When We Meet Again
Chapter 59

Silence took over the room as they waited patiently for the waitress to bring over their food. Charlotte kept stealing glances at Melvin whose eyes had permanently rested on her. Charlotte could not understand why he would not stop staring at her. It wasn't the first time he had seen her. Why can't he take his gaze off her? She wondered why she felt so nervous.

He was supposed to feel nervous seeing her and not her feeling nervous in his presence. This meeting was to see his reaction, why is she the one reacting?

"Are you okay?" Melvin asked and Charlotte nodded.

"Yes, I am."

Charlotte could not understand why Melvin kept asking her if she was okay.

Did he notice how uncomfortable she was? She wondered. If he noticed that, then why does he keep staring at her, making her feel more nervous?

Two waitresses showed up with trays filled with their order; that made Charlotte breathe a sigh of relief. With their presence, Melvin's attention was diverted and she felt more comfortable with his gaze away from her. The waitresses placed the plates of food on the table carefully.

"Is there anything else you need, sir and ma'am?" One of the waitresses asked.

Charlotte shook her head. "No. Thank you."

"You can leave," Melvin muttered and they left.

Charlotte had expected him to return his gaze to her, but instead, he stared at the food as if he had seen something he wasn't satisfied with. Charlotte wondered what could be going on; it was her turn to ask if everything was okay. "You are allergic to peanuts right?" Melvin answered. "Did you order peanut butter?"

Charlotte furrowed her brows. How did he know she was allergic to peanuts? She never spoke to him about it; she had no reason to. He never said anything about it during their dinner date in Paris.

Or was there no reason for him to talk about it too? She wondered.

She shook her head. "No. I did not order peanut butter. They must have placed it there by mistake."

Or maybe for another reason known them. Charlotte thought.

Melvin frowned. "How could they make such a mistake? I will..."

Charlotte sighed. "People make mistakes every time. Just let this go."

Charlotte knew Melvin was about to make a big deal out of this, and she didn't want that. All she wanted was for dinner to end as soon as possible.

"Are you sure about that? You do not want me to speak to them?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, please."

What is the point? She thought. What is the point of making a big deal out of it? She had not taken it yet and it was also boldly written on the container that it was peanut butter and should not be taken by those who are allergic to it. "The sign is there," Charlotte pointed at the container. "I do not think they did wrong here."

Melvin sighed. He had not read what was written on the sticker placed on the container's lid. The first thing that came to his mind the moment he saw it was Charlotte taking it without knowing and then reacting to it.

They will be signing the contract in two days and he doesn't want anything to happen to Charlotte before that day; he knows how important that day is for her.

"I am so sorry I was impulsive. I did not notice the sign on it," Melvin answered.

"You do not have to be sorry. You are just looking out for me."

Melvin smiled. He was happy Charlotte knew he was looking out for her.

"We should eat before the food gets cold," Charlotte said and Melvin nodded.

"Yes, please."

**

Mia and Bella were impatiently waiting for Charlotte's return, but it seemed like she wasn't going to show up anytime soon. Bella became worried that something must be going on but Mia assured her that her brother would not let anything bad happen to Charlotte.

"Do you think they are getting along with each other already?" Bella asked.

"I can tell you for sure that it is a no," Mia answered.

"Then what could be keeping her so long? She hasn't caused any trouble yet, has she?"

Mia smiled. "We both know how harmless Charlotte is."

Bella nodded. "I know. I am just worried her emotions will get the best of her."

"We just have to trust her that she won't do that."

Bella sighed. She had seen how heartbroken Charlotte was when she got divorced. Charlotte had been heartbroken all through her marriage; Bella wished there was a way she could help her get over it. That was one of the reasons she resigned a day after Charlotte. Bella thought being around her would help her get over him soon and it did; Bella never regretted making that decision.

It took a while before Charlotte became lively again and that made Bella happy. But the moment she found out that the new best friend Charlotte had made and warmed up to was the same one who had broken her heart so many times, she became worried again.

What if he opens up her closed wounds? What if he makes her fall for him for the second time, only to break her heart again?

Bella could tell that Charlotte still had feelings for Melvin, despite trying so hard to hide it so well. Mia assured her that her brother wanted Charlotte back for real because he had realized that he had always been in love with her and not because he wanted to use her. That put Bella's mind at rest to some point, though she still had some doubts.

Bella stared at the wall clock. She should be on her way already, right? She thought.

"They should be on their way back," Mia said as if reading Bella's thoughts.

"I was just thinking about that," Bella answered.

"Do you want some popcorn? I am going to get a bowl of some," Mia said.

"Yes, please. And a glass of juice. I feel so thirsty right now."

"You feel so thirsty because you are nervous."

Bella could not deny the fact that Mia was right. She was so nervous; she couldn't say why. Maybe it's because she doesn't want Charlotte's heart to be broken for the second time.

But he is her ex-husband. She thought. She shouldn't let him hurt her for the second time.

"How about you come with me?" Mia asked. "That might ease your worries."

Bella stood up. Mia may be right about that. Maybe if she takes a few steps downstairs, she will feel better.

Mai and Bella left the room and headed to the kitchen together. When they got to the kitchen, Bella helped Mia get two bowls for their popcorn and also two glass cups for their juice. Bella was willing to help out, so she could while away time and think less about what Charlotte could be doing.

"I will fill the bowls with popcorn. How about you fill the glasses with juice," she suggested. "I just want to use that, to while away time."

Mia nodded in agreement to it. If that will help Bella feel less nervous and worried about Charlotte being with Melvin, she is willing to let her do it.

"Orange or pineapple juice?" Mia asked, getting the container containing ice cubes from the refrigerator.

"Pineapple, please. I..."

Bella's stomach grumbled and she chuckled slightly.

"Do you want some cookies?" Mia asked. "I saved some for when Charlotte returns."

Bella nodded. "I think I do."

Mia took some of the cookies she had kept and placed them on a flat plate.

"This should keep our mouths busy before Charlotte returns."

Bella nodded and said nothing. She picked up a tray and placed the two bowls she had filled with popcorn on it.

"Let me have the cookies. I will place them here." She pointed at the tray with her. "You can use a different tray for the glasses of juice and ice."

Mia arranged her tray the way Bella had said and they were ready to leave the kitchen.

A head popped into the kitchen. "I knew it," they heard and they turned to look at who it was.

Bella smiled. "Look who just got back."

Charlotte smiled. "Are you girls having late-night snacks without me?"

Mia scoffed. "Who left us all by ourselves for over four hours? I thought you were only going there to see his reaction and also lash out at him?" Charlotte quickly placed her index finger over her mouth to gesture to Mia to stop talking but Mia did not get it.

"You must enjoy your date with him," she continued. "I am sure you did not lash out at him like we..."

"Can we head to the room already? I am so hungry," Bella said, cutting Mia short.

Bella had understood quickly that there must be a reason why Charlotte was trying to stop Mia from talking.

Mia frowned. "Why won't you let me finish my..."

Bella quickly placed her right hand over Mia's mouth. "I think Melvin is here," she whispered.

She had thought about the possible reason why Charlotte would want to stop Mia from talking but she could not think of any aside from Melvin being present.

Another head popped in beside Charlotte. Mia blinked. "M-mother? I thought you were sleeping."

"You must have wanted me to sleep so badly. So you can lash out and talk ill of your brother right?"

Mia only stared at her mother not sure of what to say next.