When We Meet Again
Chapter 63

Melvin sounded so confident like he knew reporters were watching them; that made Charlotte very suspicious of him.

Charlotte folded her arms. "What do you mean by that?" Charlotte asked. "What are you up to?"

Melvin shrugged. "I never said I was up to something. Did I?"

Charlotte looked around quickly to see if any person was staring at them strangely but there wasn't anyone.

Did Melvin talk about the media because he wanted her to go with him? She wondered. Or he doesn't want reporters writing negative stuff about them.

She sighed. It doesn't matter if the reporters see them going on different cars. There can also be an explanation for that.

"I am leaving this time," she announced. "I do not care if reporters are here or not."

Melvin sighed. He knew Charlotte wasn't going to change her mind. She had become a strong-headed person.

"If that is what you want, I have no problem with that." He said. "I am leaving. I hope you get a taxi soon."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Charlotte mumbled.

"I am leaving for real this time," Melvin said.

Charlotte shrugged but said nothing. She watched Melvin walk to his car and she sighed.

She should book a taxi quickly. She thought. It's getting late already.

She brought out her phone from her bag to book a taxi.

"Are you really, going to take a taxi?" She heard.

"Is there any problem with that?" Charlotte asked.

"There isn't," Melvin answered. "But there is. Can you come with me?" Charlotte furrowed her brows. "My mom will be furious if she finds out that you took a taxi when you could come with me." Charlotte scoffed. So he wanted her to come with him for the sake of his mother not because he wanted her.

"Can you come with me, please?" Melvin asked and Charlotte sighed.

His mother had treated her well when she was still married to him. She has also been treating her well, now that she is staying with her.

"Fine. I will come with you. I am doing this because of your mother not because of you."

Melvin smiled. "That is a good thing."

Charlotte headed to Melvin's car and did not wait for him to open the door for her; she did that for herself. Melvin entered the car and was about to tell Charlotte to make use of her seatbelt but noticed she already did, so he kept shut. He drove off in silence.

The drive back to the old family house was very quiet. Melvin would have loved to start a chat with Charlotte but she was busy with her phone. Melvin knew she was trying to avoid talking to him; that was the reason her eyes were glued to her screen. Melvin decided to focus on his driving.

The car finally stopped in front of the house half an hour later and Charlotte raised her head. She placed her phone into her bag and wanted to step out of the car but Melvin stopped her.

"My mom could be watching. I will open the door for you."

Charlotte shook her head. She does not want Melvin to open the door for her; he has no reason to do that.

"Your mom knows that we are divorced. There is no need to pretend to be good with each other," she replied.

"I do not want her to think that I am treating you badly," Melvin replied. "I am doing this out of courtesy and not for any gain."

"You do not have to open the door for me to prove to her that you're treating me well," Charlotte answered.

She opened the door before Melvin gave his reply. She did not wait for him to come down either before heading into the house. Mia and her mother, who had been watching through the window as everything unfolded, left the window quickly to sit on the couch. Mia pretended to be focused on her phone while her mother's eyes were glued to the screen. Charlotte walked in and greeted them.

"Welcome back," Mia answered.

"Thank you, Mia."

"Why are you back alone? Where is Bella?" Mrs. Miller asked.

"She went to see a friend. She should be back soon."

Mrs. Miller smiled. "So, how was your meeting? I am sure it went well."

Charlotte nodded with a smile. "It did. It was awesome."

"You must be very tired. You should head to your room and take your bath," Mrs. Miller told Charlotte.

Charlotte smiled. "Thank you, ma'am."

Melvin walked in and greeted his mother. "How was work today?" She asked.

Nelvin sat down. "It was fine, mom."

"You are not leaving soon, are you?" His mom asked.

"I am leaving in a few minutes."

"You should wait for dinner," his mom said.

"I can't..."

"I insist."

Charlotte stood up. "I will head upstairs." She mumbled.

Mia stood up too. "I will go with you."

"Mia, go to the kitchen and ask Hannah and Kate not to set the table yet. Bella is not back. You can join Charlotte in her room after that.".

Mia nodded. "Okay, mom."

"Melvin, how about you head to your room and take your bath? I have kept some new clothes in your room."

Charlotte picked up her bag and headed to her room to take her bath while Mia went straight to the kitchen to deliver her mother's message. Charlotte got to her room and placed a call to Bella first to know if she was on her way already. Bella told her she was outside the mansion already.

"Can you stop by the kitchen and let Hannah know you are back?" Charlotte said. "She was asked not to serve the food because of you."

"I will tell her that," Bella answered and Charlotte ended the call.

There was a slight knock on the door. Charlotte knew it was Mia.

"Come in, Mia. The door is open."

Mia opened the door and walked in. "How are you?" She asked, sitting on the couch.

"I am good."

"Bella told me about your stepmother. How is she?"

"She is fine. Her operation was successful and she opened her eyes a few hours ago."

Mia smiled. "That is good news. How do you feel about seeing them again?"

Charlotte sat down beside Mia. "I thought I was going to be angry at them when I saw them and maybe ignored them but I couldn't. It was a good thing seeing them again. I have forgiven them."

Mia smiled. "You have a good heart, Charlotte. I admire you for that. I just wish you could forgive Melvin too and..."

"I have forgiven him," Charlotte answered.

"I know but..." Mia sighed. "I just wish you both could be couples again. I really, want you to be his wife. I hope to have a niece or nephew soon and that should be through you." Charlotte smiled. "I am so sorry. That might not work out."

"Why?"

Charlotte stood up. "I am heading to the bathroom. Will you still be here when I come out?"

Mia sighed. She knew Charlotte was avoiding her question on purpose. Se sighed. "Yes. I will be here, waiting for you."

Charlotte smiled. "Fine. By the way, Bella is back."

Mia's eyes brightened up. "Really?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yes."

"How about I ask her to come to your room?"

"That will not be a bad idea," Charlotte answered.

"Then I will call her."

**

Charlotte and Bella stopped by the hospital to see Alice and her mother first. They will be heading to the fashion house location when they leave the hospital. Matthew was with them at the hospital; he was to take them to the fashion house because Melvin had a meeting to attend and would join them when he was done.

Alice and her mother were happy to see Charlotte and her friend.

"Thank you for coming," Mrs. Jane said to Bella.

Bella smiled. "How do you feel today?"

"Better," Mrs. Jane answered

Charlotte handed over the things she had brought for them. She bought some new clothes for them. She also brought them something to eat. Bella bought them some fruit. Alice and her mother were grateful. "Thank you, Charlotte, for everything," her stepmother said, and Charlotte smiled. "Thank you too, Bella."

Bella nodded but said nothing too. Charlotte and Bella waited for a little while; they talked about a few things. When it was time to leave, they said their goodbyes and headed outside with Alice seeing them off. "You can go in," Charlotte said.

"Thank you, for coming," Alice said.

Alice returned to the ward, and Charlotte and Bella joined Matthew, who had been waiting for them at the reception.

"We are so sorry for keeping you waiting," Charlotte apologized to him.

Matthew smiled. "It's nothing, Charlotte. Are you done? Can we leave now?".

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, please."

"Pardon my manners. How is she? I mean your stepmother."

"She is feeling better," Charlotte answered.

They left the hospital and headed to the fashion house.