CHAPTER 11
Celeste stood beside Marcello clutching her luggage as they stood before his majestic black and gold private jet.
She was in awe at the thought of flying in a private jet for the first time in her life. She had expected maybe first class on some expensive airline but a private jet was just next level.
Maybe she just had a poor mindset when it comes to the lifestyle of billionaires. Marcello was talking to a friend who had escorted them on their way to the private aviation.
"Celeste go in for goodness sakes, don't just stand there" Marcello groaned when he turned and saw her still standing beside him.
Celeste turned startled, she looked from him to the private jet and then back to him. Marcello inclined his head, questioning her confusion with his eyes.
She smiled awkwardly, then hurried down the red carpet into the jet where she was helped up by the elegant flight attendant there.
The cream and gold interior was so elegant, and the expanse of the jet was so wide that 3 people could dance on the aisle in between the seats. Celeste looked around astounded and impressed by the magnificence.
Marcello shook his head in amusement then discharged his friend Thomas Sheldon who he had not seen in 10 years but happened to meet when he got down from the car with Celeste.
He had picked Celeste up from her apartment by 9:30 am that morning, but halfway she had remembered her underwear and toiletries box which she forgot. She had turned the most delightful shade of red when telling him.
He remembered trying so hard not to laugh at her helpless predicament.
"see you later Tom," he said and they shook hands.
"I'll see you at the wedding then," Thomas said with a grin before Marcello headed for the jet.
Celeste was already seated with her headphones on, she took them off immediately when she saw Marcello.
He raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw her neon green headphones. Her cheeks flamed as the incident from the morning replayed in her head.
It had been Isabella who distracted her by giving her tips on how to win Marcello's heart when they were in Sicily.
Marcello sat on the chair opposite Celeste and relaxed. He tapped a button and a few seconds later a flight attendant came bearing a silver trolley laden with delicious mouth-watering dishes and desserts.
Celeste sat up eagerly as her stomach growled. She had not gotten the chance to eat due to nerves and the fact that she had overslept.
"Eat to your fill then get some rest, it's going to be a 9-hour flight or more and you will need it," Marcello said gesturing to the food.
Celeste smiled her thanks, then took off her jacket before settling for her food.
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Lorenzo donned his long overcoat over his crisp black three-piece suit and then adjusted his glasses before heading to his pitch-black Rolls Royce Phantom which his chauffeur Marco had open for him.
He was on his way to his private jet, His Consigliere Bruno had called him that Morning to the former Boss' Manor in England. The one the Boss had willed to Lorenzo upon his death.
Someone had broken into it and killed the head maid who handled and maintained it. According the Bruno, someone had strangled her in her bed the previous night.
The other staff were terrified and wanted to quit and those who chose to stay asked him to investigate her death.
Hopefully, He will be able to settle everything before the wedding and be back on time before or during the wedding.
"Raffaele any news?" Lorenzo asked after picking up the call from his supervisor Raffaele.
"Sir I found the young man who always delivered the poison to the farm, says his name is Alfio Salvatore, he will take me to whoever he collects it from then we can find out the buyer," Raffaele said briskly, knowing how much Lorenzo hated idle talks.
"Good Make sure you find out the Bastard quickly, my patience is wearing thin" Lorenzo growled,
"Yes, sir I will," Raffaele said earnestly and Lorenzo ended the call.
He laid his head back on the chair and took off his glasses before rubbing his eyes. He still had some time before the wedding next week on Tuesday.
Hopefully, he can find out the culprit behind the Boss' death and the person poisoning their farmers and harvest. Uncle Pietro had gone down on his list of suspects for now since he was at home in Sicily handling Rosa's wedding.
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By the time the jet landed and the already waiting car had escorted Marcello and Celeste to their hotel, it was already late into the night and Celeste was exhausted.
She was jet lagged and sleepy as she entered her room. Within a few minutes, she showered, changed into her night dress, plugged in her phone and slept off.
The next morning Celeste woke up refreshed and buzzing with excitement at the prospect of a vacation all alone with Marcello. Isabella said she should turn on her feminine charms or seduce him if she had to.
Her phone rang as she went to freshen up, it was Isabella calling.
"Morning Bella" she greeted cheerily,
"OMG Celeste, how is Sicily ?" She shouted, Celeste laughed at her enthusiasm.
"I just got here so I don't know, but the hotel room is paradise," Celeste said wiping her mouth with a clean towel.
She inspected her face in the mirror, thankfully her skin was in its prime and glowing. It seemed fate was in support of her plans. She wasn't leaving Sicily until she won Marcello's heart.
"Okay make sure to take lots of pictures and give me detailed stories about Sicily and your soulmate," Isabella said giggling, and Celeste blushed.
"You make it sound like I want to cast a spell on him and he automatically becomes mine" Celeste whined,
"Well never underestimate the power of a desperate woman or a woman in love" Isabella cooed,
Someone was knocking on Celeste's door and put an end to the ladies' little gossip.
"Talk to you later Bella," she said and ended the call.
Celeste thinking it was room service didn't think much as she headed to the door and opened it.
She was wearing her night dress without a robe though it was decent nightwear. With her hair falling over her shoulder and fresh face, Celeste opened the door with a big smile.
"Bonjornu (Good morning)" Celeste said but her smile vanished when she saw who was at the door.
"Mr Martino" She half shouted then stopped herself as she took in his appearance.
He leaned against the left side of her doorpost, with a serene expression that was so carefree it gave him a boyish look.
Celeste's heart fluttered as she took in the bed ruffled hair which seemed like he had made a half-hearted attempt to tidy it up.
He was wearing an olive green Cuban collar shirt and black pants. It was an astounding change from the regular crisp three-piece suit Celeste was accustomed to, giving him a casual yet sophisticated look.
His golden eyes soon left hers and did a quick sweep over her body. That one second wiped the nonchalant and serene expression off his face.
"Pi bontà chi c'è di mali cu tai ( For goodness sake what is wrong with you!) Why did you answer the door dressed like that?" He thundered, his face shutting down in anger.
Celeste was taken aback by his sudden angry reaction. She had not expected such a reaction from him, if she had known he would seek her out early, maybe she would have changed into something decent.
'Is it against culture for her to answer the door in her night dress? This was bad' She thought, She didn't want them to start off on the wrong foot, not when she had limited time to get him to fall for her.
"I didn't think before I opened the door, I'm so sorry sir," she said solemnly, nervously running her hands down her dress like that would solve the problem.
Marcello sighed, she didn't have to apologize. He didn't know what was wrong with him or what had come over him. One look at her, and he had felt an instant surge of anger and possessiveness.
Maybe it was time he fucked someone, he thought. The thought of actually thinking about his Secretary in an intimate way was irritating him.
He just needed her to help the family in communicating with the French guests when he wasn't around.
Maybe he needed to distance himself from her for a bit to put an end to these jarring thoughts.
"Get dressed we're going to my family's home now," He said cooly, and before Celeste could ask any more questions, he was already heading down the hall in long strides.