When We Meet Again
Chapter 33

Charlotte had a lot of thoughts in her head. She could not help but wonder how Melvin knew about her birthday and if that was the reason he brought her to Paris. She also thought that could be the reason he never told her about the plan. But why would he want to go to this extent to make her happy on her birthday? She wondered. Is that also the reason he had been treating her nicely? And he is going to go back to treating her like she meant nothing to him after her birthday is over. Does he have more surprises in stock for her? Is he going to fulfill all the wishes in her diary?

Charlotte had a lot to think about. Though she was happy that Melvin could go this far to make her happy on her birthday, she also had a lot of doubts.

What could be his reason for doing this? What if his girlfriend is back and he wants to use this as a farewell party for her?

Charlotte looked around with Melvin's happy birthday ringing deeply into her ears. Melvin who had waited for her to give a response had to speak up when she gave none.

"Isn't your birthday today? Your diary said so."

Charlotte sighed. Why did she not think about her diary that was with him? That was the reason he knew a lot about her.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

"Do you not like it?" Melvin asked.

He had noticed Charlotte's countenance and wasn't sure if she liked it or not. He was worried that he might have stepped out of the boundary and maybe provoked her with what he had done.

"Did you really, not like it?" He asked again when she gave no reply.

"I like it," Charlotte replied. "But I can't accept it."

"Why won't you accept it?" Melvin asked.

Charlotte stared at him. She was not sure if she should accept Melvin's gesture or not. He seems so serious about this that she might find it difficult to return everything to him.

"I do not deserve it." She answered.

Melvin folded his arms. "Why do you think you do not deserve it?"

"There are a lot of reasons why I do not deserve it. I do not wish to talk about them though. Can you ask the driver to take me back to the Hotel?"

Charlotte had decided in her mind not to take more than she could pay back. She isn't sure when Melvin's girlfriend will return and how long more she will have to pretend to be his wife. Charlotte does not want to owe Melvin anything when she leaves and if she takes the ticket, and every other thing that comes after, that will only make her indebted to him and she doesn't want that.

She waited for Melvin's reply but he gave none either.

"I guess I will take a taxi," she mumbled not sure if she had made the right choice.

What if Melvin agrees that she leaves in a taxi like she wants? How is she going to get back?

She doesn't know how to get a taxi in Paris. She hoped that Melvin would offer his driver to take her home. She decided to leave to see his reaction. Melvin held her hand and she turned.

"I do not know why you think you do not deserve it but it doesn't matter because you are not leaving," Melvin said. "You are coming with me. It's your day and we are going to celebrate it the way you want."

Charlotte furrowed her brows. Why is he stopping her from leaving?

"I..."

Melvin placed his right index finger over her lips. "Shh. Just come with me. I am not changing my mind."

**

It was evening and Charlotte was already dressed in the blue long dress that had a slit in front of it. It was sent by Melvin a few minutes ago. Melvin had also sent in a make-up artist who had made Charlotte up a while ago. Charlotte stared at herself in the mirror.

Is she ready for the next surprise Melvin might have in stock for her? She wondered.

The knock on Charlotte's door jerked her out of her thoughts.

"Who is that?" She asked.

"Melvin. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I am. But can you give me a few minutes? I will be out soon."

Melvin waited for Charlotte to finish up and join him outside. He led her to the restaurant he had prepared for her. Melvin had made a reservation for the entire restaurant to celebrate Charlotte's birthday surprising her for the third time. He pulled out a chair for her to sit. First, a waiter and a waitress brought a bottle of wine and two glass cups. Another waiter pushed the trolley with the cake on it. He placed the cake on the table. The candles on the cake were lit. Charlotte was asked to make a wish and blow the light on the candles.

Melvin made a toast to Charlotte wishing her good health and many more. They sipped from the wine before dropping the glass cups on the table.

"You can serve the meal now," Melvin said.

Charlotte watched the waiters and waitresses fill the table with different varieties of food. She smiled.

Though she had promised herself to be very conscious of what Melvin was doing for her and had also decided to constantly remind herself that he is doing all this for a reason and that reason is not because he is in love with her, her heart could not stop beating so hard for him. She could feel how genuine he was doing all this for her but his face showed no emotion which got her confused.

Charlotte cared less about the emotion that was not on his face. This was the first time she was being treated well on her birthday; that was enough to make her happy.

"Do you love the food? I am sure they are or were your favorite." Melvin said and Charlotte nodded.

They weren't just her favorite but are still her favorite.

"I do, thank you."

"Then enjoy."

Charlotte began to eat quietly, choosing from different dishes. Melvin who was supposed to be eating picked on his food instead while staring at Charlotte. He could see her lips move slowly under the glimmers of light. Melvin was lost staring at her. He tried to picture Alexia his girlfriend, comparing the two of them.

Alexia is slimmer than Charlotte but Charlotte has a more firm body. He thought. She also has fuller lips than Alexia.

Melvin kept trying to compare Charlotte with Alexia and soon realized Charlotte might have more of the physiques he wanted in a woman than Alexia.

Maybe he is thinking too much. He thought. It doesn't matter if Charlotte has the body he wants. What matters is the person his heart beats for and that is Alexia.

He closed his eyes to suck in some air. He needs to get his act together; he can't betray Alexia. Charlotte noticed his eyes were closed and the food in front of him was untouched. She wondered what he had in mind and if he was okay. "Melvin?" She called out and he opened his eyes. "Are you okay? You are not eating."

Melvin smiled. "I am fine. Are you done eating?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, thanks."

"Would you like to dance?" Melvin asked and Charlotte furrowed her brows.

Does he want to dance with her? Why?

"I am not a good dancer. I am sorry. I can't..."

"It doesn't matter. You can't say no." He said.

"Fine," Charlotte murmured. "I will dance with you."

Charlotte stood up and with Melvin, she moved away from the chairs and tables.

"Can I?" Melvin asked, stretching his hands to her.

Charlotte nodded. "You can,"

Melvin moved closer to her. He placed one of his hands on her waist pulling her towards him. He made her place her left hand on his shoulder and then held her other hand with his. The light went off and only the spotlight was on. The music began to play and they danced to the tune. Melvin stared straight into Charlotte's eyes making her feel uncomfortable. She tried to avoid his eyes but he was determined to make her look at him.

"Are you shy or afraid of me?" Melvin asked.

"I am not," Charlotte replied.

"Then why are you not staring at me." Melvin went on.

She stared at him but looked away immediately. "I see no reason to stare at you," she mumbled.

Melvin removed his hand from her hand and placed it on her face.

"Look at me," he said.

Charlotte found herself looking at him, her eyes locked with his.

Why is she doing what he said? She wondered. How is he able to control her?

They stared at each other for a while. Melvin's hand moved down slowly to her lips; he had been tempted to kiss her from the moment he was watching her eat but had tried to resist it. Melvin knew he wouldn't be able to hold himself for so long; he must have been unconsciously longing for her lips for a long time. He wasn't going to give up this chance.

He will take responsibility for whatever happens after the kiss. He thought.

With this thought, he pulled her closer to him, locking his lips to hers.