Leaving Home

8 YEARS LATER

"Happy Birthday Abigail!" Caleb's eyes looked at Abigail who has now turned into an eighteen-year-old beautiful young woman. 

As he glanced at her top to bottom, he couldn't help but hug her the next moment. 

Suddenly, hugged by Caleb, Abigail's face turned redder as her arms wrapped around his back, hugging him back. 

"Thank you, Caleb!" She happily smiled, feeling great joy in her heart.

After a quick hug, he released her from his arms and glanced at her face with a smile while her amber eyes also constantly looked at him with softness.  

The next second, his attention was attracted by her dress as his eyes moved at her appearance.

His eyes first move to her clothes where she is wearing a white floral sundress which is just above her knees and has a small slit cut in the corner of it. The dress was given by him to her as a birthday gift.

The dress hugs her above parts while the waist side is flowing freely. It shows her delicate waist that is too slim and glamorous.

The dress is fitted perfectly to her body which exhibits her perfect flawless figure. 

While her dress neckline is in sweetheart shape with slim straps carrying the weight of the whole dress on her shoulders faultlessly. 

Seeing her in his gifted dress, Celebs couldn't help but smile widely, feeling satisfied.

He knows she's beautiful and carries a bright aura around her which made anyone fall for her. But his dress made her beauty look a hundred times nicer as it made her appearance fascinating in his eyes. 

After checking on her appearance, his black eyes finally moved at her little delicate goddess face which was looking breathtaking on her special day. 

Her gorgeous amber eyes made him adore her more. While her eyelids are lower, her eyebrows are bushy and shaped in the round and complement her white beauty. Her eyelashes are thick, long, and winged naturally. Her cheeks looked more pinkish because of the little blush she applied to them. 

Her heart-shaped lips are in pink color naturally where she applied light nude peach color lipstick which made her smile more beautiful. 

While she applied a little bit of makeup for her birthday and let her long black hair flow freely behind her back. 

"How am I looking, Caleb?" As she found him looking at her for a long minute without any words, she couldn't help but ask with a nervous smile on her face. As she tried her best to appear best for him.

"Abigail, you are looking too gorgeous! That I can't take my eyes off you!" His words made, heat rising on her face and her cheeks turned soft pinkish.

From the day she comes to live in his house, Caleb is the only one who gave her family feeling. As his parents just treat her as a free maid and extra person. They don't say it in her face that they don't like her but their action always made her clear this. In these eight years, only Caleb helped her to adjust to this house. Without him, she doesn't know how hard it is to live here. And these years she doesn't know when she started to like him and think about her happy future with him. So, when Caleb complimented her for her appearance and told her how she's looking wonderful! She couldn't help but feel happy and blushed instantly.

"Thank you! This is all because of your gift! Caleb!" She pointed to her dress while a smile was always playing on her lips. 

Caleb found her action cute and answered, "No Abigail, you are truly beautiful! I have never seen someone more gorgeous than you!" His words and eyes were tender when he said those words as his hands touched her shoulders making a gap a little less between them. 

Abigail couldn't help but feel electrified by his touch and looked at him with a beautiful smile. 

"You are also looking handsome, Caleb as always!" She said with a shy face. 

Seeing her shying, he couldn't help but chuckle. 

When he met her the first time eight years ago in the orphanage, he thought she was so much like a fiery little girl but with time he found out she was too soft from inside and gentle. 

And when his parents announced she will live with them, he was too happy. 

As a child, everyone loves to have siblings. So, he also treated her like that in the first few years but with time, he realized his feelings are different for her and he knew she also thinks the same. But he never confessed to her until now.  

"Do you think so?" He adjusted his jacket and looked at her with a charming smile. 

"Yes!" She met his visions. 

If Abigail is beautiful, Caleb is not less good-looking as a man.

He is handsome and followed by many girls in his school. But he never glanced at them which made Abigail always happy in her heart and secured. 

For Abigail's birthday, today he wore her favourite blue shirt with a black blazer on it. He is tall and muscular. His natural brown hair complements his pale complexion. While a good boy's smile is always carried on his lips. 

"So, where is my gift?" She asked with a kidding tone while forwarding her right hand. 

Caleb's brows lifted to see how she was trying to tease him but he had planned for today. So, he showed a playful smile the next moment as he held her forwarded hand with his palm and get closer to her ears, and whispered in a soft tone. 

"You will know it! Now let's go!" Hearing his words, she smiled childishly and bit her lower lips to control her inner excitement.

He walked fast as she followed him. Their hands are interconnected with each other and smile beaming on their faces all time.

"Caleb, Why did you bring me here?" She looked at their house's terrace. 

"You will know!" Caleb said and went towards the switchboard. 

Abigail stood there in confusion as there was darkness. But the next moment, she heard Caleb's voice through the darkness. 

"Abigail, I hope you like my surprise!" 

And suddenly the next moment, the switch was on by Caleb and the whole place sparkled with lights. 

Her eyes filled with surprise while her hands pressed on her mouth with shock. She couldn't help but feel like this is a dream.

She roamed her eyes around as the whole spot is decorated with lights and balloons while there is a cake on the table in the middle. 

Her eyes filled with tears. She couldn't help but feel emotional. 

Suddenly, Caleb came to her side and embraced her from behind. 

"Do you like my gift?" He whispered in a low tone.

