The Chauffeur [Complete]

Chapter 50

Rade's POV
Chen stopped by the table to give me and Daniel Pierce, the man I'm conducting business with, a refill on our bourbon.

Daniel Pierce is the man who helped me find the best cooks, Chen being one of them. He's been heavily investing in my business since the beginning and has become somewhat of a friend.

He thanked Chen before lifting his glass to his lips. He took a sip and swallowed slowly. "Aside from the restaurant's success, you seem to be in better spirits as of late."

I knew it was coming. According to my staff, I've been less of a brood, and there's this sort of glow on my face.

"You seem happier than the last time we met."

Honestly, happier is not even the word to describe how Celeste has made me feel. This woman has managed to steal my heart in a short span of months. Well, actually, she didn't steal my heart because I gave it to her. Seems she wasn't the only one learning how to trust and let go again.

I took a sip of my drink and resumed our discussion about my restaurant. Daniel smirked, knowing I wasn't going to tell him. The only reason my staff even know about my relationship with Celeste is because they're nosy as fuck and Celeste is a terrible ass liar. She can't hide anything. Her face says it all. And it's one of the reasons why I love her.

After finishing up my last meeting of the day, I stopped by the bakery to pick up a few lemon bars for Celeste.

Lana greeted me with a wave and smile. "Your timing is perfect. We just put out a fresh new batch." She bagged a couple of lemon bars and handed it to me. "It's on the house."

I said nothing. Just took my wallet out and gave her some cash. Not sure how much I gave her, nor did I really care. Her jaw fell slack, her eyes wide. I'd given her well over the price of the lemon desserts.

"This is way too-"

I turned and left. Getting home to Celeste was the only thing I cared about after spending hours without her.

When I got home, I parked my car in the garage and whole-heartedly expected to be bombarded with a bear hug from Celeste. But instead, I'd come home to a barely lit house and silence.

Silence and Celeste were a combination that rarely occurred when it came to her. Which meant something was wrong.

"Celeste?" When I didn't get an answer, I decided to look for her. I started in the kitchen before making my way into the living room and then up the stairs.

I stopped in my tracks when I found her. She was sobbing, curled up on Everly's bed with her bunny plushie clutched to her chest.

My hands were in the pocket of my slacks, a sigh leaving my lips. "You went over there, didn't you?"

She nodded, hers sobs turning into breathless sniffles. "I... I fucked up. And n-now I'm never going to... see my b-baby again."

I stepped into the room and sat down on the bed. I pulled Celeste up, and she dropped her head, crying into my chest.  "Tell me what happened, baby."

Celeste went into detail about everything that had happened, from finding out Sam was hitting his fiancée to learning he was friends with the officers that escorted her off the property.

While I had heard everything, my focus was on her wrist. It was wrapped in a brace. She'd sprained it, and now, not only was she hurt emotionally but physically as well.

He fucking put his hands on my girl. That was my breaking point. I was done staying out of it.

I stood to my feet in an outrage. I'd told her I was done with fighting. That I was done using my fists as a way to handle my anger, but he put his fucking hands on my girl. He has no fucking idea what a mistake that was. And if I find out he hurt Everly too-