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GOOSEBUMPS ♧

TRAVIS SCOTT, KENDRICK LAMAR

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THE SCENT of desperation and cheap perfume hit me before I even stepped into the office. Leaning lazily against the doorframe, I crossed my arms, watching the woman scramble to fix her disheveled dress.

"It smells like skank in here," I said, my tone casual but cutting. "Get some air freshener."

The woman froze, her eyes wide with embarrassment. "I'm sorry... I didn't—"

"Oh, don't apologize to me." I smirked. "I don't mind. I just hope you weren't sucking on a shrivelled up eggplant."

She blinked, her face burning crimson. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I said, giving her an unimpressed once-over. "Though, judging by the time you were in here, I'd guess there wasn't much to work with."

Antonio, still leaning casually in his chair, finally spoke up, his tone laced with mockery. "Are you done?"

"Done?" I echoed, letting out a dry laugh. "Oh, no, I'm just getting started. You know," I said, looking the woman dead in the eye, "if you ever want anything real to wrap your lips around, I have a friend, Malakai. He can turn you from vermin trash to decent human being."

Her jaw dropped, and Antonio's smirk faltered slightly, his dark eyes narrowing at me. The woman, clearly out of her depth, mumbled, "I'm sorry," before bolting for the door like her life depended on it.

The door clicked shut, and silence filled the room as I pushed off the doorframe and strolled inside. I dragged a chair over and dropped into it across from Antonio, propping my chin on my hand.

He leaned back in his chair, watching me with an expression that was part amusement, part annoyance. "Feel better now?"

I shrugged, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Not really. But thanks for asking."

"Good to know you've got your priorities in order," he said dryly.

"Always," I shot back. "Speaking of which, I'm here to tell you I want to go home. Or do you need another round with Miss Desperation first?"

His smirk returned, sharp as a blade. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, princess."

I laughed, cold and sharp. "Jealous? Please. I just don't like the stench she left behind. Now, are we leaving, or should I call an exterminator?"

For a moment, neither of us spoke, the tension between us simmering just below the surface. Finally, he stood, adjusting his suit jacket.

"Fine. Let's go."

I followed him out, my head held high.

I followed Antonio out, my head held high, my hand interlocked with his. The trainees and staff parted like the Red Sea as we exited the building. Every step I took felt like a declaration: I own this.

"Heading home before the time hits double digits, are we?" Alessandro called out with a grin. "Gonna go start on that baby?"

"Right after you start on your lobotomy," I fired back, flashing him a sharp grin before we reached Antonio's car.

Antonio slid into the driver's seat without hesitation. I, however, stood by the passenger door, arms crossed. He rolled down the window, his expression already edging toward frustration.

"Get in," he ordered flatly.

"Open the door for me," I replied, sweetly but firmly.

"Celine—"

"If you don't open the door, I'm not getting in it."

He exhaled sharply, his jaw clenching. "Great, you should've started with that." Without another word, he slammed his foot on the gas, the car speeding off without me.

Unbothered, I pulled out my phone. "Hey, Siri. Call Dad."

I didn't even have to say anything before Antonio's car screeched back around the corner, pulling up in front of me. My father's voice echoed through the phone just as Antonio jumped out of the car.

"Tesoro, is there a problem?" my dad asked, his tone carrying that fatherly mix of concern and menace.

I grinned smugly, stepping closer to Antonio as he rushed to open the door for me. "Not anymore," I replied, ending the call. I slid into the seat, smoothing out my clothes as Antonio mumbled to himself while shutting the door.

"You're gonna get me killed," he muttered, walking back around to the driver's side.

"That's the plan, Genovese."

He shot me a glare through the rearview mirror, but I just leaned back, satisfied. Today was shaping up to be a good day after all.

The drive home was tense. Antonio sped like he was auditioning for a racing movie, but I didn't care. My attention was glued to my phone as I scrolled through my messages, occasionally smirking or typing something back.

"You texting your little fan club?" Antonio asked, glancing at me briefly before his eyes returned to the road.

"Why? Jealous?" I shot back, not even bothering to look up.

He didn't respond, just pressed harder on the gas. I could see the tight grip on the steering wheel out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't care enough to stop pushing buttons.

When we pulled into the driveway, I casually grabbed my bag and stepped out of the car. As Antonio locked the vehicle, my lip gloss "accidentally" slipped from my hand, rolling onto the pavement near his feet.

"Pick that up," I said, my tone sweet but with an unmistakable edge.

"You've got hands," he retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"I also have the keys to the house. Pick. It. Up."

His jaw tightened as he crouched down to grab the lip gloss, muttering something under his breath about me being impossible. That's when I made my move. As he was occupied, I slipped the keys from his pocket and strode to the front door with all the confidence in the world.

By the time Antonio stood up, I was inside, locking the door behind me.

"Celine!" he barked, rattling the doorknob.

I smirked, leaning against the door. "Consider this a punishment for being with that slut."

"Thought you didn't care about her?"

"I don't. But we're married, and technically what you did was cheating on me. So, this is my reaction."

"I'll break the door down, Celine," he growled.

"Do it," I challenged, my voice dripping with mockery.

He took a step closer, but before he could follow through, I pulled the door open just enough to slide my arm out. In one swift motion, I fired a shot into the ground as close to his feet as possible. The bullet cracked against the pavement, making him freeze and instinctively back up farther.

"You're crazy," he hissed.

"And you're slow. Goodnight, Genovese."

I slammed the door shut again, locking it for good measure.

After showering and changing into something more comfortable, I applied a face mask and perched myself near the bedroom window. A breeze floated in as I stared down at the driveway.

Sure enough, Antonio was still there, pacing angrily and talking to Albert.

Rolling my eyes, I reached for my gun again, aiming just enough to fire a warning shot between them.

Both men jumped back in surprise.

"Albert," I called down lazily, "if you help him inside, the next shot won't end up in the pavement."

Antonio glared up at me, his fists clenched, but I just smirked, blowing him a kiss.

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I think if there was a contest for crazy women Celine would most likely come out in the top 3 cause now way she locked her husband out the house and started shooting at him 😭😭😭 lowkey I'd do the same thing if I caught my man doing that but we'll see how Antonio's feeling tomorrow morning

Please remember to drink water!!

- zio 🍸