The first day at Celeste Thorne’s law firm was nothing like Estelle had imagined. After everything that had transpired between them, she knew things wouldn’t be normal—not with the strange, charged dynamic that hung between them like a tightly coiled wire—but she hadn’t expected this.
Estelle walked into the sleek, modern offices of the firm, feeling a mixture of excitement and dread. This was a prestigious law firm, after all, and the opportunity to work here was one she knew would launch her career. But as she passed through the lobby and headed toward Celeste’s office, her mind kept replaying the heated encounters they’d had, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that today wasn’t just going to be about work.
Celeste’s assistant greeted her politely, instructing her to head straight into Celeste’s office. Estelle took a deep breath, adjusting her bag on her shoulder and smoothing her skirt, which she thought was perfectly professional for her first day. A little shorter than usual, perhaps, but still appropriate. She was here to make a strong impression—one that said she was confident, competent, and ready to take on whatever challenges this firm would throw at her.
But when she stepped into Celeste’s office, everything shifted.
Celeste sat behind her large mahogany desk, her sharp blue eyes locking onto Estelle the moment she entered the room. As always, Celeste looked perfectly composed, her tailored suit immaculate, her expression cool and controlled. But Estelle could see something in her gaze—something that flickered between disapproval and something much more heated.
Celeste’s eyes traveled slowly down Estelle’s figure, taking in every inch of her outfit, from her tailored blazer down to the short skirt she had chosen. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her disapproving gaze made Estelle’s stomach twist.
“What is this, Estelle?” Celeste’s voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it, a hint of something simmering beneath the surface.
Estelle blinked, her confidence faltering for a moment. “What do you mean?” she asked, glancing down at her outfit. “It’s my first day. I thought I’d—”
“The skirt,” Celeste interrupted, her eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s too short.”
Estelle blinked again, completely thrown off. “What? It’s not too short. It’s fine. Professional.”
Celeste raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Stand up.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Stand up.”
Estelle hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to make of the request, but there was something in Celeste’s tone that made her comply. Slowly, she rose from the chair and stood before Celeste, who eyed her critically. The tension in the room thickened as Celeste’s gaze swept over her once again, this time slower, more deliberate.
“It’s too short,” Celeste repeated, her voice firmer now. “Change.”
Estelle stared at her, a flare of irritation rising up in her chest. “I don’t have anything else with me,” she replied, crossing her arms. “And it’s not even that short. This is completely fine.”
Celeste leaned back in her chair, her gaze never leaving Estelle. “I don’t care if you think it’s fine. It’s not. You’re representing me now, Estelle. And I have certain standards.”
Estelle opened her mouth to argue, but before she could say anything, Celeste stood up, her eyes darkening with that familiar intensity. “Get up,” she said, her voice commanding. “We’re going.”
Estelle frowned, confused. “Going? Where?”
“To buy you something appropriate.”
“What?” Estelle stared at her, utterly taken aback. “We’re going shopping? Right now?”
Celeste’s smirk was sharp, her eyes gleaming with control. “Yes, right now. You’re not stepping foot in this office in that skirt. Get your bag. We’re leaving.”
Estelle’s jaw dropped, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “You can’t be serious.”
Celeste’s gaze hardened, her voice dropping to a low, authoritative tone that made Estelle’s heart skip a beat. “I’m very serious, Estelle. You work for me now, and I expect you to present yourself in a way that reflects that. Now, unless you want to spend your first day in this office sitting in the corner looking unprofessional, you’ll come with me.”
The heat of the confrontation simmered between them, the tension palpable. Estelle felt a mix of frustration and something else—something dangerous, the familiar pull that always came when Celeste pushed her like this. She wanted to argue, to stand her ground, but she knew how this would end. Celeste always had the upper hand, and no matter how hard Estelle tried to resist, she was already caught in her web.
With a reluctant sigh, Estelle grabbed her bag and stood up. “Fine,” she muttered. “Let’s go.”
Celeste’s smirk widened, a glint of victory in her eyes as she led the way out of the office. Estelle followed her, her frustration boiling just beneath the surface, but there was something else too—something electric, the unspoken connection between them humming beneath every step.
As they walked out of the building and into the street, Estelle couldn’t help but glance at Celeste, the sharp lines of her suit, the way she carried herself with such authority. It was infuriating and intoxicating all at once. She wanted to hate her for this, for making her feel so small, but at the same time, she was drawn to her in ways she couldn’t explain.
The car was waiting for them outside, sleek and black, like something out of a movie. Celeste slid into the backseat, and Estelle followed, the tension between them suffocating as the driver pulled away from the curb.
The silence in the car was thick, neither of them speaking, but the weight of their unspoken words hung in the air. Estelle’s heart raced, a mix of frustration and anticipation swirling inside her. She didn’t know what was going to happen next, but she knew one thing for sure: working for Celeste was going to be far more complicated than she had ever imagined.
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