When We Meet Again
Chapter 26

Charlotte waited for Melvin's reply but he gave none. Silence had taken over the room and Charlotte wasn't comfortable about that. All she wanted was for Melvin to tell her what he meant by that. "What do you mean by showing them that we have a happy home? We are already pretending that we are."

Melvin stared at her but said nothing. Charlotte could not understand what Melvin meant by showing the people that they have a happy home but Melvin wasn't ready to explain further. "I have some plans already. I will let you know when I am ready."

Charlotte furrowed her brows. He isn't going to tell her what the plans are. She wondered.

"You are not going to tell me what your plans are?" She asked. "I might have one or two suggestions."

Melvin scoffed slightly. "I do not think you need to know," he answered. "And for your suggestion, keep it to yourself."

Charlotte sighed. Was she expecting more from him? She shouldn't have. She should have known he agreed to work with her the last time because he had no options.

"I am leaving," Charlotte mumbled before leaving his room.

She had just one thought in mind; never to think that he could change. Melvin watched her leave and he sighed. Has he spoken to her too harshly? He thought.

That is not what he wanted. He only wanted to surprise her for helping him out with the actress and also increasing their stocks. He thought about apologizing to her but that might give her the wrong idea. She will understand him when she finally finds out what he has in stock for her.

First, he placed a conference call with his friends to help him out.

"You want to surprise your wife?" Ryan asked in surprise. "Have you fallen in love with her?"

"He doesn't have to fall in love with her before he surprises her. She did a great job clearing his name and also increasing his company's stocks." Matthew answered.

"Isn't that her job as his wife?" Ryan asked.

"She owes him nothing. She doesn't have to do that just because she is his wife. He doesn't even acknowledge her as his wife."

"I still think that is her job" Ryan insisted.

"It's not"

"Why do you always support her? Why do I have this feeling you like her?" Ryan asked.

"Am I supposed to dislike her?" Matthew asked.

"Can you both stop arguing? We should be happy Melvin wants to treat his wife well for the first time. It doesn't matter if he falls in love with her or not." David said. Ryan wasn't ready to accept that. He always has his suspicion that Matthew might be in love with Melvin's wife; he always supports her.

"I still think Matthew needs to explain..."

"Ryan, that's enough," Melvin said. "I did not call for this. I just want to do something nice for her."

"Are you in love with her?" Ryan asked. "I think you are."

"Ryan, are you drunk or something?" Matthew asked. "You've been sounding like you are."

"I am not drunk. I only had a few bottles of alcohol."

"That is enough to make you drunk," David said.

"Fine. Let's say that I might be drunk a bit but that doesn't mean I do not know what I am saying."

"I do not think you do," Matthew said.

"I think I get it now," Melvin mumbled. "Ryan, can you just shut up and let those that are sober talk?"

"You do not want to admit that you are in love with her right?" Ryan asked.

"I think Ryan is right," Matthew said.

"That you support me doesn't mean that what I said about you is wrong either."

Matthew scoffed but said nothing.

"Ryan, don't you think it's too early for you to be drunk? You should get some sleep." David said.

"I do not want to sleep," Ryan answered.

"I think you need to," Matthew said.

Ryan scoffed. "Are you guys trying to send me away? Fine! I will leave. Just let me know what the plans are. I do think I need some sleep." "Of course we will," Melvin answered.

Ryan ended the call from his side, leaving David, Matthew, and Melvin.

"What do you suggest?" Melvin asked.

"Melvin, are you sure the only reason you want to surprise her is because she helped you out?" Matthew asked. Matthew had thought about what Ryan said and he could sense some truth in it; Melvin must have a reason. "What is that supposed to mean?" Melvin asked.

"Melvin, we know you so well. You won't think about surprising her just because she helped you out. She..."

"Are you saying there might be another reason for me to do that?" Melvin asked.

"We all know there is." Matthew insisted. "Did you really, fall in love with her? Or do you plan to divorce her after this?"

Melvin frowned. What is Matthew saying? He is not in love with Charlotte and he can't divorce her either; Matthew knows that. "Matthew, you know he can't divorce her," David said.

"And I am not in love with her either," Melvin said. "Why would you say that."

"But you can force her into divorcing you," Matthew said.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Melvin, you won't do a thing if you won't gain from it. You are either going to force her into divorcing you or you are in love with her."

"I said I am not in love with her."

"Then why do you want to surprise her?" Matthew asked.

"Are you in love with her?" Melvin asked.

"What do you mean?" Matthew asked.

"Why are you so concerned about me being in love with her or wanting to force her into divorcing me? Do you want me to divorce her so you can go after her?" "Melvin," David called. "You can't talk that way. You can't accuse Matthew just like that."

"You should have told him when he insisted that I was in love with..."

"Melvin, you are. You are sounding so jealous already."

"I am not jealous."

"I think you are," David added. "You've never cared about others wanting her. You..."

"I do not care if he wants her."

"Are you sure about that?" Matthew asked.

"Have you always wanted her?"

"I have nothing to do with your wife. I just want you to accept that you have fallen in love with her and treat her better."

"I am not in love with her. Why do you keep insisting that I am?"

"Because you are. But you are just too proud to accept that."

David groaned. He doesn't think he wants them to go on with this conversation or things might get out of hand.

"I think that's enough. Matthew, it doesn't matter if Melvin is in love with his wife or not. What matters is for him to treat her right and surprising her is already a sign that he is ready to do better" David said. "And Melvin, you do not have to deny if you are in love with her or not. She is your wife. If you fall in love with her, that is a good thing and if you are not, we only hope you treat her better with the media's eyes watching you." Melvin sighed but said nothing. "And for planning Charlotte's surprise, I suggest we meet up."

"I think that is a good idea," Matthew said.

"Of course you will be," Melvin said but Matthew ignored him.

"I have to go now. I have a meeting to prepare for." Matthew said.

Matthew opts out of the call leaving David and Melvin.

"Melvin," David called. "Did you really, fall in love with her?"

"You think I do?" Melvin asked.

"I do not want to believe that you are but it won't be a bad idea if you are."

Melvin sighed. "I am not in love with her. I just thought that I should treat her better."

David sighed. "That is a good idea. I hope you do not stop after this. I will set up a place and let you know."

"Please let Ryan and Matthew know too."

"Of course I will. Bye."

The call ended and Melvin dropped his phone on the table. He began to pace around his room. Matthew and Ryan's words hit him hard and he is forced to think about how he feels towards Charlotte.

Is he really, in love with her? He thought. Is that the reason he wants to surprise her?

Melvin sighed. He was certain that he wasn't in love with Charlotte; he wouldn't fall in love with her that easily.

What will happen to Alexia if he falls in love with another woman?

Melvin sucked in some air. He is only surprising her because of her help and nothing more. He will make sure she gets the surprise she deserves and after that he will return to treating her the way he has always treated her, but in a better way.