CHAPTER 6

Caleb's POV

“Leave now, Amber. Or I will bend you over that kitchen counter and fuck that pretty pussy of yours until you forget about your boyfriend.”

Those were the last words I said to her before she bolted out of my house yesterday. If she had stayed, I would have kept to my words and I wouldn’t fucking regret it.

What a shocker it was to me when I woke up to see Amber’s beautiful face, sleeping so peacefully that I was scared to move and make a sound in case she woke up.

She was still breathtaking, and her curves, fuck. It was visible, even in the jeans she wore. Her hair used to be longer in high school but now, it was shorter- fuck, I didn’t care. The mere sight of her on that bed triggered my morning erection.

When she opened her eyes, I held my breath. It still affected me, even after five years. Her amber colored eyes still pinned my body and almost controlled my soul. It was why I sent a pathetic breakup text instead of doing it physically because I wouldn’t be able to do it. To look into her eyes and tell her that it was over.

“Caleb Benjamin Bancroft!”

I groaned and refocused my attention on my mother. She video called me few minutes after I woke up.

“Did you even hear what I said?” she whined with her usual tiny voice. “You’re impossible son.”

I sighed, running a hand through my rough hair. “How’s Chelsea mum? Is she still mad at me?”

From the background, I heard a familiar voice. “I still hate you, Caleb.”

I rolled my eyes. I had forgotten my baby sister’s birthday and she’s held it against me ever since. Even after loading her with gifts. 

“I’m sorry, Chel. You know I am.” I called back and my mum laughed. “You two are unbelievable. I wish I could extend this vacation, but work.” I heard the sadness in her voice. After my dad died, she created her own chandelier line fully inspired by him. It blew up and now, the Hannah Bancroft Chandeliers are highly rated and popular in the country. 

“You can, you know,” I shrugged as I stated the obvious. “Your VP can hold the fort in the meantime.”

“It’s not the same as me being there, Caleb.” She rolled her eyes and a smirk flittered across her lips. “By the way, there’s someone I want you to meet there in LA. I’m sure you’ll love her.”

“Mum,” I said with a warning tone. Please, no, I’m begging.

“I know, I know. You don’t want me involved in your love life. But you also know how your grandfather is. By the time he steps down and you still don’t have a fiancée, he’s going to hand over to Jeremy and I’ll never allow that to happen,” she shuddered. “Bianca’s been after my company for years and once her husband’s CEO, she’ll be unstoppable.”

I couldn’t stand my cousin Jeremy and his wife- Bianca and I won’t fucking let them get Bancroft Enterprises. It was mine by birthright and not even grandfather would deny me that. “That won’t happen, mum. I won’t let that happen.”

“I know, my sweet boy. So, do your poor mama a favor and meet this girl.”

I shut my eyes briefly and gave in to my mum’s request. “Who’s she?” 

My mum’s eyes lit up with excitement and she clapped her hands in glee. “Her name is Madeline Grant. Her parents own Tullips Hotel & Suites. I’ve met her severally through her mum since we’re in the same golf club. Such a sweet girl with a lovely personality. You’ll love her son! She’s perfect for you and would make a wonderful addition to the family.”

“Slow down mum,” I held up my hand. “Don’t make rash conclusions yet. I may not like her.”

Her smile fell. “At least, meet up with her just once. Pretty please.” 

She made that face I couldn’t say no to and I found myself nodding.

“Perfect. I’ll set up a lunch date for later today at 2pm. Ensure you clear your schedule.”

“Today?” I blinked in disbelief. “It’s too sudden mum, what’s the rush?”

My mum laughed and waved her hand in dismissal. “Oh, Caleb. She’s returning to New York tomorrow. Today’s the perfect say to meet her and decide if you want to keep on seeing her. Anyways, Chelsea and I are going to the beach today, so I’ll call you later to ask you about your date.”

I said nothing. Why was my mum so hell bent on me meeting this Madeline Grant?

“Oh, and son, be nice, okay.”

She hung up and I flung my phone to the bed and inhaled a deep breath. I repeated it five times until I felt my head a bit clearer and ready to function. 

Madeline Grant. The name certainly didn’t ring a bell, but I would meet up with her, for curiosity sake. I wasn’t searching for love. All I needed was a fake fiancé until the CEO position was mine. 

 ~~~

Jordan arrived about two hours later with breakfast I had texted him to get. 

“So, the library huh?” I eyed my friend with his weird tendencies I was already used to. “You still translating? To what language now, German?”

Jordan laughed and adjusted his glasses. “Mandarin.”

I shook my head with pity. “I don’t know what to say, man.”

He took a sip of his orange juice. “I met someone…interesting.”

I stared at him, urging him to continue speaking, but he shrugged.

“Just a random conversation with a stranger,” he said cryptically. 

I nodded. Jordan was sometimes like that, and I respect it. We all had personal experiences we wanted to keep to ourselves. “My mum set me up on a blind date.”

Jordan’s eyes widened. “Shit. With who? When is it?”

“Madeline Grant.” The unfamiliar name wasn’t smooth on my tongue. “The date’s today at 2pm.”

“Shit. Shit,” he quickly took out his phone from his pocket and glanced at me. “Have you looked her up? Is she one of us?”

I shook my head and nodded at the same time. “I haven’t looked her up and mum said her parents own Tullips Hotels & Suites.”

Jordan nodded and tapped his phone screen. “Okay, let’s see. Madeline Grant; youngest sibling and only daughter of Peter and Cecelia Grant, Chairman and Chairwoman of Tullips Hotels & Suites. They’re new money actually, but the hotel is actually doing quite well. Here’s a picture of the family.” He held his phone to me and I nodded, slightly uninterested.

Seeing my expression, Jordan retracted his phone from my view and sighed, a small but understanding one. “Like I said before, Caleb, you don’t have to fall in love or be genuinely interested in her. All you have to do is act nice to her and propose.”

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. No matter how easy Jordan made it sound, it still didn’t change the fact that I craved for Amber Dally, and she was the only one I genuinely wanted.