Chapter 2 -CELINE- " I can't believe they let a child roam around like this . The manager should be sacked , " the woman beside him said sharply , her arm tightly interlocked with his . I recognized her instantly ..... charlotte Hill , a famous model . I have seen her countless times on TV and the promotional billboards for this hotel . She looks even more stunning in person , her sharp features framed by perfectly styled blonde waves . 38 Her words stung , but I forced myself to stay calm . " I'm sorry , " I said softly , hoping my apology would be enough to calm her . " The Aurelia , " the hotel where I worked , was one of the most prestigious establishments in New York . Ranked number ten globally by Hotel Magazine , it catered to celebrities , tycoons , and politicians . A single night's stay here costs more than my monthly paycheck . The Aurelia had been founded by Sebastian Reid , a powerhouse in the business world , whose name still held eight years after his death . His son , Hunter Reid , had taken over the family's empire , growing their wealth and influence . He was often featured in Forbes and Fortune magazines and celebrated as a rising star in the world of billionaires . And now here he was , standing just a few feet away from me . I did not need an introduction to know who he was . His piercing blue eyes and cold , commanding presence were enough . He had the kind of aura that silenced a room without a word , and right now , those eyes were locked on me . Under his gaze , I felt exposed , small . My breath hitched as I waited for him to speak , the weight of his silence pressing down on me . Ceasar , clueless to the tension , pulled at my work pants . " Mommy , I'm sorry , " he whispered , his big blue eyes twinkling with guilt . " It's okay , sweetie , " I murmured bending down to pick him up . His small arm wrapped around my neck , grounding me in the moment . Charlotte scoffed . " This is why I always say children don't belong in places like this . " Her tone made my stomach churn , but I kept my head down , trying not to show how much her words affected me . Finally , Hunter spoke . His voice was low and measured , yet it carried the kind of authority that demanded attention . " Charlotte , that's enough ." I blinked , surprised . Charlotte frowned , clearly unhappy with his response , but she said nothing further . Instead , she tossed her hair over her shoulder , muttering something under her breath . Hunter's gaze shifted back to me , his expression unreadable . " Is he hurt ? " 1/4 9:06 pm BB BB · Chapter 2 It took me a moment to realize he was asking about Caesar . " N - No , he's fine , " I stammered , holding my son a little tighter . 38 He nodded once, his eyes staying on Caesar for a moment longer than necessary . My heart raced , though I couldn't pinpoint why . " Good ," he said curtly before turning on his heel . " Let's go , Charlotte ." Without another word , he walked away , his long strides carrying him toward the elevator . Charlotte followed closely , shooting me one last look of hatred before disappearing behind the closing doors . As soon as they were gone , I let out a shaky breath . My legs felt weak , and I leaned against the wall to steady myself . " Mommy , did I do something bad ? " Caesar's small voice broke through my thoughts . I kissed the top of his head , forcing a smile . " No , baby . You didn't do anything wrong . " But deep down , I couldn't shake the feeling that something had just changed . The way Hunter Reid looked at Caesar ... it was as if he saw something familiar . Something he couldn't quite place . And for reasons I couldn't explain , that terrified me . Throughout the remaining hours , I tried to focus on my tasks . Caesar had finally fallen asleep after an endless game of hide- and - seek around the staff quarters . At least nothing out of the ordinary had happened that day , and for that , I was grateful . This job wasn't just important - it was necessary . The only thing keeping the lights on , the water running , and a roof over Caesar's head . I sighed , shifting my gaze from the laundry basket in my hand to the oversized Hunter Reid poster across the room . Those damn blue eyes . I could still feel them boring into me , like they had in the hallway earlier . Cold , assessing - not threatening , but not kind either . There was something familiar about them , though I couldn't quite place it . " Celine ! Celine ! " Blake's voice snapped me out of my thoughts . " Oh , Blake ," I said , forcing a smile as I carried the basket of freshly washed bed sheets to the ironing table . " Where have you been ? We're drowning in work . " " Oh , forget the laundry for a second ! " Blake's eyes sparkled mischievously as she stepped closer . " Guess what ? " " Blake , you know I'm terrible at guessing games ," I replied , picking up the iron . She rolled her eyes . " Just try . " I sighed , humoring her . " Fine . Did another guest try to make a move on you ? " Blake groaned , but a grin tugged at her lips . " Okay , yes , but that's not it . " I smirked , returning to my work . " So , what is it ? " 2/4 Chapter 2 " Hunter Reid is back ! " she announced dramatically , practically bouncing on her heels . I froze . 38 " Girl , when I passed him in the hallway , I nearly died on the spot . He's so ... " She trailed off , fanning herself theatrically . " Hot doesn't even cover it . He's like a god walking among mortals . I can't believe we're breathing the same air." " I see ," I murmured , keeping my tone neutral as I folded a towel . Blake frowned . " That's all you've got ? I just told you ' Hunter Reid ' is back , and you're acting like it's no big deal ! " I didn't respond . Instead , I grabbed another towel and focused on smoothing its edges . " Okay , spill , " Blake said , narrowing her eyes . " There's nothing to spill , " I replied , avoiding her gaze . " Yeah , right . Not with that look , " she said , crossing her arms . " Come on , Celine . What happened ? " I sighed , setting the iron down . " Fine . I ran into Hunter Reid and Charlotte Hill earlier ... while chasing Caesar . He bumped into Mr. Reid . " Blake's jaw dropped . " Celine ! I warned you to keep Caesar out of sight ! " " I know , " I said quickly , running a hand through my hair . " But you know how hyper he gets . Even for a three - year - old , he's ... a lot . I try to keep him contained , but it's exhausting , Blake ." Blake's expression softened , but the worry lingered in her eyes . " What are you going to do if- " Before she could finish , Kayla walked in , cutting through the tension . " The manager wants to see you in his office , Celine ," she said briskly before disappearing back down the hall . Blake and I exchanged looks , my stomach knotting at the assumed possibility . Blake reached out and grabbed my hand , squeezing it . " Go . Don't worry , I'll watch Caesar until you get back . " The walk to the manager's office felt like a march toward doom . Each step was heavy , my palms slick with sweat , my heart pounding in my chest . I hesitated outside his door , staring at the nameplate as if it held the answers to my fate . Finally , I knocked , my knuckles barely making contact with the wood . " Come in , " his deep voice called . I stepped inside , closing the door softly behind me . The manager sat behind his desk , his face set in a stern expression . " Have a seat ," he said , gesturing to the chair in front of him . I sat up straight , my back stiff and my hands tightly clasped in my lap . He didn't speak at first . He just looked at me , his gaze intense and hard to read . The silence felt heavy , wrapping around me like a tight grip . Finally , he opened a drawer and pulled out an envelope , sliding it across the desk toward me . 3/4 9:06 pm B BBG Chapter 2 I stared at it like it might burn me . " What's this ? " I asked , my voice barely a whisper . He leaned back in his chair , folding his hands . " Your final paycheck . " The words hit like a punch to the gut . My throat tightened as my fingers trembled against the edge of the envelope . " What ? " I managed to croak . " Don't bother coming back to work ," he said coldly . " As of today , you're fired " My heart stopped as the reality of his words sank in . Fired . My only source of income - gone . The manager's face became serious , and I began to wonder . Did this have anything to do with Caesar ? Or .... Hunter Reid ? 4/4 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!