When We Meet Again
Chapter 45

Charlotte arrived with Bella, to a small town after spending a few days in the hotel. Staying in the hotel was becoming expensive and she did not have much money in her account. To prevent herself from spending all the money in her account since she wouldn't be getting any compensation from Melvin, she searched online, for smaller towns with lower living expenses. Before leaving for the town, she also looked up a house and paid for it. Bella who had been visiting her since her

divorce insisted she wanted to come with her.

She had submitted her resignation letter a day after Charlotte did. With all the persuading from Charlotte's side, to make Bella stay back proved abortive, and Charlotte finally said yes. Bella offered to pay half the rent, so as not to be a liability to Charlotte. That way, Charlotte would not feel pressured.

"I have always wanted to leave this town, ma'am. I think this is a good chance" Bella had told Charlotte. "You know how much I love to work in a fashion house. You've always talked about starting up your own fashion house. When you resigned I knew that would be your next plan."

At first, Charlotte was against it but Bella kept reassuring Charlotte that she decided to go with her because she wanted it not because of Charlotte. Charlotte had to reason with her. Charlotte thought that just like she had a good reason to leave, Bella could also have one.

"You can call me Charlotte now. I am no longer your boss." Charlotte had told her.

Bella was reluctant at first, but when Charlotte told her that would only be the reason she would let her go with her, Bella had to oblige.

Packing up was easy for Charlotte since she did not have much. Bella had more things to carry, slowing down their journey. They entered a taxi as soon as they landed in the town and soon arrived at the house. Charlotte had chosen a cottage because she had always wanted to live close to the lakes or beaches; one of the wishes she had written in her diary. Bella was okay with that too.

"Could that be the landlord?" Bella whispered to Charlotte as they brought down their things one after the other from the booth.

Charlotte turned to look at the person Bella was talking about. It was a man in his late fifties. Charlotte wasn't sure if he was Peter; the man she had been talking to on the phone.

"You are finally here," he said walking closer to them. "This must be your friend."

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, Peter. Her name is Bella. We will be staying together."

"That sounds like a good idea. Do you need any help with that?" he pointed at the bag Charlotte was trying to bring out from the booth but Bella dragged it out before Charlotte could give him a reply. "Thanks. That won't be necessary," Charlotte answered instead.

"Can we go in and see what it looks like inside?" Bella asked, her eyes brightening up

Peter smiled at her, exposing his set of white teeth. "I can assure you that you will love what you see."

Bella nodded but said nothing. They headed inside, taking in some of their things. Everything was just like the pictures he had sent to them. Bella chuckled happily.

"You like it, right?" Charlotte asked with a smile and Bella nodded.

"I love it!"

They brought in the rest of their things with the help of Peter. He was friendlier than Charlotte had thought he would be.

"I should leave you both to settle in," he said.

"Thanks, Peter. We appreciate it," Charlotte replied.

He smiled. "I will bring you the paper contract, tomorrow. Hope you don't mind?"

Charlotte nodded. "No, we don't."

Peter left, leaving Bella and Charlotte. They checked the house for the last time before they began to arrange their things.

"I am very sure we will love it here," Bella said and Charlotte nodded.

"I can't agree less."

**

Charlotte and Bella began their search for jobs, a few days after they had settled in. There was no time to waste since they had bills to pay. Charlotte also has a plan to start up a fashion house like she has always wanted and she wants that done as soon as possible. She knew doing that would cost money and she needed to work very hard to gather enough money to start up her business. Being a certified fashion designer made it easy for Charlotte to get a job at a fashion house; Bella got to work in a fashion company instead as a secretary.

Before Charlotte began to work at Miller Empire she was a fashion designer. She had learned that before she went to the university to study a business-related course. She planned to use her knowledge in the business field to start up her own fashion house but when an opportunity to work at Miller Empire showed up and the pay was good, she decided to work for a few years and gather up enough money to start her business.

She had not thought that her dream would be cut short and she would end up as a wife and not a fashion designer. When she became a wife, she put her dream aside but did not think that she would be picking up that dream very soon. "Why did you not apply as a manager? Your documents are good." Bella had told her but Charlotte insisted that she would rather be a fashion designer. That way she can get her hands busy again. It was an opportunity for her to work with sowing machines again and she won't miss that for anything.

Every morning, Charlotte and Bella would wake up very early to prepare for work, having little or no food and at seven-fifty, they would always say goodbye to each other heading to their various destinations. By evening, they would return home, feeling exhausted and hungry. After taking their baths and filling their stomachs, they always sit down to talk about their experiences in their various workplaces.

"What is your plan? Do you still want to start a fashion house?" Bella asked during one of their discussions.

She knew Charlotte would but she needed an assurance.

"Of course. I don't think I will be changing my mind over that. I am thinking of taking a loan." Charlotte replied.

She had spoken to a few people who told her that getting a loan in that town would be easy if she met with the right people.

Bella furrowed her brows. "Do you have collateral?"

"I don't have one yet," Charlotte replied.

"Don't you think that it will be difficult to get a loan?"

"I know it will be difficult. But I am sure I will be able to get one soon."

"You don't plan to meet those who do not ask for collateral. Do you?"

"I won't get any money for my business through illegal means. Never."

"Then you should never think of getting a loan when you have no collateral." "Do you have a suggestion?" Charlotte asked. "Because I can't think of any."

"How about you try getting a grant?" Bella suggested.

"I do not know any organization that gives grants here."

"We can find time to search online. What do you think?"

Charlotte smiled. That was a good idea. Why did she not think of that? "You are right, Bella." "So when do you plan to start up your business?"

Charlotte shrugged. "I don't know yet. That will depend on how fast I can get the money ready. You know I haven't found a good space yet. I would also like to see how much I will be able to gather by the end of the year." Bella nodded. "I think that is good. We can also get some investors too."

"What did I tell you is the rule of a business?" Charlotte asked.

"To have a solid business plan in place before thinking of getting an investor."

"Good. You can also start with the little money you have, work for a few years then investors can come in. No one would invest in a company that has no solid business plan."

Bella chuckled. "I am so sorry I made such a suggestion."

"No, Bella. I should be thanking you."

Bella furrowed her brows. "For what?"

"For everything. For coming here with me. For being here for me."

Bella smiled. "You have always been nice to me. You've taught me so much that I might not have been opportune to learn if I had worked in a different department. If there is anyone who should be thankful, that should be me not you." Charlotte shrugged. "At least you are good enough to think about me."

"There is no news from your family yet?" Bella asked. "Your stepmother..."

"I told you they won't bother about me."

"I haven't met them before but I can tell that they are not good people. They should have at least called you." Charlotte smiled but said nothing. Bella sighed. "You have me and I have you too. I think that is all that matters." Charlotte smiled wearily. "Thank you, Bella."

"Enough of the sad mood. Are you in for some late-night snacks? I feel so hungry right now."

Charlotte nodded, her mood brightening up. "Sure."