Snow White & the Billionaire Prince

Chapter 9

❁ Scarlet ❁

It has been two weeks since the death of Miranda Corps. The news of her death broke out the morning after Caleb and I had our supposed date. Miranda's funeral was aired all over the world. It was as if a fashion legend has fallen. Hundreds of people where there, including everyone who worked for the company. Now I'll never get the chance to really impress her with my work, but I can't even imagine how Caleb must be feeling. He expressed no emotion ever since he witnessed his mother's heartbeat fail. He didn't shed a tear or throw a fit, he would just stare out into space. He looked empty.

He ordered for work to proceed as usual. Although, the atmosphere has never been this gloomy. Even the employees showed more grief than Caleb. I enter the building for work and a tall man holding coffee cups walked up to me.

"Good morning, Ms. Snow", he greeted me with a warming smile. That is the first smile I've seen around here in awhile. Had he not heard of the news? I took the cup from him, eyeing him a little suspiciously.

"Good morning", I replied, "how do you know my name?"

"Oh where are my manners!" he straightened his suit jacket, "the name's Viktor, Viktor Von-Stuben." he said, tilting his head slightly. "I'm the new magazine model."

He sure did look like a model. He was probably even taller than Caleb, which made him seem like a giant standing next to me. With nice eyes, and broad shoulders...Wait a minute, Von-Steuben?! Don't tell me he's related to Victoria. Ugh! Well, he doesn't seem to have the trait of being another offspring of the devil or something.

"It's nice to meet you, Viktor." I responded politely. He grabbed my hand and gently kissed my knuckles. Little butterflies tickled my insides.

"It's a pleasure meeting someone who is almost as beautiful as me." he implied in a mellow tone.

"Oh well-", wait did he just say almost as beautiful as him? Uh, self centered much? "Thank...you?"

"Well, have a nice day, Miss Snow." He winked and walked away.

Yup, I wouldn't be surprised if he and Victoria were related. I turned my attention behind my back and he's already flirting with the woman at the front desk. I could tell by her face that she wasn't interested because she paid hardly attention to him at all. I uttered a chuckle and made my way over to the elevator to Caleb's office.

I stopped in front of the glass doors, reluctant to go in. Caleb stood in front of the windows, staring out into the view as if he was in deep thought. I took a quick breather and knocked on the doors. His head snapped in my direction as I opened the doors a crack.

"Good morning, Mr. Corps" I greeted, opening the door wider. Once he spotted me, he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and first finger and sat down at his desk.

"Good morning." he replied in a monotone.

"Go ahead and come in," he said with his forehead in the palm of his hand. I slowly walked in and sat down in one of the armchairs. I sat there quite awkwardly for several silent moments.

"Caleb..." I began, "I'm so sorry..." I reached over and gently placed my hand on too of his. He let out a deep exhale before suddenly springing up from his seat and pulling me into a tight embrace. I froze.

"C-Caleb?"

I started to hear muffled sobs coming from him. Oh my god, he was crying! I wrapped my arms around his torso, letting him sob into my shoulder. He has been concealing his pain for some time and it finally exploded. This was the first time I have ever seen Caleb Corps cry. A few office workers passed by, giving us a glance of confusion. I started to feel a little embarrassed holding Caleb like this as if he were a baby needing to be cradled.

"Um...Caleb," I patted his back and his sobbing came to an abrupt. He let me go and straightened himself up.

"S-Sorry Scar..." he apologized, wiping his eyes with his pocket handkerchief. His face was cherry red and his eyes looked bloodshot. I quickly scooted around his desk and leveled up on my tip toes to give him a peck on the cheek.

"No worries, I'll always be here for you." I took his hand and gave it an assuring squeeze. He looked me in eyes and cracked a smile.

"I want to leave, come with me," he asked, still holding my hand.

"Uh sure, where to?"

"Its a surprise, but I think you'll like it."
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A/n: Hi finally another chapter! Sorry it took so long. Tbh I actually deleted the app and felt like quitting because I felt no motivation. A lot of things have happened since school started. But now I'm back! Hope you liked this chapter.

-Linh