When We Meet Again
Chapter 61

Everyone stared at Charlotte wondering what could be going on in her mind. Every one of them was lost in their separate thoughts. Why is she suddenly interested in Matthew? Melvin wondered.

Why is she suddenly asking him out on a date? Matthew wondered. Was it to get back at Melvin, or did she have an interest in him? Why did she divert from their main reason for coming here to another? Bella wondered.

She nudged Charlotte slightly. "What are you doing?" She whispered to her but Charlotte ignored her, waiting for Matthew's reply.

Charlotte felt awkward too, trying to woo a man who showed no interest in her. He wasn't just any man but her ex-husband's friend and she was doing that right in front of him. Charlotte knew how awkward the situation was but she wanted Melvin to have a taste of his own medicine. He did not go after her friend, though, but she wanted him to know what it feels like to see the one you love, love someone else. Matthew wasn't giving her a reply and that made her feel more awkward.

Another thing that made her uncomfortable was their eyes that were all over her. They weren't saying anything which brought in an awkward silence. Charlotte decided to break this silence. She had started the conversation that caused the awkwardness. She should be able to end it without making any feel awkward.

"What do you say about it? Do you mind?" She asked.

Matthew blinked. He had been lost in thought, especially seeing how uncomfortable and insecure Melvin looked. If Melvin had shown no emotion, he would have gone along with Charlotte to make Melvin own up to his feelings. But he was already doing that; owning up to his feelings, which made him confused.

Was he supposed to turn down Charlotte and make her feel bad or go along with the flow and make Melvin feel bad instead? Matthew realized that whichever decision he makes, he is going to hurt someone's feelings and he doesn't want that. He stared at Melvin, who wasn't just surprised but seemed confused, too.

Melvin shook his head at Matthew, indicating he should give Charlotte a negative answer. Matthew smiled. He had no plan to date Charlotte; he wasn't going to give her a positive answer, but he didn't want to give her a negative response that would hurt her either.

He could tell from Charlotte's reaction, that she was only trying to get back at Melvin. If the situation was different, he would have loved to play along with her to get back at Melvin for toying with her feelings.

"You are not answering me," Charlotte said. "Am I not beautiful enough?".

"Of course, you are," Matthew answered. "But..."

"Why don't you tell me that, when we go on a date after work?" Charlotte asked.

"This is a business place, not a dating site," Melvin blurted out, and everyone stared at him.

He pretended to be busy with the documents in front of him, though he wasn't. He was very angry not at Charlotte or Matthew but at himself for losing such a wonderful woman. He knew it was going to be difficult to get her back. He should have listened to Mia and his mother when they told him to try his best and bring her back. He thought.

He should not have given her such a long time to heal. He knew giving her time to heal was not the problem, but disappearing from her life completely when he could help her heal was.

He sighed. He doesn't know how long it will take him to get her back but one thing he is sure of is that he won't be giving up on her this time, no matter how long it takes.

Matthew smiled. He just had an idea. "How about a dinner date for four? We could talk about business and also have fun."

"But I do not want to talk about business," Charlotte said.

"We both do not have to talk about business," Matthew answered. "We can have our chat while they talk about business." Charlotte shrugged. "I think that is a good idea."

She was happy Matthew made such a suggestion. The atmosphere had lightened up a bit, and she felt less uncomfortable now.

"Can we head to the boutique now?" Bella asked.

Charlotte nodded. "Of course."

**

Bella and Charlotte headed to a boutique to get something for themselves since their plan to visit Mill's boutique had been changed because Melvin had to attend an emergency meeting. He was uncomfortable leaving Charlotte with Mathew; he suggested they meet at an Italian restaurant for lunch and then head to the boutique together.

Charlotte and Bella were supposed to go home but Bella suggested they go to the boutique to get a bag she saw online.

"You will love it. I know where we can get it," Bella said.

"Are we getting just the bag?" Charlotte asked.

Bella shook her head in disapproval. "We are getting as many things as we can until lunchtime."

Charlotte chuckled. "Suit yourself."

Bella held Charlotte's hand and pointed forward. "Let's begin over there.". Charlotte followed Bella and they began to pick out things. "What do you think? This or that?". Bella pointed at some bags.

"I think the grey," Charlotte answered. "The blue looks beautiful though."

"Are you finding it difficult to choose?" They heard a voice. "I can help you with that."

They turned to see who had spoken. "That would be a good idea," Bella said.

"A-Alice?" Charlotte called.

"C-Charlotte?" Alice cooed in surprise.

"Do you know her?" Bella asked.

"She is my sister," Charlotte answered.

"Your stepsister?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yes. What are you doing here, Alice? Are you here to get something?"

Alice was dressed in uniform; Charlotte could tell she worked there, but she found it difficult to believe.

Alice shook her head in disappointment. "I am not here to buy anything. I work here."

"You do what? You work here. You mean you own this place, right? Or does your mom own here, and you work here as her manager?"

Alice smiled wearily. "I do not own this place. My mom doesn't own this place either. I work here as a sales rep."

Charlotte furrowed her brows. What happened to the money they have been collecting from Melvin? Did they squander it and end up being poor again? Or did they spend all the money? Charlotte had so many thoughts running through her mind.

Alice seemed to read Charlotte's thoughts; she spoke up. "I know what you are thinking about. It's a long story, Charlotte."

Charlotte sighed. "Where is your mom?"

"She is at the hospital."

"In the hospital? Is she sick? What happened to her?"

"She has appendicitis," Alice mumbled.

Charlotte sighed. She had not expected that she would be worried about her stepmother and sister but she was.

"Can we go and see her? You can tell me what happened in the hospital."

Alice nodded. "I should go and sign out.". Charlotte nodded. "Can you and your friend go ahead to buy the bags? It's important that I sell them."

Bella smiled. "We aren't buying just the bags. We will get a lot of things to help your sales."

Alice smiled. "Thank you. I will help you out before signing out."

Bella smiled. "That won't be a problem."

**

Charlotte stared at her stepmother on her sick bed and she couldn't help but weep. Bella wept too; Charlotte couldn't say why she did that. Charlotte's stepmother was asleep, but in her sleep, Charlotte could tell she was in pain. Things weren't like this a few weeks ago. Charlotte thought. What happened?

Charlotte sighed. This is not the time to cry. "How did it get worse?"

"Her appendix ruptured a few days ago, and we need money for surgery, but I haven't saved enough."

"Where can I make the payment?"

Bella furrowed her brows. "Y-you want to make payment?"

"Should I leave her to die?" Charlotte murmured. "I want to."

"I will lead the way."

Charlotte made the payment and the surgery was scheduled immediately. As they await the success of the surgery, Charlotte sits on the bench outside the operating room. Alice stood close to the door, hoping that it wasn't too late. Charlotte stood up and held Alice's hand. "She is going to make it," she said.

Charlotte was worried too. She doesn't want her to die too. She wanted her to make it so she could see the woman she had become. She hasn't seen Charlotte yet and regrets her actions. She hasn't asked for Charlotte's forgiveness yet. The doctor walked out of the operating room and they rushed toward him.

"How is my mother?" Alice asked.

He smiled. "The surgery was successful. She will be fine. She will be transferred from the operating room into the ward. You can see her then."

Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good to hear that."

After the doctor left, Alice came to meet Charlotte. "Thanks, Charlotte," she muttered and Charlotte sighed.

"You don't have to thank me. I am happy she made it."