Chapter 251 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Mom,” she greeted as she embraced her mom.

“Oh, my poor baby!” Her mother cooed softly as she embraced her, “You’ve lost so much weight,” her mother observed as she broke the hug and looked Celsie over, “You’re not eating enough.”

“If you’re done weighing her, can I hug my princess?” Celsie’s father asked impatiently, and her mother moved away to embrace Sonia so that Celsie could embrace her father.

“Sonia my darling, how have you been?” She asked as she embraced Sonia.

“I’ve been great. I don’t think there is any need to ask you how you’ve been. You look lovely as always Mrs. Miller,” Sonia said admiringly, and Celsie’s mother smiled.

“Thanks for coming to see her. I’m sure this must not be easy for you either.”

“Daddy!” Celsie cried out as her father’s strong arms came around her, and he lifted her off the ground making her laugh like she always did whenever he did that.

“I’m too old for this now,” Celsie complained as he set her down and gazed fondly into her gray eyes which were identical to his.

“You can never be too old in my eyes. You’ll always be my little princess,” her father said as he pecked her forehead and then moved away from her to look at Sonia, “Who knew I would run into a celebrity here? I hope to get an autograph before I leave,” He asked with a teasing smile as he embraced Sonia and pecked her cheek.

It was no secret in Celsie’s family that Celsie’s father was Sonia’s first crush. He was not just handsome, but also looked very athletic. And he seemed to look even more attractive as he got older, “You’re going gray,” Sonia observed when she noticed the gray hairs that decorated his beards.

“And more handsome, yeah?” He asked with a wink and chuckled when she blushed.

“Let the poor girl be, Drew! Quit teasing her,” Celsie’s mother chided her husband with a giggle.

“Hey, Celsie!” Lucas greeted as he walked in carrying their mother’s duffel bag. He set it down and embraced her, “I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier. I was upset,” he said apologetically.

“It’s okay. I’ve missed you,” Celsie said, looking at him with a fond smile.

“Where is that boyfriend you spoke about? Or was it a lie?” Her mother asked, looking around the house.

“Did we come here because of her boyfriend?” Her father asked incredulously.

“Did we come here not to meet her boyfriend? Why can’t we kill two birds with one stone?” Her mother asked before turning to look at her, “Why isn’t he here? Don’t tell me he broke up with you because of the news?” Her mother asked, making Celsie sigh as she met Sonia’s gaze.

“He didn’t. It’s not like this is a happy family reunion or something…”

Her mother cut her off with a wave of her hands, “Of course, it is. We haven’t seen you in a while so we needed to be here to make sure you are okay. Listen, baby, we are one happy family and we won’t let anybody take our joy from us. Especially not now that you have a boyfriend. Don’t worry, sweety, we are definitely going to resolve this. There is nothing to worry about,” her mother said with a confident smile.

“Let’s all settle down and then we can talk about this,” Celsie’s father suggested as Celsie showed her mother and Sonia to the bedroom.

*********

Once Benne took off the disguise and changed into the outfit he had worn earlier that morning, he picked up the keys to Celsie’s car and left the office.

On his way to the parking lot, his phone started ringing and he received the call when he saw that it was from Harry, “Hey!”

“I’ve gotten the details of the person who made the first post,” he announced without beating around the bush, and Benne’s steps faltered.

“Text it to me.”

“I will. I’ve been on the phone with most of the shareholders all day and they’re not pleased that we are yet to fire Celsie. I have also received several calls this evening, and I was told that you escorted Celsie out of the company as the CEO and fired an employee in the presence of other staff for speaking ill of her. Is that true?” Harry asked quietly.

“Yes, I did. And Harry please don’t start telling me about what I’m supposed to do or not do as the CEO. She is mine, and I owe it to her to protect her,” Benne said before Harry could say anything else.

“We are the only ones who knows that. If you were married to her and you were doing all of this no one would dare to challenge you. But right now everyone thinks she is just an employee, so your actions are questionable,” Harry tried to explain.

“Then I should just open up to everyone and let them know that she is my girlfriend,” Benne suggested.

“This is not the time, Benne! It’s not the right time for this. I understand that this must not be easy for you, but you’re also not making things easy for me either. I’ve been trying all day to convince the shareholders to be calm, and I’m also here trying to help Jade with her case. I’m feeling overwhelmed by all of it,” Harry complained.

“I’m sorry, Harry. I will deal with this. I will deal with the shareholders as well. Just send me the details,” Benne said as he headed for the car, and got in.

“Please, Benne, do not do anything reckless. I understand that Celsie means a lot to you, but the company is also important to us. You know best how this works,” Harry pleaded.

“Don’t worry, Harry. Just focus on Jade’s case, and leave this to me,” Benne said, and then glanced at his phone when he got the notification for another call.

“Let’s talk later, I need to take Bryan’s call,” Benne informed him and hung up.

“What’s up?” He asked once he received Bryan’s call.

“If you’re not too busy can you pick me up?”

---