|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 3:57:32 GMT
442 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Being rich meant parties for almost everything. Dinner parties, cocktail parties, brunches, whatever the occasion was, they threw an extravagant party. Birthdays were a whole other entity. They were large and expensive and jam-packed with friends of friends of friends. It wasn't strange for people not to even be all that familiar with the special guest. The house was decorated from top to bottom in balloons and streamers, gold and glitter. There had been people prepping for the party all day, scurrying around the house.
By the time the party started, people began filing in by the dozens, filling the huge house and making it seem almost small. They had filled the ballroom and were trickling out into the hallways and down into the kitchen. It was loud and hopping and exciting, but the birthday girl had remained in her room. It was hard to believe that this time last year her parents had been alive and Will had been her brother rather than her guardian. Everything was different and harder this birthday, to the point that she didn't even want to have it. She'd been sitting on her bed, staring at the dress she was supposed to wear all day. But it wouldn't have been for her, if she decided to partake in the festivities. It was for everybody else. It was for their benefit.
Charlotte couldn't stomach the idea of facing all of those people and their questions. It would only remind her of the funeral when everyone asked her how she was doing and talked about how great her parents were. She couldn't do it on her birthday and she didn't want to.
Amidst the party, Ian weaved through the crowd of people, avoiding questions and small talk. When he spotted who he was looking for, he made his way over to the young man. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he leaned in, careful not to make his words heard by more than the one who needed to. "Charlotte locked herself in her room and won't come down. Any chance you could try to coax her out?" Ian wasn't aware of the dynamic between the youngest Spencer and her bodyguard, but he knew that they spent days together, the likeliness of them having formed some sort of bond based on Charlotte's personality just seemed high to him. "Mr. Spencer isn't attending the party...she found out earlier," He added as a heads up to the way the young woman may respond to his coaxing.
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Mar 7, 2018 4:31:13 GMT
252 Words
|
so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Birthday parties for Hunter always just meant immediately family, one small cake and streamers if the family felt fancy. A socialite's birthday did none of that. It was flashy and overdone and just...too much. He hadn't known Charlotte for too long but he felt like all this was just not for her.
Hunter had put himself on perimeter security while Charlotte was getting ready, his keen senses picking up on everyone and everything. It was all a bit overwhelming but he had to be on alert in case any of the guests had nefarious thoughts.
One thing he was quite happy about was that he'd been able to purchase a suit that didn't itch finally. Of course, it had been at the behest of the guest of honour but it was nice that he wasn't struggling in it this time.
When Ian the driver approached him, Hunter frowned and winced when he got the news. It wasn't going to be good despite the fact that he and Charlotte had bonded the past few months. She was going to be pissed. He nodded at Ian and patted his shoulder. "Thanks, Ian."
As he moved through the throng of people, he spoke into his mouthpiece to make sure the security was on high alert. Parties like this always brought trouble. "Make sure the caterers and waiters are being checked every so often, copy?"
When he got the confirmation from his team, he slipped upstairs to Charlotte's room, knocking before announcing himself. "It's Hunter."
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 4:48:23 GMT
396 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte couldn't say that she was all that shocked when she heard the knock on the door. It was bound to happen at some point. Ian was obviously just looking out for her, he had ever since she could remember, but she couldn't muster up the strength to face everyone, let alone without her only family that remained. The minute she found out about Will bailing on her birthday, she'd made up her mind that she needed away from his influence for good. She didn't want to stay in this too big house all by herself anymore. And she didn't want to be stuck under his roof where he could make all the rules that she was expected to follow.
The attempts to get her out of her room were all failed and she couldn't imagine why anyone would send Hunter to come get her. It wasn't like he had much power over what she did either. They'd become friends, sort of, over the last couple of weeks. And though she respected him and was grateful for his presence in her life, there were some things that she just didn't touch on. He couldn't tell her details about his life and she didn't tell him details about hers. It didn't stop him from knowing more about her, he had to in order to do his job well enough, but she didn't like talking about the strenuous relationship she had with her older brother.
