Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 396

Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes as I thought about everything Kingsley had done, the way he had knelt in front of my whole family and looked at me like I was the only woman in the world. And then the girl, beautiful and polished, throwing herself into his arms, calling herself the love of his life.

I smiled and wiped my eyes.

Of course, Pat. You already knew how everything would end from the very beginning. Don't let this bother you.

I continued driving until I arrived at Helix. I parked my car, got out, and began to walk toward the building. According to the plan with Celeste, I was not supposed to go to Helix. I was supposed to go home after the party. But I just wanted to be with someone dear. I wanted to be with Celeste, to talk to her about how I felt. I did not want to go home and be all alone.

"Hey. Stop right there." A female voice spoke from behind me.

I stopped and turned.

It was Sharon, the same girl from before, walking toward me with her chin lifted and her eyes blazing. She came close, close enough that I caught her perfume, and she pointed her finger at me.

"I'm warning you." Her voice was sharp and sweet at once. "Kingsley and I have been together since university. We are so much in love that he cannot even breathe a single breath without me. If you have a mirror, you should take a good look at yourself, because you do not even come close. Look at me. Look at how beautiful I am. Look at how handsome Kingsley is. We are perfect for each other."

I watched her quietly, without wasting a single word in response. She kept talking, her mouth opening and closing, spitting insults.

"You think a man like him would ever look twice at someone like you? You're old. You're plain. You're nothing. Stay far away from my man, or you will regret the day you were born."

She kept talking and talking and talking, and the words washed over me like noise.

And just as the last word left her mouth, someone appeared from behind me and gave her a hard slap across her face.

Celeste stood there, her fists balled at her sides, shaking with rage, her eyes burning holes in the space where Sharon had been. Watching her, I realized something was wrong, and it might not even have anything to do with me.

I stayed where I was for a while, watching her breathe. Then, without saying anything, I moved closer and pulled her into my arms, hugging her tight.

"Whatever it is, Celeste, it's fine." I spoke against her hair. "It's okay. Just calm down. We can talk about it."

Just then, I heard a cough behind me. Then Kingsley's voice.

"Have I come at a bad time?"