Go fix it.
Luther' POV
I stared at the screen, waiting. Still nothing. The moment her name faded from my phone display again, I knew it, she was not going to answer. Not this time. I slid the phone into my pocket with a tight breath. My jaw clenched. The office suddenly felt smaller, warmer, like the walls were leaning in on me.
“She ignored you again?” Mateo’s voice came from behind, laced with that teasing tone I wanted to punch straight out of him. He was lounging in my chair, legs crossed like he had not a single care in the world.
“I do not find this funny,” I said without looking at him.
“Well, it is not exactly shocking, mate,” he said with a shrug. “You dragged her through every kind of emotional mess. You are lucky she even picks up half the time.”
I turned slowly, looking at him with narrowed eyes. “You are the one who told me she would come around. You said feelings would be stronger than anger.”
Mateo raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Yeah, I said feelings matter. But she is not going to come running just because you suddenly decided you want her. You hurt her, Luther.”
I laughed bitterly, more at myself than at him. “You really think I do not know that? I think about her every single hour of the damn day. And the worst part is, I still do not know how to fix it.”
He stood up and walked to stand beside me. “Then stop pretending like you do not care. Go fix it.”
“It is not that simple,” I muttered. “You think I can just walk up and, what? Say sorry? That I suddenly realised she means everything?”
“Yes,” Mateo said. “That is exactly what you should do.”
“I do not grovel.”
“And that is exactly why you are standing here alone while she is probably deleting your number.”
His words hurt more than I expected. I pictured her with someone else. Someone who knew how to treat her right. Someone who had not made her cry. The pressure in my chest built so fast I had to step away from the desk.
“See that?” Mateo said, watching me. “That feeling in your stomach? That is what love does when it knows it is about to lose.” I let the silence stretch for a few seconds.
“I should have told her how I felt... long ago,” I finally said.
“You still can,” he said, turning towards the door. “But hurry up. Regret does not wait around forever.”
When he left, I stood in place for a long time. The air felt heavier. I wanted to scream, but all I could do was pace back and forth, weighing my next move. I took out my phone and called her again. It rang once. Then twice. Then three times. No answer. I pressed the phone to my forehead and sighed. Then I looked at my desk, at the files, the untouched coffee, the blinking screen.
All of it could wait. She could not. I grabbed my coat and left the office without saying a word to anyone. For the second time since building this company from the ground up, I walked out before closing hours. And both times, it was because of her. Because of Charlotte.
***************************
I had never been the kind of man to chase. But tonight, I could not sit still. My hands would not stop shaking, and the silence of my car only made it worse. I had already gone to her house. No one was home. Empty driveway, drawn curtains. I waited a few minutes like a fool, thinking maybe she would show up. But deep down, I knew she would not.
So I drove. Her friend’s place was the next logical stop. I remembered the girl well, sharp tongue, cold stare. Still, if there was even the slightest chance Charlotte was there, I would take it. If not... I would go to her college. I did not care what it looked like. She was worth every foolish step.
Mateo was right. I had pushed her away out of fear. My past mistakes had built a wall around me, and instead of letting her in, I treated her like a threat. I accused her. I hurt her. And now she was gone, just like I had once feared. Only this time, it was my fault.
The drive felt short, my mind racing the entire way. My heart beat faster the closer I got to the house. I barely noticed the lights on or the potted plants lined up neatly on the porch steps. None of it mattered. I parked and climbed out. My mouth was dry. I climbed the steps and rang the doorbell. My foot tapped against the wooden floor, every second stretching out like punishment.
The door swung open. Her friend. She looked at me like I had dragged dirt into her house. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her arms crossing straight away.
“I need to see Charlotte,” I said quickly, trying to look past her shoulder.
“She is not…”
“Has the pizza arrived?” a voice called from behind.
Then I saw her. She stepped into view like a storm breaking through grey clouds. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her eyes were swollen. That hit me harder than anything. Her friend turned slightly, and Charlotte’s eyes met mine for a single breath before looking away.
“Oh,” she said, voice flat. “It’s not the delivery guy.” She turned toward the hallway. “I’ll be in your room.”
“Please…” I said, louder than I meant to. She stopped. “Charlotte, please don’t walk away.” She stood still, but she did not face me.
“I need to talk to you,” I said, barely holding it together. “Just a few minutes.”
“What for?” she asked, and her voice cracked right at the end. I turned to her friend. “Please. Just a moment. That’s all I ask.”
Her friend looked like she wanted to slam the door in my face, but Charlotte spoke first. “Fine. Just this once.”
She stepped out, arms folded over her chest. She was still in that short tennis skirt I remembered from the last time I saw her, and even though she looked tired, she was still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
“Talk,” she said, not looking me in the eye.
“I am sorry,” I said, getting it out before I lost my courage. “I should have never said those things. I should have never let Victoria near me again. I just… I was trying to erase you from my head. And she made herself available.”
Her face barely moved, but I could see her breathing change. Her shoulders stiffened.
“What you saw in my office…”
“Was exactly who you are,” she said. “I get it now. I was stupid to think I was different. Just another girl for you to sleep with and toss aside.”
“That is not true.” I stepped closer.
“Do not,” she said sharply. “Just... don’t.”
“I was scared,” I said. “Scared of what it meant when we… when we were together without protection. I paLuthered. Not because of you, but because I know what it means to lose control.”
“You should have spoken to me,” she said, her voice getting higher. “Not accuse me, not humiliate me.”
“I know,” I whispered. “And you are right. Everything you are feeling now? I deserve it. Every bit of it.”
Tears formed in her eyes again, and I could tell she was trying not to let them fall.
“I broke the one promise I made to myself, Charlotte,” I said. “Not to become the man my father was. Not to lash out. Not to hurt the people who cared about me. And with you, I became worse.”
She shook her head. “I cursed the day I met you.”
Those words stabbed deep, but I did not move.
“You are nothing like Stanley,” she continued, voice trembling. “He was kind. You? You are cruel. You played with me like I meant nothing.”
“I never meant to,” I said, struggling to keep my own voice level. “But I did. And I regret it more than you will ever know.”
“I hate you,” she said.
I nodded slowly. “I know.” She wiped her face quickly and turned away, walking toward the house. She paused halfway and looked back.
“I hope one day you realise that love is not supposed to feel like punishment.”
Then she disappeared inside, and the door shut behind her. And for the first time in years, I felt like a man truly alone.
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