Chapter 47 Chapter 47
Chapter 47
"I’m so nervous, Ariana. I didn’t even know why I volunteered," Celine said as she folded one of Ariana’s freshly washed blouses.
Ariana looked up from the small pile of clothes she was sorting. "You did it because you felt you could. And because you’re stronger than you think."
Celine swallowed. "But this is the Castellan dinner. It’s the biggest thing the company does every year. Everyone there will be watching. What if I disappoint Mr. Castellan?"
Ariana gave her a look. "Why are you scared of that man so much? He is your boss, yes. But he’s still human. If you can face losing your memory and starting life all over again, you can face one fancy dinner."
Celine let out a breath and sat on the edge of the bed. "The dinner is on Saturday, I think. I checked the files yesterday. I saw something interesting too Mr Castellan seems to love dark blue decorations. And he hates anything red or gold."
Ariana paused. "How did you know that?"
"It was in one of the old event reports. The HR kept stressing it last year because someone mistakenly used gold ribbons and it almost caused a scene."
Ariana clicked her tongue. "Typical rich men drama. One wrong color and the whole world stops."
Celine laughed a little. "I guess so. But now that I’m representing the HR that day, I have to be careful. I don’t want to make any mistake. Not with the whole company watching."
"What exactly are you supposed to do there?" Ariana asked.
"Everything related to decoration and order. Making sure the lights, flowers, chairs, tables, all stay the way they should. It’s a lot."
Ariana picked up another shirt and folded it neatly. "
Ariana stood up and touched her shoulder. “Listen. You’ve survived worse. You woke up without a memory, in a world you didn’t recognize.
But look at you now working, adjusting, learning everything from scratch. If you can survive that, you can survive a dinner.”
.
Celine finally smiled. “You always know what to say.”
“It’s not magic. It’s just experience,” Ariana replied, returning to the laundry.
“People like the Castellans they sense weakness. So don’t show any. Smile, be calm, and do what you’ve been taught.”
Celine nodded slowly, letting Ariana’s words settle. She wanted to appear confident, even if inside she felt like a child trying to walk for the first time.
They continued folding clothes in silence.
\---
At the Castellan Villa
Richard Castellan stood near the large glass window of the living room, staring outside as if the night sky owed him answers. When Maria walked in, he didn’t even wait for her to sit.
“I fixed a dinner with the Drakes on Saturday,” he announced. “And Ethan must be there. No excuses this time.”
.
Maria exhaled softly. She already knew where this was heading, but she walked closer anyway.
“I understand why you want this, Richard. The partnership with the Drakes is important. And Amelia… she’s a good girl. I’m not against any of that.”
Richard turned to her. “Then you should also understand why Ethan must show up. This alliance needs to move forward.
The Drakes have been waiting for this dinner for months. Amelia is a good match. Their family aligns with ours.
Our businesses complement each other. This is an opportunity we cannot ignore.”
“I know,” Maria replied gently. “I’ve always supported your decisions. You built this empire. You know what is right for the family, for the company. I’m with you on that. But ”
“But what?” Richard snapped lightly.
“But Ethan needs time. He’s young. He’s overwhelmed. Look at how much he handles already. You’re pushing too hard.”
Richard’s eyebrows pulled together.
“Maria, business doesn’t wait. Power doesn’t wait. You take it when the opportunity is right in front of you. And this opportunity is here now. He must marry Amelia. It secures everything.”
Maria nodded slowly.
“I’m not against that marriage, Richard. If you want Ethan with Amelia, I support it. She’s stable, smart, and she genuinely cares about him. I’m not questioning your choice. What I’m worried about is the timing.”
Richard scoffed.
“Timing? He’s twenty-five, not fifteen. He’s old enough. At his age I was already building everything he’s standing on today.”
“Yes, and that’s exactly why you should understand him,” Maria said. “You didn’t have a father breathing down your neck. You didn’t have someone choosing who you must marry or what deal you must accept. You built things your own way. Ethan is trying to find his own way too.”
Richard shook his head.
“His own way is going to destroy everything I’ve put in place if we keep waiting.”
Maria stepped a little closer.
“No, Richard. He won’t destroy anything. He’s responsible. He works hard. But something is wrong with him emotionally and mentally. You can see it. I can see it. He’s not himself. He’s fighting something inside him."
Richard’s voice rose.
“To hell with whatever is wrong with him. A man should control himself. He should learn to overcome whatever nonsense is eating him up. He ended things with Amelia for no reason. Who does that? After everything she did for him?”
Maria sighed, rubbing her forehead.
“You know I like Amelia. I would be happy to have her as a daughter-in-law. Truly. But pushing Ethan when he’s confused will only make things worse. If you force him now, he’ll only withdraw more.”
Richard threw his hands up.
“Withdraw? He’s already withdrawn! He barely talks to anyone. He stays in that office like a stranger. And you want me to wait even more?”
Maria’s voice softened.
“I just want you to remember he’s our son, not a project. You want him to take over the world, but he can’t even take over his own mind right now. He’s hurting. You can’t see it because you’re too angry to look closely.”
Richard stared at her, his jaw tight.
Maria continued, “I’m not asking you to cancel the dinner. I’m not asking you to stop the alliance. I’m only saying… give him time. Talk to him the way a father should. Don’t push him like an employee. He’s drowning, Richard. And he’s too proud to say it.”
Richard looked away, frowning deeper.
“He will be at that dinner. I’m not bending on that.”
“I didn’t say he shouldn’t go. I’m saying don’t threaten him. Don’t corner him. Let him feel like he has a choice, even if he really doesn’t.”
Richard turned back sharply.
“He has responsibilities, Maria. Responsibilities to this family, to this company, to the future of everything I’ve built.”
Maria nodded again.
“And I’m not denying that. I just don’t want you to lose him in the process. You’re his father first, Richard. The empire comes after.”
Richard didn’t respond. He looked away again, pretending her words didn’t touch him but she knew they did.
Maria lowered her voice.
" Let’s push the business.
Let’s support the alliance with the Drakes. Let’s keep Amelia close. I’m with you on all that. Just… don’t forget you’re talking to our son. Not a soldier. Not a machine. Ethan needs understanding.”
Richard didn’t turn back.
She didn’t press further. She simply stepped back and left him there with his anger, his pride, and the love he didn’t know how to show.