Shadows Of Red

CHAPTER 6: His Dominance

CHAPTER 6: His Dominance

“Come on.”

Turning to the voice beside the gazebo, another shock welcomed me.

“Calum... I-I,” I stuttered, pointing at the figure in front, without knowing what to say. But with hurried steps, he got inside the gazebo and held my hand that’s still pointing at the forest and took all of my things and just dumped it all inside my bag.

“W-wait—“ I said but he dragged me out of the place with his long strides. I inhaled sharply as I felt his tug on my arm. He’s walking too fast. I need to run to catch up with him.

Heaving deep breaths, I glanced back at the figure I saw but it wasn’t there anymore. The cold wind slapped on my body, making my hair cover my eyes momentarily, but I shoved it away with my free hand, trying to look for that figure again. But he wasn’t there anymore.

My breathing got heavier at the thought.

Was I right? Was that Jordan? But... how?

Calum’s hand was gripping so hard on my wrist right now that it took me out of my reverie. And I couldn’t help but grimace as his huge hand tightened around me even more. “Wait, Calum. O-ow.”

That made him stop and look at me. I breathed raggedly at both of the shock of the situation and with how fast he was walking. I need to pause and breathe for a while. Everything is still taking its toll on me. I need to really breathe.

And what the heck was that? Why would Jordan be there? And why was Calum Price dragging me?

Those piercing grey eyes stared at me for a while, swirling with such emotions I couldn’t name. His dark hair ruffled slightly with the wind but it didn’t even disrupt his appearance. If it did something, it only proved how good looking this guy was even with ruffled hair—most especially with his ruffled hair.

I bit my lip and mentally slapped myself. What the heck, Nat? Here? Now?

I looked at my hand when Calum’s grey robs went to look at his hand gripping on me. I immediately felt his hand loosen its grip a little as I saw his eyes flash with a certain emotion. But before I could even decipher what it was, that emotion vanished, leaving those same cold and firm emotions in those metallic eyes.

“What are you doing?” I couldn’t help but ask.

He just showed up unexpectedly, and now dragging me away to no-one-knows where. I don’t even know why. And with the way his actions were so hurried as if he wants me immediately out of the place, it made me think that something was up. I know there’s something, and it bothers me.

Calum diverted his eyes away from me, and instead of answering, he just continued dragging me away from the back of the building. Away from the forest. His tall, broad form so easily dragging me and his long strides making me run beside him again.

What the heck is happening?

“Hey, wait.” I tried taking my hand out of him and stopped on my tracks. Calum stopped with me but didn’t let go of my hand. He still held on it in a slightly loosened grip. I attempted at taking my hand away from him again but he stared at me with his thick brows slightly frowning.

I didn’t mind him and pulled my hand away from him again, in which he finally allowed in a matter of few seconds. I looked up at him as I rub the slight sting of pain I felt on my wrist. What was he doing? Doing all of those things frantically?

As he was a few inches taller than I am, I looked up to meet his ironically fiery gaze right now. Frowning, I asked him again.

“What’s happening? Why are you doing this?” My brows furrowed in confusion, and he just stared at me for a few moments.

I started feeling jittery at his stares when a couple of seconds passed by and he was still just staring at me without speaking. His eyes looking so intense as if it was the first time he was seeing me. The thing that happened outside the bar immediately came inside my mind. The way he held me and defended me from Fred’s assault, and the way stayed by my side until I was escorted inside the bar’s office.

How was he there at that time? And how come he’s here, too? Most of all, can he at least tell me what’s going on?

I raised a brow at him to urge him to answer me, but to my frustration, he once again just held my hand and dragged me away, not even minding my questions.

I frowned. What is wrong with him? Just because he saved me once doesn’t mean he can do this to me without an explanation! We barely even know each other and now he’s dragging me like this!

“Can you just stop?” I exclaimed in irritation. Turning back towards me, Calum’s gaze pierced to me and I couldn’t help but swallow at his irritated figure. I knew even then that it was never a sight to behold when he’s angry.

But I mentally shook my head. Who was he to just drag me anywhere? The least he could do is try to explain things to me. I wouldn’t act like this if he at least told me something. Anything!

With a stronger resolve, I narrowed my eyes at him, countering that dominance evident in his grey eyes. He might make everyone follow him almost blindly because of his wealth and appearance, but not me. And he needs to know that not everyone surrenders to his will.

