Charlotte let the water trail down on her slowly, she was fond of spending time under the shower, everything just felt alright whenever she had water rushing down her, washing through her skin and melting feelings in her. She loved the way it felt against the sensitive parts of her body, her tits to be precise. Having the shower rush down on them was an arousing experience, but today was different.

Yes, she still felt that lovely sensation as the cold water grazed her skin, she felt that arousal but then she remembered the only man who had taken the responsibility of quenching that desire for the past two years. Standing under that shower with her eyes closed reminded her of all the things they had done, the way he had treated her like an egg. So that was all for nothing, she still found it difficult to believe, how could someone who made her feel so special suddenly lose interest in her and want nothing to do with her anymore?

Did that even make any sense? Did he love her? Yes, did he care for her? Yes! So what the bloody hell happened? What happened to them? How did they lose what they had? It just didn’t check out. She knew there had to be an external factor that she wasn’t bringing into consideration, probably because she had no idea what the fuck it was.

Unable to relive those painful memories anymore, she turned off the shower and grabbed her freshly wrapped towel from the hanger in the bathroom. She stepped out of the bathtub and tied the towel around her chest. As much as she didn’t want to think about him, she just found herself doing that over and over again. Not like she expected this to be easy but it was just more difficult than she expected.

She couldn’t even remember how many times she had said the F word today, she cussed whenever she thought of him, whenever she remembered how they used to be, whenever she felt the pain he had caused her.

Just as she stepped out to the large bedroom, her phone rang and she hesitated before going to take it. She didn’t even want to take any calls, she was on a damn holiday, it was the 23rd day of December and she wasn’t expected back at the office until the 2nd of January, so they should let her utilize her free time.

She picked up the phone and realized it was Olivia. Holy shit! She promised she would call or text as soon as she reached Rovaniemi airport, but she was so occupied with the thought of her ex that she forgot.

Charlotte clicked the green button and answered the call before it would disconnect. “Hey, what’s up girl?” she said and forced a smile.

Yes, Olivia couldn’t see her but someone she would be able to decipher her mood, so it was best to fake a smile. Charlotte always called her a digital witch because of that ability.

“I have been trying to get through to you for the past thirty minutes. Are you alright? Have you checked in at the hotel, are you safe?” her best friend asked with a worried tone.

“Relax Ollie, I am perfectly fine. The flight arrived earlier than I planned, so I just got out of the shower now. Like I promised you, I haven’t committed suicide yet or tried to injure myself. Instead, I am going to have the best time of my life here. Also, we should totally come check this place out next year, it is such a beautiful place, but it won't be much fun without you, girl.” I replied.

“Awn, I am sorry I can't be there with you, cutie pie, but we will definitely visit there together next year, I have a gut feeling about that. I am glad that you are okay, please take care of yourself. What exactly do you plan to do tonight? You sound like you already have it planned out,” Olivia queried.

Charlotte chuckled softly. “Yes, actually I do. I am going out to a local bar in the outskirts of the city, I will get a drink there and drown my sorrows with them,” she announced and giggled.

“That is awesome, you know what? Dot just get a drink, take as much as your head can carry. You know, get drunk, find a handsome muscular Finnish guy and ride him to the moon girl, because you deserve happiness, especially on a freaking holiday, you hear me?” She encouraged me.

Charlotte laughed. “Aye Captain, I will do exactly that, nothing else can please me right now. I mean, except for one of those Olivia hugs, I miss those already.” Charlotte whined.

“Awn, don’t worry baby girl. Just have your fun, and don’t think about that useless douche bag, he doesn’t deserve your love or care. Make sure to take care of yourself, I will be waiting here for you when it is all over, and then you can get as many hugs as you want, sweetie.”

Charlotte nodded, once again she expected Olivia to know that she did, even without seeing her. “I will do everything you say. Also, if that asshole comes looking for me, or asks for me, tell him I left the country and I ain’t coming back.”

“Oh, I would do worse than that. Also, I have never heard you use the word asshole before, is there something I need to know??” Olivia teased.

Charlotte laughed; she didn’t even realize she had used that word. “Well, let’s just say I met a new kind of person. I will update you when I am back.”

“That is great; you should do more of that. Make new friends, have fun, but just make sure that my spot in your heart doesn’t get taken or there will be no home for you when you come back.” Olivia threatened. She damn meant what she said, if she wouldn’t be part of Charlotte’s life, then no one as well would.

“Hahaha!! Don’t worry girl, no one is taking your place in my life, it is a promise. I need to go now, I have to get ready before nightfall, I will call you tomorrow because I might be too drunk tonight to take your call.” She assured me and then they laughed.

Charlotte walked into one of the local bars; the cab driver said this was the most low-key bar in the city, so it was a good place to have fun without drawing attention, just the perfect spot for her. She noticed the young manly handsome bartender at the counter who smiled at her the moment she stepped in and she most certainly lost her breath.

