Chapter 66
Celeste was blissfully unaware of what happened to Mary. After that heated argument with Kendric last time, he had reverted to his usual self.
Every couple of hours or so she would receive his phone call.
Celeste wished she could teleport through the phone to break his cellphone
into smithereens.
One evening, just after work, Kendric’s call was as punctual as ever. Celeste picked up the phone.
“I’m busy.”
“Gonna work late.”
“Takeout for dinner.”
She didn’t let him get a word in and promptly hung up. Half an hour later, a knock sounded on her office door.
cart.
Kendric was standing there, and beside was Luke who was wheeling a food
Celeste sighed.
Her office was a bit crowded and filled with all sorts of odds and ends. Kendric stepped in and frowned.
Celeste clear up her desk, then turned to see Kendric sitting on her cot.
Kendric spotted the sketches she’d left to the side and casually picked one up. “You drew these?”
“Yeah.”
Redeemed From Caged Love
Chacte
Out of the blue, Celeste’s phone started ringing. She took a quick look and
stepped out to answer it.
While she was away, Kendric snooped around her office, discovering all
sorts of weird things like a clock with wings and a strangely–shaped, barely
surviving cactus.
When Celeste returned, Kendric was still seated on her cot, as if he hadn’t
touched anything.
“After the wedding, Mary will leave,” he said.
Celeste was taken aback, “why?” then it suddenly dawn on her. “You already know, don’t you?”
“You don’t have to endure. Even if I didn’t know, in this family, you have right to handle anyone who wrongly treated you.”
Celeste lapsed into silence.
Suddenly, she recalled Cade’s words, that her having a sensitive character but a humble way of loving. Yeah, when she’d first arrived at Melville family at eighteen, she had been super cautious, always trying to please everyone.
In the end, she realized that the one she should respect and love the most was herself.
After dinner, Kendric was getting ready to leave. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.”
“To where?”
“We’re going to pay a visit to Bates family.”
Redeemned From Caged Love
Celeste narrowed her eyes. “Gavin Bates and his family?”
“Exactly.”
H
She thought it over for a second and then agreed with a nod, “sure.”
Perhaps she’d agreed a bit too readily, Kendric’s gaze carried a hint of
surprise.
Early the next morning, when Kendric came to pick up Celeste, she had just woke up.
She ground her teeth and shoved her alarm clock right before him, “you kidding me? It’s only seven now!”
Kendric snatched the alarm clock from her, “yeah, right the time.”
He checked his watch. “I’ll give you another ten minutes.”
Caden’s 60th birthday banquet was attended by many big shots. What truly drew them was the fact that both Melville and Winters families were rarely gathering in an open occasion.
When talking about Kendric, they usually bring up another guy–Ezra Winters.
Both in their twenties, they’d assumed the roles of power players as soon as they came of age.
Celeste was brought away by Kendric to receive a complete makeover at the salon. She’d dozed off during the process, while Kendric handled his business
on the side.
After the makeup done, Celeste blinked at herself in the mirror.
Unexpectedly she ran into Kendric’s gaze.
“Why are you staring at me?”
Kendric averted his gaze, “nothing.” Then, he returned to reading his
documents.
The beautician chimed in from the side, “of course it’s your striking beauty
left sir dumbfounded.”
Celeste stared at herself in the mirror. She realized that it’s the first time
she visited the beauty salon in over two months.
After all, since leaving Kendric, her income couldn’t quite keep up with her previous lavish lifestyle.
As they were leaving, Luke handed her two cards, one was a credit card, and the other was a membership card from the beauty salon they had just visited.
Luke got straight to the point, “sir asked me to give these to you.”
Celeste turned to Kendric. “Here, take them back.”
“How do you support yourself?” he didn’t take them.
“You think that if I left you, I’d starve the next day?”
The look in his eyes indicated that was exactly what he believed. “How
much does your studio make in a year?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Chapte66
“Is this so called economic independence the freedom and respect you.
want? Just take a look at the life you’re living now!”
Celeste turned her head away. In Kendric’s eyes, her current lifestyle was
no difference from the vagrant.
Kendric wore a stern expression, “why are you so stubborn?”
Celeste’s heart remained surprisingly tranquil. Though she’d initially felt a touch of humiliation, she had now come to terms with his arrogance.
“Kendric Melville, you never learn how to respect others.”
After a brief silence, the car came to a slow halt.
Luke cast a careful glance at Celeste and inquired, “Miss Alinsky, would you prefer to try the dress at home or at the store?”
“I’ll try it at the store,” she sighed.
There were three evening gowns to choose from, with two of them flaunting vibrant colors. Celeste settled on the third option.
It was a breathtaking baby blue mermaid dress with an off–shoulder neckline. Its back was adorned with intricate embroidery and exquisite beading.
Celeste stepped out the fitting room and saw Kendric adjusting his tie.
He still chose a black suit, but the blue tie matched perfectly with Celeste’s gown.
“Open it.”
He passed her a box.
“What’s this?”
He opened the box, revealing a stunning gemstone necklace.
“Put it on.”
She gave a cool look.
“Don’t like it? Luke, get another set.”
Luke pulled out another set of diamond necklaces from behind. “We have
many sets here for you to choose.”
Celeste randomly pointed one of them, “this one.”
Kendric helped her put on the necklace, and then she turned to leave.
“Wait.”
He extended his hand and pulled out a ring, “wear it.”
It was a ring that went with the diamond necklace.
The diamond was not particularly large, but it had a soft gleam. It lay quietly in his palm.
Celeste didn’t extend her hand. “No need. I don’t want others to misunderstand our relationship”
