Morning – Yeager's House
Yeager woke up later than usual, still feeling drained after several days packed with business meetings and endless discussions. His hair was messy, and he was wearing a white shirt with the top buttons undone, giving him a relaxed look. This morning, he decided to step out for a bit—to clear his mind after last night's events.
As he checked his phone, he scrolled through the messages that had come in. His subordinates had sent their reports. Yeager read through them carefully before pausing at a message reminding him that he was the heir to the Aldric mafia family. Although he had long accepted his role in the dark world, sometimes the weight of his responsibility still felt heavy.
With a deep sigh, he closed his phone, put on his black jacket, and decided to go to the supermarket. It wasn't a big task, just something small to clear his head—something simple like buying groceries.
Supermarket – That Morning
Celestine, who had also decided to leave the house after days of feeling down, entered the supermarket to buy some supplies. With her university on hold and having been fired from the bar, she felt like she needed to get things back in order, starting with the basics—something practical that could give her a sense of control.
In the same aisle, Yeager walked along the shelves. He reached for a few items, his expression neutral, not really intending to pick up much—just the essentials.
But as Celestine turned to grab a pack of instant noodles, they accidentally bumped into each other.
"Hmm?" Yeager looked at her with his usual cold expression, his gaze sharp. "You?"
Celestine froze for a moment, feeling a bit awkward. Their eyes met, and for a brief second, she felt something stirring inside her—something she couldn't quite place. "Oh, yeah… I guess we meet again."
Yeager stared at her for a moment, then moved to a different shelf. "I don't think we've properly introduced ourselves."
Celestine stood still for a beat. There was an odd tension in the air between them, something unspoken, but undeniably present.
Yeager continued, his voice still as cool and detached as ever, "My name is Yeager Aldric."
Celestine nodded slightly, still feeling a bit uneasy. "Celestine," she replied briefly.
Yeager looked at her for a moment longer before sitting down on one of the benches near the racks. Folding his arms, he said in a calm tone, "You used to work at a bar, right?"
Celestine looked at him in surprise. "How… how do you know?"
Yeager gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I remember your face."
The air around them felt tense, yet there was an undeniable pull between them. They sat there for a while, not saying much but feeling the weight of their unspoken connection.
Celestine looked down for a moment, trying to steady herself before finally speaking. "I... got fired. From the bar," she said flatly, trying to sound unaffected even though it stung a little. "Honestly, I wasn't that comfortable there anyway. And this morning, I got suspended from college because of unpaid tuition... so yeah, everything's falling apart."
Yeager listened in silence, only nodding. But his eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity.
Before their conversation could go any further, Celestine's phone rang loudly, interrupting the moment. She quickly pulled it from her bag. Seeing Jamie's name on the screen, her expression shifted to panic.
"Hello?" Celestine answered hastily.
From the other end, Jamie's voice screamed in panic, "SIS! THERE'S A RABID DOG! WHO LEFT IT IN THE HOUSE?? IT ALMOST ATTACKED ME!"
Celestine jolted up from her seat, eyes wide. "Go upstairs! Now!" she shouted. Then she turned to Yeager. "I have to pay real quick and go—my brother's in danger."
Without waiting for a response, she rushed off toward the checkout counter.
Yeager remained seated, his expression unreadable as he watched her hurry away. His gaze lingered, thoughtful.
"Celestine..." he murmured to himself, as if realizing there was more to this girl than he first assumed.
That Night – Yeager's House
The Aldric household was calm as usual, but the air in the living room felt unusually tense. Yeager had just returned from the supermarket, still wearing his slightly crumpled white shirt, when the doorbell rang.
The maid opened the door to reveal a poised, elegantly dressed woman—Yeager's mother, Mrs. Marianne Aldric, known among the elite for her cold elegance and sharp demeanor.
"Yeager," she said in a composed yet firm tone, "we need to speak. Privately."
Yeager sighed quietly and led her into his study. The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Mrs. Marianne sat gracefully, placing a sleek folder on the table in front of her. "Her name is Clarissa Wyndale. Comes from a powerful political family. Sophisticated, intelligent, and... a perfect match for you."
Yeager's gaze stayed neutral as he stared at her. "So you're arranging a marriage?"
"This isn't just about marriage, Yeager. It's about legacy. The Aldric name won't uphold itself. Especially not with... the darker path you've chosen," she said sharply.
Yeager stood slowly, his hand brushing over the folder before pushing it back toward her. "Sorry, but I already have someone."
His mother's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
Yeager met her eyes with an icy stare. "That's not your concern. What matters is—I'm not marrying for business."
Without waiting for her response, Yeager turned and left the room. His footsteps echoed through the hallway before he stepped out into the cold night.
The breeze hit his face, clearing his mind. And somehow, his thoughts drifted—not to Clarissa, not to business or power—but to a girl he barely knew... Celestine.
That Night – On the Way Home
The sky was overcast, the cold night wind brushing against Celestine's face as she walked home alone. Her thoughts were heavy, emotions tangled from everything crashing down—her job, her studies, her future.
Suddenly, a black van screeched to a halt beside her. Before she could react, two masked men jumped out and grabbed her.
"HEY! LET ME GO!" she screamed, struggling violently, but it was no use. The van door slammed shut, and it sped off into the darkness, leaving behind an empty, quiet street.
The Next Morning – Inside a Luxurious Mansion
Soft sunlight filtered through thick curtains. Celestine slowly opened her eyes, her body sinking into a bed too soft, too clean—nothing like her own. She jolted upright, heart racing.
The room was grand: high ceilings, velvet drapes, antique furniture. It looked like something out of a historical drama.
"What the hell...?" she whispered, panicked.
She rushed to the window and caught sight of a balcony just outside. Standing there, back turned, was a tall man dressed in black. His posture seemed... familiar.
He turned slightly.
Her breath caught in her throat.
It was Yeager.
Celestine spun around and darted to the door. She tried the handle—locked. She banged on it furiously. "OPEN THE DOOR! ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
Footsteps approached. The door clicked open.
Yeager stepped in, calm as ever, dressed in a black t-shirt and dark pants. His eyes were unreadable, cold as ice.
Celestine stared at him, furious. "Why did you kidnap me?! Who the hell are you, really?!"
Yeager said nothing.
He looked at her for a long moment... then turned around and walked out. The door locked again behind him with a metallic click.
Celestine slumped onto the edge of the bed, her pulse thundering in her ears. She had no idea where she was, why she was there… or what Yeager truly wanted.