And this was exactly why she started this talk of her ailing father and her living alone. My mother and Celia think that moving her into our family residence will be the first step towards moving her there permanently. I could laugh at their feeble attempt to try and manipulate me. Celia can stay as long as she fucking wants with my mother. I sure as hell am not going to be living there in the near future.

“Do as you wish, Celia. I couldn’t care any which way. I don’t intend to move in at Kittridge House...ever if it was up to me,” I tell her.

Her eyes flash before she gives me a tight-lipped smile and changes the subject. “I hope you’re at least attending the charity gala that your mother is hosting tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

The last thing I’d like to do is attend a charity gala hosted to honor my father and brother’s contribution towards the underprivileged. It’s such a joke. My father and brother were the least generous people I knew of. But I’m a Duke now and appearances have to be maintained, and hence I have to attend that damn gala.

I signal for the bill putting an end to my meeting with Celia.

As I stand, I flick my head to my neighboring table where my bodyguard Mike is seated. He stands up immediately and steps in front of me. He’s been my shadow ever since I left the hospital. After hearing my own voice tell Gabe that my father and brother were murdered, I allowed Gabe to hire Mike. He’s a man of few words but is extremely capable, ex-MI6, ex-military, several badges of honor, multiple accolades, and so on.

We step outside the doors and dozens of cameras flash in my face.

Damn the bloody paparazzi! They just won’t leave me alone.

Aaliya

MY HEARTBEAT ACCELERATES as Damien rises. This is it! I have to confront him now and tell him about us. I stand as well and gather my purse. Damien walks a step forward and turns with a puzzled frown when he finds Celia still seated. She removes a compact from her purse and powders her nose. Then she applies a fresh coat of lipstick on her already painted lips. God! I wish I could strangle her right now for putting on this unnecessary display. I’ve never been prone to violence, but this one woman brings out the worst in me.