She was frozen at the spot for a few seconds, her breath taken by his sparkling white teeth, his one sided dimple which she found oddly attractive and his Finnish black hair. She slowly took a seat with her eyes locked on him; Tiana was right, Rovaniemi had really sexy bartenders and men in general.

She wasn’t that kind of girl but she wouldn’t mind taking Olivia’s advice tonight, this charming bartender seemed to be prospective, she will keep an eye on him as the night progresses.

Charlotte tapped her neatly trimmed and polished fingers on the table, she had gone for manicure the very day her life fell apart. Well, she wanted to look good for Josh, but it didn't exactly go as planned. She even painted his favorite colors, she wasn’t a big fan of the lemon as she found it odd, but since it was his favorite color, she had it on her fingers.

Less than two minutes after Charlotte slipped into the chair, crossing her legs in the most feminine position with a beautiful smile. Her pouted pretty lips stuck out admirably and her gorgeous cat eyes looked adorable. The handsome waiter walked to her, Charlotte found the apron tied around his waist attractive and she wondered what he would look like without shirts.

He would definitely have a chiseled body that could make any lady wet, his large eyebrows were perfect and the way he smiled would melt any heart. Maybe this was her just trying to picture any other guy but Josh as perfect, perhaps as a strategy to make herself feel better, she was trying to prove to herself that there were guys better than her ex. But even then, she was still thinking of him in comparison.

“I didn’t know an angel would be visiting the village of Santa Claus this year, what brings you down from the heavens, my lady?” he spoke with such class and esteem.

Charlotte blushed. “I am looking for something hot and strong, something to pass the night with, preferably with a happy ending, you know, leave me in ecstasy.” she replied and winked at him, she regretted the winking part the next moment.

Okay, maybe she wasn’t as good at this as she thought she was, she didn’t even have good pickup lines. Perhaps that is why her man left her.

“Alright, something hot and strong coming your way, my lady… if there is something else you want, just give the word. Your satisfaction is my concern,” the hot waiter said with a smirk and then he turned to leave.

Charlotte turned around awkwardly and groaned within her. Maybe she will get inspiration after a few bottles, with alcohol, she wouldn’t even need pickup lines; the words will come on their own. One thing was certain, she was taking a hot man home tonight.

** * * * * *

Charlotte had gulped down four full glasses of whatever alcohol the waiter had served her and it was already having its effect on her. She could still count five fingers as seven, which means there was still hope for her to go home sober if she changed her mind about getting drunk tonight.

She was already soliloquizing and laughing out loud, the bar had gotten noisier than when she first arrived but that didn’t seem to bother her. The bar had strippers performing and it took a lot of resistance to not join them on the dance floor. She wouldn’t mind getting rocked or smacked in the ass by those half naked hot men.

She felt so free and happy, she knew she was under the influence but that was the whole plan. She didn’t want to hold back, she wanted to let it all out, all the pent up emotions, her self-control, she wanted to do what she really desired, and it was to open up to someone, to confess how she really felt.

Just then, a man walked up to her. He wore casual outfits like he was a gardener or something, he seemed intoxicated as well, but he had better control over it.

“Hey,” she screamed out to him like he was kilometers away, but he was just on the other side of the table.

“Having a good time, huh? Who are you here with, my lady?” he asked back as he dropped the bottle of Budweiser on the table.

She giggled. “Gentleman huh? I am here all alone!!” she yelled again and laughed while dancing offbeat.

“I guessed so. You look like you can do with a little company, tell me why a pretty lady is out here drinking all alone, I am seeing you here for the first time so I guess you are not from around.” He uttered. “I am Williams by the way,” he added.

“Ughh!! Party pooper, boo!!” she groaned drunkenly. “What do you care about?” she asked.

“Oh, I don’t. I believe people only get drunk to escape from their painful reality, so tell me what you are running from?”

“It is no big deal, my asshole boyfriend dumped me, probably because I wasn’t fun, so this is me being fun, Hahaha!!” she laughed and filled her cup again.

“I see, so you are dealing with emotional trauma and pain and you thought getting drunk would help you escape from it. You are right, maybe the pain would go away for a few hours, but when you wake up in the morning, you will be back to square one, the pain will be back all over again. Is that what you really want?”

“Oh come on, don’t kill the fun… I thought you said you didn’t care, what do you want me to do, stay indoors and cry? I won't cry for no asshole!!” Charlotte retorted.

“Well, everyone has their way of dealing with grief and loss, but maybe you should talk about it. Tell me about this asshole ex of yours over another bottle.” Williams requested and then sent for the waiter.

“That sounds like a good deal, but let's talk about you, MR. Williams… you said people use alcohol to escape their painful reality, so what painful reality are you trying to escape, my handsome drink mate,” she uttered with a broad smile on her face.

She was literally spelling out her words, while her head bobbled from one end to the other. Her eyes closed more times than they were open.

“Hmm, let's just say… I have no control over my life, everyone expects me to behave in one way or the other, the want me to live my life with codes, rules and regulations that they make, they want me to be like one person or the other, but I don’t want to be that person, I just want to be me.” He complained.

