Today was just like any other day. It started like usual: Caleb woke up to the sound of his alarm. He showered and shaved while the coffee brewed in the kitchen.
It was as normal as it could get. But there was something nagging at the back of his mind: the breakup. He left Isabelle. For good.
He stood in front of his bathroom mirror, running a hand through his damp hair. His eyes narrowed at the man before him with red eyes; it was clear he didn't have restful sleep. Who would?
Somehow, her words got to him. It stabbed at his conscience and heart. After all, they were together for a year. Isabelle was his longest relationship. He'd had girlfriends, but they didn't last as long as her.
He tried to break it off as cleanly as possible, but when it came to her, simple was not an option. It surely wouldn't go smoothly, but he didn't expect her to react that way. Somehow, Caleb thought she wouldn't take it that hard.
Caleb sighed as he chose his clothes for the day, pulling on a simple white shirt and a black suit. The breakup was for the best. He couldn't let her manipulate him again and again. It was crazy how he got carried away with their push and pull relationship.
He went to grab his coffee, and his phone buzzed on the counter. It was Bailey, her name on the screen. He smiled; at least Bailey was here. He always felt that everything would be okay if she was around.
"Morning, Bailey," he answered, leaning against the counter.
"Good morning, Mr. Reid." Bailey's voice came through the speakers, calm and professional as usual. "I'm checking in. Did you see the files for the investor conference later? You also got that budgeting meeting at ten and then the foreign investor video call at two. Should I reschedule lunch with the marketing team? This way, you won't have to rush through traffic."
Caleb frowned and rubbed his temples. The day was just starting, but it was already so busy. He couldn't take a breather at all. "Yeah, push it tomorrow. I've got too much on my plate today. Prioritize the conference calls with the investors. I don't want any problems, Bailey."
"Understood, Mr. Reid. I will personally oversee the arrangements," Bailey replied. He could hear the sound of typing, and he glanced at his watch.
She continued, "Do you need anything else, Mr. Reid?"
Caleb took a sip of his coffee, cleared his throat, and said, "No, that's all. Thanks, Bailey."
She paused, her voice softening slightly as she inquired, "You okay? You sound... off."
Caleb smiled as if some of his frustrations were lifted away. "I'm fine. Just a rough night."
Bailey stared at her phone, her face full of worry. When he left yesterday, he was in a hurry. She couldn't reach him. Did something happen? She was so attuned with him that she would know if he was upset.
Her heart clenched. Was it Isabelle again? She wanted to ask so badly, but she held back.
Instead, she offered again, "Just let me know if you need anything."
"Sure, I will," he replied as he ended the call and placed his phone down on the counter. He truly appreciated her, but some things were better left unsaid.
---
Everything was going to plan. Business was on the right track. In fact, it went over and beyond their initial estimates. But Caleb wasn't happy.
He glanced at his phone one more time, only to see Isabelle's chats. She had been messaging him non-stop for hours on end. It was irritating, but at the same time, he felt guilty that he couldn't bring himself to block her. There was a small part of him wondering if he could have handled the breakup differently.
Maybe with a lot more subtlety and softness. Perhaps he was too harsh to her. He sighed for the umpteenth time as he deleted the chat without reading it.
What choice did he have? He broke up with her because she had been pulling him in a thousand different directions. She kept him on edge. It was good at first, but it became tiring real fast.
The sound of the intercom interrupted his thoughts. Bailey's voice came through the speaker: "Mr. Reid, the meeting room is ready."
"Okay," he replied, pressing the button. "I'm coming."
___
It was past 10 p.m. when he finished reviewing the financial report for the first quarter. Caleb stretched, feeling a strain on his shoulders.
"Mr. Reid," Bailey called out, knocking on the door. "It's late. You still have an early meeting tomorrow."
"I'm done here." Caleb nodded and stood up, picking up his phone and jacket. "Are you going home now?"
