Chapter 57: He is too good.

Chapter 57: He is too good.
Anneliese’s POV

I woke up earlier than usual today,the sunlight was barely shining in through my curtains, yet my heart was already  wide awake, drumming in my chest like a war drum.

I had promised to meet Caleb at the park today, and the thought wouldn't even let me have a good sleep, we also chatted throughout the night.

Belinda noticed, of course,she always does.
She leaned against the doorframe of my room, holding her mug of coffee in her hand,  a large grin was dancing on her lips.

“You’re in a hurry,” she teased, raising her brow.“Who wakes up this early on a Saturday unless there’s love involved?”

I rolled my eyes, pretending not to hear the last part. “I just don’t want to keep him waiting, and for your information, he’s my friend.”

Belinda laughed, the sound was bright and playful. “Friend? Mmm. Keep telling yourself that.” She set her mug aside and walked toward me, reaching for my hairbrush.

“At least let me do your makeup. If you’re going to deny feelings, then you better look good doing it.”

“Belinda,” I groaned, but I sat down anyway. 

She had already pinned down me with those eyes. She dabbed a little powder on my face and gave me a soft pink lip gloss.

When she was done, she stepped back with a smirk on her face.

“There,” she said proudly. “Now Caleb might just fall off his chair when he sees you, after all, the guy's got all those silly acts.”

I shook my head, laughing as I grabbed my bag. “You’re ridiculous.”

By the time I got to the park, Caleb was already there. He was sitting on a bench under a tree.

He was dressed simply in jeans and a dark blue shirt, he looked so relaxed, so at peace.

When he spotted me, he stood and waved.

“You’re early,” he said as I approached him.

“You’re earlier,” I shot back with a smile.
 He chuckled.

“Couldn’t sleep, someone kept me chatting half the night.”

I felt Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Don’t blame me, you were the one who wouldn’t stop telling jokes and I can't just end the chat.”

We both laughed and then settled onto the bench.
 For a while, we just sat in silence while watching families walk by, kids running with balloons, and couples holding hands.

Caleb tilted his head toward me. “So… how have you really been, Anne? I know you say you’re fine, but after the divorce… it must be heavy.”

His words pulled something from inside me.
 I sighed, staring at the grass. “It feels strange, like I’m free, but at the same time, broken. Damien… he was supposed to be someone I shouldn't have anything to do with, but I guess I got attached along the way. I thought we were going to be fine, but it turns out he's a cold monster, and sometimes I feel like something is wrong with me.”

Caleb shook his head firmly. “Don’t ever say that. Damien didn’t treat you right, that’s all. You deserve better, Anne. You deserve someone who will make you laugh, someone who will make you feel safe.”

His words landed deep and my chest tightened, but not in a bad way. It was… strange, like a comfort I hadn’t realized I needed.

I studied his face for a moment, his calm eyes and steady tone.

Why couldn’t Damien ever be like this?

I forced a small smile. “You always know the right thing to say.”

To lighten the mood, I stood and stretched my arms. “Okay, serious talk over. Let’s do something fun.”

Caleb grinned, jumping up beside me. “What do you have in mind?”

We ended up chasing each other like children across the grass. He tried to grab my scarf, I dodged, laughing so hard  that my stomach ached. At one point, he tripped, and I nearly Fall  on top of him.

We both burst into loud laughter, drawing curious looks from passersby.

“You’re insane,” I said between breaths.

“Deny you don't like it that way,” he replied, sticking out his tongue like a little boy.

We were catching our breaths when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen. It was the manager of my father’s company.
 “Hello?” I answered.
 “Good afternoon, Ms. Anne,” came the polite voice. “Just calling to check up on you. We’re making sure everything is running smoothly here at the office. If you need anything, we’re always available.”

I felt a sudden wave of warmth in my tummy, “Thank you. I appreciate the concern.”

When I hung up, Caleb was watching me with a curious smile. “See? You’re loved more than you think. Don’t let Damien’s shadow make you forget that.”

I just nodded a this words,unable to think of what to say.

As we walked again, we noticed a small group of children sitting near a tree.

They looked about eight or nine, staring at an ice cream cart but not moving toward it. Their clothes were old, worn, and their eyes had a kind of sadness that touched me.

Caleb nudged me. “Shall we?”

We approached the kids, and I smiled gently. “Hey there. Do you want ice cream?”

They looked at each other, hesitant, then one boy shook his head. “We can’t, our brothers and sisters don’t have any money either. We can’t eat if they don’t eat.”

My heart sank. “Where are they?”
 The boy pointed, and we followed his gaze.

A group of other children, older and younger, stood a little distance away, watching silently.

Then an older woman approached; she looked tired.

She explained quickly that she had taken in abandoned children, caring for them in a small home near the park.
 “They’re all I have and I try so hard to msje everyone happy but it always seemed not to be enough. “

I felt my throat tighten. Caleb glanced at me, and without needing words, we both knew what we wanted to do.

“Okay,” Caleb said cheerfully, clapping his hands. “Ice cream for everyone and fairy cake too.”

The children’s eyes widened, and soon we were surrounded by excited chatter.

We bought ice cream cones with slices of cake, and handed them out one by one.

The laughter that erupted around us was so pure it made my chest ache in the best way.

But we didn’t stop there. “Come on,”, I whispered to Caleb. “Let’s take them to the shops.”

We guided them into the little stores around the park.

Caleb carried one boy on his shoulders while I held two girls by their hands. Inside, we let them pick toys, small dresses, shoes, and colorful balloons.

The shopkeepers looked amazed as they watched us pay for everything, but their smiles showed they were touched too.

Caleb made silly faces, pretending to cry when one of the boys “stole” his toy car. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes.

He was ridiculous, yet so sweet… it was impossible not to adore the sight of him with kids. 
He's just an angel of children.

By the time the sun was down, the children were glowing with joy, clutching their new treasures and sweets.

The woman thanked us over and over, her eyes were wet with gratitude. “God bless you both,” she said, holding my hand tight.

When I finally got home, exhaustion hit me like a truck, but so did happiness.

I collapsed onto the couch, still smiling as I replayed the day in my head, the kids’ laughter, Caleb’s silly plays, the warmth of everything we did.

Belinda came out from the kitchen with her arms folded, eyeing me suspiciously.

“Well, well, look at you, grinning like a fool. Did you kiss him?”

I sat up straight, nearly choking. “What? No! Belinda, he’s my friend.”

She smirked knowingly. “Mmm, sure, your friend. I’ve heard that story before.” She sat beside me, poking my arm. 
“Listen, Anne. If he’s worthy, if he makes you smile like this, maybe give him a chance. You don’t always have to carry Damien’s ghost around.”

I grew quiet at that, staring at my hands. The thought scared me, I wasn’t ready to open that door, not after everything and Caleb was good, too good.

I shook my head, forcing a laugh. “You’re crazy. I’m not falling for him.”

Belinda raised her brow. “Maybe not yet.”

And just like that, she left me sitting there with my heart racing and my mind spinning, wondering why her words stayed so stubbornly in my chest.