Ruth's POV
My first impression of Callahan Cross was that he was an arrogant jerk who didn't mind doing anything to get his way. And to his credit, he had done everything he could to cement that observation.
By the end of our first conversation, I was convinced that he was the kind of person that would get categorised as a villian in movies because he did not care about anyone else's feelings. And he definitely didn't care who he hurt in the process of getting what he wanted.
The only exception to this behavior might be his son. But that bit of affection also seemed so conditional - so toxic - that it made doubt its existence.
While on the other hand, Caleb was the damaged prince. He was the damaged, misunderstood son of an overambitious father who coped with whatever life - or his father - threw at him.
But as we got off the dance floor, and inevitably made our way to the man who I had signed off as the ultimate bad guy in our story, I was shocked to see a tender - almost, aching - expression cross his old, withered face that looked almost mirror image of his son's.
It was fleeting, lingering only for a few seconds as Caleb and I walked up to him. But for those few moments, he wore no masks, physical or otherwise. And that was enough to make me question my assessment of him.
Was he not the ruthless man I thought him to be? And if he wasn't then why did he insisted on making everyone believe that he was? It seemed that the confusing layers ran in the genetics of Cross family.
Because in the same moment when I saw a glimpse of tenderness in Callahan Cross, his son - my loving, sweet Caleb - lost all of his and transformed into a spitting replica of his father.
"You have some nerve to put yourself in front of me after the shit you pulled today." Caleb hissed with enough venom to make me flinch even though it wasn't directed at me.
While I could understand his anger, the loathing behind his words took me by surprise. And I wasn't the only one who heard it. Callahan Cross looked like Caleb had just stabbed him in the heart.
He wobbled a little on his walking stick, but Caleb hardly noticed as he walked close enough with me on his arm and loomed over his father like a menacing thunder cloud.
For a moment, it looked like Callahan would buckle down, but then he straightened and all signs of vulnerability and hurt vanished from his face.
He looked up at his son defiantly and replied, "I did what I had to do. There are certain things from your past that you don't need to remember, and there are certain things that you really do. Especially about your precious uncle Martin and—"
"Mind your words, father. Before I forget where we are."
Caleb's growl of rage not only made his father cut off mid-sentence but also attracted attention to the people who stood nearby.
What were they talking about? Was Caleb really this angry over his father's trick to make me come here with Ana and Tristan? Even though it felt wretched to be played and deceived like that, Caleb's reaction seemed a bit over-the-top.
Unless something else had happened. Something that apparently included Leo's father. Callahan opened his mouth to say something, but thankfully didn't get the chance.
"Ah, there he is! Told ya he'd be next to the girl dresses-to-kill."
We all looked up to see Leo walk up to our little group with Jay Patel and two other members of Board of Directors.
He winked at me playfully as he made the last comment, but his eyes remained serious, letting me know that it was no coincidence that he had chosen that moment to interrupt.
Maybe Leo really had some internal radar to pop up when things were about to blow up.
"And you've obviously met my uncle, Mr. Callahan Cross. He is another valuable addition to the Board of Directors."
Callahan Cross reluctantly turned to the small group that had joined us, and pasted a convincing smile as he shook hands with everyone.
"Pleasure to meet y'all." He said courteously, no longer looking like a fragile old man.
He stood tall and proud like the man who knew his place in the world. The transition with which all these Cross men changed their demeanor made my head spin.
"Pleasure is all ours, Mr. Cross. I've heard so much about you. Can't wait to work alongside the likes of you and your son here."
Jay Patel threw a genuinely fond smile at Caleb and then his dark eyes settled onto me.
"Ah, Ms. Brooke, you look absolutely lovely tonight. Congratulations on your promotion, by the way. Even though I suppose it won't be particularly fun to come to work a day after Christmas."
"Thank you." I nodded, at loss of words. I had completely forgotten about the promotion. And my resignation and the decision I still needed to make. Wait, come to work a day after Christmas? What was he talking about?
But I didn't have time to ponder over his comment when Caleb threw a confused look at me. That's right, he didn't know about the promotion that Tristan had given me.
"Indeed. I was just talking about it with Jay and I think you should too, before the big day. Afterall, nobody wants to discuss work on Christmas."
Leo looked at him meaningfully but Caleb ignored him and everyone else completely and kept his gaze fixed on me, waiting for an explanation.
"I was promoted me to office manager a few hours before I had to hand. in my resignation. Tristan had told me to keep it quiet until the time was right." I answered quietly to his prompting look, keeping my eyes on the crowd around us as the other two Board members exchanged pleasantries with Callahan Cross.
"And you kept it quiet. Even from me. Or especially from me." He murmured back, with an expressionless face.
I frowned up at him, not understanding what the big deal was. It wasn't like I had done it on purpose. Or that he has never kept things from me.
"It wasn't like I did it on purpose, Caleb. Besides, you of all people don't get to accuse people of keeping secrets."
