Chapter 36
Just then, Manuel walked over and plopped down next to Celeste.
Celeste gave him a quick once–over. Manuel had already ditched his suit jacket, casually draping it over the chair. Despite the chilly weather, he was rocking just a shirt with sleeves rolled up, showing off his brawny arms.
His aunt playfully quipped, “Manuel, happy birthday! Now that you turned
thirty, it’s time to consider getting married.”
Manuel chuckled, “auntie, you know me, work’s eating up all my time.”
The vibe at the table was easygoing, with everyone cracking jokes and
swapping stories about their families.
Out of the blue, Celeste’s phone started blaring, breaking the serene mood.
Hearing the ringtone, she shot a glance at the screen. In her panic, she
accidentally knocked a bowl over, spilling scalding soup onto her hand.
“Ouch!” she exclaimed in pain.
Manuel swiftly grabbed a wet napkin from the side and handed it to her.
But Celeste didn’t even spare it a glance. She plucked the ringing phone off
the table with her injured hand.
Manuel glanced at the screen and saw “Kendric” flashing on it.
Celeste checked the time. It was already past eight! Disregarding the scald,
she dashed outside to take the call.
Everyone around the table watched her hasten away, and they exchanged
puzzled glances. “Whose call could it be? Why the rush?”
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Chapte
Actually Celeste wasn’t in a rush, her earlier reactions was out of instinct.
But as she stepped outside to answer the phone and the brisk wind cleared her
mind, her panic had lessened.
Her voice was even, “what’s up?”
Kendric had scrutinized the picture dozens of times. His emotions had
shifted from initial anger to a growing calmness. Only when he was sure that he no longer harbored the impulse to confine Celeste forever did he decide to call
her.
“Where are you?”
Celeste glanced at her reddened hand, “outside.”
Kendric restrained his anger, “come back.”
“Right now.”
THE
The wind brushed off her cheeks, “I’m sorry, but I can’t leave right now.
Kendric couldn’t fathom why Celeste would use “can’t leave” as an excuse to
stay in another man’s birthday party. From the moment he saw that photo, his
trust in Celeste had waned, despite her many assurances that she only loved.
him in this lifetime.
But the man in the photo was holding hands with her, their closeness.
evident.
“You better come back now, or else…”
“Or else what?” she cut him off, “you’ll come catch me again?”
“Celeste!Before I get angry…”
Redeemed From Caged Love
Chapt. 76
Celeste sounded weary, “Kendric, I have my own life too. If you’re going to get upset even when I attend a friend’s birthday party, then… I have no way.”
There was a brief silence on the other end, “I’ll come pick you up.
Surely Celeste wouldn’t allow him to come over. She gritted her teeth, “No
need!” then she hung up the phone.
Kendric clutched his phone, his expression darkening. He had ways to bring
her back, just as he had ways to confine her to him forever. Normally, Kendric
wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever he wanted.
But now, even he was unsure about what was holding him back. He closed
his eyes, suppressing those impulsive thoughts in his mind.
“Get the car ready.”
Celeste took a deep breath, holding back her frustration. She turned to find
Manuel standing behind.
She forced a smile. “When did you…”
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your call. I just came to check if your hand’s
got scalded.”
In the faint moonlight, he focused on her hand. There was redness on her smooth skin.
out.
Manuel pulled out a tube of ointment from his pocket and squeezed some
“Hey, you carry ointment with you?”
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Chapters
“No, I got it from the waiter.”
After applying the ointment, he suddenly asked, “do you still like him
now?”
Celeste hadn’t expected such a direct question and shook her head. “No. Not
anymore.”
“Why?”
“It’s just I finally realize what really matters to me.”
Manuel listened in silence, wondering just how hard for Celeste to make
such a decision.
You can fall for someone in an instant, but deciding to let go of someone can take a lifetime.
Céleste kept her head down, clearly not in a good mood.
Under the moonlit night, Manuel placed his hand gently on her head. “I’m happy for you, Cely.”
Celeste looked up.
“Happy that you’ve finally realized it.”
The party didn’t wrap up until ten in the evening, and the alcohol had everyone feeling a bit tipsy. Manuel managed to stay relatively sober and arranged cars for guests to get home safely.
After that, Manuel, Celeste and Sienna could finally take a break.
“How are you getting back?”
Chapterh
Celeste had taken sips of alcohol, not much, but enough to make her unfit
for driving.
Manuel, who was slightly drunk, wasn’t in any condition to drive either.
They both turned to Sienna. She shook her head, “don’t count on me! I
might not have been drinking, but I’m drenched in your alcohol fumes. So, I
can’t drive either.”
In the end, they had no choice but to leave at the hotel and hail a taxi.
As they exited the parking area and approached a turning point, a car approached with its high beams glaring. Manuel instinctively shielded his eyes
and turned around.
Celeste leaned against the side of the road. It wasn’t until the car approached, and the window rolled down, that she recognized this car.
The worst thing was that she saw Kendric sitting inside!
How did he know she was here?
Celeste remained frozen in place until she heard Kendric’s voice.
“Get in the car.”
