Chapter 14

Charlotte breathed in some fresh air as she walked down the airplane steps. They were finally in Isla Verida, one of the newest islands that was discovered a few years ago, yet it has risen to be one of the best places for fashion and fashionistas. Bella did not hesitate to enjoy the cool breeze too.
"It feels good. Don't you think?" She asked.
"It does feel good," Charlotte answered.
She stretched her hands wide apart. Bella placed her hand around Charlotte's neck.
"I think we will love it here. Don't you think so too?"
Charlotte nodded. The air feels different. Maybe that was because she was not just away from house chores but also away from work stress.
"I think we will," she answered in a calm but joyful tone.
"Do you think we can visit a few places today?" Bella asked as they made their way through the jet bridge and into the terminal. "I have checked the Internet for some places we could visit. I think you will love them. We can start..."
Charlotte shook her head. It would be fun to go out but she doesn't feel like doing that today. She just wants to take a rest away from anything stressful and going out is one of them.
Bella stared at her. She could tell from her reaction that she wasn't interested but she still went ahead to ask.
"You don't want to? Do you?"
Charlotte shook her head. "Maybe another time. It could be any other day. Before we return home."
Is she still sad?. Bella wondered. Maybe she is.
She would be better by tomorrow, right?
All she wanted was to make sure Charlotte was happy. She will be very busy from tomorrow evening, and Charlotte will have to spend a lot of time by herself, most of the time until the summit is over.
"We can always reschedule it for tomorrow," Bella persisted. "Tomorrow is another day. We can go out before the summit starts."
Charlotte stared at Bella. She could sense the sadness in her voice.
She really wishes she could go out, but she doesn't feel like doing that.
Maybe she will feel better by evening. She thought.
"Well," she began. "Maybe later in the evening, we can."
Hearing Charlotte say that, Bella's eyes brightened up.
"Really?" She mumbled.
"It's not a promise though," Charlotte answered.
"But at least there is hope," Bella said with a smile.
Charlotte nodded. It's good to see Bella smile.
Bella held her hand. "Let's hasten our steps. We need to finish up at the airport quickly so we can get enough rest before evening."
Charlotte nodded. They got to the terminal and went through all the processes needed before finally leaving the airport. Bella had booked a taxi to pick them up and drop them at the hotel.
They would be staying in the hotel for a day before joining the rest of the Fashion Summit attendees tomorrow at the hotel prepared for them.
They had come to Isla Verida a day earlier than the summit was meant to open, which was the reason they needed to stay at a hotel.
They were lucky to have the taxi man already waiting for them, which made it easier. He helped them put their bags in the booth and they entered the car before he finally drove off.
The drive to the hotel Bella booked was about an hour. It was difficult booking a hotel closer to the airport because a lot of people coming for the summit had come some days earlier just like them.
They must have wanted to explore the place before the summit too. Bella had thought when she could not get a hotel closer to the airport.
It wasn't a bad idea to drive an hour to the hotel. Bella thought.
She has been staring through the window to enjoy the scenery. She turned to look at Charlotte, who was seated quietly, staring at nothing.
"Beautiful scenery right?" The driver asked them, trying to lighten up the mood.
Charlotte stared at him but said nothing.
"Yes, it is," Bella answered.
"Isla Verida is such a beautiful island," the driver began. "You will love it more in summer."
The driver went on to tell them about the island and places they could go visit. Bella listened with keen interest while Charlotte only stared out of the window.
Although she was interested in the driver's conversation, she misses Liam more. She also misses Melvin although she doesn't want to accept that.
"Your friend must be a quiet person," The driver said.
He had noticed Charlotte had not said a word since the journey began.
Bella smiled slightly. "Yes, she is."
Charlotte is not a completely quiet person. She has a lot going on in her mind; Bella knows that but she wasn't going to tell the driver that.
"She is beautiful though," the driver said, looking at Charlotte through the front mirror. "But she seems to have a lot going on in her mind."
Bella sighed. "She just misses her husband."
"She is married?" The driver was surprised.
"She is. To a good man. She has a son too. That's my godson. He is so cute and..."
"Bella?" Charlotte called, and she kept it shut.
Charlotte had stopped staring through the window and was about to ask Bella a question when she noticed she was talking about her.
Bella wasn't the type who talked too much. Charlotte knows that which was the reason she was surprised she was doing that now.
Bella chuckled slightly. "You finally spoke up," she whispered. "I am just worried about you."
"I am fine," Charlotte answered in a low voice. "I am."
"I believe you," Bella replied and that ended their conversation.
The rest of the drive to the hotel was a quiet one. Neither the driver, Bella, nor Charlotte said a word.
They finally got to the hotel and the car stopped. Bella and Charlotte stepped out of the car and the driver opened the booth so they could get their bags.
They found their way into the hotel and went to the reception to confirm their reservation and also get their key. Bella had booked a suite for both of them.
"Enjoy your stay," the receptionist said to them, as they left.
They got to their room and Charlotte headed to the bathroom. Bella walked to the balcony, staring at the street
"Bella," Charlotte called when she returned from the bathroom.
Bella turned to look at her. "Do you want something? I can order or ..."
Charlotte shook her head. "No, Bella. I just want to talk."
Bella moved closer to her. "Do you want to sit and talk?"
"Let's sit on the balcony," Charlotte answered.
Bella offered her a sit and she sat down. It took a few seconds before Charlotte finally spoke up.
"I saw Melvin at the airport."
Bella furrowed her brows. "Melvin? At the airport?" Charlotte nodded. "Why did he not come to see you off?"
Charlotte shrugged. "I have been thinking about that. Do you think he still loves me?"
Bella smiled. "Of course he does. I am sure of that."