Chapter 4

Whatever Elijah was supposed to tell her, he didn't. Yet again. He couldn't help but feel like he was purposely avoiding it, he felt like a coward. The house felt empty without her beautiful laughs. It was Saturday night, and he had nothing to do. He couldn't wait for her to come live with him, he was sure they would have so much fun together.

At the thought he instantly got excited. Grabbing his phone from beside him he unlocked it and typed in her name, before he started typing his message. He was going to tell her, tomorrow.

Charlotte was startled when her phone pinged, she was peacefully watching her favorite tv-series, Lucifer when it was rudely interrupted. Putting the episode on pause, she grabbed her phone and opened her messages. Even though he was miles away from her and the text only said 'hi tesoro,' she couldn't help the blush. Oh for god's sake she was twenty years old and here she was blushing like a little girl. Clearing her throat she started typing an reply when her mother's voice was heard.

"Charlotte, come down here please!" She really cared about her parents and she knew a part of her loved them dearly but they couldn't help but annoy her whenever she wanted to be left alone. After her little breakdown last night, her parent's had walked in the house minutes later. Thank god, they hadn't questioned her of her red eyes.

She had spent the rest of the evening in her room with her brothers as her parents spend the night with Elijah. She was annoyed, that she wasn't allowed to stay with them and today didn't help either when mother nature had knock down on her stomach, her cramps were the worst. She was freezing, and all she wanted right now was his arms wrapped around her.

Ever since it happened she couldn't stop thinking about it. She had never been hugged before and not felt awkward. It felt so comforting, she never wanted to leave his arms. "Charlotte!" Her mother's scream brought her out of her little dream, she groaned and moved her laptop off her legs and removed the cover.

"I'm coming!" She screamed as her face turned red from anger, oh dear god. She hated her periods; it caused all those mood swings that at one second she could be having the fun of her life and the next bawl her eyes out.

Pulling her door open with force she flinched when it slammed against the wall, she was sure it had left a mark. Descending the stairs, she blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the light.

"Yes?" She asked once she was in the living room, her father laid down on the couch watching a football game which she only rolled her eyes at. Her mother had her little brother, Eric on her lap as she looked up at Charlotte.

"Honey, you look pale. Are you alright?" She frowned at her daughter. She couldn't believe she was leaving her baby daughter in a foreign country all alone. She loved her husband dearly but she didn't think this was a good idea. Her eyes instantly filled with unshed tears.

Charlotte frowned, "Mom, are you alright?" She walked near her. Had something happened? She didn't know why, but the first thought that entered her mind was her grandmother, had she died? Was she sick? She will not be able to handle it if she had. "Did something happen?" She nervously questioned and from the corner of her eye saw her father roll his eyes.

She didn't know how he could be so heartless.

"It's nothing honey, I just need to talk to you." Her mother spoke in a shaky voice as she wiped her tears. As if sensing changes in the room, both her little brothers stopped playing and stared at their mother.

"Oh alright, sure." She couldn't help but let fear sink in, now she was sure nothing had happened to anybody and even though she felt reveled she couldn't help but fear that one of her secrets had gotten out. But most of all, had they seen her and Elijah hugging?

She bite down on her lower lip as she thought of an excuse. She followed her mother to the kitchen and once both women were in her mother closed the door softly. "M-Mom you're scaring me." She stuttered.

"Honey, I promise it's nothing bad, just sit down." Her mother spoke as she went towards the cupboards and grabbed a tissue.

"Than what is it?" She questioned her leg tapping against the floor, she had never felt this nervous even when she had taken her first exam. Why was she so nervous?!

"I don't know where to start." Her mother chuckled, making Charlotte let out a humorless laugh. "I know we never tell you this but, your father and I love you so much." Drita knew she had never said those words to her daughter, but she really did love her. It was her first child her stomach could carry; it was after all her first-born child and here she was about to break her heart.

Charlotte was confused to say the least, a part of her couldn't help but yarn to hear the words again. She had never heard them come out of her mothers mouth. She couldn't help the feeling of love fill inside of her, that's all she needed to hear once in a while. She felt as if all her worries had disappeared.

"We're so proud of you baby, but we have decided something." She didn't know how to let her know rather than just say it. Her daughter stood across from her confused out of her mind, what had they decided. Oh god, were they going to force her to marry someone she didn't even know. Her breath hitched as her heart slowed down, it felt like time had slowed down really.

"Elijah is a good man and he's a good friend of your fathers and I. He has really helped us a lot in the past year." Her mother add, helped them? Where the hell was all this coming from? She just wanted to get out of this uncomfortable conversation. She was sure this was the longest conversation she has had with her mother without yelling at her.

She didn't know why they were even talking about that man in the first place, unless they really had seen them hug. This is it, that's what it's about! She thought to herself as her eyes widened in horror.

"He recently suggested that he could help you more with your studies and..." Before panic could settle in her mother spoke again. "And you know it's been getting harder and harder for us." Charlotte felt like an asshole, she wished she could help them, she really did. But finding a job without papers was a pain in the ass. The job she had at the bar was only twice a week for two hours only. So, 40€ was almost as good as nothing.

"I know, I'm trying to find a job mom, but it's hard." She frowned as she tried not cry.

"Honey, it's fine don't worry about that we told you before." Her mother reassuringly smiled at her. "And I know what I'm about to say next will come as a shook, but it's for the best Charlotte." Whenever her name was used, she knew it was something serious.

No matter what she was not prepared for the next few words. "We're returning home." Home? Wasn't this home? When the meaning finally registered in her head her eyes widened in shock.

"What? Mom, we can't do that. What about my school? You know I've forgotten half of the language?" She rambled on and on until her mother placed a hand on hers.

"Not you honey, us." Well that was something she never thought she'd live to hear.

"W-What?" She asked her eyes narrowing in surprise. Her parents were going to leave her. She couldn't believe that. This was some sick joke.

"Yes, you'll be living with Elijah for a few years until everything is in order and then you can go live on your own. I know we don't talk a lot honey, but I know that's been your dream." Dream? How could her mother act as if she knew her when she barely saw her? She couldn't help the hurt.

"I'm sorry. I have homework." She quickly stood up and turned around as the first tear rolled down her cheek. They can't be serious, can they? How would they have decided something like this without even talking with her in the first place? Quickly climbing the stairs she slammed her bedroom door closed and threw herself on the bed as the first sob escaped past her lips.

Even though she didn't want to believe it, a small part of her knew this was true. They were actually going to leave her into some strangers house. How could they do that?

Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone pinged again. She grabbed it and saw a few messaged from one person only. Unlocking her phone she saw the messages of the man she wanted to be by her side.

The wheels in her head started turning as she read the last message. 'Can we meet tomorrow? There's something I need to tell you.' This was it, that's what he was trying to tell her. All this time, how could she be so stupid?

In impulse she did something she never thought she had the guts to do. She blocked him.