Chapter 481 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Why? Is Candace aware of it? Is she okay with it?”

“No, she isn’t aware,” Benne said and went on to explain what Jade had told him concerning the details of how Candace ended up at the orphanage home.

Celsie sighed, “This is tricky. She must have moved past that now. Taking her back to her past might be like reopening her wounds, and there is every possibility that Candace wouldn’t appreciate this gesture regardless of Jade’s intention. Especially if you uncover something unpleasant about her background,” Celsie pointed out.

“I don’t think Jade will tell her about it if we find something unpleasant,” Benne said, torn between standing there and continuing the conversation in just his boxers or leaving her to go have his shower.

Celsie shook her head with disapproval, “In the same manner you want to secretly investigate about Aaron and Sara without Harry’s knowledge?” Celsie asked, but Benne didn’t miss the disapproval in her tone.

“Why do you sound that way? You think it is wrong?” Benne asked, and Celsie shrugged.

“I’m not trying to judge you or bring back the past, but I don’t think I like how you and your siblings keep secrets from the people you say you care about. First it was me, now it’s Harry and Candace, I wonder who is going to be next,” Celsie said, and Benne’s brows pulled together.

“Celsie, all those situations are not the same,” Benne pointed out as he went to sit on the bed.

“Are they not?”

“Yes, they are not. I’m not trying to make any excuses, but the reason I lied to you is different. In Harry’s case I’m trying to help him, and as for Candace, Jade wants to help her understand why her uncle left her at the orphanage and help reunite her with her family,” Benne explained patiently.

“The situation might be different, but your action is the same. Tell me honestly, if you were Harry would you like him to go behind you and do what you’re about to do? Who knows what family secret you might uncover, and how it might affect them? Do you think you would want Harry to do the same to you? No, don’t answer that yet, I’m not done,” Celsie said, raising a finger to stop Benne before he could respond.

“I know you said Harry would have done something to help you. What I’m asking is, do you think he would have gone about it this way? I understand you and why you want to do this, but no matter how much I think about it, I don’t think it is right, and I don’t think Harry will appreciate this. I wouldn’t want you to do anything that might affect your relationship with him,” Celsie said, and Benne raised a brow.

“So what do you propose I do? Pretend you didn’t hear anything? Say nothing to Harry, and do nothing about it?” Benne asked, and Celsie shook her head.

“I’ve been thinking about it. I think I should speak with Aaron,” Celsie said thoughtfully.

“If it’s bothering him that much, then he probably needs someone to speak to. I could get him to talk to me, that way if it’s something Harry needs to know about I will convince him to talk to Harry,” Celsie said, and Benne looked at her skeptically.

“What if he doesn’t confide in you?”

“Then I will have no choice than to tell Harry what I heard. You shouldn’t get involved. I understand you don’t mean any harm, but I think you need to change your approach of getting things done,” Celsie said, and Benne sighed.

“When are you going to speak with Aaron?”

“Tomorrow. I could take breakfast to him and then find a way to talk with him,” Celsie said as she reached for Benne’s hand.

“I love you, Benne. I just think you need to learn how to be there for those you love the way they want you to, not how you want to,” Celsie said, and Benne gave her a nod.

“I’ve heard you. I will try to do better. What about Candace? I already promised Jade I would look into it,” Benne said, and Celsie shrugged.

“I can’t stop you from doing that. That’s between Candace and Jade,” Celsie said, and Benne gave her a nod.

“Alright. I will let you handle Aaron your own way, but if it doesn’t work, you will have to tell Harry about it, and you both will have to let me handle it,” Benne said, and Celsie smiled at him.

“Sure,” Celsie said, and her smile widened as Benne pulled closer to her and kissed her.

“Thanks. I need to shower now. I’ll join you in bed soon,” Benne said as he stood up.

“Don’t take too long else I might fall asleep,” Celsie warned as he walked into the bathroom.

“It’s been a long day, you should sleep now,” Benne said as he returned to where she now lay on the bed, and kissed her forehead, nose and lips despite her protest.

“I’ll wait for you,” Celsie said as she tried to sit up, but Benne gently pushed her back down.

“Don’t fight it. You can go to sleep. If you’re up when I get back that’s fine, if you’re not, it’s fine too,” Benne said before walking away.

By the time he returned from the bathroom and joined her on the bed, Celsie had slept off, so he turned off the lights, and cuddled her before drifting off to sleep himself.

The next morning, as they both prepared to leave the house for the office Benne decided to give Harry a call to find out how Aaron was doing and know if he would be able to make it to the office.

Harry who had been in the middle of an argument with Aaron, in his bedroom, paused when his phone started ringing, “Good morning, Benne. Sup?” He asked while still looking at Aaron who was scowling at him.

“Good morning, HaHa. How is your old man doing today?” Benne asked, and Celsie, who was listening in on the call, smiled.

“He’s doing better than he was yesterday, but I need to stay home with him to be sure…”

“He don’t need to do any damned thing! He’s just trying to skip work so he can laze around the house. Don’t let him slack off, Benne,” Aaron called out to Benne, before turning to Harry.

“I’ve told you countless times that I’m fine. Just go to your damn office and stop fussing over me like some old granny over her first grandchild,” Aaron cut in with an angry hiss.

Although he loved having Harry around him, he couldn’t help feeling guilty whenever he saw him, despite his resolve to tell him the truth later.

All he needed now was for Harry to leave the house, so he could find a way to fix his phone’s broken screen and contact Sara so he could fix a meeting with her.

Benne chuckled, “If he can say all that then he’s fine,” Benne said, while Harry eyed his father.

“I’m not leaving him all by himself. I need to keep an eye on him and make sure he gets enough rest even if it means bringing him with me to the office,” Harry insisted.

“Wow! Nobody told me today was bring your dad to work day. So because you’re Co-CEO now you think you can do whatever you like,” Aaron hissed at him, and this time both Harry, Benne, and Celsie laughed.

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