Chapter 4

Charlotte entered into her car and drove off. She had just a thought.
It's time to take a break.
She needed that so much right now. But where is she supposed to go? What about her work? She can't go on a vacation; that will affect her work.
She decided not to think about taking a vacation yet.
Maybe she would do that when the work in the office had reduced greatly. But she hasn't taken a vacation in three years.
Charlotte was lost in thoughts until her phone began to ring. It was Bella calling. She blinked slightly before picking her phone up.
"Hi, bestie. Where are you? I'm in your office?" Bella asked.
"I am on my way, Bella. I am driving," Charlotte answered. "You sound so happy. Is there good news?"
"Yes. But I am not telling you over the phone."
Charlotte smiled. "Fine. I will meet you in my office in a few minutes. I have a meeting by eleven, though."
"I don't mind waiting until your meeting is over."
"See you soon, then," Charlotte mumbled and ended the call.
It must be more than just good news. She thought. She can't wait to get to the office.
Charlotte finally got to the company and she stepped out of the car. She stared at the building before her and smiled.
It's been five years since she began to work with Mill's Boutique and three years since she decided to move her headquarters here. Those last three years had been a busy, yet fruitful one; she couldn't even complain. With the help of her manager, her other branch is doing pretty well.
What else can she ask for?
She walked into the building and was greeted by her staff. Charlotte waved at them as she found her way to her office. She met Gina outside the office, who began to tell her the schedule for the day.
"Gina, can we take a break?" Charlotte asked. "I just need to know how many meetings I have before my lunch break."
"Just a meeting, ma'am," Gina answered. "And a few documents to sign."
Charlotte sighed. She only asked about the meeting, why is Gina telling her about documents?
"Thank you, Gina," she mumbled. "Please get me a cup of coffee."
"Alright, ma'am," Gina answered.
Charlotte entered the office while Gina went to prepare a cup of coffee.
"Bella," Charlotte called.
Bella stood up and pulled Charlotte into a hug. "I have missed you."
Charlotte chuckled. "You saw me two days ago, Bella."
"It doesn't matter. What I know is that I miss you."
"Thank you for missing me, Bella." Bella furrowed her brows. "And I miss you too."
Bella smiled. "That is more like it."
"So what is the good news?" Charlotte asked, sitting down.
"Well," Bella began as she sat down. "My Fashion School got an invitation to..." Bella smiled. "The Vérah Fashion Summit."
Charlotte screamed. That is more than good news.
"Wait," she mumbled. "The Vérah Fashion Summit that every Fashion School and Fashion House dreams of going to?"
Bella nodded. "That same one."
"I am so happy for you," Charlotte cooed.
"But..." Bella continued.
Charlotte furrowed her brows. "But what?"
"I am leaving in two days."
"In two days?"
Bella nodded. "Yes."
"That's so early," Charlotte mumbled.
"I know," Bella answered.
Charlotte sighed. "So I won't be seeing you for the next one month?"
Bella nodded. "But that is not only the good news."
Charlotte furrowed her brows. What other good news?
"I got two invitations."
Charlotte blinked. "How did you do that?"
Bella chuckled. "It's not two invitations per se but I got the one that allows me to bring someone. So... I want you to go with me. Mira can take care of Liam. I am sure Melvin would not be against it either."
Charlotte sighed. Of course, she would love to but...
She shook her head. "I think you should go with someone..."
Gina walked in. "Ma'am, your coffee." She handed over a cup to Charlotte. "And yours too." She handed over the other to Bella.
"Thank you, Gina." Charlotte and Bella said in unison.
"Ma'am, you have less than ten minutes until your meeting starts," Gina said.
Charlotte nodded. She drank from her coffee and stood up. "Bella, I have to go now."
Bella smiled. "I will be waiting."
Charlotte left the office and headed to the conference hall with Gina. They got to the conference hall and walked in. A few staff were in; they stood up when they saw Charlotte. Charlotte greeted them and the meeting began. The meeting lasted for an hour and thirty minutes before it came to an end.
"That would be all for today," Charlotte said.
She left the hall and returned to her office.
"Done?" Bella asked.
"Oh yes. I feel so tired right now," Charlotte said, sitting down.
"The more reason I think you need a break. You have been working non-stop for some months now. You..."
"It's almost time for lunch," Charlotte cut Bella short. "Where do you want to go for lunch? It's going to be on me."
Bella sighed. "Do you not want to take a break, Charlotte?"
"Of course I want that. I would also not want to miss the Vérah Fashion Summit but I can't leave. There is much work in the company. Look at Liam, I have to take care of him. You know Hannah is not back yet. I..."
"Mira will help out. I am sure your mother-in-law would too. As for work, I can help you reduce your work before we leave. You can also work over there and I will help you too. It doesn't stop anything."
Charlotte smiled. She knows but she just can't leave.
"Can we not talk about this?"
Bella sighed. "Fine... But you have to promise me..."
"Promise you what?"
"That you will think about it," Bella answered.
Charlotte nodded. "I will."
She had no plan to do that though. Aside from work, she doesn't want to leave Liam or Melvin.
"That's a promise right?" Charlotte nodded and Bella smiled. "Now I can talk about food."
Charlotte chuckled. "But I changed my mind."
"You won't do that. Let's go have something nice to eat."
Charlotte nodded. "Fine."
**
Charlotte got to the house looking so tired and stressed out. There wasn't anyone in the house yet.
She headed to the room to take her bath, get changed into something comfortable, and then head to the kitchen to make dinner.
When she got to the kitchen, she sent a message to Melvin, so he could stop by the old family house and pick Liam up.
'Okay' was Melvin's reply.
Charlotte began to make dinner. About an hour later, Melvin showed up.
"Hi, babe," he cooed, hugging her from behind.
Charlotte turned to face him. "Welcome back, honey."
He kissed her and she chuckled. "How was work today?"
"Fine," she answered. She looked around. "Where is my baby?"
Melvin furrowed his brows. "Your..."
"Where is Liam? I asked you to bring him back."
Melvin furrowed his brows. "You did?"
"I sent you a text."
Melvin nodded. "I saw it." He brought out his phone to see the message again. He blinked. "I am sorry, babe. I..."
Charlotte clenched her fist. "You're sorry?"
He nodded. "I thought you said you already picked him up."
"Melvin, how long will you continue to be..."
"I will go pick him up now," Melvin said.
Melvin left the kitchen and Charlotte took her phone from the table. She placed a call to Bella.
"Hi, bestie," Bella said.
"The Vérah Fashion Summit... I am going with you."
Bella shrieked happily. "Are you serious? Did Melvin say yes to it?"
Charlotte scoffed. He doesn't have to. She is leaving!