Chapter 64
As I sat in the corner booth of the small café, my fingers were tight around a hot mug of coffee.
In my mind, I kept going over what Tyler had said about Caleb.
It was clear that last night's sleep for me wasn't good. When the doorbell rang, my heart skipped a beat, and I looked up, hoping Bella would hurry.
She replied right away to my earlier SMS, which was almost meaningless.
"Don't move. I'll be there."
When the door opened again, she ran in with her bag around her wrist and half of her coat off.
Even though Bella looked a little upset and had her dark hair in a messy bun, her worried eyes went straight to me.
"What's wrong?" She slid into the seat across from me and tossed her bag aside, saying, "You look like you've seen a ghost."
I ran a hand through my hair and admitted, "I don't even know where to start." Before I could stop them, the words came out. "That's Caleb."
Bella knitted her brows together and leaned closer. "How about him? Did he do something?"
Her unflinching look gave me the strength to continue even though I was afraid of how much to say.
"I heard some things from Tyler. regarding Caleb's background. Furthermore, I find myself wondering about how little I actually know about him all the time. I don't even know if I can truth him. "
Bella's face changed from one of worry to one of acerbic calculation. "What did Tyler say exactly?"
I went over everything, including Tyler's claimed inconsistencies and Caleb's hazy past.
Bella didn't stop, but each word made her face grow gloomier. She crossed her arms and sat back in her chair when I was done.
She started carefully, saying, "I wasn't sure how to bring it up, but I was going to tell you this eventually." I've also heard stories about Caleb.
I felt sick to my stomach.
"What kinds of things?"
Bella dropped her voice and looked around the café in case someone heard.
rumors. There have been rumors of dubious business deals and unethical actions in the industry. Not much, but enough to make others suspicious of him.
The room tilted. I tightened my hold on my mug. "Why didn't you inform me earlier?"
Without any proof, I didn't want to frighten you. And to be honest, I figured you would already be aware of its veracity. However, now... She clasped my hand as she reached across the table. "I'm glad you're fixing this on your own. Thank you for telling me.
Bella quickly swiped her fingers across the screen as she took her phone out of her bag. "We'll see what we can discover."
For the next half hour, we sat huddled over our phones, looking up Caleb's name along with words like case and scandal.
There weren't many at first, simply laudatory pieces about his recent return to New York and his success in London.
Then, however, we began to discover hints of something worse hidden beneath the glossy press.
Caleb was accused of abusing insider information to seal a big deal in an earlier blog post.
According to another source, he didn't leave London willingly.
The sheer volume of whispers made my stomach turn, even though it was all hazy and unsupported.
Bella's face was sad as she looked up from her phone. "It makes me uncomfortable, but it's not exactly a smoking gun."
I nodded as if the ground were eroding beneath me.
It had always looked so solid, Caleb. trustworthy.
I wasn't sure what to believe, though.
"Sam," Bella whispered softly, stopping my rambling thoughts. "You must take caution around him. Should even half of this be true... Shaking her head, she trailed off.
I glanced at my phone's screen, which was filled with blog entries and headlines that seemed to give a different impression of the guy I believed to be my acquaintance.
I felt as though I wasn't getting enough air in my chest.
I said, "I'm not sure what to do."
Bella grabbed my hand tightly as she reached across the table once more.
Just pay attention to your feelings. If something doesn't feel right, it most likely does.
As we said our goodbyes and I headed back to the gallery, her words stuck with me.
The noise of honking horns and talk blended into a monotonous cacophony as the city hummed around me.
I hardly paid attention. I was too preoccupied with going over every exchange I'd had with Caleb and looking for clues I could have missed.
The familiar smell of paint and varnish should have been reassuring when I first arrived at the gallery, but instead it made me feel suffocated.
After putting my bag on the desk, I took a seat with my head in my hands.
I didn't have much time to think. I was surprised by the sound of the front door opening, and as I looked up, I saw Caleb entering with a bunch of white lilies in his hand.
He said, his smile as charming as ever, "Surprise." "I wanted to drop by and check in on my favorite artist."
Though not as much as it used to, my heart skipped a beat. It was more of a warning now.
I forced a smile as I said, "Caleb. Why are you in this place?"
He put the flowers on the desk and moved closer. "I thought I'd check in while I was in the area. I thought you wouldn't mind."
"Of course not," I replied without thinking, despite my heartbeat becoming faster.
His black eyes were studying me as he leaned against the desk. "You look tense. Is everything in order?
I paused, trying to control my speech. "I simply have a lot on my mind. The gallery has been quite busy."
His eyes grew softer. "You are aware that you can speak with me, right? Regarding anything."
His voice was so serious that it made my stomach turn.
The doubts Bella and I had found prevented me from believing him and trusting him once more.
I answered, my smile brittle, "Thanks. I'll remember that."
Reaching out, Caleb brushed a lock of hair away from my face.
I almost forgot my uneasiness because of how lovely the gesture was. Almost.
"I was thinking," he added in a relaxed tone, "that we ought to organize something spectacular soon. Maybe a weekend trip together. What are your thoughts?
With my mind miles away, I nodded absently. His touch, his words.. it all seemed like a well-planned show.
At last, I answered, "I'll give it some thought."
Something flickered in his eyes, but his smile stayed unwavering. Disappointment? Hurt? I was unable to tell.
I just stood there looking at him while my heart raced.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the truth about him or if I was ready.