CHAPTER 2
1084 Words
"Can we talk?" sparse phrases that cost her dearly and earned a suspicious glance.
"Is there something you want to talk about?"
She repressed an uncontrollable shiver as she listened to his faintly inflected drawl.
Charlotte gave him a fleeting glance but didn't learn much from his demeanor. The secret was to be assertive. ‘Yes.’
"Then, let's do that over lunch," she said.
Take him out to dinner? She didn't want to stay any longer than was required. She lacked time, which was something!
His eyes were slightly furrowed as he became aware of her uncertainty. She resembled a cat on hot bricks since she was too thin and had a pale face.
Without a doubt, grief had to be considered.
.. However, why did he feel like it was more than that? Unresolved romance? There was no sign of a boyfriend to support her during the funeral or the gathering that followed.
He convinced himself that he didn't care. and understood it to be false. Because, despite the years that had passed, he could still clearly recall her teenage crush and the way he had handled it.
Her youthful mouth's unexpected sweetness, her responsiveness to his touch, how she'd felt in his arms, and her unrestrained response
He was more impacted than he could have ever anticipated, and the idea that he could have taken her gave him a lingering sense of resentment.
What had stopped him before? Remorse? Guilt? He had refused to consider any other possibilities at the time. and he quickly seized the chance by moving to New York, where he concentrated on making his own money.
He met up with Evander throughout the ensuing years in various locations across the globe and during brief excursions in Sweden, where he chose hotel lodging over staying as a guest in his father's house.
Charlotte had accepted his invitations to dinner and had steadfastly refused to ignore him while treating him with such extraordinary kindness that he wanted to slap her.
similar to how he is feeling right now.
Henry softly suggested, "We both need to eat."
She had a choice, right?
She admitted, "A sandwich and coffee," realizing it was all she could afford.
"When did you last have a decent meal?"
She tensed up in response to the unexpected question and the implied criticism. In case you've forgotten, I work as a professional chef and spend most of my time in kitchens.
"For customers."
He cast a shady look at her as she replied, "The nature of the business."
"A leisurely meal with me for an hour or two is disgusting to you."
Difficult. Unnerving. but not repugnant. She briefly shut her eyes before opening them again. Naturally, no.
She paused when Henry pointed to a restaurant she was aware would be prohibitively pricey as they strolled down a bustling downtown street.
‘Relax.’
Sure. like she was capable of that!
The maître d' sent them to a prime table after noticing Henry's aura of riches at first glance.
When the drinks waiter came to take their order, Charlotte and Henry both decided to stick with chilled water.
She carefully browsed the options on the menu, which had a fantastic variety.
Have a preference, please?
She didn't want to do this, thank God!
I don't feel hungry.
Henry gave her a quick look at the menu's top before placing his order for bruschetta, two entrées, two main courses, and dessert, with the implication that it could come later.
She started to object, but she quickly had to shut her mouth after getting his stern glare.
Are you sure you want to argue?
A silent voice urged, "Give it up."
The desire to make her request was strongest, even if it was only to get it over with. The notion of being courteous and having a meaningless discussion nearly made her lose it.
He appeared to be the mature guy he had grown into. strong, brutal, and hardened. Someone you should avoid playing around with unless you are ready to take the repercussions.
Evander boasted of his success beyond all measure, boasting of apartments overlooking Central Park in New York, homes in London, and houses in the south of France, to name a few.
At the time, she was nearly bankrupt and buried in debt.
a comparison or two!
Henry may have been aware of her financial situation.
Most likely not. Unless he had made it his mission to learn more, despite privacy laws, getting information wasn't too difficult if you knew how to get around the system.
She felt slightly relieved when a waiter came and set a platter on the table because the very concept made her queasy.
The bruschetta was alluring, but she knew it would take a lot of work to get even a few bites into her mouth considering how she was feeling.
Charlotte, eat.
Refusing would be rude considering that her breakfast consisted of a banana and coffee and that anything she managed to eat this evening would be on the go. She needed food for sustenance and stamina to get through her lengthy workdays, if nothing else.
How much time do you plan to spend in Sweden?
He retained her eyes after meeting her. "For as long as necessary." An evasive response that didn't bind him in any way.
Would he abide by the terms of Evander's will? She truly didn't care whether he did or not.
Charlotte shuffled the food around on her plate because she was feeling too anxious to lift her fork.
You wanted to run this by me, right? Henry prodded her and noticed her sudden look of distress.
Although she found it difficult, she was unable to or would not pretend. Just clarify and ask.
which she did as succinctly as she could, highlighting only the essential details and her frantic need for money.
Like the sword of Damocles, the ghost of the loan shark hung over her, ever threatening to fall. She was overcome by fear, which made her nervous to the breaking point.
It was hard to tell whether he would think favourably of her request based on his look because there was nothing to be inferred from it. What amount are you considering?
He didn't even bat an eye when she mentioned a number.
"You think of it as a gift?"
‘No.’ Her hands trembled a little as she set her water goblet back down on the table, her eyes wide with genuine disbelief.
- Writer