"I'm still waiting for a last-minute email. I'll leave after." Bailey stepped back as Caleb passed by her. Their eyes locked for a second, and she looked away immediately.
Her heart pounded as she thought that they were alone here. The employees left home hours ago. This wasn't her first time staying with just them; in fact, she lost count of how many times it had occurred in the past month. But it never failed to make her nervous.
"Okay, take care. Message me when you get home," Caleb stated nonchalantly as he walked away.
Bailey, mouth slightly ajar, stared at his back. What did he say? She repeated the sentence in her head. This was the first time he said this to her. He even told her to message him.
Her cheeks heated up. She pinched herself, murmuring, "Stop being delusional. There was no meaning to it."
She went back to work, trying to dismiss his words, but she couldn't stop her emotions from going wild. Unaware, a small smile lingered on Bailey's lips.
It wasn't so bad, after all. The words 'take care' and'message me when you get home' made her night light up.
____
The rain beat hard on Caleb's car on his drive home.
"What's wrong with the weather today? It's unpredictable," he murmured as he squinted his eyes. The water made it hard for him to see the road. There was no rain forecast, but here it was, beating his car like he wronged it. His hand gripped the steering wheel a little tighter; the road was slippery.
He swerved, stopped at the side, and grabbed his phone. He should tell Bailey not to drive and to use his private bedroom in the office. Aside from being slippery, the road was also deserted. If an accident occurs, it would be bad.
He dialed her number, but she didn't pick up. "What now?" He questioned, frowning. He was not used to her not answering. Even if she was driving, she would prioritize him.
Caleb put down his phone and drove back onto the road. He checked his rearview mirror when he noticed a glaring headlight behind him. The car was a little too close for comfort.
Caleb frowned, shifting slightly in his seat. He was in no mood for dealing with an aggressive driver, so he kept his eye on the road, hoping the other car would back off, but it didn't. It was getting closer, revving its engine.
"What's this guy doing?" Caleb muttered to himself, glancing at the mirror again.
The vehicle swerved as if the driver was drunk or something. His pulse quickened, a faint sense of dread creeping up his spine.
"Damn it!" He cursed as he held onto the steering wheel when it swerved dangerously close and he had to avoid it.
Unsuccessful in its attempt to hit him, it sped up, tailgating him. Caleb's heart pounded on his chest. He switched lanes, hoping the car would pass, but it followed. It swerved wildly as if it had lost control.
"What the hell—"
He couldn't even finish his sentence as the vehicle surged forward, ramming into the back of his car with a sickening crunch. The impact jolted him, and his head whipped violently against the headrest.
Despite the impact and the pain, he tried to regain control. With shaky hands, he fought to steady the wheel. But the other car was relentless; it slammed into him again, harder this time. It forced him off the road and onto the shoulder.
Caleb's tires screeched against the asphalt, the world spinning into chaos. His vehicle careened toward the guardrail as the sound of squealing brakes and shattering glass filled his ears.
Everything happened in an instant.
The front of his car collided with a tree, the impact sending a shockwave throughout his body. The airbag slammed into his chest with brutal force, knocking the wind out of him. Everything around him tilted and slowed, followed by a buzzing in his ears.
Caleb's head spun as pain radiated in every part of his body, especially in his chest and arms. Dazed, he tried to make sense of what had just happened.
He searched for the other car, but there was nothing.
He fumbled for the seatbelt with trembling fingers. It gave way, and he crawled out with great difficulty. Pain shot through his side, and he winced, gasping for air. The darkness started to creep in, but fear won. He had to get away from a car leaking gas.
Then he saw his phone. It was thrown out and within reach. There was no one else here, so he was the only one who could save himself before the darkness took him under. With sheer willpower, he reached for it, but the sound of an engine and glaring headlights disoriented him.
The last thing he saw was a dump truck speeding directly at him. In his ears, it sounded like a gunshot aimed at him. It was sharp, piercing his ears. The jarring sound of metal against metal followed.
The world dimmed around him, and it was finally silent.