Celeste was getting tired of making small talk with strangers, she had been searching for Marcello and still no sign of him.
Just when she thought she would excuse herself and retire to her room, she bumped into the nicest guy she had ever met. Harold Reese was funny, and sweet as he got her laughing her heart out within minutes of their conversation.
"So tell me princess how long will it take to find a way to your heart" Harold said, bringing her hand to his lips while gazing at her with striking blue eyes.
Celeste blushed prettily as she imagined those eyes morphing into gold and belonging to the only man she wanted to hear those words from.
Marcello who had gotten to the last curve which led to the balcony faltered when he saw someone he had not expected to see at the wedding.
Lucia Caruso his first love and girlfriend. He was taken aback by how stunning she looked in the crimson evening dress. Those full cherub cheeks had sharpened into exotic facial features.
She was standing in front of a painting depicting a ruined castle, she took a delicate sip from the wine glass she held and then tucked her hair behind her ear.
He had broken up with her to focus on VALVERRA back then, he still remembered the torn look on her face that night but instead of yelling, she had kissed him and promised to wait for him.
That had been 12 years ago, he wondered if she recognized him now or if she still waited. Suddenly he remembered the real reason he had been heading upstairs, now he thought of it, it seemed like a foolish idea.
Celeste was his Secretary and a young lady who had every right to have fun and talk to whoever she wanted, but he still felt uneasy at the thought of her laughing or smiling with any man who wasn't him.
He needed to put an end to those errant thoughts if he didn't want to get into trouble. With that in mind, he decided to make peace with Lucia and go back downstairs.
"You still love gazing at paintings," He said leaning against the wall. Lucia's head jerked quickly in his direction, and he watched as recognition registered on her face.
"Mar...Marcello," She said in a choked whisper then broke into a run as tears ran down her cheeks. Marcello immediately took the wine glass out of her hand as he returned her embrace.
"Chipmunk easy I'm not as young as I used to be" he teased, pleasantly surprised by her reaction. Lucia looked at him, her arms still wrapped around him as she broke into a tender smile.
"My goodness, I was expecting you but I'm still surprised Marcello," she said, Marcello grinned then carefully unwrapped her arms from around him before downing her wine in one gulp.
She snorted and rolled her eyes,
"Still stealing things from me Marcello" she chided.
He smirked and bent lower with a knowing smile as he whispered to her, "What have I said about giving me an attitude" he said in a low rumble which scattered goosebumps over Lucia's skin.
She flushed as she remembered that those were the exact words he said the night he became her first. The air around them charged as memories flooded their thoughts, and her lids drooped lower turning her gaze seductive.
Marcello had meant it as a joke and it had backfired on him, as all their fond memories came rushing back. Before he could try to change the subject, Lucia captured his lips in a fierce kiss.
Her hands soon began a familiar exploration of his body and Marcello couldn't decide if he enjoyed the kiss or not, considering they had not seen each other for years.
"I hope we are not interrupting anything," an amused voice said breaking through the passionate haze of the couple. Marcello looked up to see who had talked, and his blank expression turned frosty.
Harold was grinning with his arm around Celeste's waist. Marcello quickly shoved Lucia aside which caused her to frown as she followed his eyes to Celeste who was looking anywhere but them.
'Who is she and what's Marcello's relationship with her' she thought.
Marcello locked his eyes on Harold's hand around Celeste's waist and his eyes narrowed. He was about to match forward and punch Harold in the guts when he caught himself. She was free to be with anyone and he needed to get a grip on himself.
"Mr. Martino pleasure to meet you, I'm Harold Reese a Senior editor at DAILY BOOKS PUBLISHING COMPANY", Harold said extending his hand as he approached Marcello.
Marcello nodded and accepted the handshake while keeping his eyes on Celeste who preferred the view of the marble floors to the individuals around her.
"Allow me to introduce Miss Celeste Bellamy my..." Harold was saying when Marcello cut him off,
"My Secretary," he said coldly, Harold was confused at first until it sank in, and then he turned shocked eyes to Celeste who was looking at Marcello with hurt eyes.
"You should have mentioned you were his Secretary that's an amazing princess," he said and Celeste turned to him with a small smile,
"Must've skipped my mind" she said in a barely audible voice that had Harold worried.
"Are you alright princess?" He asked tenderly. There it was again, that blasted endearment Marcello thought, the intimate way Harold talked to Celeste was starting to get on his nerves.
"I'm fine, I just need to lie down," Celeste said in a small voice and Harold nodded.
"Mr Martino and Miss..." He said, pausing when he turned to Lucia.
"Hi honey I'm Lucia Caruso model and girlfriend to Marcello," she said with a sly smile as she kept her eyes on Celeste who had turned white as a sheet of paper and was staring at her.
Marcello turned to Lucia shocked by her response.
"What are you talking about Lucia," he asked,
"What? I told you I'll be waiting" she said shrugging when she saw his shocked expression.
"We will take our leave and let you continue, I have to get Miss Bellamy to her room since she seems unwell," Harold said with a polite smile, leading Celeste gently away from them.
Before they could cross by, Marcello placed a hand on Harold's chest stopping him,
"I'll take her myself," he said
Harold was surprised and he turned to Celeste, but she shook her head.
"I'll be fine Mr Martino, Harold can take me down," she said calmly.
Marcello was in a tight spot. He didn't want to create the wrong impression and also he had already promised himself that he would stop his wandering thoughts about Celeste, so he nodded and let them go.
"Okay then take her to her room, I hope the rest of your stay is comfortable," Marcello said and Harold nodded, then continued helping Celeste downstairs.
"Your Secretary is beautiful," Lucia said with a knowing look, wrapping her arms around Marcello. He knew she was baiting him, and he was uncomfortable about the subject she was trying to bring up since he was trying to figure himself out.
"What do you mean by you being my girlfriend?" He asked. Lucia smiled at the obvious change in topic then placed a quick kiss on his lips before stepping away to survey him.
He had changed from the beautiful boy she had fallen in love with to a gorgeous and handsome man.
"I told you I'll wait," she said,
"You can't possibly be waiting for 12 years Lucia don't gives me that bullshit" he replied and she grinned.
"Well you're right I got married and we recently got divorced," she said,
"So that's why you decided to seek me out?" he queried folding his arms.
Lucia smiled sadly, "Don't you want to know why I got divorced?" she asked with a small smile.
"I don't see how that should interest me," Marcello said,
"it was because I always called out your name when he fucks me," she said staring him in the eyes.