Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Richard furrowed his brows. He wasn't expecting her to ask that question. Frankly, he had never prepared an answer for the question to start with. Since she already asked him, he would have to answer her and be straightforward with her.

Charlene was already on her feet, anticipating his reply. She gazed at him from the bedside, waiting for him to answer her. When he was taking too much time getting an answer to her question, she spoke again. “I've been thinking about this but I'm perplexed. Richard, I want to have your child.”

“Wait!” He was nearly speechless.

“Was I asking for too much? Oh!” She hit her forehead gently, sighing softly. “But, I-I'm ready to carry your child.” She said calmly.

For a few seconds his facial expression was completely plain, giving her a fright without knowing. Suddenly he smiled lightly. “I'm just concerned about your education.”

“I'm in my final year, Richard. I told you that. Right?”

“Yeah, I remember.” He ran his fingers through his hair, getting close to her.

“Great. If I get pregnant now it's not going to affect my studies in any way. Moreover, if it happens it doesn't matter. I'm ready to carry your child. You don't have to worry about me. You're just being selfish in this marriage.”

“I'm not worrying!” He snapped. She flinched back anxiously. He noticed that he had given her a fright which wasn't supposed to happen. He didn't know why he was getting worked up inside his head. Perhaps it was because he thought the past was going to repeat itself which was his fear. “I'm sorry if I startled you. I'm just not sure. Don't get pregnant now, I'm not ready to father another child. We'll visit marriage counseling.” He said, whirling to walk out of the room. He liked her but he couldn't fight his fear yet. The scar Henrietta left him hadn't healed. The truth was, having another child wasn't his fear but, the thought of losing her after having another child was what scared him most.

Charlene watched him leaving the room. She slumped onto bed hopelessly, completely devastated. “I was wrong about him after all. My expectations from him are high. I shouldn't have thought he has started having some feelings for me.” A tear trickled down her cheek, it dropped on her hand. She raised her hand to her face to wipe her face but her tears trickled down profusely. She was heart shattered. ‘Don't get pregnant’ The statement rang in her head loudly.

Every time she thought she had begun to understand him, he always turned out to be a different person. A person that was difficult to understand. She scanned the bedroom with her eyes. She cleaned her eyes before getting on the bed, she laid in a sleeping position and closed her eyes.

A few minutes later, Richard entered. He couldn't eat, he had lost his appetite after their little conversation. He met her already sleeping, he glanced at the radio clock on the nightstand, the time was ten o'clock. He stood in front of her, admiring her and at the same time pitying her. He crouched a little to wipe a tear she had on her face, he used his thumb then covered her body well with the duvet. He returned to the other side and sat down on the bed. He brought his laptop out to work on it.

SHE ALWAYS woke up the next day to find him already gone or out of bed. However today was different, he was beside her, sleeping peacefully. Charlene sat up gently, trying not to wake him. She put her feet on the floor, sliding into her scuffs. She stood to her feet and headed to the bathroom.

She had a warm bath, did all the necessary stuff in the bathroom before stepping out and went to the dressing room. She had to prepare for school. She grabbed a black leather mini skirt, a top that matched with it, and her heels. She went to the jewelry store, and picked a simple golden bracelet. She took her time dressing up. After taking another glance of her reflection in the mirror, Charlene walked out of the dressing room. She stopped by the bedroom. He hadn't woken up yet, that was unlike him. She had the desire to wake him but she hesitated.

“Richard,” She called his name calmly, while advancing toward the bed. She sat beside him. She extended her right hand to his face, she brushed his hair back so she could see his eyes. “Richard, wake up.”

He adjusted in bed. “Mm-hmm?” He murmured.

“Are you awake?”

He opened his eyes wide. “Is there any problem?” He queried.

“You may want to check the clock. I'm leaving.” She said coldly. She stood.

“Have a pleasant day, cupcake.” Charlene looked at him for a few seconds before walking out of the bedroom. She went to the garage. She hopped in the car then James drove out of the mansion.

“You can just drop me off after the gate?” Charlene spoke from the backseat.

James nearly looked back after hearing her request. There was no way he would let her walk the rest. “But, ma'am?”

“Park the car, I'm getting down.”

James knew he had to obey her. He parked the car by the roadside. “Thank you. You should take a week off from work.”

“What?”

“Take care.” She got down from the car and started walking toward the parking lot, as she had sighted his car driving into the campus.

Charles whirled to walk away when he saw his twin sister. He hesitated, deciding to wait for her since she was almost close to where he was. When she got to where he was standing, she stopped in front of him. “What happened to your car?”

“Nothing. I just decided to walk the rest. Is there any problem?”

“There is one. Why did you decide to walk when you see my car.”

“Nothing. James won't be able to drive me to campus as of today. Every morning could you please stop by and pick me up? It's a polite request from your sister.”

Charlene rolled his eyes. “If you think James isn't good enough, should I hire another driver for you?”

