CHARLOTTEI picked up my phone and glanced at the time. It had been half an hour since I spoke with Sonia and I felt like I was ready to go now. I put the phone down and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The dress accentuated my figure, and I loved how comfortable the material felt on my skin. If there was anything I prioritized regarding my fashion choices, it was comfort. It felt great to be out of that robe, which was a representation of everything I didn’t want to feel ever again.Sonia arrived at the apartment to pick me up, accompanied by two men who helped move my boxes into the living room. They offered to take them to the bedroom, but I insisted I’d handle it when we returned. As we drove through the city, I couldn’t have anticipated a rooftop dinner. But as she led me up the stairs and held the door open, I finally understood what she meant about the Mooze family’s traditions. They had a knack for ensuring everyone experienced a taste of luxury.“Call me when you’re rea
CHARLOTTEIf I told anyone that I was satisfied with Thiago’s explanation about the events of the previous evening, I’d be lying. I had listened to every word, and they seemed sincere, but I could tell something was missing. There was something he wasn’t telling me, and that left me frustrated. Perhaps I was biased, already inclined to mistrust him as I lay in bed the morning after, pondering our conversation.He started by explaining the connection his family has to The Hilton Hotel and how the attack, which included the collapse of the building, was orchestrated by a business rival who had proposed a deal to the Mooze family a few months ago. His family owned the hotel, amongst other ventures scattered throughout the city and other countries. Their influence could be traced back to days when the town had just started blooming, and they had done quite well for themselves over the years.Being heir to the family’s assets, he had been sent away to Europe to get a dual degree in law and
CHARLOTTEThe rest of the evening passed quickly, though it had been somewhat awkward. Despite the delicious platters prepared by the chefs, I could barely enjoy the food, as my thoughts were scattered. I had expected our conversation to bring clarity, but instead, each sentence from Thiago left me more uneasy. I longed to return to the apartment, to be alone with my thoughts.I needed to be alone with my thoughts and at some point in the conversation, when he added that the penthouse was his way of ensuring I was comfortable throughout my stay in the city and I could stay for as long as I wanted, I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. While it felt like a great offer, I was terrified I had walked out of a terrible situation into a volcanic eruption.Would I be able to sleep with both eyes closed, knowing that I may be attacked as a way to get to the Moozes? The assailants had gotten away and while Thiago assured me that his men and the authorities were doing everything possible to fin
CHARLOTTE“A peace offering? I didn’t think we left dinner on a bad note; the food was quite lovely,” I replied, gesturing to the sofa behind him. “Please, sit.”“Thank you.” He settled onto the couch, glancing at the bottle and glass I had placed on the table before his arrival. “Yeah, everything else was lovely, but it still felt like something was... off. So, I came here to offer these, but I see you’ve already found the stash...”I chuckled, easing onto the couch opposite him. “It seemed like a great way to distract myself from thoughts I’m trying not to pay attention to,” I admitted, catching his wistful smile.“I understand. That’s partly why I’m here,” he confessed, leaning forward.“While we’re on the subject of distractions, would you like to go to the beach with me this evening?”His offer caught me off guard, and I hesitated. “I... I’m not sure,” I began, but he raised a hand, halting me.“No need to decide now. I understand if it seems rushed. But know this: whatever happen
CHARLOTTEMy vision blurred as I struggled to open my eyes. The weight of the world seemed to rest on my shoulders, and my body ached terribly. I blinked in confusion and exhaled slowly before looking around. Gradually, my vision cleared, and I looked at the window. It was still shut, preventing me from seeing outside. I yearned to reach for the blinds and open them, but my body had a different plan. It wanted to stay right where it was. My joints ached at the slightest movement, and I decided to stay put for a while. In my seated position, I remembered Maria and chuckled, imagining her reaction if she could see me now.She’d alternate between worried and distraught, but at least I wouldn’t feel as lonely as I did, sitting in this apartment under such bizarre circumstances. I tried to focus on other things, but I didn’t have the luxury of having different experiences. Everything that had happened up until now had led to this point, so it was all I had to think about. I sighed, realizi
