Cruel

Chapter 16

Sutton POV

We enter the reserved hall, masterpiece paintings hanging from the walls, elegantly dressed men and women surrounding the tables and the lavish area. I'm not used to these surroundings, the stench of wealth filtering the air. I feel out of sorts, like I don't belong. I never feel like I have a place in Caleb's world, always feeling like an outsider struggling to fit in and now more than ever with all his peers crowded together around me.

Caleb attempts to make me feel wanted, tries to make me feel like I should be here by wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me closer but I still feel out of sorts. I don't know if he's doing it for his benefit or mine, but either way, I'd prefer to be anywhere but here.

I notice Ben seated at one of the dining tables. His rugged good looks, formally dressed in an expensive well tailored suit ,easily standing out amongst the congestion of bodies and audible conversations. I want to say hello, he's the only friendly face I know and recognize, but Caleb quickly observes that I've taken sight of Ben tightening his grasp around me, pulling me in the opposite direction to distance us further away.

"Caleb, so glad to see you could make it this year." Excitedly, an older woman approaches, examining me with her eyes as she smiles a large ecstatic grin once we begin to walk, stopping us in our tracks. "You must be Sutton. You have no idea how happy I am to see you here with my son." She breaks me away from Caleb, pulling me into a tight embrace, one of her hands raising to my cheek to place a small kiss along the side of my face.

"Mom stop, you're embarrassing," Caleb barks in his stiff serious tone, nodding his head with a sigh, his arms falling to his sides.

"I'm your mother, I'll do as I please especially when it comes to your happiness and this young lady is obviously making you happy if you've decided to come out of your shell and attend one of your own events for the first time in years." She scolds Caleb, putting him in his place as his lips smack together clenching his teeth in dismay.

I know he wants to retort with something argumentative, but he obviously respects her too much to speak against her the way he holds back from responding. He turns to me, his negative expression changing into a grin, "Sutton, this is Emma. My mother," and then he takes the small woman into his arms, lovingly embracing her and placing a small peck across her cheek.

I take a moment to respond, my insides and thoughts in a swirl. I've never seen Caleb show someone authentic affection. It has my heart warming in a million places. Then there is the part where Emma has mentioned this is Caleb's event. He works so hard to conceal the good in him, his heart is bigger than I could have ever imagined and it has me melting amongst having me completely at a loss, boggled as to why it has to be such a big secret.

Now I'm smiling gleefully, unable to mask my joy. Part of the elaborate enigma that is Caleb slowly being pieced together before my eyes while acquiring the knowledge that he is capable of love. "It's so nice to meet you too." I firmly lace my fingers with Caleb's wanting...needing, to feel his touch, feel his hold that I never want to let go of.

"Sutton baby, why don't you and my mother go grab something to drink." Caleb's attention seems to be redirected as a Hispanic gentlemen approaches. The man's black hair is slicked back, his face gracing a devilish smirk, something about him seems off and downright scary as Caleb dismisses me and his mother with the stranger nearing closer.

"Sure," I comply, my smile and happiness beginning to diminish with worry. I have the unnerving feeling that more of the secrets Caleb has concealed has something to do with this stranger and none of it good. I know I have no choice but to walk away, whatever needs to be spoken between both men is something I'm not allowed to hear. I go with Emma towards the bar, unraveling my hand from Caleb's and leave him to attend to the dark figure.

...............

Emma and I speak for some time while we are at the bar awaiting our drinks, helping alleviate some of the stress I am feeling over Estabon. Emma cluing me in on the stranger's name, letting me know he is some important business associate of Caleb's she doesn't know much about. She doesn't discuss much when it comes to Caleb and his work, only mentioning that, like everything else, Caleb doesn't like to share anything about himself, work or personal, with anyone, including family.

The topic of our conversation ends up mainly consisting about Caleb and I's relationship. Emma thinks that I'm good for Caleb, that I'm changing him, that my presence has made an impact. She believes he is gradually becoming the kind soul he once was years ago and it's because of his love for me that is making him this way.

I play along acting as I believe the lie myself, but unlike her, I know it's all an act, a show. A well executed performance skillfully carried out by a mastermind whom she calls son. More than anything, I wish the wonderful things she says holds some truth, but if I did I'd only be fooling myself. I have to remember that what I've just learned about Caleb is not who he is now, it's who he used to be and just because he loves his mother most definitely doesn't mean he could ever love me.

As we continue to talk, each lie that leaves my mouth starts to get harder, the piercing knife in my chest digging in deeper and deeper. I don't like misleading this kind woman, giving her hope when there really is none to give, all the while ripping away at my heart at the same time. Conveniently, before I have to endure this charade any longer, one of Emma's friends comes up dragging her away.

I take my drink along with a beer I have grabbed for Caleb and venture off to find him. My eyes wander the crowded room. Caleb and Estabon no longer stand where I had originally left them, having it take me a moment to spot them off in the corner speaking privately.

I'm hesitant to approach the two of them, but my only other option to not be standing alone looking clueless and out of place would be to go talk to Ben and I know that's a big no no. Caleb made that clear from the minute we arrived, not that I hadn't already known better. I had just been hoping with Caleb being by my side he might have been okay with me speaking to Ben since the first time he hadn't been present.

Neither men have noticed I'm only feet away, slowly making my way to them, their conversation accidently now being overheard, causing me to come to a halt when I hear my name mentioned.

"You have nothing to worry about Estabon. Sutton means nothing to me. She's a f**k, nothing else and will never be anything more than that." Caleb says coldly, the tone of his voice stiff and serious as both of their backs are turned to me, unaware I've heard the painful statement.

My chest burns in agony, my breath fighting to find its air. I'm struggling to breathe with the realization of what he's just said. I unsuccessfully attempt to fight back the tears that are escaping down my cheeks, wanting to runaway, ball up in an empty corner far away from everyone.

I go to turn, ready to find that empty corner but instead I spot Ben again, his gaze falling in line with mine this time. Immediately, he notices my distraught state, scooting back from his chair, standing, readjusting himself towards my direction. He's readying himself to approach me.

I desperately need to be comforted because I've never felt so unwanted and rejected as I do at this moment. I don't care that Caleb will be angry. I don't understand why he would be, since he apparently doesn't give two shits about me. My body has pivoted in Ben's direction, my feet on their heels speedily heading towards Ben, but not before I loudly knock over a plant garnering Caleb's attention.

"Sutton come back here," Caleb's yells out loud. I ignore his demands, not looking back to encounter his stare, the heat of his eyes scorching into my back, while I meet Ben halfway across the room and let him take me in his arms. My sobbing cries falling into his broad chest, my body falling limp into his large inviting arms that curl around my back.

"Come on, let me get you out of here." Ben offers and I accept before Caleb can make his way over to us.