By now, Emma confirmed that Charlie has no intention to leave her side, and he will not talk to anyone with her around… Emma smiled while thinking how considerate he is. And she should be considerate as well. How can she be his equal partner if she is depending on him for everything, including to protect her from <em>''mean people''</em>?


    Emma decided…


    "I need to go to the restroom.", she told Charlie.


    "I will apany you.", he was ready to wait for her in front of thedies'' room.


    She squeezed Charlie''s hand gently while looking at him with her clear eyes which smiled at him. "No need. Remember, I''m a grownup. And I will not allow anyone to bully me."


    Charlie nodded hesitantly and watched Emma as she walked away.


    He observed that sincest Saturday Emma is timid and insecure around him, and now her confidence is refreshing, it reminded him of the usual Emma which got his attention. But at the same time, he wished that she relies on him more.


    When Emma was out of sight, Charlie turned to his right and saw Dn approach him.


    "A nurse?", Dn said mockingly.


    Charlie frowned. He knows that Dn is talking about Emma, and he didn''t like Dn''s tone. "What are you trying to say?"


    "Earlier, I didn''t know that Emma was your nurse. I heard she does house calls. Maybe I can get hurt and ask her toe to my ce to… nurse me.", Dn said suggestively and continued: "Did you get bored of the usual selection so you decided to introduce a variety into the herd? Not bad, not bad… She is very good looking. Other than paying her to nurse your legs to health, did you pay her toe here as well? Or was the dress enough topensate your nurse for her… services tonight?"


    Charlie''s face darkened. "You keep your hands off from Emma. She is with me…"


    …


    Emma took her time in thedies'' room, unaware of the opportunity she gave to Dn. Well, she hoped that Charlie will talk to Dn, but something more… work rted.


    After some time, Emma got out and saw Charlie and Dn talking. Few other men were there as well. Emma smiled at the thought that her n was sessful. Charlie will talk to people with whom he needs to talk and then they can leave without her feeling guilty of dragging him down. Ah, she looks forward to another hug… and maybe they can add some kissing to it as well…


    But… what will she do until he is done talking? If she joins him, he will focus on her. Should she go back to the restroom? How long can she stay in there? And what will she do here? Her sightnded on Jeff and JoAnna who were talking with some people… if she approaches them, she will be in the way. Emma decided to go on the terrace and admire the garden. It will give her something to do without making her feel awkward because she is not interacting with anyone. She remembered JoAnna''s warning not to go into secluded ces, but she can see a number of people on the terrace, so even though it''s not crowded like inside, it''s not secluded…


    Emma found a spot on the terrace and took a deep breath to inhale the sweet scent of flowers. And it reminded her of Charlie.


    Emma thought how in the restroom she feared that some women wille and spill dirty water on her and lock her inside the stall… maybe even push her head into the toilet and flush it… Sheughed internally because that idea must havee from too many mean-girl movies she watched. Really… those things don''t happen in real life.


    "Well, well…", azy female voice came from behind Emma. "I didn''t think that I will see you again at one of my parties."


    Emma turned toward the voice and saw that it''s Miss Davis (aka Chelsea, aka Sunday''s morning), followed by Miss Thompson (aka Sunday''s lunch), Miss Sparks (aka Thursday''s afternoon), and Miss Lenihan (aka Monday''s afternoon). All four of them are looking posh, definitely arrogant, while walking toward Emma with drinks in their hands.


    Emma nced around and was wondering, where did everyone else go? She is confident that few minutes ago there were people standing there!


    Based on Chelsea''s tone of voice, Emma thought that maybe those mean-girl movies get their inspiration from real life. Did these foure here to bully her? What will they do? Push her over the rail into the rose bush? That sounds painful. Emma stepped away from the rail, just in case.


    "You are not going to greet us?", Miss Lenihan sneered.


    "You didn''t greet me either. You approached me, so you should greet me first.", Emma responded. She was happy that her voice didn''t reveal her anxiousness.


    "How does a mere nurse dare to show such an attitude?", Miss Thompson snapped.


    Emma shrugged. "What does my profession have to do with good manners?"


    Chelsea stepped forward and scrutinized Emma. "I heard the story about an ugly duckling bing a swan, but I never thought I would witness one. Did Charles pay for your makeover? What did you give him in return?"


    Emma smiled at the weak provocation attempt. "It must be sad to think that people are kind to each other only if they can get something in return."


    Miss Thompson snorted. "You should be grateful for all the money Charles invested into you tonight… it''s more than what you earn in a year!"


    "And Charlie thinks that I am worth it.", Emma responded curtly.


    Emmaughed internally at the sight of four women who came to give her a hard time and now they are furious and speechless.


    In the next instant, Emma felt something wet in her thigh area, slowly gliding lower. She looked down and to her horror she saw a dark red liquid staining her light blue dress.


    Emma was unable to breathe while Chelsea victoriously grinned at her with an empty wine ss in her hand.


    "me yourself for your stupidity while you exin to Charlie how you managed to ruin the dress he got for you. And good luck in proving that it was me… As you can see, I already have three witnesses." Chelsea raised her chin arrogantly and walked inside with her threepanions following closely while snickering.


    Emma''s mind was nk. The dress… it''s ruined. She has no idea how much it cost, but she knows that it''s A LOT! She failed… she told Charlie that she can take care of herself and she failed. How can she face Charlie like this? She can''t go inside, not like this…


    ---


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