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“I doubt that. Nor can I trust Astrid to properly chaperone you. What will I do? Her reputation is destroyed by this point.”
“Grand-Mama, nothing happened with her. We made some friends. It was all very innocent!” I rushed to Astrid’s defence. “She didn’t kiss him. She didn’t do anything.”
Celeste was enraged. “It doesn’t matter but your reputations do.”
“Or else, will we not be marriageable?” I asked. “Because isn’t that what you mean? That a man—or his family—won’t find us worth it?”
“Of course!”
“Excuse me, but have we entered the Twilight Zone?” Rick interjected.
Celeste glared.
“I would say most parents don’t prize chastity in this day and age. Mine do not.”
“The church does! And your marriage must be sanctioned by the church—as will Astrid’s.”
“I know Catholics can be conservative, but I doubt kissing defies any requirements,” Rick protested.
“You all did this behind my back! You waited for me to leave.”
Celeste grabbed my arm, digging her nails into me. “You want something to go wrong. You want this all to end up an embarrassment, Alexandra! You aren’t taking this seriously!”
“How am I not? I have done everything asked of me,” I winced.
“You’re whoring yourself around town with him.”
I fought tears.
“Your grandfather would be so disappointed to see you lack any degree of character! I think it is time to call it all off.”
“What?” I asked.
“The wedding,” she said. “You’re not mature enough to keep your head on you.”
“No, no!” I pleaded. “Don’t say that.”
“We’re going through with this,” Rick’s voice was strong and posture aggressive.
Celeste glared. “You will not. I must authorise any marriage.”
“What if your hand was forced?” I played mylastcard. “Because our release is set to go out tomorrow morning.”
“It doesn’t matter! We can scrap it.”
Rick stepped closer to the old bag. “The photos will be ready. I am not asking. I am telling you that I will make it so—thatwewill make it so. And, as Alexandra says, force your hand.”
“Your parents?—”
“Will understand that we want to get married and support it. Celeste, the entire world is watching Neandia for the first time in however long. This is something the people want and need. You’d anger them. I won’t stay quiet if you do this to Alexandra. You are punishing her for acting like a woman of her age. This is what people our age do—and much worse!”
Given the way he defended us, Iwantedto do a lot worse. He wanted this. He was defendingus. Someone cared enough about me to have my best interest in mind. I wanted to kiss Rick more than ever. His defence of me changed things. I trusted him now.My stomach had butterflies. I gripped his hand tightly. I needed him to know how much it meant.
“Don’t test me, Celeste,” Rick said. “You had your side of the bargain, we had ours. We sold this completely. I adore Alexandra. And my duty is to her—not you. To her and the family but not your whims.”
Celeste backed down. “Fine, have it your way. But mind yourself. She is a precious commodity and if you don’t treat this seriously, I will make sure your family suffers a blow so great?—”
“I would never do anything to hurt your family unless you give me a reason to. Don’t try me,” Rick’s voice boomed through the hallway.
