When We Meet Again

It was Melvin and Charlotte's wedding and the bride was still in her bed sleeping. Mia and Bella who had come to get her ready, met her still sleeping, and they began to contemplate whether to wake her up or not. "Charlotte?" Bella called but there wasn't any answer. "She is still sleeping." "Do you think we should wake her up?" Mia whispered to her.

Bella shook her head. "Look at the way she is sleeping so peacefully, I would not have thought about waking her if today wasn't her wedding day," Bella whispered.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Mia asked.

"How about we give her a few more minutes to sleep?" Bella answered.

Charlotte moved slightly, her eyes still closed. Her lips curve into a smile. Mia saw her smiling and sighed. Charlotte had been pretending to be asleep and she could tell that. She decided to play along with Charlotte. "I think you are right, Bella. Charlotte needs to sleep," Mia answered. "She is pretending," she whispered to Bella who furrowed her brows.

Charlotte is pretending to be asleep? She wondered.

"She is pre..."

"She is pretty while sleeping right?" Mia answered, cutting Bella short.

She doesn't want Charlotte to suspect that they might know that she is pretending.

"But that is not what I..."

"Let's go get her things ready. We can wake her up when we are done with that."

Bella nodded in agreement, though she did not understand why Mia kept cutting her short.

"But why do you keep..."

Mia held Bella's hand. "I think we should leave now."

Bella tried to say something but Mia placed her right index finger over her lips.

"Shh..."

She took Bella to Charlotte's closet to explain what was going on to her and also get Charlotte's wedding dress and shoes ready. When Charlotte did not hear their whispering anymore, she opened her eyes and chuckled. She had been listening to Mia and Bella's conversation and had pretended to be asleep.

Is she really, getting married today? She thought.

This is going to be her second wedding. The first one was a fake and it wasn't as grand as she has always wanted. She had thought about having the kind of wedding she wanted now that she had a second chance to get married and had wanted that to be after her baby was born, but everyone insisted that they should get married before her baby bump became visible.

"You just have to tell us the kind of wedding you want and we will make that happen," they had told her.

"But I do not want to get married now," Charlotte replied.

Everyone agreed that the wedding should be held; she was the only one against it. With everyone in agreement, the wedding preparation began. Everyone made sure to contribute significantly just to make the day successful. Everyone had been looking forward to this day. She looked forward to it, too, but now that the day is here, she doesn't feel like getting married.

She chuckled. She just has to pretend to be asleep to delay the wedding.

"Why are you chuckling?" Bella asked.

"I told you she was awake," Mia said and Charlotte groaned.

She did not notice them coming, or she would have pretended to be asleep again, but it was late now. Charlotte tried to lay on the bed but Mia stopped her.

"Don't you dare pretend to be asleep this time," Mia said.

"I wasn't pretending," Charlotte defended. "I just woke up."

"We knew you were not sleeping," Bella answered.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she mumbled.

"It's time to get ready. The makeup..."

"I do not want to get married," Charlotte answered, and Bella furrowed her brows.

"You did not want to do what?"

Charlotte groaned. "I am not getting married. I just want to sleep."

"You are not doing that," Bella answered

"And why should I listen to you? It's my wedding, not yours. Can't I have peace of mind on my wedding day?"

Mia scoffed. "I do not care if it's your wedding or not. We are getting you ready and that is finally."

Getting Charlotte ready was a bit difficult; she made sure to give them a hard time. When she finally got dressed and ready, Bella and Mia applauded themselves for a job well done.

"We should go get ready," Bella said. "We can't be late to the venue."

"But we can't leave her all by herself," Mia said. "You know how long it took to get her ready."

Bella nodded. "I know. I have a suggestion. You go get ready. I will wait until you are done."

The door opened and Mrs. Miller walked in. "Why are you both not dressed?" Bella and Mia stared at Charlotte who scoffed. "Don't you dare blame me?" Mia shrugged. "We never said you were the cause but I guess you are."

"But you just stared at me. Both of you."

"You are just being troublesome," Mia answered.

"Did you just call me troublesome?"

Mia shrugged. "I did not."

"It is the pregnancy," Bella whispered.

"Bella, what are you saying?" Charlotte asked.

Bella shook her head. "Nothing. I said nothing."

"I heard you say something."

Mrs. Miller moved closer to Charlotte. "It's your day today. You shouldn't get yourself worked up, okay?". Charlotte nodded but said nothing. "Mia, Bella. You should go and get ready. I will be here with her."

**

The inauguration of Bella's Fashion School will be taking place today, and Bella feels very nervous about it. Her dream of having a Fashion school is finally becoming but she could not help but feel nervous. Mia held her hand, assuring her that everything would be fine.

"I wish Charlotte was here already," Bella said. "Maybe I will feel better."

"She promised to be here before the inauguration starts," Mia said. "You do not have anything to worry about."

Bella sighed. It's been two months since Charlotte went on her honeymoon, and she is yet to return. Melvin had come back twice for business purposes but Charlotte never showed up. Bella had wished Charlotte was physically present with her throughout the journey; she was helpful despite being far away. Charlotte did not only follow Bella up in everything she did, but she also helped her get foreign investors.

Mia noticed that Bella was still nervous; she held her hand, assuring Bella that she had nothing to worry about. Bella smiled. Mia had been of great help to her with Charlotte's absence. "Thank you," Bella answered.

"Let's go welcome the guests," Mia said and Bella nodded.

Mia and Bella stood by the side to welcome the special guests they had invited. A car stopped in front of them and Charlotte popped her head out.

"Hi, best friends," she cooed.

"Charlotte is back," Mia said with a smile.

Bella smiled. "You made it."

Charlotte smiled. "I will not want to miss this for anything," she stepped out of the car and the driver drove off. "Congratulations, darling." She hugged Bella and then pecked her cheek. "Thank you, Charlotte," Bella said.

Charlotte moved to Mia to hug her. "I have missed you," she cooed.

"Too bad I did not miss you. How is my nephew doing?"

Charlotte scoffed. "How about you ask him yourself."

"Is someone jealous of my godson?" Bella asked with a smile.

"I guess she is," Mia answered.

"I am not," Charlotte defended.

"I think you are," Bella answered.

"Hi, ladies," Ryan cooed walking closer to them. "Oh, my. Charlotte, you are back. Where is Melvin?"

"He stopped by the office. He should be here soon."

"It's time," Matthew announced. "Bella, let's get you to the front."

Bella sighed. "Are you nervous?" Charlotte asked and she nodded. Charlotte held her hand and smiled. "I am here with you. You have nothing to worry about, okay?" Bella nodded. "Thank you."

THE END