When I got to my room, all that was on my mind was how to get away from the house so I grabbed my keys and my small bag and did just that. I had nowhere else to go except Sylvester's house but I didn't remember to call him till I got there. By then I had calmed down but was very worried. I kept cursing at myself for losing it. A deep rooted fear seized me when I remembered how Dad treated Daniel when Daniel insisted on studying medicine and when he insisted on marrying Sophia. What if Mum employs the same means to deal with me ? If Daniel couldn't bear that much pressure, how would I survive half of it?
"Hey! What's up?"
"Where are you?"
"At work. What's up? I thought you said your folks are coming today?"
"Yeah. They are all at home. Can we grab some drinks after work?"
"You want to drink? Cat? What's going on? Where are you?"
"By your gate…"
"What? What are you doing there?"
"Are your grannies around? Can I hang at your place till evening? Please?" I pleaded, close to tears and making sure he heard it.
"Yes. But …"
"Sylvester please. I have nowhere else to go."
"It's only the old man that is around and he can be annoying. Are you sure you can stay with him?"
"I would just stay in your room and out of his way "
"He wouldn't let you."
"What? How will he stop me?"
" What about you just come to the mall and hang around?" He offered.
I really didn't want to go there because people would quickly spot me and it might get back to mum.
"No. I can't come over. You know what? I will wait for you inside. Don't worry, I will handle your grandpa just fine." I said hurriedly then cut the call. I tucked the phone in my bag, took a big breath and then rang the gate bell.
"Who is it?" A mechanical voice said. I looked around and for the first time, noticed a flat speaker on the gate.
"It's Caitlin Woods, Sir." I replied excitedly.
"He is not at home."
"I know sir. He sent me to get something for him." I crossed my fingers behind me, hoping that the grump thing wouldn't call his grandson to comfort my calms.
Just as I was sending a short prayer to the heavens, the gate slid open and I dashed inside.
I ran to the front door and it also opened before I could even knock. The old man was standing in the door.
"Yes? What did you want to pick up? I will get it for you." He offered.
"Erm..m..err ."
Okay I didn't see that coming.
" It's my stuff and I am the only one who knows where it is." I gently pushed him out of my way and thank the heavens, he didn't try to resist so I just slid past him and raced to Sylvester's room then locked the door before I shouted… "I will take a nap first grandpa." I listened to make sure he heard me. I heard him snort so I giggled and flung myself on the bed.
Outsmarting Sylvester's grandpa was a little exciting but it was now over and I was back to my reality.
What was I thinking? I had promised myself that I wouldn't end up like Daniel but I had done exactly what Daniel did whenever he was refusing to follow Dad's instructions. Why couldn't I just keep shut and wait till I get to New York? I was sure that once I got to school, I would be able to deal with mum on a leveled ground. But now I have spoiled it all with my previous outburst.
I spent what remained of the evening, stressing on what could happen and what I could do to counter any of mum's actions.
I had no idea how long I spent tossing around on the bed, worrying about the future but Sylvester's grumpy grandpa soon came to knock on the door and I opened it with exasperation clearly written on my face.
"What do you want?" I asked not so nicely.
"Hmph! Spoilt brat." He pulled his nose at me. "I should be asking you since this is my house."
I rolled my eyes and braced myself against the door, preparing to shut it in his face. People like him shouldn't be given a single chance to get one over you.
"What do you want with my grandson?" He asked out of the blue.
"Nothing." I shrugged. He heaved and suddenly turned serious. The annoying, condescending sneer he carries around was completely gone.
" Miss Woods. I know you are friends with my grandson but what kind of friends?"
"Aaah…" I was caught off guard. What was I supposed to say? That I was his sex client?
"Miss Woods. I appreciate your friendship with my grandson but please can you back off? Leave him alone. He is all I have got."
"What do you mean grandpa?" I asked really puzzled as I could see he was dead serious.
"You are already engaged to be married. My son has no business hanging around you."
"But… we are just friends." I insisted but was not able to hold his gaze.
Then he suddenly grabbed my hands. "I am begging you miss Woods, leave Sylvester alone. I don't want to lose him."
"You don't want to lose him? How would you lose him? What has losing him got to do with me?"
"Time to go back home, Caitlin." I suddenly heard Uncle Liam's voice coming from behind grandpa.
What in hell? How did he know where I was? I wasn't wearing my tracker and also took the BMW not my wired car. So how did he …
I turned to grandpa… "Did you…"
" Yes. I called him to come get you. I don't want any trouble with the Woods."
I immediately shut the door in his face. I was so angry and scared. I didn't know what to do.
"Caitlin," seemed like Uncle Liam had moved close to the door because I could hear his voice clearly. " I will break this door down if you don't open it willingly." He grumbled.
"You don't need to do that. It can be unscrewed. Let me get the tool box. "I heard grandpa say.
I took a deep breath and opened the door. "Okay! Let's go?" I said and briskly walked past uncle Liam into the sitting room.
"Please don't come back here again, Miss Woods. You are not welcome in my house." He said and disappeared behind a door.
His words had me rooted to the spot. I felt like someone had forcefully taken something precious from me and then hit me in the face. Tears threatened to jump out of my eyes but I held them back, nodded and went out the door.