CHAPTER 1

CALLIE

The soft ray of the sunlight streamed into my room through the lacy curtains. Another gentle reminder that it was time to drag my ass off this bed.

Setting my feet on the ground with a soft thud, I tossed my knitted blanket and grabbed my phone to take a quick glance at the time.

Shit!

I was late for class.

In less than five minutes, my pyjamas were flying across the room and I was running into the bathroom in only my panties.

I had Professor Bruce's class today! That man could wake up on a perfect morning and decide to ruin it with impromptu tests. I slipped into the shower, hurried out after a few minutes, then ran out of my room in my low heels. As I hurried down the stairs, I heard my mom's soft voice from the kitchen reminding me not to skip breakfast. Walking past her to the front porch was definitely a bad idea.

She'd drag my arm, force me to the dining and even shove a spoon in my hands. Instead, I took a shortcut through my dad's private gym. It was the fastest way to the front porch, safe from mom's protective eyes. Even before arriving at the gym, I heard small grunts and the sound of weight clanking.

My father always emphasized on the importance of remaining fit. He looked so young, people mistook him for my elder brother sometimes.

The gym smelled like expensive perfume weaved with sweat. The grunts were louder now, but a particular one made me halt in my steps to stare.

I had expected to see my dad here as usual.

But I saw him instead—my dad's best friend, sin wrapped in the disguise of a single man. Shirtless Dante Cross seemed so busy with his workout, he had no idea how tempting his body was. Sweat glided down his olive toned skin, past the flexing muscles of his arm and his broad chest, then dropped into his small navel a few inches from his waist.

Gulp.

Like he knew I was gawking, he delicately tilted his head in my direction, veiny hands still wrapped around a weight.

“Good morning, Mr Cross,” I greeted, fumbling with the hem of my shirt and he responded in a calm tone, flashing me his perfect dentition.

Time slowed down.

Dante stared at me longer than usual, his dark eyes breaking down the defensive walls guarding my fragile heart. How could a man's gaze be so—

“Hey—” my dad's voice cut through the air, dragging me out of my reverie. He placed his palm on my shoulder and gave me a light squeeze. “Eaten breakfast?”

It took me a few seconds to respond. I ripped my gaze from Dante to stare at my dad who was gazing down at me with his prying hazel eyes. “I—”

“Callie, breakfast is ready.” My mom's voice thundered, her heavy footsteps approaching as I ran for the door.

My dad chuckled, shaking his head. “You're not leaving without eating breakfast, honey.”

“I grabbed a chocolate bar. I'm not—”

“Promise me you'll eat at the cafeteria.” He cut me off. “Promise. Me.”

With my fingers wrapped around the door handle, I nodded repeatedly, letting my gaze drift toward Dante again. How could a man look so dangerous and handsome at the same time?

“keep to your words, Callie.” My dad said softly.

“I’ll eat at the cafeteria.”

He then smiled at me, yelling as I walked out the door. “Be careful, Callie. I love you.”

“I love you too, dad.”

~~

School bustled with life as usual.

Even as I tried to blend in with the crowd, my fluttering heart couldn't forget the tempting sight of Dante. He and my dad had been together since God knows when, promising to get their children to marry each other.

It was strange how Dante still wasn't married at thirty five.

And the idea of him having a girlfriend? It seemed unbelievable.

Across the hallway was my boyfriend, Nathan, talking with his friends with a smile on his lips. Perhaps I could delay professor Bruce's class for a few more minutes. I stalked toward them, my heart swelling with warmth. “Hey.”

Nathan's smile died the moment he met my gaze. “Where were you?” He asked harshly, taking me by surprise. “You missed Bruce's test.”

My eyes widened. “Shit! You could have called!”

“And drag you from your overprotective parents?” He mocked.

“Nathan, is something wrong?” My fingers dug into my palm, unease crawling up my spine.

“Don't you think you should be running to Bruce's office right now? I heard the test is pretty important.”

Swallowing hard, I hurried down the hallway, ignoring the laughter of his friends that boomed behind me. Just like Nathan had said, the test was pretty important. I had to beg Professor Bruce for half an hour before he gave me the chance to write mine in his office.

