Chapter 357

Just a moment ago, they all thought they saw a flash of panic in Charlotte’s eyes. Love really was changing her.
“Lottie
Anthony’s voice came through the speakers, filling the quiet car. Adonis, who was driving, nearly burst out laughing at the sweet nickname. Lottie? If only Anthony knew what she was really like.
Charlotte caught Adonis’s barely contained smirk and frowned, then kicked the back of his seat. It hurt, but Adonis kept silent.
Once the car was completely quiet, Charlotte’s tone softened. “Anthony, I was in the shower just now. I didn’t hear your call.”
“Go to bed early after your shower,” Anthony said. He was standing at the top of his base, looking down at a sea of city lights through a huge window.
“Okay.” Charlotte checked the time. “You should rest, too.”
It was already late. Anthony didn’t want to bother her anymore, so after saying a few more things, he hung up.
As soon as the call ended, Jackson’s phone started ringing in his bag.
“Charlotte, it’s Anthony.”
Charlotte frowned, reached for the phone, cleared her throat, and answered.
“Helen.”
She mimicked Helen’s voice and tone perfectly. “Anthony, what would you like me to do?”
“Make sure all the windows in my room are shut tight. Put two people at the door. If anything happens, no matter how late, call me right away.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Wake her up at seven. She only likes strawberry jam, and her bread needs to be whole wheat. Peel her eggs for her.”
Charlotte fell quiet. Anthony really did know her better than she knew herself.
“And put a bottle of low-fat milk in, her bag. Pack extra snacks for her, too.” He knew Andrew would try to steather food and didn’t want her going hungry.
“Got it, Anthony,” Charlotte replied, shifting so she was more comfortable. A small smile played at her lips.
“That’s it for now. Take good care of her. Thank you for everything, Helen.”
Satisfied he’d covered everything, Anthony ended the call.
Up front, Adonis and Jackson looked at each other, completely stunned.
Was this how you looked after a girlfriend, or was he raising a princess?
“Just drive,” Charlotte said, tossing the phone back to Jackson. She closed her eyes. “Wake me when we get there.”
At the hotel, Charlotte stood in the
empty room, feeling a little down.
Pet
After a few seconds, she pulled a bottle of sleeping pills from her bag, tipped out two, and swallowed them. She hadn’t needed them much lately, so what was left would last a few more days. She just had to finish what she came here to do and get out of this awful place.
After taking the pills, she pulled out a white men’s shirt from her bag. Hugging it to
her chest, she closed her eyes and let herself relax.
Somewhere else under the same
sky, Anthony sat on his sofa in a loose robe, a cigarette between his fingers. He looked at Charlotte’s image on his computer, his eyes soft, a helpless smile on his lips.
He wasn’t a lovesick teenager anymore, but he still lost sleep just missing her. At
least she was being good, so he didn’t have to worry.
Anthony took a drag from his cigarette, blew out a slow breath, and started typing. Casino and B20 project files. All of them.