The sun was blistering and hot, beating down on the bustling outdoor shopping center. Celine and Letty were on a mission: to find the perfect outfit for the upcoming surprise she was planning for Nathan. She browsed several high-end boutiques, indecisive, until her eyes landed on a front display that seemed to hold the exact dress she needed. It was a bright, air-woven yellow chiffon piece with a straight neckline, a fitted seamed bodice, slender straps that tied into delicate bows, and a high-waisted, figure-skimming A-line midi skirt. It looked bright, delicate, and utterly feminine—perfect.
After the successful shopping trip, Celine decided to grab lunch with Letty before heading home. They chose a small, elegant French bistro tucked away on a side street.
As Celine settled into a cozy booth and scanned the menu, Letty excused herself to wash her hands. A moment later, someone slid onto the seat right beside her. Celine, without looking up, spoke politely but firmly.
"I'm sorry, these seats are taken."
The person didn't move. The moment Celine tilted her head to look at the unexpected intruder, it was too late to react. Her entire body went rigid.
It was Dean.
He looked exactly as she remembered him: devastatingly handsome and impeccably polished in his tailored clothes. Dean had been out for a late lunch when he spotted Celine at the bistro. He knew he had to seize the chance now, realizing she would otherwise avoid him at all costs. He moved quickly, gesturing to the waiter that he was joining the lady at the booth. The waiter, recognizing Dean, allowed it.
"Well, well, well," Dean drawled, a spark of calculation in his eyes as he stared at her. "Of all the people I could bump into today, I run into an angel like you. God must really favor me. What a nice day to be out!"
Celine immediately made a move to stand up, but Dean swiftly reached out and grabbed her wrist. "I'm not doing anything wrong, Celine. Why can't you just give me a chance and talk?"
Celine looked around; a few patrons were glancing their way. Remembering her mother's lecture on diplomacy and composure, she reluctantly sat back down, pulling herself together. Letty returned from the restroom, surprise flashing across her face at the sight of Dean. Celine gave her a discreet signal that she was fine, instructing Letty to take a seat at the corner booth nearby.
"I have good news for you. I broke up with Denise! Just like you always wanted," Dean announced, a triumphant glint in his eye.
"I know. Your mom said," Celine replied, her voice cool and flat.
The waiter arrived to take their drink order. "Two Pinot Grigios for now, please—just like my girl wanted," Dean said with unwarranted familiarity, before the waiter departed.
"Woah! Look at my mom, always ten steps ahead of me," Dean continued, smiling intensely at Celine. "She couldn't wait to get her future daughter-in-law back, I guess."
He then reached out, gently placing his fingertips on her shoulder and stroking her arm. "Celine, I want you back. I realize my mistakes. Losing you was the most stupid, foolish thing I have ever done." He spoke in a low, sincere, and lonely voice, gazing at her with eyes that seemed truly regretful.
Celine violently shrugged away from his touch. "Don't touch me! I don't want anything to do with you anymore. We are done, remember?" she said with utter disgust.
Dean ignored her dismissal, sliding his seat closer. He leaned in, his voice dropping to an urgent, pleading whisper. "You know I'm the one you love. And now I finally know you are the one I truly love. I love you. I miss you. I finally realize you are the only person I need. I'm sorry it took me a while to figure it out, but I am here now." He seized Celine's hand, squeezing it tightly.
Celine fought hard to keep her voice steady and to stop the emotional tremble that threatened to break through. "Dean, please. Let's both move on, just like you always wanted. I can be a friend, but nothing else. I love where I am in my life now, and I love someone else." Her voice was soft, but the tremor was undeniable.
"You're just confused, babe! Nathan? He's just a rebound, a distraction you needed after losing me," Dean pressed, leaning on his self-serving assumption. "He might even be using your pain to his advantage, you know."
Celine couldn't tolerate the disrespect directed at Nathan. The final defense broke through the veneer of composure. "Nathan will always be a better man than you will ever be, Dean! Never talk about him that way ever again," she stated with conviction, her voice gaining sudden, steely strength. "Because no matter what lies you try to spin, I will stand by the man I love. You, of all people, should have known better!"
With that final, decisive declaration, she stood up abruptly and walked away, not looking back.
Dean felt his heart and soul crush under the weight of her words. He never expected to hear such a harsh, absolute rejection from the sweetest girl he had ever known. He was face-to-face with the crushing reality of how much he had lost: the girl who would always stand by him, support him, and love him unconditionally. The idea that another man was now savoring that devotion—a man he hated—filled him with cold fury.
As he watched her figure disappear into the crowd, he still refused to give up. This time, he would make sure she realized it was him she truly loved and needed. He would win her back, no matter what it took.
Outside the bistro, there were no tears on Celine's face, only a proud, radiant smile. Every step she took was lighter, bolder, and filled with a surging confidence. She was so incredibly proud of herself for standing firm, for not giving in to his manipulative charm, for meeting Dean on the same footing, and for fiercely defending the man who meant the world to her.
Her phone rang; it was Nathan.
"Is everything okay, bub?" he asked, checking in sweetly.
Celine's face brightened further. "Yes, my love! Just went shopping for a bit," she responded happily.
"Did everything go well?" Nathan asked, his voice full of warmth.
They kept talking, her laughter bubbling up as she headed toward her car. She was a different woman now, far removed from the meek, quiet, submissive girl she used to be. A new air of self-possession surrounded her.
She finally, completely, knew her worth.