? The Deal ?
Written by Idara Kingsley
? Chapter 21 ?
? Brian ?
Jogging down the stairs, I caught glimpse of Charlotte going throu-ghher phone. She was still in the lounge, her legs crossed. She was typing fast on her phone.
I watched her keenly.
Her shoulders were down. They weren’t up as usual. Why?
On cue, she looked up at the stairs to see me staring at her. I gave her a toothy grin.
“Hey.” I smiled at her as I walked to the lounge. A bright smile appeared on her face. She was glowing differently tonight. She was also acting odd. Truthfully, it scared the shit out of me.
“Hi.” She grinned at me. “You freshened up quickly. I see.” A small laugh escaped her li-ps.
“Yeah. I couldn’t keep you waiting for too long.” I looked over at the dinning table. The maids had positioned themselves at every corner, waiting for us to come eat.
They did it whenever I had a guest. I dismiss them if something important have to be discussed.
“Let’s eat.” I took her tiny slender, hands into mine. I squ-eezed them softly.
She nodded and began to follow me. Her eyes travelled up the stairs. I co-cked my brows and looked up. Ashton was there, taking each step carefully.
He was wearing a short and a tank top. His blonde hair was w-et and dripping from water. He used his left hand to shake the water off. He looked so much like a professional model.
“Hey people. Charlotte.” He greeted, pulling out a chair from the dinning table to sit. He was full of smiles.
Why was everyone acting so different today? All happy, smiling, it felt odd.
I waved it off and picked up my wine. I took a little sip from it before I dumped it on the table.
Charlotte on the other hand was already devouring her food. It was funny to watch the Instagram and Twitter Queen eat like this.
One thing was that she never cared what anyone had to say about her. She was being herself.
So much things to learn about her. Everyday, she gave me more reasons to love her personality.
Honestly, from what I had observed over time, she was different from what everyone on social media thought about her.
I was still sure there were a lot of things she exhibited that I had no idea of. A lot of amazing personalities that made her the amazing woman she was.
Charlotte, was an awesome person. She was unique in her own ways.
There was definitely something about her that got me drawn to her that day at the mall.
Was it her confidence? I knew at that period, she was going throu-ghsome emotional trauma. Still, she was confident. She still carried herself despite so many negative comments going around.
She was strong.
Was it her beauty? It wasn’t any news that Charlotte was and is still eye catching, with or without makeover. She was a beautygodess. Her face was so clean— no acne, scar or whatsoever. How did she do it?
She caught my eyes.
“Brian Nicholas.” A hand snapped in front of my face, bringing me out of my reverie. I blinked.
“What the hell are you thinking bro? You almost knocked out Charlotte’s wine.” Ashton said in between laughter.
I looked around me. Charlotte was laughing, including the maids; they were trying so ha-rd not to laugh so loud.
I chuckled softly. “Crazy.” I threw my half eaten apple at Ashton. He was so unlucky to escape the apple that flew towards him. It hit his left cheek.
He stuck out his tongue at me, blowing raspberry at me.
“Boys!”
? Charlotte ?
I thought his lounge looked better until I stepped into his room. It looked like everything including the bed was made of diamond. It sparkled so brightly.
Wow. How rich was he?
From his expensive looking lounge to his room that could buy our house twenty times.
I looked around with admiration in my eyes.
His room was beyond being called beautiful.
“You like it huh?” His voice asked, snapping me out of my Dreamland. I whipped my head towards him.
I nodded softly. “It’s beautiful. Beyond beautiful.” I said, running my hands throu-ghthe only black couch in the room.
“Um… Charlotte?” He called, almost pulling me into him.
I didn’t realize he was holding my hands until he squ-eezed them softly. “Yeah?”
He lic-ked his bott-om li-ps, and rubbed the back of his ne-ck. Brian looked nervous. So, so, nervous.
“Are you okay? Do you want to say something?” I moved closer to him.
He breathed out and closed his eyes. “Can you stay over tonight?” He asked in a rush. One of his eyes were open now, watching me with interest, eager to hear my reply on his request.
My eyes grew a bit wide. I relaxed a bit. “W…. why?” I gulped softly, with my eyes still wide open in surprise.
“I want you around. Please?”
Should I consider it? I wanted to. I wanted to explore his house. I wanted to be with him.
Hold on, this would be a great idea, taking cool pictures at his house, us together in the bathroom, as if we just got off the shower. Damn, that would make a good headline.
“Yes, it would.” Brian smiled at me.
Oops. I think I said it a little bit loud.
“Okay.”
He took me off guard by engulfing me into a hug.
I shrugged his off after some few mintues. “I’ll go call my mum and Zoey.” I smiled at him.
“Okay.”
I walked off the room and into the lounge.
Ashton was there. He was with his laptop, watching a movie. Well, from the popcorn and soda, I knew he was watching a movie.
He took off his headphones the moment he sighted me. He sat up, giving me room to sit.
