15. Dating her

We were all silent as the dinner began, but I could feel the occasional glances from Arik and Isabella directed at me. I also sensed that anyone of them wanted to speak but couldn't decide where to start.

"Celeste, my dear, I suppose my son gave you a heads up before I even called you regarding this dinner. Is that right?" Mr. William Johnsons initiated the conversation.

I waited for the juice I was drinking to go down before nodding and looking at him.

"Yes, Mr. William. Liam went to my office earlier to inform me, but he didn't say anything else. He just mentioned that it was important."

"I see, that's why you didn't refuse. You couldn't refuse my son, huh?" His voice sounded teasing.

I felt embarrassed.

"Hasn't my son courted you yet, Celeste? I would be happy if that's the case between you two now," added his wife.

Automatically, I turned to look at Arik. It was as if my head had a mind of its own, just to see his reaction. He was currently drinking. His eyes were dark, matching his expression. I noticed his jaw tense.

"I think not yet, Mrs. Johnsons. My sister is single," Oliver answered, and I quickly looked at him. Aurora was smirking beside him.

Oh right, she's here because she and Oliver are business partners on a project.

"Is that true, Celeste?" William Johnson asked.

I swallowed. I adjusted my seating position, feeling Arik's gaze on me. I gasped as he rested his arm on the back of my chair.

"No, Ma'am. Liam and I are just friends," I directly replied to them.

Why did the conversation suddenly turn to this?

"So, you're still single until now?" Cassandra Johnsons continued. "I hope you don't mind my asking, dear. We're just curious."

"No, Ma'am. It's fine."

"Maybe because she's still waiting for someone, Mrs. Johnsons," Arik suddenly interjected, causing everyone to look at him.

"Oh, Mr. Rioflorida, I forgot to ask why you and Celeste arrived together. I heard you immediately invested a significant amount in Percepta when you returned to Florida INC," William said, savoring his wine.

I felt like I was in the hot seat. Those questions would have been fine if it weren't for Arik's arm on my chair. Why was it there?

I continued eating, even though I couldn't swallow properly. I heard Arik's chuckle next to me, and he slightly leaned closer to me.

"I did, Mr. Johnsons. I've been interested in the Percepta Group for a long time, and now I finally had the opportunity. Actually, my father, too. Percepta Group and their projects are actually good," Arik explained to him.

"Even their vision and mission."

I didn't know how to feel about what he said. I looked at him again and noticed that he was genuinely serious about his words. When his gaze shifted to me, he just smiled subtly.

"But is it true that you and Isabella here lived together when you suddenly disappeared?" Cassandra Johnsons made another snide remark.

I couldn't help but avert my gaze. When I looked at Isabella, she was grinning and seemed inclined to respond, but Arik beat her to it.

"Pure rumors, Ma'am. Isabella and I weren't in a relationship at that time, and never will be," Arik firmly answered the older woman, filled with assurance.

Isabella's face twisted in displeasure. Aurora's grin widened, so I gave her a disapproving look. The same went for Oliver.

So, all the rumors that circulated about them were untrue? Who started them, and what made them come to such conclusions amidst someone's mourning?

"You're always so harsh, Arik," Isabella commented. "At least we had each other in some way."

"I'm just stating the truth, Isabella. You can't fool people forever. I honestly hate those rumors because they came out right after Mom's death," Arik's voice hardened as he spoke to her, then he turned to me, as if waiting for me to look at him.

"It's not my fault," Isabella continued.

"I didn't say it was your fault," Arik responded again, the tension between the two of them seemingly escalating, so I looked at him.

His expression immediately softened, and he just shook his head.

"Anyway, what's this dinner all about? I hope it's not about what you want to happen between Celeste and your son, Mr. and Mrs. Johnsons."

I blurted out in shock. I almost shook Arik for what he said, but instead, the old Mr. Johnsons burst into hearty laughter.

"Why, Mr. Rioflorida? Are you already staking a claim on Celeste?" he jokingly remarked.

I bit my lip, desperately trying to catch Arik's gaze, but he deliberately avoided looking at me until he could say what he wanted to say.

"I'm dating her, Mr. Johnsons, so I hope my thoughts are not misplaced."

"Arik..." I called out to him, but he didn't even look at me!

What the hell is he saying?!

A surprise was evident in the eyes of those at the table. I just wanted to disappear into the ground! What is he saying?! It's so embarrassing!

