Chapter 43

Chapter 43
"Bella?" Charlotte called, jolting her out of her thoughts. "Are you okay?"
Bella nodded. "I thought I saw someone I know but I was wrong."
The man had left before she could confirm if it was really Jordan. She also believed Jordan would not be here. Charlotte's eyes followed Bella's gaze but she saw no one either
"I think we should get back to our rooms," she said. "We need to rest before the after-party."
Bella nodded in agreement and they left. Charlotte got to her room and then called her mother-in-law, Mrs Miller on the phone; Liam had been with her since yesterday.
"Hello, Mom."
"Hello," Mrs. Miller answered. "Are you done with the wedding?"
"We are done with the wedding. But we have to attend the after-party in the evening. How is Liam? Hope he's not disturbing you?"
"Of course not. Liam is a good boy," Mrs. Miller answered. "Liam, come speak to your mother."
"Hello, mummy?" Liam said.
"Hello, Liam. How are you?" Charlotte answered.
"Fine, mummy. Where is Daddy? Aunt Bella, and Aunt Mia?"
"Your daddy is fine. Your Aunt Bella and Aunt Mia are fine too."
"Okay, mummy."
"I have to go, Liam. I will speak to you later tonight. Make sure you do not stress Granny okay?"
Liam nodded. "Okay, mummy."
Charlotte spoke to her mother-in-law for a while before ending the call. She took her bath, changed into something comfortable, and decided to get some sleep.
Work had kept her busy, coupled with the fact that she had to plan Ryan's and Catherine's wedding with others.
She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. In a few months, everything will be over. She will have less work to do in the company and maybe go on a trip.
Charlotte wished she could go on a trip even though she knew that was nearly impossible.
She closed her eyes to sleep but her brain would not stop thinking: about the new styles, plans for the following year, and her meetings in a few days.
Charlotte sat up. She might find it difficult to sleep. Maybe she should work instead.
She stood up from the bed, brought out her laptop from the wardrobe, and sat down to work.
She had a few documents lying in her email and waiting to be checked and signed. She decided to start there.
Charlotte went on to check them, one after the other. She signed those that were complete, made corrections on those that needed them, and then sent back those she wasn't satisfied with.
By the time she was done, she had spent two hours, with less than two hours left before the after-party.
Charlotte decided to just lie down in bed and rest, but ended up falling asleep.
It was the constant knocking on the door that woke her up.
"Who's that?"
"It's Bella. Are you okay? I've been calling your line. You're not picking up."
"I was asleep," Charlotte said, picking up her phone from the table.
She checked it and saw some missed calls from Bella, Mia, and Jade.
She stood up from the bed and went to open the door.
Bella walked in. "Did you say you were asleep?" She asked. Charlotte nodded and she went on. "I thought something had happened to you."
"I'm fine. I was so tired after working on some documents, I..."
"You worked?"
"Yes. I could not sleep when I said I wanted to so I decided to work. When I was done I decided to just lie on the bed and not sleep but ended up sleeping."
Bella sighed, moving closer to her. "You still look tired. Do you want to go back to sleep?"
Charlotte stared at the wall clock and shook her head. "It's less than an hour to the after-party. I can't go back to sleep."
"But you look so..."
Charlotte smiled. "I will be fine. I am going to take a shower. I see you are already dressed. Do you want to wait for me here or do you have something to do in your room?"
Bella shook her head. "I will wait. We can go back to my room when you are done."
"You are not scared that something will happen to me. Are you?"
 Bella nodded. "I am. I can't take chances."
Charlotte smiled. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me. But I don't mind having you here though."
Bella sat down on the bed. "Go take your bath. I'm here waiting."
Charlotte left to take her bath and then returned to get dressed. When she was done, they left her room and went to Bella's room.
Mia and Jade were waiting in the room. They waved at Charlotte.
"Hi."
"Hi," Charlotte waved back.
"I'm so glad you are okay," Mia said. "We were so worried about you."
Jade nodded. "Yes, we were. We were so glad when Bella called us to assure us that you are fine."
"I'm so sorry I caused you all to be worried," Charlotte apologized. "I was tired I slept off."
"You don't have to be sorry," Mia said.
"We are glad you are fine."
Bella who had gone to get her bag, joined them. "We can go now."
They left Bella's room and headed to the hall for the after-party. People were already seated when they got there; they were about to start too.
They found their way to their seats, sat down, and waited for the party to start. Melvin, David, and Mathew joined them a few minutes later.
The program lasted for about an hour, after which they made a toast to the couple. Soon, it was time to dance.
Melvin came to ask Charlotte for a dance. Mia and Jade decided to dance together, leaving Bella alone.
"Do you want to dance with me?" Bella heard a familiar voice.
She looked up to see Jordan smiling at her.
"Jo-Jordan?" She stuttered.
He waved. "Hi. It's nice to see you again."
Bella was shocked. What is Jordan doing here? Does he know Ryan or Catherine? Was he the one she saw when they came to the hotel the other time?
"Is this really you?" Bella asked, and he nodded.
"Yes, it's me, in flesh and blood."
"What are you doing here?" Bella asked. "I mean I did not expect to see you here."
"I wasn't supposed to be here," Jordan said. "But I needed to see you."
Bella stood up. "How long have you been here? I mean..."
"I got into the country yesterday, and had to attend the wedding today."
"You are at the beach?" Bella asked.
Jordan nodded. "I saw you... In your blue flowing gown."
"Why did you not speak to me?"
"You weren't close to me," he said. "You seem busy too. I..."
Catherine walked up to them. "I guess you already met."
"Congratulations once again Cat," Jordan said.
"Thank you, Jordan," Catherine answered.
"You know each other?" Bella asked.
Catherine nodded. "Yes. Family friend. And..." She smiled. "He was the one who recommended you to me."
Bella blinked. Why did she not think about him?
"And he asked me to keep it a secret," Catherine added.