The Solution
"Pacing doesn't help." The good professor was about to lose his temper. His company made him very nervous.
"If anything happens I...
"If anything happen, you won't have to do anything because the ladies will settle it.
Than it became silent again.
"It's my fault"
"Yes, it is."
"You know, you don't help much."
"It's not my intention. Properly speaking, what did you tell her that she slapped you?"
Richard stopped.
"I could see her fingerprints on your face" He explained.
"Ah," Richard touched his face as he recalled the events at the stream. "I really don't understand. She made me angry and I told her my opinion. That she is a spoiled, stubborn, undependable, clumsy, good-for-nothing little girl and she hit me and told me to leave her alone. And I did."
Challenger only smiled at him.
"I'm glad you're having fun."
"You're a very lucky, young man. Marguerite would have shot you and Veronica would have sliced you into a million pieces. Charlotte has a good nature..."
"What? She?"
"It's a miracle she endured it so long. Well, I must admit she is capricious, in one minute a dragon, in the other a princess, and she can easily produce a catastrophe and she lied to us. But she is trying to make amends and if you let her you might have felt much better than now. You're standing here with a guilty conscience, hurt and anger." Richard just stared at him speechless. "Yes Redgrave you overdid it. You couldn't deny you're Roxton´s cousin if it comes to stubbornness. So in your place, I would seriously meditate on this subject."
Richard still don't know what to say, but neither had he the opportunity to answer back, because in that moment the elevator moved and a minute later Veronica appeared with Malone, who held an unconscious Charlotte in his arms.
"Challenger bring the emergency bag!" Commanded the blond girl and they disappeared to the girl's room, closing the door on Richard´s nose.
When he returned to the kitchen, Marguerite and Roxton were there. The heiress stared at him for a minute, than left without a word.
"What happened? Will she be all right? John, say something!" He asked his cousin anxiously.
"A raptor attacked her. If Marguerite had not shot it... She hurt her head and arm, but maybe Challenger can tell you more." He answered calmly, than added. "My advice to you, accept that your father was right."
That was well aimed. The man suddenly became alarmed.
"What?"
"Come on man, admit it! You like the girl and you would like to hit your head into the wall that you didn't stay home and marry her and now you're playing the role of the hurt prince."
"I'm not playing...uhm...not like her... You didn't tell anyone that she ... that she..."
"That she is your fiancée? No. I didn't."
Richard let out a big sigh, and than came the others.
"Well?" Asked Roxton "How is she?"
"She is awake. There's no serious injury she well be well in no time. She wants to speak to you Redgrave." The professor turned to Richard. "Don't let her overdo herself!"
He nodded, than disappeared from their sights.
"Do you think it was a good idea to let them be alone now?" Asked Veronica.
"Now, or never my dear." Answered the old professor.
The room was dark when he stepped in, just a little light came from the setting sun, whose rays slipped through the bamboo-wall. Charlotte sat up as he sat down on her bed and with that she brought her hand to her head, because of the pain she felt from the sudden movement.
"Do you want to speak with me?"
"Yes...because ... I would like to reconcile with you." He opened his mouth to speak, but she continued. "I won't tell you, I regret the things I've told you and done to you. That would be a lie, at least partly...but I must admit that I overreacted. I still think, you're arrogant and find little chance to become friends, but we must try it. At least for the sake of the others." She held his eyes as she spoke "Well?"
"Alright" He answered seeming surprised. "But...But opposite of you, I regret what I've told you ... at least partly. Can you...Can you forgive me, because I left you alone?"
She nodded. With this face and eyes he could ask her for the stars. Why can't he always be just like that? Caring, with so much honesty and maybe ... love?
"But only, if you forgive me that I slapped you."
She held her hand to touch his face, but she suddenly felt pain again and hissed.
"Does it hurt badly?" He asked helplessly.
"It's not as bad as it seems. I just have to sleep, I'm so tired."
"Oh" He stood up. "Than I will go. Do you need anything?" He asked from the door.
"No, thanks."
"Than" He just stood there like he wanted to say something more. "Good night Miss Dunn."
"Good night Mr. Redgrave.!"
"So? What shall be his punishment?" Asked Marguerite as she paced the floor in front of Richard like a predator before it's prey.
"Make him clean the whole treehouse!" Said Veronica
"No, he should repair the elevator alone!" recommended Ned.
"I'm sure he would enjoy it too much." Shouted Roxton from the balcony.
"Hes right" Agreed the heiress. "I want him to suffer..."
Richard gulped at this sentence and evil grin.
"If I'm allowed to speak..." they all turned to Challenger who stood with a book in his hand. "He could do the laundry for a month."
"No! Anything but not the laundry!" Pleaded the man.
"Fantastic Idea Challenger!" Smiled Veronica and dropped the laundry into Richard´s lap. "Get to work mister!"
The end
So? Did you like it? Was it worth the wait? Please write some review and let me know your opinions abaout the story (ies), the characters ...and so on.:))