CHAPTER 20

Celeste stretched her languid body. She had just had the most ridiculous and realistic dream. It was similar to her usual daydreams but this one felt more realistic.

She lay in between white sheets, her long black hair fanned across the pillows as she stared at the ceiling while her brain restarted her entire frame.

She turned to her nightstand, and on top of it stood an elegant but vintage globe-shaped alarm clock which was made of silver. She stared at it without actually looking at it, then when she did, she sat up quickly in shock.

It was 10:25 am and she was still in bed, her boss was going to murder her. She dashed out of bed, ignoring the sheets which flopped to the ground as she hurried to wash up.

When she finished, she changed into a maroon lace dress and quickly dashed out of her room.

The first thing she noticed was the amazing and breathtaking transformation of the entire house which took her by surprise.

The previous wedding decor of emerald green and rich purple had changed to navy and gold interior decor. The house looked similar to a palace now in its refined and elegant decor.

Celeste was confused by the changes, were they expecting someone important? She walked down the newly polished spiral stairs, taking in the new ornamental designs. At the bottom was Aunt Amelita giving orders to the young women carrying vases of flowers across the hall.

"Aunt Amelita good morning, is everything alright?" Celeste asked, reaching out to carry the neatly folded towels in her hand.

"Morning dear...no don't worry, the bride isn't allowed to do anything besides supervise the wedding preparations" Aunt Amelita smiled, smacking her hands away from the towels.

Celeste frowned, what the hell was she talking about? Which bride? Was there another wedding celebration?

"Cara meu you're awake" a deep voice boomed from the top of the stairs, Celeste's head jerked up at the voice she loved, her heart stuttering at the endearment.

On seeing his face, her memories came flooding and she gasped as she remembered everything vividly. it wasn't a dream! It had actually happened!

She was getting married to the man of her dreams and she had been stupid enough to forget.

Lorenzo walked down the stairs, his huge frame as imposing as ever. His long legs ate up the stairs with each casual stride he took till he was standing close to her.

He looked as handsome as ever in the loose cream shirt which he left unbuttoned, showing off those muscled and tanned chest. He wore black slacks and his jet-black hair was in messy ruffles which only made him more alluring.

"Marcello...good... good morning," she said wide-eyed. His presence never failed to intoxicate her, and with his beautiful eyes holding her captive and his spicy scent filling her nose, Celeste couldn't help but swallow nervously.

Her body came alive as memories of how soft and tender his lips were when he kissed made her lose focus making her hold her breath just as he moved her hair behind her ears, before lifting her chin with his index fingers.

"You look as beautiful as ever Cara meu" he whispered gently, Celeste blushed furiously, not entirely used to hearing such tender words from someone who had acted indifferent to her these past few days while another woman clung to him.

Suddenly it occurred to her to find out his true feelings about her and also find out what his relationship with Lucia was like. But she decided to do that when they were alone.

Someone cleared their throat and broke Celeste's reverie and she turned to Aunt Amelita who she had completely forgotten.

Aunt Amelita was watching them with a sad smile, almost like she was happy for them but wasn't okay with something.

"I will attend to the kitchen and leave you two love birds to yourselves" She smiled,

"Is everything alright Aunt Amelita, you don't look happy, if the work is too much I can help out since I have nothing to do" Celeste said.

Aunt Amelita stared at her briefly and then asked her,

"Are you happy my dear?".

Celeste frowned completely taken aback by the question. She had not expected it. But before she could answer a warning growl emanated from Lorenzo and she turned towards him.

His gaze was fixed on Aunt Amelita in warning, his eyes like shards of molten lava. However, Aunt Amelita returned his look with defiance, silently daring him until he sighed and shook his head as if imploring her silence.

Celeste was confused at the exchange, was there something she needed to know about?

"Aunt Amelita..." She started, but the older woman placed her hand on Celeste's arm.

"It's fine dear, it's going to be alright okay," she said then walked away.

