Nothing to Lose

‘I... I didn’t...’ Simon stammered, his voice filled with desperation as he tried to salvage his delusion. ‘I know... deep down, you still have feelings for me. Your indifference only hides the space you’ve kept for me in your heart.’ Callie’s patience wore thin as she listened to Simon’s feeble attempts to hold onto a love that no longer existed. She mustered her strength and shot back, ‘Simon, there is no space in my heart for you. You need to understand that and move on.’ Desperation tinged Simon’s voice as he persisted, his words slurred and laden with false promises. ‘I want... I want to tell you not to come to my wedding. I’m afraid you’ll be hurt. Don’t worry, once I have everything, I’ll divorce Abby. I’ll choose you over her.’ Callie clenched her teeth, her frustration boiling within her. She glanced up to meet Elias’s gaze, expecting to see a hint of disdain or triumph. However, to her surprise, his eyes held a clear, unwavering gaze. ‘Give me the phone,’ Elias said, his voice slow and deliberate, his request more of a demand than a question. As a soldier, he was accustomed to taking charge, unaccustomed to seeking others’ opinions. With one hand securely around Callie’s waist, he reached forward, confidently snatching her phone from her grasp. Caught off guard by Elias’s sudden assertiveness, Callie found herself unable to react in time as her phone slipped from her fingers and into Elias’s possession. She watched, wide-eyed, as he pressed it to his ear. ‘Hello.’ Elias’s voice filled the air, causing Callie’s heart to skip a beat. He hadn’t hung up her phone. Instead, he took charge of the conversation without a moment’s hesitation, leaving Callie baffled and intrigued. ‘Elias, you—’ Callie began, her voice trailing off as she watched Elias engage in a conversation she couldn’t quite comprehend. Confusion swirled within her as she tried to make sense of the situation unfolding before her eyes. Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Simon’s drunken voice erupted, his words slurred and filled with desperation. ‘Callie, why is there a man with you? Where are you? Listen, whoever the hell you are, let Callie answer the phone...’ Callie knew that Simon’s alcohol-fuelled state had loosened his inhibitions, causing him to spew uncensored and unscrupulous words. This was not the Simon she once knew, and she refused to let his drunken ramblings affect her. ‘She’s not available,’ Elias replied coolly, his grip on Callie’s waist tightening unexpectedly. A slight pain shot through her, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. ‘Ow! It hurts!’ she gasped. Elias smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes, as he responded to Simon, his voice laced with subtle mockery. ‘As you can hear, we’re a little preoccupied at the moment. It’s not convenient for her to take your call.’ With those words, Elias abruptly ended the call, leaving Simon, the intoxicated caller, to confront the cold emptiness of the dial tone on the other side. Confusion and frustration swirled in Simon’s mind as he attempted to process the unexpected turn of events. Elias handed the phone back to Callie. She took the device with both hands, her face flushed scarlet, her lips slightly trembling with anticipation. What had he just said? Did he do that on purpose? For what? To make Simon jealous? ‘You’re not accustomed to my methods, are you?’ Elias asked, his voice laced with a hint of playfulness. He leaned against the wall, exuding an aura of confidence. ‘Well, you’ll have plenty of time to get used to it. I enjoy delivering decisive blows, leaving the enemy no room to breathe.’ Callie’s thoughts spun, her gaze shifting between Elias and her phone. Why did she find herself drawn to this dominant and powerful man? In a world where she could only rely on herself, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to find an ally. No more bullying from Abby and Simon. Callie’s mind cleared, her resolve strengthened. What was wrong with an impulsive marriage? Even if it ended up being a mistake, what did she have to lose? Determination surged within her, emboldening her to take a leap of faith. She reached out and grabbed Elias’s sleeve, her voice barely a whisper. ‘You’re right. Just as you said, I won’t go back on my word. I will marry you.’ Elias’s composed demeanour remained unchanged as he met her gaze, his eyes filled with understanding. He wasn’t surprised by her words, as if he had anticipated her move all along. ‘But I don’t understand,’ Callie began, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. ‘Why me?’ Elias’s gaze softened. ‘I’m turning thirty-three this year—’ Callie huffed, her voice filled with playful defiance. ‘Hmph. I’m only twenty-five, you know. You’re eight years older than me! That’s almost a decade!’ Elias raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you saying I’m too old for you?’ A mischievous smile played on Callie’s lips as she met his gaze head-on. ‘Well, you’re no longer a boy, that’s for sure. In fact, you are old enough to be my uncle, but a handsome one.’ ‘Oh, I finally get it!’ Callie exclaimed, spinning around and gripping the railing. ‘Your family’s been on your case about tying the knot, huh? And that’s why you chose me to be your lucky bride!’ Elias furrowed his brows. ‘Something like that, I guess.’ Standing by Elias’s side, Callie gazed out at the night view of early autumn. The cool breeze brushed against her body, lifting her spirits. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie, and unexpectedly, she found herself embracing the moment rather than rejecting it. There was an inexplicable sense of security in this arrangement. Perhaps, even a marriage like this, where both parties had their own motives, could still bring some benefits. No longer would she have to face the ridicule of others alone. With this perspective, the idea of this marriage didn’t seem half bad. Elias asked, ‘Are you done with work?’ ‘Yep,’ Callie confirmed with a nod. Technically, she was already finished, but she wanted to take a moment to gather herself on the roof before leaving. ‘Bunny, I’ll give you a ride home,’ Elias offered, turning to face Callie. ‘Go back and get some rest. I’ll swing by your place tomorrow morning. Bring your ID card.’