David checked himself on the rearview mirror for what seems like the umpteenth time for the last three minutes. He assured himself that his shirt had no apparent creases, his hair styled neatly and not a single strand out of place.

He looked pleasing enough, but it wasn't sufficient to slacken his apprehension, dreading for what has to come. His fingers nervously tapped on his steering wheel, humming along the lines of Ed Sheeran's Dive as it played in his car serving as a distraction. 

His eyes skimmed outside his window shield. The steely white gate greeting him, reminding him that a goddess would walk out in seconds.

"You're too early." He tells himself, cursing. "You look bloody desperate."

Closing his eyes, he leaned against his headrest and groaned. It was 9:30 in the bloody morning and his thoughts were already consuming him, he was thirty minutes early.

Great. Bloody terrific.

Callista had mentioned that they should meet in the orphanage, at ten-o'clock tops. But David persisted it wasn't necessary and offered to give her a ride so they could go together.

So, here he was. On front of her residence, waiting patiently, making sure everything was flawless, from his car to him.

He was worried he might be underdressed for this occasion. He wasn't wearing his suit, like he usually does, but opted for a long sleeve shirt, dark jeans, and shoes.

Minutes passed and David rehearsed his introduction to Callista when she comes over. What should he do when she's here? Wave?

He scrunched his nose, shaking his head.

Obviously, not that. Too cliché. A common 'How's your day?' would surely do it.

He paused, blinking but cringed inwardly. He was positive nothing exciting happened to her morning so far. Aside from maybe spoiling her cat, Cleopatra, with bountiful amount of cat chips.

He chuckled.

He glanced at his watch, 9:56. He exhaled deeply and glimpsed at the gate and right in time, Callista was walking towards his car, wearing a blue jumper and white crop top, hair styled in pigtails.

He nearly melted how adorable yet sexy she looked.

David fumbled over his seatbelt and got out, walking towards the passenger's door and opened it for her.

"H-howdy." He greeted enthusiastically, teeth showing in a wide grin.

Callista's mouth twitch and smiled sweetly. "Howdy to you, too, David. Thank you."

He shuts the door once she was settled and nearly smack his head on the hood of his car.

Bloody idiot. Howdy? HOWDY? That's the best you can come up with?

"So," he started as his car roared to life and drove off.

"So?" She imitated slowly.

"Who's your favorite act so far?"

Callie pondered, pursing her lips. "Well, I absolutely love Faith. Her voice is very powerful, she's a phenomenal child."

He nodded. "Someone as young as that, you can really tell she's going to do great in the future. Especially in Broadway."

"See, that's what I think. She could be the next Beyoncé."

"Oh, no one can be the next Beyoncé. Just can't."

Callista laughed. "Fearing she'll take your place?"

He grinned and sent her a wink. "Not at all, I'm already born a diva."

Callista shook her head in amusement.

"This is my first time riding here." She mumbles. "Looks fancy."

David peered at him before focusing his eyes on the road once more. "Really? I never knew that."

Liar.

Callista smiled. "No, really. You remember how I wanted to ride in your car back then?"

David chuckled, reminiscing how she would give him chocolates in exchange for a ride.

"How can I forget that? Your bribing was very, very tempting knowing I was allergic to white chocolate."

Callista blushed. "I didn't know!" She huffed and crossed her arms as David cackled.

"You seem to be enjoying them before." She threw back.

"Only because you gave them."

She fell silent, not knowing how to answer that. Callista looked away and tried to calm her wrecking nerves. It was a really bad idea being here with him, the wall she built was slowly crumbling.

David had sensed the tension and he reprimanded himself.

"So, tell me about this orphanage we're going to."

He nearly gave himself a pat on the back as Callie's eyes glimmered with joy and passion again. He loved listening to her, her genuine love for charity and her work spoke volumes.

It was one of the many things he fell in love with. Callista Miller was indeed an angel. A beautiful, sexy, and amazingly hot-headed one.

•••

The two got out of the car and parked near a large oak tree. David was familiar with the route they passed through, it brought unpleasant memories.

"Come on." Callie motioned.

David tailed and admired the fine architecture of a large building. The name of the orphanage was boldly engraved in the silver plating at the entrance.

