Chapter 55: Chapter 55
Conversation swirled like honey. The Carlisles had a way of bringing everyone in, even if they’d just met you that night. Nana had joined the rhythm easily, adding to stories, laughing warmly, even teasing Dominic once or twice, which everyone seemed to enjoy more than he did.
Celeste watched it all with a swelling heart. She’d been to dinners before, sure. But this one... this wasn’t just about eating. It was about belonging. It was about being seen.
"Celeste," Mrs. Carlisle said from across the table, resting her chin on her hand. "We never really asked.... you’ve been quiet."
Celeste smiled. "I’ve just been... taking it in." She wanted to say she had no stories to add as funny as theirs, but decided to suck it in. She can’t ruin the atmosphere.
Mrs. Carlisle smiled back. "Well, you’re part of the story now."
"I second that," Amara added, raising her glass. "To Celeste... who might pretend she likes to hide in shadows, but shines way too brightly for that."
A round of raised glasses followed. "To Celeste."
She blinked quickly, suppressing emotion. Dominic’s hand curled tighter around hers under the table.
Even Jamal, mid-bite of a second helping of rice, chimed in. "Honestly, I thought Amara made you up for the first two months. Like an imaginary best friend. You were always ’Celeste this, Celeste that’."
"Same," said another cousin. "We almost had an intervention."
Celeste laughed along, cheeks flushed with warmth. "I’d say I’m flattered... but also slightly alarmed."
"You should be," Amara replied.
Dominic smiled this time. A real one. He was glad she had families before he knew her, and she met Landon.
Dominic leaned closer to her ear, and whispered. "Can I steal you away now?"
Celeste smiled, feeling goosebumps all over her skin in a good way as his breath played with her. "You’ve barely eaten," she whispered back.
"You’re not fully comfortable," she added, reading his eyes.
Dominic nodded. The place was too crowded for him.
Celeste turned slightly to Dominic, his whisper still tingling at her ear. The low murmur of conversation continued to bubble around them like warm stew, but Dominic’s focus was squarely on her.
"I’d like to leave," he said softly.
She nodded slowly, eyes scanning the table. Everyone was still engaged in hearty conversation, and no one would notice their departure—except one.
"Nana," Celeste said, gently pulling her hand from Dominic’s to touch the older woman’s arm. Nana looked at her with raised brows, the corners of her mouth already hinting at knowing amusement.
"We’ll be heading out now," Celeste said.
Nana’s eyes flicked briefly to Dominic, who had risen and offered a hand to help Celeste up. "Will you be fine alone?" Celeste added, a concerned frown forming.
Nana waved her hand airily, as though dismissing the thought. "This family could keep a person entertained for days. I’ll be just fine. Go, both of you. Take a breather."
Dominic offered Nana a slight incline of his head. It was formal, and reserved. But his eyes lingered on her longer than usual, and Nana noticed. She gave him a small wink and whispered to Celeste, "You got him good."
Celeste chuckled.
Dominic led her out through the front door into the calm evening air. The stars had begun to litter the sky, and now loved the entire sky. Whenever he saw the moon, he thought of Celeste.
He opened the car door for her and rounded to the driver’s seat in silence. He didn’t start the car right away.
Celeste glanced over. "You okay?"
He nodded but didn’t speak.
"Dominic." Her tone was gentler now. "You were great in there. I know it’s not your kind of crowd."
"I didn’t like the noise. But I don’t regret it," he replied simply, turning the ignition. "And you deserve it. All of it."
Celeste smiled, and let him take her hand in his.
The drive was quiet, not uncomfortable, but charged with something Celeste couldn’t name yet. He didn’t say where they were going, and she didn’t ask. The city lights slipped past them like watercolor streaks on glass, and she leaned against the window, content in the silence.
After a while, they turned into a quieter neighborhood. The neighborhood was too quiet, too polished, and too expensive. Celeste frowned.
"Where are we?" she asked.
Dominic didn’t answer. He simply smiled as he parked in front of a tall modern building. The building screamed exclusivity.
They got out, and he led her into the building. The doorman nodded at Dominic respectfully, already familiar. No words were exchanged. An elevator ride later, they arrived at the top floor.
The doors opened into a wide space—glass walls, high ceilings, and floors so clean Celeste felt guilty walking on them. The living room looked like something out of an architectural magazine, with minimalist furniture, a fireplace embedded in a concrete wall, and a view of the entire city skyline spread beneath the stars.
"This isn’t a hotel," she said slowly.
"No. It’s yours."
She blinked. "What?"
Dominic turned to her. In his palm sat a single key card.
She stared at it like it was a foreign object. "Dominic, this isn’t.... what are you talking about?" she looked visibly terrified.
He didn’t smile, just stepped forward and placed the key in her hand.
"This is my gift to you." He said, with all the softness in the world.
She looked up at him, stunned. "You got me a whole apartment?"
"A home," he corrected. "One you can run to when you want. Where no one else can touch you. Where it’s quiet, and safe, and yours."
"I wanted to give you something permanent. Something you can walk into and call yours. Not because you need it. But because you deserve it."
"Dominic, this is too much," she whispered, stepping back, keys trembling in her palm. "I can’t take this."
"Yes, you can," he replied, stepping closer. "You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Celeste. But if you ask me if this was worth it?" He gestured around them. "Then yes. Every single stone, tile, wire, everything here is worth it for the look on your face right now."
She blinked, her heart thudding.
"There’s space here for you to write, to read, to breathe. Its just two bedrooms. A study. And... you should see the view at dawn."
She remained quiet.