Chapter 8

I looked between them like they didn’t just drop a bomb on me.

“Don’t you think you moved on a little too quickly, Cass?” Celeste narrowed her eyes at him.

“Will you stop being dramatic?” Cassian spoke as he turned to me. “Celeste will be staying with us. I hope you treat her well.”

I merely nodded as I ate. This was a whole lot of information to take in at once. Why was his ex staying with us? What was going on between them?

I excused myself when I was done, although I doubt they heard me, considering Celeste was telling another story.

Why was I so bothered? It’s not like I liked Cassian. This was an arranged marriage. Yes, it was.

I brought out my phone as I walked up the stairs. I was sure Vivienne would like this type of information, and maybe I would finally be able to get into her good books.

‘Good afternoon, Mrs. Rooke. I thought you would like to know that Cassian’s friend Celeste just came, and she will be staying here with us.’

‘Good. Keep up the good work.’

I sighed as I finally got to my room. I already knew I was going to hate the next couple of days.

It had been three days since Celeste moved in. Ever since the dinner, I had barely seen them again. They had missed dinner because they were busy in Cassian’s study, according to Rose. How lovely.

She was so easily allowed in places I was banned from.

Since my supposed husband had someone to keep him company, I decided to focus my energy on other things. I had a meeting today with potential investors, and I absolutely needed to impress them.

I put more effort into my looks, making sure I looked as professional as possible. There was no room for error whatsoever.

I was already out the door by 7 am, walking to the gates of the very huge manor. I didn’t have a car, so I had to walk till I got to the main roads, where I could finally hail a taxi.

It was very tiring, but I didn’t have much of a choice. I didn’t have the money to get a car.

I checked my watch for the umpteenth time as I tapped my feet impatiently. I had been waiting close to thirty minutes, and I still had not seen a cab.

“Looks like I’m going to have to start walking.” I said to myself as I prepared.

I hadn’t gotten far when something horrible happened.

I yelled and fell to the ground as muddy water splashed on me.

“Oh my God!” I yelled as I tried standing up, my eyes widening at my now ruined clothes.

“Oh, I am so sorry, let me help you. I didn’t see you.” I heard a male voice speak as I felt arms help me up.

I finally opened my eyes and glared. “You didn’t see me?! I had no idea I was that tiny. You ruined my clothes!” I yelled at him.

“I’m really sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you out, to show how sorry I am?”

“Ugh. I don’t have time for this. I have an important meeting, and I am already late enough as it is.” I groaned.

“Okay, how about I take you home so you can change, then I drop you off at work? It’s the least I could do.”

I contemplated. I was already late, and I needed to change, and only God knew if I would be able to get a taxi when I came out.

“Fine.” I finally said.

He drove me back to the manor while I sat quietly in the car. Luckily, I just had to tell the security guard he was a colleague, and they let him in.

I ran into my bathroom as I hurriedly took off my clothes and washed the mud off me as quickly as possible. In less than five minutes, I was back outside, dressed and ready to leave.

I really was thankful the stranger dropped me, but I wasn’t going to show it. I panted as I quickly entered my office and met two men dressed in suits. They didn’t look too pleased, and I gulped as I greeted them and sat down.

“Good afternoon. So sorry for the delay. I hope I didn’t keep you men waiting for so long.”

“Miss Hart, we came here out of courtesy for your father, and you treat us like this? This is very discouraging.” One of them spoke with a frown.

“Please be swift about whatever you have to say. We have other matters to attend to today.” The other said, checking his watch.

I took a deep breath as I started speaking, telling them why helping out a children’s foundation is a call to serve humanity.

“Miss Hart, serving humanity? We don’t run a charity. We run a business, and it is precisely because we are focused on profits that our business continues to thrive. There is no need to invest in a foundation that has no social presence, connections to other elites, or even a simple return on investment. We can’t just spend money to feed and clothe children who do not even know us. The world doesn’t work that way.”

“But sir-“

“Next time, we would appreciate it if you sent us an email, and then we would decide if this is worth a second glance or not. Do not bother us like this again.”

Both of them stood up and took their leave.

I sat there dejected. “Well, that was humiliating.”     

I had no other way to get an investor. They were right. Who would want to invest in a children’s foundation just for the fun of it? If I was going to keep this foundation afloat, I needed a way to make money. I needed something to sustain not only the children, but me as well. I had to survive.

I spent a very depressing day in the office and finally left for home.

When I got to the manor, I was so tired that I wasn’t even hungry. I just wanted to cuddle up in bed and sleep.

After I finished showering and changing into my nightwear, I decided to get a glass of water from downstairs.

I was walking down the stairs when I heard noises. I paused on the stairs and heard voices like two people were talking.

The voices were coming from the outside balcony.

I kept my steps light as I walked till I could see whoever was talking. It was Cassian and Celeste.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t even surprised.

I was about to make my way to the kitchen when my eyes saw something. Celeste was touching Cassian’s mask, and he was letting her?

I watched as I held my breath. He didn’t push her away. Instead, he touched her hand and leaned into her touch? I saw Celeste close the space between them like they were about to kiss.

They were going to kiss!