"I wonder if Callie even likes them," Valerian muttered under his breath. He just picked up the box of cupcakes and walked away.


    Lisette''s face turned a shade of green that would make a cucumber jealous.


    She couldn''t believe it. She''d basically spelled it out for him, and he just waltzed off with the cupcakes like he hadn''t understood a word she''d said.


    She took a deep, steadying breath.


    Clearly, waiting around wasn''t going to cut it. If she wanted them to notice her, she''d have to take matters into her own hands. She needed to make sure they knew she was giving them thoughtful, meaningful gifts. It was the only way they''d realize how much she cared. And if they didn''t believe she loved them, there was no way they''d ever be good to her.


    She''d been fighting for their affection her whole life. Pushing Calliope out of the picture? That was practically second nature by now.


    Lisette narrowed her eyes, a n already forming. She headed back to her office, rolled up her sleeves, and got to work.


    When Calliope came back to her deskter, she found Valerian standing there awkwardly, bncing a box of red velvet cupcakes.


    "Hey, Callie, I picked these up for you on my way back," he said, offering her the box. "Do you like these? If not, I can get something else next time!"


    He hesitated. “Uh, do you need help with anything? Just let me know if you do. I''m happy to help out!"


    Calliope barely nced at him. "Just focus on your own work, Valerian. I don''t need any help. And you really don''t have to keep buying me stuff. I''m not that into sweets, anyway."


    Valerian frowned. "But you used to get so excited when I brought you cupcakes as a kid. That''s why I thought you''d like them."


    Calliope''s voice was cold. "That little girl doesn''t exist anymore, Valerian."


    Valerian winced, stung by her words.


    She couldn''t have been clearer: she''d changed. She wasn''t the easy-to-please kid he remembered.


    "Callie, listen... I know we weren''t always great to you. But we''re trying to change, I mean it! I know you still care about us, deep down. And we love you, too!"


    He gave her a pleading look, hand over his heart. "Really, I''m trying to make up for all the crap I did before. Just tell me what you want me to do. I''ll do anything, if you can forgive me."


    "There''s nothing you can do," Calliope replied tly, barely looking up from herputer. "No matter what you do now, it''ll just seem pathetic."


    Valerian stood there, awkward and silent.


    But Calliope''s words didn''t make him give up. If anything, he was more determined than ever to win her over Especially with that rumor about her buying him a new car. He couldn''t shake the thought. He just didn''t know when she was nning to give it to him, and the suspense was killing him.


    Out of the blue, he blurted, "Hey, uh, Christmas ising up soon... Have you


    thought about what you want for a present?"


    "Not really," Calliope replied, not even ncing his way.


    Valerian just stood there, deted.


    What the heck was he supposed to get her, then?


    Well, whatever it was, he was determined to give it to her first thing on Christmas morning. After all, he figured, nothing he got her could@verpare to the gift she was supposedly nning fochim. So he definitely wouldn''t be losing out.  ?wnovel


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!