Even though bringing Celeste over to my house for dinner with my Dad was my idea, somehow I felt strange about bringing her over. 'I have eaten with her alone before why does this feel different.' I was not sure how I felt if it was nervousness, fear, or even a perverted form of excitement but whatever it was made me feel... odd.
I could not focus so I decided to head home. My plan was initially to just paint for a bit to relax and work from home but instead I did everything else but that.
I did my laundry, washed all the dishes and cleaned up all the common areas. I even deep cleaned and organized my bedroom. Taking all the sheets and cleaning them and making sure all my clothes and stuff was put away.
' Stupid. It's not like they are gonna be eating in my room.' I felt dumb but I was already too deep and I never start something I won't finish.
Eventually I finished. I sat for a bit before looking at the time. 'Well I'll be damned, even with all that work I still have a lot of time to get ready.' I felt gross after running around my house for a bulk of the day so I showered.
The weather was still hot but the nights were starting to get cooler. I was like a portable heater so in the summer when its just me at home I would wear shorts and a tank to keep cool but knowing Celeste unless it was just the two of us, she would never be 'that' casual. So I decided on a large cream t-shirt and some dickies black pants. 'Well this is about as dressed up I would go for for an at home dinner.'
Since both of them were aware of my extensive tattoos I was not worried about covering them up. I checked the time again and it was now finally time for me to go meet Celeste.
When I saw her I was surprised. 'How is she not boiling in that?' Her dress was a long sleeve and seemed to be a thick material. She even shivered slightly at the light breeze. 'I guess it makes sense, her hands always are cold so she must not retain body heat well.'
I brought her back to my apartment and my Dad started what he came here for. When he mentioned wanting to talk with Celeste alone in my office that threw me for a loop.
My Dad was someone who liked to hide his cards and keep the mystery of his thoughts and motives. At least in business. At home he is an open book. He rarely hide his thoughts from me especially since it did not take long for me to figure them out.
So him hiding this from me was unusual. I had no idea what he could give to Celeste that I was not allowed to see.
Both got up from the kitchen table and made their way to my office which was adjacent to us. Celeste had a passive look on her face but her hands told me of the nervousness she was feeling. She was gripping the side of her dress.
Watching her back walking away evoked a feeling that I thought I had buried many years ago in high school. That memory flashed in my head and I felt the strong urge to get up and follow them in.
My Dad must have sensed my feelings as he stopped right at the door and let Celeste go in first and once she was out of sight he gave me a strong stern look. It stopped me right before I could even get up. He shut the door once he entered and everything became quiet.
I immediately pulled out my phone and pulled up the app which had all the recordings from my security cameras. I pulled up the time that he arrived but the footage left me with more questions than answers.
He came in holding only the bags of food he brought but nothing else. He even left his suitcase by the door which had not been moved or touched since he left it. I was not worried about what he would say or do because he was a noble man. I was more so concerned about what was going on in his head to not tell me.
'What could he offer to a girl who has everything and is basically his equal in wealth and power.' I wanted to give her privacy incase it was something sensitive but my curiosity got the best of me. 'Celeste don't hate me for listening in.'
I gently pushed in my chair and treaded over to my office. I leaned my ear against the door to see if I could hear anything. My breath hitched when I heard the rumblings of my dads voice, just barely being able to make out what he is saying.
"....Offer....young lady like yourself..... deal of a lifetime." 'Damn what is he even offering her?' I pushed my ear harder against the door to see if I could make out more of their conversation. I heard Celestes voice but could not make out what she was saying. She generally is very soft spoken so I doubt I was going to decipher her words.
"...lifetime...marriage." WHAT. I was just about to slam my fist into the door. I quickly brought it to my mouth instead and bit my fist hard. 'Old man what the hell are you offering her. Are you pimping out your own son, do you want to see me settle down and have a child that badly?!'
I turned away from the door and thought over being married to Celeste. I wasn't going to delude myself, I know I would be happy but the biggest question was whether she would be happy with me. Her past with Felix, though I know nothing about the details surrounding their breakup, was a painful one. So I was not sure how ready she was to jump into another relationship.
'Would she accept me?' I heard movement from inside which pulled me from my thoughts and made me rush back to the kitchen table. 'Fuck I missed what happened after.' I sat back down and pulled up a game from my phone though I had no interest in actually playing it.
Celeste and my Dad came out from inside and she held a folded paper in her palms. "Think carefully about what I said. That offer is a promise." She titled her head and gave a slight bow. "Thank you Mr.Cortez I will consider them strongly."
"Well I think I will head back, enjoy the rest your evening kiddos." My dad headed off and as soon as he shut the door I turned to Celeste. "Care to share was that was about Princess?"