When We Meet Again
Chapter 22

Charlotte stared at the scene in front of her; her heart beating fast. The situation was pretty awkward with silence taking over the atmosphere. She could not stop staring; she had not expected that she would meet Melvin having such an intimate moment with someone who was not his girlfriend. She knows how much he loves his girlfriend, though she has not met with her before.

Has he lost hope that his girlfriend would return? Or doesn't he love his girlfriend anymore? Maybe they quarreled and decided to be apart.

Charlotte had a lot to think about but she knew that wasn't the best thing to do right now; she needed to solve the problem at hand first and then think of what to do after that. She cannot let the situation at hand get the best of her. She sighed. "Andrew?" She signaled to Melvin's bodyguard. "You should see her off."

Andrew stared at Charlotte. "We won't do anything about her?"

"Do you want the media to write bad news about your boss?" Charlotte asked.

Andrew shook his head. "I do not want that."

"Then you should see her off without further questions."

Andrew moved closer to Opera who was shocked by Charlotte's presence. She had been quiet, wondering what Charlotte would do seeing her in such an intimate situation with her husband.

She wasn't sure if she should explain to Charlotte what really, happened or if she should send a message to Tiana informing her of the situation at hand. "Let's go," Andrew mumbled.

Opera stood up and moved closer to Charlotte. She had decided to explain everything to Charlotte; she wouldn't let her misunderstand the situation. "I..." Opera paused.

How is she supposed to start the conversation?

While Opera thought of what to say, Charlotte stared at her. She noticed the necklace on her neck; it was the same as the one Melvin won at an auction a few days ago. Charlotte had thought that Melvin got the necklace because he wanted to give it to his girlfriend when she finally returned but seeing it on the neck of this actress, Charlotte began to have doubts.

Why did he give it to this young actress? Is he really, going out with her? Does he not love his girlfriend anymore?

Those were the thoughts on Charlotte's mind but she decided not to dwell on this until she had concrete evidence. At the same time, Opera who had been lost in thoughts finally had something to say but Charlotte wasn't ready to listen. "Andrew, please see her off," Charlotte insisted.

Opera sighed. She could tell that Charlotte was not only hurt but had also misinterpreted the whole situation. Though she wouldn't have cared much about it if she was actually in a relationship with Melvin, she couldn't help but care about it now that she was the one who caused the misunderstanding.

"I am so sorry," she finally muttered before following Andrew quietly out of the room, heading to the underground parking lot.

Charlotte waited for the door to close behind them before she moved closer to Melvin who seemed confused; he hadn't fully grasped who kissed him and also what had been going on.

Charlotte stared at him as he mumbled some words. She could tell that he was still drunk and must have woken up due to the kiss. Charlotte wondered if he knew about the kiss or if he was kissed out of impulse. She wasn't ready to talk about it with a drunk man; that would be a waste of time.

Melvin stared at her. "How long are you going to stand there?" He asked.

"I should be asking you that. How long are you going to remain on that bed?" She asked, her arms folded. Melvin only stared at her but said nothing. Charlotte sighed. "I already sent the reporters away. You can leave now." She continued. Melvin lay down without a word leaving Charlotte to wonder about what she was supposed to do next. "I guess I will leave you alone. But you had better change your room. The reporters might be back."

"You do that on your way down," Melvin said and Charlotte scoffed.

Why would he order her around?

Melvin sat up. "And Andrew..."

"Andrew is not here," Charlotte mumbled.

"Where is he?" Melvin asked. "You don't need to tell me. Just take the room card on the table and check me out of this room. Bring me the new room card. I will be waiting." He added.

Charlotte frowned. The only reason she is not saying anything to him is because he is drunk or he would not have spoken so casually with her.

"Are you still here? You must want the reporters to come back."

Charlotte sighed. They have a lot to talk about when he is sober but right now, she needs to get him out of this room. She left the room and headed to the reception to book a new room and check him out of the old one.

**

Opera who had left the room with Andrew stopped some distance away from where her car was parked in the underground parking lot; she does not want Tiana to see her and suspects that something is wrong.

"You can go back now." She said. "My car is parked over there." She pointed at a random black car.

"You came in that car?" Andrew asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Opera nodded. "Yes."

"But that is not the car used by celebrities."

"I did not come in the company's car. I came with my car."

"And your manager?"

Opera shrugged. "She should be at home."

"Isn't she supposed to be with you?" Andrew asked.

"She had an emergency to deal with."

Andrew could tell that something was fishy. "I can't go back." He insisted. "My boss asked me to take you..." "You don't have to. I do not think..."

"It doesn't matter what you think. I won't be going back without making sure that you are out of the hotel."

Opera groaned. If she doesn't get rid of him soon, Tiana might show up especially now that there might not be proof about her dating scandal with Michael Stone.

"Look, I do not have plans to stay in this hotel either so I am going to leave. That is certain. Or do you think I won't?"

"You might have another plan," Andrew mumbled. "I will leave after your car is..."Are you not worried about your boss?" Opera asked. "His wife just caught him having an affair with another woman. What do you think she will do?". Andrew stared at her. "You signed an agreement to protect your boss. You should be doing that and not following me around."

Andrew could understand what the young actress was trying to do but he could not help but get worried. His boss's wife is a quiet person; you can hardly guess what she has in her mind. What if she tries to hurt him?

He pointed at his eyes and then at her. "My eyes are on you."

Andrew returned to meet his boss while Opera hurried back to join Tiana in the car. She had thought Andrew might have a change of mind and return to find her.

"We can leave now," Opera said when she got into the car.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Michael?" Tiana asked.

"I met with him already." Opera lied.

"Then why are you back here when you should..."

"Tiana can you stop talking and start driving!" Opera's voice was so loud and shaky; Tiana suspected immediately that something was wrong.

She sighed and said nothing more. Instead, she started the car's engine and drove out of the parking lot. Their drive home was not only quiet but awkward. They both had a lot on their minds.

Tiana wondered what trouble Opera had caused to make her so quiet and humble. There wasn't any call yet either from Opera's agency or any of the reporters which put Tiana's mind at rest; not fully though.

While Tiana had many thoughts running through her mind, Opera had hers too. She thought about what Melvin's reaction would be when he found out she was the one who kissed him; she might not have the opportunity to get signed as his company's model. What about his wife? What if she files a complaint against her? What about the reporters she called? What if they accused her of being a liar?

The car stopped and Opera opened the door to step out.

"Opera?" Tiana called. When Opera stared at her, Tiana could tell that she had a lot going on in her mind. She also looked so tired, that Tiana knew she needed all the rest she could get. Tiana sighed. "Nevermind. You look so tired. You should go inside and have some rest. I will see you tomorrow."

Opera stepped out of the car and headed into her apartment. Tiana waited for Opera to enter her apartment. She also waited for a while until Opera's apartment lights all went off, before driving home.