Nothing more, nothing less

Aftermath

The next morning, the fallout from last night's confrontation weighed heavily on Celestiana. She sat in her office, staring blankly at the papers in front of her, her mind far from the spreadsheets and business contracts. Her father's cold expression replayed in her mind, his parting words echoing over and over. *"You're making a mistake."*

It wasn't just about disappointing him. It was the realization that their world—one built on power, status, and perfection—was crumbling. And she had caused the fracture.

A soft knock at her door interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

"Come in," Celestiana called, her voice tired, knowing exactly who it would be.

Alicia stepped into the room, her usual confidence softened by concern. She closed the door quietly behind her and crossed the room in just a few strides, standing beside Celestiana's desk.

"How are you holding up?" Alicia asked, her tone gentle, but there was a firmness in her gaze. She wasn't asking as a casual friend—she was asking as someone who was now bound to Celestiana by something far more than a fleeting connection.

Celestiana sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I don't know how to answer that. It feels like everything is falling apart."

Alicia didn't flinch. She pulled up a chair and sat across from her, leaning in, her presence solid and reassuring. "Your father will come around. He'll see that this doesn't change what you've built—what you *are*."

Celestiana met Alicia's eyes, and for a moment, the vulnerability she'd been hiding cracked open. "I'm not sure he will," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Our entire world is based on their partnership, on what they've built together. This—us—it threatens that. They don't see it as just a relationship, Alicia. They see it as a betrayal."

Alicia's jaw clenched, a flicker of anger passing through her eyes. "It's not a betrayal. It's our lives, Cel. We're allowed to choose what we want, who we want."

Celestiana rubbed her temples, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "It's not that simple," she muttered, though deep down, she wished it could be.

"It could be," Alicia countered, leaning forward, her eyes fierce. "If you'd stop thinking about what *they* want and start thinking about what *we* want."

Celestiana paused, Alicia's words hanging in the air between them. It was a challenge, one that forced her to confront the truth she had been avoiding for so long. Alicia had always been the bold one, the one unafraid to cross lines and push boundaries. Celestiana, on the other hand, had always been cautious, careful to maintain the balance between her personal desires and the expectations placed on her.

But this—*Alicia*—was different. The stakes were higher, and the cost of failure was terrifying.

"I don't want to lose you," Celestiana finally said, her voice soft, filled with a vulnerability she rarely allowed herself to show.

Alicia's face softened, and she reached across the desk, taking Celestiana's hand in hers. "You won't," she promised. "Not if we face this together."

Just as the words left her mouth, Celestiana's phone rang, startling them both. She glanced at the caller ID—her father.

Alicia's grip on her hand tightened. "Are you going to answer that?"

Celestiana hesitated, her heart racing. She knew what was coming. This call wasn't just about a business deal or a simple conversation. It was about *them*, about the decision she had made last night and the consequences that were now staring her in the face.

After a beat, she nodded, releasing Alicia's hand and picking up the phone.

"Dad," she greeted, her voice steady, though her pulse quickened.

There was a long pause on the other end, the silence more telling than any words. Then, finally, her father spoke.

"Celestiana, we need to talk," his voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "This... situation with Alicia—it can't continue. You know that, right?"

Celestiana's stomach dropped. She closed her eyes, fighting back the frustration that threatened to spill over. "Dad, I'm not going to end things with her just because it makes things easier for the business."

"This isn't about the business, Celestiana," her father snapped, his voice growing colder. "This is about your future, about the reputation of our family. You've worked too hard to let one... mistake ruin everything."

Celestiana's heart twisted at the word *mistake*. She opened her eyes, her gaze locking with Alicia's, who was watching her with an intensity that made it clear she understood every word being said, even if she couldn't hear it.

"I'm not ending it," Celestiana said firmly, surprising even herself with the strength in her voice. "I won't pretend this doesn't matter. Alicia... she matters to me."

Her father's silence was deafening. For a moment, Celestiana thought he might hang up, but then he sighed heavily.

"I see," he said finally, his voice strained. "If that's your decision, then you'll have to live with the consequences. Don't expect the company or the family to stand behind you when this falls apart."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her father had never been so cold, so final. But as painful as it was, there was also a strange sense of relief. She had made her choice. She had chosen Alicia.

"I understand," Celestiana replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Goodbye, Dad."

She hung up the phone, her hand trembling slightly as she set it down on the desk. For a moment, she couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Then, Alicia's hand was on hers again, grounding her, pulling her back from the edge.

"What did he say?" Alicia asked, her voice soft but filled with concern.

Celestiana swallowed hard, meeting her gaze. "He said I'll have to live with the consequences."

Alicia's eyes softened, and she leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Celestiana's forehead. "Then we'll face those consequences together."

Celestiana exhaled slowly, her heart steadying in the comfort of Alicia's touch. Whatever came next, they would handle it. Together.

And for the first time in a long time, Celestiana felt at peace with that.