C7 CALI HERE I COME

BRYAN

Immediately she left, my phone rang.

I didn’t even need to check the screen to know who it was. Somehow, I always knew when Mum was calling. Still, I glanced at the caller ID, hoping just for once that I’d be wrong.

Mum.

I released a slow breath and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my forehead. Of course. I hesitated for a second before answering, already bracing myself for whatever was coming.

“Hi, son,” Mum said sweetly the moment I picked up.

That tone. Too cheerful. Too soft. It always meant something.

I sighed quietly. What now? I thought, pressing the phone closer to my ear.

“Hi, Mum,” I replied, my voice coming out weaker than I intended. I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache forming already.

“I’m sorry, son, but I’ll have to come tomorrow instead,” she continued, sounding almost apologetic. “I’ll be free from then.”

My breath hitched.

Tomorrow?

For a moment, my mind went completely blank. Then everything rushed in at once panic, irritation, unease. Tomorrow was too soon. Way too soon.

“O… okay,” I replied, forcing the words out carefully, trying not to stutter or sound as shocked as I felt. I tightened my grip on the phone, hoping she wouldn’t notice the hesitation in my voice.

“Bye, see you soon, son,” she said cheerfully, her voice squeaking like a child’s before the call ended.

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone for a long second before letting out a scoff.

See me soon… or see my girlfriend soon?

Knowing my mother, it was probably the latter.

I dropped the phone onto the desk and stood up abruptly. My chair scraped against the floor, the sound sharp in the quiet office. I paced once, then twice, irritation coiling in my chest.

This woman my own mother was a walking disaster.

Without thinking further, I reached for the intercom and called for Cali. If anyone needed to know about this sudden change, it was her.

Moments later, there was a knock, and the door opened.

“Sir, you called me?” Cali said, stepping inside. Her gaze stayed fixed on the floor, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

I exhaled and waved a hand dismissively. “Drop the formalities, Cali.”

She looked up slightly, surprised.

“I just got off the phone with my mum,” I continued. “She said she’ll be coming tomorrow.”

I watched her reaction closely.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. For a second, she didn’t say anything just nodded slowly, like she was processing the information piece by piece. Her expression shifted, concern flickering briefly across her face before she masked it.

From the look in her eyes, I knew she already understood what this meant. Still, I had to say it.

“So I suggest you go home today,” I said, my words coming faster now. “Check on your brother. Handle whatever else you need to do. First thing tomorrow, my driver will come pick you up.”

She stood there silently.

“Understood?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

She turned and left without another word, closing the door behind her.

I leaned against the desk, staring at the spot where she’d been standing.

I think she understands me more than I give her credit for. She knows I don’t appreciate unnecessary drama or grand gestures, even though she’s the type who feels things deeply who loves fully and openly.

I just hoped everything would go smoothly.

Because if Mum noticed anything out of place—anything at all I’d be exposed. And that was something I couldn’t afford.

Just then, the door opened again.

My secretary walked in.

THOMAS

The familiar rush of air hit my face the moment I stepped off the plane.

I slid on my sunglasses smoothly, already prepared for what awaited me. Cameras flashed in rapid succession. Voices shouted my name from every direction. Reporters and paparazzi surged forward, desperate for a comment, a photo anything.

But my guards were well trained. They moved in sync, creating a solid barrier that kept everyone at a distance.

I didn’t slow down.

I wasn’t here for attention.

There was only one reason I had returned.

And luckily for me, my men had been doing their job. They’d kept track of her all this time.

A smile tugged at my lips as I walked toward the waiting car.

It was time.

Time to reclaim what belonged to me.

My love.

I hoped she wasn’t taken. Truly, I did. Because if she was, whoever stood in my way would have to step aside. I wasn’t here to play games anymore.

I was back for real.

My name is Thomas Winthrop, CEO of the renowned Winthrop Enterprise, based in New York.

And all of this every move I’d made, every mile I’d traveled was because of one person.

Cali.

The main reason I came to Gorgie City was Cali Rillion.

That girl had a way of getting under my skin like no one else ever had. She drove me insane. Haunted my thoughts. And now, after all this time, I was ready to get her back no matter what it took.

I popped a bubble with my gum and let out a dark laugh.

“Cali, here I come,” I muttered under my breath, my grin widening.

“Boss, we’ve found her,” one of my men said, leaning closer.

I nodded once, calm and certain. “I’ll go for her tomorrow.”

CALI

When I got home, exhaustion weighed heavily on my body.

I dragged my feet into my room, shut the door behind me, and stood there for a moment, staring at nothing. Slowly, I slipped out of my clothes and headed straight for the bathroom.

Even under the warm spray of the shower, my mind refused to quiet.

Thoughts spun endlessly about my life, my choices, my brother, and everything that seemed beyond my control. The water washed over me, but it couldn’t wash away the worry tightening in my chest.

After I dressed, I went straight to the hospital to check on my brother.

The moment I reached his ward, my heart dropped.

It was empty.

The bed was gone. The curtains were drawn back neatly. The machines that usually hummed softly beside him were nowhere in sight.

My breath caught, and my eyes burned.

Could it be…?

No.

I shook my head quickly, refusing to let the thought settle. It couldn’t be that. I wouldn’t accept it.

Just then, a nurse walked past, and I hurriedly stopped her.

“Sorry to disturb you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She nodded politely.

“I’m Cali Rillion. I’m here to see my brother, Rillion Edward, but I can’t find him in his ward.”

“Oh,” she said, nodding in understanding. “An anonymous person ordered that he be moved to a special ward.”

Relief flooded through me so suddenly that my knees nearly gave out.

I thanked her and followed the directions she gave me.

The special ward was different. Cleaner. Quieter. Machines surrounded my brother’s bed, their steady beeping filling the room. He looked peaceful stable.

After spending some time there, I went to see the doctor.

“Good day, sir,” I greeted, taking a seat.

“Good day, Miss Cali,” he replied.

“I want to tell you not to worry,” he continued gently. “Your brother is fine.”

I nodded, my heart easing. “Okay… but why was his ward changed? And who ordered it?”

“It was an order from a high ranking hospital official,” the doctor explained. “He wishes to remain anonymous.”

I nodded slowly. “Thank you, doctor.”

“You’re welcome.”

We shook hands, and I left.

Before heading home, I checked on my brother one last time, memorizing the rise and fall of his chest grateful, yet filled with questions I had no answers to.