Chapter 57: Chapter 57
20 Years Later
"As you begin another year of togetherness, may you both be blessed with good health and long life so that you will spend many more years in love and happiness. I love you so much, mom and dad. Happy anniversary!" said an emotional Celestine, bringing tears of joy in Sofia and Davion's eyes. It was their twenty-second wedding anniversary and they had arranged for a small get-together at home. Neither of them wanted a party and Celestine took all the pains in the world to give her parents the best time of their lives. At twenty-one, she was the most beautiful girl in the entire state it seemed. In her final year of Cosmetology in Las Vegas, Celestine stayed there since her siblings were such a handful that studying would be impossible at home.
"Thank you, Celine, sweetie," said Sofia, as Celestine kissed her cheek. Celestine turned towards her dad.
"Thank you, Ceecee,' said Davion, as she gave him a hug. Celestine blushed at the nickname.
"Dad, please, call me Celine as mom does," she scolded her dad. He laughed loudly drawing everyone's attention including the one whose attention Celestine least wanted to attract.
Austen Eric Huxley.
He was the son of Davion's main client, Richard Huxley and she had played with him when she was younger but then they moved to Los Angeles. She lost touch when Austen started getting offers in movies. He became a big-time Hollywood actor and Celestine stopped all interactions with him. She hadn't invited them at all to the get-together but it seemed that uncle Colton met them recently on his trip to LA and thus they patched up an old friendship again.
"Really, Davion. I've stopped calling Asher, baby Ashy. You should learn too," laughed Colton, making Asher go red with embarrassment. At twenty, he was devilishly handsome and pursuing a BS in Business Administration from the prestigious University of Berkeley as well as handling their business empire yet they treated him like a baby. He rolled his eyes and shared a look with his sister, Celestine.
"Where are those two brothers of yours, Ceecee? Don't they know that it's our anniversary today?" Asked Davion. After four years of Celestine's birth, Sofia had given birth to twin boys, Caspian and Cameron. Although they were tremendously intelligent, yet they had been a handful since birth. Sofia hadn't been able to pursue any career because of them. Victoria on the other hand had been able to pursue her studies and become a lawyer.
Victoria and Colton's daughters Vera and Ashley were the youngest, being a year younger than Caspian and Cameron.
"I don't know, dad. They're playing strange games on their mobile phones," said Celestine, looking around the room for her brothers but her eyes met the gray ones of none other than Austen, as he stood with Asher in one corner. Celestine immediately looked away. She didn't want anything to do with him. Being four years older, his name was linked to the hottest actresses and models all the time, and she was scared of his taunts. He was way beyond her league and she would never meet him after tonight.
Caspian and Cameron, came towards their parents since Vera went to summon them. "Happy anniversary, Mom, Dad," they chorused and then rushed back to their room to continue with their game.
"Let them enjoy for a day, Davion," said Victoria.
"Why haven't mom and dad arrived yet? We could have the cake cutting then," said Sofia, worriedly.
"Dad had a meeting with an important client today. He should be here any minute now. Next month, he'll be retiring completely. They would be able to enjoy retirement then,' said Victoria. She had started looking after her parents' law firm and although her mom had retired, her dad still looked into a case or two in a month.
"Mom, granny, and grandad are here,' announced an eager Ashley. Colton opened the door wide and Sofia and Victoria's parents walked into the house.
They wished Sofia and Davion and the cake was cut. A mouthwatering feast was served and everyone helped themselves to the wide array of food on the table. They all praised Greta and her team for their efforts. Sofia and Davion didn't allow Greta to do anything. She just oversaw everything and managed a team of workers.
Celestine served a little food on her plate and was about to serve herself some of the cake when she came face to face with Austen. Having successfully avoided him all evening, she was tongue-tied to see him so near. It was clear why he was such a popular actor and a hot favorite amongst women. He was sinfully gorgeous, drool-worthy actually.
"So Ceecee, how have you been?" he asked in his husky voice that sent a tremor down her spine.
"I'm Celestine to you," she said with her head held high. She wasn't like the women who fell at his feet for his celebrity status.
"Really? I can remember a time when you had a crush on me and wanted me to call you Ceecee," said Austen, the signature smirk back on his face.
"That was sixteen years ago, Austen. Times change people," she told him, whirling around and walking away without serving herself any of the delicious slices of cake.
"I can feel that they're meant to be together," said Victoria as she and Sofia sat with their plates.
"Let fate decide that,' shrugged Sofia.
"So, what did Davion give you?" asked Victoria. Sofia's eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of Davion's name. Such was the power of true love!
"We're going to Mauritius for five days," she said with a wink.
"Ooo, the twenty-second honeymoon?" asked Victoria. Sofia laughed. Every year Davion had taken her on a honeymoon. They had come a long way together and were geared to spend many such anniversaries together in the future.
"Yeah," said Sofia as her mind went onto overdrive thinking about what they would do for the next five days. Bliss without the kids for a change! She glanced at Davion from across the room and he winked at her, knowing what was on her mind. Maybe he too was thinking of the same thing. His eyes held a lot of promise and she smiled warmly back at him.