"Zavid."
Hearing his name, he lifted his head from the pile of documents on his desk, his piercing gaze meeting mine. There was curiosity in his eyes, a subtle questioning look that made me hesitate for a moment.
"You asked me to join you to come to your office," I said, crossing my arms.
"Our office," he corrected with a faint smirk, emphasizing the shared ownership in his tone.
"Right, *our* office," I agreed, playfully rolling my eyes, "but now I'm bored."
His brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Well, what did you want me to do? Wait for your dad to hoard you away again?"
The teasing comment caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter. His dry wit always had a way of disarming me.
"Wait, are you jealous?" I asked, noticing the slight pink tint creeping up the edges of his ears—a tell-tale sign of his embarrassment.
He didn't respond immediately, but the subtle shift in his posture spoke volumes. I walked towards him, gently turning his swivel chair so he faced me fully.
"Zavid," I began, my voice softening, "you all mean the world to me, so there's no need to get jealous, okay?"
His eyes darkened with an emotion I couldn't quite place. Rising from the chair, he towered over me, his presence overwhelming in the small space. In one smooth motion, he backed me against his office table, the cool surface pressing against me.
"Now," he murmured, his voice low and teasing, "where were you?"
My confidence evaporated as my cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Before I could reply, he leaned in, his lips brushing against my collarbone. His touch was featherlight, but it sent a shiver down my spine.
---
When he started trailing kisses along my collarbone, I felt my breath hitch. My eyes fluttered shut as I fisted his shirt in my hands, holding onto him as though I might collapse otherwise. His lips moved with a deliberate slowness, leaving behind a trail of love bites that burned into my skin, marking me as his.
He pulled back slightly, his lips hovering just above my skin. When I opened my eyes, I found him staring at me, his gaze intense and unreadable. My lashes trembled slightly, my chest heaved in sync with my rapid breathing, and still, I couldn't bring myself to look away.
Then, without warning, he closed the distance again, this time capturing my lips with his. His kiss was firm, possessive, and entirely consuming. I felt the world tilt, and before I knew it, I was on the table. The scattered noise of gadgets hitting the floor barely registered in my mind.
Just as the moment threatened to spiral further, a loud knock on the door cut through the haze.
"Zavid," came the muffled voice from outside.
He ignored it, instead sealing my lips with his once more.
"Zavid," I whispered breathlessly, trying to pull away.
"Zavid," the voice called again, louder this time.
Reluctantly, I separated myself from him, my hands pressing against his chest. He looked as flustered as I felt, his breathing uneven. I glanced around the office, taking in the scattered gadgets and the disheveled state of the desk.
Quickly, I slid off the table, smoothing down my clothes in an attempt to regain some semblance of composure.
"Come in," I called, my voice steady despite the chaos in my head.
The door opened, revealing Rose, his assistant. Her eyes darted between us, the state of the office, and the scattered items on the floor. It didn't take a genius to figure out what had just happened.
---
Celeste's instincts were sharp, honed by years of dealing with people who tested her patience. The moment her eyes met Rose's, she could feel the tension rising in the room. Rose's jealousy was palpable, her anger flaring just beneath the surface. It was written all over her face—the tightness of her jaw, the slight narrowing of her eyes, and the way her fingers clenched the folder she was holding.
Celeste didn't need to guess what was going on in Rose's head. She could see it clearly: Rose despised her. Not just for being in the office, but for being the one so close to Zavid. It wasn't just professional jealousy; it ran deeper, laced with personal bitterness. Rose's feelings for Zavid were obvious, her every glance at him filled with longing. And that made Celeste even more resolute—she wouldn't let Rose overstep her boundaries.
She straightened her posture, exuding confidence as she met Rose's gaze head-on. The unspoken message was clear: *I'm not going anywhere.*
Still, Celeste couldn't help but feel the smallest sting of annoyance. She wasn't blind to the dynamic between Zavid and Rose. While he seemed oblivious to Rose's feelings, Celeste wasn't. She tolerated Rose's presence only because it was necessary for Zavid's work. But if Rose ever crossed the line, Celeste wouldn't hesitate to remind her of her place.
"Why are you here?" Celeste's voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy silence in the room.
The question snapped Rose out of her thoughts. She blinked, her lips parting slightly as if caught off guard. For a brief moment, she looked uncertain, but then she quickly composed herself, her professional mask sliding back into place.
"Mr. Costa," Rose began, her tone clipped and formal, "Madam Costa's mother and sister are looking for you and are causing a ruckus in the office place."
Celeste raised an eyebrow, her expression unmoving, but internally, she was already bristling. *Madam Costa's mother and sister?* Of course, they would be causing trouble. They always did. The mere mention of them sent a wave of irritation through her.
Then Rose's gaze shifted, and her professionalism wavered. There was something mocking in her eyes, a subtle challenge that Celeste didn't miss. It wasn't anything overt—just a slight quirk of her lips, a faint glimmer in her eyes—but it was enough. Rose's emotions betrayed her, and Celeste saw right through her.
"A f***ing b***h," Celeste muttered under her breath, her voice low enough that only she could hear it. But the venom in her words was real.
She straightened her shoulders, her confidence unwavering as she addressed Rose. "You can leave," she said curtly, dismissing her without so much as a second glance.
There was a beat of hesitation. For a moment, Rose looked like she might say something more, but then she thought better of it. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left the room, the tension lingering in her wake.
The door clicked shut, and Celeste let out a soft sigh, her composed facade slipping for a moment. Her mind was already racing, anticipating what awaited her outside the office.
"Zavid," she said firmly, turning to face him. "I want to face them."
His expression softened, concern flickering in his eyes. He knew exactly who she was referring to. "Are you sure?" he asked gently, his voice tinged with hesitation.
"Yes," she said, her voice steady and resolute. "I can't keep hiding behind you and Dad forever."
Zavid stepped closer to her, his tall frame towering over her but offering warmth instead of intimidation. His hands reached up to her face, his thumbs gently brushing against her cheeks.
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone," he said softly, his tone almost pleading.
"I'm not proving anything," she replied, her gaze unwavering. "This is about me. I need to do this for myself."
A moment of silence passed between them, charged with unspoken emotions. Then, Zavid leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. The gesture was tender, grounding her amidst the storm brewing in her mind.
"But," he said, pulling back slightly, his eyes locking onto hers, "if it gets out of hand, I'll step in. Do you understand?"
His voice was firm, brooking no argument. It wasn't just a statement—it was his promise.
Celeste nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. She knew he meant every word. No matter what happened, Zavid would always have her back.
Although Zavid's tone carried authority, it was clear he was seeking her permission as well. His protective nature shone through, but he respected her decision to confront her challenges head-on.
"Okay," he said after a pause, "you can, but only under that circumstance."
His words were a mixture of support and caution, a reminder that while he trusted her strength, he would always be there to protect her if she needed him.