Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Saturday was supposed to be a fun day, sleeping all day could be quite exhausting, shopping like there was no tomorrow wasn't that exhilarating anymore–going out for fun; visiting a friend, Charlene couldn't think of anything fun than going out. She was awfully tired of sitting at home, studying, online shopping, lost in reverie and soliloquizing. Those weren't fun to her anymore.

She wasn't the type that had many friends, lately she considered Fiona as her friend. The only person that flashed across her mind the moment she concluded to go out, her name rang in her head like a lullaby, Fiona. Instantly she took her phone on the king size and curled up with a book in her hand. She had been lingering in the same position while roaming her eyes in the room. Her phone bleeped, she leaned forward, uncurled to reach for her phone, she took it and read Fiona's reply. She texted her that they should rendezvous at a five star restaurant. She received an instantaneous response from Fiona. Charlene leaped to her feet, she examined her outfit if she could go out without changing to something else, nevertheless her dress was immaculate, the black short gown was decorated with lace studded with roses. She took two ribbons on the nightstand and rushed over a full-length mirror to have a perfect sight of herself. She recently dyed her hair back to golden and ribboning it might make her look younger than her age, she preferred her hair down as it was curled. She returned to the bed, took her phone, purse then scanned everywhere she had everything she needed. She whirled gently and left the room.

She went to the garage, informed James the location then he drove out of the mansion. They reached their destination within ten minutes, he parked the car at the parking lot, she alighted then sauntered in the five stars restaurant. Fiona arrived before her, she sat around a table and her face buried in her phone. Charlene was surprised to see her arrive before she did. “I thought you're going to meet me here.”

“I was around when we chatted. I walked down here.” She stared at her keenly.

“How long have you been waiting?” Charlene asking, drawing a chair for herself, she sat opposite Fiona then looked at her with a light grin on her face.

“I was around when you called.” She replied.

“So there's no reason for me to apologize, though I kept you waiting.” She explained thoroughly, and put her phone on the table. Fiona chuckled as she shook her head vigorously.

“Dad called today...he wants me home.” She paused to catch her breath, she took a deep breath and looked at her to see a puzzle countenance. “Mum must have talked to him. Tommy called but I missed his call.”

“Who's Tommy?” She lifted a brow, puzzled.

“My younger brother,”

“I think it's the right time for you to reunite with your family. Forgive everyone so you also will be able to move on.”

“Reunite? Do you think my father is going to accept me?”

“Isn't it obvious? Your brother who hasn't called you for years called you, your father informed you to come around. Fiona, you really shouldn't be hard on yourself, if they want you to get back together, you should forgive everyone.”

“I bet you don't understand what I'm saying.”

She pouted, shrugged nonchalantly. “Like hell I don't.”

She grunted softly, rolled her eyes a bit pissed off, not because of her but by her own contemplation. “I'm not going home.”

“I'm not begging you.”She scoffed softly.

Her eyes darkened with suspicion, she gazed intently into her eyes, however she looked away. “Seriously? Fine, you want me to go–then I'll go.”

She grinned. “You ain't going to regret that.”

***

Fiona checked her watch then turned to face her, they went to her apartment after leaving the restaurant. When she stared at Charlene awkwardly, she furrowed her brows. “That's creepy.”

“Are you not going home? It's five o'clock now.”

She checked her watch then sighed. “I'm not sure he'd be at home now.” She murmured to herself with concern, however she heard what she said underneath.

She chuckled, covering her mouth as she focused her gaze on Charlene awkwardly. “Are you missing him already?” She narrowed her eyes with suspicion, doubting her countenance when she seemed to fake her expression.

She giggled, shook her head negatively. “Missing him?” Then she burst into delighted laughter.

“It seems like you do. You won't be here if he's home.”

“Of course that's not true.”

“Whatever. I don't want to know the truth, I'll pretend I don't understand what you're insinuating.

“All right, I should get going.” She rose, picked her phone next to her.

HE COCKED HIS head to the left side, glaring at her while listening to what she had to say. The moment she began he didn't respond but he had exhausted his patience limits, he was literally pissed off. Richard shut his eyes for a brief moment, opened them then sighed out his exasperation. “Richard, are you listening?” Luciana asked.

“I've had enough of you. I don't care about what she must've told you but mom, no one is taking Miguel from me, not even Henrietta. She wants to have custody of the child then I'll talk to her attorney if that's what she wants.”

She hit her palm on her forehead, shook her head as he whimpered with disappointment. “Is it because of that spoiled brat you took in as your wife? You know I don't like her, and if I'm to choose, it's going to be Henrietta, she's your baby's mother.”

He looked at her unbelievably, he shook his head and chuckled ludicrously. “Are you doing this for a grandchild?”

She parted her lips tightly, nodded twice while winking surly at him. “It's Bryant that loves her family, I don't give a shit about them. Like mother like daughter what else should I be expecting from Charlene, she can't be of any use to you. After all I'll say Rowan desperately gave out her hand in marriage to you just because of our family reputation.”

