The Secret Island
CHAPTER 93: Her Friends

When Celine and Martin sat at the table with Celine's friends surrounding them, she knew the source of her nervousness.

The CEO sat still and observed the conversation exchanged between Martin and her friends. Her friends shot him question after question, but Martin was no longer a man of few words. He smiled and put on all his charms. He got to know her friend one by one. There was Jessica, a hotel heiress, that Martin expertly discussed the business of the F&B industry with. Kimberly, an up-and-coming model, with whom Martin got into an intense debate over the trend of fast fashion ethics. And then there was Marie, a real estate heiress and socialite that seemed to like Martin a bit too much. She just kept looking at him when he told her what he knew about the real estate market.

Before coming here, her friends teased her that they would question him to the point that he might run away or be afraid to have dinner with Celine's friend group again. That didn't seem like it to her.

They all were under his spell. When he spoke, Celine noticed that the eyes of everyone listening for him were the same-glistening eyes looking at the man, attentively listening to his every word. She knew he could be charming. But she didn't expect him to be this charming for her friends. They even blushed when he made a joke that Celine thought was not funny at all.

She witnessed the same effect from her clients today. They kept calling his name and asking him for recommendations. Celine thought she didn't even have to be in the meeting earlier today since all everyone wanted to talk to was Martin. The positive thing that came out of the meeting was the huge order from them.

"Celine dear, is anything wrong? You look troubled." Marie, who was sitting next to her, asked.

"No, I'm good, but can't you see what is going on?" Celine gestured to Kimberly and Jessica, giggling at whatever Martin was saying.

"What? You don't have to worry at all! We are just excited we finally got a chance to see him. You have been waiting for him for four years, and now he is here in the flesh. Besides, he is just so cute, polite, smart, all goodness...." What?

"Marie! He is mine!" Celine stopped Marie before she started fantasizing further.

"I'm just complimenting him. There is no need for you to be all jealous and defensive. It's very unbecoming."

"I can't help it."

"is it that bad?" Marie chuckled.

"A bit."

"For real?"

"No, worse than you think. I'm a very possessive person, and you know that. We have been friends for years."

"I know. But it's natural for someone like him to be adored."

What Marie said was true. Celine sighed. Before coming here or introducing him to everyone in her life, Celine knew well that people would adore him.

Once Martin's heart was healing, he started working and becoming himself again, having done work he was proud of. Martin became a different person. He regained his confidence and was back to being himself again. No, better than what he used to be. Celine could see him rise like a star, a different aura of the leader she knew he was.

"Celine, your friends kept asking how we decided to be together. Do you want to tell the story?" Martin turned to her and asked.

That was a basic question for any couple, and he was looking at her, seeking some help with a smile. Celine shifted her seat to sit closer to Martin. She looked at her friends-don't they already know the story since she told them a million times? "No, Martin, please. Please tell the story. We've already heard Celine's version." Kimberly said.

Martin scratched his cheek. He blushed a little. And Celine found him to be so kissable.

"Fine. We can change the question. What do you love most about Celine? She is such a bossy person, do you know that? We skipped school together once back in high school to go shopping. Celine led the whole operation. We got detention together." Martin laughed at the information and kept his gaze on her.

Celine gave her friend a look. That's such a way to impress her boyfriend!

She hugged Martin's arm and waited for his answer. Celine was also curious about what he was about to say.

"What do I love about Celine?" Martin repeated the question, thinking. Celine felt his hand caressing her shoulder when he put an arm around her.

".... I once told Celine that she was the light of my life. She has made me love myself more. She is the reason I want to be a better man-as great as I could be, although she kept saying that I'm already good enough...."

Celine turned to look at him, really look at him. She met his eyes, those beautiful eyes that made the whole world disappear.

"Since the very first day we met, she made me a happier man. I know she could be stubborn in some instances. And... she got such a hot temper." He paused and chuckled. "But I still think she is sweet either way." Wow....

Celine could only blush and hug him closer. What he said was beyond her expectation.

"I'm not exactly good at words. I am afraid I can't give you an exact reason for what exactly I love about Celine. I only could tell you that she is the reason behind my smile every day."

His hand was still lovingly caressing her shoulder, and he smiled at her. It wasn't a friendly smile he gave her friends or the polite smile directed at the clients or employees at work. But this smile... the same smile she only saw when we were alone together-the smile directed at her-she felt the warmth from him just like always. He always makes her feel loved.

"

"We had been living apart for years, and once we are reunited, I think every minute counts. I once had a dream-I dreamed that when we were together again. Being together every day like this, I will give her everything. Everything I have." Celine kept looking at him as Martin talked. That serious man.... Since when did he become so sweet?

Their eyes locked. Her jealousy dissipated. Celine didn't care about anything else except the man in front of her, not even her group of friends that watched on, shocked, mouth gaping.