Chapter 14 – Special Place

Eric parked up a hill next to a lookout tower. They got out of the car and Charlotte rushed up to the metal railing to gaze at the city below, full of lights. Above them, in the sky, a sea of stars filled their view. "Whoa... I never knew you could see the city and sky like this from so close to where I live."

"So, do you like the view?" Eric asked.

"I love it!"

Eric pointed down at a school below. "That's where I went to high school. When I was feeling down, I'd come up here to think, cool my head, and just be alone."

"It's your special place, then?"

"Yeah, I guess you could call it that."

"And you're sharing it with me?"

"Yup," Eric smiled at her, a soft look in his eyes.

"Thanks," Charlotte bit her lip as she smiled and gripped the railing tighter. She glanced back at her car, thinking. "Do you want to eat now?"

"Out here?"

"Hold on a second," she rushed up to her car and pulled a blanket out of the trunk.

"You mean like a picnic?"

"Yeah; a picnic under the stars," she giggled and looked up at the stars again.

Sounds romantic. "Sure," he took the blanket and spread it out on the grass nearby, carefully patting it down.

She grabbed the food from the car and set it on the blanket. They sat down together.

"Um, we don't have any utensils," Eric laughed, holding his box of food.

"Oh, right," she rushed back over to the car once again, and rummaged through the glove compartment. She pulled out two thin boxes and went back over. She held one out to him.

"What is it? He took the box and opened it to reveal a metal fork, spoon, and knife. "You keep silverware in your car?"

She blushed. "Yes; you never know when you're going to have to eat on the go." It had happened enough times to her in the past, so she preferred to be prepared for it.

"I just mean, normally it'd be... never mind. That's great and definitely comes in handy." I thought there might be plastic ones, but that's not her style. "Let's dig in. Mmm..."

They ate supper as they gazed up at the stars.

"You know what?" Charlotte set her empty box aside. "I'm glad those guys showed up at the restaurant."

"You are?" he frowned. "Why? They were jerks and ruined—"

"If it wasn't for them showing up, then we wouldn't have come here. And we wouldn't have eaten our meals together with such magnificent view," she smiled at him, a faint blush forming on her cheeks. "I haven't had such a great date in... ever, really. Thank you for today."

"I should be thanking you." When was the last time I had a date at all? "Char... This all feels like a dream," he sighed and laid back on the blanket, staring at the starry sky with his hands behind his head.

She moved the boxes aside and laid down beside him. She rubbed her arms, feeling a sudden chill.

"Do you want my jacket? The temperature has dropped quite a bit, or we can head home."

"How about I just do this?" Charlotte inched closer and snuggled up to him, using his arm as a pillow. "Much warmer. You don't mind, do you?"

"Nope," he swallowed hard, acutely aware of her warm body pressed up against his.

They laid in silence for a while, enjoying the view and quiet luxury.

"We should get home before Timo comes looking." Eric glanced down at her. "Char?" Did she fall asleep?

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. She looks so happy and peaceful right now. He rubbed her arm and noticed a chill on her skin. He carefully laid her head on the ground, took off his jacket, and placed it over her before laying back down and hugging her close. This is pretty... comfortable.

Ring, ring, ring.

Eric groaned, waking up to the sound of a phone, the dark sky still above them. He shuddered as a cold wind blew by. I fell asleep, too? He rubbed his arms and looked over at Charlotte.

Charlotte sat up and rummaged around for her phone in her purse. "Timo, hi, is something wrong?"

"Do you know what time it is, young lady?!" She held the phone away as Timo yelled at her.

"No, actually; we fell asleep."

"Fell asleep? Where in the world did you go to that you'd fall asleep?"

"Outside in a secret location under the stars," she giggled.

"Is Eric there?"

"Of course, why?"

"Put him on the phone."

Charlotte held her phone out to Eric.

"For me?" Eric raised an eyebrow.

She nodded. "Sorry about this."

Eric swallowed hard, bracing himself. "Hello?"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Timo yelled at him.

"Ah!" Eric pulled the phone away from his head, almost dropping it. His heart racing, he put the phone back to his ear. "I'm sorry... We were enjoying our day out, and fell asleep outside."

"Outside? Are you crazy? Not only are you two out in the open for the bloody paparazzi to pounce, but it's dangerous. Get our girl home this instant," Timo hung up on him.

Our girl... Eric smirked.

"I'm sorry about him," Charlotte took her phone back. "He worries so much, you'd think he's my father."

"It's nice, though, to have someone care so much. I know he works for you and whatnot, but he really if your family, isn't he?"

Charlotte smiled. "Yeah, I see it that way, too. He's taken care of me more than anyone ever did."

"I envy you..." I've never really had anyone.

She grabbed a hold of his hands. "You have people who care about you now."

"Do I?" This situation is so confusing.

"Of course!" Her eyes widened. "I know we've only known each other for a few weeks, and with weird circumstances, but I care about you a lot. Do you... care about me?"

Eric nodded right away without a second thought, their gazes locked. "Of course."

"Come on, let's go home before Timo comes looking for us himself."

"That sounds terrifying." I imagine it'd feel like being hunted.

Charlotte nodded. "It is! Suffice to say, he's done it before."

"Is scaring away boyfriends a habit of his?"

"If I regularly had one, it probably would be, but I know he's just looking out for me, and has even stopped me from making some mistakes. I think he blames himself for not noticing before when..." Charlotte trailed off, covering her mouth.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Never mind. Let's go home."

"Okay..." Something is definitely not okay. "I'll drive us back."

Charlotte nodded. "Okay, thanks. I'm still feeling a bit tired, anyway."

"You can nap on the way home if you want."

She yawned and shook her head no. "I don't want to miss any time of our date."

"If you say so."