Page 43 of Something Blue

Celso

Inever intended for her father to die.

But it turns out it is exactly what needed to happen for things to start falling into place for us.

Yesterday Neve and I spent the day together and I have never felt so intensely and beautifully connected to another person in my entire life.

She is even more perfect that I could ever have imagined.

It was the perfect day with the perfect girl. The girl who already belongs to me. The one I will marry.

Unfortunately, after I said goodbye and arrived back home - I messaged her - and she seemed cold and distant again. It’s frustrating how I’m getting closer to my goals, but then they drift a little further away again. One step forward, two steps back.

My phone rings and I rush to answer it, hoping it’s her.

“Hello?” I say, not seeing her number.

“This is Luke Greco, I was hoping we could meet at some point today to discuss the campaign.” He is sharp, polite and tense.

My heart flips and a nervous current of energy bolts through me like sharp knives.

“Luke, good to hear from you. I am free this afternoon. I can come over in the next hour.”

He swallows. “Good.” He says. “I’ll see you later. Thank you.”

“Thankyou.” I smile, and hang up.

Well, will you look at that? Perhaps things aren’t two steps back after all. Perhaps her father’s deathhappened for more than one reason. Luke knows what I demanded of Franco in order to fund the campaign. Surely he would not be calling a meeting with me if it wasn’t to accept that deal?

I can barely contain myself. I can’t think straight I’m so flooded with excitement. Is it happening? Pacing up and down my penthouse I try to calm myself down but it’s not working. I’m so happy that I’m agitated. My skin is crawling, burning - I’m uncomfortable in my body.

I have to move.

Grabbing my keys I know if I leave now I’ll get there too early. But I can take the long way around the city. A drive will be good for me. I want to arrive in control of myself, not like this.

Outside there is a light drizzle falling from the pale grey sky. It’s still warm, and the rain makes the air smell fresh, washed clean of the past. It’s a new beginning.

I climb into the car and start the engine, wondering what our wedding will be like, quickly stopping those thoughts because I have to stay neutral until I find out what he really wants. Forall I know he might be trying another bargain. Another option. He does not know how much is at stake for me here - how badly I want his sister and how absolutely no other thing he might offer me will be considered.

I drive like a grandma crawling along to kill time, making my way through busy streets as people run around beneath black umbrellas with long coats covering their bodies. I’m smiling the entire way.

My fingers strumming in time to the music, beating out the tunes onto my steering wheel.

The wipers move in slow motion over the windshield and I take a deep breath now and then to maintain the calm demeanor I’ve found.

Patience always pays off, Celso. And you always get what you want.

It’s an hour after our phone call when I park outside his father’s house. His house.

Luke, unlike his father, comes downstairs to greet me himself. Perhaps he didn’t have a choice. Perhaps his campaign team has abandoned him,and he doesn’t have any little minions running around taking care of his needs.

“Luke.” I greet him, shaking his hand with a tight grip.

“Celso.” He replies stiff and tense.

He gestures for me to follow him into the living room. We sit. He pours me a whisky from the bottle on the coffee table.

“I wanted to discuss the campaign with you - and uh - how we might get the funding going again. I plan to run it differently to how my father did, but the same principles will apply.”

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