Chapter 38: Breakthrough.

HELENA He hesitated, before saying, 'He called it the scroll of vengeance. Some ancient artifact with a lot of magic. I don't know much about it." It was like a bucket of ice water was poured on me. What the hell? What kind of twisted fate was this? Why did he just happen to be after the same scroll? 'Caleb… I don't think I can help you with this. I've got a lot on my plate already. There are tons of people who know a lot about the library. Why don't you find out?" I said in one breath. Regardless of the circumstances, I didn't want to be his sidekick. I was already feeling lightheaded sitting across from him. He opened his mouth to respond when the waiter came forward with ‘our' order. I wouldn't lie, the bagels were nice. Crispy soft goodness. 'I don't want to find out anything. I want it to be you. Why don't you get that?" He leaned closer. 'Because I don't want that. Is it hard to understand? I can tell you a few things I know about the library, but that's it. I'm not going back there." I took a bite out of my bagel. 'I didn't ask you to. I'm sorry if I sounded imposing." He said quietly, sipping his coffee. I was stunned. Caleb would never apologize. He was of the opinion that he was never wrong, and it was overbearing at times. I had learned to live with his narcissism over time, and I just got used to it. My phone buzzed. It was Veronica. Dread plunged into my veins. She never calls me during work time. Did something go wrong? 'Excuse me, Caleb." I walked into the nearest bathroom, panting. 'What's wrong?" I breathed the moment I picked up. I could hear faint sounds from the other end of the line, and it sounded like Luna. 'Why would you think something is wrong silly? I'm extremely happy right now." Vee's voice sounded full of enthusiasm, and it calmed my already raging heart. I exhaled, relaxing my arm on the bathroom sink. 'Better. What's up? And who's making all that noise? I hope you guys aren't painting again." I would kill all of them, including Aaron. 'Relax your bones. We're not. Where are you? Come home early today. I want you to see this in person." She said all in one breathe. I became curious now. 'Calm down baby girl. I'm with….Caleb." 'What?!" Two voices yelled at the same time. 'Am I on speaker phone Vee?" I can't believe she'd do that. 'Yes and no. What the hell are you doing there with him?" She sounded scolding. 'He asked to see me. What was I supposed to do? I already agreed." 'There's something called being 'stood up" girl. You know you shouldn't. You're such a softie." She said, piercing my bones. 'Jeez you don't have to make it sound like that." My voice dropped an octave. 'Fine, I'm sorry. Just come home quick. And get us bagels." She giggled. Silly girl. I splashed water on my face as I watched my reflection in the mirror. God I looked like a mess. Tousled hair, purple smudges under my eyes, and flushed skin. What did Caleb even see in me? I guess it doesn't matter anymore. I cleaned off the water and walked back to our table, a little more anxious than earlier. Caleb sat still at the table, lost in his own thoughts. He spotted me, and straightened up. I sat slowly, and sipped my coffee. It was cold. 'Are you good?" His voice rumbled low. 'Yeah. Yeah I am. Now, let's get down to business." I said, finishing the last of my bagel. He nodded, then chuckled. 'We're not business partners. Would you like a payment for your knowledge?" He asked, his eyes filled with mirth. I was tempted to say yes, but I knew Caleb. This was bait. So, I shook my head and took out my mini notebook. 'The library is huge, as you've seen. There are many sections, aisles and even hidden rooms." My mind drifted to the nook. 'Hidden rooms? What are hidden rooms doing in a library?" He questioned. 'I don't know, they're just there. Maybe they have something to do with the artifact you're talking about." I made a mental note to ask Luna about it later. 'So essentially the people who built it always had these artifacts and decided to hide them here. Smart. Weird, but smart." He took out his own note, and began writing. I stared at his handwriting. Caleb was taught cursive as a child, so his writing was like those in old books. Sophisticated. 'Yes, maybe. Anyways, I know I saw some weird things in there. Nonetheless I still love the library, so those things didn't matter." I wrote out a list of the places I knew I had seen strange stuff. 'Weird things like what?" 'Well, for starters, when I was 11, I decided to check out the history section. My mom used to love talking about the town's history and how historical references have a way of guiding us. I was as intrigued as she was, so I decided to try it out." I paused, recalling the memories. They were unwanted, hidden. But I knew I'd have to face them one day, and I might as well start now. 'No wonder you never liked playing with history class." Caleb smiled, his eyes fixed on his note. I snorted. 'I needed to perform well in the class. That was it." I grumbled. That was a total lie. I loved history class because I loved history books. I stopped reading them a long time ago, after I left Henley. I turned to dark romance and billionaire instead. I had enough of history books. Actually, no I haven't. 'Whatever you say ma'am." He chuckled. 'Go on. What happened that day?" He looked like a ten year old waiting to take his candy. So…adorable.