Awakening Love

Part twelve:

Charlie POV

I was waiting in Thomas's office for awhile before he walked in. I can't explain the feeling I got when I walked through the door and saw him waiting there. I think my mind immediately knew I was in trouble. I mean Alice could hide it as much as possible, but we all knew she was drunk. And I just feel guilty that I let that happen, I mean I wouldn't have let it happen if I knew Thomas was going to be home. But I am sure he got word of Alice and I going to ball together, and he knew he needed to be home. I don't think I have been this nervous to talk to a Bristol ever, especially because I know how it's going to end. Either I will never be allowed back in this household, or I am going to be banished and then put to death.

I know how important family is to the Bristol's, I know Thomas cares deeply for his sister, his sister cares deeply for him. But if family is so important than why is Alice kept in the dark with everything. As much as I would like to leave, I feel like I need to find out this families secrets, even my father told me not to so. 

Thomas sat at his desk, he looked like his father, it was like I was standing in front of Mr. Bristol himself. He sat and he talked just like him as well, I could only imagine what he was thinking. He probably wanted to strangle me, and fight me. He was probably expecting me to act all mean, but I feel as thought I need to act nice and show him I am not a bad person. 

"Please sit down Mr. Alton." Mr. Bristol commanded of me. 

I sat in the leather seat across from him. I was silent. Thomas sighed, and poured himself a glass of rum. He looked to me and put his hand in an offer for some of his man alcoholic beverages. "No thank you, I am not a big drinker." which was true, I had only one glass of champagne tonight, I never enjoyed the taste of those drinks.  

"Very well." He huffed, the room was silent again, he drank his rum, "we have much to discuss Mr. Alton." 

"And that we do, Mr. Bristol." I replied, tension was building in the room. 

"Why did you allow my sister to get drunk tonight?" He asked urgently, and waisted no time, "as the man of this house hold right now, it is my duty to make sure my sister is safe."

I sighed and shook my head, "I had no intention of getting your sister drunk, she did that on her own. In fact I have never seen her happier than she was tonight."

"And you think that was because she was drunk, I am sure everyone saw right through her. They probably thought she was a mess!" 

"She was not a mess. She was the talk of that room, she dazzled everyone, she danced with suitors, she told jokes and men laughed at them. She is so much more than you think." 

"I know, because she is my sister. I was raised with her, I saw her grow up into this mature figure." He argued, "and why do you think she was such a topic of the night, maybe it's because she was drunk and she showed up with an Alton?" He was very offended. 

"Look, Bristol. I had no intentions of going to that stupid ball. I hate them in fact. But when you sister got the letter that Mr. Oliver would not escorting her and instead he would be attending with his sister. Alice was just looking for a way to talk to him, she fancies him. That was the only reason I was attending that ball."

"Mr. Oliver ditches my sister? how dare he!" Now Thomas was taking his anger out on Mr. Oliver. Which was okay, since I have done the exact same thing. "Did she end up talking to him, did she confront him and yell in his face?"