After a lot of tears and makeup smears, lifelong fears were overcome. It feels like a major portion of my life has come into balance. 

"It's lovely to have you back, Charlotte," my dad says and looks at me fondly. He has that look that says he can't believe that I'm sitting in front of him.

I nod and smile at him, "yes Dad. That's exactly how I feel. No matter how much I told myself that I don't miss you guys, the absolute truth is that I have missed you guys every step of the way."

Mom enters the drawing room carrying a tray with coffee mugs.

"Here, after all that, I needed a strong coffee," she says as she offers me to grab a mug. 

"Oh my God! You kept this mug! I thought you threw it away because it didn't go with the vibe of the house," I look at my mom in amazement.

"That was bitchy old me throwing bluffy threats to make you stay in the house, which I had to do arrogantly. Lord know why I couldn't just speak to you with love. I don't know exactly what kind of life we were living darling," she goes to take a seat next to my father and kisses him on the lips. I looked away, not wanting to intrude on their moment but I also wasn't accustomed to this much love that they were showering on each other, because hello! My parents fought! 

"So what's going on between you two?" I ask them.

"What do you mean? Why are you talking like we're having an extramarital affair with each other?" My dad speaks up, amusement clear in his eyes.

My dad jokes now?!

"I mean—you and mom are being way too ....friendly. What's up with that?"

"Darling, just tell her," my mom coos at him.

My father leans forward to keep the coffee mug on the table.

"We were fighting a lot. Then Pete and you left us alone. We stopped fighting. We didn't even talk to each other. I would go to work and come back late. Your mom started to lose faith in me," he looked at mom. Mom put her hand on top of his.

Well, their faith seems strong to me! I can feel the magnetic force between their hands.

"Then one day I came home and your mom had cranes inside the house, breaking it apart. I got so mad because I had no idea what she was doing. I found her and we had a heated argument which began regarding the house but ended up saving this marriage."

There was a big moment of silence.

My father continued, "she said, "To put things together better, we have to first break them"

He appeared lost in his thoughts, a habit that I've surely gotten from him.

"We broke you guys, look at you glued back together perfectly. We broke this house now look at it standing flushed and tall. We broke our marriage mentally and talked to each other like friends. She told me what I had been doing wrong, I told her why I did what I did, and somehow during that all-nighter that we pulled, just talking to each other, we grew close to each other and all the miseries were forgotten. We gained clarity that love is beyond all things. Love is peace. We must protect and support the ones we love because, in the end, that is what matters." Mom had tears in her eyes, and neither could I stop myself. Sniffling and running nose voices reverberated through the otherwise silent room.

"Then why did you come and fight with me in my office that day?" I asked him a question that did not let me sleep properly at night, since that day.

"I saw what you had achieved without us. Somewhere I thought you didn't need us. That to succeed you wanted to see me as your enemy and it was best for you if I kept things the same way," he answers so clearly.

I now understand where he was coming from even if was so fucked up but this is what happens when you come from a family of selfmade people with big egoes.

It's funny how it just took one conversation for me to forget my pain. Maybe we all hype up the problems in our minds, when in reality the situation is neutral.

Everybody was lost in the overwhelming feeling and nostalgia was the main reason for such a heavy emotional buildup. The room was filled with a spectrum of emotions and each of us contributed individual ingredients.

"Wow, that's incredible," I felt like crying because love reminded me of Elliot. I had subdued myself under so many imaginary quilts but all of them were pulled away by that one damned speech.

"What happened?" Mom asked as she looked at me deeply.

"It's uh. nothing," I wiped the tears away from the bridge of my nose. She looked at me intensely.

"Honey, you can tell your mom anything," her soft voice took me closer to the edge. Her words nudged me gently down the staircase of memories that I had packed away.

"Is it a man?" She inquired as she sat next to me. She placed her hand on my shoulder and I started sobbing.

"Mom. I think I fell in love and it hurts, now that I don't have him," I cried.

"Oh, honey. Shh. First, calm down then tell me the whole thing," she rubbed circles on my back which helped me calm down a bit.

"Who is this man, Charlotte?" Dad spoke for the first time regarding this matter.

"There is a high probability that you know him," I mutter, looking down as I avoid his eyes.

"Okay," he stretched the word and added, " and..name?"

"Elliot Walters," I mutter and look up barely in time to catch the shocking glance that mom and dad send each other. Oh boy!

Here it comes!

"What! That Elliot! That rich bastard! Son of a ....," He cuts off mid-air, realising that this is not the right room to cuss.

My mother is the only one who can be a realist in these situations. She's a bit more logical.

"It's alright honey. So what happened?" She pats my back.

I told them the complete story. I would stop sometimes in between to look at dad, only to see him looking completely immersed in what I was telling. I avoided telling them the intimate details.

"So...he just let you go...just like that..," dad spoke up.

"Yeah pretty much that dad," I replied.

