Chapter 6: Resolve

Later that day, the conference room filled with faint murmurs as the team gathered for a project meeting. Charlotte took a seat across from Asher, who had a ruling and stern position, as his dark suit emphasized his authoritative appearance. It seemed as if the air were charged with static electricity just before a storm was about to hit.

A mixture of anticipation and nervousness washed over Charlotte as the meeting started. The team had gathered to go through the most recent architectural plans for the collaboration with the Westwoods, but tensions and unspoken statements lingered heavily in the air.

“Alright, everyone, we need to focus and avoid any Westwood nonsense,” Asher said, his voice sharp and filled with a tension that sent a ripple of discomfort through the group. Charlotte's heart sank at the mention of the family name, sensing the bitter history behind his words.

Taken aback but unable to resist the urge to challenge him, Charlotte raised her hand, her heart racing. “Maybe a little Westwood creativity wouldn’t hurt, Asher. You know, some fresh ideas?” She offered the comment with a lighthearted tone, hoping to ease the mood.

The room fell into a thick silence, all eyes snapping to her. Asher’s gaze locked onto her, his expression darkening as he processed her words. “Charlotte, we’re not here to play games,” he replied, his tone colder than she had anticipated. The chill in his voice sent a wave of embarrassment washing over her.

Charlotte, flushed with embarrassment, blurted in, "I was merely attempting to contribute!" She instantly regretted speaking those words because her defensive tone resonated in the silent atmosphere.

An expression of irritation spread across Asher's face as he rubbed the nape of his neck. "I apologize for disregarding you," he stated, his voice now lower but yet burdened by the gravity of the situation. "This is a delicate subject, you know." Despite his tough exterior, Charlotte caught a glimpse of his soft eyes as they briefly drooped.

Charlotte nodded, her pulse racing as she could feel the waves of tension in their exchange. Even in their most casual conversations, she could sense the weight of the Kingsley-Westwood dispute weighing him down. "I get it," she responded with a quieter voice.

The meeting went on, but the awkwardness stayed like an unwanted guest. Charlotte struggled to maintain concentration despite the presentation and discussion of ideas. She found herself lost in thought, pondering the intricate details of the Kingsley family's legacy, which included the weight of their past and the malicious allegations that had been leveled against them for a long time.

Throughout the meeting, Charlotte sensed a growing distance between herself and Asher. Even while he was dead set on his goal, a hint of something more profound—maybe a shared hardship that they were unable to properly describe—was there. She felt increasingly alone, yet she couldn't help but be intrigued by the strength that he radiated and drove to him despite the stress.

When the meeting finally wrapped up, Charlotte felt a mix of relief and dissatisfaction She couldn't help but sense that there was more going on with Asher than what was immediately obvious due to his dominating nature. However, at the moment, she was only an employee negotiating the complicated details of a personal dispute with no clear resolution in sight.

As she finished taking notes and got ready to go, she glanced across at Asher, who was already deeply involved in another conversation with a coworker. For a split second, their eyes locked, and she sensed the weight of their unresolved exchange.

In the aftermath of the meeting, Charlotte experienced a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. With a small frown forming on her face, she walked over to Jenna as she was putting her belongings away at her desk. "What's the matter with Asher? "He appeared quite anxious in there," Charlotte remarked, her tone carried with an air of sincere interest.

Jenna paused, glancing around the office to ensure they were alone before lowering her voice. “He always is when the Westwoods come up,” she replied, her tone serious. “He carries the weight of the family feud on his shoulders. Celestine’s kidnapping isn’t just a story; it’s a trauma for him.”

Charlotte's heart sunk the moment Celestine was mentioned. What she didn't anticipate was the profound impact of the family's past on their present circumstances. "Will he ever move past it?" she inquired, her curiosity stirred. "Really, all we're doing is our work here."

“It’s complicated,” Jenna said, her brow furrowing. “The Kingsleys lost a lot of business after the accusations. They feel constantly under siege. The feud has taken its toll—emotionally and financially. Just... be aware. You don’t want to make it worse.”

Charlotte felt the heaviness of Jenna’s words settle over her like a thick fog. She was stepping into a minefield without knowing it, and the realization made her pulse quicken. “I’ll be careful,” she promised, her voice steady, though the unease began to gnaw at her. The complexity of the feud was beginning to dawn on her, and it was clear that her position in the company—and her interactions with Asher—would be more challenging than she had anticipated.

