Chapter 4: Redemption

Stefans's POV

Mine and Katherine's life stayed divided for the next upcoming weeks. Her mother would come by the condo every Wednesday to water Katherine's abundant collection of plants, all the while staring daggers right through me the entire time. I couldn't blame her, I was the reason Katherine had left. My work continued on as usual, and I came to the realization I was set to handle the case of the same marketing company of Callie's employment.

My father was always a busy man, wasn't getting any younger, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he agreed for retirement. For years now, I had been working under his belt, knowing one day I would be the face of the law firm. I knew, however, the worst thing I could do was stay on the same case that involved my estranged lover. Not when I was doing everything in my power to regain my life back.

My father's wrinkled forehead was creased as I entered his office, a sign of evident frustration which I was about to pile onto. "Father, a word please?" I closed the door behind me, perching myself upon one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. He peaked up through an abundance of files, "Make this fast. I was supposed to have dinner with your mother this evening, but as you can see I'm a bit tied up." I tried to make my speech as brisk as possible, "I can't take on the Newman Marketing case. Katherine left me dad." He nodded, "She may be your wife, but I assure you we do talk. How are you doing son?" His concern caught me by surprise. My father was a cold hearted businessman by day, devoted husband by night. Ever since I had grown up, he paid little to no attention to anything involving my person life. Part of me wanted to believe he was being genuine, another part wanted to smack his senses straight. Neither of which I would bring myself to do.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, both of us seemingly unsure of who's place it was to break it. He wanted it to me, but part of me wanted to believe he was trying to be the father that I needed right now. Even if it meant a stern lecture of who was right and who was wrong in the situation. I knew it was me, but I wanted him to just say it.

"If there's nothing else," his attention returned to the loads of paperwork scattering his desk, "I'll have Chad take over the Newman case. You focus on mending your marriage with Katherine." I could feel the tugging of my heartstrings as he waved for me to be on my way. I exited his office and returned to mine, feeling defeated.

The Newman case files were on my desk, and it was like they were taunting me. In every way, Callie was somehow still there. I hadn't called her in a good month now, but she was still suffocating the little bit of life I had left. Violently I brushed the files off of the desk, watching the papers fly through the air until they landed on the floor. As much as I wanted to forget, the thoughts were almost too captivating. Every time I closed my eyes, as much as I didn't want to, my mind would escape to Callie.

∞∞∞

We could've passed off as teenagers that day in the coffee shop. We sat in the booth furthest to the back; laughing and giggling, playing footsies under the table. Most of all, we were care free. I could sense the waitress sending daggers in Callie's direction, but I wasn't bothered by it. The only person that had my fullest attention was her. Time had slipped away from us. What started as a casual 30 minute lunch break for me, had turned into an extra 30 minutes of lustful conversation with no regrets. She frantically gathered her things and the remnants of the muffins and coffee, "It was very nice to see you again, but I have to go." A force within me made me grab her wrist before allowing for her to walk away completely, "Have dinner with me Monday night."

A look of pure amazement spread across her faces, and her cheeks were flushed a deep red overpowering her ivory foundation. "I'll have to see if I'm free," she shyly replied. I let out a confident chuckle, "It wasn't a question. You're having dinner with me. I'll make the reservations, and you clear your schedule. I'll have my driver come get you if need be."

She stood there debating her next words mentally, making me crave her response before finally nodding in agreement. The flushing red of her cheeks never faded, "I'll see you then." The last words before I reluctantly released my grip from around her wrist. Those words replayed in my head like a broken record.

Monday was in no rush, and the work day wasn't speeding along either. I felt somewhat guilty having dinner with another woman, not bothering to inform Katherine of anything. It was supposed to be casual, just two people having dinner, but why did it seem to be as if it were so much more?

Callie was wearing the same fitted red dress that complimented every curve in her body, "I figured I would wear this for the memory's sake." She got out of the vehicle as Benji, my driver, graciously held the door open for her. He passed me a suspicious look as I slipped him an extra $20 bill in his jacket pocket, "It's just business Benji, no need to alert the Mrs." He tipped his hate, "Yes, Sir. I shall be back in the lot by 9:30."

