Chapter 8: His Call

[Cara]

A week has flown by, and I still don't have the energy to return to work, but I know I must. My employees depended on me for them to feed their families. So I couldn't let this grief consume me, or else many lives would suffer greatly. I couldn’t do that to my people.

Most of my free time—which wasn't much—was spent searching for any possible prospect whom my dad had been afflicted with. Nonetheless, all those searches were futile and leads me to naught.

Fortunately, I have Nancy to get me through my grief. She had been extremely patient and helpful to me. She doesn’t annoy me every now and then like she always does. Instead, she keeps checking in on my office, and I appreciate all of her efforts.

Meanwhile, it has also been a week since I heard anything from Damon. It feels like he just popped out of our lives after the incident and my dad’s burial. It’s not that I am expecting anything from him, but he could have called at least once to see how I was doing. 

Well, now that my dad’s dead, killed by some heartless monster. I’m quite sure he had moved on already and is now on a hunt for a new bachelorette he deemed fit to be his trophy wife. It annoys me honestly. My phantom on the other hand was consistent. He was always there for me, comforting me each night even without talking. I will just wake up in the middle of the night with his arms wrapped around me while he was stroking my hair back to sleep.

In times like this, he somewhat provides me a kind of solace I didn’t know I needed coming from a stranger. Technically speaking, given the few intimate moments we shared, he isn't entirely a stranger, but without knowing anything personal about his identity, I can say he falls into that category.

Letting out a long sigh and leaning further into the backrest of my swiveling chair, I throw my head back, rubbing my temple to lessen the pounding headache hammering into my skull. If only I were allowed to break down, I would have been already confined to a mental facility.

The loud buzz jolted me out of my trance and directed my attention to the single system telephone line on top of my desk. It was directly connected to my secretary outside my office and was used for anything urgent or if anyone wanted to see me and informed me in advance.

Detaching the handset from the base, I answered. “Yes, Melanie?”

“Miss Davidsons, a call for you.”

My eyes flitted to my planner bulletin, scanning the details to see if I had missed an appointment for today to have someone call me through our business line. However, my entire schedule was already filled and checked. 

Have I missed anything?

“Could you please transfer it to my line?” I just said, darting a quick glance at my desk clock, checking the time while listening to the reconnecting beeping chime.

“C&D Media Technology head office speaking—”

“Cara, how are you?”

My body went rigid for a moment. My monotone spill came to an abrupt halt.

“Mr. Montreal?” I exclaimed in a daze. For a week without any communication, my utterance of disbelief is just fairly justified upon hearing the familiar voice on the other line. And, my impending headache gone worst while my heart reels inside my chest.

Damn. I thought he doesn’t affect me this much anymore.

“I’m glad you remember me.” A deep amused tone rolled through the phone’s receiver and even though I can’t see him, I could still picture the subtle lopsided smirk playing on his lips, leaving the rest of it to my imagination.

Snapping out of my indecorous thoughts, I cleared my throat as it suddenly became dry as sand, ashamed for thinking as such.

“Well, of course. How could I ever forget the time we first met?”

That night would be forever fateful to me. Too many things happened all at once, and in a beat, I lost my father and I don’t think I will be able to be okay again. My chest tightens at the memory, dispersing any impropriety that may have lingered there. Emotions I didn't want to relive began to surface, grief amongst them all. Pain pierces my lower lips as I didn’t notice I was nibbling it hard and that I’d been blinking too many times to push the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. 

There was a short silence that stretches between the line and I thought he already had disconnected, but then I heard his sharp intake of breath before he speaks again. “I know, I’m sorry, I haven’t called to check on you immediately. I got busy a bit.”

At the very least, he sounded concerned, which I appreciate, even if he was late to check on me.

“You’re not obliged to, Mr. Montreal. In fact, I haven’t had the opportunity to express my gratitude for organizing my father’s service. Thank you, again.”

Also for saving me and mom. I wanted to say that, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring the words out. I was too stupefied at everything to even register what was going on around me at that time, yet one thing I am sure of, Damon was the one that kept us from following my dad’s fate. Even though there’s a little part of me that wanted to be dead as well that night.

“Please, I told you to call me Damon.” He reminded me, again.

Blowing a deep breath, hoping it would blow all my feeling away, I went straight asking him the reason he reached me aside from asking how I am. “Why d’you call?”

“I have some news for you and your mom. Let us meet later this evening.”

My brows narrowed. “Can’t you just tell me right now? I’m not available tonight.” 

Well, I am, but I’m not in the mood to be out anywhere tonight.

“Upon checking with your secretary, you have a clear schedule for tonight, Cara.” 

From deeply furrowed, my eyebrows traveled all the way up to the zenith. Really? I think I may have the need to debrief Melanie thoroughly again about confidentiality and not easily disclose any personal information to anyone.

“Good for you to intrude on my privacy,” I sniggered, rolling my eyes even though I know he couldn’t see me and I was ready for another retort telling him not to bother me again, but what he blurted next hold my jaw unhinged.

“It’s something about your dad’s inheritance he left for you.”

“And why does it have to come from you?” I was uttered quizzically, lost as to why he was involved in my dad’s wealth.

“Let’s meet tonight.” There was a crisp authority in his voice that immediately made me hold my tongue from any unnecessary retort if I know any better than to defy him.

Fuck, he scared me for a bit on that.

Begrudgingly, I have no choice but to concede. Only in one condition. “No fancy dining and restaurants please.”

I need no explanation, and I’m glad he promptly understands. 

“No, it’s not safe. You’ll be picked up from there. Be ready in thirty.” He bossed out, making me roll my eyes again to the back of my skull.

What. An. Ass. 

Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. Ass.

“Fine. Bye.”