CHARLOTTE“Hi, Charlotte,” Thiago’s voice echoed through the speaker as soon as I picked up the phone. “How’re you doing?” He added, and I closed my eyes as my head started to throb harder. I moved the phone away from my ears for a bit. The sound of his voice directly streaming into my ears worsened the headache, so I put the call on the speaker and dropped the phone on the bed. I closed my eyes for a moment and exhaled.“I feel like crap,” I wanted to say, but decided against it. He didn’t need to know that, and I had no intention of giving anyone, especially him, any reason to fuss over me. I couldn’t tell him I had spent the entire day raiding the minibar, either. He’d seen the bottle of wine earlier, and that was enough; now wasn’t the time to make it a topic. “Hi, Thiago. I’ve been through worse,” I said instead, and he chuckled in response.“That’s one way to put it. Great to see you still have your sense of humor intact,” he replied, and I smiled wistfully.“It’s probably the o
CHARLOTTEStepping into the bathtub and feeling the cold water on my skin wasn’t as refreshing as I’d hoped, but at least it got the job done. I was thankful for that. My head still throbbed a little, and my stomach occasionally growled, but I felt much better than when I first opened my eyes. I wanted to keep my promise of waiting for Thiago, so I spent less time in the tub than I would have liked. I could tell he was worried from how quickly his tone changed when he heard me emptying my guts, and that propelled me to prove that there was nothing to worry about.I walked out of the bathroom and headed for the wardrobe. I had finally found the will to move my boxes from the living room and put them in there. I wasn’t sure if my decision to stay here was wise given the circumstances, but it felt silly to leave them in the same position for so long.One thing I was sure I wasn’t going to do was unpack—not tonight, at least. The outcome of this... meeting? Date? “Whatever it is,” I mutte
CHARLOTTE“No drivers or guards? That’s new,” I said as we entered the car. He chuckled, started the ignition, put the car in reverse, and began driving.“Sometimes... well, most of the time, I like to drive myself around. It gives me the feeling of autonomy I barely have, and I thought you’d want to meet Thiago instead of Signor Mooze,” he said, and I smiled wistfully.“So, Thiago drives himself around? Quite fitting for someone who’s barely recognized by anyone here,” I replied. He smiled, switched gears as the car turned to face the gate, and stepped on the accelerator.“That’s what makes it fun,” he uttered as we sped past the entrance. “The guards are there for security. If I’m being honest, I think they still follow me around when I drive alone, but this gives me some sense of privacy. I drove myself all the time while I was away; I don’t want that to change now that I’m here.”“Well, you’re leading a different life here. You were just another rich student on campus; I presume i
CHARLOTTEThe party had gone according to plan; everyone had a great time, and I was delighted to have pulled it off despite my initial doubts. It felt like, for the first time in a long while, something had gone according to plan without any hitches, and I was delighted to be part of it.As people filed out of the establishment, I settled into my office chair, sipping wine straight from the bottle. It felt like a small reward for a job well done. However, by the time I reached my second bottle, I knew leaving the office without stumbling over objects, or even people, was becoming increasingly unlikely.I giggled at the thought of falling over things, but knew it would be a terrible sight for everyone involved to watch their new manager embarrass herself because she couldn’t hold her alcohol. That was why I had stuck to drinking only a few glasses while the party was in full swing. Now that I was certain everyone had enjoyed themselves, it was time for my little celebration.When I le
ROGERIOThe wind blew debris across the estate as I stepped out of the front door. I watched the gardener and another worker dash toward the trash bins, trying to gather the scattered pieces and secure them. Climbing into the car, I glanced back at the house one last time.Maria’s response lingered in my mind as the vehicle hummed to life. The driver guided us through the gates and into the bustling city center, a blur of movement and noise. My visit to Maria had been a dead end; she was hell-bent on keeping Charlotte’s whereabouts from me, and for good reason.I was certain Maria knew exactly where Charlotte was staying, but she’d made the same calculations I had. My confession hadn’t helped my case.I’d assumed that being honest with her would make her see reason, that she might even try to help me out of this impossible situation. But hope, as I’ve learned, is a fickle emotion— present one moment, gone the next. As soon as she started laughing, I knew I’d lost the fight completely.
