Disclaimer: I still don't own anything of interest in here, except for Brooke Carpenter, but that's nothing much to cheer about, in my opinion. Point is, I don't own anything by Roald Dahl, or I would be rich.

Chapter Twelve

Willy Wonka looked up from his desk as Charlie came barging in, slamming the door behind him. Taking off his glasses, which he had acquired not too long ago for his ever-declining eyes, Wonka looked at Charlie closely. The boy seemed different all of a sudden. Had he already been like that, or had Charlie taken on new airs? Whatever it was, he was certainly different.

"Mr. Wonka, you wouldn't believe what just happened today!" Charlie exclaimed as he dived into the chair directly across from the chocolate maker, not bothering if the man even wanted to have a visitor at the moment.

Wonka smiled and put his long fingers together. "What is it, my boy? You might as well tell me, you're about fit to burst."

"Well, I was out and about the market today and as I was coming home tonight, I saw this lovely young lady about my age standing at the front gate, gazing thoughtfully up at the chocolate factory. We stood and talked together for a while and then I asked her to lunch with me tomorrow! Isn't that wonderful?" Charlie nearly shouted.

If Wonka was surprised, he didn't show any of it. But inside, Wonka was reeling. Charlie found somebody already? He had been hoping that Charlie would find an interest in one of the two female ticket holders when they came over. But apparently, Charlie had other ideas. And it was all going against what Wonka had wanted.

Stretching slowly with his arms in front of him, Wonka studied Charlie closely. His face was flushed with excitement and his eyes sparkled with happiness of one being young and everything in front of him. Charlie had nothing to lose, as it seemed.

"Are you sure about this one, Charlie?" Wonka asked. "Tomorrow's the reunion and I don't go out on a date, son."

Charlie glared. "It is not a date, Mr. Wonka. We're just going as friends. And anyways, the other ticket holders aren't coming until two o'clock and I'll probably be back before then."

"It sure seems like a date to me. And anyways, how many people just randomly ask people to come join then for lunch? They might be thieves and murderers for all you know," Wonka stated.

"Oh, yeah? Then what was picking randomly five people from all around the world just to come visit your factory for a day to see who was the most worthy? Any of us could have been thieves and murderers," Charlie growled.

Wonka held his hands up in protest. "I didn't mean no harm by it, dear Charlie. I'm just looking out for your well-being."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I've got my own family to look after me. And anyways, I'm twenty now. I'm an adult and can do whatever I please," Charlie huffed.

Wonka looked crestfallen at Charlie's words. "But…I thought you were my family now. You said so yourself as well as well as the rest of your family. I felt like I've finally found myself after all these years…"

Charlie shook his head in disbelief. "You weren't what I had thought you were. I should've run away that day you came to me for your shoes to be shined. I was right about you that one day.

"But don't you see, I'm a changed man now!" Wonka cried out. "I've been different ever since you came to this chocolate factory. Both the Oompa Loompas and me. You were the right change for us."

"Maybe so, but you're not proving it to me right now. I'm going to go to bed now. I'll go to sleep and tomorrow at noon I'm going to meet Brooke at the Tower of London and have lunch with her. And perhaps if I get back on time, I'll help greet the other ticket holders with you. But don't count on it. Good night, Mr. Wonka."

Wonka watched Charlie leave his office numbly. How could he have let this conversation spiral out of control? He thought they were doing better from the last argument that they had. But since when did they start arguing? They had gotten along so well all these years. Was it because of this reunion that he had planned so carefully? He had thought of it as a good idea at the time, and even Charlie said it was a good idea. Or maybe the boy had said that to make him feel like he was doing the right thing.

Wonka stood up suddenly. He had to go talk to somebody and it couldn't wait any longer. Gathering his coat and an umbrella. Time to go or he would be awake all night thinking about it. Wonka left his office and soon he was hurrying down the streets of London.

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Author's Note: Here's chapter twelve for you all. Yes, yes, it's extremely short but I didn't feel like typing a long time tonight. I promise I'll make it up in a future chapter sometime. Thanks to everybody who's reviewed that past few chapters, I really appreciated it and it's kept me going with this story. It wouldn't have made it otherwise. Happy reading to all and I'll update when I can.