Anthony :The moment Sebastian greets us as we enter the house, I know something is different with him. The way he's averting his eyes when I speak to him and staring at Charlotte when he thinks no one is looking. The way I see it, he probably fucked Adeline and realized he likes Charlotte better. I narrow my eyes at him when he smiles at her. That genuine smile, how long has it been since I've seen it? "Let's put your things up."They both go upstairs and I'm left at the bottom of the stairs, thinking. When Charlotte reaches the top of the stairs, she looks down at me and blows me a kiss. I make a show of catching it and although it's got to be one of the most cheesiest acts I've ever performed, her laugh makes it worth it. Later that night, when I'm in my study, Charlotte comes in and locks the door behind her. I lean back in my chair and forget about my work because she's in the same skimpy dress she wore the first night she was here. Except this time it's a deep purple rather
Charlotte:The next morning, me and Anthony have breakfast together. I didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms, but I also didn't want to risk it, so I left at dawn. "These waffles are amazing Julia." I say as I eat another bite. "You like anything I make malyshka.""That's because you're so good at it.""Good morning." All our heads turn toward Sebastian. He looks quite cheerful this morning. "Good morning Seb. You seem to be in a good mood." I say and take a sip of my coffee. "I am. Shirley Edgar is showing at the Eden Gallery tonight. I was wondering if any of you would like to join me.""I would love to." I say. Me and Sebastian both look at Anthony for his answer. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but it looks like something unspoken passes between them. "I would come, but there's a deal I have to close. You both enjoy yourselves."I try not to look at Anthony, as it would cause Sebastian to be suspicious. I decide to ask him later and leave for work. _______________
Charlotte:I dress in a casual navy blue dress for the art exhibition while Sebastian dresses in a dark red shirt tucked in grey slacks. "Looking Good Seb." I tease him as I descend the stairs. He smiles at me from the bottom and holds his hand out for me. "I could say the same mademoiselle."I chuckle and let him lead us to his car. It kind of feels like a date, but I don't point that out to him, it would make things awkward, not to mention, he's in love with Adeline. So I guess it's fine. He opens the passenger side door for me and I get in. Is this a good time to tell him Adeline asked me to plan her wedding? When he starts backing out of the garage, he looks like Anthony. With that focused look in his eyes and the slight furrowing of his brows. "This may be a bad time to tell you this, but Adeline hired me to plan her wedding.""So I've heard." He glances my way and focuses back on the road. I want to smack my forehead. Of course Adeline must have told him. "I owe you an a
Anthony :I don't sleep the whole night and I have no one to blame but myself. I just kept staring at the painting Julia arranged in my room. I knew Charlotte had bought it. It called to something inside me and I couldn't take my eyes off it while I couldn't keep my mind off the things I'd said to her. I felt myself cracking in her presence and needed her to get out. Each cruel word to her was a bulldozer to me. I just wish she'd slapped me harder. I deserved much worse for the pain and hurt I put into her beautiful eyes. I get dressed for the day and as soon as I step out of the room, the door bell rings. I hold my hand to stop Julia and open the door myself. Instantaneous rage fills me up. "Hello Anthony. Miss me?"What is this fucking cunt doing here and who the fuck let her in?"Even if I was burning in the depths of Hell for all of eternity and you were my only salvation, I'd spit in your face." Bitch. She tsks. "I'll take that as a yes.""Get off my property Della." The ang
Charlotte:I try not to remember the words Anthony said to me last night, but I can't help it. They're always there. He thinks he can get me and push me away whenever he wants, like my feelings don't matter. Bastard. I call Adeline to tell her all the arrangements are done for her wedding next week and work on Clara's wedding arrangements. After a few meetings with my other coordinators, I finally get the time to eat lunch. Right about at this time, I'd usually go to Anthony's office and have lunch with him, but that's not happening anymore, because I've had enough of his asshole behavior. After I eat a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, brought to me by Harper, bless her soul, Della walks into my boutique with her nose in the air. It's not like me to not like a person before actually talking to them, but I definitely do not like Della. I could see the way she was using Sebastian, and not to mention what she did to Anthony. She comes right into my office and I look away from my cam
Charlotte :The next day passes by in a similar fashion. No signs of Della and Anthony tried to talk to me again, but I ignored him. It was hard, but necessary. He needs to know that his hot and cold behavior is not okay. I sent Harper home an hour ago. Julia told me about the Annual Crosswalk Charity Ball, which is two days from today. Sebastian mentioned it in conversation weeks ago, but I guess I forgot. I pack up for the day and step out to lock the boutique. Before I can figure out who's in the car idling at the curb, a hand covers my mouth from behind. ______________________________________Anthony:I immediately unlock my door when some bastard puts his hands on Charlotte, covering her mouth with it. But she slams her head back into his nose and he immediately releases her while another one comes up in front of her, trying to punch her, but she catches his fist and twists his arm behind his back while the other one still clutches his nose. She throws a punch into his alread
Charlotte:On the day of the charity ball, the house seems to sparkle. More than it usually does. There aren't any decorations, but the usual beige drapes have been replaced with navy blue ones and the living room seems to have been transformed into some auction setting. There are six tables, each meant for seating six and a makeshift stage at the front. The entire room has a blue tint to it, with a million starlights on the ceiling. All the tables and chairs are navy blue and decorated with gold ribbons. I get dressed into a form-fitting black dress that reaches my ankles, every inch of it entwined with silver thread, so the dress shimmers as I move. It has rhinestone spaghetti straps and I pair it with silver strappy heels. I leave my hair in loose waves and put silver hoops into my earlobes. I finish my makeup and as I open the door, I bump right into Anthony. Great, just my luck. I glance up at him and take in his stunned expression. His jaw is slack, lips parted and his eyes ar
Anthony:"Get out of my room." I don't need to see her face to know who those long legs, wearing red heels belong to. It's not the first time she's had me cornered. "You didn't even look at me." She laughs, her blonde hair bouncing against her shoulders. Her blue dress clings to her body and to my utter dismay, she starts swiping her finger back and forth on her bottom lip. She takes slow, deliberate steps toward me, dragging her fingernails across all the furniture on her way. It grates on my nerves. She comes to a stop when the tips of her red stilettos touch my leather loafers. She tilts her head to put her lips near my ear. "Oh Anthony, how I've missed you."She drags that same damned fingernail across my neck and I remove myself from her touch. "Shame, Adeline. I didn't miss you one bit."She smirks. Her red lips stretching over her white teeth. "I think you're lying. Your dick says otherwise."I look down at her with furrowed eyebrows. What is she going on about now? Befo