Karl Gordon Is Back

Chapter 10: Checkmate

Karl did not move.

The door remained open behind him, but he stood there with a look in his eyes that neither of them could read.His hand rested loosely against the doorframe, almost in amusement.

“Oh my goodness..” Melody gasped, scrambling on her feet, her movements frantic as she tugged at her panties and then her skirt, hands shaking.

Caden swore under his breath.

He stepped back, fumbling with his trouser and then his belt. Papers slid off the desk as he moved, landing on the floor in a mess neither of them noticed.

Karl chuckled, “I didn't mean to interrupt you. I didn't realise you two were so busy with work..”

Silence, neither of them could speak. They could only stare at him in disbelief.

Karl's eyes moved from one person to another, neither of them had the right words to say.

His smile turned dark. “You got so carried away that you forgot to lock the door.” He mused.

That was how little regard they had for him. His office was right next door and that didn't stop them.

“Karl…” Caden’s voice cracked slightly before he cleared his throat. “This… this isn’t what it looks like.”

Karl’s brow lifted a fraction.

Melody spun toward him then, anger flashing across her face.

“Why didn’t you knock?” she snapped. “What kind of person just barges into someone’s office like that?”

Karl’s gaze finally shifted to her.

He looked at Melody, she had just been caught chatting and the only thing she cared about was the fact that he had walked in without knocking.

Interesting.

“I work here,” Karl said calmly. His voice was even. “This is my office too.”

“That doesn’t give you the right..”

“You were busy,” he interrupted without raising his voice. “I can see that.”

Caden stepped forward, palms raised. “Karl, listen to me. This just… happened. It was a mistake.”

Karl’s eyes flicked toward him.

“A mistake,” he repeated.

“Yes,” Caden insisted. “Emotions ran high….Melody was stressed, and I…”

“...was trying to pacify her and this just happened…” Karl completely and chuckled.

Caden froze, how did he know he was going to say that.

“I'm your friend..” Karl continued, “I would never deliberately hurt you and you know that..”

Caden stood rooted to the ground, “Karl..”

Karl nodded slowly, as though considering his excuse. These were the exact words he had said to him in his past life.

But things seemed to happen differently this time. Back then, he had caught them in his room, on his bed but this time, he caught them at the office.

‘This means things that are meant to happen will happen but in a different way.’ He thought.

The more reason why he must take his second chance seriously. Caden and Melody just proved it to him.

“You wouldn't even let me touch you but here you are..” he glanced at Caden, “...fucking my bestfriend.”

His eyes went to Melody, this was why.

Why Melody had always pulled away from his kisses, why she had flinched at his touch, why she always turned down his advances for sex..

It wasn’t disinterest, she was getting laid somewhere else.

He'd thought she was just shy and that she wasn't ready for that yet. He understood that, respected it but finding out she was with someone else..

Despite knowing this had happened, Karl's heart clenched painfully. He'd given everything for her. Everything he ever had…

“How long?” Karl asked.

Melody’s lips parted, then pressed together again. Caden hesitated, seeming to calculate.

Karl smiled faintly. “That long,” he murmured. “I thought so.”

Melody crossed her arms defensively. “Don’t stand there acting like you’re some kind of victim,” she snapped. “You weren’t exactly a present boyfriend.”

Karl chuckled. “A present boyfriend,” he repeated. “Interesting choice of words.”

He took a step further into the room, “Judging by how often you turned down my offer for sex.”

He glanced at Caden again, “Apparently someone has been laying down the pipes instead.”

Melody's hand swung along his face, hard. “Don't you dare speak to me in such a degrading manner!”

Karl's cheeks burned but he felt nothing. Seeing this all over again felt like opening an old wound.

It hurts. Even though he hated her, it still hurts.

Karl chuckled and raised his finger in her face, “Let this be the last time you'll touch me.” He warned. “I’m warning you.”

Melody folded her arms, “Or what?!”

Caden swallowed, “Melody, please..”

9nly then did she back down.

“Karl, please. Let’s talk about this like adults.”

“We are,” Karl said. “You’re explaining. I’m listening.”

“That’s not what I mean,” Caden said quickly. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Do what?”

“Stand there pretending you don’t care.”

Karl tilted his head slightly. “Pretending?” An amused smile crossed his lips, “How so?”

Melody scoffed. “Don’t play games. I know you. You’re about to lose it any second now.”

He looked at her then, truly looked at her. Was this what she thought of him? Someone predicted and weak even though she's the one who hurt him?

Karl smiled. “I’m enjoying the honesty,” he said. “Please. Carry on.”

Both of them stared at him.

Caden blinked. “Carry on… with what?”

“With whatever it was I interrupted,” Karl replied calmly. “Don’t let me stop you.”

Melody’s jaw dropped. “Are you insane?”

“Possibly,” Karl said lightly. “But this is fascinating.”

Caden took another step back. “Karl, this isn’t funny.”

“I didn’t say it was.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable.

“You always do this,” she said sharply. “You act like this to punish me. To make me feel guilty.”

“I’m not interested in your tactics today,” he continued. “Tears. Anger. Blame. I’ve seen them all.”

He glanced between them once more.

“Finish what you started,” he said again. “I have work to do.”

Caden stared at him in disbelief. “You’re just going to walk away?”

“Yes.”

Melody laughed bitterly. “You think this makes you look strong?”

Karl paused at the door.

He turned just enough to look over his shoulder.

“No,” he said. “I just don't care what you do anymore.”

And with that, he walked out.

Anna was right out the door, she had seen and heard everything that had happened.

She opened her mouth to say something but sealed her lips shut.

Karl walked down the hallway with steady steps, he didn't need her to say anything.

He needed confirmation about something and now he's finally got it.

As he approached his office, he reached into his pocket and glanced at his phone.

The screen lit up and a picture came up on the screen.

Karl’s lips curved slightly.

“Checkmate.”