Love in a spotlight

Abigail lay on her bed, surrounded by scraps of paper and pencils, her mind still preoccupied with the events of the day. She had wanted to thank Caleb in person for his help in taking her to the hospital, but when he postponed their meeting, she didn't get the chance.

Instead, she had sent him a text message, expressing her gratitude. But as she glanced at her phone, she saw that Caleb hadn't read her message yet.

Shrugging off the thought, Abigail turned her attention to her sketchbook, where she was busy creating a beautiful gown with intricate shading. Her pencil moved deftly across the paper, the soft scratching sound a soothing accompaniment to her thoughts.

The medicine had worked its magic, and Abigail slept soundly, oblivious to the world outside. But as the hours ticked by, her phone pierced the silence, shrill and insistent.

Abigail groggily reached for the phone, her voice husky as she answered, "Hello?"

Caleb's deep voice came through the line, crisp and clear. "Today at 2 pm. Come for a meeting."

Abigail's eyes fluttered open, and she squinted at the clock, disoriented. "Huh?" she mumbled, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

As reality slowly seeped in, Abigail's frown deepened. "2 pm? But I was planning—" she began, but Caleb had already hung up, leaving her staring at the phone in frustration.

Abigail dressed simply yet stylishly in a bright red t-shirt and faded wash jeans, the colors complementing her complexion perfectly. With a quick check of her appearance, she headed out to meet Caleb.

Their meeting was a straightforward discussion of designs and order volumes, with Caleb maintaining a professional demeanor. However, Abigail's usual spark was noticeably absent, and Caleb couldn't help but sense her fatigue. As the meeting drew to a close, Caleb's expression transformed, and he announced, "Now that business is out of the way, let's go on a date."

Abigail's reluctance was palpable. "Are we going to show up again on one of those blind dates?" she asked, her tone laced with skepticism.

Caleb merely raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Just hop in the car," he said, his voice low and mysterious, leaving Abigail wondering what he had planned.

The car ride was marked by an uncomfortable silence, with Abigail refraining from asking where they were headed. But as the vehicle came to a stop in front of a large mall, her curiosity got the better of her.

"Why are we here?" Abigail asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Caleb's expression remained deadpan as he stepped out of the car. "Why would we be here?" he echoed, his tone laced with amusement.

Abigail trailed behind him, her confusion deepening as Caleb strode into the mall's grocery store. As Caleb began examining the tomatoes, Abigail's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really what he had meant by a date?

Caleb turned to Abigail, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "What?" he asked, his voice low.

Abigail moved closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think the employees are kind of staring at us."

Caleb's smile broadened. "Are you kidding? Of course, they're looking at us. We're customers."

Abigail's eyes darted around the store, her expression uneasy. "Not like that... But—"

Caleb's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "But what?" he prompted, handing her a bag of pickles.

Abigail's lips pressed together, and she shook her head. "Nothing." As they continued shopping, Abigail trailed behind Caleb, feeling like a personal assistant rather than a date. Her mind whirled with questions.

What's the point of all this? Why did he bring me along? Does he think I'm just a tag-along?The questions swirled in her head, leaving her feeling perplexed and a little frustrated.

"Can't you just smile a little? This is a date," Caleb said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Abigail raised an eyebrow. "Date? I'm feeling more like your assistant than your girlfriend."

Caleb's expression darkened, his brow furrowing in a frown. But then, in a surprising move, he reached out and took Abigail's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. The sudden physical touch sent Abigail's heart racing.

"Just smile," Caleb whispered, his voice low and husky, as he took a step closer to her.

Abigail's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but feel that Caleb's actions were unsettlingly natural – as if they were indeed a couple.

"Why are you so natural at this?" Abigail asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She paused, a sudden thought striking her. "Is there a girl that your family really dislikes?"

Caleb's expression remained inscrutable, and he didn't respond. Instead, he pushed the shopping cart forward with one hand, his other hand still clasping Abigail's.

Abigail shook her head, letting go of her earlier questions, and began helping Caleb select groceries. As they navigated the aisles, employees couldn't help but notice them, eager to offer assistance. However, Caleb politely declined, insisting they could manage on their own.

The employees continued to keep a watchful eye on the pair, and Caleb was well aware of the attention. He knew that this would eventually reach his mother's ears, which was likely his intention all along.

Abigail, oblivious to the extra attention, followed Caleb obediently, helping him pick out various items. As they shopped, she was struck by the wide selection of products, many of which she had never seen before in her usual grocery stores.

Caleb observed Abigail with interest, noting that she was surprisingly adept at grocery shopping. He found himself enjoying the experience, discussing the pros and cons of each item with her before adding it to their cart. The task, which might have otherwise been mundane, was actually quite pleasant with Abigail by his side.

As they reached the checkout counter, Abigail realized she had been enjoying Caleb's company, the grocery shopping trip passing more quickly than she had expected.

The employees efficiently began scanning their items, but the nosy cashier couldn't resist commenting on their relationship. "Aww, you two make such a lovely couple!" she cooed, scanning the groceries with a barcode scanner.

Caleb merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying their relationship, which only fueled the cashier's assumptions.

Abigail, however, was struck by the cashier's familiarity with Caleb. "You're a regular here, aren't you?" she thought to herself.

The cashier continued, "She's so beautiful and innocent! Now, I can see why you're so smitten with her, Mr. Caleb, compared to your previous lady."

The atmosphere suddenly shifted, as the employees around them fell silent, sensing the ominous aura emanating from Caleb. His lips compressed into a thin line, and his fists clenched at his sides.

Abigail noticed the change in Caleb's demeanor and discreetly watched him from the corner of her eye, her curiosity piqued.