Catherine thought Glen looked so good in candlelight. She wanted him to kiss her, to be with him, even if tonight was the last night. She wanted to saver every moment. Catherine leaned up and pressed her lips to Glen’s neck suckling and licking his neck.
Why is she doing this? We both know she would be hurt if we didn’t stop. But, Glen couldn’t help himself as he turned his head and kissed Catherine. God she is beautiful. After savoring such a great moment, he knew what had to be done and pulled himself off Catherine to suggest they go to his living room for dessert and a nightcap. The words barely even came out because he hardly could focus. Glen left hoping she would follow telling himself he did the right thing even though it was very hard for him.
Catherine was befuddled and didn’t realize what had happened, but could definitely use a drink. She got up only to remember her dress was still undone as it slipped from her shoulders. She picked up the halter that came off her neck and buttoned it back into place. Then, Catherine smoothed down her dress and took off the remains of rose petals on her. After she was satisfied with her appearance, Catherine walked into the living room and sat on one of the comfortable couches, not surprisingly just like those in the office. It made her wonder if Glen ever did any decorating himself.
Catherine remembered the first day she met Glen, the day she expected someone else; someone who had an entirely different persona. That very same day the deceit began and her heart on a journey to be claimed forever. It was a day she would never forget and so was today.
“What would you like to drink with dessert?”
“Whatever you’re having would be fine, thank you.”
Glen gruffly said, “I’m having bourbon. Sure you don’t want something else?” Glen thought he would need that drink to calm himself after what just happened and surely a nice cold shower afterwards.
“I’m sure.” She thought bourbon would be fine with her and could use a strong drink. So, Glen reluctantly poured both drinks and brought them over. If she wants to drink with the big boys, let her. “What do you want for dessert?” Glen realized the plans he had for this dessert weren’t going to happen, but was surprisingly alright with that for now.
There were different kinds of desert all over the place to eat. But, Catherine wasn’t hungry and just shook her head no. When Glen elected not to sit beside her on the couch and sat on the chair Catherine wondered what alienated him and asked, “Is something wrong?”
“No. Are you free tomorrow?”
Stunned at the curtness of his response and what he was asking, she still was wondering what was wrong. Out of curiosity, she entertained him. “Yes…why?”
“I wanted to take you to dinner, with my father. We get together at least every other Saturday just to catch up, usually with the rest of my family, but only some will be there this time. It’s very important to me you meet my family, and I’d like for you to join me. Will you come?”
Catherine was thrilled and excited. “Yes. I will. I would love to meet some of your family. If they are anything like you, I’m sure I’ll love them.” Then she got suddenly nervous.
“Good. So, for now it’s time for you to go home.”
Surprised and getting partly queasy she said, “What?”
“Home. I’ll call downstairs to get the limo.” Glen wanted Catherine out of his place as soon as possible before his emotions got the best of him, yet again.
Catherine didn’t understand what was going on at all. “But, I thought you wa-”
“I’ll walk you to the door.”
“Bu-”
“No buts, I’ll see you at your place tomorrow morning. I’ll be there at nine sharp. Please be ready, I don’t want to keep my family waiting.”
He was already at the elevator doors and they opened. Even though she was confused Catherine walked into the elevator. Just before the doors closed Glen stepped in and gave Catherine a quick kiss. “But, I’m not su—” As she looked at Glen the doors closed and Catherine savored the lasting impression the night would leave in her mind. She walked out of the elevator to the limousine and got in.
Even though she was partly tipsy, Catherine did not understand why she was so quick to accept an invitation to dine with Glen’s family. She didn’t want to get too attached to Glen or deceive anyone else, so why did she say yes? Catherine couldn’t help wondering and before she knew it, she was in her own apartment on her couch. As she stared up at the ceiling, Catherine knew she would never forget the night as long as she lived. The very thought of what was to come made her shiver in dread of what Glen might feel for her after he found out the truth. Just the possible change of emotions from today to any thought after troubled Catherine to no end. Why was she letting herself open to heartache and why did she agree to meet her boss’s family? Tomorrow could end in disaster was the last thought that entered Catherine’s mind before she fell asleep.
Chapter 10
Buzz buzz buzz. Catherine faintly heard the sound of her doorbell. As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings, the realization came over her that she fell asleep on the couch. One double bourbon really did wonders. As Catherine wondered who would be at her door so early on a Saturday morning, she remembered her plans with Glen. Oh god, it was Glen and she looked like hell!
“One minute!”
Buzz buzz buzz.
“Just a minute!” Catherine scrambled around the room and threw on a robe with a hood. Then she answered the door. God, he looked amazing. Glen was wearing a turquoise sweater with khaki pants, carrying her newspaper almost too nonchalantly, and looked good enough to eat. “Hi.” She squeaked out.
“You’re not dressed.” Glen knew his family would not be thrilled if they were late and wondered what was taking her so long.
“Yeah, well, there was the bourbon and by the time I got home, I just didn’t set the alarm. I’m sorry, I’m not ready.” Did she really want to go? Maybe this is the perfect time to get out of it. “Listen, you can go without me.”
