When We Meet Again

Melvin pondered on his conversation with Mia some hours ago. Though he was adamant about not changing his attitude towards his wife, he thought he might have been too harsh on her. He also thought about treating his wife better, but he knew that would not be possible; he could never bring himself to do that.

His attitude towards his wife wasn't because he disliked her, but because they had an unresolved issue from the past, that he wasn't ready to talk about. This unresolved issue had driven him to check the surveillance videos both at home and in the office to know what his wife was up to; most of which he did subconsciously.

Melvin thought about how complicated their marriage was; he did not see it getting better in the future. He wished Charlotte would just ask for a divorce and save both of them from this mess of a marriage. He had once made her so uncomfortable that he thought she would leave the marriage but instead, she stayed, showing that she was fond of him.

Melvin blamed himself for everything. If he had not asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend and visit his father with him, at the hospital when Alexia his real girlfriend was busy with her music career, things would not have been this complicated. He also had to marry her on contract with the agreement that she would leave when his girlfriend returned.

They have been married for two years and Alexia isn't ready to marry him yet which makes their contract still valid. His father's dying wish for him not to make any initiative to divorce her is also one of the things that binds him to this unbreakable marriage.

So many times he had tried to make Charlotte think of divorcing him without telling her directly but she had pretended not to notice it. He also felt disdained towards her which is a result of his sentiment against her. Melvin believes Charlotte was using him or why would she not divorce him?

Melvin doesn't want to go against his father's dying wish and divorce her or go against their contract and ask her to leave. He wanted her to take the blame; the blame for breaking the contract before his girlfriend showed up. And also the blame for divorcing him when his late father is against it.

Melvin had a lot to think about but the couch was not comfortable for that; he could not help but turn around so many times.

Why did he choose to sleep on the couch when he knew how uncomfortable it was? He should have insisted on sleeping in the guest room. He thought.

He adjusted himself for the last time before staring at the big bed in the room. On it lay Charlotte who was sleeping peacefully. Melvin snorted slightly before closing his eyes to sleep.

He doesn't know how long he would have to sleep on the couch but it was better than sleeping beside his wife.

**

"Let's go back home," Charlotte announced. "I will speak to your Mother, about it."

This came as a surprise to Melvin. Though he had wished to go back home to the comfort of his bed, he couldn't go against his mother's words. He also did not expect Charlotte to bring it up first; he is happy she did though. Melvin knew his mother would not be against it since Charlotte was the one who suggested it and not him.

Melvin was okay with the idea of leaving but he could not help but wonder why she wanted to leave now. Her arm was completely healed a week ago, why did she not ask to leave then?

It cannot be because of Mr. Joel, Melvin thought, shaking his head.

"Why do you want to go back all of a sudden?" He asked, eyeing Charlotte suspiciously.

He knew she wasn't going to say the reason behind it but hoped her reaction would hint to him something.

"You must be so comfortable on that couch," Charlotte answered with no emotion on her face. "I am going downstairs for breakfast and I am going to talk to your mother about leaving. If you do not want to leave you can go against it there." Melvin stared at the woman in front of her. There is something about her that he doesn't understand.

He sighed. "I..."

Charlotte left the room before he could form his words which made Melvin so angry.

"How can she walk out on me?" He asked no one in particular.

Melvin stood up from the couch and headed to the door but stopped immediately.

Something must be going on with her.

He has always been able to read a part of her through her face but ever since she began to work with Mr. Joel, things have changed.

Do they have something going on between them aside from business?

Melvin had been seeing him lately in the company and whenever he saw them together, she was always smiling.

Melvin shrugged. It is none of his business if they decide to go out together. He just hoped she would cause him and his family any problem with that. He also hopes that she falls so deeply in love with him that she asks for a divorce. He should head downstairs and support her, he thought with a smirk.

Melvin joined his family downstairs for breakfast. At the table were just Charlotte and his mother, Mrs Miller.

"Good morning, mother." He greeted.

"Good morning, son. How was your night?"

Can his night be fine sleeping on a couch? He thought.

"My night was fine." He muttered, sitting down.

"Mrs. Matt." His mom called.

Mrs. Matt walked out of the kitchen to answer the call of her mistress.

"Please serve the food."

"The young mistress is not here yet. Should I ask Kate to get her?"

"That will not be necessary," Charlotte said. "I just spoke to her and she is heading downstairs already."

"Then you should go on with the serving." His mom said.

Mia joined them at the table before Mrs. Matt was done.

"Good morning, Mom." Mia greeted.

"How are you?"

"I am good. Good morning brother."

"Good morning," Melvin mumbled.

Mia smiled at Charlotte before sitting; they had greeted each other over the phone. Melvin stood up to pick up a call while the rest dug into their food with silence invaded the room.

**

"Are you really, leaving?" Mia asked when Charlotte announced they had to return home.

"I am not going to agree to that." His mother said.

"It's been over two weeks since we left home, mother. It's right that we go back to our home. We can't leave it empty for too long." Charlotte said.

"Melvin put you up to this right?"

"I am innocent here," Melvin said.

"Answer me, Charlotte. Did he..."

Charlotte smiled. "He did not. I was the one who suggested it."

"Do you have to leave? I love that you both are here. I can monitor you. Can't you see that your relationship has been better than it was before you came?"

Melvin scoffed but said nothing.

Mia sighed. "I also love that they are both here but we can't keep them here forever, Mom. They have their lives to live and we also need to return home. It's been stressful going to school from here."

Her mother frowned. "But you have a car."

"Mom, it's still very stressful. I will be joining the company soon. That will be more stressful." Mia said.

"I haven't accepted you at the company," Melvin said.

I can as well not get involved in making Mom change her mind. Mia texted Melvin.

"Mom, I think Melvin loves it here. They can as well remain here," Mia said.

"You think so too?" Her mom's face brightened up.

Mia stared at Melvin.

Fine, you can start work, next week. No late coming. Just make sure that mother changes her mind Melvin texted back.

Mia smiled. "Of course not, mom. I can tell that they need to go back. It's very stressful going to work from this place."

Her mother sighed. "Fine, you can leave but make sure you visit soon at the other house."

**

Mia and her mother waved Charlotte and Melvin goodbye as they drove out of the gate.

"See you at work on Monday," Mia shouted after them.

Charlotte waved at her through the window before resting on the seat and closing her eyes. The drive was quiet as usual. When Charlotte opened her eyes, she stared at the sleeping Melvin beside her. He must be very tired. She thought.

She was tired too. Tired of having to pretend to be a loving couple when obviously, they weren't. She was also tired of being on edge around him in the room they shared.

She is finally free. She thought as she looked out through the window.

Melvin opened his eyes and stared at her. He could not take his eyes off her face; he had just noticed a revealing beauty he had not noticed before.

Was she always this beautiful? He thought.

Charlotte turned and their eyes met. They only stared at each other for a while before looking away. Melvin stared at her for the last time, closing his eyes for the rest of the journey.