Chapter 44

Chapter 44
Bella stared at Jordan, and he smiled. "I just wanted to surprise you."
"And you did," Bella mumbled.
"Look who we have here," Charlotte said, walking closer to them.
"Hello, Charlotte," Jordan waved, moving closer to her.
He made to hug her, but Melvin stopped him.
"Hi, I'm Melvin, her husband."
Jordan smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Melvin. I'm Jordan, Charlotte and Bella's friend. We met at a fashion summit."
Melvin stretched his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, bro," Jordan said, shaking his hand. "Can I call you that?"
"You can't do..."
"Why are you here?" Charlotte asked, cutting Melvin short.
"He knows Catherine," Bella answered. "He was the one who recommended me."
"I knew it. I had suspected that for a long time," Charlotte said.
Bella furrowed her brows. "You did?"
She had not thought about that; not even once.
Charlotte nodded. She did. None of Bella's clients would have told Catherine to hide their identity, except for someone who didn't want her to know them, and that could only be Jordan.
Ryan showed up, made a quick apology, telling them he needed to take Catherine away. After they left, silence lingered between them; an awkward one.
"How about I take you to get a drink?" Jordan finally spoke up, holding Bella's hand.
"I can't leave Charlotte alone," Bella answered.
"I think that's a good idea though," Charlotte answered.
"But I can't..."
"Well," Melvin spoke up. "I might have to take Charlotte away."
Charlotte stared at him. Where is he taking her to? 
"You don't want to be the third party here, do you?" He whispered to her.
"Oh yes," Charlotte answered. "I just remembered I have something I need to do with Melvin. You don't have to worry about me."
Bella sighed. She had wanted to use Charlotte as an excuse to avoid going with Jordan. She was still angry with him for lying to her.
"Fine, I will go with you," she told him.
Melvin held Charlotte's hand. "Let's go."
"See you later," Charlotte waved before leaving. 
After Charlotte and Melvin left, Bella folded her arms.
"There is no need to get a drink. Don't you think you owe me a proper explanation?"
"I know I do," Jordan answered. "But can we not talk about that now?"
"If we don't, what are we supposed to do? Smile as if nothing happened?"
"I..."
"Jordan?" Jade called from behind, and he turned. She walked closer to them. "I knew it. I wouldn't miss you for anyone."
"Is this your brother?" Mia whispered to Jade.
"Yes. The one that ran away from home."
"I did not run away," Jordan defended himself. "I only took a break."
"Without telling me, Dad, or Mom where you were heading to? Do you know how worried we were?"
Jordan sighed. "Can we not talk about this now?"
"Fine," Jade answered. "Mia, let's go."
Jade and Mia left, and silence returned. Bella stared at him for an explanation. He sighed. 
"We should go outside... And talk."
Bella had nothing to say. Instead, she headed towards the door. Jordan followed her. They got outside, and Jordan looked around for a bench. After finding one, he pointed.
"Let's sit over there."
Bella nodded and went to the bench to sit. Jordan followed suit. The weather was cold but not too cold. Jordan pulled off his coat and covered Bella up.
"Thank you," Bella mumbled.
They sat down for a few minutes, staring at the stars.
"Don't you think the stars tonight are beautiful?"
Bella looked up. "Oh, yes, they are. When are you going to give me an explanation?"
Jordan went on to explain. Most of the things he said were things Jade already explained.
"You still haven't told me why you insisted that Catherine keep your identity from me?"
Jordan sighed. "I wanted you to feel comfortable working with her. Not because I recommended you, but because you want to. And by the way. I only recommended you to Catherine. She chose you because she loved your work."
Bella sighed. She wanted to remain angry, but Jordan's explanation changed everything.
"Why did you not try to contact me? Or even tell me you were coming?"
"I don't want my sister getting in touch with me through you." Bella stared at him, and he smiled slightly. "I needed space away from home and work. That day gave me an opportunity. I'm sorry I kept you in the dark."
Bella shrugged. "Well... You don't have to apologize."
"Are you still angry with me? How can I make it up to you?"
"I'm not angry. I do wish I was, though."
Jordan nodded. "Thank you."
"So, how long do you plan to stay here? I mean..."
"A week," Jordan answered. "I have to go back to work. I also need to face my parents and explain what happened."
Bella nodded. "You should. Where are you staying? A hotel?"
"I'm staying with my Uncle. Jade must have told you about him. His daughter got married today. The reason Jade is here."
Bella shook her head slightly. Jade only mentioned coming for her cousin's wedding. She said nothing about her uncle. But it doesn't matter.
Bella stood up. "I have to go back in. It's getting chilly."
Jordan nodded and stood up. He followed Bella back into the hall. They sat down, watching those dancing.
"Do you want to dance?" Jordan asked Bella.
She stared at him for a few seconds before nodding.
"Sure."
Jordan stood up, bowed, and stretched his hand to Bella, who took it with a smile. They headed to the dancing floor and began to dance to the slow tune.
"Who is that guy?" Melvin asked Charlotte.
They were back, seated and watching those dancing. Melvin's eyes were fixed on Jordan.
"I don't feel comfortable with him."
Charlotte rolled her eyes slightly. What's Melvin's business with Jordan?
"Why aren't you comfortable with him?" She asked. "He's such a nice guy."
"Nicer than I am?" Melvin asked, facing Charlotte.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "Or maybe he is."
Melvin frowned. Is Charlotte choosing Jordan over him?
"You think he's nicer than I am?"
"I never said that," Charlotte answered. "But that can be a reality."
Melvin said nothing. Instead, he stared dangerously at Jordan.
Charlotte smiled. "Can you stop staring at him like that? He isn't taking your wife away."
Melvin softened his gaze on Jordan. He could tell now that Charlotte was teasing him. 
"Is he in love with Bella?" He asked. "The way he looks at her. It's different."
Charlotte nodded. "I can tell he is. But he hasn't said anything to Bella yet."
"Does Bella like him too?"
"Who wouldn't love someone like him?"
Melvin frowned. "You love him too?"
"Maybe if I were single, I would, but I'm taken."
Despite knowing Charlotte was teasing him, Melvin felt uncomfortable about it.
He looked away. "Have you spoken to Mom yet? How is Liam? He must miss his mom."
It was his way of reminding Charlotte that she isn't only married but also a mother.
Charlotte scoffed. "Have you spoken to him too? He'll miss his father too."