“Absolutely not. I really want you to come.”
Can’t he just accept this and leave? I don’t want to upset things any further. “I really—”
“I’ll wait. Just hurry up and get ready.” He said steeping towards her forcing Catherine to back up because she didn’t want him to smell her breathe that must be retched from sleeping all night.
She quickly backed up into the bedroom and closed the door. What was Catherine thinking? Yelling to Glen, “Do I have time to shower?” Adding, “Please…” because she knew it was needed.
“I suppose. Just don’t be too long. I have your paper as a hostage if you’re not back quickly.” It was unbelievable how she could make him forgo his usual drive for being prompt. Surprised at himself, he actually wanted to wait for her.
“Alright. I’ll be as quick as I can.” Catherine bolted out of the room to shower and change while Glen took a seat on her couch and started reading the paper. Forty five minutes later and the paper finished, Glen was wondering how long it took women to get ready in the morning just as she emerged. Catherine was wearing a beige sweater and black pants, a ready for anything outfit. That way, if there were sports involved, she could run and not worry about damage and looked perfectly presentable for a casual social event at the same time. She was very worried considering she never attended any family events, especially someone else’s family.
Catherine thought she made record time. “Are you ready?”
“What do you mean am I ready? Of coarse I am, I’ve been waiting here for you, remember?” He kidded with her.
“Yes, I hope it wasn’t too terrible.” She teased back.
“I could wait all day for you beautiful,” Glen said as he gently kissed her. Then he added, “But, try not to keep me waiting for so long next time, my family will not be impressed.”
“Of coarse I won’t,” she managed to say before Glen closed his lips over hers again. Just as Catherine felt herself relax against him; Glen pulled himself away from her to say, “We can�
��t get anything started just now, cupcake. We have to leave now or we are going to be late.”
“Alright, if we must.” Almost wining, she looked up at Glen and licked her lips.
Glen shuddered but retained himself, “We must.”
Glen led Catherine to the door, down the steps, and outside. This time there was a black Porsche 911 Twin Turbo parked right outside the entrance to her building. “No limo this time?” Catherine sarcastically said. After all, she really didn’t care much what she rode in; everything she felt was about the man next to her.
“Will that upset you much, not riding in style?”
“Not at all. But, please don’t tell me that is what we are riding in.” She squealed out. Nice cars were always a weak point for Catherine and she loved what was in front of her.
Glen walked over to the Porsche and opened the passenger side door.
“Oh my god, it is.”
“Are you going to just look at it, or get in?” Glen was proud she liked it. He had such a fond interest in cars.
“Is it stick?”
“Of course.” Glen smiled that he could make her feel happy.
“Can I drive?”
That, Glen wasn’t ready for, he never let anyone drive his cars, so just said, “Maybe later. After all, you don’t know where you are going.”
“Alright,” she said and sat on the comfortable leather of the car. “This is a gorgeous car.”
Glen closed the door behind her and got in himself. Then he started the car, put it into first, and pulled away from her apartment. “I think so.”
“I didn’t know you had a car.”
“What, because I usually arrive in a limo, you didn’t think I could drive?”
“No, well…It’s not that. I just didn’t think you liked to, I guess.”
“Well, I do. Usually, though I’m too tired when I leave the office to give driving the attention it deserves.”
“I see. So, where are we going?”
“About a half hour outside the city to the North. It’s really nice up there. I hope you’ll like it as much as I do.”
“I’m sure I will.” Catherine looped her hand through his arm to enable Glen to still shift while she could still be close to him. She snuggled in for the drive and fell asleep within instants. Glen wasn’t so lucky. With Catherine next to him, he just couldn’t sit still. She made him feel so uptight, excited, and nervous all at the same time. What was happening to him?
When Glen was about five minutes from the house, he woke Catherine so she would be able to admire the beautiful scenery. There were mountains off to the side colored with the beautiful fall leaves. It was breathtaking, especially for someone who wasn’t usually outside the city. There wasn’t any noise, clatter, high buildings, or pollution. Catherine wasn’t out of the city since she was a little girl and couldn’t even remember that. Now she was drawn in by the beautiful trees, serenity, and gorgeous homes. Even the grass took her breath away there was so much of it.
“Are we almost there?” Catherine wondered allowed.
“It’s just off this road.” Catherine stirred. “Are you nervous?”
“Maybe just a little.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about, trust me. They’ll love you. After all, what is there not to love?”
Catherine blushed as she started asking herself if they were acting like a couple. While she was tossing questions in her head, Glen pulled off onto a side street and straight into a driveway. There was a beautiful house in front of them, wide in expanse, also with a large lawn, and a golden retriever running straight for them. Glen put the car into park, gave Catherine a kiss on the cheek, and walked over to open the door for her.
Before they made it a few steps, the golden retriever ran up to Glen and proceeded to immediately flip onto her back in order to request a belly rub. He obliged and said, “This is Barbette. She’s been in the family since I was eight…no seven. She is more of a family icon, right sweetie?” while he was rubbing her belly.