Callie watched me from beyond her shoulder as I watched Benji get back into the vehicle, starting the engine and leaving the restaurant. "What was that about?" I knew she couldn't have seen me hand Benji the extra money, so I tried my best to play it cool. "Benji was wondering if you would be needing a ride home," I lied slyly, "I told him to be in the lot half past 9, but not to worry too much if we were a tad late getting you to the car." She bit her lip seductively as she ran her fingers through my tie, inching me towards her. "I don't recall telling you I was going home alone tonight," she released me and turned to make her way into the eatery as I tried to maintain my composure.

It took me a few minutes to regain control of myself before heading inside where I was greeted by the hostess, "Mr. Monroe, we've already got you a table. Right this way." I was led to a spot I knew all too well, a booth close to the back of the establishment. Callie was seated grinning from ear to ear, "I know you have a thing for booths. Is this okay?" She fiddled with her menu as if knowing I wasn't going to decline her motion. She was smart.

I stared at all of the options on the menu and watched as Callie twitched around nervously, "Order whatever you like, it's on me." She shook her head in refusal, "These prices are insane, I can't let you pay for this. You already bought me lunch this week." I chuckled, "A muffin is a treat, barely a lunch. I also invited you tonight, therefore I'm paying. You can make it up to me on our second date."Again in refusal, "Who said this was a date?" I was shook, "Did someone lose their confidence? If you think there's even a slightest chance of us going home together tonight, this is definitely a date."

Callie's shell slowly unraveled as the night progressed. She told me of her childhood background; filled with a mother who loved a man a little too much and an overly abusive alcoholic father. I felt pity for her, to be a woman of such talent and strength to have been brought up by two people who were day and night compared to one another. I watched as the clock grew nearer and nearer towards our terminating point, "So, I've filled you in on everything about me, but I don't know about you. What's your story?"

For the first time in my life I found myself between two crossroads, who was I? Who was Stefan Monroe as a person? Was there really a possible answer for a question I had never been asked by anyone, not even my wife? It was as if I was back in college as an undergraduate and the teacher asks for your entire portfolio, but instead of references and pictures you're being asked to insert a complete autobiography of who you are.

Callie twiddled with her fork beckoning me to give a reply to break the newfound silence between us, "My father as you know, is the other half of the Monroe Law Firm. I've dedicated my entire life ensuring that it'll be me taking over my father's legacy. I have no siblings, and my mother was allowed to stay at home without lifting a finger all of her life. If it weren't for me being born, the company will go to Chad. It still will if I can't prove myself."

She looked at me apologetically, "You shouldn't have to prove yourself to anyone. He is your father, and you're his son. Doesn't that entitle you to the company?" I shook my head slightly, "Believe me, I wish it were that simple. My father isn't getting any younger, and I would do anything to see he never has to work for a dime a day in his life again." I could tell by the way she was staring at me, that she was pleased with my response and dedication. At that very point in time, that's exactly where I wanted her.

J felt the vibration in my pocket, coming to my senses that it was now 9:30 and Benji was awaiting for Callie to make her way back to the car. Callie could sense the frustration and began putting on her small sweater had worn, "Must be time to go, this was a really fun night." I stood up to assist in escorting her back to the car, "You know, this doesn't have to stop here." The pitter patter of the rain pounded the overhand above as we made our way out of the eatery and back to reality that was the bustling of the busy Seattle streets.

I could make out the car and Benji off into the distance, regretting my next decision. I grabbed Callie's wrist in the same way as I had done the day in the coffee shop, "Remember what you said earlier?" I turned her to face me, not breaking my grip on her wrist. She licked her lips and stared up into my eyes, "The part where I wasn't planning on going home alone tonight?" I nodded my head, "What do you say we take this party somewhere a little more private? Don't worry about Benji, I'll take care of him. Meet me back at my car, it's the gray Lexus parked out front. I'll be there in a few minutes." I placed a kiss upon her cheek before retrieving my keys out of pocket which I placed in her care.

