Big Decisions
Much sorrow settled in Charlotte's heart making it difficult for her to smile. She stayed in her room for many days after her mother's passing and gradually had come to terms with the fact that her Mother would always be a part of her and would not want her hide inside herself forever. The guards feeling the pain for Charlotte as well, took turns venturing into the garden and picking a flower for her. They each placed the flower into a vase until the vase was completely full, then brought it too her room making her feel warmth and supported.
It had been complete anguish for her Father and facing Charlotte whom looked at him with the same deep purple eyes made it harder for him to get through the pain. He through himself into his work going on expeditions further away creating space from the painful reality.
Charlotte leaned heavily on her security team whom were like family to her. They took turns keeping her occupied. They all gathered together working a plot in the garden and filling it with purple iris flowers and placed a statue in the middle of a beautiful goddess with long flowing hair like her mother. Bringing Charlotte out to the garden the guards surrounded the plot blocking Charlotte's view. Upon her arrival they all filed away opening a path for her that led to the garden. A bench had been placed in front of the beautiful goddess so that Charlotte may set and speak to her Mother when she needed. Tears filled her eyes as she smiled. Her eyes appearing to have stars dancing in them. She hugged each and every member of the security team. She thanked them very much. She sat on the bench as they all left one by one. The remaining guard handing her a cloth for her tears and stood behind her as she cried. He brushed the tear from his face before she could see. He felt no daughter should lose her mother at such an early age.
Years passed and the days became easier. She still visited the garden however her time was not spent crying as before. Now she would walk around the garden picking the flowers for the guards and only stopping at the goddess statue to give her Mom updates about her days.
After some time away her father also came back. He devoted himself to his daughter's happiness. He made up for the time gone as he had needed it to work through his grief and be all that his daughter had needed in the future. She and her Father were very close. He now looked at her while smiling and enjoyed how her deep purple eyes looked like her Mother's . Though her hair was long like her Mother's, it was curly like his. Thus giving him a sense of pride upon seeing his little girl resemble him as well. Charlotte led a protective life and had been educated by the very best all through her school years. The time came when she would begin college. She spoke with her Father advising him of her wishes to begin college. He would not deny his daughter the education that she craved. They discussed and agreed that she could go to college however would not reveal her identity nor expose whom her father is. Though the professors know whom she is through the contact and friendship with her famous father, they will assist in keeping her secret as to not have any unwanted harm due to her being the only child of said billionaire Archaeologist/Businessman Jeh Knight. With security placed throughout the campus to keep her protected she set out to begin her new adventure.
On her first day of College on her way to orientation she hurried up the steps to the building while trying to hold onto her books and paperwork. Not truly paying attention to her surroundings as she ran headlong into another student. Her books scattered as her foot slipped off the stair. She closed her eyes awaiting the pain to follow. This sort of thing would not have happened at home. At home security had been placed in arms reach to avoid accidents or harm that may come to her person.
After this thought runs through her mind she realized that her body was no longer falling as expected. She cautiously opened one eye to peek through the curls that had fallen over her forehead, finding that she was looking at a face. Not only that......but a handsome face. He had shoulder length hair that had been dyed blond, double eyelids, a sharp jawline, full lips, a straight nose, and a kind smile. He had caught her mid fall and she was leaning back at an awkward angle, her body close to his, TOUCHING HIS!!! Her heart was racing! She immediately stood up and composed herself. Her face felt very hot. She was so nervous. There were butterflies in her stomach. She had never had this feeling before. Her heart still racing she looked up and met his eyes. "Thank you", she said breathlessly. 'What is happening with my voice right now!', she thought. She had to calm herself enough to introduce herself to him. "My name is Charlotte" she said clearly.
"Hi Charlotte, My name is Nate", he then smiled at her with a glint in his eye, then helped her pick up her things. She nodded her head and started walking toward the door. By the time they arrived all the seats except the row in the back were taken. They sat down side by side and looked toward the front of the class to where the professor stood.
The professor whom had known Charlotte since she was a baby, looked up from the podium catching Charlotte at the top of the seating and his eyes lit up then he immediately continued as to not draw attention to Charlotte.
Orientation took over an hour then the students were allowed to walk around the campus freely to familiarize themselves. Charlotte stood up collecting her books and this time placed them in her tote bag. Before she could go any further Nate turned to her,"Would you like to walk around together? I don't know anyone and since you and I have already met, it could be fun. Besides, I could protect you just in case any more stairs attempt to get the better of you again." He then laughed to himself. Charlotte instinctively punched his arm as she was raised around a bunch of security that were all men.
"Sure, we wouldn't want you getting lost or bullied". She then laughed making her deep purple eyes sparkle like the night sky. Nate whom had been frozen in shock for a moment, rubbed his arm in pain and followed her out of the classroom.
'This girl is going to interesting', He thought to himself. 'This could be fun', a smile making it's way to his face.