Are we meant to be ?

Chapter seven

Caleb's POV

I was getting ready for the dinner party. I chose a white polo shirt paired with black jeans and a black leather jacket. I took a last look in the mirror and I went out the door. I drove to my friend's wine store in New York and got a Chateau Montrose 2003 . Best paired with any occasion.

I reach their apartment around 7:45pm . Hope I was not too early or too late. I enter their apartment number and Peter's voice came out from the intercom. "Who's this?" Peter said. "Is me, man. Caleb." Peter buzzed me in and I took the elevator to the 11th floor. I stood at their door and press on their doorbell. Peter came to the door and open it with a welcoming smile. "Hey, man! Glad you could make it. Come on in."

I walked into the apartment and I saw several people standing in the living room drinking and chatting. "This is for you and Sarah. Congratulations on the new place and the engagement." I hugged Peter showing him that I'm happy for him. Not a lot of people could stay in a relationship for so long and get to married them. They must love each other very much to get to this point.

"Come. Let me introduce you to my friends." Peter introduced me to his colleagues and friends from his college. "Hey guys. This is Caleb. My high school buddy." I shake everyone's hand and Peter offered me a glass of red wine. "What do you do , Caleb?" A woman asked. "I'm an architect. I run my own firm." A man suddenly cuts in "Which one? I have a few friends in the same industry."

"CW Architect." Everyone suddenly looks shock and amazed. "The firm that got the big Dubai project?" Another man said. "Yea. That's me." I laughed awkwardly. "Congratulations. It's a huge deal." Everyone was clinking their glasses. "Thanks. But we are here to celebrate this man." I shook Peter's shoulder "You're a lucky man for marrying such a wonderful woman." I said and Peter nodded. "I'm lucky. And I'm grateful."

"Grateful about what?" Sarah suddenly came out from the back. "Grateful that everyone I love is here today." Peter kiss Sarah on the cheek. "We're happy for you guys." Everyone agrees and clink their wine glass again. Sarah walks away and Peter went to open the door for other guest. I walked over to the dinner table and read the name cards on the table. I saw her name. Scarlett Jefferson...

Suddenly I heard people mumbling and I looked up and saw her. She was in a white strapless lace dress. Her hair was in a half up and down braid. I think my jaw dropped when I saw her walk into the living room. She looked surprise when she saw me and she quickly walked away into the kitchen. "Dinner is served. Please take your seats." Sarah said and everyone finds their seats and sat down. I sat at the very end on the left side, and she sat at the very end on the right side. I can barely see her.

The food was served and everyone was eating and having casual conversations. "Sarah, who's your new friend?" A woman asked. Everyone looked up at Scarlett. "This is Scarlett. She's currently renting our old apartment." The woman nodded. "Where you from, Scarlett? You don't look local." A different woman asked. "I'm from Malaysia. I moved here awhile ago." The woman raised an eyebrow and looked at Scarlett with a confused expression. "You don't look all Asian. Are you mixed blood?" Scarlett nodded. "Yes. My father is American. My mother is Malaysian." The woman smiled at her in responds.

The dinner was going well, the food was delicious. They move the party to the balcony. Music was playing, everyone was drinking wine and talked about current trends. I saw Scarlett busy in the kitchen, I decide to walk in and talk to her. "Hey, need any help?" She saw cutting the chocolate cake. "Uh. Sure." She was surprised when I walked into the kitchen. I was worried that she would avoid me. "Who made this?" I pass a plate to her while she cuts the cake. "I made it. I didn't know what to bring so I offered to bake a dessert." She wasn't looking at me, I can't make out what expression she's wearing.

"Hey. It's ready?" Sarah suddenly came out from nowhere and scared the both us. "Yeah. Is ready." Scarlett said and Sarah took the cake out for the guest. Scarlett and I followed her and brought the cake out to everyone. "Dessert everyone." All the guest came in front and got themselves a piece. "Wow. This cake taste amazing. So rich and so moist." Peter said. Everyone was giving compliments. "Who made this?" A woman asked. "Scarlett made it." Sarah said with a proud face. Scarlett smiled shyly.

Soon everyone was at the balcony again, dancing and singing. Peter and Sarah was dancing in the middle of the balcony, hugging each other tight. I saw Scarlett smiling at the happy couple. I walked towards her and took the courage to ask her to dance with me. "Do you want to dance?" I hold my hand out to her, hope for the best that she won't reject me. She hesitated but she took my hand.

I lead her to the an area with less people and I put both my hands on her upper back and she puts both her hands on either side of my shoulder. We didn't talk, didn't make eye contact. In my heart I know I should stay away from her. But after seeing her here tonight made me rethink my decision. "The moon looks beautiful tonight." She suddenly said and I turn my head to the moon. "Yeah. Big and bright." We both smiled awkwardly.

