Dinner had proceeded smoothly, with Asher's efficient service making sure we were well-fed. After Callum briefly inquired about how I met Asher and I provided a concise answer, he dropped the conversation. We had just finished our main course, and Asher had cleared our plates when the atmosphere took a serious turn.
"Why are you so scared of your past being revealed, Gianna?" Callum leaned forward on his forearms, studying my reaction closely.
My body stiffened, and I immediately sat up straight, clearing my throat and avoiding eye contact. "I'd rather not talk about it," I replied, trying to deflect the conversation.
"Are you in danger, Gianna? Is someone after you?" Callum's tone was deadly serious, and his jaw clenched as he continued. "Because you can tell me. I can protect you from whatever you think might harm you."
His response shocked me, and I shifted my gaze to meet his. Anxiety surged through me, and my nerves were on edge.
"I'm not in danger. It's just something I'd rather not discuss. And I don't need you to protect me," I asserted, averting my eyes to my lap, pretending to find my crossed fingers interesting.
"I'm sorry, Gianna, about your mother," he said, and my world came crashing down.
My heart sank, and I sucked in a sharp breath, not expecting those words to leave his mouth. I looked at him in utter shock. "What did you just say?" I whispered.
His gaze softened, and he leaned forward as if trying to get closer. "You know I knew parts of your past, especially number 6. I did my research, delving deeper into understanding who you are," he admitted cautiously.
"You had no right to delve that deep," I bit out. I knew he had uncovered the part of my life that kept me off the radar for years. The part where I escaped the system and was taken in by a family illegally when I was underage. The part of my life I never wanted to disclose, fearing that I might get them arrested and myself too.
"I'm sorry," was all he said before Asher returned.
"Any dessert?" Asher inquired.
I was too preoccupied with my racing thoughts to hear what Callum ordered. I was distracted, my mind pulling me into painful memories I wished I could erase.
"I have to use the restroom," I said quickly, rising from my seat and hurrying toward the back of the restaurant, where I knew I'd find the bathroom. My throat burned, and my eyes welled up with unshed tears, tears that were about to spill over. I hadn't thought about my mother in a very long time. For good reason. It triggered anxiety and emotions I couldn't handle.
Bursting into the ladies' restroom, I locked the door as quickly as possible, sat down on the toilet lid, and let myself crumble. Tears flowed freely, and I choked on sobs. My heart ached for my mother and the past. It hurt for the years I had grown up without her, learning to navigate life on my own.
I was falling apart in every sense of the word. Callum Black had entered my life, and within a matter of weeks, he had unearthed deep memories within my carefully guarded heart. He seemed to make my composure slip, my walls crumble, and my sanity waver. I furiously wiped away tears, using toilet paper to dry my eyes and attempting to regain control over my emotions.
I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart and push the memory of my mother to the back of my mind.