Chapter Twelve

 

 

The next day Celeste kept Lucas home from daycare. They had breakfast with Filipe in his suite, then the three of them went for a walk at the beach. Lucas skipped ahead of them along the surf, while she and Filipe held hands and kissed along the way.

Everything looked different this morning. After such an emotionally charged day yesterday, today had dawned with brightness and hope, more hopeful and bright than she’d ever dreamed of having. She couldn’t stop smiling.

After spending time on the beach, Celeste retrieved Senhor Xavier’s notebook and gave it to Filipe. While he returned to the hotel to read it and meet with his manager, she and Lucas drove home to pack a bag with a change of clothes and some necessities. She had a feeling she and Lucas would be spending more and more time at the hotel in the coming days and weeks.

When they returned to the hotel, Filipe and Ross met them for lunch in the private lounge.

“Did you find what you needed?” she asked Filipe.

He nodded. “We did. Already met with my lawyer, and he gave me the green light to go ahead with the staff changes without any problems.”

Ross ate quickly and stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a staff meeting to set up and people to invite.” He turned to Celeste with a conspiratorial look. “Just in case you’re wondering, you’re invited too. It starts at two.”

She’d come to learn Ross Turner was Filipe’s right-hand man, and she was glad he gave Filipe the support he needed to alleviate his responsibilities.

“Why do I have a feeling this will be a staff meeting for the history books?” she asked Filipe.

He chuckled. “That feeling is right. It’ll be an historic meeting.”

From the loaded looks between him and Ross, Celeste had a pretty good idea some big changes were forthcoming. Being invited to witness these changes only made her look forward to it even more.

Lucas had moved over to a printed rug where Filipe had set up a bucket of LEGO pieces for their mutual entertainment. She’d never tire of watching them play together.

Filipe walked over and sat on the rug. “Lucas,” he said. “I got a message from Dr. Abarca. He said Flip should be good as new to return to his home tomorrow. What do you say we be there to welcome him back to the pond?”

“Yes, I want to be there,” Lucas exclaimed, jumping up and down as he usually did to emphasize his words.

Celeste followed Filipe to the door and kissed him. “I’ll see you later, then.”

“I had another surprise for you, but after thinking about it, I better give you a heads-up.” He returned the kiss and opened the door to leave, a decidedly playful expression on his face.

She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “A heads-up about what?”

“I don’t want you getting annoyed at me for putting you on the spot in front of the rest of the staff.” He let go of her hand and stepped into the hallway. “A promotion is coming your way.”

“What promotion?”

She called after him, but he winked back as he got in the elevator, and the doors closed.

It could only be a promotion at the aquarium, but what did he mean specifically?

After the babysitter arrived to watch Lucas, Celeste walked down to the aquarium. She hadn’t been there since Lucas’s disappearance, not quite twenty-fours ago, but already it felt like so much longer. W

Ross met her just outside the main gates. “Hello, Celeste,” he said with a smile. “Filipe sent me to escort you in, just in case. He’s setting up for the meeting.”

“Just in case Alice decides to block me?”

He chuckled. “Both Filipe and I believe in ‘prepare and prevent’ instead of ‘repair and repent.’”

“How very true,” she agreed, glad for the support. Even though Filipe was busy, he’d thought of her and had sent someone he trusted to watch out for her.

A long table had been brought to the staff lounge and chairs set around it. António Morais, Heitor, and Nuno Abarca were already sitting, and they greeted her sincerely.

“There you are,” Filipe said when he saw her.

He stood to meet her and took her hand in a firm grasp. If they’d been at the hotel, she would have expected a warmer, more personal greeting. A kiss on the cheek, at least. But the aquarium was different, and she was relieved to see he understood that.

“I saved you a seat by me.” Filipe led her to the chair at the front, on the right side of his at the head of the table. Ross took the seat opposite her. On the table, in front of Filipe, sat the black leather notebook that had belonged to Senhor Xavier.

Slowly the rest of the personnel came in, some smiling, some clearly looking forward to whatever Filipe would be announcing. When Alice arrived, she moved one of the chairs to the spot opposite Filipe, at the other end of the table. She looked around at the others but purposefully avoided Celeste.

“Welcome, everyone,” Filipe started. “I appreciate you coming in today. We’ll try to move quickly through the announcements so you can return to your duties and leave on time.

“As you know, the renovation crew is gone as a result of the inspection we had earlier this week. After careful consideration, and for personal reasons, I decided not to sell the aquarium.”

A chorus of claps and approvals went around the room, and Filipe paused before continuing.

