My Paradiso

Chapter 16: Making Arrangements

Chapter 16: Making Arrangements

Marcus took a breath, and laid out his terms. "Firstly, this arrangement is to remain confidential. No one at the university is to know about these lessons. Secondly, you will bear all expenses related to ingredients and any other materials required. And thirdly, in exchange for my time, you will agree to tutor me in my studies." He paused, making sure she understood. "I'm just your teacher. Nothing else. Do you understand?"

Celestia absorbed his words, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her. Surprise at his conditions, a hint of disappointment at his insistence on keeping things strictly professional, and a grudging respect for his…well, his stubbornness.

"Yes," she said finally, her voice steady despite the internal turmoil. "I understand. Confidentiality, expenses, tutoring. Is that all?"

Marcus hesitated for a moment, as if considering adding more stipulations, but then shook his head. "Yes. That's all."

"Then we have an agreement," Celestia said, extending her hand.

Marcus looked at her hand, a small, perfectly manicured thing, and then back up at her face. He hesitated for another beat, then firmly shook it. "Agreement."

"So," Celestia said, withdrawing her hand, a small, polite smile on her face. "What days are you available?"

"Saturdays and Sundays," Marcus replied without missing a beat. "My schedule is relatively free on weekends."

"Weekends it is," Celestia echoed, nodding in agreement. "And…how do we stay in touch? For the, uh, lessons?"

A flicker of awkwardness crossed Marcus's face. He hadn't really thought about that part. "Do you…do you have f*******:?" he asked, the question sounding almost hesitant.

Celestia raised an eyebrow slightly, a small smirk playing on her lips. "f*******:? Yes, Mr. Sebastian, I do have f*******:. I'm not that old."

Marcus flushed slightly, feeling like a complete i***t. Of course she had f*******:. Everyone had f*******:. "Right. Well, could I…could I add you? So we can coordinate?"

"Of course," Celestia said, pulling out her phone. "What's your username?"

They quickly exchanged f*******: information, the process feeling strangely intimate despite its mundane nature. As their fingers danced across their phone screens, a silent connection was made, a thread woven between their two very different worlds.

A few minutes later, Celestia found herself walking with Aira and Mika, the sounds of their laughter and chatter filling the afternoon air.

"So, spill," Aira said, bumping Celestia's shoulder with playful insistence. "What was that all about with Marcus? You two looked awfully serious back there."

Mika chimed in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yeah, were you two…making plans? For a date? Because if you were, you have to tell us everything!"

Celestia rolled her eyes, a familiar wave of fond exasperation washing over her. Her friends were always so…enthusiastic about her love life, or lack thereof. "It was not a date," she said firmly. "We were just discussing…something for school."

"Uh-huh," Aira said, drawing out the words with blatant disbelief. "And this 'something for school' required exchanging longing glances and secret smiles?"

"There were no longing glances or secret smiles!" Celestia protested, though she could feel a blush creeping up her neck. "We were just…talking. About a project."

Mika raised a skeptical eyebrow. "A project that's suddenly got you all flustered and tongue-tied? Color us intrigued."

Celestia sighed, knowing there was no point in denying the obvious. Her friends knew her too well. "Okay, fine," she conceded. "We're…going to be working together. On something. But it's not a big deal."

"Working together on something that involves exchanging f*******: info," Aira said, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Sounds pretty serious to me."

"Oh, shut up," Celestia said, shoving Aira playfully. "Just drop it, okay? There's nothing to see here."

But as she walked away with her friends, their teasing laughter echoing behind her, Celestia couldn't quite suppress the small smile that played on her lips. There was definitely something there.