Chapter 197
Cecilia’s pov
Finally, Sebastian had reached his breaking point.
With little concern for gentleness, he peeled Amara off me, gripping her wrist firmly as he steered her into a chair like a misbehaving child.
His voice cut through the restaurant like a whip.
“Look at yourself! What the hell do you think you’re doing p>
Amara froze, and for the first time, seemed to realize how completely unhinged she looked.
She buried her face in her hands, too mortified to let Sebastian see the tear-and-mascara-streaked wreck she’d become.
I stood to the side, watching him lay into her.
His anger was completely raw now–visible, flashing through his eyes like lightning behind storm clouds.
In all our time together, I’d seen him composed, cold even.
A man built on control, the kind who could deliver a boardroom takedown without raising his voice or breaking a sweat.
He was pure quiet intensity–the kind of man who didn’t blow up but the kind of man whose anger was a slow, deep burn, not a flash fire.
And yet, somehow, Amara always managed to set him off.
In Singapore. Now here.
Some people just know how to push all the wrong buttons–and she wore it like a talent.
“You two need to talk,” I said evenly, brushing invisible lint off my ruined dress. “I’ll wait outside p>
Before Sebastian could respond, I was already headed for the door, not looking back.
I stopped at the counter and paid, ignoring the restaurant owner’s wide eyes and barely-concealed curiosity–the kind of look people wear when they know they’re going to be the first to spill the tea in the neighborhood Facebook group.
You could practically hear the rumor mill buzzing to life, like someone had just lit a match in dry brush.
I stepped outside, found a patch of shade beneath a maple tree, and sat down on the bench there.
The warm breeze ruffled my hair, and I closed my eyes, letting my pulse settle.
About fifteen minutes later, Sebastian emerged–with Amara trailing behind him.
She’d apparently cleaned herself up.
The woman who’d been clinging to me like a crazy person, sobbing uncontrollably, now stood with red-rimmed eyes, attempting to reclaim her cool, proud demeanor.
She approached me, refusing to make eye contact, her head tilted away as she spoke through a still-stuffy nose.
“I’m sorry for how I acted earlier,” she mumbled. “I’ll pay you back for the dress p>
Without waiting for my response, she hurried to her car and drove away.
I watched her white sedan disappear down the street and sighed.
So she did recognize how out of line she’d been after all.
Acting so high and mighty in public, yet behind closed doors, completely falling apart over a man p>
“I told her if she pulls another stunt like this, I’m having her transferred out of Denver,” Sebastian said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
I snapped back to reality. “Good p>
Checking my watch, I added, “Let’s go. Your half hour is up, and even if you’re still hungry, we’ll have to grab something to go p>
I slipped my hand into his suit pocket and retrieved his car keys. “I’ll drive. You rest p>
Sebastian’s gaze dropped to mine. He tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “You’re upset p>
“A little,” I admitted, grimacing at the front of my dress. “My clothes are ruined, and I’ll have to change when we get back to the office. It’s annoying p>
Sebastian studied me for a moment before taking the keys back. “I’ll drive p>
I didn’t argue. “Fine p>
After all, the cat was out of the bag now. Things had shifted, and pretending otherwise would be a waste of energy.
If people talked, they talked.
Every workplace had its gossip network, and sooner or later, someone else would be the hot topic.
I had more important things to worry about–like getting this mascara out of my hair.
Back at the office, I changed into my backup outfit and washed the affected parts of my hair in the bathroom.
That afternoon, after visiting the PR department downstairs, I was heading back up when I spotted someone leaving Sebastian’s office.
I paused, ready to greet whoever it was–only to recognize Amara.
She’d also changed clothes and applied fresh, flawless makeup.
As she walked toward me, the subtle waft of expensive perfume told me she’d even had time for a shower.
“Miss Amara,” I greeted her with a professional smile.
Amara returned a smile that showed no sign of her earlier meltdown. “The Chairman asked me to deliver some documents p>
“I see p>
“About your dress–how much was it? I’ll send you the money now p>
“Don’t worry about it,” I said with a wave, my tone light. “It was only eight thousand dollars.” Let that number sink in.
Amara pulled out her phone for a moment. “I insist on paying for what I ruined. I’ve sent the money p>
I exchanged a few polite pleasantries while my phone buzzed with a transfer confirmation.
The dress had actually cost half that amount–the rest was payback for the unsolicited emotional breakdown and impromptu chest-groping.
“I’ll be joining the business trip on Saturday,” Amara announced, her phone screen going dark as she looked up with barely hidden smugness. “The chairman personally requested me p>
“Of course. Whatever the chairman decides p>
Amara seemed disappointed with my lack of reaction and continued without being asked,
“He’s always like this–cold on the surface, but he still cares deeply for me underneath it all p>
“Good for you. How sweet,” I replied mildly.
Amara’s expression faltered.
When her attempt to get under my skin failed, she changed tactics.
“Let’s have lunch tomorrow and go shopping afterward. Luna Regina is taking me to a gala the following day p>
“Sounds good p>
“So it’s settled. You won’t flake out again tomorrow, will you p>
“Oh, if you put it that way, I can’t give you a hundred percent guarantee,” I replied lightly.
“Given today’s drama, I wouldn’t be surprised if tomorrow brought zombies. Or worse–more emotional meltdowns. We’ll see p>
Amara stood there, clearly thrown off by my response.
I glanced at my phone, lowered my voice to thank her for the money, and ducked into my office.
Back at my desk, I finished the cold coffee sitting there.
Amara’s involvement in the business trip was likely true–she wouldn’t have made it up otherwise.
Whether Sebastian had requested her presence or the Chairman had arranged it didn’t really matter.
The endgame was clear: complicate my life, create obstacles, make me “know my place” and back off.
Whatever. I’d handle it as it came.
Ten minutes before closing time, Beta Sawyer appeared, mentioning he needed to work until midnight.
Seeing his exhaustion and knowing Sebastian was staying at my place anyway, I offered, “I can take Alpha Sebastian home. You should call it a day p>
“Thank God,” Beta Sawyer said, visibly relieved.
He gathered his things and left immediately.
When Sebastian emerged from his office and found only me waiting, he smiled, playfully tapping my nose. “Getting used to that Luna role, I see p>
I forced an awkward laugh. “Don’t tease me. I’m just looking out for the pack–I mean, the team p>
Mentally, I scolded myself: next time, don’t make calls like that without checking first.
Later, as we entered my apartment, Sebastian wasted no time getting close to me. “Can I skip the couch tonight? My back is killing me after one night p>
I stared at his handsome face, at those lips I’d kissed so many times that now seemed impossible to resist.
With this gorgeous alpha practically throwing himself at me… why would I refuse?
My bag dropped to the floor as I wrapped my arms around his neck, rising on tiptoe to brush my lips against his smooth throat.
“How about I whispered against his skin, feeling his pulse quicken beneath my lips, “we shower together p>