Sparking the Fire

PROLOGUE.

"Are you sure?" the man asked with a look of disbelief.

His eyes had scanned the beauty of this seductive-looking body in front of him countless times. Starting from her face that often adorns various magazines. Social media was also busy talking about the achievements of the girl who was now staring at him without pause. And what would be the impact and consequences if many people knew what they were doing in this room.

"I think that question is for you, Uncle... Bryan? Should I call you that?" the girl said with an amused giggle. She ruffled her hair. Revealing her slender neck, which only wore a necklace with her initials; HP.

"No." The man laughed. "You're not my nephew's future wife anymore, are you?" He gently stroked Celine's hair. "I didn't expect you to grow so beautiful like now."

"Wasn't I this beautiful before?" Celine's one step made their distance even thinner. Even as she brought her face closer, she whispered softly while teasing the man's chest. "I'm sad if that's the case."

"You're beautiful, Celine," the man said with a stifled growl. He wanted to resist the circular motion that Celine's fingertips were making on his chest. But he couldn't. Instead, he savored every touch Celine gave him. "So beautiful."

And because of their closeness, Bryan could clearly see how smooth and spotless Celine's body was even though it was still wrapped in a blouse that had not been completely removed from that beautiful body.

The girl's shoulders were no longer covered by the blouse worn for the banquet. Perhaps in one pull, her clothes had already slid down on the marble floor they were on. her breath was roaring seductively. Her face also looked flushed with desire.

"If you have any doubts, I'd rather just go back with my team." Celine thinned her smile. She did not want to linger here if the opponent seemed hesitant to act. Nevertheless, her heart prayed... that he would be tempted.

"Alright." Bryan Desmond, the man's name finally gave in. He let out a long sigh while holding the woman's shoulder. As if to give full confidence, if they were doing it on their own consciousness. Ah, no, but to reinforce his decision.

"So?" asked Celine with an alluring smile. "What do you want now?"

Their eyes met again. Celine's beady eyes were indeed misleading. I don't know where Celine got such beautiful eyes, but one thing was for sure... Bryan couldn't take his eyes anywhere else. Including when his fingers brushed her cheek. Guiding him not to move away as she brought her lips closer.

Touching the soft surface of Celine's seductively plump lips.

"Made you scream my name all night," Bryan says between their tender kisses. It was so gentle that when he said that, there was still a trace of saliva between them. "And because we're already here." In one swift movement, Bryan picked Celine up. Making the girl squeal and put her arms around his neck.

Then... he laughed.

"I don't want any rejection." Celine's body was slowly lowered to the center of the bed.

"I have no intention of rejecting you." Celine smiled cheerfully. Stretched a little to get comfortable, supporting her body with both hands. Leaving her hair a little messy. "But do it gently. I like softness."

A faint grin rose at the corners of Bryan's lips. "As you wish, Baby."

"And turn off your cell phone. I don't want any distractions, especially from your wife."

****

(A few months earlier).

Justin crumpled the file in front of him. it was strong enough that some parts looked torn and disorganized again. in front of him, Hans looked down. "What have you done to dispel this news?"

"I asked Geno to raise the vlog Celine made during the Danoone-sponsored trip. As well as some recent commercials involving Celine."

Justin was still not satisfied with that answer because he knew that the result would not be able to cover up the news that could put them all on the verge of a major crisis. "Other than that?"

"The public's attention is also starting to turn towards Giselle's love affair with the much-talked-about mystery man."

"Keep raising that news. Tell Giselle, if possible, create a situation where they go out together in a public place."

Hans was stunned. "But Giselle won't like it if we ask for something like this."

"Give me the report you brought."

"But, Boss..."

Justin didn't take much offense. "Call Celine immediately. I want to talk to her."

Hans couldn't help but let out a long sigh. He rushed out and headed to the training ground where Celine was there with Ursula. Preparing for a joint fashion show between SEO and Jims Co. Justin's collaboration to continue to collaborate with many new brands that have high selling points. Where in addition to being able to continue to maintain the names of its models to be at the top, the benefits obtained are also not a small amount.

