Third Person POV:

Micah had made pasta for dinner, and sat proudly at the head of the table, holding court over the meal. Celestine and Ensley sat across from one another, both feeling slightly tense and uneasy.

As they ate, Micah couldn't help but pick up on the tension in the air. He glanced between Ensley and Celestine, trying to assess what was going on. Something wasn't right, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"So, Ensley," Micah said, breaking the silence. "how do you like it? It's my specialty, Celestine said she missed my cooking."

Ensley's eyes flickered up to meet his, then quickly darted away. She pushed a piece of pasta around her plate, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "It's great," she said, forcing a smile. "Really delicious."

Celestine picked at her food, barely touching it. Micah noticed her lack of appetite and offered her more wine. She accepted, grateful for the distraction.

"So how'd you two meet?" Micah asked, glancing at Ensley and Celestine. "I'm sure I've never met you before right Ensley?" He added.

Ensley cleared her throat, feeling a little uncomfortable. "No, we haven't met before," she said, her eyes flickering towards Celestine. "She attended a few of my art classes and we became...friends."

Micah nodded, taking a sip of his wine. "Oh nice! You're an artist?"

"I am." she said, her voice tight. "I own a studio and gallery as well."

Micah's eyebrows rose. "Really? That's fascinating," he said, his tone eager. "I'd love to see some of your work sometime."

Ensley forced a smile, "yeah sure, you can drop by anytime."

"I just might." Micah replied, winking playfully at Ensley.

Trying to be amicable, Ensley asks. "So, Micah, if you don't mind me asking. How does it feel to be back home after your coma? Do things feel different?"

Micah's expression turned a bit serious as he thought about it. "Yeah, it's definitely been an adjustment. It's weird how much can change in a year. Sometimes I feel like a stranger in my own home. But it's good to be back with my family and friends, and to be able to do things I couldn't do before."

"That's understandable," Ensley said nodding.

Celestine reached over and takes Micah's hand. "We're just glad to have you back."

Ensley watched them and felt a pang in her chest. She knew she shouldn't be jealous, but she couldn't help it. She wanted that kind of connection with Celestine, wanted to be the one to hold her hand and make her feel safe and loved.

The conversation died down a bit after that, and Ensley focused on eating her pasta. She tried to ignore Micah and Celestine as they chatted amongst themselves, She didn't like the way Micah was looking at Celestine, all sweet and attentive. It was like he knew just how to make her feel comfortable and at ease. And she couldn't stand it.

As the dinner wore on, Ensley grew increasingly uncomfortable. She wanted to say something, anything, to break the tension. But the words stuck in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to speak. She felt like a third wheel, an intruder on this little dinner party.

Finally, Micah rose from the table, offering to clear the dishes. "I'll take care of this," he said, smiling at Celestine. "You two go ahead and talk."

"It can wait." Celestine immediately said. She glanced at Ensley, then followed Micah into the kitchen. Ensley followed as well without thinking.

As Micah washed the dishes, he turned to them with a grin. "So, how was dinner?" he asked, his voice cheery.

"It was fine," Ensley said, not bothering to hide her lack of enthusiasm.

Micah raised an eyebrow. "Just fine? I thought my pasta was pretty good."

Celestine smiled weakly. "It was, Micah," she said, her voice soft. "Really."

Ensley watched the exchange with growing frustration. She didn't like the way Micah was acting all sweet and loving with Celestine. It made her feel like shit. She wanted to leave, to escape this awkward situation.

"I think I'm gonna head out," she said, motioning towards the door. "Thanks for dinner, Micah. It was nice meeting you."

Micah turned to face her, a look of surprise on his face. "Leaving so soon?" he asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

Ensley nodded, eager to put some distance between herself and this uncomfortable situation.

"Okay then, drive safe." Micah replied, turning back to washing the dishes.

As Ensley was about headed out the kitchen, Celestine grabbed her arm, "Ens wait."

Ensley turned to look at her arm in Celestine's grip. "Yeah?" She asked, looking up at Celestine.

