"Aren't you afraid I'm a bad person?" Questioned Charlotte starting the car once again. How did he have the courage to just enter a car?
"Why would i think that?" Elliot genuinely seemed confused.
"You're a celebrity, aren't you afraid I'll sell you out to the press or worse do something horrible to you?" Charlotte explained.
"You...don't seem like that type of person."
Charlotte let out a small laugh. "What makes you think i'm not a bad person. Only God knows I might be a psycho who's pretending and instead of helping you i might have ulterior motives, aren't you afraid?" "
"I'm not afraid, if you wanted to do something you wouldn't be saying this." Elliot shook his head. "I think you're a nice person...you also have a pretty smile." Elliot mumbled the last part.
"Pardon I didn't hear what you said."
"It doesn't matter."
–—
Charlotte showed her authentication Id card to the guard before he opened the gates of Beverly Park Terrace. "Do you also live here?" Asked Elliot. Charlotte nodded. "Um, Charlie you can drop me here, my house is at the front." He pointed at the huge, white gated mansion. Charlotte laughed.
"What a coincidence my house is also located in this part of Park Terrace." Charlotte pointed to a low hill that was mostly covered by trees. On it was a modern house. It wasn't that far away from Elliots palace like mansion, it would take at least take 10 minutes to travel between the houses.
"So many coincidences." Elliot also joined in and laughed.
After stopping in front of Elliots gate. He looked hesitant to get off. He enjoyed his time with Charlotte. She was like fresh air, she didn't treat him differently even though he was a celebrity and...she had a pretty smile. Charlotte noticed his hesitance. She was also a bit sad she had to say goodbye but unlike Elliot she knew they were going to meet soon so she didn't feel as sad as he was feeling.
[But then if she could afford to live here then she must have some status. She may have met someone more famous than him.]
"Why don't you come in?" Elliot voiced his thoughts. "I-I mean if you want to-you don't have to-you can come in for a drink–only if you want." He started rambling which made Charlotte chuckle. Elliot blushed a shade of red with embarrassment.
[Cute.] Thought Charlotte. "Okay, I'll come in for a bit."
"Really! you sure?" Elliot beamed with happiness.
"Hmm."
–—
The tv was on and an episode of the suits¹ was playing. They had skipped season one and moved straight onto season two and they were three episodes in. Charlotte had only meant to stay at least half an hour but that had turned into hours.
She and Elliot sat together on the carpet, their hands each holding a glass of alcohol. This was probably their second cup? No maybe third? They had lost count and felt a little tipsy.
They turned and stared at each other with deep gazes. Unconsciously, they both leaned in. Without realising it, their lips were on each other. For second they didn't move, just stayed there before Charlotte took the lead and cupped Elliots face. The kiss was sweet yet sensual. Her hands moved to hold the back of his hair to pull him closer, their breaths mingled as they savoured each other's taste. It was addicting, a layer of lust covered their eyes.
Elliot responded back by pulling in Charlotte by her waist. They were so close that he could smell the faint fragrance of Jasmine. It was incredibly sensual, rich and sweet. More poetically, it was intoxicating, exotic and intense. While it was floral scent, there's an animalic element to it which acted as an aphrodisiac.
Suddenly Charlotte stopped, she moved her lips a way and connected her forehead with his as they breathed heavily. Charlotte stopped herself and didn't take it far, she knew if they continued then they would end up doing something they would regret. After they pulled apart. A blush covered Elliot's cheeks.
"Uh-I." He was a loss for words.
Charlotte didn't let him talk, she put her finger on his lips to stop him. "It's okay." She whispered to him.
"I want to ask something first, are you okay with a woman who's quite older than you?"
"Age is just a number," replied Elliot like he rehearsed it a thousand of times.
In the last couple of hours they spent together, it didn't feel like they've only known each other for a day but felt like they've known each other for years. Charlotte didn't know how, but she was attracted to this young, sweet, kind-hearted and enthusiastic man.
At first she chided herself. What was she thinking this man was going to be her colleague and he was much younger than her– nine years to be exact. Who knew one invitation would invent such desires in her heart?
They only spent a couple of hours together yet they knew so much about each other. Like Elliot learnt: Charlotte loved animals, she is horrible at cooking, she hates cleaning meaning she was lazy, she doesn't like tragedies it makes her sad, she likes to dance when she's free, she loves to spend time with her nieces and nephews and most of all she was single. Which delighted his soft heart.
"I was scared," started Elliot looking nervously at her. "I don't know why and how but ever since I met you. I felt comfortable around you and... I liked talking to you and your smile. I was scared when I kissed you that after tonight we might not be friends less alone...a couple." He mumbled the last part.
Charlotte smiled and grabbed one of Elliot's hands and started rubbing circles on them to comfort him. "Let's slow down a bit Elliot, after all we've only known each other only for a day." Elliot hummed in response.
"Good."
–—
Later that night, Charlotte lay on her bed as she stared out her glass panels and onto a mansion not far from hers. Unconsciously, a smile made it on her face. Today was unexpected. She ran into Elliot twice in a day. They talked. She was invited into his house and they...kissed. She has never felt so-so happy.
Not after what happened six years ago.
Those days were scars she would never forget. But if wounds can heal then scars can fade. With the right person, you can go through anything. And Charlotte had faith, she too can come out her shell.
Charlotte then picked up her phone from the bedside table and quickly typed in a message for someone.
Charlie:
Tomorrow is officially our Day 1
Elliot:
Day 1. Now that you say it, I'm getting a little nervous.
Charlotte was in the middle of typing a reply when suddenly, an unknown number flashed across her screen. She picked it thinking it might be one of her new employees.
"Hello, Charlotte Sinclair speaking."
"Don't you remember me, Charlotte."
When she heard the familiar deep and rough voice, in fear her hand clenched tightly on her bed sheets. Yet, she still stayed rational and instantly activated the voice recorder.
"I'm free. Soon, I'll be coming back to America to see you my love. Wait for me."
Beep. Beep. Beep