Chapter 917 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Here it is,” Sonia said as she played it, and Celsie leaned forward to see the video.

“Although, I know you don’t like to talk about, but could you indulge my audience and tell us what really happened four years ago? I mean, why was your wedding called off? There were lots of questions and speculations. Didn’t the rumors bother you? Wouldn’t you love to clear the air?” the interviewer asked, and Kimberly laughed softly.

“If you know I don’t like to talk about it, what makes you think I’m going to indulge you or your audience?” Kimberly asked with a friendly smile.

“Perhaps I’m hoping you will be more willing to talk about it now that so much time has passed,” the interviewer said with a hopeful smile.

“I’m even more determined not to look back into the past now that so much time has passed. What’s past is behind, and should be forgotten. I believe if you spend too much time looking into the rearview mirror to see what’s behind, you could miss what is coming ahead. I’ve moved on. The media should do so as well,” Kimberly said, her smile in place, and from the look in her eyes Celsie could tell she wasn’t faking the smile. Her smiled looked genuine.

As a matter of fact she had the face of someone who smiled and laughed a lot, and Celsie had noticed that in her instagram posts.

“Alright. So, any plans to settle down in the future?” The interviewer asked, and Kimberly smiled ruefully.

“I have none. I’m okay with my life as it is,” Kimberly said simply before they moved to other subjects.

“She doesn’t sound like a bad person, and maybe my fears are unnecessary. She even dismissed it when I asked if she wanted Benne to marry her,” Celsie said, and Sonia raised a brow.

“You asked her that? Why? Hold on, You said you spoke with her? When? Who called?” Sonia asked when she realized she had been too carried away by the news of the possibility of Benne having a kid to focus on the other details.

“She chatted me up on Instagram,” Celsie explained.

“She did? Can I see the conversation?” Sonia asked, and Celsie handed her the phone.

Sonia grimaced as she read through the chat, “Don’t you think you were too cold and polite when she was trying to be friendly?” Sonia asked when she was done.

“She has had time to think and process everything before chatting me up. I wasn’t prepared to chat with her. Besides, after Anita I can’t be too careful,” Celsie said defensively, and Sonia sighed.

“I understand. But she seems understanding though,” Sonia said and Celsie nodded.

“Yeah. I think so too,” Celsie agreed.

“I don’t think you need to worry about her. Perhaps what you should do is keep an open mind towards her. If the kid turns out to be Benne’s, you’re going to need to get along with her,” Sonia said, and Celsie nodded in agreement.

“I thought so too, so I was thinking that if the kid turns out to be his, maybe I could suggest to Benne that they both come down instead of having Benne go over to meet them,” Celsie said, and Sonia looked at her for a moment.

“What do you really want, Celsie?” Sonia asked curiously.

“Benne would need to be a part of the kid’s life…”

“I’m talking about you now, Celsie. Not Benne,” Sonia cut in, and Celsie shrugged.

“I want to be with Benne and I want us both to be happy together. I’m a part of Benne’s life. They will also be a part of his life. I will have to be involved with them. I know Benne enough to know that he might not be able to find the balance easily if I remove myself from the picture. So, I’m going to stand by him. If she’s his daughter I will care about her and for her as I should as Benne’s girlfriend,” Celsie said, and Sonia smiled.

“You know, I really wish I could get a glimpse of all that’s going on in your mind right now. You sound like a completely different person. Weren’t you the same person who suggested to him that he adopts a child and leaves you out of it?” Sonia asked in amazement.

“Well, that is different. This is reality and I have to be realistic now. It won’t make sense if Benne has to share his time between the company, me, and his daughter. It will be overwhelming for him,” Celsie said reasonably.

“I understand what you mean. And I agree with you. I’m just surprised,” Sonia said, and Celsie sighed.

“Do you think I’m thinking too far ahead and maybe I should just calm down?” Celsie asked, and Sonia grinned.

“That wouldn’t be you. Thinking far ahead is what you do best. And as long as you’re thinking far ahead in the right direction, I don’t think it’s a bad thing this time,” Sonia said reasonably.

“It’s a good thing that instead of dwelling on the problem this time and trying to withdraw, you’re actually thinking of ways to overcome it. Therapy is good for you…”

“Don’t credit it to therapy,” Celsie cut in with a roll of her eyes, “I’ve barely started my sessions yet, so you can’t say it’s because of therapy.”

“So what or who should I credit it to? Benne?” Sonia asked, and Celsie shrugged.

“My love for him I suppose,” Celsie said and giggled, “Well, looking at the bright side now, I’m not the only one with baggage in our relationship. Benne has his own baggage too,” Celsie said with a grin and Sonia chuckled.

“You’re taking this so well, Celsie. Too well, even,” Sonia observed and Celsie shrugged.

“By now you should know I never stay in between. I’m always all the way in or not in at all. It’s either I pull away and break out with him, which as I told you already is not something I want to do. Or I stand with him and make it work. And the best way to do that is to think about how to make it work, and that’s what I’m doing,” Celsie said, and Sonia nodded.

“True. All the way in could also be getting married to Benne,” Sonia pointed out cautiously.

“About that. I was going to ask you a question. Do you remember the first time I said I wasn’t going to get married?” Celsie asked curiously since that was another reason she had wanted to talk to Sonia.

“Sure. I think we were in middle school then. One of our favorite teachers quit her job after she got married, and around that time one of the ladies I babysat for back then committed suicide because her husband absconded with all the money she had and even left her in debts, remember?” Sonia asked, and Celsie narrowed her eyes.

“Yeah, I remember you weeping profusely as you told me about her death, and I remember thinking she was cruel for not thinking about her kids and taking her life just like that. And after that Mrs Perkins lost her husband and was beside herself with grief,” Celsie said with a frown as she recalled everything that had led her to her decision.

Sonia bobbed her head, “Yeah. You used to love Mrs Perkins a lot because she always had the best muffins,” Sonia said, and Celsie sighed.

“Why did you ask though?” Sonia asked when she noticed the thoughtful expression on Celsie’s face.

“Evelyn asked why I didn’t want to get married…”

“Evelyn? You told her that?” Sonia asked in surprise, and Celsie explained what had led to the conversation and what they had discussed.

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