Chapter 59: Dreams Had Been Crushed
"No, I went there on my own wish." Ryan replied, his eyes locked on Charlotte’s, reassuring her.
Charlotte felt relief at his words. She had been worried that Ryan had indeed gone abroad at Ava’s behest.
"Your girlfriend was saying that you went as she asked you.." Ava emerged from the washroom, a bright smile plastered on her face as she sauntered towards Ryan. "Charlotte, did you believe my words? I was just joking with you simply.." she said, her tone light and playful, but her eyes flashing with anger.
Charlotte saw the façade Ava was putting up and wasn’t fooled. Ava was inwardly fuming, thinking that Charlotte would believe her words and leave crying, defeated.
"Ryan, could you please give me a ride home?" Ava pleaded, her voice sweet and innocent, batting her eyelashes at him.
"Sure, after she completes her meal, we can proceed." Ryan said, nodding towards Charlotte.
But Charlotte had lost her appetite. "Let’s go, I have finished my dinner." she said, pushing her chair back.
"But you ate so little, first complete that.."
"I want to go home now.." Charlotte replied, as she stood up and walked out of the restaurant, followed by Ava and Ryan.
She paid the bill before making her way to Ryan’s black Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The driver, a tall, imposing figure in a black suit, opened the passenger door for her as she approached.
But Charlotte ignored the passenger seat and went to open the back seat door instead. She settled herself in the leather seat, her emotions still raw from the earlier conversation.
Ava raised an eyebrow, surprised by Charlotte’s actions, but said nothing as she got into the passenger seat. Ryan followed, his eyes flicking between the two women, sensing the tension between them.
As the car pulled away from the curb, Charlotte gazed out the window, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions, while Ava chatted with Ryan, trying to maintain a facade of normalcy.
Throughout the journey, Charlotte remained silent, lost in her thoughts. Finally, the car arrived at Ava’s house, and she bid them goodbye before getting out.
As the car started moving again, Ryan turned to Charlotte and asked, "Did you not like her?"
"Why?" Charlotte replied, her voice neutral.
"You haven’t spoken a word till now.." Ryan said, noticing her silence.
"What’s to say? You two were busy with yourselves.." Charlotte retorted, her tone slightly bitter.
"Moreover, I don’t like her.." Charlotte added.Ryan couldn’t understand why she didn’t like her."Is there any reason?"
Charlotte thought to herself, "There are many reasons. I liked you. She is now your girlfriend for so long. She is not a trustworthy person." But she simply replied, "I just don’t like her."
Ryan smiled. "Once you befriend her, I believe you will like her."
Charlotte inwardly retorted, "Who is going to befriend that woman?"
But she said aloud, "I have something to say to you."
"Go on.." Ryan encouraged.
"Ryan... you know I have liked you for a long time.." Charlotte said, her heart racing.
"Yes, I know that.." Ryan replied, his expression gentle.
Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat as she heard his words. But then he added, "I know you like me as I am like your elder brother."
Charlotte’s mood became sad as she heard the rest of the words. She had hoped for something more.
Summoning her courage, Charlotte blurted out, "I want you to be my boyfriend!" The driver’s eyes widened in astonishment, and Ryan’s voice was tinged with surprise and discomfort as he asked, "Charlotte, what are you saying?"
"Yes, Ryan, I have liked you for a long time.."
"Charlotte, but I haven’t seen you in that way. You are like a sister to me. I already have a girlfriend, and I..." Ryan started to explain, but Charlotte interrupted him.
"I know, IDid you believe my words...I am just kidding.." Charlotte forced a smile at him.
But in her mind, she thought, "I won’t leave you that easily. Even if you don’t become my boyfriend, I won’t allow her to be in your life either." She steeled herself, determination burning within her. "I will fight for you till the end."
Ryan looked at her, taken aback by her intensity. "Charlotte, I..." he started again, but Charlotte cut him off.
"Just forget what I said, Ryan. Let’s just forget it." she replied before turning away, trying to hide her tears.
The driver, who had been witnessing the exchange, glanced in the rearview mirror, his expression sympathetic. Ryan looked at Charlotte, but he said nothing, unsure of what to say to her.
After she finally reached home, Charlotte saw her mother sitting in the living room,. "So, how was it my child..Did you meet him??" her mom asked, knowing that her daughter had gone to have dinner with Ryan.
"It went well, Mom," Charlotte reported, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice as she added, "but he has a girlfriend."
Her mom nodded, "Ah, yes, your father was saying that his father informed him."
"Did you meet her?" her mom asked, curiosity in her voice.
"Yes, at the restaurant." Charlotte replied, her eyes clouding over at the memory.
Her mom nodded sympathetically. "Dear, it’s late now. Go and get some sleep. Goodnight."
"Mom, goodnight.." Charlotte said, before heading to her room.
Her room was a cozy sanctuary, filled with all her favorite things. The walls were painted a soft, pale pink, and the bed was covered in a white duvet with intricate lace details. Her desk was cluttered with books, papers, and photos of her loved ones. A comfortable armchair sat in one corner, piled high with plush cushions and a few favorite stuffed animals. The room was dimly lit, with only a small table lamp casting a warm glow.
She changed into her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and climbed into bed, her mind still reeling with thoughts of Ryan and Ava.
Thea called her at that time.. "Charlotte, how was your day? Did you succeed in confessing your feelings?"
But Charlotte didn’t reply. She was still reeling from the events of the evening.
"Charlotte, are you listening...Hello..." Thea was worried on not hearing any words from her best friend.
"T..Thea...." Charlotte burst into tears, her emotions finally overflowing.
"What happened? Why are you crying?" Thea asked, alarm rising in her voice.
"Thea ...Ryan...h..he already has a girlfriend i wasn’t aware of it.." Charlotte sobbed, her words barely intelligible.
"Charlotte, don’t cry.." Thea said, trying to comfort her friend.But Charlotte couldn’t stop her tears from falling .
"Thea , how can he not say it to me before that he has a girlfriend for 8 long years?" she wailed, her heart still hurting from the revelation.
Thea listened patiently, letting Charlotte vent her emotions."Charlotte, if you feel like crying, just let it all out." Thea replied soothingly, as only a best friend could.
Charlotte sniffled, trying to compose herself. "I know, me neither. I feel so stupid." she said, her voice shaking.
"Don’t call yourself stupid, Charlotte. Loving him doesn’t make you foolish, it just means you followed your heart."
Charlotte’s voice was resolute as she stated, "I won’t let go of him that easily. I’ll show him that his girlfriend is not who he believes her to be."
"Are you sure of it?"
"Yes, he will come to New York in a few months, which means I can spend more time with him.." Charlotte said, a hint of a plan forming in her mind.
Her mood became a little bit better as she thought about it. "I will prove myself that I truly love him and will make him fall in love with me..even if I can’t I won’t let that Ava be in his life.." she said, her voice filled with conviction.
"Charlotte, take some rest. Don’t worry about it at all. I know you can do it..But don’t do anything you will be affected emotionally.."
"I will, Thea. Thanks for listening to my words.." She wiped away the tears streaming down her face.
"That’s what friends are for, Charlotte." Thea replied warmly, before they ended the call.
Thea hung up the phone, her expression sympathetic. She could feel the depth of Charlotte’s heartbreak through the phone lines, knowing that her beloved had been in a relationship with someone else for 8 long years.
She could understand how Charlotte felt at that moment - the shock, the betrayal, the crushing disappointment.
She remembered the countless nights she had spent listening to Charlotte’s dreams and aspirations, her hopes and fears. And now, it seemed like all of those dreams had been crushed in an instant in front of her.
