E.S. Chapter 6

                                                                               picture from www.tressugar.com (edited)

Charlotte stood by a magazine stand right outside her apartment. She had on a tight half-shouldered dress, baby beige; satin black clutch with diamond studs on the front flip; a pair of silver chandelier earrings and silver mid heel sandals. Alexander let her off at 5pm to get ready for the dinner, so she might as well curled her long hair and placed it steady on the covered shoulder. Charlotte chose her favorite lipstick, Russian Red from Mac to be paired with her simple cat eye makeup. But now she felt like a museum sculpture from the way the passer-biers looked at her.

6.30pm. He’s late. He should be here 15 minutes ago. She’s getting impatient. It’s not one of the perfect weather to be standing by the street. The wind is getting stronger and the sky threatens to turn into depression mode anytime soon. Just as she decided to wait inside as the wind is messing up her hair, a silver Porsche Carrera GT swiftly halted in front of her. She was sure it was Alexander judging by the little cute bow tie on the side mirrors. One of his weird preferences. Charlotte stepped front and opened the passenger door, only to find a Blondie frantically making out with Alexander.

“Oh gosh! Sorry!” She quickly slammed the car door and backed away. She tried to look away from the car but it felt weird to be looking at the homeless people along the street, so she ended up staring back at her apartment window. The Blondie walked out from the car with smudged lipstick and messy hair, with her tube top threatening to fall off any second. She gave Charlotte a sheepish smile and walked into the apartment building. Charlotte turned around as Alexander whistled at her.

“Hey, ready to go?” Alexander opened the passenger door for her and she quickly stepped in. The first thing she had to do is to check on her reflection on her small mirror. When she finished adjusting her hair and her dress, Alexander had pulled off to the street. She looked at him and laughed at his appearance. His left cheek has two lip prints on and his hair was completely messed up.

“What?” Alexander demanded. “What’s so funny?”

“You amazed me, Xan. Really. How many girls do you need in your life anyway? That’s your new fav?”

“That is Amelia. We just met at the coffee shop on my way here. I fetched some coffee bean and she needed a ride home, and coincidently, she’s staying in the same apartment building as you. So I thought, ‘Why Not?’” Alexander gave her his killer smile; she almost fell for him that instant.

“Well you have lipstick on your face. And your hair is a mess. Don’t tell me, I know you guys had sex in the car.” Charlotte fished out a face napkin from her clutch and tried to wipe off the stains on his cheeks. She tried to fix his hair too, but she couldn’t really reach in while he’s driving, too dangerous.

“Not really, we just uhh…played around. Anyway, lose those earrings, I don’t like them.” Alexander adjusted the rear view mirror to see his own reflection at the stop light. Charlotte took down her earrings and placed ’em on the dashboard. He handed her a small box. A Tiffany box. She opened it gingerly, convinced that it is not a proposal gift. What met her eyes is a pair of super gorgeous dove shaped earrings. Accompanied them is a white ceramic, double band ring, her size.

“Put them on. Those are the proofs that you are indeed my girl.” Alexander smiled as if that thought amuses him.

“All these, just for a disguise?” Charlotte held up the double band ring, wondering how much it would have cost.

“Well, the mothers are very detailed. We can’t risk being exposed.” Alexander took a left turn after the light and kept his eyes on the road. Charlotte put on the earrings, carefully not to drop them under the car seat where they will disappear forever. She hesitated which finger the ring will be settled on, which then she saw a similar male version on Alexander’s right ring finger, so she decided to slit it on the same finger as well.

Before she could settle her nerves, they’ve arrived at a three storey bungalow. It was way below her expectations. She imagined gold-colored high gates, perfectly harmonized house paint, five sporty cars and at least 2 Rottweiler. Well, maybe a security unit at the entrance as well. Instead, they have a low spiky, vertically striped automatic gate, contrast colors on each outer wall of the house, one family car and a cute Beagle. But they do have a gorgeous garden though.

An European lady came out of the house and proceeded to open the passenger side door. Charlotte stepped out gracefully and thanked her. Alexander walked around the car and held Charlotte by the waist. He passed the car keys to the lady and guided Charlotte into the house. “Nervous?” He whispered. “Kinda.” Charlotte took a deep breath and concentrate on where they’re going. Two Philippine girls, who looked exactly alike, greeted them in the living room. “Everyone is waiting in the Diner, sir.” They nodded and smiled at Charlotte, but she’s too busy gawking at her surroundings to take notice of them.

