When We Meet Again
Chapter 58

Charlotte was happy to see Mia again. Mia was also happy to see Charlotte; they had only spoken on the phone and no matter how many times Charlotte had asked her to come over, she had always had one thing or the other to do, preventing her from coming over.

Seeing each other again, Charlotte and Mia hugged passionately.

"It's good to see you," Charlotte cooed.

"It's good to see you too, Charlotte. Do you know how much I have missed you?" Mia asked, still hugging Charlotte tightly.

"I missed you too. You know that right?" Charlotte asked and Mia nodded.

They hugged for a while before pulling away from each other. Charlotte moved closer to her ex-mother-in-law, Mrs. Miller, to greet her while Bella and Mia exchanged their greetings too.

"Have you been well, ma'am?" Charlotte asked Mrs. Miller, who only nodded but said nothing.

"She is still angry with you for divorcing my brother without letting her know," Mia whispered into Charlotte's ear.

Charlotte sighed but said nothing. She wasn't sure if she needed to apologize to her for not telling her about the divorce; she wasn't expecting the divorce either. Melvin only asked her to come back. The next thing, she was handed a divorce letter and was out of the house before she knew it.

Silence took over as they all waited patiently for the next step.

"Let's go home," Mrs Miller announced.

"Okay, Mom," Mia answered, holding Charlotte's hands. "I will help with your bag."

They headed to the car and the driver helped place Bella and Charlotte's bags in the booth. They entered the car and the driver drove home.

Charlotte had exacted them to go to their mansion but they went to their old family house. When the car stopped, and they stepped out, Charlotte could not help but remember the last time she was there with Melvin.

Mia moved closer to Charlotte. "Did you remember when you..."

"Mia, you should help them get settled," her mother said, cutting her short. "And also check on Hannah and Kate in the kitchen to know how far they had gone with the cooking. I will be in my room." She turned to face Charlotte. "See you at lunch."

**

Charlotte had worn the fifth cloth in the space of ten minutes. She placed her hand on the dress to straighten it. Staring at the mirror, she groaned slightly.

"This doesn't feel right," she muttered as she turned to stare at her back.

"I think it's okay though," Bella said and Mia nodded in agreement.

"Bella is right. The dress is okay."

Charlotte shook her head. "No, I think it's too short. And the color, it's..."

Mia and Bella busted into laughter and Charlotte stared at them. "What's funny?"

"You are," Bella answered.

"Do you know how you look right now?" Mia asked. "You look very nervous."

Charlotte sighed. "I am not nervous. I am only trying to be cautious of how I dress. I do not want to be overdressed."

Mia smiled, standing up. She moved closer to Charlotte. "I understand, but you just have to be yourself. You are beautiful no matter what you wear."

"I know," Charlotte muttered. "But..." She sighed. She stared at the clothes on the floor and those on the bed. There were some, lying on the couch and some on the table. "I still think this cloth and every other one I have tested is not right. I need something moderate."

Bella stared at the wall clock. "It's past five already and you are supposed to meet him by seven. That gives you less than two hours before you leave. You don't have much time."

"He can wait," Mia said. "He is the one who wants to meet with her. Right, Charlotte?"

Charlotte groaned. "That is not the point here. I need something to wear and you both should be helping me out."

"But you are doing great already," Bella said.

Charlotte groaned. "Are you trying to mock me?" She pointed to the clothes scattered all over the place. "Can't you see that I have tried my best? But fashion is not for me." Bella scoffed. "Can the CEO of Lotus Fashion House not know what fashion is all about? We all know that you are nervous."

"I am not," Charlotte insisted.

"Of course, you are," Mia answered.

Charlotte sighed. "Fine, I am. But what does it change?"

"Can you tell us why you think you are nervous?" Bella asked.

"I thought it was okay to meet him but now..." Charlotte shook her head. "I can't help but think that it's a bad idea."

"Could that mean you still love him?" Mia asked.

Charlotte scoffed. "L-love who? Him? Hell no!"

