Everyone was having fun at the party.
Framton had met his long borne colleagues and had old men talks with them. He couldn’t stop bragging about his children, his lovely children whom he loves so much.
“Haha! You are obsessed with your own children, Framton! Let them live a little on their own!”
“Huh? Guy, I gave them permission to live in their own mansion, separated from me. Do you know how sad and lonely my life has been since they shifted?” The old men gossip worse than old women.
However, Framton notices someone of keep interest looking in his direction.
He could feel her gaze, she had such big and bright eyes even now. He was 48 and she is still 47 years young.
Framton widens his eyes in surprise.
The woman was walking towards him.
He couldn’t stop staring at her undying beauty. She’s grown into the most beautiful woman.
He couldn’t hold grudges against anyone, he was weak in that aspect. He could, however know when and where to keep distance from a ill-intended person.
She doesn’t seem very ill-intended now…
“C-Charlotte… what a surprise.” The old woman giggles as she gives the man a side hug.
People begin whispering amongst themselves.
“Isn’t she the old fashion designer who Retired three years ago?”
“Yeah, she was in losses, if I remember.”
Ignoring them ardently, the two step aside from the space. Framton’s eyes couldn’t leave her, she was still so beautiful.
“So, hi.”
“Hello…” he whispers, smiling in confusion.
He was letting his feelings rise for her. Suddenly, she didn’t appeal to him as a cheater anymore. There was something so elegant about her at 47 that he couldn’t ignore.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asks with a gentle smile.
Suddenly, he remembers.
[FLASHBACK…]
Charlotte came back from her regular tailoring work. She was covered in another man’s scent, foolishly thinking her newlywed husband wouldn’t know.
“Hello, love. I made-” Framton was in an apron as he comes out of the little kitchen.
An envelope in hand to show her.
“Framton,” As she approached him, his smile fell. She was smelling of smoke, sweat and a man’s transferred cologne.
“I can’t do this. I know this was an arranged marriage, but I cannot stay with you anymore. You’re too good for me.” The woman says.
Framton and Charlotte slept together a few times after their marriage. It’s only been three months, yet she chose to sleep with another man, come home to tell him that she doesn’t want him anymore.
His smile faded, she wiped it so diligently off his face.
“I see. D-did you cheat on me?” A man would know quite quickly. She wasn’t smelling like her flowery self.
“Yes.” She states affirmatively.
“Okay. I’ll see you leave-” Charlotte suddenly looks up.
“B-but we’re not divorced and I don’t have a house.” The man removes his apron with a soft smile.
“I’ll see you leave tomorrow. Please pack your things, Charlotte. I’ll help you.” An unsettling amount of fear fills her heart as she was starting to think of the consequences only now.
For the first and the last time in his life, Framton was cold and heartless. He doesn’t hear her cries, much less pay heed to her arguments which were awfully one-sided.
“You can’t kick me out!” She screams in front of the porch where he gracefully held her hand and walked her towards it.
“I can, Charlotte. Just like you disregarded my love for you. I can’t believe you still want to live with me, Charlotte. How insensible you’ve become.” Charlotte watches the gentle rage of the man who closes the door behind her.
She doesn’t hear him cry, she doesn’t hear him throw things like other men do.
On the third day of living on his porch, she realises her grave mistake.
For the next four days, she bangs on his door 24/7 to let her in and accept her in his heart again.
What she failed to notice was that he prayed to God, to Jesus.
To never fall in love with any woman ever again.
The letter of cheque for his start up of Autoc Enterprises was still due on his table.
On the eighth day, he walks out of the house.
With his luggage.
“W-what are you doing?” A sick looking Charlotte asks him.
“I’ve sold the house. The next owners will be here any moment. The doors are open, I guess you can live with them-” Framton receives a slap on his cheek for his words.
“How dare you…” she sneers at him angrily.
Smiling, Framton walks away with his heavy luggage.
They’ve never seen each other ever again after that.
[FLASHBACK ENDS…]
Until today.
Charlotte hasn’t been more proud of her ex-husband until today.
She reminds him about something.
“Framton. We haven’t divorced each other yet.” He was unfazed, but he smiles.
“It was waste of paper work I believe.” Charlotte laughs timidly, gracefully behind her hand.
“Ah. You’re funny as always, Framton. But…” she looks down on her feet.
“I wish you can forgive me for the things I’ve done to you, Framton. I was really hopeless.” Framton nods at her.
“It’s the past. I can’t change it.” Ironic.
“Besides, I have already forgiven you the day you told me about your decision. You cheated on me, but I forgave you already. What I didn’t do was…”
“Forget about the pain I gave you. I know you, Framton.” Framton smiles. That wasn’t quite right, he thought.
“No, I didn’t forget about the memories I had with you. For twenty two years, I have been living in the memories of you. Those days were enough for my lonely soul, Charlotte.” The woman stares at him, he was unbelievable.
Her bottom lip wobbles as she carefully pats her kerchief to her eyes.
“And when I turned 33, I met my angel. My first son.” He says in the most proud voice he could bring out from his soul.
“Oh, Framton.” He simply watches her cry.
“Did you tell the kids about me?” The old man smiles as he unsurely says,
“Maybe once or twice.”
She begins laughing.
“Do you want to meet them?”
“I would love to, Framton. I would love to meet the angels who filled your heart,” with no space left for anyone now.