**Chapter Six** **Jericho** I lean forward, my hands resting on the polished table, my gaze fixed on the woman before me—Celeste Wilder. A flawless Megan Fox look-alike, and as she sits across from me, it’s clear that her stunning resemblance to the actress isn’t just coincidence. Tonight marks our first date, an occasion marked by an elegant ambiance atop The Mont Bleu, where we have been sharing gourmet dishes and uncorking a bottle of fine wine for the past hour. This place has always been my sanctuary, the backdrop for significant decisions—like choosing a wife. And Celeste, a former fashion model turned fervent fitness enthusiast, embodies the very image of the woman my grandfather would want to see me with. Her career-driven mindset shines through, and I can easily understand why Luc placed her at the top of our list. It’s likely he’s spot on. Every moment spent with the gorgeous Celeste only reinforces that thought; so far, there’s nothing I can find to dislike about her. As she fills the air with stories about herself, I attempt to absorb her words, even as my thoughts relentlessly drift back to a certain redhead I should not be pondering. I should feel elated that my search for a suitable wife is progressing, that within a week, I might just secure a commendable candidate. Instead, my mind stubbornly clings to my ex. At the very least, I have kept my word to River. I haven’t set foot inside Club Edge or the café, nor have I gleaned any information about her life in recent days. I’ve acted as if we were mere strangers, but the truth is, she lingers like a haunting melody in my mind. "I was a fashion model for five years before embarking on my fitness journey," Celeste beams, pride suffusing her voice as she gestures to herself, enhancing the allure of her low-cut dress. "Now, I’m on the verge of launching my own line of nutritional supplements next year." I feign interest, asking, “What inspired you to dive into the fitness realm?” My question drips with disinterest, yet she receives it with nods and animated replies. “I couldn’t let this amazing body go to waste!” She flashes me a confident smile, her hands framing her curves, accentuating her ample bosom. “And besides, I know how to captivate an audience.” “There’s no denying that.” A flicker of mischief dances in her striking blue eyes as she leans a bit closer, biting her glossy red lip. “So, I’d love to know—what does Jericho Grayson think of me?” I pause, calculating my response. It’s clear she seeks reassurance. Should I reveal that she’s the leading candidate, or play my cards closer to my chest? I know better than to make a decision prematurely. “You impress me,” I say, masking my thoughts beneath an air of false interest. “Enough to consider me as your bride?” Her eyes twinkle with enthusiasm, revealing a tenacious spirit underneath her beauty. “You’ll find out in a week,” I reply, adhering to the timeline we set. She giggles, the sound light and bright as if we were merely enjoying a casual chat. “A whole week? I’m often told I’m someone people are eager to know more about right out of the gate.” “I believe that,” I acknowledge, though in truth, I’m less captivated and more focused on the others yet to come. “And let me assure you, I am a prime selection. You won’t have any regrets,” she winks, a playful confidence bubbling to the surface that momentarily reminds me of myself—which, for reasons I can't quite place, strikes a discordant chord within. "I’m sure you would leave a lasting impression, but I’m committed to this selection process." I emphasize my refusal to be swayed, wrestling internally with my irritation as she continues to push for information. "Understood. But I want you to know I will be everything you dream of, taking care of our home and our future children," she says, the excitement in her voice almost palpable. Children? A hard no. Sorry, Celeste. Our union ends here, before it even begins. Did she misread the terms I sent? Or is she cunning enough to think she could change my mind regarding starting a family? I suspect the latter. “I haven’t specified how many kids I want.” I retort flatly, my tone lacking warmth. Her expression hardens for just a moment before returning to her playful demeanor. “Why not? Everyone loves kids!” She laughs again, but this time it grates against my nerves. “If marriage is on the horizon, wouldn’t it be natural to think about kids?” “Not necessarily.” “I could convince you otherwise,” she counters, her confidence unwavering as she leans in with more enthusiasm. I shake my head, my patience wearing thin. "I