"Well then. Get over him," he said.

"Yeah, dad. I know that's the right thing to do but I just can't forget him. It's taxing," frustratingly, I stood up and started to walk away.

I felt my phone vibrate inside the pocket of my jeans. I took it out to see that I had an email from RITZ-ELTY, the company account?

I sat down on the couch and looked up at my parents with a confused expression. They gave each other the same looks.

"What is it?" Mom asked as worry drew on her face.

"Elliot's getting married," I whispered.

Silence reverberated inside the house, louder than any laughter that I had shared a few minutes prior.

Why is the sound of heartache lower but brutal than happiness?

"I'm fucked," I felt like crying. I could feel the ground slipping from underneath my feet. The email just pulled the rug from under me, and I was tumbling, rolling over and over again over my worn-out edges.

"Why is this happening to me?! What crimes did I commit in my past life to deserve this much pain?" I put my hand on my chest and started striking myself, over and over again.

"Stop it! Charlotte," mom screeched and ran towards me.

"Stop this madness, Charlotte," dad screamed.

My vision was blurred with tears and blinded with pain as I kept on striking the place where my heart sat inside my chest with my hand, punishing it for feeling this way for this guy.

Mom grabbed my hand and stopped me but I was still looking way ahead. She pushed my hand away and hugged me. I sat there, numb and dead.

She rocked me forwards and backward while hugging me. Dad peered from far away, lost in his thoughts. 

"This is enough. I cannot take this," he spoke in a clear voice but more to himself because just after he said that he left the drawing room and took the path towards his office. I could see but not see anything. It was like I was there but not there.

Hours passed as I stayed put. Mom had left me alone but I could feel her eyes on me from whatever she did. She tried to hang around near me but I think dad told her to give me my space.

Something happened because mom suddenly walked away from the room towards the main entrance as dad called her. I ignored them, not like I had any choice.

"Charlotte," a voice called me.

No way.

It can't be.

My breath got caught in my throat but I did not turn around toward the source of the voice.

"What are you doing here?" I spoke without looking back.

"I uh...," Elliot's voice got cut by Dad talking in between.

"I called him here. I want both of you to settle whatever this is...this situation that you have created is not closed properly. You need to talk things through. And...," As my father spoke, I turned around to argue with him that I needed no closure from him. We were already fucking closed from the beginning, but my dad beat me to it.

"Son, a piece of advice from this old man, be honest. You'll do yourself the nicest deed," dad said while looking at Elliot. Elliot's jaw clicked and a look of understanding passed between both the men. It was like some sort of bro language. I could feel that he told him something underneath those words and Elliot understood it.

"Yes sir," he nodded and walked towards me. Mom and dad gave us space. He joined me on the couch, sitting near me but keeping a safe distance. We needed that gap to function properly.

I have it so bad for him because all I wanted to do was just hug him and never let him go. He looked so cosy and peaceful. His hair which was ruffled up crazily in different directions needed taming by my fingers. I wanted to pull him so close to me and kiss his lips again and again. I blinked my eyes, squeezing them tightly shut to stop myself from imagining these things because they hurt so bad.

"So," I said.

" I need to talk to you like a friend. Can you be that for me?" He asked me. He looks so desperate. His eyes begged for me to help him. For a second he reminded me of that night when I found him on the footpath, drunk, lost, and hurt.

I became worried, did something happen again? So I grant him what he wants because this is how easy I am for him. I know I should be ashamed at how easily I agree with him but this is how it is. I have accepted it but it will come to an end some time or the other. Since this is the last time, I'll allow myself to get hurt just this one more time. The last time, I let destiny do its thing.

Last time I trust him.

"Yes. You have me as your friend today," I say and he exhales a breath of relief.

A shy smile breaks out on his face. Seeing that smile on his face brings one to my face.

"Thanks, Char," he breathes out as his smile widens and he lets out a shy laugh.

I lay my head back on the couch and look up at the ceiling while I smile. The sound of his laughter relaxes me and I find myself becoming a little bit happy. 

Look at me ripening again, only to become sour when this becomes bad. Healing to crack, once again.

I turned around to look at him from the side. He connected his eyes with mine and bit his lip, "You were right, Charlotte."

"I know. But about what?" I answer politely. I've learned my lesson about not getting happy too soon.

"Everything," he said.

I tilted my head, " so you're not marrying her?"

He lowered his eyes, dejectedly.

Hope vanished as soon as it came.

"Why?" My tone was sharp. I rose from the sofa and stood with my back to him. This is not going to go down well.

"I love her," he replied too soon.

"You're confusing me, Elliot," I started pacing around.

"Why would you come here, tell me I was right all this time, and then slap me with the I love her bullshit!" I felt myself wanting to do insane stuff like slap my feet on the ground so hard, or punch a wall, or hit Elliot in the head with Mjolnir, only if I was worthy enough to carry it.

