Chapter 92
In the afternoon, when Cade returned, Kendric left with him. Celeste didn’t
inquire him about where he was going.
The class reunion was scheduled for the evening. In the afternoon, she took
out ta dress from her suitcase and meticulously ironed it.
She chose a light grass–green dress, with a beautiful pearly lustre. Around
her neck hung a sparkling necklace, and on her wrist was a platinum watch.
Around five o’clock p.m., she was in the yard tending to the grapevine. The front gate stood ajar, and a group of people entered from outside.
It was Della, Anna and some of other classmates.
Anna wore an off–shoulder dress with a puff sleeve design, paired with high
heels.
“Celeste, I know you don’t have a car, so I came to pick you up,” she said.
Celeste set down the insect repellent spray she was holding. “Thank you.”
“It’s almost time. Why haven’t you changed your clothes yet? You’re not planning to go out in this outfit, are you?” Anna tittered.
“Just give me five minutes,” she said and walked inside.
Outside, the group chatted leisurely under the grapevine.
“Damn! Celeste is gorgeous.”
“Is that so? But she’s so unkempt, wearing her pajamas and walking around outside, Anna’s tone was tinged with jealousy.
At the hotel, Anna confidently led the way in her high heels. She
immediately caught everyone’s attention upon entering. She stood proudly at
the entrance for a moment before finally stepping inside.
When Celeste entered, everyone was taken aback. They quickly invited her
to join them at the table.
Suddenly, someone brought up the topic again, “hey, most of us from our
class are married, aren’t we?”
All eyes turned to Celeste.
Meeting their curious gazes, Celeste calmly stated, “I’m not married.”
Instantly, a wave of gossip swept through the room. They couldn’t hide their curiosity. “Celeste, you don’t have a boyfriend? Then when are planning to get married?”
Celeste smiled, “I don’t want to get married.”
A classmate laughed, “then you’ll be a lonely granny when you get old, ha.”
Celeste frowned, “is that any of your business?” She had been subjected to too much ill will lately, so her patience was wearing thin.
After a moment, she added, “I’m sorry.”
Everyone exchanged glances. “Celeste, don’t be upset. We’re genuinely out of concerns.”
Celeste sneered, “concerns? By prying into my marriage… I don’t believe it’s genuine concern. I think you’re quite happy embarrassing me, aren’t you?”
Anna, irritated by Celeste’s tone, retorted, “we are genuinely concerned. We
Chapter42
introduced you to some good men. Why are you mad at us? You pathetic gold.
digger!”
A cold sneer pierced the hushed atmosphere.
Celeste was sitting with her back to the door, but as she turned, she spotted
Kendric standing right behind her.
“What are you doing here?” she said, and everyone immediately realized.
that the man came for her.
“Excuse me, who are you?” All eyes darted between them.
Kendric took a step forward. Celeste couldn’t shake off the strange feeling.
She had thought she had to face this alone, and swallow these mockery. But Kendric’s arrival offered her the feeling of safety.
Kendric gave her a brief glance. After a second of eye contact, an unspoken understanding passed between them.
His hand rested on her shoulder, “Kendric Melville, Celeste’s fiancé,” he
announced.
His words hit the crowd like a ton of bricks, shattering their smugness and arrogance. They had wished to witness her current pitiful state, but now….
Someone tried to ease the tense, “Celeste, why didn’t you tell us you have a fiancé? We thought you were single all this time!”
The room fell into an awkward silence.
“Uh… Mr. Melville, since you’re Celeste’s fiancé, why don’t you join us for dinner?” someone attempted to break the tension, but Kendric showed no
pter92
terest in joining them.
“No need,” he rejected.
Celeste chimed in, “back in school, we were classmates, but now, we’re all
n our own paths. Since what you have done to me today, there’s no need we
eep in contact from now on.”
Anna felt attacked, “stop giving me your attitude! Who do you think you
re? You ungrateful bitch!”
“I heard you guys were even trying to find Celeste a job,” Kendric suddenly
brought it up.
This was something they had discussed over dinner, completely
disregarding Celeste’s opinion. They ‘kindly‘ wanna introduce her a job as an
elementary school art teacher.
“She doesn’t have a stable job right now, makes a living through her stupid
art,” one of them defended their actions.
“We were just trying to help her… it’s well–intentioned,” another chimed in
defensively.
Kendric smirked sarcastically, “Celeste had a job in a studio, and beside, her
comics have over ten million readers online. Guess how much she has earned
from her ‘stupid art“?”
Now embarrassment haunted the crowd again.
Celeste picked up her bag and turned to leave. Once she stepped out of the private room, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Perplexed, Kendric asked what’s so funny?”
Chapter42
Celeste and Cade exchanged a look, “no… nothing.”
Waving her hand, Celeste changed the subject, “what brings you here?”
“I live in this hotel,” Kendric replied matter–of–factly.
“Thanks for today.”
Kendric nodded.
JJ
“I won’t invite you to my home. My dad will be mad,” she explained.
“But I haven’t eaten yet,” he said.
So, did he expect an invitation for dinner?
Celeste hesitated. She couldn’t risk inviting him home.
“How about I treat you to dinner outside? There’s a good restaurant nearby.
It’s the least I can do to thank you for your help today,” she suggested.
“Sounds good.”