doubt that would happen." Once my mind is set, it’s nearly impossible to sway it, and I’m certain Celeste Wilder will not be the one to break that mold. “Just hear me out.” She flips her hair, making it cascade over her shoulder, an overzealous attempt to charm me. She continues to speak, but her words blur together as my thoughts drift back to River, uninvited. I'm not one to fixate on women or relentless in pursuit, but River was an anomaly. That’s why she occupies my mind far more than I would like. Each time she appears, like a specter from the past, it serves a harsh reminder: she doesn’t belong there. River and I are history. The present is a different story, and I’ve transformed into someone she wouldn’t recognize. She deserves goodness. I am the opposite. She’s full of kindness, while I am defined by selfishness. She has laughter that fills rooms, while I am a thorny recluse, often devoid of joy—unless it falls under a crude humor that never quite lands. She had a light, one I dulled the moment I stepped into her life. It all circles back to the choices I made—the selfish, reckless kid I was, desperate to escape the chains of the Grayson legacy. My longing to break free ironically drove me towards an even darker path. It was a spiral into chaos, one bad decision after another, crystalized by the moment I colluded with the wrong people in a quest for freedom. Offered twenty thousand dollars to exploit my hacking skills at twenty-one, the temptation was too great given my financially restrained life. To my dismay, the job I accepted was not just a simple gig; it was a backdoor gateway into nefarious intent. I learned later that my actions led to significant consequences for others—namely River’s father, Neil St. James, whose life was irrevocably altered because of a temptation I couldn’t resist. Because of me, he lost his career and ultimately, everything he fought for, including his mobility. Those harrowing echoes of my past resonate with blinding intensity. No matter how much I try to rationalize it, the burden is impossible to shed. I carry the weight of my choices, the knowledge that my selfish decision-making brought ruin upon a good man and his family. When the marriage proposal came from my grandfather, I understood it wasn’t merely about finding someone to stand by my side; it was a complex tapestry woven with my past misjudgments, scrutinizing my character. He thinks I’m reckless, a ruthlessly rebellious soul unchained from consequences, and for the first time, I’m unsure if he’s wrong. Celeste’s laughter drifts into my consciousness again, pulling me back, signaling the end of our evening. I attended this date to fulfill my duty and am now prepared to add her name to my list of prospects, thus freeing myself from the burden of obligation. Yet before I can bid goodnight, my phone buzzes—a welcomed distraction. “I’m sorry, I need to check this,” I say, lifting my device, my heart racing as a sense of urgency fills me when I see it’s a message from Luc. “Take your time,” Celeste offers with a small smile, yet her enthusiasm feels hollow beside my mounting apprehension. Luc's message reads: *FYI- just thought you should know what the mermaid is doing tonight.* Mermaid. He hasn’t dropped that name since he uncovered the club community’s circulating moniker for River. Beneath his comment, there’s a link directing me to Club Edge’s event page, and as I click it, dread settles within me as I glimpse the night’s focal point: A VIP auction. *Bid on the girl of your dreams, and she’ll do anything you wish for two magical nights...* My stomach lurches when I spot River’s familiar face amongst the participants, igniting a blaze of fury ignited like I haven’t felt in a decade. River is auctioning herself off to the highest bidder? The implications hit hard—she's not merely looking to supplement her income; she must be in real trouble. I lie to myself; guilt swells inside, urging me to act for ignoring the warning signs I should have pursued. My grip on the phone tightens, an internal storm brewing. "Is everything all right?" Celeste questions, concern etched on her face as she notices my reaction. “Yes,” I manage to rasp, even as a tempest brews in my mind. How can I stand by and let River do this? How can I honor my promise to leave her alone? Damn Luc for sending me this distraction. Damn the promise I made, too. The auction starts in an hour, and I know it will take every moment of that hour to reach Club Edge. River St. James may not belong to me anymore, but I refuse to let her sell herself off like some prized possession.