Chapter 1 - Something new

Cal’s POV

I don’t know why Mom’s making me wear a dress.

I didn’t have a choice, so I just wore it when night came.

Here I am, wondering what’s going on today. Where are we going? Is there some important occasion I don’t know about? Why do I have to wear this kind of dress?

“Mom, where are we going?” I asked.

What kind of nonsense are my parents up to this time?

Mom sighed, like she didn’t realize I needed an answer. “We have a meeting with my friends, sweetie. You just need to look presentable."

“Why do I even need to come with you?”

She didn’t answer right away. She was trying to act natural, but I saw her avoid my eyes. I kept staring at her, searching for any hint of what kind of “meeting” needed me to look like a princess.

“This isn’t just for me, sweetie. This is important,” she said, still not looking at me.

I didn’t understand her. I didn’t know why I was getting pulled into something I knew nothing about.

—

When we arrived at the venue, my eyes widened. I didn’t expect we’d end up in such a grand place—probably a luxury event hall inside a hotel.

Maybe this was the event Mom and Dad were attending. And now, I’m dragged along.

I stood at the side while everyone else was busy talking, dressed in formal clothes, looking like high-society people.

What am I supposed to do here? Just stand and stare?

I had no idea what kind of event this was, and I felt even more out of place as I tried to keep up. I kept my eyes on the floor, so people wouldn’t see how uninterested I was.

After a while, I heard some people talking as they passed by. It seemed like the event was starting.

“They said it’s starting now. The owner’s giving a speech,” one of them said.

“They say his son’s going to be there too. Do you think he’s cute?” said another, laughing loudly.

Once they passed, I rolled my eyes. Girls, seriously—just because he’s good-looking?

What if he is? It sucks how people only care about looks and not personality.

But maybe that’s better than being a “boring” guy with no charm.

Anyway, I don’t even know him, so I’ll reserve my judgment.

The speaker began talking.

“Good evening to all of you, and thank you for attending tonight. We are all here to take part in an important step for our families, businesses, and communities.”

I stopped paying attention. I didn’t care. It was probably just business stuff—talks that had nothing to do with me.

I noticed that while the speaker was talking, people around me were clapping and their eyes were sparkling.

Suddenly, the applause grew louder as the speaker stepped aside for someone else.

This must be the guy those flirty girls were talking about earlier.

I just watched him speak at the front—he looked like he was used to public speaking.

I didn’t even realize the event was over and people had started leaving.

I didn’t understand why Mom and Dad weren’t leaving yet, and I kept following them around.

I could already feel the pain in my feet. I’d been wearing these damn heels for too long.

I just watched the older people still chatting nearby.

I was getting really annoyed.

“Cal! Come here and fix yourself up,” Dad said.

Mom immediately started fixing me up.

Hey—I didn’t even look that messy!

I just let her do her thing.

Then I noticed someone approaching us.

When he reached us, he shook hands with Dad.

It was the guy who gave that speech earlier, the one I didn’t understand.

Next to him was the guy he introduced as his son.

Okay… he really is good-looking.

So this is the guy all the girls were drooling over earlier.

But to be fair, he does look better up close—thick brows, smooth skin… I wonder what skincare he uses.

“Mr. Dela Vega, this is my daughter, Callista. This is the one I was telling you about,” Dad said.

“Oh,” the man replied, a slight smile on his lips.

“I can’t deny it—your daughter is more beautiful than your wife,” he said, looking straight into my eyes.

Excuse me?! Who is he to say that I’m more beautiful than Mom? I look like her!

He looked serious, but I could see arrogance in his eyes.

Clearly, this guy doesn’t have a great personality.

“So what if we continue our conversation in a restaurant? So we can talk more about our children’s future,” Mr. Dela Vega said.

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