Endless sundays 7 papara.., p.20
Endless Sundays 7: Paparazzi Attack, page 20
But Alexander, who showed no "signs of diligent practice," had master-level skills!
His piano skills were also at a master's level!
This... she was afraid even describing him as a heaven-sent prodigy wouldn't be enough to capture his talent and brilliance!
Charlotte had even begun to feel that if Alexander debuted - whether as a pianist, violinist, or singer - he could leave his name in music history, standing alongside those master musicians from textbooks!
And he's only twenty-two!
"What's wrong?" Alexander turned his head and asked, smiling.
"Nothing, Mr. Ciotta. You have really good skin." Charlotte also smiled, half-jokingly complimenting Alexander before glancing at her watch. It was already past three in the afternoon.
"Mr. Ciotta, shall we get something to eat?" Charlotte looked up with a slight smile. "My treat."
"Sounds good." Alexander agreed directly.
"We need to get ready," Charlotte said again.
A few minutes later.
In the presidential suite's living room, Alexander sat on the sofa chair scrolling through his phone.
On the other side of the coffee table.
Charlotte had already summoned her bodyguard and assistant.
Her bodyguard was named Ali, a thirty-five-year-old who had served her family for over a decade. He was a seasoned veteran—the quiet, dependable type who got things done without fuss!
Charlotte's assistant was a woman around thirty years old.
She wore glasses, was slightly plump, and was named Neema Lee. She appeared to be a very sharp and astute woman!
Both were Charlotte's most trusted confidants!
Charlotte first instructed Ali about reserving a private dining room for dinner.
After Ali hurried out, she turned to Neema to discuss the contract.
"...Print all of these out... 30,000 per song, totaling 210,000, plus a 50% revenue share..." After giving detailed instructions, Charlotte finally pointed at the laptop screen and three pages of handwritten notes, directing Neema.
Neema was stunned! The more she heard, the more shocked she became!
30,000 per song was understandable, but a 50% pure share—was that insane?!
Charlotte hadn't released a new album in a long time, and fans were eagerly waiting. Given Charlotte's status as a superstar, she was both a "traffic magnet" and a "diva of talent." Any new album she released, regardless of song quality, would cause a sensation! Just looking at next year, conservative estimates put revenue at several hundred million!
Giving away half?!
Neema couldn't help but glance up at Alexander, who was on his phone, then turned and whispered to Charlotte in French, "Boss, are you sure? 50%? Or 5%? This way..."
She spoke in French, assuming Alexander wouldn't understand.
"It's 50%! Just do as I say. Have the contract ready before I return," Charlotte confirmed firmly, also in French.
"But this... we've never done a contract like this. Boss, maybe you should reconsider?" Neema couldn't resist advising.
"Neema! You talk too much," Charlotte said with a reproachful yet amused look.
Their close personal relationship allowed for such candid exchanges.
"That's final," Charlotte added, then stood up and turned to Alexander with a smile. "Mr. Alexander, we're ready. Let's head downstairs..."
"Hmm? Sure!" Alexander looked up at Charlotte and smiled in agreement.
A few minutes later.
Second-floor restaurant—private room!
The J Restaurant did have private rooms, but they were all quite large, with long tables seating at least ten people on both sides. Thus, most diners at J didn't book private rooms!
Charlotte, however, wanted to avoid causing a scene in the main dining area, so they had to eat in a private room!
Chapter 14: Drunk together. A night with Charlotte.
The two arrived at the room.
They ordered food and wine.
Then they began chatting casually.
The conversation consistently revolved around music, but the look in Charlotte's eyes when she regarded Alexander had changed dramatically from the day before—it now held a unique nuance.
She finally understood why Jasmine had doubted her and said all she did; it wasn't that she had a problem, but that Alexander... he truly had a magical quality!
A musical talent unparalleled in history!
And this... might only be the tip of the iceberg of his extraordinary nature!
Charlotte reasoned this way; otherwise, there was no explaining why both Jasmine Doran and Seraphine Arden were with him.
Just like Seraphine before her, Charlotte now perceived Alexander with a touch of mystique, speculating that he might be some kind of "extraordinary figure"!
They hadn't been chatting for long when the food and red wine were served.
Charlotte loved drinking—alcohol sparked her inspiration, and she had an impressive tolerance!
Glasses were filled.
"Mr. Alexander, a toast to you! I'll finish mine, but please drink at your own pace!" Charlotte initiated the toast. It was hard to imagine words like "I'll finish mine, you drink as you like" coming from a woman of her status.
As the saying goes, when you meet a kindred spirit, a thousand cups are too few!
Charlotte already regarded Alexander as a kindred spirit, or perhaps she wished to become one with him!
Cheers!
Charlotte threw her head back and downed the glass in one go!
Alexander also drank his in one go!
More wine was poured!
Casual conversation ensued!
It seemed they had endless topics to discuss, especially about music—there was truly no shortage of content!
Charlotte grew increasingly curious about Alexander, constantly asking questions like, "When did you learn to play the piano?" and "Have you ever participated in competitions before?"
She also inquired about lyric composition and the violin!
