CHAPTER 4: Welcome wagon...

Ajax

Shit! Here we are, two weeks of irritating idiots getting on my nerves. Why must Dad insist on me attending these things? My time would be much better spent at the office. My patients will be a mess by the time I get back. That's the thing about being a psychologist. People count on you being part of their routine. When you're trying to work through something traumatic, having some sense of normalcy is key to starting recovery. I hope this doesn't undo all the hard work they put in. At least I'll have some peace and quiet to catch up on my charting. That's the only silver lining here. Or so I thought.

We pull up in front of the house, and Dad and I get out of the car. As soon as we do, I hear a squeal of delight, followed by fast footsteps running in our direction. I turn just in time to see someone jump into my dad's arms.

"Uncle Anthony! Oh my god, it's been so long. Too long!"

What in the world? Dad squeezed her in return and lifted her up in a big bear hug.

"Oh, sweetheart! I've missed you too. You know, I've been begging your father to bring you to see me, but he refuses."

"Daddy!"

"Celeste, don't believe anything that old man says. He may be senile. We're looking into it," the man on the porch says, never breaking his smile.

"Oh, hardy har, Ricco! Very funny!" Dad chuckles.

Wait! Celeste? As in Celeste Torelli? The girl I used to play with as a kid? She definitely isn't a kid anymore. I can't see her very well because she has her back to me, but even from the back I can tell she was all grown woman now. She has an hourglass figure and a plump round ass. Her dirty blonde hair sits just five or so inches above it when her head is tilted back looking up at my dad. The whole package sits on top of the most perfect, firm, toned long legs I've ever seen. Good God, she is sexy, and I haven't even see her face yet. I may be in trouble here.

She chuckles at my dad. "Don't worry, Uncle Anthony, you won't be old for centuries yet."

"And that's why I like you better than your father, dear."

This prompted a beaming smile from both Celeste and the man on the porch, who I have now gathered is Mr. Torelli. He looks so different that I didn't even recognize him.

"Where are my manners?" dad continues. "You remember my son, Ajax?" He gestures behind them to me.

Celeste turns back to look at me and holy shit! The view from the front is even better. She has the face of an angel, but a chest that evokes sin. I don't think it should be legal to be this hot.

"Of course! Ajax, how have you been?" she says as she pulls me into a hug. It's like she is completely unaware of the effect she has on people.

"Great, well, busy, actually. Not that my dad cares," I say in a grumpy tone.

She giggles and responds, "I know what you mean. It is killing me to take two entire weeks off."

Then I hear two completely in unison sighs.

"All right, if you two have finished complaining about your unfair fathers, let's head inside. Celeste made some refreshments to ward off the fatigue of travel," Mr. Torelli says, gesturing toward the

house.

We went inside and ate. We all chat and catch up until the others start arriving. I decide to take my coffee and sit out on the porch while Mr. Torelli and Celeste welcome all the other council members

and their heirs. Not surprisingly, all the other heirs have the same reaction to Celeste. I'm not a mind reader, but I don't really need to be. It is written all over their faces. What is surprising, though, is the fact that Celeste honestly doesn't seem to notice. Women who are hot are usually keenly aware of that fact, and act stuck up and superior. Celeste, on the other hand, doesn't even seem to think she is even mildly attractive, even though she is honestly the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Interesting.

After the parade of gaping mouths is over, Mr. Torelli gathers everyone in the living room. He tells everyone that dinner will be at 7:00 p.m., and we should all get settled in for now. Our bags have

already been sent to our respective rooms, so I head up to unpack. Dinner should be fun. Right. Fun.

Ricco

Well, everyone has arrived safely, and the chef said dinner will be on time. Today is just meant to be a day to get reacquainted, but tomorrow, the real work begins. I head to my room to do some final checks to make sure I have all the documents for the first meeting tomorrow. Everything seems to be in order, so I start packing them away just as there's a knock on the door. "Come in."

"Hey, Daddy."

"Celeste, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I went through the stock in the infirmary earlier, and it turns out, we do need a few things. I know you have a meeting planned with only the council members tomorrow, so can I borrow the car during that time to go get the stuff I need?"

"Of course, sweetheart. Do me a favor though and see if any of the other heirs want to go too. They might be bored to tears having nothing to do during our meeting."

She chuckles and says, "Sure, Daddy, but they would probably be way more bored in the meeting."

"You just think you're so cute, don't you, little lady?"

"Nope. Just smart. See you at dinner, Daddy." She shuts the door with a cocky smirk on her face. I smile to myself as I finish putting my documents away. It's almost time for dinner, so I better head down now.

Around all the tables sit the council members and their heirs. Everyone mingles and gets reacquainted. Some of the heirs haven't seen one another in over a decade. Some have grown up and gotten married, a few of those even have kids. Then there's the category that Celeste falls into. The heirs that have been so focused on their careers that they haven't even thought of having a family. I respect her drive

and determination, but I worry about her future happiness. Having Arianna and Celeste in my life? Yeah. That is definitely my greatest achievement. I want that happiness for her too.

Just as I am lost in my thoughts, Celeste stands up and asks for everyone's attention. I quickly snap back to reality and look over at her.

"Excuse me, everyone. I'm sorry to interrupt your conversations, but I just wanted to make a quick announcement." The room goes eerily quiet, as everyone is completely attentive to her. She doesn't

even have to use her powers. "Tomorrow, the council members will have a meeting that starts at ten in the morning. It will last for a few hours, and the heirs will not be in attendance for this particular

meeting. I am going to use this time to head into town to get a few medical supplies that we need in the house's infirmary. I invite any of the heirs that want to get out of the house for a bit to join me. Anyone interested?" I see six hands quickly shoot up. "Great, meet me in the living room at ten, and we'll head out. Thanks, everyone. Enjoy the rest of your meal," she says with a smile and sits to finish her own meal.

Good. She won't be alone. I know she can take care of herself, but a father always worries. I look around at the young men who will be going with her, when all of a sudden it hits me. All the men who raised their hands are the single heirs. Every "single" heir in the room decided to go. Damn it, are they interested in Celeste, or is this just a coincidence? I'll let it go for now, but I'll have to keep my eyes open. Jeez, five minutes ago I was wishing marriage and kids for her. Now my protective instinct has kicked in, and I want to rip their heads off for even having a possible interest in her. What is wrong with me? I swear, this whole father thing is emotionally exhausting. I manage to make it through my meal calmly and head to bed. Tomorrow is going to be busy. I'll just have to trust that Celeste can handle this on her own.