Chapter 41

Chapter 41
"Hi, Charlotte," Jade said. "It's been a while. How have you been? How is Bella?"
"I am fine. Bella is fine. How is your brother?"
"Fine, I guess," Jade answered. "He hasn't been in the country for a while now. I can't get in touch with him either."
Charlotte furrowed her brows. Why can't Jade get in touch with Jordan?
"Did he say where he was going?"
"He did not. He was angry because he was set up for a blind date."
Charlotte blinked. A blind date?
"Who set him up for a blind date?" Charlotte asked.
"My dad. He got angry and left the house. It's been two weeks now. No one knows where he is or when he will come back."
Does Bella know about this? Charlotte sighed. She doesn't think she does or she would tell her.
"Enough of my brother. He will be fine. He does this a lot," Jade said. "I did not call because of my brother though. I am coming over there."
"That is good news," Charlotte said. "Are you coming for your internship?"
"Yes," Jade answered. "Now that my brother is not around, I took permission from my dad and he agreed. I am coming next week."
Charlotte smiled, "I am glad you are finally coming. I was supposed to talk to Bella so she could talk to your brother but we've been busy in the last few days preparing for a friend's wedding. It's coming up next week."
"I also have a cousin's wedding to attend," Jade said. "I don't really know her and do not want to go but my dad insisted that I go or he won't let me stay back and intern in your company."
Charlotte smiled. "I guess you have no option then."
"I don't. I wish I did though. I would have loved to attend your friend's wedding."
"When is your cousin's wedding?" Charlotte asked.
"Next week Saturday?"
"Same with our friend."
"I guess I can't go then."
"You can join us at the reception later. Or does your dad insist that you finish the wedding with them?"
"He did not," Jade answered.
"That makes it easy."
"Yes. I will be coming over on Thursday. Please inform Bella for me. I have been calling her but she isn't picking up."
"She's been busy. I will inform her and she will call you."
"Thank you, Charlotte. I have to go now."
The call ended and Charlotte lay down.
"Is that Jade?" Bella asked.
"Are you awake?" Charlotte asked, turning to face Bella.
"Heard you call my name," Bella answered, sitting up. "What did she say?"
"She is coming over for her internship," Charlotte said.
"That's good news. Did her brother finally agree to it?"
Charlotte sat up too. "No, her dad did."
Bella furrowed her brows. Why would her father agree to it? But the last time, Jade told them that her brother always gives her permission; her father gives only when her brother is not around.
Does that mean Jordan is not around?
She stared at Charlotte. "What about Jordan?"
"Apparently," Charlotte began. "He left the house. Not just the house. He left the country and no one has been able to contact him."
Bella blinked. Is that the reason he had not called her? He did not pick up her calls a few times she had called either.
She had been so busy preparing for Catherine's wedding that she did not read much meaning into Jordan not calling her.
Maybe he is busy. She had told herself. Or he doesn't want to disturb her; he knows she is busy.
"Have you been talking to him?" Charlotte asked. "Because Jade said he had been away for a week or two?"
Bella shook her head. "The last time I spoke to him was at the airport."
"And you said nothing about it?"
"I didn't see anything wrong with it," Bella answered. "And besides that, we've been busy."
Charlotte nodded. Bella is right.
"Did Jade say why he left the house?"
Charlotte nodded. "His father set him up on a blind date. He got angry about it and left the house."
"But that is not enough reason to leave the house, is it?"
"It's not," Charlotte answered. "He must have a reason."
And what could that reason be? Bella wondered.
"Did you try to call him?" Charlotte asked.
"A few times, I did. Then I got busy," Bella answered.
Charlotte nodded but said nothing.
"Why are you both so quiet?" Mia asked walking close to them.
"We are not quiet," Bella said. "We were talking about Jade. She is coming over."
Mia smiled. "That's good news. When is she coming?"
"Next Thursday," Charlotte answered. "She said she had a wedding to attend on Saturday. Her distant cousin, whom she isn't close with is getting married and her father insisted that she come or he won't let her have her internship in my company."
"When is this wedding she talked about coming up?" Mia asked.
"Next week. Same day and time as Catherine's," Charlotte answered. "She said she called you, Bella and you weren't picking up. You should call her back."
Bella took her phone to see if she had any missed calls.
"She did call me," she said. "About four times... No five. Did I put my phone on silent mode?" She nodded. "I guess I did. I will call her."
Bella called Jade but she did not pick up. She called her twice and when she did not pick up, she stopped calling.
"Maybe she is busy."
"I think she is," Charlotte answered. "We were not done talking when she told me she had to go and ended the call. Maybe she is not done with whatever she is doing."
"That explains it," Mia said.
Mia sat down on the beach chair. "I am so hungry right now."
"That must be the reason you came back," Bella said.
Mia nodded. "It is."
"Let's go get something to eat," Charlotte said standing up. "I am suddenly craving seafood."
"I won't mind that either," Bella said. She stood up. "I just need anything that can refill my energy."
Mia stood up too. "Let's go."
They found their way to the restaurant close by.
"Where is Jade staying when she comes?" Mia asked. "Her cousin's place?"
"I don't know," Charlotte said. "We couldn't speak about that."
"Do you think she would want to stay with any of us?" Mia asked again. "Or with her cousin?"
Charlotte stared at Bella. "What do you think?"
"I think she would rather stay with any of us, than stay with a cousin she isn't familiar with," Bella answered. "But I don't know her father's preparation for her."
Mia smiled. "Just in case she wants to stay with any of us, let it be me. You two are always busy. I need someone to shop with."
"Shouldn't you be going to the company, Mia?" Charlotte asked.
"I took a break," Mia answered.
Charlotte furrowed her brows. They both took a break? Who will take care of the company?
"You and your brother took a break?"
Mia rolled her eyes. If he can, she can too.