Just like her smile, the room's heavy atmosphere lifted like a fog in the early hours.
It started with Erickson's sign of respect for this woman, simply by standing up from his chair and walking toward her, his face beaming with pleasure and his arms stretched wide open.
Celeste looked over at her future father-in-law, experiencing mood swings from being there for less than half an hour.
One moment, she was afraid but hopeful for herself; the next, surprised; then uncomfortable and afraid for Tiel, and now this. Everything was happening so fast, she didn't have time to process what was happening.
Observing the current events, Celeste guessed she was Avond and Tiel's mother—Nirmala Brightwell, the matriarch of the Brightwell empire.
Her slim figure and beautiful face shone brightly with her smile. She accepted her husband's embrace like a sweet kiss, but she was too shy to accept it in front of strangers. She half-pushed Erickson—or Rick, as she called him—with enough affection to send him the wrong message. She wanted him to embrace her, playing hard to get.
"Mother, welcome back," Avond said with a new gentle tone Celeste had never heard from him. The men around them bowed deeply. Only Tiel, who was injured, did not bow or say anything.
This caught Nirmala's attention immediately. She looked over Erickson's shoulder. "Tilly, is that how you greet your mother? In silence?" she demanded. Erickson looked over his shoulder as well, the glint in his eyes murderous.
Tiel looked up, embarrassed but also annoyed. "Welcome back, Mother," he said. Nirmala nodded approvingly, then returned to showering the unpredictable, cruel man with tender kisses.
Tilly, Celeste thought, glancing at Tiel, who noticed just a second later. He looked even more embarrassed and looked away. Who is this man? Celeste thought, slightly amused by this side of him.
Celeste then glanced at Avond, who looked at her apologetically, as if he was embarrassed by his family. Celeste couldn't bring herself to smile; he shouldn't be embarrassed—he should be concerned.
She knew there were different kinds of families, running on different dynamics and different kinds of abuse. But this one was of a different kind.
In their silent conversation, Avond brushed his fingers against hers so lightly it might have been an accident.
Celeste lowered her gaze, feeling her heart race in her chest once again. How can he do this? Knowing she was engaged to be married to his brother? Didn't he know he was just causing more pain?
Suddenly, Tiel lost his balance.
Celeste was the closest to him when Tiel fell to his knees and collapsed on the floor. She put her hands over her mouth in surprise while Avond was beside him within a second, checking whether he was alright.
Celeste joined him. Up close, Tiel was more beaten up than she had initially thought. Avond shrugged. "He's just tired from running around looking for Celeste. He's sleeping."
As if on cue, Tiel started to snore softly. His upper cheeks had started to turn blue, and his lower lip, which was cut, had stopped bleeding.
Celeste looked around, confused, as no one seemed to care at all. None of the men moved to help, while both Erickson and Nirmala looked on as if this was a common occurrence—like stubbing a toe.
Nirmala walked over to her last-born and then looked at him lovingly. "Awh, my little soldier, he can sleep anywhere. Just like his father."
"Damn right," Erickson said with pride. He returned to his position or rather his throne. Then, with a snap of his fingers, two men moved to pick Tiel up off the floor.
Celeste was about to stand when a beautifully smooth, jewel-adorned hand appeared in front of her face.
Towering over her, Nirmala smiled confidently. "Come now, dear, a woman should never be seen on her knees. It is unbecoming," she said, then pulled Celeste up as soon as she took her hand.
"Unless, of course, it's with the right company," Nirmala whispered in her ear, then winked. Celeste's lips parted as Nirmala put her arm over Celeste's shoulders, casually pulling her outside.
But before they left, Nirmala looked back, waving a hand at her husband. "Come home soon, my love! We'll be celebrating our new daughter-in-law!" Then she blew a kiss. Avond stayed behind.
Celeste had never met someone so full of energy and life. She walked out of that office like a model. Her body swayed like an elegant bamboo tree blown by a hard breeze.
"So, darling, how has life been for you? I heard all the horrible things my son did; I'm so sorry about that. He's prickly at best, that one; sometimes…" Nirmala's words hung as she opened the door for Celeste to pass into a comfortable lounge area. "…even I can't understand what's happening in his mind."
Celeste smiled and just nodded. She looked around the area, knowing it was decorated especially for Nirmala.
It had the same taste as her clothes—simple but elegant, with a hint of luxury. The room was decorated with crystal vases and old wooden chests set to invite curious eyes.
It was large enough that it was separated into two sections, one hidden behind a lovely round divider over a wall of shelved books. Tiel was carried to the back of the shelves, where Celeste guessed there could be a bed for him to rest on.
"Now, dear, look at me," Nirmala said, which Celeste did automatically. Her eyes widened as Nirmala spoke to her in sign language. The older woman asked what she would like to drink, to which Celeste simply answered, "Anything is fine."
Afterward, Nirmala took a seat on the other sofa across from Celeste and beckoned her not to be shy and sit as well. Celeste was still surprised that Nirmala, of all people, could speak sign language. And she spoke it very well.
"While we wait for the beverages, why don't you tell me why you decided to come back? You were doing a good job hiding. I'm very impressed," Nirmala said with a small grin. She genuinely looked impressed and curious.
Celeste could only look down, embarrassed at receiving compliments she did not deserve. Technically, Avond had found her.
Celeste explained quickly and briefly, not giving away any details, and explained that she just got lucky.
"No luck has ever saved anyone from the sharks, my dear, believe me. I think you have amazing talent, and considering you'll be a part of the family, I think you should start working with us! What do you think of becoming a shark?" Nirmala asked, a little too excited for Celeste's liking.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Celeste couldn't bring herself to say no or that she'd think about it. But then again, what did she have to lose? She was going to be part of the family anyway.
"What is a shark?" Celeste asked instead.
"It's just a word taken from loan sharks. But now it has an exclusive meaning. It's anyone who works for the Brightwells. We're the only loan agency outside the bank that is legally allowed to stand. Did you know that?" she asked, leaning back against the soft white furry pillow adorning the sofa.
No, Celeste did not know that.
All she knew was that they were a casino family or involved in other morally depraved night activities. She nodded understandingly, then smiled.
"What would I do?" Celeste asked then, unwilling to let the fire burning in Nirmala's eyes vanish. Her future mother-in-law seemed to see a future Celeste couldn't fathom.
"Why, the same as what I did when I first started out. I went and collected debts, charged pimps for roaming on our streets, and kept track of drug distribution. It's a great opportunity for you to get to know Tiel better since you two will get married." Nirmala explained. Celeste felt her heart race the moment she heard everything she needed to do.
Someone like her? Doing that kind of job? What business are they running here?
Suddenly, realization dawned on her, Avond's words echoing in her mind.
Once you're in the life, you stay in the life.
She started hyperventilating.
The Brightwells were a mafia family.