As Callistus lay on his bed that evening, he couldn't shake the feeling of impending uncertainty. He knew he had to make a decision soon. His thoughts were interrupted by a message from Ivan.

"Hey, just checking in. How are you holding up?"

Callistus hesitated before typing back, "I'm managing, but I might need to find a new place soon."

Almost immediately, Ivan responded, "If you need help looking, just let me know, I'll try my best," he replied. "Or if you want, there's always a spare room at my place."

Callistus smiled at the offer. "Thanks, I might take you up on that if things get too tight."

"It's nothing, I know you'll manage," Ivan replied.

Callistus set his phone down and took a deep breath. For the first time in a while, he felt a small glimmer of hope.

—

"Yeah, you saw it too last night, right? I wonder when he will—" Mia stopped mid-sentence as she saw Callistus walk toward her and Star.

"What are you doing here again?" Callistus asked as he sat down.

"Oh, just wanting to discuss the party," she answered. "Are you going?"

"Hope so," he replied before coughing. "When is it?"

"In three weeks," Star answered. "Please arrive."

"By the way, did you hear?" Mia whispered. "Ivan is getting married soon to an old friend. It's a company marriage to save the other company from dying."

Callistus acted surprised, looking at Star with big eyes.

"I hate that girl," Star said, rolling her eyes at the thought of becoming her sister-in-law. "She's quite mental in my opinion, pointing a knife at us because we started laughing and she didn't get the joke. Stupid bitch."

Mia just smiled. "Too bad," she said. "He made it this far but is still forced to get married."

Callistus just listened, coughing a few times but not saying a word. He already knew it was going to happen, but he still wanted to hear more.

"Well..." Star started. Mia and Callistus looked at her, curious. "He can choose to not marry her."

Mia clapped and sprang up from her seat, causing everyone to stare. She quickly apologised for the commotion and sat down. "Why won't he do it?" she whispered.

"From our father, if he doesn't want to get married, he has to have someone else to marry," Star replied. "And that idiot chose to marry her instead of finding someone else he's interested in."

"Damn," Callistus said. "Would the wedding be big or small?" He wanted to know if he could be there to see the wedding and just end the job.

Mia looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Sad, but I don't think saving a vape company would do any good anyway."

Star and Callistus shrugged.

—

Later that evening, Ivan was driving Callistus home. The conversation with Mia and Star replayed in Callistus's mind, making him feel something he didn't quite place. 

"What's on your mind?" Ivan asked, glancing over at Callistus.

Callistus hesitated. "I heard you might be getting married soon."

Ivan's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Yeah, it's complicated."

Callistus nodded, looking out the window. "Must be tough, having to marry someone for business."

"It is," Ivan admitted. "But sometimes, you have to do what's necessary."

Callistus felt a pang in his chest. It was a heartache, but he didn't recognize it as such. "If you had a choice, would you still go through with it?" he asked quietly and covered his mouth with a cough.

Ivan glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "I don't know. Maybe not," he answered. "But if I were to somehow meet my old friend again, I would just immediately get down on one knee before them, ask for their hand."

Callistus nodded. "I feel like she would be the happiest girl at the moment," he said, the feeling inside him growing stronger. He didn't know why, but the thought of Ivan marrying someone else hurt more than he expected.

"I hope so too," Ivan answered.

Silence settled around them, both unsure of what to say next.

"Do you think you will ever be able to meet her... again?" Callistus asked, looking at Ivan.

"I know I will," Ivan replied confidently. "You're coming to the party, right?"

Callistus nodded as he stepped out of the car. "See you," he said, closing the door behind him.

—

As the sun rose, its rays shined through a small crack in Callistus' curtains, waking him up. His head felt heavy and dizzy, and his throat was raw. He reached for his phone and saw that it was past 9 a.m. He was late for work. He forced himself to sit up but quickly gave up and lay back down. He was sick.