16 The Wine

Gordon and Charlotte danced for awhile longer when they decided to take a break.

It was well known that events like these were good for networking and cooperations So Charlotte wasn't surprised when a few businessmen pulled Gordon away for a few minutes.

Noticing that Rachel was also waiting for Michael, she moved to join her.

"Charlotte have you ever seen anything as grand as this ball? It's like a fairy tale!" Rachel said.

"I know! I feel like a princess. Have you enjoyed coming with Michael?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes! He's so kind and a lot of fun. I hope I get to see him again. Mr. Zhou seems to really like you, Charlotte. He always seemed so overbearing and stuffy but I can tell he adores you. I think those who are cold and aloof end up being the ones who love most passionately." Rachel said with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"We've both probably watched too many romance dramas but I think you're right." Charlotte said with a smile.

A waiter walked by with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. Charlotte hadn't eaten dinner yet so she took one and ate it.

The hot and spicy flavor hit her senses mercilessly. Charlotte hates anything spicy! She put her hand over her mouth and panicked. She saw a table with glasses of wine and rushed to it. Anything to ease the burning of her mouth and throat! One, two...five glasses later and Rachel grabbed her arm.

"Hey, easy does it." Rachel said.

"Now my mouth is dry too!" Charlotte gasped.

"I'll go find you some water. Wait here for me." Rachel said.

Charlotte hadn't been lying earlier when she told Gordon she couldn't handle alcohol. One glass of wine would have her buzzed. Now she'd had five, but she'd been desperate to rid herself of the hot and spicy torture she'd eaten that she hadn't stopped to consider the consequences.

The obnoxious man from earlier was standing nearby and had observed her tossing back glass after glass of wine. His eyes moved over her in a lustfull manner and he stepped forward to make his move when he realized she was having trouble standing.

"Gordon. I have to find Gordon." She muttered.

"I'll help you find him." The man, named Wendell, said. He took her arm and began leading her out of the ballroom. He had a presidential suite waiting upstairs for just such an opportunity.

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Rachel came back with a bottle of mineral water but Charlotte was gone.

"Where did she go? She didn't look so good. I better get Gordon." Rachel decided.

She scanned the crowd and saw Gordon, Michael, and a few other men making small talk. Rachel hurries their way.

"Excuse me gentlemen, but there's an important matter that needs President Zhou's attention." Rachel interrupted.

"What is it?" Gordon said after he and Michael had stepped aside with her.

"It's Charlotte. She ate something spicy that burned her mouth and she drank quite a bit of wine to relieve it. I went to find her some water but when I came back she was gone. She didn't look so well when I left her. I think we better find her." Rachel said hurriedly.

Gordon frowned deeply. "She told me she doesn't have an alcohol tolerance. How much did she drink?" Gordon asked.

"About five glasses that I saw." Rachel said.

"She's probably falling down drunk at this point. Why on earth did you leave her?!" Gordon growled.

"I'm sorry sir. I didn't know she couldn't have it!" Rachel cried.

Michael put his arm protectively around Rachel's shoulders.

"Alright, let's not waste any time. Let's split up and look for her." Michael suggested.

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Wendell guided Charlotte toward the elevators.

"Hey, Gordon is at the ball. This isn't the right way." Charlotte slurred.

"He said he was waiting for you upstairs." Wendell lied.

Charlotte was fairly drunk at that point but in the back of her head a warning bell was going off. Something wasn't right. She tried to pull away from the lecherous man but he held her tighter.

"No, stop. I won't go with you." Charlotte tried to fight back but her senses were at a severe disadvantage. She felt panicked. This man wasn't a good man. She was sure. If she couldn't get away from him she might be ruined. She pulled away with all her might. Suddenly she fell to the floor.

She looked up in confusion. Gordon had grabbed Wendell and pushed him against the wall and was slamming punches one after the other into the man.

"You pervert! I will kill you! You dare touch my woman!" Gordon roared.

Michael and Rachel came hurrying behind him.

"Charlotte!" Rachel cried. She rushed to help her friend up. Michael grabbed Gordon's arm.

"Easy, brother. You're going to kill him at this rate." Michael tried to calm him.

"What do you think I'm trying to do?! He was trying to ruin her. I won't let him see the morning's light!" Gordon cried.

"Gordon, let me deal with him. You don't want your parents or the press getting wind of this. You go help Charlotte. Get her upstairs. If you take her out like this the press will make a story out of her being drunk." Michael reasoned.

"Michael, don't spare him!" Gordon demanded. His voice hoarse and his eyes full of pleading.

"I'm on your side, brother. You and Rachel go with Charlotte. I'll be back after I deal with this scum." Michael promised.

Gordon rushed to Charlotte and led her to the elevator. Rachel followed.

"Where are we going?" Rachel asked once they were safely in the elevator.

"I own a presidential suite upstairs. We'll take her there for now." Gordon explained.

Charlotte moaned.

"Gordon? Is that you? I don't feel very well." She whispered.

He swept her into his arms.

"I've got you. Everything will be alright." Gordon told her.

They arrived quickly at his suite and he carried Charlotte inside, Rachel following.

"Can you help her shower? There's bathrobes in the washroom and I'll call and have them send up some pajamas. And some sobriety tea." Gordon said.

"Well." Rachel said and led Charlotte to the washroom.

She helped Charlotte out of her clothes and hung them neatly. She placed her jewelry on the bathroom counter and ran a warm bath.

"Here Charlotte. You'll feel better after a good bath." Rachel said. She stayed with her until Gordon knocked on the door.

"I have her some pajamas." He said from outside. Rachel reaches her hand out and took them. She helped Charlotte out of the tub, dried her, and dressed her. She guided her out of the bathroom.

"Can you sit with her while I shower? We're not getting out of here tonight with her like this. I'll take her home tomorrow." Gordon said.

"Sure." Rachel agreed.

Charlotte was unsettled. She wandered the room, opening and closing things, walking in and out of the closets.

There was a knock at the door. Rachel let Michael in just as Gordon came out of the bathroom in his pajamas.

"What happened to that jerk?" Gordon asked immediately.

"My men broke his legs and cracked his ribs. They dropped him in front of the hospital and left." Michael reported.

"Thank you." Gordon said with relief.

"Of course. I know you would do the same for us." Michael said, pulling Rachel into his arms.

She smiled brightly hearing Michael say "us."

"If that's everything, I'm going to take Rachel now. I had planned for a romantic end to the night so I'd like to take her away." Michael said.

"Sorry." Gordon could understand.

"It's okay. The night isn't over yet!" Michael said, pulling Rachel out of the room with him.