Charlotte POV
The meeting went by in a blur I really didn't see my importance there but I kept quiet. I really needed this job and one thing I've learnt about my line of work is that no matter what happens, your superior is always right.
What James did today was infuriating but I kept quiet. He words stung but I knew better than to reply, I just felt bad for Mirabel.
Sometimes I felt ashamed that I was her sister and even though I was sure that I would be able to make it to her recitals but still this world wasn't fair and my innocent Mira had to pay for it.
I knew she wanted me to come but I can't just loose my job, we have expenses and slowly I was beginning to save up insurance for Mira's education.
Finally the meeting was over and I was stepping out of the Italian restaurant with Mr Neil trailing behind me but I refused to acknowledge him.
I don't know if he felt bad about what he did because he didn't say a word to me after that and I really appreciated that.
I called a cab silently waiting for it to arrive, I needed to be at Mira's school by 7:30pm. I think the drive from here would take maybe 20 to 25mintues and it was already 7:10pm.
I knew I would be late and it contributed greatly to the shame I felt about how I abandoned her today for work and slowly I realised that I was becoming like our parents.
I stood there for good five minutes and there was no sigh of a cab anywhere in sight, I sighed deeply and started walking. Maybe if I walked fast I would be able to get there in forty minutes.
I didn't notice the shadow looming behind me as I walked.
Hey Charlotte are you okay?
Startled at the suddenly disturbances I tripped, I closed my eyes waiting for the sharp pain of the solid ground but it never came and I felt a strong arm holding me in place.
I open my eyes and whole and behold stood Mr Neil hold my waist and staring at me with concern.
Quickly, I shoved his hands away like it burnt my skin and I saw he slightly wince.
Uhm Mr Neil what are you doing here?
I saw you walking home and I thought maybe I could give you a ride because am not sure you'll be able to catch a cab around here, he says with a determined tone and please I told you to call me James.
Mr Neil I find it inappropriate for me to address you by your first name or catch a ride with you because you made it pretty clear earlier, I said curtly. I wasn't really in the mood to talk so I walked away.
Before I could go any further he held my wrist.
Am... Am sorry about how I behaved earlier, I have no excuse.
You don't need to be sorry, it's my job and as my superior it's also your job to put me in place so instead I should be the one apologizing.
I apologize if my dressing...... I was cut short when he pulled me to him closing the gap between us.
He kissed me as I stood there my eyes wide open at the sudden contact. I tried to wiggle my way out of his grasp but his arms kept me in place.
I didn't know what to do until I finally gave in to the kiss. I reciprocated his action not really knowing what to do, his lips where so moist and soft and slowly I found my hands on his hair caressing his dark locks.
We kissed for a while until we where both out of breathe and I pulled away stepping back a little bit still in daze from the kiss.
Charlotte please let me take you home he says to me and all I could do was nod my head and follow him to his car.
I sat there slightly embarrassed about our little make out section. My cheek where hot with embarrassment and I quickly hid my face in my hair.
The only form of conversation we had was when I told him to turn left or right and finally we where in front of St. Maria Catholic School.
You live in a school? he says arching his brows in confusing and I had to hold myself in order not to laugh.
No I don't but my baby comes here for her music recital and sometimes they hold minor competitions. I planned on coming for the competition today but I was held up by work, I said while the anger I felt before resurfaced but my anger was cut short when I saw the look of guilt on his face.
Look Charlotte am sorry for how I behaved I don't know what can over me, he say almost like he was pleading with me.
Its okay and like I said earlier, you are... I was cut short again by a sudden kiss, this time it was short and normal. Its was just like a peck, I just sat there my eyes wide open.
Please don't say that, he says almost like a whisper and wait you have a child he said looking at me, not with the judgmental eyes but with the surprise type of look.
No.. Uhm.... She's my sister.
Uhm.... I..I need to go pick my sister. Thank you for the ride Mr, I mean James.
Charlotte wait! He called out. I said I would take you home I don't mind adding another seat.
Thank you sir I will be right back, I say with my heart literarily hammering against my chest. Am just so confused, one minutes he's insulting me and the other he's showering me with kisses and care.
I was right all along he does have emotional issues.
I walked slowly towards Mira as she was giggling about something her friend said and I started tickling her from the back.
She started laughing so loud that I couldn't help but chorus, we laughed for awhile before it went silent.
Mira am sorry, I said slightly hiding my head in shame. Its okay, I understand that you can't leave your job to attend my silly recital, she says it so innocently not knowing she touched a sore spot.
No Mira, your recitals are much more important to me than any job but I need to work in order to provide for you, so never say that anything is more important than you, okay. I said hugging her.
Okay Charley, So do I still get ice cream she says hopefully.
You wouldn't let that go will you? I said smiling at her sly behavior. No she says with a little pout plastered on her face.
Okay first thing tomorrow morning before you leave for school we'll get your ice cream, I said smiling at her cuteness.
But Charley I want it now she whinnied. Its too late to eat ice cream and we don't want to have a stomach ache do we? I asked her with a smile plastered on my face.
No we don't she says with a cute pout on her face. We walked hand in hand towards James car and I open the back seat and she sat down.
I went over to my seat and he started the car. I glanced at her, she was looking at James intently without even blink her eyes, she was eyeing him like he was an enemy she needed to eliminate.
Charley, she called out. Yes honey.
Is he your boyfriend? she said pointing at James. That was when time stopped and the only thing on my mind was
why Mira, why bring up this awkward conversion.