CHAPTER 16: My head is swimming...

Celeste
I go back to my room after my evening with Ryu, and head straight for the bathroom. I need a hot shower. It is freezing out there. The higher we went, the colder it got too. It was totally worth it, though. I stand under the water, thawing out, thinking about that sky. I have never seen something so beautiful. The company wasn't half bad either.
That's when it hit me. That's the third time this week that something like that has happened. I get out of the shower and start toweling off. Oh my god! Could Daddy have been right? There is no way that this could be a coincidence. Damn it! He will never let me live this down, if he was right. I just don't get it, though. What could three different guys with three completely different personalities all see in one single girl? Okay, Celeste. Stop it! These guys might not even actually like you. They probably just don't want you to feel left out, since you're the only single female heir.
I finish getting ready for bed, and I'm about to grab my phone to check my messages, when I hear arguing outside my door. I walk over and yank it open, and who do I see? Randol, Ajax, and Ryu. "What in the hell are you doing standing outside my room arguing at eleven thirty at night?" They just stand there looking at one another, and at me. "Oh, for fuck's sake. Just get in here before you wake the
whole house!" I step out of the way, so they can get in the door. They all go in and sit down. Two on the bench and one on the desk chair. I stand in front of them, hands on my hips. That's when I notice they are all looking me up and down with wide eyes. Oh. Right. I'm in my pajamas, which consists of a pair of booty shorts and a silk camisole. "Oh, sorry guys. One second." I go to the closet and grab one of my dad's old college sweatshirts and throw it on.
"I hope that doesn't belong to your ex," Ajax says with some mild irritation in his voice.
Sigh. "It's Daddy's, not that it's any of your business. I wasn't expecting an audience. Anyway, does someone want to tell me what's going on?" A roar of male voices and testosterone erupts in my room. "Stop! How in God's name do you expect me to be able to hear you when you all talk at once?" Sigh. "Now, Randol, let's start with you."
"Thank you, Celeste. Look, I came here to talk to you, and before I could knock on your door, these two jackasses interrupted me." Randol gestures behind him to Ajax and Ryu.
"Okay, wait." I close my eyes and rub my temples. I sigh yet again and then open my eyes. "Is that why everyone is here?" They all nod. "Why?"
"I think I can answer that, Celeste." Ajax begins, then pauses. "We... we are all interested in you."
Oh shit! He actually looks serious. "No, that can't be right. The chances of all three of you liking the same type of girl are slim to none."
Ryu speaks up first this time, "I would say closer to none, but you're different, Celeste. You don't fit in any one type. You're a class all your own."
"Damn right!" Randol interjects. Ajax nods along.
"Are you sure this isn't some bet to make your trip go by faster?
Who can nail the only single girl here?" I feel my face growing hot in anger.
All of a sudden, I hear a "No!" in unison and more overlapped incoherent babble. I let it go on for a few seconds, but I can't understand a word.
Finally, I hold my hand up to quiet them. "Fine, guys. I believe you. Honestly though, I feel something for all of you. I don't know if it's appreciation, affection, or lust because I haven't had sex in two years. Oh, why did I say that?" All eyes go so wide, they almost fall out. "Anyway, moving on. I don't know what it is, but if you're serious, then I should give it some thought. It wouldn't be fair to any of you to leave it up in the air like this."
"Take your time, Celeste. I'm sure this has been a surprise," Ryu says through a smile, while pinning me with those jade eyes.
Ajax stands from his chair. "You're more than worth the wait, Celeste." And there's that smile that makes me feel so warm.
The next thing that fills my vision is a set of large broad shoulders. "You only get one true mate. If you have to wait fifteen minutes or fifteen years, you wait. Now, come on, guys. We've scarred her enough for one night." Randol is so considerate.
They all say good night and leave the room, shutting the door behind them. What just happened? How could that many men want me at the same time? Not just men. Good men. Sane men. Ridiculously sexy men. "Ugh! What am I supposed to do? They're all amazing, in their own way. You know what, I can't be with anyone before I know what I want myself. That's it. First, what do you want out of life, Celeste?" With much effort, I finally fall asleep that night, even though I was more confused than when I started trying to sort out my feelings.

Ricco
I go back to my room after breakfast to catch up on some paperwork that I had to bring with me. Since there are no meetings today, this seems like the perfect time. I get to work, but I can't concentrate. Something is wrong with Celeste this morning. She seems distant, like her mind is somewhere else. God, I hope this wasn't too much for her. I would never want to be the reason my daughter is in pain. A knock on my door brings me back to reality. "Come in." I turn my head toward the door to see Anthony walk in.
"Oh, Ricco. Working during the retreat? Really?"
"Hahah. Well, the show must go on, you know. So what's up? Did you just miss me?"
"Ha! Hardly, I just came to see if you heard about Celeste."
"What about her?"
I'm sure he can see the worry on my face. "Calm down. It's nothing bad. Apparently, yesterday after you shared that file with her, she went on the rampage. She pulled all the heirs into a meeting, started discussing everything, handed down jobs. She is gunning for your seat, old man."
So that's what's going on. I smile despite myself. "Well, I would be honored if I could give the council head position up to Celeste."
"I know you would. Get this, even Yamaguchi told me he's proud of her."
"You have got to be kidding!"
"Nope, he told me himself. He said she was so intent on fixing this she borders on scary." Anthony smiles like it's his daughter being talked about.
"Hahah, Anthony, why are you grinning? She's my daughter, you know?"
"Well..." It makes me nervous when he pauses like this. "Maybe she'll, at least, be my daughter - in - law one day."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ajax and two of the other heirs have expressed their interest in her."
"What happened? What did she say?"
"Well, being her mother's daughter, apparently she approached it with rationalization." Atta girl. My smile is back. "She told them all that she needs to analyze what she felt, determine what she wants for her life, and then decide if any of them fit into that life with her. She did tell them all she absolutely would not leave this conversation up in the air, and she would give them all an answer. That doing otherwise wouldn't be fair. I'm hearing all of this secondhand, of course, so there is some paraphrasing." He gives me that proud - dad smile again.
"When did it happen, Anthony? When did my little girl turn into such an intelligent, rational, amazing woman? I mean, she has become a better adult than her mother and I combined."
"Trust me, I know. There are not many people on the planet who I would relent to, but your daughter is one of them. If she opposes something, I know there must be an intelligent, rational, well - thought - out reason for it."
"I got really lucky with that kid."
"Just remember that, if she comes to you for advice. If she does have to ask for help, she really needs help. Not a lecture."
"All right, Anthony. Point taken. I know I can get a little preachy. I'll make the effort to rein it in for her." I look at my old friend, once again, thankful to have him.
"Ricco, you may be getting close to attending your daughter's wedding. You should be happy for her."
"Okay, now I want to throw up." For some reason, this is hilarious for him. Not so much for me.