Chapter 14: The Heirloom
Gordon was silent all the way back to his villa, which didn't surprise his driver. Only Gordon knew it was a different kind of silence.
He walked into his grand home and went straight upstairs to his bedroom. He undressed and showered quickly and then went to bed.
However, sleep was slow to come. He had many thoughts on his mind. His villa was beautiful, and had the finest of everything, yet it was empty and lonely.
In the past, he never would have admitted that he was lonely. Perhaps because he never realized that anything was missing. He didn't think he needed or wanted a woman's companionship and he didn't believe that desire, passion, or love was truly real.
He had worked hard for several years and he had attained much. There was very little in this world that he couldn't buy. Yet he couldn't buy love or companionship. He suddenly thought that perhaps the reason he hadn't wanted to be with a woman for all that time was because he hadn't found the right woman.
But now...now the man who relied on facts and logic; reports and spreadsheets, was now thinking with emotions. Those emotions seemed to be drowning him at times. It frightened him in some ways because he was afraid that he would lose control. Maybe...maybe that wasn't a bad thing though.
He suddenly realized that when he was with Charlotte in her tiny apartment and eating simple meals he felt at home. He felt happy, truly happy, for the first time ever.
He rolled over in his king size bed and reached out to the empty space on the bed, wondering what it would be like to have her here with him always.
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The evening of the charity ball had arrived. Charlotte bathed early and carefully applied her makeup with an evening look. After she toweled her hair she used a curling iron to give herself soft curls that she artfully arranged on her head.
Finally she stepped into the gorgeous gown that Gordon had bought her. She slipped her feet into a pair of delicate heels. Just then there was a knock at her door. She smiled, knowing it was Gordon. She hurried to let him in. As the door opened she took in his handsome figure wearing a regal tuxedo. His handsome, angular face and deep, cold eyes stared at her.
"Gordon! You look so handsome!" She breathed. "I may have to fight the other women for you!"
"Charlotte, you are absolutely a vision." He pulled her into his arms as his eyes roved over her in deep appreciation. His eyes seemed even darker as He admired her beauty.
"My woman will take everyone's breath away. But you can only be mine!" He whispered in her ear. She felt chills.
Suddenly he pulled a small box from inside his jacket.
"What's this?" She asked as he pressed it into her hands.
"Open it." He demanded.
She lifted the lid off and inhaled sharply.
A lotus blossom hair comb made of gold, jade and rubies was at the top of the jewelry case. Under it was a red jade bangle bracelet with gold accents.
"The hair comb is a family heirloom from the Qing dynasty. The bangle is from a line of jewelry I'll release next season and it takes its inspiration from the hair comb." Gordon explained.
Her eyes widened when she realized the hair comb was so precious and the bracelet had been designed by Gordon.
"It's too much. I'm not qualified to wear these." She whispered.
"Who would dare say Gordon Zhou's woman isn't worthy to wear these? You'll wear these and many more in this lifetime." Gordon proclaimed in his characteristic domineering way.
"But Gordon, one is a family treasure." Charlotte protested.
"This has been passed from every hostess of our Zhou family. When we are married you will hold that position." Gordon explained.
"Did your mother know you are giving it to me?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes. I went to her this morning." Gordon affirmed.
"And her reaction? Does she know I'm not of noble birth, but from a small village? How can she accept me for her oldest son?" Charlotte asked.
"She and father will be at the ball but you have nothing to fear for a few reasons. Firstly, they have been trying to see me married for at least ten years. My children will be their only grandchildren. They would like to see my wife and their grandson before they die. Until I met you they had all but given up. And, also, because of the mistakes they made with my brother, they aren't willing to lose another child. Thirdly, you are beautiful inside and out. They will know it immediately." Gordon explained as he gently tucked the comb into her updo and slipped the bracelet on her hand. These would mark her to all present as his woman, the future mistress of the Zhou family.
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