We Meet Again

"Tennis or a basketball?" Richard asked her suddenly.

Caught off guard, Celeste cautiously replied, "Basketball?"

"Okay. It's a date. I'll come get you at 6 p.m. on Friday."

"Uhh okay. I'll do my best to be ready."

Richard nodded once to her before leaving as Celeste waved him off from a distance. It seemed she had no interest in getting close to him at all.

Once she confirmed he was gone, Celeste let out a deep sigh and threw herself onto her mattress. What an awkward interaction.

***

The rest of the week passed quickly for Celeste after her awkward conversation with Richard. She continued her usual daily routine but decided to take Friday off to relax and do a beauty refresh in preparation for the game. First, she went to get her nails done and her eyebrows and baby mustache waxed. Once that was done, she came back and put on a face mask before going to see Auntie Mae upstairs for a late lunch.

Thankfully, Richard was not there so she spent time chatting with Auntie Mae and catching up.

As she was leaving, Auntie Mae whispered in her ears, "Don't worry, I beat the master up for making you upset and will continue to do so until he comes begging you on his knees."

Celeste could only laugh while saying that she wasn't upset before escaping to her apartment. Truly there was no reason for her to be upset at somebody drawing clear boundaries. After all, everything they were doing was just for a contract.

As the time to leave approached, she quickly did her makeup and began dressing up. She had chosen simple jean shorts that highlighted her legs and butt, a fitted knit white sweater with a hood paired with a pair of simple black stilettos. With her hair loosely curled and trailed down her back, a bold red lip, and tasteful silver jewelry, she knew that she presented a stunning figure. Although none of the clothes she wore were name brands, they were of good quality and from fashion designers that she supported. She grabbed a small purse to put on her lipstick and phone and she was ready to go.

At 6 p.m. on the dot, Richard came down the elevator. Seeing him look over her and nod approvingly, she did the same. He was dressed in black pants, a long-sleeved black shirt, black combat boots, and a fitted black leather jacket. The only accessories he wore were some black sunglasses and silver dog tags. Everything fit him perfectly and accentuated his tall muscular figure. She wanted to casually tease him for dressing like an FBI agent, but she restrained herself and only smiled innocently and gave him a thumbs up.

"Ready to go?"

"Yes sir," Celeste replied quietly causing his face to temporarily frown.

"Let's go."

Celeste quietly followed him until they got to the car. It was a Rolls Royce this time with a black interior. He opened the back door for her, got into the other side, and knocked on the partition. As the driver began driving them, Celeste looked around with interest. She had never been inside a Rolls Royce Phantom and the interior was just as stunning as the photos. From the buttery white leather seats to the starlight headliner which seemed like real diamonds placed in constellation format, everything was beautiful.

"You like it?"

"Yes, it's very nice!" Celeste smiled happily as she glanced at him before looking away. She turned and looked outside the window at the scenery as they drove in silence.

"Celeste?"

"Yes?" she turned to look at him since he had called her name in such a serious tone.

"Are you angry at me?"

"No? Why would you think that?" she turned to look at him in surprise. Where was this coming from?

"Mae said you might be upset, and I noticed that you've been keeping your distance from me."

"I am not upset. If anything, I am a bit embarrassed for misreading things between us. If you think I've been keeping my distance, it's because you asked me to. I apologize that my actions made you uncomfortable previously. I assure you that I've properly reflected. I will properly keep my distance and only act in a close manner as if we were in a relationship in front of other people." Celeste held up her hand as if she were solemnly vowing, her gaze serious as she stared into Richard's eyes.

Seeing the seriousness in her gaze, Richard felt choked up and unable to say anything. Although he had said those words to Celeste, he hadn't fully meant it. He had just been flustered and unable to think properly at the time. Had he known it would have caused this change in the previously easy relationship, he would have kept silent. Unused to having to explain his thoughts, and unsure of what he actually wanted, he could only keep quiet.

The rest of the drive passed in silence and before long they arrived at the stadium's private entrance. Even though it was private, there were rows of reporters taking photos as different celebrities and famous people arrived. When everyone saw the Rolls Royce Phantom with a single-digit license plate arrive, the reporters immediately turned and began taking photos.

Richard quickly got out of the car and opened the door for Celeste. As she placed one elegant foot on the ground and reached out a slender hand to grasp Richards, the flurry of photographs and commentary immediately increased.

"Whoa isn't that Richard Carrington?!"