Not to mention, each of the senior SEO models are now venturing into the world of acting and often share their daily activities. And because of this, the four of them are getting more and more famous and have a lot of important roles in terms of promotion.

Unfortunately... it was not an easy thing to withstand damaging news.

Especially the kind related to scandals.

Like now. In the file that could still be seen, there were some photo captures listed there. Where Celine was with the man whose face occasionally appeared in international business magazines; Bryan Desmond.

Desmond. The name that made him remember the agreement with Celine back then. Before he recruited her to be the pillar of SEO like he wanted. If it wasn't for his crazy obsession, maybe Justin wouldn't have agreed to Celine Pincessa's crazy request.

"I don't know what makes the SEO CEO interested in me," Celine said as she crossed her legs. She made her seat as comfortable as possible. She was also a bit surprised by Justin's sudden arrival.

They had an appointment at his agency's office. Where could Celine imagine, if her manager, Maya Varens, would be flabbergasted and could make their business worse. The woman really knew the meaning of money and blackmailed Celine until only the dregs remained.

A file slid unceremoniously onto the table Celine had in the living room. It was from Justin of course. It was a little difficult but what she got was worth it. Although at first he was quite surprised because of Celine's background, not just anybody.

The girl's eyes scanned immediately what Justin gave her. then her eyeballs almost popped out of place because of what was inside. "You?!"

"Loissa Celine Aurelia Langham. Daughter of the late Jeffry Langham and Cecilia Hosse." Justin folded his arms across his chest. "I didn't realize it was you. Your name made the media rounds about seven or eight years ago. And you changed your name for whatever reason. Left Langham?" Justin chuckled. "I'm sure you have a point."

Celine spluttered. She put the file back on the table. "I threw everything away. I don't want to remember the past."

"Too painful?"

Celine paused.

"If I offer you a favor for revenge, will you fulfill my wish?"

Celine clucked once more. This time her face looked annoyed but filled with a look of displeasure. "Don't be so pretentious as to know what my wishes are, Justin. Although I admit, you were very intent on finding my true identity."

"I didn't intend to, but I accidentally got it." Justin took out a cigarette from his blazer pocket. "My offer is interesting just so you know."

Celine looked at Justin intently. There was consideration there. "I don't like small talk. My desires are quite extreme and could make a mess of things. Can you guarantee my safety, my good name? Because what I'm aiming for involves a good name."

Justin took a strong drag on his cigarette, exhaled it immediately and the smoke filled the living room of Celine's unit. "If it has to do with reputation, it has to do with scandal. Am I right?"

Celine grinned faintly. "I don't like them living in peace. I want them destroyed."

Justin was silent for a while but then nodded. "If that's what you want from me, I can fulfill it. But you can't refuse anything I say to you."

He was at the peak of his modeling career, under the auspices of a shining SEO, not to mention his connections were expanding. Making his goal even closer. How could Celine refuse him. "What about the contract canceled by my agency?"

"Can be arranged." Justin grinned meaningfully. "As long as you follow my wishes."

Justin closed his eyes tightly, the dizziness coming to his head making him massage his temples lightly. hoping it would lessen a little because of what was now in front of him. until the sound of a knock on his bedroom door made him open his eyes. "Come in," she said.

The sound of heels meeting the floor immediately filled her office. So did a beautiful-looking figure wearing a knee-length coat.  "You called me?"

Justin let the girl sit in front of him. As soon as Celine felt she could talk, Justin handed her the report Hans had brought.

"What's this?"

"You know what's in there." Justin chuckled. "I've told you many times, be careful if you don't want more trouble."

Celine chuckled after seeing what Justin had given her. Lots of pictures of her with the man she recognized as her target. Her target. The one she wouldn't let go of so easily. "It turns out that our outfits match quite well, huh. Very clever of you to take this photo."

"Celine," warned Jusitn immediately, "don't take the conversation anywhere else."

"I'm not diverting it, Justin. Just correcting our choice of clothes." Celine giggled.

