Redented From Caged Lour
Chapter 35
Celeste’s gift wasn’t extravagant, but it held special significance. While
everyone knew about Manuel’s eye injury, Celeste was the first to gift him a pair
of sunglasses.
Manuel accepted the gift and stared at Celeste’s face, “you don’t look well.”
He was aware of what happened between Celeste and Kendric. He wanted to offer his assistance, but if Celeste didn’t ask for his help, he couldn’t
intervene too directly.
Celeste smiled, “don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Manuel’s thirtieth birthday party was quite grand, with relatives, friends, colleagues, and classmates all invited.
Celeste was seated among his colleagues. Manuel introduced her to them,
“this is my friend. Please take good care of her.”
His colleagues mistakenly assumed Celeste was his girlfriend and engaged
her in warm conversation. After a while, Celeste found an excuse to slip away
and headed to the backyard.
There, she coincidentally bumped into Manuel.
He held a lit cigarette between his fingers, its glow flickering intermittently
in the dark night.
When he saw Celeste, Manuel broke into a smile and pinched out the
cigarette, “hey, Cely, why did you come out?”
Celeste felt a bit embarrassed, “your colleagues are quite hospitable…. hey,
Redeemed From Caged Love
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feel free to smoke. It doesn’t bother me.”
The two fell into a moment of silence, but the atmosphere remained
unexpectedly pleasant. Suddenly, Manuel broke the silence, “is it true what
they’re saying about you?”
Celeste inquired, “what did they say?”
“That you’ve left Melville family.”
“Oh, that’s true.”
Manuel looked into her eyes, “remember what I have told you?”
Celeste revealed a confused look.
“If someone dares to bully you, come find me. I’ll help you get revenge.”
Celeste paused. She remembered those words.
On her twentieth birthday, Manuel had just returned from a trip and
forgotten to bring her a birthday gift. Right then and there, he made her at
promise that if anyone dares to bully her, he’d help her get revenge.
They were immersed in chatting, and the atmosphere became relaxed and
amiable.
The backyard they were sitting in suddenly lit up with blinding lights. Celeste remembered his eye injury and instinctively shielded Manuel behind.
“Are
you alright?” she asked with concern.
The lights were too harsh, and Manuel happened to be standing in the brightest spot. He blinked uncomfortably.
Celeste grasped his wrist and suggested, “close your eyes and follow me.
Chapter45
Let’s find a darker place.”
She led Manuel along, and he followed silently.
Sitting by the window, Gavin Bates was nudged by the person beside. “Gavin, look, isn’t that Celeste Alinsky? Who’s the guy with her?”
They laughed and snapped photos of Celeste holding Manuel’s wrist.
Celeste led Manuel into a dimly lit area. She released his hand, “try opening
your eyes now.”
The corridor was quiet, with the wind brushing gently from all directions. When Manuel opened his eyes, he saw Celeste standing in front of him.
Her face was bathed in the soft moonlight, making her shine even brighter
than diamonds. She gazed earnestly into his eyes.
A bitter feeling rose from Manuel’s heart. His eyes turned teary.
Celeste noticed his reddened eyes, “your eyes looked red. Is that okay?”
Manuel shifted his gaze away. “It’s alright.”
“Let’s go inside. It’s getting windy outside.”
Manuel agreed and followed her inside.
As they entered, the hall fell into silence. The guests seated at the table all
turned their gaze toward them, their eyes wandering between the two.
Many of them didn’t know Celeste. “Manuel, who’s this beautiful lady?”
“Celeste Alinsky.”
Celeste and Sienna were friends, so normally Manuel should introduce her
Redeemed From Caged Love
Chapter 35
as “my sister’s friend” or “my sister’s classmate.”
But he introduced her to others with great sincerity–she was Celeste Alinsky, simply herself, and her name didn’t need to be linked to anyone else.
In that moment, Celeste was deeply touched. In the past, she had always
been labeled as Kendric’s fiancée or that pathetic woman or even as a
gold–digger. Only within the Vader family, could she feel a sense of respect–perhaps that’s why she enjoyed spending time with them.
Celeste exchanged greetings with the others. Then Manuel arranged her to,
sit with his families.
His families and relatives were warm, polite, and considerate.
Mrs. Vader, Sienna’s mother, held Celeste’s hand gently, “you’ve been
through a lot.”
Tears almost jumped out of Celeste’s eyes. Everyone knew her years–long
entanglement with Kendric..
fine.”
However, the way they looked at her held no trace of contempt.
Celeste fought back the emerging tears and smiled at Mrs. Vader, “I’m doing
Mrs. Vader responded with a smile.
Then she introduced Celeste to the relatives at the table, “this is Celeste
Alinsky, Sienna’s classmate. She’s like a daughter to me.”
Sienna nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, yes, Celeste is like my sister!”
Redeemned From Caged Love
