Another World

Chapter 19

Friday afternoon seemed to lag on at a sluggish pace, paying no heed to the fact that Charlotte yearned to escape the confines of her office and head back home. She was currently seated at her desk, staring with unfocused eyes at her computer screen while heavy wet flakes of snow fell aimlessly outside the small square window behind her. Today she had no interest in work, and it was no wonder considering the delectable specimen of a man, err ellon, she had at home waiting for her.

Charlotte cracked a sappy smile at the thought of the enchanting Elvenking. Thranduil seemed to occupy her mind constantly and it was only now that she could freely admit to herself that she had fallen hard and fast. Of course, there would have been something seriously wrong with her if she hadn't – she was, after all, a hot-blooded woman. But the actual shocker had been the fact that Thranduil returned those feelings. Her mind still reeled from this simple, yet not so simple, fact.

Her thoughts drifted to their 'date' the previous night, and how it had marked a pivotal moment in their relationship. Thranduil wanted her to return to Middle Earth with him, and she had willingly accepted without a second thought. It's not like she had anything to tie her down to this world, and she found she was quite excited at the prospect. Not so much at leaving behind her world, but rather starting a new chapter in her life with the elf who had stolen her heart.

Five o'clock finally rolled around and Charlotte dashed out of her office like she was being chased down by the hordes of hell itself. Such was her haste that she entirely missed the flummoxed expression that graced Claire's porcelain doll features as she bolted through the front doors.

Charlotte clambered into her car and stilled when she noted a plain brown envelope resting on passenger seat, seemingly innocent looking enough. She frowned as she wracked her brain for a plausible explanation. It could be from Carl, but she had not talked to him since the incident with Eric last week. Maybe he had discovered something that he wanted her to know. It was quite possible...

Charlotte contemplated opening it, but decided against it as she was more eager to return home. The envelope could wait until then.

Pizza was on the menu for tonight, as it had become a fast favourite of Thranduil's, and he had highly suggested (more like demanded) it that morning before she had left for work.

Charlotte, still shaken from her run-in with Eric, decided to forego her usual pizzeria and instead favoured another one on the other end of town. Not that it would deter Eric from following her, but she now no longer had good memories associated with that place and chose to avoid it at all costs.

Even though she was fairly certain Eric had backed off, Charlotte kept glancing over her shoulder as she placed her order, and was on high alert as she dashed to her car afterwards. She immediately locked the door and buckled in, breathing in a shaky sigh of relief that she had encountered no problems. Her eyes drifted to the envelope once again, which seemed to beckon her to open it, but she did not fancy sitting in the parking lot any longer than she had to. Night was fast approaching, along with even more snow, and she just wanted to get home.

The journey back home was slow going as Charlotte had to drive with more care than usual as the roads were now slick with snow, but she eventually made it. After she had parked in the garage, Charlotte snatched up the envelope and the pizza order and headed inside.

Thranduil stood like a magnificent statue carved by the talented hands of Michelangelo himself, his back turned to her as he poured generous amounts of red wine into two glasses. Charlotte didn't even bother wondering how many bottles he had gone through already, and had made peace with the fact that she'd now be a regular and well-known customer at the liquor store. They must think she was a raging alcoholic by now.