Bound by law

Chapter 1: Cold Beginnings

Estelle Brooks stood at the back of the lecture hall, her heart thudding in her chest as students shuffled into their seats. Today was no ordinary class—it was the day Professor Celeste Thorne would announce the details of the prestigious internship at her firm. Every student in the law program knew this was the opportunity of a lifetime, and the air was thick with tension.

Estelle glanced at her best friend Mia Anderson, who was seated beside her, casually twirling a pen between her fingers.

"I can feel the tension radiating off you," Mia whispered, her usual playful grin lighting up her face. "Relax, you've got this. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? You crack a joke in front of the Ice Queen and she banishes you to the back row?"

Estelle smirked, though her nerves were still buzzing. "It's not just that," she muttered. "This is the chance to get into Thorne & Associates—the most cutthroat law firm in the city. And I've been trying so hard not to mess things up in her class, but every time she looks at me, I feel like I've done something wrong."

"Yeah, she looks at everyone like they're gum on her shoe." Mia nudged her with her elbow. "I'm sure you're no exception."

Estelle straightened in her chair, trying to shake off the butterflies. Professor Celeste Thorne was intimidating, to say the least. Cold, collected, and intimidatingly perfect in every way. No one dared to speak out of turn in her lectures, and her reputation for tearing apart anyone who underperformed was legendary. But there was something about her that Estelle couldn't ignore, something magnetic beneath the icy exterior. Every interaction between them left Estelle with a strange, unsettling mix of admiration and...something else she couldn't quite name.

The doors at the front of the lecture hall swung open, and the low buzz of conversation died instantly. Professor Celeste Thorne entered, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. She wore a fitted, charcoal-gray suit that accentuated her tall, elegant figure, and her dark hair was pulled back into a flawless bun. Her expression was, as always, unreadable—sharp, precise, and utterly detached.

Estelle's breath caught for a second, as it always did when Celeste entered a room. The woman commanded attention, and not just because of her reputation. There was something about her presence that made it impossible to look away.

Celeste reached the podium, placed her notes down with clinical precision, and surveyed the room. Her cold blue eyes swept over the rows of students, pausing briefly as they landed on Estelle, before moving on as if nothing had registered. Estelle couldn't help the tiny thrill that zipped down her spine, despite knowing it was ridiculous to think the professor had noticed her at all.

"Good afternoon," Celeste's voice was smooth, controlled, but with an edge that suggested she could slice through anyone's arguments with a single word. "As you all know, today marks the beginning of the selection process for the internship at my firm, Thorne & Associates."

The room was silent. No one dared to even shuffle in their seats.

"The internship will go to the most capable student. I will be watching all of you closely over the next few weeks, and rest assured, I do not make decisions based on personality or charm. You will succeed on merit alone."

Estelle tried not to fidget. Personality or charm weren't exactly her strengths in this environment—especially not with Celeste Thorne's sharp gaze bearing down on her. She could be bubbly, maybe too bubbly, but that wasn't going to impress the professor. The key would be proving she was just as intelligent and capable as anyone else in the room, even if she wasn't as polished.

"The first assignment," Celeste continued, "is a mock case that you will present in two weeks. The case details are outlined in the materials I'm handing out now. Consider this your first test. You'll be arguing your case in front of me, and I expect nothing less than perfection."

Mia gave a barely audible groan beside her, but Estelle's pulse quickened. Two weeks to prove herself. She could do that. She had to do that.

As Celeste moved to hand out the case materials, her eyes flickered over Estelle again, this time with a small, almost imperceptible frown. It was nothing, just a momentary pause, but Estelle felt it like a jolt. Was she being watched more closely than she thought?

She quickly pushed the thought away. Focus, Estelle, she reminded herself.

Professor Thorne made her way down the aisle, her presence almost suffocating as she passed each row. Estelle's nerves were on high alert as she felt Celeste draw closer. She tried to keep her face neutral, but her heart pounded wildly when the professor finally reached her row.

Without a word, Celeste handed the case file to Estelle, her fingers brushing against Estelle's for a split second. The touch was nothing—barely a brush of skin—but it sent a spark through Estelle that had nothing to do with nerves.

"Miss Brooks," Celeste said softly, her tone devoid of warmth but with a weight that made Estelle straighten in her seat. "I expect better than the last time."

Estelle blinked, feeling her cheeks heat up. It wasn't that she'd performed poorly in the previous assignments—just not perfectly. And Celeste Thorne expected nothing less than perfection.

"I'll do better," Estelle replied quickly, her voice coming out a bit more breathless than she intended.

Celeste gave her a brief, cool nod and moved on without another word, leaving Estelle feeling both relieved and oddly disappointed.

Mia leaned over once Celeste had passed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Did she just single you out?"

"Shut up," Estelle muttered, her face still warm. "She's just...observing."

"Observing?" Mia grinned mischievously. "Seemed like she was paying you special attention. Think she's got a crush?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Estelle hissed, shooting Mia a warning look. "She's just...being professional."

Mia gave a low chuckle. "Sure. Professional."

Estelle ignored her, flipping open the case file in front of her, though her thoughts were still racing. It was impossible to focus when every glance from Celeste Thorne seemed to pin her in place, and every small interaction felt charged with something unspoken. She told herself it was just nerves, the pressure of the competition, but deep down, she couldn't ignore the pull she felt toward the woman who seemed to see right through her.

As the class wrapped up and students began gathering their things, Estelle lingered behind, her eyes following Celeste as she moved toward her office. For a moment, Estelle debated approaching her—asking something about the case, maybe. But before she could make up her mind, Celeste's gaze swept across the room one last time, landing on her with a flicker of something unreadable.

Estelle's heart skipped. Whatever was happening between them, it was only just beginning.