Chapter Twenty-two

~🖤~

"You have some explaining to do."

I knew that, didn't I?

But, instead of answering him, I jerked my hand back and continued towards my car, as if he didn't say anything. Simply, I wanted to avoid him and I did.

And, I appreciated him. Instead of urging me, demanding me continuously, he followed to passenger seat and the others took their designated seats like last time.

I could feel Heath's burning gaze in me and believe me, it was the most awkward and nervous gaze, I've ever felt till now.

But instead of showing my nervousness, I solely concentrated on backing the car from the gym's parking lot.

Through the ten minutes drive, Anna and Ace chatted nonstop. Only, Ace and Anna. They were so busy in their little happy bubble, that they didn't even notice, the awkwardness in the front.

I was successful in avoiding everything. Even my thoughts, cause I wanted to. I could think about my one-sided feelings, the upcoming danger, the meeting with my brother - everything, sometime later.

As for Heath? He was staring right ahead, with his fists and jaw clenching. I could clearly feel the gears changing in his head, or maybe, he simply didn't like, that Anna was chatting with Ace.

Whatever.

Just there was a shitload of tension in the front.

As we reached my apartment, the weather was freezing. Of course, it is Leavenworth and winter in all, but still, today was colder than these past days.

And, I was wearing just a t-shirt, that too loose.

My teeth were chattering in the cold, the whole time, I was unlocking my apartment. No one noticed that and my shivering self, cause, Anna and Ace were still chatting and Heath was staring into the most interesting thing - the door of my apartment.

"Ah..." A sudden moan escaped from my lips, as I switched on the heater.

I needed to take a shower, because, there was a stench of sweat on my body. But, I was feeling too cold and a shower might, give me an headache.

Still, the stubborn asshole I am, I decided to take a shower. Or maybe, a warm bath.

Before I could step into my bedroom and the adjoining bathroom, next, Anna's voice stopped me.

"Calli? We'll be heading towards mine. After all, we all wouldn't accommodate here."

I nodded, stepping towards my bedroom, my duffel bag in my hand.

"Who belong to the population of 'we'?" I asked, turning towards them.

Anna was standing in middle of Heath and Ace, and it looked like a fucking love triangle. Internally, I rolled my eyes.

"Ace and I." She shrugged.

"Take him with you." I pointed towards Heath, my face blank.

" I'm staying here." Heath raised his eyebrows, as if challenging me. I wanted to challenge him too, but I was too tired to argue... mentally drained.

"Fine." I turned back, exiting the living room.

After one hour of staying in the hot bath, treating myself with olive oil, I wrapped a towel around my body and came entered the bedroom.

Slipping on my PJ's, I covered my still wet hair, in a dry towel. Then collecting all my sorts wear that I wore today, I put them in the basket, tidied my bed, arranged my sketches, documents and books, I finally exited the room.

Don't blame me, I just can't help my actions. And being the abnormal being I am - how tired I was - I took some documents, tucked under my arm and placed on the dining table.

Heath was on the sofa, lying and watching TV. I rarely watched it though.

He had changed into a t-shirt and sweatpants. He looked extremely hot, and his bare feet added to his incredible sexiness.

I broke out of my daze - he didn't have to know, my crush for him - and asked him.

"What would you like to eat?" I asked, walking towards my kitchen.

"Anything. You cook great." His voice accompanied his footsteps to the kitchen.

Instead of replying, I walked straight to the kitchen and took out some cabbage, onion, peas and other ingredients. I started humming 'Delicate - Taylor Swift'.

"I need some explanation." I ignored him and started mixing the ingredients to make soup.

"Callista." His authorative voice could be distinguished well, from his earlier voice. And I am a person, who could listen as well as ignore that tone. I took out my wooden spoon from the cabinet.

"Precious." He softly murmured.

That was my snapping point.

My humming stopped.

I took a deep breath.

But like a tame person, I kept my spoon down, softly on the table, washed my hands under the water, took out the towel from my head and dried my hands on them. Then only I spun towards him.

Through the whole time, my back faced him, cause I wanted to avoid his gaze and he kept quiet.

"Not now. First, sit and eat. Then." I said. But the flinch he gave me back, indicated, I didn't just say my statement.

Honestly, I was feeling kinda bad.

It took me nearly fifteen minutes to make the soup.

I didn't want to impress him, by my cooking. I was just lost in my thoughts.

But I believed, food is a way to man's heart. Why not? Food was definitely the way to my heart, so, I believed it was truth.