“Trust me, it’s not just office politics; it’s personal for him,” Jenna added, her eyes softening with sympathy. “Asher lost a lot when Celestine disappeared. His family’s reputation is on the line, and he feels that responsibility deeply. Sometimes it manifests as anger, but it’s really just pain.”

Charlotte nodded slowly, absorbing the information. She questioned, "So, how do I handle this?" as she felt the burden of concern weighing her down.

“Just take things one step at a time. Unless absolutely required, refrain from bringing up the past. You should also not take offense to his responses". With an expression of understanding on her face, Jenna gave some advice: "He's trying to protect what's left of his family."

A complicated web of emotions and buried history caught Charlotte, and she couldn't escape. The thoughts of Asher ran through her mind as she left Jenna's desk: the strain in his voice, the sharpness of his words, and the fragility that hid behind. Coming to Kingsley Corporation with a burning desire to establish her career, she now found herself cautiously balancing her career goals with the burden of a long-simmering family animosity.

As she gathered her belongings to head out for the day, she made a conscious decision to be cautious because the feeling of unease persisted. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from a spot with such a gloomy past. How could she possibly bring her creative talents to help heal it? Did she somehow increased tensions without realizing it? She knew she would have to tread cautiously through the situation's complex if she wished to succeed at Kingsley Corporation, and the thought kept going in her mind as she left from the office.

A few days later, as Charlotte immersed herself in reviewing architectural plans late into the evening, Asher strolled by her desk and paused, noticing her dedication. “You’re here late again?” he asked, a mix of curiosity and concern in his tone.

“Yeah, just trying to finalize these designs,” Charlotte replied, looking up with a tired but cheerful smile.

Asher leaned against her desk, his demeanor slightly more relaxed than before. “So, do youu family have a tradition of staying late, or is that just you?”

Charlotte blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. “Wait, what?”

He quickly backtracked, a flustered look crossing his face. “I mean, do you have any family stories about late nights at work? Not that I’m implying anything—”

She burst into laughter, the tension in the air dissipating. “That’s not how you ask someone about their family history! But no, I don’t have any late-night rituals in my family.”

Asher’s cheeks flushed, and he looked away, clearly embarrassed. “Right, that was... awkward. Sorry about that.”

Charlotte waved her hand dismissively, still chuckling. “Don’t worry. I promise I won’t turn this into a family tradition of late-night work.”

Asher cracked a smile, the moment lightening the heaviness that often hung between them. “Good to know! Just make sure to let me know if you plan on making it a regular thing.”

“Absolutely! I’ll even send you a calendar invite,” she teased, feeling the camaraderie growing as they shared a laugh.

As Charlotte walked home later that night, the city lights twinkled like stars against the darkening sky. Her mind raced with thoughts, a whirlwind of curiosity and unease about her family and the feud that seemed to entangle her life in ways she hadn’t anticipated. The snippets of gossip about Celestine Westwood echoed in her mind, each one igniting a burning desire to uncover the truth behind her family's history. Who was Celestine really? What had happened to her? The questions gnawed at her, a persistent itch she couldn’t ignore.

With each step, Charlotte felt the weight of the Kingsley-Westwood feud pressing down on her. The night air was crisp, but she felt a warmth radiating from within, fueled by her determination to dig deeper.

Meanwhile, Asher stood at the window of his office, silhouetted against the glow of the cityscape. He watched Charlotte leave, his heart in turmoil. Conflicting emotions stirred within him—attraction and admiration intertwined with an overwhelming sense of responsibility and the burden of his family's legacy. He felt drawn to her, captivated by her spirit and resolve, yet the complexities of troubles loomed like dark clouds on the horizon, threatening to pull everything part.

As he leaned against the cool glass, a sigh escaped his lips. The familiar ache of familial obligation settled in his chest, reminding him of the consequences that came with his family’s history. He couldn’t help but wonder how much longer he could navigate the waters of his family's tumultuous legacy without crashing into the rocks.

The air crackled with tension, a palpable energy that hinted at the inevitable revelation of truths long buried. Both Charlotte and Asher stood on the precipice of discovery, unaware that the threads of their lives were about to intertwine in ways that would reshape their destinies forever.