Chapter 18: Chapter 18

She clutched onto the duvet close to her chest while staring at the ceilings. By the time she was fully awoken Richard wasn't in the bed with her, she concluded in her thought that he might be in the gym, naturally it was his weekend's routine. She was feeling much better the following day.

She yawned as she sat up in bed. She checked the radio clock on the nightstand, She sighed as she moved a hand to her phone, she unlocked it, she missed ten calls from Javier, a message from Charles imploring her to come over to the mansion. She rolled her eyes and returned her phone to the nightstand. Richard sauntered in, there was an earphone worn over his neck, he was wearing a white vest and jogger pants. He strolled to the nightstand, he put his phone, bracelet and the earphone on the nightstand. Charlene gazed at him cheerfully, she had something to say to him as she concluded it was the best time to start a conversation with him.

Charlene saw that he was trying to ignore her but she wouldn't leave him alone. “Good morning.” She began quietly.

“Good morning,” He answered apathetically, attempting to walk out on her.

“Thanks for yesterday, I feel better now.” Charlene moistened her lower lip, she looked at him eagerly. She was delighted when Richard looked at her, although he wasn't smiling or frowning, he kept a straight face. For the fact that he noticed her and chose not to ignore her made her happy.

Richard grunted softly, he growled annoyingly. “You should learn to take care of yourself. I can't go through the same stress I went through yesterday, it's frustrating. If you can't take care of yourself then you're not worth enough to be a wife.” He nagged harshly. His rasping voice caused her a flinch, she flustered her eyes at him as she didn't seem to understand his sudden behavior. It was odd.

“I'm sorry, I completely forgot to turn on my tracker app notification.” She apologized perturbedly, she didn't know what induced him to scold her, all she could do was pick at her nails.

“There's nothing to be sorry about. If you don't want me to pity you then stop being pathetic, it's annoying.”

“I'm sorry.” She repeated politely.

“Whatever,” He rolled his eyes disgustingly, turned around and left for the bathroom.

“Woe is me.” She muttered and clutched on the duvet. She was forlorn as she took a deep breath to regulate her state of mind. Obviously she felt dejected, her heart was empty. Charlene wondered how long she had to wait to win his heart, how long she had to keep hoping without despairing, she wasn't sure she could do it anymore. Her heart was weak, everytime she tried to impress him she always ended up getting on his other side, grumpy and unappeasable.

He came out of the bathroom, his hair was completely drenching. He strode to the closet to get dressed. Charlene drew the duvet away from her body, she climbed down the bed and put her body on the cold tiling floor. She moved a hand to her hair, the ribbon he used on her hair was intact. She removed it, she checked the black ribbon and wondered why he gave the ribbon to her. ‘Pity’ perhaps he pitied her when she was in discomfort. Although his countenance was literally plain when he attended to her yesterday. His behavior was completely a misery to her.

She adjusted her nightgown, she wore the pink slippers and went to the bathroom, she brushed then stepped under the shower. She moved a hand to the wall then warm water rushed down on her body, she closed her eyes as the warm bath soothed her nerves. She did all the necessary stuff in the bathroom before stepping out, Charlene stalked to the closet, she grabbed a rose layered dress from the railings, she dressed up in a brisk. She looked over her accessories, she walked over and picked a simple diamond bracelet, she wore it around her wrist, she turned around and strode out of the walk-in closet.

Charlene went over to pick her phone, she linked the chin attached to her phone with her purse, she moved away from the bedroom, she spotted Richard sitting on a couch while operating his laptop. Charlene halted on the track, she spared him a calm gaze before taking a pace toward the door.

“I hope you ain't planning to go to the public library.” Richard spoke not looking away from his laptop which he placed on the table.

Charlene stopped, she stroked her hair behind her ear before turning around. “I'm going to visit my parents, I'll be back before dawn.” She explained calmly.

Richard shrugged incuriously. “Whatever.”

She blinked rapidly, she sighed exasperatedly while looking at his back. She inhaled and exhaled deeply before turning around and walked out of the room.

