CHAPTER03
994 Words
ARIA
Calden's eyes didn't flinch a bit, just sizing me up and down almost to my feet. I literally felt so belittled already. His expression could be ranked as the top three most verbatim and facial responses I’d ever seen in all my years of knowing him.
“The last thing I would do to myself, is just staring at your breasts, not like there is much to see anyway, trust me,” he said, his voice unhinged. I felt so Insulted.
“Even if you weren't just Jahmir's sister, you still wouldn't be my type.” He added.
What did he even mean by that? I was obviously a full grown woman. Not that I was ever interested in Calden, but no lady enjoys being shut down or put off so easily by a member of the opposite s*x. For the fact, those words came out of him. It stinged.
“So annoying. Must you be such a big jerk about it,” I muttered to myself.
“Please, just lend me your Jacket already so we can get out of here and head to the next stop, they close in four minutes.”
I had also prepared the gift a week before so all I needed to do was just to pick it up.
He suddenly unbuckled his seat belt and unlocked the doors again. “I’ll get it myself. You can't leave the car dressed like that, even with my jacket.”
He stretched and took out a small umbrella from behind his seat and left the car in one swift motion. He moved so fast yet gracefully. There is no doubt he would have made a perfect handsome runway model, even though that was definitely not something he would ever agree to if the opportunity ever comes.
He returned almost immediately with the Sealed box package in one arm.
“Here you go.” He dropped it on my
lap and reversed out of the parking lot, keeping a straight face.
“Do you ever smile?” I asked, admiring the packaging of the box. “It might just actually help with your condition.”
“What do you mean by my condition?” Calden sounded bored.
“Whatever it is, because I personally don't see a normalcy in you.” Maybe I just imagined it, but I swear that I saw his fists clenching and the corners of his mouth go into a smirk.
But he changed the topic so quickly. “Why were you even out by this time?
“I am a busy person too, I had two photoshoots with some clients. And we had to go—”
“I don't care about the details. The point has been made already.”
I almost cussed out loud as a low growl escaped from my throat. “Why are you even here? Never knew you to be this kind.”
“Nothing you should be bothered about. I was in the area.” We made a stop at the bakery, picked up the Cake and then headed back to my house.
"Thanks for the ride," I said, trying to still keep my manners in check as I got out of the car. I could feel his eyes on me, cold and calculating as always, but I didn't care. The rain had slowed down to a drizzle, and I was just grateful to be out of that tension-filled car.
As I closed the door, I noticed the lights blazing next door at Jahmir's house. People were dancing and laughing inside. I sighed, knowing I was late for his party. Hopefully, he wouldn’t give me too much lecture on being stranded or late cause I wasn't even in the mood for it.
“Jahmir just has the worst taste in friends,” I said loud enough for him to hear. “I really don’t know what he sees in you. "Good luck with coming back to being a normal person!" I called over my shoulder, unable to resist one last jab as I headed toward my front door.
Calden rolled down the window just enough for his voice to be heard too. "Try not to trip over your own feet, Aria."
I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, "Arrogant jerk."
As I stepped inside, I was immediately greeted by the warm, inviting smell of home—something Calden's cold, serious world seemed to lack. I dropped the cake box on the kitchen counter and headed upstairs for a quick shower. The hot water was a welcome relief with all the tension Calden had so much built up inside me.
As I toweled off, my mind replayed the scene in the car. What was his problem, anyway? He was so infuriatingly perfect—perfectly annoying, perfectly rude, perfectly… perfect. I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts of him from my mind.
After dressing in something a little more party-appropriate, I grabbed the gift box and headed next door to my brother's. The party was in full swing, the music loud enough to shake the grounds.
I already sighted some of my friends I had invited too for the party. I quickly mingled in as one of my friends, Chloe signaled to me. We made small talks, laughed a little, and pointed out dressing faults of some of the attendees.
While I was still talking, I could sight my brother through the crowd with a wide grin plastered on his face as he entertained a group of friends.
"Hey, stranger!" He called out as soon as he spotted me, excusing himself as he pushed through the crowd but then a figure blocked him almost right in front of me.
Calden Wesley.
I was just really glad I didn’t have to deal with him so often. Because God knows. If I had to see Calden more than a day a month or days a year, I’d go crazy.
- Writer
