CAELAN'S PREY

Part 5- Dinner

"Did you eat something strange?" Asked Farah and snorted.

"I'm sorry?"

"You look constipated." She gave a suppressed laugh.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm really fine. My bowel movement is as smooth as a marshmallow, just so you know."

"Hey, I'm just kidding," she said and shrugged. "you're so serious that you don't notice how sour your face becomes as your eyes pierce through that poor flyer. What's your problem, anyway?"

"A good point, since I can't see my own face though." I gave her a smirk.

It was her eyes that rolled to the roof. "Yeah, right."

I sighed. "Nothing...I... I was just distracted." Why was I affected? He didn't have to remember me.

Who am I for him to remember, anyway?

Because he said he wouldn't forget.

And do you believe?

I jumped a little in my seat, startled when Farah set the folder down heavily on my desk. "Maybe you need to get laid," she teased.

I cracked a smile. "Maybe."

We both giggled.

.

.

"Where are you?" I asked him. I was taking the employee elevator to the basement. I could hear the loud background music.

"Babe, I'm-" his voice was muffled like the phone was moved away from his mouth.

"Travis?"

"Baby, John is celebrating his birthday and I'm invited. We're at his house."

"We?"

"Yes, a few of my colleagues and me. I'd love to take you here, but I know you're busy. I planned to pick you up, but John was adamant I should go with them and not use you as an excuse."

"So many of your colleagues are females? I hate to hear those lusty giggles in your background, Travis. It surely irritates my ears. And this John? He doesn't happen to be a female, am I right?" the elevator stopped, I stepped outside, and walked straight to where I parked my bike.

"Fück no! He's a man. Yes, he invited men and women- what's eating your ass up, babe? I know you're tired. Just go home, get a hot bath, and rest. I'll be home soon."

I gave out a long sigh. "Alright. You're right, I'm tired."

"I'll see you soon, babe. Bye."

I stopped walking as my eyes zeroed on my phone's home screen. A picture of me with a wide smile spread over my face while Travis gave me a piggyback. A very candid photo of us together. He wanted me to ride on his back and a friend of his took the shot without a go. It was a year ago in the Grand Canyon.

"The phone's gonna melt."

I yelped in surprise—so alarmed that my phone almost slipped off my hand.

I shot him a glare. "Funny. Ha. Ha."

I looked at my watch. It was a quarter past six. I walked to where I parked my bike. The end of the line of cars was where bicycles were ordered. I had learned my lesson.

"I see that you're upset." He said as I walked past him and his car. He was comfortably leaning on his car.

I didn't say anything. He didn't remember me this morning. Why remember me now?

"Scarlette," his tone made me stop from taking further steps.

I turned to look at him.

"You remember my name. I'm surprised. Who are you, by the way?"

"You're talking to me, so you knew me."

"Me talking to you because you have called my name doesn't mean I knew you."

He chewed the corner of his lower lip. "You're indeed upset. What happened?"

"None of your damned business," I muttered under my breath as I continued walking.

"You're my business," he replied, making me scoff.

''That's the funniest thing I've heard so far today."

"Get in the car. I’ll take you to dinner."

I puffed out an exasperated air, "Can you hear yourself? I have my own plans and you're spoiling it."

His eyes narrowed a bit, "Someone will take your bike home. Get in the car." He firmed and turned to his car, leaving me stunned at how highly demanding he sounded.

I stood rooted to the ground as I watched him stand next to his car, waiting, looking like he was so bored and impatient.

"I'm waiting." He said, boring me with those impatient eyes.

"Okay. Okay!" I whined. Why couldn't I refuse?

He can be very demanding without obedience from me, and I can readily refuse because I can.

Check yourself, Scarlette!

.

.

"Eat."

"Will you stop telling me what to do?" I looked at him. "I know I'm going to eat; what do you think about those foods you've ordered? For nothing?" I sneered in an above-whispering tone. There were people around us dining a safe distance away from us. It would be unseemly of me if I acted childishly because I was brought here out of my will, which they would never know.

He answered with a sigh, "If you only stop frowning and behave like a good girl, it will be a smooth dinner." He brought the wine glass to his mouth and drank.

A good girl? I mocked the thought in my head. I'm a grown-up woman— certainly far from a good girl he's trying to rough out.

I began eating, trying to block the things that made me upset today, and enjoying the free dinner I got to stuff myself with. Hmmm...The food in my mouth tasted heavenly. It seemed to wash away the peeves of my day.

"Hmmm, this is so good," I told him.

He chuckled, seemingly amused. "Chickpea meat sauce over pasta shells. Bursting with flavors when it touches your tongue." He said as he took his first nibble.