She descended the stairs downstairs, she headed to the dining room, she drew a chair back and sat down.

“Good morning ma'am.” Maids said in union, they were all dressed in black and white uniform, a white cap and a white apron wrapped around their waist each.

“Good morning.”

“Do you need anything else?” She shook her head negatively. With that they turned around and left the dining room.

Charlene scanned the breakfasts they set on the table. They didn't expect her to eat everything she prepared, a different kind of breakfast. Buttermilk pancakes topped with fresh sliced strawberries and chocolate chips. Her stomach gurgling, she rubbed a hand on her abdomen and chuckled.

She began to eat sluggishly. Ever since they got married the only time they eat together was when their parents visited, Richard and her hadn't shared a table together after that. Within forty minutes she was full, she wiped her mouth with the napkin, she opened her purse, she brought a red lipstick out and put on some lipstick and moistened her lips tenderly. She stood up, adjusted the dress that stopped below her knees, and headed out of the building.

James advanced toward her immediately as she stepped out. “Good morning.” He greeted her cheerfully. “Are you feeling better today?”

Charlene smiled at him and nodded twice. “I'm perfectly fine. Thanks for asking. Could you drive me home?”

James chortled at what she said. The word ‘Home’ was petty sarcasm, of course she was home. Charlene noticed, she smiled brightly and corrected herself. “No matter what, it's always my home, my first home.”

James smiled as he opened the door for her, she hopped in and closed back the door before hopping into the driver seat. He started the engines, driving out of the mansion he reminded Charlene about the seatbelt.

Charlene forgot to call Javier, the only thing she remembered was Charles' message which she intentionally ignored. James drove into the garage then the car came to a halt. Before James could alight and open the door for her, she already stepped out in her glory. She scanned the whole building, smiling brightly.

Charlene had concluded her mother wouldn't be around, probably at the hospital. She walked, heading into the building. When she reached the living room Flavia was coming out of the kitchen.

“Oh my gosh! Charlene, you're here.” She dashed toward her, she stood in front of her, she smiled delightfully.

“A warm hug.” Charlene engulfed her into a warm hug. “Is dad home?” She whispered while smiling.

“He's not home.” Flavia replied as they disengaged.

“What about Charles?”

“In his room, probably reading right now.”

“Okay.” Charlene walked to the staircase, she halted after taking a brisk pace. “Did anyone trespass my room when I wasn't round?”

Flavia shook her head vigorously. “No one. I clean it everyday and lock it once I'm done.”

“Not even Charles?” She twisted her lips.

Flavia twirled her hair, she laughed out loud and nodded. “Once.”

“He always trespassed.” Charlene sneered, she began to ascend the stairs. She scurried toward his door and placed a soft knock on the door.

“Flavia, come back later.” Charles yelled from inside. Charlene hissed annoyingly, she knocked violently. “Get the hell away from my door if you don't have a death wish, Flavia!”

“Will you open the door already, idiot.” Charlene snapped.

“Jeez! Charlene?” He stepped down from the bed and walked up to the door.

“Open the door if you don't want me to break it. My legs ache.” She grumbled, chuckling.

Charles unlocked the door, he drew it back then he saw her standing in front of him. He lifted a brow perplexingly. “What are you doing here?”

She rolled her eyes and huffed. “What am I doing here?” She pushed him gently away from her way as she strutted inside.

“Yeah.”

“Aren't you the one that wants me to come over?” She strode to the bed and sat down gently, she picked the diary on the bed and looked at it.

Charles gasped when he saw she was about to read the diary. “Hey, don't open it!” He rushed over but he was late because she already flipped to the first page. “A diary? Interesting.”

“Give it back.” He attempted to collect it from her but she kept wagging her hand preventing him from getting the diary.

“No. I want to read.”

“That's a personal book. You can't come to my room and start trespassing.”

“You trespassed on my properties when I wasn't around.”

“Flavia told you?” He moved his hand but she slapped it away.

“I know you did.” She rolled her eyes while reading the diary. “This doesn't belong to you.” She said knowingly. The cover had barbie's stickers all over it.

