“What’s so special about me? Celeste asked.
Marcus took a bite of his fried chicken and replied. “When other women eat with me, they usually act all prim and proper, trying to keep up appearances. But you’re different. You don’t put on an act at all”
Celeste wondered. Is he complimenting me or just calling me uncivilized in a roundabout way?‘
“I hate pretending to be something I’m not. So don’t worry, I won’t put on a show for you.” Celeste said.
With that. Celeste continued eating her barbecue without hesitation under Marcus’s gaze.
Watching her. Marcus smirked and ate his food quietly. It didn’t taste like much–just salty, really.
Marcus glanced at the plate of fries next to her and commented. “Yours looks like it has way more seasoning than mine.”
Celeste responded, “That’s because I’m not injured, but you are. To keep your wound from itching while it heals, I told them to leave out the extra seasoning. You’ll just have to make do.”
Marcus raised a brow. That’s p
pretty thoughtful of you.”
“It’s just what a caregiver should do,” Celeste replied. Noticing him eyeing her salad and fried chicken, she asked, “You want to try mine?”
“Yeah Marcus nodded.
Celeste chuckled. “Alright, since you look so pitiful, I’ll let you have a taste.”
“Pitiful! Marcus barely had time to react before Celeste scooped some salad and fried chicken onto his plate. “Go ahead.”
“She really means it when she says “a taste, huh? Marcus murmured, picking up his fork and taking a bite.
Having never eaten street food before, Marcus finally understood Celeste’s enthusiasm. He had to admit–this cheap stuff actually tasted pretty damn good.
Without a second thought, Marcus grabbed a fork and started eating her salad and fried chicken.
Just as Celeste was about to stop him, her phone rang in her bag. She swiped to answer. “Hello?”
“Celeste, you’re not coming home again tonight?” Amara asked.
Again Celeste cleared her throat and replied. “Mom, I still have some things to take care of, so I probably won’t make it back tonight. But I promise Ill come home tomorrow,
Amara sighed. Why is my daughter busier than me?
Amara continued, “If something’s wrong and you can’t handle it alone,
alone, you can tell me. Don’t keep everything to yourself, okay!”
“I know, Mom. Don’t worry about me. Get some rest, Celeste reassured her before hanging up.
When she put her phone away, Celeste turned to see her fried chicken and salad nearly gone. Marcus had even moved on to her barbecue.
Celeste was speechless ‘Is he seriously eating like this? she wondered.
Then Celeste snatched the barbecue from his hand. “Mr. Hale, I told you–you can’t eat stuff like this right now. Why do you listen?”
Marcus grabbed a napkin casually and wiped his mouth. “If I can’t eat this, then what do you expect me to eat?*
Celeste wanted to say. I literally gave you normal fried chicken and salad, but since he’d already eaten everything, there wasn’t much
left to my.
Forget it. You’ve already finished, so I won’t nag. Hut don’t do it again,” Celeste replied,
Celeste picked up her coffee and cake, eating quietly. After finishing, they took a walk outside, grabbed a hot dog on the way, and then caught a cab back to the hospital.
1/2
10:14 AM c ch
Chapter 50
As soon as they stepped into the hospital room, Celeste spotted a stylishly dressed middle–aged woman sitting on the couch, staring at
Marcus browned. “Mom” What are you doing here this late?”
Nora stood up, slinging her purse over her arm. She souled. “You’re my son. Do I need a reason to visit?
Even so, Nota never showed up unannounces like this. If she came without a word, there had to be more to it than just checking in on him
Marcus shot Celeste a look, signaling her to leave. Just as she turned to go, Nora called out. “You must be the caregiver my son hired?”
Celeste replies politely, “That’s right”
Nora gave her a once–over. “You’re quite pretty. That tell me, do all caregivers wear makeup as thick as yours? You look just like some cheap clubs girl”
Celeste didn’t say a wond
Marcus’s expression darkened. He spoke up. “Mom, Ms. Suclair wore this because she just walked the closing show for my company She’s usually kare–faced”
When Nora heard Marcus speak up to defend Celeste, her face soured. She thought, ‘So Isolde is right–Marcus really does care about this woman. A mere caregiver, and she thinks she can latch onto my son?
Nora’s gaze sharpened as she turned back to Celeste. “Well, I never would’ve guessed. So Ms. Sinclair isn’t just a caregiver–she moonlights as a model, too?”
Nora continued, “You look familiar. Haven’t I seen you before? Maybe with some big–shot businessman… caught in the act?
Celeste sighed internally ‘Oh, so she’s here for me tonight. And exactly who is she implying?”
Celeste had no intention of letting Nora trample all over her. With a sweet smile, she shot back. “You look familiar too, Mrs. Hale. What, just because I recognize you, does that mean I saw you getting caught with some nan at a hotel?”
Nora’s face twisted in fury. “Ms. Sinclair, watch your words. That’s slander,”
“Then maybe you should watch yours too, Mrs. Hale. I have a reputation to protect, Celeste said.
“You-“Nora was so livad she couldn’t even for a sentence. She turned to Marcus. “Marcus, this woman has no manners! She’s all talk and no work. She’s not fit to be your caregiver, Let her go–I’ll find you someone better.
Marcus rubbed his temple, exhausted. “Mom, I can decide for myself whether Celeste is the right person to take care of me. Stay out of
Tn. your mother! If I don’t look k after you, who will?” Nora retorted.
With that. Nora pulled a thick stack of cash from her bag and shoved it at Celeste. “My son is the heir of the Hale family. He’s of high status, and his caregiver should match that. Clearly, you don’t. So you’re fired.”
AD
