Chapter 595: Four Years Ago, First Encounter
“Daddy—”
“Caleb!”
Panic was in the air.
“Run!”
“You're all going down with me!” Grace yelled, holding onto Susan like her life depended on it.
“Run!” Susan screamed back.
But Caleb yanked Grace away, and she latched onto him like a lifeline.
The fire was getting bigger.
“Susan, grab Candy and get outta here.”
“No, Caleb, I can't leave you…”
“Run! Susan, take Candy and go!”
“Daddy…” Candy wailed.
Grace kicked Caleb hard in his hurt leg, making it bleed even more. They both fell into the flames.
Even in the middle of the fire, Caleb shouted, “Take Candy and go!”
“Caleb…” Susan cried, tears streaming down her face, but she pulled herself together and ran out with Candy.
The fire raged on, turning the whole warehouse into a blazing hell.
Luminara University.
Music Hall.
The concert was about to start in ten minutes, and everyone was filing in—professors, students, guests.
Two good-looking guys walked in, and all the women couldn't help but stare.
The girls started whispering.
“Check out those two, they're so hot.”
“Yeah, especially the tall one, he’s gotta be over 6'3". You can't miss him.”
“Judging by their clothes, they must be loaded. Should we try to get their numbers later?”
“Forget it, those rich guys are just eye candy. No way I'd have the guts to talk to them.”
“We're top students at Luminara University, we're not too shabby ourselves.”
“Weren't we supposed to do something fun? Why are we here?” Caleb asked.
“My girlfriend goes here, and she's performing today. I'm here to support her,” his buddy replied.
Caleb rolled his eyes. “What's so great about a concert? Total waste of time.”
“The concert might suck, but my girlfriend doesn't. This is true love, man,” his buddy said, all excited.
“If you wanna prove it, then marry her.”
“Haha, good one. My dad's already picked out my future wife. These girls are just for fun. Don't you have a fiancée, Grace, and still party around?” his buddy teased. “The girls here are super cute. If you like one, I'll help you get her.”
Caleb smirked, “Do I need your help to get a girl?”
“True, Mr. Eilish is a total heartbreaker. One look from you and they're all yours.”
“Glad you know.”
“It’s about to start, let’s go. Just keep me company, alright?” His buddy dragged him to the front row.
A boring concert was just a waste of time. Caleb crossed his legs and messed around on his phone.
One piece after another played, just background noise to Caleb, who couldn’t care less.
“Look, look, that’s my girlfriend,” His buddy said, all hyped up.
Caleb glanced up. A girl with big eyes playing the violin, not bad looking. But they were never short of pretty girls, so Caleb wasn’t impressed.
“How is she? Pretty, right?” His buddy asked.
“Just okay.” Caleb replied.
“She’s definitely the prettiest. None of the other performers come close to my girl. She’s the most beautiful one here tonight,” his buddy said, beaming with pride.
Caleb smirked and kept fiddling with his phone.
After shooting off a few work emails, he opened WhatsApp. A bunch of women had messaged him, wanting to hang out tonight. Celebrities, socialites, you name it.
The goddesses other guys drooled over were just meh to him, all trying to win his favor.
Yawn.
He was pretty much over women, only a tiny bit of interest left.
“Next up, we have Susan, a second-year grad student from the Architecture Department, performing Beethoven's 'Serenade.'”
“Whoa, it's Susan.”
“I heard she's the hottest girl in the Design School and was voted the most beautiful girl in our school last year.”
“So gorgeous, like an angel.”
Caleb was still looking down, but a flash of white caught his eye, making him look up without thinking.
A woman in a long white dress sat at the piano. Her long hair flowed over her shoulders, her skin smooth and delicate, her face calm. She wasn’t all dolled up, but that simplicity made her look pure, like a moon goddess.
She was so pure, untouched by the world. Maybe not the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, but definitely the purest.
Caleb was floored, feeling like something had hit him right in the heart.
A feeling he’d never had before washed over him like a tidal wave.
At that moment, he had no clue that this woman who made him feel something would become the love of his life.
Some looks are forever.
“This chick is pretty hot, the first one prettier than my girlfriend. Should I go for her?” His buddy joked.
Caleb stared at the moon goddess without blinking. Her fingers danced on the piano, each beautiful note hitting him right in the feels.
Susan.
“She’s mine.” Caleb said.
The piece ended, and the crowd went wild with applause.
Caleb got up and headed backstage.
“Susan, your piano playing is getting better and better, making our school proud.”
“And you’re getting more beautiful.”
A few professors praised her, and some guys handed her flowers.
Caleb walked up and stopped in front of her. She looked up, surprised, her face blushing, her eyes like a deer’s, pure and innocent.
“Hey, I’m Caleb,” he said, extending his hand.
She blushed a bit more, bit her lip, and extended her hand, “I’m Susan.”
Their hands touched lightly, and it felt like an electric shock, sparking an incredible connection.
That was their first meeting.
Destined for each other.
“Caleb, wake up, please wake up…”
“Uncle Caleb, please wake up? If you wake up, I’ll call you Daddy.”
“Daddy… Daddy, wake up… I won’t be mad at you anymore. Candy will be very good. Daddy… Candy will listen to everything you say. Daddy, I love you.”
Caleb felt like he was in a long dream, so long it felt like forever.
He heard their cries, their pleas, and their waiting for him to wake up.
He tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt like they weighed a ton, making him want to keep sleeping.
Dazed and groggy, his mind felt numb, wanting to sleep forever.
“Caleb…”
“Daddy…”
“Uncle Caleb…”
“Wake up…”
Their anxious calls reached him. No, he couldn’t sleep; he had to wake up, couldn’t let them worry.
Caleb gathered all his strength and opened his eyes.
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