Chapter 20 He Has Even Got Kids

Charlotte was still getting used to the idea of her and Luke being an official couple. Sometimes, it took girls a bit longer to realize what was happening. But seeing Luke in that tie definitely brought a smile to her face. They went to a DNA testing center inside a private hospital. This place was more private than public hospitals, where anyone could easily look up patient information. Charlotte held her purse. "Let's head in." For Luke, it was his first visit to a place like this, but luckily, he had an old buddy working there, so they got the results in just thirty minutes. Charlotte had braced for a longer wait. "Wow, that was fast!" Luke agreed, "At a public hospital, we'd probably still be waiting." Luke grabbed the test results with excitement. William Giddey, Luke's old buddy who already knew the outcome, wanted Luke to see it for himself. William watched Charlotte closely. He didn't know all the details, but he was happy for his friend. 'Luke has been single for a long time, now at thirty, without someone special. And now, things changed so fast; he's even got kids.' Despite already knowing the results, Luke was unmistakably joyful. "Charlotte, they're really my kids!" Charlotte chuckled. "No need to be so over the moon." He wrapped her in a tight hug. "It's a big deal for me. You can't imagine how amazing this feels. And you, raising two kids alone all this time... Must've been tough." She shook her head. "Seeing them grow made it all worthwhile." William observed them, a relieved smile on his face. "Just make sure I get an invite to the wedding. Luke, I never thought you'd move so quickly." Luke's grin was undeniable. "I didn't either." His initial plan was just to have his sperm frozen, but life had other plans, blessing him with two kids. With the DNA results in hand, a sense of relief washed over both of them. Charlotte's emotions were a whirlwind. She feared Luke might be with her only because of the kids, not wanting to anchor him down. She believed in freedom of choice, especially since Luke wasn't obliged to take responsibility. These thoughts had haunted Charlotte all night. As they got ready to head back to the office, she finally voiced her concern. "Are you with me just for the sake of the kids?" Luke paused, reflecting on their journey from the moment they met. He was sure about his feelings for Charlotte; they weren't just about the kids. Charlotte, misinterpreting his silence, was ready to suggest ending things. But before she could, Luke spoke up, "I'm with you because I genuinely like you. You're unlike anyone I've ever met. I admit, I had my own reasons for introducing you to my parents, but seeing them warm up to you reassured me." He gently took her hand. "My feelings for you are real, not just because of the kids." Charlotte had always battled with insecurities. She believed in relying solely on herself, never fully trusting others to be her support. She had fallen in love before, giving her heart away, only to be disappointed when Frank moved on and married another. Worse, Frank's infidelity during their marriage left Charlotte to deal with the aftermath. As a mother, she didn't want her vulnerabilities exposed. She convinced herself that being strong was the only way to shield her children. But today, touched by Luke's sincere and heartfelt admission, her long-frozen heart began to thaw. 'If this is the course destiny has chosen for me, I'll embrace it.' "Alright." Charlotte gently pressed her hand on top of his. "But I need you to agree to something." Luke gave a nod of agreement. "You're my girlfriend now; as long as we're not breaking up, I'll agree to whatever you ask." Charlotte smiled at his cautious approach. "It's not about breaking up. At work, we're still in a boss-employee relationship, and I'd rather our co-workers not know about us." Luke thought about it, not quite understanding her perspective. Ever since Charlotte joined the company, she had been quite popular among the single male staff. He had overheard some of them asking her out after work, and it took a lot of restraint for him not to intervene. Charlotte always said no, going home early to her kids, unless Luke invited her out. He was reluctant to agree to her request, worried it might open the door for others to approach her. "Do I really have to agree?" Luke, who hadn't been in a relationship for such a long time, was eager for the world to know. "I don't want to make a big deal out of it. If people find out, they might think I got my job through favoritism." She had secured her position through her own abilities. Getting involved with her boss so soon could lead to unnecessary speculation and gossip. Luke, though somewhat unwilling, agreed to Charlotte's request. "Alright, but I'll still have lunch with you daily and join you and the kids for activities in the evening." Charlotte nodded. "You don't have to force yourself to have lunch with me, especially if you're busy." "It's not about forcing," Luke insisted. Charlotte, slightly amused, shook her head. 'I thought he was this cool, distant guy, though friendly. Now, he seems totally smitten.' She decided to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Let's leave this topic for now. The important thing is to keep our relationship under wraps at work." Luke gripped her hand more tightly. "Understood." "I need your help with another matter." "What is it?" "I've finally got that villa, but I want to sell it. Too many things have happened in the past, and I don't want to dwell on them. I can't bear to go back there, so I was hoping you could help me sell it." Without hesitation, Luke pulled out his phone and called his assistant to take care of the matter.