"You seem bothered." Charlton told Serena as he approached her. He just returned to the control room, after giving instructions to the band members.

Serena shook her head and smiled. She herself could not understand why she's letting Emily affect her so. "How have you been these days? How did your presentation in the house of lords go?"

Charlton grinned, "It went better than expected. The king seems to show me some favor."

"That's good. Then, when shall the Bell-Daniel Telephone company operating? Soon I expect?"

"In fact, our ducal mansion already has one. The company is already operating, just that not a lot of people knows about it yet. A public demonstration will be scheduled soon, though I won't be able to attend it, as I need to go back to Suffox on the 1st week of August."

"That's already next week… It's sad that we're not able to meet much, nor even go beyond here these days. I will miss you so." Serena lamented as she sighed.

Charlton tapped her nose, "I will miss you more. But, at least school will be starting soon. The, we will get to see each other again every day."

Serena smacked his hand, "You keep on doing that. I told you many times, it's annoying."

"But your nose is just too cute." He teased as he moved forward to kiss her.

Serena let him and as their kiss was about to turn passionate, someone knocked on the door.

Straightening their clothes, Charlton walked to open it.

"Charlton, is it possible to get one more song produced under you before you head back to Suffox?"

"I'm almost done with Serena's. Why? Is it urgent?"

"May I come in?" Edward asked.

Charlton opened the door to let him enter.

Edward went in, "Oh, Serena, didn't know you were here." Edward greeted as he gave both a knowing smile.

Serena just smiled back innocently.

Charlton closed the door again and asked Edward to sit, while he too sat on one of the chairs. "You were saying?" he asked.

"Yes, as I was saying, if it is possible, can you work on one more song before leaving for Suffox? I think that this one has a lot of potential, and I also wish to promote our new artist. I mean, her name is very hot right now, and if would be good if we were able to develop someone from grassroots."

Charlton and Serena instantly knew who Edward was referring to.

Charlton in truth has sometime since he's done with the meetings, all he has to prepare for are the meeting after he leaves the capital. However, he knows that Serena does not like Emily, especially with the write ups from Esquire, which reminds him that he wishes to burn that publishing company.

Serena did not like Emily working with Charlton, but she knew that it's part of his work. However, she has this competitive spirit that wishes to crush Emily. If she were to release her song the same time as hers, then she can't wait to see her face when her song crushes hers in a resounding defeat. She smirked just thinking about it.

Charlton was about to reject, but Serena spoke before him.

"I think since we're almost done with my song, Charlton has some time."

Charlton and Edward looked at her in surprise.

Serena smiled, "Well, I don't want people to think that I'm hindering her growth or something, have you guys read the newspaper?"

Edward felt guilty about it, but he was a capitalist. Slowly, some other music companies are starting up, and he doesn't want them to poach his artists. "Yes, I did, but don't think too much of it, that's something normal in the industry. You have been left uncontended at the top for 7 months straight so they're looking for something to write about. Don't worry, it will come to pass."

Charlton meanwhile did not care for what Edward was to say, he wanted to ask Serena again. However, Serena just shook her head at him.

"Emily's here, right? I saw her when I arrived. So, you can just go tell her the good news, Edward."

Edward did not want Serena to change her mind as he knows that Charlton would just follow what she says, so he excused himself. "Yes, she's still in my office. Then, I'll go ahead. I'll send her down in a but as she brought her sheet music with her. Maybe she can show it to you?"

Charlton shook his head. He doesn't want to ruin his alone time with Serena for that. "Not today, let her come back tomorrow."

Edward looked at the two and nodded his head before exiting the room.

--

"Why did you agree with that? You should know that I could always say no to it, and…" Charlton began after Edward left.

Serena shook her head, "Charlton, that's part of your job. Also, if Edward is asking then there should be a good reason for that. I mean, the music industry is growing and inevitably, new competition is coming. I know Emily is good, and he doesn't want her to get poached. Besides, don't you have faith in me?"

Charlton sighed as he moved to sit beside her and wrap his arms around her.

"You always just have to know better. But honestly, I may just become bias when working on her song. You do know that I'm rooting for you, right?" Charlton said as he kissed her forehead.

Serena giggled, "Hey, don't be like that. Besides, she needs it. Didn't you read how her life was?"

"I could care less. She can go fend for herself. Who I care about is you. I know you're bothered and you don't have to pretend in front of me."

Serena smiled, she could not help but feel lucky that Charlton was hers. She held both his cheeks, and kissed him. "I love you."

Charlton smiled as he pressed their foreheads together, "I love you too."

--

TBC