CHAPTER 11: Memories...

Ajax
"That son of a bitch!" I am at a dead stop in the hall as I stare at Randol talking to Celeste at her bedroom door. After about thirty seconds my jealousy piqued. She reaches up and kisses him on the cheek. My mouth falls open as I watch the smug asshole walk the opposite direction of me, to his room, fist pumping. What grown man does that? How can I even be jealous over a girl that doesn't even belong to me? Maybe it's because she wanted to be with me once upon a time, and I rejected her. I don't regret my life choices or anything. They are what made me the man I am today. I think it bothers me more that I don't know if I will be offered a second chance. Now that I want to be with her, would she return that feeling? I don't know, but I have to find out. I have to talk to her after dinner tonight, and I know just the place.
Dinner is fairly uneventful. There is some chitchat, some good food, and a couple drinks. Just before dinner ends, Mr. Torelli announces that everyone, including the heirs, would have a meeting at ten tomorrow morning. After that, everyone is dismissed. I look around, and lucky me, find Celeste talking to my dad. I make my way over to them. "Hey, Dad, mind if I borrow Celeste for just a minute?"
"Of course, son. Good luck." It's like he can't help the shit - eating grin that comes to his face.
"Bye, Dad." Celeste covers her mouth to stop a laugh. "Anyway, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a bit."
"Of course, Ajax. What's up?"
"Not here. Can you meet me on the top - floor balcony in fifteen minutes?"
She looks at me like she's trying to figure me out, but finally answers. "Fine. I just have to tell Daddy good night. I'll meet you up there." She leaves me with that and goes to find her dad.
I head straight for my room to get the supplies I prepared earlier, while everyone else stood around drinking downstairs. After I grab everything, I haul ass to the top floor, and set everything up. I finish only a couple of minutes before she arrives.
"Ajax? Where are you?"
"Celeste, over here." I am tucked away in the far corner of the balcony. Mostly because it is the portion with no roof so you can see the sky.
She walks over and looks at the ground. "Oh my gosh! What's all this?"
"Have a seat on the blanket there, and I'll tell you."
"Oh, this blanket is so soft. Wait! Oh my god! Are those cannolis?"
"Yep, and champagne too." She grins as I pour her a glass. "Are they still your favorite?"
Her smile is so big, it almost shines. "Yes! Where did you get these? I know there wasn't any in the house, I would have found them already."
"When we went to town today, I snuck over to the bakery beside the café while we were waiting on our food," I say as I return her smile with one of my own.
"All right, Mr. Barton, what gives? What's with the royal treatment here. A nighttime picnic, my favorite dessert, champagne..."
"Oh, and don't forget the candles." And with that, I raise my hand toward the candles, and the wicks come alive with fire. Not that I need it or anything, but being a wizard sure does make being sexy easy.
"Hahah, very cute but still not an answer to my question. Come on, what gives?"
"Celeste, do you remember when we were teenagers and our dads would have those god - awful parties with their boring corporate friends?"
"Ugh. Don't remind me. It took me a long time to repress those memories."
"When we were about seventeen, we stole a dessert platter, and climbed out your bedroom window, onto the roof. Do you remember that?"
"Ah, yes. I remember. As I recall, that was the night I admitted my feelings for you, and you shut me down hard - core." I can't help but notice the "Oh yeah, I forgot I hate you" smirk she's wearing.
"Shit, I was hoping you wouldn't remember that part of the night."
"Well, I do. Sorry, but it's hard to forget when you realize your first real crush is an asshole."
"Yikes. Well, just for the record I am no longer an asshole. I'm also glad I turned you down back then. I wasn't nearly good enough for you at the time. I would have broken your heart."
"You did break my heart, Ajax. And what do you mean ‘back then'? You think you're good enough now?"
"Honestly? I would really like the chance to try to be."
"You know, Ajax, you might have become a better man over the years, but I've become a better woman too. I want more than just driving me to school and a date for homecoming."
"I want more too. With you, specifically. I guess the first thing I should ask you, though, is do you still hate my guts?"