Chapter 5

SAIGE CALLAHAN

CEO of Callahan Biotechnology Laboratories

"I did not want this." She mumbled as she stared at her name at the end of a contract. Would she ever get used to it?

She had never dreamt of becoming the head of their family's company. She only wished to stay in her laboratory, either stuck on a book, reading, or experimenting.

"But you have a choice, Saige." Another voice joined her as her friend leaned over the table and patted her hand. "You can sell the company."

Yeah! Right!

She wished.

Putting the company on the market with a price tag would solve many of her problems. However, it was not that simple. 

"You know I can't do that, Jill." As much as she hated sitting in the CEO's chair, she had to take on the responsibility her parents had given her. 

She knew her friend only wanted to help. She had known her since they were children. They had become doctors together, but their paths separated when they chose a different specialization.

"I have to protect the company for Ty." Thinking of her brother.

She wanted to pass it to him when he grew older. She believed he would be a better fit to run the business. She just had to wait until he was ready. 

Besides, her entire work was in their Research Facility. She could not give up on finding the cure for her mother's disease and her other research.

"But what if he doesn't want it either?" Her friend questioned, always acting as her voice of reason.

She guessed that was a possibility. But she would not know until that time came. For now, she would protect her brother's interest.

"Excuse me, Ms. Callahan, but a package just arrived for you." Her secretary peeked at her door. "Should I bring it in, Miss?" 

She was not expecting anything, but as the CEO, she guessed that should be normal. She signaled her secretary to get it.

A minute later, she stared at a large bouquet of red roses on her desk. No! That could not be typical in her father's or mother's day at the office.

"It's beautiful!" Jill gasped in excitement as she appreciated the blooming red roses. "Damn, girl, who sent them?"

Damn, indeed!

That was the million-dollar question. Who could have sent those flowers? Maybe there was a mistake. It might not be even hers.

"Where did it come from?" Her friend stood before her table, staring at the card protruding between the petals. "Do you have a suitor that I did not know about?"

Of course, she did not have one. It had been a while since she had last dated. "The staff probably sent the flowers as a welcome gift." She concluded, not wanting to think much of it.

She did not even bother to read the note. But her friend would not have it, so she grabbed the piece of cardboard. "Aren't you even a bit curious?"

She did not stop her friend since she was confident it was nothing. Instead, she returned her attention to the document before her.

"Do you have a secret admirer?" Jill suddenly giggled, jumping with joy as she grabbed her hand and waved them around out of enthusiasm.

"What are you talking about?" Again, she was not interested. "Of course, I don't." She did not have time for such foolish things. "Give me that."

She grabbed the card from her friend's hands. But instead of reading it, she instantly threw it in the trash bin. 

She was not about to entertain some stranger who did not have the nerve to introduce himself. The flowers immediately followed the card into the basket.

"Why did you do that?" Her friend shook her head. "Aren't you even interested in discovering who sent them?" Her friend stared at her like she had just grown two horns.

But what she did not realize? The bouquet was the least of her problems. Not another minute longer, her secretary knocked on her door again.

"I am sorry, Ms. Callahan, but several more packages arrived for you." The other woman informed her. "Should I let them bring them in?" She asked, seemingly excited about something.

She guessed this day was full of surprises. But she doubted this could be worse than the first one. They were probably the boxes of files she had asked for yesterday.

"Ok. Let the delivery men in and tell them to put the boxes in the corner." She pointed to one side of the room.

Shock would not be enough to describe how she felt when a truckload of roses and other flowers entered her room. One corner did not seem adequate as the delivery guy filled every inch of her office.

"What the heck, Saige!" Her friend could not believe her eyes either. "Who sent all these?" Again, her friend's guess was as good as hers.

She only shrugged her shoulders, having no clue. When the last man came in, he put the vase directly before her. Then, she spotted the card sticking on its side.

"Whoever is playing a prank on me, I will make sure to make him pay." She could not think of any other reason why someone would send her these many flowers.

I KNEW YOU WOULD THROW AWAY THE ROSES, SO I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF SENDING YOU MORE. THIS TIME, I HOPE YOU WILL AT LEAST KEEP ONE.

BY THE WAY, I HOPE YOU WILL HAVE DINNER WITH ME TONIGHT.

X

A single letter identified the sender, but she instantly knew who it was. Damn! Why did she not think of him before? 

"O. M. G! Who is this mysterious X?" Jill expressed her curiosity as she glared at the piece of card with a visible frown on her forehead. 

"As you said, a secret admirer." She did not want to lie to her friend. But she did not see the point of fueling her interest since she had no plan to entertain this man.

"Are you going to have dinner with Mr. X?" Her friend inquired, just as usual, prying into her private business.

"No!" She vehemently said. She would never go out with that man. 

Never!

"Just like that! You won't even give Mr. X a chance." Jill raised her eyebrows, giving her that first-degree inquisition.

"No! I am not. I am busy." She would not give this man even a single minute of her time. 

"Are you sure? It sounds as if your admirer knows you too well." Her friend gazed at her as if she was deciphering her thoughts. But she remained impassive.

"Aren't you supposed to check on your patients?" She thought it was time for her friend to leave. 

"Oh! Shit! What time is it?" Her friend grabbed her things as she checked her phone. "Damn! I have to get back." She rushed toward the door. "Talk to you later." Then, her friend was out the door, just like that. 

That was the typical life of a doctor. Truthfully, she preferred that instead of sitting on the desk in this empty, quiet room. 

All alone.

But to answer her friend's question.

No!

She only knew him as a scumbag. Whatever he knew about that man was all a lie. So? No! She did not know this stranger that sent her those damn flowers.

No! She did not need his help.