Chapter 18 - Rage and Lust

Celeste's POV

As soon as I walked into the apartment, I threw the plastic bag onto the couch and took off the jacket. Then I went to the bathroom. I had to get rid of his perfume which was surrounding me like a cocoon.

Once I left the bathroom, I sent Hazel a message informing her that everything was under control and I was going to visit her tomorrow morning before going to the company.

The following morning, I woke up barely. I couldn't sleep properly last night.

After changing my clothes, I went to drink a cup of coffee before leaving. I didn't have an appetite.

When I was about to go to the kitchen, I noticed the plastic bag on the couch. I walked towards the couch and grabbed the plastic bag.

I heaved a loud sigh and pulled Plan B out of the plastic bag. Then I went to the kitchen to take the pill.

After taking the pill, I grabbed Joshua's jacket and my bag and left the apartment without even drinking my coffee. I didn't want anything which reminded me of Joshua in my apartment.

Once I arrived at Hazel's, I went to see her. The maid informed me that she was in her room.

After greeting each other, I told Hazel what happened in Kayden's penthouse.

"Thank you, Celly. I don't want to think what Joshua would do to Kayden, if you weren't there." Hazel gave me a grateful smile.

"You can count on me, Haze. I am ready to help you."

"Did you talk to Joshua? He hasn't picked up my calls since yesterday. I am afraid he will do something bad. He is unmanageable when he gets angry," she said worriedly.

"No," I mumbled, ruffling my hair. "Don't worry. He isn't a child. He won't do anything bad to Kayden," I added without even believing my words myself.

"I hope." She sighed sadly.

"Did Kayden call you?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, but I didn't pick up his call."

I heaved a loud sigh and commented. "Life would be easy if there was no man."

"Men like Kayden," Hazel corrected me.

And like Joshua.

I sighed and stood up. "I have to go to the company."

"Thank you for everything, Celly. Glad you are back," Hazel said warmly and hugged me.

"Call me if you need something," I told her, hugging my friend back.

"Fine. See you."

As soon as I arrived at the company, I went straight to Joshua's office, holding a paper bag in my hand. I bought it on the way to put his jacket into it. I didn't want anyone to see me with his jacket and got suspicious about us.

"Celeste?" Joshua stood up, giving me a puzzled look as I walked into his office and closed the door behind me.

"Your jacket," I said dryly, extending the paper bag towards him.

"Thanks," he mumbled as he took the paper bag and put it on the desk.

"Umm... Celeste... yesterday...," he mumbled uneasily, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Don't worry. I took the pill. I won't cause you any problem," I said bitterly.

"Celeste," he frowned.

"I have to work to do," I said dryly and left the office without letting him say anything.

Joshua's POV

"Mark, did you find those bastards?" I asked in an authoritative tone, boiling with anger while walking towards the mansion.

A serious incident happened in the construction site this morning. A worker fell down from the fourth floor due to neglect of safety protocols and he was in a coma right now. Moreover, the site manager and safety manager had disappeared and their phones were turned off.

If it wasn't enough, the journalist found out about it, and there was a chaos in front of the company. There were the other workers in front of the company building as well, and they were protesting, saying that we didn't follow the safety protocols in the construction site, putting their lives in danger.

I had no idea how this happened. We always followed the safety protocols. This kind of thing had never happened in our construction sites. Our company always prioritized their employee's safety. However, since these site manager and safety manager started working for our company, there had been minor incidents in the construction site, but they hid everything from us. My father and I found out about the other incidents a few hours ago.

The police had already started an investigation, and if we couldn't proof our innocence, my father and I would be charged with a crime such as manslaughter or criminal negligence. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also started conducting an investigation into the incident to determine if any violations occurred there. If violations were found in the construction site, OSHA would issue citations and penalties against our company for non-compliance with safety regulations.

"Not yet, but we are on it." Mark replied uneasily.

"Damn it!" I exclaimed, closing my eyes, rubbing my forehead, and heaved a loud sigh. "Keep me posted," I added and hung up the phone as I walked into the mansion and slammed the door behind me, cursing under my breath angrily.

"Are you okay?" Celeste asked worriedly as she walked towards me.

"What are you doing here?" I snapped, furrowing my eyebrows.

"I am here to see Hazel. I took a day-off because my parents were going back to Italy today. They came here to visit..."

I didn't wait for her to finish her sentence and went upstairs in quick steps. I came here to get the files related to the construction site. Yesterday I forgot to take them with me after examining them here. Our partner wanted us to complete the building before the planned delivery date; so I had to do some changes to complete the building ready early and began interior work. However, now everything got messed up. And if we couldn't complete the building in time, we would lose a lot of money which would cause a big problem to our company.

"Joshua!" I ignored Celeste and walked into my bedroom. "Joshua, are you okay?" she asked worriedly, following me.

"I am busy, Celeste," I replied, irritated, turning around to face her. I clenched my fist in annoyance as her mind-blowing scent filled my nostrils.

This fucking seductive scent again! How many times should I tell her not to wear it! She does it purposefully to annoy me.

I was angry at her and I was angry at myself because despite the fact I was in deep shit, I still desired this woman.

"Is something bad happened in the company?" she asked curiously.

"Don't you know?" I asked mockingly, raising my eyebrow.

She frowned, confused. "No, I didn't go to the company today."

I heaved a loud sigh and ran my hand through my hair. "An incident happened in our construction site. A worker fell down from the fourth floor," I informed her.

"Oh my goodness!" Celeste exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand. "Is he alive?" she asked worriedly.

"Yes, but he is in a coma," I replied and rubbed my forehead. My head was pounding.

"Don't worry. He will get well soon," Celeste tried to assure me, giving me a compassionate look.

"I hope. Otherwise..." I sighed, shaking my head. "Damn it! Why didn't I go there yesterday?! I had to go to the construction site to check everything, but... Dammit!" I added angrily, clenching my fist.

"It isn't your fault, Joshua. It is just an accident," Celeste commented softly, caressing my arm. "Stop blaming yourself. Sometimes, this kind of thing happens in construction sites. I am sure the worker will get better soon."

"The police and OSHA started investigations," I informed her, tired.

"It is just a procedure. Don't worry. They won't find anything against the company. It is an accident," she assured me, giving me a compassionate smile.

"Stop it, Celeste!" I exclaimed in irritation and started to pace in the room. "Don't talk like everything is easy. You have no idea what is going on in the company or in front of the company," I barked at her, facing her and slammed the door shut, making her jolt.

"Joshua, calm down!" she demanded in annoyance.

"How?! The other workers are in front of the company building, protesting us saying that we didn't follow the safety protocols in the construction site, putting their lives in danger. The site manager and safety manager are nowhere to be found. Besides, Dad and I found out a few hours ago that, minor incidents happened there as well," I stated furiously. "And I don't need to say what will happen if we can't proof our innocence. So will you keep trying to assure me with your positive nonsense?" I added sarcastically.

"Joshua! What happened in the construction site isn't my fault. Why are you angry at me?" she shouted in irritation. "I just wanted to make you feel better."