Charlotte's pov Tyler has been incredibly supportive, so when I initially ignored his call, it pained me deeply. The thought of sitting at the bar with Paul seemed impossible. It felt as though I was already in a relationship with Tyler, and guilt consumed my mind. It wasn't that I didn't want to answer Tyler's call, but I didn't want to do it in front of Paul. Despite my attempt to leave the bar, Paul followed me and tried to hold my hand, thinking that his actions had caused my sudden decision to leave. "What did I do?" He asked, surprising me with his momentary sobriety. "Nothing! I just needed to go home," I replied. Luckily, when I stepped out of the bar, there was an available white taxi waiting right in front, and I got in. "I'll give you a call," I said to Paul, feeling sorry for him for not understanding the reason behind my departure. For the third time, Tyler called me. This time, nothing held me back from answering his call. "Hello, my darling!" Those words slipp
Charlotte's pov Sometimes, when you feel guilty about something, you might expect others to have similar thoughts. When my mum asked me the question, "Who was the person that dropped you off in that car that just left?" I was confused. I thought that she had somehow found out what I had been avoiding and didn't want anyone to know. It took me a while, not just a few seconds, to gather my thoughts. At first, I walked past her and was almost in my room when she followed me, trying to reach out and hold my hand, like a mother-daughter gesture, and asked again, "Can't you tell me who brought you home? What are you hiding?" I looked into her eyes and realized she wasn't going to accept "no" for an answer. So, I said, "It was Tyler, my best friend's dad." I had already prepared in my mind what to say next, depending on her response. "How kind of him. Despite it being nighttime, he still took the time to come and pick you up. He must see you like a daughter, that is what every fa
Author's pov Paul was at the dining table with his wife when Charlotte's call caused his phone to ring out. Not wanting his wife to know, he quickly silenced the call and continued eating. Seconds later, his phone rang again and this time, Sara asked, “Wouldn’t you pick up your call? Who is calling that you are avoiding?” “It's Charlotte. She wants me to do something for her, but I don't think I have that chance.” He paused and put a spoon of food into his mouth. Sara, who held her cutleries with both hands was looking at her husband to continue and when she saw that he was chewing his food, she too took some food and when she saw that Paul wasn't willing to speak again, she asked, “What's she asking you to do?”Paul stole a glance and returned his eyes to his meal and slightly shook his head and said, “You will not understand. I want Charlotte to carry her own loads…” he lowered his voice and it was at this moment, they both heard the cry of their child in his room whose ot
Author's pov It took Paul about twenty minutes to reach his best friend's office. After parking his car on the left side of the white building, he got out and headed straight for the elevator. Sam's office was on the seventh floor, and within a few minutes, Paul was standing in front of the door, knocking. "Please come in," he heard Sam's voice along with another feminine voice. Paul grasped the doorknob and opened the door. Sam was seated, with his secretary showing him some files while standing near the black desk. As Paul entered, Sam said to the secretary, saying, "Work on this file and bring it to me later." "Okay, Sir," she took the files and left. Sam stood up and warmly shook hands with Paul, a smile on his face. He hoped for Paul to smile back, but instead, Paul seemed moody. "Please, have a seat," Sam said. Before his secretary could leave the office, he quickly added, "Anna, please bring us a bottle of wine." "Okay, Sir," she replied before closing the door be
Author's pov Luke stood still, feeling his own breath as he gazed at the table in his bedroom. His phone kept ringing, but he was afraid to answer it. It was Thursday afternoon, the day Brenda was supposed to visit his mum and learn about his past. When his mum was calling, he thought Brenda was already there, and his dark history had been revealed to her. "I have lost Brenda," he murmured to himself, walking over to the window. "My mum would have told her the unimaginable things I did to the women in my past. But there's a big difference. I didn't have any feelings for those women, and that's why I treated them that way. But Brenda, she's different. Just thinking of her makes my heart race," he thought. Suddenly, his phone rang again, and it was a call from Brenda. He walked back to the table and saw that it was Brenda calling this time. He felt confused but slowly answered the call. "Hi sweetheart... where are you?" his voice trailed off. "I'm heading to your mum's place,
Charlotte's pov I was still sitting at the bar, waiting for Paul, but my thoughts were consumed by Tyler. On my way here, Ava had called to update me about her dad's condition, and I felt the urge to call him. Should I reach out to him or not? That question kept repeating in my mind. After waiting for a while, sitting alone, a young man approached and stood in front of me. "Hi there, beautiful! What can I get you?" he greeted and waved his right hand. I looked up at him and felt a sense of familiarity since I had seen him when I first arrived. "Thanks, but I'm waiting for a friend," I replied. "Alright, I'm the bar manager, and I don't like seeing gorgeous ladies sitting all alone without a glass of wine," he said. His remark made me smile, and just as I was about to react, someone touched my shoulder. I turned, mentally prepared for a response, but it was Paul. "Paul, why did you keep me waiting for so long?" I asked. "I'm sorry. It was me and Sara. She started anothe
Charlotte's pov Tyler couldn't believe it when I said I was in front of his house. He stayed quiet and waited for me to speak again. "Tyler, I'm serious. I'm outside waiting for you. Come to the window so I can walk towards your room," I said. "Much better!" he exclaimed. I walked to the right, heading towards his window but I quickly reacted to how I was feeling and said, "Please come and open the door, I'm getting cold." Then I looked towards his window and waved my hand. "What?" he said, sounding surprised. I heard the window closing, so I walked back to the front door. The moment I saw him at the window, I felt a certain kind of feeling in my heart. There was no doubt that I had strong feelings for Tyler, but I was the one denying it to myself. Inside the house, I could hear how quickly he opened the door, and Tyler embraced me. "I..." I tried to say something, but he pulled me to himself and held my lips from not saying what I wanted to say. "I know you felt the s
Charlotte's pov It was clear that my heart had fully decided to be with Tyler. Life is short, and love is both sweet and necessary. Tyler had promised to keep our relationship a secret. When he asked me about Paul, I couldn't help but open up to him. "Paul and I were friends back in college, and he has been asking me out," I said. He pulled me closer, and whenever Tyler pressed his waist against mine, I felt confused. It was as if his touch had control over my thoughts and feelings. "Tyler, there's no one like you. I've never loved anyone the way I love you. Whenever I see you or hear your voice, my whole body gravitates towards you. I..." My words were interrupted as he placed his lips on mine, and we started kissing. My eyes closed instinctively, and I felt myself becoming aroused once again. Is this the man Blenda never appreciated? No one can resist his touch and the way he kisses. Then my phone rang again, and this time it was Paul calling. The more he called, the further