~CELINE~

"I can't believe they let a child roam around like this. The manager should be sacked," the woman beside him said sharply, her arm tightly interlocked with his.

I recognized her instantly.....charlotte Hill, a famous model. I have seen her countless times on TV and the promotional billboards for this hotel.

She looks even more stunning in person, her sharp features framed by perfectly styled blonde waves.

Her words stung, but I forced myself to stay calm. "I'm sorry," I said softly, hoping my apology would be enough to calm her.

"The Aurelia," the hotel where I worked, was one of the most prestigious establishments in New York. Ranked number ten globally by Hotel Magazine, it catered to celebrities, tycoons, and politicians.

A single night's stay here costs more than my monthly paycheck.

The Aurelia had been founded by Sebastian Reid, a powerhouse in the business world, whose name still held eight years after his death.

His son, Hunter Reid, had taken over the family's empire, growing their wealth and influence. He was often featured in Forbes and Fortune magazines and celebrated as a rising star in the world of billionaires.

And now here he was, standing just a few feet away from me.

I did not need an introduction to know who he was. His piercing blue eyes and cold, commanding presence were enough.

He had the kind of aura that silenced a room without a word, and right now, those eyes were locked on me.

Under his gaze, I felt exposed, small.

My breath hitched as I waited for him to speak, the weight of his silence pressing down on me.

Ceasar, clueless to the tension, pulled at my work pants. "Mommy, I'm sorry," he whispered, his big blue eyes twinkling

with guilt. 

"It's okay, sweetie," I murmured bending down to pick him up. His small arm wrapped around my neck, grounding me in the moment.

Charlotte scoffed. "This is why I always say children don't belong in places like this." 

Her tone made my stomach churn, but I kept my head down, trying not to show how much her words affected me. 

Finally, Hunter spoke. His voice was low and measured, yet it carried the kind of authority that demanded attention.

"Charlotte, that's enough." 

I blinked, surprised. 

Charlotte frowned, clearly unhappy with his response, but she said nothing further. Instead, she tossed her hair over her shoulder, muttering something under her breath. 

Hunter's gaze shifted back to me, his expression unreadable. "Is he hurt?" 

It took me a moment to realize he was asking about Caesar. 

"N-No, he's fine," I stammered, holding my son a little tighter. 

He nodded once, his eyes staying on Caesar for a moment longer than necessary. My heart raced, though I couldn't pinpoint why. 

"Good," he said curtly before turning on his heel. "Let's go, Charlotte." 

Without another word, he walked away, his long strides carrying him toward the elevator. Charlotte followed closely, shooting me one last look of hatred before disappearing behind the closing doors. 

As soon as they were gone, I let out a shaky breath. My legs felt weak, and I leaned against the wall to steady myself. 

"Mommy, did I do something bad?" Caesar's small voice broke through my thoughts. 

I kissed the top of his head, forcing a smile. "No, baby. You didn't do anything wrong." 

But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had just changed. 

The way Hunter Reid looked at Caesar... it was as if he saw something familiar. Something he couldn't quite place. 

And for reasons I couldn't explain, that terrified me.

Throughout the remaining hours, I tried to focus on my tasks. Caesar had finally fallen asleep after an endless game of hide-and-seek around the staff quarters.

At least nothing out of the ordinary had happened that day, and for that, I was grateful. 

This job wasn't just important-it was necessary. The only thing keeping the lights on, the water running, and a roof over Caesar's head. 

I sighed, shifting my gaze from the laundry basket in my hand to the oversized Hunter Reid poster across the room. 

Those damn blue eyes. I could still feel them boring into me, like they had in the hallway earlier. Cold, assessing-not threatening, but not kind either.

There was something familiar about them, though I couldn't quite place it. 

"Celine! Celine!" Blake's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. 

"Oh, Blake," I said, forcing a smile as I carried the basket of freshly washed bed sheets to the ironing table. "Where have you been? We're drowning in work." 

"Oh, forget the laundry for a second!" Blake's eyes sparkled mischievously as she stepped closer. "Guess what?" 

