Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Celeste returned from Elora two days before her and Liam's first wedding anniversary. She was really excited about that day. These past few days she had missed him terribly. She once even thought to return early just to see him but she couldn’t compromise with her grandma's health. She was glad that it was only seasonal flu and nothing serious.But she was still weak and Celeste couldn’t just leave her beloved grandma alone. She even insisted a few times for her grandma to come with her but that stubborn old lady didn’t listen to her at all. She didn’t want to go out of Elora at all. Celeste knew why. Her grandma loved her grandpa so much which was why she swore to live in Elora with her husband's memories. So all the arguments Celeste had with her grandma about her moving in with her in Toronto were all in vain. She didn’t even budge. Celeste sighed thinking of Marielle's stubbornness.

It was sunday and she was home alone. Her and Liam's anniversary was 29th of January which was on Tuesday. She had already asked for a leave for the next three days of her anniversary. She wanted to plan a surprise for Liam and spend quality time with him. She smiled thinking about him. She didn’t understand how come she was so lucky to get him as her husband. He was always so kind and gentle. Even though he turned really cold whenever he was angry and upset. That time he usually ignored her for days. She sometimes felt really hurt thinking of this. But she also learned to accept it slowly in the past one year. It was better that he ignored her instead of treating her harshly and scolding her.

Coming out of her thoughts Celeste put aside her laptop and took her phone from the table to call Diana. She wanted to go shopping with Diana to buy something special for Liam. He was on a business trip and would only return on the day of their anniversary. She dialled Diana's number and waited for her to pick up the call.

"Hi. I need your help." Celeste said over the phone when the call connected.

"Sure. Tell me, what is it?" Diana asked from the other side. Celeste leaned towards the sofa while holding the phone near her ear.

"I want to buy something for Liam. So I need to go shopping. Could you please accompany me?" Celeste asked hopefully while biting one of her fingers. Hearing her hesitant words Diana laughed from the other side.

"So this is the matter. No problem. Your friend is here to help you select the best gift for your beloved husband." Diana teased Celeste dramatically from the other side. Celeste laughed and shook her head as if she could see her.

"Oh shut up and get ready. I will meet you outside of the central mall." Celeste informed her while smiling.

"Yes, sir." Diana mocked her while hanging up. Putting away the phone Celeste got up from the sofa and headed to upstairs to get changed.

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Celeste reached the mall after 40 minutes and got out of the car. She told the driver to go back as she would be staying with Diana that night. Later Diana had again called her and proposed that she should be staying with her as her boyfriend went out of the town for work. Celeste agreed thinking Liam wasn’t home also so they could have a girl's sleepover.

It was really cold outside. Celeste was glad that she wore an overcoat and scarf over her outfits. She dialled Diana's number when she couldn’t find her outside.

"Where are you? I'm standing outside of the mall." Celeste asked over the phone when the call connected while looking around.

"I'm near the garage. Just wait a while." Diana said from the other side before hanging up. Celeste put her phone in her purse and waited for a few minutes when finally she saw Diana waving while coming towards her. She smiled and waved back.

"Let's go." Diana said while pulling her arms. Celeste smiled and nodded before following her inside.

"Have you decided what you want to buy?" Diana asked as they entered the elevators.

"Yes. Don't worry." Celeste said while grinning. She smiled thinking about the gift she was going to give to Liam.

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29th January, Tuesday

Finally the day Celeste was waiting for so eagerly came. Celeste went to the office directly from Diana's place yesterday. They had fun together after they came back from their shopping. Today Celeste was on leave so she didn’t need to go to the office. She had talked to Liam this morning and he informed her that he would be coming back in the evening and also he had something important to tell her. Celeste was really nervous and excited at the same time. She was a bit upset that he hadn’t greeted her about their anniversary when he had called. But she thought maybe he was also planning a surprise like her and wanted to greet her face to face. Her in laws and her friends greeted her in the morning which made her feel really overwhelmed. She couldn’t wait till Liam came home. She had finally decided to confess to him that she loved him. She loved him very much. She didn’t realise how or when she had fallen in love with him but when she realised she was already head over heels in love with him.

She planned a candlelight dinner for them. It was already afternoon and she had started the preparation. First she decided to cook all his favorite meals. It took her almost 3 hours to finish all the cooking. She was glad that she had already decorated their room and only their living room was left. She hurriedly started decorating everything and put her gifts beside the red velvet cake she had baked. She had brought a custom bracelet for him and her and had their name curved in with ILoveyou written underneath it. She had also brought a beautiful pair of shirts and a Rolex watch for him. She hoped he would like her gifts. Even though he had everything still it was from her which she brought with her own money.

Celeste checked everything for the last time before heading upstairs to take a bath and get changed into her dress because Liam would be there anytime. Celeste hurriedly took a bath and pulled out the red body hugging dress with thin strap and V neck. She quickly did her little make up and headed downstairs to wait for Liam. Celeste turned off the lights and waited for Liam. She was so nervous. She didn’t know how Liam would react. What if he didn’t love her? What if he rejected her? There were so many what ifs running through her head. But she was sure of one thing. He felt something for her. They were married for one year and had bonded really well like other normal husband and wife. He had taken good care of her and never insulted her or humiliated her for anything. He was always kind and gentle towards her so he might have felt something for her.

Alas! at that time she didn’t realise how wrong she was!

Celeste got out of her wild nervous thoughts when the front door unlocked and opened. She hurriedly got up from the sofa and turned on the lights.

"Surprise! Happy One Year anniversary!" She excitedly greeted Liam, who was standing at the door with a surprised expression on his face with a huge smile.