19 The Visit

Room service arrived with their breakfast and an outfit for Charlotte. She took the dress to the washroom directly to change.

The dress was a pale pink tweed with lace, perfect for the chilly autumn day. The hemline hit just above her knee. Charlotte glanced at the tag and sucked in her breath. There must be a mistake.

"Gordon!" She shouted.

"Yes?" He answered from outside.

"I think there's a mistake with this dress." Charlotte fretted.

"Mistake? Did they send the wrong size?" He asked.

"Uh, no. They sent a Chanel dress." Charlotte replied as though he should understand.

"So? If you don't like that brand I can have them send something else." Gordon said simply.

"No, no it's not that either. The dress is lovely. But, Gordon, it's very expensive." Charlotte explained.

"Oh is that all? That's a drop in the water for me. Don't worry about it." Gordon said, realizing her concern.

"I don't want you to have to spend so much on me though." Charlotte exclaimed.

"You are my girlfriend. If I don't spend it on you then whom else would I spend it on?" Gordon explained.

"Then, thank you." Charlotte said as she hurried to dress.

"Come, let's eat." Gordon said when she joined him in the room. He began lifting lids to the dishes. He'd ordered Traditional Chinese breakfast and Western breakfast. He passed a pair of chopsticks to Charlotte and they ate in companionable silence.

Gordon finished eating first and opened the newspaper on the table.

"We made the front page of the paper." Gordon announced.

"What?! Let me see!" Charlotte demanded.

He turned the paper toward her, revealing a large picture of them kissing on the red carpet. The headline read, "Well known confirmed bachelor Gordon Zhou is in love."

"How did we make the front page? Are people really this interested in our lives?" Charlotte asked.

"My family is the wealthiest in the city and my company is world known in the area of finance. The fact that I'm thirty-five and you're my first girlfriend is indeed news here." Gordon explained.

Charlotte scanned the article "They're calling us a Cinderella romance." She said.

"Does that mean I'm Prince Charming?" Gordon asked mildly.

Charlotte laughed. "Of course you are. You doubt it?" She asked.

Gordon just smiled. Truth be told, Gordon was out of his element. He didn't know how to have a relationship with a woman. The fact he was talking marriage with her a week after meeting her was proof he didn't know what he was doing.

He quickly took his cellphone and texted his personal assistant, Mark Rong: "Gather information for me about the things a boyfriend does when dating."

"So what are your plans for today?" Charlotte interrupted his thoughts.

"Spend it with you." Gordon said. Her bright smile didn't go unnoticed.

"I had planned to buy the materials for your painting and work on it. But, Gordon, would you like to...uh..." her voice trailed off.

"What?" He asked.

We talked about visiting your brother's grave. If you want, we could do that. Or, we don't have to." She hurried to finish, hoping she hadn't upset him.

Gordon regarded her silently. After a long while he said, "Are you certain you wish to accompany me there?"

"If you allow it." She said softly.

"I do." He said solemnly.

——————————

They rode for awhile in silence. It wasn't awkward silence but they remained quiet for different reasons. She was hopeful. He was lost in memories.

The closer they came to the cemetery however, the more tense Gordon became.

Charlotte reached out and took his hand in hers.

"I'm here." She said in a low voice. He gripped her hand.

"I've never visited." He confessed.

"You don't have to do this for me." Charlotte comforted.

"I need to do it. There are unsaid things I need to say." Gordon said.

When they arrived they were silent as they walked hand in hand across the cemetery. They stopped in front of a gravestone with a smiling picture of a man who looked similar to Gordon.

"He's handsome like you." Charlotte said. Gordon squeezed her hand.

"I'll wait for you over there." Charlotte said. He frowned.

"What do you mean?" Gordon asked.

"I thought maybe you wanted privacy." She said.

"I didn't bring you to do this alone." His sharp voice startled her. She didn't take offense. She just wrapped her arms around him and snuggled in his embrace. They stood there in silence for a long time. He chocked back a sob. Charlotte began to gently rub his back with one hand.

"Hello Little Brother. Long time no see. I'm sorry I stayed away. I couldn't face you. I've thought it was my fault that you left us; but I met a woman who reminded me that it was a tragic accident instead. I'm so sorry we argued that day. You were right that I didn't understand. If I had known your dream to be a pianist, I would have been in the front row of your concerts. I was so proud of you. I hope you know that.

James, this is Charlotte. You would have loved her like a sister. She means the world to me. You used to make fun of me saying no one would marry my ugly face, but here she is." Gordon was overcome with sobs.

Charlotte remained in his arms.

"Brother, I'm glad to meet you. Gordon misses you so much. I promise I'll love your brother for the rest of my life. No—I promise to love him forever." Charlotte spoke softly.

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