Celeste's POV The first thing I heard was shouting. Not the usual silence I’d gotten used to in Leo’s sterile penthouse. Not the hum of the coffee machine or the soft sounds of the city filtering through the windows. But actual, unmistakable shouting. Male, irritated, and loud enough to rattle the walls like a slammed door in an empty house. That alone was bizarre. Leo didn’t shout. He wasn’t the type to raise his voice, not ever. He was controlled, cool—always. He vanished before the sun came up most mornings, his presence so faint I barely knew he was there. If I caught a glimpse of him, it was usually just the back of his head as he headed out the door, probably for yet another early meeting. But today? Not so much. “Are you kidding me?” came the next shout, a harsh, sharp sound that filled the room. There was a loud thud—something crashing to the floor or being thrown. Maybe both. My heart jumped, the sound so jarring it had me on high alert. I glanced at the clock o
Celeste's POV I should’ve known the day was doomed the second he smiled at me. Not the charming kind of smile you see in magazines. No. Leo Kingsley only smiles when he’s plotting something. Or watching me suffer. “Take a taxi,” he said, handing me a folded bill with that infuriating half-smirk. Now here I am, stomping down the pavement like a woman wronged by every god in the sky, cussing out the devil who sent me here. “Unbelievable,” I hissed, heels clicking against the concrete. “Bastard knew exactly what he was doing. That’s why he smiled. That’s why he smiled when he told me to take a damn taxi.” Just when I thought today would be perfect. So much for being in a good mood earlier. If you're wondering why I’m out here, dragging my feet like an unpaid intern and contemplating homicide in heels... let’s rewind. Flashback “Guess who just got a job at Kingsley Tower?” I beamed at my reflection, pointing both fingers at the mirror like I was announcing an Oscar w
Celeste's pov The ride from the airport was as smooth and silent as the man sitting beside me. Leo hadn’t said a word since we landed. The silence wasn’t unusual, but tonight it felt heavier. He watched the city blur past the window, unreadable as ever. I didn’t speak either. There was nothing to say—no conversation, no glance. Just distance. When the car finally turned into a long private driveway, my breath caught. The hotel—or rather, the palace masquerading as one—rose like a jewel against the sun-drenched Guadalajara skyline. Cream stone walls gleamed under the light, carved with ornate detailing. A waterfall framed the grand entrance, its sound mingling with soft instrumental music wafting through hidden speakers. Staff in crisp, modern uniforms moved with polished ease, greeting guests with practiced smiles and polite nods. And at the very top of the building, subtly etched in gold, the words Hotel Cielo shimmered. It was opulence without apology. I stepped out
Celeste's PovThe scent of truffle risotto and aged wine filled the air, mingling with the soft clinking of silverware and murmured conversations. "Lumière" was the kind of restaurant where the rich indulged in overpriced delicacies while pretending to care about calorie counts. It was also where I spent my nights weaving between tables, balancing trays heavier than my will to live."Order up, Table Fourteen!" The head chef’s voice cut through the kitchen, snapping me out of my daze. I forced a smile, adjusting the stiff black uniform that somehow felt tighter today. Maybe because it had been years since I’d last been served at places like this rather than serving at them.I grabbed the plates, ignoring the ache in my arms, and stepped into the dimly lit dining area. My feet ached from the double shift, but rent was due, and I didn’t have the luxury of quitting.This wasn’t the life I had imagined for myself.At eighteen, I had walked across the graduation stage in designer heels, my
Celeste’s POV My world turned upside down. Not gradually. Not gently. But like a tablecloth ripped from beneath fine china—jarring, chaotic, and loud. That’s what I told myself as I stood frozen in place, the chill of Lumière’s air conditioning sinking into my skin like frostbite. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t blink. Couldn’t breathe. Laughter—their laughter—rang in my ears like gunfire. Olivia’s smirk was cruel, her voice sugarcoated poison. Smile, Celeste the internet loves a delusional comeback. The air left my lungs. I didn’t remember inhaling again. The tray in my hand wobbled, as it hits a nearby table it's metallic clang echoing louder than the laughter behind me but I didn’t care. I barely registered it. All I knew was that the ground beneath me no longer felt solid.Panic bloomed in my chest, cold and suffocating. My cheeks burned. My throat itched. My ears roared with every heartbeat as shame rose like a tidal wave, threatening to pull me under. I turned on instinct
Leo’s POV I didn’t hear the buzz of my phone at first. Not over the quiet hum of the air conditioner. Not over the ticking clock that marked each second I refused to waste. My office was sealed from the chaos outside—soundproofed, temperature controlled, meticulously maintained. I didn’t tolerate noise. Not from people. Not from problems. I'd told Briar not to disturb me. She knew better than to test my limits. But the damn phone kept buzzing. Once. Twice. Three times in rapid succession. I didn’t look up until it buzzed again. And again. I exhaled sharply, jaw clenched, then picked it up. The screen glared back at me with thirteen missed messages. Ten from Briar. Three from my grandmother. A flicker of unease passed through me. Gran never texted more than once. If she had to repeat herself, it meant something was wrong. I unlocked the screen. All the messages boiled down to one line: “Celeste Montgomery is trending.” The name hit me like a punch to the chest. Not because
