E.S Chapter 8

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Charlotte placed a small pillow behind her back and received two glasses of champagne from the air stewardess named Kelly. Alexander and Kelly has been exchanging glances ever since they were on board. Charlotte passed the glass of champagne to Alexander who is now busy analyzing statistics on Candy Sugar’s financial statements.

“Just so you know, I left your pack of condoms in my checked-in luggage. So, no.” Charlotte emphasized the last word with an intense gaze into Alexander’s eyes.

Alexander smiled as he finished his champagne in one gulp. “One has to be ever ready, babe.” He patted his front pocket of his white collared formals and went back to his stats.

Charlotte sighed and drank her champagne. After handing over the two empty glasses, she switched her own personal screen on and started to search for cartoons to watch. Alexander frowned. “Don’t you have homework to do, Charlotte?”

“Oh, I did it yesterday right after work. See?” Charlotte held up a light blue manila file. Alexander took out the contents and flipped through, nodding approvingly.

“Good job, Charl. But then, don’t you have a life?” Alexander leaned towards Charlotte and asked with a soft voice.

“What?” Charlotte blinked. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

Alexander put away his documents and stared at Charlotte. “You said you have been working on this last night after work.” Charlotte nodded, still unsure what Alexander is trying to say. “Last night was Friday night, and you were staying at home. Doing research. Alone.” Charlotte nod again. “What’s wrong with that, Xan?” She asked.

“Everything IS wrong, Charl. You’re 22. Not 52. You should be out partying and drinking and flirting and having wild sex. Not staying at home facing your god damn computer screen, babe.” Alexander said matter of fact-ly.

Charlotte pouted. “But Nick was working late yesterday. And I made chicken salad at home. So there’s no reason to go outside.”

Alexander sat wide eyed, and then burst out laughing. “Please don’t tell me Nicholas is your only friend.”

“I was kind of a loner in college, well…sort of.” Charlotte blushed and snatched a glass of champagne from Kelly who was passing by. From Kelly’s astonished look, that champagne was meant for somebody else.

Alexander smiled apologetically at Kelly, and then turned to face Charlotte again. “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Anyhow, I have a party to attend to next Friday, wanna come with me?”

“As your date or as your assistant?”

“Both. Well, more like a date.” Alexander said while fishing up his documents he put away earlier. “You interested?”

Charlotte thought about Nicholas. Then she remembered he might be busy with his new found ‘friend’, or soon to be girlfriend. “Sure. That sounds fun. Any specific theme?” She asked.

“Beach. So I expect you to be in your finest bikini.” Alexander smiled as if that idea amused him.

“Please define ‘finest bikini’, Mr. Evans. The ones I have are all from the thrift store, if you don’t mind.” Charlotte swiped through her photo album and showed Alexander pictures of her bikini.

“Hmm, it would be better if you’re in these pictures.” Alexander flashed his huge smile. “No worries. I believe we would have time to do some shopping later.” With that, they end their conversation on board. Charlotte watched her ‘Princess and the Frog’ while Alexander scanned through his file the entire flight.

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When they had finally arrived in Bangkok, they waited for an hour for the designated driver to reach them and take them to their hotel. Charlotte was sweating like crazy in the non-ventilated cab, and she sworn she will handle every single arrangement when they’re on a work trip next time. The only thing she wanted right then is a good old refreshing shower in a hotel. She silently wished that their hotel wouldn’t be a cornered little hut where people would have to shower outside by the well.

Fortunately, when they reached the hotel, both of them were relieved. They were booked into a luxury hotel with a very fine air-conditioning system. But when Charlotte approached the front desk for their rooms, they find that they were only booked on a two-bedroom suite.

“Are you sure? Please check again for me.” Charlotte pleaded.

“I’m fine with that arrangement. Is it so hard for you to be in the same suite with me? There are two bedrooms, so we won’t be sleeping together, babe.” Alexander said as the front desk assistant re-checked their booking.

“It just feels weird, Xan.” Charlotte tapped on the desk nervously. “Why did the client made such arrangement anyway?”