Feeling his warmth, she closed her eyes and spoke in a delicate tone.

"Yes! Everything is just so beautiful Caleb! Thank you for making my 18th birthday this special!" 

"I'm glad!" He said and released her from his arms.

Abigail turned to him with a joyful smile.

"But this is not the end!" He added to make Abigail curious. 

He showed a tender smile and held her hand to walk towards the cake. 

Abigail's eyes always focused on him

as she wanted to know what he was planning next. 

After they stood in the middle of the cake, Caleb put his hand on his jacket's pocket, and the next moment the small beautiful box came out with his hand. 

Abigail's eyes widened with shock as she could guess what was next coming to her.

"C..Caleb…is this..." 

Caleb looked at her with a lovely smile as he could see how shocking her reaction was. 

"Yes, Abigail, you are thinking right!" Caleb opened the small box and there is a gold chain with a heart-shaped locket in which both of them's first Alphabet names "A&C" crave on it. 

Abigail felt she was dreaming about everything but Caleb's next words made her realize that everything is true! Not a dream!

"Happy birthday, My love! Will you be my girlfriend?" 

At this moment, Abigail felt her heart would almost jump out of her chest. She never thought he was going to propose to her on her birthday. 

She was shocked and tears were already rolling down her cheeks. 

"Abigail, I love you! Will you accept my love?" His voice and eyes turned tender while her tears streamed down nonstop. 

Caleb saw her tears and came closer to her.

He wiped away her tears with his hands while saying these words, "Abigail, your every tear is precious to me! And I promise I'll always make you happy and never let these tears take place in your eyes!" 

As Abigail heard him, she couldn't help but feel a touch in her heart and hug him tightly between her arms.

"Caleb! I love you too! I have loved you for a long time!!" As she confessed, Calebs happily smiled and held her tightly.

"Thank you, Abigail! For accepting my love!" He couldn't help but shout with excitement While Abigail chuckled in his arms happily.

Both of them stood in the same position for a minute before breaking the hugs finally. 

Caleb looked at her beautiful smile before he pointed at the necklace which was in his hand.

"May I…" 

Abigail's eyes looked at him with love and she nodded her head in 'Yes!" 

Caleb instantly went beside her and put the necklace on her neck.

"Now, you are mine!" He kissed her cheeks.

Abigail's face turned reddish to hear his announcement and the way the first time he kissed her.

…….

A FEW MONTHS LATER

"Abigail, you know, I want to be successful in my life and build my career for a long time!" Caleb's face turned a little serious. 

"Yes, I know Caleb! This is your young age dream!" Abigail looked at him smiling. 

"Abigail…"

"Hmm…"

"Actually, I wanted to tell you something!" His voice hesitated while his eyes looked down on the floor. 

Abigail felt his uneasiness and asked him, "What do you want to tell Love?"

Caleb's eyes raised to meet her amber eyes.

"Abi, my parents decided to send me 'X city' for further studies!" As he muttered that Abigail's eyelash flickered with a blow.

"Love…" he held her hands as he saw how her face turned stunned.  

"I know.." 

"This is not easy for you to send me far. But I hope you will understand my situation and stand by my side!" He squeezed her hands with nervous eyes. 

Hearing his sudden announcement she felt upset. 

From childhood, all she has is Caleb as a family, friend, and now lover! 

Without him, she never spends her single days. So, now when she thinks about it, he has been going to another city for years. She started to feel uncomfortable in her small heart. She never knew how her days would go without his presence. 

"Love! Are you okay?" Suddenly, his words made her look at him, shook her inner thoughts where she's still fighting with herself about what she answered him at last.

"Yes…" 

"I'm alright!" She nodded trying to look calm.

"So, What's your decision?" He looked at her with a pleading gaze.

Abigail bit her lower lips and looked at the floor. 

As she thought, She can't let him stay here just because of her own selfishness. When it's for his future. 

If he truly wanted to go to X city for high study. Then she needs to happily accept his decision and should encourage him as his girlfriend. 

She can wait for him. It's only for a few years. After that, he will be beside her for a lifetime.

"Abigail, you didn't say your answer?" He asked.

Abigail looked at him as she raised her head to see his nervous face. 

"Caleb, if you truly want to go then don't worry about me! I'll manage everything here and wait for you in our house!" She smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Love!!!" He instantly hugged her with excitement while Abigail hugged him back.

"Thank you for understanding me and my situation! I promise! you will never regret your decision! And it's just for a few years! Then we will be together." As he declared happily. Abigail forgot about her worries and hugged him tightly.

"I love you, Caleb!" 

"I love you more! Abigail!" He responded with the same unison. 

After their conversation, Caleb booked the next day's first flight and flew there. While Abigail's life is now not any more fairy tales.

As Caleb left, his parents started to make her life hell because of her dad's money which was legally sent to her account on her 18th birthday's next day. 

But before both people could ask about money. Caleb warned his parents that if they take her money. He will leave the house with Abigail. 

Only then, they stop bragging about money. But now they got a chance as Caleb is not there. 

So, they tried to manipulate her with their words but Abigail understood their tricks and didn't say a single word related to the money. 

With resentment, they both husband-Wife started to treat her as low as a maid and she can't argue because she doesn't want to stress Caleb. 

As she promised him to take care of everything until he comes back.