Chapter 1
The large bedroom should be the centrefold of an interior designs magazine. The sun peeks in through soft, white curtains. The light bounces playfully of the beige walls. The air smells of Channel. The baby blue, Versace dress from last nights party is draped over the couch. On the vanity table, between the jewellery and make up, lies to tablets. A woman enters with a glass of water. She is dressed in a grey and lilac power suit that compliments her fit build. Her golden locks of hair frame her face and many a man has lost himself in her ocean blue eyes. She glimpses at a contemporary painting. It is yellow and black. It doesn't really match the room, but it is the only thing that she brought with her, aside from a few clothing items. She swallows the water and tablets. That should cure the headache. She looks in the mirror and smiles. Her phone suddenly breaks the silence. "Celest, speaking. Yes. All right. No, don't sign anything! I am on my way." She ends the call, grabs her purse and swiftly walks outside. She slides into her pearl, BMW.
Celest walks into the wide lobby of the glass tower building. She would often reminisce about the time when XtaC was only a dream. Celest and her husband of 15 years, Xavier, had started this business from inside their garage, and now, they are one of the leading trading companies in the world. Celest runs the health and fashion departments, while her husband oversees the technology and bio-engineering departments. She takes the elevator to the executive floor. Xavier left early this morning. The only people who have access to the elevator is herself, the secretary, her husband and the board members. Celest would like to run a few things by her husband before her meeting. She steps out from the elevator. Well, that is strange. Stacy, the secretary, is not at her desk. Celest walks to her husbands office door and swings it open. He looks up at her, annoyed. "Do you not understand that a closed door means not to disturb me?" he snaps at her. "I am your wife, this rule has never applied to me in the past! I need to prepare you for the meeting anyway" she snaps back. "Well, go set it up in the conference room and I will be there in a minute" Xavier grumbles. Celest looks at him confused, she turns and leaves the office without another word. "Close the door!" she hears him shout behind her. She grits her teeth and slams the door behind her.
During the day, Celest pushes the thought of this morning out of her mind. They can discuss it tonight at their weekly dinner. Once a week, the two of them sit down for dinner together. Recently, it has been a bit boring. It feels like they have nothing to talk about anymore. He is pulling away from her. She has tried everything but he wouldn't even touch her anymore. Most nights, he sleeps in the guest bedroom and when she asks him about it, he would use working late as an excuse.
