Chapter 22

She was gorgeous, with a gentle vibe and a talent for healing… and Helen found herself liking her more and more.
When Helen spoke, Anthony glanced up at Charlotte. Her face was calm and unreadable, her sleek black hair falling over her shoulders, the picture of lazy elegance. You’d never guess she was the same girl who’d been wrapped around him last night, refusing to let go.
“Come eat breakfast,” Anthony said, wiping his mouth as his voice softened.
Helen, quick on the uptake, pulled out a chair for Charlotte and smiled wide. “Ms. Main, please sit.”
Charlotte gave a tiny smile and sat across from Anthony. She picked up her milk and took a couple of polite sips.
“About last night Anthony started.
Charlotte froze mid-sip, then looked up at him, her eyes shining. “Hmm?”
“How did you sleep?”
“Pretty well.” She tore her bread into small pieces and ate them slowly, looking for all the world like she’d forgotten everything that happened the night before.
Anthony watched her for a moment, then arched a brow and smiled.
“Patricia’s awake. She wants to see you and thank you herself.”
Rolling up his sleeves, Anthony peeled an egg with careful, practiced hands and placed it on Charlotte’s plate.
Charlotte didn’t hesitate to take it. She bit in and frowned a little. “It was nothing. Patricia doesn’t need to thank me.”
That was a firm no, and everyone heard it.
Anthony just smiled, not pushing it, and watched quietly as she finished eating. Once she was done, Charlotte picked up her backpack and got ready to leave. Anthony stood too, draping his jacket over his arm. He walked over and asked quietly, “Where are you headed? I can drive you.”
Charlotte tugged the straps of her backpack and glanced out the window. The sun was blazing. The villa sat halfway up the hill, and it was a walk just to reach the neighborhood gate.
“Home,” she said, already making her way toward the door.
She looked up and noticed every maid in the room was staring at her, wide-eyed, almost like she was some kind of legend. When she caught their gaze, they immediately looked down, embarrassed.
Charlotte blinked, confused. Before she could think too hard about it, a sharp burst of barking came from outside.
She looked over and spotted a massive Alaskan Malamute in the garden, bouncing around and barking like crazy in her direction.
“98K!” Anthony called out.
The barking stopped, replaced by soft, pitiful whimpers. The dog’s tail wouldn’t stop wagging, and it looked downright miserable.
“His name is 98K?” Charlotte asked, looking at the dog with curiosity.
Anthony nodded. “Yeah. Are you scared?”
He leaned in a bit, his tone teasing This dog was notorious for being grumpy and only letting Anthony
near t. But last night, it had actually let Charlotte hold it.
Charlotte pursed her lips, trying to look serious. “He’s kind of ugly. A little scary, honestly.”
The dog whimpered louder, looking betrayed. If it could talk, it would probably be reminding her how she clung to it last night.
“But I like his name,” Charlotte added.
The dog let out a soft, helpless whine.
Anthony’s dips curled into a smile
he opened the passenger door for her. “If you like him, you’re
to come
Khim some welcome
Charlotte glanced at 98K and frowned. She thought to herself, better not. Chances are he’d end up walking me instead.
On the drive back, Charlotte curled up in the passenger seat, resting her chin on her hand and scrolling through her phone.
In the family group chat:
Nine: I’m out of meds. Adonis, can you send some over?
Adonis: You’re going through them fast. Are you upping your dosage again?
Charlotte frowned at her screen. She couldn’t sleep without taking more.
Nine: I need it tonight. Send it to the Main place.
Adonis: Got it.
Anthony glanced over and saw
hunched up, phone practically
He
pressed against her not hand to
frowned, then freed his right hand to gently tap her forehead.
“Hey, little one,” he said warmly, “it’d be a shame if those pretty eyes ended up
needing glasses.”