The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor)

Grayson, Taylor's father, leaned forward with interest and asked, "So, Charlie, tell us about yourself?"

Mr. West was much like his sons-a tall man with blond hair. Unlike Taylor, he wore glasses. The lines on his face suggested he was about forty-eight or forty- nine years old. He wore a long-sleeved blue shirt that hugged his well-built frame. Charlie could definitely see where Tristan and Taylor got their looks from.

Across from Charlie sat Taylor's mom, Savannah Carrington West. She had light brown hair that was neatly tied back in a ponytail. She wore a business suit and had very light skin with a pointed nose.

Everyone was seated at the dining table. They had already started their meal with a salad. Responding to Mr. West's inquiry, Charlie swallowed the food in her mouth and said, "I'm a business administration student. I'm already in my fourth year."

"She's their top student, Dad," Taylor added, looking proud.

"That's good," Grayson said approvingly. "You're just like Taylor, a dean's lister."

Charlie smiled and said, "I'm very serious about my studies because my dad was an overachiever. I guess that's where I get my drive from-I've always wanted to make him proud."

"Ah, you're a daddy's girl?" Grayson asked, amused. He shared, "I always wanted

a daughter, but Savannah and I didn't try hard enough."

"Oh, here we go again," Savannah said, shaking her head.

"But I'm happy with my sons. I couldn't be more proud to have geniuses," Mr. West said, gazing at Tristan and Taylor.

"I'm a computer genius," Tristan declared.

"That you are," Taylor acknowledged.

"So, are you, Charlie? A daddy's girl?" Grayson asked again.

"Um, I love my parents equally," Charlie said hesitantly. "I guess they have different ways of influencing us. With Mom, it's more about home and family."

"Where are you from, Charlie?" This time, Savannah asked.

"I'm from Halliport," Charlie answered.

“Halliport,” Savannah repeated, deep in thought. Unlike the men in the West family, she had a different demeanor. “That's a big city. What brings you to Luxford? How long have you been studying here?"

“Four years now. I started my first year at Luxford University,” Charlie said, repeating the same information she had shared with Taylor. She explained, "I like the environment here, and I feel safe. But primarily, I wanted to learn independence, so I chose a university a bit far from home. I love my dad, but he's

a little strict. Maybe 'overprotective' is the better term."

"Strict, huh? Mmm. Sounds familiar," Grayson said before chuckling.

Taylor also chuckled, but his mom remarked, "There's nothing wrong with strict

and traditional parents. It's their way of loving their children. Millennials nowadays

are influenced by so many things found on social media."

"Yes, of course, Mrs. West, I know my parents mean well. I just wanted to experience things on my own," Charlie said with a smile.

"I think it's great that you're learning to be independent, Charlie," Taylor's father remarked.

"How many siblings do you have? What are your parents' names?" Savannah asked. "And what about your grandparents?"

"I still have my grandparents from both sides of the family. We're very close. My father's name is Adrian King, and my mom is Riley King. I have an older sister, whom Taylor has met virtually," Charlie said, smiling at Taylor. After Taylor gave a thumbs-up, she resumed, "I grew up with two brothers-we were born triplets."

"Wow! Triplets?" Tristan reacted. "What's that like?"

At the thought of her brothers, Charlie couldn't help but chuckle. Her eyes gleamed as she described, "I love them, but they can really be annoying. They tease me all the time, but they also spoil me."

"That sounds like fun," Taylor said. "I think your brothers and I will get along."

He winked at the end, making Charlie roll her eyes. She grumbled, "I'm worried that might actually be true."

"So, King is your last name. What's your middle name?" Savannah asked.

Charlie hesitated. She had kept a low profile for a long time and never told Luke, Ashley, or Sofia the truth about her family. However, she.

thought it was unfair to el

was honest with her, so supposed she could slowly give him the truth.

Charlie cleared her throat and replied, "Eros. My middle name is Eros."

"What do your parents do?" Savannah inquired.

"My dad, together with my grandfathers, runs a business. He's involved in a little bit of construction,

a bit in the financial industry, and retail Charlie explained. "My mom is a jewelry designer."

"Oh, is your dad an engineer too?" Grayson asked, smiling, looking pleased.

"No, not really. My dad is a business major like me, but he learned the ropes over the years," Charlie answered.

"I see. So, it sounds like your family is in good standing financially," Savannah commented.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, we are."

Then, Taylor's mother quickly took out her phone and began typing. She hesitated

but soon said, "Look, I don't mean to sound rude, Charlie, but I'm going to do a background check on you—"

"Mom!" Taylor reacted. "We talked about this!"

"Honey," Grayson chimed in, while even Tristan looked shocked.

"Charlie, this is nothing against you," Savannah explained. “I just want to ensure that whoever my son dates or spends time with checks out."

"Savannah, she's just a college student-" Grayson West tried to intervene again, but Savannah remained adamant.

"We don't want another young girl ruining our family's reputation! We don't want another Amber! Do you remember how she was just in high school?" Savannah declared, shocking Charlie altogether.

Charlie's mouth nearly dropped open. She suddenly lost interest in her food. Turning to Taylor, she mouthed, Amber?

However, Taylor didn't answer her. His face looked tense as he said to Savannah, "Charlie is not like that."noveldrama

"How do you know, exactly, Taylor? Amber was in your high school for two years," Savannah pointed out.

"What's going on?" Charlie finally asked.

"Great, Mom. This was supposed to be a happy dinner," Taylor muttered, throwing his fork onto the table.

Savannah gasped. She shut her eyes and leaned back. When she opened them, she turned to Charlie and apologized, “I'm sorry, Charlie. I just wanted to be upfront with you so it doesn't surprise you-"

"I have nothing to hide, but I admit that I want my life kept private," Charlie said. She gulped and clarified, "All I can say is that I have no ill intentions."

"Mommy, Charlie is a good person. I like her," Tristan said earnestly.

"That's what you said about Amber too," Savannah replied. She looked around and saw the defiance in her entire family, so she said, "Let's just get back to eating."

Charlie, however, remained silent. After a moment, she admitted, "I'm sorry, but can I go home now? I lost my appetite."

An awkward silence fell over the room. Taylor stood and said to his parents, "I'II take Charlie home."

That evening, Taylor and Charlie

drove in silence to Fernwood Residence. When they reached their apartment door, Charlie immediately asked Who is Amber, and what was your history with this girl that made your mother question me like that?"

Taylor gulped. He sighed and admitted, "I—I'll talk to you about it later. I need to

go back and talk to Mom."

"I'm sorry, Charlie. I'm sorry for tonight," he added. His jaws clenched before

turning on his heel, leaving her.