Chapter 6

    CALEB.

    

    

    

    I sit back on the chair, unwilling to drive off. For some reasons unknown to me, I'm watching her walk away and everything about it is satisfying. 

    

        I know she was hurting. And it wasn't because I fucked her while she was drunk. It's something way beyond that. I could see it in her eyes. 

        

        A few years ago I wouldn't have given a fuck that the 'pathetic Mabel'—as we called her then— was hurting. My friends would hurt her more. 

        

        But sitting here now and watching her walk into that restaurant makes my heart hurt. The way she hesitates before pushing the door open. Did her mood have anything to do with her job? Did her boss fire her and she's going right back to beg for it?

        Did she wound up at that club last night because she was having a bad one too?

        

        The mere thought of it infuriates me. I'm gripping the steering wheel hard without even realizing it. 

        

        By the time I realize that I'm literally getting too pissed over something that's not supposed to be of my concern, I slowly let go of the wheel and let out a breath.

      

        

        

        

        I can't sit here and watch her like some stalker. 

        I should have asked for her number even when I know that will be the dumbest thing to do. Mabel would never trust me. Not after that one night back in school. Not after that one prank my friends and I pulled on her. 

        Shit. And I just fucked her. 

        

        Did I take advantage of her last night? I knew she was drunk. I shouldn't have agreed to fuck her even when she asked for it. 

        

        It was everything I was thinking about though, having her helplessness sprawled on my arms like that last night. I wanted so badly to reap off her clothes and make love to her. 

        

        But it's not an excuse for what I did. I took advantage of her. She was drunk and I was sober. I should have walked out of the room and leave her to sleep. 

        

        I'm so fucking stupid. 

        

        I run a hand through my hair, pushing the lump back. 

        Leaning further into the seat, my mind raced back to the events of last night at the company. 

        

        I still can't believe grandfather would do that to me. After everything I've done for him. After everything I've been for him when my father, his own son, couldn't be there for him. 

        

        The image of Luca's smug face looking at me, mocking me from the side of the conference room causes me to frown again. 

        

        I'd had a few hours to stop thinking about everything last night, as Mabel somehow managed to occupy my mind. But everything is coming back now. 

        

        It's like facing the reality again. 

        

        My phone vibrating from my pocket catches my attention and I reach to retrieve it. Theo's name is flashing across my phone's screen.

        

        I let out a deep sigh before picking up.

        

        "Sir," his voices comes up. He's probably panicking, walking into the house and not seeing me. I'd taken the car, leaving him behind at the company last night. 

        

        I hadn't taken Mabel to my main mansion last night. I'd taken her to my penthouse, for reasons unknown to me. 

        

        The penthouse was something I treasured more than any other assets I had. And I wouldn't take any woman there. There has only ever been one woman there before Mabel.

        

        'hm, I guess that says a lot.' I thought.

        

        "Sir, did you go for a morning run? I didn't hear from you after last night and I'm at the house now."

        

        "I'm fine, Theo. Is there a problem?"

        

        "No sir. I thought you would be going to the office today? I've been getting multiple calls from the board."

        

        He's talking about my personal company, the one I'd built myself. I let out another sigh. Everyone probably already heard what happened at the head company last night. The last thing I want right now is sitting with a bunch of people who only says "yes sir" to me and pretend everything is okay. Pretend they love and adore me. 

        When they don't. Everything is a lie.

        

        All I want to do right now is disappear.

        

        I look forward and squint my eyes so I can see through the glass walls of the restaurant where Mabel just entered. 

        

        It's hard to see anything but I can see a man standing, his side turned to me, his arms folded. I can see a peak of Mabel's jacket which she had walked in with on her arms. 

        

        They're talking. I can't see his face but I assume he's her manager or something.

        

        

        "Sir?" Theo's voice comes on again.

        

        "Theo, I'm heading home now."

        

        I ignite the car, attempting to end the call Theo's urgent voices speaks again.

        

        "Um, your brother is asking of you, Sir. He came by the house a few minutes ago."

        

        So, he did know where I lived.

        

        I let out an angry scoff before disconnecting the call and driving back into the strets.

        

        What could Luca possibly be looking for? Is he perhaps trying to see me just to rub his victory on my face? Tell me about how good I will never be?

        

        As I speed up the road, my phone once again comes to life. I look to the side seat where I dropped to see the name flashed across the screen.

        

        Roman Ruse.

        

        Roman Ruse never calls by himself unless it is very necessary. I'm tempted to stop the car and pick his call but I fear I'm only going to hear a bad news. 

        There's no doubt he already knew of what happened yesterday. I don't doubt it, seeing as he is the personal advisor my grandfather assigned to me since the day I got assigned as CEO to the companies. 

        

        According to my grandfather, it was a generational thing. Every CEO needed a trustworthy advisor and Roman's family has been a long line of trusted advisors for the Da Stephano family from generation to generation.

        

        My family would sometimes sponsor the Ruse sons into the university to become doctors or attorneys just to serve my family. It's a pretty tough chain.

        

        With a swift move, I pick up and speak. "Roman."

        

        "Get your ass down to the diner now." Roman, always straight to business. Which makes me wonder if he even had a life outside of being a loyal servant to the Da Stephanos. 

        

        "Did I do something wrong now, mom?" I tease him, a smug grin cross my lips. 

        

        "My goodness Caleb, you think this is a good time for jokes? You are all over the news. Exactly two hours ago. But thanks to my expertise, I'm able to get rid of everything. Now would you meet me so we can see a way forward?"

        

        He disconnects the call before I can say another word. 

        

        Whatever.

        Roman needs to know how he talks to me. 

        Of course he's seven years older than me but that doesn't give him a free pass to talk to me the way he does. I still pay his checks. 

        I'll make sure to remind him this later.