“Bossed me around?” she suggested.
“That too.” He heard Charlene laugh so he added, “Charlene, I’m trying to be serious here.”
“I know. It’s just kind of funny and sweet in a hilarious way,” she giggled more.
“There is nothing funny about any of it.” Seth didn’t understand women. He just admitted to being an ass, and she was blowing it off like it was nothing. He’d be cussing someone out for acting so stupidly.
“It is. I thought you left because you didn’t care. Actually you left because you did. How much sweeter can you get?”
Seth wasn’t trying to be sweet. He was trying to get her to go to his place where he could watch over her 24/7. If Sheen wanted her, Sheen was going to come through him first. At least Charlene seemed in a better mood, which meant she might be more receptive to his suggestion this time.
“You’re right. I do. Which is why I’m asking you this again. Please agree to go with Sal and stay at my place. You’ll be safe there until we get this Sheen thing all sorted out.” He wasn’t one to get riled up, but he found himself holding his breath waiting for her reply. He heard the buzzer of her door. “Charlene, don’t answer that until…”
“Until I know it is Sal. I heard that lecture from him already. Open the door to no one except him. Is this what it is going to be like? A prison?”
If it meant she wouldn’t get hurt, then yes. “Consider it doing me a favor as well.”
“What?”
“My home is…lacking. Maybe while you’re there, you can come up with some suggestions.”
“I’m not an interior decorator. And for the record, I know for a fact our tastes aren’t the same. Hey, I’ve got to go. Sal is still waiting at the door.”
“Let him wait. I need to know you’re going to my place,” he said, trying not to sound forceful.
With a huff she said, “I’m not going anywhere as long as I’m on the phone. But if it will get you off my back, then yes. I’ll go. But only because you’re not going to be there. Are you satisfied now?”
He should tell her he was on his way back to New York. That would be a surprise. And once again, an apology. Seth seemed to be doing a lot of them lately.
“Okay. Go answer the door. And Charlene, do everything Sal tells you to. He’s just watching out for you.” Just like me.
“Yes I know. Seems everyone is watching out for me. When are you all going to learn that I’m not a child?”
Oh I know you’re not. You’re anything but one. And that makes this all the more difficult.
Not wanting to admit his feelings, not even to himself, he replied, “We’d be doing the same thing for any employee.”
“Oh. Okay. Now I have to go and let Sal in before he breaks down my door. I’ll talk to you later,” she said as she ended the call.
No. You’ll be seeing me soon.