Celine lay on her side, her back to Adam, while he sat stiffly on the edge of the bed. They looked like a couple in the aftermath of a bitter fight. Adam’s hands were clenched into tight fists, his knuckles white with tension. After a long pause, he said, "Alright." Then he stood and walked away. He was gone.
The tears Celine had fought so hard to hold back spilled over when he left. She grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her face, hiding her tear-streaked cheeks. It wasn't a big deal; it was just one night. If he didn't like her, she'd treat it like a dog bite—nothing more. But her heart ached, deeply and unbearably. Celine knew the truth—she still loved Adam. She loved him so much.
After that day, Celine and Adam stopped contacting each other. Meanwhile, Nikki was everywhere. She had burst onto the scene as the breakout star of a buzzworthy reality show. Her fresh, sweet image captivated audiences, skyrocketing her to fame almost overnight. Dubbed "the little sweetheart" by fans, Nikki quickly amassed millions of followers and became the entertainment industry's newest darling. Rumors swirled that she had secured the lead role in Shane Vega's highly anticipated new film, Whispering Splendor. She graced the covers of major magazines, secured high-profile endorsement deals, and her commercial value skyrocketed. Her meteoric rise felt like she'd boarded a rocket to stardom, effortlessly landing opportunities most people only dream of. Nikki was now a bona fide A-list celebrity.
One evening, Celine and Hailey arrived at the Atlas Hotel for dinner. As they reached the entrance, a group of black-suited bodyguards stormed out, shouting, "Move aside! Make way!" One bodyguard shoved Celine and Hailey into a corner, even roping off the area with caution tape. Hailey stumbled, but Celine caught her arm. "What are you guys doing? Who are we blocking?" Hailey demanded.
The towering bodyguard, radiating arrogance, replied, "Ever heard of Ms. Barnett? You're in Ms. Barnett's way."
Nikki?
A sleek luxury van sped into the driveway. A young assistant jumped out and opened the back door. Nikki's high-profile manager, Diana Wolfe, emerged first, shielding Nikki as she stepped out.
It had been a long time since Celine and Hailey had last seen Nikki. They had seen her countless times on TV, but seeing her in person, they almost didn't recognize her. She had changed so much. She was dressed in an elegant high-end designer gown and sparkling crystal heels, draped in luxury brands. Her delicate face was partially obscured by oversized sunglasses, and she carried herself like a true celebrity.
"Ms. Barnett, welcome!" Gary Greene, the hotel manager, rushed to greet her. Just a short time ago, Nikki had been a waitress at this very hotel. Now, she was a superstar—the kind of person Gary bent over backward to impress.
Nikki slid off her sunglasses, revealing a perfectly executed no-makeup makeup look. Her features were sharp, vibrant, and striking. Flashing a smile in her signature red lipstick, she said warmly, "Mr. Greene, hello. Actually, we're not strangers. I used to work here as a waitress."
"Oh, no, no! Ms. Barnett, that was my oversight. Please, a luxury private room has been prepared for you. This way."
With Gary leading the way, Nikki and her entourage swept through the hotel entrance like royalty.
Hailey stood frozen. "Celine, is that really Nikki? She feels like a stranger."
Celine's gaze lingered on Nikki. Her once sweet and innocent eyes now glimmered with a pride that only success could bring. Frowning slightly, she murmured, "She does seem different."
As they were lost in thought, Nikki suddenly glanced back and spotted them. She stopped. "Celine! Hailey! What a coincidence seeing you here," she called out.
The two instinctively started walking toward her, but the bodyguards blocked them. "Stop right there!" one barked.
Nikki waved them off with a casual smile. "It's fine, they're my classmates."