Thomas interrupted Sam by saying: You mean you were eaves dropping. You think because I'm rich I don't deserve privacy? You reporters are all the same, low lives. Thomas scolded her, scoffed as he went to roll up his window.
She was shocked at his rudeness and quickly replied: Excuse me? I'm not a reporter, I just happen to have two tickets for the honeymoon suite, I am trying to get rid of them to get some of the money back that I spent on my failed wedding. That happens when your fiancé sleeps with your best friend. Charlotte took a step back, shocked that those words escaped her mouth unintentionally but felt a slight relief from the outburst. She had a look of confusion on her face that made Thomas feel amused.
"Ya know what? Just forget it" She smiled with her lips pursed and tossed her hands up in surrender as she turned to walk away: Hey, Charlie! She stopped and said: Charlotte! Thomas' face softened as well as his voice and said: Charlotte, how much do you want for the tickets?
She thought about it and decided that by the look of him he could afford the original cost and replied: $5,000 altogether.
Thomas smiled slightly as he thought for a few moments before replying I have a better idea, I'll pay you $5,000 for one ticket if you use the other ticket and accompany me on the cruise. Or I won't buy either of them, no strings attached of course, I'm just needing an assistant to take notes on any business calls I will receive.
This wasn't the full reason Thomas suggested such and outlandish idea. Of course, he already had an assistant, but his assistant was a forty something year old single man who loved talking about his pet cats and even on occasion would bring out pictures. Sam would definitely be a happier alternative, a prettier one at the very least.
Charlotte was taken back by the suggestion but thanks to Mark she would now be in debt with one income for a wedding that never even happened. Without even fully thinking about it she blurted out: Okay fine!
Thomas' eyes were unchanged by her reply, he just looked at her and said: I'll see you on departure then.
There was only a few days till departure and her decision to go with him was cemented the more times she heard people's, quote unquote, comforting, sympathetic words in regard to Mark and Lacey, although only family knew the extent but stories have a tendency to travel quickly especially when others suspected the truth before you.
Departure day arrived and standing directly in front of the gangway was Thomas Parker's driver, Henry. Henry was an older man who looked weathered as if he had experienced a lot in his life but he had a warm smile, kind steel blue eyes and mid length hair that was slicked back under his driving cap.
"Good morning miss Miller" Charlotte raised her eyes and looked at the driver: Oh you can just call me Charlotte.
"Yes Miss, right this way Charlotte" He motioned up the gangway
Henry guided Charlotte through the boat to the Honeymoon suite and opened the door. As she walked through the doors her eyes widened and her lips curled to half a smile, she had seen the honeymoon suite in the brochure, but this looked grander than what was advertised. Sam jumped onto the bed, and it was so soft she almost lost herself for a moment. The feather topper, silk sheets and there was a banquet of gourmet food as well as champagne on ice.
She walked over and picked up a strawberry lifting it to her lips as she heard Thomas: I spared no expense, I just figured If we are going to be stuck in a room together for four weeks we might as well enjoy it right?
Charlotte had looked Thomas Parker up online before joining him. She was surprised that she didn't know who he was when she saw him at the travel agency. He was actually a billionaire and CEO of his family's company Parker Industries. It turns out he is a pretty like-able guy, if you are his type which evidently consisted of perfect tens with an IQ barely above room temperature.
Charlotte thought he was charming for a moment until she saw that all he was wearing was a towel and then she remembered the promise she made to herself which was to not let things get personal and she snapped back to what he had just said, she had completely forgotten that although there were two tickets it was for one room.
"Oh, right I forgot… So where would you like me to sleep then" Her voice was shaky as nervously anticipating his response.
He grinned and looked over at the bed: I mean it's strictly platonic, it's not like you are my type.
He actually did find her attractive in some sort of way, although he couldn't put words to it, but he really just wanted to see her squirm or get upset but instead she replied: Oh thank God, I'm so happy to hear you say that, I think its for the best we keep things professional.
Thomas' grin turned sour, how dare she reject him in this way, no woman to his knowledge has ever not desired Thomas Parker of Parker Industries a multi-billion-dollar company. What an arrogant ugly pale little thing he thought. His flash of anger and disappointment aside he was still a gentleman so he said: You can sleep in the bed; I will take the sofa.
For Charlotte the next few days were spent poolside taking notes on business calls in-between watching Thomas make a fool of himself with women on both arms at all times and champagne and caviar were served continuously. The nights were all the same they would go to dinner the music was playing softly in the background, the lights were slightly dimmed, and the atmosphere was romantic. Charlotte would wonder off in her mind thinking that this would have been her honeymoon and all the experiences that Mark and her would have had together. This night however, Thomas grabbed Sam's hand, startling her out of her nightly depression. He was direct but there was a flicker of concern in his voice when he said: Charlotte, what's wrong? Her eyes welled up as she felt herself flush, she didn't even know she was starting to cry, she wiped her tears and stood up quickly: Um, it's nothing, thank you for the concern but I just need to lie down. She turned and left before he had a chance to argue.
She got up and swiftly left the room. How rude! I gave her five thousand dollars and a fucking cruise because I thought she would be lively and all I get is drama.
Thomas spent the rest of the night dancing and drinking and finally decided to turn in. He threw his body onto his bed, his bones relaxing as he melted into the sofa. Just as the room fell silent, he heard sniffling, Charlotte was crying again albeit softly, as to not be heard. Thomas frowned and although annoyed he also felt a strange pull to make her feel better. He got up and walked into the bedroom and pretended to be more intoxicated than he actually was, he was softly humming a song drunkenly and plopped himself right behind her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. He pressed his body against hers and let out a sigh as if he instantly passed out.
Charlotte, who was taken back by what just happened almost fought him but it had been a rough week emotionally and to be honest his arms around her felt like the best thing in the world to her, at least in that moment. She grabbed his arms and held him right back which much to his surprise gave him a strange warmth that rushed through his body. He held her as they both drifted off to sleep. In the morning her head was on his chest, her forehead on his chin and as she started to stir. He opened his eyes and looked down at her, she may have been plain in a lot of ways but she was also very beautiful in a way he had never seen in any woman before. It might have been the fact that he had never spent the night with a woman before at least not without having sex with her first.