Caleb Coffee Bulge 소설 & 이야기

"Tell the whole world what you did! Should I say it out loud, or do you think your secrets will remain buried forever? You really thought I wouldn’t find out, didn't you? You thought I was too crazy to put the pieces together." Caleb snorted, trying to regain his bravado. He turned away from me and walked over to his bar stand. He dragged out a bottle of expensive wine and poured himself a glass with a hand that wasn't nearly as steady as he wanted it to look. He took a long, slow sip before turning back to me, his eyes dark and wary.

Aria got in the car and was buckling her seatbelt when a paper bag appeared in front of her. "Hmm? What's this?" Aria took the bag and looked up at Caleb. "The things you wanted to buy on Saturday," Caleb said, starting the car without looking at her. Aria was taken aback and looked inside the bag. Sure enough, it was a bottle of calcium and zinc supplements. She recognized the brand. She had looked into it before but had given up on it because of the high price. "Why did you buy this?" Aria asked, frowning. "I'm going to be a godfather, so I have to be responsible," Caleb replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Tell me if you need anything else in the future."

I splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash away the sickness and the memory of those texts. “I am your monster.” His words played in my head like some twisted, dark song. Nope. I shook my head. I needed to get myself together. Today was the day we sell this whole lie to the world. A knock on the door shook the thoughts. “Mila?” It was Caleb. “The stylists are here. And I brought you an espresso, your usual double shot. I thought you might need it.” Just him saying the word coffee made my stomach flip again. I swallowed hard, and forced down the bile.

“Maybe. Or coffee. Or just… someone to talk to after a long shift. You seem like you could use it.” Before Lena could respond, the door to the lounge opened. Caleb walked in. He didn’t say anything at first. He simply walked over to the coffee machine, poured himself a cup, and leaned against the counter. His eyes moved between Lena and Noah. Noah, oblivious or brave, kept talking. “I’m serious,” he said to Lena. “You’re one of the hardest-working residents I’ve seen. If you ever want to grab a drink and vent about how insane this place is, I’m around.”

I reached for the empty bottles. “You new?” he asked. I nodded once. The biker leaned back further in the booth, eyes drifting slowly over me in a way that instantly made my skin tighten. “Cain hire you?” My pulse stumbled slightly hearing his name. “Yeah.” That answer earned a few glances between the men at the table. Not subtle ones either, as if they knew something I didn’t. “You might wanna stay close to the bar tonight,” another guy muttered before taking a drink. “Why?” I asked carefully.

"Do you know how mad it made me watching from down there?" Caleb gave a helpless chuckle and tapped her nose dotingly. "What are you jealous of? Didn't I just buy you a ten-million-dollar penthouse in the Neutral Zone last month?" His tone carried an Alpha's warning and charity: "As long as you stay in your lane and don't disturb the Luna, I can give you whatever you want." My nails dug deep into my palms. Last month. I remembered Caleb forcing a massive withdrawal from the pack's vault last month. He had held my hands tightly, looking so distressed, saying there was a terrible accident at the Moonbeam Mine and he desperately needed the funds.

Andy stuttered, out of breath “What… What are you doing here?” “Mom and I were playing here earlier and I forgot some of my action figures here…” he held up two superhero dolls absently, without ever taking his eyes off Gabriel “You invited your friend to have dinner with us today, like I did with Billy last week? Hey, is Mommy going to make stuffed cupcakes like that day too?” Alec asked excitedly, without seeming to notice how embarrassed the two adults before him were. “Wait a minute, I'm going to ask mom if she can make me some coconut ones again…”

In fact, my chest no longer rose and fell. For the first time in a long time, I felt a brief moment of joy. Finally, Caleb was going down! The internet was abuzz with calls for an investigation on Caleb. Immediately, Carpenter Group's stock price plummeted.

His reflection in the glass behind the bar looked like a ghost of the man he used to be—a ghost who was unraveling, thread by thread. How did he end up here. Amara was never supposed to find out. The bartender approached. “Another?” Caleb ran a hand over his face. “Yeah. Sure.” As the man poured, Caleb’s phone buzzed. Unknown Number: You need to rethink your strategy. Public smears are sloppy. We warned you. Caleb’s grip tightened. Fury running through his veins. He replied: She’s winning. Hale is involved. I need options. The response was instantaneous:

“Make it something rich. I think he needs it.” Mattie nodded eagerly, her apron swinging as she turned to leave. But then Caleb spoke, his voice calm, low, without hesitation. “Uh—Mattie, please… I like my coffee dark roast. Low sugar. Just one cube. No cream. If it’s too hot, let it sit for a minute before bringing it out. The flavor’s better when it settles.” Mattie paused, turned halfway back with a nod, and left. But Crystal didn’t move. She stood rooted to the spot, her smile faltering.