Chapter 19

I sent the notification to the company that I was moving before the end of the day, broke my lease and was sitting in a park with my two suitcases and not a clue where I was going to go next in a few hours.
No sooner had I started to understand that I was fucked did my phone start ringing. I thought it might be Sebastian, so I didn't answer. But it kept ringing. Dazed, I fumbled it out of my bag, squinting at the bright screen. It was Quinton's number. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic tattoo of fear and something akin to betrayal. After the events of yesterday, the thought of speaking to him sent a wave of nausea crashing over me.
It's not like I had anywhere to put the clothes I'd left at his place anyway.
With trembling fingers, I silenced the call, letting it roll over into voicemail. I couldn't face him yet, not after the abduction attempt and the chilling realization about the company. But the unanswered call gnawed at me, a constant reminder of the precarious situation I was in.
I still had no answer about what I could or should do next.
Just as I tossed the phone back into my bag, it blared to life again. This time, it was an unknown number. Hesitantly, I swiped to answer.
"Yvonne?" came a vaguely familiar voice, laced with a hint of exasperation.
"Who is this?"
"Caleb."
"Caleb?" I echoed, surprised. We hadn't spoken at all. How was he calling me? Why was he calling me?
"Yvonne, right?" His voice more urgent this time. "It's Quinton. He's been trying to reach you."
My stomach clenched. "And?"
"So why haven't you answered."
"What does he want?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"He says it's important," Caleb replied.
"I doubt it."
He scoffed. "You moved right?"
I set my jaw.
"I'm coming to get you."
"No you're not."
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Look up."
I did and froze, seeing him leaning against a car across the clearing, parked as if he had been watching me for a long time. Had he followed me from my apartment building? How?
"You could ditch your bags, but all I'm going to do is grab them, put them in my car and follow you until you get tired."
I swallowed.
"Then, I'm going to put you in the car and take you to Quinton anyway."
"I'm not talking to Quinton... And I'll call the police."
He laughed at that. "Cute. You've got two options since we both know you can't afford anywhere else in this city. Quinton's or my place. What's it going to be?"
That wasn't what I expected, and before I could think of anything but the sight of him in the shower, I answered.
"Yours."
He bobbed his head. "Then drag your shit over here and let's go."
Silence stretched between us, thick with tension. I stood slowly.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to have to hear Quinton whining."
That was oddly comforting. I hung up and dragged my suitcases across the field to them. He popped the trunk and watched me as I put them in the trunk. Then, he watched me get into the car.
He got behind the wheel of that car and called Quinton. I flinched at his voice.
"Did you find her."
"Yes, and now you have to stop calling me."
"Well, tell her to answer the phone."
"I think I've done you enough favors for a lifetime, jackass. Thanks."
He hung up and I relaxed int my seat. I stared out the window at the empty street as he drove away from the park.
Then, I realized that he was driving back to Quinton's building.
"What are you--"
He drove into the garage rather than pulling up in front. I frowned, wanting to jump out at the first chance. He pulled into a spot and got out. He didn't help me get my bags out. He just popped the trunk.
"Move it."
I flinched at his tone, but did as he said. I grabbed my bags and followed him down the hallway. It wasn't the same floor as Quinton's place, but it was the same building and that meant that Quinton could come and find me at any time. As we walked down the hallway, the elevator opened, revealing Sebastian.
I almost ran right there, but Caleb grabbed me, holding me in place.
"What the hell?" Sebastian asked. "Yvonne, what are you doing here?"
"She's moving," Caleb said gruffly. "She's just crashing here for a little while."
He cocked an eyebrow at me. "That's the first I'm hearing about it. I'm surprised you didn't come to me first."
I set my jaw.
"You can stay with me." He reached out to take my bag, I pulled the suitcase closer to me.
The idea of staying with Sebastian made me sick.
"Actually," I interjected, "Caleb's place is perfect. It's convenient for work."
The elevator doors pinged again and closed behind Sebastian. he stared at me. Caleb turned. I followed without hesitation. Sebastian trailed behind.
"Well," Sebastian said. "If you change your mind, my door's always open. And hey, at least we can commute together. I have a place on the tenth floor too, just down the hall."
That made me shudder, but I was grateful when he walked past where Caleb stopped. He opened the door to a minimalist haven. White walls, sleek furniture, and an utter lack of clutter dominated the space. It felt more like a hotel room than a lived-in space.
Stepping inside, a strange sense of disappointment washed over me. Where were the books, the movie collection, the personal touches that gave a glimpse into someone's personality? This apartment revealed nothing about Caleb, about who he was beyond the fact that he had the money to live here.
"Make yourself at home," Caleb said, gesturing toward a plush armchair. "The bathroom's down the hall. I can make some coffee if you want."
I sank into the chair, the unfamiliar surroundings pressing in on me. Staying with Caleb was a gamble, but facing Quinton alone or staying with Sebastian wasn't an option. This sterile apartment, devoid of personality, felt oddly safe.