Note: This is a work of Fiction. Any references to persons, places, agencies, or businesses are not taken from actual events, and should be viewed as a fantasy. The author retains all rights to this story.
Chapter 16
53. "The Rules of the Air!"
Once the lawsuit was filed, against Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, because of the defective birth control product, it made the rounds of all the news outlets, due to Celeste's celebrity. However, when it made the rounds of the legal outlets, and the lead attorneys' name was James Hearst, instead of Tom Shackleford, they were stunned. When it was announced the two were joining in a partnership, and forming "The Winners Group"; they assumed the principle names, would appear in the same order; and they were astounded.
As soon as her last blood test was taken, Celeste said goodbye to her attorneys, reminded them to be at her wedding. She told Shackleford, if he was late, he was fired.
His reply was, "I am going to be attached to Jim's hip. If I am late, it is going to be his fault. You will have to fire both of us, at the same time."
Celeste looked at Jim Hearst and said, "Jim, you know I do not have a problem with that, don't you"
He replied, "Celeste, darling, if I have to, I will sleep in the church the night before. I will not be late. You can bet your last penny on it."
Celeste took Philip's arm and said, "We will see you two, in Milan. One of my flight crews will call you, when the aircraft is in town, and is ready to fly you there."
As they were being driven to the airport, Celeste said, "I have a present for you, when we get to the airport."
"Celeste, we have not been apart, since we arrived in New York. When did you have time to buy me a present?"
"You sleep very soundly, my love. I believe I could have orchestra play music, from "La Traviata," in our room, and you would not wake up."
"Joe Green puts me to sleep, Celeste. That is not a fair assumption."
"I love when you Italians call, "Giuseppe Verdi, Joe Green." It shows that you have no respect for one of the greatest artists of his time."
"We love and respect them all, except for the ones that bore us to tears. He wrote a few mediocre operas, and we have to applaud, because he is Italian."
"La Traviata is a mediocre opera?"
"Considering all the other fine operas, it is mediocre, at best."
"When we get back to Milan, I am going to ask the Bishop Delphini to allow Antonia to knock the crap out of you. When he asks me why; I am going to quote your words to him."
"Am I going to be married first, or are you going to turn Antonia loose first?"
"We are going to be married, naturally. Before Antonia kills you, I want your land, home, and assets to be in joint custody. When my daughter grows up, I will deed them over to her, as a present from her deceased father."
"Bitch."
(Celeste did not tell him, her lawyers were in negotiations, through five different firms, to buy all the land around Anthony Caruso's and his vineyards. She wanted to create the large family compound she had talked about, with Rose, and the other family members' months before. Most of those vineyards were heavily leveraged, and with the downturn in the world economy, many of the smaller vineyards were going to feel the burden, very quickly. She was offering them a way out, before they went bankrupt.)
"Dear, you knew that before you asked to marry me. However, your little head was doing the thinking for your big head."
"Celeste, it is not so little, and it loves you!"
"I have never complained about its size, or the way you are capable of using it. The only man I have ever had the privilege of being made love to, that is better then you are, is Frank. He is bigger, stronger, and lasts longer than you do, my dear. However, I am marrying you, because I love you, and I only made love with Frank."
Philip said angrily, "So, what you are saying is, 'I am second best.'"
"Yes, Philip, you are. However, where in your list of lovers, do I rate? With all the relationships you have had with women: your one night stands, the ladies from your gun club, those who swoon over you at your wine tastings, and all the others you have bedded along the way; in what position am I?"
"I guess I have lost another argument, haven't I Celeste?"
"Yes, Philip, you have; get used to it. Please remember, you may be second best, in bed; however, you are first in my heart. If you cannot live with that, we had better call off the wedding, because that is not going to change."
"Frank is that good, Celeste?"
"Do you really want to go there, Philip; because if I start, you may become depressed, and I would not want that to happen?"
"What did you buy me?"
"Philip, you will find out in a few minutes. We are coming up on the airport, now."
The limousine pulled up to the guarded entrance, to the Delta Airlines hangar area. After showing their identification; and waiting for a "Follow Me" vehicle; they were led to a hangar, on the far side of the facility, where 40 very expensive automobiles, were waiting to be loaded onto cargo aircraft. Philip saw several new Lexus sports cars, Corvettes, Racecars, and handmade Exotic cars that cost millions to make. He was sure one of these beauties was his. They exited the car, and much to his consternation, he was blindfolded. He said, "Celeste, you are not playing fair. These cars are beautiful and I want to see mine close up."
"Believe me Philip, when we get close enough to your vehicle, you will be able to see it." She took his arm, led him around the corner of the hangar, and stopped. She took off his blindfold, and as his eyes refocused, he saw a gleaming new Gulfstream 550 in front of him. On its side it said, "Monza Wines." He could not speak, nor could he move. He was stunned.
Celeste laughed. "I have never seen you, with your mouth open, and no words coming out of it. I am so happy I have photographers taking pictures of you. Everyone will get a good laugh."
"Celeste, what is a person to say, when he receive a gift that is as wonderful, and as gracious as this. Thank you is totally inadequate. 'I love you' is inane. I adore you with every bone and fiber of my being; but you know that already, though I sometimes do not show it. I am jealous to my core of any man that looks at you. Thank God Frank loves Antonia, as fiercely as I love you; otherwise I would have to kill him. I could not live, knowing there was a man, free of all obligations that could tempt you, and possibly, take you away from me." He took Celeste into his arms and kissed her passionately; and, inane or not, he told her he loved her, with his body, heart, and soul.