"Blake, you know I'm terrible at guessing games," I replied, picking up the iron. 

She rolled her eyes. "Just try." 

I sighed, humoring her. "Fine. Did another guest try to make a move on you?" 

Blake groaned, but a grin tugged at her lips. "Okay, yes, but that's not it." 

I smirked, returning to my work. "So, what is it?" 

"Hunter Reid is back!" she announced dramatically, practically bouncing on her heels. 

I froze. 

"Girl, when I passed him in the hallway, I nearly died on the spot. He's so..." She trailed off, fanning herself theatrically. "Hot doesn't even cover it. He's like a god walking among mortals. I can't believe we're breathing the same air." 

"I see," I murmured, keeping my tone neutral as I folded a towel. 

Blake frowned. "That's all you've got? I just told you 'Hunter Reid' is back, and you're acting like it's no big deal!" 

I didn't respond. Instead, I grabbed another towel and focused on smoothing its edges. 

"Okay, spill," Blake said, narrowing her eyes. 

"There's nothing to spill," I replied, avoiding her gaze. 

"Yeah, right. Not with that look," she said, crossing her arms. "Come on, Celine. What happened?" 

I sighed, setting the iron down. "Fine. I ran into Hunter Reid and Charlotte Hill earlier... while chasing Caesar. He bumped into Mr. Reid." 

Blake's jaw dropped. "Celine! I warned you to keep Caesar out of sight!" 

"I know," I said quickly, running a hand through my hair. "But you know how hyper he gets. Even for a three-year-old, he's... a lot. I try to keep him contained, but it's exhausting, Blake." 

Blake's expression softened, but the worry lingered in her eyes. "What are you going to do if-" 

Before she could finish, Kayla walked in, cutting through the tension. 

"The manager wants to see you in his office, Celine," she said briskly before disappearing back down the hall. 

Blake and I exchanged looks, my stomach knotting at the assumed possibility. 

Blake reached out and grabbed my hand, squeezing it. "Go. Don't worry, I'll watch Caesar until you get back." 

************************

The walk to the manager's office felt like a march toward doom. Each step was heavy, my palms slick with sweat, my heart pounding in my chest. 

I hesitated outside his door, staring at the nameplate as if it held the answers to my fate. Finally, I knocked, my knuckles barely making contact with the wood. 

"Come in," his deep voice called. 

I stepped inside, closing the door softly behind me. The manager sat behind his desk, his face set in a stern expression. 

"Have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair in front of him. 

I sat up straight, my back stiff and my hands tightly clasped in my lap. He didn't speak at first. He just looked at me, his gaze intense and hard to read. The silence felt heavy, wrapping around me like a tight grip.

Finally, he opened a drawer and pulled out an envelope, sliding it across the desk toward me. 

I stared at it like it might burn me. "What's this?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. 

He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "Your final paycheck." 

The words hit like a punch to the gut. My throat tightened as my fingers trembled against the edge of the envelope. 

"What?" I managed to croak. 

"Don't bother coming back to work," he said coldly. "As of today, you're fired"

My heart stopped as the reality of his words sank in. Fired. My only source of income-gone. 

The manager's face became serious, and I began to wonder. Did this have anything to do with Caesar?

Or.... Hunter Reid?

~CELINE~  

"What do you mean by fired, sir?" I asked, my voice trembling as I squeezed the envelope in my hands. Surely, I'd heard him wrong.  

Why was this happening?  

"Yes, Miss Brown, you heard me correctly. You're fired," he said, his tone cold and dismissive. "Gather your things and leave the premises."  

The words struck me like a physical blow, and my hands began to shake. My grip tightened on the envelope, its edges biting into my palm. This couldn't be real.  

This had to be Hunter's doing.  

But why? Earlier in the hallway, he hadn't seemed angry. If anything, he was indifferent-polite even-when he asked about Caesar. Why would he do this? Was it some twisted feeling of control or punishment?  

None of this made sense. None of it was fair.  

