Charity Night (english)

19

Nadine has now booked the flights and entered the meeting into Zac's calendar and marked it as very important. For me, however, time doesn't seem to pass at all and my boss once again brushes off my fifth call today. 'You can contact my brother at any time if you have any questions. I have complete confidence in him.' was his reply via email after I also wrote to him that I had a question.

I groan in frustration for at least the twentieth time now. "Charlotte, what's wrong with you today?" Lucas asks me through the open door. "Oh, I just can't concentrate and it's not working out the way I want it to." I'm trying to talk myself out of it.

"Should we take a little break? I'm sure you just need to clear your head!?" Actually, he's probably right, but I can't risk us being seen together or Zac somehow getting wind of it. That would just make everything much more complicated.

"That's nice of you, but I still have my hands full here and since I'm flying to New York at the end of the week, at least most of it should be taken care of so that I don't have to work additional shifts and therefore don't get to pack anymore. You can Can you give me a tip about what kind of clothes I should pack? I don't know what kind of dress code you have in the Big Apple." I'm trying to talk myself out of it.

"Well, you can wear your outfit from here in the office, but if you go to a bar or after work in the evening, I would recommend a cocktail dress or something really unusual. But I'm certainly not an expert, as we men "It's a lot easier in that respect. A sexy pants suit or an airy satin dress would definitely look great on you." he adds with a wink.

I'm actually quite sensitive when someone makes offensive comments like that, but I don't even have the strength for a good counterattack today.

The situation robs me of all my energy and if I had said just a few weeks ago that I would be so upset about a man, I would probably have called him crazy.

I continue to work through the mountains of files and emails and try not to allow myself to be distracted any further. And yet my thoughts keep drifting to Zac and I wonder where he is right now and what he's doing.

This devastating silence is truly the ultimate punishment.

I have no idea how long I was sitting in front of this email when the ringing of my phone interrupted my thoughts. "Charlotte, I saw that you're coming with me to the States at the end of the week." I hear my boss on the other end of the line. "I'll be flying tomorrow, but you can use the company jet and just come on Thursday. I'll see you there." was all I could perceive before he disconnected, leaving me devastated.

After what feels like an eternity, I wake up from my stupor and curse loudly to myself. Too loud, because Nadine enters my office a short time later and raises her eyebrows questioningly. "What happened?" "Did you book Zac another flight?" I want to know from her, but she just shakes her head slowly.

"He just called me to tell me he's flying early and I'm welcome to take the jet." I say desperately and almost tearfully. It drives me crazy that he avoids me so much.

"I didn't know anything about it. Do you think he got wind of your plan? Actually, he should be happy. After all, it was his statement that it's now up to you to show him that you feel how you feel and that you want him !" That pretty much sums it up.

"Then I have to come up with a plan B so that I at least get the chance there. Do you happen to know what his address is in New York? Maybe I could try to prepare something there in his apartment or just surprise him there !?" "That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I should be able to figure that out."

I'm surprised again at how committed she is to my cause and I feel like I've really found an ally, if not a friend, in her! After all, it's not a given that she ignores some of our company's rules.

Two hours later she stands in front of me with a piece of paper. "I thought it would be safer if I didn't email you this information because you never know if someone is reading." She pushes the folded paper across the table to me and I feel a little like we're doing something illegal. Then I type the address into my cell phone and let the piece of paper disappear into my purse.

"That's an address on the Upper East Side." I note. "It's a pretty posh area where the gentleman lives." Nadine whistled approvingly through her lips. "And we're almost starving here," she exaggerates and turns around.

It's not that bad, but London is an expensive place and if you don't necessarily work in positions and companies like we do, it can be really difficult to live in the city.

His house probably has a doorman and getting past him will be more of a challenge. How am I supposed to get past that? Maybe I can do this through the company and take files with me as an excuse.

I grab my bag and head off to the end of the day. It has to be enough for today!

Just as I get into the elevator and the door closes, a hand comes between me. Lucas gets in and grins at me. "Well, are you off work? Then we can go out for something to eat?!" It's more of a request than a question.

"I'm really sorry, but I really don't have time right now. I'm meeting a friend to go shopping." I apologize and hope he leaves it at that.

"It's a shame, but maybe I can accompany you and I'll pick out a suitable outfit for your business trip." He doesn't let up and I'm feverishly thinking about how I can fend him off this time.

"Lucas, that's really too kind of you, but I think I'll pass... We see each other far too rarely anyway and I'd rather serve as a supporter to my girlfriend. I don't think it would be so appropriate to have you in tow have!"

The quiet ping of the elevator door saves me and I almost fall out of the building to escape it.

Not that he'll get the idea and pursue me.

The last thing I would want is for him to catch me in this white lie.

There is one good thing about my tricky situation... The tension that existed between us last week has been wiped away and I am more than grateful for that. My already battered heart couldn't take any more drama!