Author's pov
As soon as Tyler heard Charlotte's words, he turned to see if she was actually talking to him. Just as he was about to take his first step, they both heard a knock on the door. Charlotte quickly turned around, feigning surprise. "Sorry, I thought it was Ava standing here," she said to Tyler, turning towards him first, unintentionally revealing her bra before using her towel to cover herself. "I'll be right there," she called towards the door of Tyler's room, then walked over to open it. "The door wasn't closed, you would have come inside," Charlotte casually said and at the same time thought, "I'm so grateful she didn't come inside with our notice. What would I have done if she saw her dad unhooking my bra?" When Ava saw her dad, she became angry as she came in contact with her dad's face. "What are you doing here after you and Mum tried to embarrass me in front of my friend?" Tyler looked at her and replied, "I thought you took her to the other room. As for your mum, you need to talk to her." "I need to talk to both of you," Ava said, and she went and sat on the bed. Tyler had left the room, giving Charlotte a reassuring smile, but Ava was clearly angry. After Tyler closed the door, Charlotte walked up to Ava and said, "I'm sorry for what's happening..." "Don't be sorry, Charlotte. It's not your fault. My dad and mum used to be a loving couple until recent months as I can remember. Now, my dad would deny it's his fault and that he wasn't the cause of the argument. On the other hand, my mum would say it's my dad and she's not to blame. The documents that Mum was signing..." Ava paused as the door opened, and Tyler entered the room with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Before Ava could say a word, Tyler spoke, "Ava, I know you're angry with me, but you need to tell your mum to stop signing those documents. Is she trying to take you away from me?" "Dad, what is she signing? I didn't even take the time to look at the documents." "You better go and look at the documents while I welcome your friend, Charlotte." Curious, Ava stood up and walked towards the door. Once she had left the room, Tyler opened the wine and poured it into the two glasses. "Please take your wine," he said. "I thought you were joking about the wine. Is it really for me?" Charlotte blushed, standing and looking at him. "Please forgive my daughter for not welcoming you and please don't tell her I said so." He smiled and gazed at Charlotte, who was lost in thought as he handed her the wine. "Why can't he just ask me to sit on his lap and feed me the wine? Why would his wife argue with such a good-looking man? Some women don't appreciate what they have." "Charlotte?" Tyler's words brought her back to reality. "What were you thinking?" he asked. "You've been standing there with your hand stretched out to take your wine. What's stopping you from collecting the wine?" He asked again. "Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought..." "About your boyfriend?" he quickly asked. "Never! I've grown up. I wouldn't even consider dating Harry again." "So his name is Harry?" he asked. "Yes. I don't even know what I saw in him that made me attracted to him. The breakup turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Now I understand the difference between loving someone and being in love," she said. "Hmm..." Before he could hum and say something, Charlotte quickly interjected, "I was actually wondering if this wine has alcohol. I know how my body reacts to alcoholic drinks. It makes me behave playfully, and if I become tipsy, who will help me out?" She smiled as Tyler. Charlotte was surprised when Tyler burst out laughing and took a sip from his glass of wine. "I love the way you said that, that if you become tipsy, who will help you out?" Tyler remarked. "Why can't he understand the seriousness of what I'm saying?" she thought, but she still took a sip from her own wine and she didn't want to go beyond that. "Is that why you're taking a sip?" he asked. Then the door opened again, and Ava entered. She saw her dad sitting at a comfortable distance from her friend, but she noticed the laughter on his face. "Looks like you two are having a good time," she commented, walking closer. Her words seemed to approve of her dad and her best friend spending time together. When Charlotte saw Ava enter the room, she immediately stopped her flirtatious gestures. But when she heard Ava's complimentary words, she slowly smiled. Ava added, after sitting down close to Charlotte on the bed, "My dear Charlotte, please forgive me for not entertaining you earlier. I left it in my dad's hands..." "I... I actually felt sorry when you told me about your friend and how her boyfriend treated her," Tyler interrupted, and Ava quickly responded, "Those things are in the past. I didn't call her here to dwell on what Harry did to her. Charlotte, you know our plans, and we need to stick to them." "What are your plans, ladies?" Tyler asked with genuine interest, turning his face to look at both Ava and Charlotte. Ava immediately burst into laughter. "Dad, that's a matter for the ladies. It's not connected to you in any way. Thank you for the wine you gave my friend." "Could you prepare something for her? She must be hungry." Tyler said. "Tyler has been taking great care of me. Why is he doing it? Or is it because Ava has been preoccupied, probably due to their argument," Charlotte thought as she took a small sip of her wine. "Charlotte, what do you like to eat so that I can go and prepare it before my dad devours me." "You know my favorites. Prepare any of my favorite