Chapter 25 - Worried

Eric watched Charlotte in awe as she talked to the investors. Dean sat in his father's spot, though, purposely asking hard questions to trip her up, but she never missed a beat.

You'd think he'd be kind if he really wanted to get together with her.

"Don't you think we should have some tangible results by now?" Dean asked. "I'm sure my father and the other investors would like to see some progress with all the money we've put into the project."

"And you will," Charlotte gave Eric the signal, and he rolled in a TV linked to her laptop.

Dean leaned back as he bit back his response and watched Charlotte present the information in a clear cut way.

"It won't be long until the new software is out of the testing phase and ready for the market," Charlotte said at the end of her presentation.

I always thought the people at the top didn't do much other than order people around, but maybe... there's more to it than I thought.

"Any more questions?"

Dean could feel eyes on him, waiting for him to either give approval or ask more questions. "Um, no, thank you. That was well presented. I look forward to our next meeting." Dean stood and adjusted his suit coat. "I hope we'll see some positive results soon," Dean went to leave and stopped right at the door beside Eric. He glanced at him, smirked, and shook his head before leaving.

Eric forced himself to keep a neutral expression. Bleh. He was totally looking down on me. Like he's so great. He doesn't seem to do anything other than pester people, and yet he'll get a high position because of his father. It's not fair... Then again, what about life is fair? He waited for everyone except Charlotte to leave before cleaning up from the meeting.

"You know, I'm surprised he was a pest, and yet at the same time, I'm surprised he didn't keep going. Goes against what I know about him," Eric said as he gathered all the coffee cups and papers left behind.

"If he kept going after I explained more, he wouldn't have come across too well to the other investors. Dean doesn't want to come across as an idiot or anything of the sort. Appearances mean a lot to him. He'll always try to balance his pestering enough so people don't see his true self."

"He couldn't leave without looking down on me, though, but I guess most of the men here would."

"I'm proud of you for holding back," she made sure the door was closed before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I know it's hard to, especially when it comes to Dean. It's hard for me to have him here, too."

"How do you do these kinds of meetings so often? You have two more today."

"This meeting differs from those. I'm not presenting at the next two, but rather they're pitching to me."

"But you also have that charity thing to go to later..." She's so busy it makes my head spin, but she doesn't even miss a beat.

"About that... I was wondering if you'd want to go with me."

"Me? Isn't this one of those fancy events that they expect you to be proper and dressed up to go to? I guess I should know a bunch of the guests since some of the investors and other businessmen will probably be there, but I don't think I'd fit in." Wait... would Dean be there? I wouldn't want him to be there with her. He's bound to try something again if he's there.

"It might be nice to get dressed up, since I've already bought close to match the occasion. Besides, you're the only one I want to go with, and it gets boring when you're alone and—"

"I'll go."

"You will?"

"Yes."

"What made you change your mind so quickly?"

Eric's mouth moved wordlessly for a moment as he thought. "Honestly, I was worried about you going there alone. You'll be all dressed up and looking beautiful... surrounded by a bunch of haughty rich men who want to woo you."

She chuckled. "I think you overestimate me. It's not like I have droves of men vying for my hand."

"Dean may be the pushiest, but I'd bet if you went without an escort, you'd have plenty of men trying to talk you up. I don't even like the thought of it." He covered his face with his hands.

"Possessive already?" she smirked.

"I... well... Ha, is that bad? You're my girlfriend, right?" Feels weird to say. "So, of course, I'd be possessive."

"I've dealt with possessive before, as you know."

Eric's shoulders slumped. I need to learn to rein it in.

"But, there are varying degrees of it, and I don't think you'd fall into the psycho category, or even quite controlling."

"Um, you're basically the boss in this relationship, and at work, so I don't think I'd be that either."

"Besides, I can't say I like the idea of women all trying to grab your attention either, so I understand."

"That'll never happen," he looked away and shook his head. People rarely give me a second glance, never mind attention like that.

Charlotte slipped a finger under his chin and lifted his head up. "I could see it happening. You are quite handsome, you know? A bit down on yourself and your luck—"

"I was down on my luck, but not since you showed up. It was worth..." Getting hit by a car. "Um, what happened, to bring you into my life. I'm the happiest I've ever been."

She smiled and gave him another peck on the lips. "I'm happy since you came into my life, too."

Eric looked at the time. "Not too long before the next meeting. Let's hope the rest of the day goes smoothly."

"Keep up the good work, Eric."

Outside the meeting room, Dean was listening to their conversation. "What brought you into each other's lives? I guess it wasn't a simple meeting. I'll have to make sure we dig a little deeper." Dean cackled as he walked away, gaining a few curious stares by the office workers he passed by.