Chapter 4 4

**One week ago

CELESTE POV

"It is of great honor to be given a chance to speak with each one of you, ladies and gentlemen."

Everyone looked at me, with questions I could see clearly on their faces. Maybe, just maybe they didn't know it was me-not yet.

They could not have known, especially with the glow-up I've had in the last four years.

I continued. "It'll be stingy and wicked of me to not tell you about my company that has just launched. It'll be called The Celeste's Monarch, an industry where fabrics of all types will be produced."

Immediately, they began to clap.

There was much more to say but I let them have their time. When the large hall filled with hundreds of people went silent, I continued. "The Celeste's Monarch is a new one and barely has a customer, nor a company that's currently partnering with us. I'm here to solicit people who might have an interest in working with us."

I looked around.

The smile on my countenance widened at the thought of being home. Not just returning to the country but being able to do the things I believed I could not achieve at some point in my life.

There would be almost no reason to stand right in front of so many people, boldly, with something as important as this to say.

One part of me believed I would meet the man who pushed me into becoming better here. Damien Blackwood-the same man who made me vow to become better. Where was he?

Why wasn't he here?

I was busy with my search when voices filled the hall. I let go of my thoughts so that I could face them, and a man was on his feet, a big man who looked familiar even though I wasn't sure where and how I knew him from the past.

"I might have a question for you, Mrs. Celeste."

"Of course, sir. What can I do?"

"Are you not the woman from six years ago?" Like a bomb, he threw it at me. "She was married to Mr. Damien Blackwood if I remember correctly. She left four years ago and we never heard from her again. I need to know if you're this woman."

The smile disappeared from my face.

I looked around the hall again. All I wished for was to see Damien Blackwood-I wished to set eyes on him again, right in this place. There was just a lot he was missing and he didn't know.

"Mrs. Celeste?"

"Yes, Mr.-" I paused. I didn't know his name.

"My name is Celeste Sterling and I am no longer married to Mr. Damien Blackwood."

The hall went silent.

I continued. "Yes, I am that same woman from six years ago who got married to Mr. Damien Blackwood. But the marriage ended two years later, which was four years ago. I'm back to my hometown to be known again, not as Celeste Blackwood, but as the CEO of The Celeste Monarch. I'll go with my father's name, Sterling."

From nowhere, people clapped.

A smile appeared again on my countenance. I felt so on top of the world, all of these felt like a dream but it wasn't a dream.

I had spent four years of my life working hard and looking forward to a day like this to come-a day when Damien Blackwood sees me against his wish, as a woman he never expected me to be.

A threat to his reputation.

"This is beautiful-"

I could hear the voices of a few people not seated far from me.

"Didn't they say she was dead?"

"Maybe she came back to life-"

"Thank you all for having me-" I broke the moment. They could continue with their talks when I was out of their sight. "I'll appreciate anyone who would love to partner with us. I can be reached as soon as this conference comes to an end. Thank you again, for having me."

This was the end of my speech.

I walked away from the stage. One thing I expected was my hands and legs shaking, but none of that happened. The training and growth I acquired in four years was beginning to pay off.

The crowd clapped again.

When I reached my seat, I held back myself from making a scene by crying.

If only these same people knew, but it didn't matter because I was back.

I had returned to my hometown-and this was a moment to take back all I ever lost, maybe make peace with my family, and be who I should be.

I already was that person.

But there was no way it would be complete without taking what I had come back for.

What else if not-

"That was a good one, Mrs. Celeste-" The host of the conference who gave me a chance to speak, cut short my thoughts. "Anyone interested in partnering with an upcoming fabric company should reach out to Mrs. Celeste Black-Sterling when this conference comes to an end."

After a long wait, many others had given their speeches and the conference came to an end. I jumped to my feet, ready to leave. There was no need to rush people-there was no need to convince people to work with me-I thought to myself while I reached the hall entrance.

But someone called.

It was the same huge man who asked if I was the woman from six years ago. "Mrs. Celeste?" He walked closer with a smile. "I can't believe you were the one standing in front of us a while ago."

"Thank you for having me, Mr.-"

"Mr. Clinton."

"Mr. Clinton-" I repeated. "I'm honored to meet you again even though I don't exactly recall."

"Oh-" He chuckled. "I am partnering with The Blackwood Group, currently. Although I might want to switch and work with you, given that there should be goodies and bonuses for the first few persons who would work with The Celeste Monarch. What do you think, Mrs. Celeste?"

I almost choked.

Getting a hold of myself, I asked. "Did you just say you would like to work with me, Mr. Clinton?"

He laughed.

"Of course, I can't miss out on the benefits. Can I?" His hand reached his breast pocket. Mr. Clinton took out a card and handed it over. "Do I expect a call from you soon, Mrs. Celeste?" He didn't wait for a response and was walking towards the door.

That was-Fast.

I hadn't processed all that happened when a group of people stopped in front of me.

I looked up. As I kept the card Mr. Clinton gave in my purse, I offered them a smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, am I being interviewed by the press?"

"Of course, Mrs. Clinton."

"I see-"

"We would love to express how stunning you look, the changes and growth you've acquired in just four years of staying away from this city."

"Thank you," a proud smile appeared and I switched composure. "It's my honor to be back home, in my hometown, with you people. Will that be all? I must catch up with my driver."

"No, Mrs. Celeste. There is something we would love to know. Everyone here knows you launched your company, The Celeste's Monarch. But we'd love to know, aside from returning to start up a business, what else do we expect from you?"

"I am back because this is my country and hometown. I belong to this place, even though there are many other things I'm here for."

"What could they be?" Someone asked.

The smile on my face was no longer pride. It was mischief, wickedness, and anger with a mixture of delight. I looked at the camera and spoke. "I'm here for a lot of things, but one of the things I've come back to do is take what belongs to me."