"Watch your surroundings, Celine. If your relationship is picked up by the media, you know the consequences."

"You're the one who guaranteed I wouldn't get into trouble, right?" Celine smiled calmly. "I haven't forgotten your promise."

"Your revenge is extreme, Celine. But a promise is a promise," Justin sighed. "There won't be any mention of it in the media. But you have to end things when you've had enough. Don't get caught up in your own game."

Celine laughed. "I'll keep your warning in mind, Justin. And... thanks, boss. You're the best." She twisted to leave Justin alone because surely, her boss was busy with a lot of work. Besides Celine going to continue her training session, she also needed to contact someone.

As soon as her cell phone was connected, Celine's smile grew wider. "What... am I bothering you, Uncle Bryan?"

Mr. Jody Varens:

You're really leaving me, sweetie? I'm so miserable not being able to see you.

The message was read only casually. Celine prefers to enjoy the cola straight from the can instead of using a straw or putting it in a glass. The air was quite cold tonight, which Celine didn't care about at all. For her, the night was the perfect time to rest her body due to the fatigue. And organize her steps to get closer to the target she wanted.

"One more step," she whispered as she closed her eyes. He had not forgotten what had happened in his past, which was full of bitterness and massive betrayal. That time... eight years ago. Eight years that Celine will never forget until this moment.

"You... still have our engagement ring?" asked the interlocutor while fiddling with her fingertips. His gaze was somewhat nervous as well as uneasy. Though the one who should feel that way was Celine. How could she not, her life had turned upside down without giving her a break. She couldn't even breathe a sigh of relief.

The accusation of her family committing a corruption crime alone made her whole body tremble. Plus his mother who suddenly collapsed in shock at the news that came to his family. Not to mention the police and courts who immediately confiscated many of the family's assets.

Not only that, not even three days after the shocking news, the father; Jeffry Langham died of a heart attack. while the condition of his wife, aka Celine's mother, is still unconscious in the hospital.

And now, it is exacerbated by the figure of the man who originally accompanied her. Carving a love story together for three years. Jacob Desmond is his name. The man Celine loves with all her heart, all her soul, and will soon end up down the aisle. If this news and ordeal hadn't come her way, Celine thinks their wedding would have been held with great fanfare and joy.

"What are you asking the ring for, darling." Celine blinked in disbelief at her lover's question. While turning the ring she wore on her ring finger. "I always wear it. A sign of our love." She smiled even though it was bland. Her mind was in turmoil because of her parents' case that had not yet been resolved.

All access to payments was frozen, and she could not give her mother maximum care except for assistance from her extended family. This is directly proportional to the scorn and ridicule he received for his father's case. Especially from the father's side of the Langham line.

They think that the father is a troublemaker and a defamer.

"I asked for her back," Jacob said straightforwardly. His eyes looked at Celine without hesitation. Which made the girl frown. Confused.

"What does that mean?"

"I want you to return the engagement ring. You know, right, it's my family's ring. The one that will be worn on my proper wife."

The wrinkles on Celine's forehead grew. "I don't understand what you're saying."

Jacob sighed softly. "I know this sounds cruel but..." The man paused his words for a moment. Trying to strengthen his heart and mind even though most of it rebelled against his family's decision. "My mother doesn't approve of us anymore, Celine."

Celine's eyes blinked slowly. her heart was beating wildly. "Aunt Cristine doesn't approve of us? After all these three years? And... the engagement party a few months ago? It's meaningless?" Celine's voice began to sound shaky. Her hands were clenched tightly as she held back her emotions.

"Well... you know," Jacob rubbed his face in frustration. "My mom doesn't want us to get involved with people who have bad records."

Celine gasped in disbelief. Her hands were damp with sweat. Her eyes were also getting teary looking at her interlocutor. "Bad record?" Without realizing it, tears fell down her cheeks.

"I don't really want to say this, Celine. But you know... my mother can do anything to my life. I can't go against her. She has so much influence."

"But our engagement?" Celine still couldn't believe all the words that slipped from Jacob's lips.

