Flames In The Something

7. MYSTERY

Caleb Blackwood POV:

As Caleb sat in his office, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface, his personal assistant, Emily, entered the room. Her presence grated on his nerves, a reminder of the chaos that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

"What is it now, Emily?" Caleb snapped, his tone sharp and cutting as he glared at her.

Emily flinched at his harsh words, her usual composed demeanor faltering for a moment before she regained her composure. "I'm sorry, Mr. Blackwood," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I just wanted to update you on your schedule for the day."

Caleb waved her off impatiently, his irritation mounting with each passing moment. "I don't have time for this," he snapped, his tone laced with anger. "Just leave me alone and let me work."

Emily nodded meekly, her eyes downcast as she quickly retreated from the room, leaving Caleb alone with his frustrations.

As he watched her go, a wave of guilt washed over him, but he quickly pushed it aside. There was no time for remorse, no time for niceties. He had a business to run, and he wouldn't let anyone-least of all his personal assistant-stand in his way.

But even as he buried himself in his work, the memory of his harsh words lingered, a bitter reminder of the man he had become. And as he struggled to suppress the guilt gnawing at his conscience, Caleb couldn't help but wonder if there was more to life than the relentless pursuit of success.

As Caleb sat alone at his desk during lunchtime, the weight of his earlier outburst weighing heavily on his conscience, he reached for his phone with a sigh. With a sense of determination, he dialed Emily's number, his fingers trembling slightly with nervous anticipation.

After a few rings, Emily picked up, her voice hesitant yet hopeful. "Hello?"

"Emily, it's Caleb," he began, his voice earnest as he braced himself for the conversation ahead. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I know I was out of line, and I shouldn't have taken my frustrations out on you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Caleb held his breath, waiting anxiously for Emily's response.

"It's okay, Mr. Blackwood," Emily replied softly, her voice tinged with relief. "I understand that you're under a lot of pressure. We all have our moments."

Caleb felt a wave of gratitude wash over him at Emily's understanding, though he knew he didn't deserve it. "Thank you, Emily," he said sincerely, his voice filled with remorse. "I appreciate your patience and understanding. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

With a weight lifted from his shoulders, Caleb ended the call, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Though he knew he still had much to atone for, he was grateful for the opportunity to make amends and strive to be better in the future. And as he returned to his work, a renewed sense of determination filled his heart, propelling him forward with a newfound sense of purpose.

As Caleb sat alone in his office, his lunch forgotten amidst the tumult of his thoughts, his mind inevitably drifted back to Jezelle. Despite his best efforts to push her from his mind, she remained a persistent presence, her enigmatic aura drawing him in like a moth to a flame.

He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him ever since she had entered his life. There was something about her that seemed off, something hidden beneath the surface that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

But despite his suspicions, Caleb couldn't deny the pull he felt towards her. There was a magnetism to her presence, a charm that defied explanation and left him feeling inexplicably drawn to her.