"You wanted to ask me something right?" Celestine said, letting go of Ensley's arm. "We can talk in the patio."

Ensley hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. She followed Celestine out to the patio, glad to be away from Micah for a little while.

As they settled into chairs, Celestine turned to Ensley with a curious expression. "Okay, what is it?" she asked, her tone gentle.

"I wanted to talk to you about the art exhibit," Ensley said, looking directly at Celestine.

Celestine looked up, "Oh, right," she said, nodding "What about it?"

"I just wanted to know why you gave it to David," Ensley said, trying to keep her voice calm. "You've been so hands on with me on it, and then all of a sudden, you just handed it over to this guy I don't even know."

Celestine looked away, avoiding Ensley's gaze. "I'm sorry Ensley, It's just that...I thought he could do a better job," she said, her voice faltering.

Ensley's brow furrowed, "what do you mean? You're the CEO, no one's better than you?"

"I meant that he can focus on it better than me, now that..."

"Micah's awake." Ensley finished for her.

Celestine nodded, biting her lip. "Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry Ensley, I know it's not fair to you. But I just couldn't handle it right now, with everything that's going on...but that's not an excuse, I should have told you what was going on."

Ensley sighed, feeling a little frustrated. "It's okay, Celestine," she said, trying to keep her tone neutral. "I just wish you had told me earlier. I felt like I was left in the dark about something that was important to me."

"I understand, and I'm sorry," Celestine said, sounding contrite. "I promise David's a great guy, he's more than capable."

Ensley gave her a small smile, "yes but the thing is, he's not you."

Celestine looked up at Ensley, "Ensley I—"

"If I postpone the exhibit for whenever you're ready, will you go back to doing it with me?" Ensley blurted out.

Celestine's eyes widened in surprise at Ensley's question. "Ensley, I don't know if that's a good idea," she said softly. "It wouldn't be fair to you. I know you're excited about the exhibit, we can always work together on other projects in the future."

Ensley shook her head. "I know, Celestine," she said, "But you have to understand that this exhibit means a lot to me. It's my biggest exhibit to date, and I don't want to mess it up."

"But Ensley..."

"I can wait for you Celestine," Ensley said, her voice firm. "I don't mind postponing the exhibit if it means we can work on it together. I just don't want to do it without you. I don't trust anyone else."

Celestine looked at Ensley, her eyes softening. She understood how much the exhibit meant to Ensley, and when Ensley looks at her like that, she can't deny her anything she asks for. "Okay," she said, finally relenting. "We can postpone the exhibit. But we need to make sure that we have a solid plan for when we're ready to start working on it again."

Ensley's face lit up with relief. "Okay." She exhaled, "Great!"

Celestine smiled at Ensley's relief. "We can set a date to start working on it again in two  weeks' time," she suggested. "That way, we'll have enough time to make sure that everything is in place."

Ensley nodded, "That sounds like a good plan. Thank you, Celestine. I really appreciate it."

Celestine smiled, "Of course, Ensley."

A few moments of silence with just the occasional sound of cars passing by, did Ensley finally speak out. "So that was Micah huh?"

Celestine looked at her to find Ensley looking afar, refusing any eye contact. The air became thick and awkward.

Celestine sighed and nodded, "yeah, that's him." She whispered.

"He seems like a good guy." Ensley said.

Celestine looked at her again and both exchanged a small sad smile. "He is. He really is."

"That's good." Ensley nodded, picking at imaginary lint on her shirt.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. After a few minutes, Celestine couldn't take the silence any longer. She was about to speak but Ensley beat her to it.

"Hey Celestine?"

Without missing a beat, Celestine answered "Yeah?"

Ensley took a deep breath. "Just because we can't be together, doesn't mean I won't love you." she admitted, her voice filled with vulnerability.

Celestine's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Ensley to confess something like that. "Oh," was all she managed to say, her mind racing.

