Author POV
The night in the Mariano mansion was quite---
Too quiet for Celina's heart.
Downlstairs, jasfer has just droy a bomb on her.
At dining table
Jasfer leaned back in his chair, arms cross, voice from but gentle.
Jasfer : " Celina... You're 30 now. Successful, beautiful, intelligent. It's time to think seriously about marriage. "
Celina froze.
She forced a smile.
Celina : " Dad... I am serious. About work.
Jasfer : " I know. But I know someone. A CEO... Very responsible.. Your level. If you are interested, I can arrange a meeting. A date. "
Celina's heartbeat dropped.
Celina : " Dad... I... I'll think about it. I'll tell you tomorrow. "
He nodded, smiled warmly.
Jasfer : " I just want you happy, Celina. Remember that. "
Celina nodded silently, hiding her panic.
She stood up, walked camly upstairs,
But the movement she entered her room and shut the door...
Celina's POV
I leaned against the door.
Hand shaking.
Breath uneven.
"What am I going to do.... "
My father was trying to fix my marriage.
To another CEO.
A strange.
A man I didn't even know.
But my heart?
My heart belonged to someone already.
For six years.
To someone impossible.
Someone I wasn't supposed to love.
Someone my family didn't know about yet.
Maxwell Watson.
The CEO of nexus industries.
My rival.
My equal.
My secret.
I grabbed mu phone with trembling fingers.
My wallpaper flashed.
Me and max's photo.
A candids shot he took to tease me.
Her eyes softened but filled with fear.
"Max... "
Suddenly----
RING!
RING!
RING!
His name lit up her screen.
Max ❤
Her heart jumped.
She swiped the call immediately.
Author POV
Celina : "Max... "
Max : " Celi... What happened? You sound off? "
And max?
His chest tightened.
Celina : " Dad... He.... He wants tti arrange my marriage. "
There was silence.
Heavy. Cold.
Then Max spoke, voice low and dangerous.
Max : " He what... "
Celina : " He said he knows a good CEO. Someone who matches me. "
Max breathed sharpy.
Celina could imagine his jaw tightening....
His eyes narrowing...
His entire body got stiff.
Max : " So....your dad wants to give your life to some random man? "
Celina : " He's just trying to take care of me. He doesn't know about us. "
Max : " Celi... "
His voice softened.
Max : " Look at me. "
Celina looked at her phone like she could see him.
Max : " We've been together six years.
Six years, Celina.
You think I'll let someone else walk into your life now? "
Her breath caught.
Celina : " Max... What do we do? "
We can't just go and tell them easily.
Our families are business partners.
It's complicated... "
Max : " Complicated or not ---- I'm not losing you. "
Celina's eyes filled with tears she didn't want to shed.
Celina : "I'm scared, Max... What if dad forces me? What if... "
Max cut her off.
Max : " Celina Fernandez Mariano.
You belong to me.
And I belong to you.
We'll tell them soon. "
Her heart jumped.
Celine: " Are you sure. "
Max : " One hundred percent. "
There was a pause.
Then max voice dropped slightly, emotional.
Max : " I love you.
I won't let anyone else get close to you. Ever. "
Celina pressed a hand over there her mouth, tears falling .
Celina : " I love you too.... Max. "
Six years of:
Late night calls.
Hidden meetings.
Secret dates.
Stolen kisses.
Private promises.
No one knew.
Not jasfer.
Not jeana.
Not even Jay.
And now ?.
The truth had to come out.
Because max wasn't someone who loses what he loves.
And Celina wasn't someone who betrayed her heart.
Both families were on the line.
To be continued...