“You better stop or I might get jealous.”
“Oh yeah?” Glen stopped and moved to kiss Catherine as Barbette jumped up on Glen’s leg to get some attention. “I guess Barbette doesn’t approve. You might have to win her over first.”
“Alright, alright, if I must.” Catherine said as she bent over to rub Barbette’s stomach. The moment Catherine stopped Barbette gave one huge lick to Catherine’s hand.
Glen laughed and said, “I think you won her over already.”
“Well, you won over Sweetie just as fast and she doesn’t take to many people at all. In fact, she hates most of them, come to think of it.” They were acting like a couple! Was that a good or bad thing? Catherine decided on bad and felt uncomfortable.
“Oh, common, she was a nice bird and all I did was feed her.”
“So, you believe the way to a woman’s heard is through her stomach?”
“Of coarse I do, it’s the way to mine.”
Catherine laughed, “Really, I thought it would be much deeper than that.” How could she let it get this far? No one was supposed to get hurt and she was getting in too deep.
“Nah. So, should we go in before my family has a heard attach in waiting?”
“Sure, after you.”
Catherine hesitated and just before Glen hit the bell he whispered, “Don’t be nervous.”
Ring, ring, ring, ring.
Mr. Serentini, senior, answered the door. “Glen, how nice to see you and how nice you finally made it.”
“Sorry, I’m late dad,” Glen said as he moved inside the house and whispered to his right, “I told you lateness isn’t appreciated.”
Surprised Albert said, “Miss Richmond, what a lovely surprise, please come in.”
“Please, it’s Catherine,” she said as she walked into the house. In all sincerity, she added, “You have a lovely home, thank you for having me. Also, I might add that it is completely my fault we’re late.”
“You kept Glen waiting and live to tell the tale?” He chucked, “Then you are excused. I would have loved to be witness to that.”
Catherine thought she never saw something so elegant and yet peaceful. There were two staircases colored white marble stairs with black and white railings winding symmetrically upstairs. Between them there was a wide expanse of marble floor leading to three different rooms. Straight ahead was the living room with black leather couches, a mirrored coffee table in the center, and a breakfront with different crystal lined through. To the left there was a kitchen and the right was the dining room, but Catherine couldn’t get a good view of those rooms from where she was standing.
A woman who was as tall as Glen walked into the room, “Glen, it’s about time you got here.” She gave him a hug. Catherine could tell this was the kind of woman who was up on every fashion, she looked flawless.
“What are you doing home? I thought you were out of the country for another couple of months.”
Must be a sister. But, which one? Both were out of the country.
“I came home because a little birdie told me some information I needed to take care of here.” She said looking curiously at Glen and his companion. After an uncomfortable silence, she asked, “So, are you going to be rude or introduce me?” She nudged Glen.
Back from his trance and surprise of seeing his sister, Glen came down to Earth, “Sorry, this is Catherine. Catherine, Amy, my older sister. Amy, Catherine.”
“It’s nice to meet you Catherine.” While still looking at Catherine and obviously studying her, Amy asked her brother, “So, Glen you brought a date?” She was thoroughly surprised considering he never brought women to the country, especially a family gathering.
“Obviously, what, surprised I could get one?” He teased.
Amy could tell he was playing at seeing what she thought in front of the woman and she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. But, they would talk about this later. “No, not at all, just surprised you brought one.”
Ca
therine was amazed seeing this different side of Glen but thought she would interject before a sibling fight started, “Well, it’s nice to meet you too.”
As Catherine extended her hand, which Amy took within hers as she examined the woman. Amy thought Catherine did not look like the type of woman Glen usually went out with, but those women were usually floozies. “You must be awfully special to Glen for him to bring you here, Catherine.”
As Amy hugged her, Catherine wondered what inspired the change in attitude in Glen’s sister speculated if she missed something. Right then, as if almost on cue a woman who had her arms open and looked to be wildly energetic ran into the room and into Glen’s arms. He smiled and hugged her in the air. As he put her down, “What are you doing her Laur?”
“I heard I better come from dad, I think he missed me a little. Anyway, I had a three week break, so here I am.”
Glen smiled, “Well, it’s great to see you. Truth be told, I was missing you too.”
Lauren, highly outspoken, introduced herself to Catherine, “I’m Lauren, Glen’s beautiful younger sister, and you must be the woman I’ve been hearing so much about from dad.”
“Catherine, hearing things?” She said as Lauren moved in to give her a quick hug.
The hug lasted just about three seconds before Lauren thought she’d whisper into Catherine’s ear, “Don’t worry, nothing bad. But, hurt him and I’ll make you mince meat!” She kidded.
Glen heard, as that was meant strictly for his benefit and countered, “Don’t pay attention to her Catherine, she’s just paying me back for chasing away all her boyfriends when she was younger. But, they didn’t deserve her.”
“Yeah, well you might have let me find that out myself.” Lauren kidded, she knew now he did everything in her interest.
Catherine thought the way they interacted was amazing. She wished that kind relationship existed between her and anyone in her family, her life.
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