Celeste's POV
"You're late, Mr. Damien."
My voice came out sharper than I intended as I stood just outside my house, my heels planted firmly against the pavement, arms folded across my chest.
My gaze locked onto him the moment his car came to a stop, my irritation clear in the slight narrowing of my eyes.
"I'm sorry about that, my princess," he said smoothly as he stepped out.
That name again.
He walked toward me with a confident stride, his lips curving into that infuriatingly calm smile as he leaned in, attempting to pull me into a hug.
I didn't move, instead, I tilted my head slightly a silent warning asking him to stop.
He paused mid-motion, his hands hovering briefly in the air before dropping to his sides. For a second, something unreadable flickered across his face, but it vanished just as quickly.
"You know I'm your husband now," he said, his tone dropping slightly, more serious, "So you better get used to me being around you."
I scoffed quietly, looking away as if he bored me.
"And if you want the outside world to know we're together…" he continued, his voice carrying a subtle edge, "you should start acting like it. Soon, National Business TV will be carrying this everywhere."
My jaw tightened…
"Well, there's nobody here, Mr. Damien," I replied coolly, brushing an invisible speck off my sleeve. "Anyway, let's just go."
I turned without waiting for a response and walked toward my car, my heels clicking against the ground in steady rhythm.
"Where are you going?" he called after me.
I stopped and glanced back at him, confusion clearly written across my face.
"My car," I said, as though it were obvious.
He frowned slightly, "What happened to mine?"
"I don't know. We are riding in mine," I replied dismissively, reaching for the door handle.
A low chuckle escaped him, "No way, princess. We're not doing that."
I paused, my grip tightening on the car door as I slowly turned to face him again.
"I am your husband," he added, stepping closer, his voice firm now. "Therefore, we drive in mine."
A short laugh slipped past my lips, laced with disbelief.
"Why is that, Damien?" I asked, lifting a brow, "What exactly is wrong with you riding with me in my own car?"
He didn't answer. Instead he just stared,
and that stare was intense and unmoving. His eyes fixed on me in a way that sent an unexpected chill down my spine.
Goosebumps prickled across my skin, but I refused to let it show.
"I'm not driving with you," I said again, folding my arms more tightly, standing my ground.
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head.
"You like to make things hard for yourself, princess."
I ignored him.
Turning back, I opened the car door, ready to step in—but before I could even enter, the ground shifted beneath me.
A gasp left my lips as I was suddenly lifted off my feet.
"Hey—! Stop it! Put me down!" I snapped, struggling slightly in his grip, my hands pushing against his shoulders.
He didn't respond, not even a single word. His hold was firm, unyielding, as he carried me straight to his car. My protests bounced off him like they meant nothing.
The back door opened and the next second I was inside.
"Sit down," he commanded as I tried to stand.
The tone of his voice…
It wasn't loud, but it carried authority. It was sharp, controlled, and final. And strangely, my body obeyed.
I froze, my movements halting as if something in me had been switched off. My brows furrowed in confusion, my lips parting slightly.
What.. was that?
I had always been stubborn. Always. Even with Carlos, I never backed down this easily.
Yet now…
"Drive," Damien told the driver. I turned to him, still unsettled.
"Does he even know the way to my office?" I asked, my suspicion evident.
A slow smirk spread across his lips.
"Just watch."
The rest of the ride was quiet, my mind running in circles as I stole glances at him. He looked completely at ease, like he already knew everything. And somehow… that unsettled me more.
Not long after, the car came to a smooth stop.
I blinked, looking outside.
My building…
My brows drew together immediately as I turned to him.
"How did you—"
He smiled.
"Why wouldn't I know my wife's company?" he said effortlessly, stepping out of the car.
"Come on, baby," he added, walking around to my side, "You don't want to keep the board waiting, do you?"
I blinked twice, momentarily thrown off, watching as he opened the door and extended his hand toward me.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second…
Then I took it.
"Let me help you with that," he said, taking my bag before I could protest. His fingers brushed lightly against mine, sending a strange warmth up my arm.
Then he leaned closer…. "Be confident," he whispered, his voice low near my ear. "Don't let them see this naïve side of you."
His hand moved to my hair, adjusting it gently.
And somehow….My heart softened.
Don't let it get to your head, Celeste. It's just an act. Remember that.
I straightened immediately, my expression hardening again.
"Let's go," he said, taking my hand.
The moment we stepped into the building, whispers erupted around us. I kept my chin high, keeping my authority to match his pace.
"I'm sorry I'm late," I said the moment we entered the boardroom, my tone composed as I took my seat.
Damien stood behind me and just like that,
Everything changed. The air shifted and the room fell silent.
Even the board members looked… stunned. Like they were staring at something unreal.
"I'll introduce myself," Damien said, his voice cutting cleanly through the silence.
His presence filled the room.
"My name is Damien Scotland, CEO of Scotland Building Structure."
A pause.
"And Celeste… is my wife."
I felt it…The tension and their fears.
"I heard some of you are trying to overthrow her because she chose to keep our relationship private."
His tone remained calm but the authority in it was undeniable.
People shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Even Evans looked tense, his jaw clenched, his hands tightening as though holding himself back.
"I would love to know who exactly wanted to challenge her," Damien added.
Silence.
"We—we apologize for taking your time, Mr. Damien," Adrian stammered, his voice shaky. "We just wanted to confirm, nothing serious."
Damien's gaze hardened.
"Well, I'm here now. And I don't want my wife coming home to tell me she was disturbed in any way."
They all nodded quickly like roboted slaves.
Pathetic.
"Okay, babe. I need to leave," Damien said casually, as though he hadn't just shaken the entire room.
We walked toward the door together and before I could react, his lips were on mine.
My eyes widened slightly in shock, my breath hitched. It was brief but deliberate.
"No need to walk me out," he added, stepping away. "I'll see you at home."
One last glance at the room..Then he turned and left.
I turned back slowly, a smile spreading across my face.
"Well," I said, taking my seat again, crossing my legs elegantly. "Any objections?"
No one spoke.
"I thought so."
The moment I got to my office, I dialed Sofia.
"Let me guess…. it worked," she said immediately.
"It worked," I grinned. "They were all shaking. They couldn't even talk."
"I knew it," she laughed. "Damien looks like a tough one."
I rolled my eyes.
"Were you able to find out who sent that message?" she asked.
And instantly my smile faded slightly.
"No. Not yet."
"Don't you think you should tell Damien?" she suggested carefully.
"I'll figure it out," I replied quickly. "What I and Damien have is a business contract. Nothing more." I reminded her
She tried to say something but I cut her off before she could argue, "I need to go. I'll talk to you later."
The call ended and then silence filled the room but my mind wasn't calm.
Who could it be?
Just then—
My phone buzzed.
A message, just like the one from yesterday.
You just made the biggest mistake of your life.
My heart skipped.
My fingers tightened around the phone as I quickly typed back.
Who are you? What do you want?
Seconds passed…. then, another message.
I'm someone you don't want to mess with, Celeste.
A chill ran down my spine. I tried calling the number but it was not reachable which made me panic more.
Slowly, I lowered the phone, my expression tightening as unease settled deep in my chest.
Who… is this person and what does he want with me?