C8 GET ME CALI

CALI

I woke up slowly, turning over on the bed, my eyes fixed on the ceiling as if it held answers I didn’t have. The room was quiet, too quiet, and my chest felt tight for reasons I didn’t fully understand. I lay there for a while, unmoving, listening to my own breathing.

Eventually, I sat up and checked the time on my phone.

7:00 a.m.

There was no rush today.

He had said his driver would be here by 9:00 a.m., and knowing that should have brought relief. Instead, it did the opposite. The extra time only made my nerves worse. Waiting always did this to me—stretching the anxiety until it felt unbearable, like something bad was lurking just beyond reach.

I sighed softly.

Gosh.

I slid off the bed and dragged my feet toward the bathroom, every step feeling heavier than it should have. I finished my business quickly, barely looking at myself in the mirror. I didn’t want to see the worry written plainly on my face.

Afterward, I went back to my room and stood in front of the wardrobe for a long moment. I didn’t know why choosing clothes suddenly felt so important, but it did. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for a pink crop top and a high-waisted skirt. I paired it with a fluffy pink petite jacket, hoping the softness would somehow calm me.

It didn’t.

I brushed my hair carefully and packed it into a ponytail, my movements slow and deliberate. When I was done, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my reflection in the mirror across the room. My eyes looked tired. Vulnerable.

Before I could stop myself, tears slipped free and rolled down my cheeks.

I wiped them away quickly, annoyed at my own weakness, but they kept coming. I didn’t even know exactly what I was crying about. Fear. Uncertainty. The weight of everything I hadn’t said out loud.

I was still lost in thought when the sound of a car horn cut through the silence.

My heart jumped.

I didn’t need to look outside. I already knew his driver had arrived.

I stood up slowly, picked up my black purse, and made my way to the sitting room. Every step felt final, like I was crossing a line I couldn’t return from. Before opening the door, I took one last glance around the house—the worn furniture, the familiar walls, the quiet that had become my comfort.

Then I stepped outside.

I locked the door carefully, slid into the car, and without a word, the driver drove off.

THOMAS

I woke up unusually happy that morning.

The feeling surprised me, but I didn’t question it. I stretched slightly and smiled to myself, already replaying the plan in my head. I had sent my boys to go get Cali for me, and they had already left.

That alone was enough to put me in a good mood.

Well, I couldn’t care less about anything else.

I let out a short laugh, puffing it out as I leaned back, my grin widening as I imagined the look on her face when she finally saw me. I had waited long enough. This time, she wouldn’t slip away so easily.

I was still enjoying the thought when the door opened and one of the men I had sent earlier stepped into the room.

BRYAN

I couldn’t concentrate during the meeting.

No matter how hard I tried to focus on the discussion happening in front of me, my mind kept drifting back to Cali. Every word spoken around the table blurred into meaningless noise. All I could think about was getting her safely and making sure everything went according to plan.

Guilt weighed heavily on me.

I hadn’t wanted to force her into this situation, but circumstances had left me with no choice. Still, that didn’t make it easier. I just hoped Mum would like her. I wasn’t willing to take any chances—not with something this important.

I glanced down at my phone again.

No signal from the driver.

I had been trying to reach him repeatedly, but the line wouldn’t connect. With every failed attempt, my unease grew. My fingers tapped restlessly against the table as I imagined all the things that could go wrong.

I hoped Cali hadn’t tried anything reckless.

But no.

I shook my head slightly.

Cali wouldn’t do something like that. She was too calm, too composed. She always thought things through. I trusted her—at least enough to believe she wouldn’t act impulsively.

Just as I was about to call again, the phone rang.

The driver.

I picked up immediately.

THOMAS

The entire study was in chaos.

I stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard, my patience completely gone. How could they say they didn’t see her? It didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t like she didn’t know I was looking for her.

Anger surged through me, sharp and uncontrollable.

With a sharp motion, I swept everything off the nearby table. Files scattered. Objects clattered to the floor. My laptop went down with them, hitting the ground harder than I intended.

“Damn it.”

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing back and forth, my thoughts dark and restless. Nothing was going according to plan, and I hated losing control—especially over something that mattered this much to me.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

A maid entered quietly, her expression neutral as she began cleaning the mess I had just made. Despite my earlier warnings, she didn’t hesitate. She didn’t flinch at my mood or acknowledge the tension in the room. She simply did her job, calmly restoring order.

Her composure only irritated me more.

Once she finished and left, my PA walked in almost immediately. His tone was professional as always as he informed me that there was a compulsory CEO meeting I had to attend.

And then came the part that made my jaw tighten.

Everyone was expected to come with their partner.

BRYAN

“Bryan,” the chairman called again.

The sound of my name snapped me out of my thoughts. I straightened in my chair quickly and forced my attention back to the room. The projector glowed at the front, displaying figures and charts I barely registered.

“We will have to take the initial position,” Mr. Rand continued, speaking at length as the meeting dragged on.

I nodded where necessary, contributed when required, and waited.

When the meeting finally ended, relief washed over me.

All I wanted was to get home.

The driver had already informed me that Cali had arrived at the mansion, and knowing she was there eased some of the tension in my chest.

Later, my PA entered again, clipboard in hand, and informed me of a compulsory party scheduled for that night.

And, of course, I was expected to attend with my partner.

For a second, I wondered if this was some kind of joke.

No way.

I would attend—with Cali.

I glanced across the room and caught sight of Catherine. She was beaming, her expression far too hopeful for my liking.

Wait.

Don’t tell me she thought I’d attend with her.

She had to be dreaming.

“Okay,” I replied calmly, keeping my voice even.

“What about your escort, sir?” my PA asked.