Chapter 5

"Let's talk face to face. I'll go pick you up later." Caleb hung up after that.

I'd wheedled him into picking me up many times before. He'd relent and agree, only to bail at the last minute with all kinds of excuses, so I was understandably a little skeptical of his words.

However, I was surprised to see his understated, black luxury sedan pull up outside Enid's villa less than half an hour later.

Enid wanted to give Caleb a piece of her mind and stand up for me, but I stopped her. This was between Caleb and me. I didn't want to drag her into it.

Besides, I'd spent the last two weeks looking into and sorting out the company's business partnerships and found a rather interesting piece of information. I thought I should discuss it with Caleb.

I'd just walked out of the villa when the driver's window rolled down halfway. At first, I thought about telling Caleb to get out of the car, but my gaze snagged on Naomi sitting in the passenger seat.

Strangely, I wasn't all that surprised by her presence, nor was I angry or upset. I was unexpectedly calm and indifferent.

"Naomi's stomach was upset earlier. I plan to drop her off at the hospital on the way," Caleb explained.

I smiled and asked earnestly, "Then what are you doing here?"

Naomi's face was pale as she interjected feebly, "I'm sorry, Ms. Carter. Don't be mad. I didn't mean for this to happen. I don't have any friends here, and I've no choice but to trouble your fiance."

She'd placed pointed emphasis on the word "fiancé", and I could hear the subtle resentment in her tone.

But Caleb heard it differently. "You heard Naomi, Sonia. She's always acknowledged you as my fiancee. She has no untoward feelings for me, and we're just friends, nothing more.

"Come on, stop sulking for no reason and get in the car. Naomi's stomach is really upset, and she needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible."

I didn't budge.

Panic flickered in Caleb's eyes. A moment later, realization seemed to dawn on him, and he explained belatedly, "Naomi gets carsick and can only sit in the passenger seat. She'll feel even worse if she moves to the back."

Did he seriously think I was jealous of Naomi because she'd taken the passenger seat?

I sneered. "Sorry, this isn't about the seating arrangement. I just think your car's gross. You should step on it and go to the hospital. And while you're there, you should see a neurologist. Your brain needs checking."

With that, I turned to leave.

Caleb caught up to me and grabbed my wrist. "Don't push it, Sonia. I already came to pick you up, didn't I? I told you Naomi's sick. Why are you being deliberately cruel?"

Naomi got out of the passenger seat with one hand clamped over her stomach, putting on a strong front even as she frowned. "Don't argue with Ms. Carter, Caleb. We're not too far from the hospital. I could just hail a cab and head over there myself while you hash things out with her."

She seemed like she was being kind and considerate, but in truth, she was just adding fuel to the fire.

Caleb would never allow me to embarrass him like this.

"Get back into the car, Naomi. I'll wrap this up soon," he gently said to her, then turned to face me with an impatient look. "I know you're not happy about this, but Naomi wouldn't have gotten sick if she hadn't had to look after me.

"For the last half a month, she scarcely ate and lost sleep just to take care of me. She even endured my mom's condescending behavior. Looking after me should've been your job."

"My job?" I snorted. "Have you grown shameless from all the time you spent with her, Caleb?"

This was the first time I'd been so harsh with him. A grim look passed over his face.

He pulled open the car door and forcibly shoved me into the car. "I don't want to see you having one of your meltdowns right now, Sonia. We can talk about this later—"

Just then, Naomi let out a sharp cry of pain. "Ow! Caleb, it really hurts!"