𝐶𝐴𝐿𝐼
"Go and get some rest," he said, his voice calm, but my skin prickled under the weight of his gaze. I bolted to my room—just a stone's throw away—my heart hammering in my chest. The door clicked shut behind me as I ran to the bathroom, letting the hot water burn away the traces of him… though his touch lingered in every nerve of my body.
I smiled shyly at the memory, a blush rising to my cheeks. I knew I shouldn't have given in, yet something deeper, something uncontrollable, had drawn me to him. A warning bell rang in my head: I was already in too deep. I couldn't fight back.
He might think I'm like one of those cheap girls, I chastised myself—but even as the thought crossed my mind, a shiver of excitement ran down my spine. Collapsing onto my bed, I tried to sleep, but images of him—his hands, his eyes—kept me tethered to a restless dreamscape.
𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐒
I stormed the hallway, fists clenched, rage simmering beneath every breath. Bryan. That name alone made my blood boil. If I ever caught him near her again… I wouldn't be responsible for what happened next.
How dare he? What right did he have to claim what is mine? I couldn't deny the rivalry between us—but this… this was personal. The thought of him touching her, smiling at her… it gnawed at me like acid. I'd do anything to make her mine. Anything.
Bryan had crossed a line, and I swore I would cross every limit to reclaim what was mine.
𝐶𝐴𝐋𝐈
Sleep abandoned me. "Huhhh," Bethel's tapping yanked me from a dream I wanted to stay in. I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head, but she persisted.
"No, no, nooo!" she half-yelled, shaking me into consciousness. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I made the most innocent, pitiful puppy face I could—memories of my nanny's scoldings resurfaced, strangely comforting in their familiarity.
That CEO… he never lets me rest. He invaded my dreams, a shadow I couldn't escape.
"Not today, Cali," Bethel said, tugging me upright. "You need to prepare. Your mother-in-law would be arriving today."
My heart lurched. Panic clawed at me. I rushed to the bathroom, while Bethel giggled behind me like she knew the chaos she'd unleashed. I had to look perfect. Mr. Smith had already paid handsomely, and I couldn't ruin it. I only hoped his mother fell for the act quickly… or I'd be trapped here longer than I could bear.
𝐁𝐑𝐘𝐀𝐍
I needed Mum to like Cali. I wasn't ready for drama, not today. I smirked, recalling Cali's expression this morning—it had taken every ounce of willpower not to laugh. She even looked away while I dressed, as if she were immune to the ordinary rules of temptation.
A message popped onto my phone. My stomach dropped. Mum couldn't come today. Frustration churned in my gut. How could she make such a decision? I immediately called Bethel, needing her to inform Cali and Nina of the sudden change.
"Good morning, sir," Bethel greeted as I ushered her in.
"I need you to tell Cali her mother won't be coming today," I said, my voice clipped. "And make sure Nina knows too."
"Okay, sir," she replied. I waved her off. Once alone, I began preparing for the meeting, thoughts darting back to Cali and Thomas. Why did they look like they shared history? Why did it feel like sparks—and danger—were always simmering just beneath the surface between them?
Duty called, but curiosity and suspicion lingered, a dark whisper promising more conflict to come.