I took off the lid, took out two plates from the cabinet and just spun around when I collided with him.

"Baby." He chuckled, gripping by my arms, steadying me.

His endearment took me out of my reverie. I didn't want anything with him, now.

I jerked myself back, my hands gripping the plates. I kept them hurriedly on the table and served it quickly. Behind me he took a long breath and placed the wine and glasses in the countertop.

I was not blushing, quite sure of it.

Instead, I was angry. I kinda hated myself, because, I seemed desperate about him. I wanted him to care about me, to show me something, not just some endearment, which I knew was fake.

I was angry because my feelings were growing towards someone who is a playboy, slept with my best friend, lied to me and now, I realised, he was in a sense taking advantage of me.

I am unable to do the no commitment policy.

We sat across each other, his gaze on me, which could have squirmed me, only if my eyes weren'ton the plane.

"Explain." I frowned, not fully digesting the question.

What am I supposed to explain?

"What?" It sounded incomplete. That's why I further asked, "What am I supposed to explain?"

"You knew, Antonio was gay, but when I told you to tell him to keep away from Anna, you just nodded. Why didn't you say at that time?" He looked at me, sipping his wine.

Even while drinking wine, he could make it seem, fabulously sexy and erotic. But now was not the time.

I wet my lips with my tongue, his gaze falling on them for a moment, his pupils already dilated and his Adams Apple bobbling.

"It didn't matter, actually. Did it?" I raised my eyebrows daring him to contradict me.

He did.

"Still, you could've said so." I rolled my eyes, towards his possessiveness on Anna.

"If you care so much about her, why didn't you fight Antonio?" I raised my voice a little.

He frowned.

I again avoided him, took it to the sink and started washing them. I can't even comprehend, how the hell we ate so fast. Maybe the after effects of boxing.

"Call - " He started, his footsteps approaching me.

I turned onto him, took a long breath. I knew, I was getting angry, pretty fast but I needed a cool mind in front of Heath.

"Wait!" I laughed, maniacally, "Why didn't you go to her place? You want to protect her, then why didn't you?"

"Preci - " He whispered, his arms spread as if I will fall straight onto them.

I won't make me seem desperate in front of him. He didn't need to know that.

"Don't fucking call me precious. Save it for Anna, she'll come to you." My hands were now everywhere and I was laughing, like really fucking crazy.

He was staring at me, his eyes wide, his arms, falling limp on his side's, because I was able to convey the message I didn't need him.

I continued. "Oh yeah! You already fucked her. She's tight, isn't s - "

Slap!

I looked at his eyes which were so wide.

My right hand clutched my right cheek. I blinked my eyes, to control my tears which were threatening to fault. I rubbed my cheek and could feel the redness spreading through them.

"Pre - " His arms spread again to hug me, but I flinched.

"Don't." I muttered.

"Calli - " He took a step and on instinct, I took a step back.

"Don't." I repeated. My waist hit to the sink.

"Let me explain." He again took a step. Did he not understand?

"I said, you fucking don't." I yelled, shoving him, walking towards the living room.

"You asshole! If you don't want to hear about her, shut your years. Call her your Precious, motherfucker! If you love her, say it!" I yelled.

That's what I was talking about, that's why I was trying to control. Because, once I unleash my anger, I yell...uncontrollably.

Heath stood there, eyes wide, jaws clenching, staring right at me.

"I don't love her." He muttered, more like gritted.

"I don't care!" I yelled from across the living room.

I reached the door of my bedroom, took a deep breath, blinked my eyes, which were still trying to betray me with tears and turned towards him.

He was still standing at the same space, his head down and arms, falling limp on the sides. Still, he looked incredibly eatable but now, again, was not the moment and maybe...never.

That saddened me. Even if, how much I liked him, I still wanted to hug him, to tell him to forget this.

But I couldn't, cause, I didn't want to be like other women. I was different. I am.

"Heath." He looked up, his eyes filled with tears.

It broke my heart. On seeing him, like this. On me, because I said things about Anna, who makes him happy. But, like today, like earlier, I ignored them.

I took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I can't take my words back, of what I said about Anna but so, you know, I don't want to be a bitch and I request, please, sleep in the guest room."

With that, I marched towards my bedroom, briefly registering the shock and... I don't know what on his facial expressions.

"I am fucking steel." I muttered as I refused to let the tears to fall... for him.

With his thoughts, the danger regarding the company, meeting their sister, afterwards, my brother and with all the tension, I fell asleep.