dishes. I'm actually very hungry." "Why didn't you tell her?" Tyler looked at Charlotte as his daughter got up slowly. "Please, join me in the kitchen," Ava said. "Why is Ava taking her there? Can't she go to the kitchen on her own? Must she drag this precious lady?" he thought and couldn't help but say, "Are you taking Charlotte with you, Ava? Don't you think she's tired and needs rest?" "I knew it! Charlotte is fun to be with, but she's my friend, and she came to visit me," Ava gestured with her hands and head, making all three of them laugh. "Charlotte, let's go. We only have today for ourselves; the picnic starts tomorrow." Charlotte was hesitant to leave, but Ava wanted her to be in the kitchen. Sensing Charlotte's reluctance, Ava added, "I won't ask you to do anything. I just want your company." Charlotte stood up and followed her. Once they left the room, Ava whispered into Charlotte's ear, "My mom is angry with my dad. I'm starting to doubt if she'll be willing to go on the picnic with us or will the picnic even take place if she refuses to go?" A few seconds later, they entered the kitchen, and Charlotte felt comfortable speaking her mind. "What's causing the problem between your parents?" Ava didn't immediately answer. She moved around the kitchen as if she was contemplating what to say. "Both my dad and mum are keeping it from me." "But your dad asked you to tell your mum to stop signing those documents, right?" "Yes, but that wasn't the cause of their problem. Before me and my dad left for the airport, they argued about the television. Actually, I don't know how to explain it." "Is it infidelity?" Charlotte lowered her voice. "No, no, no. I don't think it's infidelity. If it was, I don't think they would still be together. If my dad has an affair, I will be with my mum. If my mum does the same thing, I will stick with my dad. My parents were best friends years ago. It started slowly, and since then, they quarrel over every little thing and say unkind words to each other." They were still talking when Ava heard her name being called by her mom. "Ava...!" "Yes, I'm coming," Ava replied and left the kitchen. After about a minute, Ava hurried back, surprising Charlotte with her quick return. "Welcome..." "Not really," Ava interrupted as she stood in front of Charlotte, clearly unhappy with what she was about to say. "What?" Charlotte asked. "My mom sent me on an important errand to meet one of her managers." "We can go together," Charlotte suggested, pulling herself away from the cabinet. "Hmm... please, my mum said it's confidential and she does want my dad or anyone to know about my movement. If my mum sees me with anybody, she might think that it was my dad's plan to see the documents with me. I like how quiet the house is. They might start arguing again. But…" "Are you talking about cooking?" She interrupted her and continued, "If it's about cooking, don't worry, let me prepare it before you come. You already know I enjoy cooking." "I know, but I don't want you to get bored. On the way, I'll call my dad to keep you company. It's like you both enjoy your company." "That would be amazing," Charlotte thought, feeling joyful. "Maybe I could even playfully challenge him if he was surprised I asked him to unhook my bra, or will he shy away from the room and not do it?" she added.Tyler's pov Did Charlotte actually talk to me when she asked me to unhook her bra? Oh, I forgot, she quickly clarified that she thought I was my daughter Ava. I can't imagine the feeling of removing her bra. It was a red bra! When she turned around, I saw her cleavage and how attractive her breasts looked. Stop! Stop! I don't want to think about it. It's beyond my reach. How could I even ask something like that from my daughter's friend? What if she tells Ava? How will I defend myself? I'll have no way out. But I can't help but imagine. Her voice was almost the same as that young lady at the hotel, even though they have different names. The girl at the hotel was called Susan. From the moment I heard Charlotte's voice, I thought she was the one. Maybe they are sisters? Yes! They had the same voice. Just as I was about to stand up from the couch in my room and pick up my phone from the bed, the phone started ringing. "Ava? Why is she calling me? I was with her in Charlotte's r
Charlotte's pov The next morning, I was in my room when Ava arrived. She knocked on the door, but before I could get up from the bed, she had already opened it because I hadn't locked it. I didn't see a reason to lock it, so she came straight to me. The first thing she did was sit on my bed and cover her face with her hands. "What's wrong?" I asked, sliding my legs off the bed and sitting down with her. Her facial expressions made it clear that she was very unhappy. "What's the matter?" I asked again, this time more gently, and gently removed her hands from her eyes. My first thought was about her parents, but I hadn't heard any of their voices during their quarrels. "My mum has left home," she said. "Where did she go?" I exclaimed.There was silence again, and Ava lowered her face to the floor. I tried to comfort her by resting her head on my shoulder and said, "She'll come back…" "I don't think so," Ava replied, not finishing her sentence. Suddenly, she stood up and st