“Hey, let’s go.” Alexander tried to make her come to her senses by gently rubbing her hand.

“Oh my gosh! You mean, like, the outer part of your home is like an anti-theft design? This place is so awesome! This is exactly what I would want for my future home!” Charlotte walked over to the cozy leather couch and sat on it. She admired the shelve collection of video game consoles, the cute colorful coffee tables scattered around the room and the huge flat screen mounted on the wall. The entire floor was carpeted, all the furniture are in various designs. It’s like different concepts trying to blend together, and they really pulled it off.

“Why, don’t you sound like my little desperate future wife?” Alexander lifted her from the couch princess style, and slumped together into an orange bean bag chair at the centre of the room. Charlotte laughed as they free fall on it. He hugged her so close that they are looking at each other right in the eyes.

“You’re very beautiful tonight.” Alexander said softly.

“Thank you. You looked really sharp.” Charlotte replied. Alexander gazed into her eyes, and without any warning, he kissed her cheek. Charlotte had the urge to French kiss him right then and there, but he looked away and stood up. “We really need to get going, my love.” He extended his hand to her and helped her up. He adjusted her dress and led her to the dining room.

When they entered the dining room, all heads turned towards their direction and nobody made a sound. Charlotte swore she could hear the chocolate bonbons melting. She looked at Alexander and then back at the curious faces. She could make out Alexander’s birth mother Veron, the two stepmoms Patricia and Andie, Patricia’s only son Anthony Evans, the girl next to him who must be his girlfriend, one mid aged lady and last but not least, the father Mr. Jacques Evans.

Alexander scanned the table coldly and only nodded to Veron and half smiled to Anthony. He then proceeded to one end of the long table and sat Charlotte on the empty seat on his left. “Sorry for running late, had some errands to do.” He grabbed two bonbons, handed Charlotte one and popped the other one into his mouth. Charlotte bit on her chocolate awkwardly. Who could’ve acted normal when everyone is staring at that one person?

“Knock it off, alright? Her name is Charlotte Dixon and she is my new secretary and girlfriend. She’s 22 and we are madly in love.” Alexander looked over at his stepmoms, daring them to make any statement at all.

Jacques cleared his throat as the Philippine twins brought in wines for everyone. “Well, we will see how true is your madly in love statement, alright. Let’s have a toast, to a blessed evening where we can hopefully gather in peace. Cheers!” Right after the toast, more people in black outfits entered the room with baskets of warm bread and bowls of hot soup. Pumpkin, Alexander’s favorite. Charlotte looked at the varieties of bread in the basket and couldn’t hide her excitement. She loved pastries, tarts, anything baked!

She looked at Alexander with a huge smile and he couldn’t help but to smile back. He extended his hand, touched her cheek and swept a strand of hair to the back of her ear. “Ciabatta with butter?” He asked. Charlotte nodded whole heartedly. “Yes, please.” Charlotte watched as Alexander spread the soft butter on the warm bread, he would be a very qualified partner if he’d be less flirtatious. Charlotte then noticed the dash of parsley on the surface of the soup, and she knew how much Alexander hated them. She swiftly scooped out all the tiny pieces of greens from her bowl and exchanged with Alexander. He looked up from the bread and smiled. He then deliberately bit off a small corner of the Ciabatta and handed over the rest to Charlotte, who chuckled playfully.

Needless to say, all their actions were accessed by everyone else in the room. But the act doesn’t feel forceful, it just came naturally to them, and they looked like a couple who has been in love for a long period of time.

Finally, Andie voiced out. “Hey Charlotte, I bet you don’t know who this is.” She gestured to the mid aged lady beside her.

“No, I don’t. I haven’t seen her in any of the profiles.” Charlotte answered innocently. That sent everyone laughing. Charlotte looked over to Alexander nervously, who nodded in encouragement.

“Of course you don’t, silly. Who would have included his one and only true love’s mother into any of the profiles?” The laughter fainted. Charlotte stared at Alexander for help, but he himself looked like he would go off the edge soon. Charlotte held on to his hand on the table, forced him to look at her.

“I’m sure he has his reasons for that, ma’am.” Charlotte looked at Alexander and tightened her grip. 

