Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO CHOSE HERSELF
Celia moved into a new apartment that summer.
Not because she was hiding.
Because she wanted a fresh start.
The building had good lighting.
Secure entrances.
A small balcony overlooking a courtyard.
And a kitchen with enough space for the ridiculous number of mugs Naomi insisted on giving her.
Celia signed the lease herself.
Paid the deposit herself.
Chose the furniture herself.
The first night, she sat on the floor eating takeout.
No television.
No music.
Just quiet.
For a moment, the silence frightened her.
Then she realized something.
Nobody was coming.
Nobody was waiting outside.
Nobody was going to demand an explanation for where she'd been.
She smiled.
Then cried.
***
Lorenzo visited the following weekend.
He brought flowers.
Celia opened the door.
“What's the occasion?”
“Your new home.”
She smiled.
“That's suspiciously normal.”
“I'm experimenting.”
She laughed.
Then stepped aside.
“Come in.”
He looked around.
The apartment was small compared with his properties.
But warm.
Bright.
Full of books.
Celia watched him.
“Well?”
He smiled.
“It looks like you.”
She felt warmth rise in her chest.
“Good.”
***
That evening, they cooked dinner.
Badly.
Lorenzo insisted he knew how to make pasta.
Celia discovered he knew how to order pasta.
Those were different skills.
The sauce burned.
The kitchen filled with smoke.
Celia laughed so hard she had to sit down.
Lorenzo stared at the pan.
“I own restaurants.”
“Apparently that hasn't helped.”
He looked at her.
“I'm beginning to think you're enjoying this.”
“Immensely.”
He laughed.
Then turned off the stove.
For a moment, Celia looked at him.
The feared businessman.
The man who once commanded rooms with a glance.
Standing in her tiny kitchen.
Holding a ruined saucepan.
She smiled.
“What?”
He looked at her.
“Nothing.”
She stepped closer.
“Lorenzo.”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
He went still.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then:
“I love you too.”
Celia smiled through tears.
He reached for her hand.
May you like
She took it.
And for the first time, love didn't feel like a bargain she had to keep earning.
