When We Meet Again

The party ended and Charlotte with the help of Bella sent their intoxicated colleagues home safely in different cars.

"You did a great job today, Bella," Charlotte said, pushing her hair sideways.

"Thank you, ma'am" Bella replied.

"You must be tired. You should leave too."

"You won't be staying out late, will you?"

"I won't. I will just go to the office to get some things and I will head home."

Bella nodded. "Good night, ma'am."

After Bella left in a taxi, Charlotte returned to the office to tie up some loose ends as she had mentioned earlier, before heading back home, feeling so tired but fulfilled. At their residence, she saw Melvin coming out of his car. Charlotte wondered why he was just getting home now when he left an hour before her.

Did he stop by a bar to see his friends? She wondered. Or did he return to the company like she did but she did not notice him?

Melvin walked closer to her and she waved slightly.

"Hi," she mumbled inaudibly,

They headed into the house together, maintaining a good distance; an occurrence which is not a usual one in their marriage. Hannah who was so surprised to see them walk into the house together was short of words for a while until Charlotte cleared her throat.

"Hannah," she cooed.

"Welcome sir. Welcome ma'am," Hannah greeted taking their coats one after the other.

"Thank you, Hannah," Charlotte said while Melvin said nothing.

He had been staring at Charlotte for a while and he could sense the difference in her behavior. He could sense a moment of peace and tenderness he had not seen in her before. Melvin wondered for the first time if Charlotte had always had this soft side or if it was nothing but his imagination. He also wondered what triggered the softness she had just shown.

A lot of thoughts ran through his mind and he wondered if it had anything to do with those she spoke to today, especially Mr Joel. He could remember how genuine her smile was when he commented on her beauty. And how she spoke to him like they had known each other for a long time. Melvin decided to shake off the thought; it had nothing to do with her anyway.

"Sir, your mom called," Hannah said.

"What did she say?" Melvin asked.

"She called to remind you of your visit to the old family house tomorrow" Hannah answered.

Melvin furrowed his brows. What meeting? He cannot remember speaking to his mom about visiting the old house.

"When did we speak about...". He groaned slightly, realizing he had spoken to her a few days ago about it. He was also supposed to tell Charlotte about it but he did not. He sighed. "I guess we did talk about it. I will put a call through to her. Thank you."

Charlotte who had been listening to them, though furious he did not tell her about the visit, had nothing to say; she was tired to the bone.

"I will head upstairs." She said yawning slightly.

"I made dinner, I will set the table," Hannah spoke up.

"I do not think I can eat dinner. I am sorry Hannah," Charlotte said. "I am so tired. I will head upstairs instead."

"I won't be having dinner too," Melvin said as Charlotte headed upstairs.

He went after Charlotte. "You are coming with me right?" He asked.

"Do I have a choice?" Charlotte asked and when Melvin gave no reply, she sighed. "I will be ready before eight. I hope the time is okay?" Melvin nodded. "We leave by nine."

**

Waking up was a bit tiring for Charlotte. She had worked herself up yesterday with the hope that she would take a rest today before going to the company by noon. She stood up from her bed by seven and quickly placed a call to Bella to inform her she would not be coming to the office since she did not know when they would be leaving the old family house.

"Ma'am, you do not forget your appointment with Mr Joel, do you?" Bella asked to remind her.

"I did not forget about that, Bella. I will place a call to him later in the day. Please take care of the office and cancel all my schedules for today. I hope there is no important meeting for today, or is there?"

"No, ma'am." "Thank you, Bella."

Charlotte ended the call and headed to the bathroom to take her bath. She got dressed in a black gown that stopped beneath her knees, paired with gold sandal heels. She had her hair packed in a ponytail and with little makeup, she was ready to leave.

It was a few minutes past eight when she got downstairs. Hannah walked out of the kitchen.

"Good morning, ma'am," Hannah said.

"Good morning, Hannah. Hope you slept well?"

"I did, ma'am. I was about to head to your room to ask what you wanted for breakfast."

"Anything light is fine. Can I get a cup of coffee while I wait?"

Hannah nodded. "Of course, you can."

Charlotte sat down while Hannah headed back to the kitchen to get Charlotte's coffee.

"Have you seen Melvin? I mean my husband." Charlotte asked when Hannah returned to the dining room with her cup of coffee.

"I haven't seen him today. I think..." She stopped talking and Charlotte stared at her.

"Is something wrong?"

"He is here," Hannah whispered.

Charlotte turned to see Melvin walking towards them.

"Good morning," Charlotte mumbled.

"Good morning, sir." Hannah greeted.

Melvin waved slightly, sitting down. "Good morning, Hannah. Can I have my breakfast now?"

Hannah nodded. "Yes, you can."

Charlotte drank from her cup of coffee while Hannah returned to the kitchen to get Melvin's breakfast. After serving him, she returned to the kitchen to make scrambled eggs for Charlotte; the couples have always had different breakfasts. While Melvin was on his breakfast and Charlotte waited patiently for hers while pressing her phone, silence lingered on until it was broken by Hannah's presence.

"Your breakfast, ma'am." She said.

Charlotte muttered a thank you, before digging in. They were done in a few minutes. Melvin headed to his room to pick up something while Charlotte made a little touch to her face.

"Are you ready?" Melvin asked when he got back.

Charlotte nodded, standing up. She headed outside with Melvin trailing behind. They entered the car, heading to the family house. They were welcomed by Melvin's sister who was very happy to see Charlotte. His mom was happy to see her too. They entered the house and sat down. Melvin sat a distance away, watching how Charlotte interacted with his family.

He could sense the softness and gentleness from the previous night. Melvin realized there might be a softer part of her that remained unnoticed by others.