CHAPTER02
1573 Words
ARIA
Well, good news? The sleek, black Lamborghini Huracán pulling up towards me was a familiar one. It belonged to one of Jahmir's closest friends, which meant I wouldn’t end up as a tragic news story tonight.
And then the bad news was that the person in that car was the last and least person I wanted to see at that moment. He wasn’t the type to do favors out of goodwill, not even for his best friend.
Definitely not, he was the kind of man who could crush you with a single look, and he’d do it in such a calm and collected way that you wouldn’t even realize your life was over until you were already a pile of ruins beneath his well polished Ree-gancini shoes.
I swallowed nervously as he rolled the car window down with a smooth, swift whisper.
“Get in.”
His voice didn’t need to be raised to make an impact—it never did. Even as calm as it was, I could still hear him. Calden Wesley was someone that was unstoppable and unforgettable. He had this quiet cold charisma and power that always exudes around him. I believe even the wind bent to his will.
I hesitated a bit, my mind racing with a thousand reasons why getting into that car was a terrible idea. But standing out here in the pouring rain wasn’t doing any much better.
“I hope you don't expect me to come down to open the door for you,” he said when I was just about taking my next step.
What a perfect gentleman!
I rolled my eyes as I turned my face slightly and walked to the other side, opening the door for myself and sliding into the cool, luxurious interior.
The car smelled like power and danger—a mix of rich leather and the strong subtle scent of his cologne. I was drenched with my clothes sticking to me, and I couldn’t help but worry about ruining the delicate seats.
“Thanks for coming to pick me up, I really appreciate,” I said, my voice tight as I attempted to fill the heavy silence.
But Calden didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at me. His focus remained on the road, his driving smooth and controlled, like every aspect of his life. He exuded an aura of danger, more like a silent warning that crossing him would be a fatal mistake.
I couldn’t even understand how he and Jahmir were best friends. They were completely opposites of each other. Jahmir was warm, outgoing, and always excited, while Calden was cold, calculating, and terrifyingly competent with no feelings whatsoever. In my own words, he was like a robot. Still, they were inseparable.
I remember my brother once hinted at his difficult past, but I never really pried for more details. All I knew was that Calden's parents had died when he was very young, leaving him a massive fortune he’d turned into an empire by the time he was twenty.
Calden Wesley was a genius. With an IQ off the charts, he was the first student in Xanard to complete his six year studies in a record time of four years and was now the CEO of one of the most powerful gaming and tech companies in the country. He was quite the all in one, and he definitely knew it.
Meanwhile, I was struggling just to keep up with my life—classes, part-time jobs, and trying to figure out what to do after graduation. I envied his confidence and his surety. I was doing pretty well for myself trying to manage everything altogether and still be comfortable.
“Are you going to my Jahmir's party tonight?” I tried again, hoping and desperate to break the silence. As much as I loved serenity, this kind was definitely not it.
“Yes.” His response was curt, leaving no room for further conversation. I sighed internally. Small talk clearly wasn’t going to work.
Calden and Jahmir had been best friends since they shared a room together at Xanard University seven years ago, and sometimes Calden would join us for Thanksgiving and short holidays but I still didn’t know him so well. We never had a reason to talk unless it had to do with Jahmir or passing the plates at dinner.
My mind drifted back to the tasks I needed to complete before the weekend runs out—Updating my CV, filing a paper, arranging some documents into spreadsheets, editing photos for a client, and most importantly, picking up Jahmir's__
Oh my! I almost forgot about Jahmir's present and Cake. I’d already placed an order for it hours before from La Pâtisserie, his favorite bakery. A four-tiered masterpiece of rich chocolate and espresso cream, which was the highlight of the party.
My brother was never the birthday hype kind in fact he only celebrated once in a while, but since he was leaving the country, I pleaded with him to do something different and big this time around combined with the farewell party his friends had planned for him.
“So…” I started, trying to sound casual with a slight forced smile on my face. “Please, don't be offended, I know we’re late, but could we make a quick two stop at La Pâtisserie and Torra Verde Boutique? I need to pick up something important for Jahmir.”
“Not happening.” Calden’s tone was final as he turned onto a side street, the city lights still flickering through the rain-streaked windows.
My heart sank but I didn't give up so easily. “I promise I will be really quick. Just ten minutes, in and out for both, pleaseee... It’s his gift and a cake, the one he loves so much. He’ll be gone for a whole two years and am sure they barely have this kind over there..you know, he just has three days left here plus I promised I’d get__”
“That's Enough.” Calden's hands tightened around the steering wheel, the muscles in his jaw clenching. His sea blue eyes that glared out from underneath his light brows and dark black hair that somehow looked wavy and perfectly tousled. He looked like a statue in a museum that had come to life.
The urge to ruffle his hair like I would do to a little child was insane, I just wanted him to not look so perfect but I still needed my life in peace and intact, so I kept my hands held onto my bag. I just couldn’t understand why he was being so difficult. It wasn’t like him to care about trivial things like time.
“If I agree to this detour,” he said, his voice low and husky, “Will you be quiet?”
A small, victorious smile played at my lips. “Well, Deal. If that's what you want.” I was extremely sure that at that point, he regretted picking me up.
Calden didn’t say another word after that and I was beginning to feel annoyed at the repeated silence, but he made a sharp C-turn, heading towards the boutique. I could hardly believe it—I’d won. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, but I wasn’t about to question it.
When we reached, I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt, eager to get out and complete my mission. But before I could put my legs out, his hand shot out, gripping my arm with a surprising warmth that sent a shiver down my spine.
My crazy hormones.
“What…What are you doing? They are almost closing off.” I asked, startled.
“You can’t go in there like that,” A small hint of total disapproval filled his voice. I glanced down at myself, confused. My soaked clothes clung to my body, and it took me a moment to realize what he meant even without saying a word. He only stared down at my chest.
My white shirt had become nearly transparent from the rain, leaving little to the imagination. It was full see through. Pink lace bra, hard n*****s—thanks to the damn air-conditioning. My face burned with embarrassment.
I folded my arms over my chest, covering what was probably already seen. I could even say that my cheeks were almost the same color with my bra. “Has it been like this for a while?”
“Yeah, Obviously.”
“You could’ve told me,” I mumbled, turning my face away from him. I just felt like killing him sometimes but Thank goodness I wasn't a violent person.
“I’m telling you now.” His gaze went over me again, this time unreadable.
I continued. “Instead of being such a perv by staring at my breasts, Can you at least get me something to cover up? Because I really need to get these presents for my brother who is also your best friend and send him off happily before he travels so__”
I suddenly stopped with the remaining words hanging in the air while I covered my mouth almost immediately.
What the hell did I just say! Did I just mention the word “breasts” to Calden Wesley and accuse him
of being a pervert?
Dear Lord, even if you strike me with lightning or thunder right now, I promise I won’t be mad.
- Writer
