All Chapters of No Way to Win Me Back: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Celeste’s POVI stepped out of the cab, double checking if I had everything in my bag.When I looked up, a wave of nostalgia hit me. Standing in front of my old college brought back those fun, passionate years of self-discovery. I rubbed my arms, shivering in the night air while I waited for Grace to pay the cab fare. I wore a tea length halter dress. My handbag was bulky but not eye-catching. We dressed low-key tonight. Neither of us wanted to attract too much attention. “Wow, the turnout is better than I expected,” Grace said as she closed the cab door. She looked lovely in her pencil skirt and off shoulder blouse.The building was lit up, and the grounds were bustling with activity for the event. We linked arms and joined the flow of guests.“This is so exciting.” I said, “I haven’t seen anyone from college aside from you and Vanessa since having Bonnie.”“Yeah, you kind of fell off the face of the earth for a bit there.” Grace gave me a gentle nudge as we entered the alumni cen

Celeste’s POV“Celeste, I’ve been looking all over for you. Long time no see.”I looked up at the drop dead gorgeous man in front of me in bewilderment. A pair of dimples cut into his sculpted face as he smiled at me. My eyebrows furrowed at the hint of affection that twinkled in his green eyes.I hadn’t a clue who he was.“Celeste, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten all about me?”He placed an elbow on the cocktail table beside me and lazily rested his chin on his hand, narrowing the space between us. Thick, dark lashes framed his eyes. They were deeper and clearer than the finest jade gemstones I’d ever seen.The man’s gaze delicately brushed my face, as if committing each feature to memory.“I could never forget you.” His voice was a husky murmur so low I could just make out the words. It sent my heart racing.I was a grown woman. I couldn’t let this twenty-something year old kid charm me into a puddle on the banquet hall floor.“Ryan Edwards,” He stood tall and extended a hand, “Not

Damien’s POV“You have until tomorrow to bring me decent proposals, or you can clear out your desks.”I was close to throwing something at my incompetent staff. I glared down at the long table. Once they were sufficiently shitting their pants, I pushed my chair back and stormed out of the boardroom.My secretary opened the door as I left.My competitors had poached several of my top designers with lucrative offers. They would regret stealing from me.I gritted my teeth. My company wasn’t producing enough profitable jewelry pieces. I needed to find new talent fast, or our profits would plummet. But those freeloaders hadn’t come up with a single decent idea.“Mr. Kent,” my secretary said as she hurried behind me. “I’ve spoken to several of our store managers.”I nodded, turning a corner.“Customers have been requesting jewelry from the new designer, Rosemary.”“At all the stores?” I asked, intrigued.“About ninety percent of stores.”I threw open my office door and let her slip off my

Celeste’s POVThe stench of alcohol slammed into me as Damien staggered on my mother’s front porch. “What are you doing here so late?” My nose twitched with disgust. “And why do you reek of alcohol?”“Come back home, Celeste.” He slurred. I shook my head. “You’re drunk out of your mind. Go home.”On unsteady feet, he stepped forward and stretched his arms wide.Did he seriously expect me to hug him?I slammed the door closed, but he was too quick. He wedged his shoulder through the doorway. I could smell the brandy on his breath as I pushed against the door to keep him from barging all the way in.It was revolting.“Celeste, sweet cheeks, please let me in, hmm?” He murmured. “I miss you.”He hadn’t called me that since we got married. It made my stomach turn.“Damien, my mother is sleeping.” I hissed. “I don’t want to disturb her.”His tone flipped in an instant.“You don’t want to say no to me tonight.” Fear crept in. I glanced at the half-moon table just inside the entryway as h

Damien’s POVPain flooded my senses as soon as I regained consciousness. My head was pounding from a massive hangover and my body ached like a car had run it over. Scratch that–a bus.I opened my eyes, and the light stabbed my retinas. I clutched my head, blinking rapidly before the pain subsided. Curled in my arms, sound asleep, was Vanessa. We were in her room and the bedding was a rumpled mess. My brows tightly furrowed as I tried to piece together the events of last night. I remembered drinking and deciding to visit Celeste.So how did I end up with Vanessa?My mind was foggy and brimming with unease. I untangled myself from her and sat up, groaning as nausea hit me alongside a fresh wave of agony. I fumbled through my nightstand’s drawers.“Good morning, babe.” Vanessa stretched beside me. “How did you sleep?”Her words felt like hot iron skewers in my brain. I found the painkillers and swallowed one, paused, and took another.“Be quiet.”My voice was a rasp. I lifted the cover