Chapter 2
When Caleb put on that cold face, the pressure was suffocating.
I led my daughter into the car, my heart pounding, unconsciously crumpling the hem of my shirt.
His damp bangs were still dripping; he reached for a towel and handed it over:
"Don't let the kid catch a cold."
I was still frozen, but Lily took it and chirped.
"Thanks, mister."
Caleb's face softened a bit, then his gaze landed on my stunned face and he frowned again:
"You took the day off just to get drenched?"
Realizing he sounded harsh, he rubbed his throbbing temple.
"Where to?"
"Mercy Medical Center."
Lily spoke up first, defending me:
"Mom brought me out for my birthday today. I've been stuck in the hospital forever! I haven't been out in ages."
Caleb paused and looked at this fearless little girl.
Her face was thin and pale, making her big eyes even brighter and rounder. When she blinked up at him, Caleb felt a strange, unexplainable tug in his chest.
He felt she looked vaguely familiar, and almost involuntarily asked:
"Where's her dad?"
"He's dead. Passed away a long time ago."
I blurted out, the first words I'd said since getting in, then clumsily changed the subject.
"Thanks, Mr. Hart. Things have been crazy with the kid lately, but I won't let it happen again, I'll do my job properly."
As I finished, Caleb's gaze shifted from my daughter to me.
His stern face, those deep dark eyes.
They made my heart skip.
I instinctively looked away, and Caleb didn't bother to say more; he leaned back, closed his eyes, and just told the driver:
"To Mercy Medical Center."
We soon arrived.
Caleb got out before me, pulled out a black umbrella, his long fingers gripping the handle, signaling me to step out.
"Thanks, Mr. Hart, no need to see us in. I'll return the umbrella tomorrow."
I mumbled, desperate to make a quick escape.
"I only have one umbrella,"
He said, blocking the door, his broad chest right there, his light voice hovering above my head.
if I lend it to you, what do I use?
So I gave up, held my daughter, and squeezed under the umbrella with him.
Being so close, Caleb caught a faint whiff of laundry detergent.
For some reason, it felt familiar, and his heart started beating out of rhythm.
He took a deep breath and spoke to distract himself:
"Not even a month on the job, you've taken a few hours here and there, and now a whole day. You're busier than me."
I felt embarrassed and hot, keeping my eyes down without a word.
Inside the hospital, I handed my daughter to the doctor for checks, and when I glanced back, Caleb was still standing there, not leaving.
I walked up, forced a smile, and asked, "Any plans for me, Mr. Hart? My personal stuff is done.
I can head back to work now."
He didn't answer, just asked:
"What's wrong with the kid?"
I didn't know what he was getting at, so I told the truth:
"A tumor. She needs surgery."
"In that case, I suggest you find another job."
I froze, looked up at him.
His face was as indifferent as always.
"Being my PA is intense. I don't need someone who's half-hearted and distracted just coasting along."
He switched gears abruptly, talking down to me, and his words cut straight to the bone.
My ears started ringing.
My eyes reddened, and I let out a bitter laugh:
"I've only been here a week. How on earth do you conclude I'm slacking off?
"I took leave for legitimate reasons, and I always finish my work first. I don't think I've been negligent."
Caleb heard every word and fell into an unusual silence.
He stared into my eyes, for the first time sensing something different in me.
From our first meeting, he'd thought I was weirdly quiet... or rather, hiding.
Like a rat afraid of the light.
Until now, as we locked eyes, he noticed my ever-shifty gaze and felt a flicker of familiarity.
So he blurted out.
"Have we met somewhere before?"