Charlie
Stevie was right. It’s been 64 hours (yes, I’m counting) and no contact. Not a single text message and it’s now mid-week. Clearly, my baboon behaviour in the office put the nail in the coffin.
As every day passes, I grow more frantic and needy, analysing every minute detail about the weekend. Maybe the sex wasn’t as good for him as it was for me? Did he just want some company, a playmate for a few days? Is he bored now?
Torturing myself, one eye remains glued to the phone. I turn it on and off again and check the coverage. I’m worse off than if it never happened. Now I’ve had a taste of how amazing he is. Literally, a taste. And it’s gone, out of my reach.
Why did I build this up to be more in my head?
I’m mildly appeased by the fact that I get to spend time this evening with Daniel, my nephew. Tristan’s son from his toxic marriage to witch-face Gemina. I never liked that woman. Both Danny and I are godparents to Daniel, making for the most awkward christening ever. Every year he buys some obnoxiously expensive present, making mine look pathetic. I’m the fun godparent though.
Tonight Tristan’s going out with Rebecca for some law firm event, so I’m babysitting. How he runs a firm moonlighting as a socialite is beyond me, he’s always at some gala or drinks event. The man never sleeps.
At least I can work on my business case for the role vacancy when Daniel goes to bed. If my rejected heart will let me focus on anything other than Mr fuck-me-all-weekend-then-ghost-me.
“Hi, Natalia.” I kiss the middle-aged Brazilian woman at the door. Natalie is his housekeeper. He’s basically paying for a second mum; she does everything for him, from cooking to cleaning his underwear. The guy has no shame.
“Charlie, my darling.” She pulls me in for a tight hug, and I come in, taking my shoes off. Tristan’s place is always spotless, thanks to Natalia. “Go right in; they are in the lounge area.” “They?” I ask, suddenly apprehensive.
“The boys, Rebecca, and her friend.”
I can hear Jack’s loud laugh, then the dry, sarcastic Scottish voice, and girls laughing. Fuck.
Double fuck.
Sucking in a breath, I walk into the lounge area.
“Charlie.” Daniel runs at me, and I couldn’t be happier for my nephew’s unconditional love right now. I kneel down and embrace him as I steady my raised heartbeat.
He’s here.
Why didn’t Tristan share these vital details?
“How’s my number one nephew doing?”
“Your only nephew,” he scolds. “I’m not stupid, you know.”
“No, you’re the smartest boy I know.” I ruffle his hair. “Are you going to beat me at chess tonight?”
He pushes his glasses up his nose. “Most definitely!”
“Charlie.” Tristan comes over and hugs me, “You are a star.”
I give him a kiss and cast my eyes around the room, smiling. Jack and Rebecca are leaning against the fireplace. Danny sits on an armchair with a hot redhead in a tight shift dress casually sitting on his armrest. As if there weren’t ample other chairs to sit on. She swings her legs in a deliberate act of seduction, so he gets a good view of them.
On the contrary, I’m in sweatpants with a bird’s nest on top of my bed.
While Jack and Rebecca greet me, my eyes collide with Danny’s, and he stiffens, leaning away from Mara. I fire back my best defiant look then ignore him.
Don’t pretend you aren’t going on a date, dipshit. My inner voice screams at him.
I hate that he affects me so much that he seems to control my happiness these days.
“Charlie, this is Mara,” Tristan introduces me to the gorgeous redhead sitting too close to Danny.
Mara. My eyes go wide in recognition, and I look at Danny then quickly away. I notice with triumph that the love bite is still there.
“Hi Charlie.” She beams at me. If only she knew. “You work in Danny’s company, Tristan was saying.”
“Lovely to meet you, Mara.” I manage to say, my heart plummeting. “Yes, I do.”
“Is he a friendly boss?” She giggles, giving him doe eyes.”I could imagine he’d be very demanding.”
Don’t use me in your attempt to flirt, bitch.
“Very friendly,” I reply, my frosty tone not matching my words.
“I’ll just go upstairs and get Daniel’s bath ready and be out of your way Tristan.”
“Stay down with us for a drink, sis?” Tristan shakes the wine bottle at me. “I haven’t seen you in a few weeks.”
“You’ve been ghosting me.” he scolds.
“I came here to lie in my sweatpants and play chess.” I respond, giving him a half-smile. “You never tell me when you have company coming over.”
I can’t cope with this. I can’t stay in this room watching Danny Walker work his Casanova charm on another woman in front of me.
“Tristan, I’m going upstairs,” I say. “All, have a nice night. Mara, nice to meet you. Enjoy your date with Danny.”
The others chuckle, and Mara lets out a high-pitched giggle. She’s nervous and excited.
I’ve been there, girl.
Danny glares at me, and I turn before they can see the tears forming in my eyes.
I’ve barely made it inside my room at Tristan’s when Danny storms in behind me, closing the door.
“What the fuck was that?” he hisses.
I stare at him. “What?”
“Your catty remarks down there.” He moves towards me. “It’s not a fucking date.”
Anger swells in my gut. “I know it’s a date. Asshole. Do I need to get tested for STDs? How many women have you had this week?”
The tension in his jaw tightens. “I’m here to see Tristan and Jack. I didn’t know Rebecca was going to bring Mara. Don’t give me this fucking shit, Charlie.”
His dark eyes hold mine, and I fight back the tears. I can’t cry in front of this bastard.
“Do you just stick your cock in the nearest female?” I cry. “Is that your tactic? I’m such a fool.
Why did I ever go near you?”
“Fuck’s sake. “He glares down at me. “I don’t need this emotional rollercoaster.”
“I thought we had a lovely weekend, and now the mad bitch is back.”
I slap him hard across the face. He stands frozen, taken completely aback before his eyes squeeze into thin slits.
“That better not have made a mark.” He spits out. “When you’re done with being a child, then we can talk.”
I turn away defiantly. “Enjoy your date, Danny.”
I hear him slam the door before I let the tears fall.
***