Chapter 4 Move in Together

After that, the old gentleman turned to his precious grandson and nagged, “Julian, be patient with Celeste. Your job is to bring bread to the table, but don’t get involved with other women outside. Once you’ve lived these kinds of days long enough, you’ll realize that your wife is growing gentler and more virtuous with each passing day besides learning to love you more. One day, you’ll know that you’ve married a gem.” “Okay,” Julian answered nonchalantly. A disgruntled Edmond asked strictly, “What kind of attitude is that?” “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ve remembered your words,” Julian hurriedly changed his attitude to please Edmond and smiled. “I know what I should do.” After Edmond received a satisfactory answer from his grandson, the smile returned to his face. Even if Julian wouldn’t do it, he would keep an eye on him and make sure that he did! Then, he turned to Celeste with a compassionate smile; every time he looked at her, his fondness for her would grow a little. “Celeste, let me know if Julian mistreats you and I’ll teach him a lesson.” Celeste pursed her lips at that as she felt awkward. So, she didn’t say a thing in response. Edmond didn’t mind it one bit as he added, “Julian has been a smart boy since he was a child and he’ll work hard. Maybe he’s not doing so well now, but he’ll pay more attention to his family in the future and his love for you will grow, too.” She simply smiled softly and nodded. “Grandpa, I trust him.” However, there wasn’t even a trace of delight on Julian’s elegant but emotionless face. Nevertheless, he was assured when he saw that Edmond was looking better. On the other hand, Edmond couldn’t restrain the joy in his heart. “Everyone takes their life for granted when they’re alive, and now that I’m not in my prime, I’m like a flickering flame in the wind.” He finally released their hands as he gazed at them and said in great relief, “I’m truly happy to see that you’re married, and I’m sure I can live another twenty years! If I’m lucky, I may even live to see your child get married, so hurry and give me a great-grandchild! This is my biggest wish now.” Although Julian was inwardly highly reluctant, he didn’t show it on the surface. Instead, he took the time to assure Edmond gently while Celeste stood next to him like a wallflower, watchful of her own behavior. She had to placate Edmond without making Julian mad at the same time because she was pinning her hopes on him to save Rochelle. “By the way, have you moved into his place, Celeste?” Edmond asked with a straight face as this was an important question to him. “She has,” Julian answered hastily. Edmond grinned from ear to ear. “Good, that’s amazing.” As his condition had turned for the better, the doctor said that he could be discharged the next day. Julian wanted to stay the night to accompany him but was chased away by the elderly gentleman. “How can you spend the night in the hospital on your wedding night? How could you not have your priorities straight?” After Julian walked out of the lobby with Celeste, he suddenly stopped in his tracks at the top of the steps. “Someone will drop off your mother downstairs at your rental place and you just need to wait there. Also, move in with me as quickly as possible. I’m worried that Grandpa will check in on us,” he said and headed toward his Lamborghini without worrying whether she would really do as he instructed or not. Before Celeste even finished processing what he just said, the car was already gone. By the time she was on the cab back to her rental flat, she was again 100% certain that Julian had done a thorough check on her. He even knows where I’m living, she thought. Well, at least I don’t have to worry about telling him all the nonsense that’s happening in my family, then. Still, she felt exposed in front of him while he was so mysterious. All she knew about him was his name and that he cared about Edmond a great deal. He’s not as simple as a regular person with a house, a car, and a stable job. Could he be some gangster leader? Finally, the cab arrived at her ‘home’, and she immediately saw Rochelle standing outside with a suitcase. Her hair was in disarray and there was an open cut on her forehead, all in all, she made for a very miserable person. “Mom!” Celeste dashed toward her. “How are you doing, Mom?” They hugged each other tightly and she brought Rochelle to her rented flat before quickly retrieving the first-aid kit to dress the wound on Rochelle’s forehead. Celeste said in a composed tone that was uncommon for a person her age, “Mom, stay here from today onward. Philip doesn’t know my exact address, anyway. So, let Tyler attend school with peace of mind because his senior year is very important to him.” “What about you? Where are you living if we live here?” Rochelle shot her a worried look. “Philip has accepted the money from them and I’m afraid things aren’t quite over yet.” On the contrary, Celeste had a feeling that this was already over and showed her a picture of the marriage certificate. “I have somewhere to live. Last night, I accidentally overheard his phone call, so I got married today.” “What?!” Rochelle gasped in shock and snatched the picture from her to take a closer look with disbelief in her eyes. “You got married today? Whom did you marry? Who’s this Julian Meister? Is he reliable? You can’t marry someone just like that because of this!”