Endless sundays 7 papara.., p.21
Endless Sundays 7: Paparazzi Attack, page 21
She began her singing career at 18—exploding into fame right from her debut!
And Charlotte was only twenty-six this year! Yet it was already her tenth year in the industry!
For young celebrities, romance is a sensitive matter, especially for a female singer like Charlotte who possesses both popularity and talent!
But beyond these reasons, the most significant factor keeping Charlotte from relationships wasn't external—it was internal, rooted in herself!
She had devoted her best years entirely to music!
Love wasn't a necessity during her prime—music was!
What she needed was a soulmate! Someone she could discuss music with freely! Someone she could connect with heart-to-heart!
Not necessarily a lover!
Of course, a soulmate could become a lover!
Charlotte was fully immersed.
Drunk people have a blurred sense of time, and she had no idea how long she had been kissing when she suddenly... jerked her head up! Pushing with her hands on his chest, she pulled away.
Her face was flushed!
Her breathing was heavy!
But her expression seemed troubled!
"S-sorry, I might... I'm drunk, I..." Charlotte suddenly realized she had gone too far. Speaking in a slightly panicked tone, she stood up and moved aside.
She noticed the lipstick marks she had left on the corner of Alexander's mouth and on his cheek.
And she wondered—had she gone mad?!
Facing this man she had only known for two days, why had she acted like this?!
"Mr.—Mr. Ciotta, wait a moment..." Charlotte seemed to be looking for something, glancing around before hurriedly leaving the piano room.
She left quickly and returned just as fast.
Charlotte had brought a tissue box, holding it in one hand while pulling out a tissue with the other.
"Please wipe... There are marks..." Charlotte gestured, offering to clean the lipstick stains from Alexander's face.
"Thank you." Alexander smiled as he said this, taking the tissue and wiping the corner of his mouth. He then added, "Miss Charlotte, would you like to go wash your face? You don't seem to be in the best state..."
Alexander's tone showed no hint of strangeness!
He knew that this was the moment when Charlotte's heart was most unsettled, so... he had to stay calm!
If Alexander had acted as though their kiss obligated them to something, Charlotte would undoubtedly have chosen to retreat!
She knew she was being immoral! It might have been different if she hadn't known Alexander had a girlfriend, but she did know—and Jasmine had even warned her!
"Oh, alright... I'll go for a moment." Charlotte agreed, feeling that she indeed needed to step away briefly! She wasn't quite sure how to face Alexander anymore!
Charlotte left the piano room once again and returned to the bedroom.
She needed to wash her face... but since she was wearing makeup, she had to remove it properly! Removing makeup wasn't as simple as just washing it off—many high-quality cosmetics were waterproof, and washing directly wouldn't clean thoroughly and could harm the skin!
Alexander also went to the restroom, wiping his face in front of the mirror.
A few minutes later.
Alexander returned to the piano room.
He sat down!
Raised his hands!
And began to play!
Alexander performed a brand-new piece—not an accompaniment for a song, but a piano composition he had created many centuries ago!
A pure instrumental! The style was very soothing, evoking a feeling of "a quiet night, ocean waves, and sea breeze."
Another ten minutes passed.
Charlotte finally returned to the piano room. With her makeup removed, she had also let down her usual bun, allowing her wavy, long hair to cascade over her shoulders. Her flushed cheeks and weary eyes gave her an exceptionally languid appearance.
She had adjusted her mindset.
Alexander did not stop playing when Charlotte returned.
Charlotte pulled up a chair, sat beside the piano, and habitually picked up her glass of red wine. Tilting her head, she watched Alexander, then closed her eyes to listen to the captivating melody. Gradually, she began to sway gently with the music, left and right, in small, subtle movements...
Alexander's piece was very long, taking a full half-hour to play completely.
Charlotte remained quietly listening throughout.
From time to time, she would take a sip of wine!
Her gaze toward Alexander, without her realizing it, grew hazy once more.
If everything Charlotte had previously witnessed in Alexander could be described as divine skill, awe, and dazzling talent—that was merely the prelude!
Until this moment!
The tranquil night.
The intoxicating wine.
The enchanting music.
A man playing, a woman listening.
A scene so romantic, with its own theme.
Everything was elevated to a higher plane!
Watching the man who always wore a slight smile as he played earnestly, Charlotte felt utterly at ease. In her heart, she even felt as though life could freeze in this moment—so comfortable, so captivating!
This night would be one to remember for a lifetime!
Alexander finished playing the entire piano piece.
It was over.
The piano room fell into profound silence.
Alexander turned to look at Charlotte, only to find that she had actually fallen asleep!
She was sitting right beside the piano, leaning against the stand next to it, where a half-empty bottle of red wine and an empty wine glass rested. One of Charlotte's hands rested on the bottle, her head tilted slightly as she pillowed it on her arm, breathing evenly.
While Alexander's piano piece did have some sleep-inducing qualities, it couldn't possibly be that potent.
The main reason was that Charlotte was drunk and genuinely exhausted.
