Chapter 625
The atmosphere was still lively when laughter broke out again from one corner of the table. Glasses were raised, conversations overlapped, and the soft music drifting through the air made the night feel even more alive. Lydia stood among them, occasionally responding to Felicia and Kalina’s teasing, while not far away, Daven was still engaged in a light conversation with Nathaniel.
And then, in the middle of it all-Cale stood up.
There was no grand announcement, no shift in his expression. He simply rose to his feet… and somehow, that alone was enough to draw attention in a way that felt almost effortless.
“I think,” he said flatly, “I should head back to the room now-with my wife.”
There was a subtle emphasis on the last two words.
Several heads turned at once.
Chris, who had been lounging casually, let out a quiet scoff, a crooked smile forming without restraint.” Wow… that fast? I thought you’d at least stick around a little longer for the sake of courtesy.”
”
Cale cast him a brief glance, completely unbothered. “Courtesy isn’t going to make me stay any longer.”
“Of course not,” Chris replied lazily. “But you could at least pretend.”
Cale narrowed his eyes slightly. “Why would I pretend? If you’re bothered, go find someone to take care of your own life.”
Daven visibly held back a laugh.
Chris raised a brow. “Oh, so now I’m bothering you?”
“Yes,” Cale answered without hesitation. “You’re bothering both me and Daven.”
Daven, who had been dragged into it out of nowhere, let out a long sigh. “I’m not involved in this.”
“That’s exactly the problem,” Cale shot back.
A ripple of laughter spread again.
On the other side, Riana had already risen, gently patting Josh’s shoulder. “Come on, we should head home too. It’s getting late. And Grace, tidy up your things. Don’t leave anything behind-you need to rest,”
Josh let out a quiet huff. “But I still want to stay.”
“You can see them again tomorrow,” Riana replied softly, though her tone left no room for argument.
Grace had already moved closer, holding Althea’s hand for a moment before drifting back to Riana’s side. Eli rose quietly from her seat, saying nothing, simply making sure she didn’t get left behind. As usual, she positioned herself slightly behind the others.
“Eli, come here,” Althea called gently.
The girl gave a small nod, stepping closer to stand beside Josh and Grace-silent, but clearly taking everything in.
Lydia watched all of it unfold, a faint smile still lingering on her lips… until she realized something.
Cale was already walking toward her. And then he stopped, right in front of her..
“Let’s go.”
Just two words-but enough to make Lydia blink in surprise. Cale didn’t usually do things like this. Truly … tonight had been full of surprises.
“M-me?” Lydia asked reflexively, even though the answer was already obvious.
“There isn’t another Lydia here,” Cale replied calmly.
Felicia immediately stifled a laugh. “Oh my God, he’s not even trying to hide it.”
Kalina smiled as well, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. “At least give Lydia a moment to
prepare.”
Heat rushed to Lydia’s face. She darted a quick glance around, suddenly aware of every pair of eyes on
her.
“We don’t have to leave right now,” she whispered to Cale. “Everyone’s still-”
Her words cut off abruptly.
Without warning, Cale slipped one arm around her back and the other beneath her knees-
And lifted her.
“Cale!” Lydia instinctively clutched his shoulders, her eyes widening in shock. “What are you doing?!”
“Leaving this place and going to my room,” Cale answered, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the
world.
Laughter erupted, louder this time. Chris even clapped his hands. “Now this is interesting. Finally, you’re not boring.”
“Put me down!” Lydia whispered frantically, her face burning now. “Everyone’s watching!”
“They are,” Cale replied, completely unbothered.
“Cale!”
“If you didn’t want the attention,” he continued evenly as he kept walking, “you should’ve come with me earlier.”
Lydia had no response to that. None at all. She could only lower her head, hoping her hair would shield
her flushed face from view.
“Good night, Lydia!” Felicia called from behind, clearly holding back laughter. “Hope you two have a wonderful night.”
“Don’t forget to open the gift!” Kalina added.
Riana simply smiled warmly, shaking her head. “You two-stop teasing.”
And within just a few steps, they had completely left the lively crowd behind.
Yet Cale made no move to set his wife down, no matter how many times Lydia pleaded.
Even when the elevator doors slid open and they stepped inside-into a confined space lit by dim lighting and surrounded by reflective glass walls-Lydia was still in his arms, held firmly, as if he had no intention of letting her go.
“Cale, put me down,” she said again, her voice caught somewhere between protest and nervousness as the elevator doors slowly closed.
Cale didn’t answer. He simply looked at her. And that gaze-so calm until now-had changed. It was deeper. More focused. As if, in that moment, nothing else in the world mattered… except the woman in
his arms.
“Everyone saw that,” Lydia continued, trying to sound firm even as her breathing grew uneven. “You really
“1
Her words were cut off again. But this time, it wasn’t surprise alone. In one smooth motion, Cale lowered his head and silenced her with a kiss.
At first, it was light-almost teasing. But slowly, it deepened. Unhurried, yet leaving no room for refusal. Warm, certain, controlled… as if he had been holding back for far too long and had finally decided he wouldn’t anymore.
Lydia froze for a moment, her body going still in shock, her fingers instinctively gripping his shoulders. She wanted to push him away… wanted to protest…
But her breath caught instead, stolen in the middle of the kiss, The elevator continued its ascent. And the world outside seemed to drift farther and farther away,
Cale pulled back just enough to let her breathe, but not enough to create distance. His forehead hovered close to hers, his breath warm against her skin.
“You know,” he murmured, his voice low, touched with a faint rasp, “you’ve been full of surprises today.”