Sentient

Sentient: Chapter Thirteen

With all the speed I could muster, I walk away from Mr. Cavanaugh’s spot and then go back to the bar, gulping the rest of my drink and requesting to the bartender for another.

I think Mr. Cavanaugh just got dumped and from the looks of it, the woman, Louise, is asking her to come to her wedding—since he said ‘walk down the aisle’. There’s no other explanation to it. 

I didn’t think it was that serious. 

I can’t even begin to imagine how much that hurt. 

This Louise woman sounds so selfish. She’s probably one of those ladies that wants all the attention to themselves. The kind who gets everything she wants. Without even meeting her, I think I already hate her.

A lot of rumors have spread in the building that Darren Cavanaugh was a casanova. At first I believe them, thinking back to how flirty he’s been. But now, not so much. There’s something about him that makes me think that he’s somehow a victim. 

“Charlotte,” Mr. Cavanaugh startles me as I’m drinking my fresh glass of champagne, deep in thought. “I’m sorry but I better go back to the hotel.”

I lick my lips and say, “No, it’s okay! I’m coming with you. I have an early flight tomorrow so I need to turn in early.”

“You’re leaving already?” A voice mutters from behind me. I look back and see Mom and Patty approaching us.

Oh Gosh. This is gonna be difficult.

Without a second thought, I quickly wrap an arm around Mr. Cavanaugh’s waist and give them an apologetic smile. Almost instantly, I sense Mr. Cavanaugh’s body gets rigid as a reaction to my sudden display of affection. 

“Yes, we have to go back to New York first thing in the morning.” I explain, using my most tender and apologetic voice ever. 

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” muses Patty. 

I shake my head. “I’m really sorry Patty, but we need to go back to the hotel now.”

Her face morphs into a shock. “And you’re not staying at home? I prepared your room!” 

My tongue freezes. She prepared my room? Since when is she that thoughtful? 

“You know what,” Mr. Cavanaugh butts in, wrapping an arm around my shoulder before turning his face to me with a cheeky smile on his face. “I guess we can stay another day. And I’d really love to see the house you grew up in.” 

My jaw drops. 

Is he serious? 

No, he can’t be. 

I quickly recompose my jaw and put on a smile. “Honey, are you sure? What about our hotel room? What about Darius?”

“I’m sure the hotel won’t miss us, babe. And I’ll take care of Darius.” He smiles at me before turning to my Mom. “Would that be alright, Judy?”

Mom looks a little caught off guard but she immediately shakes it off and gives Mr. Cavanaugh a smile. “Of course! You can stay as long as you like, Darren. Charlie never visits, I’m not gonna let her stay in a hotel when she does.”

Oh dear God. 

Unconsciously, I squeezed the hand that was around Mr. Cavanaugh’s waist, effectively pinching the handful of skin I was holding. I hear him squirm a little. 

I actually forgot about Darius. So I ask Randy, the restaurant’s head chef, to pack food for one and make extra sure that there’s dessert in there too. I also take a six-pack from the bar before we get out of the restaurant. 

Darius immediately comes out of the Audi as soon as he spots us. I instantly feel guilty that I’ve left him out here when I personally invited him earlier. Mr. Cavanaugh then takes a call and tells me to wait, so I take this as a chance to apologize to Darius. 

“Hey,” I greet him, “I’m really sorry about earlier. I didn’t know Mr. Cavanaugh would be here. I was actually waiting for you to come inside but...”

He sends me a smile. “I did, actually... I mean, I knew. And it’s fine.”

Of course, who else told him where I was?

“Anyway, thank you for accompanying me today. You made it less lonelier than it would’ve been.” I say. 

“I had fun too.” He replies.

I hand him the paper bag containing the packed meal as well as the six-pack and say, “Here. As a thank you for today. You can also call it my peace offering.” 

Darius laughs and takes the bag. “Thanks. And well... apology accepted and appreciated.” 

Mr. Cavanaugh approaches us. He tells Darius to go back to the hotel and turn in for the night before ushering me to his car, which is a Black Aston Martin that’s parked in front of the restaurant. 

Our drive to my parents’ home is silent. I would catch Mr. Cavanaugh’s eyes looking at me from the rearview mirror but then I would instantly look away. And just like that, I’m back to being uncomfortable around him again. 

My parents' home is a typical two story country house with a blue and gray roof and a white overall hue. It’s in the middle of the woods and is huge, with six bedrooms. I admit, it’s a beautiful home and my parents did well for themselves and us and I couldn’t imagine myself growing up anywhere else, even with a family like mine. 

We pull into the driveway. Right here and now, my knees wobble. This is the house I grew up in. How can I survive this night? With my boss in the house I grew up in together with my mom, my sister, and the entire family. Good thing, Keno’s not yet here or he’ll definitely bombard me with questions about my so-called boyfriend like the big brother he was. 

I usher Mr. Cavanaugh inside our house and then gestures to him in the living room. 

“I’m sorry about all this.” I say. “To be fair, you did invite yourself so I hope you can manage all my Mom’s trippings.”

“I think it’s customary to show your guest where he’d be staying, not threaten him.” He responds, “Where are we staying?”

I roll my eyes. “Upstairs. Come on, I’ll show you.” 

We trudge the flight of stairs with Mr. Cavanaugh hovering behind me at a very close proximity. It’s like he’s this towering object and I can’t seem to feel comfortable knowing he’s this close to me. 

As soon as I open the door to the guest bedroom, I immediately notice the packs of luggage and stuff that’s scattered all over the room. Grandma June is by the white tocador in a robe, setting her curls tighter. She spots me and her face immediately lights up.

“Charlie!” She cries, approaching me with an embrace. 

I give her a smile and accept her embrace. “Grandma June! I didn’t know you were here! Why weren’t you at the party?”

“Oh you know me!” She shrugs, “My hips are atrocious! I can’t even bend to put my panties on.”

Mr. Cavanaugh behind me snickers. I feel my face grow hot and I chuckle nervously. Hearing your Grandma talks about how she can’t put her underwear on is one thing, but having your boss hear it too is another. And especially wondering if she doesn’t have one right now is too much. 

“And who might this fine man be?” Grandma June asks, turning her attention to the snickering man behind me. 

“Grandma June, this is Mr. Ca—Um, Darren.” I say, “Darren, this is my Mom’s mother, June.” 

Grandma June kisses Mr. Cavanaugh’s cheek and says, “It’s so nice to meet you. Are you Charlie’s boyfriend?”

“Grandma!” I cry, giving her a threatening glare. 

“Lovely to meet you too June,” He replies to her, “And yes, I’m the luckiest man in the world to have this woman consider me as her boyfriend.” 

Grandma June’s lips point in awe, being charmed by the words of my boss. I can’t believe how natural this is for him. 

“Grandma, are you staying in this room?” I ask her, stealing her attention before she steals Mr. Cavanaugh away from me.

“Oh yes, yes! Your mother stashed me here with your Aunt Sylvie and her children.” She replies. “I swear I’ll be out of my wits come Sunday morning. They are terribly unruly!” 

“Oh.” I say with a small laugh before bidding my farewell to her. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then, okay Grandma? You have a good rest. Good night!”

I close the door to the guest room and face Mr. Cavanaugh with a forced smile, “My room it is then.”