"I see, son. Don't worry, this isn't about that. Celeste has the freedom to choose a man who truly deserves her, just as she found the right family for her," Cassandra said, and I looked at her.

She smiled meaningfully at me. From the corner of my eye, I could see Armando Yuchengco's expression darken and his wife sneer. Isabella was glaring at me with intensity.

The conversation of what happened to me six years ago didn't become a topic that was completely closed off. They just didn't know why I suddenly disappeared from the company and was rejected by the Yuchengcos back then, and I'm grateful for that.

They don't need to know about my daughter. I don't want her to be known by everyone. I will keep her with me for as long as I can. She's mine alone, after all.

The dinner went well. We talked about the Aomori Resort because it turns out the Johnsons are interested in it too. I noticed that Arik immediately opposed it, but it seemed the other side wouldn't back down.

Even the Yuchengcos were interested in that resort and even gave me a deal before the conversation ended. The decision of who it will go to is not up to me. The bidding will start next week, and only then will we know who will acquire it.

I was about to return to our table from the bathroom when I bumped into Victoria Yuchengco. Ah, no. She deliberately waited for me because she immediately stood up straight when she saw me.

"Celeste, can I talk to you?" She greeted me with a cold, fake smile. If it weren't for what she was about to say, she wouldn't be smiling like this.

"About your father."

I froze. I could feel my heartbeat slowing down. Suddenly, I became nervous, something I hadn't felt earlier.

I cleared my throat and hardened my expression. "About what?"

"I suppose you're not unaware of your dad's condition, Celeste. He's under medication for his kidney failure and he needs a transplant. It's the only way... to continue his life. Unfortunately, Isabella and I are not a match for him," she explained without hesitation.

The thing Oliver asked me about the other night immediately came to mind. Is this it? Is this why I'm feeling anxious?

Because I have an idea of what she's going to say? Or is it because I don't know how to respond if that is indeed what she's asking?

"I know this is not too much to ask since we're still family and he's still your father. I would like you to undergo testing to see if you're a match and if you could..." she trailed off.

"And what makes you think I'll do that for you?" I interrupted her.

"What?" Victoria's expression immediately changed. Her eyes suddenly narrowed, as if she wanted to shout at me or hurt me.

"So if I happen to be a match for him, you want me to give him one of my kidneys, is that it?" I continued.

My heart is slowly burning inside me. I feel like I'm drowning again. I feel like a volcano is about to erupt. I can't control the trembling of my hands. I feel like everything I've been hiding in my heart is about to explode at any moment.

"Are you seriously saying that? He's your father, Celeste," she insisted, her voice firm, but I shook my head.

"Henry Fuentebella is my father, not him," I declared firmly, my anger starting to consume me.

"Isn't it enough that you've taken everything from me? Now that I've risen above it all, you want to take my kidney too? What makes you think I'll agree? Just because he's still my father?"

"How dare you say that to me! All I'm asking is for you to have a test! So what if you don't want to? That's all I wanted to know!" she angrily shouted at me, almost lunging towards me. "Your father is dying, and you're still letting your pride get in the way! You have no gratitude!"

I feel like I'm going insane with anger and heartache. I know I'm slowly losing myself, and at any moment, I'll explode. I hope someone comes to stop me because I don't want to say what's on the tip of my tongue.

"I won't get tested. You won't gain anything from me, so stop trying. I'm not related to any of you anymore, especially not to you. You won't get anything from me, remember that," I replied sternly and left her there, dumbfounded.

I couldn't bring myself to return to the table, so I headed straight to the parking lot where Arik's car was. As I took a step into the parking lot, I was once again frozen in my tracks by what I saw.

My heart sank completely. The way he fell to his knees before getting into the car and how Isabella quickly rushed to assist him, choked me. It felt like something was strangling me, hurting both my throat and my heart. I couldn't bear to witness it.

"Celeste?"

Right after I heard that voice, I swiftly turned away from that scene and faced him. I almost knelt down to reach him in a hurry. Before he could even ask what was wrong with me, I immediately embraced him.

My knees were trembling. I could feel tears welling up, especially when I felt Arik's gentle embrace.

"Hey..."

"You took so long. I've been here all this time..." I beamed and buried my face in his chest, releasing a sigh. Tears welled up in my eyes, so I allowed myself to stay there for a moment.

"F-fine. Let's date. I agree now, Arik."