Celeste’s POV I barely slept. Not because I didn’t want to—but because my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. All night long. One notification after another lit up the darkness. Eventually, I flipped it face-down and shoved it under my pillow, hoping that would mute the madness. It didn’t. Because the noise wasn’t just in the phone anymore—it was in me. Buzzing under my skin, thrumming in my chest. By morning, I wasn’t tired—I was wired. My body ached with tension. My chest felt like something heavy had been sitting on it all night. Still, I reached for the phone, half-hoping the world had gone back to normal. It hadn’t. The screen glared back at me: 214 new notifications. My heart stuttered. “Leo Kingsley’s Confession: Still in Love?” “The Viral Girl Who Stole a Billionaire’s Heart.” “Celeste Montgomery: From Server to Spotlight.” I blinked. What? I clicked the first headline. The article was short. Too short. In a shocking turn of events, billionaire CEO Leo Kingsley respo
Celeste’s POV The moment I stepped into Kingsley Tower, the air shifted. It wasn’t cold, but a chill ran through me anyway. Maybe it was the glass walls, the polished marble floors, or the way people in tailored suits moved with quiet efficiency—like they belonged here and knew it. I, on the other hand, was wrapped in my old hoodie, head down, already regretting this. Yet as I made my way toward the reception desk, I noticed something strange. People were looking at me. Not in the usual way, not like they were judging my outfit or wondering what a girl like me was doing in a place like this. No, it was different. They nodded. Smiled. One even offered a slight bow, and I blinked in confusion. Why were they being… respectful? “Miss Celeste?” the woman at the front desk asked, her tone smooth and welcoming. My eyes widened at the sound of my name. “Uh… yeah. That’s me.” “You’re expected. Mr. Kingsley is currently in a meeting, but you may wait on his floor. You’ll
Celeste's pov The ride from the airport was as smooth and silent as the man sitting beside me. Leo hadn’t said a word since we landed. The silence wasn’t unusual, but tonight it felt heavier. He watched the city blur past the window, unreadable as ever. I didn’t speak either. There was nothing to say—no conversation, no glance. Just distance. When the car finally turned into a long private driveway, my breath caught. The hotel—or rather, the palace masquerading as one—rose like a jewel against the sun-drenched Guadalajara skyline. Cream stone walls gleamed under the light, carved with ornate detailing. A waterfall framed the grand entrance, its sound mingling with soft instrumental music wafting through hidden speakers. Staff in crisp, modern uniforms moved with polished ease, greeting guests with practiced smiles and polite nods. And at the very top of the building, subtly etched in gold, the words Hotel Cielo shimmered. It was opulence without apology. I stepped out
Celeste's POV I should’ve known the day was doomed the second he smiled at me. Not the charming kind of smile you see in magazines. No. Leo Kingsley only smiles when he’s plotting something. Or watching me suffer. “Take a taxi,” he said, handing me a folded bill with that infuriating half-smirk. Now here I am, stomping down the pavement like a woman wronged by every god in the sky, cussing out the devil who sent me here. “Unbelievable,” I hissed, heels clicking against the concrete. “Bastard knew exactly what he was doing. That’s why he smiled. That’s why he smiled when he told me to take a damn taxi.” Just when I thought today would be perfect. So much for being in a good mood earlier. If you're wondering why I’m out here, dragging my feet like an unpaid intern and contemplating homicide in heels... let’s rewind. Flashback “Guess who just got a job at Kingsley Tower?” I beamed at my reflection, pointing both fingers at the mirror like I was announcing an Oscar w
Celeste's POV The first thing I heard was shouting. Not the usual silence I’d gotten used to in Leo’s sterile penthouse. Not the hum of the coffee machine or the soft sounds of the city filtering through the windows. But actual, unmistakable shouting. Male, irritated, and loud enough to rattle the walls like a slammed door in an empty house. That alone was bizarre. Leo didn’t shout. He wasn’t the type to raise his voice, not ever. He was controlled, cool—always. He vanished before the sun came up most mornings, his presence so faint I barely knew he was there. If I caught a glimpse of him, it was usually just the back of his head as he headed out the door, probably for yet another early meeting. But today? Not so much. “Are you kidding me?” came the next shout, a harsh, sharp sound that filled the room. There was a loud thud—something crashing to the floor or being thrown. Maybe both. My heart jumped, the sound so jarring it had me on high alert. I glanced at the clock o