Alexander, of course, responded somewhat evasively—after all, he couldn't very well say how he'd lived through a time loop that lasted ten thousand years.
Unconsciously, the meal had already lasted an hour.
"Mr. Alexander, may I be so bold as to ask..." Charlotte, now slightly intoxicated and with a rosy blush on her cheeks, asked softly with a tipsy smile, "How... how did you and Miss Doran, and Ms. Arden... end up... together?"
She actually brought this up!
Without a bit of alcohol in her system, she would never have dared to ask such a question!
Given her free-spirited nature, when she was in high spirits and enjoying the conversation, she felt bold enough to ask anything!
"It's a rather complicated story," Alexander replied with a smile.
Charlotte sensed that Alexander didn't want to elaborate. She smiled and didn't press further, pursing her lips before asking in her drunken state, "Then... Alexander, do you have any plans for tonight? Could you... not go back?"
Charlotte's words were clearly a bit ambiguous. A subtle expression crossed Alexander's face as he smiled and said, "Tonight... I don't have any plans for now. It's fine if I don't go back."
"Won't Miss Doran be looking for you?" Charlotte asked again in a soft voice, subconsciously swirling the red wine in her glass. Tinged with intoxication, her voice carried a certain charm.
Under the lights of the private room, her flushed cheeks were cast in a soft, beautiful halo. It was a sight that would make one sigh with emotion—now this is what you call a woman!
"She probably will, but I can just let her know," Alexander said with a smile.
"It seems I really misunderstood before," Charlotte also smiled, her magnetic, feminine voice continuing, "Miss Doran seems very... accommodating toward you, Mr. Ciotta."
"I wouldn't say accommodating," Alexander chuckled.
Charlotte smiled and didn't press the issue further. Although her curiosity about Alexander was growing, she didn't want to pry into his romantic life. She subconsciously wanted to keep a little distance!
Even if her conscience was clear!
But she could no longer deny that Alexander had begun to attract her!
His astounding musical talent!
And not just that!
Charlotte found it hard to find someone as in sync with her as Alexander!
They had a common language in music, with endless things to talk about!
And he didn't "go easy" on her because of her status! He treated her as an equal! This was what made Charlotte most comfortable!
"Do you have any plans for the evening, Miss Langford?" Alexander asked in return.
"I don't think so," Charlotte smiled. "I just want to discuss more about music with you. If you don't find it a bother, I was hoping... You could accompany me in getting familiar with those songs. If I make any mistakes in my singing, please correct me, Mr. Ciotta!"
When it came to music, Charlotte could already humble herself before Alexander!
She had come to realize that there was no comparing herself to a rare genius like him!
"It's not really about correcting," Alexander smiled. "It's just that for the songs I've written, I believe they need to be performed as I envisioned to achieve the best effect!"
Charlotte smiled. After a brief pause, she raised her glass in a toast to Alexander.
Alexander raised his in return.
They clinked their glasses lightly, and each took another sip of red wine.
After setting her glass down, Charlotte picked up the nearby wine bottle to pour herself another glass, asking Alexander with a smile, "Mr. Ciotta, you seem to know everything... I mean, when it comes to music."
"I do alright," Alexander smiled.
"Then... may I ask how many instruments you can play,?" Charlotte asked.
"I've never counted," Alexander replied.
"Never counted?" Charlotte's eyebrows rose, her smile tinged with surprise. "So, that means a lot?"
"Quite a few," Alexander nodded.
Drinking.
Idle chat!
Before they knew it.
Alexander and Charlotte's meal, which had started a little after three in the afternoon, lasted until well past five.
They had been there for over two hours, though they hadn't eaten much. It was mostly just chatting and drinking!
Charlotte's alcohol tolerance was truly impressive!
The two of them had finished six bottles of red wine in total! Three bottles each.
Charlotte was drunk!
Alexander was a little drunk too!
However! Both were only half-drunk!
They hadn't reached the point of stumbling. When Charlotte drank too much, it tended to "show on her face," meaning she would flush, but it wasn't a significant issue!
Around five-thirty, the meal finally came to an end.
It was time to go upstairs!
The two stood up. Charlotte grabbed her bag and, while talking to Alexander, started to walk out.
"Miss Langford, your glasses," Alexander reminded her.
Only then did Charlotte realize. She picked up the sunglasses she had casually placed on the table and put them on. As she was about to head straight out again, Alexander had to remind her once more, "And your mask!"
She had drunk a bit too much and was subconsciously overlooking the small details.
"Thank you, Mr. Ciotta," Charlotte laughed, looking tipsy. She then took a mask out of her pocket and put it on.
People who have had too much to drink often have some issues with verbal logic and become overly excited... but Charlotte was doing alright.
She was just acting a little strange.
A few minutes later.
Alexander and Charlotte took the elevator back to the fifteenth floor and entered Charlotte's presidential suite again!
The first thing Charlotte did upon entering was kick off her high heels. She walked inside barefoot, took off her sunglasses and mask, and casually dropped them on the coffee table. Then she plopped down on the sofa, leaned back, and pulled out her phone.
She called her assistant. She hadn't forgotten about business!