ELENARogerio’s approach to planning the wedding had finally pushed me to the wall, so I decided to call his mother. My family had spent the last few weeks reminding me that I’d thrown away my chances with the Thuthai family the first time, and I had to ensure the wedding happened this time. They didn’t care if I had to grovel or beg to become the next Signora Thuthai; they simply wanted me to do whatever it took to get it done.I knew calling his mom was a power move. She wouldn’t entertain the flimsy excuses Rogerio had been giving me for not picking a date, and he’d be forced to do whatever she said. As I sat at my vanity table, doing my makeup for the dinner Rogerio and I were supposed to have tonight, I wondered if he’d detest me even more than he already did - or if he’d understand that I’d done what needed to be done.The door creaked open, and a head full of red hair peeked through. I blinked, confused. I’d been expecting my assistant and had already prepared a speech to addre
ROGERIO“Hello, Rogerio,” the voice rang through the speaker, and my eyes flew open as I recognized who the speaker was. My mother rarely called. She was prone to making unannounced visits; a call meant that she had grown weary of the situation but couldn’t be bothered enough to make a trip.If it was important enough for her to make a call, there were two things attached to it. One, it needed to be urgently resolved. Two, she wouldn’t want to have the conversation again. I sat up and glanced around the room.I had taken the day off to schedule a meeting with Thiago, but he rescheduled, and I went home. It was a strange decision, an impulsive one, but I did it. The alternative was to go back to the office, then prepare for dinner with Elena, but I chose peace and quiet.“Hello, Mother, how’re you doing?” I replied and closed my eyes as she cleared her throat.“Were you asleep?” she asked, and I arched an eyebrow.“Why? You sound surprised,” I answered, trying to steady my nerves. I co
CHARLOTTEWe spent the rest of the day shopping, and what I thought would be a tedious spree turned out to be unexpectedly delightful. It gave me a glimpse of Thiago in a completely different light. I’d seen him in many shades, commanding with his security personnel, thoughtful and kind, calm yet simmering with intensity. But this carefree, lighthearted side of him was new.He had Sonia and the other guards keep a respectful distance as we moved between stores, selecting outfits. Thiago would try on clothing, examine himself in the mirror, and eagerly ask for my feedback. I knew he valued honesty, so I gave it without hesitation.If something looked good, I told him; if it didn’t, I suggested a different color or style. He did the same when I modeled my picks, though it took me a little while to loosen up enough to show him.Each time I tried on a dress, skirt, or blouse, he offered playful yet sincere critiques that eased my nerves. By the end of the day, I was laughing at his exagge
CHARLOTTE“I can’t take the job,” I said as soon as I stepped into the office. Thiago raised his head to meet my gaze and broke into a grin.“I knew you’d come,” he replied, standing up. “Sit. How are you feeling?”“I’m exhausted, and it’s not the type that comes from physical exertion. I can’t explain it, but I’m genuinely tired of everything,” I answered, sitting down.He returned to his seat and watched my expression for a moment before speaking.“I can’t say I understand how you feel, but I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by situations, especially those beyond our control. But I think you should take the job.”“Why? I don’t have any experience. I don’t know what it’s like to run a business, and I don’t have a degree that would give me the foundation to pull it off either. What’s the point?” I replied, throwing my hands up in frustration.When we left the apartment, Sonia had tried to convince me to take the job. I had been considering it during the ride here, but when I st
CHARLOTTEMy eyes flew open when I heard a knock on the door, and I realized that I had fallen asleep on the couch. The empty bottle of wine lay on the floor next to my feet, and my head throbbed as the events of the previous night flashed through my mind. “Come in,” I called out, and the door opened.Two guards stepped into the room, carrying a large frame covered with a white film. I immediately sat up as they looked around, trying to figure out where to place it. Sonia walked into the room and pointed to a corner; they made their way there and carefully placed the frame on the floor before leaving as quietly as they had come in.“Good morning, Signora,” Sonia muttered, her eyes glancing around the room and resting on the bottle. “You look pale,” she added, and I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth.“Hello, Sonia. You look like you’ve come to make my life a living hell,” I replied, and she laughed.“You only think that because you’ve been drinking again— a little too much
CHARLOTTEI walked towards the elevator with slow, steady steps. The evening had ended on a calm note, and I was happy to be alone with my thoughts. The last thing I needed was a conversation with Sonia, or anyone else in particular.I simply wanted to walk into the apartment, take off my dress, and get into bed. I pressed the button on the wall, and the elevator doors slid open. As I stepped inside, I heard someone call my name and turned around to see Thiago walking towards me.I resisted the urge to groan and held the doors until he reached where I stood. I was just celebrating not having to talk to anyone, only to have the one person I absolutely had to talk to walk up to me.“I thought you had left,” I said as he stepped into the elevator.“Yes, but we had to turn around. I left something important in one of the apartments, and…” He reached into his pocket. “I wanted to give you this,” he finished, handing me a small black box.“What is it?” I asked, staring at the box intently.
CHARLOTTE“You don’t have to go there, you know. I know a…” he started to say as I stared at the card in my hand. It was a black business card that had an address and Tiana’s name printed on the back.“Where is this?” I asked, studying the card curiously.“It’s Tiana’s favorite restaurant, one of her favorites to be fair,” he answered, and I smiled. “Don’t pay her any attention; she’s a nosy brat,” he said with feigned annoyance, and I chuckled because I could tell that, as much as he acted like he didn’t want her in his business, it wasn’t hard to see that he still adored her.“I want to go. I like your cousin,” I said, running my fingers across the edge of the card.“I was afraid you’d say that,” he replied and shook his head. “She’d be delighted to hear that. I have to warn you, though. When Tee sets her mind on something, she doesn’t stop till she’s achieved it.”I turned to him and arched an eyebrow. “What could she possibly have her mind set on by offering me a card to one of he