Chapter 41 Planning a Getaway

Charlotte sighed. "Things won't slow down anytime soon. The kids start preschool in just a couple of weeks, and I'll be swamped." Their evenings were filled with helping the children with homework, and soon, Carol wouldn't be available, as she didn't work for preschool kids. Luke exchanged a knowing glance with Sofia, signaling her to coax Charlotte into taking a break. Sofia rolled her eyes, as if saying, "It's not like you can just snap your fingers and she'll take a break. Work is her world." Meanwhile, Caelan, lost in his own world, chatted away on his phone, oblivious to the subtle dynamics unfolding around him. Determined to cheer up her friend and help Luke, Sofia boldly suggested, "We need to seize the day and have some fun. You've been MIA for too long. How about a tropical island getaway in three days?" Charlotte frowned, torn. "That's really soon. I've been mentoring the new intern; she's still finding her feet." Luke chimed in, "We could ask Lawson to step in. It's just a short trip. It'll be fine." Turning to Luke, Charlotte asked, "Do you really want to go?" Luke nodded eagerly. "Absolutely!" Caelan chimed in from the sidelines, "Can I tag along?" Luke smiled warmly. "Of course, you can." Caelan, with his well-known charisma around women, seemed like the ideal person to support Luke's plan for a surprise proposal. Charlotte was internally conflicted, trying to find a balance between her commitment to her job and her desire to spend time with her friend. After pondering over it, she agreed to the island getaway, setting the date for three days later, providing them with plenty of time to prepare. During a light-hearted chat, Caelan asked, "So, I heard you're single?" Initially indifferent to Caelan, Sofia responded nonchalantly, "Yep, that's correct." "How interesting, I'm single too. What do you do for work?" As they discussed their careers, Sofia began to see Caelan in a different light. She had initially dismissed him as just another wealthy, aimless young man. However, their conversation revealed a potential for professional collaboration. After their meal, they went their separate ways, but not before Sofia proactively exchanged contact details with Caelan, open to future encounters. After bidding Caelan farewell, Charlotte turned to Luke. "Do you think there's a spark between those two?" "It looks like they got along well, and they even swapped numbers, didn't they?" Charlotte nodded thoughtfully. "I really hope Sofia finds someone special soon." "Agreed. And it's high time for Caelan to find some direction too." Charlotte's smile toward Luke was filled with a playful sparkle. "How about we try a bit of matchmaking on our trip?" "It could work, but it's important to let them find their own way. We can't force these things." Charlotte understood this well. She knew her relationship with Luke had grown naturally, rooted in genuine feelings and their shared responsibilities as parents. At the office, Alice showed her thoughtfulness, offering Charlotte a glass of water. "You didn't take your lunch break? Everyone's still out. You should relax a bit; no need to stay here on my account." Alice gently declined. The office, quiet and calm, was a preferable alternative to her noisy home. "I'm fine here. I want to finish up reviewing the project from this morning." Charlotte had entrusted Alice with a special project: a custom-designed necklace for a client's tenth wedding anniversary gift. Although Charlotte had provided initial sketches, the client felt something was lacking. Charlotte hoped Alice, with her fresh eyes and creative insight, could bring the needed spark to the design. Focused and absorbed, Alice diligently worked on the file, her sketches taking shape with each thoughtful stroke of her pencil. Charlotte's days were mostly tranquil, a welcome change from the usual hustle and bustle. But an unexpected encounter with Lorraine one lunchtime broke this peaceful routine. With Luke away on business, Charlotte was navigating her day solo. She was puzzled when Lorraine suddenly approached her, bracing herself for a possible confrontation. Instead of speaking first, Charlotte waited for Lorraine to explain her unexpected presence. Lorraine had a serious expression. "What really happened between you and Frank back in the day?" "Why do you want to know?" Lorraine's expression revealed her concern. She had noticed something was off. Frank's behavior, though outwardly cordial, seemed forced and insincere. His quick change in attitude toward her, especially after learning about her father's help, raised her suspicions. Lorraine wasn't just inexperienced; she was starting to see through the façade. She had intentionally waited for this moment to confront Charlotte, hoping to uncover the truth. Charlotte let out a soft sigh. "I can't really offer you a clear answer. That chapter of my life is closed, and I don't believe in talking about people behind their backs." Lorraine's simple nature and apparent happiness in her marriage had led Charlotte to steer clear of their relationship. However, Lorraine's unexpected confrontation, seeking answers about the past, caught Charlotte off guard. "Are you refusing to tell me? Or do you still have some lingering affection for my husband?" Charlotte quickly clarified, "Of course not. Imagine, if someone deeply hurt you, could you still feel affection for them?" Lorraine's eyes were fixed and determined. "Then, I need you to explain what happened between you two back then." Charlotte was puzzled. "Why are you so insistent on knowing?" Lorraine, driven by a fear of losing face and the notion that her carefully chosen husband might not love her, was desperate to maintain her dignity. She was adamant in her quest for the truth. "There's something hidden, isn't there? Otherwise, why would he call out your name in his dreams?" Charlotte couldn't suppress a laugh at this revelation. "He called out my name in his sleep? That's utterly absurd."