What ifs

"How can I help you?" Calliope asked. She didn't appear intimidated by him in the least. She had dealt with people scarier than him in her life.   Her mismatched eyes met his scary blue ones as she added,  "Also, it's impolite to appear at someone's house with so many scary people following." 

"Not if my wife hasn't disappeared from here," The man said. His voice was as icy as his eyes.

"Did you swallow ice for breakfast, lunch and dinner?" Calliope asked, raising her brow. Her words might be cruel but this man deserved it. Who asked him to talk in such an impolite way? "Moreover, what do you mean by the statement that your wife disappeared from here? Do I look like a wife thief?"

"Are you having any trouble, Cali?" Persephone asked as soon as she appeared behind Calliope. As her eyes fell on the angry and brooding Alpha, she said in a low voice, "Santiago?"

Calliope turned to look at a shocked Persephone. She asked, "Do you know this iceman?" 

"Iceman?" Persephone said with a raised brow. Just what did her dear husband do to her new sweet friend?  

"He was looking at me as if he swallows ice for breakfast, lunch and dinner," Calliope said. She turned to Santiago and asked, "Also, what do you mean that I disappeared your wife?" 

"I think there is some misunderstanding," Persephone said standing between the two of them. It was her cue to act as a mediator.  "Santiago, this is Cali. My new friend and neighbour. And Cali, this iceman is my husband. He might appear brooding and intimidating, but he is a softie." 

"You disappeared for an hour, Red," Santiago said as he sighed in relief. He pulled his wife for a hug. "Don't scare me like this in the future." 

"What are you doing here with your crows?" Persephone wasn't pleased with the way her husband reacted. By crows, she meant those bodyguards in black. 

"What's this stench?" Santiago asked. He appeared as if he could vomit anytime. He pinched his nose to stop the stench from entering his nostrils. "Tell me Red, you didn't make friends with a stranger just for food." When he realized how true his words were, he grumbled, "What am I gonna do with you?"

"Love me or what else! However for now you should apologise to the lady. She has been nothing but kind to me, "Persephone said, her arms still around his waist. 

Santiago nodded and gazed up to look at Calliope as he murmured, "I apologize for the way I talked to you."

Calliope just smiled and didn't say anything. She waved goodbye to the couple who had just come here to scatter dog food. 

She wondered for a moment if she would ever experience a love like this. Or it was just wishful thinking on her part. What had she done to deserve a love story like theirs? 

True to her words, Persephone reached Calliope's doorstep the next day at the exact time. She had to drag Calliope with her to the mall she frequently visited.  Anyone who knew Persephone was aware of the fact that she loved to get on Santiago's nerves by bleeding his bank account. And since he pissed her off, big time, she was going to splurge his wealth on the stuff she didn't even need. This was her way of telling Santiago to screw off! 

"I think this is enough for now," Calliope appeared as if she was on the brink of passing out. She had purchased all the things she needed for her house. 

"What about your clothes? We spent two hours on other things. We can't go back without buying you some clothes, "Persephone looked horrified. Her wide green eyes were about to pop out. How could someone come to the mall and not buy clothes and shoes? Did it even make sense? No, it didn't make sense at all! 

"I never knew shopping could be so exhausting," Calliope murmured. She just wanted to lie down on the bench and sleep right here. 

"I know a boutique. You will find all the clothes you need in the same place. Why don't we check it out? If you don't like anything there, we will come another day," Persephone attempted to negotiate with Calliope who ended up agreeing with the former's sinister plan without even knowing it! 

"Excellent!"

As Calliope entered the boutique that Persephone was talking about, her feet halted there all of a sudden. It was as if she couldn't walk any more step ahead. She was suddenly hit by the tremendous changes her life had grown through. How many years had it been since she hadn't touched a cloth other than black? She was a widow, a Duchess who lost her husband and father and now who was she? 

Was she still supposed to wear black? Or she had to change that again. She was confused and bewildered! Nobody was there to guide her in the right direction. What if she did something she would regret all her life? These what-ifs were haunting her. 

Calliope felt Persephone dragging her inside the store and asking the shop attendant to show them their newest collection. 

"What do you think about this dress?" Persephone suddenly asked, jolting the other woman from her trail of toxic thoughts. 

Perhaps, she knew the answers to the questions her psyche was asking. 

Perhaps, she had always known the answers but was afraid of saying those out aloud. .

....

Author Note: You guys know Calliope's background. She didn't have a good childhood. Her father was an abusive man. She has insecurities and is afraid of lastest drastic changes in her life. Even if someone gave her the world, she would be hesitant and suspicious. She has loved a grey life all these years and suddenly colors were present before her. She didn't know what to do with those colors. Mix it in her life or save them for later.