5. Leave!

That night, I reached home very late. Yet, Calvin was nowhere to be seen. No matter how many times I called him, he diverted my calls to voicemail. Dejected, I went to bed alone, praying that he returned home safe the next morning.

When I awoke the next morning, the house was surprisingly silent. Fiona and Jen have apparently gone out very early in the morning and didn’t come back. This might be the only good thing that happened today.

After getting ready, I settled down by the breakfast table as the maid served me some food. It was my favorite; pancakes with maple syrup with a glass of orange juice on the side.

“It tastes delicious. Thank you so much.” I smiled at my maid, “Did Calvin come home last night?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Did he inform any of you where he has been off to?”

“Er.. yes, ma’am.” She muttered, “He rang us this morning to ask for some papers to be sent to Westwood hospital.”

The spoon I was holding fell from my hand in surprise, clinking against the plate. Widening my eyes, I looked at her, “Westwood hospital, you said?”

”Yes ma’am. That’s the one.”

Oh, God! That’s where Becky was admitted. So that’s where he went last night? He spent the entire night there? But why?

“What.. documents was he asking for?”

“Some hospital records, ma’am. I’m not entirely sure.” She said, looking at me with concern in her eyes, “Is something the matter ma’am?”

Having lost all my appetite, I got up from my seat. “No, nothing.” I said, “I.. I will be preparing the dinner today. Please fetch immediately if Calvin comes home.”

”Sure, ma’am.”

--------

The sizzle of the stake filled the kitchen, indicating to me that it was cooked to perfection. I turned off the stove and wiped my hand on my apron.

I have a glimmer of hope that even if Becky woke up, Calvin would be home for dinner today. He would.

However, I waited from 6 PM until midnight, but Calvin still hadn't come home. My heart sank little by little. By 12 AM, when I finally decided to go to my room and sleep alone, I heard the sound of Calvin s ’car entering through the gates.

I shot up from my seat, my heart was racing and I was extremely nervous.

Rubbing the sleep off my eyes, I walked to the door in faltering steps. As I swung the door open, I found Calvin on the other end.

Any drowsiness I had disappeared in an instant. Memories from last night flooded my mind, and a grim look appeared on my face. But his eyes stayed emotionless. He walked past me, his arm brushing against my shoulder.

“Where have you been last night?” I asked.

Calvin remained mute and instead proceeded to remove his tie. Taking a seat on the couch, he kicked off his shoes.

“Calvin?” I repeated, “What’s the matter? You’ve left so suddenly last night-“

“For a reason, Cassie!” He grumbled, looking up at me. “You made me look like a fool!”

“Me?” I asked in surprise, “But I didn’t-“ “

“If it weren’t for you, my friend wouldn’t have asked me to participate in the auction, and I wouldn’t have made a laughing stock out of myself. Do you know that I lost to my worst enemy possible?”

“I.. no.” I said, “I had no idea.”

“Exactly,” He said, “The man is Enzo De Luca. He has created enough problems for me in the corporate world as it is. I didn’t need him to step on my pride.”

“I.. I’m sorry.. Calvin.” He said, “I didn’t know..”

“Save it,” He hissed. “I know it won’t happen again. I’m kicking you out of the house today. You better start packing your things.”

Breath hitched in my throat upon hearing his words. I could hardly believe what he said. Was he being serious?

“You’re going to kick me out over this?” I said, “Only because of this-“

“Not just because of that, Cassie.” He said, looking into my eyes. And then, in a monotone, he delivered the news, “Becky’s awake. There’s no place for you in my life anymore!”