Keeping the CEO's Secret

Chapter Twelve

Morning light streamed through the gap in the thick, heavy curtains. It danced across my face, making me bury my head in the feather pillows. My morning was calm for a brief second before the memories of the day before hit me like a car crash. Callum's unsaid words.

Pushing it to the back of my mind, I got myself ready for the day and headed into the penthouse's sitting area. Callum was already up, sipping his coffee on the balcony. I hovered in the doorway. He looked pensive, drawn in on himself and tense about whatever had upset him so early in the morning. I wondered if he was still upset about whatever he didn't say last night.

"Morning." He didn't seem too happy. "Sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you," I replied, feeling conscious of the formality of my words. "And yourself?"

"Not too shabby for a sofa."

Callum stretched before standing up and pouring me a cup of tea from the tea pot that sat on a silver platter. How quaint. Taking a seat in the other chair, I pulled my cardigan closer to me and began to sip my tea. The silence felt odd after all of the open conversation the day before. It made me feel like something had gone very wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint why or when.

The view from the balcony was different in the daytime; everything looked so much more alive. People moved in crowds down below and they looked remarkably like ants. You could see much further in daylight, past the sloping rooftops and into the rolling countryside. It was an expanse of green fields and tiny specs that were probably animals. I was quite thankful for the distracting view because I wasn't quite sure what to say to Callum. He was acting so strangely.

Tapping my finger on the side of my teacup, I grew tired of this pensive, illusive side of Callum. Whatever he wanted to say, he needed to spit it out.

"This silence is bullshit, Callum," I whispered. "What's wrong? What changed?"

Callum sighed but turned to look at me, his eyes swirling with emotions. It was clear that he had not slept as well as he claimed; bloodshot eyes were a giveaway.

"It's all so complicated, Millie," Callum sighed. "I shouldn't have become caught up in all of this."

"What's this?" I felt slightly offended before I even knew what he was going to say.

"The bet. You. I don't know, whatever the hell is going on between us."

"Oh, I know this game. You opened up to me, you felt something real and now you're pushing me away." I was standing now, raising my voice. "Well, I'm not playing it.

"It's not a game, Millie." Callum's jaw flexed. "You have no idea what kind of mess you're getting yourself involved with. Everything's just awful. I can't explain it to you because you just wouldn't understand what it's like."

"So, you keep it behind a lock and key and do everything Daddy says?" I scoffed. "Some life."

I could tell I hurt Callum with that remark, but the guilt was fleeting. Being here with him was beyond stupid and I couldn't believe I let myself get swept up in the whirlwind that was Callum Moore. Of course it was going to end this way with him; Callum Moore slighted every woman he met. Why would I be any different?

"Look, it was irresponsible of me to bring you here. I'm sorry. I really am. It was inappropriate for me to be unfaithful to my future wife." Callum's expression was hard. "Let's keep things professional from here on out."

I felt sick to my stomach hearing that. Unfaithful. It left a slimy sensation in my mouth; it was hard to swallow. With any other person, I would scream and shout until my throat hurt with rage. Stood across from Callum, however, all I could do was turn and walk away before he saw the angry tears I was holding back from him.