CELESTINA

Chapter 14: Grandfather

I did not realize how far I got through with Thomas’s file before my eyes started closing shut. No matter how many times I blinked trying to will them to stay open, they just would not budge.

As a result of it, I woke up the next morning dressed in the same clothes and it hit me that I never got around to change my clothes last night, with my tablet beside me with Thomas's file open on it. Apparently, I do have the capability of falling asleep reading a book.

A knock on my door woke me up completely “Yes?”

Gloriana informed me from the other side of the door “I need to talk to you, Celestina. I am coming in".

I nodded my head... which was a ridiculous thing to do, considering that no one is there to watch that action but for me. The knob turned, the door opened, and Gloriana came into my room.

She stood at the foot of my bed with her arms crossed and her fingers tapping away at her arms “My father, your grandfather, is on his way over and he wants to speak with you.”

My mind started drawing blank since I have never met my grandfather, even if I did, I do not have a memory of him “So, I finally get to meet this grandfather that everyone has been talking about. I honestly have no recollection of him whatsoever.”

Gloriana rolled her eyes unfolding her hands “Celestina, do not be so casual about it. I have told you many times that you have met him on several occasions when you were a little baby. He is a very busy man. I hardly see him, and he is MY father. I do not know what you expect of us. You are treated very well and live a privileged life. Not everyone has access to the conveniences that you have,” she chided me.

‘What does she mean by ‘Treating me very well’? I am their daughter so why is she talking to me like she did me a favor?’ “I did not mean any disrespect to you or to anyone for that matter, Gloriana. It is just that I have been home for weeks and I thought he would have come to visit me by now,” I shrugged my shoulders.

Gloriana rubbed her forehead with her thumb and her forefinger as she started pacing my room, she looked at my disheveled state and frowned “You need to get out of the bed and freshen yourself up. Please put extra care into your appearance today. It is important that he sees what a fine young woman you are” with that, Gloriana spun around and walked out of the room but not before throwing over her shoulder “He will be here in thirty minutes”.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself and gathered my thoughts “I will do my best” I called out after her.

“Do MY best. It would be better” the words felt like a hot knife slicing through the butter.

My shoulders sagged as I heaved a heavy sigh ‘Of course, HER best would always be better than MY BEST. Would I ever measure up to her expectations?’

I walked into the bathroom feeling a little glum at the turn of events this morning and stared at my reflection. There were bags under my eyes, which were also puffy and red. This is not a good look at any given time, let alone when you were seeing your oh so important grandfather for the first time. Well, the first time that you remembered anyway.

Shaking my head, I sighed and thought about what Lily would say “I look zonked,” I said aloud, in Lily’s absence trying my best to mimic the way she would say it if she was standing next to me.

After finishing up with my shower and drying my hair, I went back to my room and was greeted by an outfit, that no doubt, Gloriana had clearly picked out for me. It was brand new, probably something she was holding on to for just this occasion. It looked like something that she would wear, overly styled, and a little too cutting edge of fashion. I would have preferred something simpler, something that was easy to slip into, and something that would make me feel comfortable.

The dress that was waiting for me was so not my style. I pulled on the slim brown pencil skirt and was grateful that it fell just below my knees. The dark blue ruffle collared shirt was silky, but it did not look comfortable at all. The fabric was easy to crease and wrinkle, which means, I would have to stand straight and tall, and keep still if I were to keep from looking like I had slept in the shirt.

The jacket she had paired with it was beaded and way too embellished for my liking. There were just too many things going on with it, making my eyes danced around it.

She also laid out a stack of bracelets in order to cover my Citizen Brand. Gloriana has never been seen anywhere without her signature bracelets and she was obviously hoping to force that tradition onto me as well. I am not sure if I wanted to jingle and clink everywhere I went. But I put the bracelets on anyway, to keep her happy.

Just as I was about to exit the room, I realized that my face was make-up free, and Gloriana would expect me to be wearing some. I plopped myself down in front of my little beauty table and hurriedly applied a light coat of everything. When I stood up to inspect myself in the mirror, I did not love the reflection that greeted me. Wearing clothes that I had no choice in the selection of made me feel not quite like me, this is not me… but it would do.

