Chapter 36 - The pressure

Charlotte's POV

I dipped the cloth into the water and placed it on his forehead. After repeating it for a few minutes, I took the bowl back and came back to check on him. He was better now. However, I didn't want to leave him alone in the bedroom. Maybe he would feel bad again. So I approached the other side of the bed and sat down on the bed. I leaned against the headboard after taking off my shoes.

I rested my hand on his forehead, checking his temperature. I breathed deeply in relief as his fever wasn't bad like before. I caressed his hair affectionately, watching him while lying down beside him.

Alexis' POV

When I opened my eyes the following morning, I saw Charlotte sleeping beside me on the bed, curled up. I smiled tenderly and stroked her hair gently, staring at her.

She sighed without opening her eyes. I leaned on my elbow, watching my Sleeping Beauty after pulling the cover over her body carefully.

A few minutes later, Charlotte yawned, stretching out, and opened her beautiful eyes.

"Good morning." I beamed at her.

"Morning. Are you okay?" She asked, concerned and rested her hand on my forehead.

"I am fine. Don't worry. And thank you for taking care of me, koukla mou." I gave her a grateful smile.

"Don't mention it. I am glad you are fine. It seems you have no fever now, but it will be better if we check it." She said tenderly and wanted to get up, but I grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"No. I really feel good." I reassured her. "I would like to thank you for yesterday. How about dinner tomorrow?" I asked, looking at her mesmerizing blue eyes.

"You don't have to, Alex. Everyone would do it. How could I leave you on your own when you were sick?!" She said softly, giving me a warm smile.

"My guardian angel." I commented and smiled at her affectionately. "But I insist. Let's have dinner together."

"Fine." She nodded, beaming at me. I grinned happily.

***

When I was going to my office, I saw Charlotte talking to Liam Anderson cheerfully. Liam was one of our models who worked for the agency.

I frowned, watching them; they looked so close. I gritted my teeth in annoyance as he placed his hand on her arm, leaning towards her ear, and said something in her ear; then they laughed and she hit his chest playfully. Liam chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her towards him.

I clenched my fist and stormed into my office, slamming the door behind me. I threw the files which I was holding in my hand and grabbed my phone.

"Tell Ms. Wright to come to my office now!"  I ordered my assistant as soon as she picked up the phone.

I was pacing back and forth while waiting for Charlotte. I looked at my wristwatch again. It had been ten minutes since I called my assistant. It seemed Charlotte couldn't leave his precious friend's side.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in." I snapped as I stopped pacing and placed my hand in my pocket.

The door opened and Charlotte walked in, closing the door behind her. She gave me a bright smile and approached me.

"What do you want to talk about?" She asked softly.

"I want to remind you about our agreement and add that it doesn't just include Nathan, other men as well. You can't see anyone else while you are my girlfriend." I stated firmly, clenching my fist.

She frowned and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion."Why are you reminding me about it now?"

"I don't want someone to see you in the arms of any man." I replied icily.

"What the hell are you talking about?!" She snapped angrily, resting her hands on her hips.

"I am talking about you and Liam Anderson." I said bitterly and gritted my teeth.

"Are you out of your mind?! He is my friend." She gave me a death glare.

I gave him a mocking look and shook my head. Then I took a deep breath and stated firmly. "Keep your personal life private then."

She rolled her eyes. "How can I if I am not able to keep you away from your own agency?" She mocked me. "You are my friend too as well as my fake boyfriend, aren't you?" She gave me a cocky look and smirked devilishly. "So what do you suggest?"

I clenched my fist in irritation. This woman was impossible. 

"Keep your distance when there is another man beside you." I demanded in an authoritative tone.

Her jaw clenched as she glared at me, frustrated. She closed her eyes for a second, breathing deeply, trying to calm down.

"Mr. Stavros, I will not stop talking to my friend because you order me. Even if you were my real boyfriend." She stated firmly and stormed out.

I gritted my teeth in frustration and cursed under my breath.

This woman will be the death of me!

***

It had been three days since my fight with Charlotte. She gave me a death glare every time we saw each other. It made me mad. I tried to talk to her a few times, but she ignored me. She was stubborn as a mule. However, I would try to smooth her out today. It was unbearable when she acted cold towards me.

I went to Charlotte's office to talk to her. We had to solve our problem as soon as possible.

"What do you want, Mr. Stavros?" She asked dryly, emphasizing the words 'Mr. Stavros' as soon as I walked in, closing the door behind me.

"I want my friend back as well as making up with my fake girlfriend." I gave her a mischievous grin.

"Are you begging me?" She asked, giving me a wicked smirk.

"Of course not." I scowled.

"Then I cannot do anything for you, Mr. Stavros." She commented smugly and looked at the paperwork in front of her on his desk.

I frowned, annoyed and clenched my fist. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

"Charlotte, please. How long will you act like this? Don't be childish. It affects our professional life as well. You objected to everything I said at the meeting just because you are angry at me."

She sighed, lifting her head up, and looked at me, making me lost in her two azure orbs. "If you apologize, I will think about what I can do about your problem, Mr. Stavros."

I frowned as my annoyance flared. This woman.... Ugh!

"Fine, I am sorry." I mumbled, looking away.

"What? I didn't hear." She gave me a questioning look. However, I was sure she heard it very well from her cunning expression on her face.

Miss is having fun!

I sighed, annoyed. "I am sorry." I stated angrily. "Did you hear it or I should repeat it?" I asked mockingly.

"I am not deaf." She gave me a dirty look.

Calm down, Alex!

Calm down!

"I overreacted after seeing you with him. I am... just worried that my grandpa will find out about our agreement. You know he has an eye everywhere." I resumed, rubbing the back of my neck uncomfortably.

"Your apology is accepted." She said arrogantly, leaning back against her seat, and gave me a self-satisfied smirk, making me roll my eyes.

"Would you like to go on a date with me tonight? There is the opening of a new nightclub. There will be paparazzi as well. We can have fun as well as carry out our plan." I suggested, running my hand through my hair.

"I am sorry, but I have plans. I am hanging out with my friend tonight." She refused.

"Which friend?" I furrowed my eyebrows, resting my hand in my pocket.

She gave me a dirty look without replying and entwined her hands on the desk with an annoyed expression on her face.

"Sorry." I mumbled. "So... I will leave now. See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

***

I was pacing back and forth nervously in my office while waiting for Charlotte. I didn't know how to tell her. She would definitely freak out.

A few seconds later, someone knocked on the door. It must be Charlotte. I took a deep breath and let her in.

"Sit down, please." I gave her a wide smile as she walked in, closing the door behind her.

"What happened? Is there a problem with the new campaign?" She asked curiously, giving me a questioning look.

"No." I replied as I sat down on my seat, facing her after she sat down on the vacant seat beside my desk and crossed her legs. I cleared my throat and rubbed the back of my neck uncomfortably.

She raised her eyebrow. "What happened, Alex?" She asked, concerned.

I took a deep breath and entwined my hands on the desk. "Grandpa... He wants us to get engaged." I replied and gave her a nervous smile.

"What?! Getting engaged?!" She exclaimed in shock as her eyes widened. "No! Are you crazy?! We didn't agree like this." She refused, shaking her head.

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