When We Meet Again
Chapter 40

Charlotte was beginning to have fun in Paris and did not expect Melvin to ask her to come back home so soon. When he called. He only went straight to the point and did not tell her why she needed to return. He wasn't ready to speak to her any further too because he ended the call before she could ask further questions.

Charlotte became worried that Melvin might have returned to being who he was to her before they traveled to Paris. After dwelling on it for a while, she decided not to think too much about it until she had confirmed that his attitude towards her had really, changed and she wasn't the one overthinking the whole thing.

She began to look forward to returning home and seeing Melvin, despite being unhappy that her journey was cut short. Melvin had not called her since he left; she had felt he had been busy with work. She also missed going to work and missed Bella and her teammates too. She misses Mia also.

Charlotte left Paris the following day after Melvin asked her to return; he had booked a flight for her. During her flight, she had a lot to think of. She could not stop wondering why Melvin had asked her to return and if he missed her as she missed him.

Her flight finally came to an end, and she was happy to leave the plane and get some fresh air. There wasn't anyone to welcome her; she had to take a taxi back home. When she got home, she was welcomed by Hannah. "It's good to finally have you back home, ma'am," Hannah said.

"It's good to see you too, Hannah," Charlotte answered, looking around for Melvin. "Where is my husband?"

"He should be in his room."

Why is he not coming down to welcome her? She wondered. Did he really, go back to treating her badly? Or is he so busy that he can't come to welcome her?

Hannah noticed her look and spoke up. "He has been so busy he asked me to welcome you."

Charlotte was certain that Melvin did not ask her to welcome her and Hannah was only trying to stop her from feeling bad. She sighed. "I will head to my room.". Hannah tried to take her bag but she stopped. "You do not have to worry. I will take it to my room myself."

Hannah nodded. "You must be very tired."

Charlotte nodded. "I am," she mumbled.

"Then I will bring your food upstairs when they are ready."

Charlotte nodded but said nothing. She took her bag upstairs. When she got to Melvin's door, she stared at it for a while before heading to her room to take her bath and get some rest.

**

Charlotte did not see Melvin when she came downstairs the next day; she did not see him yesterday either. Charlotte waited in the living room for him to come down. She was already dressed and ready for work but she wanted to see him first. She needed to know why he had asked her to return and also why he had refused to see her.

A few minutes after waiting, Melvin's assistant walked in with a worried face. Charlotte could tell from the look that something was wrong in the office. She wanted to ask him, but knowing fully well that he might not say a word to her, she followed him upstairs without his knowledge and stood by the door to listen to their conversation.

She could only hear a few words. After a while, she returned downstairs and waited. Melvin came down with his assistance. He was also looking worried.

"Are you okay?" Charlotte asked. "Is everything alright?"

"You do not have to come to work today," Melvin answered, ignoring her question.

Charlotte wondered why he wanted her to stay away from work. He left the house with his assistant before she could ask further questions. He did not return until late evening. When Charlotte heard the sound of his car, she rushed to the window. She had been worried sick about what could have happened at the office and tried to call Bella to find out what was going on. Bella told her everything was fine; though she could tell that was a lie. She saw Melvin come out of the car with a woman. He held onto her box as she looked around. Charlotte wondered who she was.

It was Alexia. She had just caused a problem at the hotel Melvin had booked for her and had to return to Melvin's mansion. Melvin who was furious about what she had done said nothing to her. Instead, he led her into the house. Alexia's eyes landed on Charlotte and she looked at her strangely.

"Who is she?" she asked, Melvin.

Charlotte stared at her. She was dressed in a blue gown that stopped above her thigh. Her face was covered up with makeup and it made her look fake. Charlotte wasn't intimidated by her looks.

"I should be the one asking who you are?" Charlotte asked, folding her arms.

Alexia scoffed. "Did she just ask who I am, Melvin?". Melvin said nothing. "Melvin!!!" she yelled. "Why aren't you saying anything, huh?"

Melvin groaned. "Alexia, can you stop shouting? You know how much I hate that."

"You want me to keep quiet? Then tell me who she is?" Alexia insisted.

Melvin was angry that Alexia could create such a scene when she knew fully well who Charlotte was.

Could this be the reason she agreed to leave the mansion? He wondered. Only for her to cause trouble, leaving him with no option but to let her return to the mansion. She must have done all that to make it look like she was returning home for the first time.

"I am his wife. Do you have any problems with that?" Charlotte asked, getting irritated by Alexia's attitude.

Melvin was satisfied with Charlotte's response; he smiled. Alexia laughed too but only for a while, and then she frowned.

"Did you just say his wife? Are you for real?" She asked. Charlotte shrugged, raising her left hand to expose her ring. "Melvin, tell me she is lying. Tell me it is all a lie!"

"Alexia, can you stop being dramatic?" Melvin asked, groaning slightly.

He had taken his time to explain everything to her, why does she have to pretend this much that she doesn't know?

Alexia took in a few breaths. "Just tell me. Is she really, your wife?"

"You already know that," Melvin mumbled.

Alexia dropped the bag she was holding in shock. "Y-you got married, while I was away?"

Melvin groaned. She doesn't know what Alexia wants to get from this act she is putting up but he would try to keep up with it as much as he can so that she can end it quickly. He sighed. "It's a long story."

Alexia frowned. "What long story are you talking about? You cheated on me."

Melvin blinked. Did she just accuse him of cheating?

"I am sure you know that I did not cheat on you. You left me without a word. And I was in a situation that needed me to do what I did."

Alexia scoffed. "And the only option was to get married to her?" She pointed at Charlotte with disdain.

Charlotte frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Do you love her?" Alexia asked Melvin, ignoring Charlotte's question.

"Alexia, let's go to my room."

"Answer my question. Do you love her?"

"Fine. I do not," Melvin answered and Alexia smiled.

She loved the fact that Melvin had said that in Charlotte's presence. She also loved the look on Charlotte's face when he said that.

"Bring my bag upstairs," she said walking away.

Melvin picked up her bag that had fallen some minutes ago. He gave Charlotte a quick look and sighed.

"You should go to bed. I will see you tomorrow," he mumbled

Charlotte sighed. He has gone back to his old attitude as she had predicted.

Why did she let him hurt her for the second time?

She did not give him any reply. She headed to her room instead.