Page 66 of Blue Blood

Ana: Yes, who is this?

Unknown: Celia.

Unknown: Russo.

Speak of the devil.

Who the hell gave her this number?

Unknown: I know you’re heading out of town soon. Can I grab a few minutes to chat? Looks like you’re free now.

Ana spun on the spot, wondering if there were cameras in the room. How did she know Ana was traveling soon? Maybe her father had told her; he knew Ana would be in the meeting with Tony this Thursday. Nevertheless, it was a little terrifying and, more so, annoying, how much Celia knew.

Closing her eyes with a soft groan, Ana replied.

Ana: Yes, I’m free for a few minutes now.

At the instantaneous ring, she rolled her eyes.

“Hi, Celia. A pleasant surprise.”

“Is it?”

Ana floundered for a moment at the sly retort. “Of course…I wasn’t expecting this, but I am happy to chat." Not. "We didn’t get to talk long last time. I hope you enjoyed the gala.”

Celia hummed evasively. “It was nice to have all regions together. The décor was also lovely, but quite a number of chandeliers, wasn’t it?”

Ana laughed awkwardly. “I think my aunt has a fondness for them.”

“I could tell.”

Seconds ticked by as Ana waited for her to explain why she'd called, absently rubbing the back of a chair. After a painful silence, Celia eventually yielded, drawing in an audible breath. “The reason I called–”

Silence ensued again, and Ana’s curiosity piqued. The woman didn’t seem the type to hedge around. So why was she hesitating now?

“Yes?”

“…well, it’s about the gala.”

“Oh. Was there an issue with it?”

“No.” A deep sigh, followed by muttering. “Well, I just wanted to, uh, apologize for that night. If my tone was off and I offended you, I’m sorry.”

Ana drew to a stop in the middle of her bedroom, completely thrown.

That was the last thing she expected to hear. If Celia had told her the sky was collapsing above her head, it would have been far more believable. Her tone was sullen and not wholly sincere, but the fact that she’d even uttered an apology was shocking.

“I-I wasn’t expecting that,” Ana admitted honestly. “I appreciate it…but I wasn’t offended.”

A complete lie.

Even Celia said skeptically, “Really?”

“Yes, really. None taken.”

“Interesting. Because the Don made it very clear that I behaved poorly.”

What?

---