Chapter 139
Celeste allently took over the thermos.
She furrowed her brow and drained the complex–flavored tea in one go.
Kendric stared at her intently until he saw her drank the last drop. He finally
smiled.
Celeste handed him the thermos. “It tastes awful. I really don’t want to
drink it anymore.”
Kendric took out a tissue to help wipe her mouth. “It’s good for you.”
Kendric had been more sensitive lately, especially after Celeste mentioned that treatment plan last time. He would occasionally check her bag to see if there were any strange medications. Once, Celeste had a sore throat and put a box of lozenges in her bag, and Kendric found it.
He questioned her for a long time, even tasted one himself before believing they were just throat lozenges. He was truly feared that Celeste would start that
shitty treatment behind his back.
The car drove in the courtyard of Vader family. Sienna dressed in an elegant cape dress. She bounced over as soon as she saw Celeste.
Today the courtyard was adorned with flowers, ribbons, and other decorations. Celeste missed Manuel’s wedding, but this time, she really witnessed the joyous atmosphere of Vader family.
Sienna linked Celeste’s arm and lead her inside, “you brought Kendric with you? It’s just a dinner for us friends tonight. My parents aren’t home. How should I entertain him?”
It’s not until Sienna brought this up that Celeste realized she hadn’t thought
it through. Kendric’s presence meant that this gathering could not be a regular
friends‘ get–together.
Sienna sighed, “you should tell me in advance, Cely.”
What a reckless decision she had made!
“I’m sorry, Sienna. I didn’t think that much.”
“Never mind, I’ll have Axel entertain him first. I’ll call my dad and my
brother back.”
Celeste felt apologetic, “or I tell him to go back now?”
Sienna gasped and gently gave a pinch on Celeste’s cheek, “look how
Kendric has spoiled you! You little silly bitch!”
“Huh?”
Sienna explained, “in some way, it’s a good thing for him to come. He
offered to come?”
“No, I asked him to come.”
“Good, so he came for the sake of you.”
Celeste was totally muddled, “what does that mean exactly?”
“I mean, having Kendric in my wedding is a good thing for my dad, my
brother, and my entire family. Since last time McCartney… anyway it was a
scandal for our family and it hurt our names. While Kendric showing up here,
will be seen as Melville’s support for us.”
Sienna simply explained and went inside to make a phone call. Not long
after, Alexander and Manuel both returned.
So now a simple gathering of friends escalated due to Kendric’s arrival.
They changed the venue of gathering and went to a hotel, though the snow
outside was falling heavily.
There are they naturally split into two groups. Celeste, Sienna, Eulalie, and
their friends were in a private room.
Kendric, Alexander, Manuel, and Axel, along with others, went to another
room.
Eulalie sat across from Celeste. Several times, Celeste wanted to start a
conversation with her, but she didn’t know what to say. On the other hand, she
couldn’t bring up those past matters again to reopen Eulalie’s wounds.
After meal, Sienna with other girls decided to go for spa. The girls were all
excited, chattering away.
Celeste stole a glance at Eulalie, and Eulalie happened to peek at Celeste,
too. Both of them had a lot to say.
The room was noisy, so Celeste put on her coat and scarf and left. Eulalie
followed her out.
As they walked out the lobby, a cool breeze hit them. There was a
significant température difference between inside and outside. Celeste buttoned
up her coat and wrapped the scarf around her neck.
Footsteps sounded from behind. Celeste turned around.
They stood in the sparkling white snowflakes. They looked into each other’s
eyes and then smiled.
Eulalie opened her arms first. Celeste took a step forward and threw herself
in Euallie’s embrace. They hugged tightly. This moment they were so close, just
bike that winter when they huddled together on the sofa in France.
Celeste had a thousand words in her heart but didn’t know where to start.
She gently patted Eulalie’s back to convey her silent comforts and encourage to
this friend.
At first, Eulalie could maintain her smile. But gradually, Celeste heard a soft
sob and soon sobs turned into louder cries.
All her despair and agony were poured out at this moment.
Celeste held Eulalie until her venting was over, and the whimper gradually diminished.
Eulalie rested her head on Celeste’s shoulder. Her cheeks blushed, “I got
your scarf wet.”
“It’s alright.”
They silently hugged each other. After a long time, Celeste even felt her legs numb, and a cold wind blew through the corridor, stabbing at her knees.
“Shall we go inside?” she offered.
“Celeste,” Eulalie didn’t answer but said, “I wanna divorce Manuel.”
There must be extreme agony and turmoil before Eulalie made this decision. Or perhaps she had made this decision for a long time, but kept it hidden in her heart until finally she had the courage to speak it out.
Celeste steadied her voice, “have you talked to Manuel about it?”
Eulalie shook her head. She closed her eyes but the slightly trembling
Redeemed From Caged Love
eyelashes revealed her inner reluctance and unease.
“No, I have no idea how to bring it up to him…”
“You’ve thought it through?”
This time Eulalie gave a firm nod, “I don’t want to stay in this city
anymore.”
Redeemed From Caged Love
I don’t want to stay in this city anymore.” Eulalie’s eyes moistened again.
“It often came to me how happy we were during the time studying abroad.
If I had never chosen to return and drop off, if I had never married Manuel,
perhaps all of these things would never have happened.”
