Moving Out (2)

"Sir, there's a woman downstairs clamoring to see you. She's currently threatening the soldiers that they'll regret it if they don't let her in. How do you want us to handle the situation?"

Richard Carrington looked up at Lieutenant Marshal in disbelief. He had woken up early as usual and had spent the entire time working in his home office. Due to the incident that happened at the Girardi family banquet, he had been fielding questions all morning from different executives. Now it seemed somebody had come to disturb him.

Considering that not a lot of people knew his home address, only his troops and immediate family members. If it was a woman, then it could only be 'her'.

As if on cue, his cell phone buzzed.

Celeste: Babe, I came to visit ^^

Celeste: Tell your soldiers to let me up.

Celeste: I think they're trying to arrest me O_O

Seeing the energetic messages even in the morning, Richard could only rub his head and sigh before saying, "Let her up. it's a guest of mine and continue to let her up in the future."

"Yes sir!"

Within five minutes, Celeste stood in front of him with a happy smile. She was dressed in all black and looked as if she was on her way to combat training. In one hand was a motorcycle helmet while the other held a duffle bag.

"Good morning!" Celeste cheerfully greeted him. She took a moment to admire the man in front of her. Richard was dressed casually in a black fitted long-sleeve shirt and black pants. His short hair was combed back, and he looked focused as he worked on the laptop in front of him.

As he stared at her, grey eyes serious as he examined her, she felt like rubbing the furrowed line between his brows, but she restrained herself and looked around the office instead. It was a room with floor-to-ceiling windows like the rest of the apartment except for one wall which was a bookcase. It was decorated in a dark minimalist style with only a large desk, a chair which Richard sat on, and an armchair across from him.

Celeste casually sat in front of Richard's desk and stared at him without speaking. The scene felt very reminiscent of one that had taken place not too long ago at his office. Only this time, they were more familiar with each other.

Seeing that she didn't want to speak, he glanced between her and her bag before asking.

"What brings you here so early?"

"I'm here to graciously take you up on your offer of moving in. Since I'm such a nice person, I'll let you keep this floor and move into the floor below. And of course, I can pay you rent and furnish it myself." Saying that, Celeste slid a large sapphire gemstone to him.

Richard glanced between her and the gemstone, recognizing it from the jewelry she had worn to the banquet.

At his slightly judgmental look, Celeste looked away in embarrassment and said, "I am a bit clumsy, so I broke it, but the stone is still valuable so it shouldn't matter." She didn't want to tell him that she had gotten into a fight with Bella and Celeste and had accidentally broken the jewelry. Besides she was taking it as a gift so he wouldn't ask for it back right?

Seeing his pointed glance at her knuckles that were red from hitting people, she quickly hid her fingers under her legs and whistled while looking away.

Richard simply glanced at her before sighing. It seemed that she was always getting in some type of trouble.

"Arrange whatever you need with Mae. Anything else?"

"Nothing! I just wanted to see how you are doing babe." Before he could react, Celeste reached over the table and smoothed out his eyebrows. Feeling the soft touch of her cool fingers massaging his head, Richard closed his eyes and felt himself relax as he almost groaned with relief.

"There we go! You're too pretty to be frowning like that. You'll get wrinkles." Celeste told him while smiling.

Pretty? Who the hell would think a big man like him was pretty?

Seeing Richard staring blankly at her while looking a little tense she skipped behind him and gently continued her massage. She ran her fingers down his neck and dug into his shoulders. Because of her closeness, Richard could smell the sweet scent he associated with her as well as the warmth of her body.

He stiffened temporarily before relaxing his head and letting it fall back against her chest. Her slender fingers dug into the tight muscles of his neck and shoulders, steadily working out the knots and stiffness and he could feel himself wanting to doze off from the contentment he felt. As Celeste looked down at the man relaxing against her, she couldn't help but admire his beauty once again.

A strong angular face with a dark honey skin tone, his dark brows, high cheekbones, and long lashes contrasted to create a handsome face that would make any model jealous. Because he usually didn't smile, his face was quite stern and could be considered a little scary but now it looked relaxed and had softened a little. She took one hand and gently brushed it across his face, smoothing down his brows and lashes, before she caved into her wishes and pressed a kiss to his forehead. She then continued massaging his shoulders as if nothing happened.

After a couple of minutes of working, she quietly spoke up, "Thank you for all the hard work. I'm sure you're dealing with things from yesterday. I really appreciate it."

Richard remained silent for a moment before responding, "I told you to sell my name and you did. Whatever consequences happen are for me to deal with. There's no need for you to feel obligated to do this as thanks." He was someone who liked a clear separation between business and pleasure. Although they had a contract to act out a relationship in front of others, there was no need for her to do so in private. It would end up…complicating things between them.