Alexander turned his head... From his angle, he could just see Charlotte's profile as she slept.
Compared to others, Charlotte's feminine charm truly couldn't be matched.
Whether it was Aileen Arison or Seraphine Arden, they were both too refined! Aileen possessed an ethereal quality, while Seraphine's femininity was expressed through her demeanor and tone of voice.
Both women gave off a feeling of being "admired only from afar"!
Charlotte was different - her beauty and temperament could captivate people across all age groups! That kind of womanly feeling was indescribable!
Alexander admired her for a moment, then stood up.
He walked over a couple of steps and gently took Charlotte's hand. Charlotte didn't wake up - once a drunk person falls asleep, they're tough to rouse.
Alexander pulled Charlotte's arm over his shoulder, then, with a swift motion, scooped her up in a princess carry.
He walked out of the piano room.
Circled around the living room.
Alexander gently pushed open the slightly ajar bedroom door with his foot and carried Charlotte inside.
The bedroom of the presidential suite could be described as enormous, with every detail of its decor and furnishings showcasing refinement and luxury.
On the back of the chair in front of the dressing table lay Charlotte's pajamas. Since she had stayed here yesterday, traces of use were still visible.
Alexander carried Charlotte horizontally to the bedside and gently laid the drunken, soundly asleep woman on it. She still hadn't woken up...
At this point, even if Alexander were to slap her, she likely wouldn't stir. The effects of alcohol were potent, and she wouldn't rouse until the intoxication wore off.
Raising his wrist, Alexander glanced at his watch again.
It was already past 10 p.m.
Alexander leaned over again, shifted Charlotte further inward, and pulled the blanket over her.
But then he paused, thought for a moment, straightened up, and took out his phone. He paused once more, pondering again!
Of course, he wasn't considering doing anything to Charlotte!
Alexander was no scumbag—such matters required mutual consent! He would never take advantage of a woman who was drunk and unconscious!
Moreover!
Even if we set that aside.
The truth was, Alexander hadn't intended for anything to happen with Charlotte today.
If he had wanted to, the day wouldn't have unfolded this way. He could have chosen a different approach to make Charlotte take the initiative!
But if he had, there would have been no future for the two of them!
Charlotte's character was different from that of his other women. Jasmine had even ordered someone killed, but such a thing was unimaginable for Charlotte!
She had her own moral boundaries!
And she knew Alexander had a girlfriend!
So, if the two of them had truly crossed that line today, she would likely choose to retreat afterward. Knowing she had done wrong, the guilt in her heart would drive her to distance herself from Alexander as much as possible!
Therefore, what Alexander was actually thinking about was... Charlotte would surely be uncomfortable sleeping in her clothes, and they would get wrinkled from being pressed against her.
Alexander also considered calling Charlotte's assistant, Neema Lee, but decided against it.
He shouldn't "know" Neema's phone number right now, even though he did.
Alexander turned and left the bedroom.
Then he exited the presidential suite.
The corridor was brightly lit and opulently decorated, but no one was around. At this hour, it was only natural!
Alexander walked directly to the opposite door... The room across from the presidential suite wasn't another presidential suite but a relatively lower-end executive suite.
This was due to the living room's orientation. On the 15th floor of this hotel, only the south-facing rooms were presidential suites, as they were the ones that received sunlight.
Arriving at the door of the executive suite, he knocked.
Knock, knock!
Soon, someone came to answer the door—it was the bodyguard, Ali!
"Mr. Alexander?" Ali looked at him in surprise, unsure why Alexander was knocking.
"I'm looking for Assistant Neema," Alexander said with a smile.
"Mr. Ciotta?" Neema's voice immediately came from inside. She was in the living room of the executive suite and had heard Alexander.
The bodyguards and assistants all stayed in this room.
Of course, they "usually" slept separately, as the executive suite had two bedrooms.
"Mr. Alexander, what's wrong?" Neema walked to the door. While the bodyguard Ali was still dressed in a crisp suit, Neema had already changed into her pajamas—a conservative, long cotton nightgown.
"Could you come over for a moment? It's about Miss Charlotte..." Alexander said with a smile, gesturing toward the suite behind him.
One minute later.
Alexander returned to Charlotte's bedroom, followed by Neema, who was wearing pajamas and slippers. Alexander stopped at the doorway, gestured toward Charlotte, and said to Neema, "She's had too much to drink, I'm not really..." He didn't finish the sentence but conveyed the meaning clearly, then added, "Sorry to trouble you, Miss Lee."
"Ah..." Neema was surprised, then grinned, "No trouble at all, she's my boss. Thank you, Mr. Alexander..."
"I'll go rest then, I'll leave her to you." Alexander smiled.
"Good night, Mr. Alexander." Neema smiled back.
Alexander turned and left, crossing the living room to enter the bedroom opposite.
Naturally, this presidential suite had more than one bedroom. Since it was so late and Alexander had drunk a considerable amount of alcohol, there was no need for him to go back!
Neema watched Alexander leave, her expression shifting slightly.
