[5]

Celine knew that Jacob did not take his eyes off her. Starting from the moment dinner was served, as well as the few times Celine responded to the conversation that took place there. which mostly revolved around political issues and what was happening in society.

"Your meal could be cold, Jacob," Celine said as she wiped the corner of her lips with the sauce. "Is tonight's banquet chef not to your taste?"

Jacob laughed softly. "No, no. I like the preparations from Chef Arnold's cold hands. Everything tasted just right."

Celine nodded briefly. Her eyes unintentionally found the man who had been bothering her in the past few days through messages that she found disgusting. Jody Varens. The man smiled and waved, looking excited and excited when he saw Celine not far from him. They were only one table away and could be approached easily. Around the old man, there was no wife.

"No wonder," he muttered between the smiles he could manage to maintain his image. "Maya must have met several people to support her cause."

"Did you finish your dinner?" asked Jacob, still with his eyes fixed on Celine.

"Um... I think so." Celine also took her share of the wine glass. Asking the waiter, who was never far from the dining table, to pour it back to fill it up. After saying thank you, she took another sip of the sweet and tart flavors that clashed on the surface of the tongue. "This is... delicious."

"Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux. I think it can be categorized as the best wine."

Celine looked at Jacob, not only as a form of reply to what the man had just said, but also as a response if Celine was now paying attention to him. And it was seen that the man smiled slightly, with excitement of course. and that made Celine feel that the next plan would not be difficult.

"You do know wine well, I guess." The girl smiled again. This time until she deliberately buried her eyes in laughter lines. Showing her neat, white, and charming row of teeth. "Just now... what did you ask?"

"Just making sure you've finished your dinner?"

"If I have?" Celine supported her face with one of her hands. Replying to every single thing Jacob did until Celine felt that the man was starting to misbehave.

"I want to talk."

"We've been talking, haven't we?"

Jacob smiled slightly, pushing back his chair. "In a more private place. Of course you agree to that, right?"

Celine didn't want to answer yet, choosing to play with the contents of the wine that still looked tempting to finish.

"I have so much to tell you, Celine. Especially about the past." Jacob stared at Celine uninterruptedly, trying to plead with her to comply. It was a while before Celine gave a slight nod, which was met by a sigh of relief from Jacob.

"Thank you, Celine."

Celine chuckled. "For the sake of the past that I thought was gone."

Jacob had trouble swallowing his saliva. "I... wait for you in the corridor by the elevator."

Celine nodded once again. Before she moved to follow Jacob, the direction of her steps was now Giselle. She also approached Giselle who was at the end of the table. separate chairs did not mean Celine could just leave her best friend. although Celine was sure, Giselle was within safe reach. One of the invited guests present was a man who was never far from Giselle's life; Andrew.

To be sure, that man would take good care of Giselle.

"I have a few things to do. Is it okay if I leave you alone?" Celine asked once she was next to Giselle. Her words clearly made Giselle frown.

"Are you sure you don't need company?"

Celine laughed cheerfully. which she took the time to return the greeting of the Ambassador who joined the same dining table. "I'm sure there are some great corners to spend time with your loved ones."

"Shut up!" Giselle snapped but was very restrained. "Let me know if there's a problem."

"Take it easy. I'm a lover of peace."

Giselle scowled but soon, her smile returned. There was no way she could show a displeased face in the midst of this many invited guests who truly had such influence. All Giselle could do now was to let Celine waltz away from the dining room. There were actually a few more events after the dinner, and most of the guests wanted to enjoy themselves until the end.

That meant there were still a few hours to go before Giselle could return home.

Meanwhile, Celine walked confidently in the footsteps of Jacob who was waiting at the side of the corridor. The man was still the same as the last time they met. If only he was not good at processing his emotions and facial expressions, maybe this event would turn into a place for fisticuffs. The disappointment and anger at Jacob's cowardice made Celine want to throw a punch at the man.

But she didn't.

She could hold it all in. Venting disappointment is not always with a punch from her hand. Celine needed her hands to be spotlessly clean. She would not waste her body in pain and act uselessly.

"I know a fairly quiet place in this area," Jacob said as Celine approached.

"Thank goodness. I'm tired of the noise."

Jacob smiled slightly, allowing Celine to step first into the elevator. Not many people had left the banquet party earlier, and Celine did not have to worry about the vicious fingers of the paparazzi. Everything had been handled by the organizers, so she didn't need to keep an extra eye on the surroundings.

No one spoke while they were in the elevator. Which Celine knew that the man was watching her again. Who could take their eyes off Celine tonight? Wrapped in a design by Cho Chang who is quite famous for his ethnic style especially the shio element, the cut of the dress was simple but emphasized how Celine's shoulder blades were created by God perfectly. Not to mention the high slit of the dress, showing how Celine's smooth and long legs were embellished with heels in the same color as the dress complete with luxurious crystal sprinkles.

The soft velvet base wowed many people when she arrived, but Celine, who was very used to getting attention, could only smile slightly in appreciation. Red was the perfect choice for Celine tonight.

Even Giselle, who knows how many times, complimented her once she was done with her hair.

"This way," Jacob said as he pointed out the direction. Celine only nodded briefly and returned to imitating the steps of the man who was now leading the way. The corridor she walked through seemed deserted but it didn't matter. Her eyes caught several CCTV cameras that would be impossible not to record the activity this time.

"This is the place." Jacob pushed open the glass door, it was large and sturdy but as Celine stepped into the room, a small gasp escaped his lips. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"It's not wrong that Hotel Alden is named as a star hotel that has class." Celine continued to walk by Jacob's side. "And... have you inherited this hotel?" She glanced at Jacob who looked surprised at her question.

"Not yet." Jacob laughed.

"How is that possible?" asked Celine with a look of disbelief. "After all this time?"

"Shall we talk while we sit down?" Jacob pulled out one of the chairs. Like a gentleman admiring his lady, he was so polite. And in his heart, he was so happy to see Celine again. His love.

The lover he could not forget easily. The one he once... let down. But now, when everything was almost in his grasp, he would no longer act and behave foolishly. That was enough regret eight years ago. And until this moment, Jacob was still wallowing in those regrets.

Celine smiled again, but then the smile disappeared. Replaced with a cold and no longer friendly look. "What did you want to talk about?"

Jacob was stunned. He blinked repeatedly at the change in Celine's expression. But then, he realized that Celine had been very good at hiding her mask. The face that Celine actually had, he now enjoyed.

The face of a girl he once hurt so much. Who never wanted to get rid of her nightmare; the day Jacob canceled their engagement. just because Celine's parents were in trouble.

"I-I..."

"Talk soon. I don't have much time," Celine snapped, folding her arms across her chest. "You think I'm willing to make nice with you? Yuck!" She chuckled as she scowled.