The party was in full swing by the time Callie arrived.
Music was blasting so loudly from the rooftop bar that she’d heard it in the streets. Shaking her head in amusement, Callie entered the building and made her way to the elevators. She was deposited on the forty-sixth floor, where the party was. The cool evening breeze blew a bit stronger in the open area, and she was thankful for it. It seemed that the throng of dancing bodies created a hot and heavy mass.Opting to avoid the crowds, Callie headed for the bar beside the pool. It seemed relatively empty compared to the larger bar that was next to the DJ booth. Callie even found herself an empty stool where she could comfortably perch until her best friend found her.“I’ll have an Iced Tea, please,” Callie spoke up, smiling at the bartender.The tattooed employee who was manning the bar looked up sharply when he heard her order. “Do you mean a Long Island?” he tried to clarify.“No, I meant a regular one,” Callie replied, her smile growing wider. People always seemed surprised when she ordered a plain, non-alcoholic beverage. Then again, they probably didn’t get much of those seeing as people went to bars for the drinks that could get them drunk.“Coming right up,” the bartender spoke, still looking slightly confused.“I think you broke him,” an amused voice said from beside Callie.She turned to see a man taking a seat next to her.He was the type of guy that would catch your attention even if he was standing in the middle of a large crowd. He had that unfairly proportioned and sculpted face that required no effort to look good. Blue-green eyes set under thick, serious eyebrows looked up at Callie through unfairly long lashes. A neatly trimmed beard that was a few shades darker than his slicked-back brown locks made him look more mysterious and mature, but the smile on his face was open and friendly.Callie tried to act casual. She’d dealt with good-looking guys before anyway. They were still normal human beings, right?“Just trying to keep things interesting,” Callie retorted with a slight shrug and a smile of her own. “I’m pretty sure no one else here ordered the same drink as me.”At that, the mystery man cocked his head to the side in slight agreement. “Yeah, but I’m pretty sure the people here didn’t come for normal drinks.”“Oh, believe me, I know,” Callie replied with an amused chuckle. “My best friend organized this whole thing. And if I know her, no one here is going home sober.”“Except you,” the mystery man pointed out just as the bartender placed the iced tea in front of Callie.Callie gave a nod of thanks to the guy behind the counter before turning back to her new acquaintance. “Except me.”“Are you the exception to many things, Miss-?” he trailed off, clearly waiting for her to supply her name.“Everett,” Callie supplied, holding out a hand. “Callista Everett. And I’m quite typical, Mister-?” This time, it was her turn to ask for his name.The man smiled that devastating smile again, and Callie felt as though she had drunk alcohol despite being complete, stone-cold sober. “James Alexander Hudson,” he revealed. “And I have a hard time believing that, Ms. Everett.”“So, what brings you to this party, Mr. Hudson?” Callie asked when she pulled her hand back. Usually, the faces she saw at parties were familiar. Her best friend invited the same people to the parties that she threw, and Callie was certain she’d never seen James before.“Well, you’ve caught me, Ms. Everett,” he said, suddenly looking sheepish. His gaze dropped to his lap, where his hand was pulling something out of his jacket pocket. When he revealed what the item was, Callie felt her eyes growing a bit wide.Somehow, she had a feeling she knew what was inside the small, blue velvet box.True enough, when James flicked it open, she spotted a beautiful diamond ring inside. It was a beautiful yet simple piece with a princess-cut diamond intertwined with an oval sapphire set in a thin, gold band. The sapphire seemed to match James’ eyes perfectly. “I’m not here for the party,” James continued as he showed her the ring. There was a nervous undertone to his voice now. She could detect a hint of shakiness under the deep baritone.“I hope you don’t intend to propose to me without taking me to dinner first,” Callie joked, causing James to let out a laugh.The tension seemed to leave his shoulders as he flicked the box closed and tucked it safely back into his jacket. “Surely, I’d have to fight a long list of gentlemen to even have the honor,” James commented, arching an eyebrow at her.A part of Callie wished she could agree with him, but a part of her didn’t regret putting her career and herself first, either. “Well, whoever the lucky girl is, I’m sure she’s going to love it,” Callie said sincerely instead. Just because having a relationship wasn’t her priority, didn’t mean she couldn’t be happy for other people.James nodded in gratitude, looking up at Callie again with that intrigued expression on his face. He looked as though he was trying to figure out a puzzle. Before he could say anything, a voice cut into their conversation.“Callie! There you are!” Suddenly, there was a body colliding with Callie, and she looked up to see her best friend, Aiko, draping herself all over Callie. On the other side of Aiko, James watched in amusement. “Why didn’t you tell me you were here? Oh, and you’ve met James!”Callie was trying to hold back her laughter. Drunk Aiko was a lot more talkative and enthusiastic than Sober Aiko, so it was always hilarious spending time with her. “I didn’t want to interrupt you,” Callie pointed out as she gestured to the guests. “You look like you had your hands full.”Aiko pouted and waved her hand in the air, nearly punching James in the process. Luckily, he wasn’t just handsome. He also had good reflexes and managed to dodge at the last moment. “Nonsense. You’re my best friend and my top priority.”