HER ARRIVAL

THIRD PERSON'S POV

After a lengthy stay in the foster home, Sister Lou neatly packed Celine's clothes. Upon finishing, Celine bid farewell to everyone she knew in the foster home.

"Take care of yourself, Sister Lou," Celine said softly.

"Of course, Celine. You too," the old woman embraced Celine. After saying her goodbyes, Celine quickly got into the Knights couple's car.

During the journey, Celine remained silent, observing the surroundings and recalling their earlier conversation.

"I will be marrying their son," she whispered to herself.

Celine didn't notice they had arrived in front of an extremely modern and spacious house, almost like a grand palace.

"My dear, we've arrived," the lady smiled at her.

She innocently smiled back.

Shortly after, a woman in her late 50s emerged from the house.

"Donya Amora, Don Arthur-" Her words halted as she looked at Celine from head to toe.

'Another flirtatious woman wanting to marry the young master, but she seems decent,' the old lady thought.

"Martha, take care of Celine. Make sure to give her everything she wants, okay?" Mrs. Knights instructed.

"Yes, Donya Amora."

After the couple entrusted Celine to the mansion's housekeeper, she left immediately.

"Señorita Celine, di..." The housekeeper was interrupted.

"Sorry, but could you just call me Celine?" Celine said. The housekeeper thought Celine might treat her rudely like the previous fiancées of the young master.

This made the housekeeper smile. "Sure, Celine, if that's what you prefer."

After the housekeeper's words, Celine entered the mansion and was guided through every corner of the house.

"Just go to your room, Celine. We'll prepare your and the young master's dinner since he'll be arriving shortly," said Martha.

"Nay Martha, can I be the one to cook for him? And you all can just rest?" Celine surprised the housekeeper.

"Are you sure about that?" Martha asked, and Celine nodded.

All the servants rested, leaving Celine alone.

"Such a huge house, shiny utensils, so many servants, too extravagant," Celine commented emotionlessly while examining every corner.

Later, she started cooking for her future husband, as the Knights couple had mentioned that their son would marry her next month.

While chopping onions, she heard the sound of a car.

"Perhaps, that's him," she said.

She placed the ingredients in the pan and started slicing carrots when suddenly, a baritone voice echoed throughout the house.

"WHO ARE YOU?!" The man froze as Celine innocently smiled and introduced herself.

"I am Celine," she said, and the man in front of her froze as if he had seen an angel. Little did he know that behind her smile was a fearsome woman.

The man merely gazed at the woman in front of him, dressed in a floral dress and a pink apron while smiling.

'She's indeed beautiful,' the man said to himself.

"Just a moment, what I'm cooking will be ready soon." Celine said while smiling.

'Can't she stop smiling? It's irritating the hell out of me!' he frustratedly thought to himself.

"Are you one of those gold-digger women that my parents want me to marry?" He said.

"You are too harsh on me, ULAP," she said and giggled. The man furrowed his brow at Celine's words.

"ULAP?!! Where the heck did you get that?!" He furiously said. But Celine continued to laugh.

Celine innocently looked at the man in front of her.

'Such a hot-headed person,' she thought to herself.

"DUKE CLOUD KNIGHTS , in short, ULAP!" she cheerfully said.

Duke didn't realize he was already staring at the angelic-faced woman in front of him.

"You must be hungry, come here, sit down, this will be ready soon." Celine said. Duke didn't realize he was gradually getting closer to the woman with captivating smiles.

Silence dominated between them as Duke squinted his eyes.

"Where did my parents find you, in a trash bin?" He harshly said. He didn't care about how she felt because he was tired of the women his parents set him up with. He knew they only wanted his wealth, and this woman seemed no different.

'Maybe she has her hidden agenda,' he said to himself.

Celine filled her plate with rice and viand.

"Those living in the foster home aren't garbage, ULAP." Celine gently said.

"You're an orphan?" He asked.

"Yes, that's why I'm more than thankful to your parents because they gave me another reason to live, and that is to be your wife." She smiled again.

'Doesn't she get tired of smiling?' he wondered to himself.

"Tsk." He just continued eating, but he paused after a few bites, raising his brow.

'Wow, she knows how to cook huh.'

"Does it taste good?" Celine asked Duke hopefully.

"Hmm, not bad," he said, and Celine smiled because it was evident that he enjoyed her cooking.

After eating, Duke left Celine at the dining area without saying thank you.

Celine just followed Duke with her gaze and shook her head.

She smirked but immediately disappeared.

"What a douchebag," she emotionlessly said.

DUKE POV:

I feel like someone's staring at me. Slowly, I reach for my gun under my pillow, pointing it at the intruder in my room.

"What the heck? I almost shot you!" I exclaim, realizing it's a woman on my bed, seemingly unfazed.

"I've been knocking outside, but you didn't wake up, so I knocked here to make sure you're not late for work. Good morning!" she says, smiling.

I quickly hide the gun. "Good morning," I reply, ushering her out to prepare for the day.

After getting dressed, I head downstairs for breakfast, overhearing news about a brutal murder of a woman.