"I don't care what you call it, it's food for me." I moaned. "This can give me orgasm." I giggled. "Ops," I couldn't help but snort, "I forgot we're in a fine dining restaurant. I just think no one hears that but you,"

He drew a chuckle from his chest, shaking his head. "They probably hear you; they just chose to ignore you."

"In comfort, it's a compliment the chef would love to hear, so no biggie."

"You can eat to your heart's desire."

I shook my head, ''My heart tells me to stop because this-" I dramatically brandished my hand over the foods on the table, "will surely make me fat, but to my stomach's desire, I will have to eat until nothing's left." I dramatically nodded.

I could feel his amused eyes on me as his head slightly shook. "You're not fat. You have the right curves in the right places. Eating this kind of food for a week won't even make you gain weight."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Anyway, do you have a family? I think it's only fair to ask because you've asked mine."

"Divorced parents and a brat sister are not something new to talk about."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

''I'm not,"

I looked at him; his expression seemed to change from earlier light smiles to tighter ones.

"It's okay, you don't have to talk about them."

"It's only fair. You've told me yours,'' he took a sip of his wine. "They divorced when I was 15. Mom got married after a year, and Dad was with different women. No child from both sides, thank goodness. Can't imagine dealing with another person's blood in a broken family."

I could feel the distaste in his voice like it was acid on his tongue.

"It sometimes happens, you know. Separation, divorce, infidelity, cheating, the list is endless. But it doesn't mean it will happen to everybody, or rather always. It's a matter of love and trust, I believe."

He inwardly laughed but never reached his eyes; his face was not pleased, at all.

"What book did you read it from? I can make good use of it."

''Don't be sarcastic about it, Caelan, because it's the truth."

His eyes seemed to express bitterness as he scoffed, "Don't try to tell me when you don't even have your eyes on the matter,"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Have your eyes on the matter and you'll know."

.

.

The wine I drank seemed to keep me awake. I had a few sips but instead of the drowsiness that would lull me to sleep, I felt more awake like I had drunk three strong cups of coffee. Caelan confused me earlier. After that conversation we had at the restaurant, he never once uttered a word but, a good night when we arrived at my apartment. I invited him inside, but he refused.

I took a sigh. I understood that he had a tough family setting, but he shouldn't generalize all relationships. That idea of him would shadow his future; it might hinder his possibility of finding real happiness. I somehow felt sad for him.

Puffing the suffocating air out of my lungs, I reached for my phone on the bedside table to give my boyfriend a call.

It was ringing...

Ringing...

Ringing...

I was getting annoyed when he picked up.

"Babe-" but then it was cut off. "Are you kidding me?" My anger was directed at my phone. He cut the call!

Why did I feel like Travis had been very occupied with something? No, I shouldn't think that way. It's unhealthy for the relationship. He was just busy.

I was about to put my phone down when it rang. It was Devy.

"Devy?"

"You're still awake. I know you are. Come on, let's get you laid somewhere," she giggled. "Just kidding. I mean let's get out and have some fun."

"I'm sorry, Dev, but it's late. We need to sleep. We've tomorrow's job. You should rest as well. Oops, wait Dev, I got a pending call from Travis, hold up a minute."

I answered his call, "Travis?" I was answered by a moan, followed by giggles.

"Hey, Babe,"

My ears ignited flames, "Who was that? Where are you?!'' Anger started to coil in the pit of my stomach. I felt my hands go slightly cold but hot at the same time.

"Oh, sorry, you heard that...Uhm, it's Jessie and... Mason making up in the background,"

I took a deep breath to regulate my breathing as I felt it falter. In the back of my head, unwanted, unpleasant images began to flash.

"Get your áss here, now!"

"Are you upset? What's wrong? I told you I'd be here for a while but I'm coming home soon, babe,"

"I want you to be home right now!" I snapped, unable to hide my emotion.

"You know what, just sleep, I will see you tomorrow. Mom called earlier, gotta talk to her about something,"

"Are you really fücking with me right now? I said get your áss in here before I get to you. Do you hear me?"

"Babe, relax. Why are you so angry?" I heard someone shushing someone and soft giggles followed, making my scalp feel even closer to a boiling point. His voice seemed to spit irritation. "I'm trying to unwind here after all these stressful days I've had at work, yet you're calling me trying to rake me over the coals for what, because I couldn't get home by your command?" He snapped. "Fúck! Can't I just get a f*****g hour of my life? "

I stiffened like I was slapped on my face. Those words were angrily whispered. He didn't mean for me to hear those words, but I heard them, plain as day, and it truly king-hit me.

"Sure. Seize the day." I whispered and hung up.