Celine Evans, Archer Reynolds' assistant, had a knack for anticipating his needs. Their two months working together had been surprisingly smooth sailing.

What she couldn't quite figure out was her own uncanny ability to read people. It felt like a superpower she’d suddenly developed, yet she had no memory of ever possessing such a talent.

Little did she know, this skill was hard-won, meticulously built over three years of navigating life alongside Dante’s grandfather and Dante Williams himself.

Her new life was a vibe. She was killing it in a career she loved, and her boss was a total sweetheart.

Basically, her dream life.

Only late at night, sometimes, she’d think about the mystery couple who’d funded her education ages ago. She wondered how they were doing now.

She felt so much gratitude towards them, but she’d never managed to find out who they were. Otherwise, she’d totally hit them up with a gift.

That evening, post-shower, Celine hit the hay.

She couldn't shake the image of the guy from last night who’d grabbed her and called her name.

He’d acted like he knew her, knew her name, and even went as far as calling her his wife.

Celine was 100% sure she’d never met him, but his intense stare and no-chill tone had still thrown her for a loop.

Whatever, no way she knew someone like that. He must’ve had her confused with someone else.

The next day at work, Archer hit her up to tag along to a dinner party that night.

This was par for the course for Celine by now. She often chauffeured him to business dinners and schmoozefests. Since she was a non-drinker and nobody ever pressured her, these gigs were mostly about showing face and, let's be real, snagging a free meal.

At seven sharp, Celine rolled up with Archer at the booked restaurant. To her surprise, the massive private room was set for just two.

Celine’s eyes popped as she turned to her boss. "Whoa... Mr. Reynolds, why just us?"

"What do you think?" Archer found her reaction hilarious, knowing she’d totally misinterpreted the situation and decided to mess with her a little.

"Can I hazard a guess that this isn't just a dinner date to treat me?" Celine asked, playing it safe but direct.

Just then, a voice echoed from behind. Archer slung an arm around her shoulders, spun her around, and replied with a grin, "The guests I invited have arrived."

Celine muttered under her breath, "Knew it wasn't about me."

Archer let out a chuckle and gave her shoulder a pat. "Am I not footing the bill? Aren't you eating?"

Okay, when he put it like that, he had a point. She was included. Celine nodded, a silent agreement.

As she looked up, she caught Archer greeting the latecomers. "Mr. Williams, over here. Isabella, you made it too."

"Long time no see, Mr. Reynolds."

Isabella Lopez, Dante Williams, and Archer Reynolds? All high school squad goals. Coming from legit families in the same city, they’d been tight before Archer bounced overseas.

But since Isabella and Dante had been a thing back then, Archer hadn't really hung with them as a couple.

"Indeed, it has been a while. Must be nearly 24 hours now," Dante said, his voice cool as ice. His gaze locked onto the woman in Archer's arm, his brow starting to furrow.

After the initial pleasantries, Isabella finally got a good look at the woman by Archer's side. She was pretty cute. Not a head-turner, but with a subtle glow-up and a killer figure, she had that low-key, magnetic charm.

But… she looked so familiar.

Isabella gave her a hard stare. "Celine Evans?! What are you doing here?"

"You know me?" Celine’s brow furrowed. Here was another person acting like she should know them, but she had zero recollection. Was she that famous?

"You don't remember me?" Isabella asked, genuinely floored. Seeing the sheer confusion on Celine’s face, she turned to Dante. "What’s going on?"

Dante’s expression turned frosty as he shrugged. "Don't ask me. She doesn't remember me either."

Isabella was shook. "How is that even possible? I get not remembering me, but how could she forget you?!"

Celine was getting seriously confused.

That Dante guy from yesterday had said the exact same thing, as if it was literally wild for her not to know him.

And now, this woman, who was clearly Dante’s boo, or at least super close, was also acting like Celine should totally recognize Dante.

This definitely suggested they knew each other, probably with some serious history.

But she genuinely had zero memory of it. Maybe something happened that wiped her slate clean.

Still…

Her gut instinct screamed nope the second she saw these two. So if something did go down in the past, it was probably some seriously sketchy business.

And honestly, she had zero desire to dredge it all up.

Archer watched this awkward reunion tank, and slowly, plots began to hatch in his mind.

But he kept his poker face on.

"Everyone, have a seat," he said, smooth as silk. "I've already ordered. Let's just treat this as a chill dinner between old friends. Dig in."

Dante brushed off the loaded look Isabella shot him.

He knew what she was hinting at, but he hadn't figured it out himself yet. Plus, he couldn't quite read Archer Reynolds, so for now, playing it cool and observing was the move.

The dinner was a total vibe killer.

Each of the four was lost in their own head, running their own calculations, making for a meal that was pure, strained silence.

After the ordeal, Archer drove Celine home.