Back to the Vipers Den

"You can put me down." She quietly told Richard.

"Be quiet."

Shocked at his cold tone, she glanced up at him, but he refused to look at her.

"Babe? I promise it looks worse than it is. It actually doesn't hurt at all."

"I said be quiet."

"…."

Seeing that he was really upset, Celeste just quietly tucked her head into his chest. Maybe he was mad that he had to leave the party early. Or that she had bullied Titania a bit too much?

When the car was pulled in front of them, Richard gently placed her in the car. He carefully removed her shoe, placing it beside her foot before entering the car and speeding away.

Celeste peeked at his face and seeing that he still had a fierce expression asked, "Are you angry at me?"

No response. The only indication of his anger was the way he was speeding.

"Babe?"

No response.

"Are you mad because I caused you to have to leave?"

No response.

"Or is it because I picked a fight with Rebecca Molina?"

Seeing that he planned on ignoring her, Celeste decided to apologize to him. It seemed that in his support for her, he had made a decision that he regretted.

"Well, I'm sorry for making you upset, and thank you for backing me up. I won't do it again." She contritely said.

All she heard was a deep sigh and the car slowed down.

"Are my words a joke to you?" Richard asked calmly.

"Pardon me?"

"What did I tell you the last time?"

The last time? Celeste blankly shook her head.

Richard could only sigh before using one hand to flick her forehead.

"What did I do?" Celeste asked with the most pitiful expression on her face as she clutched her forehead.

"I warned you if you allowed people to bully you to the point of injury again I would cancel the contract. So, I ask you again, are my words a joke to you?"

Hearing his firm tone, Celeste realized she was really in trouble now. She scrambled her brain to think before remembering.

"Wait wait! Last time that was because of my family! This time it was a completely different set of people! Plus, it was an accident! I couldn't do anything!"

"Three men. One minute." Richard's short cold words ignored her explanation.

"Fine fine fine. But it's very efficient in getting what I want and swaying public opinion." Celeste threw up her hands in frustration.

"Okay, since you want to use such a stupid method like harming your own body, let's cancel the contract. I don't want to work with someone who doesn't value themselves."

Hearing his serious tone, Celeste turned to look at him. The car stopped at a traffic light, and she stared at the expressionless face illuminated by the red light. Without his help, it would be much more difficult to accomplish her goals. She couldn't let him get away. Looking away, she caved in.

"Okay. You win. I won't do it again."

Seeing that he still seemed upset, she decided to sell some cuteness. Reaching over, she grabbed his right arm and held it to her head, making his hands cup her face gently.

"I really am sorry. It won't happen again. Promise."

"Against anybody who tries to hurt you."

"….."

"Against anyone. You will do your utmost best to avoid getting hurt."

Feeling her cheek getting squeezed hard, Celeste caved in.

"Okayyyy."

"If it happens again, that's the end no discussion." Richard pinched her soft cheek once again, before releasing it.

Celeste rubbed her cheek in silence for several minutes before realizing that they were not heading towards the Valentine's mansion.

"Where are we going?"

"Hospital."

"For my leg?? What a waste of money! It doesn't even hurt. Babe, take me home."

No response.

Celeste: "..."

***

"Why the hell are you back in my hospital again? And for such a minor injury? Just pour some alcohol on it, slap on a Hello Kitty Band-Aid, and get the hell out of here!" Dr. Kail Stewart complained as he stared at Celeste. Richard had taken her back to the military hospital and commandeered a room for her before ordering the attending doctor to come in.

Dr. Kail looked as rumpled as usual with his crumpled uniform and deep dark circles underneath his angry eyes. Richard stood in the corner and coldly stared at the man.

"There's a new research group that's headed to Antarctica for the next 2-3 months who has been having trouble finding a doctor to accompany them. I'll let them know you've volunteered to accompany them for the next year."

"My dearest commander, this humble doctor NO- this humble medical servant apologizes once again for my rude comments. It must be the sleep deprivation talking. I will of course treat her to my utmost ability and make sure there is not even a single red line remaining once I am done."

Dr. Kail immediately changed his tune once the threat of being sent to a cold area came up. He gently cleaned her foot of any debris and possible glass, carefully bandaged her up, and even personally pushed the wheelchair out of the hospital to Richard's car.

As Richard drove the car away, Celeste observed the good doctor's face morph from happily waving goodbye to his usual disgruntled expression and she couldn't help but laugh. What an interesting man.

"Where am I taking you?" Richard suddenly asked.

"What are my options?"

"My place or the Valentine mansion."

"Are you going to give me your room at your place?" Celeste asked mischievously while glancing at him.

"You can have the entire floor below it. I'll have them clear it out and furnish it for you."

"But I like your room. It's roomy and the view is to die for." Celeste insisted while staring at him. She was curious as to what he would say.