"Miss Brown, you might want to take your leave," the manager said sharply, breaking through my spinning thoughts.  

His voice was cold, unbothered, as though throwing out someone's livelihood was normal for him.  

Anger bubbled inside me, a mix of humiliation and frustration. I wanted to scream at him, to ask for an explanation, to curse Hunter Reid for his heartlessness.  

But I couldn't.  

The words caught in my throat, and my feet moved before I could summon a response.  

I stood, legs stiff as I walked to the door. My grip on the handle tightened until my knuckles turned white. My chest felt like it was giving in, my breath rough as I bit down hard on my lower lip to keep the tears from spilling.  

Not here. Not in front of him.  

I twisted the knob and stepped into the quiet hallway.  

The air felt stuffy, and suffocating, and the fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, casting a harsh glow over everything. Each step I took felt heavier than the last as I walked willy-nilly, the world around me blurring.  

I needed to get out. I needed to breathe.  

Somehow, I ended up in the restroom. The stark white tiles and buzzing lights made the space feel cold and sterile. I struggled to the sink, gripping the edge as I stared at my reflection.  

My face was turned red, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. My chest heaved, and my breathing came in shallow, ragged gasps.  

Not now. Not here.  

I froze as faint voices drifted in from the hallway, growing louder. Someone was about to come in.  

Panic flooded through me, and I hurried into a stall, locking the door behind me. I sank onto the closed toilet seat, burying my face in my hands.  

All the emotions I'd been holding back hit me like a tidal wave. My chest ached as I tried to keep the panic at bay. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, unstoppable and relentless.  

What was I going to do?  

This job had been everything-my lifeline. The only thing keeping Caesar and me afloat.  

I looked down at the crumpled envelope in my hand. My "final paycheck." A bitter laugh escaped me, muffled by my trembling lips. It wasn't even enough to cover half of what I needed this month.  

This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not like this.  

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe. Caesar would be waking up soon. He couldn't see me like this. He needed me to be strong, even if I felt like I was falling apart.  

A sharp voice pierced the quiet.  

"Did you see her? Acting like she owns him," someone said, their tone cutting.  

I froze, the tears forgotten as I strained to listen.  

"She's so annoying. I can't believe Hunter Reid has taken an interest in her," another voice chimed in, dripping with disbelief and spite.  

"It's obvious she forced herself on him," someone else scoffed. "You all know how Charlotte gets. With her many scandals, I still don't understand why Aurelia keeps using her face."  

"For her pretty face, of course," a fourth voice added, laced with venom. "Isn't that all she's known for?"  

Their laughter echoed off the tiled walls, sharp and cruel.  

Each chuckle felt like a dagger, slicing through the weak composure I'd been trying so hard to maintain.  

I bit my lip to keep my breathing quiet. My nails dug into my palms as anger and humiliation churned inside me.  

Why was I sitting here, hiding, listening to them?  

My mind drifted back to Hunter Reid-his cold unconcern in the hallway. He was probably out there enjoying his perfect life, surrounded by admirers. Meanwhile, I was here, in a restroom stall, drowning in the mess he'd created.  

The laughter faded as their voices grew distant, leaving me alone in suffocating silence.  

I exhaled shakily, leaning back against the cold metal door. Frustration and helplessness pressed down on me like a heavyweight.  

Eventually, I made my way to the laundry room, the sound of Caesar's laughter cutting through my haze. It was a lifeline, pulling me out of my suffering.  

Pausing outside the door, I wiped at my face, taking a deep, steadying breath.  

"Mummy!" Caesar's voice lit up the room as I walked in. His little face broke into a bright smile, and for a moment, the world didn't feel so heavy.  

Blake, who was sitting on the floor with him, looked up and frowned as she stood.  

"Hey, what took you so long? I was starting to get worried," she said, her tone gentle but concerned. "What happened?"  

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I brushed past her, heading to my locker. My hands shook as I unlocked it, grabbing my belongings and shoving them into my bag.  

Blake watched me, her concern growing.  