Benji rolled his window down and watched me as I stood there, the rain falling harder now than it had been when Callie and I first walked outside. "You aren't coming home tonight," he shook his head in disbelief, "Are you Sir?" I gulped loud enough for him to hear, "No, I'm not. That is not your concern, your job is to drive. It's not to meddle your way in and out of my marriage Benji, is that clear?" Placing his hands back on the steering wheel he nodded, "I was just thinking about your wife, that's all. She is a lovely woman, and doesn't deserve this." I gawked at him ruthlessly, "Benji, let's work on getting a wife before trying to play marriage counselor." I heard the tires squeal as Benji turned out of the parking lot, leaving me there speechless. I had never spoken to Benji in a harsh tone, and hadn't the slightest clue of what had came over me.

My mind shot back to Calli, who was now seated in the passenger seat of my Lexus. I rushed over to the vehicle opening the driver side door, feeling the rush of warm air that was escaping through the vents. Callie chuckled shamelessly, "I hope you don't mind, it's freezing out there." I turned the heat on full blast noticing she had only turned it to the first notch, and climbed my way into the vehicle. "This car is beautiful," she ran her hands along the leather seats, "I'll probably only afford a vehicle this nice by the time I'm dead." Fiddling with the radio I attempted to make small conversation, "Why did you choose to work for Newman? A better question, why stick around when his multimillion dollar marketing company is hanging on by a minimal thread?" I could sense the disappointment in her voice, "I left my family for Newman. Everything I have is now invested solely into the company. I'm the only employee Newman has that hasn't walked, and it's not because I want to be there. I can't afford to without a job."

The car ride was silent, and I wasn't bold enough to break it. I watched Callie from the corner of my eye staring out of the passenger window, her eyes following any obstacle that would pass. I could make out the motel in the distance, and all of the sudden the sheer of guilt had vanished. I was no longer thinking of Katherine, but instead I was mindlessly undressing Callie in the back of my mind.

Callie stumbled getting out of the vehicle when we reached our destination. I had already booked our room, and was waiting for Callie to walk through the door. I tried to spy on her discreetly through the outdated window curtains without her giving it a second thought. Even though the rain was pelting down, Callie managed to walk in pure confidence. Though she was stumbling, she made walking in the rain in heels look unimaginably easy. Her skin glistened as the raindrops made their way onto her skin, and her strawberry blonde curls were now drenched into a wavy mess. The red dress I had become all too familiar with now clung to her body more fittingly than before. All the while, she was beautiful.

∞∞∞

The memories of the very first night burned in the back of my head almost as much as the burning sensation in the back of my throat from the constant rendering of whiskey. I wanted for Katherine to come home, and I also wanted to forget Callie. The ache in my heart was near unbearable, and I wanted for it to come to a stop. I wanted to stop relying on whiskey to help me fall asleep at night, making the constant heartache a distant memory.

A knock at the door broke my fixation on the wall, making me get up to answer. I peaked through the peep whole in near disbelief when saw Katherine standing there with her luggage by her side. I opened the door slightly without removing the top chain lock, "Katherine, what are you doing here?" She shrugged her shoulders as if signaling defeat, "You're my husband, and I love you. We need to talk Stefan." I undid the lock above me, opening the door enough for her to brush past me welcoming herself into our home.

I rushed over to the table, gathering the empty whiskey bottles from the glass top and disposing them into the garbage as she rolled her luggage into the bedroom. I tidied up to the best of my ability in the minimal allotted time it had taken her to make her way back into the living room, "I love what you've done with the place. Men should never be allowed to live by themselves, I knew I should have hired a cleaning service." I stood there shamefully watching her as she began cleaning the remaining parts of my alcoholic binge. "I'm glad you're back," those were the only words I was able to make out.

She stalled the cleaning and stared at the countertop, a wash rag in her head going in constant circles as she contemplated how to respond. "I still love you," she began, "Forgiving you isn't going to be easy, it's going ton be hard. My mum told me I should go out and find better, but she doesn't understand best for me is right in front of me. You've made a mistake, I'm giving you one chance to fix this."

Her speech pierced it's way through my heart. I had to think I was dreaming, because I didn't deserve her. I didn't deserve to see her standing here cleaning my mess, and cleaning the mess that was our marriage. I wasn't going to take it for granted, I knew what I had to do.

Erasing Callie wasn't going to be easy, and I wasn't going to be willfully able to do it on the very first day. It had to be done, however, if there was any chance for Katherine and I.