There was enough couches in the lounge, but he looked like he wanted me to stay with him.
He was Brian’s friend anyways.
I sat down and quickly texted mum. I called Zoey.
“Hey, bestie.” Her heart warming voice spread in my ear.
I chuckled softly. The relief I felt when her cheerily voice sprung up in the phone, was enough to burst my heart open. I was super glad she was okay.
Zoey was still at Jack’s. She had been staying away from her parents ever since the Jordan Castle issue. She obviously didn’t want to see them for as long as possible.
It was the best idea ever. Staying away from toxicity was the best someone could ever think of. It was the best decision she ever made. I was super proud of her and her decision.
Her mental health was all that mattered. She deserved a better life aside following her parents rules that could ruin her life forever.
I wondered which parents would derive so much joy seeing their child struggle with depression without doing anything about it. It was pathetic. I was sick and tired of them making decision for a grown up girl.
Her mum irritated me the most, while I was super mad at her dad for never standing up to his evil wife, who wanted their daughter to be miserable.
Jack on the other hand was helpful. He cared and listened to her everytime. He consoled her if theirs a need. He was the perfect man for Zoey.
No other person was perfect for her except him. They were such a perfect match.
He was a man who would never judge her or use her insecurities against her. He had being helpful even though he was risking himself with being with Zoey.
I knew Zoey’s mother. She was ready to do anything so she would continue to shame, and make decisions for Zoey at every little chance she gets.
“How are you?”
“I’m good. I just had the best time of my life.” She giggled. Even though I wasn’t with her, I knew she was full of smiles.
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
She breathed out loud. “Me too baby, me too. I got to go, I have to shower. I love you so much.” She made a ki-ssing sound with her mouth before she hung up.
“I love you too.” I said, despite the fact she had hung up. I smiled to myself. I was glad she was okay and smiling.
“Was that your real boyfriend?” Ashton asked behind me.
I almost jumped up in fear. No, not because I was scared, but his words. His words rang a bell in my head.
‘was that your real boyfriend?’ his voice repeated in my head.
What did he mean by that?
? The Deal ?
Written by Idara Kingsley
? Chapter 22 ?
? Charlotte ?
My throat went dry immediately. I was transfixed on a sp-ot, unmoved. What did he mean by that?
His sleek eyebrow was raised up, giving me the questioning look.
“Answer me, Charlotte.” He said casually like he never said anything before.
Brian was right after all. This guy never believed our relationship. He was making it ha-rd for us from my observation. He has doubts and he couldn’t hide it. He was airing out his thoughts. How smart was he? Could I convince him. God, I needed Brian right now.
I regained consciousness. My once blank face turned into a smirk. I could pull this off, right? I took a step forward. “What do you mean?” I asked, titling my head.
He still looked unmoved by my act. Infact, he had that bored look on his face. “You heard me.” He clic-ked his tongue.
I shrugged. “Why are you having so much doubt about my relationship with your friend?” I asked, raising up my hands, over my head. The guy was stressing the life out of me.
“I never doubted your relationship with Brian. I only asked a question. Was that your real boyfriend?” He asked again. A little bit of annoyance in his voice.
“What makes you think I have a guy somewhere else apart from your friend?” I was becoming frustrated. The guy was surely not buying anything I would say to him. He looked like someone who could see throu-ghyou. He looked at me like he knew what I was thinking.
I should’ve made that call somewhere else.
I should’ve known it was a trap when he adjusted so I could sit on the same couch as he was.
I should’ve known all these.
Now, I was trapped in between saving myself and my fake relationship with Brian.
Why was he so persistent about it anyways? Why?
“Why do you keep answering my question with a question? Huh? Tell me.” His once calm face now had a smirk on it.
I looked up, hoping I’d see Brian standing there. He wasn’t.
“Come on Charlotte, answer me.” He said.
His voice irritated me now. Why was he acting so off. This guy was different from the Ashton I knew. The Ashton that played basketball so well. He was nice to me, so why the change.
“I don’t see the reason why you would be listening to my conversation while I was on the phone.” I fired at him. He still looked unmoved, not caring about my outburst. He only sat there, looking at me with the most blank face.
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
I co-cked my brows, giving him the questioning look. “Why are you so persistent?”
He sat up, and folded his arm und-er his ch-est. “Why? Cool, I’m gonna answer you. Brian is my friend, my best friend. I know him as one who makes great decisions no matter what. My best friend would never stoop so low in dating you.”
I stopped breathing for a second.
My best friend would never stoop so low in dating you.
My best friend would never stoop so low in dating you.
My best friend would never stoop so low in dating you.
His harsh words kept replaying in my head.
It was a big blow to my face. I felt little even when I carried myself.
A part of me couldn’t agree more. Yes, Brian would never stoop so low in dating me.
The exact reason why he chose me to be his fake girlfriend instead of a real one.