“As soon as we have new plans drafted, the renovation will resume in earnest, and we’ll have a meeting then to show you those. To accommodate the expansion, new exhibits and animals will be brought in.” He gestured to Nuno Abarca. “I’m pleased to announce Dr. Abarca as the new resident veterinarian and welcome him to the team.”

Nuno smiled and waved. Celeste clapped along with the others, marveling at how much Filipe and Ross had accomplished this morning, barely containing the joy at all the forthcoming changes.

Filipe continued. “In the coming months, as the aquarium expands, we’ll hire for new positions. Until then the staff remains the same—”

Alice rose from her seat. “Thank you, Senhor Filipe. As the SoliMar Aquarium’s assistant director, I’ll keep doing my j—”

“Excuse me,” Filipe interrupted. “I’m not done.”

Alice sat back down.

“As I was saying,” Filipe went on, “the staff remains the same with the following exceptions: effective immediately, I’d like to welcome Celeste Ferreira as the new director.”

He turned to her and smiled wide as the others clapped in approval. Celeste waved, her cheeks flaming at such enthusiastic approval and support. She’d have to thank Filipe later for the heads-up. It would have been very awkward for him to announce the new director without her knowing anything about it.

Everyone seemed pleased with the change. Except Alice.

She stood and splayed her hands on the table. “I fired Celeste yesterday. And now you make her the director? Do you know she never finished her degree? She’s not qualified for the keeper position, let alone director.”

“Sit down, Dona Alice,” Filipe said firmly.

The room fell silent. Alice sat down, face scarlet. Celeste looked between Filipe and her, knowing his calm and confidence were those of someone who knew what he was doing.

He picked up the notebook and held it up. “The former director, António Xavier, kept meticulous notes about the aquarium, its workers, its animals, a little bit of everything really. I wasn’t aware of it when I arrived, or I might have done things differently. Fortunately it came to light, and I’m now aware of several facts: first, you falsified your college records. Senhor Xavier investigated and found proof you were never enrolled in any university.”

Alice moved to stand, but Ross had made it to her side and shook his head at her.

“Second,” Filipe said, “you were habitually late to arrive and early to leave, and on several occasions you didn’t clock in and out as you should. And third—well, I don’t even need a third reason. Those two are enough. But knowing you purposefully harassed Celeste with your inexcusable behavior makes me glad I can personally guarantee you’ll never work in this industry again. You’re fired.”

After staring down at Filipe for a long minute, Alice stepped away from the table.

Celeste held her breath, waiting for Alice to explode into a fit of rage, but the outburst didn’t come. After everything that had happened—after everything Alice had done—it was strangely anticlimactic.

“Ross,” Filipe said. “Please accompany Dona Alice to retrieve her personal effects, and make sure she exits the premises as soon as possible.”

“My pleasure,” Ross said, following closely behind.

As soon as they made it out the door, the staff erupted into loud cheers and clapping.

Celeste laughed, then covered her mouth. “It’s not very professional, celebrating like this,” she said to Filipe.

Filipe reached for Celeste’s hand and pressed her fingers, smiling at her. “Who cares? You especially deserve to celebrate.”

Her heart felt lighter already, what with her new position, the plans to reopen the aquarium, and, above all, Filipe’s love for her and Lucas.

As everyone settled down and sat, Filipe turned to the staff. “I know things haven’t been easy for a while, but I hope these announcements give you a glimpse of the changes coming and of the potential to turn the aquarium into a destination for families and ocean lovers that we can all be proud of. I believe together we can make it a successful venture.

“We’ll have a proper staff meeting next week, but I wanted to add we’ll be implementing a seven percent raise on all salaries, along with company health insurance, individual performance bonuses, vacation time, sick days and paid time off, and a retirement plan. Once the aquarium opens to the public, we’ll add a quarterly bonus based on overall company performance and other benefits as we see fit. And that’s all for today.”

One by one, her colleagues approached to shake Filipe’s hand. He spent a few minutes with each one, talking, laughing, and sharing stories.

When everyone was gone, Filipe took Celeste’s hand and pulled her up from the chair. “Come here, beautiful,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist for a gentle hug.

She rested her hands on his chest and looked up at his warm brown eyes. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re trying to impress me.”

“Who says I’m not?” he asked in a teasing tone. “Did it work?”

“I’m thoroughly impressed, Filipe Romano,” she replied. “I can’t see how you’ll be able to ever top yourself.”

Filipe tightened his embrace around her, his gaze steady. “I think I’ll be able to come up with a thing or two. Just wait and see.”

Celeste chuckled. “You’ve ruined me for patience. I don’t wait to wait.”

But she would wait, and she’d enjoy the journey with Filipe by her side.