Marrying My Father’s Enemy

Chapter 8: Jealousy 

As the day came to an end, Eira and William walked out of the university together, chatting about their first day. 

The sun was setting over the campus as students filed out, some heading to the metro, others meeting friends outside.

"So, you taking the metro again?" William asked, adjusting his backpack.

"Yeah, I think so," Eira replied, glancing toward the station entrance. "It's not too crowded now."

Just as they were about to head that way, Eira spotted a familiar person leaning against a small, plain-looking car parked nearby. 

Her steps slowed, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Callian?" she murmured as her eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.

Callian, dressed casually but still looking sharp, was leaning against the car with his arms crossed, waiting patiently. 

When he saw Eira, his face lit up, and he pushed off the car, walking toward her. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her in a hug, his eyes going to William briefly.

William, feeling the tension, was about to introduce himself, but before he could say a word, Callian extended his hand, giving him a firm handshake.

"Callian," he said, then immediately turned his attention back to Eira. "Let's go, you're coming with me."

Eira blinked, a bit caught off guard. "Uh, okay," she said before glancing at William. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, see you," William replied, giving her a small wave.

Eira waved back and turned toward the car, raising an eyebrow as she eyed the old, slightly beaten-up vehicle. "What's with the car?" she asked, almost teasing him. "This doesn't exactly scream 'Callian.'"

Callian smirked as he opened the passenger door for her. "Well, someone didn't want to bring attention to the fact that she's rich. So here we are."

Eira let out a long sigh, shaking her head as she got inside. "Correction, you're rich. I'm not."

Callian slid into the driver's seat and started the car. "Details don't matter," he shrugged. "It's all the same now."

Eira buckled her seatbelt, giving him a weird look. "Why are you here, anyway? I thought I'd take the metro."

Callian grinned, glancing at her from the corner of his eye as he pulled away from the curb. "I'm taking you to my family's party. But first, we need to do some shopping."

Eira raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

Callian's smile widened. "Nothing's wrong with them. But it's a family birthday party, so…"

Eira sighed and nodded. She knew where this was going. "Right. Fancy clothes then."

"Exactly," Callian said in a lighter tone. He reached over and patted her hand. "You'll fit in just fine."

Eira didn't say anything after that, her mind wandering as they drove through the city streets. 

The thought of meeting more of Callian's family didn't sit comfortably with her, but she didn't protest. 

She knew this was part of her new life now, whether she liked it or not.

They pulled up to a boutique in the heart of the city. The shop was lined with elegant and rich-looking dresses displayed in the windows, shining under soft lighting. 

Eira glanced at it, already feeling a bit out of place.

"Here we are," Callian said, stepping out and opening her door. "Time to pick something out for the party."

Eira sighed but smiled slightly. "Alright, but I'm not trying on fifty dresses."

Callian laughed. "Deal. Maybe just twenty?"

She rolled her eyes as they walked into the store. The moment they entered, an attendant approached them, greeting Callian like she knew him. 

He didn't even need to say a word before the assistant started pulling dresses off the racks.

"Any particular style you'd like?" the attendant asked, her eyes moving between Eira and Callian.

Eira shrugged. "Something simple."

Callian raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "She's modest, but we'll see what looks good," he said.

Within minutes, Eira was ushered into a dressing room with a pile of dresses. She tried on a few, stepping out each time for Callian's approval. He sat back on a cushioned chair, arms crossed, watching her carefully.

"That one's nice," Callian said when she stepped out in a sleek black dress. "But I think you can do better."

Eira smirked. "Better, huh? Thought you liked me for my personality."

Callian's jaw tightened. "I do. But let's not waste an opportunity to show off both."

Eventually, after a few more dresses, they settled on a soft emerald green gown. It fit perfectly, flowing down to her ankles, simple yet elegant.

"This one," Callian said decisively. "You look stunning."

Eira glanced at herself in the mirror and nodded. "Yeah, this one's good."

After paying for the dress, they left the boutique, and Callian led her down the street to a nearby ice cream shop.

"A little treat before the party," he said as they walked in, the sweet smell of waffle cones and chocolate filling the air. 

They both ordered. Eira chose strawberry, Callian got vanilla.

They sat outside, watching the people walk by as they ate their ice cream. Eira leaned back in her chair, feeling more relaxed.

Callian glanced at her with his usual expression, but there was something in his eyes.

"So," he began, swirling his ice cream with his spoon. "Who was that guy earlier?"

Eira looked up, caught off guard. "Who? Oh, you mean William?"

Callian nodded, taking a slow bite of his ice cream. "Yeah, William. Seems like you two were pretty friendly."

Eira shrugged, licking her spoon. "He's just a classmate. We met on the metro this morning."

Callian's smile was easy, but his eyes held something else. "Met him today, and you're already walking out together?"

Eira laughed lightly. "It's not a big deal, Callian. We have the same classes, that's all…"

"I see…"

"Vanesa is in my class too…"

"Really? What can she know about business?"

"William stood up for me when she tried to embarrass me with a comment."

Callian raised an eyebrow. "Seems like he was pretty quick to stand up for you when Vanesa made that comment. Not something guys usually do for just classmates."

Eira caught the shift in his voice but decided to keep it light. "He was just being nice. I didn't ask him to do that."

"Still," Callian said, leaning back in his chair and watching her closely. "I'd be careful. Guys like that… well, they might want more than just friendship."

Eira narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing the jealousy in his words. "You don't have to worry about that, Callian. He's just a classmate."

Callian forced a smile, but it didn't fully reach his eyes. "I'm not worried. Just making sure you're aware. Some guys aren't always so innocent."

Eira smiled softly, dipping her spoon into her ice cream again. "And you think I can't handle it?"

He leaned forward. "Oh, I know you can handle it. I just don't like the idea of someone trying to get too close to what's mine."

Eira raised an eyebrow, her heart skipping a beat. "Yours?"

Callian's smile softened, but his brow lifted. "You know what I mean."

She didn't reply, simply taking another bite of her ice cream. There was something possessive in his tone, but she couldn't deny that part of her didn't mind it.

They finished their ice cream in comfortable silence. Eira glanced at Callian as he tossed his napkin into the trash.

"Ready to meet my crazy family?"

"How crazy?" Eira asked.

"Well, let's just say… crazy enough for them to hate me and love you."