From Dust To Dynasty

9

.

Caleb gripped the key Mr. Callahan had given him, its cold metal a stark contrast to the burning confusion in his mind. This new identity, handed to him almost casually after years of searching, left a bitter taste. He had found his family, yes, but disappointment coiled in his gut. The man who was his father, the one who had unknowingly raised the son of his mother's killer, the one whose adopted son had publicly shamed him—it was too much to reconcile. He found himself already plotting Tony's demise, a vengeful fire igniting within him. This wasn't just about Cathy anymore. Tony wasn't just a rival for a woman; he was the blood relative of a murderer.

He scoffed, pulling out his button phone. His thumb hovered over Diana's number. A week ago, they had made a deal: she would help him find his identity, and he would play her fiancé to crash the engagement meeting.Now, he had the answers, but the truth felt like a heavier burden than the search. He hesitated, a long moment stretching as he weighed the complexities of his new reality against the simple promise he'd made. But he couldn't leave her to struggle alone. He needed to tell her not to worry,He pressed Diana’s contact

"Hey," he said, once she answered. "I need to meet. I have some huge news."

"Me too!" Diana’s voice buzzed with an excitement that mirrored his own. "Why didn't you call earlier?"

"Just got free," he answered, letting the lie hang. "Thought you'd call too."

"I was going to, after work. Meet me in front of the hospital by 5 PM?"

By 5 PM, Caleb's bike was already parked by the curb in front of Reed Medical Center. He leaned against it, dressed in his black denim, a plain white singlet under a black jacket. The key from Mr. Callahan felt like a hot stone in his pocket. Then, she appeared. Diana emerged from the hospital's grand entrance, a vision of composure in a smart business dress, walking with a regal poise that drew eyes.

He gave a slight wave. She saw him, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. "Hi! That's a nice jacket you have there. It would fit me so well," she said, her voice light. Without a second thought, she dropped her elegant handbag onto the seat of his motorbike. Caleb offered a small smile and scratched the back of his head, feeling a familiar awkwardness.

"Let's talk in the car." She pressed her car keys. A Mercedes sedan, sleek and dark, beeped in response. Caleb glanced at his humble bike, then at the expensive car, a wry smile touching his lips. He picked up her bag and followed.

Inside the quiet luxury of the Mercedes, Caleb began. "I've been holding back from saying this, but guess what happened?" They had only met three times, yet a strange ease had settled between them, a comfort that felt far older than their brief acquaintance.

"What?" she asked, turning to him, her eyes bright with anticipation.

"Well, I found my identity! Guess who?" Caleb blurted, a thrill running through him. But Diana didn't look surprised. Not even a flicker.

"You already know?" The question felt like a punch to the gut. His voice dropped, disappointment lacing his tone. "Is that why you called? is that what you wanted to say? How many people knows about this?" The thought that she might have been privy to his deepest secret, while he’d agonized over revealing it, stung.

"Partly," she admitted, her gaze steady. "I already knew Mr. Callahan was your father. He came to me to know about you, and I did the DNA."

"But why didn't you tell me as soon as you found out?" His voice held a trace of accusation.

"I tried calling you, but it didn't go through," she explained. "Also, I needed to adhere to policies." She stopped, her eyes flicking to something in his hair. She reached out, her fingers brushing his temple to remove a loose thread. The sudden proximity, the warmth of her touch, created a charged, awkward silence. The air thickened between them, a silent invitation.

She cleared her throat, pulling back abruptly. "Well, that's not all I wanted to say!" She fiddled with her seatbelt. "My father has been hounding me about meeting your family. I didn't know what to tell them, especially about how I knew my brother Michael had your file. I'm not sure how much they know, but I'm very sure they haven't found out about your relationship with Callahan."

"What?" Caleb asked, reeling. "I thought you cleared him? Said there was nothing going on between us after the meeting that day?"

"No, I didn't," she stammered, her gaze dropping. "I... I..."

"You what?" Caleb prompted, his patience wearing thin.

"I don't want to tell him that. I want him to believe we're really dating. Let him plan the wedding. On the day of the wedding, we'll bail," Diana suggested, her voice gaining a desperate conviction.

"What?" Caleb's jaw dropped. "What are you thinking, Diana? Are you willing to hurt your father's feelings all because he wants the best for you?"

"If he wanted the best for me, he'd accept this deal," she countered, a spark of defiance in her eyes. "I helped you find your family. If I hadn't taken you to that engagement, you wouldn't have known." Her voice softened, a manipulative edge entering it. "Besides, don't you want to know how Cathy is living?"

Caleb stiffened. He hadn't told Diana about Cathy. The mention sent a chill down his spine. "You know, you'd fit in as a spy much more than a doctor, Ms. Reed. I've already helped you with the engagement. What more trouble do you want to put me through? Look for someone else to play your fake fiancé and leave me alone." He reached for the door handle.

Diana moved swiftly, grabbing him from behind, her arms locking around his waist. "Please, Caleb, save me this once! Please! You have the looks, the height, everything I need in a man. Just help me this once. Meet my grandfather and my family. I promise I will cancel this myself after I get promoted to professor." Her voice was a plea, raw and urgent.

.