Estelle had barely made it out of the lecture hall when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, already half-expecting it to be Celeste. Sure enough, her name flashed across the screen.
“Dinner tonight. Meet me at Della Terra. 8 PM.”
Estelle blinked at the message, her heart skipping a beat. Della Terra was a high-end restaurant downtown, not the kind of place for a casual dinner or a work meeting. The message itself was as direct and commanding as Celeste always was—there was no question, no polite ask. Just an expectation.
Was this… a date?
She stared at the message, uncertainty swirling in her mind. Celeste had a habit of blurring lines, teasing her, testing boundaries. But this? Dinner at a fancy restaurant? It felt different. The tension between them had been building for weeks—through lingering touches, teasing comments, and the complicated push and pull of their relationship. Now, it seemed like Celeste was taking it further.
Estelle stood frozen outside the lecture hall for a moment, her mind spinning. Was this just another way for Celeste to test her control? Or was there something more behind the invitation?
Her phone buzzed again.
“I expect you to be there, Estelle. Don’t keep me waiting.”
That settled it. There was no room for refusal. Estelle sighed, knowing that if she didn’t show up, it would only add another layer of tension between them. But beneath her frustration, there was something else—a flicker of anticipation, curiosity, even excitement.
As the day passed, she couldn’t shake the growing sense of nervousness. By the time she got home, Mia was there, lounging on the couch and watching TV. Estelle walked straight past her and into her room, too distracted to even explain the situation.
“Uh, hey to you too,” Mia called, her voice dripping with curiosity. “What’s up with you?”
Estelle stuck her head out of her room, clutching the doorframe. “I have… a thing tonight.”
Mia raised an eyebrow, grinning. “A thing? Like a date thing?”
“I don’t know,” Estelle muttered, stepping out of her room, feeling her heart race as she sat on the edge of the couch. “It’s with… Celeste.”
Mia’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Wait, Professor Thorne?” She laughed. “You’re going on a date with your professor-slash-boss? Oh, I need to hear this.”
“It’s not a date,” Estelle snapped, though her voice wasn’t as convincing as she’d hoped. “It’s… I don’t know what it is. She asked me to meet her for dinner.”
Mia’s grin only widened. “At a fancy restaurant?”
“Yeah,” Estelle admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. “It’s at Della Terra.”
Mia let out a low whistle. “Oh, that’s definitely a date. And here you were saying it’s nothing. You gotta give me the details when you get back.”
Estelle rolled her eyes, feeling her stomach twist with nerves. “I’m not sure what this is. But I have to go.”
Mia shrugged, her grin still firmly in place. “Either way, you’re gonna want to dress to impress. Della Terra’s no joke.”
Estelle nodded absently, already feeling the pressure build. The tension between her and Celeste had been undeniable, but this dinner felt like a turning point—like it could tip things in a direction she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
After spending far too much time staring at her closet, Estelle finally settled on a black, fitted dress that was both elegant and simple, something that would blend into the upscale restaurant setting but still make her feel confident. She kept her makeup subtle, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. The whole time, her mind raced with what could happen tonight.
By the time she arrived at Della Terra, her heart was in her throat. The restaurant was even more impressive in person—dim lighting, sleek modern decor, and the hum of low conversation. Estelle stepped inside, immediately feeling out of place but determined not to show it.
The hostess greeted her warmly. “Reservation under Thorne?” she asked.
Estelle nodded.
“Right this way.”
Estelle followed the hostess through the restaurant, her heart pounding with each step. When they reached the table, she saw Celeste already seated, looking impossibly composed as always. She wore a tailored black dress, sharp and elegant, her hair pulled back in a way that only emphasized her striking features. She glanced up as Estelle approached, her eyes flicking over her with an unreadable expression.
“Estelle,” Celeste said smoothly, standing to greet her. “I’m glad you made it.”
“I didn’t think I had much of a choice,” Estelle replied, her voice coming out more nervous than she intended.
Celeste’s lips curved into a small smile as she gestured for Estelle to sit. “You always have a choice. I just make the decision easier.”
Estelle sat down, feeling the weight of Celeste’s gaze on her as she tried to compose herself. The atmosphere was charged, the tension between them palpable in the air.
A waiter appeared, handing them menus and pouring wine, but Estelle could barely focus on the words in front of her. She glanced at Celeste, who seemed perfectly at ease, swirling the wine in her glass before taking a slow sip.
“This place is… nice,” Estelle said, her voice betraying her nerves.
Celeste smirked, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “You’re nervous.”
Estelle swallowed, feeling her pulse quicken. “I’m just not sure what this is.”
Celeste raised an eyebrow, setting her glass down. “Does it matter? You’re here. I’m here. Let’s enjoy the evening.”
Estelle couldn’t help but feel a flicker of frustration at Celeste’s enigmatic response. She always seemed to have the upper hand, always one step ahead, and it was infuriating—and yet, Estelle couldn’t deny the attraction that kept pulling her closer.
“Why did you invite me here?” Estelle asked, her voice a little firmer this time.
Celeste’s smile softened, though her eyes still held that dangerous glint. “Do I need a reason to spend time with you, Estelle?”
Estelle’s heart raced, her mind spinning as she tried to make sense of the moment. Was this Celeste’s way of finally acknowledging the tension between them? Was this more than just a dinner?
Before she could respond, Celeste leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “You intrigue me, Estelle. You’ve been on my mind… more than you should be.”
Estelle’s breath caught, her stomach flipping as she stared at Celeste, her heart pounding louder in her ears. The weight of her words hung in the air between them, thick and heavy with meaning.
Was this a date?
Comment