Nobody Loved Me Like You Do

💋CHAPTER 42💋

The days go by and it's finally the day of Savannah's (Callans mom) birthday. It's also the day of my departure. My flight takes off tonight at 9pm but I have decided to make an appearance at the party before that.

Andreas sent me the details and location of the venue shortly after we had spoken on Monday. The theme is Maroon, Black and Golden.

I'm dressed in a black cocktail dress with a golden band swathed around my waist that is tied into a bow at my back. I have golden strappy heels on just to match.

The Uber that I called for earlier has arrived and so I get in. Upon arriving at the venue, I make my way inside.

The place is massive and marvellous. The elegant surrounding and deco are in correspondence with the theme. I look up and spot golden balloons hanging in the ceiling. There's so much going on around here.

I'm a little late. The party began at thirty past six in the evening and it's currently 7:50pm but I don't care. I came here for one reason and that is to speak to Callan. Everything else be damned.

I want to make things right between us. If I manage to do so, then I might just revoke my plan of leaving for college and stay. I would go for another alternative of applying for a scholarship here instead.

With me, I have a gift for Savannah which I had done at a gift shop. The sparkly black gift box with a golden ribbon sits in both of my hands as I make my way towards the table where multiple colored gifts sit.

I place the gift carefully not to have the stacked boxes come crashing down.

I look around in search for Callan but I come unstuck. All I see are professional looking photographers, guests dressed in maroon while others are dressed in either golden or black.

About to take a few steps down to the main area where everybody is at, I come to a halt. I spot Callan, who Is clad in a maroon suit with an unbuttoned black shirt inside speaking to two gentlemen.

This feels like deja vu. It's just like the first time when I saw him except this time, he has Valencia by his side. Oh wait, look! He also has his hand around her waist. He looks so happy as if he just didn't walk out of my life. It seems like he isn't bothered about my absence at all.

My heart shrinks. Coming here with the intent of sorting things out with Callan was a bad idea. I should just leave. I don't think I wanna stay here any second longer.

Callan's head snaps to his right and he spots me. When his eye's meet with mine, I turn around and make my way out.

In the hallway, my heels clank on the tiled floor hoping to reach the outlet where the moon emits it's light onto the surrounding but suddenly I hear his voice.

The voice I yearned to hear.

I stop in my tracks.

Time feels like it's moving slow.

Callan Anders POV

Valencia had our attires designed by Laurent Coté.

Professional stylist's dressed us up which in my opinion was just too extra. Valencia insisted that it was necessary seeing that there will be celebrity guests and a few paparazzi that will be permitted to be present.

Arriving at the venue, the first thing my mother ask's upon seeing me is "Where's Kashmere?"

At the mention of her name, my heart hurts.

She was so...possessive of me as if we were in a relationship which wasn't the case but it's my fault. Everybody, thought we were in a relationship so I can't blame Kashmere for confusing us to be in one. Who is there to blame? Myself.

I'm a loser.

Yes after the heated argument I had with Kashmere in the lockeroom, I cried. I didn't mean to lose my temper and yell at her. I was stressed with the fact that I needed to be around an ex of mine in order to please my father. I was just trying to make things work and she just couldn't understand.

After that day, I decided to block her on my social media and her number. I felt this was the only option I had. I felt as though this was what was best for me. Even though I wanted her away from me, I hoped she would find a way to come to me but she never did.

My mother isn't aware that we aren't friends anymore. I haven't told anyone about it yet not even my sister, Sadie. I chose to keep this myself.

"She couldn't attend," I respond.

"Why not? She promised me she would," my mother frowns.

"I don't know. She had to get some things done," I lie. "But don't worry about it, today is your birthday and it's what matters".

Sipping champagne, I look around. I'm impressed with the deco. Dad had to pick the finest event designers and they did a really good job.

Valencia spent the whole night introducing me to her celebrity friends. Later on, I converse with the cheerful man Mr Levine (her father). My hand is snaked around Valencia's waist to make it more believable.

Already stressed with being around Mr Levine and his daughter, I look away and I see her. Kashmere came but she turns around and leaves.

This is my only chance. I have to speak to her.

"Excuse me". I unwrap my hand from Valencia's waist and leave.

Clearly Mr Levine and his daughter are stunned by my rude departure in the middle of the conversation but I don't give a fuck. I have something more important I need to do.

I follow Kashmere outside. She doesn't know I'm following her until I call out her name. She stops in her tracks but doesn't look back.

I walk up to her and slowly yank her arm to face me.