I gave him a pointed look, but he continued to look at me like a kicked puppy.
"So it's a sword in the back for dagger then," he replied then turned back to the crowd around us as if we were done talking even though I had no idea why he had that betrayed look on his face.
I stared at him, wanting to know why he was accusing me of stabbing him in the back. It was just a small promotion. It wasn't like Tristan had transferred the ownership of the company to me.
"Caleb, it's just a small promotion. Besides, I've already handed my resignation in and -"
"The same one that stands invalid because you 'wrote the wrong designation' in it?"
"How did you even know about that?"
I was baffled, because I was sure that I hadn't mentioned it to him yet. But then how did he know exactly why my resignation was invalid?
"I'm a Cross too, Ruth. It's my job to know what goes on in my organization." He snorted his reply in a very un-Caleb like manner.
What the hell was happening? Five minutes ago we were lost in each other's arms dancing the night away. Five minutes ago, I feared that my heart would explode with the amount of love I felt for this man.
And now, the only thing I felt was about to explode was the vein in my temple. Either that, or Caleb's nose after I have punched it.
"Not everything had to be about you, Caleb," I hissed, keeping my eyes on the men in front of us. While we still stood as a part of their group, the gap between us was significant. Enough for us to get away with this argument atleast.
"Instead of believing that there had to be an ulterior motive behind this promotion, why can't you believe that I was being rewarded for working my ass off throughout the years?"
Even under all the irritation and anger, I couldn't help but acknowledge a little hurt that burnt deep in my chest. Was it that difficult to believe even for one moment that I might have actually earned this promotion?
"Simple. Because it isn't. Tristan is trying to play you against me, and you are only too willing to let him as long as you're 'getting rewarded' for it."
"Excuse me?"
"What? You willingly hid it from me, didn't you?"
I wanted to tell him exactly where to shove his accusations and his asshole behavior. I also wanted to explain to him that so much had happened since that conversation that it felt like a lifetime ago.
I had genuinely forgotten about it and the decision I still had to make about my resignation until Jay Patel had mentioned it a few minutes ago.
"Why do you keep testing me, Caleb? Why can't I ever win your trust?"
I didn't care anymore if my voice was low. People could hear and interpret all they wanted. It was just so exhausting to have to prove myself to him and everyone else again and again.
"Because it is impossible for me to find someone who wouldn't disappoint me in some way or other."
Ouch. It felt like Caleb was intent on hitting me where it would hurt the most. All my life, I had dealt with people calling me a disappointment. My own family gave me a constant dose of reminder for it. And to hear Caleb say that was too painful to describe.
I let go of his arm, ready to walk out of this place, this feeling and his life when he murmured something else.
"I mean why wouldn't you betray me when my own father, my own sister would?"
The words were a soft murmur that seemed like they wasn't meant to be heard at all. But I heard the alright. That and the way he was looking at me made me re-consider my decision to leave for a moment.
Because he looked like his worst fears were realised. Like he was surprised, but still somehow been expecting it.
That betrayed look on his face cooled me off even further. It occured to me suddenly that something like this must have happened before. That he had been cheated on and betrayed before and while he wasn't expecting it right then, it didn't come as a surprise.
And it was this realisation that made me place my hand back onto his arm as I leaned in to talk to him even more softly than before.
"Caleb, I—" I started, wanting to let him know that he hadn't made a mistake by trusting me. Even with his words stabbing my heart like tiny thorns, I knew I had to assure him that he didn't need to worry if I'll ever betray him. That he was more important to me than anything else.
But before I could convince my Caleb to come back to me again, Leo interrupted me with a cheery smile.
"Ms. Brooke, can you forgive me if I steal your date for a few minutes? I promise to bring him back in one piece and soon."
"Uh—"
"How kind of you!" He clapped his hands together as if that settled everything and then looked at Jay Patel and Caleb.
"I was thinking it'll be best if we can discuss a few things about the meeting now. I know uncle Cal would agree with me too, after all he has been doing that for the whole weekend himself."
Leo looked pointedly at his uncle first and then Caleb, but kept a happy smile on his face.
"Leo—" Caleb started, reluctance visible all over his face even with his mask on but Leo straightened and turned away like he hadn't even heard him speak.
"Perfect! Now, some of the directors aren't here yet but I think Kaitlyn and Laila are at the buffet table, and it'll be rude to interrupt their dinner, so why don't we join them? Brilliant."
Then without waiting for a reply from anyone again, he turned and ushered the small party he had arrived with including Caleb away from us barely giving anybody else the time to say goodbye.
I swear I would never understand the contradictions of these Cross men. And speaking of those—
I looked up at the only man left beside me and saw his narrowed gaze following Caleb across the room. He had that aching expression on his face again as he watched his only son's back disappear in the crowd, but it disappeared when he felt my gaze on him.
His piercing dark eyes swung back down to settle over me, cold and harsh, leaving only one thought floating through my mind.
Oh boy.