"Where's Celine?" I ask the staff, and she appears from the kitchen.

"What are you watching?" she asks, seemingly unfazed.

"Too early for gossip, go back to work," I coldly say. As I turn away, I catch Celine whispering, "She deserves it anyway."

"You're saying something?" I inquire. She just smiles.

"Let's go, I cooked breakfast for you," she says.

At the dining table, I'm surprised by the elaborate breakfast. "Aren't you eating?" I ask as she stares at me.

"Oh yeah, of course," she replies, finally taking some food.

After eating, she sees me off to my car. "Take care," she says, fixing my necktie and calling me "honey."

Honey? I'm bewildered.

I drive to my company, where I get an unexpected, explicit call, and I demand a background check on Celine.

Later, I receive shocking news about Celine from the investigator.

Disturbed, I try calling back, but the line is dead.

Baffled by the events, I leave work early to find answers.

Arriving home, I hear Celine humming a creepy nursery song. I confront her, and she greets me as if we're close.

What the hell is going on?

THIRD PERSON'S POV:

Unbeknownst to Duke, Celine listens outside his door, smirking at his quest for answers. She sneers, "Looking for some answers, huh? Stupid," before returning to her room.

DUKE POV

I glance at my reflection in the mirror as the doors open, revealing a woman in business attire. Following my mom's instructions, I'm supposed to bring Celine to our company and introduce her to everyone. Strangely, I don't resist; perhaps Celine is a better match than my previous gold-digging fiancée.

'Why did that woman leave me? I gave her everything she wanted, but it seems I wasn't enough for her'

"Honey? Let me." Celine takes my necktie and adjusts it. "There you go, handsome and fierceful," she chuckles, making me smile. I scrutinize her from head to toe - a goddess, truly beautiful.

"Let's go?" she asks. I suggest she go first while I secure my gun from under the bed, placing it at the back for safety.

Descending, I find chaos. "What the hell is happening?!" I question, and a servant explains, "Lexy accidentally bumped into Ma'am Celine, causing her injury."

Checking on Celine in the living room, Nanay Martha tends to her wound amid laughter. "Are you okay?" I worry.

"Yep, just a scratch, honey. Don't worry, okay?" Celine reassures me with a smile.

"Lexy, if Celine gets hurt because of you again, you're going back to your province!" I warn, and she trembles with fear.

"Hey, it's not Lexy's fault. It's all just an accident," Celine defends, almost stumbling if I hadn't caught her. "Be careful, wife; you might fall," I inadvertently say, shocked by the term since we're not even married.

I clear my throat and leave. I heard her calling me.

KNIGHTS COMPANY

"Good morning, Sir," my secretary greets, but I ignore her. Employees stare at Celine as we walk.

'Have they never seen someone beautiful before?'

I'll introduce her to the board members later. "Celine, take a seat," I instruct, and she follows. Calling my secretary, I inquire about today's schedule. "Meeting with Mr. Choi, and later, the Board members," she replies flirtatiously. I dismiss her, then look at Celine by the large office window.

There's something about her I can't quite figure out. "Celine, I'll meet with Mr. Choi. Can you stay here?" She smiles and nods.

"Call my secretary if you need anything," I say, leaving. In the meeting, my phone rings, and though I cancel it, it persists. "What do you want?!" It's a call from home.

"S-Sir, L-Lexy... is dead."

THIRD PERSON'S POV

While Duke briefly leaves for a meeting with Mr. Choi, Celine remains in his office. The secretary enters, offering coffee and snidely commenting on Celine's intentions.

Celine, despite appearing on the verge of tears, suddenly laughs, unsettling the secretary. Celine warns her about choosing words wisely, leaving the secretary frightened.

Duke returns to his office after the call about Lexy's death, only to find his secretary pale and unresponsive. Ignoring her, he rushes out and encounters Celine, who nonchalantly explains a red stain on her clothes as ketchup.

"We need to go home; Lexy is dead," Duke says, but Celine seems unfazed. They arrive home to find the police investigating Lexy's brutal death.

Duke, shocked by the gruesome scene, remarks on the heartlessness of Lexy's killer.

DUKE'S POV:

It's been a week since what happened to Lexy, and until now, no lead has been found. I'm heading to the living room when I overhear my helpers talking. I know eavesdropping is wrong, but I don't care!

"Have you heard the songs Ma'am Celine sings? It's creepy."

"Yeah, they're all children's songs, strange."

"But, you know, I've seen her talking to herself without anyone around."

"Really? Where did you see her?"

"I peeked into her room and saw her, it was eerie."

"And, did you know, while I was doing laundry, I found bloodstains on her clothes!"

"I think she's involved in Lexy's death. Before Lexy died, Celine pushed her; maybe she got angry and killed her."

"I hope our suspicions are wrong."

I'm listening intently to what they're saying. "What are you doing there, Hon?" Celine suddenly says, making me turn to her.

"Uh, nothing. Let's go; we're meeting our wedding planner," I say, guiding her downstairs.

'Celine can't do it, right? She can't kill, can she?' I ask myself.

