20 The Errands

Until now, Gordon's life had been a series of delegating tasks to others. There were servants to cook and clean, someone to drive, personal assistant and secretary, subordinate employees. He was used to a hierarchy where he resided at the top. After meeting Charlotte, who lived the life of an everyday person, he found there were a lot of things he'd never experienced.

For example, grocery shopping. A servant always took care of it in his world, but Charlotte did her own; and since Gordon wanted to spend the day with her after leaving the cemetery, he naturally followed along with her.

"You can wait here if you like." Charlotte said before exiting the carriage.

Gordon made no reply but followed after her like an obedient child. He watched as She carefully chose the grocery cart with no squeaky wheel and headed down the first aisle.

"What dishes do you like to eat best? You should pick since I'm preparing them for you." Charlotte asked.

"I like everything you've cooked." He answered honestly.

Her eyes cut to him and her eyebrows raised as if to say, "you're not helping me."

"What? It's true. I like everything I've had so far." He repeated.

Finally he named off a few more complicated dishes, uncertain if she were familiar and hoping he hadn't embarrassed her. She suddenly smiled. Charlotte quickly began picking ingredients for the dishes he'd requested. Yet she analyzed all the brands before her as though looking at a business report. She was very particular about each item she chose. Quantity, quality, and cost were all factored. He could hear her muttering to herself, and several times she used her phone to calculate. If it had been left to Gordon he would've simply grabbed things and left. He said as much to Charlotte.

"Yes, but money is no question for you. You can buy this entire store and not be put out by much. It's different for people like me. I send half of my paycheck to my mother and with the rest I have to pay bills, buy food, pay cab fare...I don't have a wide margin of error to work with." She explained.

Gordon felt pain in his chest. He didn't want to see her struggle anymore.

He pulled her into his arms and lifted her chin so she was looking into her eyes.

"I will take care of your mother's treatment. And I will buy your groceries since you are feeding me. Stop giving away half your paycheck when I am more than able to make up the difference." Gordon commanded.

"You don't understand. It's not just mother's treatment that falls on me but with mother sick and sister in school I have to provide everything for them. I pay their bills and buy their food too. I still have to send money back." Charlotte explained.

Gordon frowned. "Why not bring them to Beijing? The medical treatment and schools are better anyway." Gordon said.

"Where would I put them? I suppose they could have my bed and I sleep on the sofa but we would be very cramped." Charlotte said matter of factly.

"You could live with me." Gordon said in a low voice. Charlotte blushed.

"I don't think my self control could last long enough until our wedding." Charlotte said bluntly.

Gordon smiled so wide that his face hurt. He didn't know when he'd smiled so wide.

"I like to hear you say so." He said. Her blush deepened. Even her ears were red.

"We should go to Civil Affairs and get our license now and hold a ceremony later." Gordon said. "Do you know there is enough room in my villa for you and your family to live there and everyone could still maintain their privacy?" He added.

"I will not be bringing them to your home to live when we marry." Charlotte declared.

Gordon only nodded but he was slightly relieved. He had lived apart from his own family since college because he was private and introverted.

After they ran all of Charlotte's errands they came back to her apartment. Gordon helped her carry everything in while she put things away.

Gordon's phone began to ring.

"Hello? Uh, yeah. Yes, but—okay. I'll ask her, hold on." Gordon said into the phone.

"Charlotte, mom wants to talk to you." Gordon told her. Her eyes grew large.

She took the phone. "Hello, mom."

"Charlotte! Are you free for lunch tomorrow? I want Gordon to bring you home for a meal." Anna said brightly.

"Sure! Anytime is fine." Charlotte was relieved it wasn't about her being at the hotel.

"Good! And let me have your number if you would. We'll go shopping sometime." Anna added.

After they finished talking Charlotte gave Gordon his phone back.

"She wants us to come for lunch tomorrow." Charlotte explained.

"That's good. She really likes you then. My brother dated his girlfriend for almost a year before mom invited her home." Gordon was relieved.

Charlotte hopes her future mother-in-law truly liked her and wasn't simply trying to make up for the past with Gordon's brother.

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Charlotte prepared lunch for them and then she set up her easel. It had been folded in her closet for awhile. She pulled out her paints and palate and set up everything on the balcony. She brought the barstool out to sit on while Gordon relaxed on the beanbags, watching her.

It is said that men are most handsome when they are working and so it is with women too, Gordon thought. She was adorable as she licked her lips and thoughtfully mixed her paints. Over the next few hours a mountain scene with a lake began to emerge. Gordon was enthralled.

Finally she stopped and stretched her tired muscles and told Gordon she was going to work on diner. Gordon followed her to the kitchen and wordlessly massages her stiff shoulders.

"Oh my goodness. You have a talent." She breathed.

Gordon smiled with pride. He'd never done this for anyone else before.

Finally they sat at the sofa and ate diner while watching movies together. Tonight Charlotte picked a robot sci-If film when she heard Gordon mention it was good. Gordon had a slight headache so Charlotte placed a pillow in her lap and ordered him to lie down. Once his head was in her lap, she began to massage his scalp and temples. She also ran her fingers through his thick hair. It was a peaceful evening and good end of the day.