Chapter 21 Celeste stared at Adrian in stunned silence . This was the first time he'd ever spoken to her with such raw pleading . In her mind , he'd always been the one who gave her his coat in the rain , who stood silently behind her when she needed him most , who never asked anything of her . Adrian had always seemed to exist in a vacuum , his world consisting only of academics and research . [] Then she'd entered his life . And all the chaos , all the anxiety - she'd brought it all with her . [ ] He should have sailed smoothly through life . [ ] Celeste's heart twisted painfully . [ ] She gently embraced him . " Okay . " [ ] Adrian's anxious heartbeat gradually calmed . He wrapped his arms around her , his fingers threading through her hair . [ ] " I don't want you seeing him . " ] celeste said , " Okay . " It was the first time she'd lied to Adrian . Dominic didn't call . That evening , Celeste stood outside Ashford Corporation headquarters . [] As if he'd known she was coming , the receptionist led her to a first - floor meeting room . Beyond the floor - to - ceiling windows , the sky was overcast and drizzling . Celeste sat on the sofa , looking down at the cold tea on the table . After she'd waited two hours , the meeting room door finally opened . [ ] She looked up . Dominic stood in the doorway - ink - black hair , indifferent eyes , lips curved in a mocking smile . [ ] The restaurant . Outside , dark rain dotted the floor - to - ceiling windows drop by drop . [ ] Inside , the lighting was soft and warm . French dishes were brought to the table one by one . The entire restaurant held only two people - Dominic and Celeste . [ ] Celeste looked at the table . Filet mignon with Merlot . ] In an instant , the timeline snapped back three years , to that small apartment in England . She'd sit at the dining table , looking up to see Dominic's tall silhouette in the kitchen . ] The rain outside had been noisy then , but watching Dominic , she couldn't hear anything else . ] The atmosphere had felt so warm it seemed unreal . Celeste took a soft breath , pulling herself from the memory . " Dominic . " [ ] Dominic cut her off flatly . " Try it . " His voice was quiet , but carried an inexplicable pressure that demanded compliance . [ ] If she didn't do what pleased him , nothing else could be discussed . [ ] Celeste fell silent for a moment , then picked up her fork , cut a piece of steak , and put it in her mouth . The taste was identical to years ago . ]] Yet unlike any other restaurant's ] Lemon juice . Three years ago , she'd always liked adding a bit of lemon juice to her steak ] Dominic said , " Your taste hasn't changed , I see . " ] Celeste ate slowly , then set down her knife and fork . " People's tastes don't change that easily ." [ Dominic watched her . Celeste's smile was faint . " But I never liked eating steak . No amount of seasoning would change that . " [ ] Chapter 21 Dominic's eyes darkened . He slowly set down his utensils and wiped his hands with his napkin . [ ] " You came here for him . Can't you say something pleasant ? " ] Celeste was silent for a moment . " Mr. Ashford , this is between us . It shouldn't involve other people . " [] " Other people ? " Dominic said flatly . " Your boyfriend counts as ' other people ' ? " Celeste countered , " Doesn't he ? " She looked into Dominic's eyes , her tone softening . ] " Dominic , come at me if you want . But leave him alone , okay ? I don't want to owe him anything . " [ ] Dominic caught the note of appeasement . After being harsh with him and suffering for it , she'd changed tactics this time . How calculating . [ ] Calculating , all for Adrian's sake . [ ] Dominic suddenly smiled , his tone somewhat cold . " I can leave him alone . " His gaze drifted acro Celeste's face , slowly settling into her eyes , his voice detached . [ ] "So then - what will you trade me for it ? "