“Callie.”
Nelson held her hand tightly, his veins bulging, unwilling to let go. He spoke calmly and decisively, “Reuben…”
Before he could finish, a figure suddenly appeared from behind, accompanied by a familiar voice, “What are you doing!”
Callie looked up in shock and saw Jamir appearing in this place. He clenched his fist and swung it directly at Nelson. Nelson turned his head just in time to take the punch squarely.
A dull thud.
Nelson slightly turned his face, looking incredulous. Jamir grabbed him by the collar, “How dare you show up here! You’re making a nuisance of yourself.”
He spoke harsh words, and beat Nelson hard, clearly fueled by long-standing anger.
Nelson grabbed Jamir’s wrist and pushed him away swiftly, “Why are you acting crazy with me?”
He didn’t fight back; he didn’t want to make a scene in front of Callie.
Jamir was about to step forward again when Callie intervened, standing between them, “Enough!”
She didn’t want to make a scene on the street. Her patience was wearing thin. She turned to Jamir and asked, “Why are you here?”
“I went to your house to find you. I didn’t expect to run into you on the street,” Jamir said with a hint of defiance. He pulled Callie behind him, “Don’t be afraid. With me here, he won’t bother you.”
Nelson, with a hint of blood in the air, smirked wickedly, “The one she should be afraid of is you.”
Jamir couldn’t stand the provocation and was about to step forward again when Callie held his arm firmly. She snapped, “Is this ever going to end?”
Seeing Nelson’s gaze fall on their touching hands, Jamir noticed it too and decided to comply.
“Mr. Oconnor, it seems the crisis at Oconnor Group isn’t keeping you busy enough. If you need more work, I can help.”
Nelson ignored him and looked at Callie instead, “Stay in Ylosea.”
Jamir asked, “Where are you going?”
Callie didn’t answer either of them. She weighed her options and said, “I’m going back.”
Jamir immediately followed, “I’ll take you.” He opened the car door beside him.
Callie hesitated for a moment but got in. There were no taxis around.
Just as the door was about to close, Nelson spoke again from a few steps away, “If you’re looking for Reuben’s whereabouts, you don’t need to go to Anbusea. Come to me; I might have a clue.”
Hearing this, Jamir paused in closing the door, his expression stiffening slightly. Callie clearly heard it too but showed no reaction.
As they drove away, Nelson’s figure became a dot in the rear view mirror.
Jamir cautiously said, “Nelson just said…”
“I’m tired. I want to sleep for a while,” Callie interrupted him and then closed her eyes.
Jamir stared at her calm face for a moment before swallowing all the words he wanted to say.
When they arrived at her place, Callie got out of the car and thanked Jamir. He followed her, “If you’re tired of everything in Ylosea, come with me to Anbusea.”
Callie didn’t respond. She pressed the elevator button, “You should go back now, Jamir.”
They looked at each other seriously for a moment. Jamir understood everything and nodded, “Anyway, whenever you need me, you can come find me.”
Callie couldn’t be pushed; if cornered, she would do anything. Jamir knew this well.
Back at her place, most of her things had already been moved out. Her lease was about to expire; she wouldn’t be living there much longer.
She sat by the window and thought again about what Nelson had said.