If you want her, you’ll find a way
Luther’ Pov
I could not stop thinking about her. No matter how hard I tried to focus on the documents stacked in front of me, my thoughts kept drifting back to Charlotte, her voice, her eyes, her body. She had been in my life for less than a week, yet here I was, acting like I had known her forever.
I leaned back in my chair and loosened my tie. It felt like it was choking me. The moment outside her friend’s house played in my head again. Her sharp tone. The way she looked at me like I was some kind of danger she had to run from. She had told me not to come near her again. Said it would never work. But if it really meant nothing, why did her words sting this much?
The office door opened without a knock. Mateo strolled in, holding his usual cup of overpriced coffee, looking way too cheerful for a Friday morning.
“You look like someone just told you your company’s bankrupt,” he said, settling into the chair across from me.
“Good morning, Mateo,” I muttered, not even trying to hide my sarcasm.
He chuckled. “I’ve been calling you all week. You ignored me. You cancelled your trip. You even missed Monday’s video call with the board. So I figured I’d come see for myself if you were dying or in love.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That’s dramatic.”
“No, it’s not. You never miss a trip, Nick. Not in seven years. I know something’s up. And I’m guessing it’s not the stock market.”
I exhaled slowly, rubbing my hands together. Maybe if I stayed quiet long enough, he would drop it.
“Come on,” Mateo said. “Who is she?”
“There’s no..” I stopped myself mid-lie.
Mateo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “You’re a terrible liar. So just tell me.”
I stood up and walked toward the window. The streets below were filled with people moving fast, heads down, caught up in their lives. Meanwhile, I was here, losing my mind over a woman I should not even be thinking about.
“It’s Stanley’s stepdaughter,” I said finally. There was silence.
“Charlotte?” Mateo asked, blinking.
“Yes.”
“You just met her, Nick. You said that two days ago.”
“I know.”
“And now she’s all you can think about?”
“I know how it sounds.”
“Does Stanley know?”
I shook my head. “No. And he cannot find out. Not now.”
“Is she… young?” he asked carefully.
“She’s twenty. But she feels younger than that.”
“Still legal. And smart, from what I hear. So what’s the issue?”
“She told me to stay away from her. That she doesn't want anything to happen between us. I agreed. I said it would damage my name, maybe even my company. But I keep seeing her face. I cannot get her out of my head.”
Mateo stood and joined me at the window.
“You have always had control over everything, your business, your image, your emotions. Maybe this is the one thing that reminds you that you’re human.”
I gave a short laugh. “Thanks, philosopher.”
He smirked. “Look, if you want her, you’ll find a way. Just make sure she wants the same thing. And be ready for the fire that comes with it.”
I stayed silent. I did not want trouble. I did not want to hurt my brother. But I wanted her. And that was the problem.
"Let it go, Mateo. It’s wrong." I changed the subject quickly. "Have you finished emailing the soft copy documents Reyna sent you?"
He leaned back, eyes steady. "All done. But no matter how hard you try to dodge it, it will keep tearing you apart inside. You’re clearly in love with this girl, whether you admit it or not. Go and talk to her. The media does not need to know a thing, and we both know that’s what you’re really afraid of."
With that, he squeezed my shoulder and walked away, leaving me with the weight of his words.
"What are you doing to me, Charlotte?" I muttered into the empty room as I turned away and headed back to my seat. Part of me wanted to drive straight to her mother’s house. But what excuse would I give? Even if I saw her, what would I say? How could I fix the mess I made with the words I threw at her the other night? Question after question filled my head, but none led to answers.
"Screw this," I said under my breath and grabbed my coat. I checked the time on my gold watch. I needed a break, some air, something to clear my mind. The lake cabin seemed like the only option. The quiet, the breeze, the long walks, they always helped me think. On my way out, I spoke to Reyna, my secretary. "Forward all my emails to Mateo, move my meetings to Monday, and let everyone know I’ll return their calls then. Enjoy your weekend."
She smirked and nodded. She was sharp and bold, the kind of woman who could handle herself in any room. I had slept with her once or twice, but I had made things clear, strictly professional, unless she was ready to pack her things.
As I passed Mateo’s door, he stuck his head out with a grin. "Now this is new, Luther King leaving before lunch. What’s the emergency?"
"Mateo," I warned and kept walking.
"Just don’t forget what I said!" he called as I tapped my card on the lift panel. The doors closed.
He was lucky. A peaceful life. A wife he adored. They had been together since secondary school. They did not have children, but they were still strong. It was not about raising kids, it was about staying loyal, choosing one person, every day. The drive was smooth. I left the city behind, headed towards the quiet edge where the lake and my cabin sat. The roads were open, the skies clear. An hour passed quickly in my Mustang. But as I approached the lake, I noticed a black SUV parked a few metres from the shore. My chest tightened.
Stanley? I slowed down, narrowed my eyes. It was not Stanley. It was Charlotte. Of all the people I expected, or hoped, to see, she was the last.
"Brilliant," I muttered and stepped out of the car.
She stood near the water, something that looked like a bottle in her hand. Even from a distance, I could tell she was in shorts and a crop top. Her long hair danced with the wind. She turned slowly, and even though I could not see her face clearly, I felt her stare cut through me. I could have walked away, gone straight into my cabin and left things as they were. But I did not. Something in me pushed forward. I started walking, picking up speed with each step. I needed to talk to her. Needed to explain. Even if she never forgave me, I had to try and there she was, waiting.
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