Chapter 3

• Celine’s mind was going haywire while processing what just happened on her little vacation. A stranger she met who was dropped-dead gorgeous, who seemed too good to be true and had passed all of her standards when it came to physical appearance, just asked for her number.
• She was looking forward to his message as the days passed by. But it seems like it was just a fleeting moment because Callahan has never contacted her.
• She wanted to think that Gaile had stepped in again, but then it was impossible because he asked for her number directly.
• Then what could be the reason why he hasn’t contacted me for a week?
• Despite not getting messages from him, she was still hopeful that maybe they would cross paths again at the university she transferred to.
• “Why are you suddenly transferring here? You’ve been enrolled in a prestigious university, the best school for you, and yet, you’ve chosen a university that seems…” her bother, Chance, said with an arching brow when he told her to meet him up in a cafe near the condo unit that she got for herself.
• “I said I want a new environment, and I want to live without being too-Everson, if you know what I mean,” Celine expressed while sipping her frappe as she looked at her brother who was sporting a manly look.
• He’s wearing a black coat and an inner white t-shirt while his hair is pushed back with his flashing watch on his left hand. His legs were spread open while wearing black slacks that made him more manly.
• Celine could feel the other girls glancing at her brother as they gasped and giggled, while some hushed as they thought Celine might be his girlfriend.
• “Being too-Everson? You actually spend too much money jumping from one country to another whenever you get bored and yet you would give me that reason?” He arched his brow at his sister.
• “You were the ones who’s spoiling me.” She arched her brow more while she tried to stifle the smile that she wanted to flash on him.
• “Because we can’t say no to you.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
• Celine smiled. Her siblings were really spoiling her, not just her father. She has a sister as well who’s quite rebellious, unlike her, who behaves sometimes because she takes things seriously.
• Out of her three siblings, Chance, Olivia, and Lucas, Chance and Olivia have the same personality. And Lucas is the one to whom Celine could relate because they are both introverted and silent. Lucas is already busy helping with the business of the family together with their father, while Chance just started getting busy after finishing his Master’s degree a year and a half ago. Olivia got hers last month and was now busy on her own trip before entering the business of the family.
• That’s just how it was for their family. After getting their degree, their parents let them take their masters before allowing them to manage some of their businesses.
• She was just not sure yet what she wanted to do after studying because her parents never really forced them to do things.
• Overall, she was the youngest of her siblings and the most spoiled by them. She was treated like a baby, someone who shouldn’t be touched by anyone.
• Her brother pointed at her with a warning look.
• “If I found out from Gaile that this has something to do with a boy, then he’s going to be dead to me. You’re still studying,” he emphasized her age as if she were like a five-year-old in his eyes that shouldn’t be touched by men.
• “I don’t understand why you were so conservative to me when, in fact, you’re a playboy yourself,” she whispered with furrowed brows that didn’t pass Chance’s ear.
• Chance scoffed, glanced at the other side with an unbelievable expression, and leaned against the table as he rested his elbows while his face leveled Celine.
• “That is a different story. As my younger sister, no one touches you. No one deserves you. Do you understand?” He raised his brow more, flicking his pointing finger on her forehead.
• Celine glared at him. He tilted his head and looked at the paper bags he brought for her.
• “Suit yourself. That’s all your favorite. I might not visit you here often, but call me if you need help,” he said, looking at his watch.
• Celine could really imagine that he traveled all the way to her new condo using their chopper.
• “Why would I call you if I could call Olivia instead?” she whispered.
• Chance sighed. “You have your favorites; I cannot believe this.”
• Her brother didn’t stay for so long as there was still a meeting he needed to attend. He just came all the way to her so he could scold her about changing her address when her studying journey was decided a long time ago that it must be in the most exclusive and prestigious school existing.
• Me: Gaile, don’t send any bodyguards. I can handle myself. It’s kind of weird if they are seen around me.
• But she knows Gaile won’t listen to her about bodyguards and still gives her one who would watch her silently.
• Other than that, she can’t really live a private life knowing their entire family has been monitored by their own security system, with Gaile working twenty-four-seven just to make sure that everything is organized within the Everson household.
• Her first day of school was boring because of the introductions and professors giving some head-ups about what would happen throughout the semester. Because she was taking her Master’s degree already, she had too much time to spare so she decided to get herself enrolled in a few more units just so she could learn a lot more things.
• Making friends has been hard for Celine since day one because of her expression which radiates hostility as she doesn’t smile, and she looks snobby because that’s just the aura she exudes.
• She sighed and held the book tightly, as she felt like she had made the wrong decision by drastically choosing this university just because of the man whom she had just met on vacation.
• You probably did it clumsily this time, Celine.
• She paused in her thoughts as soon as she bumped into someone who was hastily walking in the corridor.
• Her books fell as they both crouched to pick them up.
• “I’m really sorry. I’m in a hurry.”
• As soon as Celine lifted her head and said that it was alright, their eyes locked and she saw the familiar face of the man for whom she was waiting for the text now in front of her.
• “You,” Callahan said, smiling at her.
• Celine blinks twice. “Yes…”
• “You were that girl I asked for her number on vacation. Remember me, Callahan?” he said while the smile stretched on his lips.
• Celine slowly acted like she’d now completely remembered him instead of telling the truth that she had never forgotten even a single detail about him.
• “Oh, yes. The one who asked for my number,” she repeated, making it a highlight as he helped her pick up the books.
• They both stood up as Callahan handed back the books to her.
• “I’m sorry. It was unfortunate that I lost my phone on that same trip. Someone has stolen it, so I have no choice but to hope that we might bump into each other at school, which really happened.” He chuckled and caressed his nape.
• Oh, he lost his phone which is the reason why he hasn’t texted me. Oh, that’s a valid explanation. I’m buying that.
• Celine smiled a little. “It’s fine. It slipped on my mind too since I got busy preparing for the start of classes. I needed to find a place near the school which luckily I got.”
• “Really? I have a condo near the school too. We might be in the same building.”
• Celine could feel the heat on her face, but she acted like it didn’t mean anything, as she only smiled and took the books from his hand.
• “You’re in a hurry?” she pointed out.
• “Oh shit, my class…” He snapped back into reality and looked at his watch. “I’ll go now.”
• Celine nodded and smiled. Callahan left hastily while she continued walking when suddenly someone grabbed her elbow to get her attention.
• She glanced and saw Callahan, who had just taken his phone out of his pocket and handed it to her.
• “Can I get your number again?”
• Celine smiled and nodded. She took it from his hand and typed her number.
• “You might lose your phone again,” she said, handing it back.
• “If it happens, I’ll grab any chances I have to ask for your number again,” he said, laughing a bit.
• Celine was always impressed by how smoothly Callahan would fire his words as if he’d gotten used to it, that socializing with a woman is one of his expertise. Knowing he radiates that womanizer aura in his stance, she’s not even surprised. He’s a man who seems too famous for girls.
• Celine won’t lie to herself that she’s attracted to Callahan. She couldn’t erase the smile while walking to her next subject when her phone beeped.
• Unknown number: Hey, gorgeous. This is me, Callahan.
• The text she has been waiting for how many days has finally come. She saved the phone number first before typing a reply.
• Me: Hello, Callahan.
• Seconds later, Callahan replied right away.
• Callahan: You felt so cold even in texts.
• Celine pressed her lips to each other and didn’t bother replying to him. She needs to breathe.