"Hey, Joe. How's the kids?" Callie asked a tall security guard who greeted both of them with a polite nod.

"Beautiful mornin', Ma'am. They're doing well, been shouting at the top of their lungs for the last hour." He informed.

Callista grinned. "Bet they are. I've brought a friend of mine today."

David ignored the stinging sensation but was also relieved that Callista thought they were friends.

"Mornin', Sir." Joe greeted, extending his hand for David to take.

"Ditto." He smiled and shook Joe's hand.

"See you late, Joe." Callie waved off and the security guard nodded before walking back to her post.

They came across a fountain at the center, adorned with wild flowers and green grasses. The building was mostly made from red bricks and a cobblestone path had circled the pebbled ground towards the main building.

"Is this your first time?"

David looked at a smiling Callista, he nodded.

"Yes. It feels different than a children's hospital." He said, opening the front door to let Callie walk in first.

Callista hid her blush.

"What children's hospital have you been before?"

"In Manchester. They were all lovely."

"They are. You'll love these children." She excitedly exclaims.

David smiled in response.

A woman with rich caramel skin and dark curls walked towards them.

"Lucinda." Callista waved and gave the elderly woman a kiss on the cheek. "It's so nice to see you again."

Lucinda agreed. "Absolutely, dearest. When I heard you came back, I was excited. The children as well. They missed you."

"I missed them, too. Speaking of which, I've brought company. His name is David Walliams."

Lucinda smiled at David.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lucinda." He says, hugging her.

Lucinda laughed lowly. "Oh, such a gentleman. The children love your books, Mr. Walliams."

"Please, just call me David." He winked, Callista cleared her throat.

"Oh, will do." Lucinda replied. "Come, come. They're waiting."

They arrived at a botanical garden at the back of the orphanage. It was arrayed with colourful decorations. There were about fifty children, wearing birthday hats and were seated on their seats.

The theme song of 'Sofia: The First' echoed on the background and a man dressed as a bunny rabbit was on an elevated platform.

He spotted the three of them by the entrance.

"Good news, kids. We have guests today. Let's give them a warm welcome."

Abruptly, two identical looking girls, around the ages of four, ran towards Callista, hugging her knees.

"Callie!" They said in unison.

"Hello, girls." Callista grinned and picked both of them up with ease, giving them kisses on both their plump cheeks.

They giggled.

"That's May and June. They're very close to her and the twins adored her." Lucinda spoke beside David as he watch as numerous children crowded around her, each wearing smiling faces.

His stomach swarmed with butterflies, admiring the angel. His angel.

"She's been helping this orphanage for years, if it weren't for her this building would've been taken down."

David turned to her, surprised.

"What? Why?"

To think that the orphans who had no place to stay would be homeless, abandoned.

Lucinda smiled sadly. "We didn't own it and the place was drowning in numerous debts. It was either paying or demolish this home."

"That's awful."

Lucinda nodded grimly. "Indeed it was. But Callista helped, with her foundations and other charity events, the orphanage was back in our hands again. For good."

David observed Callista. She looked ethereal basking in the sunlight, the children were clapping their hands in time with the beat as she danced along with the other caretakers.

His heart flutters furiously, thinking it would burst any minute.

"You love her."

It didn't surprised him.

"Yes, I do." He answered.

Lucinda smiled. "I know you do, son. You have that look in your eyes. Just treat our Callie kindly."

"I will. I'll make her happy." He vowed with fervor burning in his brown eyes.

"David!" Callista called. "Come join us, come on."

David chuckled and shook his head. "I'm really not good at dancing."

Callista pouted and ran towards him, taking his hand and pulling him on the center. May and June joining in, tugging at his pants.

"Dance with us, mister." One of them says, showing his large eyes. "Pwease?"

David looked between Callista and the twins and groaned in defeat but had a megawatt smile on his face.

"Only if Callie goes out with me."

"Wh-what?" Callista sputtered.

May and June clapped their hands. "Yes, yes she will. Now, dance with us."

David laughed. "You heard the girls, Callie."

Callista rolled her eyes yet her smirk gave it away.

"Yeah, right."