"Charlotte you don't understand," he says calmly.

His calmness is pissing me off more.

"Fucking tell me what I don't understand?!" I scream. I'm raging. It's not in my control whatever will happen now.

"Mom. Dad!" I scream calling them out.

Elliot's eyes widen and he stands up vigilantly. I think he's scared of why I am calling my parents.

"Yes, darling?" Both of them present themselves in front of me within seconds, like they had been eavesdropping.

"Enough of you guys hearing this stuff. I need my privacy. My G-wagon is standing outside the boundary of this house. Go on a drive and then park it inside. I don't know, just go to the freaking horse ranch to pet the horses but give me privacy with this infuriating man for some time! I need to settle some scores with him! Alone! So it's time for you both to go out on a date," I know I sound mad. I say all this without taking my eyes off of Elliot. He looks impressed and ....he has a funny expression on his face like he's trying to withhold his laughter.

I raise a single eyebrow at him. 

"I know I'm all about my cars but the G-wagon is a solid car right there. I'm so jealous of it," he jokes trying to diffuse the tension.

He won't be laughing in a few minutes.

Mom and dad scatter away. Good!

"I've had enough, Elliot," I make my voice deadpan and narrow my eyes at him as I take stealthy steps towards him.

"Charlotte..." He tries to warn me.

Do hell with his warnings now. 

I reach closer to him and put my hands on his waist.

He looks at me curiously but doesn't stop me.

I need permission. I want him to talk.

"I want to hug you," I look into his eyes.

He doesn't wait for me to say anything else because soon I am engulfed in his arms. My face touches his chest and his arms tighten around. His chin makes itself comfortable on top of my head. I feel him place a kiss on top of my hair. My eyes stay shut.

This is even more peaceful than being at home. How come he doesn't feel it?

"How do you feel, Elliot?" I ask him.

"Alive," he breathes out.

I want to look into his eyes. I want my eyes and the words shared amongst our eyes to be proof of the things that he says because he forgets them oh too soon!

I unlink myself from him and look at him. I slide my hands behind his waist and hold him tightly. I stand on my tiptoes and close the gap between our lips. Just as I was about to kiss him, he stopped me, "I'm engaged."

"I know," I say and still don't back away from his lips.

"I'm getting married, Charlotte," he says.

How I wish it was, I'm getting married to you Charlotte! But it isn't.

"I don't give a fuck," I reply. I am astonished when he starts laughing.

"What?" I ask him.

He still keeps on laughing and after he's done, he speaks, "you're so blunt."

"Well. You already know I have feelings for you that are more extravagant, special, and magical than Niagara falls. I just don't know why you won't accept me, Elliot, when I love you so much! So tell me why would I give a fuck that you're marrying a lying woman who doesn't deserve you! I deserve you because I am right for you and you are the guy for me! Why would I care when I feel like you are destined to be with me. I don't feel like the other woman, damnit Elliot. I feel like the only woman for you. For fucks sake, I love you Elliot and I should be with you because if I'm not with you then who do I exist for in this world? It's only you and will always be you so of course, I don't give a fuck about her.And this marriage."

He is stunned by my words. I won't be lying if I say that I am completely okay after saying all that.

He looks at me like I have two heads.

"You love me?" His voice was diaphanous.

My lips glued together. A few moments back my boneless tongue was lapping off on so many words now when the moment has come to talk, it stays shut.

Elliot puts his hands on my arms that stayed at my back and gives me a jerk waking me up from my dozed-off state.

"Tell me, Charlotte. Do you mean what you said," he asked me with passion in his voice.

"Yes, Elliot. I mean every single word that I said to you," I reply.

" Charlotte, then I must say I am so sorry because I have hurt you so much, without intentionally trying to. I thought that it was just infatuation and you were just attracted to me because I was someone new and that you would....forget about me in some time," he tried to explain his point of view.

"So you kept her as your backup plan and ran back to her?" I completed it for him.

He looked down, avoiding my eyes. He didn't say anything to prove me wrong. 

"Elliot. It doesn't matter anymore. I love you. Do you love me? Because it's alright even if you don't, for now. I just want you to give me...give us an honest chance. Give us time and trust me I'll make you forget everything. Tell me how much time you and Pearl have been together?" I asked him.

"Two years," he said, unsurely. 

"I'll make you forget two years in two days, Elliot. Please choose me. You don't have to tell me you love me," I use everything inside of me to persuade him to call his wedding off.

"Charlotte. I have to marry her," I feel hope slipping through my fingers, again.

No. I have to fight for what I deserve.

"Why do you have to?" I want to know why it is such a compulsion for him.

"Because she is blackmailing me," he tells me.

***
Author's note

After a long time.
I'm really busy. Updates are going to be slow but hopefully worth it.
Give me feedback about this one.
What do you want they should say to each other?

Luv, Leena ❤❤
Bye-bye, until next time.