Everyone was taken aback by Calvin's demand. The room fell into a stunned silence, the shock palpable among the guests. Kevin, unable to contain his fury, slammed his fist on the table, the sharp sound echoing through the room.Alana blushed deeply, misinterpreting Calvin's request as a sign of lingering jealousy and a desire to win her back. She cast a sidelong glance at Calvin, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and unexpected flattery.Kevin's face was a mask of rage as he leaned forward, his voice a harsh growl. "Even if I don't marry Alana, don't think for a second that she would ever go back to you, Calvin," he spat. "You're just a loser living off the generosity of others. Don't get cocky with the little wealth you have now; it's all from conning rich people like Albert Finch."Calvin stood there, silently enduring the barrage of insults, a serene smile never leaving his face. He knew Kevin's words were meant to provoke, but he remained unshaken, his calm demeanor a stark con
Calvin and the other guests continued their dinner, with Alana still harboring the hope that she had a chance with Calvin. She cast a haughty glance at Christina, convinced that Calvin loved her more than he did Christina. She reminisced about how Calvin had once been utterly infatuated with her, and she was certain that his rejection earlier was simply a result of lingering anger.As the dinner concluded, Albert stood and tapped his glass gently to get everyone's attention. The room fell silent as he cleared his throat and spoke with his usual authoritative yet warm tone. "Ladies and gentlemen," Albert began, a smile spreading across his face, "I hope you all enjoyed the dinner. I want to extend my gratitude for your presence tonight and for your support. Now, let’s continue our evening with a cocktail party in the mansion's garden. The night is still young, and I believe we all deserve to unwind after such an eventful day."The guests responded with polite applause and appreciative m
Alana, her face flushed with frustration, finally decided she could no longer endure the evening. With a forced smile, she approached Albert, who was mingling with his guests. "Albert, thank you for hosting such a lovely evening, but I'm feeling quite exhausted. I hope you don’t mind if I leave a bit early," she said, her voice tinged with strain.Albert, ever the gracious host, gave her a warm smile. "Of course, Alana. Your health and comfort are most important. Please, take care and get some rest," he replied, patting her shoulder gently.As Alana made her way towards the exit, she cast a sharp, lingering glance at Christina, her eyes filled with a mixture of jealousy and resentment. Christina met her gaze calmly, not flinching under the intensity of Alana’s stare.Once Alana had left, the atmosphere in the garden seemed to lighten. Christina turned to Calvin, her expression thoughtful. "It seems like Alana still has strong feelings for you," she observed, her tone cautious.Calvin
As the night wore on, Christina continued to sip on cocktails, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and the company of the other guests. She chatted animatedly, her laughter ringing out amidst the evening's festivities. However, as the drinks kept coming, Christina began to lose track of how much she had consumed.Calvin, observing her from a distance, noticed her starting to wobble slightly and her speech becoming more slurred. Concerned, he approached her gently. "Christina, I think you've had enough for tonight. How about we get you home?"Christina pouted, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "No, Calvin," she insisted, her words drawn out. "I still want to have fun. Just one more drink."Calvin shook his head, his tone firm but kind. "You've already had more than enough. You can barely stand. It's time to go home."Despite her protests, Calvin managed to guide Christina away from the party. He approached Albert to bid farewell, explaining the situation. Albert, ever the gracious host,
"Would you like to stay the night?" Christina asked, her face flushed. Her heart was racing. This was the first time Christina had invited a man to stay over at her apartment. It was also the first time she felt the fear of rejection. Usually, no man would refuse her, but this time it felt different. Christina truly wanted Calvin to stay with her tonight."Christina... I can't promise anything about our relationship," Calvin replied, trying to be as gentle as possible to avoid hurting her feelings. He didn't want to ruin their friendship, and he still had a lot to deal with."I know. There’s no ‘us.’ There never has been. Tomorrow, tonight will never have happened," Christina said, moving closer to him."Christina, I think you’ve had too much to drink at the party," Calvin said, concerned.Christina had indeed had a few glasses of alcohol because she didn’t know what else to do at the party. Perhaps she had drunk too much, but she was fully aware of her actions now."We’ll forget abou
Calvin awoke to the tantalizing aroma wafting from the kitchen, a scent that promised a morning filled with warmth and comfort. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he followed the scent, his stomach rumbling in anticipation. Stepping into the kitchen, he found his younger sister, Lizzie, already busy at the stove, a mischievous glint in her eyes."Morning, sleepyhead," Lizzie greeted, flashing a playful grin as she flipped a pancake with practiced ease.Calvin smiled, the corners of his lips curling up in response to her infectious energy. "Morning, Liz. What's cooking?"Lizzie chuckled, her movements graceful as she continued her culinary dance. "Just your favorite – pancakes with maple syrup."Calvin's brows furrowed slightly at the mention of the party. "Are you feeling better now?" he asked, concern lacing his words. "You mentioned having a stomachache yesterday."Lizzie waved a dismissive hand, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes in the morning breeze. "Oh, I'm all good now. Just
Calvin drove through the bustling city streets, his mind focused on the address Miranda Dew had given him. He soon arrived at a well-kept apartment complex, its exterior neat and inviting. Parking his car, Calvin walked towards the building, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension.Reaching the specified unit, he took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. Almost instantly, the door swung open to reveal a woman who looked utterly exhausted, dark circles under her eyes and worry etched into her features."Who are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with both hope and desperation."I'm Calvin Hudson," he replied gently, offering a reassuring smile. "You called me about your husband."At the sound of his name, her eyes brightened with relief. "Mr. Hudson, thank you for coming. I've been waiting for you."She stepped aside, holding the door open wider. "Please, come in."Calvin entered the apartment, noting its modest yet tidy appearance. It was a typical middle-class home, furnished
Minutes passed, though it felt like hours. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, the sores on James's skin began to shrink and fade. The pallor of his skin started to improve, and his breathing grew a bit stronger, more even. Miranda let out a small gasp, her hands flying to her mouth in astonishment."It's working," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Oh my God, it's working!"Calvin didn't respond, his focus entirely on James. He continued to channel his energy, willing the man's body to heal, to fight off the illness that had ravaged it. Gradually, the foul odor began to dissipate, replaced by the faint, fresh scent of healing.Finally, Calvin withdrew his hands, opening his eyes to survey his work. James looked markedly better, though still weak and in need of rest. Calvin turned to Miranda, who was now openly weeping with relief."He's not out of the woods yet," Calvin cautioned, his voice gentle. "But he's much better than he was. He needs rest and care, but I believ