The Pursuit

Twenty Five

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE 

Several weeks flew by and before I knew it, Christmas day was over. I had been working full time at the restaurant for the same amount of weeks, and it took all of my time and effort that I wasn't able to return to Olympia for the holiday. To make it even the worst Christmas ever (besides the first year that my parents separated), Caleb had gone off to Norway to spend it there. 

"My close friends in Norway is forcing me to visit, and Christmas is the only time I get enough days off work," he explained to me one night after dropping me off at my place. He looked at me looking genuinely sorry. "You have no idea how badly I want to stay and spend it with you."

I suddenly felt dejected then but put up a smile on my face. "Don't feel guilty. We always have next year." Hopefully. "Besides, I'll be totally fine. I can't rely on you every single day."

"I love it when you rely on me," he fake pouted parking the car in the lot of my building. "It makes me feel wanted."

I rolled my eyes and pinched his arm. "Oh you're wanted all the time." I decided to give him that one line to boost his ego. 

Then when Christmas came, I woke up feeling not as excited as previous Christmases. My entire place was silent except for the soft tick of the clock hanging on the wall. Marcus (I had adopted Caleb's dog for the days he was away), slept soundly by the foot of the bed. I spotted my small Christmas tree that Caleb and I both decorated in the corner and saw the unopened gifts for me. A few were from Em and Ben who sent it to me via the post office, and then Caleb's horrendously-wrapped presents gleamed tempting me to open it.

Once I brought myself into the spirit of Christmas an hour later thanks to the gifts, I became more cheerful. I spent the entire day cuddled up in the new, comfortable pajamas Em got me (though it wouldn't have been a present from her without adding in skimpy lingerie nighties for nights specifically with Caleb). It didn't turn out to be a terrible Christmas after all. 

The day afterwards, the restaurant was open once again, and I went to work feeling more rejuvenated than the past few days. On the twenty-seventh, I was eager to be back at my place and sleep, because I knew that the next morning, Caleb would be back. 

I closed the door tightly behind me one night after blocking Marcus in with my leg. He barked happily at the sight of me and wagged his tail. I smiled down at him. "Hi boy."

He and I had gotten pretty close over the last week. I glanced at the clock and found it nearing eleven already. A yawn escaped me only symbolizing the fatigue I fought for the past three hours. Marcus followed me into the kitchen nudging at his empty water bowl. After quenching my own thirst, I poured water into his. 

Loud knocks resounded at the door, frightening me for a moment and making me drip some of the water onto the floor. I groaned and wiped it up quickly with the rug and walked over to the door.

"Be right back, Marcus. I'll fill it up some more later," I called back to him as if he understood every word I said. I kept the chain locked in case it was some serial killer knocking at my door late at night. I opened the door a crack peering through it and eyed the person. I closed the door suddenly and reopened it after unlocking the chain. "Caleb?" I was more surprised than happy at the moment.

He looked rugged and sleep-deprived. I could already tell from his eyes. 

"Can I come in?" He flashed me a small smile.

"Of- of course," I stepped out of the way to let him in. I watched him as he walked in where Marcus came trotting to him happily. 

Caleb's clothes were wrinkled. It looked like he had a rough day so far.