David brought in the food Callan had ordered that morning, set the package on the dining table and left the living room afterwards. Callan settled on the dining chair, emptying the food off the package. That was Orla's duty whenever they wanted to eat, but that morning, she wasn't anywhere around the dining room. After Callan left for his study that night, she left for the guest room too, but Callan had no idea she didn't sleep in the bedroom. He only got to know when he came back the next morning to find the next room empty, and without being told, he already figured out where she slept. He spooned some rice into a clean plate and reclined on the chair to eat. He leisurely ate the food, waiting for his wife to show up, but she didn't. It was now about ten minutes into the food and she still hadn't come out to eat. He understood that she was still reeling from her cat's death and he shouldn't even be bothered, but it couldn't be helped. He was so worried about her, so worried sh

This chapter is dedicated to all Writers who lost their lives in the course of writing their books. You will always be remembered for good.Keep resting in peace, Heroes."Mr Barlowe, do you have any contribution before we round off the meeting?" Rosa asked, glancing towards the direction her boss was seated. He had been blank since the beginning of the meeting, he hardly heard a word they said.Callan stared back at her, stunned. He shook his head and the corner of his lips twitched in a small smile. "That will be all for now."Rosa and the board members exchanged ungratified glares, that shouldn't be all. He hadn't even said anything since the inception of the meeting and there he was, telling them that would be all for now.She knew something was wrong with her Boss, but she didn't know what it was. He had been like that for days now—lost in his thoughts, contributing less to the discussions she had with him, staring into space whenever she talked to him."But sir, you haven't spo

The house scented the same as it did before she left. Minty, woody and manly. Orla had never had plans to remake the fragrances, but now it occurred to her to probably add something feminine to compliment the strong manly scent that subjugated the whole house."We are back." Callan proclaimed, lowering her hospital bag on the divan close to the spot Orla stood. Her eyes prowled the living room, nothing had changed. It'd been two days and she found it weird that she wanted something to change.He smiled at her, but she returned a scowl. Her dingy countenance disturbed Callan. He overlooked it and smiled again, "Here, sit." He pointed his hand at the couch close to her.She hesitated before finally settling down. She took another cursory look around the room, a billow of irritation assailing her chest. She was so easy to forgive him. It shouldn't be so."What now?" She begrudgingly asked."We are home." His long arms drew a descriptive circle, showing the house to Orla."I know that."

Callan strove to dissemble his edginess as he stood in front of Orla with a tray in his hands. He had chosen to prepare scrambled eggs and sablefish in hopes that she would love them. He was certain of the fact that she must have eaten scrambled eggs a couple of times, but he knew for a fact that she had never had something as good as his and the mixture he just thought up. Orla was enthusiastically positioned on the dining chair, one of her eyes ceaselessly studying Callan. She could detect that he was keyed up and she smiled slyly. Callan could never be tensed up, maybe she was imagining things. But then it was obvious from how his shoulders toughened whenever Orla looked down at the food, the small smile that followed after he looked at her. They all read nervousness. Something within her urged her to trust Callan's cooking dexterity. She smiled again, keying into whatever that was. "You should sit too." She said, motioning to the chair opposite the one she was seated on. Call

A month had swiftly passed. A whole month without abhorrence towards Orla, a month of tranquil cohabitation.The amity between Orla and Callan remained unaffected. Instead, it grew better and stronger with each day that passed by.The truth of it was that it was Unexpectedly sweet and still unbelievable to Orla. Callan had transformed into the sweetest human she'd ever met in her entire lifetime. He was so sweet sometimes she feared he would turn stale if she tasted more of his sweetness.She was cuddled up in his arms on the bed. They both were asleep after spending the night watching a family soap opera but Orla was stirring in her sleep and Callan was yet to notice that.The nightmares were back after months. It was funny how she always thought she was over them whenever they didn't occur for months."Orla, you do not deserve happiness." The same little girl that always appeared in her dreams asserted in a low voice. Her bleary eyes were swollen and she desperately scratched them.