"My mother had arranged for our engagement to be canceled. And as her proud son, I couldn't argue with her. I'm helpless, Celine."

"Don't you love me?" asked Celine with a hopeful look. At least, out of the many trials that came her way, she needed one special validation. Her love was indeed reciprocated from the start. She was not the only one who had this feeling for Jacob.

"I love you, but I can't do anything in this situation. I can't defend you at all. Even this is hard for me, Celine. But please... understand."

Celine's smile was very thin. "I'm being asked to understand?" She laughed. "Oh my, I've really been hit by a lot of powerful bombs."

Celine's eyes closed tightly. She quickly wiped away the remaining tears. After trying to compose herself, she laughed. The kind of laughter that escaped her lips was not joyful. It was full of sadness and pain. Her other hand immediately removed the diamond-studded ring that had been wrapped around her finger. It was immediately placed on the table.

"I'm really sorry for being-"

Celine's hand raised as a sign that she didn't want to listen to Jacob's next words. She was already disgusted with the man. it was unexpected that the person she always defended and loved, could do such a ridiculous and low thing. what did he say? can't oppose the mother? After their relationship had always been smooth without any problems? Celine was welcomed with open arms, who knows how many times they were involved in events together. Cristine Desmond often enjoyed a cup of coffee with Celine in between her shopping activities at one of the biggest malls in South Blue.

And now?

"Even though my family is not necessarily guilty," Celine said softly. "I thought you were different, Jacob." Her eyes lifted again to look at the man who was still sitting in front of her. what was once filled with love, this time it was filled with anger. Disappointment. And so much heartbreak. "I think, at least in this world I can still lean on the person I love. No. I'm not undermining you to take care of my family affairs. If that's what you're afraid of. Or dragging you into our problems." He chuckled wistfully.

"But apparently, I set my expectations too high for you." She stood up. "Thank you for the three years that were so wasted on me."

Without caring, her tears fell again. She also ignored Jacob's half-shouted call behind her. Just outside the restaurant where they met, her cell phone was already ringing loudly. A message from the hospital along with the bills she had to settle to support her mother's life.

"What should I do?" she asked in a trembling voice. As if the universe couldn't stop Celine from falling, the rain poured down in torrents. Until the girl had no chance to take shelter.

But she didn't care. Under the water that never subsided, she continued to walk. While thinking, what choice should she make. her mother needed money. He had nowhere to go back to until the search was over. Going back to his grandfather's house?

It was the same as giving her life to her grandfather.

The ringing of Celine's cell phone broke the silence, making memories of her past fade away. Glancing at it, Jody's name appeared on the screen. Remembering Jacob and his behavior, she suddenly felt disgusted and wanted to make many men submit under her feet. Just because she was in trouble, it wasn't abandonment that she got. Plus, Jacob married a woman of his mother's choice. Not long after Celine returned the ring.

Celine's heart went numb.

A thin grin appeared on her lips. She immediately swiped the green icon on the screen. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jody."

"Why are you calling me that?" asked the voice on the other end. "You have no idea how frustrated I was to find out you were gone. I wanted to see you, darling."

Celine smiled meaningfully. "Wouldn't Maya get rid of your anxiety, sir?"

Jody chuckled in annoyance. "Come on, honey. I'll fulfill whatever you want. My order went well, but all I remember is you. Don't ever mention Maya in front of me. You know that, right?"

Celine laughed. "She's your wife in case you forgot, sir."

"You want the latest Harmes bag? Limited edition? Or the latest cell phone? Ah... I think your neck would be pretty with a necklace with blue diamonds? I'll bring it when we meet. How's that?"

"No matter what you bring for me, I never turn it down, right?" Celine sat back down on the available chair. Her eyes looked up at the starless sky tonight. "I heard that your tender is related to Desmond?"

"Yes. Desmond plays an important role now."

Celine's smile grew on her lips. "I'll make time to meet you but I'd like you to invite me to a meeting with Desmond? Maybe in a month?"

"Whatever you want, darling."