Chapter 20: An Unexpected Kiss

Alexander's POV:

The elevator doors opened at the penthouse on Pacific Heights, and I stepped into the hall. My friends were already waiting.

"Look who's here, the newlywed himself," Elliot said with a sly smile, his black suit and tie making him look like he'd just walked out of a board meeting rather than arriving for a gathering among friends.

I had barely taken a seat when Jake eagerly leaned forward.

"I heard from Elliot that Alexander already has a new girlfriend?" he asked with a conspiratorial grin.

Daniel, never one to miss an opportunity to pile on, added, "This man has just had a taste of love and can't control himself for even one night."

My gaze shifted to Marcus, the only one who hadn't spoken yet. "Do you have anything to add?"

He raised his hand slightly. "I don't have a death wish."

"Marcus, what do you mean?" Jake looked genuinely confused.

"One coffin, one hundred thousand dollars. I'll personally deliver your corpse to the Bennett family to collect payment," Marcus replied coolly.

I nodded at him. "At least one of you still has a functioning brain."

I removed my suit jacket, deliberately rolling up my sleeves while flexing my wrists. "So, who should I deal with first?"

The sudden silence was satisfying.

Marcus, ever helpful, suggested, "Friendly advice—start with Jake, then Elliot, and finish with Daniel."

"Thanks for the friendly advice, brother. Our friendship ends here," Jake muttered, attempting a hasty retreat.

An hour later, we were finally able to drink together civilly.

"Congratulations on your marriage," Daniel chimed in, downing his whiskey in one gulp.

I followed suit, letting the burning sensation of the alcohol temporarily distract me from thoughts of Charlotte and the strange situation we found ourselves in.

"Alexander, how did this sudden marriage come about?" Marcus asked, his tone serious now that the initial teasing had ended.

"My father's request," I answered simply.

Jake, refilling his glass, pressed further: "Why?"

I shook my head. The truth was, I didn't know all the details myself.

Marcus looked surprised. "You don't even know? Then why did you agree?"

"He gave me information about her." I didn't need to explain further. My friends understood my search. "I agreed to the marriage in exchange."

"Is the information about Emma's whereabouts?" someone asked.

I nodded. "Yes." Another glass of whiskey slid down my throat.

Elliot, still fixated on his earlier question, persisted, "Alexander, that woman on the phone—was that your wife or your new girlfriend?"

Before I could answer, Jake jumped in: "Don't be ridiculous. Obviously it's a new girlfriend. His wife ran away, and even if she came back, he wouldn't accept her. He doesn't love her at all."

"Makes sense," Elliot agreed. "His wife wouldn't speak to him so sweetly. Only a girlfriend would try to please him like that."

I remained silent, but my knuckles cracked as I clenched my fists.

Marcus, forever the peacemaker, handed me a drink. "Alexander, calm down."

I took the glass and placed it on the coffee table. "I'm planning to move her out of the Kingsley mansion. My father nearly had a heart attack because of her. Victoria had a physical altercation with her. James was directly confronted by her... How does that sound to you?"

Jake clapped happily. "Alexander, your wife is extraordinary! She's offended everyone in your family, except for you!"

I smirked, remembering how Charlotte called me "old man," then downed another glass.

Elliot continued probing: "Alexander, describe your wife to us."

I considered for a moment, thinking about Charlotte's stubbornness, her unexpected courage, her childlike moments mixed with surprising maturity. "She's too complicated. I can't describe her."

Marcus and Daniel exchanged glances and began refilling my glass. "Come on, drink up."

Half an hour later, I felt the heat of alcohol spreading across my face. Through increasingly blurry vision, I saw Marcus give Daniel a meaningful look.

My next clear memory was being half-carried, half-dragged into the family mansion. Voices echoed around me, but I couldn't focus enough to hear the conversation. Then I saw her—Charlotte—standing next to my father.

"Did you get into trouble while I was away?" I heard myself ask, words somewhat slurred.

She stared at me, speechless.

"Tell me. Who did you anger today? I'll stand up for you," I continued, not entirely sure why I was saying this.

The air was quiet for a few seconds, and I vaguely noticed my friends' shocked expressions.

Charlotte blinked rapidly, bit her lower lip, then shook her head adorably. "I was good. No trouble."

Elliot looked at Charlotte with curiosity and asked, "Are you even of legal age?"

The question was impertinent, causing even my father to cough awkwardly twice.

As Charlotte was about to speak, Victoria stepped forward to face my friends and introduced everyone: "This is Charlotte Cole, she's 20 years old and Alexander's wife."

I felt my legs weakening, and the room seemed to spin slightly.

At my father's subtle cue, Charlotte immediately came forward to support me, approaching Marcus and Daniel, clearly uncertain how to hold me up. These two traitors deliberately let go, causing me to fall directly into Charlotte's arms.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, staggering back two steps to maintain balance.

Everyone laughed, even Victoria smiled slightly.

I wrapped my arm around Charlotte's shoulders and mumbled, "Back to bedroom."

"Alexander, I can't carry you," she protested.

"Morris, help Charlotte," my father ordered.

I waved for Morris to stay away. "She's enough on her own."

Charlotte almost stumbled under my weight as we made our way toward the elevator.

Entering the bedroom, Charlotte laboriously guided me toward the bed, and as she placed me on it, she lay beside me, her left arm trapped under my back.

"Alexander, you're crushing my arm!" she complained.

Feeling the discomfort against my back, I rolled to the right—directly on top of Charlotte.

"Alexander Kingsley, are you taking advantage of me? Get off!" she protested, pushing against my chest.

I felt her petite body beneath me, soft and warm against my chest. I could even smell the faint fragrance in her hair.

"Shut up," I mumbled, eyes still closed.

"I will not shut up, Alexander. If you suffocate me to death, you'll be charged with murder, you know? Quick—"

I don't know what prompted me to do it. Perhaps it was the incessant noise, or perhaps something else, but in one swift motion, I pressed my lips against hers, effectively cutting her off mid-sentence.

Her hands, so determined to push me away just moments ago, now froze in place.

"You... you did that on purpose!" she accused, her cheeks turning even pinker.

I deliberately released my hold on her waist, letting my arms fall to my sides, then closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

"Hmm?" Her voice clearly carried confusion when she realized she could now move easily.

She looked down at her waist, noticing my hands no longer constrained her. Then she poked my face, discovering I had fallen asleep.

I heard her sigh with relief. "Thank goodness he's drunk," she muttered to herself.

As soon as she left, I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling. The effects of alcohol had mostly dissipated, leaving me with a clear awareness of what had just happened.

My gaze fixed on the wall ahead as I tried to understand my own actions. That impulse—that kiss—had surprised even me.