Chapter 11

"Did she see the thriller too?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes, she did," Mia answered. "But a different one. Like I said before, she had no interest in acting or the movie. She just wanted the actress to give up her boyfriend. "
"And she did?" Charlotte asked.
"She did," Mia answered.
"Why would she do that? Because Mirabel threatened her?" Bella asked.
"She did not leave him because of Mirabel. She left because he wasn't worth her."
Charlotte nodded. That sounds like a good reason.
"So how were you able to pull it through. I mean the thriller thing," she asked.
"I was about to ask that too," Bella said.
"Through the man in charge of the production," Mia answered. "He happens to be an acquaintance who was also not supporting Mirabel's attitude. With his help, the plan went smoothly."
Bella stared at the wall clock again. "Let me guess why you wanted to be called Mira. Because you pretended to be her right?"
"You are right," Mia answered.
"I get it now," Bella said.
"And..."
"Mira, I mean Mia, let's talk about this on our way to the airport," Bella cut her short. "We still have a plane to catch by ten."
"I almost forgot that," Mia said.
Charlotte stared at the wall clock. It was almost eight and she was yet to get ready.
"Bella is right. We should go and get ready."
Mia could not agree less. "I think I should get going. I will see you ladies soon. Bye."
"Bye, Mia," Bella and Charlotte said in uniform, before ending the call.
After the call ended, Bella stood up. She has to leave now or she would be late.
"I'm leaving, Charlotte. See you in an hour."
Charlotte stood up too. "I should go get ready too. I won't be seeing you, to the door."
Bella nodded. "Then I'm leaving."
Charlotte waved at Bella as she watched her leave. After Bella left, Charlotte returned to her room to bathe and get ready. She was just done getting dressed when Melvin walked in.
"You are back?" Charlotte said, wearing her shoes.
"Yes, I am. Are you going out?" Melvin asked and she nodded.
"Taking a walk."
"Dress like this?" Melvin asked. "You are not just taking a stroll. Are you?"
Charlotte opened her coat. "I'm not overdressed. Am I?"
She had suspected Melvin was going to come back before she left the house, and if he saw her dressed like she was going out, he wouldn't believe she was just taking a walk.
Melvin sighed. Maybe he was overthinking it.
He could still remember how he left the house in the morning. His mind had not been at peace.
Charlotte picked up her phone and placed it in her coat pocket.
Thank goodness she had given Bella her bag, or how would she explain taking a stroll with a bag?
"There is food in the kitchen. I made your favorite," Charlotte said, and Melvin smiled.
"Really? Wow!"
Melvin moved closer to her and gave her a peck on her forehead and then on her cheek.
"You know I love you right?"
Charlotte smiled slightly. "Of course I do. But I have to leave now."
She had stared at the wall clock while Melvin was giving her a peck. It was almost nine; she couldn't delay any longer.
"I will be back soon," she added quickly.
Melvin nodded. "I will be waiting."
Charlotte stared at the table and sighed. She had left a letter on it for Melvin. She hoped he wouldn't see it until after she had left the house.
She also didn't want to spend much time with him; she feared she might change her mind.
She hugged Melvin for the last time. "See you when I get back," she mumbled.
Melvin waved at her as she left the room. Charlotte hastened her steps as she walked down the stairs.
She kept on praying that he would not find the letter before she left the house. She was down the stairs in a few seconds. She was soon out of the house and on her way out of the compound.
Her phone began to ring and she stopped. She quickly checked who was calling. It was Bella.
Charlotte did not pick up the call but instead, she opened the gate. She needs to be out of the surroundings as soon as possible.
As she walked out of the gate, a light flashed across her face. Charlotte covered her face with her hand, wondering who it was.
"Charlotte?" Someone waved from the car popping her head out.
"Bella?" Charlotte called as she walked closer to the car.
Mia horned three times, before popping her head out too.
Charlotte got to the car and waved. "You ladies got here earlier than I expected."
"It's almost nine," Bella said.
"Mummy?" Charlotte heard Liam's voice.
"Liam?" She cooed. "You brought him?" She said to Mia who nodded.
"I thought you might want to say a proper goodbye to him."
Charlotte nodded. She had thought about that, but she feared she would change her mind if she saw Liam before she left. But it's still a good thing she gets to see him, though.
"Thank you, Mia," she mumbled.
Mia smiled. "My pleasure."
"Get in," Bella said. "We can't afford to miss our flight today. I feel you will change your mind if we do."
Charlotte chuckled but said nothing. She entered the car, and Mia drove off. Charlotte pulled Liam to herself, hugging him.
She is going to miss him. No doubt.
Her phone began to ring. It was Melvin.
She blinked slightly. Did he read the letter already?
"Who is calling?" Bella asked.
"That should be Melvin," Mia answered. "A reason she is not picking up."
Charlotte sighed. "It's indeed Melvin. I think he read the letter I left for him."
"You did not tell him where you were going. Did you?" Mia asked.
Charlotte shook her head. "Of course not. Or he would find me in a few minutes."
"Are you sure you do not want to change your mind?" Bella asked. "We can reschedule our flight for..."
"I'm not changing my mind, Bella," Charlotte said, switching her phone off as Melvin would not stop calling. "I need some space and going to the Vérah Fashion Summit is the best way to stay away from work without fully staying away from work," she added.
Bella sighed. She is worried Charlotte would regret making such a decision, though she has always known Charlotte doesn't make hasty decisions and always checks the pros and cons.
But this is about love, not work.
Silence invaded the car as they were all lost in their separate thoughts. Even Liam was surprisingly quiet.
Mia decided to light up the mood. She continued to tell them how she had made Mirabel lose her face when her fans had run to her ignoring Mirabel completely.
She also told them a few of the shocking secrets she had found out about Mirabel which surprised Charlotte and Bella.
Mia's story had lightened up the mood; Charlotte and Bella were now curious to know more, which was a good thing.