Celeste's Pov The scent of roses and black tea greeted me the moment I stepped into the sitting room— the smell soft and familiar. Margaret sat by the window in a high-backed chair, sunlight weaving through the lace curtains and catching the silver in her hair. When she looked up and saw me, her face lit up. “Celeste,” she said, rising slowly but surely, arms already open. “You made it.” I stepped into her embrace, careful not to squeeze too tight. It hadn’t been long since I’d seen her—just a few days—but there was something about Margaret that made every hello feel like a homecoming. “You look even more radiant in daylight,” she said, smiling as she pulled back to look at me properly. “The gala lighting didn’t do you justice.” “I’ll make sure to tell the lighting director,” I said dryly, earning a laugh. She guided me to the sofa, the same one I remembered from last time, and poured tea into delicate china cups. “I saw everything that night,” she said, her tone li
Celeste's Pov I stood in front of the mirror, taking in everything that was happening around me . Tonight was the night. The night Leo and I would step into the world of glitter and gold, together. It felt surreal, almost like I was playing dress-up, the excitement bubbling inside of me made it all feel real, even if it was just pretend. A soft hum filled the air as the glam squad worked around me, using an array of high-end beauty products and professional expertise. The stylist, an older woman with perfectly polished hands, smiled at me from the mirror. "Ready to turn some heads, darling?" I couldn’t stop myself from smirking. "I was born ready." She nodded approvingly, and the magic began. The team moved with the precision of a well-oiled machine."The makeup artist expertly brushed over my skin, making it glow in ways I hadn’t thought possible. Each stroke felt like she was crafting more than just a look—she was shaping a version of me that could stand beside Leo, effor
Eleven years ago. Celeste's Pov The hallway was just like any other high school hallway—bright lights, lockers lining the walls, and the dull murmur of students exchanging whispered gossip, like secrets were just another currency. But there was something about St. Augustine Prep that made everything feel a bit more polished, a bit more important. The students here weren’t just students—they were the heirs to future empires, the ones who would shape the world. I walked through it like I owned every inch. My blazer was sharp, the skirt hitting just above my knee in the perfect mix of edgy and polished. My heels clicked against the floor, too confident and too loud to be ignored. Olivia, Sienna, and Vanessa were trailing behind me, all of them in perfect sync, just like always. But I was the one they followed. “There he is,” Olivia whispered, a slight nudge to my elbow. I didn’t need her to point. I’d already seen him. Leo Kingsley. The scholarship kid. Quiet, brooding, and e
Celeste's Pov I stood outside the kind of building that made you feel poor just by looking at it, the suitcase handle biting into my palm, as I blinked up at the uniformed doorman who was giving me the kind of look reserved for street performers who'd wandered into the wrong neighborhood. “I’m here to move in,” I said, trying to keep the edge out of my voice. “With Leo.” His eyebrow lifted like it had been trained to do so. “Mr. Kingsley?” “No, the other Leo who owns the penthouse on the top floor,” I snapped, then forced a tight smile. “Yes. That Leo.” He gave me a slow once-over. Not the good kind. The kind that said you’ve got to be kidding me. “I wasn’t told to expect anyone today,” he said flatly. “Especially not a... guest.” Of course he didn’t tell them I was coming. That would’ve required basic human decency—something Leo Kingsley had clearly evolved past I clenched my jaw. “I’m not a guest. I’m his girlfriend.” That did it. The second doorman—leaner, younger, clear
Celeste’s POV I waited on the steps in front of my apartment building, arms crossed against the morning chill, staring down the cracked sidewalk like it owed me something. The sky was still a dull grey, the kind that made everything feel heavier. The low purr of an engine cut through the quiet, too smooth, too polished—like it thought it was too good for the cracked pavement it rolled over. A sleek, black car pulled up and stopped right in front of me. It idled there, windows tinted too dark to see in—but I didn’t need to. I already knew who it was. Still, he made no move to step out. Not even a quick honk. A few seconds later, the driver’s side window rolled down halfway, revealing the sharp jawline and colder eyes of Leo Kingsley. His voice, rich with sarcasm, cut through the silence. “Did you actually think I’d get out and open the door for you?” I raised an eyebrow. “I was giving you the benefit of the doubt.” His smirk barely touched his lips. “Keep dreaming.” I wa
Celeste’s POV The moment I stepped into Kingsley Tower, the air shifted. It wasn’t cold, but a chill ran through me anyway. Maybe it was the glass walls, the polished marble floors, or the way people in tailored suits moved with quiet efficiency—like they belonged here and knew it. I, on the other hand, was wrapped in my old hoodie, head down, already regretting this. Yet as I made my way toward the reception desk, I noticed something strange. People were looking at me. Not in the usual way, not like they were judging my outfit or wondering what a girl like me was doing in a place like this. No, it was different. They nodded. Smiled. One even offered a slight bow, and I blinked in confusion. Why were they being… respectful? “Miss Celeste?” the woman at the front desk asked, her tone smooth and welcoming. My eyes widened at the sound of my name. “Uh… yeah. That’s me.” “You’re expected. Mr. Kingsley is currently in a meeting, but you may wait on his floor. You’ll