Chapter 429 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Is it urgent? We can talk about it now if it’s very important,” Celsie offered.

“Nah. It can wait. It’s just related to my career, and I need your advice. So let’s talk about it when we talk later,” Sonia said.

“Alright. Make sure to get more than enough rest and eat very well.”

“I will. Have fun. And if possible, record the dinner conversation…”

“I won’t!” Celsie said, and Sonia rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting you to agree anyway,” Sonia said, and a yawn escaped from her lips before she could stifle it.

“I love you, Sony. You know that, right?” Celsie asked, sounding serious all of a sudden.

“I… I love you too,” Sonia said, wondering where it was coming from since Celsie wasn’t usually very expressive.

“That isn’t the answer to my question, Sony. You realize that I love you, and I can’t imagine my life without you, right?” Celsie asked, and Sonia’s smile wobbled as tears gathered in her eyes.

“Of course. What can you do without me?” Sonia asked jokingly as she used Bryan’s shirt, which was on the bed beside her, to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“You are the most beautiful, brave, bold, and brilliant girl I know. I would never have survived all that happened had you not been beside me. I know I’ve never said this to you before, but thank you for not taking sides with your family and for not leaving me. And thank you for being strong for us both,” Celsie said with a sniffle as she wiped her tears. Perhaps it was because of her conversation with Amy earlier. She was feeling very emotional.

“You are going to make me cry, Celsie,” Sonia said, her lips quavering as more tears dropped from her eyes. Why was Celsie saying this? Why was everyone making her feel so emotional today?

“I want you to always be healthy, Sony. I want us to grow old together. I want to always have you by my side and be by your side too…”

“You are my best friend forever,” Sonia assured her.

“And even though I don’t tell you enough, I love you to the moon, sun, stars, satellite, space, and back,” Celsie said, and Sonia laughed soppily.

“Stop it, Celsie!”

Celsie wiped the tears from her eyes just as Benne returned to the bedroom, and she cleared her throat, “Alright. This is awkward. I have to go now. Make sure you take your meds and get enough rest.”

“You’ve said that more than once already. Bye!” Sonia said with a giggle before hanging up.

One look at Celsie’s face, and Benne could tell that she had shed some tears. “Is Sonia okay?” He asked, and Celsie nodded.

“She is down with the flu, but she sounds fine,” Celsie said with a small smile as she stood from the couch, ready to shower.

“I take it you shed some tears because you were still feeling emotional about Amy’s situation with her best friend?” Benne said as she headed for the closet, and Celsie stopped and turned to look at him.

“Am I that easy to read?”

“I don’t think so. I like to believe that reading you is my superpower,” Benne said with a grin as he held out his arms to her.

Celsie smiled as she went to meet him, “I guess I should believe that too,” she said, and Benne nodded as he embraced her.

“I know you love her, and you are scared of losing her. But don’t worry too much. She will be fine. I’m sure Bryan and my parents will look after her well,” he assured her as he kissed her forehead, and she gave him a nod.

“How did your conversation with Jade go?” Celsie asked when she remembered that he had left to speak with Jade earlier.

“She didn’t know about the letter. She was surprised and asked that I give her some time to speak with Candace and get back to me,” Benne said, and Celsie nodded as she glanced at the clock.

“It’s past 6 PM already. We should get ready if we don’t want to be late,” Celsie pointed out.

“You can use the bathroom first. I will go down and check on the kid before getting ready,” Benne said, knowing that Celsie needed space to clean up comfortably.

“Alright,” Celsie said as she pulled away from him and turned to leave, but Benne pulled her back and kissed her lips.

“I love you,” Benne said, gazing into her eyes as he brushed his knuckles along her jawline.

She smiled at him, “I know. And I love you too,” she said, and Benne gave her a nod before walking away.

Once he got to the kitchen, he saw Jamal seated on the kitchen island, munching on a piece of chocolate cookie while watching Samantha and the other maids prepare dinner, “Hey!” Benne greeted from the doorway, and everyone looked at him, including Jamal, who looked back at him with dull eyes.

“Hi!” Jamal responded since he was the one Benne was staring at.

“Do you mind having a word with me?” Benne asked, and Jamal shrugged indifferently as he plopped the remaining piece of cookie into his mouth.

Benne went to where the kid was seated and lifted him off the island to the floor, “Let’s go to the Den,” he said as he led the kid out of the kitchen while Samantha and the others tried to mind their business.

Once they got to the Den, Benne sat on one of the couches, and Jamal did the same, “Do you like staying here?” Benne asked curiously.

Jamal looked at him for a moment, “It used to be fun,” he said in a quiet voice.

“It is no longer fun?”

He shook his head, “Everyone else has left. It’s quiet and boring now,” Jamal said, and Benne nodded.

“I’m not bored,” Benne pointed out, and Jamal looked at him for a moment.

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