The door chime sounded throughout the house notifying of my grandfather’s arrival. I slipped my feet into the shoes Gloriana had left by the bed and exited my bedroom.

He was standing at the bottom of the stairs, smooth expressionless face, eerie pale hazel eyes, looking up at me. He was perfectly perfect, like our Beta from Grooming Tech, but with grey hair.

A smile graced his lips when his eyes landed on me “Celestina, darling, how lovely you look. Come here, let your grandfather inspect you”.

I nodded my head in greeting as I descended the stairs “Grandfather”. When I reached the last step, and stood toe to toe with him, he grasped my hands, raised my arms, and looked me over from head to toe. He really was inspecting me. I started to wonder if I was going to pass the inspection. IF I was good enough, at first glance, for this very important Council member?

He turned his attention to my parents standing a few feet away “Jackson, Gloriana, she is just lovely.” Then he turned back to look at me again “Celestina, your proportions are perfect. This shows that you seem to have a healthy balance of food and exercise regularly, do you not?”

‘Jeez… ever heard of praising your granddaughter just for being your granddaughter and not for someone to carry your bloodline?’ “Yes, Grandfather” I answered.

His hands were gripping my shoulders as he gave me a once over yet again “It is clear as day that your grooming has been impeccable, you would catch anyone’s eye. First impressions!”

His inspection and praises of me felt very impersonal as if I were an object and not a living being. I felt the pressure to say the right thing “First impressions are extremely important. Once made…” I began but was cut off by him.

“Once made they are hard to be undone” he was more than happy to finish my sentence for me “Excellent. I am not sure about this choice of outfit though, Gloriana. Is it appealing to the youth of Committee? I think I will call in a style consultant for her”.

A look of disappointment, and then irritation, crossed Gloriana’s face, it seemed like she wanted to say something but was biting down on her tongue “I assure you father that it is a quality outfit. Rain’s work is unmatched,” she huffed.

Grandfather released my hands turning his attention to Gloriana as I lowered my hands to my side and lightly shook them out “She needs to look the picture of youth… desirable to all. I am not exactly getting that at first glance,” he countered. He turned to look at me and immediately a smile was plastered on his lips “Do not worry, Celestina, we will rectify the situation. I understand that there will be many Galas this season. I am sure a few other small celebrations will take place, but a Gala is special. We made sure that yours will be the last, impossible for it to be outshone by the others.”

I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes at him and simply put on a smile “I am looking forward to it,” I assured him.

“This uh… Rose girl from your class has inherited a respectable sum of money” he paused and took a seat on the couch “But her Gala is a false front to attract a good Marriage Contract. She has not inherited as much as she is been told. Her family is not always the most vocal in their support of The Chapter. You will need to be absent the night of her Gala. I do not want you to attend it. Gloriana will send in your apologies with a believable excuse for your absence. The next one belongs to twins. I understand that you were quite friendly with the identical twins at Grooming Tech?” he asked.

Although he gestured for me to sit, I did not dare for the fear of ruining my shirt “Yes,” I answered, “That is correct. Petra and Petricia are very good friends of mine”.

He gave a smile to me that failed to reach his eyes “Good… Their Gala will be sponsored by Committee and it has been decided that they will be introduced to two sets of brothers. A video series will be created to see which ones will end up with a Marriage Contract. The Citizens will be entertained with the videos being aired weekly twice. The series will show how they discover to get along, and then give the Citizens a sneak peek into the beginning of their lives once a set of brothers is chosen for them”.

'Is their life going to be aired for the world to see? What kind of life would that be with no privacy and everyone judging your every move and every little thing of your life! That kind of life is no better than watching animals caged in just for the sake of amusement!' but I kept these thoughts to myself.

He got to his feet “You will be making your first very brief video appearance the night before their Gala and then you will be properly presented to the Citizens on the night of the Gala. Committee’s very first Aurora girl in a long time, the envy of all your peers and the role model of all young girls in Grooming Tech, they should all aspire to be like you. It will be a successful campaign,” my grandfather concluded walking towards the door.

I not only felt like I am an object, but it also seemed like I was also a product “It is an honor to serve The Committee with pride” the dutiful answer exited my mouth without much thought since I always knew what was expected of me.

Grandfather smiled “Committee Reigns”.

I replied, “Committee Reigns”.