Chapter 20 - Preparations

Charlotte stood in front of her mirror in her bedroom at home, her stomach in knots. "I can't do this... but I have to. Ugh." Anytime she wanted to back out, she thought about Dean using his father's influence to ruin her and destroy her company. She couldn't risk her company. She refused to risk all the people who relied on her.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Eric entered, trying not to groan because he was sore from Timo's lessons earlier. His eyes widened slightly, his jaw agape. "You can't go out with Dean looking like that."

"What? Do I look bad?" Charlotte asked, looking at her dress again.

"No, not even close. You look too good! This is a business meeting, not a date, right?" We are dating now, aren't we?

"You're right; this is just business."

"Then you should dress as such. Something conservative, like the suit you had on earlier."

Charlotte thought for a moment and approached him. She rested her hands on his chest and gazed up at him. "How about you choose my clothes for tonight, then? I wouldn't want to wear anything that would make you jealous or worry any more that you already are."

"Ah..." Eric swallowed hard. Not sure it'd matter what she wore with me. That look in her eyes is enough. "Okay, but I think you look good no matter what you're wearing. So to me, a sheet to cover you completely would be good."

Charlotte laughed and tapped his chest. "I can't do that, though I can only imagine Dean's expression if he saw me like that." She pushed Eric into her walk-in closet. "Find me something you're okay with me going to the business meeting in."

Her closet is big enough to be a bedroom on its own. Eric wandered around and looked at a bunch of dresses, imagining her in them. He blushed. I need something bland and businesslike. He pulled out a grey suit and blouse. "How about this?"

"A pants suit? Isn't that a bit..."

"Isn't that the point?"

"Oh, you're right. Okay, I'll wear this," she took the suit and walked out of the closet. She reached for the zipper on her dress. "Mind helping me?"

"S-sure," he unzipped her dress, and she slipped it off her shoulders. "Sorry!" Eric turned around. "I'll leave you to get changed." Arms wrapped around him from behind, her body pressed against his. "Char?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous, and I like keeping you nearby. I know this is a business dinner... but this guy... he... We have a history."

"Timo told me."

Charlotte tensed.

"I'm going to be nearby, Char. I won't let him hurt you again. If I could, I'd whisk you away from all of this, but I can't. Now, I'll let you get changed..." he tugged at her arms and they tightened.

"You don't have to leave."

Eric blushed. "But... I mean... We only just started dating. And I think I need a cold shower, a long cold shower. Please let go."

"Oh, okay." The moment she let go, he was out the door. "At least I know he's attracted to me."

Eric ran out of Charlotte's room and straight into Timo. "Whoa there, what's wrong?" Timo noticed his flushed face. "Are you sick or something? 'Cause we don't have time for that right now."

"Nope, just headed for a shower," he pushed past Timo and rushed to his room.

Knock, knock. "Don't forget, you're going to stay nearby in case he tries anything. I found out where he's taking her, and I made reservations. And just in case he decides to change venues, I made a reservation for every place Dean's known to go."

The door opened. "What about you? You're not leaving me to look after them alone, are you?"

"I can't get too close to Dean without him recognizing me, but yes, I'll be there with you. It'd be best if you deal with things, though. I'm just extra backup. Now, get ready," Timo shoved him back in.

After a cold shower and some fresh clothes, he met Timo in the hall. Timo had a suit and sunglasses on. "Not enough to be unrecognizable, but they help," Timo handed him a pair of sunglasses.

Ding-dong.

"I guess he's here," Timo gritted his teeth. "I was hoping he'd forget or back out."

"After how he acted earlier, that was near impossible." Eric headed down to the lobby, but Timo grabbed his arm, pulling him back before Dean could see him.

"Let's hurry out the back way, so they don't know we're here." Timo ushered him to the garage entrance. They hopped into Timo's Chevy Cavalier and exited the garage.

Charlotte knocked on Eric's door. "Um... Can I see you before I go? I'm really... Ugh, my stomach is in knots. Eric?" She opened his door to find his room empty. "Where did you go?"

"Ma'am, Mr. Belloff is waiting in the lobby for you," one of her maids informed her.

"Thank you," Charlotte swallowed hard and bit her lip. She glanced at Eric's room, wishing she could see him again before heading off, and she sighed. "Guess I'm my own now," the churning in her stomach worsened. Knowing Dean would come looking for her if she took too long, she headed downstairs.

Dean was waiting in the entrance lobby, looking upstairs with his expression darkening until she came into view. "I thought you were going to stand me up," he laughed.

"Kind of hard to do when you're standing in my house."

"Well, you were making me wait, and you know I hate waiting."

"Maybe I should've made you wait more then. You need to learn patience."

"Let's go, Char," he took her hand as soon as she was close enough, and tugged her along.

Charlotte stumbled, and Dean turned, making her run into him. "Don't pull on me so hard," she pushed on his chest.

"Don't keep me waiting, and I won't feel the need to rush you," Dean's eyes narrowed.

"You barely had to wait." She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened.

"Trying to run away already? You owe me a dinner date, so let's go." He nearly dragged her to his car, and opened the door for her. "What are you waiting for? Get in."

"Why are you so mad?|

"I'm not; I'm just annoyed right now. So Char, get in."

"I'm not sure I should..." she stepped back. "It doesn't seem to me like you're in the mood for a friendly chat..." As far as she could see, he hadn't changed one bit since they broke up.

"Char, we're going on a date right now; we already had a conversation about this. Now, get in."

She took another step back. Dean grabbed her arm, and all but tossed her into the car, slamming the door shut. He rushed into his seat and locked the doors. "Seatbelt; we don't want anything bad happening," Dean said as he buckled himself in. "Do you need help?"

"No..." Charlotte buckled up and looked out the window, hoping to see Eric. She jerked back as Dean sped off. "Shouldn't you slow down?"

"This is nothing, Char; don't you remember how fast I used to go? You used to like my driving." He reached a hand over and combed his fingers through her hair. "Still as soft as I remember."

Charlotte shuttered.