Chapter 105: Frederick, You Don't Want Her, I Do
Frederick glanced at Oliver, then at the people in the restaurant, and suddenly got it.
Oliver still had a thing for Charlotte.
He lit a cigarette and asked, "Here to pick up Sophie?"
Oliver chuckled, having seen it all.
He walked over, borrowed a lighter, and after a drag, said, "I was gonna take Charlotte home, but since you're here, no need! But Frederick, you weren't on a date with Isabella and got caught by Charlotte, were you?"
Frederick frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Though not much older, Frederick's status was clear, so Oliver only teased him a bit.
Oliver glanced into the restaurant, quietly smoked, then said, "Frederick, if you don't really want Charlotte, let me have her."
Frederick's hand trembled slightly.
The city's neon lights flickered on Oliver's young face as he firmly stated, "I want her!"
After that, Oliver's Adam's apple bobbed twice. He didn't look at Frederick again and went straight into the restaurant.
Frederick finished his cigarette and sneered. Oliver had balls!
Inside, Oliver was already sitting next to Sophie, watching her and Charlotte talk quietly, affection in his eyes.
Frederick, though only physically involved with Charlotte, felt uneasy seeing another man covet her.
He sat next to Charlotte. She felt his warm breath, a mix of aftershave and tobacco, quite pleasant.
"What else would you like to eat?" Frederick asked gently, somewhat deliberately with Oliver there.
Charlotte knew he was doing it on purpose. Not wanting to embarrass Oliver, she wiped her lips, patted Sophie's head, and said, "I'm leaving now, see you the day after tomorrow!"
Sophie obediently replied, "Ms. Russell, come early! I'll practice the piano well."
Charlotte thanked Oliver again.
Oliver, looking nonchalant, said, "Don't mention it, as long as Sophie is happy," and patted Sophie's head, savoring the lingering warmth of Charlotte's touch.
Frederick glanced at him, took his coat, and went to settle the bill. Charlotte didn't stop him.
In the car, Frederick casually asked, "Why'd you go to a concert with Sophie? What do you have to talk about with a kid?"
Charlotte knew he didn't want her around Oliver. Frederick had done her a favor, and she owed him, but hurting a friend's feelings wasn't worth it.
She softly replied, "Frederick, you can have dinner dates with female clients, so I can have dinner with my student. And Oliver is Sophie's brother!"
It was the first time Frederick saw her temper, and he was stunned.
Charlotte felt bad too. Being with Frederick, she had forgotten their agreed relationship.
He had said he had to work late, and she got it, but she knew tonight's work could've been rescheduled. He claimed something came up last minute, but it was clear he just didn't value her enough.
She was just a fling, nothing more.
A seemingly trivial matter woke Charlotte up.
She realized that when she asked if they should tell Chloe about her past with Ethan, Frederick had casually said, "There's no need."
Of course, there was no need.
Charlotte wasn't part of his life plan. They were just a short-term thing, to be ended whenever he got bored. Only she had taken it too seriously.
Charlotte admired herself for never losing her composure all this time.
Frederick listened quietly.
Charlotte made a lot of sense, and he agreed, but he still felt extremely uncomfortable.
After a long silence, Frederick softly said, "Alright, I overstepped."
He lightly pressed the gas pedal and started the car.
The drive was eerily silent; neither of them spoke.
Back at the apartment, Frederick went into the study.
He didn't actually have any work; he just wanted to be alone.
In the quiet, his mind was filled with Oliver's words.
"If you don't truly want Charlotte, let me have her. I want her!"
Frederick did like Charlotte, but he never thought about a future with her. He was 28; if he wanted to get married, he could've had a family by now.
He wondered if he and Charlotte broke up one day, would she accept Oliver?
Frederick was extremely uncomfortable with this possibility, but he had no way to vent.
He sat until late at night before returning to the bedroom.
Charlotte was already asleep, a small night light dimly lit.
Frederick didn't even feel like taking a shower and lay down beside her.
Charlotte lay on her side, unresponsive.
But he knew she wasn't asleep, so he hugged her from behind, kissed her ear, and teased her. Normally, Charlotte would easily get aroused, but at this moment, she felt nothing.
She didn't refuse, even turning her body to let him have his way.
Frederick had an above-average sex drive, and after being with Charlotte, he wanted it almost every night. Tonight's unpleasantness didn't affect this.
But when he was deeply aroused, he noticed Charlotte was distracted.
Her face was buried in the pillow, thinking about something, somewhat absent-minded.
"What are you thinking about?" Frederick asked, holding her thin shoulder, kissing her, and somewhat dissatisfied.
Charlotte opened her misty eyes.
She thought for a moment and softly said, "I was thinking about what to make for breakfast tomorrow."
Frederick's eyes deepened, staring at her for a long time.
Suddenly, he climbed off her body, calmed down for a moment, and then got up and walked to the bathroom, "Whatever! It's up to you!"
Charlotte gently adjusted her nightgown.
After a while, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Frederick was taking a shower, staying inside for about 20 minutes before coming out, his body covered in cold water vapor.
The night light was turned off, and Charlotte closed her eyes gently in the dark.
She knew he wouldn't hold her tonight, which was fine, saving the trouble.
As she was drifting off to sleep, Frederick whispered in her ear, "Charlotte, I overstepped by interfering with your relationship with Oliver, but you throwing a tantrum with me is also overstepping."
Charlotte opened her eyes.
Expressionless, she softly asked, "Do you still want me?"
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