The Callahan Dynasty

Trust

"Why are they singing?" Isabella complained, her voice laced with frustration.

I rolled my eyes, anticipating her over-the-top reactions as we watched the Disney movie, Enchanted.

"Dude, just tell her already!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "Stop being such a wimp! Oh dios mío, idiota!" Her Spanish phrases were peppered with exasperation.

"Hey, missy, you suggested this, so deal with it," I said, tossing a popcorn kernel her way. It missed, and she stuck out her tongue.

With a sigh, she added, "I know I did, but why do people have to be so dramatic? It's really annoying." As she dug into the popcorn bowl I was holding, she continued, "Life would be so much simpler if people just said what they meant without making a big deal out of everything."

"Now where's the fun in that?" I asked as I tossed a kernel into my mouth. "Most girls live for big romantic gestures."

Isabella let out a dramatic groan.

"I just think it's stupid."

"You're just saying that because you haven't met your Príncipe Charming." I spoke.

"There's no such thing as 'prince charming'. Every guy is a douche bag." she announced.

"Hey! What about Alex?" I asked my tone defensive.

She shrugged. "What about Alex?"

"His perfect in my books." I said.

Isabella let out a funny sound from her throat.

I rose my brows at her in inquisition.

"I'm just saying Kate, everyone has their dirty little secrets, even Alex."

Curiosity took over me. Was that what they were whispering about this morning? Did Alex confide in Isabella about a secret?

What if he is cheating on me and he told her? I know Isabella is my good friend but she's been Alex's friend longer so she's more loyal to him, right?

"Do you know something Isa?" I asked taking on a more serious tone..

She looked away, trying to avoid eye contact with me and let out a laugh. "Why so serious all of a sudden? Let's just get on with your stupid movie." She spoke trying to lighten the mood but the tension had already stuck.

"Isa, is Alex...." I swallowed too afraid to ask. "Is he cheating on me?"

Isabellas green eyes widened. "What? God no! Why would you even think that?"

I looked away, a mix of shame and determination swirling inside me. I needed answers, no matter how uncomfortable the truth might be. "It would explain the strange texts he's been getting," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Isa slid closer on the couch, taking my hands in hers. "Kate, it's not what you think," she said softly. "Alex loves you; he'd never cheat on you."

I dropped my gaze, feeling a pang of insecurity. Despite Isa's reassurances, a nagging voice in my head whispered that I wasn't good enough for Alex, that maybe he'd found someone better.

"How do you know that?"

"I just do." She spoke softly. "If anything, it's more to do with his fa-"

I looked up. Isabella shut up realising what she was just about to say.

"Were you about to say 'his family'?" I asked.

Isabella moved away from me quickly as if scared that if she stayed close she might let something else spill out.

"Just forget I said that."

I stood up to stand in front of her. "Did he tell you something?" I asked.

As I said, I couldn't hide my jealousy. Even though Isa already knew Alex's family it still hurt that he confided in her about his personal issues rather than me.

"Goodness Kate, you're going to get me in trouble, please just let it go."

But I couldn't let it go, if Alex's family was bothering him, I at least deserved to know something, right?

"Isa, please just tell me."

"I can't, Kate. You know Alex's family has issues and he doesn't like to talk about it." She said but she was still avoiding eye contact meaning she was hiding something.

"He told you not to tell me, didn't he?" I asked folding my arms across my chest in anger.

Before she could respond, a loud knock at the door interrupted us. Isa jumped at the opportunity to walk away, and I followed, still fuming.

What was Alex hiding from me? What secret was so monumental that he thought he couldn't trust me with it?

"Isa, we're not done-" But she opened the door, and my words caught in my throat.

Isa's face turned pale, but her expression wasn't one of shock – it was more like mild surprise, as if she'd received an unexpected visit from a friend. My reaction, however, was different. I gasped, my mind reeling.

But that was impossible – she couldn't have known him. Yet, there he stood: Jason Callahan, the infamous one.

The one who frequently made headlines. Two suited men flanked him, their expensive attire a testament to their importance, but neither could rival Jason's commanding presence.

As his chestnut-haired gaze locked onto her, recognition flashed in his eyes. "Jason," she spat, her voice low and tense.

The men beside him drew guns, aiming them at Isabella. My hand flew to my mouth, stifling a scream.

"Isabella, where is my brother?"