The Unexpected Rescue
1186 Words
Daiven strode through the long, glass-paneled corridor of Celistique’s headquarters, his footsteps echoing faintly against the marble flooring. His father had called him into the chairman’s office for one of their usual conversations—conversations that felt more like negotiations about his future.
_"Are you enjoying working in the marketing office so far?"_ his father had asked.
Daiven barely masked his sigh. "I work there because I have no choice. I need to earn my own money." His fingers curled slightly against his palm. "But I'm still not taking over your company."
His father had regarded him with his usual composed expression. "As long as you find fulfillment there, I have no objections."
Fulfillment? That word felt foreign to Daiven. He didn’t know if he even cared about fulfillment. All he knew was that he didn’t want to be molded into the perfect heir his father envisioned.
The conversation had ended on that note, leaving Daiven feeling like there was something unspoken lingering in the air. But instead of dwelling on it, he had rushed out of the chairman’s office, his mind occupied by a different thought altogether.
Calli.
He always wanted her around. Not that he would ever say it out loud. She was just entertaining to annoy, that was all. A convenient way to pass the time. That’s what he told himself.
When he arrived at the marketing office, his gaze immediately darted to her station.
Empty.
His brows knitted together. He scanned the office, checking each desk and corner, but there was no sign of her.
Just as he was about to turn on his heels, David Han, the PR manager, passed by.
"Where is everyone?" Daiven asked casually, making sure not to sound too interested.
David barely spared him a glance. "End of shift already."
Daiven hummed in acknowledgment, about to walk away, when David suddenly stopped and turned back to him with a small smirk.
"If you're looking for Calli, I heard they went to a KTV with Xinn and Felix."
Daiven stiffened slightly but maintained a neutral expression. "Didn't say I was looking for her."
David let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "Right." He walked off, leaving Daiven standing there.
Daiven exhaled sharply and moved toward his desk, which was next to Calli’s.
His eyes drifted over to her workspace. It was neat, yet filled with little things that made it uniquely hers. A Harry Potter-themed pen rested next to a matching notebook, its dark cover slightly worn from frequent use.
Curiosity got the better of him. He reached out and flipped open the notebook.
Inside, there were quotes. Not just simple ones—but words filled with depth, sorrow, and contemplation. Fyodor Dostoevsky. Osamu Dazai. Marcus Aurelius. Words that spoke of human suffering, of resilience, of emotions too complex to be explained in simple terms.
Daiven’s lips pressed together.
He didn’t know why, but something about it unsettled him.
He had always seen Calli as quiet, reserved— yet so positive. But this… this notebook was like an open window into the kind of thoughts she had. And for some reason, it made his chest feel tight.
He flipped to another page and found a sketch of headphones and a phone, with the words "Fix You" written in elegant calligraphy. A sense of suspicion stirred within him. To confirm his hunch, he checked the date written—January 21. That was when it all clicked. He had been in the Philippines on that day.
Calli was the girl from the cemetery.
He closed the notebook carefully and stood up.
He didn’t know where he was going, but his feet carried him out of the office.
---
Daiven stood outside the KTV, his hands in his pockets. He wasn’t the type to hang out in places like this—too noisy, too crowded—but something made him stop. He wasn’t sure why he went in. Maybe he was just wandering, hoping to see someone familiar.
As he walked through the dimly lit hallway, his sharp eyes caught something that made his blood boil.
Three guys. A girl.
The girl was trying to back away, her arms close to her chest as if shielding herself. The men were laughing, inching closer, their hands reaching out.
Then he saw her face.
Calli.
His jaw tightened. Her face was pale, her eyes darting around in panic. She looked trapped, helpless.
"Step away from her!"
Without thinking, Daiven moved.
His fist landed hard on the first guy’s face. The man staggered back, cursing in pain. The other one swung at Daiven, but he easily dodged, ready to hit back—
“Hey! What’s going on here?”
A security guard stepped in, looking at them suspiciously. The three guys grumbled and backed off, not wanting trouble.
Daiven turned to Calli.
Her legs gave out.
He caught her just in time.
---
When Calli woke up, she wasn’t in the KTV anymore.
She blinked, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was simple but spacious, filled with punching bags, training mats, and other fighting equipment. The air smelled faintly of sweat and leather.
She pushed herself up from the couch, rubbing her temples.
“You awake?”
She turned and saw Daiven sitting nearby, arms crossed as he watched her.
“What… happened?”
“You collapsed,” he said. “I brought you here.”
Calli frowned, her mind still catching up. “Xinn… Felix…”
“They know you’re safe,” Daiven assured her. “Don’t worry about them.”
She finally looked around. “Where is this?”
“My gym,” he answered simply.
Calli’s brows furrowed. “You own a gym?”
Daiven shrugged. “Yeah. Bought it when I was twenty. Used all my allowance since high school.” But his father is not aware.
Daiven stood up and grabbed something from a nearby bench. He tossed it to her.
She caught it and unfolded it—a black training uniform.
“You need to learn how to defend yourself,” he said. “It’ll come in handy.”
Calli snorted. “Are you saying I’m weak?”
“I’m saying you need to be prepared.”
She looked down at the uniform, her fingers gripping the fabric. He wasn’t wrong.
“…Fine,” she muttered. “But don’t expect me to be good at this.”
Daiven smirked. “I won’t.”
---
Training wasn’t easy.
Daiven showed her the basics—how to stand, where to place her hands, how to keep her balance. Calli followed his instructions, but it was harder than it looked.
“Don’t just throw your arm,” he corrected. “Use your whole body.”
She tried again. Her punch was a little better this time.
Next, he had her practice kicking.
She lifted her leg, aiming for the padded target Daiven held out—
And missed completely.
Before she could steady herself, she wobbled—
And fell.
Daiven instinctively reached out to grab her, but in the process, he lost his balance too.
They both toppled onto the mat.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Calli burst out laughing.
Daiven blinked, surprised, then chuckled too.
“I’m terrible at this,” she admitted between laughs.
“You just need practice,” Daiven said, shaking his head.
She rolled her eyes. “Easy for you to say.”
As their laughter faded, Calli glanced at him.
“…Why were you at the KTV?” she asked.
Daiven hesitated for a moment. “I wanted to unwind.”
Calli squinted at him. “You don’t seem like the type.”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he leaned back on his hands and looked at her thoughtfully.
“Why do you try so hard to hide how you feel?” he asked.
She stiffened.
After a moment, she looked away. “…Because emotions get in the way.”
“Of what?”
“Surviving.”
A heavy silence filled the air.
Daiven didn’t push further. He just nodded.
Calli hugged her knees, staring at the floor. She didn’t know why she told him that. Maybe because, for the first time in her life, she didn't save herself.
Someone saved her.
- Writer
