Chapter 39 – Waiting

Knock, knock.

"Eric better be in there, or else I'm certain he's run away again," Timo said through Charlotte's door.

Eric's eyes snapped open, and he spotted Charlotte putting on earrings, already changed for work. He took a deep breath as he stretched. "Why didn't you wake me? Don't I need to go to work, too?"

"You looked so comfortable; I didn't want to disturb you. By the way, that was the best I've slept in years. I actually woke up refreshed! I never thought I'd have that."

He swung his legs off the side.

"You don't have to go to work today; you can take it as a rest day. You can go talk to Kal if you want, but you might get roped into working. You can start back to work tomorrow, or whenever you feel up to it." Charlotte leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Make sure you're home before me, though; I've got a present for you."

"A present? What is it?"

Charlotte glanced back over her shoulder at him while in the doorway. "You'll have to wait and find out." She winked and left.

"And just because you're off, doesn't mean you're allowed to sit in bed all day," Timo leaned over into the doorway and pointed at him. "I will not tolerate too much laziness!"

"Aren't you not going to be home?" Eric asked.

"I'll know, and I'll make sure to go extra hard on you during our next lesson."

"We're still going to do more training? I thought I did pretty well against Dean."

"Of course, we're going to keep going. You have more to learn, and I need to keep your skills up to par. We can't have you slacking when you're the one who will have to defend Charlotte."

"I can defend myself," Charlotte said and poked Timo in the back.

"But I'd prefer if you didn't have to. If he is going to be beside you, he must be able to protect you. I will not tolerate otherwise."

Eric swallowed hard. "I understand..."

"Come on, Timo," Charlotte pulled him away, worried Timo would keep going.

"Ha..." I don't like fighting, but being able to protect your loved ones is always great. Now, what should I do today?

"I was told you were taking the day off," Kal said as he spotted Eric entering the flower shop.

"Yes, but I'm still allowed to visit, right?" Eric asked.

"Always. By the way, my niece is planning to come today during her lunch break, so you might want to stick around."

I guess I should thank her for helping me. Eric nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to talk to her, anyway."

"So, how does it feel being back home and out of that hotel?" Kal asked.

Eric sat down on the extra stool behind the counter. "It's mostly peaceful, and a bit..." His cheeks turned red as he thought about last night.

"Oh-ho, did something happen last night with Charlotte?" Kal wiggled his eyebrows.

"Not exactly."

"Oh?"

Eric explained what happened, although reluctantly, and Kal burst out laughing.

"That woman sure has you wrapped around her finger. I swear, the Charlotte you tell me about and the one I met are different people. I never could imagine her teasing you like that. Even I'm tempted to say she wanted more, if it wasn't for the fact that she passed out right away."

"Does she really have to tease me, though?"

Kal gripped his shoulder. "She wants you, Eric, but she's probably apprehensive because of her previous relationship. I know it's hard when she acts like that, but just hold out a bit longer, and I promise she'll come to you."

"You're right. Even being in her bed might be a big step for her, so I should appreciate that... no matter how hard it might make it. At least she ended up sleeping well."

"And you?"

"Took less time than I thought to fall asleep. It probably helped that she passed out so fast."

"You're a stronger man than most," Kal patted him and got up to help the customer that came in.

Eric gazed at the flower arrangement Kal had sitting at the counter, and he couldn't help but think about Charlotte. "Hey, Kal?"

"Yes?" Kal returned to ring up the customer.

"Do you think everything's really settled now? The accident is out in the open now; will she get in trouble?"

"That's hard to say. They could charge her, but since you're not going to pursue it, being the victim and all, they may not bother."

"It was my fault for walking around aimlessly—"

"But she also wasn't paying enough attention. Ah, well, I'm sure she's got lawyers that can get her out of any trouble. Maybe a fine, and some points on her license."

Eric cringed. "I don't think she's wanted to drive herself around much since then..."

"Another way you can make yourself useful for her? Then again, she might prefer a driver, so you two can snuggle in the back," he nudged Eric with his elbow.

I don't think I'd put that past her. "Are you saying everything will be okay?"

"Yes, now quit worrying. You've finally got your girl and your home back; you should stop with the glum visage."

Eric poked his own face. "I didn't even know I was making a look like that."

"I guess more worried than glum."

"He always looks like that." They both jumped a bit as Karen spoke up. She came in while they were talking and overheard them. "That's just Eric's neutral face, not a specific emotion."

"I guess you could be right. Aren't you early?"

"I had a job interview today."

Eric's eyes widened. "Did they fire you?"

"No; I quit. And it wasn't so much an interview as an actual introduction, since she offered me a job."

"Char..." Eric muttered.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to do this when I saw you again," Karen pinched his arm.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"For not contacting me after everything you went through. I'm sure I told you to contact me. I know we weren't working together after that day, but I thought we were at least friends that'd tell each other if we got hurt, or you know, taken in by a rich woman."

"I'm sorry, but it was a bit of an odd situation, and I didn't know if I should talk about it. It would've been hard to explain without telling you everything."

"I'm not trustworthy enough? And here I came to your rescue, after all."

"After Char asked you to, right?"

"Well, yes..."

"And apparently offered you a job?"

"Yes, but it's not like she needed to, to get me to help you," Karen sighed and brushed her hair back over her shoulder. "It was a nice perk, though. She knew I was working for the company that screwed you over still, so she offered something better after I helped. I got you a job, and a cheap hotel to stay at."

"Are they really supposed to be that cheap? It's cheaper than my rent used to be."

Karen smirked and looked at Kal. "I have connections to make sure certain people get the good rate."

"Kal, you again?"

"You should've seen my niece after you were fired!" Kal threw his hands into the air. "She was so worried about you I was sure she had feelings for you..."

"Ahem," Karen cleared her throat.

"And I heard about how you ended up fired..." Kal shook his head. "When Karen asked for help, after Miss Burne called her, I had to do whatever I could to help. A job, a cheap place; everyone needs these kinds of things."

Eric stepped away from both of them and bowed. "Thank you both for all the help."

A pair of shoes entered his view, and he looked up. "You're welcome, but you don't need to bow to us. We're all friends here, right? And friends help each other."

"If you two ever need anything, I'll do my best to help you."

"Work here a few days a week, and I'm happy," Kal chuckled.

"And with the new, better-paying job, I'm set, too," Karen said. "That said, I still want to at least talk to my friend once in a while."

"Especially since you seem to be one of only a few."

"Uncle! Stop making me look bad. I thought I was your favourite niece."

"Of course you are."

Eric looked at the time. "I should probably head back early, but can I ask you to help me with something first?"

"Sure thing."