"Celine," she said softly, stepping closer. "Why are you packing your stuff? What happened?"  

I finally met her gaze, my tears spilling over despite my best efforts.  

"He fired me," I choked out.  

Her eyes widened in shock. "Oh... Celine, I'm so sorry."  

She pulled me into a hug, and I let myself cry on her shoulder.  

Through my tears, my gaze drifted to Caesar. He was watching us, his innocent face filled with curiosity. That look broke me all over again.  

It wasn't long before I pulled myself together. My bag was packed, and I was ready to leave.  

"So, what are you going to do now?" Blake asked, anger simmering in her voice. "I can't believe Hunter Reid could be so petty... that heartless bastard! And to think I was crushing on him-" She stopped, wincing.

 "Sorry."  

"It's okay," I said, forcing a weak smile. "I shouldn't have brought Caesar to work in the first place."  

"But still!" she shot back. "Do you know how hard it is to find a job these days? Especially with... well, your situation."  

Her words stung because I knew she was right. Finding another job wouldn't be easy.  

I sighed, slinging my bag over my shoulder. I knelt in front of Caesar, brushing my fingers through his soft hair.  

He smiled at me, and I couldn't help but return it, though mine was tinged with sadness.  

"Come on, little champ," I said softly. "Let's go."  

"Are we going home?" he asked, his speech slightly unclear but still understandable.  

"Yes, sweetheart," I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. 

"We're going home."

~HUNTER~  

Three years away, and now I was back home. Back to the very place I had sworn never to return.  

It's strange how, despite everything that happened between my father and me, he never failed to remind me why I was able to enjoy the life I was living.  

"Everything I own is yours," he had once said.  

Well, now I planned to leave my mark everywhere until my father's name became nothing but a memory.  

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I didn't bother turning away from the floor-to-ceiling window in front of me, my gaze fixed on the New York skyline.  

The sun was setting, its orange hues flooding the room in a warm glow. It was beautiful, almost peaceful.  

"Come in," I said, my voice sharp but low.  

The door creaked open, and Mr. Tallace, the manager of this hotel branch, stepped in cautiously.  

"Yes?" I asked coldly, not moving from my spot.  

He stammered, clearly nervous. "I... I've carried out your instructions, sir. Miss Brown has been fired."  

At the mention of the name, I arched a brow. "Miss Brown?" I asked, finally turning to face him. I walked to my chair and sat down, my eyes never leaving the trembling man before me.  

"The young woman with a child," he explained, his voice faltering. "The one you asked me to get rid of."  

Ah, yes. Her. How could I forget? Those eyes of hers-tired, hopeless, and scared-were carved into my memory. But it wasn't her that stayed in my mind the most. It was the boy.  

His face was a mirror of my own as a child, and I hated it.  

Hated being reminded of the broken boy I used to be.  

I should have been furious at the hotel staff for hiring her in the first place-a young mother with a child in tow. "The Aurelia" and its staff were supposed to symbolize perfection.  

I had worked too hard to secure our spot among the top ten globally for them to hire just anyone.  

"Who authorized her employment?" I asked, my tone icy. "A mother and her child in my hotel? Imagine what the guests would say if they found out. Some might even call it abuse."  

Mr. Tallace visibly flinched under my gaze, his knees buckling as he fell to the floor. His head bowed low, his voice trembling.  

"I'm so sorry, sir. It was a mistake on my part. I didn't know she would bring her child to work," he stammered.  

"So, you're saying she outsmarted you?" I asked, scoffing in disbelief.  

The girl I'd seen earlier was weak, fragile, and terrified. Those were traits I hated, but watching her scramble in fear had given me a perverse sense of satisfaction.  

It wasn't enough.  

I wanted to see her break even more.  

I hadn't felt anything since I arrived back here-not anger, not pain, not even joy. Just a hollow, numbing void. 

Dr. Logan, my therapist, had once told me it was due to my unresolved childhood traumas. He had advised me to open up to people, try dating, find hobbies, or at least stop burying myself in work.  

But I wasn't the type to listen.  

