The waiter had just refilled their glasses when Caliste leaned back, finally allowing herself to relax. Leina was in the middle of a funny story about her disastrous fashion show abroad when a sudden shadow fell across their table.
Caliste lifted her gaze.
Caelum Vellaria stood there, tall and confident as ever, his tailored black suit fitting perfectly against his frame. The crisp afternoon light from the glass windows framed him like a portrait of composure and quiet authority.
"Caelum?" Caliste breathed, her tone a mix of surprise and confusion.
Leina turned around, blinking in mild disbelief before a bright smile curved her lips. "Well, look who's here. I was just talking about you."
Caelum's eyes softened at the sight of her. "Leina Montego," he said warmly, inclining his head slightly. "It's good to see you again. I wasn't expecting to bump into you twice in one day."
Leina laughed lightly. "Seems like fate is insistent today."
Then his gaze shifted... to Caliste. His expression softened, but beneath it was that familiar quiet admiration he never tried to hide.
"May I join you ladies?" he asked politely, though his tone carried the easy confidence of someone who already knew the answer.
Leina gestured toward the empty seat beside Caliste. "Of course, take a seat, Mr. Vellaria. Or should I say—Caelum?"
Caelum smiled faintly as he sat down, eyes never leaving Caliste's face. "Caelum will do."
Caliste swallowed, forcing herself to appear composed even though her heart had started racing. She could still feel the lingering weight of her earlier confession to Leina—how she admitted her heart still belonged to Lucian. And now, across from her, sat the man who had been quietly, persistently trying to take that heart for himself.
The waiter returned, and Caelum ordered a glass of red wine before turning his attention back to them. "It's rare to see you outside the office, Miss Winslow," he said in that smooth tone that could easily melt a crowd.
Leina raised a brow playfully. "Miss Winslow? That sounds too formal for two people who share magazine covers."
Caliste gave a small, nervous smile. "It's part of work etiquette."
"Or part of the walls she likes to keep," Caelum said gently, half-teasing, half-meaningful.
Leina caught the tone instantly. Her sharp eyes flicked between them, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, I see. There's history here."
Caliste glared at her, but Leina only laughed. "What? I'm a designer ...I see chemistry faster than I see color palettes."
Caelum chuckled, lifting his glass as the waiter poured wine. "She's perceptive, I'll give her that."
Caliste took a careful sip of her drink, trying to redirect the conversation. "Leina just got back from overseas. She's visiting for a short while."
"That explains the headlines," Caelum said lightly. "The Montego name always makes a splash."
Leina waved a hand. "Don't flatter me, Mr. Vellaria. I've had enough press attention to last a lifetime."
He smirked. "Then perhaps you understand how Caliste feels lately."
Leina laughed again, but Caliste could only shake her head, her cheeks faintly flushed. "You both make it sound like I enjoy the attention."
"Don't you?" Caelum asked, eyes twinkling.
"No," she replied softly, holding his gaze for a moment longer than she meant to.
The brief silence that followed felt weighted — electric even.
Leina, sensing the shift, quickly interjected. "Alright, before you two drown me in tension, how about we talk about something lighter? Caelum, have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet," he replied smoothly. "But I'd be honored to share lunch with two of the most talented designers in the country."
Leina grinned. "Charm suits you, Mr. Vellaria."
Caliste, however, couldn't hide the faint unease flickering in her chest. Every time she met Caelum's eyes, she saw sincerity — not the shallow admiration of a passing fancy, but the kind of steady devotion that terrified her.
Because she didn't know how to return it.
Still, she smiled and continued the conversation, masking her thoughts with polite laughter as they talked about fashion trends, upcoming galas, and the intertwining of art and business. Leina was animated, Caelum effortlessly charismatic, and Caliste… trapped between comfort and guilt.
When the meal ended and they rose to leave, Caelum turned to Leina first. "It was a pleasure seeing you again. I hope you'll be staying in the city for a while."
"I just might," Leina said, smiling. "Especially with all the interesting company here."
Then his gaze moved to Caliste. He stepped a little closer — not enough to draw attention, but enough for her to feel the warmth of his presence.
"I'm glad I ran into you today," he murmured. "You look… at peace."
Caliste's lips parted, unsure how to respond. "I'm trying to be," she said quietly.
His eyes softened. "Keep trying then. You deserve peace, Caliste."
Before she could answer, Leina looped her arm around Caliste's. "We should go. I promised to show you my sketches."
Caelum smiled, stepping aside to let them pass. "Until next time."
As the two women walked away, Leina whispered teasingly, "So… still nothing, huh?"
Caliste's heart fluttered, though she didn't know if it was from Caelum's words or the echo of another man's kiss that still haunted her lips.
-----
It was past nine when Caliste finally stepped out of her office. The building was nearly empty, the faint hum of the city outside echoing against the marble floors. She exhaled a long breath, exhaustion weighing heavy on her shoulders.
Her heels clicked softly as she crossed the dimly lit parking lot, the glow from the overhead lights flickering faintly. She reached for her car keys when suddenly a sharp wave of dizziness struck her.
Her vision blurred. The ground seemed to tilt.
She pressed a hand to her temple, trying to steady herself, but the spinning only worsened. "Not now…" she whispered weakly, her voice barely audible.
The world dimmed around her edges. Her knees buckled.
Just before everything went black, she caught a faint voice calling her name.
"Caliste!"
Footsteps rushed toward her...fast, firm, desperate.
And then warmth. Strong arms caught her just before she hit the concrete.
"Hey, stay with me," a familiar voice said...deep, urgent. Her blurred eyes focused just enough to see Caelum's face, concern etched across his features as he gently held her against him.
"Caelum…?" she managed weakly.
"Yes, it's me. You're okay. Don't close your eyes."
But her body betrayed her, her strength fading as her eyelids fluttered shut. The last thing she felt was his arms tightening around her, his heartbeat steady against her cheek as darkness claimed her.