Chapter 98
“When will you, once again, fall in love with me?”
Celeste frowned, “you’re drunk.”
He inched even closer. And he had her cornered.
He stopped just an inch from her ear. “Answer me.
His breath brushed her ear, making her flinch slightly.
“I don’t love you,” she mumbled.
“You’re avoiding my question. I’m asking you when you’ll love me again.”
“I don’t love you and I won’t love you.”
He shook his head, pressing his forehead against hers. “You’re lying.”
His voice flowed into her ears. “You wanted to go abroad, and I agreed.”
“You wanted freedom, and you have it.”
“You’re pursuing your career, and you’ll keep excelling.”
“I want you, but I can’t have you.” he concluded with a plaintive tone. “You have everything, but I have nothing.”
Finally, he rested his chin on her shoulder and closed his eyes. “I have nothing.”
Celeste gave him an eye roll. “Bullshits! You still have money.”
“Then would money make you back to me?”
“No, I can earn my own money.”
Redeemed From Caged Love
“See? Money means nothing.”
Celeste nudged him and checked the time. “It’s late. Cade should be arriving.
soon.”
Kendric turned a deaf ear to her words. Celeste stood up from the sofa,
attempting to pull him up, but failed.
He was still with his eyes closed. It’s like she had drifted off to sleep, yet hist
fluttering eyelashes betrayed him.
He released a sigh. “Sometimes, I wish I could bind you to my side, never
letting you leave.”
His words made her pupils involuntarily contract. Her eyes revealed deep fear. His recent gentleness almost made her forget his ruthless nature.
well.
“I gotta go.” He rose from the sofa.
Celeste fetched his coat and handed it to him. She grabbed an umbrella as
Kendric shook his head. “I’ll leave this country tomorrow, so no need for the umbrella.”
Celeste hadn’t anticipated it. “Have a safe trip.”
Kendric threw on his coat, and stood by the door. He seemed to have many
words, yet in the end, he simply said, “Merry Christmas!”
Celeste cast her eyes downward, “Merry Christmas.”
Their life trajectories were gradually drifting apart.
When Kendric was on the flight, Celeste was sitting in her studio, gazing
Redeemed From Caged Love
upon the sky outside. A tinge of melancholy welled up within her, and she
suddenly recalled his words from the previous night.
“Celeste, you have everything now, but I have nothing.”
Thanks to the successful display of her paintings last time, Celeste had
garnered some name in this circle. During her leisure moments, she often took
on minor projects, but most of her clients simply requested works in her established style.
In February, she tendered her resignation.
Her boss, who also doubled as her professor, made a strenuous effort to retain her.
“Celeste, is it because the remuneration isn’t satisfactory?”
She shook her head. “No, professor. It’s just I’m tired of repetitively mimicking my own work. I aspire to seek fresh wellsprings of creativity.”
Professor respected her decision. “Perhaps you need a new platform to show yourself.”
There remained one final week of classes before the break. Upon returning to the classroom, Celeste was astonished to discover that Eulalie had
uncharacteristically skipped the class!
She texted to Eulalie, [Eula, where are you?]
There was no response. Celeste felt somewhat disconcerted. She and Eulalie were both not inclined to be clingy. They just met when they both had free
time.
Charte
Sometimes Eula would come over to her apartment. When Celeste worked
on her paintings, Eula would sit on the sofa, gazing outside at the heavy
snowfall.
But recently, Eula had been unusually quiet and in low spirits.
Celeste tried to ask her what was wrong, but she remained tight–lipped.
Now, those concerns had turned into a harsh reality–she lost contact with
Eulalie.
Celeste had searched for her extensively, but she was ignorant of her
family. The only information she found out was that Eulalie had returned to N
city.
Celeste could only pray for her safety. She had contemplated it all night and had finally decided to return.
She used the earnings from her work over the past six months to purchase a house, and she had Sienna help keep the key.
Sienna had helped clean it up in advance, and she also decorated it with various pieces of plants.
In the evening, Celeste’s flight landed, and she took a cab to Vader family to tajke the key from Sienna.
Upon her arrival at the doorstep, she found they were having dinner. In the bright dining room, they sat at the table, chatting and clinking.
Celeste was familiar with them all, including Eulalie, who was sitting beside Manuel. When Eulalie caught a glimpse of Celeste, her face turned ghostly pale In an instant.
“Celeste! Why did you come?” Sienna exclaimed.
Celeste had an embarrassed smile, “I need to take the key.”
Sienna remembered their phone conversation from the previous day. “Oh
right, you called me yesterday.”
Mrs. Vader invited her to join them for dinner, but Celeste politely declined
it, “thank you, Mrs. Vader, but I’ve already eaten.”
Eulalie stood up,
and as she looked at Celeste, she appeared to have
something to say but was hesitant.
Celeste offered her a polite smile, and then grabbed the keys and turned to
leave.
Eulalie felt a pang at the sight of Celeste’s smile. She hurriedly followed Celeste out.
She had a feeling that if she didn’t follow Celeste out, she might lose this friend forever.