“Oh, Williams… then just be you, why all the drama? You are a full grown man, you can choose to be whoever you want.” She said half soberly

He smiled and poured her a drink from his bottle, she had emptied hers. “Well, my dear… it is not as easy as you think. That is why I always come here, the only place I don’t need to act in the way they expect me to act, the only place I can be free to be whoever I want to be.”

Charlotte sighed as she emptied the glass again; she was getting tipsier by the seconds. “Umm… I don’t know what it feels like, but I believe you are trying to please everyone and in the process displeasing yourself. I think it is high time you be your real self, because life is too… life is too short, you know. Don’t let other people tell you how to live your life, you should do what you want, not what they want you to do, else you will never find true happiness.” She advised me.

“But what if people are disappointed in me, people who I care about?” he asked, sounding genuinely worried.

“Ugh!! Stupid humans, you can’t please everyone Williams, believe me… I have been there.” She muttered. “But… if you learn to be yourself, the people who care about you would… they would also learn to love you for who you choose to be, for who you really are. So just see this as a way to know people who really care about you, and as for those who don’t, tell them to get the fuck away from you. Life is so much better that way.” Charlotte blurted without a second thought.

Williams smiled and stared at her pretty face, she sounded intelligent even with so much alcohol in her system, he was impressed. “I will think about it, Princess.”

“I am not Princess you hunk of a man, my name is Charlotte… now if you will excuse me… I… I…, okay I should just rest a bit,” she spoke sluggishly and lay her head on the table.

Williams chuckled and shook his head. “Women, always taking more than they can handle.” He muttered and stood up.

He took a step away and then he paused and stared back at her, she looked so innocent in her sleep. Maybe if this was the middle of the year, he wouldn’t bother leaving her here, but it was the holiday season and there were a lot of tourists in town. Williams walked back to her and then he sent for the waiter.

“Alright Cinderella, maybe I should take you home. You don’t want to spend Christmas eve in the wrong hands,” he said with a light chuckle as he helped her sit up.

“Ugh, what? Just let me sleep… go away bad man,” she grumbled under the influence.

“Not yet… The bad man hasn’t come yet, and it isn’t time to sleep either.” He replied teasingly. “You should try not to get drunk next time, Cinderella.” He added

“It is Charlotte!! How many times do I need to tell you!” she interrupted drowsily.

He laughed and helped her get up. “Tell me Charlotte, which hotel do you stay at? Maybe I can do you one tiny little favor in return for your time, tonight?” He asked as he crossed her arm over his neck. He staggered but regained his balance quickly and they both burst into laughter.

** * * * *

“One more step, Charlotte… almost there,” Williams muttered as he helped her climb the stairs. Why would such a big hotel not have an elevator?

They were back at her hotel, making their way to her room. It had been difficult getting the address from her as she was completely wasted on alcohol but Williams knew he had to do it or some useless dude might take advantage of her drunken state.

She wouldn’t stop giggling on the way back and the receptionist had given them a suspicious glance as they walked in. Williams used his shoulder to support her as they headed down the hallway, they finally got to the room number that was inscribed on her keys and he opened it.

“Alright Cinderella, here you go. Merry Christmas in advance,” he said with a tipsy smile as he left her to walk in.

“Come on… inside,” she stuttered excitedly and drew him in with her, closing the door behind them.

“Oh, I need to get out of this gown, it is so uncomfortable,” she grumbled amidst curses and began to undress.

“Okay, calm down, you realize I am still here right?” Williams tried to protest but she wasn’t even concerned by his presence. Before he could do anything about it, she had stripped down to her underwear and then fell face flat on the bed.

Williams cringed with a clenched fist, he was confused on what to do. He couldn’t leave her lying half naked there, he stared to the left and noticed the wardrobe. Maybe she brought night wear with her. He rushed to the wardrobe and without searching for long, he found a pink night gown in one of the hangers.

Williams got the gown out and quickly got her dressed up. It wasn’t difficult to get her in it, the difficult part was trying not to touch her boobs or ass. He made her sit up and like a baby, he put the gown on her.

After that, he gently lay her on the bed and carried her legs up, he adjusted her pillow to prevent her hurting her neck and then he sighed in relief.

“Phew!! I can't believe I am doing this, good thing she is never going to know how it happened,” he muttered to himself.

Williams turned to leave but suddenly he felt her grab his wrist, his heart flipped and he turned back to stare at her. Her eyes were still closed but she was muttering some inaudible words. He listened carefully and realized that she was asking him to stay.

“Oh man, remind me to mind my business next time.” He muttered and then he sat by her side on the bed. Williams sat there for minutes, caressing her hair as he watched her sleep. She looked so beautifully innocent in her sleep and that left him wondering why her man would dump her.

Slowly, he started to feel nature calling. He was fighting to keep his eyes open. “Okay, maybe I should just rest here for a few minutes and then I will leave,” he muttered to himself as he lay his head against the head foam of the bed, with Charlotte’s hand in his.

Ten minutes, that was all he needed. After ten minutes, he would leave, or so he thought!!