Chapter 23 Chapter 23
Chapter 23
“I was embarrassed, Ariana. I never knew he was there, and I had this awful voice. Couldn’t even hear a Rihanna song without trying to copy it,” Celine said, her face buried in her hands.
Ariana laughed from the kitchen as she stirred milk in the pot. “He didn’t yell?”
“Nope. He even smiled a little. Never saw that version of him,” Celine replied, still half in disbelief.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Ariana asked, turning around with a teasing smile.
Celine rolled her eyes. “Nah, Ariana. Nothing. Don’t start.”
Ariana chuckled. “You sure? Because that man doesn’t smile at anyone. Not even himself.”
“I said it’s nothing,” Celine said, walking to the couch and switching on the TV just to end the discussion. “He’s my boss, not my friend. I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“Surprised, hmm? That’s how it starts,” Ariana said, laughing as she poured the milk into a cup.
Celine ignored her and scrolled through her phone.
The news headline was about Castellan Enterprise’s new project, another expansion deal approved under Ethan Castellan’s leadership. His photo was everywhere again black suit, his sharp eyes, carrying cold expression.
Celine turned off the phone immediately. “He’s literally on every page. Can’t escape the man even after work.”
Ariana sat beside her, placing the cup of milk down. “That’s what happens when your boss is a billionaire. You work with him in the day and see his face on the internet at night.”
Celine sipped the milk quietly. “Still doesn’t change the fact that he’s… I don’t know. Strange.”
“Strange, how?”
“He looks fine from the outside. Like someone who has everything. But when you see him up close, it’s like something’s missing. I don’t know what, but something is just… off.”
Ariana nodded. “You think too deep, Celine. That’s not your job. Just type, print, and cash your paycheck.”
Celine smiled faintly. “Maybe you’re right.”
They both laughed, and the night went on with random talks bills, the new neighbor who played loud music, Ariana’s crush at the café, and how Celine was still too quiet for her own good.
By 10 p.m., they both went silent, scrolling on their phones again.
In a luxurious apartment filled with perfume, designer bags, and silver-framed photos Amelia sat in front of her mirror, removing her makeup
"I understand why all this happened, and I know the reason why Ethan dumped me,” Amelia said, As she removed her makeup.
Her best friend, Gloria, was seated cross-legged beside her, munching on chips. “Are you stalking him again?”
Amelia smiled slowly. “Would you blame me if I was?”
“Yes,” Gloria replied. “You’re starting to sound like those girls from those obsession movies. He moved on, Amy. Let him.”
Amelia turned sharply. “Don’t call me Amy, and don’t tell me to let him go. You don’t know how it feels. I love him, Gloria. I’ve loved him since we were kids.”
Gloria sighed. “You also loved your mirror since you were five, doesn’t mean you’ll marry it.”
Amelia ignored her sarcasm. “I’ll do anything to get Ella Walls out of the picture. She thinks she’s smart, but I’m smarter. Ethan is mine. Nothing or nobody will stop me.”
Gloria frowned. “You’re serious about this?”
Amelia turned, her eyes sharp. “Dead serious.”
“But… Ella Walls isn’t dating him, Amy. She’s not even in town most of the time.”
“She is,” Amelia said, pacing. “She’s always at those social events. You think I don’t know what’s going on? They’re seeing each other secretly. I’ve seen how she looks at him.”
Gloria rolled her eyes. “You saw her look at him once, and now she’s the villain of your story.”
Amelia didn’t respond. Her mind was spinning with anger and jealousy.
Gloria sighed. “You’ve built an entire conspiracy theory in your head. Maybe he just didn’t want to be in the relationship anymore.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Amelia snapped. “People don’t just stop loving someone overnight. Something changed him. And I know what it is.”
Gloria stood up from the bed, brushing crumbs off her jeans. “You need to stop this, Amelia. You’re turning into your father—thinking you can control everything.”
Amelia froze for a moment. Then her tone went cold. “Don’t talk about my father.”
Gloria sighed. “I’m just saying, he built half of California buying people off and manipulating everyone who stood in his way. You’re starting to sound exactly like him.”
“My father is a powerful man,” Amelia said proudly. “Without him, half of the companies in Monterey wouldn’t exist, including part of Castellan’s business. Ethan should be thankful.”
Gloria raised a brow. “You sound like your dad already owns him.”
Amelia smiled bitterly. “Maybe he does.”
She turned back to the mirror, staring at her reflection. Every inch of her looked perfect—her hair, her eyes, her skin. But underneath that beauty was a cold, restless energy. She tapped her fingers on the table.
Amelia stood and walked to her closet. “When I was twelve, I left the U.S. for London. You know that. He promised to write me letters. He never did. When I came back, he barely remembered me. But I made him remember. I made him fall for me.”
Gloria stared at her. “Made him?”
“Yes,” Amelia said confidently. “I worked for it. Seven months. Then one morning, he just said it was over. No fight. No reason. Just over. Who does that?”
“Maybe someone who doesn’t love you,” Gloria said carefully.
Amelia laughed bitterly. “Love doesn’t just end like that, Gloria. Someone is behind this. And I know who Ella Walls.”
She’s always been jealous of me. Always competing.”
“Competing?”
“Yes. Her family and mine have been in quiet rivalry for years. My father owns three major companies in Monterey. Hers runs one of the largest luxury chains in California. She can’t stand not being number one.”
Gloria sat down again, tired. “So this isn’t just about Ethan, it’s about power.”
Amelia looked up sharply. “It’s about love. I love Ethan. He belongs with me, not with her.”
Gloria gave a small laugh. “He doesn’t belong to anyone, Amy.”
Amelia’s lips curved slightly. “You’ll see. He’ll come back. He always does.”Her phone buzzed beside her. It was a social event invitation from a family friend another
high-class dinner filled with familiar faces. She ignored it. Her mind was too full of Ethan—his face, his cold voice, that way he said goodbye like she didn’t matter.
She picked up one of the framed photos from her nightstand. It was of her and Ethan from months ago. His smile was faint. Hers was bright, too bright.
“You can’t just erase me, Ethan,” she whispered to the photo. “You can’t.”
Gloria got up to leave. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Try to get some sleep, okay?”
Amelia didn’t answer. She was too deep in th
ought.
The moment Gloria closed the door, Amelia stood up, staring at her reflection again.
She whispered quietly, almost to herself, “You’ll come back to me. You have to. You’re mine.And I'd get Ella walls out of the picture.”