"…You can have it then." Richard shrugged as he drove towards his building. It didn't matter to him either way. He had slept anywhere from deserts to mountains. It was all the same to him.

"I'm kidding. Please take me to the Valentine's mansion. I miss my family and it seems they miss me in return." Celeste said as she leaned against the window. It had been a nice break, but she needed to get back in the thick of things and focus on her mission Although she had now gained a formidable ally, thinking of Titania Girardi and Rebecca Molina, she had also gained new enemies.

Still, she glanced sideways to view the man who had told her to properly use him. A man who had thoroughly backed her up tonight. She had a feeling that she would be alright.

***

Once Richard dropped her at the front door, Celeste swaggered into the house. Nobody welcomed her, but nobody stopped her either. She immediately went to her room which was in the farthest corner of the house at the back. It was a small room with no windows, barely any room for her twin bed and desk but it was hers. Laying on her bed was the cell phone that Edward Jr. had originally seized. It was horribly cracked but she was excited to have it back.

She quickly changed out of her clothes, carefully folding the dress and jewelry, and hiding it away underneath her bed. Once in her pajamas, she got into her bed and finally turned on her phone. She only had two messages. One from her grandfather asking her to be a good child who got along with the family, and another one from an unknown number which said 'Richard.'

Smiling to herself at the simple message, which was just like him, she quickly asked him to send her the photos.

Once he sent them over, she browsed through them and chose her favorite one where she had been kissing his cheek and set it as her home photo. Thinking it over, she posted it on her Instagram story, texted Richard goodnight, and went to bed not knowing the storm she had set off.

POV: Titania Girardi

While Celeste was peacefully sleeping, other people were having a rough night.

Once Richard carried Celeste out, the Girardi family banquet was basically over. Titania spent the evening doing damage control as people left in droves. Nobody wanted to be caught in the crossfire after Richard Carrington made his statement. Once everyone was gone, she dragged Rebecca to her room.

"What the hell happened Rebecca? What happened to our plan? You let that random bastard embarrass me in front of everyone. What? Happened?" Titania demanded angrily.

"I don't know! I threw the drink at her like you asked but it somehow turned out like this!" Rebecca shouted back.

"And the things she said? About Richard? Is that how you feel?" Titania demanded.

Rebecca hesitated before responding causing Titania to look at her incredulously.

"I definitely didn't say those things. You can check it if you don't believe me!"

"But you're obviously thinking it." Titania accused.

"I mean it became clear that he's no longer tied to you. He showed up with a different woman for goodness' sake Tania. And he bought her the jewelry that you were looking at, jewelry that everyone knows is your favorite. That's not a coincidence. Besides, it won't just be me thinking it. Everyone saw how he defended her tonight…"

"Get out!" Titania ordered.

"Obviously I would never act on it Titania."

"Out!" Titania roared.

Rebecca stared at her in shock before firming up her expression. "I suggest you control your temper before you're dethroned and eliminate everybody who once supported you. My family can't stand up to the Carrington's so I will be going to make peace with Celeste as soon as I can. I suggest you do the same. Goodbye."

Done saying her piece, Rebecca haughtily stalked out.

Titania stared at the door in shock. She and Rebecca had rarely fought as the girl generally went along with what she wanted. This was the first time that Rebecca had refused to apologize after she got angry with her.

Furious, Titania ripped off the sapphire necklace from her neck and threw it at the wall.

Damn you Celeste. You've made an unforgettable enemy out of me!

POV: Richard Carrington

When Richard arrived at his apartment, he quietly walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. On the counter wrapped up was a plate of cookies wrapped up with a note.

Miss Celeste, for your snack tonight, I made you caramel snickerdoodle cookies. The hot chocolate is in the fridge and just has to be heated up in the microwave. Look forward to cinnamon hot cross buns with homemade apple jam for breakfast.

- ♥ Auntie Mae

It seemed she had left a snack for Valentina. As he walked into his bedroom he noticed traces of Celeste all around the place.

His bed was unmade, and he had a pillow mountain to one side. His bathroom had an extra toothbrush, towels, and robe and things had been rearranged in his closet. When he lay down, he could perceive the faintly sweet that came from her hair.

His cellphone buzzed and when he looked at it, he saw the home screen image of Celeste winking at him mischievously. Opening it up, he saw that she was the one who had texted him.

Celeste: Thank you for tonight ^^.

Celeste: Babe, set my contact photo as one of the ones I took ASAP.

Celeste: Oh and save my name as a nickname, not Celeste or else .

Celeste: Also send me all of our pictures.

Celeste: Plz.

Celeste: Thank you >.<.< p>

"So bossy," Richard murmured, but he still found himself following her instructions and sending the picture over.