She shifted her hands close to my neck and gave me the shivers. I took the chance to move my hands to her lower back and pulled her closer to me. She didn't step back. She looked up at me and chuckled. "What?" I said. "Nothing." She was hiding her smile and looked away from me. "Tell me." She looked back at me again. "We shouldn't be doing this." She said. "You mean dancing?" I raise my eyebrow at her. "You know what I'm talking about Mr.Wallace." It felt weird and formal when she called me by my last name.

"We're not in school, you can call me Caleb." I took the chance to spin her and pull her back into my arms. Now her hands are on my neck and mine on her waist. "Nothing good will happen if we cross each other paths." She said. I felt a slight pain in my heart. "We haven't even done anything." I said. Now looking at each other.

Scarlett's POV

"And we shouldn't." I look deep into his eyes. "Let'd just enjoy this moment and not worry about that." We were standing so close together. I can feel his hard muscular chest against mine. All I can hear was his breathing. Breathing in, breathing out. I close my eyes and enjoy every minute of it. Being here with him now makes me rethink my decision before. Maybe he's worth the trouble that is coming our way.

Soon the song was over but I was still in him arms. We didn't want to let go of each other but eventually we did. Everyone was leaving and I offered to help clean up but Sarah ask me to go home. Peter asked Caleb to drive me home and I didn't reject him because in my heart I wanted to spend more time with him.

We were walking to his car. I know the drive home will short because my apartment was not far away. "I think we should walk." I suggested. He looked at me all the sudden. "Yea... we should. I had a few drinks just now.... not in the condition to drive." He was smiling and he puts his car key back into his pocket. We were walking side by side, close to each other. His hand kept brushes against mine and then he captures it. I gave him a startled look but he was not looking at me. I took a deep breath and grip his hand back. I don't know why but at that moment holding his hand felt like the most natural thing in the world.

He was looking forward, not dare to look at me. We didn't say anything just enjoying every moment of this. My apartment came into the view and my heart was going sour. I didn't want this to end. "This is me." standing in front of the coffee shop. "You live in the coffee shop?" He was looking around and I found him funny. "You're funny but no. I live upstairs." He was laughing. "So..." Still holding each others hand, not wanting to let go. "You want to come up?" I don't know why I suggest that but all I know was I want this to last as long as possible.

I took him up my to apartment, standing at my door. Looking for my keys. I can hear Boston scratching the door. "What's that sound?" He said. "Oh. That's my dog. You're not scared of dogs right?" He shake his head. "I love dogs." He smiles. I open the door and Boston was jumping up and down. "Good boy. Come here." I bend down and pat Boston. Caleb bend down next to me and pat Boston as well.

"Hey little guy. Nice to meet you." Caleb was giving Boston belly rubs. "You want something to drink?" I asked, walking to the kitchen. "Sure." I check what I have in the fridge. "Beer. Juice. Tea and coffee." I turn my head back to him, waiting for his responds. "Beer." He said.

We were sitting on my couch cross legged facing each other. He was drawing circles in the palm of my hand, and he startled me when he brings my hand to his lips and kiss it. "Tell me something about you." He said. "What do want to know?" I asked, leaning my head to the side. "What do you like to do when you're not studying or working?" He asked.

"I read. I play. I eat and I sleep." I was answering him with sarcasm. "Are you being sarcastic?" He said. "Well...I don't do much. I'm busy most of the time and if I have free time I would do things that relaxes me." I shifted my body to face the tv. "Now you tell me something about you." I was looking at him side way. Suddenly he came so close to me, and my body was like a statue not moving.

"I want to kiss you." He was looking at me with desire and lust. "Then kiss me." I didn't feel like myself when I asked him to kiss me. But all I want now was to feel his lips on mine. His leans forward and brushes my lips with his. The electric jolt of his touch hits my body like lightning. I never felt like this before and its making me begging for more. Surprising myself, I deepen the kiss and he let out a startled gasp but doesn't pull away.

His hand snakes around the back of my head and pull me closer to him. My tongue darts out and teases him upper lip. But I know I'm wasn't an experienced kisser so I took it slow. He seem to understand and he took the lead and guide me. I let him in and he sucks my tongue into his mouth, teasing and caressing it with his own. Caleb's hand glide down to my waist and without breaking the kiss, he pulled me to his lap and continue to kiss me.

My hands were in his hair, pulling and grabbing making him groan. We made out for some time, didn't know how to stop. I broke the kiss by gently pushing away from him and took a deep breath. "Wait. I can't breath." He chuckles. Tugging a strand of hair behind my ear. "I never kissed anyone before. This is my first time." He was shocked when he heard what I said. "What?" He raised his voice.

Looking at his expression, I got up from his lap and walked away from him. I didn't want him to see my blushing red face. I was embarrassed. Not just because we had a hot make out session but also because I literally told him that was my first kiss. Maybe he doesn't like inexperienced woman. I shouldn't have told him that. I went into the bathroom and locked the door. Wishing that he would forget about what I said.

I heard him knocking on the bathroom door. "Are you okay?" He said in a soft voice. "Please come out." I opened the door slightly and peep him through the small opening.