Chapter 28: Chapter 28

A sensation ran down her spine, the new feeling was something Charlene couldn't decipher, her stomach twitched as he tickled her lower lips while sending a thrilling sensation down her spine. She didn't reciprocate because she was yet to recover from the shock. Richard kissing her was supposed to be a nightmare however it was a reality,he was really kissing her and she couldn't do anything.

He smooched her lips like he had been craving for them for so long, he curled up his arm behind her neck like he couldn't get enough of her. His hands were all over her body, caressing her. He would never know what he was doing to her.

Charlene lifted her hand with reluctance but she hung it halfway close to his head. She was thoughtful of her action, there was no way she would push him away because he was her husband, and if she pulled back to stop him she wasn't sure she wouldn't regret it later. She remained obedient, allowing him to satisfy himself after she had made up her mind to stop him if he ever went any further. She wouldn't allow anything to happen unless he admitted his feelings for her.

She didn't reciprocate, she didn't move, she didn't care. After a few seconds he teased her lower lip before disengaging from the kiss. She opened her eyes to see a grin clouded his lips, he gnawed on his lower lip appealingly then she cursed underneath, he surely didn't know what he was doing to her. If it was intentional Richard was literally driving her crazy yet sane.

Charlene wanted to ask him why he kissed her, she knew it was a ridiculous question and there was no reason for him to answer her, after all they were legally married, he could do anything as he pleased, her subconscious told her while she was staring at him. “I'm going on a trip tomorrow.” He enunciated thoroughly. Slowly he unwrapped his hand around her waist, moved his mouth close to her forehead, he pecked her on the forehead then headed to the bathroom.

She whirled abruptly to look at him, he never glanced back at her. She blinked her eyes rapidly as she was in a shock state. “Um,” She laid a finger on her lips. “A trip?” Her eyes fell with disappointment as she repeated the word.

She didn't bother to pick the heels on the floor, she went to the bed and sat down gently on it. She inhaled and exhaled deeply to shrug off the thought. She curled up her body in the bed and drew the duvet to cover her body.

BEFORE OPENING HER eyes her right hand roamed the bed, searching for something that wasn't lost while she was half awoken. She yawned lazily and opened her eyes to see it was already morning. She glanced over her right side, he wasn't beside her anymore. Last night both of them didn't speak to each other after the kiss, Richard returned to the bed after taking a shower and slept off almost immediately. It took her almost an hour before she could sleep, she had to clear her mind before sleeping.

She wanted to wake up early to see him off but she couldn't make it as she completely forgot to set an alarm. He never notified her whenever he was leaving. Charlene never sensed his absence until the next day. A maid entered, she strode to her and bowed respectfully. “Good morning, ma'am.”

“Have you seen Richard today?” Charlene ignored her greetings completely, the only thing that mattered to her at the moment was him.

“I met him on the way heading out, probably going to work.” The maid said unknowingly.

Charlene briskly drew the duvet down her body, she put her feet on the floor, slid into her scuffs and dashed out of the room. She was wearing a white nightgown with a jacket which reached her knees. She descended the stairs abruptly as she gripped the stairs railings, she checked the dining room but he wasn't there. She rushed out and scanned everywhere, his car was driving out of the mansion. She wanted to ask him something before he left.

“Shit!” She ran her fingers through her hair while watching the car driving out of the mansion. She returned inside after spending a minute outside when he was out of the mansion.

“Good morning!” Maids chorused when they noticed her. She only flashed them a fake smile as she headed to the stairs, she ascended while gripping the railings.

She shuffled inside, undressed and went to the bathroom. Within thirty minutes she sauntered casually out of the bathroom in a towel, she went to the closet, she dressed up. After a while, she stepped out, she glanced at her watch to see she was already late, she had something to do in school.

She exited the room, she checked Miguel in his room before leaving. James halted the car in the parking lot, she alighted and waved at him before walking ahead. She called Javier on her way heading to their favorite area on the school campus. He told her he wouldn't be coming because he had to assist his father with some important things. To kill the boredom she went to the coffee house, fortuitously she met Charles chatting happily with the lady. Charlene chuckled as she stalked toward them gently, without alerting him she extended her hands to touch him but it seemed like he had sensed her presence, perhaps when she got closer.

“I thought you stopped your childish play—” Charles uttered, looking at her with his narrowed eyes.

She puffed up on her face, sighed and shrugged her shoulders apathetically. “But you weren't looking. How did you know I was behind you?” She strolled to the other side and sat down on the chair around the table.

He pointed a finger at her. “The heels–I knew someone was approaching. No one will ever do something childish but you.” He grinned brightly.

She rolled her eyes, grunted softly as she tapped her finger on the table while gazing intently into Veronica's eyes. “Whatever.” She tilted her head and glared at him scornfully. “What is she doing here?” She whispered sternly.

“You met us here, didn't you?” He said enough for Veronica to hear what they were saying.

“But I thought you would never like her.” She snapped quietly while sneering at him.

“Was.” He corrected her and chuckled.

“Was?!” Charlene gasped bewilderingly. Everyone on campus knew Veronica and Charles never got along, they fought, always against each other and to make it worse they were picked by the same lectures–favorites. Charles always told her how much she despised her guts. It surprised Charlene to see both of them together. “What does that supposed to mean?”

