When We Meet Again
Chapter 24

Tiana while surfing the internet for the news of Opera's scandal with Michael Stone, stumbled upon the news of the President of Miller Empire having an affair with an uprising actress. The Prestige Hotel and Room 301 were one of the things mentioned.

At first, Tiana thought it might have nothing to do with Opera but after checking through so many sites and there wasn't any news on her scandal with Michael, she began to suspect that Opera could be the actress involved in the scandal with the President of the Miller Empire, though her name was not mentioned. Tiana began to reflect on Opera's strange attitude a day before; It was so obvious something was going on with her.

Did she enter the wrong room and get caught by reporters? Tiana thought.

Or did she mistake the room number? Tiana wondered.

She decided it was best not to assume; she will be speaking to Opera when she gets to her place. Tiana headed to Opera's apartment. Her first ten minutes after she got to Opera's apartment were spent trying to guess her new password and also ringing the bell. After so many unsuccessful attempts, she decided to call Opera instead but she did not pick up.

Tiana knew immediately that her suspicion might be right; Opera is the one involved in the scandal and she must have changed her password, refused to open the door, and also not picked up her calls because she was guilty.

Tiana texted Opera immediately threatening to tell the media she is the actress involved in the scandal if she doesn't open the door. Though she was not sure if that would move Opera to act, she still hoped she would open the door. Tiana waited for about two minutes and when Opera did not open the door, she turned to leave.

"I opened the door because I wanted to. Not because you said so. Do not think I am moved by your threat." Opera said when she opened the door.

She knew Tiana to be someone who doesn't give but threats. She is not only her manager but also her elder sister and a member of the board of directors of her agency.

"Don't tell me you are leaving already," Opera said.

Tiana turned to face her. "I am not. I was just stretching."

"I guess you are," Opera answered. "Why are you here?"

"Let's go in," Tiana said. "Or do you want us to talk about it here?"

Opera opened the door widely for Tiana. "You have five minutes."

They entered the house and Tiana sat down on the couch.

"You are the actress being..."

"You do not know who it was and you threaten to tell the media?" Opera folded her arms.

"Of course, I know it's you. I just want you to say that yourself."

Opera scoffed. "I am certain you did..."

"How did you get into his room? You were supposed to meet with Michael." Tiana said.

Opera shrugged. "I went to the room you asked me to go to."

"Which is?"

"Room 301," Opera answered.

"Room 301? I never said that to you. It was Room 311 not 301. How could you mix the room number and pass the wrong message to the reporters!" Tiana said, yelling slightly. "Can you stop yelling at me?" Opera answered.

"I wasn't yelling at you," Tiana answered. She sighed. "You already made the mistake, there is nothing we can do about it, but why did you not tell me about it yesterday?"

If she had spoken to Tiana about it, would things have been different? Opera wondered.

She sighed. "There wasn't much to talk about."

"There is a lot to talk about now. You must have seen the news?"

Opera nodded. "I did."

"And what do you have to say about it?"

"I did not expect it to get that far, though. I thought his wife took care of everything."

Tiana furrowed her brows. "You met with his wife?".

Opera nodded. "I did."

"Tell me everything that happened. From the moment you entered the room, to the moment you left, after seeing his wife."

Opera explained everything to Tiana without missing out on a word. When she got to the part where she kissed Melvin, Tiana cut her short.

"How could you kiss him?"

"I told you I did that out of impulse."

"And he did not wake up?"

"Well," Opera played with her fingers for a while before speaking up. "His wife caught us. I mean she caught me in the act because he wasn't aware of the situation."

Tiana stood up and moved closer to Opera. "You mean his wife caught you kissing her husband and she did nothing to you?" She placed her hand on Opera's face to see if there were any wounds on it. "She really, left you unscratched. She must be a good woman."

"You must be disappointed I wasn't hurt," Opera said.

Tiana ignored Opera and returned to sit down on the couch. "So, what happened next? Don't tell me she just let you go."

"Sorry, to burst your bubbles. She did."

"Did you meet with any reporter on the way?" Tiana asked.

"I did not. His wife must have sent them away before she entered."

Tiana furrowed her brows. Then how did the news get out? This can't be his wife's way of punishing her husband. Or why was Opera's identity hidden and her husband's name boldly mentioned?

Opera tapped Tiana slightly. "What are you thinking about?"

"How to get you out of this mess you created," Tiana answered. Opera said nothing. "I have an idea though," Tiana said.

"Which is?"

"We are going to speak to his wife."

Opera furrowed her brows. "You are joking right?"

"Are you afraid of her? Or is there something you did that you are not saying?"

"I did nothing. I just think it wasn't necessary."

"That is the best solution and except you have a better solution, I won't change mine."

Opera sighed. "Suit yourself."

**

After so many thoughts, Charlotte finally had an idea of what to do but she needed to tell Melvin about it so they could agree. She sent Hannah to inform him that she would like to see him and when he asked her to come to his room, she did. Melvin could tell that Charlotte wanted to see him because she had made up her mind on what to do; he did not waste any time in asking her.

"We are going to accept an interview." She said.

"And...?"

"We show them how blissful our marriage is."

Melvin furrowed his brows. He had expected something different; why would Charlotte suggest an interview to show a marriage that isn't blissful?

"I still don't get you. Can you explain better? Why would we do that?"

"I am sure you know what this scandal is already doing to the company's stocks," Charlotte asked and Melvin nodded. "And you know that the board is asking for an explanation already? We can't let the board or the media know that our marriage isn't working."

"So you are suggesting that we pretend to be in love with each other in front of others?"

Charlotte nodded. "Until everything is over."

Melvin sighed. This was actually, the first time he was having a conversation with Charlotte and also agreeing to what she says.

"But how long will that be?"

"A few days or maybe a week."

"It's kind of a good idea. I will set up the interview and..."

"I need to speak to the actress involved first. She must agree with us and tell the media there isn't anything like an affair going on between you two. It's strictly business."

"But I do not have any business with her."

"You will now," Charlotte answered. "I did some research about her. She has always wanted to work with you. You just have to offer her a contract as a model in your company and we are all good."

Melvin stared at Charlotte. She seems to be making more sense than he had expected. He had not thought that Charlotte would resolve to use a calm way to solve the issue at hand; he has always seen her as a person who likes to use aggressive ways to get things done.

"What do you think about it?" Charlotte asked.

"Well," Melvin. "It's not fully a good idea per se but it's better than nothing."

He wasn't going to accept that Charlotte's idea was not just good but also perfect for the issue at hand.

Maybe she does have a soft side. He thought.

"I will get in touch with the actress' agency and get back to you."

Melvin nodded. "I will be waiting."

Charlotte left his room and headed to the kitchen to get some milk since she felt a bit dizzy. Her phone rang and she picked it up; it was Mia. She called to ask how Charlotte was faring; she had also seen the news all over social media. Charlotte assured her that everything was under control and she did not have to worry.

"You should make use of this situation while it lasts. You never can tell when you will get an opportunity like this." Mia said.

"What do you mean by that?" Charlotte asked.

"I can't tell you but just take this as one of my presents for you for your birthday. Happy birthday in advance. Bye."

Charlotte stared at her phone, wondering what was going on.

What does Mia mean by what she just said? What has she done?