"That weak thing outsmarted you?" I repeated, the corner of my mouth twitching into a cold smirk. "It seems I need to start cleaning the house. Incompetent workers have no place here. You're fired."  

"What?" Mr. Tallace gasped, his voice filled with disbelief. "But... but, sir, I did nothing wrong!"  

"Nothing wrong?" I echoed, standing as I moved back to the window. "You allowed a liability into my hotel. That, in itself, is wrong. See yourself out, Mr. Tallace, or I'll call security to drag you out."  

Silence hung in the air for a moment before the sound of scrambling footsteps filled the room. Mr. Tallace had no choice but to leave, the soft click of the door signaling his exit.  

Once again, I was alone.  

The sun had almost disappeared now, the room growing darker as the skyline sparkled with city lights.  

I clenched my fists, staring into the glass until my reflection blurred.  

I hated that boy. The one who had stared back at me through the child's innocent eyes.  

I hated them both.  

And I wouldn't stop until everything in this place-everything my father once held dear-was mine to destroy.

~CELINE~

A week had passed since I was fired from "Aurelia." Seven days of dragging Caesar from one hotel to another, filling out applications, and hoping for even the smallest chance of employment.  

The answer was always the same: "We'll get back to you."

Some of them did. Only to tell me I didn't get the job.  

I sat in a small café near Caroline's workplace, fingers wrapped tightly around a lukewarm cup of coffee. It wasn't much, but it was all I could afford. The last thing I needed was for Caesar to notice how close we were to being out of money.  

At least Caroline was thriving. Her family's wealth and connections had paved the way for her to live her dream life. She'd called me earlier to meet her for lunch. Not like I had anything else to do.  

"What can I get for you and this little prince charming?"  

A cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see a brunette waitress smiling warmly at me, her notepad suspended in her hand.  

"Oh, hello," I said softly, managing a faint smile in return. I picked up the menu, but the words blurred together. Nothing on it seemed affordable.  

"Your son is adorable," the waitress said, her voice tinged with genuine admiration.  

I lowered the menu slightly, glancing at Caesar. He was happily engrossed in his toy truck, humming a little tune to himself. For a moment, my heart eased.  

"Thank you," I said, my voice quieter now.  

"He has such striking features," the waitress added, glancing toward something behind me. "He reminds me of him. Is he the father?"  

Her words froze me mid-breath. Slowly, I lowered the menu completely and turned to follow her gaze.  

It landed on a billboard across the street.  

Hunter Reid.  

His face dominated above the city, larger than life, as though he owned every corner of it. My chest tightened, anger bubbling beneath the surface. That smug, arrogant face haunted me even when I wasn't looking for it.  

He was the reason I'd been fired. The reason I was here now, sitting in this café with no job and decreasing hope.  

I scoffed internally. Caesar didn't look like him, not even close. And even if he did, the thought of Hunter being his father made my stomach churn.  

"I don't know him," I said bluntly, my voice sharper than intended.  

The waitress blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Oh... I just thought, with the resemblance-"  

"He is not the father," I cut her off, my tone rising before I could stop myself. My voice carried across the café, drawing curious stares from nearby tables.  

"A man like him could never be a father," I added, bitterness dripping from every word.  

The waitress shifted uncomfortably, her earlier smile faltering. "I'm sorry," she murmured, taking a small step back as though sensing she'd overstepped.  

I clenched my jaw, heat rising to my face as I realized how loud I'd been. My fingers trembled as they gripped the edge of the table. This was his fault.  

Even when he wasn't here, Hunter Reid still had the power to ruin my day.  

I looked at Caesar, who was playing with his truck. He seemed happy and didn't notice the tension around us. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down.  

"It's fine," I said quietly, though my voice was tired.  

The waitress nodded quickly and hurried away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.  

I stared down at my coffee, the lukewarm liquid mirroring the pit in my stomach. No matter how much I tried to move forward, his shadow loomed over every step I took.  

Hunter Reid.  

The man who had destroyed my life with a single, careless decision-and walked away smiling.