Callista had a sudden craving for ice cream. She had left Castor and Franco at around ten to sleep. But she had forgotten to eat. She peeked at the pool and the two men weren't around anymore. It was almost four anyway.

Caly marched to the kitchen and grabbed a tub of ice cream. Thank god they bought some. She started eating when Castor found her.

"Hey." He greeted and seized her spoon. The man scooped a spoonful and swallowed it in one go.

"Cas! Really?" Caly grumbled in protest. "Why are you still up?"

"I can't sleep," he answered and took the seat next to her. Castor gestured with the spoon. "One more."

Callista pushed the ice cream to him, scanning his sleepy face. "So? What did you and Franco talk about?"

"Why do you want to know?" Castor resumed eating that Caly rolled her eyes. "Its guy stuff."

"Was it about girls?" she inquired, narrowing her eyes at him.

"That's disgusting."

"Then, what is it? I stopped listening after..." Caly grinned and cleared her throat. "'I've got your back'."

Castor gaped at her. "You eavesdropped on us?" He rubbed a hand over his face as a muffled groan escaped his lips. "Callista!"

"Hey! Ladies don't eavesdrop," she insisted with a loud chuckle. "The video was buffering. I couldn't help but hear it."

"But still—"

"Not—Oh my god!" Caly screamed as the lights went out. Her heart clamored in terror as darkness covered her eyes. "Cas! Where are you? Shit!"

"Caly, calm down.I'm here!"

Callista felt Castor's arms on her. Her fear dissipated as his best friend scent filled her senses. The wild thrumming in her ears became a low hum.

"Take a deep breath," he whispered, combing his fingers through her hair. "Don't be scared. I'm here, aren't I?"

Caly blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings. She lifted her head to stare at him. "Cas..."

"Hmm?"

"Have we met before?"

"Uhm, what do you mean?"

Callista took a step back as the lights returned. She tried to rack her brain as to where the thought came from but she found nothing. For now, it was just a gut feeling.

"You're being weird. Here, eat this." Castor ushered her to sit down and gave her the rest of the ice cream.  She forgot her worries as they talked for hours until Cas glanced at the clock. "Should we cook breakfast?"

"You're not going to sleep?" she asked in amusement. "What a miracle."

The two of them prepared a stack of pancakes, bacon, and breakfast burritos. An hour later, Franco came down in his usual white shirt and pressed pants. He and Castor started eating as Caly prepared a pitcher of orange juice.

She took the seat in front of them and the stared at the two men. They ate so fast that the food was almost gone. Caly snorted and grabbed a burrito. She shot her best friend a steely gaze. "Are you not planning on leaving me food?"

Franco drank his juice before he answered. "Sorry. I was hungry." He stood up after finishing his glass of juice. "I'll go ahead. And I'm having a dinner meeting later so don't worry about me."

"Are you going now?" Castor mumbled with his mouth full.

"Yeah. I'm late," Franco replied and grabbed his coat.

"I'll go with you!" Castor announced and hurriedly finished his food. He ran a hand through his messy hair and trailed after Franco.

"Cas! You're leaving me?" Caly called out. Her best friend ignored her that made her pout. "You didn't even take a bath yet!"

Callista sighed. The mansion felt big when she had her dad, but now it was massive with her friends gone. She supposed she should be happy that Franco and Castor were getting along. But she groaned against her palms as she remembered that Castor was going back to his own life.

✘✘

Callista had spent her time in baking her favorite apple pie. She decided to swim and clear her mind but it kept coming back to her feelings. God, she sucked. She was never one to wallow in misery and all that crap but that was what she was doing.

She came up from the water and sat by the pool, glaring at the sun's reflection. If it was up to her, then she would choose to stay here and be close to Castor. But was that okay? What if she didn't have that right anymore?

In the end, only Castor could decide. No matter how much she desired to win his favor, she already knew that she couldn't interfere.

She sighed. Was this what it felt like to be selfless?

It sucked.

"Hey!" A hand ruffled her wet hair.

Caly looked up to see Castor's sparkling green eyes. Her worries vanished. "You're back?"

Castor handed her a box as he sat beside her and crossed his legs. He wore a different set of clothes than he had this morning. A white tee and cargo shorts. Caly had no doubt it belonged to Franco.