“No please. I found out that there's a distance between us now, we haven't been seeing each other and I really do miss you.” She pouted. “At least we will get a chance to see each other every morning.” She blinked several, making puppy eyes she knew he would surely say yes to.

“Charlene Sullivan, you're really a complicated woman. Sometimes I just don't understand you.”

“I need to talk to you about something.”

“Is there any problem? Is it about Richard?”

She looked at his face to be sure if it was good to tell him. “Let's talk about it after school.”

“All right. So...are you coming over to the mansion for the weekend?” Charles asked while they walked alongside.

“Is there any occasion I must attend? Moreover, I have plans.”

“There's no occasion. I just want to have you around.”

“Well, maybe some other time.” They sauntered through the hallway. Charlene didn't expect to encounter Javier in the hallway, when they made eye contact she looked away immediately, avoiding him. He sidled across the hallways, which was unlike him to ignore her. Charles noticed that, he decided to ask since only her could answer him.

“What's going on?”

“What do you mean by what's going on? I don't understand.” She asked instantaneously.

“Are you two fighting? I noticed how both of you looked like strangers.”

“I don't know. He has been avoiding me and when I ask him what I have done wrong, he ignores me and even shuts me out completely.” She explained thoughtfully.

“What could be the matter with him?”

“I have no idea. Javier has never gotten mad at me to the extent he'd shut me out. Let's just forget about it. I'm heading to the lecture hall.” Charles smiled brightly at her, waving at her. Charlene pranced to the hall, taking a seat in the front seats. Fiona came over and sat beside her. “Hi,”

“Hey.” She pivoted to look at her. “Fiona, how are you?”

“I'm good. You didn't come to campus yesterday, is there any problem?”

“No. I wanted to call you but I totally forgot.”

“Oh, great. Javier was worried about you. It was unlike you to skip school.” Fiona informed her nonchalantly, preparing herself to make a note.

“Javier was worried?” She was muddled. She wasn't expecting him to be worried about what he said to her the other day.

“Mrs Sullivan…” The professor called out. Charlene gazed at him and he gave her a warning sign. “You're interrupting the lecture.”

“I'm sorry.” She apologized demurely. “We will be having this conversation after the lecture. Okay?” She said impatiently.

Fiona didn't understand what was going on, all she did was nodding to what she said.

***

Eventually the lecture was over, Charlene abruptly turned at her. “Did he tell you anything?"

“He didn't. He only asked about you indirectly. We bumped into each other at the coffeehouse. I was going to walk away but he asked if I had seen you on campus. He looked so worried when I said no.”

“Javier can't be serious. Was all that an act up?” She contemplated what it could be. He hadn't been talking to her. Whenever she attempted to start a conversation, he was always uninterested.

Befuddled, she lifted a brow. “What are you talking about?”

“You won't understand.” She stood up briskly. She scanned the hall, searching for him. However he just left the hall. “I'll be right back.” She followed the exit he took outside and trailed him until they reached outside, not far from the garden.

“Javier,” He halted on the track. He whirled to look at who called him. When he saw her he attempted to walk out on her.

“Why are you pretending as if you don't care?!” She seethed calmly.

“I don't understand what you're talking about.” He said, attempting to leave.

“You're just a stupid coward! And I hate you.”

He stopped abruptly. Luckily only a few students were at the area, none of them picked interest in them, some of them seemed to be overly engrossed in their own activities and conversations.

“You hate me? Do you even know how hard I find it to look at you every time I see you? You obviously have no idea.” Her mouth parted in bewilderment. “You really have no idea.”

“What do you mean? I wasn't foolish like you. You shunned me and pretended as if nothing ever happened whenever you saw me. Yet, you were worried about me.”

“Because I couldn't help. I tried to stay away from you but you made it impossible for me. You always show you everywhere I am. Am I supposed to live as if nothing ever happens? I thought I'll be able to move on even knowing that you're married, I just can't help the feelings. I'm overwhelmed.” He paused for a while to take a deep breath. He inhaled and exhaled deeply. “You know what? The only way to get out of this without any of us getting hurt is to keep our distance.”

Her eyes welled up with tears, staring at him as he moved his lips. His words made her heart weak. He loved her but she was in love with someone else. On a second thought, Charlene wondered why he had been pretending as if nothing ever happened. ‘Couldn't he help the feelings?’

“What are you talking about? You know I am married.”

He chuckled. He shut his eyes for a few seconds before opening them. He moistened his lower lip. “I know and I have been telling myself the same story every time I look at you but, the heart knows what it wants. I'm trying to fight it.” Javier said emotionally. He felt hurt like that day she informed him she got married. He had been finding it hard to conceal the feelings, and it was ruining him inwardly. It was hard for him to get over the lady he ever loved.

“Javier…” Tears trickled down her cheeks.

“You don't have to feel bad for me. It's okay.” He said demurely. He glanced at her for the last time and walked away immediately.

Charlene stood on the same spot, watching him as he faded out of her sight. Charlene extended her hand to her face, she wiped her tears. She was lost, perplexed and she didn't know why everything was happening to only her.