Chapter 66: The Date that Couldn’t Be

Anne’s POV

The grand opening of my fashion house had still felt like a dream even though it had been a week.

It was finally my resumption day, my first day at the fashion house.

When I walked through those glass doors in the morning, the smell of new fabrics, polished wood, and fresh flowers greeted me and wrapped around me like an embrace.

The mannequins stood tall in sleek gowns I had once only sketched on crumpled papers.

My name, Anneliese Rowan, sat proudly in gold letters at the entrance.

I had literally floated in happiness; this achievement was everything I had ever wished for. It was everything I had bled for, cried for, stayed up countless nights stitching for.

That day, transactions happened in my name, women walked out carrying bags with my logo printed bold, and when I caught them smiling at their reflections in my dresses, my heart flew with pride. I was winning. Finally, I was winning.

“Boss, the champagne?” one of my staff had asked, carrying two bottles with trembling hands.

“Yes, put them out. Let’s celebrate,” I told her, my lips stretching into a grin that actually made my chin hurt.

I had decided to organize a mini party for the staff and me in the evening. We had so much fun, and the music kept playing while the cake was being cut.

I was still sharing some of my ideas with my designers when I saw Caleb walk in.

He didn’t wear the arrogance of Damien, nor the slick expensive charm of the men I had grown up around.

But Caleb was simple and thoughtful. He was so steady, like the ground I kept wishing would open and swallow me whole. I couldn’t really help the shy feeling I had been getting since the event where he had introduced me as his girlfriend.

“Wow, Anne, your dream is finally here. I'm so sorry for not coming earlier, but girl, I'm proud of you and I hope you are proud of yourself too,” he had smiled, and something in his voice had made my throat tighten.

“I am so proud,” I had whispered back.

His arms had suddenly wrapped around me and I hadn’t pushed him away. I had let him hug me, and we had stayed in that position for a while, while I melted in his hug.

Hours later, when the house was about to close finally, he had taken me by my hand.

“Will you come with me to dinner?” he had said, and I could have sworn I saw his cheeks turn red.

I should’ve said no.

I should’ve gone home, taken off my heels, and fallen into my pink bed like a normal woman who had just made history in her little world, but my heart hadn’t allowed that.

We ended up at a rooftop restaurant where we spent minutes overlooking the bright city.

The lights below us looked like fallen stars; they were scattered across the busy street. A soft breeze brushed against my skin, and my head moved slowly to the faint sound of the jazz from the speaker.

“This place is beautiful,” I had breathed, staring out at the skyline.

“Yes, but it's not more beautiful than you tonight,” Caleb had said.

I had rolled my eyes, but the heat had crept into my cheeks like burning fire. “You’re terrible at flirting.”

“And yet,” he had leaned closer, his smile tugging at my defenses, “you’re still blushing.”

I had laughed, because he had caught me. I had laughed, because it had felt safe there.

No arranged shit.

No transaction.

No contracts.

Just me, and a man who hadn’t demanded anything I couldn’t give.

The dinner had been slow and sweet.

He hadn’t rushed.

He had asked about my dreams beyond fashion. I had shared them with him, and he had shared his, which had made me realize how brilliant he was, and he had also made me realize he was the world’s worst comedian.

By the time dessert came, I had leaned forward, laughing at every single word of his even though I had found them silly.

My heart hadn’t raced like that in months.

I had been so happy and had wished so hard for the happy moment to continue, but then it happened.

On the walk to his car, under the faint glow of the streetlights, he had stopped and his hand had slipped into mine; the warmth had almost made my knees wobble.

“Anne,” he had said, his voice low. “I like you, more than I should admit. I’ve liked you since the first day I saw you, even though you were my boss's wife. I've always known you were an angel in human form, or maybe a fallen angel who lost her way on earth.”

My chest had tightened, and his eyes had held mine like they were begging me not to run.

He had taken a step closer. “I didn’t want to just take you out to dinner or continue to be that friend who was always there. I wanted more. I wanted you to be mine. Be my girlfriend, Anneliese.”

The words had hit me harder than I had expected, and for a moment, the world had blurred.

I had seen my father’s face, pale and broken on that hospital bed. I had heard Belinda’s laugh, the way she had always managed to make me happy.

And then… Damien. His cold eyes, his mocking voice, the way he had stolen every ounce of safety I had thought I’d ever have.

I had wanted to say yes, but it was like my tongue was tied… the memories of Damien… how he had made me feel worse came back and I just couldn't…

I couldn’t.

“I…” I had swallowed hard, my hands beginning to tremble. “Caleb, you’re good. You’re more than good. But I can’t.”

His brows had furrowed. “Anne…”

“I’m sorry.” My voice had cracked. “I’m not ready to belong to anyone. Not after everything. I need more time to heal completely.”

Silence had swallowed us, and it had been the kind that made the city feel too loud. It had made the light too blinding, and I had felt like I should disappear.

Finally, he had nodded. It had been slow and heavy. “I get it. I just…” He had rubbed the back of his neck, looked away for a second before locking eyes with me again. “I just wanted to let you know how I was feeling, but I respect your decision, okay?”

Tears had stung the back of my eyes, but I had fought them down. I couldn’t reply. He hadn’t said another word. He had just pulled me into his arms again, his chin resting on the top of my head. And for a moment, I had let myself sink into him.

When he had driven me home, the silence between us had been soft but so heavy, and I had been literally screaming inside.

At my door, he had kissed my forehead. “Whenever you’re ready to stop running, Anne… I’ll still be here.”

I couldn’t answer. If I had opened my mouth, I would have cried, and crying had felt like betrayal.

So I had nodded, stepped inside, and closed the door.

I was in my room, with my super long nightgown which had flowed to the floor.

I should have felt overjoyed that night.

My fashion house had opened fully. My career was flying higher than I had imagined, and a good man had confessed to me under the stars.

But the truth?

The truth was my chest had felt empty. Like I had been made of glass, and one wrong touch would have shattered me into a million tiny pieces.

I had crawled onto my bed, pulling the sheets tight around me. My phone had buzzed; it was a message from Caleb.

“Get some rest, star girl. I’m proud of you.”

A sob had escaped before I could stop it.

Not because of him, but because no matter how much I had wanted to give him a chance, a part of me had still been chained to the past.

I had still felt Damien's shadow every time around me… I didn’t know why. I should have given Caleb a chance, but I didn’t know why I just couldn’t do it.

I had closed my eyes and whispered to the ceiling, “Please, let me feel normal again…”

I had gotten no reply back, of course, and that night, sleep had run away from me.