A few minutes later, Neema arrived at the presidential suite, holding two thick copies of a contract. The contract had clearly not been typed up by her. Instead, she had contacted the company's legal department in Chicago.
They had a template, which they filled out with the information Neema provided, sent her the electronic file, and she then printed it!
Two hours had been more than enough time for her to prepare everything!
Alexander and Charlotte signed the contract!
After the contract was signed, Charlotte waved her hand, signaling that Neema could leave and rest in the room next door!
Afterward, Charlotte opened another bottle of red wine.
The presidential suite had its own temperature-controlled wine cabinet, stocked with various vintages and types of red wine, whiskey, brandy, and more.
Guests were, of course, free to drink them, but they had to pay for them upon checkout.
Charlotte was truly happy today!
Night gradually fell.
A little past seven in the evening, in the piano room.
An open bottle of red wine sat on a corner of the piano, along with Alexander's glass, which was half-full. Charlotte stood nearby, holding her own wine glass, singing her heart out!
Alexander was at the piano, playing the melody of "Knocking"!
The night deepened!
The presidential suite was constantly filled with the sound of singing!
Alexander had first written "Knocking" for Charlotte, followed by seven more songs for an album! Eight songs in total! Going through all eight songs once took over half an hour.
Charlotte sang continuously, practicing nonstop!
Alexander's playing allowed her to immerse herself in the emotions almost perfectly, and under the influence of alcohol, Charlotte's performance was even more transcendent!
Of the eight songs, Charlotte's favorites were "Knocking," "Queen," and "The Final Chapter," so she sang these three the most!
However, by a little past nine in the evening, both of them were tired and gradually adopted a more "playful" mood!
Singing for so long was also taking a toll on Charlotte's voice.
So, they started playing a duet!
Alexander on the piano, Charlotte on the violin, they played "Queen" together!
In terms of melody, this song was the most stunning! Moreover, both the violin and the piano were well-suited instruments for blues!
But after playing the duet several times in a row, a tipsy Charlotte revealed a dissatisfied expression.
"I'm so bad," Charlotte said, then looked at Alexander. "You're still the better player!"
"You're not bad at all," Alexander smiled.
"You're always so modest," Charlotte said with a drunken smile.
She put down her violin, walked over to Alexander, and sat down right next to him... The piano bench was long enough to accommodate both of them.
But for Charlotte to sit down without a word, one could only say...
"A four-hand duet?" Charlotte, now sitting beside Alexander, turned her head and asked.
"Alright!" Alexander nodded, shifting over a little.
They began the four-hand duet!
It was "Queen" again!
But Charlotte only managed to play the beginning with Alexander before she had to stop. In her drunken state, she couldn't play well without the sheet music. She hadn't fully memorized it, and Alexander played so well that she had trouble keeping up!
Alexander played a section by himself!
Charlotte turned her head, a drunken smile on her face, and watched this handsome and brilliant man with admiration!
This man of overflowing talent!
This man of divine skill!
This man, who could always leave one breathless with wonder!
Charlotte just turned her head and watched, and watched.
Alexander stopped playing after a section because Charlotte hadn't kept up.
He stopped his hands, turned to look at Charlotte, and smiled. "Charlotte?"
"Alexander," Charlotte also said his name.
Their eyes met.
"Hm?" Alexander smiled, letting out a questioning hum.
Charlotte suddenly leaned in, cupped Alexander's face with her hands, and kissed him!
So sudden
No one knew just what emotional journey Charlotte Langford had undergone—not even she herself fully understood, because she was drunk.
Alcohol makes people bold in speech and action, even... losing self-control!
Charlotte had always lived with a free spirit!
She wanted to kiss Alexander, so she did!
Perhaps she was drawn to Alexander's talent, or maybe he gave her a different feeling. Or perhaps Charlotte already felt that Alexander was the soulmate she had been searching for all along...
Truthfully, Charlotte wasn't even sure what she was thinking!
The impulse simply took over!
In her intoxicated state, she didn't dwell on complicated matters. Though she still remembered her bet with Jasmine Doran and knew that what she was doing was wrong... in the end, emotion overpowered reason!
Charlotte turned, cupped Alexander's face, and kissed him. Then she suddenly shifted, rising slightly before turning over and settling directly into his lap. Throughout this, she never broke contact with him!
Her hands were soft, and her lips even more so. Her bubbly butt fit perfectly on his lap, and she even wiggled a bit to get comfortable.
Her tongue shyly began to lick at his lips, before it was welcomed inside.
A drunken woman!
And a drunken man!
In reality, Alexander was much more sober than Charlotte, but he chose not to reject her. Alexander admitted he wasn't a monogamous man, but he had never promised any woman that he would be!
Even so, he didn’t kiss her back, simply letting her lead it.
Charlotte wasn't very skilled at kissing! As their lips met, she bit down on his lips and tongue more than once. Yet even so, the two lost themselves in it.
She had never been in a relationship!
Not meeting the right person was only part of the reason. The factors behind Charlotte's lack of romantic experience were actually quite complex. Her family background made it difficult to find someone worthy of her, and she had debuted too early!
