Raffy leaned in for a kiss when he felt a palm covering his lips. Max grabbed his face and brusquely pushed him away from Celine. ‘I think you’ve squeezed and sniffed my girlfriend enough.’ Raffy almost fell flat on his back when Max released him and wiped his hand on his trousers.
‘Oh baby, you’re back. I missed you,’ Celine said before reaching up for a kiss.
Max touched his lips briefly to hers and whispered, ‘Babe, your father is watching right now. Let’s not give him ammunition to fire on both of us.’
Celine looked at her father and glared at him. ‘I don’t care. You can take me in front of everyone here to prove we are together.’ she said a little too indignantly as she tightened her hold on his neck.
Victoria Manchester’s house was impressive. It was located in the hilly neighborhood of La Jolla, overlooking the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Max walks through the wrought iron doors welcomed by the high vaulted ceilings and double staircase framing the foyer. Underneath the staircase was an archway that led to the most stunning living room he has ever seen. It was fortified by an elaborate stone fireplace, travertine floors, and arched windows that doubled up as doors that opened out into the garden, giving everyone a clear view of the pathway that led down to the beach.‘Would you like to take a tour of my home?’ Tory came down from the dramatic staircase, making her grand entrance.‘Your house is gorgeous, but I do not want to bother you.’‘No, come, I have nothing to do
‘No, but…’ Tory raised her right brow. ‘What? You think you’re the only one who can do it?’ ‘I’m not going to defend myself. What I do with the men in those pictures is my business, but if you should know. Most of them are business deals, just like the one you are entering now. I don’t require the men to sleep with me. Plus, most of them could've been my son. What would he think if he found out I slept with men who could have been one of your friends... I mean his friends.’ ‘So do not worry, Max Johnson, I am not here to sleep with you. And please call me Tory as everyone does. It’s my designer label.’ ‘So what is it you really need from me?’ ‘Nothing. I wanted to be your friend.’ She smiled as she picked up the dessert spoon. ‘I don’t want Nathan and his kind to succeed. They should change their ways already. Plus, I want you to get the girl and be happy because that makes me happy.’ She said as she looked at him sincerely. Tory’s face was so expressive, and it looked like she
CelineAfter I kissed Max in front of my father, things only spiraled down from that day. They expected me at dinner every day, and there was no excuse. I’m hating coming home. No matter how much I love my parents, I’m beginning to despise them too, especially my dad. For the past few days, they have been inviting people to have dinner at our place.They had one line. ‘Oh, surprise honey, look who decided to visit? They dropped by only because they were in the area.’I’ve never seen so many people randomly visit my house as I did this month. And of course, not to be rude, I also had one answer for them before I walked out and left them with their dessert.‘I have a boyfriend, and I am sorry my parents wasted your family’s time, but I love my boyfriend, and we are not breaking up. He is the VP of marketing at SST. Look it up.’So by the time I met Max that weekend, I was so high-strung I was ready to rip o
‘Why are you guys inside our suite? Who let you in?’ Clara demanded when she finally got her affairs in order.‘We got in last night, and you said you wanted to rehearse and set up the equipment before the presentation, so here we are. Tada!’ Max said with jazz hands waving in the air. She just rolled her eyes.‘You guys are too early. I still need a nap. Baz didn’t let me sleep last night. Please leave.’ she plopped down on the sofa, snuggled with a pillow, then yawned and closed her eyes.‘Clara, are you serious? Do you really want us to leave?’ Jeremy asked. He stood up, ready to leave at a moment’s notice. After everything else, he will always do what will be best for Clara, so if she wants to rest, then he would leave her alone and herd the group
Downstairs, the hotel staff had cleared the entire outdoor area to accommodate the most important event happening today. They place an arch covered in vines and calla lilies on the outer edge, overlooking the beach and the sea.Sebastian tried to do everything not to let the cat out of the bag. This event was going to be a surprise. And even though deep in his heart he knew her answer, that she wanted to marry him, he still couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about her reaction. Clara was not a simple person. She was very complex in her reactions and outbursts. He prayed to all the gods in heaven to help them today.There was no denying that as soon as Clara steps in front of the doors that led to the patio, she would know what he had planned for her because waiting at the door was her father, Nathan Jacobs. Ready to give her away.
During the wedding their family had a truce, all for Clara’s sake. Celine declared a ceasefire and said hello to her parents. Took a few pictures with her sister like they were one happy family, even though underneath, there was tension every time Nathan Jacobs, her father, glared at Max. If she did not like him now, she knows that whatever she does will never please him. So she concentrated on having a good time with Max instead.They were slow dancing to the music, Celine’s arms wrapped around Max’s neck while he had his arms around her waist. ‘I keep on telling your dad and anybody that would listen that I would marry you someday, but I never asked if you would want to marry me? I don’t see myself with anyone else other than you in my life forever, and my heart breaks every time your parents say no to me, but I would like to ask you, anyway. Celine Marie Jacobs, would you m
‘Let’s go to Vegas and get married.’ Celine blurted while she lay on the sun lounger with her eyes closed.Max looks at her disbelievingly. ‘What?!?’ She opened her eyes, surprised by his tone.‘Let’s get married. I figured my dad would never agree to us getting married. He will just keep trying to find someone, and I will keep saying no.’ she shrugged as she gauged Max’s reaction. She wondered if he would say no.‘To eliminate all the drama. Let’s do it. So he can’t say no.’ She sat up and stared at him directly.‘I’m… I’m not disagreeing with you. The idea passed through my mind, and I was going to ask you about it. It’s just weird that you said it first.
The wedding was simple, with no fanfare, and a cute little old lady playing the piano. But you could feel that the atmosphere surrounding their group was full of promise and of love.Sebastian rented a limo to usher them around town, from the hotel to shops to get her dress, the license office, and the chapel. Celine felt like a celebrity as she alighted from her carriage.Celine was happy that Clara volunteered to come with them to Vegas. She was confident this is what she wanted to do, but she still felt a bit scared that the consequences of her actions would be catastrophic once her parents learned about her marriage. But she shook her head and dispelled that thought as she let the excitement from the people around her take over and have Max’s love overpower every doubt she had in her mind.Celine bought a