Still, she didn't quite have it in her to be too hard on her bodyguard when he came up to her room. She took a deep breath and slipped off her bed to unlock her door and open it. It was such a familiar scene, him standing there in her doorway and her feeling less-than-pleased about her life. Charlotte looked up at him, "What did Ian think you were going to be able to say that would make me go downstairs?" She turned and headed back to her bed, sitting in the middle of it with her legs folded under her. She faced the dress that was hanging up on her closet door and frowned, "I don't want to do it this year. It doesn't feel right without them."
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Mar 7, 2018 4:56:24 GMT
124 Words
|
so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
When she finally answered, he found that she was definitely not dressed for a party and he sighed. Her greeting was no better than what he had imagined but at least she answered the door.
He slipped inside and closed the door, something he hadn't done before but felt that the situation called for. He kept his distance however, leaning against the door and shrugging before answering her. "I honestly don't know. Clearly he doesn't realise I'm just a stick in the mud. No influence whatsoever."
Her tone was serious then and he let out a small breath. It was getting harder to see her so down. "You could have called it off." He offered. "I'm sure everyone would have agreed it's too soon."
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 5:32:33 GMT
362 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
The fact that he shut the door behind him shocked her. He maintained distance, which she was comfortable with given the way she felt. She took notice of his joke, but didn't have her wits about her enough to make a witty comment. She had her arms wrapped around her stomach and she just stared hard at the dress that was hanging. Every year she got a new dress for her birthday. Her mother picked them out, but this year she'd been left to do it on her own. It was her style and she loved it, but it was meant for a celebration of her life, which was not something she could fathom doing right now.
He was right, she could have called it off. Charlotte bit down on her lower lip and took a deep breath. "I didn't want to make it real again. You know, after a while other things pile up in the front of your mind, shoving down past events enough to barely be memorable. They're all ways there, but not as painful and raw as before." She tilted her head to the side, looking at the dress still and her eyebrows pulled together, "I didn't want to make it real again." She may have been going through the motions for everybody else, but she was doing it for herself, too. "I just wanted to go back to normal for a day."
Charlotte let out a harsh laugh and shook her head, "And then Will decided that the business that he was conducting was more important than his baby sister's birthday and, well, normal went out the window." She raked her fingers through her hair and took a shakier breath, forcing back the tears that threatened to fill her eyes. "It's one thing to put the business before me every other day, it's even okay that he ignores me regularly, but on the first birthday I've had after our parents' death...you'd think..." She shook her head again and laughed a little hysterically.
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Mar 7, 2018 9:56:05 GMT
193 Words
|
so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Her reasoning made sense and he felt for her. The people in his life who passed away were gone way before he was old enough to understand what it meant. He'd always lived with his uncle and aunt up until he enlisted and they were still very much alive. He couldn't imagine how Charlotte could be feeling. Especially with losing both at the same time.
The harsh laughter caused Hunter to look up at her. The tension between the Spencer siblings was palpable from day one, something even Sergeant Major West had warned him about. He never understood that kind of sibling rivalry because he and his sister went along so well since they were kids.
He supposed the situation was different. He didn't have to suddenly drop everything in his life to run an empire. They were all each other had after his father passed. His mother left after Wynn was born and they never heard from her since. So he and Wynn were a unit because they had to be. And that they could be.
"Why do you think he's doing that?" Hunter asked carefully, not wanting to set her off.
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 16:57:05 GMT
327 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte considered his question carefully. It was all she'd thought about since they both found out about the accident. Ironically, they'd been together, he'd come home after classes and was giving her all the stories he could about the people he was up against in his field. He was so animated when he talked about school because he had been studying to become a doctor and it was written all over his face that he loved it. The family business was always looming over both of them, and though their parents had never pushed them to take it on, it still was something they knew they'd need to deal with eventually.
They just didn't realize how soon it would be.