“Well, you’ll be happy to know that I’m doing very well. James has been very good company,” Callie explained, sharing a knowing look with James. Aiko narrowed her eyes and turned to the man in question, who smiled innocently up at the host and held his glass of whiskey up to her.“You better not fool around with my best friend, Hudson,” Aiko threatened, and Callie couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore.She shooed Aiko away, letting her go back to the party, but also making a mental note to text her driver and have her taken home in half an hour. “I can take care of myself, Aiko. Now, you go have fun with the others.”“Okay, but I will see you,” Aiko pointed at Callie when she said this, “later. And you’re going to tell me all about that other awful party.”Callie nodded her head like a good student, the huge smile still on her face. “Yes, ma’am.”With that, Aiko disappeared as quickly as she came, seeming to blend in with the dancing crowd. Callie shook her head, still amused, before turning back to James. “What other awful party is she talking about?” he asked curiously.“Oh, it’s nothing. Champagne problems, really,” Callie replied, although she didn’t sound convincing to James or herself. While she loved the light banter they were having, she wasn’t exactly a person who relished sharing information about herself.Deciding to leave before they got to the deep stuff, Callie stood from her seat and decided to go mingle with the rest of the people at the party. “It was nice to meet you, James. I hope you get the answer you’re looking for,” Callie spoke as she prepared to say goodbye. James, the true gentleman that he was, also stood from his seat. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to mingle a bit before Aiko starts thinking you’re monopolizing me.”“We wouldn’t want that,” James agreed with a slight chuckle. “She seems like she can be scary if she wants to be. But it was great talking to you, Callie. I hope this isn’t the last time we see each other.”With one final smile, Callie turned and walked off, spotting a few familiar faces by the balustrade of the roof deck. When she glanced behind her, James was already facing the bar and playing with the velvet box in his hands. She couldn’t help but wonder if someone would also be waiting for her with a ring in their pocket had her life gone a little differently.But, no. She wouldn’t want to change the way things were. That was the reason there wasn’t a long line of guys waiting for her. This is how she preferred to live. Independent. In control. She only had herself to answer to, and she didn’t have to adjust anything in her life to accommodate someone else.Turning back around, Callie continued walking away.Callie didn’t notice the time passing. Before she knew it, she was escorting Aiko into her car and instructing Benjamin, their driver, to take her straight home. Benjamin had been their chauffeur ever since Aiko was a teenager, so Callie trusted him. Once Aiko was safely on the way home, it was time to make sure the other guests also had a safe way of getting home or a spot where they could sober up before traveling. Callie also took care of any bills that were left unpaid and made sure to tip everyone that worked at the party. She was on her way to tip the bartender that had made her Ice tea when she noticed a lone figure still sitting at the bar. “James?” she called in surprise. She was further surprised when the man that turned to her appeared deeply inebriated, nearly falling off the stool. Callie had to rush over and hold her hands up just to make sure he didn’t slump forward, but thankfully, James was able to grab onto the bar. Up close, his beautiful blue eyes were red-rimm
“I’ve had it broken more times than I can count,” Callie admitted. It was the first time she’d said it out loud, though she often thought about it. “Was it a guy?” James continued to interrogate. Again, Callie gave a humorless smile. The question was so innocent, it sounded like it came from a child. “Sometimes the worst heartbreaks don’t have anything to do with romance, buddy,” Callie muttered. But James didn’t seem to follow her meaning, so she gave a more straight response. “But yes, there have been some guys.” “But you got over them,” he pointed out. It wasn’t a question. And Callie understood why he’d come to such an assumption. She’d gotten very good at pretending that she had everything put together, so most people assumed she was fine. “Some took longer than others,” Callie revealed, trying not to dwell on those past heartbreaks. “But once you realize they weren’t the right ones, it’s a lot easier.” Callie was relieved when the pizza arrived. The smell alone distracted J