Alexander stiffed a cough. “I sort of, had something going on with my previous assistants; or partners that I brought along. So, I guess they still remember.”

“Oh, right. Why am I even asking?” Charlotte answered. “Wait a minute. Does that mean you have a relationship with your last assistant as well? The one who left for her marriage’s sake? Did you have an affair with her?” Charlotte blurted out without knowing that she talked a little too loudly.

Alexander tried to look away and pretend he doesn’t know her. But it was too late; every single person that understands English is looking at him. “Seriously, Charl? I have my reputation to upkeep.”

“Damn. I’m sorry. I…” Charlotte tried to make the situation look better. Kiss him? Hug him? Announce that she was just joking? The front desk assistant tapped Charlotte on the shoulder and started to say something about being fully booked and they were confirmed to have been arranged on that suite. Charlotte accepted the room immediately and dashed off to the elevators with Alexander.

Looking at Charlotte’s concerned face, Alexander did nothing but laughed. “Chill babe. I’m known for being a playboy. So what happened just now doesn’t really matter to me.” They reached the 24^th floor and started looking for their room. “And to answer your question: No, I did not have an affair with my last secretary. You’ve got to give me some credit babe; I’m not a douche bag that toys with other people’s wife. She left because the work load was too much for her. She spent more time on her work than on her marriage. That’s all.”

Charlotte waved the room card across the censor by the door. She held the room door for Alexander but he ushered her in first. The living room equipped with a huge flat screen TV. On the coffee table is a fruit basket and a bucket of chilled sparkling wine. There are two bedrooms: one on the left, one on the right. The left one is slightly bigger, so obviously that would Alexander’s so he could carry on his extra-curriculum activities.

“Please send my suits for pressing, Charl. I have a phone call to make.” Alexander strolled into his bedroom and started undoing his shirt. Charlotte waited for the bellman to fetch their luggage up and started sorting through Alexander’s suits. After ringing up the laundry, Charlotte went to her room and started unpacking. Damn, she thought they were getting two different rooms. She brought only her oversized T-shirt to be worn in the hotel room. The rest are all formals, dresses, singlet and jeans. Maybe she could just wear a bathrobe over to cover up.

“Hey Charl?” Alexander called from his bedroom. “The client won’t be coming for another two hours. You wanna grab lunch?”

“Sure. Where to?” Charlotte wiggled out of her black shift dress and picked out her favorite jeans.

“Woah! Cool down darl, it’s only 11, too early for sex.” Alexander wandered into her bedroom and sat on the bed, topless.

“Damn it, Xan! You could at least have the decency to walk away!” Charlotte pulled out her sky blue singlet and slip it over her head.

“The door’s open.” Alexander picked on the dresses Charlotte left stranded o the bed. “Put this on. I like it.” Alexander held up a knee length floral beach dress.

Charlotte snatched over and sighed. “You’re not gonna leave me alone unless I put this on, aren’t you?” Alexander shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Well?” Charlotte cocked her head to one side and stared at Alexander. “I need to change. So…”

Alexander kicked off his shoes and lay down. “I’m going to see you in bikini next week anyway. What’s the difference?”

“You’re impossible, Mr. Evans.” Charlotte stormed into her bathroom and slammed the door.

“Right…She has her own bathroom.” Alexander snickered and continued rummage through her stuffs. He dug out a piece of folded paper and read through it.

Charlotte walked out of the bathroom and arranged her clothing into the cupboard. “What are you reading?”

“Your list of street food…Interesting. You’re a big eater for your size.” Alexander refolded to paper and tucked it into his jeans. “Ready to go?”

“As ready as you are after you put on your shirt.” Charlotte picked up her sling bag and followed Alexander to the living room. He wore a white T-shirt and Charlotte was awestruck. How could anyone look so perfect in such a simple outfit? Now she truly understood why he could afford being a player in the love field.

Alexander whistled at her. “You coming?” He was standing by the door, waiting for her. Charlotte pulled herself back from her thoughts and marched down the corridor with him.