Mia chuckled. "Come on. You should calm down. You're acting like you still love him. Don't you think, Bella?"

Bella nodded. "I think...". Charlotte frowned at her and she chuckled. "I do not think so."

"Can you both pick out the clothes for me? I don't have time to talk about this."

"Are we going to talk about it when you get back?" Mia asked.

Charlotte scoffed. "We do not have anything to talk about."

"You can just tell us how the dinner went, right?" Bella asked. Charlotte shrugged. "I am not..."

"You owe us that for making you beautiful today."

"For making me beautiful? How? You haven't done anything yet?"

"But we will. Bella will pick out your clothes and shoes and I will make you up. You are going to look like a goddess. So I do not think telling us how the date went is too much of a gift." Mia said. Charlotte furrowed her brows. "A date? But I am not going on a date. We all know I am meeting with him just to see his reaction when he sees me."

"Then can we tag along?" Bella asked.

"No, you can't. It's just the two of us."

"A man and a woman having dinner together when you are both not siblings or family. My dear, Charlotte, it's a date," Bella said with a smile and Mia nodded.

Charlotte groaned. "You can think whatever you want. Just get me a dress already."

Bella bowed. "As my lady pleases."

Mia stood up. "I should get the makeup kit ready."

**

Charlotte walked into the restaurant looking around for him. Mia had told her that Melvin might be there before her, though Charlotte hoped she would get there before him. She had wondered how awkward it would be for her if she were to meet him at the table; she hoped that she would have to feel that way. The table was empty when she got there; she knew immediately that he was not there yet; she breathed a sigh of relief. She sat down and gestured to the waitress. "Good day, ma'am. How may I help you?" The waitress asked.

Charlotte smiled. "Good day. Can I get a bottle of wine, please?"

She nodded. "Do you have a preference?"

"No. Any red wine will do."

"Then I will be right back."

After the waitress left, Charlotte waited impatiently for him to show up. She began to press her phone to keep herself company. The waitress returned with a tray. She kept the wine on the table and a glass cup. "Thanks," Charlotte muttered.

"Do you need anything else?" The waitress asked.

"No. That will be all."

The waitress left and Charlotte poured some wine into the glass cup and sipped from it before dropping it on the table. She suddenly felt nervous again; she tapped her right foot on the floor and pushed her hair across her ear. "Good day. Are you..."

Charlotte looked up to see Melvin. She stood up slowly.

"M-Melvin?" Charlotte called out in surprise, hoping she sounded as surprised as possible.

Melvin stared at her in surprise too. "Charlotte? Is that you?"

"Sure, it's me."

"What are you doing here?"

"I am here to meet a friend. What are you doing here too?"

"To meet a friend too. She is the CEO of Lotus Fashion..."

"Wait. Do you own Mill's Boutique?"

Melvin nodded. "How do you know about Mill's Boutique?"

"Because I am the CEO of Lotus Fashion House," Charlotte answered. "Do not tell me you are the one I am here to meet you."

Melvin sighed. "I guess it is. It's been a while."

Charlotte sighed. "I guess it is." She gestured to him. "I should not keep you standing. You should sit."

Melvin nodded still staring at Charlotte. He had not expected Charlotte to look this beautiful. She has always been beautiful but she looks different now that she is a CEO. Her dress stands firmly on her body, exposing her physique. Charlotte noticed he was staring at her and that made her feel uncomfortable. Charlotte pointed at the chair and he nodded.

"Sorry.". He adjusted his suit and sat down. Charlotte also sat down and silence took over the place. "I can't believe I get to meet you again." He said after a while.

Charlotte could sense he was lying. Why does she feel like he knew she was the one coming?

She faked a smile. "I can't believe you were the one I came here to see too."

Charlotte felt uneasy with the way he was staring at her.

"Are you, okay?" He asked and Charlotte nodded.

"Sure, I am fine," she answered. "Can you stop staring already," she murmured. "We should order some food. I am so hungry right now." She said hoping that would stop him from staring at her. He smiled. "Me too."