“Could you please keep your voice down? I'm assisting her and as you can see, we're about to round it up if you can wait.” He said insolently.

Charlene frowned, looking at him surly. “I just want to ask you something, I won't take long.” Charlene implored him politely.

Charles looked at Veronica who had been quiet all this while, she focused her gaze on the book rather than looking at him. “Okay, fine.” Charlene smiled a little. They strolled to another table, she drew a chair back and sat down facing him. “What's the matter?”

“What did you tell Richard yesterday? How long have you guys been close?” She queried solemnly.

He looked a bit disappointed, he didn't expect her to ask him such a ludicrous question. “Is that a rhetorical question I'm supposed to answer?”

“Isn't it obvious I'm not joking. What's your plan? Sometimes I don't understand you, Charles. You told Richard yesterday was my birthday, why did you do that? It's driving me crazy because I don't understand anything. It seems like I'm left in the middle, between two men I love most and trust…Why am I feeling like I'm missing something? Why am I feeling you, my brother is hiding something?”

Charles blinked his eyes slowly, he extended his hand to her head and ruffled her hair while smiling at her. “You always look more beautiful when you're not emotional. About Richard...I don't have any answer for that.” Charles turned around to leave since he wasn't sitting.

“Wait, don't walk out on me. You haven't answered my question!” She said irksomely.

He stopped on the track. “Nice necklace. It looks great on you.” Charles walked out on her, he joined Veronica, he whispered something to her ear before packing his stuff into his backpack and left the coffeehouse while sparing Charlene any glance.

She clenched her fist exasperatingly, she leaped to her feet abruptly while trying to calm her down. She huffed softly and went out of the coffeehouse. “Did he really take me for a fool?” She seethed furiously.

“Charlene,”Fiona called from behind. She stopped walking then whirled to look at the person. Fiona hurried to her side and smiled at her.

“Hey.” Charlene purred feebly.

“Are you looking for someone? I haven't seen Javier today.”

“He's not coming today.”

“Oh. So I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday?”

“Yeah, thanks for all the surprise. Are you going somewhere?”

“To my apartment. Do you mind coming with me?” Fiona said, hoping she wouldn't mind coming with her as she saw Charlene didn't seem like someone who enjoyed her company, there was a slight chance she didn't like her at all.

“Okay.” Charlene surprised her but agreed to come with her.

She beamed. “Alright, it isn't far from the campus, I'd rather walk home but with you coming with me, I can't risk it.”

“It's fine. Let's take a cab.”

Her eyes popped open shockingly. “A cab? Do you remember who you are?”

“I have enough time to change my mind. Never mind, I'm going to the library.” She was already getting bored of her unnecessary conversation, she attempted to leave but Fiona held her back.

“Let's go.” Fiona surrendered, both of them walked alongside out of the campus to the road, luckily they found a cab right in time. The cab halted, Charlene wanted to pay but Fiona didn't give her a chance to. They paid the cabman then they strode toward the apartment, she unlocked the door and opened it. She entered and welcomed Charlene inside.

“Make yourself comfortable. Would you like a cup of juice?” She asked shyly.

Charlene shook her head while scanned her pint-size living room, her eyes fell on the clothes on the floor. Fiona cleared her throat nervously and cleaned up. “I'm okay.”

“Okay.” She put them in the laundry then came back to the living room. Charlene was already sitting on a couch, she sat opposite her as she admired her.

“You live alone?”

“Yes, since I was nineteen.”

“I'm sorry but what happened?” Charlene asked curiously, she had picked interest in her untold story.

Fiona smiled when the memory flashed across her head. “Back then I lived with my parents, my father never liked me and my mother was trying her best because she thought she didn't have a choice, after all I'm her daughter.” She paused for a while and shut her eyes to breathe.

“I'm sorry, if you don't want to recall the memory you can stop.”

“It's fine. I already got over them. I have two brothers, one is a smuggler and the other one is dad's favorite. They always give him money but as the first child I spend the money.” She hesitated on her words. She inhaled and exhaled deeply. “I became a liability, always spending on me while I couldn't even give him. He sent me out on the street to work my ass out for money… ahhh” Tears hovered in the corner of her eyes while she was looking at her. Charlene cursed underneath for bringing up the memory, she could see pain and despair in her eyes. She continued. “I worked as a stripper in a nightclub. I had a boyfriend but he was really an asshole, he broke up with me after a month. I returned home to my favorite with empty handed, my dad sent me out. Mom had to choose my two brothers over me, ever since then I've always been there for myself. As least I want right my wrong, I had a terrible past and I want to amend everything so one day I'll be proud of myself.” A tear trickled down her cheek, she quickly wiped it off her face and faked a smile.

“My goodness. I've always pictured you as an attention seeker but I think there's still a reason for me to trust you. You're really a strong lady. Don't worry, everything is going to be alright.”

“Thanks for those words, I really need them.”

“Can I ask you one more thing?” She nodded. “Did you return home after you left back then?”

“I was afraid of my father but I stalked my mother. Everyday after my work period I always check on her at her kiosk near the next street where she's selling local food.”

“Why don't you show yourself to her?”

“I don't want her to regret her decisions.”

“Mhm.” Charlene moistened her lips as she stroked her hair behind her ears.