Author's pov It was early in the morning when Blenda woke up, having made the decision to leave Tyler's house before she went to sleep. She packed a few of her clothes into a medium-sized handbag, ensuring that her daughter wouldn't see her as she left the house. After taking a bath and getting dressed, she was about to leave her room when she remembered she needed to leave a note for her daughter. Grabbing a pen and a sheet of paper, she wrote: "Dear Ava, with tears in my eyes, I write this to you. I thought I could endure what I've been going through, but today I reached my breaking point in my marriage to your dad. He used to be a precious gem to me, but now he's not the man I married. He's the reason I'm leaving this house. If he truly wants me, he should come after me and prove his love. I've endured enough, and it's time for your dad and me to separate. I miss you dearly, and I'll always keep in touch. This is the best decision for me. I love you, my pride." Blenda took th
Tyler's pov As Charlotte entered my room, I turned my gaze towards the door and my phone slipped from my hand. Luckily, it fell onto the bed, and she didn't notice the effect her presence had on me and my heart suddenly pounded. My mind was filled with various thoughts. Does she dress like this at home? Doesn't she realize how her stunning beauty affects me? Should I make a move on her? Is just the two of us at home. But the consequences could be severe now that my wife has left and Ava has promised to return to me later today. Why can't I control myself whenever I see her cleavage? She probably sees me as a father figure, so why can't I see her as my daughter? "Sir, how was your night?" Charlotte interrupted my thoughts, and I needed to shake off my sexual thoughts before I could respond. "What did you say?" I asked, my mind going blank. She came closer and repeated her question. "I said, sir, how was your night?" "Sir? No, call me by my name." I replied. "I feel uncomfor
Charlotte's pov Why does it always happen to me? Why is it that the person I love doesn't love me back? Tyler, whom I've secretly loved, has introduced me to his younger brother who I have ever met. When I think about what happened in Tyler's room, I feel unlovable. Initially, I thought he was falling for me. I could see it in his eyes and the way he looked at me. I didn't realize his intentions were deceptive. Was he showing me care just so I would agree to date his younger brother? I've decided not to date younger guys. I don't want to experience the same feelings I had for Harry. This feels like a heartbreak in secret, and this time, only I can understand and know what I've been through and there is no way I can explain this to Ava or any other person. Tyler didn't even chase after me when I left his room. He left me in pain to fend for myself. If he truly cared, he would have run after me and tried to make things right, especially since we were the only ones in the house. I wa
Author's pov The day became much brighter when Brenda left her parents' house to meet Danielle, her childhood friend whom she had always been close to. They had a great bond, which is why Brenda didn't hesitate to call her and knew that her spontaneous visit wouldn't upset Danielle. Brenda had one thing on her mind: being with Danielle would help ease her anxiety, and their conversations and laughter would provide comfort as it has always done. Danielle lived in her own house, so Brenda planned to spend one or two nights there before going to her own place. As Brenda arrived in front of Danielle's house, she honked her car horn twice before stepping out of the car. She rummaged through her handbag, knowing that Danielle had given her a spare key to enter her house when she wasn't around. Brenda thought Danielle might still be sleeping that morning and didn't want to disturb her. As she approached the front door, her hand found the silver key, and she confidently stood in front of
Author's pov Charlotte left the kitchen, still wearing the apron Tyler had given her, and made her way to the sitting room to open the door for Ava. As soon as Ava heard the key turning in the lock, she stopped knocking, and Charlotte was the one who grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. "Welcome, Ava," Charlotte greeted her with a light embrace. "Did you see your mom?" she asked. "No, but we talked on the phone. By the time I arrived at my grandparents' house, she had already left. But we had a conversation, and I felt somewhat satisfied with what she told me." Ava spoke impulsively, raising her voice as she noticed they were taking a while to stand in the sitting room. "I thought you were cooking. Won't it burn? Let's go to the kitchen." Unknowingly to Ava, her dad was the one cooking. They left the sitting room and headed to the kitchen. As soon as they entered, Ava was taken aback to see her dad wearing an apron and staring at something in the frying pan. "What? Dad?
Author's pov On the same day, Brenda visited her friend Danielle at noon. Luke drove his car and stopped in front of a bar. Still inside his car, he took out his phone and called Aiden, his closest friend. He was wearing strip sleeves and dark eyeglasses. "Hi Aiden, where are you?" Luke asked. "I'm already at the bar, talking to one of the female bartenders. Where are you?" Aiden replied. "I'm about to get out of my car." "Okay, I'm waiting," Aiden responded. As Luke stopped in front of the bar, a security guard assumed he didn't know where to park and approached his car. The uniformed man pointed to an available parking spot, indicating that Luke could park there. Luke followed the directions, parked his car, and got out. "Thanks!" Luke waved his right hand at the security guard and entered the bar. A few seconds later, he found Aiden. "Aiden..."Aiden turned and they shook hands. Aiden was already engrossed in a deep conversation with someone. "When are you closing?"