Beautiful.
747 Words
“She still isn’t picking up?” Barry asked, walking down the stairs, adjusting his collar.
“She’s not,” Calvin said, eyes fixed coldly on his phone.
“Is she aware you’re back from London?” Barry asked.
“Of course. She’s my girlfriend. Who knows my movements better than her?” Calvin said rhetorically.
“And yet she hasn’t made an effort to call or see you. I mean, three months abroad…”
“Please don’t say it,” Calvin interrupted.
“I don’t think she’s interested anymore,” Barry said boldly.
“She’s still my girlfriend, Barry. I won’t have you—or anyone else—talking about her this way,” Calvin snapped, jaw clenched. Barry gave up.
“Come on, we’re late. Who knows, you might meet someone better at the party,” Barry joked.
“I’m not looking for someone else,” Calvin said.
Barry smirked. “You don’t have to. You’re always attracting ladies anyway—the most handsome, wealthy, youngest CEO in the country.”
“Whatever,” Calvin muttered.
“I didn’t say it—Vogue did. Last month,” Barry teased.
“Shut up and get in the car,” Calvin said, fighting a laugh.
---
Hailey stepped out with Darcie, both dressed to impress. Hailey kept adjusting her dress.
“Can you stop?” Darcie groaned.
“I feel itchy,” Hailey complained.
“Oh my goodness, you need to get used to these dresses if you want to attract a wealthy guy,” Darcie said.
“I don’t need a wealthy guy,” Hailey said firmly.
“But you need to level up and have someone take care of you,” Darcie said.
“I’m doing well with my restaurant. Once I start my medical residency, I can take care of myself. I don’t need a man for that,” Hailey retorted.
Darcie raised her hands in surrender. “Fine… but you need to get used to dressing like this, okay?”
“Whatever,” Hailey said.
They walked into the building and reached the elevator.
“I need the restroom—you can go up first. The party’s on the rooftop,” Darcie said. Hailey grabbed her hand.
“But I don’t know my way around. Let me come,” she pouted.
“Come on, I’ll be back shortly,” Darcie said.
“Fine. I’m not going in without you,” Hailey said, and Darcie sighed. “Alright, I’ll be back,” she said and walked away.
Hailey glanced around the luxurious lobby. Expensive people mingled, entering the elevator. Her heart raced—she wasn’t used to places like this. And her brothers… she’d never seen them in person.
“I need to calm down,” she muttered.
Suddenly, her heel twisted, and she nearly crashed into a wall. “Oh my God,” she gasped. She placed her hand on it, steadying herself.
Time seemed to freeze as she looked up—and into the eyes of the man who had saved her. His face was flawless, his gaze piercing. Her fragile features, wavy brown hair, and tiny hands on his chest made his heart skip a beat.
“Beautiful,” he thought, captivated.
The presence of three bodyguards snapped both of them out of their reverie.
"Sir, are you okay?" one of the guards asked.
Hailey stepped back, realizing the man in front of her was someone important. "I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't mean to..." she murmured, head bowed.
"That's. It was an accident," Calvin said calmly. His deep, manly voice carried a warmth that made Hailey look up, momentarily stunned.
"Hey, what's going on?" Barry approached them.
"It's nothing," Calvin replied, his gaze returning to her.
Barry looked at Hailey. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am. Thank you," she said with a faint smile.
"This way, sir," one of the bodyguards directed, and Calvin and Barry walked into the elevator. Hailey and Calvin held each other's gaze until the doors closed.
"Hey, what happened?" Darcie asked, looking at the closed elevator.
"It was nothing serious. I bumped into someone earlier," Hailey said, smiling, though Darcie noticed the subtle blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"Really? Was he cute?" Darcie winked. Hailey snapped out of her thoughts.
"I never said it was a guy, did I?" she countered.
"But you're blushing. You wouldn't be blushing because of a lady, right?" Darcie teased.
"Let's go," Hailey said, avoiding the question, and Darcie laughed.
- Writer