"He got the life that he wanted ripped away from him. He's angry and directing all of that anger at me because I'm the closest target. It's easier for him to avoid me because then he wouldn't have to realize that he isn't angry with me and that he just doesn't want to deal with how he's actually feeling." Will had never been the most forthcoming with his emotions as it was, but before the death of their parents, Charlotte knew without a doubt that he loved her. They'd been inseparable since the day she was born. "I think he started out the way that he was and now he feels too guilty to face me." Which was only making things worse for both of them.
Charlotte sighed, the hardest part of the whole thing was that she would have forgiven his behavior if he'd just shown up to her birthday. "I'm sorry, it's all very dramatic," She said with a shake of her head. She glanced at him, "Shouldn't you be checking on things downstairs? You don't have to stay up here."
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Mar 7, 2018 21:49:20 GMT
155 Words
|
so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Charlotte's realisation had Hunter nodding. She knew more than she let on, which was a good thing. Not many people would be rational enough to see that point of view. "Have you tried talking to him instead?"
He pushed away from the door when she started to dismiss her own thoughts, changing the subject completely. He grabbed a chair and pulled it close to the bed, sitting on it while regarding Charlotte closely.
"The power of delegation." He smiled lightly. "Besides, my priority is you, always." He took a breath and leaned back against the chair. "I'm not going to pressure you into doing anything you don't want but I saw the cake they were gonna bring out and I hear Red Velvet's your favourite. And it's really pretty."
He knew that wasn't enough to bring her downstairs but if he could at least get her to smile a little, it would be a bonus.
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 22:42:16 GMT
249 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
His question made her frown. Did he actually think she hadn't tried? "I used to slip notes under his door the first couple of months telling him everything that had happened every day so that he didn't miss out. I tried to sneak into his room whenever I had nightmares or something, but he started locking his door." Charlotte shrugged, all she could do was hope that it didn't last forever.
Her eyes lifted up to his face when he started to walk closer. He sat by the edge of the bed and she turned to face him, her legs still crossed underneath her. She rested her elbows on her legs and put her chin in her hands. His smile made her want to smile back, but she couldn't quite lift the corners of her lips. Charlotte felt her heart squeezing when he pointed out that she was his priority. Obviously it was because of his job, but it was better than feeling like she wasn't important. He'd become pretty much the only person she could be around without lashing out anymore.
Charlotte snorted, "It is my favorite, but you can't bribe me with sweets, Hunter." She cracked a smile and took a deep breath, "You'll be around, right? If I did decide to go downstairs. I'm not saying I am, but...if I did."
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Mar 7, 2018 23:11:10 GMT
116 Words
|
so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Hunter wasn't about to presume anything about someone else's brother but he had to admit it sounded pretty bad coming from Charlotte. He couldn't imagine being so reclusive towards Wynn. No wonder Charlotte was starved for affection. She wasn't getting it from the one person who actually mattered.
"I'm sorry, Charlotte." Hunter wanted to reach out but he was already overstepping his bounds being here at all.
He chose to hold on to the smile she finally cracked and he shrugged playfully. "I had to try." He responded before nodding at her question. He could hear a hint of hope in her tone and he smiled. "Of course. Why do you think I'm dressed all snazzy?"
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 23:48:07 GMT
235 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
She shook her head at his apology, "Don't. It's fine." It wasn't like his apology changed anything. It wasn't like anything she did changed her circumstances. Charlotte chewed on the inside of her cheek and dropped her hands so that they were resting in her lap, fidgeting. She knew she couldn't really rely on him to comfort her every time she was sad over her situation, he was risking a lot just by doing what he did.
It was kind of incredible seeing him relaxed. Especially given the fact that he was in a suit. She considered commenting on who had removed the stick from his butt, but she figured that might not be a great idea. Instead, she focused on his smile and she returned it almost fully. A laugh bubbled up in her throat and she snorted, "Snazzy, huh? I think I need to write this down so that I always remember that you just used the word 'snazzy.' Who are you and what have you done with the Hunter that I know and love to pick on?" She sighed and stretched her legs out so that they were dangling over the bed.