"Ensley...Don't do this to yourself." Celestine pleaded, feeling a stabbing pain in her heart. On one hand, she felt this enormous relief and happiness at hearing Ensley say she loves her but on the other hand, it just fueled the conflicting emotions she's been trying to sort through.

"I don't need your permission to fall in love with you. You don't gotta love me back, but it isn't gonna stop me from being here when you need someone." Ensley replied, staring at Celestine with a small smile.

Celestine felt a lump in her throat at Ensley's words. She knew she couldn't deny Ensley's right to her own feelings, but it was difficult to hear her confess her love for her when she had Micah.

"You love me too much Ensley. I know how that sounds but — fucking hell. You shouldn't care that much about someone like me." Celestine replied, chuckling bitterly. "I'm not worth your love and affection. I can't give you what you deserve."

Ensley sighed, placing a hand on Celestine's shoulder. "Celestine, you don't have to give me anything. I know it's wrong...I know you have Micah and I'm not expecting you to leave him for me but...I just wanted to let you know that I— I love you."

Celestine felt tears welling up in her eyes. She felt like her heart is breaking and soaring at the same time. She opened and closed her mouth, struggling to find the words. Before she could say anything, they were interrupted by Micah.

"There you are!" He said approaching them with a smile.

Celestine wiped a tear from her eye and stood up, forcing a smile on her face. "Hey, Micah. Sorry, we lost track of time."

Micah frowned, glancing between the two of them. "Is everything okay?" he asked, sensing the tension in the air.

Ensley stood up as well, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Yeah, everything's fine. We were just talking about this sad movie," she chuckled, trying to sound casual.

Micah nodded, still looking a little confused. "Oh Okay, makes sense. Celestine always cries about sad movies." Micah chuckled, wrapping an arm around Celestine's waist and looking at her lovingly.

Ensley cleared her throat and averted her gaze. "Well, I should probably head back. It's getting late."

"Okay," Celestine said, feeling a knot in her stomach.

"Nice meeting you, Ensley," Micah said with a smile, giving her a wave goodbye.

"Bye, Micah," Ensley replied, giving him a small smile before turning back to Celestine. "Take care of yourself, Celestine," she said softly, her eyes full of emotion.

"I will," Celestine whispered, Ensley nodded then walked away, disappearing through the door.

Celestine sighed, her heart heavy as she walked towards the bedroom with Micah. She couldn't help but feel like she was caught between two worlds, unsure of which path to take.

...

As Celestine sat in front of the mirror, wiping off her makeup, Micah stepped out of the bathroom and into their bedroom. He looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled before speaking up. "I had a good time tonight," he said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "and I really liked Ensley tonight. She seems like a great person."

Celestine felt a lump form in her throat at the mention of Ensley, but she tried not to let it show. "Yeah, she's a really good friend of mine. I'm glad you liked her too."

"I did," Micah said, leaning in to kiss Celestine's cheek. "We should hang out with her again soon, don't you think?"

She didn't want to be rude, but she also didn't want to encourage Micah's interest in her. "Um, sure, I guess we could," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Micah seemed to sense her hesitation and stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. "What's wrong? You seem...distant."

Celestine sighed, leaning her head back against his chest. "It's nothing," she said softly, closing her eyes. "I'm just tired, I guess."

Micah kissed the top of her head, rubbing her arms gently. "Okay, well, we can talk more about it later. Let's get some sleep, yeah?"

Celestine nodded, pulling away from him and slipping into bed. As she lay there, trying to drift off to sleep, she couldn't help but think about Ensley and Micah.

It's like standing between two doors – one leads to familiarity and comfort, while the other leads to passion and excitement. And she's torn between choosing what she knows and choosing what she wants.

Celestine never thought she could love two people at once, yet here she is. It's like her heart is split in two, pulled in opposite directions. She wishes she didn't have to hurt anyone, but she fears that in the end, someone's heart will break no matter which path she chooses.

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(A/N:) I personally think you can't romantically love 2 persons at once but I'mma let Celestine figure it out herself lol.