Chapter 50
Caleb was in his office, thumbing through papers, when he bore down on a document with his pen, gouging a long scratch. across it as a memory hit him hard. He thought about the heated argument from yesterday, and after storming out, he’d hit up Jasmine for Evelyn’s current address.
Trying to contain his rage, he found himself parked in his car outside her apartment, chain-smoking in frustration. He stared at her unlit windows, alternating between fits of irritation and moments of anxious anticipation, hoping she’d show
The night wore on, the moon climbed high, and still no sign of Evelyn. Annoyance flaring, he got out of the car and marched up to her door to knock. Despite his persistence, there was no answer-it seemed she wasn’t there after all.
Caleb’s thoughts flashed to the photo he saw of Aron and Evelyn looking cozy together, and his mood instantly soured. He yanked out his phone and dialed Colin. The moment Colin’s words hit his ear-that Evelyn had been at Aron’s place late into the night-Caleb nearly chucked his phone against the wall. His image of Evelyn, the ideal woman, was crumbling: who could say what goes down when a man and woman spend the night together! Disgusted, he tossed his pen aside with a flick
of his wrist.
“Caleb Mercer, what’s got you all riled up?” came a voice, breaking the silence.
Caleb looked up, schooling his face into a neutral expression. “David Thomas, seems like you’ve got time on your hands.”
David patted his round stomach, his smile not quite reaching his eyes, his gold teeth glinting. “Yup, Mr. Mercer, got time to burn, and you know, idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Heard your wife’s back in town?”
Inside. Caleb was seething, but he kept his cool, replying with a tight smile. Tm a bachelor, Mr. Thomas. Might wanna get that memory checked. Colin could help you.”
David’s smile didn’t waver. “Oh, we wouldn’t wanna trouble Colin. You crack me up, Mr. Mercer. He peered at Caleb, who was back to his papers, a sly look in his eyes. “I caught wind of something juicy, Wanna know?”
Caleb frowned and didn’t reply.
David obviously didn’t care about his response either.
David leaned in with a sly grin. “I’ve heard tales, Mrs. Mercer-oh, my mistake, Ms. Brin,” he chuckled, clearly amused by his deliberate error. Caleb’s brow furrowed at the jab, and David’s smirk grew wider, ready to dive into the heart of the gossip. “Before Ms. Brin flew back stateside, word is she was pretty tight with a guy named Aron. And this Aron, he’s also a Clovia native. Quite the small world, don’t you think, Mr. Mercer?”
Caleb slightly narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “What do you want to say, Mr. Thomas?”
David’s facial features squeeze Dave’s smile squished his features together, giving him a shady look. “Well, I heard Evelyn’s Jewelry got snapped up by Aron. Quite the power move. Makes me wonder if you’re in the loop? Checked up on this hometown boy?”
While Caleb’s fingers reflexively spun his pen, he reflected on the background check he’d done on Aron All he got was a link to the underworld in Irinland, and that Aron’s mom had married some average Joe from Glovia
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