Chapter 522 Intensified Conflict
"Guys are all idiots, always jealous," Susan thought, rolling her eyes about Caleb. But out loud, she just said, "It's cool, I'm used to it. Flying solo ain't so bad. People are naturally independent; I don't dig relying on others."
"You just haven't met the right dude yet. A solid relationship should be like, boosting each other up and making life better. Sure, you can be independent, but when you're wiped out, wouldn't you want a shoulder to crash on?" Michael almost blurted out, "I hope I can be that shoulder," but Susan's head was all wrapped up in thoughts of Caleb.
Even though she was ticked off, she suddenly missed him. The pasta in front of her tasted like cardboard.
"Did I say something wrong?" Michael asked, looking worried as he noticed her mood shift.
"Nah. Let's just eat the pasta," Susan replied.
"Alright."
Susan polished off her bowl of pasta.
"How about we take a stroll around campus? Help with digestion," Michael suggested.
"Can we even get in now?" Susan asked.
"Yeah, we can. You down?" Michael asked.
Susan checked her watch; it was already 9:30 PM. "It's kinda late tonight, maybe next time."
"Just a quick fifteen-minute walk." The pasta joint was packed earlier; Michael wanted to find a quiet spot on campus to spill his feelings.
"Forget it, I'm beat today. Got work tomorrow," Susan declined.
Seeing she really wasn't up for it, Michael had to back off. They'd just met, and he didn't want to push it. He needed more time with her to avoid coming on too strong.
"Alright, I'll drive you home then."
In the car, Susan started feeling sleepy and a bit dizzy.
Michael gently nudged her awake.
"Huh? We're home already?" Susan rubbed her eyes.
"Looks like you're really tired today," Michael said.
"Yeah."
"Are you free tomorrow? I could take you to that other spot you liked back in high school," Michael asked.
"Even though we're tight, you have a family. It's not cool to hang out too much," Susan politely declined. She always knew how to keep her distance from married guys.
"It's fine, I..."
"Let's talk about it later. Drive safe. Night." Susan unbuckled her seatbelt and hopped out of the car.
Michael watched her walk away, not wanting to let go. He was already head over heels for her.
As soon as Susan stepped into the courtyard, she froze.
There was a Jaguar with the license plate 9999.
'Caleb? What's he doing here?' she wondered.
Susan quickly walked into the living room, where Caleb was playing Lego with Oliver.
Caleb looked up at her, his gaze intense, making her heart race like ants crawling all over her, causing a weird tingling sensation.
This feeling made her feel like she'd done something wrong.
Susan tried to stay cool and put down her bag. "Why are you here?"
"Missed my son, came to hang out with him," Caleb said flatly.
He acted like nothing was up, but his voice was colder than usual.
"It's already ten, Oliver should be in bed," Susan reminded him.
"It's still early."
"Caleb," Susan gritted her teeth and lowered her voice, "You know my family's rules are strict, this isn't cool."
"So it's cool for your buddy to stay late?" Caleb shot back.
Susan snapped, "When did he stay late? Don't make stuff up."
"Didn't he? At least later than now. Double standards? Am I, as the kid's dad, less important than a friend?" Caleb retorted.
"Come with me," Susan said, not wanting to hash things out in front of Oliver.
She moved to the side, but Caleb kept playing Lego with Oliver, clearly doing it on purpose.
"Tired of playing? Have some fruit," May said, bringing over a plate of sliced white peaches. "Mr. Eilish, you mentioned you liked white peaches before, so I had a friend get some."
May never missed a chance to suck up, especially when Caleb and Susan were at odds.
"Thanks." Caleb took a piece and fed it to Oliver. "Good, right?"
Oliver nodded. "Yeah, it's good, really sweet, but the ones Mommy got before were sweeter."
May silently cursed Oliver. She didn't buy it for him, but he still complained.
"It's late, you should go," Susan said, coming back.
"It's not late. Mr. Eilish doesn't come by often, of course, he wants to spend more time with Oliver. He hasn't seen him in days," May said sweetly. "Mom and Dad are already asleep, it's fine. Didn't you and Michael chat until after eleven before?"
Caleb shot Susan a meaningful look.
Susan frowned, not wanting to argue in front of Oliver.
"I'll walk you out," Susan said.
"I haven't spent enough time with Oliver." Caleb and Oliver were sitting on the carpet. He propped himself up with one long arm, the other hand gently stroking Oliver's head, showing no intention of leaving.
"Are you planning to stay overnight?" Susan asked.
"Staying overnight sounds good. It's so late, driving isn't safe," May said with a smile.
"May," Susan couldn't believe her. "You know Mom and Dad don't like outsiders staying overnight."
Susan said it in a moment of urgency, but the word "outsider" hit a nerve with Caleb.
'So, in her eyes, I'm always an outsider. This is the place she gives me; she never thinks about accepting me,' Caleb thought bitterly.
"Susan, how could you say that? Mr. Eilish is not an outsider. You're being too insensitive," May scolded.
Susan regretted using that word, but it was too late. "I meant it's inconvenient."
Caleb looked up, his gaze icy, a smirk forming on his lips. "You're in such a rush to get rid of me?"
"Let's talk about it tomorrow," Susan said.
"You said it was inconvenient at the office, and now it's inconvenient at home. Is it the time and place that's inconvenient, or is it me?" Caleb asked coldly.
"Caleb..." Susan gave him a look, signaling that Oliver was present. Couldn't he consider Oliver's presence when speaking?
"If it's so inconvenient, then I won't bother. Oliver, let's go home," Caleb replied.
"Caleb..." Oliver looked at Susan, then at Caleb, feeling torn and unsure.
"You can't take Oliver," Susan commanded.
"He's my son too. Don't I have the right to see him?" Caleb asked.
"But I promised my parents that Oliver would stay here with them," Susan retorted.
"Not only your parents want to see Oliver, but my parents also want to see him too," Caleb said. He was facing pressure from his family alone, hoping Susan would be happy, but she never considered him.
She didn't take him seriously; he had no place in her heart.
Usually, Caleb didn't mind, but when conflicts arose, past issues resurfaced. He also hoped Susan would care more about him, not just him making efforts and sacrifices.
He was a living person, and if his emotional needs weren't met, he would feel unbalanced, especially during conflicts, making it even stronger.
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