I Fell For My Contract Partner

Chapter 8.2 Caleb POV : His Gentle Side

We hurried away, trying to shake off the reporters who had followed us all the way from the café. I didn’t even know where we were anymore—I’d just been running without any clear direction.

“Such idiots… why won’t they give up?” I glanced back over my shoulder while keeping up the pace, then turned sharply into a narrow side alley.

“Hah… hah… I‑I can’t run anymore…” Sean was breathing hard and began to slow down.

Soon he stopped completely and leaned against the wall, struggling to catch his breath.

“Just a minute… I need a quick rest…” He inhaled and exhaled slowly several times.

Something felt off—he looked much paler than before.

“Are you all right?” I asked, watching him closely.

“I’m fine… let’s keep moving…”

He started walking again, deeper through the passage, then halted as soon as we came out the other side.

“—over here…!” He turned and beckoned me over, his voice low but eager.

“What is it?” I caught up and stood beside him; he was already pointing toward something ahead.

“Think we could hide out there…?” He sounded almost excited—like a child spotting something fun at the store.

I followed his gaze: a large building, clearly an office block under construction, with neat stacks of supplies lining the roadside entrance.

I looked back at him suspiciously, especially when he flashed that playful, mischievous grin.

“You aren’t seriously thinking about going in there… are you?” I asked in a firm tone.

“Why not?” He darted toward the site and stopped at the edge. “If you’d rather let them find you out in the open, be my guest—I’m going in!” With that he ducked inside.

“Honestly…” I sighed, but had no choice except to follow him in.

Now we were deep inside the building. It was quiet and dim—no lights, no workers around. The only sound I could hear was our footsteps striking the floor, echoing steadily through every floor and corridor.

“Hey… did you hear that…?” Sean lifted a finger to his lips.

Faint voices drifted in—people talking just outside. Had they already tracked us here?

“Yeah…” I gave a small nod.

“Let me check…”

He crept forward carefully, toward an open window without glass—only the wooden frame remained. He leaned low, trying to stay out of sight.

“Yep… they’re right there,” he said, sounding sure and calm. “They’re coming inside…” he added, lowering his voice.

“Let’s go upstairs…” I glanced ahead and started toward the steps.

“Hey, wait for me!” He turned and hurried after me.

We climbed the stairway—still bare concrete, unfinished. We passed many empty rooms along each flight, and the higher we went, the dustier and dirtier it became. Small stones and grit littered the floor, along with bits of broken glass here and there.

At last we reached the rooftop. A strong wind rushed out, hitting me full in the face the moment the door opened.

“Ugh—this wind…” Sean sounded annoyed as he tried to smooth his messy red hair back into place.

“That’s because it’s getting a little too long. You really should get it trimmed…” I replied, gesturing to where it fell near his neck.

“I like it this way—don’t start giving me orders…” He shot me a sharp look.

“Fine, whatever…” I rolled my eyes and watched him still fighting to keep his hair under control in the wind.

We stepped out onto the rooftop, and I slid the door shut behind us.

“Hah… forget it—this is hopeless!" He muttered in defeat, letting out a long sigh. He glared at his hair just as the wind swept through it all over again.

I chuckled softly at his little struggle. He turned toward me, mouth open as if ready to complain.

“I’ll call Gavin to come get us out of here…” I said, reaching for my phone inside my black jacket.

But right then, something sharp and piercing stabbed deep inside my stomach. “Argh…” I groaned quietly, doubling over a little.

He was by my side instantly. “Caleb—are you all right?” He supported me to keep me steady. “Here… try to sit down…”

He guided me to lean against the wall and sink to the ground, hoping it would ease the strain.

“No…” I shook my head slowly. Instead, I leaned right into him, resting my full weight against his body.

“W‑wait—Caleb…!” He sounded surprised, but thankfully he didn’t push me away—he just let me hold onto him.

I clutched my stomach tightly; the pain felt like something was squeezing me from the inside out. Even moving just one step felt agonizing.

