CHAPTER 43: A LITTLE WHITE LIE

CHARLES Ding-dong!! "Could you pick up some groceries on your way back home?" I asked as I rushed down the stairs towards the entrance door. "Yeah, thanks for reminding me," Marie replied as I unlocked the door and threw it open. "I would have to get off work early, though," she added as I eyed the tall, brown-skinned man before me. "Yeah…can I call you back?" "Sure," she replied and immediately ended the call. "Hello, Good afternoon," the man greeted with a saccharin-sweet smile. "My name is Taylor." I slid the phone into my pocket and grabbed the edge of the door. "What do you want?" "You are Charles, right?" "I am…who are you?" "I'm Caleb's father, you know, the little boy who's stuck on Marie?" "What do you want?" I repeated, eyeing him sourly. "I was wondering if Marie's around," he answered, discreetly taking a peek behind me. "There's something important I need to discuss with her." "She's not in." I curtly replied as I began to close the door. He placed a firm ha