Chapter 288

Anthony shifted, kneeling on the sofa as he gently dried her hair. Charlotte leaned in a little, her forehead bumping against his firm chest. She breathed in his clean, comforting scent, feeling something warm settle inside her. He was a good guy, and his family was wonderful too. Maybe having a boyfriend like him wouldn’t be such a
bad thing.
Her thoughts drifted, but the hairdryer turned off and snapped her back to the moment. She slipped out of Anthony’s arms and, a few seconds later, came back with her school bag. Without saying a word, she started pulling out her weekend homework, laying each book and paper on the table.
Anthony set the hairdryer aside and stepped closer, his warm chest pressing against her back. His voice was quiet and deep. “It’s late. You still have homework? Leave it for tomorrow.”
Charlotte glanced at him with a look that was both amused and a little sympathetic. She didn’t answer, just kept unpacking. Seven test papers, four sets of exercises, and two essays-honestly, it was brutal.
When she finished, Charlotte tossed her bag aside, turned to face Anthony, and let her lips curl into a soft smile. “Anthony, can you help your girlfriend with her homework?”
He blinked at her, eyes narrowing in surprise. “What? Lottie, are you serious?”
Charlotte just smiled, grabbed the collar of his shirt, and pulled him down to her level. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, quick and sure. “Anthony, do you want a girlfriend?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her tone sweet and playful.
He caught his breath, his arms moving on instinct to wrap around her waist. “With an offer like that, how could I say no?”
“Exactly.” Charlotte’s lips curved higher. She pressed her fingertip to his chest, kissed him again, then whispered, “Now it’s time for homework-boyfriend.”
Anthony felt a jolt of excitement run through him. He leaned in for another kiss, but Charlotte was already pulling away. She pushed him gently, dove under the covers, and called out, “Goodnight, Anthony.”
He stood there for a moment,
staring at the mountain of
homework, feeling a little dazed. When he finally looked at Charlotte, her eyes were squeezed shut,
pretending to be asleep
e couldn’t
help but smile, helpless and completely charmed.
The next day, Charlotte woke up in her own room. On her desk sat a neatly stacked pile of completed homework. She couldn’t help but smile, happiness lighting up her face.
After lunch, she called The Gates Family to delay their get-together Only then did she pull on a hat and mask, covering herself up before hopping onto her motorcycle and heading to the hospital.
Inside, Roger was already dressed in surgical scrubs. He stood apart from a group
of buzzing professors, his face cold and annoyed.
“It’s almost one. When is she going to show up?”
Anthony checked the time, his expression stormy. It was obvious he wasn’t happy with Asclepius. She always kept people waiting, as if the clock meant nothing to her And thanks to ber, hed missed another chance to see Charlotte.
“I’ll give her two more minutes. If she’s not here, I’ll—”
Just then, frantic footsteps echoed from the hallway. An assistant rushed in,
breathless and excited.
“Asclepius is here!”