That Night – Celestine's Room
Celestine sat at the edge of her bed, the room dim, lit only by the soft glow seeping in through the window. Her hands tightly gripped the termination letter from the bar, and the email from her university announcing her suspension still lit up her phone screen.
Her eyes were red, but no tears fell. Her heart was too heavy to cry.
"I can't work. I can't go to college. I can't even protect my own dream..."
She tried to stay strong, but tonight, everything felt like it was crashing down all at once.
Closing her eyes, her mind drifted—unexpectedly—to a cold, calm figure in a black suit... Yeager Aldric. The way he'd looked at her, his steady voice. And that business card—still tucked safely inside her wallet.
Celestine let out a shaky sigh. She didn't know why he came to mind at a time like this... but for now, she just wanted everything to pause.
Elsewhere – Late Afternoon
After coming home from school and changing into a grey hoodie and black pants, Jamie hopped onto his old motorbike. His delivery bag hung over his shoulder as he glanced at his phone's delivery app.
"Delivery to... Aldric Corporation?" he muttered.
He had no idea that this very name would soon become deeply entwined with his and his sister's lives.
When he arrived at the towering, luxurious skyscraper, Jamie looked up in awe. The building loomed tall, all glass and steel, guarded and pristine. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside, trying not to feel out of place in a world so different from his own.
A receptionist approached him. "Food delivery?"
Jamie nodded. "Yes. For Mr. Yeager."
The receptionist blinked in slight surprise. "Please, use the left elevator. Go straight to the 29th floor."
Jamie entered the elevator, unaware that he was moments away from meeting the very man who had protected his sister the night before.
29th Floor – Aldric Cooperation Main Office
Jamie stepped into the wide, luxurious office after an assistant led him in. The room had minimalist decor, glass walls, plush carpet, and the distinct scent of expensive coffee lingering in the air.
Behind a long dark wood desk sat a man in a sharp black suit, his eyes focused on his computer screen and the documents before him. Jamie didn't need to ask—
It was Yeager.
Under his breath, Jamie muttered, "Damn... the guy's got mafia boss vibes."
He cleared his throat. "Excuse me, food delivery."
Yeager glanced up, gave a brief nod, and stood up with a calm, authoritative air. Jamie could feel the intensity just radiating off him, and it made his usual confidence falter a bit.
"Thank you," Yeager said plainly.
Jamie placed the food bag on the small table near the couch. But being Jamie—he couldn't help himself.
"Gotta say, I expected a big boss like you to order steak or some fancy wine. Didn't peg you as a burger-and-fries kinda guy," he joked.
Yeager raised an eyebrow slightly, then without a word, pulled out his wallet and slipped several bills into Jamie's hand.
"For your service. Thank you."
"Eh?! Sir, this is way too much!" Jamie panicked, but Yeager had already turned his attention back to his desk.
"You can go now."
Jamie gawked for a second, then quickly bowed. "Right! Thank you, Mr. Mafia—uh, I mean, Mr. Yeager!"
As soon as he got in the elevator, he couldn't hold back his grin. Jackpot.
Later That Night – At Celestine's Home
Celestine was cooking a simple dinner when Jamie burst through the door with an excited look on his face.
"Kak! Guess where I just delivered food?"
Celestine glanced up tiredly. "Some five-star restaurant?"
"Even better—Aldric Cooperation!"
Celestine froze. "Aldric...?"
Jamie flopped onto the couch, opened his wallet, and proudly showed the thick tip he got. "And guess who I met? The CEO himself! Dude's got this insane cold stare—like he could see your sins or something."
Celestine slowly turned back to the stove, heart thudding in her chest.
Jamie kept going, thrilled. "But hey, he gave me a huge tip. I mean, scary or not, the guy's generous. Maybe not a total mafia after all."
Celestine gave a faint smile, but something shifted in her gaze. Her thoughts spiraled again—Yeager's name was no longer just on a business card in her wallet.
He was starting to quietly weave into her life... through her little brother.
Jamie squinted at his sister, who was suddenly smiling to herself while stirring her tea.
"Why are you smiling like that, huh?" he asked suspiciously. "Do you know him or something? Did he ever come to your bar or what?"
Celestine flinched slightly, trying to hide her reaction—but Jamie had already noticed.
"No, I don't know him," she said quickly—a little too quickly.
Jamie leaned forward, resting his chin on the table and narrowing his eyes at her. "Weird. Usually when some annoying guy comes to your bar, you rant for hours. Now you're smiling? Don't tell me... you like him?"
Celestine immediately threw a napkin at him. "You're insane! What are you even saying?! It's not like that—"
"So you do know him!" Jamie cut her off, grinning like a devil.
Celestine sighed deeply, finally giving in. "He helped me... when Darren showed up again."
Jamie sat up straighter, eyes wide. "Darren? That toxic ex of yours?"
She nodded slowly.
Jamie's voice dropped a tone, serious now. "And he—Mr. Mafia guy—stood up for you?"
"Said he was my boyfriend. Then handed me his business card."
Jamie froze for a second.
"WHOA. SIS. THAT'S STRAIGHT OUT OF A ROMCOM."
Celestine buried her face in her hands. "Don't start..."
But Jamie was already pacing back and forth in the living room, getting hyped. "You have to call him. You're jobless now. And you're suspended from college. What if he can help you get a job?"
Celestine stayed silent.
"I'm serious," Jamie said, stopping in front of her. "Maybe the universe is pushing you toward him. You met him at the bar. I met him at work. And now you know who he is."
Celestine glanced at her wallet on the table. Inside, Yeager's business card was still tucked away neatly.
And quietly, a part of her started to wonder the same thing...
Celestine let out a long sigh, taking a sip of her now lukewarm tea. Her gaze drifted toward the window as she spoke, quiet but firm.
"Forget it. I'd be embarrassed to ask a stranger for help."
Jamie raised an eyebrow. "Stranger? He helped you, gave you his card, and even tipped me big today. Doesn't sound like a total stranger to me."
Celestine shook her head, a faint, tired smile on her lips. "That's exactly why... I don't want to. I don't want to be that girl who looks like she's fishing for attention or trying to take advantage. That night was just a coincidence. That's it."
Jamie sighed, slouching back into the chair. "Sis... you're not alone, you know?"
Celestine turned to look at him, but her expression stayed firm.
"My pride means everything to me, Jam," she said quietly, but with weight in her voice. "If I ask for help now, it'll feel like I've lost."
Jamie didn't respond right away. He just stared at her for a moment, then gave her a soft smile. "Alright. But remember, Sis... losing doesn't always mean you're weak. Sometimes... it's just another way to start again."
Celestine didn't answer. But something in her eyes shifted—subtle, hesitant.
And even if she denied it out loud, the name Yeager Aldric kept echoing in her mind.