Chapter 2
879 Words
Chapter 2: The Cracks in the Surface
Celestine buried herself in work, willing the hours to pass quickly. The weight of the day—of him—lingered, but she refused to acknowledge it. She was here to do her job, not to get caught up in the past.
Still, every so often, her thoughts betrayed her, dragging her back to that moment in Isaac’s office.
The way he had looked at her. The way her name had sounded on his lips.
She gritted her teeth and pushed it away.
This was just work. Just another chapter in her life.
But deep down, she knew it wasn’t that simple.
A Familiar Face
By lunchtime, Celestine was reviewing reports at her desk when a familiar voice pulled her from her concentration.
“Celestine?”
She turned, and for a split second, she felt as if she had stepped back in time.
Standing in front of her was Sophia Carter.
Her soft brown curls were styled to perfection, and she wore a fitted beige dress that screamed elegance. She still had that same warm smile, the same effortless confidence that had always made her impossible to dislike.
Celestine forced herself to remain calm. She had known this moment would come. She just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
“I thought I saw you earlier,” Sophia said cheerfully, her brown eyes glinting with something unreadable. “I just had to come say hello. It’s been years.”
Celestine gave a polite smile. “It has. It’s good to see you.”
Sophia’s gaze swept over her, taking her in. “I heard you’re working as Isaac’s executive assistant now. That must be… interesting.”
The comment was light, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it.
Celestine straightened. “It’s just work.”
“Of course,” Sophia said smoothly, but something in her eyes suggested she wasn’t convinced.
Celestine hated this moment.
Hated that she still felt self-conscious standing in front of Sophia.
Hated that she even cared what Sophia thought.
Before she could say anything else, Sophia’s smile widened. “We should catch up sometime. Maybe a double date? You and Michael, Isaac and I.”
Celestine froze.
A double date?
It was a completely harmless suggestion. And yet, the thought of sitting across from Isaac, pretending they were just two ordinary couples, made her stomach twist.
Before she could decline, another voice entered the conversation.
“Celestine.”
She didn’t have to turn to know who it was.
Isaac.
His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine.
She turned, meeting his dark gaze. His presence was commanding as ever, his expression unreadable.
Sophia’s smile turned brighter. “Isaac! I was just inviting Celestine and Michael to a double date.”
Isaac’s eyes flickered to Celestine, and for a moment, something flashed across his face—something undeniable.
But it was gone in an instant.
He gave Sophia a small nod. “That sounds nice.”
Celestine gripped the edge of her desk.
She had to say something.
Find an excuse. Get out of this.
But before she could, Sophia beamed. “Perfect! I’ll text you both to set it up.”
And just like that, it was decided.
The Past in the Present
That night, Celestine sat across from Michael in a dimly lit restaurant, barely hearing a word he was saying.
Her thoughts were still stuck on what had happened earlier.
A double date.
With Isaac.
Her ex-best friend. Ex-lover. Ex-everything.
Michael reached across the table, gently squeezing her hand. “You’re quiet tonight. Long day?”
She blinked, forcing herself to focus. “Yeah. Just adjusting to the new job.”
He smiled. “I’m sure you’ll do great. You always do.”
She felt a pang of guilt. Michael was good. Reliable. Everything she had ever wanted in a partner.
Then why did she feel so… restless?
Michael took a sip of his wine. “By the way, I heard from Sophia. She mentioned the double date idea. Sounds fun, don’t you think?”
No.
Absolutely not.
But she forced a smile. “Yeah. Should be… interesting.”
Michael chuckled. “You’re not nervous, are you?”
She swallowed. “Of course not.”
And yet, deep down, she knew she was lying.
A Lingering Connection
The following day, Celestine kept her interactions with Isaac strictly professional.
But there were moments—small, fleeting moments—where she caught him looking at her.
Like when she handed him a report, and his fingers brushed against hers for just a second too long.
Or when they were in a meeting, and their gazes locked across the table.
Little things. Things that shouldn’t mean anything.
And yet, they did.
By the end of the day, as Celestine gathered her things to leave, she heard his voice behind her.
“Celestine.”
She turned, her heart tightening.
Isaac stood by his desk, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, softly, he said, “Are you happy?”
The question caught her off guard.
She opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out.
Because for the first time in a long time—
She wasn’t sure.
To be continued…
- Writer