Waiting downstairs is our wedding planner. We decide on a beach wedding with a vintage theme and a night ceremony. I let Celine make the decisions, only speaking up when I disagree.

Everything goes well; I let the maids rest as Celine volunteers to cook dinner.

"Have you found any leads on who killed her?" Celine asks.

"Not yet, but if we don't find any, the court might dismiss the case," I reply. There's a heavy feeling inside me since the incidents with Mike and Lexy.

"ENDINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS BAD. MOST TIMES THEY'RE JUST BEGINNINGS," Celine says meaningfully. I stare at her for a long time, not realizing she's in front of me.

"Hon, are you okay? I've been calling you for dinner," she says.

I just nod, and after dinner, we part ways. While in my room, I decide to visit Celine. As I'm about to open her door, I hear her singing.

~'Johnny Johnny,

Yes papa!,

Killing people

Yes papa!

Telling truth

Yes papa!

Now get your knife,

And start killing them all

Hmm..hmm...hmm'~

'What the hell?'

Soon after, I hear nothing more, and just as I'm about to leave, someone speaks, sending shivers through my entire being.

"You have only two options, WILL YOU DIE? OR WILL YOU BE THE ONE TO KILL."

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Days pass, and many things happen, including the dismissal of Lexy's case. Duke finds himself falling for Celine, and their wedding day arrives.

"Celine, are you ready for our wedding?" Duke asks. Celine smiles and nods.

"Yes, Ulap, and I am grateful that you'll be my husband," Celine says. Duke is overwhelmed with her words.

They sleep peacefully on their wedding night after a beautiful ceremony.

On the wedding day, everyone is happy and excited to witness Duke and Celine's union.

"You're really getting married, huh?" George, Duke' best man, teases.

"Of course, Celine deserves a better life, and I will give it to her," Duke smiles.

"Hey, you're smitten, huh? You're so cheesy!" George jokes, but Duke just laughs it off.

The ceremony begins, vows are exchanged, and they are pronounced husband and wife.

"The first time I saw her, she was an angel with a beautiful and peaceful face. Her food was exquisite, and I will be very glad to be her husband," Duke reflects.

As Celine walks down the aisle, she reminisces about her past.

"Finally, soon enough, I'll be freed."

Arriving at the altar, she sees how handsome and loved she is by her future husband.

The ceremony proceeds smoothly, and after exchanging vows, they are pronounced husband and wife. They share a blissful kiss.

After the church photos, they head to the reception area to celebrate. However, their joy is interrupted by someone unexpected.

"BRAVO, BRAVO, Duke, You promised me you'd marry me, but look what I found?!" The girl shouts.

'What is she doing here?!' Duke thinks.

"Eireen?!" Duke' mom exclaims.

Eireen YU, Duke' EX-FIANCÉE

As chaos ensues at the reception, Celine calmly observes Eireen, Duke' ex-fiancée.

'Pathetic,' Celine thinks to herself. She's not one to engage with disruptive people.

She gracefully walks down the stage and slowly approaches Eireen, capturing everyone's attention.

"Wife," Duke softly says.

"This is MY WEDDING. Can you postpone your rants, Miss?" Celine calmly says with a smile that could shatter glass.

"Wow, is this your new personality, Duke?! Subdued? Hahaha!" Eireen mocks.

Eireen turns her back and walks away, Celine following her gaze.

'Wrong move,' Celine says to herself.

Celine glances back at Duke, a hint of worry in her eyes. However, when she smiles, Duke' doubts vanish.

'What did I do to deserve this woman?' Duke wonders.

They continue their celebration, seemingly unaffected by the intrusion.

A FEW DAYS LATER...

The doorbell rings, and Celine stops the maids from opening it.

"What are you doing here?" Celine calmly asks Eireen, who barges in.

"Are you stupid? I'm here to get what should be mine!" Eireen shouts.

Celine sighs, "Do you want some tea?"

Eireen looks her up and down, thinking, 'Easy. Getting rid of her will be a piece of cake.'

"Sure, but I want you to make it," Eireen demands.

Celine smiles, "Apologies, and what was your reason for being here again?"

Eireen rants, "It's not your business anymore, besides, you're not important."

"Really? Okay, drink your tea," Celine says, as Eireen hastily drinks it.

"Is this poisoned? Do you plan to kill me? Huh? Bitch!" Eireen furiously shouts.

"Oh, there's no poison. But if I were to kill you, why would I poison you when I could easily stab you with that bread knife?" Celine calmly says while sipping her tea.

"Are you threatening me?!" Eireen shouts, but Celine just laughs.

"Dear, I'm not threatening you, but if you're scared, maybe I am." Celine laughs.

Eireen feels a momentary nervousness.

"Anyway, whatever. Soon enough, Duke will be mine again," Eireen says, smirking.

"You should've feared what you've said. IT MAY CAUSE YOUR DEATH," Celine ominously warns as Eireen storms out.

"Take care, Eireen," Celine says, but Eireen pays no attention and quickly leaves.

"Nay Martha, I'll be going out for a while," Celine

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