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Chapter 24
Half an hour later, I felt the heat of alcohol spreading across my face. Through increasingly blurry vision, I saw Marcus give Daniel a meaningful look.
My next clear memory was being half–carried, half–dragged into the family mansion. Voices echoed around me, but I couldn’t focus enough to hear the conversation. Then I saw her–Charlotte–standing next to my father.
“Did you get into trouble while I was away?” I heard myself ask, words somewhat slurred.
She stared at me, speechless.
“Tell me. Who did you anger today? I’ll stand up for you,” I continued, not entirely sure why I was saying this.
The air was quiet for a few seconds, and I vaguely noticed my friends‘ shocked expressions.
Charlotte blinked rapidly, bit her lower lip, then shook her head adorably. “I was good. No trouble.”
Elliot looked at Charlotte with curiosity and asked, “Are you even of legal age?”
The question was impertinent, causing even my father to cough awkwardly twice.
As Charlotte was about to speak, Victoria stepped forward to face my friends and introduced everyone: “This is Charlotte Cole, she’s 20 years old and Alexander’s wife.”
I felt my legs weakening, and the room seemed to spin slightly.
At my father’s subtle cue, Charlotte immediately came forward to support me, approaching Marcus and Daniel, clearly uncertain how to hold me up. These two traitors deliberately let go, causing me to fall directly into Charlotte’s arms.
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, staggering back two steps to maintain balance.
Everyone laughed, even Victoria smiled slightly.
I wrapped my arm around Charlotte’s shoulders and mumbled, “Back to bedroom.”
“Alexander, I can’t carry you,” she protested.
“Morris, help Charlotte,” my father ordered.
I waved for Morris to stay away. “She’s enough on her own.”
Charlotte almost stumbled under my weight as we made our way toward the elevator.
Entering the bedroom, Charlotte laboriously guided me toward the bed, and as she placed me on it, she lay beside me, her left arm trapped under my back.
“Alexander, you’re crushing my arm!” she complained.
Feeling the discomfort against my back, I rolled to the right–directly on top of Charlotte.
“Alexander Kingsley, are you taking advantage of me? Get off!” she protested, pushing against my chest.
1/2
Chapter 24
I felt her petite body beneath me, soft and warm against my chest. I could even smell the faint fragrance in her hair.
“Shut up, I mumbled, eyes still closed.
“I will not shut up, Alexander. If you suffocate me to death, you’ll be charged with murder, you know? Quick-”
I don’t know what prompted me to do it. Perhaps it was the incessant noise, or perhaps something else, but in one swift motion, I pressed my lips against hers, effectively cutting her off mid–sentence.
Her hands, so determined to push me away just moments ago, now froze in place.
“You… you did that on purpose!” she accused, her cheeks turning even pinker.
I deliberately released my hold on her waist, letting my arms fall to my sides, then closed my eyes, pretending to be
asleep.
“Hmm?” Her voice clearly carried confusion when she realized she could now move easily.
She looked down at her waist, noticing my hands no longer constrained her. Then she poked my face, discovering I had fallen asleep.
I heard her sigh with relief. “Thank goodness he’s drunk,” she muttered to herself.
As soon as she left, I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling. The effects of alcohol had mostly dissipated, leaving me with a clear awareness of what had just happened.
My gaze fixed on the wall ahead as I tried to understand my own actions. That impulse–that kiss–had surprised even me.
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