The Miracle of You

Gregory Callahan was a shrewd individual by nature.

He was also selective in how he conducted himself, both in public and in private. Whenever he was with others, he exuded the aura of a calm, mature man with a flair for business. He was sensible and firm, knowing when to punish and when to reward.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

He understood that he couldn’t buy loyalty and that he had to earn it through his own tactics. He also found at an early age that he had a talent for persuasion and for becoming intimidating enough to get what he wanted.

It was all a matter of skill and confidence. Without those, he didn’t think he would have gotten so far in life.

Because of his work ethic, his employees didn’t know whether to hate or admire him. Sometimes he would dangle a carrot in front of them. Sometimes he was kind and generous when they were in need, but sometimes he was cold and ruthless, not hesitating to fire someone if he thought they were incompetent.

Needless to say, he got the job done, which is why his name was widely known throughout the country.

In private, however, he seemed to be the perfect father. He was gentle with his daughter, Patricia, and strict but responsible with his son, Christian.

He loved his two children and would do anything to help them achieve their dreams. He didn’t spoil them too much, but he wasn’t too strict and demanding, either.

Sometimes he would push Christian to do better, but Christian seemed to prefer that treatment. He was ambitious, just like his father, which made Gregory believe that his son would one day become a great businessman, just like him.

But when it came to Pamela, he was like a completely different person. The feeling inside him was fierce and unforgiving, even predatory in some ways. No one really knew how far his feelings for her went.

They had been arranged to marry when they were young. Since then, they’d been under the impression that they had no feelings for each other and would treat the arrangement as purely business.

Gregory would have a good and obedient wife to enhance his reputation in the business world, and Pamela would bear his children and give him an heir. After all, with all his hard work, it would be a waste not to have a son to pass the business on to.

During their marriage, Pamela had given him a son and a daughter. But as time passed, Gregory became more and more fascinated by his wife. More than he already was, in fact.

On the surface, she was the perfect wife. She was kind, submissive, elegant, and intelligent enough to converse with his business associates at parties and social events. She was also not like the other women he had met in his life.

For one thing, she wasn’t a gold digger, for she had had a high class upbringing. She had grown up in the Rutherford family, which was high up on the social ladder. Not exactly extraordinary like the Callahans and the McGregors, but notable in their circle.

When the arrangement took place, the Rutherfords were on the verge of bankruptcy. Fortunately, the patriarch was on good terms with Gregory’s father, so they decided on the arranged marriage between Gregory and Pamela.

Pamela, the middle child, was essentially given to the Callahans to strengthen the ties between the two families and help the Rutherfords regain their footing.

Pamela was also not flirtatious or greedy. She expressed no interest in joining the company and rising to the top. She didn’t want to take charge, and she didn’t seem to want to get emotionally close to Gregory at all.

She was withdrawn most of the time and only interacted with him for the purpose of providing him with an heir. After all, that was the main purpose of their arranged marriage.

She often spent time alone, never asking him to accompany her. She would explore new hobbies on her own and travel to different places all by herself.

This kind of lifestyle seemed to suit her. Back then, she was rarely at home, especially when she hadn’t gotten pregnant yet and they were too young to raise children.

However, her habits only served to anger Gregory on the inside.

When they first met, it was at their engagement party. They had no pre-existing relationship or friendship, and they attended different schools, so they were always busy and had no time to meet. When they turned eighteen, their families immediately arranged an engagement party and invited several guests.

It was then that they realized they would only have each other for the rest of their lives.

Or so Gregory had assumed.

He never admitted it out loud, but the moment he laid eyes on Pamela, he was smitten. She was not drop-dead gorgeous like the famous models he saw in the magazines, but her beauty was the soft kind, the kind you had to stare at for a while to fully appreciate.

Sure, she wasn’t the most beautiful girl in the world, but she caught his eye, and that was more than enough.

When she first spoke to him, her voice was both firm and mellifluous. She carried herself with a grace he had rarely seen in another woman. She wasn’t narcissistic; her movements were natural, as if they were simply a part of her.

And the more he watched her, the more he wanted to know more about her.

Even during the preparations for their wedding, she did not approach him unless it was necessary. Whenever they had to spend time together, she would ask him non-intrusive questions out of politeness, even a little small talk here and there. But for the most part, she kept her distance.

Maybe that was when Gregory realized that he wanted their attention. That he wanted her to focus on him and only him.

And that was the beginning of Gregory Callahan’s obsession with Pamela Rutherford.