Chapter 128: Welcome To Husla

Chapter 128: Welcome To Husla The moment the pilot’s voice crackled through the speakers, welcoming them to Husla International Airport, Emily let out a breath she she’d been holding. She had finally arrived. As she moved along with the other passengers, following the stream of rolling suitcases and sleepy faces toward the baggage claim, her thoughts began to tangle again. Callan. He had told her to rebel. To run. To make other arrangements and refuse to show up at his house. And half the duration of her flight, she had imagined doing just that. Booking a last-minute hotel. She could afford to stay in a hotel for as long as she liked. She could turn off her phone so that no one would reach her since she knew if she spoke with her Dad, she’d be unable to disobey him. But then he would know she was attending the residency program and would easily find a way to reach her. He had the influence. Skipping the program wasn’t even an option since that was the only reason she was in Husla to begin with. This only meant one thing. She was stuck with Callan for the next six months. Her bag finally slid onto the conveyor belt, its bright yellow ribbon flapping like a flag. She dragged it off with both hands and stood to one side of the crowd, biting her lower lip. She had not bothered to pack up more than what was necessary since she knew her time would mostly be spent at the hospital or at home. She had not bothered with any outing clothes or jewelry. If there was need for it, she’d buy it. But she doubted there would be any need for it. Did Callan even remember she was coming today? She smirked at the thought of showing up at Callan’s door and making the next six months unbearable for him. The smirk was still on her face when she heard her name. "Emily? Emily Williams?" Her head whipped around so fast her ponytail smacked her shoulder. Standing a few feet away, arms wide and eyes wide with surprise, was a face she hadn’t seen in three years. "Dan?" she said, squinting for a second before a surprised smile spread across her lips. Dan Coleman from college. But they had not attended the same college. They had met at a medical students conference three years ago, and he had been her date to the dinner party. He crossed over to her with two long strides and wrapped her in a quick hug before she could offer her hand. "What in the world are you doing in Husla?" he asked, hands on her shoulders as he pulled back to look into her face. Still surprised, Emily laughed as she tried to step away from his touch. "I could ask you the same thing!" "I’m here for Dr Brent’s Residency Training program," Dan said, grinning. "It was such a long shot I almost didn’t apply." "No way," Emily said, staring at him. "I’m here for the same thing!" "No kidding!" he laughed, eyes widening again. "That’s insane. What are the odds?" They stood there laughing for a second, grinning like they’d just won a prize. Standing there, Dan told her about the rigorous application process and the stress he had faced, but Emily didn’t bother to mention that she got in because her father had pulled a couple of strings. Dan like many others who had schooled with her, didn’t know her father was Dr Damon Williams. She didn’t want anyone to judge her because of her privileges, and she didn’t want them to also have high expectations of her because she was the daughter of such a successful and respectable doctor. "I still can’t believe we are meeting again this way," Dan said with a wide smile as he touched her face. Then someone cleared their throat loudly behind her. Emily turned, and the smile on her face vanished the second her eyes landed on the figure in front of her. Tall. Dark suit. Black sunglasses. And holding a white cardboard sign with bold black letters scribbled in dramatic handwriting. "Welcome To Husla, Princess Emily." She scowled. "Seriously?" she asked incredulously. Callan smirked and gave the sign a small shake, as though she might have missed it the first time. "Didn’t want you to miss your royal welcome." Emily rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might fall out of her head. "Why are you here?" Callan didn’t answer her. Instead, he looked at Dan. "And who’s this?" He asked with a raised brow since he had been watching them from a distance from the moment Dan approached Emily. Before Dan could answer, Emily jumped in. "Not your business," she hissed, and Dan looked between them, wondering what Callan was to her. Callan tilted his head, amused. He turned to Dan and extended a hand smoothly. "Callan Quinn. Guardian to Princess Emily over here," he said, and Emily folded her arms as she watched him. "Callan Quinn?" Dan asked, looking from Callan to Emily, wondering if he was Callan Quinn of Quinn Enterprise and why someone like that would come to escort her. "Yes. Callan Quinn. And you are?" Callan asked, his voice tinged with impatience, reminding Dan that he had left his hand hanging and was yet to introduce himself. Dan shook his hand a little hesitantly but Callan held it firmly. "Dan Coleman. Emily and I go way back. Just found out we’re both here for the same residency." "That so?" Callan said mildly, but there was a look in his eyes Emily didn’t like. She noticed that he was still holding on to Dan’s hand firmly. Too firmly. She held both their hands and pulled them apart. "We should get going," Callan said, turning to her. "Say goodbye to your friend. I’ve got better things to do than babysit you all day." Emily narrowed her eyes. "Then why bother picking me up?" Callan turned to Dan again, raising a brow. Dan blinked, clearly getting the message. "I’ll see you around, Emily. When training starts," he said quickly, stepping back and giving her a little wave before walking off. Emily watched him go, then turned back to Callan with a glare as she pulled her suitcase behind her. "What was that for?" "What was what for?" Callan asked innocently as he reached for the suitcase. "I don’t need your help," she hissed, and he raised both hands in surrender. "Suit yourself." "You’re unbelievable." "Thank you," Callan said without missing a beat, walking ahead and leading her out of the terminal. Outside, the heat hit her like a wave. Husla’s sun wasn’t gentle. Callan led her to a black SUV parked right at the curb and opened the trunk. She shoved her suitcase at him and climbed into the front seat without a word. He didn’t seem fazed. He closed the trunk, got in beside her, and started the car. They drove in silence for a few minutes. Emily stared out the window. She could feel his eyes slide to her every now and then, but she didn’t move or speak. "So," Callan said finally, "how was your flight?" Emily didn’t answer. "So, was that guy that reason you didn’t want to live at my place? You planning to move in with him for six months?" Still nothing. Seeing that he was having a one sided conversation with her, he gave up. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, then focused on the road. They drove in silence for a while, and then after a few minutes, Emily sighed and turned toward him. "Why did you come to pick me, Callan?" Callan glanced at her with mock surprise. "Oh? She speaks." She shot him a scowl. "I expected you to sulk for the entire ride," he added dryly. "Answer the question," she said. He sighed. "Because you’re my guest. My ward." "I’m not your ward," she snapped. "You are, actually. Not by my choice. Trust me." Emily frowned. "I didn’t think you’d show up after telling me to rebel and run off." "Well," Callan said, turning onto a main road, "if you didn’t want me to, you shouldn’t have shared your flight details with your father. The moment you did that, he sent it to me. So naturally, I was expected to pick you." "You didn’t have to come. You could have sent your driver." "He’s off on weekends. Unless it’s an emergency," Callan replied calmly. "And you arriving wasn’t exactly an emergency." Emily glared at him. "Then why not let me take a cab and come by myself?" Callan shrugged. "Maybe I thought you’d be grateful that I left everything else I could have been doing to pick you up, Your Highness." Emily bit her lip, refusing to say anything else. After a while she muttered, "Thanks." Callan sighed at that. "Look, we are not kids any more. Whatever happened in the past is in the past. This doesn’t have to be awkward or uncomfortable for either of us. As it stands, we are stuck under the same roof for the next six months. I know you hate me, that’s cool. We don’t need to talk unless necessary. You mind your business, I’ll mind mine. You can go out, come back whenever. Just shoot me a text, so I know where you are. I don’t care what you do, but I have to account for you. This is your first time in Husla, after all." Emily didn’t answer. He thought she hated him? Funny. "I’m not asking for too much, am I?" Callan asked, turning to glance at her. "Go to hell with your bullshit, Callan."