CATASTROPHE CAREN (Completed) ✔

16: Dodging Dates

Another Monday at the office. Caren looked at the small clock positioned at the right side of her work desk. 5 more minutes until she was free again from the corporate world and all its drama.

She thought about Calvin and how he still wasn't aware that she'd been around for a whole week prior to their resumption at the office. Though he deserved to know, the last thing she wanted was for him to think she was a total loser who didn't know how to navigate around this thing called life. Some things are better left unsaid.

She looked at the time again. It was 5 minutes past her closing hour. How time flies when one is deep in thoughts. She started taking her belongings off the table and putting them in her handbag when a knock came on the door.

"Come in!" She stared at the door as it gently opened.

"Hi Caren!" It was Calvin.

"Oh hey, Calvin. Happy New year!" She smiled.

"Happy New Year! I was gonna say it first but I must have missed you coming in earlier on."

"Oh, that's fine. You still got to say it. That's all that matters. Glad to see you looking all well and good. I'm sure you made good use of the holiday."

"I did! I really didn't want it to end but at the same time, I enjoyed it while it lasted and I'm grateful for the start of what would be another successful year in a row."

"Oh yes! That's the kind of optimism we should be seeing around here. Love it!" She giggled.

"Yeah... So how was your break?" His gaze was fixed on her. She felt there was something off about his demeanor.

"Uhm... It was perfect! Never had a better vacation."

"Oh, Really?" He arched his brow.

"Yes really!" She gave an awkward smile. "I mean, why wouldn't it be?" She shrugged.

"I see! So when did you return?"

She snorted out loud trying to maintain focus. She could barely control her tone.

"I..." She Stuttered.

"Yes...?"

"I returned the same day Halle did!" She clenched her fist and pursed her lips in disappointment for telling him a lie.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah!" She scratched her neck even though it wasn't itching.

"Okay, if you say so." He gave a sad smile.

There was a brief silence before another knock came on the door. Before any of them could respond to it, Halle let herself into the office.

"Caren, I've been waiting for you downstairs. It seems like you want to spend the night in this place today." She rolled her eyes.

"Ha ha! Oh Halle, what a breath of fresh air you are. Actually, Calvin and I were just talking about the holidays."

"Aw. Isn't he such a good friend? He was so worried about you when he heard you cut your holiday short by a week due to all the unfortunate events that occurred." Halle grinned.

"Uh oh!" Her eyes grew wider as she froze on her seat.

"Ugh, what a Christmas I know right? A time that you were supposed to spend enjoying with family and friends had you spending time in jail instead. And to top it off, they had you part with a whole grand! Ugh, I wonder how I would have felt if I were in your ----"

"Okay Halle, can you stop talking now!" Caren cut her off seemingly annoyed by her behaviour.

"What? Did I do something wrong?" Halle asked with a surprised look on her face.

"Apparently, you were giving out too much information which makes you friend here, look like a liar." Calvin smiled without taking his eyes off Caren.

"What? What are you saying?" Halle squinted.

"Caren just told me you girls both arrived at the same time and that the holiday was perfect."

"Oh no!" Halle covered her face with her hand. "Sometimes I talk too much." She shook her head.

"It's okay Halle. Calvin, I'm really sorry I lied to you. But if you were in my shoes, you too would be so embarrassed to share all that happened to me with anyone. The vacation that I thought was gonna help cover up the heartbreak I suffered from losing Miles turned out to be worse. I really just want to forget it all. I'm sorry." She cupped her face with both hands.

"I understand. Honestly, I thought I just wasn't just that important to you that's why you didn't want to tell me."

"No! How can you even think of that? I'm really and truly sorry. How can I make it up to you?" Caren smiled.

"Well... How about you make it up to me by letting me take you somewhere nice on Saturday?"

"Oh dear..." She ran her fingers through her hair. "You see, I've got plans on Saturday and I wish it was something I could wave aside but I really can't. It's kind of important. I'm so sorry."

"Great! It's okay. I'm used to hanging out alone anyway." He shrugged.

"Wait!" Her eyes lit up the moment an idea crossed her mind. "You don't have to be alone on that day. You can take Halle!"

"What?" Halle exclaimed while Calvin remained silent.

"Come on, Calvin, we're all friends. I'm pretty sure you'd have the time of your life with Halle. After all, you guys share way more similar interests as opposed to you and I."

"Well... I'm not really sure of what to say right now. Halle, do you think we can hang out on Saturday?" He asked.

"Uhm, I don't think I have anything important to do on that day so yes, I guess we can hang out."

"Great then! Saturday it is." He smiled and turned around to leave.

"Calvin... We're good right?" Caren asked.

"Well, apart from you just tossing me to your friend, I guess we're okay." He gave a sad smile.

"Calvin you're really making me feel like an awful person and you know that's totally not my intention. How about Sunday? I promise you I'll wave whatever I have on that day just for you. Please?"

"Okay. Sunday sounds good." He smiled genuinely. "See you ladies tomorrow. Have a great night." He turned and left the office.

"Whew! That was something." Caren stood up and swung her bag over her arm.

"What in the world was that?" Halle asked.

"What?"

"You just blew him off and lied that you had a thing on Saturday."

"I didn't lie. I have a thing to attend on Saturday?"

"Really? What thing? With who?" Halle asked inquisitively.

"Calm down. I'll tell you everything when we get home."

"Girl, I don't even understand you anymore. We used to talk about everything. Now you don't even tell me nothing no more."

"I was gonna tell you eventually. I just hadn't found the right time to really sit down and talk to you."

"Well get ready cause we have all evening." Halle rolled her eyes.

"I promise I'll leave nothing out." Caren chuckled.

************