CHAPTER 8

Claudia threw her head back and laughed. A very unflattering sound that had Celeste narrowing her eyes at how lifeless it sounded.

"I fail to see what is fu..." Celeste said irritably but Claudia cut her off

"Oh shut the fuck up you slut, I know you have been sleeping with my Man" she yelled, Celeste frowned and then realized she was talking about Marcello because that can only explain her hostility.

"Um...excuse me, if you have a problem with me why don't you tell me instead of calling me names and accusing me falsely" Celeste retorted, Claudia stepped into her personal space coming nose to nose since they were almost the same height.

"You stay away from Marcello, I know he paid for that dress but trust me when I say you're not his type just a worthless piece of trash who is only a new pussy to him" she spat out crudely as she jabbed her index finger at Celeste.

Celeste glared at him, her anger surfacing as she endured Claudia's verbal onslaught, she itched to land a satisfying slap to shut that vile mouth but out of respect for the senator and fear that Marcello wouldn't like it, she kept her cool and decided to leave Claudia alone.

"Excuse me Claudia I have more important things to do than deal with a toddler throwing tantrums", she said with as much venom as she could muster.

She turned away from Claudia and moved to walk away, Claudia enraged by her actions grabbed her hair and pulled her back.

Celeste screamed as she lost her footing in the stilettos she wore, and before she could regain balance she was plunged into icy cold water. Claudia stood shocked but delighted by the sight of Celeste gasping and flailing her hands in the pool.

"Claudia! Have you gone mad" an enraged voice boomed across the patio.

Claudia flinched as fear washed over her, but before she could recover, Marcello had already jumped into the pool, expensive suit and all to carry Celeste out.

Water sloshed out the corners of the pool as Marcello dived in and scooped Celeste who was already gasping for air. He carefully climbed up the stairs with astounding agility, his suit plastered to his body defining every muscle in a very appealing way that had Claudia gawking.

She had seen him naked, but it never stopped driving her crazy how perfect his body was. Marcello said nothing to her as he crossed with Celeste in his arms, but the deadly glare he sent her was enough to make hell freeze over.

"Mr and Mrs Ferdinand I believe I have overstayed my welcome" Marcello said tersely to the couple who rushed over when they heard Celeste's screams. He took the clean towel Merida had ordered a servant to bring to him.

Mr Clinton Ferdinand was terrified, the cold and toneless voice of Lorenzo Martino still tormented him and he just pissed his precious younger brother off.

"Mr Marcello I'm sorry about my daughter's misconduct please allow me to make a proper apology soon", he said nervously, but Marcello was already headed for his car.

He ignored the senator's attempt to butter him up and moved with Celeste in his arms who was still shivering to his car only pausing to give Merida a nod.

"Thank you for your hospitality Merida," he said then got into the car and drove off.

Merida sighed wistfully knowing Marcello would never know how she felt for him.

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Marcello wrapped the towel around Celeste's shoulders before he laid her carefully into the passenger's seat then got into the driver's seat and sped off after she gave him her address.

It had started to rain heavily when Marcello eventually parked in front of her apartment building, she was already drifting to sleep when he parked.

"Celeste wake up, you have to get out of the dress immediately" he whispered, tucking slowly drying tendrils behind her ear. Celeste became alert as she discovered they were parked in front of her building.

She stared out the car watching the rain fall against the screen. Marcello had turned on the heater to help her stay warm.

"I will call my roommate to bring me an umbrella," she said quietly with a tender smile taking off the towel wrapped around her.

Unfortunately, the silk dress clung to her skin and the left sleeve had slipped off exposing fine pale skin. Marcello's eyes zeroed in on the sight before him, Celeste smiled her thanks totally unaware of the seductive sight she presented.

She reached for her purse to get her phone and Marcello grabbed her hand, she was startled by the sudden fluid movement which she hadn't seen coming.

He held her gaze, his golden eyes growing darker as his hand tightened around hers. Celeste could hardly breathe, the heat from his touch seeping into her body. It seemed as if time paused at that moment, and Celeste felt like she was drowning in a sea of gold.

'Is he going to kiss me?' Celeste thought as his eyes drifted to her lips before settling back on her eyes.

"I suggest you keep the towel Miss Bellamy," he said roughly, letting go of her hand and drawing away from her. Celeste was stunned and disappointed when he drew away from her.

"I'm already home, I can ask my roommate to bring me a towel" she murmured before calling Isabella.

"Bella please could come downstairs to the car with an umbrella and a towel" she whispered,

"On it, see you in a minute," Isabella said before ending the call. Celeste sat tensed as she kept replaying the last few minutes in her head.

"I apologize for Claudia's selfish actions," he said to her, Celeste turned surprised "It's fine I understand," she said calmly and he nodded.

She was not getting the hint, and Marcello's patience was straining. Thankfully her blasted roommate would be coming soon, he would have offered her the umbrella in his car but she was probably going to insist her roommate was coming.

The vision was imprinted in his head slowly tormenting him. He sat keeping his eyes trained on the apartment, but his other senses decided to betray him. Tiny wisps of the faint scent of lily and jasmine started floating towards him, reminding him constantly of the woman beside him.

He could feel himself growing hard and he cursed himself, disgusted by his reaction. There was no difference between him and a pervert if he was getting turned on by her even though she almost lost her life because of him.

Celeste kept stealing glances at him, hoping that Isabella would take forever to come and get her.

After some minutes when Marcello thought he would probably lose it, someone tapped on his screen.

He lowered the screen a bit and looked at the big brown eyes that stared at him, the owner screamed and backed away. He watched as the lady darted over to Celeste's side and stood waiting.

Isabella was shocked and terrified to see Marcello, she had expected some new boyfriend and had been excited for Celeste who had not dated anyone since her one-sided love for Mr. Martino four years ago.

Seeing him now was a shocking surprise, but she secretly hoped that it meant more for the sake of Celeste.

He unlocked the door for Celeste since his condition prevented him from leaving the car and helping her out.

"Good night Celeste," he said huskily as she moved to leave the car, and she smiled.

"Goodnight Mr Martino," she said, before stepping out of the car. Isabella who had avoided the driver's seat as soon as she discovered who the driver was held out the umbrella as Celeste dodged under.

After Celeste had wrapped the towel Isabella brought, the two of them went inside the building.

Marcello took deep breaths before turning the conditioner to full blast, instantly freezing up the car before driving away.