The male star paired with Celeste for the shoot wasn''t unfamiliar to Natalie. He was Shawn Haines, an actor under her brother Lincoln''s entertainmentpany.


    Shawn stood at an impressive 6 foot 2 inches, with sharp features, striking eyes, and an effortless charm that had skyrocketed him to fame.


    After debuting, Lincoln had poured resources into promoting him, but Shawn''s talent and hard work had done the rest. Within just two years, he had swept through awards season and secured a spot at the top.


    Shawn and Celeste had be the go-to duo in the entertainment industry. Whether starring in TV dramas, blockbuster films, or walking the red carpet, their partnership was electric.


    Fans always paired them together, creating countless fan edits set to romantic music,plete with pink oveys and dreamy vibes that could make anyone crave love.


    However, Natalie wasn''t here for Shawn. Her attention was entirely on Celeste- she wanted to recruit her as the face of her new bridal collection.


    Standing just outside the filming area, Natalie watched as Celeste and Shawn moved through a series of poses, the photographer snapping away at lightning speed. Half an hourter, the shoot wrapped.


    Celeste, holding her high heels in one hand, hopped gracefully off a rock and headed straight for Natalie.


    "Hey, cutie,e here!" Celeste''s voice was yful, and her almond-shaped eyes sparkled as she waved at Natalie.


    Natalie blinked, confused. Cutie? Was Celeste talking to her?


    "Yes, you," Celeste said with a grin, quickening her pace until she stood in front of Natalie.


    "Hi there, I''m Celeste Kennedy," she introduced herself, extending her hand. Natalie shook it briefly, still slightly taken aback.


    "This area is reserved for the shoot," Celeste said, grabbing Natalie''s hand and pulling her onto the set without hesitation. "Come on, I''ve got something cool to show you."


    Natalie hesitated, unsure. Wasn''t Celeste a huge star? Why was she so approachable?


    "Don''t worry, your mom is my aunt," Celeste said with augh, reaching out to pinch Natalie''s cheek. "My dad is your mom''s older brother, which makes me your first cousin."


    Natalie raised her eyebrows in surprise.


    "I wasn''t nning to tell you so soon, but you looked so wary and clueless that I figured I''d justy it all out," Celeste said, dragging Natalie toward her private lounge.


    Once there, she pulled out her phone and made a call. "Hey, Shawn,e over here for a second."


    A few momentster, Shawn walked into the room.


    Celeste gestured toward Natalie. "This is my cousin, Natalie Walker."


    She gave him a sly wink, but Shawn''s face turned red to her surprise. His


    expression softened as he looked at Natalie, his voice gentle as he said, "It''s nice to meet you, Ms. Walker."


    "Nice to meet you, Mr. Haines," Natalie replied, shaking his hand lightly before letting go.


    "Add your contact info," Celeste said, pulling out her phone. She had Natalie save her number, then made Shawn do the same.


    "Natalie, do you want to try being in an ad?" Celeste asked.


    "No, thank you," Natalie said, shaking her head. Acting wasn''t her thing, though


    she was interested in having Celeste shoot an ad for her.


    "Celeste, is your endorsement fee high?" Natalie asked casually.


    "Of course it is!" Celeste said, puffing out her chest with pride. She pulled out her phone and transferred 520 thousand dors to Natalie to prove her point. "Consider this a wee gift. Don''t thank me."


    Natalie stared at her phone, speechless. She hadn''t been asking for a gift.


    "Celeste, I have a friend who''s a designer. She''s created some stunning bridal gowns and was hoping you could model them. What''s your fee for something like that?"


    "Are you close with this friend?" Celeste asked.


    "Very close."


    "Then just give me whatever you think is fair," Celeste said, shrugging. "But let me be clear-I won''t wear anything that''s not up to par. I''ve got a reputation, you know."


    Celeste had always worked with top-tier brands, but if her cousin


    needed her, she''d do it-even for free. When Charlotte had told


    family about everything Nataliet


    ?? ?


    had


    endured at the Langleys, the Kennedy family had collectively decided to shower her with love and care.


    And now that Celeste had met Natalie in person, she was smitten. Natalie was even prettier than in the photos-a knockout who instantly won her heart.


    "Nat, let me finish the rest of this shoot, then I''ll take you out for dinner!" Celeste said, turning to Shawn. "Shawn, take care of my cousin while I''m busy. If you don''t, you''ll have me to answer to."


    With that, Celeste strutted out of the lounge.


    Shawn picked up a bottle of water and handed it to Natalie. "Can I call you Nat, too?"


    "Sure," Natalie said. To her, names were justbels.


    "Alright, Nat," Shawn said with a


    warm smile. When he smiled, his deep, soulful eyes seemed to radiate tenderness. Online rumors said


    Shawn could charm just abo


    anyone with his gaze, and Natalie was starting to see why.


    "Nat, would it be alright if I attended your wee party?" he asked, his eyes sparkling. "I''m good friends with Celeste, and I''d love to celebrate with you."


    "I''d be happy to have you there," Natalie replied.


    Shawn beamed. "I owe so much to your brother, Mr. Lincoln. He''s the reason I''m where I am today. If you ever need anything, just let me know. I''ll help however I


    can."


    Though Shawn''s words seemed genuine, Natalie couldn''t help but find his enthusiasm odd. They just met—what could she possibly need from him?


    Still, it wasn''t a bad idea to keep him in mind. If Nouvelle Zara expanded into menswear, Shawn would make an excellent brand ambassador.


    Natalie wasn''t one to talk much, and Shawn, nervous abouting on too strong, kept his excitement in check. The room grew quiet, and an awkward silence settled between them.


    After a while, Natalie pulled out her phone and sent a message to Charlotte, asking, "Mom, is Celeste Kennedy really my cousin?"


    Charlotte replied almost instantly, "Yes! Celeste''s dad is my older brother, so she''s your first cousin. formally introduce you to her and the rest of the family at the wee party. Why? Did you run into her?"


    "Yeah, I saw her at Silver Coast Beach. She was filming amercial, so I went


    over to check it out. She recognized me right away," Natalie replied.


    "Celeste is wonderful, Nat. She''s a great cousin to have. Don''t worry-she''ll take good care of you." Charlotte assured Natalie.


    "Thanks, Mom."


    "Sweetheart, you never need to thank me."


    Natalie smiled and sent Charlotte a heart emoji. Sometimes, words weren''t


    enough, and emojis could say it all. She decided to use emojis like Connie normally would.