Celeste was left feeling more confused than before. She turned to Lorenzo whose eyes were trained on her, "Is there something wrong?" She asked,

"Not that I am aware of, why do you ask?" He questioned, staring at her intensely as if he was gauging her response.

"Nothing, I just feel odd that's all" she sighed, brushing off her suspicions not wanting to ruin her coming wedding.

"I apologize for not asking for your consent before giving them a go-ahead with the decorations. I felt that the pressure of planning will be too much on you but you can observe and make alterations whenever you feel" Lorenzo said.

Celeste shook her head and smiled,

"It's perfect Marcello, I love it"

Lorenzo's jaw clenched slightly in frustration. How he longed for her to say his name and not his brother's name but he couldn't get greedy now not when he was telling a lie.

"I'm glad to hear that Cara Meu," he said, placing a kiss on her forehead before pulling her in for a hug.

Her body felt soft under his touch, the enchanting and flowery scent of jasmine making him bury his nose into her hair. He kept a tight leash on his control as his body began responding to hers, not wanting to scare her off. He was going to .endure for as long as she could fall for him.

"Marcello, can I ask you a question?" Celeste murmured into his chest.

"Go ahead" he replied, making her lift her head to look at him. She stared, while carefully contemplating how to ask her question without pushing her luck.

"I know I was the first to confess my feelings and it's been four years since I have been nurturing it, waiting for a good chance..." She paused and Lorenzo hummed, nodding in encouragement for her to continue.

"But...I don't know how much you feel about me...I know I shouldn't be having these negative thoughts just before our wedding...I just feel lost...almost like I am forcing..." She faltered as she couldn't continue anymore.

Lorenzo's heart constricted as he listened to her insecurities. How had his brother been utterly blind to her feelings? Every word from her mouth affirmed her love for him, even the way she looked at him like he was all that mattered to her.

He knew why she felt this way considering the sudden switch from cold to warm attitude. But he swore to never make her feel like she wasn't loved enough.

Bringing her hand to his lips, Lorenzo kissed every finger one after the other while gazing deeply into her eyes. The misty green pools reminded him of the still lake that was at the back of their family's holiday villa.

His mother always took him and Marcello there to relax and play while she painted in the peace and quiet, always humming sweet lullaby which lured them to sleep whenever they were tired of playing.

"Celeste darling, I may not be able to butter up my words to convince you of my love, but Cara meu you have always captured my heart from the moment I laid my eyes on you. I may be going about this the wrong way but I promise you this, even if I have to spend eternity proving my love to you I will" He vowed.

Celeste's stomach did a deep dive and her heartbeat went crazy. The look of pure adoration in his eyes and how he spoke softly like it was a secret between them that bound them for eternity was all Celeste needed to know that her fears were baseless.

A single tear slipped down her face as her usual smile broke her tense expression.

"Thank you Marcello...it's just that seeing you with Lucia hurt me so bad and I lost hope of ever being with you," she said, burying her face as she broke down in tears.

"Shhh, no crying Cara meu or you'll bring bad luck on your day. You don't have to worry about Lucia, she was never in the picture." Lorenzo teased and she laughed.

"sorry about that, it was all too convincing so I believed the worst" she mumbled happily.

Lorenzo felt like a monster. He hated himself for lying to her, but he needed her more than he was scared to admit.

He had been talking to Luca in his office when a maid had come to tell him that she was awake. Before he could make a head or tail of what she said his feet were already dragging him toward her room leaving a stunned Luca behind.

And immediately he set his eyes on her from the top of the stairs, a calming peace spread through his body almost like a soothing balm on a deep gash.

"Am I interrupting something?" a familiar voice called, causing the couple to pull apart. Lorenzo looked to see who dared to speak in such a careless manner, only to see an older version of Celeste.

"Mom!" Celeste screamed, tearing herself from Lorenzo's side to launch herself on her mother. He instinctively reached out for her before holding back as he watched her glow with excitement while hugging her mother.

He would enjoy it now because soon she would probably look at him with hatred in her eyes and that thought alone terrified him.