Chapter 8 Going Home with Him

Life had settled into a quiet rhythm for Charlotte. She had grown used to her new environment, even though some coworkers whispered about her and Luke. Still, she got along well with most of them. Luke had handled the party incident with such grace, briefly making Charlotte a bit of a celebrity among designers without harming her reputation. If he weren't Frank's uncle, she might have actually found herself liking him more. After two weeks, Charlotte's ring design was complete. She held it with care, admiring its beauty. Luke was there too, watching her. Excited, Charlotte shared her thoughts with him. "Looks like I still got it. I was worried the design wouldn't translate well into reality, but it's gorgeous." Leaning against a bookshelf, Luke was looking for some old projects to show her, wanting to share some insights. "This just shows how talented you are, Charlotte. I knew you were the right person for this." This was a feeling Charlotte hadn't experienced in a while. There was a unique sense of accomplishment when a designer saw their idea come to life. She had noticed Luke's tender gaze earlier, but she shrugged it off as imagination. Now, her attention was all on the ring, not on Luke's looks. "I guess my job here is done. I won't be meeting the client this time. He doesn't seem too fond of me." Luke's confusion about Frank's hostility toward Charlotte was evident. "Ignore him. I'll accompany you this time. If he steps out of line, I'll deal with him." Charlotte pondered briefly before agreeing. She recognized that avoiding Frank wasn't a viable long-term plan. Moreover, she was still awaiting his decision on the villa she was interested in. Luke first treated her to a steak dinner at a familiar upscale restaurant, which he clearly enjoyed. The steaks were exceptional, albeit pricey. After the meal, Luke, with a touch of unease in his voice, made an unusual request. "I have to visit my family tonight. They're eager for me to get married and heard about the party. I kind of told them you're my girlfriend. Could you just play along for tonight, if you're free?" Charlotte was torn. She had two children and was concerned about potential rumors if Luke's family discovered this. Yet, refusing a request from her boss wasn't simple. Luke understood her dilemma. "I know about your kids, but it's okay. I'll take care of you. You don't have to worry about that." His support was genuine, as he had always respected her position as a single mother. Charlotte had become quite comfortable working with Luke over the past month, trusting him and his judgment. So, when he asked her to accompany him, she agreed, reassured by his promise that there was nothing to worry about. Luke responded with a gentle smile. "I'll have finance give you a little extra in your bonus this month." Charlotte was quick to decline his offer. "That's not necessary. Just being able to work here has been more than enough help. I wouldn't want to cause any hard feelings among the other staff." Luke simply nodded in understanding, though he appeared to have his own thoughts about the bonus. Later, at a café, they waited for Frank to pick up the ring, but it was Lorraine who showed up. She was small and appeared very young, almost like a college freshman, making Charlotte feel like a more mature presence in comparison. Seeing such an innocent young woman possibly being misled by a dishonest man saddened Charlotte. Lorraine was pleasant and as simple as she appeared. She admired the ring. "It's really beautiful. Can I come to you again if I need something like this?" Charlotte agreed without hesitation, "Absolutely, feel free to contact me whenever you need." Lorraine's happiness was infectious as she openly expressed her joy. Charlotte, playing her part, gently fitted the ring onto Lorraine's finger. The design and diamond were a perfect match for Lorraine's style, enhancing her natural charm. As Lorraine held her hand in the sunlight, marveling at the ring, she shared a personal detail. "This is the third ring Frank has given me. Each anniversary for the past three years, he's gifted me one. I think I've found a truly good man." Charlotte felt a mix of emotions. She had once been in Lorraine's shoes, believing in the goodness of a man. She managed a courteous smile. "He really is thoughtful. It's rare to find men who remember anniversaries with such detail." Lorraine, glowing with happiness, continued sharing her love story, reminiscent of a young girl in the early stages of romance. As she talked, Charlotte pieced together the timeline of their relationship. Her suspicions were confirmed; Lorraine and Frank's relationship had started before her own divorce was finalized. Charlotte listened and responded, though her thoughts were elsewhere, "You do seem genuinely happy." Charlotte spent the afternoon listening to Lorraine gush about Frank's love for her. She watched Lorraine, lost in her romantic world, and felt a pull to caution her. Yet, she hesitated, considering the possibility that Frank's affection might be genuine. Luke, who was also present, listened calmly, showing no irritation. When Frank arrived to pick up Lorraine, his glare toward Charlotte was sharp and warning, as if to keep her silent. Charlotte couldn't help but roll her eyes internally, questioning Lorraine's attraction to him. As Luke appeared ready to step in and confront Frank, Charlotte held him back. "It's a part of life to meet people we dislike. You can't react like this every time for me."