Chapter 17

Wren’s Pov

I didn’t bother returning to the office after the showdown that I had with Callum and Taryn. Whatever that was, I didn’t want to be anywhere near it.

That fire wasn’t something that I needed. I already have enough smoke going on around me; I didn’t want to add rich, pompous men to my list of sorrows.

There was a knock on the door. For a minute I thought it was Anna, but I quickly checked myself. Anna wouldn’t knock; she would let herself in, while singing in her loudest chipmunk voice. I let out a sigh; I missed my friend; for days now, it felt like we had been on some distant friendship band.

The knock sounded louder. “I am coming!” I groaned, dropping the tray of mac and cheese I was about to throw into the microwave. I pushed the door open, already regretting that I didn’t look through the peephole. I wasn’t ready to deal with Mr. Brian, the neighbor who stared at me as if he were undressing me.

“Mr. Callum?” I stared at the figure standing in front of my door, wondering how he had found this place. “How did you...”

“May I come in, Ms Wren?” he asked, holding up a bag of takeout. “I brought dinner.”

I stared at him, contemplating if I was going to let him in. But when the sweet aroma of cheesecake filled my lungs, I knew that I needed to have what was in the bag.

“Come in.” I moved, giving him enough space to walk through. “Sorry. I didn’t know I was expecting anyone.” I suddenly felt conscious of having him in my private space.

His eyes scanned around the room. “I know, I didn’t plan on visiting, but I was in the area.”

I almost snorted at his words. In the area? This side of town was a thousand miles away from his rich man’s mansion.

“Did I miss something at work? I can sort it out...”

” Why aren’t you staying in your mother’s house?” he asked, cutting me off as he looked around.

Because the last time I had been there, you had stormed in with men and now, I guess I am in this debt. I smiled. “I... the house is a little quiet, and I guess I like it here. With the added advantage that it is close to the office.”

He hummed. “You still take buses to get to the office.” his gaze met mine. “I see things.”

I wanted to roll my eyes, but there was something about having him here that made it feel like I should be in my best behaviour. “Do you want to sit?” I asked.

I was already kicking myself, hating how nervous I sounded with him being here. This wasn’t the office; here, I was allowed to feel vulnerable, and I didn’t want him to see me in that mood.

“And where would you sit?” he asked. Was that worry in his tone as he looked at me?

I blushed. I get that the house was a walking nightmare, but he didn’t have to point out that I had no chairs. “Don’t worry about where I would sit. This is my house; I can always make anything work.”

He nodded, walking to the kitchenette as if he owned the place. “You didn’t return to the office.” his eyes scanned around; it was obvious that he was looking for where I kept my plates.

I tried to walk by him, my body trembling as I felt the heat from his body. “Uh... I didn’t know if you needed me to return, I mean, after what happened with Taryn...”

“Mr. Zack,” he hissed.

I smiled. “Mr. Zack.” I corrected myself. “I didn’t know if I should be there or...”

“Good thing you didn’t come back,” he said under his breath. I don’t know why, but there was something in his tone that caused the butterfly in my stomach to go crazy.

I cleared my throat. “I reached out to the finance team; I couldn’t get their department head. He wouldn’t speak to me. Said if...” I bit my tongue. Was I really going to tell his boss what he had said? I didn’t want to be the reason a man lost his job.

“Here,” he said, handing me a plate of Chinese fried rice and salmon.

I raised my brows. “Aren’t you going to eat something?” I asked.

“Already did,” he said. “Go on, eat,” he ordered.

My cheeks flushed as I felt his stare on me. Didn’t he know that it was rude to watch people eat? Who was I kidding? This was Callum Vale, the man who lived and breathed making people feel weird.

The rest of the night wasn’t as horrible as I thought it would be. He talked about a few projects that were coming up, answering any questions that I had about a few workloads that he had given me. Maybe I was sleep-deprived, or just lacked good human conversation, but I enjoyed the conversation we were having. Everything that he was offering, I was soaking it all up.

He smiled, looking at his wristwatch. “I am sorry, but I have to go. I fear I have a meeting.”

At almost midnight? But I didn’t call him out on his lies. “Thank you for...” I raised the glass. “For the meal.”

“My pleasure, Ms. Wren.” he moved closer, grabbing the plate from my hand. I didn’t miss the way his fingers brushed mine, or the sizzling sensation that ran down my body. “Taryn is bad news; don’t get trapped in his web.”

“Mr Callum...” his finger touched my chin, slowly raising my head to meet his gaze.

“What did I say about calling me Mr Callum?”

“Callum,” I whispered, his name rolling smoothly off my tongue.

He smiled, his face drawing closer to mine. I could feel his breath tingling against mine. My eyes flicked to his lips; all I needed was to close the distance between us, and I would feel his lips against me.

His thumb touched my lower lip. “Take care of yourself. Lock the door behind me.” he pulled away. I stared at his retreating figure, trying to knock down how I was feeling. Was I angry that he didn’t kiss me?

“Wren? The door isn’t locked.”

I shook my head. “Coming,” I called out, rushing to the door.

What was that about?