Kallisto's POV

I expect to meet Grandpa Eclipse and spend a few minutes there before going to my parents' home. However, when I step out of the shop, his assistant is there, standing beside his car, waiting for me.

After locking the door behind me, I turn to him, flashing a nervous smile. "Todd, hi. What are you doing here?"

"Your grandfather requested that I accompany you to the house." Todd smiles at me and nods as he opens the passenger's side door for me.

The feeling of foreboding returns. Something is wrong. However, I decide to shrug it off and walk to the car.

I settle in, kicking off my flats to wiggle my toes. I text Mom that I won’t make it to dinner, suggesting a different night.

My phone rings. Although I expect Mom's name to flash on my phone's screen, it's an unknown number. I could ignore it like I do most calls from an unknown number.

However, what if whatever I'm feeling is related to whoever is calling me? What if they're calling to tell me something happened? With that thought in mind, I answer the call.

"Hello?"

"Kallisto?" Apex's voice rumbles in my ear.

Hearing him calling my name like that makes me suppress a moan. I cross my legs, ignoring the sudden and unexpected growing desire between my legs. "Apex?"

How did he even get my number?

He lets out a throaty chuckle. "At least you're not calling me dude."

"How did you know I—"

"Listen, I—"

There's a pause.

"I hear this is your first week as a business owner?" Apex carries on. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," I proudly say. "I've been saving money for a few years, and finally, I've accomplished it. I mean with the help of my grandpa and…” 

I close my eyes, shaking my head. Covering my face with my hand, I succumb to the nervous fluttering in my stomach. Oh goodness, Apex must think I’m dumb, babbling like a little girl. 

There’s a short awkward pause. I clear my throat, waiting for him to speak, but I only get more silence in return. 

I press my lips together, looking out the window. “Um, thank you for stopping by my coffee shop. I’m sure you didn’t go out of your way to come to the Bronx for, ah…”

He takes a deep breath. “Kallisto, would you like to have dinner with me on Friday?" he surprises me by asking.

Excitement rushes through me, washing over my nervousness.

The car slows to a halt in front of Grandpa Eclipse's grand mansion.

"Kallisto?"

My mind flashes back to my last date. I met Vance online, and he was great. However, he didn't tell me he was married. So, I boldly ask in a serious voice, "Are you married or dating anyone?"

"No," Apex answers, sounding amused.

I frown. He's not dating or married, but...

Todd opens the door, but I remain inside the car. 

"Are you engaged?" I continue.

Silence.

Apex clears his throat. "No."

"Kallisto," Todd calls, offering his hand.

I smile. "Okay then. I'd love to have dinner with you."

****

I rush into the study where Grandpa Eclipse is seated next to the window. In his wheelchair, he rolls towards me, wearing an odd expression. I glance around, searching for the reason behind the emergency call. 

"Grandpa, are you well? Is Grandma Willa well?"

Slowly, he pulls an envelope out of his red robe's pocket and extends it to me. "Take this. Keep it until I tell you what to do with it."

I accept the envelope, inspecting it. My shoulders slump. He wanted me to rush over here for a sealed envelope?

"Is this for my father?" I ask.

Grandpa Eclipse looks down for a moment. Slowly, he clasps his long, frail hands together and stares at me. "Kallisto, have they told you yet?"

"Told me what?"

He studies me for a moment before continuing. "Has my son told you that we're not blood-related?"

I slowly nod. "Yes, last year they told me they adopted me when I was six months old."

Grandpa pets his long beard, looking past me. His voice seems distant when he speaks again. "You're so naive, deary. I've never seen anyone work so hard to do the right thing."

What am I missing here?

"Dad always says that I should do the right thing. It may be hard sometimes because I see people enjoying my dreams and goals. However, morally and ethically, I know things will happen for me because I'm making the right choices," I explain, although I don't know why.

"You need to see life for what it is, Kallisto. You use or be used, okay?" Grandpa Eclipse nods in my direction. "People see your innocence and use it to their advantage. If you knew who you were—what you were—you'd make better choices for you, not just the right choices."

I shake my head, suddenly feeling like I am in some alternative universe. "Grandpa, are you okay? Is there something wrong? I understand you long to reunite with dad, and I'm trying to facilitate that for you."

He flashes a disgusted look as he gives me the once over. Suddenly, he grins at me, and I take a step back. All of a sudden, I get a weird feeling. It's not the feeling I typically get when I sense danger. All of a sudden, Grandpa's here, telling me I'm somehow different and looking at me with a repulsive expression on his face. What changed?

"Tell me, deary, what's it like to live in your world?"

"My world?" I shake my head, confused. "I'm a Farkas. I don't care about my birth parents. In my world, my grandfather is the most powerful person in the Bronx and—"

Grandpa Eclipse waves his hand, cutting me off. “You’re part of the Farkas family, not a Farkas.”

“Grandpa?” 

That feels like a punch to the stomach. What caused this sudden change of treatment from him? Why is he doing this to me?

“You may leave now,” he dismisses me as if I am just another one of his servants.

Instead of asking him another question, I extend the envelope to him, trying as hard as I can to keep the tears from falling down my cheeks. “You should take this back.”

His eyes widen. Suddenly, he rolls away from me, looking nervous. "No, keep it. I will call you when I'm ready."

I turn, watching Grandpa leave the study. Tears sting my eyes. I feel lonely, lost. Moreover, I feel stupid. Why do I want to cry? Did I misinterpret things? Did Grandpa Eclipse's attitude change towards me because I’m adopted? But then again, he always knew that, didn't he?

The muffled sound of my ringing phone makes me wipe away the impending tears. I open my purse, stuffing the envelope inside. Retrieving my phone, I look at the screen. It's from an unknown number again.

Apex?