Chapter 58: Charlotte’s Mood Was Spoiled
Soft candlelight illuminated the area, casting a soft glow over the entire setting. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing that everything was perfect for the special moment she was about to confess to Ryan.
Ryan walked in, looking dashing in a simple yet stylish outfit. His white shirt was fitted perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders, and his dark pants were tailored to perfection. He flashed a charming smile as he spotted Charlotte, and her heart beat accelerated.
"Charlotte, stay calm. You have to confess to him..today..by any chance" she consoled herself, taking a deep breath. Her heartbeat increased as Ryan approached the table, his eyes scanning the setup with a smile.
"Charlotte, the view is amazing.." Ryan said, taking in the stunning view of the marina and the beautiful decorations. "You like it?" Charlotte asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm," Ryan replied, his eyes still fixed on the view, a smile playing on his lips.
Ryan sat down in the chair across from Charlotte, and shortly after, the food arrived. They started to dig into their meals when Ryan’s phone rang, breaking the comfortable silence. He took it out of his pocket and answered it.
"Yes, I’m accompanying a friend of mine.." Ryan replied to the person on the other end, his tone polite.
After hanging up the phone call, Ryan turned to Charlotte and informed her, "Someone will come here to meet me."
Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered who it could be and why they were meeting Ryan here, of all places. She tried to brush off the feeling of unease and focus on the moment, reminding herself that she had something important to share with Ryan.
Charlotte couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious, so she asked Ryan, "How am I looking? You haven’t commented?"
Ryan looked up from his plate, his eyes locking onto hers with a warm smile. "You are looking beautiful, Charlotte.."
Charlotte’s heart fluttered at the compliment, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "Thanks for your comment."
Ryan’s smile widened, and he reached out to cover her hand with his. "You really are, Charlotte."
The touch sent shivers down her spine, and Charlotte knew she was falling deeper in love with him. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage to confess her feelings.
"Ryan.." a soft voice called out, interrupting the intimate moment between Ryan and Charlotte.
Charlotte’s eyes shifted towards the person who had called out Ryan’s name, and she felt a sudden pang of unease. The woman who had called him was stunningly beautiful, with long, curly blonde hair that cascaded down her back . Her deep amber eyes sparkled as she smiled at Ryan, and her full lips were painted a deep shade of red.
She was dressed in a black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, showcasing her toned physique. The dress was knee-length, with a high neckline and a subtle slit on the side, giving a glimpse of her long legs. Her feet were clad in a pair of black stilettos that added to her already impressive height.
A diamond chain necklace glinted in the light, drawing attention to her décolletage.
Charlotte couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she watched Ryan’s face light up with a warm smile as he acknowledged the woman. "Ava.." he exclaimed..
He stood up from his seat, and the woman’s eyes turned to Charlotte. "This is Charlotte right?" the woman asked, her voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
"Yes, I am Charlotte. Who are you?" Charlotte replied, her tone neutral.
The woman smiled, and Ryan’s face lit up with a warm smile. "Oh, sorry to not introduce myself earlier. I am Ava, Ryan’s girlfriend." she said, her voice confident and assured.
"Ryan’s girlfriend?" Charlotte asked again, her voice laced with disbelief.
"Yes, I have been dating him for 8 years now.." Ava replied, her eyes never leaving Charlotte’s face.
Charlotte felt her world shattered. She had not known that Ryan had a girlfriend. ’Why did he hide it from me?’ she wondered to herself, feeling a mix of emotions: shock, anger, and hurt.
"Ryan, is it true what she is saying?" Charlotte asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes searching for answers.
"Yes, Charlotte. She is my girlfriend..We have been in relationship for a long time." Ryan smiled at Ava while he answered.
"I was going to introduce her to you someday. Good that it happened today.."
Charlotte felt like she had been punched in the gut. She needed a moment to process this revelation. "I need to go to the washroom. Excuse me, please" she said, her voice strained, as she stood up from her seat abruptly and made her way to the washroom, trying to hold back tears.
Inside the washroom..
Charlotte gazed at her reflection in the mirror, trying to muster up a sense of determination. "So what if he has a girlfriend? I still can pursue him." she said to herself, but her voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to console herself. "I have known him for so long. I loved him all my life."
Just then, a woman entered the washroom and stood beside her, washing her hands. Charlotte glanced over, expecting a stranger, but her heart sank when she saw Ava’s smug face.
"Charlotte.Ryan is only mine.." Ava said, her voice dripping with possessiveness. "Don’t try to play any tricks on us. He will never be yours."
Charlotte felt a surge of anger and hurt at Ava’s words. She turned to face her, tears streaming down her face. "You don’t know anything about us.." Charlotte said, her voice shaking.
Ava raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I know enough. Ryan has told me all about you. You’re just a friend, Charlotte. Don’t try to be something you’re not."
Charlotte felt a sting from Ava’s words, but she refused to back down. "You may have him now,only for Right years but I’ve known him for years. I know him in ways you never will."
Ava sneered. "We’ll see about that. Ryan loves me, and I’m not going to let you come between us."
"What do you mean by that?" Charlotte asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of vulnerability.
"From the moment.. I said Ryan is my boyfriend, your eyes dimmed. I understood that you like him.." Ava said, her tone condescending.
"Yes, I love him, and I will continue to do so in the future." Charlotte retorted, her voice steady and unwavering.
"Charlotte, you are only a little sister to him. He will never reciprocate your feelings and he loves me only.." Ava said, her words dripping with confidence.
"Do you know why he went abroad? Because I asked him to do so.." Ava continued, a smug smile spreading across her face.
"He can go wherever he wants.." Charlotte said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the growing unease inside her.
"You are such a foolish, Charlotte.If he doesn’t love me would be follow me there?"
Charlotte felt a pang of hurt and frustration at Ava’s words, but she refused to back down. She stood tall, her eyes locked on Ava’s, and said, "I don’t believe you. Ryan would never do something just because you asked him to."
The tension between them was palpable, and Charlotte knew she had to get out of there before things escalated further. She turned and walked out of the washroom, leaving Ava and her condescending smile behind.
Charlotte returned to her seat, her expression subdued. Ryan looked up from his phone, noticing the change in her demeanor. "What happened?" he asked as he noticed her red eyes..
"Did you go abroad as she asked you to?" Charlotte asked, her voice laced with a hint of accusation.
Ryan’s expression turned defensive. "Why are you asking this type of question?" he asked back, his tone cautious.
"You just answered me..Yes or no.." Charlotte replied, her voice firm, her eyes locked on his.
The atmosphere at the table had shifted, and Ryan’s gaze faltered under Charlotte’s intense stare. The mention of Ava’s claim had clearly struck a nerve.
Charlotte’s mood to have dinner was totally spoiled. She felt a sense of unease and betrayal, wondering if Ryan had indeed gone abroad at Ava’s behest. The evening, which had started with such promise, was now rapidly unraveling.
