When We Meet Again
Chapter 31

The rest of the lunch was awkward for Charlotte. She was extra careful with the way she sat, ate, and talked. Charlotte thought about how uncomfortable she felt knowing that people were watching her every move. Charlotte stared at Melvin who was more natural and unbothered.

How long does she have to sit here and pretend to be fine when she is not? She wondered.

She hoped that the lunch would end as soon as possible and she could return home.

The lunch finally ended, and Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. They returned home to get ready for their trip. A few minutes after they got back, Charlotte's clothes were delivered to the house; Melvin had told them to do that. Hannah knocked on the door to inform Charlotte about it.

"Please send them in," Charlotte said.

After the clothes were sent in, Hannah took one of the black shopping bags, containing a black dress, black high heels, and a bag, and handed it over to Charlotte.

"Mr. Melvin asked that you wear this," Hannah said.

Charlotte took the bag from Hannah and began to get dressed while Hannah waited back to help Charlotte get her bags ready.

"Hannah when you see this dress let me know," Charlotte said showing Hannah a picture on her phone.

It was the dress Melvin had touched and talked about in the boutique. Charlotte had seen him speak to the sales receptionist about the dress. Though she did not hear much of what they talked about, she was certain he asked her to pack a certain size. Charlotte snapped the dress so she could look for it when she got back. Hannah went through the clothes but did not find any dress that looked like the dress in the picture.

"I do not think the dress is here," Hannah announced.

He must have asked for his girlfriend's size. Charlotte thought. Or did she misheard him? Maybe he only spoke about the dress but did not order it.

Charlotte shrugged. It doesn't matter if he ordered it for his girlfriend or not; that should be his problem, not hers.

"Thank you, Hannah. You can go on with the packing of the clothes."

"Yes, ma'am" Hannah replied.

Hannah continued to pack the clothes. Charlotte noticed Hannah had packed some of the clothes in two bags already but was yet to finish. She is not packing all the clothes, is she? Charlotte thought.

"Do you want to pack all the clothes into the bags?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I think they will be too much," Charlotte said. "Just a few of them will do."

"Mr. Melvin told me to make sure all the clothes are packed," Hannah answered.

Charlotte sighed. She isn't going to wear them all; they are too much for a two-week trip.

Why will Melvin want her to take all the clothes with her when she won't be wearing them? She wondered.

She wished she could speak to Melvin about it but she knew that Melvin wouldn't change his heart so easily; she decided to let it go. "Fine, you can pack every one of them, Hannah. But be fast about it. You know we are leaving in twenty minutes." Charlotte answered. "Okay, ma'am," Hannah replied.

Charlotte walked to the mirror to stare at herself in it; she had already gotten dressed and wanted to know how she looked. The dress fit her perfectly, though it was a bit too short for her liking.

Why would Melvin ask her to dress in this? She wondered. Is it to show her off to the media again or does he want to see her in the dress?

Charlotte sighed. She is been thinking too much lately.

"Ma'am," Hannah called and Charlotte stared at her. "I am done packing. Is there anything else you want me to pack for you?" Hannah asked.

"I do not think so," Charlotte answered. "Did you pack my drugs?"

"I did," Hannah answered.

"And my toiletries?"

"Every one of them," Hannah answered.

"Thank you, Hannah. I think that is all."

Hannah stood up. "Then I will take my leave."

"You can ask the guards to come over and take the bags to the car."

Hannah nodded before leaving the room. After Hannah left, Charlotte did a final touch to her face and then stared at the mirror for the last time. She was satisfied with her look; she smiled. She sat down on the bed to wait for the guards to arrive.

Her phone began to ring and she picked up the call. It was Mia calling.

"Charlotte, did you leave already?" Mia asked.

"No, but we are about to" Charlotte answered.

"Thank goodness, I thought you left already."

"Is there a problem?" Charlotte asked.

"No. I kept a gift for you, in one of your drawers. Make sure to go with it."

"What gift is that?"

"You will find out when you see it. You can't leave without it. I am going to ask you on a video call to show me when you get to Paris."

Charlotte sighed. "What are you up to, Mia?"

"Nothing, Charlotte. Just make sure to go with the gift. Bye."

Mia ended the call and Charlotte stood up to open her drawer. She realized that she did not ask which of the drawers it was. She opened the first one and there wasn't any gift in it. Charlotte opened the drawers until she got to the fourth drawer. She saw a small bag and brought it out.

Charlotte brought out the item in it and busted into laughter. Mia had kept a black lingerie in it. Charlotte spread the lingerie; It was a transparent one.

What does Mia want her to do with this? Charlotte wondered. She doesn't think that something will happen between her and Melvin, does she?

Charlotte sighed. She was certain she wouldn't be using it. She opened one of her bags and placed the lingerie into it. The guards knocked at the door and Charlotte ushered them in.

"These are the bags you will take to the car," she said. "And please be careful with them,"

The guards took the bags downstairs with Charlotte following behind them. She got to the car and waited in it for Melvin who joined a few minutes later.

"Did you pack everything?" Melvin asked.

"I am sure Hannah did," Charlotte replied and there was silence.

The drive to the airport wasn't so quiet; Charlotte was on call most of the time. They soon got to the airport and were led to the hangar where Melvin's private airplane was kept. Charlotte settled into her chair. A few announcements were made before the takeoff of the airplane. Charlotte closed her eyes to rest. She will try to get as much rest as she can before they get to Paris.

**

When the airplane finally landed, Charlotte was happy to be out of the plane. They went through all the procedures at the airport and were soon on their way to the hotel where they would be lodging. Charlotte kept staring out of the window to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Melvin watched her and was happy to see her smile. It was one of the few times he had seen her smile.

The car stopped in front of the Hotel and Charlotte stepped out with Melvin. Charlotte waited for Melvin to get the keys before they headed to their rooms. Charlotte had thought they would be staying in different rooms but Melvin led her to a suite instead.

"Are we going to be sharing this room?" Charlotte asked the moment they walked into the bedroom.

"Yes, is there a problem with that?" Melvin asked.

Charlotte blinked. Why would they share a room?

"I do not think..."

"We won't be sharing a bed though," Melvin added quickly. He could tell that Charlotte wasn't comfortable with the plan. "I hope you are not thinking that we will."

Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought they were going to share not only the room but also the bed but thank goodness they won't be.

"I did not think that." She replied and Melvin sighed but said nothing.

But where is he going to sleep? Charlotte wondered.

"Where are you..."

"There is a bed over there." Melvin pointed at the far end of the room.

There was a bed; it was half the size of the one Charlotte would be using. Charlotte did not notice the bed when she walked in a few minutes ago. She muttered an oh. She decided to look around. She began to notice that there were a lot of things she had not noticed before.

Maybe she was too uncomfortable to notice them. She thought.

"The bathroom is over there." Melvin continued. "You can take your bath when you are ready. I am going out and will be back before it gets late." Charlotte nodded. "If there is anything you want to eat, you can order."

Melvin picked up one of his coats and left the room while Charlotte sat on the bed to admire the room once more.