her way. It wasn’t her passion, but it gave her enough flexibility to do what she loved—art. And right now, that was enough.

As she pulled up to the familiar building, a wave of anxiety washed over her. Going back to work felt like slipping into an old skin she hadn’t worn in ages. But it was a necessary evil. She couldn’t stay at Jared’s mansion forever, wrapped up in a world of complicated emotions and unresolved tensions. She had to face the real world—where bills needed to be paid, and life didn’t wait for her to sort out her feelings.

She parked and took a deep breath before stepping out of the car. The sun was high in the sky, a reminder that the day had only just begun, and already, it felt heavy. She straightened her jacket and made her way into the building.

The office was as she remembered—stale coffee, buzzing fluorescent lights, and the soft hum of computers and printers. It wasn’t the most creative environment, but it was steady. Predictable. And right now, that was exactly what she needed.

Her boss, a wiry man in his late forties named Greg, greeted her with a curt nod as she walked in. “Celeste, glad to see you,” he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on. I’ve got three projects that need your attention ASAP.”

Celeste nodded, slipping into work mode easily. “I’m ready. What’s on the docket?”

Greg rattled off the usual—brochures for a new real estate client, an ad campaign for a local clothing store, and a logo design for a startup. It wasn’t anything particularly exciting, but it would keep her busy. And that’s what she needed—something to focus on, something to drown out the noise in her head.

She settled into her workspace, pulling out her laptop and getting started. As she worked, her thoughts drifted in and out of the designs in front of her. She found herself thinking about Jared—his calm, steady presence, the way he made her feel safe, grounded. But then, John’s face flashed in her mind—the tension between them, the hurt, the history.

Focus, Celeste, she reminded herself, pulling her attention back to the task at hand.

The hours slipped by quickly, the steady rhythm of work doing its job to keep her distracted. By the time she looked up, it was already late afternoon. She stretched, her muscles stiff from sitting too long, and decided to grab a quick break. Maybe some fresh air would clear her head.

Outside, the street was bustling with people, everyone moving with purpose. Celeste leaned against the brick wall of the building, letting the sounds of the city wash over her. It was a welcome contrast to the silence that often hung over her thoughts. But even out here, away from Jared and John, their presence lingered in the back of her mind.

What am I going to do?

The question nagged at her, and no matter how hard she tried to push it away, it kept coming back. John wanted her back in his life, but could she really trust him again? And Jared... well, Jared made her feel things she hadn’t felt in years, but there were so many obstacles between them.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. Maybe, if she kept herself busy enough, the answers would come on their own. Or maybe, she thought bitterly, she’d just keep running in circles until something broke.