“You surely don't like her, do you?” He chortled secretly.

“I never did.”

“But, I do.” He paused for two seconds to see if Luciana had something to say but she didn't interrupt, then he continued. “A lot, mum. Your opinion isn't important in my marriage. She is my wife so whatever issues you're having with Kathleen it's for you to deal with, it's none of my flaming business. I'm sorry, but Henrietta is my ex wife and Charlene is my wife!”

She was stunned by his outburst, he leaped up abruptly. “What the hell are you saying, Richard? This is about Miguel.”

“Mother!” He snapped, causing her to flinch back a little. She blinked nervously when he yelled and he was awfully infuriated. “Miguel is my son! I have my own reason why I don't want Henrietta to take him away. Let's not talk about this again, I'm going to handle my affair so don't ever intervene. Are we done talking here? If you don't have anything else to say, I'll be on my way.”

She became completely speechless, staring at him as if she was staring at a different person. She thought of what he said, she wasn't convinced and nothing he would say would make her like Charlene. She loved Miguel so much that she couldn't open a place for another woman to take her mother's space in her heart. Unlike Bryant who never liked Henrietta but because his son loved her he had to accept her to be part of his family, Luciana on the other side was fond of her, she adored her like her own child after she gave her a grandchild. Luciana believed it better when both parents reunited because she didn't believe in stepmother's affection. To crown it all, the lady in the picture was someone she never liked.

“Don't ever come to your mother for help if you lose everything. I know how much you love Miguel, Henrietta will be granted the child's custody because I'm going to support.”

“Do your worst, mum. Tell Henrietta never to trouble my wife ever again, the consequences will be severe. I'm strictly warning both of you, mum.” He warned her impudently, afterward he turned around and left the mansion.

He arrived at the mansion, headed straight to the bedroom without bothering to check Miguel as his habit. As he stalked in he met the room empty, Charlene wasn't inside and on his way in he never felt her presence. He went to the closet and changed into something more comfortable, a white vest and black jogger.

He went over to the nightstand to pick up his bracelet he left there in the morning, he picked it and whirled to leave the room then that was when he heard footsteps approaching. No one had to tell him it was her, her fragrance had fill the room that instant she entered with Miguel in between her arms.

“Oh, my. I can't wait to tell him, Miguel.” She said to the baby she was carrying, pecking his cheeks and she was blinded to see Richard was inside. She gazed forward when she approached the bedroom, she was surprised when she saw in. “I didn't know when you arrived.” She said surprisingly, walking close to him.

“It hasn't been long since I returned. How was your day?”

“Fun, I went on an outing with a friend today—” He furrowed his brows as he contracted his lips into a frown. Immediately, she understood why his countenance changed all of a sudden. She smiled lightly at the thought in her head. “It was fiona.” She believed he might think it was Javier, perhaps he was jealous.

Richard hissed, stifling the desire to roll his eyes. “I never asked you that.”

He skipped a step to the bed and sat gently. She moved to his front and smiled at him affectionately. “I must have answered the question you're afraid to ask.”

He twitched his lips irritatedly. “Are you for real?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“Char-le-ne,” Miguel called her name, slowly with a gurgle.

It was as if he had never heard the name before, he popped up his eyes astonishingly. “Wait... Did Miguel just call you?”

Cheerfully she nodded her head. “He did it again. I was going to tell you before I never knew he was going to say the name again. Charlene—oh, goodness. My name gets prettier when he calls it.” He wasn't completely surprised, Miguel had gurgled ‘dad’ countless times. Charlene seemed to be a hard name Richard never thought Miguel would be able to pronounce, unexpectedly he just did. Instead of responding, he smiled lightly. Charlene fixed her gaze on him as he was sitting neither looking at her nor looking at Miguel. “I'm taking him to his room.”

Perplexed, he arched his brows. “Why?”

“It's time for him to eat. I'll be right back, hope you ain't going out.”

Although he didn't understand her, he still answered. “Yes. Any problem?”

“I'll be right back.” Richard watched her as she exited the room Miguel, he planned to carry him and play with him before but that was never going to happen unless he followed them which he never did. He took his phone, unlocked and began to operate. Charlene entered the room, she advanced toward the bed. “Does she want something?”

“Who?” Was all he asked without switching his gaze on his phone.

“Henrietta.” She gulped hard after answering.

“Not really. She wants Miguel's custody.” He looked up to catch a glimpse of her face. “Don’t worry, that's never going to happen.”

“Miguel is barely two years old, do you think the court will grant you custody of the child's custody?” Afterward didn't utter a word for about thirty seconds, all he did was look at her as he was nearly speechless. She regretted what she said but there was nothing to do about the awkward silence he outburst created, she stood by and locked eyes with him.

He breathed slowly. “Don't worry about that, Miguel is going nowhere.” He said with a winsome smile.

She grinned as her anxiety was suppressed with joy after an assurance with him.