Celeste thought about his words before refuting them, "Well, I'm doing this because I want to not out of any sense of obligation and I thought it would be nice to do, but I guess I see your point. I'm going to head out then."

Without waiting for his response, she quickly grabbed her things, blew him a kiss, and dashed out while closing the door. She leaned against the closed door and patted her chest in relief.

Success! Now that her housing was secured, she only had to track down Andre Cross and prepare for the board meeting.

Meanwhile, once she left Richard let his head slam into the desk as he sighed. "Obligation huh." Why couldn't he just be honest with his mouth and say he liked it?

****

"Miss Celeste you're back! Would you like a late breakfast? I tried a new recipe for hot cross buns that I think that you would love."

Celeste looked up and saw that it was Auntie Mae who was wearing a hot pink tracksuit this time. Hearing her kind voice, Celeste looked at the old lady with tears almost coming out of her eyes.

"Yes please!" Celeste happily responded. During the time she had spent at Richard's house, she had been converted by the deliciousness that came from Auntie Mae's hands.

In no time at all she quickly scarfed down the delicious food, before getting ready to go out.

"Miss Celeste, master said I should give you the keys since you'll be staying here. Here are the keys to the house and elevator. I'll call some people to clean it so it will be ready when you come in. Do you have any plans for the furniture? Do you need me to order things for you? We have a great interior decorator on staff?" Aunt Mae gave the girl in front of her a happy look, proud of what she had accomplished.

It wasn't an easy feat to allow Richard Carrington to move her into his personal space, but the girl in front of her had accomplished that in absolutely no time. Additionally, he had instructed her to accommodate any request that Celeste had. Since all signs pointed to Celeste being the new Missus of the house, she had to make sure she did her best to help her!

"Auntie, no need to worry, I'll bring something in. Is there any particular process I have to follow?" Celeste asked curiously.

"They'll just have to sign an NDA but the building can handle that. I'll get right on the cleaning so you can move in as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Auntie! I have some errands to run so I won't be back until later. Can I come up here for dinner?" Celeste gave her the best puppy-eyed look she could make.

Seeing the lovable expression on the girl's face, Auntie Mae gave into her instincts and wrapped her arms around the girl. "Of course, come and eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'll make it extra delicious just for you!"

Feeling the warmth of the hug that reminded her of her grandfather, Celeste closed her eyes and savored the moment, wrapping her arms around Auntie Mae.

After a moment, she released her.

"I'll be back Auntie." Saying so, she grabbed her motorcycle helmet and headed out. She had to go find Andre Cross and she knew exactly where he would be at this time.

*****

Andre Cross had been living his days in fear. After Celeste had beaten him up, he had hidden away embarrassed for a couple of days, and cursed her every time he moved his bruised body. The damn woman hit like a truck, and she had robbed him of his best champagne!

Although he had said he would cooperate with the deal, as time went on and Celeste didn't come and find him, he changed his mind and began looking for ways to get back at her. He had gotten multiple private investigators and reporters to follow her and dig up any dirty details they could find about her, but after one day of working, each investigator would quit in abject terror. It didn't matter which organization he used, they would all quit after a day of work. Even when he decided to pressure them with his family name, they would quit as if the devil himself were threatening him while shaking their heads sadly as if they pitied him. Even offering them more money didn't sway them!

None of it had made sense until he had seen a sight that terrified him at the Girardi banquet. While spending time with his fiancé, he had seen the white-haired devil smiling and laughing in the arms of Richard Carrington! The Richard Carrington!

When Richard Carrington had turned towards his direction with a knowing glance, he had thought he would pee his pants! It all made sense! Who else could strike fear into those vulture-like reporters but someone with the Carrington name?

After the event ended with Richard carrying away Celeste, he escaped with the other guests thankful that he hadn't done anything to offend Celeste once again. In fact, he was glad she already had blackmail to use against him so that she wouldn't think to come harass him. After all, even somebody like Titania Girardi, the queen of the social circle hadn't come away unscathed after battling with Celeste one time.

The next afternoon, he went to Raven for a relaxing vibe with some of his closest friends. As he waited for everyone else to arrive, he ordered some drinks for the table. Before he had taken a sip, he heard the voice that haunted his dreams.

"Andre! Did you miss me?"

Andre Cross turned and saw a beautiful white-haired woman approaching him with a wide smile on her face. Her violet eyes twinkled in amusement as she fixed her hair into a ponytail. Seeing her all-black outfit as she marched towards him, he felt as if he was seeing the grim reaper here to take him to hell.

As she stood in front of him, almost in the same position as the last time, when she had beaten him, he felt himself gulp.

"What? Don't have anything to say to me?"

Andre Cross gulped before smiling and replying in a shaky voice, "Miss Valentine. Yes hello. How may I help you? Would you like to take a seat?"