"I suppose I could make a short appearance. I have to wear the dress, don't I?"
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Mar 8, 2018 0:03:04 GMT
189 Words
|
so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
"It's really not though." Hunter said with a slight frown. "He has to see he's not the only one grieving." He shook his head with a small sigh.
Much as he was upset that Charlotte had to be the strong one, he was also glad that she had something to laugh about. Even if it was at him.
A smirk curved on his lips and he rolled his eyes. "I'm just old, don't judge me."
When she finally decided to come down, Hunter straightened up in his seat before getting up, laughing at her remark lightly. "It's your party, if you don't want to wear the dress, you don't have to. I'm pretty sure you can somehow make that a fashion trend." He gestured to her shorts and t-shirt ensemble with a grin.
He brought the chair to where he found it and headed to the door. "I'll be right outside." He nodded and left the room to stand by the side of the door. "Miss Spencer is getting ready to come down. Do one more sweep of the grounds and the hall. Check the wait staff again. Copy."
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 8, 2018 0:27:38 GMT
245 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte nodded when he told her he would just be outside the door and once the door shut behind him, she turned back to the dress that was hanging up. She stepped closer to it and ran her fingers over the fabric. She had really loved the dress that she chose, and she knew it would look good on her. Plucking it from the hanger, she laid it on her bed and started pulling off the 'fashion statement' that he had pointed out to her. It didn't take her long to get ready, although she did linger on her makeup and hair a bit.
With a final look in the mirror, she decided that it was as good as it was going to get. She took a deep breath and made her way to the door. Just a moment of hesitation later, and she was opening it and stepping past the threshold. She turned to face Hunter and offered the best smile she was capable of, "Tempting as that fashion statement was, I figured if you dressed snazzy, I probably should, too." Especially given that he hated wearing suits and she knew it.
Nerves began settling in and her fingers started fidgeting again at her sides. "I'm not convinced I can make it down those stairs without falling on my face."
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Mar 8, 2018 0:46:50 GMT
129 Words
|
so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Hunter settled when the security team gave him the all clear and he waited for Charlotte to come out. When she did, he could have sworn everything started to slow down. He didn't know how long he stared but he caught the tail end of her remark and he nodded, regaining his composure.
Charlotte looked beyond snazzy, straight up to timeless classic in the dress with simple make up and her long hair down her shoulders in soft waves, she looked beautiful.
"I'll...I'll be standing right beside you, you don't have to worry about falling." He shook his head and forced a smile on his face so he didn't continue looking like a deer caught in headlights. He offered her his arm and they made their way downstairs.
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Mar 8, 2018 1:54:01 GMT
303 Words
|
Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte didn't notice Hunter's reaction. She was too focused on the crowd that she heard below. There were so many people invited, and so many people who came. That meant there was more of a chance for something bad to happen with a lot of people hurt by it. It only made her sick to think that something could happen to her in her own home. Which led her to think that maybe Will stayed away so that something didn't happen to both of them.
When she voiced her concerns about falling, she risked a glance at him as he answered. She took comfort in the fact that he was going to be by her side. Her expression softened, the worried crease between her eyes smoothing out and she took his arm. Her fingers curled around the fabric of his jacket and she took a deep breath as they started down the stairs. Once she turned the corner of the first landing, she noticed that all eyes in the vicinity were on her. Her fingers tightened around his arm and she took a shaky breath, "Here's where it counts," She muttered.
The relief she felt when she reached the final step hit her hard and she smiled, "Made it."
The crowd started descending on her and she could feel the panic rising as she waited for the questions to start. She did her best to smile and greet everyone that she could. Her eyes would occasionally move to Hunter's face and she hoped for some reassurance there. It was a lot to take in and she knew that he was probably focused more on her surroundings than on her.
But I don't wanna cause any pain
|
|
|
