CHAPTER 169: SOMEONE VERY DEAR

A moment later, she watched him glance down at his phone. His brows rose slightly as he read her message. Then he turned to look at her.

She gave a discreet tilt of her head toward the exit.

Callan narrowed his eyes, then nodded once. He stood up smoothly and turned to the organizer beside him. She watched his lips move as he said something about an urgent call.

Emily turned to Dan. "I’ll be right back. Need to use the ladies’ room."

Dan nodded. "Sure."

Outside, the warm air hit her face, and she exhaled as she looked around for Callan.

Her phone vibrated and she checked to see a message from Callan.

[I’m at the garden. It’s around the corner on your left, just outside the hall.]

By the time she reached the garden terrace, she could already see him.

He stood near the edge, half-lit by the golden glow of the outdoor sconces.

He turned as she approached, and the moment his gaze met hers, all the courage she had fizzled.

"I’m surprised you want to talk to me," he said before she could speak. "Didn’t think you wanted anything to do with me tonight. What was so important?"

She cleared her throat. "I heard you’re one of the major sponsors."

"I am the major sponsor," he corrected simply.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course you are. You’re always too proud."

Callan smirked. "If saying things the way they are makes me proud, then yes. I’m proud."

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, folding her arms. "Why sponsor this program?"

Callan cocked his head. "Why do you think?"

She hesitated. "I hope it’s not because of me. Like some kind of big cousin duty or something."

He sighed. "Why would I do that?"

She gave him a look. "That’s exactly what I’m asking."

Callan shifted his weight and said, "Did you forget Quinn Pharmaceuticals is under my umbrella too? Sponsoring medical residencies makes sense for business. It helps our products get used in hospitals and training centers."

Emily blinked.

Oh. She hadn’t thought of that.

Her arms dropped a little. "Right. That makes sense."

"Glad you think so," Callan said, then looked her over once more. "Why are you wearing that?"

Her brow creased. "That? What are you talking about?"

"You know what I mean," he said. "You get cold easily and shouldn’t wear flimsy clothes or dresses without straps," he said, noting the goosebumps on her arms.

He had noticed her rubbing her arms at different intervals inside the hall, and he felt pissed that the idiot seated beside her had not noticed it enough to give her his coat.

He took off his coat and just as he wanted to place it over her shoulder she glared at him. "I’m fine," she snapped. "Don’t you dare think you know me. And what I wear isn’t your business."

He raised his hands and backed up. "Alright. If we’re done here, I’d like to return inside," he said, putting his coat back on.

"Go ahead," she muttered.

He turned to leave. Then paused. "Are you going back with me after this or... perhaps you have other plans with your date?"

She jerked her eyes up to him. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You’re clearly very cozy with him."

Emily crossed her arms tightly. "Yes, Callan. I have other plans I’m spending the night with Dan. I’m not coming home."

He nodded. "Have fun then."

He turned again.

"Wait," she said quickly realizing she had not told him why she called him out. "Don’t tell anyone you know me. I don’t want them to find out about our relationship."

He turned his head slightly and raised a brow. "Was I supposed to talk about you with anyone?"

She looked down slightly embarrassed. "Perhaps not. I just thought to say it. I don’t want them thinking I got this spot because of you."

He snorted, then walked away without answering.

Emily scowled as she watched him go, feeling stupid now.

Just as she turned to leave she heard her name.

"Emily?"

She jumped. "Dan!"

He stepped out from behind a stone column. "Didn’t mean to scare you."

Emily blinked. "I thought you were inside."

"I was. I came out for some air. Didn’t think I’d find you here. You said you were going to the restroom," he reminded her. "I guess you came out to talk with him."

Her mouth opened. "I wanted to find out about the sponsorship stuff."

Dan nodded. "I also heard you say you were spending the night with me."

Emily flushed red. "Forget I said that. I didn’t mean it."

"Why not?" he asked, voice softer.

"Just forget about it, okay?" she pleaded. "Let’s go back in."

Back inside, the room was hushed.

Emily paused when she saw Callan on the podium now. He was holding his glass up as he spoke and his lips curved with a daredevil smile when their eyes met.

"I just want to say how much admiration I have for those in the medical field. I’ve watched someone very dear to me work endlessly to become a medical doctor."

Emily’s heart skipped a beat before it sank.

’You better not, Callan.’ She dared him silently.

"She’s one of the most determined and hardworking person I’ve ever known. So when I heard from a reliable source that she’d been selected as part of this year’s residency program, I decided to support the program in the best way I could — not under Quinn Pharmaceuticals as usual, but personally as Callan Quinn, because she’s very dear to me."

Murmurs rippled across the hall.

Emily clenched her fists.

Callan chuckled slightly. "Well, I’m sure you’re all wondering who she is. Never mind. I won’t reveal her identity else she’s going to make my life worse than it is already. She didn’t want me to reveal that we are connected in any way. She wants no special treatment," he said with a charming smile. "She’s simple and humble to a fault. So I’ll honor that."

He lifted his glass.

"To the residents. Especially to her. May the next six months be everything she dreamed of."

Applause echoed around the hall.

But Emily stood still, her eyes locked on Callan.

And her heart? Her heart didn’t know what it felt.