Inheritance

Chapter 27

Five unread voicemails.

Caleb had called me numerous times throughout the day, but I could never quite muster up enough courage to answer his calls. Now that we'd finally returned back to the lodge from the skiing trails, I knew I had to officially break things off with him. Admittedly, it was very difficult to do it when I still lacked clarity on where my relationship stood with Kendall. 

Yes, I could admit that the way my chemistry with Kendall had been undeniably blossoming was fun and enlivening, but I valued something far deeper than fleeting entertainment. In other words, I would much rather grasp onto longevity over spontaneity. I wanted a relationship grounded in stability and commitment. If Kendall couldn't provide me with that, then I would happily choose Caleb over him. 

Deciding not to prolong the inevitable, I pulled out my cellphone and tapped on Caleb's contact to return his most recent call.

"Hello?" I spoke into the phone, after the call eventually picked up on the third ring.

"Sasha...Why haven't you been answering my calls?"

"I'm sorry, Caleb. I've just been pretty...busy." There was a long pause before I heard a soft sigh on his end of the line.

"But, not busy enough to take a trip to Vermont?" He retorted, rightfully frustrated by my lack of communication.

"Can we not do this right now?" I tiredly rubbed my hand over my forehead, exhaustion beginning to peak through.

"Sasha, is this about last weekend? Did I do something wrong?" The tone of his voice mirrored his worriment and, for a moment, I pitied him.

"No, you didn't. You were completely fine. I understand that business comes first. I guess I just wish you would have stayed for the entire night, that's all." I admitted, realizing how much the old woman's words from the night of the Holiday Ball had actually gotten to me.

"Look Sasha, some of us don't have backup plans. I can't afford to simply miss a day of work or an important phone call for the sake of a party." Caleb's voice rose unexpectedly, while his true feelings about my family and our glazed status seemed to be revealed.

"Wow. What's that supposed to mean?" I didn't like the direction this conversation was inevitably headed. If he was intimidated by my family's wealth and power, he should just be direct and outright say it. He wouldn't be the first, nor the last person to feel that way.

"All I'm saying is that my work matters to me. I don't have a wealthy family to fall back on if my career doesn't pan out." He huffed, evidently irritated by the uncomfortable dialogue.

Did he honestly think that I was just some sort of spoiled brat riding off the coattails of my uncle?

"Obviously, this conversation isn't going to be productive. I think I'll just talk to you later before one of us ends up saying something we'll regret." 

"Alright, bye. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Bye Caleb." I frustratedly hung up the phone before he could respond.

That was the first time we'd had an argument of this nature. Despite how badly I wanted to brush off the unpleasant conversation, I simply refused to be with someone who would so willingly use any opportunity they had to throw my family's status in my face. 

Maybe it truly was time to take a break from Caleb.

Having had enough unnecessary stress from the self-initiated phone call, I strode to my room's window and peaked through the curtain to take a look at the snow-glazed view. Because the sun had just begun to set, bright lights illuminated by the outdoor hot tub intensely shined into the room.