When We Meet Again
Chapter 23

The news about Melvin's infidelity has been all over the news. Online spectators had connected the dots and had labeled Melvin as the millionaire having an affair with the uprising actress. The story had changed from a millionaire in a rendezvous with a young actress to an infidel millionaire. Melvin's name was mentioned clearly and the actress's identity remained unknown.

Everyone blamed Melvin for being unfaithful in his marriage. There were also online speculations about his relationship with his wife and supporters called for Charlotte to divorce him without mercy. They also praise her education and career achievements.

Charlotte did not expect that she would wake up to such news at that hour of the day. She had woken up a few minutes past five to get ready for work when Bella called to inform her of the impending trouble or rather the trouble at hand. "Are you sure about this?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Bella answered. "It's all over the internet."

Charlotte was quiet for a while lost in thought. Though she trusted Bella's information, she doesn't understand how the news was leaked. She had made sure to send away all the reporters before she walked into Melvin's room yesterday. She also made sure that there weren't any reporters when she changed his room to another one.

How did the reporters get to know that the scandal involved Melvin? Did they suspect that the scandal had to do with her husband because they saw her? Or was there an insider she did not notice?

Those were the questions on Charlotte's mind. She doubted if the second question could be right; only a few knew she was married to Melvin and none of them were reporters. If there should be any reporter who knew her to be his wife, that would be Mr. Daniel but she was sure he would not have spilled the beans because of his relationship with Melvin. He wasn't at the Hotel yesterday either; Charlotte was certain about that.

"Ma'am, are you there?" Bella asked and Charlotte sighed.

"Yes, Bella. Thank you for the news. I will see you in the office."

"You are coming to the office?"

"Yes, I am. I have to go now," Charlotte said before ending the call.

She stared at the wall clock wondering what to do next. She decided to surf the internet and read about the news herself; that would help her know what to do next. She might be able to stop it before it goes too far. She was unable to surf through the internet because her phone began to ring with calls from different people she did not know. The calls were so much that picking them all up became very difficult for her.

From the few she was able to pick up, Charlotte realized that most of them might be reporters. They all wanted the same thing; an interview with her. Every one of them wanted to know what her relationship with her husband had been like and why he had cheated on her. They also wanted to know how she had reacted to the news when she found out and what she planned to do about it.

As Charlotte listened to them talk over the phone, one after the other, she could only wonder how they got her number in the first place. She kept declining every interview; she needed to speak to Melvin first so they could agree on what to say when they finally showed up for an interview.

Charlotte realized that the calls might not end soon and she would get tired and frustrated if she went on to pick the calls up. She switched off her phone and began to get dressed for work. She wasn't sure if going to work was a good idea yet she didn't think that she should stay away from work for a crime she did not commit and also knew nothing about. She was certain that reporters would be roaming about at the company and also at the hotel; thank goodness she changed his room before she left.

But what if they find out about his new room? She thought. They would be all over the place and he won't be able to leave without help.

She quickly put on her phone to place a call to Melvin to warn him of what was going on. After many failed attempts, she gave up; he can always take care of himself.

She gave herself the last look in the mirror and when she was certain she was okay to leave, she picked her bag up. There was a knock on the door; she wondered who it was. "Hannah?" She called.

It has to be Hannah. No one else comes closer to her room, not even Melvin.

"Yes, ma'am. Can I come in?" Hannah answered.

"Please do," Charlotte replied.

Hannah walked in and moved closer to her. "The boss is back. He asked that you visit him in his room."

Charlotte furrowed her brows. "He did what?"

"He asked that you meet..."

"I heard you, Hannah. I am just surprised." Charlotte mumbled the last sentence. Hannah nodded but said nothing. "Thank you, Hannah. You can leave."

Hannah left the room and Charlotte took a few more minutes to stare at herself in the mirror. She was already satisfied with her look but stared at the mirror to think about Melvin's sudden need to see her. Did he read the news too? She wondered.

She hadn't read the news yet so she had little idea about what was going on; she only knew what Bella had told her and nothing more. She picked up her phone and began to surf the internet to read the news about Melvin, the young actress, and her.

There wasn't much information about the actress; her identity remained undisclosed. All she could read about Melvin were negative comments on his infidelity. Most of the news was about her. She wondered how they got so much information about her including her past; if she had a dirty past they would have dug that out too.

Charlotte gave a loud sigh and dropped her phone into the bag before heading to Melvin's room. She got to Melvin's door and stood in front of it, contemplating whether to go in or wait for a few more minutes.

Charlotte had a lot going on in her mind. She was more concerned about what Melvin's reaction would be. She knew she could not remain at the door; she would either knock on the door and go in or leave for work without meeting with him. She thought about leaving but on second thought, she decided to knock on the door; she would like to go through this once and for all.

"Come in." She heard Melvin's masculine voice. Charlotte opened the door slightly, peeping in. "Are you coming in or do you want to keep peeping?"

Charlotte sucked in some air before walking in fully. "You asked for me." She mumbled.

Charlotte wished that her voice could be more audible; this was so unlike her. Melvin said nothing. Instead, he stared at the magazine in his hand. Charlotte waited impatiently for his reply. When Melvin said nothing after a few minutes she tapped her feet on the floor, hoping that drew his attention; she wasn't going to stand there like a statue and let him ignore her.

"You can't keep me waiting if you have nothing to say." She said, finally regaining her composure.

Melvin looked up. "You do not have plans to go to the office, do you?"

Charlotte stared at him. Was she supposed to stay at home and hide herself from the world because of his infidelity? He was the one who cheated on her, why would she stay at home?

She folded her arms. "Is this the reason you called for me?"

Melvin dropped the magazine in his hand. "You must have seen the news." He began. "And you know that reporters would be everywhere around the company and also at home. How do you intend to leave the house?" Charlotte could not understand why Melvin cared so much about her leaving the house.

He must think she would cause him some trouble if she leaves. She thought. But she had no plans to do that; she was sure of that.

He wasn't remorseful of what he had done either; he must think he wasn't wrong.

Maybe she should spell it out to him. She thought.

"You do not expect me to stay back because of the reporters, do you?" She replied. "You are the one who cheated and not me, remember? If there is anyone who should stay at home, that should be you."

Melvin scoffed. "Do you think this is the time to shift blame or the time to find a solution?"

Though he already knew the possible answers Charlotte would give, he wanted her to say them herself. He had read the comments advocating for divorce, but he wasn't moved by that. He was confident that Charlotte would not file for a divorce no matter what the public opinions were.

"So what do you say about it? That is the reason I called you here in the first place."

Charlotte sighed. "I will think about it and get back to you."