“I might not be The One for him, but I’m trying my very best to be the better one. I don’t know what happened in his past, but I’m sure we will have a great future ahead of us. I just need that chance to prove to him, and to all of you, that I can do it.” Charlotte looked closely at everyone by the table, trying to read their emotionless faces.

The mid aged lady snorted, and gave Charlotte an expression that said “Impossible”. Alexander had had enough, he stood up and left the table with Charlotte as their hands locked tightly. Veron and Anthony were calling out his name from behind, but he ignored them and raced to the front door. Charlotte tried to slow him down but he wouldn’t. At last she shouted his name loud enough to snap him back to reality. He threw her back against the wall and hit his fist right beside her. She winced as he hit the wall another time and slumps against her body.

“It’s okay, Xan.” She hugged him as tight as she could with their current position. He stood up straight and looked at her. He stroked the back of her head gently, feared that he had hurt her.

“I’m sorry Charl, I’m so sorry. You don’t have to be treated like this.” This is the first time Charlotte ever seen him in this condition. He looked like a lost puppy that had lost all meaning of his life.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. I agreed to do this. Believe me, I expected worse.” Charlotte smiled positively. She fondled his neck and his cheek, trying to soothe him down. At the same time, remained eye contact with him. Alexander hugged her again, real tight.

“Hey, bro, you okay? I’m sorry aunt Andie invited Mrs. Woods, we really didn’t expect that to happen.” Anthony stood a few feet behind them, waiting for them to turn around. But they remained clinged for another two minutes or so.

“Well, it’s them man, what do you expect?” Alexander said as he let go of Charlotte, still holding her hand to keep her close.

“Xan, please, you know your aunt Andie, she’s always finding fault with us. Please, stay for the night; it’s been so long since you’ve been here. At least stay for supper. Mrs. Woods will be gone by then.” Veron pleaded.  She promised to let them finish their dinner in Alexander’s room till then. Alexander had no choice but to accept. After all, he missed his mother too.

After an awkward hug with Veron, Alexander brought Charlotte to his room, which according to Charlotte, is another masterpiece. They lay in bed after the satisfying steak and cranberry crostata. They both had more than a few shots of bourbon and Charlotte is already seeing doubles. They would laugh out loud for no reason and threw pillows at each other.

“Oh look! You have four eyes and two noses!” Charlotte pointed at Alexander and laughed hysterically.

“You are so drunk.” Alexander moved her hand away from his face and held on to it.

“No! You are drunk. I can still recognize you, you know? You are Alexander Evans, my boss and my boyfriend.” Once again she laughed so loud; Alexander had to cover her mouth with his hands.

“Shhh, quiet down, we’re going to receive complaints if you don’t!” He pulled her close and rested her head on his arms.

“I love this place. Can we come here more often?” Charlotte said with her eyes closed.

“No. I don’t like it here. But I’m sure you would love my apartment, it’s way better than this room.”

“Really? Pinky promise?” Charlotte held out her hand straight up. Alexander grabbed it and gave it a huge kiss. “Promise.”

Charlotte looked deeply into his eyes. His eyes are the color of the blue sea. Very mysterious. Alexander was about to joke about her smudged lipstick when she pressed her lips against his. Alexander didn’t know how to react; he doesn’t want to take advantage of her when she’s drunk. But when she slit her tongue into his mouth, he lost control. He pressed her against the soft bed and pulled down the dress off her shoulder. They bit each other, caressed their bodies and kissed more intensely than ever.

He moved down to her neck and shoulders while Charlotte tries to unbutton his shirt. His fingers were already warming up with her sweet spot when she proceeds to unbuckle his pants. Soon they were both naked, kissing each other while kneeling on the bed. “You sure about this babe?” Alexander asked softly. Charlotte nodded slightly; continue nibbling his neck and making love bites on his chest.

As much as he wanted her, he forced himself to cool off from the lust. He set her down on the bed, despite the luring kisses on his body. He kissed her softly on the lips, and slowly covered themselves under the blanket. He gently stroked her hair and hugged her, until she stopped kissing. When she finally fell asleep, he found an oversized-shirt and puts it on for her. He found a boxer for himself as well.

“We’ll do the rest when you’re sober. I want us to know that we really want this babe. And…I think I’m falling for you. Is that a bad thing? What do you think?” Alexander let his question remained unanswered and slept with her in his arms.