"I don't hate anyone." Reyona protested.
"Maxwell. That is the name. At least mention it." Celia said in a challenging tone as she placed her fists against her waist and gave Reyona a challenging look.
"This is ridiculous," Reyona said. "I think we should go."
"If you get up, I am going to scream bloody murder, and you will have a fine time telling all these wonderful souls why you threatened to…to…kidnap my baby."
"What? Don't be ridiculous," Reyona said.
Celia batted her lashes at Reyona innocently as she said "Drew would be the first person to tell you that ridiculous is my middle name. I play it so well when I want to."
"That is just…"
"Alright. Alright" Celia said with a deflated sigh. "I am not going to keep you here against your wish but at least tell me why you hate him so much, will you? He is really a good man. I know he doesn't show it much, but he is a very caring man, who is protective of people he cares about. And he cares about you." She raised her hand to stop Reyona's comment. "At least because of the sleep I sacrificed to come out here this early. Tell me, will you? My baby will probably not remember my face again by the time I get back."
"Don't be dramatic. And there, you admit it. You really did come out because of this."
Celia shrugged as she sipped her water. "I am not admitting anything." she looked ahead for a second. "Is it because of his sister?"
Reyona was surprised that she knew about that. The look on her face must have given her away because Celia said "I forgot to add that I am an expert at getting information too."
She grinned when Reyona raised her brows at her. "I am not saying I would force it out of you, okay? Relax. I am just saying I don't think you should treat him based on what his step-sister did. The fact that he even bothered to stand up for that horrible person just because she is family, should be a plus in your books, don't you think?"
"Okay. I don't know why you think I am interested in hearing all this, but I don't care whether you think he is a plus or a minus. I don't want him anywhere near my books either."
Celia laughed out loud and covered her mouth when the women looked over. She waved her hands towards them. "Go on, go on. You beauties are doing so well."
"Did she just call me a beauty? Splendid!" the old man exclaimed, and the women turned away to deal with their own spot of fun.
"What was that for?" Reyona asked, trying to keep a straight face even though she was tempted to smile.
"Pardon my dirty mind, but when you said you didn't want him anywhere near your books, I totally thought of something else." Celia snorted again as she looked away from Reyona's face.
"Celia!" Reyona exclaimed beneath her breath as she saw where Celia looked at. Even though inexplicable warmth filled her at the scandalous thought, she gave Celia a disapproving look.
Celia finally controlled her laughter as she said "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you have never thought of it. Even Toria thought him hot, but she knew he only had eyes for you."
"What are you…? You know what? Enough of this. I think we should head back now." Reyona stood up suddenly. "Scream all you want. I don't care. I am leaving."
"Why would I do that? I am a dignified lady, I would have you know" Celia said with a pout before she waved at the women who seemed to be rounding up too.
She caught up with Reyona and said "I think the thought of being nasty with him bothers you though. Hmm, interesting. Maybe you do not hate him after all."
"I am not listening to this," Reyona said decisively as she picked up her pace.
"Alright. Alright. I will stop talking about sheets. All this talk got me hot for my man as well. Just as I think you are probably…"
"Celia" Reyona said in a warning.
"Okay, okay. I am done" Celia said, with her hands raised in surrender.
A pause.
They were getting close to Reyona's place when she said, "I am going to say this though. I have never seen that man act this way about any other woman. And believe me, I have tried to pair him up with a lot." She laughed again. "He always manages to escape. But you? You got him without trying, babe. I am going to shut up now." She quickly said before Reyona could say anything again.
"Hi, babe. You can come now."
Reyona turned to see her talking on her phone.
Before she could say anything. The car she saw earlier came out of nowhere.
Has he been…
Reyona easily spotted Andrews Jordan in the driver's seat even before the car got to them.
Celia shrugged at Reyona's expression. "I wanted to be sure I would catch you at home. I mean who goes to work on weekend? Just you. You have to be the busiest person I have ever met. Come over to the house soon, okay?"
She waved breezily at Reyona as her husband opened the door for her.
Reyona responded to Andrews' greeting with a halfhearted "hi".
She watched Celia lock lips with her husband right before the man drove away.
"What was that about?" Reyona asked no one in particular out loud. "Did he put her up to this? All that just to tell me…yeah, right" she said with a roll of her eyes.
She deliberately took her mind off the direction it wanted to head.
Celia believed he… no way.
She unstrapped her wrist water pouch as she entered with the intention of going straight to take a bath.
Enough of silly nonsense spouted by a sweet woman who had too much time on her hands.
Something made her gaze go to her phone though.
She moved over to check it subconsciously.
She saw missed calls and a text.
Reyona's heart sank when she saw the text.
It was about a date.