When We Meet Again

In an Italian restaurant, Melvin and his uncle, Mr Daniel were seated, having lunch. After the meal, they had a few glasses of wine, while discussing issues related to work and family matters. Melvin was chatty at the beginning of their conversation especially when they talked about the business world but became less interested at the mention of his wife's name.

His uncle could tell how desperate Melvin was not to talk about Charlotte. He could also see how hard he had been trying to change the topic; no matter how little the conversation was; he wasn't ready to give up either. "How is Charlotte doing?" his uncle asked for the umpteenth time with Melvin respectfully changing the topic. "I am asking after your wife. Do..."

"I heard you won the last contract with the Maxin Publishing Company. I am so proud of you, uncle." Melvin said, hoping this would make his uncle stop asking after Charlotte.

"Thank you, Melvin. It was the good work of my general manager and his deputy. They've been doing great jobs."

You are not doing bad either. Having those who are capable in the company with you is a blessing. I heard how well your wife has been doing since she joined the company. At least I have seen her on one or two occasions and she did well I must confess. My friend told me he was satisfied with her presentation the last time they met. You know she won the contract right?". Melvin nodded but said nothing. "What do you think about her?"

Melvin stared at his uncle wondering what he meant by that.

He isn't asking him if he has feelings for her, is he? He thought.

"I mean on a work basis. What do you think about how she handles her work?"

Melvin shrugged. Though everyone in the office had said nothing but good words about Charlotte to him, he still found it difficult to trust her work.

"I can't say," he mumbled.

"Melvin, you are only trying to convince yourself that she is not good enough but deep down there. Deep down in your heart, you know she is good."

Melvin stared at his uncle without saying a word, not because he felt guilty for not acknowledging how good she was but because he didn't want to talk about it any further. He hoped his uncle would stop talking about it too. "Don't you think it's time you look past your differences and try to care about her?" his uncle pressed further.

He isn't suggesting that he treats her as his wife, is he? Melvin thought.

He scoffed. There are so many differences between them, how is he supposed to look past them?

Their social class is a thing he can never look past; it's obvious they do not belong to the same class. What about their professionalism? He is far better than she can ever be. Should he talk about their thoughts on life? To him, Charlotte has a weird way of thinking.

He is also not ready to spend his life with someone who knows nothing but work; he sees her as a hypocrite. He doesn't want to spend his life with someone who will do anything to acquire power and wealth; he knows Charlotte married him for his money and status.

He shook his head. He has always agreed with his uncle on almost everything but not this one. There are so many things that make them not compatible.

"Uncle, that is not possible. I can't look past our differences."

"You can make it possible. Why can't you..."

"I do not want to have anything to do with her". Melvin sighed. "I hope she would come to her senses real quick and understand that this marriage would never work."

"You can't say that." his uncle said. "You never can tell."

Melvin smiled. "Uncle, I'm certain about this."

"You seem very sure about this."

Melvin nodded. "I am. I just wish we could get a divorce."

"You know that is not possible right? Your late father..."

"I am the one who can't divorce her but she can divorce me whenever she wants. Why can't she just do that? It will please me if she decides to do that without being forced to. We sign a few papers and we are done. Everyone can go their separate ways."

His uncle sighed. He knew no matter how hard he tried to convince him to change his mind and treat his wife better, Melvin would not budge. He has already made his choice and there is nothing that can change it.

Mr Daniel wished there was something he could do. What he wanted for his nephew is a peaceful and blissful marriage life with Charlotte but that might not happen not even in a few years to come; he could not see any future between them. "I still think you should treat her well. I understand how desperate you are to divorce her. You..."

"Uncle, treating her well is not an option for me. I don't treat her badly, do I? She gets everything she wants. If you mean spending more time with her, that will never happen."

"I guess I can't make you change your mind.". His uncle said, standing up. "I wish you all the best, son. I have to go now."

Melvin lifted the glass cup in his hand. "I will leave after this."

His uncle nodded. "See you around."

After his uncle left, Melvin dropped the cup in his hand with his mind drifting back to the discussion they just had. He wondered if Charlotte had spoken to his uncle in his absence and that is the reason his uncle kept talking about her no matter how much he tried to change the topic.

Melvin had so many thoughts going on in his mind; so many questions he wished he could answer.

Why isn't Charlotte divorcing him despite his attitude towards her? Why hasn't she made a complaint to anyone on how he has been treating her? Why is she bent on getting contracts for the company? Has she been sleeping with them to get the contracts? What could be going on in her mind?

These questions had no answers no matter how much he tried to answer them. He could not tell what was going on in Charlotte's mind no matter how much he looked at her; the main reason he could not trust her.

With a sigh, he stood up and headed to his car.