After another exhausting round of dates, her phone rang.
"Calliah, aren't you coming?" Kaelen asked from the other end.
"Oh sorry, I forgot," Calliah replied quickly. "I'm on my way right now."
She ended the call and sighed.
Ever since Grandma left the house to stay with her sons, the forced smiles had slowly faded from Calliah's face. The house felt quieter… emptier.
"Maybe Axel will be there," she murmured to herself while grabbing her bag. "I can finally explain why I haven't seen him."
She paused, looking down at the little puppy in her arms.
"And maybe… I'll return you back to him," she whispered softly.
Axel barked lightly, his tiny tail wagging.
She changed quickly, slipped into her clothes, and carried Axel toward the door. The moment she opened it
"Where are you going?"
Kacey stood there, arms crossed.
"Nowhere," Calliah replied instinctively.
"Oh? And you're dressed like that?" Kacey raised an eyebrow. "What if Grandma comes looking for you?"
Calliah groaned under her breath.
"Okay, let's go," she muttered, annoyed.
Kacey smiled faintly.
She wore a slim gown, her brown hair tied back neatly, while Calliah chose trousers simple, safe, comfortable.
~~~~
Axel's House
"Did you and Calliah have a fight?"
Josh blurted the question as Axel sat on a chair, about to plug in his earphones. His hair was still damp from his bath, his shirt unbuttoned slightly at the chest.
Axel's phone buzzed.
"Don't know," he replied coldly.
"So you don't care?" Josh pressed.
"Yes, I do."
Josh raised an eyebrow.
"Did you have sex?"
Axel paused.
"…Hmm."
Josh's eyes widened.
"You like her?"
"Yes," Axel said without hesitation. "Every bit."
Jeez. My boss really likes Calliah.
Josh swallowed nervously.
"What if you find out she likes you too… but she's getting married?"
Axel's jaw clenched.
"I'll rip off the guy's head."
"Will you go to the party and forgive me?" he asked
"I have" Axel muttered and hung up.
He unplugged his earphones and turned slowly toward Josh.
"What were you asking about?"
Josh froze.
"Nothing gotten my answer already. Mr Jaydyn wait for your arrivals tonight",
Axel stare at him. He stood up to him slowly raising a pillow softly
Josh panicked.
"U-uh Calliah will be there!"
Axel stopped.
He inhaled sharply.
"…Get ready. We're leaving."
"Ohhh," Josh breathed out in relief.
^^^^^^
The Party
The party had already begun.
Soft music played. Laughter echoed. Glasses clinked.
Calliah stepped out of the car.
At the same time
Axel arrived.
He wore the shirt she bought for him, paired with casual joggers. His hair was messy, the night breeze brushing against it.
The music paused.
The breeze stopped.
Everything froze.
Their eyes met.
Time collapsed.
Calliah felt her heart slam against her ribs.
She felt and really want to jump into his arms.
"Hello!" Josh waved awkwardly, breaking the silence.
"Calliah…" Kacey whispered, frozen beside her.
The Uber driver knocked on the window.
"Money."
Kacey nudged her.
"Calliah."
"Oh right."
She searched her purse.
Empty.
Wrong purse.
"Uh… Kacey, don't you. ...?"
"Uhmm…"
"Take it," Axel said quietly, handing money to Josh.
Josh passed it to the driver.
"As my sister-in-law....uh...no...boss's wife's sister-in-law..." Josh rambled.
"What are you even saying?" Axel snapped.
"Thank you," Calliah said softly, knowing the money came from him.
She and Kacey walked inside.
Josh followed behind, hands in his pockets.
"Is that Axel?" Kacey whispered.
"Axel is home," Calliah replied quickly. "What are you talking about?"
"No, I mean that tall, handsome guy."
"Stop murmuring," Calliah hissed. "He can hear you."
Kacey turned too fast and missed a step.
"Ahh !"
But Josh was faster.
He caught her, his arm around her waist.
"Uh. " Josh cleared his throat and gently set her back on her feet.
"Thanks," Kacey said, cheeks burning.
Josh scratched his head awkwardly.
They reached Kaelen and Jaydyn's place. Guests sat around a round table near the pool.
"Calliah!" Kaelen greeted, holding a glass of red wine.
"Kaelen," Calliah smiled and hugged her.
"This is Kaelen," Calliah said to Kacey, "and this is my cousin, Kacey."
"Hiiiii!" Kaelen pulled Kacey into a hug.
"You came with Axel?" Kaelen asked casually.
"No."
"Oh… I saw both of you at the parking lot. Maybe I misunderstood."
"Hm."
"Come," Kaelen said. "Let's sit."
They sat at a quiet corner. Kacey went off to grab a drink.
"So," Kaelen leaned closer, "you and Axel… are you a thing now?"
"No," Calliah said quickly. "We're not even talking."
"Fight?"
"No. My grandma forced me into blind dates. I haven't spoken to him since… and we made out."
"Woah," Kaelen blinked. "That's serious."
"I'm so mad at myself," Calliah whispered. "He probably thinks I regret what we had."
Kaelen sighed.
"Same with Landon. We… and then he vanished."
"Same. Men don't just get us"
"Yes uhm."
"I'll be back," Calliah said suddenly, standing up.
She rushed toward the bathroom.
"For the love of God, get out!" a man barked while peeing.
"I'm sorry!" Calliah apologized, turning to leave.
Suddenly
Axel grabbed her wrist and dragged her out.
He pinned her against the wall.
"Why are you following me?" he demanded, eyes dark, anger burning in them.
"I'm sorry," she confessed immediately. "For not messaging you all this while."
Someone passed by, bumping Axel closer to her.
"Get a room," the guy laughed. "Unless you want your nudes online."
Axel grabbed her hand and pulled her upstairs.
He slammed the door shut and pinned her against it.
"You regret it, right?" he asked, voice low and dangerous.
She had never seen him this angry.
It felt like she used him
It hurt.
"Answer me, Calliah," he growled. "Do you regret it?"