“Urgh…” I held him tighter, resting my head against his shoulder.

“Caleb… what’s wrong? Where does it hurt?” His voice turned soft—genuinely concerned and worried.

“My stomach… it acts up whenever I skip breakfast…” I murmured close to his ear, breath coming in short gasps as I tried to bear the pain.

“Breathe slowly, Caleb… just relax…” He stroked my back gently, his touch soft and steady—and little by little, it actually eased the ache. “I’ll call Gavin, all right…”

He took the phone from my hand and dialed, glancing over at me every few seconds.

Soon the line connected, and Gavin’s voice came through—equal parts worried and urgent.

“Where on earth are you two?!” He asked immediately. Sean held the phone a little away so I could hear faintly too.

“I’m sorry… we’re out right now…” Sean answered calmly. That was so unlike him…

“Then hurry back! I’m stuck here by myself!” Gavin sounded almost like a grumbling child.

“Actually… we need you to come get us first. Caleb’s not well—something about his stomach pain… Can you come pick us up?” Sean explained, holding me securely while keeping the phone steady.

“It’s his gastritis acting up again! All right—tell me exactly where you are!” Gavin’s tone shifted instantly, sharp and serious.

The call ended with a click as the button was pressed.

“Gavin’s on his way. I already gave him our location so he can find us… How are you feeling now…?” He patted my back and asked with genuine concern.

“It still hurts… And it’s your fault I skipped breakfast anyway…” I mumbled against his shoulder, sounding just like a child. One hand stayed pressed to my stomach, while the other clung tightly around his waist.

“Yeah… I know. I’m sorry…” he whispered softly.

It surprised me—seeing him act like this. Usually we argued constantly, and he would have snapped right back at me… but not this time.

“Next time… please eat first before you come chasing after me… I’d feel terrible if you got sick because of it. Sorry I dragged you into this mess…”

What is this…? A warm feeling spread through my chest. I almost wished time would stop right here, so I could hold onto him longer and keep feeling this gentle care...

“So… how does someone like you even get this kind of sick? I figured you’d never skip meals or eat late—since you’ve got everything you need, right?” He laughed quietly, his breath soft as a feather brushed against my neck.

“Too busy working…” I murmured faintly, then closed my eyes. My whole body ached all over—the pain had drained nearly all my strength away. I just wanted to rest for a while…

I wasn’t sure how long I’d dozed off, but soon I felt his hand moving gently over my shoulder, while he spoke softly near my ear.

“Caleb… Gavin’s here…”

My eyes fluttered open. The first thing I saw was his face—those pale‑blue eyes watching me closely. Then came a loud noise from overhead, like huge blades beating the air.

“A propeller…?” I frowned.

He gave a faint smirk. “Your friend really doesn’t do things by halves—he’s sent a helicopter to get us out of here…”

No way…

I lifted my head and looked up. Sure enough, there was Gavin near the open door, waving and shouting over the noise.

“Rescue team coming through, Caleb! Hang tight!!!”

A rope ladder lowered from the aircraft, and Gavin began climbing down toward us.

“Don’t worry, buddy—I’ve got you covered!” He called out as he descended, though halfway down he paused, breathless, before pushing on determinedly.

He jumped from the last rung of the ladder and hurried straight over to us.

“Man… you look awful…” He breathed heavily the moment he saw me. “Come on—Sean, give me a hand here…”

Between the two of them, they supported me as I tried to walk. I rested an arm over each of their shoulders while we made our way back toward the ladder.

“Think you can climb up?” Gavin asked once we paused.

I looked all the way up from the bottom to the top—honestly not sure if I had enough strength left.

“I can help you, Caleb…” Sean stepped closer. He turned his back toward me and crouched down a little. “I’ll carry you up…”

“As if…” I managed a faint smirk. “Just watch me—I’ve still got enough strength to do this myself…”

With that, I gripped the side ropes and began to pull myself upward—even as sharp pain shot through me with every move.