STATUS: With Benefits Only

Chapter III: Birthday Plan

Celestine's POV

"You're something, Tine," Denver said, laughing and continuously shaking his head in disbelief while I looked down, fidgeting my fingers out of shame.

We are currently on the rooftop of the hotel, which has been reserved exclusively for us tonight. The party just ended, so we went up here right away.

"Denver, stop teasing her," Danny defended me.

"That's not what I meant; it's just funny to think that you were the one who was responsible for the dent in Xyler's brand-new car," Denver replied, laughing while I bit my lip in embarrassment. My goodness! The car was new!

And yes, the guy whose car I accidentally bumped into in the hallway is their cousin from Italy, Xyler Gutierrez.

"She's being reckless. Again," Dominique chimed in, looking at us, sitting comfortably with a bottle of beer in his hand.

"Dominique!" Danny scolded.

"What? It's the truth. Xyler just came back, and he had to face her. How can he be so unlucky?" Dom replied before he looked my way. "Really? Thanks to you, Celestine," he continued sarcastically.

"Watch your tone, Dominique," McKenzie warned him after he turned to face his cousin.

Dominique stood up and approached Makie, who was also standing. We were alarmed as the cousins stared at each other. Dom clenched her jaw while Makie remained calm with a stoic face.

"You're quite gutsy, Mckenzie."

"You've had enough drinks, Dominique." Denver stepped in and pulled Dom away, making a stance as if he were about to throw a punch.

"Makie," I said softly, holding his arm to keep a distance between them.

Dominique forcefully pulled his arm from Denver's grip and left the rooftop. I heard Danny exhale heavily with her eyes on me.

"I'm so sorry, Tine," she said. I smiled lightly and nodded once in return.

"Forgive Dominique, Tine. I apologize on behalf of my brother's behavior earlier," Denver said.

"It's okay; he's had too much to drink anyway," I replied to them.

"I guess we should head back to our rooms. It's getting late." Danny said.

"You two should return to your rooms as well, okay?" Denver bids us farewell. I waved to the siblings as they left together.

I exhaled and looked down before glancing at my friend. Makie's eyebrows were still furrowed because of what happened earlier.

"Hey," I called her.

"He shouldn't say those things to a woman, especially to you," Makie said, looking at me.

"Just let it go; he's drunk," I replied.

"Let it go. I can't let those kinds of things slide. I won't tolerate that kind of behavior, Celestine. Dom hasn't changed at all; from then until now, she still acts that way towards you, even though you did nothing wrong to him."

"Mckenzie Gutierrez, calm down." His face was red, and his eyebrows were almost touching. I hold his face with both my hands. I remember doing this whenever I tried to calm him whenever he was feeling angry or annoyed. The only difference now is that her chubby cheeks are no longer there.

I didn't say anything, and neither did he until his anger subsided. Slowly, the intense redness of her face faded, and his eyebrows relaxed. That's a sign that he has calmed down.

It still works, I guess.

"I'm sorry, Tine."

"Hush, you don't have to apologize." I smiled and was about to remove my hands from his cheeks, but he grabbed them, brought them to his lips, and gave them a light kiss.

I was surprised for a moment, thinking he had changed a lot. He took off his blazer before he put it on my shoulders, covering my bare back.

"Let's go; Aunt and Uncle might be looking for you." He said. I smiled and got up from our seats before he led the way.

"Celestine Lyn Dela Pena! What got into your head that you stepped on the accelerator?!"

Here I am, being lectured. I thought there wouldn't be any more of this after tonight. I forgot that my dad saw the car damage when he went down to the parking lot.

"Hon, what's important is that nothing bad happened to Celestine. Maybe she just accidentally stepped on it." Mom defended me. It is truly a miracle that she is now on my side, as she was previously silent whenever my father reprimanded me.

"Don't cover up for our daughter, Jenelyn. It's the reason why she's becoming stubborn," Dad said, getting up from the bed and approaching my mother.

"Carlos, our child is already twenty-one; we can discuss it calmly. You don't need to raise your voice," Mom replied authoritatively, which changed Dad's expression.

