Chapter 5
Caleb glared at me, his jaw clenched so tight the veins on his forehead stood out in anger.
Just then, the sales associate smiled and said, “Sir, your total comes to 50,000 dollars.”
Elliot handed over a black card. “Put it on this.”
Caleb’s eyes landed on the card, his expression growing darker, a flicker- of bitter realization and mockery passing through his face.
Elliot gathered up our shopping bags and turned to leave with me, but Caleb finally lost control.
“Brielle! Is that what you want? Someone to cater to you, carry your bags, pay your bills–just fawn over you like some loyal dog?”
He stormed over, his voice sharp and accusing. “Would it kill you to show some respect for others? To drop that spoiled princess attitude for once?”
Elliot stepped between us, shielding me with his body. The gentle warmth usually in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a cold, commanding
presence.
“Caleb,” he said, his tone icy, “Brielle’s status is such that even your college president would have to show her respect. Who are you, exactly, that she’d need to lower herself to feel superior around you?”
His words were calm, but each one landed like a needle in Caleb’s pride. “Carrying bags and paying the bill–for someone like you, who has nothing but a fragile ego, maybe that feels humiliating. For me, it’s just a simple gesture.”
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Mabel stood off to the side, chest heaving with indignation, looking ready to leap to Caleb’s defense.
But Elliot just gave a curt, dismissive smile and cut her off. “Make sure your friend pays Brielle back for what she stole at full price.”
Mabel’s face went pale, her bravado evaporating, though her eyes grew even more resentful.
Caleb’s breathing was ragged, his face ashen with humiliation and rage.
I’d never seen him this furious before.
But now, none of it mattered to me in the slightest.
The elevator took us straight down to the parking garage. Elliot kept glancing at me on the way.
Once we were in the car, he finally asked, voice gentle and cautious, “Brielle, are you alright?“.
I looked at him blankly, but then realized what he meant and shook my
head.
“It used to be that just seeing those two would ruin my whole day. But this time, I don’t really feel that upset.”
Elliot glanced over at me.
I smiled at him. “Maybe it’s because you stood up for me. Anyway, I’m exhausted from shopping–let me treat you to a late–night snack!”
“What do you want to eat?”
“I’m treating you, so you get to pick!”
“How about Thai?”
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“…Didn’t you use to hate Thai food?”
“Got used to it while living abroad.”
The next morning, the doorbell yanked me out of sleep.
My head throbbed from drinking too much the night before. I stretched and slowly sat up in bed.
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When I realized there was a man lying beside me, a scream tore from my
throat.
Elliot jolted awake, blinking in confusion until he took in the situation- and instantly sobered up.
“Brielle…”
He glanced at my clothes, then his own, and let out a relieved sigh before explaining, “We both drank too much last night. After I brought you home, you wouldn’t let go of me. I figured I’d wait until you fell asleep and loosened your grip before leaving…”
The doorbell was still ringing, relentlessly.
I grabbed my phone and checked the time. Eight in the morning.
I could’ve killed someone.
I threw off the covers and got out of bed. “Someone’s at the door.”
Elliot replied, dazed, “Oh.”
Fuming, I yanked the door open.
Caleb stood outside in a perfectly pressed suit, looking about as miserable as I’d ever seen him.
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“Brielle ”
His eyes flicked to my messy hair and the dress I’d worn yesterday. His frown deepened, his gaze turning cold. “Out drinking with your useless friends again? If I hadn’t rung the bell, would you have just slept the whole day away? Brielle, you’re 28 years old. Can’t you take some responsibility for your health and your life?”
