Celine slid into the back of her car and urgently told the chauffeur to start driving. She immediately pulled out her phone and tried calling Nathan's number, but it went straight to voicemail. She called again and again, the words a strained plea:
"Please, Nathan, pick up."
She had no clear destination, but on instinct, she asked the driver to take her to the exclusive hotel where Nathan had been staying. She rushed through the flush lobby to the front desk. The receptionist, who recognized her, hesitated when Celine, desperate and breathless, asked when Nathan had checked out. Seeing the raw, desperate longing in her eyes, the receptionist finally relented, confirming that he had checked out earlier that morning.
Her body felt like it was collapsing from the shock, and her heart seized in her chest. Her mind screamed in a chaotic rush as she ran back toward the exit.
Should I go to the airport?
Should I give up now?
What if his plane has already taken off? What is the point of all this?
Where do I go?
Once outside the hotel, she stopped short. She knew she had to silence the panic and listen only to her instincts, her heart, and the sheer force of her love.
She closed her eyes, placed a trembling hand over her heart, cleared her mind of noise, and focused only on her steady, powerful heartbeat.
She opened her eyes, climbed back into the car, and, with a sudden, absolute certainty, told the driver the destination:
The Black Tie Society.
Nathan's suitcase and bags were packed. His flight was scheduled, and he had checked out early from the hotel. He glanced at his watch, realizing he still had a little time before he needed to head to the airport. He considered stopping by his mother's house to say a proper goodbye, but instead, he decided to drive to the club. He wanted to see it one last time—the place where it all began...
He pushed through the heavy doors and was greeted by the club's familiar atmosphere: the grand, luxurious halls, the dim, elegant lighting, and the rich scent of leather and aged wood leading toward the bar. His eyes automatically glanced at the corner booth where he used to sit, watching her from a distance. He walked smoothly to the bar, his fingers gliding over the cool, polished wood counter.
He settled into that same corner seat. The memory of her delicate face flashed in his mind: her sparkling eyes, the sudden flush of her rosy cheeks, and the sweet, melodic tone of her voice, even when she was sobbing—a sight he absolutely hated.
Every memory of her was a sharp, visceral grip on his heart, twisting and squeezing. He had placed an impossible bet, trusting that she would choose him, that she would be brave enough to come back. His watch beeped—it was time to leave, but he couldn't move, rooted to the spot by a stubborn, fierce belief that the immense risk he was taking would pay off.
He refused to accept that this was the end.
"A little more time," he whispered to the empty room. Time seemed to warp and pass at a lightning pace, yet he just waited.
Please, Celine, come back to me.
He smiled, a soft, weary acknowledgement of his folly, then finally stood, pushing his chair back.
As he turned to leave, there she was—standing in the doorway, breathless, her chest heaving, tears already streaming down her cheeks, shrugging her shoulders in a gesture of helplessness. Steps fueled by sheer desperation, they rushed toward each other across the polished floor.
They collided and kissed—a long, sweet, consuming kiss, heavy with the weight of yearning, fear, and weeks of painful separation. Tears streamed down Celine's face, soaking his shirt. Nathan felt a wash of weakness yet profound relief, knowing his reckless gamble had paid off. Celine had come back to him. When their lips parted, Nathan looked at her lovingly, his hands cupping her tear-streaked face.
"How did you know I would be here…" he asked softly, his voice thick with emotion.
Celine shook her head, still sobbing uncontrollably. "I didn't know! I just followed my instincts. For some reason, I felt I absolutely had to come here…"
Nathan pulled her into a crushing hug, then kissed her forehead tenderly.
"I missed you so, so much! I'm so sorry for being stubborn… and for being cold to you!" Celine confessed, her voice thick with sincerity.
"No, love! I am so sorry for how I acted," Nathan whispered, gently wiping her tears. "It was the stupidest thing I've ever done. How could I treat you so harshly when I promised to be the one who would always be there for you!"
Celine reached up and kissed him again, a gesture of absolute forgiveness. Nathan wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders, leaning in to embrace her. Their kisses softened this time—they were starved for each other's touch, needing to erase the pain of the heartbreak and time apart. It was never enough.
They ended up locking themselves inside one of the club's secluded, private rooms. Nathan lavished her with kisses, like a man starving, his warm lips trailing urgently over every part of her exposed skin. Celine clung to him fiercely, passionately surrendering to his tender touch and fervent kisses. They savored each other's warmth, lost in the immediate, consuming embrace. Tangled together, Nathan gently pressed into her, and she claimed him fully. Everything about him was now completely hers. They moved in sync, breathing heavily, their hands exploring every inch of skin, whispering passionate, desperate words of love. Their longing was so intense that one simply being together wasn't nearly enough.
As they lay exhausted and satiated, Celine gazed up at Nathan with deep contentment. He was everything she wanted; he completed her. She knew that as long as he was with her, she would be okay.
Nathan turned to her, his fingers softly stroking her hair.
"What are you thinking?" he asked softly.
"I'm just so happy," she whispered. She kissed his hand, then moved closer, rubbing her nose gently against his. "You can never get rid of me now. If you push me away, I'll cling to you even tighter…" she smiled through the exhaustion.
"Same," Nathan replied, pulling her fully onto his chest.
Nathan explained that he had waited at the club because he simply couldn't give up on her; some invisible, magnetic force had pulled him there and held him captive until she arrived.
It might have started as fate, but it was their unwavering love and absolute certainty that had ultimately brought them back together.