CHAPTER 171: I MEANT IT

The applause following Callan’s speech still echoed in Emily’s ears long after it died down. But Callan was already outside the door.

Emily took a step forward, her instincts pulling her toward the exit. She wanted to find him, needed to ask him what the hell that speech was about— what kind of game he thought he was playing with her.

But then Dan stepped in front of her.

"Emily," he said quietly. "If you go after him now, everyone will know you’re the one he was talking about."

She froze mid-step. He was right.

Her lips parted like she was about to say something, but she didn’t. Her chest rose and fell as she looked past him, toward the door where Callan had walked out.

"I want to go home," she said.

Dan’s brow furrowed. "Why do you suddenly want to go home? Is it because of what he said?"

"Do I need to give you a reason to want to leave?" Emily turned her eyes to him. Her expression was tight, unreadable. "Are you taking me home or should I order a cab?"

He blinked at her tone, then gave a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Jeez! Don’t be offended, I just... I’m curious about you, Em."

She said nothing but raised a brow making it clear he was yet to answer her question.

He lifted his hand in surrender. "Okay. I’ll take you."

They walked out together, silent until they reached his car. Dan opened the door for her and she slipped in without a word. He got in beside her and turned the key. The engine hummed to life, followed by a soft whir as the air conditioner came on.

She shifted in her seat and rubbed her arms, her fingers brushing against the fine bumps on her skin.

"Could you turn off the AC?" she asked, her voice low. "I’m cold."

Dan glanced at her, surprised. "You’re cold? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I would’ve given you my coat."

Emily turned her head slowly, looking at him like he’d said something ridiculous.

How could he not have noticed when she had been hugging herself all night?

She didn’t answer him.

Instead, she stared out the window, her thoughts already drifting far from Dan to Callan.

Her chest tightened.

Why would he say all that after making her feel like an idiot when she asked him why he sponsored the program?

How could he say she was "dear to him" in a room full of strangers but not say that to her directly?

Yet... a small stupid part of her heart had leaped when he said she was the reason he sponsored the program.

But why? Why was he toying with her like this? Was it fun for him?

"Emily?" Dan’s voice cut through her thoughts.

She turned to him. "Yeah?"

"Are you mad at me or something?" he asked gently.

She shook her head. "No. I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. I just want to go home and get a good night’s rest."

Dan gave a small sigh. "This isn’t how I thought tonight would go," he confessed.

Emily said nothing. She didn’t want to know how he thought the night would go.

The rest of the ride was quiet. When they finally drove through the gate of Callan’s house, Emily unfastened her seatbelt swiftly, glad to see Callan’s car parked outside.

"Thanks for the ride," she said, already pushing open the door before Dan could unfasten his belts.

"Goodnight," Dan said, but she was already halfway to the door.

He watched her go, disappointment etched into every line of his face.

Inside the house, the lights in the living room were still on. Emily’s heels clicked softly against the floor as she stepped in and paused.

Callan was sitting on the couch, still in his suit, a glass of what looked like whiskey in his hand.

He looked up when she entered and his heart quickened. He had just been thinking about her going home with Dan to spend the night and he didn’t like the thought one bit.

A brow lifted. "Changed your mind about going home with him?"

Emily narrowed her eyes. "Why did you do that?"

He sipped from his glass and set it down. "Do what?" He asked innocently.

"Don’t act like you don’t know."

Callan shrugged. "You’ll have to be more specific."

"Why did you give that speech?" she asked, her voice sharper now. "What were you trying to do?"

He tilted his head. "Is that why you came back? Because the speech touched you? Or because you couldn’t wait till tomorrow to confront me? Or perhaps you got into a fight with Dan?"

Emily scoffed. "Touched me? You think I’m that sentimental to fall for your bullshit? It didn’t touch me, Callan. I just want to know what stupid reason made you say all that. Were you trying to annoy me?"

Callan didn’t move. "Why would I want to annoy you? Is that really what you think about the speech?"

She frowned. "What else am I supposed to think?"

His voice dropped a little and he shrugged. "That maybe I meant every word."

Her treacherous heart gave an unexpected jolt. She swallowed, trying to steady herself.

"I know we don’t get along. I know we have a lot of baggage between us, but you’re important to me, Emily. You might not believe it or think so, but I respect and admire you a lot. So, yes, I meant all of it," Callan said and her pulse quickened.

It wasn’t the love confession that she would rather hear from him, but it was something. It meant a lot to hear him say this.

"You... meant it?" she asked softly.

He nodded once, eyes steady on hers. Why was it so hard for her to believe it?

Silence stretched between them for a beat before he asked, "What is up between you and Dan?" He asked, ruining the moment.

Emily frowned. "Why are you asking?" She asked wondering why he would ask such a question at such a time.

"Because I don’t like him," Callan said simply, and whatever tenderness Emily had felt towards him some seconds ago, vanished.

"Well, you don’t have to like him," she shot back. "He’s my friend. Not yours."

Callan stood, rolling his shoulders. "Right. But the fact that you were cold and kept rubbing your arms all night, and he didn’t notice that bothers me."

Her frown deepened. "Were you watching me all night?"

"Yes, I was," Callan said without compunction.

Emily’s heart skipped a beat. Why was he admitting that so easily?

Did being with Dan make him feel so jealous that he was being this was tonight?

"Why?"

"You’re my charge. So, it’s only right that I keep my eyes on you and make sure you’re fine always," Callan said, and her heart sank.

What an idiot! Emily thought, wondering why she was still entertaining any sort of hope towards him when she had said she was moving on.

"You should know that as the sponsor of the program, I’m allowed to check on how things are going from time to time at the hospital," Callan said, and she crossed her arms.

"Are you telling me indirectly that you’re going to monitor my life now?" She asked with a raised brow.

He smiled. "Yes."

Her mouth opened. "You’ve lost your mind."

"I’m just a very responsible ward." He yawned, then took a step toward the hallway. "I’m tired. I’m going to bed."

"Fine," she called after him. "Then I’ll monitor your life, too."

He paused, turning slightly. "You’re welcome to. As long as you don’t get distracted from your training. Oh, and Emily..."

She looked at him with a scowl wondering what annoying thing he wanted to say this time.

"You look really pretty in that dress. But I think you’d look pretty too in something that’s more suited to your comfort. Or you could have gotten a coat to go with it," he said.

Emily merely stared at him not sure whether he was complimenting her, scolding her or teaching her how to dress up.

"Lastly, be careful with Dan."

Her eyes narrowed. "What would a jerk like you know about a gentleman like Dan?"

He chuckled. "It takes a jerk to know a jerk. And Dan’s definitely one. So watch your back."

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Emily stood there, her heart hammering. Was that jealousy speaking through Callan? He seemed jealous to her.

Her lips pressed into a line as a decision began to form in her mind.

She didn’t feel any attraction towards Dan or like him much. As a matter of fact she liked him less spending the evening in his company.

Now that she knew that Callan didn’t like Dan, she was going to keep Dan close.

She wasn’t going to date Dan even if he asked, but she’d keep him as a friend even if it was just to mess with Callan.