But there were no ifs in this world…
Eulalie was stuck in the mud of pain and she showed the tendency to escape from reality. Celeste didn’t dare to offer absolute advice. “Have a good talk with Manuel. He’s your husband, whether you choose to divorce or continue your study, he will definitely consider it from your perspective.”
Celeste and other waited until after ten o’clock, but people in another private room showed no sign to leave.
Then, Cade walked out to find Celeste, “sir said they might not take leave. now. If you feel tried, I’ll have the driver drive you back first.”
But Celeste shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ll stay and wait.”
She decided to join Sienna for the spa. They walked past the corridor and then heard footsteps behind them.
She glanced backward and unexpectedly, she saw Ezra Winters.
Sienna was curios to see the surprise on Celeste’s face, “Cely, what’s
wrong?You know that guy?”
“Yeah, he’s Ezra Winters.”
“Ezra Winters?” Sienna exclaimed, “you mean that Winters who’s known
for their involvement in politics?”
Yeah.
“Why did he show up here?”
Celeste gazed after Ezra, deep in thought. It seemed that the gathering
tonight was not as simple as she had thought.
It wasn’t until past midnight that Cade came over to inform them, “the
gathering’s over.”
Celeste woke up Sienna and Eulalie, “wake up, time to home.”
The snow outside was falling even heavier, but the hotel was still brightly
lit. Kendric came over to find Celeste. They met at the corner of the corridor.
“Finished?” She asked with concern, “is everything okay?”
“Rest assured. Everything’s fine.”
Celeste got the answer and breathed a sigh of relief. She yawned, covering her mouth, “let’s go home.”
‘Let’s go home,‘ is a melody to Kendric’s ears.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, “um, let’s
go home.”
Five or six cars turned on their headlights in the heavy snow. Light penetrated the darkness.
In the car, Cade whispered, “sir, Mr. Vader and his son are outside.”
The car window was rolled down.
Alexander slightly bowed to Kendric, “thank you.”
Redeemed From Caged Im
Manuel also gave a slight nod.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Vader, I’m happy to assist.”
Assist? What does that mean?
The car started slowly. It wasn’t fast on the snowy road, but it was steady.
Celeste couldn’t hold back her curiosity, “what were you talking about
inside the room?”
Kendric had a tired look. He moved closer to Celeste and rest his head on
her shoulder.
“You know, Winters has always been committed to foster politicians. Ezra’s
cousin has been seen as the successor since he was born, but he had an
accident some time ago… Winters lost their successor. Still, Ezra has no interest
in politics.”
Celeste’s eyes lit up. “My god! You mean you introduced Manuel to be….”
Kendric nodded, “it finally depends on Winters family. Though they have
not given a positive answer, I’m inclined to believe they’ll take it.”
He explained, “Manuel was born in a distinguished family background. He
majored in law at a prestigious university and received many accolades. He
gains advantages.”
“How long have you been planning this? But Winters probably won’t agree
so easily, right? What does Manuel have to offer?”
Kendric rubbed his nose against her neck and sniffed her scent, “with Ezra and me as guarantees, Manuel has gained the trusts of them. The new election
is imminent, and Winters’s old rival has long been watching closely. At this
Juncture, there is no one more suitable than Manuel to replace this
ition. At least they’re well–acquainted with him.”
Celeste recalled Kendric’s past attitude toward Manuel, “since when did you
trust Manuel so much?”
“I don’t like him,” he frowned, “but undeniably, he does have some ability.”
Just then, it occurred to Celeste what Eulalie had said to her tonight,
“Eulalie told me that she wants to divorce Manuel.”
“They won’t be able to. At this critical juncture, they can’t allow any
mistakes.”
After several days of snow, the weather finally cleared up on the day of
Sienna’s wedding. The sky was a brilliant blue, with think clouds floating like
cotton candy.
Celeste didn’t sleep well last night. She flopped around in Kendric’s arms
like a fish in land, causing Kendric to lose sleep as well. And this morning, she
woke up at dawn. Kendric was awakened by her subtle movements. He
frowned, half–leaning against the headboard, watching her.
“Why are you up so early?”
Celeste climbed out of bed and opened the closet. She took out a gift box. She specially customized a bracelet as a wedding gift for Sienna. It’s a pity that she had missed the wedding of Eulalie last time, so this time she attached special importance to Sienna’s.
The thoughts of Sienna’s wedding occupied her mind all night. “Do you
70 Sienna will like this gift?”
She will, certainly.” Then he caught a glimpse of the clock on the
nightstand, “it’s only six o’clock. Let’s sleep a bit more.” He reached out to
embrace her, but Celeste dodged him.
She walked with a quick light step and left the room. A while later, she
came back with a stack of thick banknotes and a pink envelope. The envelope
was so stuffed with banknotes that it was hard to seal.
She complained, “now it’s too full!”
Kendric leaned on the side and burst out laughing, “why not just give her a
check? You can fill in whatever amount you want.”
But Celeste shook her head. “A check? That is just a thin piece of paper. It
has to be this stack of cash stuffed into an envelope, and then I’ll give it to the
bride, so all the guests will know that Sienna’s friend values her a lot!”
She continued diligently stuffing money into the envelope. Kendric reached
over to stop her, “okay, let’s do it later. Have a sleep first.”