67: Room 328 III
"Where are you going?" Charlton asked as he felt Serena disentangle herself from their cuddling position.
"I need to wash my face. I'm never allowing you to do this to me again. EVER." She said pointing at her face.
Charlton chuckled, "alright. I guess, once is enough to last me a lifetime."
Serena was about to stand up when Charlton quickly lifted her up in a princess carry.
"Hey!" she said surprised, hitting his chest playfully.
He carried her to the bathroom, then he place her down in front of the sink.
"Go on, I'll just fill the tub, then we can soak together." He said as he walked towards the tub, opening the twin faucets.
Serena washed her face and brushed her teeth as she saw Charlton's reflection in the mirror testing the waters. She noticed that he had a bruise on his side.
When he stood beside her to brush his teeth, she drew nearer to him for closer inspection.
"Where did this come from?" Serena asked as she traced the bruise with her fingers.
Charlton tried hard not to wince. "Well, just somewhere…"
Serena not liking his answer pressed her fingers to it. "Not telling?"
"ouch… ouch…" he said as he held her hand to stop her, "ok, I'll tell… I wanted to earn some money, so Kylo took me to this place…"
"That Kylo again. What place?"
"Please don't blame him. It was entirely my idea…"
"So, you're trying to defend him now? Ok, spill. Where did you go? And what did you need the money for?"
"Well, we went to this underground arena, I promise not to go there again. It's just that… well, I don't want to rely on just my allowance to, well…"
Serena understood what he meant. Although she should be angry with his foolishness, endangering his life just for some little bit of money, she could not help but feel her heart swell.
"I won't say that I'm not flattered, but you should get income from means other than your…fist?"
"Not my fist but, I used a sword." He smiled, happy that she appreciated his effort.
Serena raised her left brow. "and of course, not use your other sword. Anyway, how much did you even make?"
Charlton chuckled at the inuendo then picked her up and placed her in the tub as he closed the running faucet. "160 grand."
Serena's eyes widened. "That much?" she already had a rough understanding of the prices here.
Charlton joined her in the tub and sat behind her, so that she is now in between his legs.
"Yes, but I only have 120 grand left. I had to give commission and finder's fee to Kylo, pay for this room and the other. If you would not dislike it, I'll hand it over to you…" he said shyly as he lathered soap on her back.
Serena happy with his words, turned to face him, "Alright, I will keep it. Let's use this money as our pot money for our exile fund. Maybe one day we can also start earning from making music and then this pot will grow bigger and bigger" she said excitedly. Well, she has to keep her feet planted on the ground. She knew how important money is in any era.
Charlton nodded smiling, her happiness and excitement infecting him. "By the way, Serena, less than two months for a new song? Do you know where to start yet? If not, then I'll try, but I don't really have the confidence that it would be as good as the one you made."