I don’t even think it’s reasonable to follow him right now. He needs to give me a reason to do so. I’m not particularly hard-headed, but he needs to make some sense. Not like this! Dragging me like a dog.

But the moment he took a step towards me, I immediately felt my walls falter and shake. But still, I didn’t show it to him and continued staring straight at his opaque eyes. What was he thinking?

“You are not going back to the gazebo.” His deep voice commanded. I once again narrowed my eyes at him. “You can’t just make me do what you want,” I retorted, which made him clench his jaw. His grey eyes darkening even further at the resolve he’s currently seeing in my blue pair.

“Then, I’m gonna make you.”

“Calum—“ He didn’t even give me a chance to talk and continued dragging me with him, with my bag still in his other hand. What in the name of all heck is wrong with him? He can’t just do this!

I did whatever I can do to make his hand get the heck out of me but he just doesn’t listen to me this time!

Students around the ground started looking at us as I continuously call on him to stop. But when I realized he was not stopping at any sorts of things I’d do, I stopped myself from making a scene, still thoroughly disgruntled at the situation. I glowered at his back.

Being with Calum Price was already a scene in itself. I didn’t want to be lined up with the girls behind his tail. And as much as I want to sprint away from him—and I knew for a fact that that would create a bigger event—I just didn’t want another drama with Amanda. I’m too fed up with having that every day of my life for the last couple of years.

So, containing all the frustrations and questions I have in mind, I let Calum Price lead me towards one of the food stalls inside the university. He dragged a chair behind me and let me sit and put my bag on my lap. I glared at him as he stood beside me.

“Now, what?” I groused, looking at him. I can’t even afford a thing in here. Not even their sprinkled water. Why the heck would they want that in the first place? I exhaled sharply. This is getting into my nerves.

“Can you just tell me what’s happening? It wouldn’t kill you to say a word to me, would it?” I couldn’t help the sarcasm lacing over my voice. The whole situation is just making me frustrated. Why can’t he just tell me?

Did he see that figure I saw as well? But that was Jordan. I think it is Jordan. But...

 I groaned internally. Just what the hell is happening?!

“You are staying here and having a lunch with Rina.” I continued glaring at him as he fished his phone in his pocket. Who the heck is he to command me like this?

I stood up and took my bag. “Natalie—“

I faced him as I said in gritted teeth, “You are not ordering me around Calum. I am not doing that just because you want me to, without even telling me why.”

With that, I left him, while I felt the burn of his stare on my back.

So long for the gratitude speech I was planning to tell him.

***

“WHAT HAPPENED to Calum?”

Rina greeted me as I watched her take a seat at the usual corner in the diner where Jordan and I eat.

“He called me and then, I just heard your voice and... he just hung up,” she stated, as if that was the weirdest thing she has ever experienced. I sighed and took a sip in my milkshake.

“I didn’t know your cousin likes ordering people around,” I said, still ticked over what happened not an hour ago.

I looked at the door to the diner, hoping to see Jordan in there. But like the rest of the days that passed, not even a shadow of him appeared.

Just where the heck is that guy? He’s not telling me things anymore.

I want him here. I want to prove to myself that it wasn’t him that I saw in the woods, because... he just can’t be that! I massaged my temples at the racing thoughts and irritation inside me. This is literally giving me a headache.

“Yeah, he does. He’s used to being followed every time. You know, being the control freak that he is,” Rina said, chuckling. I sighed and mentally agreed. Yeah, he’s a control freak. I sipped on my drink again. I need to calm myself down.

“So, what happened?” She asked.

“He just dragged me out of the gazebo and commanded me to never go back in there. I don’t even know why.  He just doesn’t explain anything!” I couldn’t help but whine. Feeling like I should say these in front of his cousin to affirm my sentiments about him being a dominating jerk.

Rina just gave me an amused smile, as if hearing things like that about Calum was a normal thing to her.

“Yeah, tell me more about what happened between you and that princeling.” She leaned on the table, her glinting grey-green eyes so ready to gossip with me.

And so I narrated everything that happened to her, highlighting our exchange.

“I can’t believe you said that to Calum! That’s why he looked furious when I approached him. I mean, you know he was never denied by anyone! Most especially by a girl.” Rina informed while chuckling.

That made me scoff. That’s why he was so persistent at making me do what he wants. As if I would really do what he says, just because he commanded it. The rich kid that he is must have had his first with me if what Rina said about him being furious was true, which is highly likely. I mean, why would Rina lie, in the first place?

We both continued eating and talking.

