Chapter 47

Charlie's Pov.

My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs as I exited the service elevator. Planting that fake evidence on Rupert's balcony had been a nerve-wracking maneuver, but escaping the crime scene unnoticed felt even worse. Reaching the lobby, relief flooded me momentarily. Until I saw Donna.

There she was, an ethereal vision in white nightwear, standing in a pool of golden light cast by the chandelier. My beautiful Donna, completely out of place in this hotel environment. But then again, she was staying with her family here tonight, a fact driven from my mind by the urgency of the situation.

"Charlie! What are you doing here?" Her voice, laced with surprise, shattered the fragile peace I'd constructed.

Think, Charlie, think! "Hey, beautiful," I plastered on a smile, hoping it wouldn't crack under the weight of the lie I was about to say. "I just missed you, like a lot and figured a surprise was in order. Was about to call you to meet me down here."

Her smile, usually as warm as the California sun, seemed strained at best. "Well, consider me surprised," she said, her voice a touch too high-pitched.

Closing the distance between us, I leaned in, being flirtatious. "Mind if I come up to your suite?"

She hesitated, a flicker of something crossing her eyes before she forced a laugh. "I'd love that, truly, but Lorena's crashing with me tonight."

Lorena. My stomach clenched. Donna's best friend, and my personal nemesis. She hated me from the first day we met and til this day I don't know why. The feeling was decidedly mutual though. Donna knew the relationship dynamic I had with her best friend, but the best she could do for us, was make sure we were civil with each other.

"Ah, of course," I said, trying to mask my disappointment. "Well, then, how are your mom and brother enjoying LA?"

The question hung in the air as Lorena materialized from the shadows like a vengeful spirit. Perfect timing.

"Donna, where have you been? I have been looking for you," she demanded, her eyes flickering to me with undisguised hostility. "Oh, hey Charlie. What a… surprise, what the hell are doing here this late." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Just showing my girlfriend some late-night love," I countered, my smile tight. "Hopefully. But Why were you looking for her? Were you guys playing Hide And Seek in this big hotel?" I said jokingly.

Lorena scoffed, but Donna cut in, shaking her head. "No, Charlie, we weren't playing Hide And Seek. I just needed some… space from my mother."

"Were you fighting with your mom?" I feigned concern, catching a subtle exchange between Donna and Lorena. A silent plea in Donna's eyes, a warning glare from Lorena. It was a conversation I wasn't privy to.

"Something like that," Donna hedged, her voice strained.

"Why were you guys fighting?" I asked.

"Why do you think?" Donna responded with a question.

I didn't need more details to understand what she meant. The only thing that usually caused fights between Donna and her mother was Donna's acting dreams. Her mother wanted her to quit acting and join the family business, but Donna was determined to follow her passion.

"Well, I think I'll be heading home now. I'll see you tomorrow," I said, kissing Donna's forehead.

As I pulled away, a faint whiff of cologne tickled my nose. A stranger's scent. Was I overreacting? Her brother was here, wasn't he? Shaking off the suspicion, I offered a reassuring smile.

"Alright, beautiful. Good night and sleep tight. I love you." I lingered for a moment, hoping to catch her eye, but she seemed preoccupied. Leaving them in the awkward embrace of secrets, I slipped out of the hotel, a tangled mess of worry and suspicion gnawing at my gut, but I took solace in the fact that I did what I came to do.

*************

Donna's Pov.

A wave of relief washed over me as I saw Charlie hail a cab and disappear into the night. Back in the elevator, I tried to compose myself, stealing a glance at Lorena. Her expression was unreadable, thankfully.

"Is Mom still there?" I managed, my voice hoarse.

Lorena shook her head. "Mrs. P left for her suite a while ago. She said to tell you, 'this discussion isn't over.'"

I hissed under my breath. The last thing I needed right now was more pressure from Mom.

The elevator doors whooshed shut just as Louis hurried in, a frantic glint in his eyes. My heart hammered against my ribs, and I couldn't help but notice his state of undress – a half-unbuttoned shirt revealing a glimpse of undershirt. He looked like he'd just been interrupted.

Lorena, ever observant, shot him a surprised look. Louis, pretending as if we hadn’t already seen each other that night, greeted us with a casual “Hey.”

“Good evening, Louis. Are still working this late?” Lorena inquired.

“No, I am not working this late, I just decided to sleep here tonight,” Louis replied.

The air crackled with awkwardness. Louis and I kept exchanging glances, a silent conversation playing out between us. His eyes held a question, a yearning for something I couldn't quite decipher.

"So, Louis, how are things going?" I asked, trying to sound casual and keep with the ruse.

"I am just fine, Donna," he replied, clearing his throat. "Am heading back to my suite to finish a movie, hopefully."

"What movie is that?" I inquired, trying to keep the conversation going.

He grinned, a knowing glint in his eyes. "It's called 'Kissing on a Bench,' starring Amy Adams and Chris Hemsworth."

A blush crept up my cheeks. This elaborate movie title was clearly a coded reference to our encounter on the bench. "Sounds like an interesting movie," I managed, my voice a touch breathless.

"Would you mind finishing it with me?" He leaned in conspiratorially, his voice barely a whisper.

My breath hitched. Part of me, a reckless, yearning part, wanted to follow him, to escape into the world of that made-up movie title. But reason prevailed. Lorena stood beside me, completely unaware of the undercurrent between Louis and me.

Reaching the eleventh floor, the elevator doors slid open. With a forced smile, I said, "Maybe next time, Louis." The unspoken words hung heavy in the air – a promise laced with doubt.

"Please tell your brother I'm sorry for missing our meeting yesterday and not rescheduling. Ask him to call me; I haven't been able to reach him," Louis said.

I nodded in agreement. As I stepped out with Lorena, I couldn't resist a playful wink at Louis before the elevator doors closed behind us. It was a small rebellion, a spark of defiance against the whirlwind of emotions swirling around me.