CATASTROPHE CAREN (Completed) ✔

17: A Cruise

On Saturday, Caren woke up quite early to take care of some house chores since her eveningwas going to be occupied with Dylan. It had been 3 days since Halle moved back to her apartment so as usual, they were back to spending most Saturday mornings, having breakfast at their favourite coffee shop.

"So you excited for your big date with grandpa?"

"Halle! He's not a grandpa. Not sure his children have kids yet. At least he didn't say."

"Honestly, your break up with Miles must have loosened a few knots in your head. To think that you now date sugar daddies is unbelievable."

"I don't date sugar daddies, Halle. I know this guy is way different than the guys I usually accept but there's just something about him."

"What? His old age?"

"No Halle! Can you stop?" She rolled her eyes.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." Halle chuckled. "So what's different about him?"

"I don't know. He's just a really cool guy and we seem to hit it off immediately. He just has this gentlemanly thing going on and he looks like someone that'll really know how to take control of a situation and properly take care a woman."

"Yeah, shouldn't be difficult for him considering he probably has your age at home. Must be used to it by now." Halle tried to conceal her laughter.

"That's it, Halle! I'm not telling you anything anymore." Caren said, seemingly annoyed.

"I'm sorry I just had to say that one. Last one, I promise." She chuckled. "So have you picked out what you're going to wear tonight?"

"Yes I have. I picked out a simple but beautiful dress. Nothing too sexy. Don't want to over do it. Did Calvin say where you guys are going?"

"No, he didn't. He called me this morning to remind me but I didn't ask him where we're headed."

"I bet it'll be somewhere nice and chill though. Either way, I know we will both have fun." Caren winked.

"We sure will! Don't forget to take pictures though. I want to see everything." Halle smiled.

"I sure will."

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In the evening, Dylan pulled up by Caren's place in a Cadillac Limousine. He stepped out holding a bouquet of roses and presented them to her as soon as she came out of her apartment.

"These are for you." He said as he handed it over alongside a peck on her cheek.

"Aw, thank you so much." She smiled.

"You're welcome. That's a beautiful red dress you have underneath your coat. You look so gorgeous."

"Aw, thanks again. You look very handsome yourself." She said as she glanced through his outfit. His white turtleneck sweater gave a nice fit to his toned body underneath his unbuttoned trench coat while his athletic blue jeans hugged his muscular legs perfectly.

"All for you my dear." He smiled as he led her to the car.

After an hour drive, Caren found herself at the Seaport. Though she was a little surprised, she didn't ask any questions. They descended from the car and started walking towards a very large cruise ship. There were a few people standing out on the dock that Dylan knew, so he proceeded to greet them all while holding on to her hand.

After he was done talking with them, he held her by the waist and gently assisted her up the stairs and onto the ship.

When she got in, she was in awe. Though she thought it was really large and beautiful on the outside, the inside blew her mind away. Everything from the ceiling to the chairs and tables to the pillars and the staircase railings were all covered in gold.

She stood totally still, lost in admiration of the place when she heard someone calling out to her. She turned and saw Dylan beckoning her arm to follow him upstairs.

"Are you okay? " He asked seemingly concerned.

"Oh yes! This place is magnificent I must say."

"I'm glad you like it. Come on, let's go check on my sister." He held on to her hand and led her upstairs.

They moved past the hallways and arrived at a door that bore the sign, 'reserved' on it. Dylan knocked and a little girl of about 10 years, with long brown hair and big brown eyes opened it.

"Uncle!" She screamed in excitement and jumped on him.

"There's my little angel. You excited for the party, Princess?" He asked as he held her on his righ arm.

"I am." She giggled and put her arm around his neck.

"Do you like the big ship?"

"I do! But Grandma says it's extravagant."

"Oh, you know how your Grandmother is. As for me, nothing is too extravagant for my lovely sister and my pretty little cute angel right here." He chuckled and tickled her nose which made her laugh.

"Aw, Dylan." A beautiful woman with short copper-coloured  hair wearing an elegant mauve pink, knee length, one shoulder, evening dress and nude coloured stiletto heels, said as she came out of the bedroom.

"There she is... The birthday girl." Dylan said as he gently set Claudia on her feet and hugged his sister. "My goodness, you are stunning in that dress." He smiled, holding her at arm's-length.

"Oh Dylan, I don't even know what to say. Though I am more than grateful for all of this, I really think it's just too much."

"There you go again, Casey. You deserve 10 times the size of this. Listen, this is your day and you're going to enjoy it to the fullest, understood?"

She nodded and smiled sheepishly.

"Casey, I'd like you to meet someone." He took Caren's hand in his. "This lovely lady here is someone very special and dear to me, her name is Caren. Caren, this is Casey, she's not just my sister, she's my mother, my father, my best friend, my everything. Without her in my life, I'm nothing but a lost little boy."

Casey smiled and extended her hand towards Caren.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I actually believed when he said you are very dear to him because I can't remember the last time my brother introduced me to anyone and called them 'special'." She chuckled.

"Aw!" Caren blushed. "It's very nice to meet you Casey and you look absolutely gorgeous tonight. Happy Birthday! This is for you." She brought out of her bag, a rectangular shaped box wrapped in a pink paper and handed it to her.

"Aw, thank you so much Dear," She smiled. "You really shouldn't have."

"That was thoughtful of you Caren, thank you." Dylan smiled.

"Uncle Dylan, you forgot to introduce me." Claudia tugged on his arm.

"What? Me? Forget my sweet ladybug? Never!" He propped her up on his arm again. "Claudia, I'd like you to meet my beautiful friend, Caren. Caren, this is my sweet little angel, my grandniece, Claudia."

"So happy to meet you Claudia. You're a very pretty girl." Caren rubbed her cheek.

"Thank you! You're very pretty too." She smiled.

"Casey, are you ready? You know the party can't start without you." Dylan said as he helped Claudia into a pair of purple ballet flat shoes while she adjusted her pink floral pleated dress.

"Yes I am. Let's go."

Everyone exited the room and headed downstairs for the party.

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