"Go to our room," Mom told Dad.

"B-But I still need to talk to Celes-"

"Carlos." After hearing Mom, Dad immediately turned and went into their room. My mother turned to me, so I prepared myself for her sermon.

"Celestine, my dear," she said while caressing my head, so I looked at her.

"Go to sleep; I will take care of your dad." But it doesn't mean that I tolerate your mistake, especially when you hit Xyler's car." I bit my lower lip. I didn't want to go on their camping trip with Makie's cousins.

"Sorry, Mom," I sincerely apologize because I know I'm at fault.

"Alright, clean yourself up before going to bed. Bring Sasha up to your room too." I smiled, nodding, and was surprised when she suddenly kissed me on the forehead. "Goodnight, my dear," she added, turning her back to me. I was in awe, so I reached out to her and hugged her from behind.

"Goodnight, Mom; please tell Dad too." She faced me and gently stroked my cheek. She smiled before she went to their room. Their doors were already closed, but I was still standing. I savored that moment when I felt my mother's love.

They were always busy with business, so having a conversation like that was almost impossible. I always thought that their company mattered more to them than me. I sighed before going down to get Sasha.

"Wow, you look like you didn't receive a scolding from Uncle," Sasha commented.

"Mama kissed me," I told her happily.

"Really?! Where?"

"Here," I answered, pointing to my forehead. I may have looked stupid since I feel like I'm an overly excited kid. Sasha smiled and pinched me on the side.

"Ouch, Sash! What's that for?"

"You didn't tell me that Xyler Gutierrez was so handsome," she whispered. After leaving the function room, she followed me, thinking I would run away again.

"Oh, how can I tell you when I only met him?"

"Court him." My brows were automatically raised. What? Me? Celestine Lyn Dela Peña will court a man? Never!

"No thanks; I'm too pretty to court someone."

"But you're already used to chasing men, right?" I avoided her gaze. There was only one man I would chase, and that was Dominique.

"Don't expect anything from Dominique. If I were you, I'd go for Xyler. He's more mature."

"Oh, no! Don't include me in your desires for older men." I winced as Sasha suddenly hit my arm.

"What do you mean, older? Denver and Xyler are older than me by 6 years; it's not that bad."

"Wow, Denver. So confident, so no more big brother?"

"Of course, that's only when he's around."

"Wow, so flirtatious!" She hit me again on my arm. Damn it! Every hit stung. She just laughed at me as she went up to our room. I glared at her before I followed her.

The next day, we returned to our condo. It's where we stay, and it's near the university. My parents gave it to me on my 18th birthday. I like it here since I don't have a curfew. I can leave and go home on my own time, unlike when I'm living with my parents.

"Sash! I left my towel in the room! Can you please get it?" I shouted from the bathroom. Suddenly, the door opened, and Sasha threw it at me. Because I already expected it, I caught it.

"Lock the door, will you?" she said,

"I don't do that!"

"You're so stupid!" I just laughed as she closed the door. "Shave too!" she added from outside. I looked at the lower part of my body and shrugged. Was there a need? It's not thick or long anyway.

"No one's going to eat this! It's fine like this!"

"There is! If you're going to court, Xyler!"

"Shut up!" I replied, and I heard her loud laughter. I know that she was just teasing me, but I still frown. Why does she always mention that man to me?

I couldn't help but remember how Xyler looked last night. He's tall and has good posture; he's very manly. He looks good as well, and I'm sure that he's also surrounded by women wherever he is. The Gutierrez family has good genes, and anyone who knows them will try to get any of them.

Then, out of nowhere, I think of Dominique. It's almost his birthday. What gift should fit him when he almost had everything? I bit my lip when an idea popped into my head.

"Can you do it, Celestine?" I asked myself. I wiped my body dry with the towel before I wrapped it around me. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and swallowed hard, thinking about the gift that I wanted to give to Dominique.

"I'll make sure you take back everything you said to me, Dom."

I intend to gift myself to him on his birthday, regardless of the means.