Chapter 8 Just Charlotte.

Damian. “Hey! Aren't you coming today anymore?” It was Harold, my annoying partner and friend. Harold and I co-owned the company. Right from high school, we had been friends, and while everyone either wanted to be my friend because of the bucks, looks or brains, Harold was the only one that saw me for who I am. “It was a wrong move to inform you that I was flying in today.” I groaned as I took a sip from my coffee. It was a few hours after Charlotte had left, and I had just completely finished packing. A small smile played on my lips when I remembered everything that had happened in the last 24 hours. I had walked into the club and was lucky to hit it up with Charlotte. Then, we drove home and spent the night together. It was only just a night, but her presence lingered in the air. I could smell her around the house like Tinkerbell's dust and it made me smile. She hadn't even stayed for that long. Groaning, I remembered how she turned down my offer to be maybe friends or something more and I winced. I knew it was neither my signature move nor a plan that made sense, but I couldn't stop myself. Naturally, I would have found it weird had dragged right immediately I had asked her too. I mean, a night stand asking you to keep your relationship could be close to saying yes to a sex relationship, and somehow, Charlotte didn't seem like she would like the idea of that. Then I gave her my card, asking her to call me. Well, maybe she would. But somehow, I didn't think she would. I could only wish. Only hope. “Are you there?” Harold half screamed, jolting me back to reality. “I can hear you. Do not make me deaf.” I scoffed. “Well, you weren't replying.” Trust Harold to always have a comeback. “I need you to find someone for me.” I blurted out abruptly, unable to stop myself. “Okay. Who is it? Or who are they?” That was probably something that came with having a morally gray man as a best friend. There were no questions to my request. Instead he was going to work on it immediately. Now, here was the problem. Save for Charlotte's first name, I could as well as say I knew nothing about her. She might have been a little drunk and nervous, but she knew where to stop when sharing information about herself to a stranger. “See, you aren't saying anything again.” Harold complained. “Should I be worried?” “No. I am fine.” I assure him. I picked my mug abruptly, and brought it to my lips. I however took a little too much sip and the hot coffee burned my mouth. *Shit.” I swore. “Now, tell me. Who is it you want to find? Is it personal or work?” “Um.. I am not sure. I don't really have a lot of information.” “I guess it's personal then.” I had deliberately not replied to his last question, but trusted Harold to have his way around. He was impossible. “So who is she?” He asked, taking a wild guess, and I mentally face palmed myself. Why did he have to reach a conclusion so quickly? “Charlotte.” I half whispered, her name rolling off my tongue with practiced ease. “It's a female.” Harold's voice was laced with triumph. “So what is her last name?” “I don't know.” I hissed out in confession. “The only information I have about her is her name. Nothing more, nothing less.” “Just a name?” I could hear the judgment in Harold's voice. “Yes. Charlotte.” I breathed out with a smile playing on my lips. “You sound whipped. Where did you guys meet?” “Are you going to look for her or do I have to find some other way?” I hissed. I wasn't about to tell Harold I was hung on someone who I spent a night with. “Of course I would. But I need more information since it's female. You haven't asked for anything like that since forever.” “And that's exactly why you should do it without any questions. There should be a cogent reason for the request, isn't it?” Harold let out a low huff. “I can deal with you. Check your message box, I sent you the list of workers resuming work at the headquarters this week.” “Why should I bother? You have screened them already, and it's not like I'm the face of the company anyways. You would be the one to address them at different points.” “I think it's high time I resigned. You don't want to do anything.” Harold groaned. “Hehehe.” I let out a wicked laugh. “Trust me, you won't. You love the job.” Though Harold and I co owned the company, I had never made an appearance to the public. Instead, I watched everything from the shadows and focused on strategic planning. Harold was the face, and I? Well, I was more of the brain. “You should check them.” Harold insisted, and I saw an email from him almost immediately. Without paying much attention, I opened the file and scrolled down the page. “This doesn't look like the people resuming. It looks like those being transferred.” “Well, I ended up merging both into a file.” I could mentally picture Harold shrugging but I said nothing. The number of staff being transferred out were ten. I had no idea why they were that much. However, I soon realized why. Over the last few weeks,we had opened many more outlets around the country, and we needed experienced and competent hands to manage the affairs over there. “Not bad.” I murmured as I scrolled even faster. However, my eyes briefly caught a familiar blonde. “No way.” I muttered. “What?” Harold asked. “Are there any changes you want to make?” “I can't believe this.” I whispered as I scrolled upwards. What were the chances? “Hey. What is the surprising thing you can't believe?” “Remember the person I asked you to look up for me earlier? I don't think I'd be needing that information anymore.” “Okay?” Harold asked. He knew there was something more and wanted me to offer more explanations. “Charlotte William.” I whispered. “Oh. She? She has been a brilliant worker over the years, and since the head of the planning team was resigning, I thought it would be perfect to have her here. I asked you about it, remember?” Though Harold couldn't see me, I nodded my head. Knowing Harold, he had most likely asked me but I didn't pay attention to him. “I guess you did.” “Ye— Wait, don't tell me she is the Charlotte you wanted information on?” “She is.” I confirmed. “Apart from the fact that she works with us, I need you to get me more information about her. I want everything you can find.”