Weight of The Untold

Chapter 11

I clipped the second earring into place just as a sharp knock landed on my bedroom door.

"Coming!" I called, grabbing my clutch before opening it.

Caleb's eyes widened dramatically. "Wow. Kid, is that you?"

I giggled, rolling my eyes. "No, it's Mom."

We both broke into laughter-the kind that loosened nerves without trying.

"Come on," he said, glancing at his watch. "We're running late."

I pulled my door closed and followed him downstairs. Jerry was already waiting outside beside the sleek black car that would take us to the gala.

Caleb looked like he stepped out of a luxury magazine-matte black Armani suit, crisp white shirt, bow tie knotted perfectly. Men really had it easy. Throw on a suit and you're instantly gala-ready. But I had to admit... his shoes were immaculate.

"You both look lovely," Rose said softly, hands clasped with pride.

Caleb and I spoke in unison. "Thank you, Rose."

"How about some pictures?"

"Just a few-we're late already," he warned, but Rose was already rushing for the camera. We took several shots-quick, elegant-then finally headed out.

Once we settled in the back seat, Caleb turned to me with a curious glint. "Hey, I never asked-how do you know Hilda and Linda so well?"

His chuckle told me my question amused him.

"Well," he began, "I know Hilda's husband. Big businessman. I met her at a gala years ago. Then the next event, I saw Linda with another businessman as his date. Thought she was his daughter... until someone told me the truth. That's when I realized what kind of girl she is. Shame, considering she's Mr. Hill's daughter. He's a great man."

I nodded, absorbing the little pieces of his world he rarely shared.

"How long have you been in the business world?" I asked. He'd always carried himself like someone older.

"Straight after college," he said. "I worked at McGregor Industries. Mr. McGregor was like a father to me. He knew Mom and took me under his wing. Galas, meetings-everything. I shadowed him everywhere until he passed away."

There was a flicker of hurt in his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he said gently. "By then, I'd already met Dad-but only as one of the country's billionaires. Still, every time I saw him, he felt familiar, like someone I'd known forever. When Mom finally told me he was my father... everything made sense."

"And that's when you started working with him?"

He shook his head.

"No. I stayed at McGregor Industries. Mr. McGregor left the company to me in his will. But his son fought it. Took me to court-said it was his birthright."

"Why wasn't it given to him in the first place? He was his son."

"Luke wasn't the best son," Caleb said with a soft sigh. "Reckless, irresponsible. Mr. McGregor didn't want the company destroyed. But don't worry-Luke's changed now. The company's thriving."

"That must've been a lot of drama," I said. "You fighting him for his father's company and him fighting you back."

Caleb chuckled. "Actually, Kid, I didn't fight him. By the time I was called to court, I'd already signed the company over to him. As much as I understood why his father chose me... it was still Luke's right. And with Mr. McGregor gone, the only reason I was there disappeared too."