Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Leah.
Coming home feels like a death sentence. No longer will I share hotel room with Caleb or lay there in that large, fluffy berl excited because I know his arms will be around me before the clock strikes twelve.
“Leah!”
Caleb’s sudden voice makes me jump, and some of my dignity shatters when I notice his lips twitching in response. The bastard is laughing at me.
“Did I scare you?” he asks.
“Not at all.” I lie before adding, “Do you need anything?”
To be honest, I’m a bit confused about him being here. He should be sitting in his limousine that’s waiting for him a few feet away. Instead, the idiot is as calm as ever while standing outside in the rain with me. He is also smiling in amusement as if knowing a secret I don’t.
Eventually, he reveals it. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?
– I shake my head, and amusement washes over Caleb’s pretty face–a face I will no longer be kissing in the morning.
“I guess nothing ever changes,” he says teasingly. “The little author is still up in the clouds. Any tips on how I pull her down
to earth?”
Normally, I would get angry at Caleb teasing me like this, but there isn’t a single angry bone in my body. Not this time. Instead, I feel sad that I will no longer have this kind of exchange with him.
I sigh. “Just tell me what you were saying.”
He pauses, and I must look sad or something because he gets this look on his face that tells me he wishes to comfort me. But now that we are no longer a couple, he holds himself back from acting all boyfriend–like.
“I was telling you to take this,” he holds out his umbrella for me to take. “I know your parents are coming to pick you up, bu they might be running late because of the weather, so please, take this.”
I study his face and almost fall to pieces when I see nothing but concern written on it. Damn it. If he cares about me so much, then why isn’t he making up? Did he really stop loving me that quickly?
-probably.
1 swallow thickly and accept the umbrella with a smile that’s entirely fake. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
We stare at each other and that simple, shared moment is enough to send a jolt of lightning traveling down my spine, and I know he must feel it too.
Caleb’s smile falters for a moment, and then I catch a glimpse of something in his eyes–sadness, longing, or perhaps regret. But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual charming demeanor.
“You’re welcome, Leah. It’s the least I can do before leaving you out here in the rain.” He pauses as if searching for the right
Chapter 36
words. “I… I had a wonderful time with you in Tokyo. I hope you know that.”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Me too, Caleb. It was was perfect.”
“Even if it ended like it did?”
Something in my chest hurts, but I don’t let it get to me and sme up at him. “Our time together was still wonderful.”
Caleb looks pained before he whispers, “No hard feelings?”
Even though I’m barely keeping it all together, I manage to keep my smile. “No hard feelings.”
Those words are a lie, of course, but it’s not like I can force Caleb to love me. He broke up, and that’s that. I’m single now and should really just get over the wealthy billionaire standing in front of me.
But it’s harder than it should be, especially’since Caleb is sending me mixed signals.
He should be leaving right now. Instead, we are both standing in silence like two complete idiots while the rain patters against the umbrella. It’s like neither of us wants to be the first person to say goodbye.
But everything good must come to an end–eventually, Caleb glances down at his watch and sighs.
“I should go. I have a meeting in an hour.” He takes a step closer, his eyes locked on mine. “Take care of yourself, Leah. And remember, if you ever need anything, I’m just a phone call away
Before I can respond, he leans in and presses a soft kiss on my forehead. It’s a bittersweet gesture since it’s the last time will feel his lips against my skin.
And then, with one last smile, Caleb turns around and walks out of my life. I watch as the car pulls away from the curb, and once I’m alone, the tears won’t stop
But it isn’t just sadness swarming my senses–there’s anger as well. I had no business falling in love with my dad’s gorgeous boss. Caleb is nineteen years older than me, and yet, despite the age difference and the complicated circumstances, 1 fell for him, Hard,
Those weeks we spent together in Tokyo were like a dream–a fairy tale romance that I never wanted to end. We baked, laughed, went on day trips together, and bickered and bantered like an old couple who had been married for years.
I honestly forgot about my life here in the States. All that existed was the bubble Caleb and I had built in Tokyo, but sadly, I ruined everything-
“I shouldn’t have accused Caleb of cheating on me…” I mutter to myself, visibly angry, until I see my parents‘ old car rolling up to where I’m standing.
A smile gets forced onto my lips when I see my mom looking out through an open window. “Mom, Dad! I was beginning to wonder if you guys had been in an accident!”
Guilt washes over her face. “Oh, don’t be silly! Your dad drives top safe to be in an accidens she shoots him a glare over her shoulder, and I immediately understand they are late because of his slow–ass driving
1
I force a laugh, trying to push the memories of Caleb to the back of my mind as I climb into the backseat of the car. “How was your trip, honey?” My mom asks, turning around to face me with a smile. “Did you have a good time?”
My dad sighs. “Anna, please. It was a work trip. Leah has probably been in pain working with Mr. Steele. He is the strictest
19:16 Sat, Feb 1 BO
Chapter 36
man I know.
I force a smile, trying to hide the pain that shoots through my heart at the mention of Caleb’s name. “It was…it was good, Mom. Mr. Steele kept me busy, but I learned a lot.”
My mom seems satisfied even though my answer is vague. “Well, I’m glad you had a productive trip. And I’m sure Mr. Steele appreciated your hard work.”
If only she knew just how much Caleb appreciated me during this trip. I can’t count the number of times we fucked on all my fingers. We did it often, and after having had like a billion orgasms delivered by that man, I have trouble thinking any other man will ever be as talented as him in bed.
But I guess
Caleb being an absolute God in bed also comes with certain consequences…
My eyes travel down to my stomach, and a wave of unease travels through me.
I’m pregnant.
Caleb is the dad.
Okay, so my life is seriously fucked up.
It’s totally cliché that Caleb managed to put a baby in me, and it’s even more stupid that I’m already attached to it.
But I couldn’t keep it.
…or could I?
Geez, I’m so lost that it isn’t even funny.
If I keep this baby, my life will change forever. Raising a child as a single mother at my age won’t be ea Caleb’s support. But the thought of terminating this pregnancy feels like an even greater loss.
especially without
Fuck it, I’m keeping this baby.
C
