Chapter 973 - Aidens birthday party (2) (1/2)
They all came back together for the cake and not long after that, Sophia, JoAnna, Sarah, Bridgette and Emma chatted, Elanor, Oscar, Edward and Stella formed another group, and almost everyone else was at the rink.
Staff was there for the food, but after they had their fill (and the cake) they all returned to their regular tasks.
Charlie observed people interacting and then moved closer to Aiden. It did look like he is just sleeping. He imagined Emma giving a sponge bath to Aiden and was surprised that he was jealous. He wanted Emma to take care of him, but she does not even want to spend time with him. She left, and the only thing he has is a note which says: 'thank you for everything' .
How silly. To feel this helpless and selfish at the same time. He wants to be with Emma but does not know how to make his intention clear to her and not to chase her away. At the same time, he does not want their relationship to be a burden for her.
Charlie turned around to make sure no one is nearby before he started talking to Aiden: ”Sarah said that you are a good listener. But right now, I could really use an advice. It would be helpful if you can tell me: with your background as a White, how did you approach a regular girl like Sarah?”
A grunt of disapproval came from behind him.
”I didn't see you there.”, Charlie awkwardly said to Jeff.
Charlie's comment earned him a raised eyebrow from Jeff. Did he think that he would allow him to approach his brother without supervision?
”You are lucky that he can't respond. Otherwise he would scold you or maybe even hit you.”
Charlie was surprised by Jeff's hostile behavior. Then he remembered that Sarah is JoAnna's sister and he guessed why both White brothers might be upset…”Because I spoke badly of Sarah?”
”Because you spoke badly about Aiden.” Jeff saw that Charlie is confused and explained: ”Do you really think that he approached Sarah as a White, or as a man who sees an attractive woman? If you are approaching Emma as a Smith with all the status that comes with your last name while emphasizing that she is a regular girl, what are you trying to accomplish? Hire a maid? Get yourself a mistress? Or humiliate her?”
Charlie wanted to ask Jeff, how does he know that he was referring to Emma? But then he realized that Jeff probably found out from JoAnna. That woman seems to know everything. ”How should I approach her? There is no way to remove my status, it's part of me.”
Jeff shook his head in disapproval. ”Is it? When it's just the two of you, do you see her as anything other than an attractive young woman?”
”I see her as a woman with whom I want to spend my time with.”, Charlie admitted.
”And do you want her to see you as a Charlie, or as a Smith with all the baggage that comes with it?”
Charlie shrugged, indicating that he does not see where Jeff is going with his questions. ”Of course, I want her to like me for who I am. That will be enough when it's just the two of us. But we can't live in a bubble. What about the others?”
”What about them? If you love a woman, you will protect her no matter what. If you are so tied up to your status, why don't you use it to make Emma's life easier? Why does it need to be a burden?” Jeff heard more than once JoAnna talk about Emma and how Charlie is treating her, and now that Charlie confirmed that he is interested in Emma, Jeff found him… weak. ”Your behavior is telling Emma that she is not the worthy one. Do you think that you are protecting her? Hiding her from your so-called friends while privately telling her that she is important is only making her think that you want her as your mistress. At most.”