"Wow, who could make The Richard Carrington help them out of the car?"

"I heard that it was rumored that he was dating an actress. Could it be true?"

"I heard that it was a wealthy socialite who just came from abroad?"

"Wait, are you sure it's not Titania Girardi?"

"No looking at the coloring of the hand and leg, it's too pale to be Titania. Besides, Titania has already entered the stadium tonight."

Not paying any attention to any of the words being said, Celeste slowly stepped out of the car while grasping Richard's hands. Once she was stable, she arranged her expression in a gentle smile and held onto Richard's hand as he led them forward.

"Mr. Carrington, who are you with tonight?"

"Mr. Carrington care to give a statement?"

"Young lady, would you like to give us a statement on your relationship with Mr. Carrington?"

Celeste just focused on walking ahead while smiling lightly at the reporters. When she stumbled as one bumped into her in his haste to take a photo of them, Richard quickly wrapped his arm around her body and brought her in front of him. His face darkened in anger, and when he shot a glare at the offending reporter, all the reporters around them respectfully took two steps back and didn't dare to rush them again.

Once they got inside, Celeste tried to separate herself from Richard, but he had his arm tightly around her waist forcing her to walk awkwardly and at a fast pace. Since she was wearing heels, she was quite worried about busting her ass and face-planting on the floor.

"Babe, you're going too fast slow down." Celeste calmly told him, and he immediately slowed down. She took the opportunity to entwine their hands together and he tightly gripped her hand and slowly led her forward.

"Sorry."

"It's all good." She replied while smiling sweetly. She gazed around as he led her to the floor seat club of the stadium. As they entered the room, everybody turned to look at them. Celeste looked around, recognizing some familiar faces that she saw at Titania Girardi's banquet including Titania herself and Rebecca Molina. Titania was dressed in a simple knee-length blue dress that brought out her blue eyes along with a stylish diamond tennis necklace and bracelet. She had on matching blue heels and a blue purse. Her friend Rebecca was dressed in a simple black dress with matching heels. Her hair was slicked back, and she had a bold red lip that seemed to be her signature look.

Internally laughing at the cold expression that appeared on Titania's face, Celeste immediately clung to Richard's arm and rested her head on his shoulder while sending her most angelic smile at Titania.

Titania smiled back just as sweetly and both she and Rebecca quickly approached them.

"Richard it's a pleasure to see you again. I hope you've been doing well." Titania said in a soft voice while staring up at Richard. Her eyes ran over him in a possessive manner which made him feel disgusted and caused his expression to darken.

Before he could speak, Celeste stepped in front of him and spoke up.

"Hello, Miss Girardi. I can't say it's a pleasure to see you again but you're looking well."

"Don't you know it's rude manners to interrupt your betters when they're speaking?" Titania spat out cold words even though her smile was so beautiful it could wake the dead.

Not to be outdone, Celeste rounded her eyes and gave her most innocent smile, "I'm not sure about betters but don't you know it's rude to stare at a taken man in the manner you just did? Unless the manners in the capital have changed while I've been gone."

"Last time I checked, there was no ring on his finger. And wouldn't you know better than me about messing with taken men? After all, you are the bastard child of a mistress who didn't respect the fact that a man was taken right?" Titania shot back.

"Touché." Celeste murmured with a wry smile, "But does that mean you're going to be the mistress in my relationship? Who would have thought that the illustrious Miss Girardi would take the sloppy seconds of a bastard child? Not that my man could ever be sloppy or someone's seconds."

"As long as you're my woman. There will never be a mistress. It's just you and it will always be only you." Richard coldly interrupted as he pulled Celeste behind him. He had felt her subtly flinch when Titania had taken a jab at her mother and immediately wanted to shield her from any more harsh words. Some things were just a low blow and did not need to be said. Insulting somebody over the uncontrollable circumstances of their birth was disgusting.

"I've warned you before Titania. Watch how you talk around her. Or is it that the Girardi family would like some more sanctions." Hearing his threat, Titania's face temporarily paled before she regained her smiling expression.

"I'd actually like a word with her if you don't mind. Alone." Seeing as how Richard had no plans of moving from his position in front of Celeste, Titania pushed down her irritation at seeing the man she liked protecting another woman and tried appealing to Celeste.

"Miss Celeste, would you mind if I had a conversation alone with you? I promise no harm will come to you. I would just like the opportunity to make up."