Brian would never look at me twice, reason he needs me to make his ex jealous. He would never bat an eyelid at me. He saw me as a tool. A tool to get his cheating ex back.
He was right. Ashton was right.
A bitter laugh left my li-ps. “You’re right.” I began. “He would never stoop so low to date me.” I stopped. Tears were threatening to fall off my eyes but I pulled back. God, his words really affected me.
The truth really was bitter.
“It’s fake. Everything we shared is fake! I’m a tool. Your best friend tool.” I was nodding my head as I spoke. Ashton on the other hand was smiling to himself. “He would never look at he twice. I’m glad someone finally said it.”
It was so ha-rd to swallow the pain. My heart was beating so fast. With his hurtful words repeatedly playing in my head.
Who was I kidding? Brian deserved someone else. He would never look at me twice if it wasn’t for the fact that he needed his darling ex back.
No one wanted a crazy person as their girlfriend, fiancée or wife. No one.
No one wanted someone who never listens. Someone who carried herself so high and saw others as nothing.
Noah never wanted me. Brian never wanted me either.
I was the one going after men who didn’t give two flying f.ucks about my existence. They only wanted to use me.
Just like how Noah used me to gain a little bit of Fame. Now, Brian was using me to get another girl that broke his heart.
Who truly was I kidding?
“You’re gonna hurt my bestfriend if you don’t leave him alone.” Ashton said, ignoring how I felt about his piercing words. “You can’t use him like you used your ex.”
I looked up at him. He wasn’t smiling or smirking. Just a blank face that irritated me now.
“You think I’m using him?” I croaked.
He nodded. ” Definitely.”
“I guess I didn’t know how stupid you are until now.” I threw him a glare before I ran up the stairs. Actually, I walked on it, gently.
I wouldn’t lie that Ashton words hurt me down to the bones. They weakened me. The strangled me.
Was I so worthless? Was I that desperate for people to see throu-ghme.
It was so sad that I was starting to fall for Brian, while the duo didn’t give a shit. I should’ve known that it was all acting.
All the love he showed me for sometime was all acting. I should’ve known not to apply emotions while acting.
Now, I was in a messy situation that was ha-rd to get myself out.
I stopped at Brian’s room door, finger comb my hair, took in two de-ep breathes, replaced my sad looking face to a smiling face, before I pulled the door open.
He was seated on the bed. He looked a bit different. Sad. Perhaps, he looked worried. Why?
I co-cked my brows at him.
He shrugged, and motioned for me to come sit. I obeyed and sat beside him, giving him a little bit of space.
“Hey.” I said. He was acting weird. Did he hear my conversation with Ashton? Hell no, that would jeopardize things for me. I went against the rules to tell Ashton about our fake relationship. It was out of anger and frustration, not intentionally.
He cleared his throat and whipped his head towards me. “I heard everything.”
Oh no.
“I’m sorry I had to put you throu-ghall these stress. You don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve you either.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind going throu-ghthe stress.” I pulled up a fake smile on my face. “you’re worth it.” No lies. I still wanted to be with him. It was my only chance to be with him before he gets his ex back.
He shook his head sideways. “No. I’m not worth it. I just want you to be happy. I’m sad about everything. It’s really taking a toil on me. I never live a fake life, it’s disturbing.”
I swallowed but didn’t say a thing.
“I’m sorry, we need to break up.”
My throat went dry immediately. What was he saying? I opened my mouth to talk but he beat he to it.
“Forget about the media, Ashton or every other person, I’ll handle it. I just want you to be happy. I don’t think this can work out anymore. I don’t want Gianna anymore.”
“Why?”
He sighed then looked back to the floor. “I love someone else.”
I expected everything, but it still hurt me to the bones.
This was it. A break up without achieving what we signed up for.
Well, it was time to say goodbyes. I for-ced a smile up my li-ps. “Thank you for everything, Brian. I had fun while it lasted.” I shot him a toothy grin before standing up.
I reached out for my purse, looked over at him one more time before turning to leave.
“Charlotte, please wait.” His soft voice stopped me as I twisted the doorknob to pull the door open.
I stopped. But didn’t turn back to look at him.
“Can I at least get a goodbye hug?”
I needed a hug too. I wanted to be in his arms, at least for the last time. I turned back to meet his pleading eyes staring at me.
Walking into his opened, awaiting arms, he pressed me against him. His large arms wrapped around me, rubb-ing my back softly.
I wanted the hug to last forever. I never wanted it to end so soon.
It seems luck wasn’t on my part. He pulled me away softly.
“Thank you.” He smiled at me, before pulling me in for a forehead ki-ss.
His soft li-ps was pressed against my forehead. I enjoyed every bit of it, with my eyes closed.
“Thank you, Brian.” I whispered.
As I left his house, i felt the tears that I had been holding since, roll down to my cheeks.
Loving someone and having them leave your life was har-der than I thought.