Chapter 63
As I sat cross-legged on the bed with my laptop closed next to me, unopened for hours, the calm of my room was filled with the gentle hum of the air conditioner.
On the bedside table was a lukewarm cup of coffee. I was unable to concentrate on anything else as my mind swirled, entangled in a web of opposing feelings.
Owen's revelation, still unfiltered and uneasy, echoed faintly. With each minute that went by, Tyler's admonition grew louder and more pointed.
And his name, Caleb, kept coming back to me like a silent question mark.
Is Tyler correct about him?
Was there truly another side to the Caleb I knew, the one who had always come across as so confident, polished, and charming?
I rubbed my temples while looking at the floor in blankness. Was I being naïve, because Caleb didn't seem like the kind to lie or take shortcuts? I began accumulating trivial, seemingly unimportant facts about him.
His evasive justifications for leaving London. the vague remarks on his earlier endeavors.
The way he occasionally shifted the topic when discussions became too intimate.
Was I reading too much into this? Or had Tyler created an image in my head that I was unable to remove?
I reached for my phone and navigated to Caleb's contact. Before pressing the call button, my thumb lingered over it for a considerable amount of time.
After the second ring, Caleb's warm, familiar tone of voice said, "Hey."
"Hey," I answered in a relaxed tone. "What are you working on?"
"I'm just wrapping up at work. What's up, and why?
"Nothing," I responded without feeling light. I thought we could go out to supper or something because I'm bored. Unless you're occupied.
He gave a quiet laugh. "Are you bored? I can't let you remain idle, can I? Where would you like to meet up?
After a quick logistical exchange, I offered him the name of a restaurant I liked-not too upscale, not too casual-and hung up. A knot formed in my stomach as I put the phone down. "This was only dinner," I told myself. A discussion. Not much more.
However, I couldn't help but notice the uneasiness prickling at the corners of my mind as I put on a pair of heels and changed into a form-fitting black dress.
The restaurant had floor-to-ceiling windows, and Caleb was the first to arrive, sitting at a modest table. When I walked in, he got up, his easy smile beaming.
He pulled out my chair for me and remarked, "You look gorgeous."
I sat down, smoothed my outfit, and said, "Thanks. Tonight, I didn't feel like cooking."
He taunted the waiter, saying, "Well, I'm glad I could be your excuse to skip it."
It was comfortable enough for the first few minutes.
We placed our drink orders and struck up a conversation about his most recent business endeavors and my gallery preparations.
Beneath the laughs and casual banter, though, my mind was working nonstop to figure out how to make this dinner more in line with my needs.
"So, it's been a long time since you were in New York," I replied, swirling the wine in my glass. Why did you choose to return?
Leaning back in his chair, Caleb drummed lightly on the table with his fingers. "A mix of factors. There are generally better opportunities here. London was becoming a bit stale.
"Stale?" I tilted my head and pressed.
Indeed. My current initiatives weren't as difficult as I would have liked. In addition, I missed this city's vibrancy.
It was a wise response. Easy. polished. But it seemed practiced in some way.
"Did you find it difficult to abandon everything you had built there?" I asked in a casual, almost joking, tone.
He gave a shrug. "Not at all. I can adjust well. beginning anew.
I tried to look thoughtful as I nodded. "That's what you've always been good at."
His confidence was evident across the table as he smiled for a brief period. However, as the discussion went on, I began to nitpick at the details of his tale.
"How about the tech collaboration you brought up last month? The London one that took off. Before relocating here, did you sell your shares?
After a moment of hesitation, he reached for his glass. Yes, indeed. Yes, I did. Although it wasn't as profitable as I had intended, it was time to let it go.
I gave him another nod, but I was drawn to the pause in his words.
"You've accomplished a lot of diverse things," I remarked, bending forward a little. "Investments, real estate, and technology." Although it's impressive, keeping track of everything must have been challenging.
"It all comes down to having the right team," he said with ease. "The rest will fall into place if you surround yourself with the best people."
I grinned, but my thoughts were racing. Although his responses were endearing, they lacked substance. He avoided getting too specific, as though he were skimming the surface of his existence.
At last, I made the decision to exert a little more effort. As I swirled my wine once more, I added, "You know, Tyler told me that he ran into someone who used to work with you." said that they had seen you during one of your first major transactions. "Small world, huh?"
Caleb's smile tightened slightly, and his eyes grew a little sharper. "Yeah, small world," he answered cautiously. "Who was it?"
I pretended that I couldn't recall the name while intently observing his response. However, they appeared to think well of you. claimed that you were incredibly resourceful.
His smile came back, wider this time, but it fell short of his eyes. "I'll take the compliment of being resourceful any day."
After that, the topic of conversation changed and moved into more secure ground.
Even though Caleb was still pleasant, my first discomfort had intensified into something more serious.
Except for the gentle hum of the car motor, the drive home was peaceful.
With his other hand clutching the wheel, Caleb's hand was casually resting on the gear change.
My thoughts were still replaying every word he had uttered tonight as I watched the city lights fade by.
"You're incredibly quiet," he said, looking at me.
I forced a tiny smile and added, "Just tired."
He turned to face me as we pulled up outside my building, his face warm but inquisitive. "I'm happy we took this action. Sam, it's good to have you back in my life.
"Yes," I said quietly as I reached for the door handle.
The evening's weight descended upon me as I left. I stayed there for a long time, watching after Caleb as he drove off, his taillights fading into the darkness.
I kicked off my heels inside and collapsed on the couch while my mind raced. Not all of Caleb's stories made sense.
But, what did that signify? Was Tyler correct about him? Was I seeing things in my head?
Thinking of the Caleb I used to know, the one I had greatly respected, made my chest clench.
Even though the cracks in his image were slight, I was unable to ignore them once I had noticed them.
As I sat there in the dark, the question that kept coming back to me the most was.. Who is Caleb, really?