Celeste remained seated on the sofa long after he left. Her eyes drifted to the missed call notification on her phone: Jinwoo Joo.
The penthouse was quiet. Only the distant sound of Margot, the head housekeeper, moving about in the kitchen reached her ears.
Absentmindedly, Celeste touched her lips again and again.
"So... I was emotionally constipated this whole time."
Her mind replayed the chaotic scene from earlier. Jinwoo's cheeky grin as he refused to leave.
"How about I get your number, not the butler's?If I call Howard every time I miss you, I think I'll ruin his schedule."
"My personal number isn't something I give out like that…"
"Then I'm not leaving. This living room's nicer than my apartment anyway. I'll just lie down and make myself at home."
"You got an apron? I've been living alone for a decade. I can cook."
Celeste had rushed over to stop him from raiding the kitchen for an apron.
"Come on, I'm seriously good."
"Fine. Give me your phone."
Trying not to laugh, she had glanced at Margot, who was quietly observing with her usual poised half-smile.
"Margot, it's okay. You can go ahead and get back to your tasks. Hahaha…"
She typed in her number and handed the phone back.
"Happy? Now go. I've got work."
"YES!!"
He immediately called her. Her phone, resting on the sofa, vibrated loudly.
"Exchange complete. Alright, I'll go now. But I'll be back soon. Like… really soon."
And before she could respond—he cupped her cheeks, kissed her, gave Margot a polite bow, and literally skipped out the door like a giddy kid.
Celeste had simply blinked.
"What the hell… just happened?"
BEEP BEEP—DING. The door lock sounded, followed by heavy footsteps.
The living room door burst open.
"Cici!!"
"Jeez—Daniel!"
"I just got a call from Howard. Are you serious?!You signed the contract and gave him your personal number?!"
Her eyes flickered. Then she picked up her cup, feigning calm.
"It just sort of… happened."
"Happened?! Your number doesn't 'just happen. 'Who is this guy?!"
"Take a seat, would you? Poor Howard's juggling the CEO and Vice Chair. Cut him some slack."
"Stop dodging—explain. Now."
"Fine. God, the nagging…"
"NAGGING?!"
Daniel pressed his fingers to his temples.
"Okay, okay. Deep breaths. I've seen you in every situation—but this one? So? What's the game plan?"
"Game plan?"
"He asked Howard to include 'clause permitting dating with Chairwoman Celeste' in the contract. And you approved it?!"
Celeste slowly lowered her cup.
"…Well…"
"WELL?! That's not an answer!"
"I mean… how does dating even work?Is a kiss, like, step one?"
"KISS?!"
Daniel grabbed her wrist, glaring at her.
"Did you let him—?!"
"I mean…"
"You did?! You let that sleazeball kiss you?!Screw the contract. TODAY IS THE DAY. I'll kill him."
Daniel stood to storm out.
Celeste yanked him back down.
"Seriously, I'm exhausted. Sit."
"Of course I'm just the little brother now, huh? This is why I told you not to start an agency!"
"You're being a child."
"Child?!Over my dead body. I don't care who he is—he's not good enough. You wanna date? Fine. But it better be someone who knows you, respects you, and actually gets you."
Celeste looked away with a faint smirk.
"So… you mean someone like you?"
"Exactly. Wait—no! That's not what I meant!!"
Daniel groaned and ran both hands through his hair.
His voice lowered, trembling slightly.
"Cici… I'm scared. What if this guy takes you away and I lose you?"
Celeste didn't answer. She started to, then shut her mouth again.
Her phone vibrated.
[Jinwoo Joo]🕒 4:21 PM
*Celeste, mind if I drop by tomorrow with the signed contract? What time works best? Also… do you like spicy food? I'm thinking of bringing something :) *
She looked down at the screen. And smiled.
Daniel, watching her from beside, clenched his jaw.