"Wow. You wear each other's clothes now?" she teased which Castor rolled his eyes at.

"Were you waiting for me?" he asked as he gestured the box on her lap. "Open it."

"I wasn't waiting." Caly opened the box and gasped at the powdered doughnuts. "Oh my god! I've missed this." She took one before she stopped and eyed her best friend. "Wait. What's the occasion?"

"Nothing." Castor's hand reached out and pushed the wet hair off her face. "I just want to thank you."

"For what?" Caly took consecutive bites from her doughnut as she waited for his answer.

Callista got another doughnut when she realized that Castor had gone quiet. She looked at him, meeting his fervent jade eyes. Her heart raced faster. "What?"

"Nothing. Just thank you," he finally mumbled. "For listening to me these past few days."

Caly brushed the sugar off her fingers, swallowing the rest of her snack. "You're welcome. That's what friends do."

"Yeah. But I know you hate it when people whine about their problems." Cas seized her hand, pressing it against his large palm. "I appreciate it."

She wasn't expecting any reward of sorts but Castor's words had warmed her heart. She grinned at him. "Don't get used to it."

Castor chuckled and let her get back to eating. "Another thing..."

"Hmm?"

"Franco and I decided to meet my mother tomorrow."

Caly ceased eating her doughnut halfway. She set it down. He was leaving.

Callista knew that her fears were irrational and childish to an extent. Castor wasn't like her dad. Her best friend didn't run away. But she felt fear nonetheless.

"So, this is what the doughnuts are for?" She scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulders. "You don't have to ask for my permission. I don't own you, remember?"

Castor tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "I still want to let you know. Will you miss me? I really like waking up next to you."

She choked as her face flamed with his candid words. "Huh?"

"It's a legit question." Castor pulled his leg upwards, letting his chin rest on his knee.

Callista calmed her breathing. What she wanted was not important anymore. "Good luck with your meeting. I'm sure it'll turn out fine."

"You didn't answer my question."

"Stop it." She started to get up when he spoke again.

"Are you running away? Your dad did run away."

Caly gritted her teeth as she halted her movements. It seemed that Castor was keen on lighting her already short fuse. She shot him a freezing glare. "What do you want from me?"

"Be honest, Callista." Castor faced her, meeting her turbulent gaze. "Do you like what we are to each other? Being friends and all that?"

She gawked at him. "Of course I do. What are you even saying?"

"Because I can't be friends with you anymore, your majesty."

"What?"

"I want more."

Callista couldn't breathe. Her head whirled as the world spun around her. "I... I need a drink."

She stood up and marched inside the house. Caly ransacked the fridge before she found a bottle of wine. Before she could do anything, Castor's arms circled her exposed waist.

"Are you afraid?" His hot breath sent shivers down her spine.

"I hurt you once. I almost destroyed what we have." Her voice shattered as she remembered her lies. She felt tears form at the edge of her eyes. "I'll mess up."

"I don't care." Castor began as his teeth grazed her ear. His lips traveled downwards to place a soft kiss on her neck. "If there's one person I want to be by my side as life throw shit at me, it's you. It's always been you, Callista."

Caly bit her lip. His words sparked bliss in her heart that all she wanted to do was burst in happiness. All the fears that her father had instilled in her felt so trivial in front of Castor's vows.

Damn. She guessed this must be why love was so rare.

"Castor, you know you can't take that back," she mumbled, gripping his clasped hands against her stomach.

"I won't."

Caly smirked. She had been ready to accept whatever he wanted them to be. Friends, enemies, strangers. Each possibility had a scenario in her mind. But being lovers didn't cross her mind. She never thought she would find love and with her best friend of all people.

But if this what Castor wanted, she'd happily accept it. Caly didn't care what people would say or that she didn't deserve him. As long as he wanted her, she'll be with him.

She twisted her body to face him, snaking an arm around his neck to bring their faces closer. "Then, I'll stay by your side. For as long as you want me to."

"How about forever?"

"Forever sounds good."

✘✘

i decided to let this be a simple chapter (despite my week of internal debate) haha they're already acting like lovers so I don't think I need to make a big deal about their declaration and stuff.

Thank you for reading! Stay safe!

xx
lucci