Chapter 7 - A late night call

The next few days have been quite hectic for Aila. In her mother's excitement besides buying the haute couture dress and getting her ready to the 9s with beauty treatments and a new set of wardrobe to fit the image of Calvin Harrison's fiancee, she actually dragged her into a baby store!

"Mom! You're overthinking this! You don't even have a grandchild!"

"Dear, let me dream a little. Oh look! What a cute little onesie!"

Sigh...fine. let her dream a little.

They ended up with bags of baby clothes anyway.

Where will she use all of this?

This body's mother is quite odd herself. She finally understood where the old Aila's craziness came from.

It's just a day before the banquet now, Aila finally had time to take a breather from the busyness. She was so occupied that she didn't even have time to think about her past life.

Now in the dead of the night where everything is peaceful & quiet, her thoughts wandered to a time when she had to struggle everyday after being orphaned at 16.

Even though her parents left her enough money to sustain her for a few years, the loneliness and feeling of void did not alleviate. Many times she had thought of ending her life just to see her parents again, but stopped midway as she thought that it will dishonor the sacrifices her parents made for her so she resolved instead to keep herself busy.

She won numerous awards on different categories at school including sports, arts & literature. She even was the campus bell.

After college she got a high paying job at a known company and had been there ever since.

But it had costs her, she was oncall 24/7 for her boss. She didn't make many friends as its such a high stress, highly competitive environment. She didn't have much time for romance either, just reading novels sort of soothed her soul a little. Eventually, that feeling of emptiness started to come back again.

Despite the seeming success, she had no one to share it to.

Just when she thought of giving up, she transmigrated into a book.

Now she has a loving family, although not the same as the one's she got before by a huge margin but nevertheless a warm home. She vowed to protect it as best she could.

A sudden ringing woke her up from her reverie. She looked and found that Calvin was calling her.

"Hello?"

"Hi, honey. I've missed you. I haven't seen you in ages." With a sultry voice seeming to echo in the room. Aila uncontrollably blushed, remembering the last time they met when she was signing the contract.

Miss me my ass! Why is he calling me in the dead of the night like I'm some booty call?

"What is it?"

"Don't be like that honey. Didn't we agree to call each other with endearment all the time?"

With gritted teeth Aila responded.

"What is it at this ungodly hour, honey?"

Calvin chuckled through the phone and thought his fiancee is somewhat cute.

Even though he is known as a playboy, he actually works hard so he can play harder. After finishing work for the day he found that it's already pass midnight & intrusive thoughts of Aila's cherry red lips keep popping up. Before he knew it, his hand clicked the dial.

"I'm just letting you know that I'll be picking you up at your house at 6 pm."

"Is that all? Well, alright then."

"There's more honey..."

"What is it?"

"Dream of me, honey."

Calvin can only hear the dial tone at the end and laughed out loud. His honey has a temper alright. Having her around was not too bad.

He misjudged her & thought she'd be a harmless kitty with how she used to chase after him. Now this kitty has sharp claws.

His phone rang again and his friend's voice can be heard on the other line.

"Hey Calvin, we're going back to the country. We'll be sure to make it to your family banquet."

Calvin paused, for a moment images of Hanna came across his mind. He thought that he didn't think of her at all these past few days.

He was aware of his attraction to her but with someone of his image he didn't think he has a chance with the seemingly innocent & pure Hanna. So he simply faded into the background & just supported her from the sidelines.

He remembered he was so upset when he saw his friend intimately hugging her which lead to his drinking one night & ended up passionately making love to his now fiancee.

Adjusting his tie, he suddenly felt hot in the office.

"Oh I see. Then see you at the banquet Dalton."

"What a minute, what is this I'm hearing that you are hanging out with that lady of the Harrison's now?"

For some reason, Calvin felt annoyed with the question.

"It's...really none of your business buddy."

"Testy, aren't we? Alright I'll find out anyway when we come back. Catch you later."

Calvin poured himself a drink & thought back at the time when he last saw Aila. A smile was tugging at his lips at the memory.

*****

Aila meanwhile is tempted to smash the phone but thought better of it.

With her face getting redder and redder, she remembered unconsciously the time when she went to Calvin's office to sign the their contract.

Driving her mustang towards Harrison Corp. Aila went through the reception area to tell them she arrived.

The receptionist gasped when she took off her glasses and said.

"My name is Aila Carter, your president is expecting me."

The receptionist shook her head & thought:

Who is this goddess of a woman? Those beautiful piercing golden eyes...my goodness, she's more beautiful than any celebrity I have seen!

"Wait a minute ma'am, I'll call up secretary Fin."

A few minutes later a tall man with dark rimmed glasses in a business suit came out from the elevator.

Are men in this novel supposed to be all good looking? Even the secretary is attractive.

"Ms. Carter, this way please."