Identical (COMPLETED)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

CALI'S POV

"Cali, we don't have to do this," Trent says yet again, but I ignore him as we head to the elevators to go meet with Mr. Townes and Trent's grandparents.

Mr. Townes was hesitant about meeting with Trent, seeing as he already gave him a chance to confess, but he didn't take it. They don't know I'll be coming with Trent, but Trent did ask for him not to be present.

"Blondie..." Trent tries again when we step into the elevator.

I look up into his concerned eyes and place a hand on his face. "It's okay. I had to do this at some point, I'm glad I have you by my side to do it. I feel less alone now, having someone on my side...." I admit.

Trent softens at my words. "Always Cali, you know that."

I actually don't know that. Trent and I have obviously become really close the past month, but I wonder sometimes if we'll last. I know that's a morbid thing to think, but as close as we are, we don't really ever talk about the future. Considering in just a few weeks Mr. Townes will pick a CEO and retire. If he becomes CEO, then I will leave the hotel, but if things go well today Trent might have a chance again. The future is so uncertain that I don't really like to think about it.

"You look tired," Trent says as he puts in the code for the penthouse.

"I, uh, didn't sleep well," I frown. "Nightmares," I add in a whisper. Trent has been such a good distraction from my dark thoughts that my nightmares didn't occur as frequently, but I guess with this impending talk, they came back.

Trent frowns but takes my hand in his and squeezes it reassuringly. "Things will get better," he promises.

"Should we be holding hands?" I ask and Trent looks to me in confusion. "Well shouldn't we take this one thing at a time? You know like first tell them my secret and then that we're dating?"

He thinks for a moment before releasing my hand. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense, but if you need me at all when we get in there, you take my hand okay? I care more about you then them finding out about us," he says and my heart flutters.

"Thank you," I whisper just as the elevator opens.

I walk in slightly behind Trent and I can see an older couple sitting on the couch with Mr. Townes in a chair beside them. They look up when they hear us approaching. They look to me in confusion.

"Cali?" Mr. Townes questions. "What are you doing here?"

"Dad, Cali is part of the reason why I did what I did to Travis," Trent explains and Mr. Townes eyes me in bewilderment.

"Um, well take a seat both of you, there's water on the coffee table if you want some," Mr. Townes says while gesturing to the other couch. "These are my parents, Richard and Penelope. Mom, dad this is my favorite employee that I always tell you about, Cali," he introduces.

They give me polite smiles as Trent and I take a seat. I give a small hi, my nerves slowly taking over. "Do you need water?" Trent whispers in my ear and I shake my head. He's sitting really close to me and already his grandparents are eyeing us suspiciously.

"So," Mr. Townes starts as he sits. "What do you have to do with this Cali?"

As soon as the question is directed at me, everyone's eyes shift to me and I feel myself closing up. I haven't even said anything yet and I already want to take Trent's hand.

"Well it's my fault," I start while fiddling with a piece of my hair. Trent ever so slightly shifts his leg so it's pressed against mine and I can feel the heat of him reassuringly against me.