About two hours later, I stepped out completely drained.

As I headed down the hallway for my second class on the list, a gasp slipped out of my lips as someone yanked me into a small corner.

“What the hell is that?!” I snapped, glaring hard at Sophy, one of Brielle’s minions. She liked bullying me at every chance she got, but that wasn't going to happen this time.

I yanked my wrist from her grasp, my chest heaving. “Look, I'm done with your non—”

“I think there's something you need to see.” Sophy smirked at me

“I'm not interested in anything that involves you!”

“Oh, you will be.” Her smirk deepened. She dragged me out of the corner, right down the hallway, and even as much as I tried to protest, a tiny part of me was curious.

As Sophy dragged me into the bathroom, I slapped her hands away. “What the hell are—”

“Fuck, Brielle. You're so fucking tight—”

That was Nathan's voice.

My vision blurred as I felt my leg muscles go numb.

“I bet that slut Callie doesn't make you cum like this.”

My heart twisted violently.

“She doesn't. She fucking….fuck.” He groaned.

Tears welled up in my eyes when I finally realized what was going on. Nathan was fucking Brielle. He knew how much I hated Brielle.

And he still—

Blinded by rage, I slammed my fist on the door, banging it hard. “Nathan?!”

“Shit.” He cursed. In seconds, he stormed outside while buckling his pants. Brielle walked out, too, hair messy, hard nipples staring back at me.

I stumbled backwards as tears streamed down my cheeks. “Wh…why?” I choked, staring at his unremorseful expression. “Nathan, why….” I pointed at Brielle, almost losing my mind. “Why…why her?”

He shrugged. “She fucks.” Then he slipped his arms around her waist, “and she's not fucking innocent. You can't even give a handjob properly, why would I continue dating you?”

I could barely see him due to how blurry my vision was. Completely embarrassed, I dashed out of the bathroom. I tripped once or maybe twice but I didn't dare to stop. Nathan's words kept echoing like a song on repeat, twisting my heart like a sharp dagger.

Before I could get outside, I was already a sobbing mess. I kept on running, though. Past the bustling hallway. Past the hockey team leader celebrating a win with his members. In my small bags, I shakily fumbled for the keys and opened up my car door.

The familiar scent calmed me instantly.

But it didn't stop the tear dam from exploding.

Like I had been waiting for a perfect space to let it all out, I succumbed to the pain and cried out loud, slamming my fist on the steering due to the insane pain ruthlessly stabbing my heart.

Nathan and Brielle? No.

And the mere reason was because I was being too naive? The pain hit me harder than before, almost knocking all the breath from my lungs. I love Nathan with everything—but I couldn't ignore my parent's rules because of him.

At seventeen, my mom gave birth to her first child—me. She didn't call me a mistake. Never did. She just didn't want me to go through the same pain she did, it was why I was being extra careful, thinking about my steps before taking them.

I didn't talk too much.

Didn't drink alcohol.

Didn't get extra piercings even when I badly wanted to.

All my life, I followed instructions. Breathed properly. Stayed out of trouble. Avoided being a pregnant teen—and I can't even get a perfect love life at twenty?

No.

Maybe Nathan said it out of anger.

Maybe he just—

I choked out a sob again. He really meant it. The subtle look of disgust in his eyes couldn't be ignored. He literally said it to my face.

Just when I thought I'd take him to meet my dad.

I didn't know how long I cried, but I knew I wasn't ready to go home this way. So I slammed my feet on the accelerator and drove recklessly across the streets. Darkness stretched across the sky like a soulless painting. Horns blared. An old man cursed at me. But instead, I increased the sound of music from my speakers and only stopped before an unfamiliar bar.

As I came down from my car, the cold air kissed my skin, making me run my fingers over my arm to warm myself up. It didn't work, though. I strode into the bar, walking past the men who couldn't take their eyes off me.

For the first time, I didn't care about being a perfect kid anymore. I wanted to be reckless. Free. Make mistakes.

I slammed my palm on a slab with lined up transparent glasses. “I need a drink.”

The bartender smiled at me. “Whiskey? Vodka?”

My lips twitched. “Which one gets me drunk on time?”