An hour of talking non-stop while eating greasy foods made me release my irritation and a bit of my stress. Rina and I ended up having a good time with each other, despite of me getting conscious at the foods I offered her to eat.

I mean, with her model-like physique, does she even eat these? But to my surprise, she even looked like she enjoyed it. She even ordered another burger and milkshake for herself, to which I watched her amusedly.

“See you tomorrow.”

Rina said as she started making her way back to the university, for her next class. I won’t be having mine after a few hours yet, so I thought I’d just walk back home to my apartment which is just a few blocks away from the university.

I nodded at her and waved a hand to bid my goodbye as she started walking. “See you.” That gorgeous smile made its way in her face again as she waved back at me.

“I had a splendid time with you, Natalie. And that diner, is... muah.” I laughed when she gave a chef’s kiss at her last statement. Yes, that diner serves the best burger, pizza and even fries in town. I just eat in there too much that I feel fed up with it sometimes.

“Yeah, we’ll be there again tomorrow,” I jokingly said and she laughed, knowing how often I eat in there. I sometimes eat somewhere else or cook for myself. I just don’t have my salary just yet, so I had to go back to that diner to survive until my money gets to me.

“So this is how it feels to have a friend.” She smiled, almost to herself. That made me frown.

“I bet I’m not the only one... you... have?” My words drawled as she shook her head in amusement to me. My eyes widened at the revelation. “But your Rina. Rina Price Sanders,” I said, as if that would make the biggest point in the argument.

She chuckled and adjusted her tote bag on her shoulder. “Yeah, and that’s exactly the reason why I didn’t have someone like you. But now, you’re here!” She waved her hand at me with the biggest smile I’ve seen of her yet.

“Bye, Natalie! I’ll see you tomorrow!” She said before turning around to finally walk to the university.

That made me think of her thoughtfully. Maybe it’s just really like that. Contrary to the things expected of being so wealthy, they don’t get to have as much relationships as good as having a genuine friend. Maybe that’s the reason why both she and Calum have that feeling of elusiveness, because they’re so used to it and it has made itself to a default in them.

I sighed, feeling both sad and happy for Rina. I’m also happy to be her friend. She’s just the second I have, anyway. So she and I may not be so different in that aspect after all.

Finally, I turned around to walk to my apartment, only to see Jordan making his way inside the diner. Speaking of friends.

“Jordan!” I called.

That bright smile immediately appeared on his face the moment he saw me. I just watched him, now thoroughly observing because of the things I’ve seen a while ago. But looking at his face right now, he doesn’t look like he just did something... odd.

“You left. What happened?” I asked in preparation for the very question I wanted to ask him. “Yeah, something came. My aunt is pregnant again! She asked me to come to look for the kids as she went to the hospital. But of course, that goes with cash. Woo!” He exclaimed, looking genuinely exhilarated; his shallow dimple appearing.

I pursed my lips. “So, you weren’t here an hour ago?” He shook his head, making those brown waves on his head move with him. “No, I just came and I was really about to have lunch with you before going to my next class. Come on, I’m starving—“ he was about to walk towards the diner’s door again but I spoke.

“I just finished eating, with Rina.” I said and waited for his reaction. And just like what I expected, that bright smile slowly faded on his lips.

“Why? Don’t you like Rina?” I couldn’t help but ask. And I saw how his jaw ticked. I frowned at him.

“Jordan—“ but he cut me.

“Just...” He sighed.

“It’s nice seeing you having another friend, but I don’t want her to be mine as well.” He continued. My frown deepened at the tone he used. As if he really despised the idea of having Rina as a friend.  But why?

“Why?” I voiced out. Jordan averted his gaze away from me and silence filled our space for a few seconds.

“It’s a long story,” he said, after a short moment. I stared at him for a moment, seeing and absorbing how he really looked like he meant every word he said. That made me sigh.

Do they know each other personally? What could have happened? Have they known each other even before we met?

Shaking my head, I went back to that question I had in mind since earlier. This was the most important one. “Jordan, are you sure you were not in the university a while ago?” That made him frown at me this time. Sensing how I’m kind of insisting his presence in the university earlier.

He nodded. “Why?” I bit my lip, suddenly hesitant about mentioning that thing that happened a while ago.

But I pushed myself and said, “I just think I saw you, inside the woods. Looking at me while I was in the gazebo.” I said. But Jordan’s reaction made me even more bothered by that thought.

“Sh*t—“ He started cursing.