𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃-𝐅𝐎𝐑-𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐄

04

Some total stranger is glaring at you as if you've just committed mass murder.

For obvious reasons, it's a bit uncalled for. Here you were, minding your business and enjoying your coffee, and now, you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a messy altercation.

"Who the fuck is she?" Nadia demands. She basically spits the words, as if the mere act of acknowledging your existence fills her with disgust.

You're too taken aback to respond. Callum still refuses to let go of you. In fact, he squeezes you even tighter, lips spreading into a wide grin as he utters his next words.

"Oh, her?" Callum hums, mischief and delight seeping into his voice. "Nobody, really. Just my new girlfriend."

I'm sorry, what?

Your jaw drops open, but before you can even dispute his claim, Nadia makes her thoughts on the matter abundantly clear.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?!"

She outright screams. It's loud and shrill, and you involuntarily wince—especially since several people turn their heads to find out what the hell is going on.

You are both shocked and mortified. Even though you haven't yet gotten all the details, it's obvious that Nadia doesn't like the thought of you dating Callum. But you're not even actually dating him, so surely once you clear up the misunderstanding, she'll cool off, right?

"He doesn't mean that," you hurry to protest. "I think he's just messing with both of us, because—"

"Was I talking to you, bitch?" Nadia sneers.

Oh.

Well, okay, then.

You visibly deflate. It's safe to say you weren't expecting something like this. You're not the most confrontational person to begin with, and even though you'd like nothing more than to tell her off, her sharp tongue deters you from trying again.

But thankfully, Callum decides to end your suffering.

"Whoa, chill, Nadia," he scoffs, half-chuckling. "It was a joke, for fuck's sake. She's just my friend. She was obviously trying to correct you just now, but you didn't want to hear her out. Goddamn."

Nadia's eyes widen, and her face turns red from shame. You hate to admit it, but after how she viciously lashed out at you, her embarrassment is a welcome sight.

So, it looks like Callum was only joking around. Still, though.

As far as jokes go, this one was remarkably shitty.

"We're seriously just friends," Callum repeats, and much to your relief, he finally lets go of you. Then, there's a glint of amusement in his pale eyes. "But why does it even matter? So what if I end up dating someone else? You're the one who broke up with me. Did you already forget?"

Holy shit. This situation is just getting more uncomfortable by the second. You honestly want to dig a hole in the ground and hide in it until this is over.

Also, you now have a pretty good idea as to why Callum hired you.

"I've never seen you hang out with her even once in my entire life," Nadia scowls. "This is why you're an asshole. We've barely been broken up for a few days, and you've already found a rebound. It's fucking disgusting."

Callum blinks disinterestedly. "Can you chill out already? I already told you we're just friends. Ask her if you don't believe me. Besides, do you really think you know every single person I'm friends with? I'm allowed to have my own social life, you know."