When We Meet Again
Chapter 66

Charlotte and Bella were seated in the living room, after receiving so many calls from reporters, investors as well as people they do not know. They had been on call since Melvin's interview ended. They had been trying to answer questions that needed some clarification. Some questions had popped out due to wrong information, while some were asked out of curiosity.

They also had to answer questions from reporters wanting to know more about Lotus Fashion House. Some wanted to know what her relationship with Melvin would be now that their divorce had been officially announced. Some want to know why she had insisted on not partnering with Mill's Boutique anymore; they had thought she would, now that everything is over.

Charlotte answered only the questions she felt comfortable with and the ones that made her uncomfortable, she tried to ignore them as much as she could. One of the questions she ignored was what her relationship with Melvin would be like now that everything was over. Charlotte only told them that time would tell and no matter how they tried to ask further questions, she waved them off quickly

Some of the reporters wanted an interview with Charlotte too, but she turned every one of them down. She wasn't ready to face the reporters yet; she was not sure of what to say to them. Some had suggested that she have an interview together with Melvin, but Charlotte turned them down; she was still very angry with Melvin.

Charlotte wasn't the only one busy; Bella was too. She had a lot of questions to answer, as the General Manager of Lotus Fashion House. She had to speak to some reporters too. She answered the questions some of the investors had and also assured them that the cancelation of the partnership would pose no threat to their investment.

Bella would have loved it if Charlotte did not cancel their partnership. Mill's Boutique might not be the biggest but it held a good record within the short time of its existence; most celebrities get their clothes from there. Melvin also has connections with Modeling Companies' CEOs which is a plus. Bella knew what partnering with Mill's Boutique would do to their Fashion House. She was sure Charlotte knew too but had made up her mind to cancel it; there was nothing she could do about it.

More calls kept coming in from reporters; all the investors' calls had been answered. Charlotte became tired of picking up calls and repeating the same thing over and over again.

"I am switching off my phone," she whispered to Bella who was still on the phone with a reporter.

Charlotte had just ended a call too. She switched her phone off and placed it on the table. Resting herself on the couch, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I am so tired and hungry," she mumbled.

"I will make something for us to eat," Mia answered. "You and Bella should get some rest."

Mia headed to the kitchen and at the same time, Bella ended her call.

"I am so tired," she said. "I am switching off my phone too.". Charlotte nodded but said nothing. "What are you going to do?" She asked when she was done switching her phone off. Charlotte turned to look at her. "Do about what?"

"Everything. What is the next step now that the partnership has been canceled? Do you have anything in mind?"

Charlotte shrugged. "We just have to go back home and focus on making Lotus Fashion House better."

Bella sighed. "When are we leaving? There is a lot of work waiting."

"In a few days," Charlotte answered.

Bella nodded but said nothing and silence invaded the room.

**

Charlotte walked out of the kitchen to see Bella and Mia whispering to each other. They kept shut when they saw her.

"What is going on?" She asked but they kept shut. She knew they were trying to hide something from her. She groaned. "Don't tell me we are doing this again. You two better not keep anything from me." "It's Melvin," Bella said.

"What happened to him?"

"He is here to see you," Mia answered. "But I told him you would not want to see him."

Charlotte furrowed her brows. "Did he say why?"

Mia shrugged and sat down. "To see you, I guess. I insisted that you would not want to see him, but he would not leave."

"Don't tell me he is still outside waiting?"

Bella nodded. "He is."

"You should tell him to go. I do not want to see him."

"Why don't you go and tell him that yourself? He won't listen to us," Mia answered.

Charlotte headed to the door and opened it.

"Hi," Melvin mumbled.

"Hi," Charlotte replied.

"I have been calling you but you were not picking up.". Charlotte sighed but said nothing. Melvin stretched a bag to her. "I brought you this. I hope..."

"I do not want that. You should leave," Charlotte said.

She closed the door before he could speak.

"Did you send him away for real?" Bella asked. "That is not fair. Don't you think you are being too harsh?"

Charlotte ignored her and headed upstairs. A few minutes later, there was a knock on her door. Mia and Bella walked in.

"Melvin asked that we give this to you," Bella said stretching a bag to Charlotte

It was the same one she had rejected. "Why did you take it from him?"

"I think you should check it," Bella said, dropping the bag on the bed.

Charlotte took the bag and opened it There was a box inside and a card. She opened up the box and blinked. There was a necklace in it, having her name encrypted on it. She dropped the box and brought out the card.

"I am so sorry for hurting you." Charlotte read out aloud. "I hope...". She scoffed. She wasn't going to read the rest of the sentence because she could guess what was written. She returned the card and the box to the bag and stretched it to Bella. "Dispose of it."

Bella shook her head. "You have to do that yourself. Mia, let's go."

**

Melvin would not stop coming to see Charlotte even after she had made it clear that she did not want to have anything to do with him. She wanted him to remain in her past but he wasn't going to allow that; he wanted her in his life now, as well as his future. He did not only show up at the Sade house he also showed up at the hotel they had moved into.

Charlotte had to check out of the hotel to stay in another one. For some days, she was relieved of his disturbance. But when she visited her stepmother and sister to spend a few days with them, Melvin showed up again.

Charlotte was furious to see him and even yelled at him but he was not angry. Instead, he told her he was sorry. Charlotte could sense the sincerity in his voice but she could not believe it. She left the city and returned to the town where her business was.

Matthew showed up at her place a few days ago. He was there to see Charlotte and speak to her about Melvin. Matthew was the first person to talk to her about Melvin.

Hannah was the first to talk to her when she visited Mrs. Miller to say goodbye. Hannah had moved in with Mia and her mother after Mrs. Matt retired.

"He found out about your passion for fashion and he started giving loans and grants to young entrepreneurs that are interested in fashion," Hannah said. "He looked for you, ma'am. He tried to get in touch with you but you ignored him. He even tore the divorce papers and kept your marriage, hoping he would meet you again. Everyone had tried to make him move on but he couldn't. I hope you can forgive him."

Melvin's mom spoke to Charlotte, too, when she went to say goodbye to her. She told her how much Melvin loved her and how much he had sacrificed for her sake. But Charlotte was adamant. He had hurt her and took her love for granted. Betrayal, pain, and hurt that was all her heart could feel.

And now, with Matthew sitting right in front of her; Charlotte did not see herself forgiving him. She had forgiven everyone who had hurt her, but she did not know why she could not forgive Melvin.

"I know you are here to talk to me about Melvin, but I am not changing my mind."

"Charlotte, will you listen to me?"

"There is nothing to talk about. I am not changing my mind," she insisted.

Matthew nodded. "I know how difficult it is for you. I know all the things Melvin had done to you. But trust me, he regretted all his actions. And has been paying for it". Charlotte stared at him and he nodded. "Please, hear him out. Just for once, please."

"I am not..."

"You know he is leaving, right? He is leaving for France and will not be back soon. No one knows how long it will take to make the company in France successful. I hope you can change your mind and see him before he leaves." Charlotte sighed. "I am not changing my mind," she muttered.