Chapter 48
The bed stirred with sudden movement.
Before Charlotte could straighten up, a large hand pressed against the back of her head.
Her lips accidentally brushed against his jawline…
Her pupils dilated in shock.
The texture of his skin, the rich scent of his cologne, the warmth, the freshness–every sensation registered with crystal clarity in her brain.
Zarek froze momentarily.
He released her, leaning his head back, then placed his hand on the back of her head again, gently pushing her
away.
Their eyes met.
One face blank with shock, the other expressionless.
After what felt like eternity, Charlotte snapped back to reality. She quickly removed his hand, stood up, and hastily smoothed her hair, struggling to control her breathing. “It’s 5:30 already. You really need to get up now.”
With that, she practically flew out of the room as if her feet had wheels.
Zarek: “…”
He remained silent for a while, then covered his eyes with the back of his hand.
Charlotte rushed back to her own room without stopping.
She went to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. In the mirror, her reflection looked as flushed as if she’d
been steamed.
She’d simply been following protocol to wake her boss. How had that turned into her accidentally kissing him??
This was…
Completely mortifying!
At six o’clock, she reluctantly returned to Zarek’s suite.
Rex was already there.
They both stood in the living room area, waiting for Zarek to emerge.
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While waiting, she glanced at Rex, wondering if he’d had similar experiences. He’d worked for Zarek much longer than she had, so surely he must have handled this wake up duty too.
Had he also…?
Experienced something like…?
Her brain unwillingly conjured an image of Rex leaning over Zarek, accidentally pressing his lips against his face…
Ugh!
Oh god, no.
“Miss Whitmore, why are you looking at me like that?” Rex self–consciously touched his face, unsettled by her alternating expressions of confusion and dismay.
“Nothing, I was just…” Charlotte pressed her hand against her chest, “thinking our job isn’t exactly easy.”
“No job is easy. You just adapt.”
“…You have a good attitude.”
“What choice do I have? It’s not like I can snap at the CEO.”
Charlotte pressed her lips together.
Words failed her.
Everything he said made perfect sense, but still… she couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed.
From the direction of the dressing room.
Zarek had been standing there for a full minute.
He’d witnessed everything from Charlotte’s series of expressions while looking at Rex to her comment about their job not being easy.
He touched his brow, smiling–a smile of disbelief.
He walked out.
“Sir,” Rex said, turning around.
Charlotte turned as well.
Her eyes met Zarek’s for a second before darting away to focus on his shirt buttons, affecting an air of respectful attention.
Zarek headed toward the door.
Charlotte and Rex followed behind him.
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The car departed from the hotel toward the Marina de Belém yacht harbor.
The interior was quiet.
Charlotte sat rigidly in the back seat, tense from neck to toes. She wanted to relax, but kept remembering that
accidental kiss.
Heaven help her, could she just get amnesia?
“Miss Whitmore.”
The deep, measured voice came from beside her.
Charlotte responded immediately, as if by reflex, “Yes? Did you need something, sir?”
“Get some water.”
“Of course.” She took a bottle from the car’s mini–fridge, opened it, and handed it to him.
Zarek pushed it back toward her. “Here, take small sips, and relax. Don’t dwell on workplace mishaps.”
Outside, city lights were beginning to shimmer while her face flushed with color.
Charlotte turned forward and took a huge gulp of the mineral water as if it were hard liquor.
In the front seat, Rex was completely confused.
Mishap? What mishap?
When had this happened?
The car arrived at the marina.
The driver stayed with the vehicle while Charlotte and Rex followed Zarek onto the yacht.
It was a luxurious three–deck vessel, gleaming white.
The first level contained business reception areas, the second was an entertainment deck with a large pool, and the
third housed private suites. At the very top was an exclusive area with the best views, furnished with oversized
circular sofas.
Tiago Amaral personally welcomed them.
He clasped Zarek’s arm, his wrinkled face beaming with a smile.
His enthusiasm was almost unsettling.
Inside, about a dozen local elites and wealthy figures had gathered.
Among them was a petite, attractive young woman with honey–toned skin and an infectious smile.
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“This is my granddaughter, Célia Amaral. She’s twenty–one, just returned from studying in London–an MSc in Media and Communications. She attended the same university as you, Mr. Weasley,” Tiago announced proudly.
Charlotte and Rex remained on deck, but they could see inside through the floor–to–ceiling windows.
Witnessing this scene, they exchanged knowing glances… So this was a matchmaking attempt.
Zarek greeted everyone with his usual polished courtesy.
Célia couldn’t take her eyes off him, clearly captivated. Standing barely five–foot–three, she gazed up at the six–foot–three Zarek with barely contained excitement, her heart practically leaping from her chest.
“If we’d known Mr. Amaral had these intentions, the CEO would never have come,” Rex said with resignation.
“What’s he supposed to say–‘I’m inviting you so I can introduce my granddaughter“?” Charlotte crossed her arms. “Besides, maybe they’ll actually hit it off. Could be the beginning of a great romance.”
“She’s definitely not his type.”
“How would you know?”
“I certainly-” Rex was saying when his eyes darted toward the dock. His voice suddenly cut off as he exclaimed, “What is she doing here?!”
“Who?”
Charlotte followed his gaze.
A striking woman with shoulder–length hair was approaching. She was exceptionally slender with a long neck and delicate features, wearing a black satin slip dress and carrying a small black clutch. Her cool presence reminded
Charlotte of a black swan.
“Olivia Waldorf, general manager of the local branch,” Rex explained while hurrying toward her.
So this was Olivia.
Charlotte had seen her name in the briefing materials but hadn’t realized she would be such a stunning woman.
“Ms. Waldorf,” Rex intercepted her as she began climbing the steps.
“Rex,” Olivia acknowledged him with cool detachment. “It’s been a while.”
As she was about to move past him, she noticed Charlotte. Her expression hardened. “And you are?”
Charlotte extended her hand confidently. “Hello, Ms. Waldorf. I’m Charlotte Whitmore, Mr. Weasley’s executive
secretary.”
Perhaps it was her imagination, but Olivia’s expression seemed to grow even colder, a flash of pain crossing her eyes. “Secretary. How typical.”
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Charlotte: “…”
Olivia didn’t shake her hand, instead brushing past them with an icy aura and heading inside.
“What’s her story?” Charlotte asked Rex, confused.
Rex sighed. “She’s the daughter of a close friend of the Weasley family. She practically grew up in their household. She and the CEO have a… complicated history. A love–hate relationship, you might say.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened in understanding. “Ah, I see.”
No wonder Zarek had prioritized Portugal. The person he’d been thinking about was here.
