Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER SIX

*Adrian*

After dropping Calista off at her apartment, I immediately regretted it. I shouldn't have let her return home to Ivan, but that wasn't even an option. I barely got her to admit it to me, and even when I did, I almost f****d it up. I was afraid that if I showed that I cared, it would scare her off, because we hardly know each other.

I'm not the type of man to catch feelings for a woman, especially one I barely know, but with Calista I can't help it. There's something about her that draws me in and I fall all too easily for it. That scares me a little, and maybe that's why I backed off? Probably also because we work together, it's unethical and inappropriate. She already has a boyfriend, though an abusive one. She's already in a relationship. I have to respect that, for as much as I don't want to.

It's Saturday and I'm still going in to the office, because without work, all my mind will do is think about her all damn day. I can't afford for my mind to be consumed, so I must keep myself occupied. It's not a bad trade off, either, because there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

The office is quiet and not many people are here today, which is typical for a weekend. I entered my office and began working on paperwork, the s**t that I normally put off. Anything to keep my mind busy. I managed to kill a couple of hours, but soon found myself thinking about Calista again. Hoping I didn't get her into more trouble with Ivan, stealing her away for dinner the way I did. Something deep inside my gut was churning, but I wasn't sure why.

I left the office and entered the break room, pouring myself a cup of coffee. I heard someone enter behind me and I turned around to find Tiffany Beckett, one of the financial advisors. Tifanny is a short young blonde woman who annoys the hell out of me. She is constantly flirting with me and crossing the line, to the point where I've warned her about losing her job. I know she has the hots for me, but I've made it abundantly clear the feeling isn't mutual.

"Good morning, Adrian." She smiled and sauntered into the room, standing beside me and pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"I've told you before, Miss. Beckett, call me Mr. Brockwell." I grunted, sipping my coffee and starting to walk away.

"Sorry, Mr. Brockwell. Wait, before you go-" Tiffany hollers and I turned around with a raised eyebrow, "I thought you should know your new little assistant wouldn't be coming in to work this Monday or Tuesday. She called out sick."

"When did she call out sick?" I asked, fear consuming my gut.

"This morning, I took the call.." Tiffany replied with a slight wince, jealousy rearing it's ugly head.

"Thank you for letting me know, Miss. Beckett." I nodded and left the room, taking large strides to increase my speed but not to give suspicion.

I know Calista isn't sick, I know why she called out for two days and I feel my face heat up with anger. My blood is boiling inside my veins and my hands are clenched into tight fists. Entering my office and shutting the door behind me, I release a string of cusswords and send my fist into the wall.

Ivan probably beat the s**t out of Calista and I only made things worse. How could I leave her in that situation? How could I not see what danger I was putting her in? I'm such an i***t! I need to make things right, I need to apologize to her and see that she's okay. I'll give her a visit. Hopefully, her boyfriend is at work or, better yet, in jail.

I left the office without another thought, driving over to Calista's apartment and parking out front. I stare up at the building and wonder if what I'm about to do is creepy.. I don't want to come off as a stalker, but I also know what she's going through and I want to help her. I've asked myself time and again why, but haven't come up with a good enough answer. All I know is, I want to and I won't argue with that.

I gathered up all my courage and walked into the building and up the stairs, remembering her apartment number. I stood there in front of her door and contemplated whether or not I should knock. Is this really a good idea? Yes. Yes it is, because I need to know if she's okay.

Just as I was about to knock, someone opened the door and stared at me in confusion. She had black hair with red streaks in it and was carrying a bag on her shoulder. I smiled and cleared my throat. I probably look like a jackass right now. I'm guessing this is a friend or family member and if that's the case, where's Calista?

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" She said, raising an eyebrow with suspicion.

"No, but I know Calista.." I responded and she watched as my eyes flickered at the bag she was carrying.

"Hmm.. She isn't here, I'm actually getting ready to go see her. That's why I was at her house. She asked me to grab her a few things on my way.." The woman said, still eyeing me up and down.

"I'm her boss, Adrian Brockwell, is she alright?" I asked, already getting a gut wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Uh- She's... she didn't want anyone to know." She said, dropping her gaze.

"I think I already know," I offered and waited for her to look back at me, "Where is she?"

"The hospital.."

"What's your name?" I asked, remaining as calm as I could.

"I'm Quinn. Calista is my best friend and I had no idea what she was going through.." Quinn sobbed, while I motioned her towards the elevator.

"May I come with you to the hospital?" I asked, pushing the button to the ground level.

"She'll kill me, but I can't really say no to someone who clearly cares for her." Quinn smiled softly and the doors to the elevator opened, both of us stepping out.

"Thank you." I replied, ignoring her comment about caring for Calista.

That's barely something I've admitted to myself, let alone admitting it out loud to someone I don't even know. Of course, I care for her, but why and how? We don't know each other. Don't you have to know the person first? I thought that's how this love s**t worked, but clearly I'm mistaken because the way I feel for Calista is something I've never felt before. It's a strong current that pulls me in every time she's near.

We arrived at the hospital and Quinn led me towards Calista's room, somewhere on the second floor. Hospitals are like mazes and it's always tricky finding the exit again, but hopefully, I won't have to memorize this route. Quinn opened the door and we walked into a small room, where Calista was lying in the hospital bed.

My heart felt broken, constricted, and left with an empty shell instead. Calista was wearing a neck brace and her wrist was bandaged. The oxygen tubes that connected to her nostrils ran along the underneath of her eyes, looping around her ears. Her hair was a mess, knotted and clumped together. There was old makeup that smudged around her eyes, suggesting she'd been there for a day or so already. I choked on the air that hit my lungs, this pain was unlike anything else I've felt, and I didn't like it.

"You're not going back home, not after this." I growled, and both girls stared at me with confused, surprised expressions.