“Yeah, let me have it.”

“Not so soon. Veronica?” She looked at his eyes when she read the name which was written in the diary. “How did you get this?”

“It's none of your fucking business. Let me have that diary.” He said sternly.

Charlene burst into delighted laughter despite knowing that he was pissed off. “Seriously, are you two dating or you stole this from her?”

“Charlene, get out of my room.”

“I'm taking this with me.” She said threateningly.

Charles forcefully snatched the diary from her and quickly kept it in the drawer beside her. He frowned as he stared at her surly. “You're annoying.”

“You can say that again. I love you, Charles.” She pouted her lips cutely.

“What now? I'm not giving you back the diary.” He thought she wanted the diary but that wasn't the case, Charlene was happy because he brought a smile to her face.

“I don't want that.” She stood up, moved her right hand to his hair and ruffled it tenderly.

“Silly,” He ruffled her hair while smiling at her. “Tell me what happened.” He was able to figure it out in her eyes.

“Where's mom?”

“She's in the room.”

“Oh, she's free.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Gotta go.” She only took her phone on the bed leaving her purse behind, she walked to the door and opened it.

“I thought you wanted to tell me something.”

“Something like what? Oh. Yeah, I want to break your damn head for lying to me about the ring.” She pivoted around immediately as she remembered something.

He abruptly looked at her, they looked at each other awkwardly. “Lied to you?”

“Of course you lied about the ring. Why didn't you tell me Richard helped me.”

“I promised him that I won't tell you. How did you know?”

“I'm not dumb. Why would you lie to me?”

Charles grunted softly. “He didn't want you to know. I don't know what's going on in your marriage but...”

“I'm happy.” Charlene interrupted. “Nothing is going on in my marriage and please never keep a secret.”

Charles frowned in annoyance. “You don't want me to keep a secret but right now you're trying to hide the truth from me. Why didn't you tell me he has never treated you like his wife? Why can't you just open up to me? I'm your twin brother, your companion. Why can't you just tell our parents that he never loved you? Why, Charlene?” He snapped emotionally.

Charlene was nearly speechless while staring at him. She didn't know what to say at the moment, tears hovered her eyes as she was trying to hold them back from trickling. “Charles...”

“You're the one who's madly in love with you, he doesn't love you. I see it in your eyes, Charlene, you're not happy. I hate to see you unhappy. I want you to be happy. This time, I'm going to tell our parents the truth, dad has to regret his decision for forcing you into a marriage with that jerk. He doesn't deserve you at all. You deserve someone better than him–”

“Charles! Stop making things hard for me. Richard is going to love me.” She said almost in tears.

“How sure are you that he's not in love with his ex wife? How sure are you that he doesn't want his family back?”

“He doesn't love Henrietta anymore.”

“You're not in his heart either.”

“I think his heart is broken.”

“And are you going to fix it?” Charlene nodded. “Charlene knight, this isn't who you are. You're blinded by the love you have for him.”

“I need to give him more time. Please Charles, don't tell dad about what's going on in my marriage. It's my responsibility to make my marriage work and I'm going to do that, I won't despair yet.” She blinked slowly.

He scoffed disgustingly and walked up to her. He took her hand and stared at her appealingly. “I know you want to but Charlene, I don't want you to be a fighter. You're far too young for all this, you have to be happy.”

“But I'm happy. I'm happy that I'm married to him. I'm happy because we're together.”

“But he's not.”

“Charles, I know one day he's going to love me.”

He ran his fingers through his hair, whimpering with frustration. “You're a dimwit.”

Charlene slapped his head furiously. “I'm not. You've never been in love before so don't ever say that to me.”

He looked at her coldly and huffed. “Please yourself.” He turned around and walked to the bed.

Charlene's phone rang, she checked the call ID. She smiled as she picked up the call, suddenly the bright smile was replaced with a somber countenance. She hung up the call.

“What's the matter?” Charles asked when he noticed.

“I have to go.” She yanked the door open and rushed out. Charles didn't wait another second before running after her while shouting her name, telling her to wait.