Truth be told, she hadn't had a favorable impression of Alexander before, because she couldn't understand what kind of spell he had cast on her boss to make her sign such an unbelievable profit-sharing contract!
But now, her opinion of Alexander had improved quite a bit!
Quite the gentleman!
And very considerate!
After a moment's thought, hearing the door across the way close, Neema collected her thoughts.
She first closed the bedroom door, then approached Charlotte.
She began by undressing Charlotte, knowing her boss had the habit of sleeping without clothes, so she left nothing on that ravishing, luscious body and its curves.
Then she adjusted the pillow and blankets multiple times, making sure Charlotte would sleep comfortably without risking a stiff neck... Charlotte never woke up, not even showing the slightest sign of stirring.
Neema knew that although her boss loved to drink, she had an exceptional alcohol tolerance and rarely got drunk!
No one could force her to drink, either!
So... how happy must she have been today to drink this much?
After finally tucking Charlotte in properly, Neema turned on the air conditioning and adjusted the temperature. Then she tossed all the removed clothes into the laundry basket. Only after everything was done did she leave.
Meanwhile.
In the slightly smaller bedroom of the presidential suite.
Alexander was already washing up. Every room in this suite had its own bathroom, which, of course, was stocked with toiletries, making it very convenient.
After showering, Alexander also went to bed.
Chapter 15: What happened list night?!
July 26, 2024.
A new day!
7:00 a.m. sharp.
Alexander opened his eyes on time, smiling at the hotel ceiling. Time was still progressing normally.
For Alexander, who had been trapped in the same day for ten thousand years, a non-repeating life was the most beautiful thing!
He hadn't slept too late yesterday, either. Although he had drunk a lot, after a night's rest, Alexander had recovered well!
There was no need for a second round of sleep.
He got up, washed, and dressed.
Around 7:15 a.m., Alexander walked out of his bedroom. The living room was empty, and the door to the opposite bedroom was still closed. Charlotte naturally hadn't gotten up yet. Although she had a good alcohol tolerance, it couldn't compare to Alexander's.
Alexander walked to the living room sofa and sat down. He took out his phone and scrolled through it, then picked up the landline phone on the side table. Using speed dial, he called room service!
"Bring breakfast, the Wellington set, steak medium well," Alexander said directly after the call connected.
"Sir, how many portions would you like?" A charming woman's voice answered the phone.
"Hmm... two portions." Alexander thought for a moment and replied.
"The Wellington steak takes a while to prepare, sir. Would you mind? If so, we can change it to something else..." the person across asked again.
"No problem," Alexander replied with a smile.
Alexander was genuinely quite hungry.
He had drunk a lot yesterday but hadn't eaten much.
He planned to have breakfast, and if Charlotte still hadn't woken up with nothing else going on, he would leave first!
After ordering, Alexander picked up the remote and turned on the living room TV.
Time for the morning news!
Unconsciously, it was already 8 a.m.
Inside the master bedroom of the suite.
Ring, ring, ring...
A phone rang from the bag on the cabinet, waking Charlotte from her sleep. She turned over, reached out groggily, grabbed the bag, skillfully opened it, took out the phone, and glanced at the screen.
It was Celeste Lark calling.
Charlotte answered the call.
"Hello, Miss Lark, ahem," Charlotte said, clearing her throat.
"Miss Langford, are you at the hotel?" Celeste asked sweetly.
"Yes, I was just about to get up," Charlotte replied, glancing at the clock on the small cabinet.
"Can I come see you?" Celeste asked again.
"Mm, sure," Charlotte said.
"Alright then, I'll talk to you when I get there. Bye," Celeste said.
"Bye," Charlotte replied.
After hanging up, Charlotte tossed the phone aside, sat up, still feeling a bit dazed, and raised her hand to scratch her head.
She felt like she had forgotten something.
After thinking for a moment, she remembered: last night, she had been drinking and singing with Alexander, and then... much of it was a blur.
She couldn't remember how she had gotten back to the bedroom or when she had fallen asleep.
As she thought about it, her expression changed.
As if struck by a sudden thought, she looked down at herself, then lifted the covers and peered inside, her face paling drastically.
Where are my clothes?
Where are my clothes?
Who undressed me?
Charlotte's face stiffened as she tried harder to recall the details of what had happened last night.
She remembered having dinner with Alexander yesterday afternoon. They had drunk quite a lot, but she was only half-drunk at that time, so she remembered everything clearly.
Afterwards, they returned to the presidential suite and signed the contract.
Then they drank again!
They drank together, one playing music and the other singing, until around eight or nine in the evening... It was from this point that Charlotte began experiencing memory gaps. Many details were completely lost to her, but the significant, special moments naturally remained vivid!
The memory of kissing Alexander quickly became clearer in Charlotte's mind!
This part she could recall completely.
And then... Charlotte vaguely remembered standing up, and it seemed... she even washed her face?
And after that?!
There was no after that!
She couldn't remember anything else!
So, where were her clothes? Who took them off? And why were they taken off so thoroughly?!
