Chapter 13
Navier he’d barely noticed before now haunted his thoughts with alarming frequency, forming habits he hadn’t realized he’d developed.
She’d infiltrated his life like invisible air, seeping into every crack and crevice. Without her, everything felt off.
The realization irritated him.
“I’m probably just concerned about her safety,” he rationalized. “We grew up together, after all. Of
course, I’d wonder where she went. That’s all.”
After wrestling with his conflicted thoughts, he finally called for his secretary.
“Nick, find out where Navier is. She’d better not have gotten herself killed on some impulsive adventure. Her parents would hold me responsible since I’m supposed to look after her, and I’d have nothing to tell them.”
Nick nodded repeatedly to mask his surprise.
“I’ll get right on it, sir.”
Lysander massaged his temples and forced himself to concentrate on work.
Lunchtime came and went. Even as hunger gnawed at his stomach, he didn’t stop, maintaining his stoic expression as he plowed through documents.
Not until it became too much to push aside did he finally shift his attention, reaching for the drawer
where he kept his medication.
But his fingers brushed against nothing.
“Nick-”
Lysander’s brow furrowed, ready to summon his secretary for a reprimand, when realization struck him. These medications had always been Navier’s doing.
Worried about his health, she’d meticulously stocked various medicines he might need, placing
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them within easy reach.
But since that day when she’d accidentally broken the picture frame and he’d banished her from his office, she’d never returned. There would be no more restocked medicines.
Staring at the empty drawer, Lysander momentarily lost his focus.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Celeste entered carrying a neatly packed meal.
“Have some lunch, Lysander. Your stomach will act up if you don’t. LOOK! I made this myself–try it and tell me how it tastes.”
Suppressing his discomfort, Lysander forced a smile and guided Celeste to a seat.
“So sweet. You made it yourself! That’s must delicious. I can’t wait to taste your cooking.”
“But seriously, let the staff handle this next time. Those beautiful hands shouldn’t be doing housework. Just swing by with takeout and keep me company–that’s all I need.”
Celeste smiled faintly and nodded. “”Alright. But only if you promise don’t overwork yourself either–I worry about you.”
‘As if, she thought silently. ‘He’d better drop dead at his desk.‘
This one meal was obligation enough. She had no intention of subjecting herself to domestic
drudgery.
But oblivious to her true thoughts, Lysander assumed her concern was genuine.
“I’ll finish up this afternoon’s work soon. How about we take a walk later? Anywhere you want to
go?”
“I want to see our university campus. When I was sick, I never got to attend classes with you or
watch you graduate. What a pity.”
Celeste lowered her eyes in practiced regret.
Lysander hugged her consolingly. “Then we’ll go today. I’m sure they still have my photos on display. We can even buy caps and gowns, take some pictures together–make up for lost time.”
“Perfect. Up to you,” Celeste replied with a gentle smile, her performance flawless down to the
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smallest detail.
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