I WANT HIM BACK Two days after the incident, Caleb's phone wouldn't stop buzzing at every minute. People were calling from different countries to congratulate him. His uncle, Mr Tomas, said he was going to pay him a courtesy visit from Madrid in a couple of days.It was going to be a big family get-together - one his grandfather said had not happened since his parents' death. And Caleb was desperately looking forward to it. Then out of nowhere, a strange number began to call him. When he saw it, he noticed it wasn't the local line. He looked closely at the country code, it was from Mumbai. "Do I have any M75 from Mumbai?" he muttered and decided to go through the names on the list that was given to him. There was no member's name indicated to be from Mumbai. He sighed and picked up the phone. "Hello, Don!" the voice said. It was feminine and strangely familiar. Caleb switched on his True Caller app to check the caller's detail. It registered as Liliana Jonas. What a surprise tha
BEYOND REACHCaleb wasn't sure he heard Mia right. Did she want him? Just like that? Why? And more importantly, why now?He didn't say anything. "Are you there?" she asked. "Please don't say no. Grant me this one request, if not for anything, for our past friendship."He scoffed. "Past friendship? Were we ever friends, Mia? Did I cut the mark to be considered a friend by you? Was there a time you made me feel loved or welcome in your life?" His tone kept rising with each question so much that he choked."I know how this may sound, alright. But I desperately need to talk to someone before I lose my mind.""In that case, let me get you the psychiatrist who works at the hospital you're admitted in. He's a good listener and counsellor."The dint of sarcasm could not be missed in Caleb's tone."Come on, Caleb. I know you're enjoying this. Yes, I admit that I'm miserable - if that will make you change your mind."Caleb heard the sound of the door opening and closing. "I have to go now," Mi
GAME OVER El-Zaki told his personal doctor Robinson that he wanted to go home. "I will continue to receive whatever treatment the doctors recommend from home." The old man tried to persuade him to stay a while longer but he wouldn't listen. "I want to be discharged," he emphasized. "Tell that young lady doctor." "Doctor Fernandez?" "Whatever her name is!" he snapped. He was acting moody and ill-tempered since the visit by Mr Amos. "Things are truly getting out of hand and unless I go back home, there's very little I can do from within these walls," he grimaced looking around. Doctor Robinson gave his explanation careful consideration and consented. "I'll see how I can convince them to let you go.""Yes, you do that."***Caleb was having a meeting with Mr Amos when he received a buzz in his phone. "I heard from one of the nurses that my father will be discharged today," the text message read. "Huh?" he exclaimed. That made Adelio jerk up his head. "Is everything alright?" he a
IT'S NOT OVER YETCaleb briefly stopped by the hospital to see Samantha's doctor. He was surprised that the girl knew who he was when he decided to check on her. The live announcement by her father took everyone by surprise. Even himself. He went on to talk about his good qualities, something that no one had ever done. And because of that, his social media handle was buzzing like a beehive. And his phone wouldn't stop ringing. Mr Ramirez was one of those that called and said he was going to pay him a courtesy visit from Madrid. "I feel on top of the world," he said when the man asked him how he was taking the fame. "Yes you should, but it also calls for you to be extra vigilant. Not everyone is genuinely happy with the news. So watch your back." He thanked the man and said he was looking forward to hosting him. As he sat now in front of the doctor, he realised how true Mr Ramirez's words were. "I never knew you were someone of high class until I saw the news. If I must do this w
SEEKING ANSWERS "What's on your mind?" Bella asked Caleb when he stayed quiet for a while. "Does my story make you sad too?" Caleb shook his head. "No. Not really," he corrected himself. "I just wish your mother would be more open about the past. It might help to sort out the future." They were sitting in a secluded area in the V. I. P section. The manager had given them preferential treatment because he recognised Caleb from the last time. The both of them seemed lost in thought. "I think I may know your mother," Caleb said suddenly, breaking the deafening silence. Bella jerked up her head. "Really?" She pushed herself forward. "Where did you know her from?" "At the hospital." "Huh?" "I met her too at the hospital." "You had a conversation with her already?" "Kind of." Then Caleb went on to explain how they were together in the bleeding room the day he donated blood for her stepfather. "What struck my attention was the striking resemblance of your eye colour. That sparkli
BREAKING APART Elena felt hurt at the protective way Caleb shielded Bella from her silent animosity. "Why would a man prefer a crippled girl to a beauty like herself?" she groaned as she sank into the chair. A waiter walked up to get her order but she shooed him off. "I will beckon to you when I'm ready to eat." The waiter felt embarrassed but he nodded and left her be. She was being impolite and she knew it. But her day was ruined already. First, a hectic day at the office, then an embarrassing one at the hospital, and now a crippled girl tends to get more attention than she was getting. "That son-of-a-bitch is making himself more desirable by staying aloof from women. I would fight tooth and nail to have him unless he's completely immune to ladies." Meanwhile, at the corner of the restaurant, the waiter was observing her. After a while, he walked up to her again. "Having trouble with the Don? Maybe I could help you talk to him. He's a regular here.""And what makes you think
THE IN-HOUSE FIGHT Bella took her phone and called Caleb and relayed everything she overheard Hart and Madam Rebecca discussing. "The document you've been searching for is with a lawyer," she told him. "A lawyer? Are you sure of this?" Caleb questioned. "Yes. I overheard them from my room but didn't get the name of the lawyer in question." "Alright. Keep your ears to the ground and let me know when you hear more." "I will," Bella said with a catch in her tone. Caleb noticed and asked her what else she wanted to say. "You're okay?" That's when Bella recounted what Madam Rebecca promised to do. "I don't know what they're planning but I don't feel safe here," she admitted. Caleb felt he needed to help her yet didn't know how. "What about your stepfather? Has he said anything yet?" "No. And that's what I fear most - his silence." "No worries, just let me know if anything happens. I will help you," he assured her. Then he heard the girl heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Don
HANDS ON THE DOCUMENTIt was noon the following day when the comptroller called Caleb to inform him of his findings."Barrister Crusoe says Mr Hart had contacted him asking whether he knew any lawyer that he could hire for something highly sensitive," he began.Caleb straightened up in his chair. He had been home all day making and answering calls. One of the calls was made to Bella El-Zaki but her line was switched off. That got him worried until the comptroller called."And did he refer him to any lawyer?" "I asked him the same question, he told me since he didn't understand what the urgency was about, or rather the young man wouldn't disclose the nature of the deal, he only referred him to one of his distant colleagues." "Did he give you his name?" "Yes, coincidentally, he's someone well-known to me. But he also demanded to know why I was requesting." "Hope you didn't tell him?" "Of course not. I'll forward the lawyer's contact to you. I believe you will handle it from here."