Line up your dominoes
(Bella)
Dean's just pushing every button in me, he's starting to get on my nerves with his insistent calls. It's baffling.
He's a busy CEO, surely he'd have more important things to do than blowing up my phone all day.
And how the hell did he get my number? I ask inwardly, mulling over it, but then it's Dean Brennan, I shouldn't ask that.
Getting my number is such an easy peasy.
He's about to drive me insane at this point.
I rub my temples, strangely he didn't call back after I ended the call this time, he's just being annoyingly persistent and I can't deal with this right now.
And most importantly, I shouldn't stress over this.
And with that resolve, I pull my phone back up, doing what I should have done last night. I block his number, dropping my phone on the desk.
Leaning back, I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm down before going through the stack of files on my desk.
Just as I'm deep in my work, a gentle knock comes to the door and Calvin walks in, there's a look on his face that I can't quite discern just yet.
I think about how we've been lately. I feel a little guilty, we haven't really been talking like we used to, even my texts and phone calls are always brief, mainly because this Dean issue has been on my mind.
Calvin never mentioned it but I can see it in his eyes, the urge to ask but he never did.
"Hey," I say, pinning my eyes on him.
"You busy?" He gives me a skeptical look, hesitating before settling into the chair.
I shake my head slightly, closing the document. "Not exactly, we can talk,"
He holds my gaze a little longer. "You sure you're okay?" He asks again. "You've been a little distant," he observes, his voice comes through with a hint of concern.
I nod slowly, managing a smile. "I'm good, it's not something I can't handle," I say tersely.
He gives me that look, like he's worried and not completely convinced, but he doesn't say it, he just nods. "Alright." He mutters, his voice firm. "So, I came to say thank you, I saw the Chinese takeout you left on my desk," he says earnestly, his eyes lightening up.
I roll my eyes, taken aback for a second. I didn't, as a matter of fact, I haven't been to his office since I got to work, not when Dean's getting under my skin.
I look at his expectant face and it tugs at my heart, but taking credit for someone else's good deeds has never been in my to-do list, so I hold his gaze and reply. "As much as I'd love to say you're welcome but I didn't, it wasn't me," I reply, my voice firm.
"It wasn't—?" Calvin trails off, looking at me keenly as if he's half expecting me to opt and say I was just joking but I don't. "I mentioned about me craving Chinese food yesterday, so I just assumed," he says, his voice not steady, like he doesn't get it.
"Perhaps you've got an admirer, what do you think?" I give him a wink, a cheeky grin playing at my lips.
I have someone in mind, who I'm sure must have kept the food for him, at least I think I do but I don't mention her.
Calvin looks at me, and shakes his head. "Don't joke about things like that," he says with a grin but I see the disappointment shinning through his eyes.
He tilts his head thoughtfully. "I don't know who'd be that kind. I haven't asked though, there's a note too," he dips his hand in his pocket, pulling a small sticky note out.
He extends the note, I take it, my eyes scanning throw it.
"Don't stop smiling, it means a whole lot to someone,"
A small smile creeps up my face as I reread the lines, I look up at Calvin, my smile still in place as I search his eyes for any hint of regard but I don't, his eyes are devoid of any emotion.
"What?" Calvin looks at me tentatively.
I shrug. "I don't know, it's such a thoughtful gesture," I say, giving him back the note.
I tilt my head, studying him.
His face falls a little, like he's not really excited that it isn't coming from me. "I guess," he mutters, like it's not such a big deal but I'd have sworn I saw his excitement a few minutes ago.
Wanting to lighten his mood, I furrow my eyebrows, offering. "Are you busy on Sunday night?" I ask.
"Uh, I'm free," he says, giving me a skeptical look. "Why?"
Mirroring his curiosity, I let a small smile play at the corner of my lips. "Well, looks like someone's dying for me to treat him." I teased. "I'm making my signature lasagna, care to join us for dinner?"
Calvin's reply is quick, his eyes lightening up in an instant. "Really? I'd love to. You need not to ask," Calvin says with a cheerful tone.
"Cool, Sunday it is then," I give him a warm smile.
"By the way," I mention, my eyes flickering to the note in his hand. "You should look for who sent that, say thank you at least,"