Callie arrived at work some minutes late dressed in a corporate black dress that fitted her perfectly. She was still feeling dizzy and lazy but had to hurry to her office.“Good morning, Ms. Everett,” Ruth greeted cheerfully as she approached. At least one of them seemed to have gotten a complete eight hours of sleep. “I have your coffee and your calendar ready for you.”Callie took the large coffee cup that Ruth handed to her with gratitude. She made a mental note to give Ruth a bigger bonus for Christmas as her assistant also handed her the iPad. “Thank you, Ruth. I’ll see you in my office in 30 minutes, and we can go over everything together, okay?” Callie is just beginning her day when she sees the news -- Xander has been replaced by his brother as the heir to their family company, Hudson Corporation. There is another article that he got dumped by his girlfriend, heiress Veronica Sutton, because he is irresponsible and no longer the heir to the company. When Callie asks Ruth abou
Callie gave up all her reflections about Xander and strolled into her apartment, she hastened to the bedroom to strip herself nude for the shower. She spent some soothing time in the shower and kept on wiping her face and reminiscing on all that happened at Hudson corporation, the manner Xander looked at her with a cooled stare and acted surprised over her proposal.I have enough problems of my own and office work to attain, damn it. Why should I be concerned about someone’s feelings and actions toward me?Callie got out of the shower and walked up to her closet to dress up. Just then she remembered her office work. She sighed, closing the door of her home office, she got to her table and pulled out her system. Despite how worried she was, she need to workCallie was still working in her home office when Dorothea notified her that she had a guest. She is surprised to find Xander in her living room. Dorothea asks if she should add another plate for dinner, and Callie agrees. When s
Alaric Kinthe arrived at the firm with a 2021 Ferrari 812 GTS looking classy and smart. He walked straight to the company conference hall and waited patiently for the meeting to start. He was someone who didn't joke with time. He prefers to be 10-20 mins earlier than to give excuses for lateness. Callie was notified of Alaric Kinthe's presence and she quickly stepped out of her office to the conference room, she was impressed he arrived 10 mins earlier. Ruth was walking behind her with some files and an iPad. Callie welcomed the English investors and they complimented each other's looks with the remaining time left before the meetings commenced. Ruth was busy with the iPad, but she managed to greet and continue.Callie gave a presentation that lasted only twenty minutes, the meeting was solely for 45 min and she was operating with time. Alaric Kin was very impressed by her speech and the way she presented it, time was his thing and he loves it when people function with time, he has
Aidan was sitting quietly at the carnival when Xander and Callie stepped in. He wasn’t the talking type so he just waved them over when they sighted him. They smiled and walked towards his direction. Xander was surprised to see Aidan at the carnival. Aidan Marcus Hudson is younger brother to Xander, who became the heir to the family company when Xander doesn't show any sense of responsibility. He becomes interested in pursuing Izzy, and sticks with her through her struggles. Aidan is very soft-spoken and introverted, but when he does speak, he is highly intellectual and wise. Xander doesn't begrudge his brother taking his place, as it gives him more freedom to pursue the things that he wants.“What’re you doing here?” Xander asked with lot of smile on his face, not waiting for reply he added “I’m surprise to see you here” Aidan smiled without saying a word. Xander continued “ meet my finances Callie Everett.”“Hi Ms, Everett” He greeted enthusiastically,Aidan and Callie exchanged p
“She went running her mouth in Grandma’s house, just to make me look bad”. Callie muttered. “She should have allowed me to make my engagement announcement myself. What a clown.” “She continued. Who are you talking about?” George questioned“Tia Elena, we met at the carnival.”“Oh that explains everything, Grandma’s house is booming with too much information. “Is he the guy that was dumped by his fiancé?” George inquired.“Elena should stop, I’m not the reason why she has many divorce stories.” She said Xander walked close, “ hope all is well?” Xander asked, and continued “Hi! “I’m James Alexander Hudson, your sister’s fiancé, she told me a lot about you”“Huh, hope is a reasonable thing?” pulling out his hands to greet, George Everett” he added.Xander smiled “ yes acceptable things.” As they hugged each other in a friendly manner. From the little he heard from Callie about George, Xander sees a lot of himself in George and tells him to be more considerate towards his sister. G
Callie reached home after work to get set for dinner with Hudson's family, she was nervous and wanted to look her best. The Hudson family is a big name and very famous. She stopped by a salon for her hair and light makeup. She got herself a new dress and shoes. Callie needed to look her best even if it was a fake or real engagement. A few hours later, Callie came back from the salon where she was made up to look pretty, she donned a purple dress with a touch of black and black-heeled shoes that exaggerated curves. Xander is dressed in casual white shirts and jeans, his pointed nose, and sharp jaw stood out, and his black hair is styled neatly.They entered the car and drove straight to Hudson's mansion.Staring up at the huge mansion, Callie stepped out of the car and placed her sunglasses, walking side by side with Xander.Sophia was already looking out for them, immediately she saw them from the camera coming out of their car, and she walked down the stairs to meet up with them.