Meeting stills trouble.

The rest of the week dragged on with me at home treating myself. As fate would have it, the weekend came and here I was, at the entrance of the Church, where Dave was going to get married, now decorated with flowers. From the entrance where I stood, I could see familiar faces whom he had once introduced me to as his fiancée.

'Why did you accept to come here in the first place?' my subconscious accused me.

'I didn't, I was forced.'

'No, you weren't. You had the whole week to give him a call, with an excuse why you can't.' my subconscious attacked back and I shook my head vigorously.

"Are you alright?" I heard a clear, calm voice behind me.

Turning around, my twilight meet with a pair of ink iris pairing back at me in amusement and I raised my eyebrow in inquiry.

"You seemed confused?" he chuckled.

"Ohhh." I simply said and looked at him again. 'He looks familiar or.....'

"Do I kn......"

"Hey, Charlotte!" a familiar voice squealed behind me, before engulfing me in a tight hug, thereby cutting me off.

"Sydney!" I turned to face a petite figure with smile plastered on her baby face. She had her brunette hair with highlights of auburn let down making her look younger than she was.

"I've missed you!" she mumbled as I hugged her.

"Awn, my baby has grown." I smiled at her bubbly attitude.

Sydney was my only friend when I had gone back to college to become a chef. But being so lucky and a rich heir she became a CEO, a week after graduation, at her parent's restaurant, which has remained the top and most expensive in the country. When she was leaving, she tried convincing me into working with her many times, but the 'proud Charlotte', just like Diane said when I notified her that I rejected the offer, would still reject it.

After a while she finally released me and I remembered that I was with someone before she came but on looking back he was gone. Using my eyes, I scanned the church but couldn't catch a glimpse of him.

"Who got lost?" Sydney teased, whispering into my ears.

"No one," I said taking a last look before facing her.

"You're sure?" she giggled and I glared at her.

"What brings you here?" I asked her when she had stopped laughing. "I'm sure you've never seen Dave cause I can't recall me showing you any of his pictures so........'

"Yeah, I could have dated him and not know who he was," she mumbled. "I came here because Jason forced me to."

"You mean your older brother, the perfect model, Jason, the famous Jason Weaver is here at this party," I said as we took a seat at the corner.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." she rolled her eyes in frustration and I chuckled. "I don't know what all of you see in him. I mean, he's still the annoying big bro, Jason."

"Don't forget to add handsome." I wriggled my eyebrows at her in a teasing manner.

"Wha..... you must be kiddin'..... if everyone would say to me that my big bro is handsome, I didn't expect you to say it. Yeah, he might be cute but handsome. OMG, I feel like puking." She said and I couldn't help but laugh harder.

"So where's is he?" I looked around.

"He said he came because he had a business here, he needed company and I was the only one available. I mean girl I don't even know how the couples look." she waved her hands in annoyance. "But one good thing came out of it." she grinned at me in excitement.

Giggling at her expression, I asked. "What?"

"You."

“Me?” I asked, widening my eyes in confusion.

"Imagine if you weren't here, my life would have been hell. Thanks, Charlotte." she side-hugged me.

Hugging her back, I grinned. My life too would have been worse than hell alone.

Minutes later, more guests were trooping in and the wedding started shortly after with the choirs singing melodious songs.

The groom entered looking handsome as ever in a black suit with little touches of blue, hair styled to the back. He looked smoking hot in one word as he marched to the altar with his best man, who was also dressed in a black suit but on looking closely at who it was, my jaw dropped.

‘What is he doing here?’ ‘How did he know Dave?’ These were the thoughts running through my mind.

“Are you alright?” Sydney nudged me waking me from my reverie.

“Yeah.” I simply said still confused as hell about how he is freaking here.

Trying to gather my thoughts, I made a mental note to avoid him in any way that I can.

I tried with all my willpower to focus on Zoe who was now entering the church with her best lady, holding her powdered blue behind her.

"The bride looks stunning in that blue gown." Sydney beamed behind me. "Now I'm jealous." she pouted.

"Only if you can stay committed to a single guy," I muttered.

Her answer was one I never expected. "From now on, I'll try my best to stay focused on Liam," she said with so much determination.

"What?"

"Oh my bad, I didn't tell you that I've broken up with Henry. He cheated but now I've moved on. Liam brought the joy back to my life so I kept him for myself." she grinned and I could see the light it brought to her face when she mentioned his name.

"Well...I'll have to meet Diane's Liam," I chuckled as I looked forward only to see him staring at me.

I unconsciously bit my lower lip and I felt the heat creep up my cheeks.

If not for Sydney who held me tight and threatened to embarrass me if we didn't attend the reception that was holding at Lilies down the street. And so the torture of watching the couple act all lovey-dovey began but my eyes were on someone else the whole time.

Finally, the most dreaded part came. It the time to greet the newlyweds while the freaking best man stood beside him. When I tried going home, Sydney reminded me that it was proper to greet the couple before leaving. She went further by holding my purse knowing fully well I could go nowhere without it.

At last, they were alone without anyone besides them so taking my chance I went over to them.

"Charlotte!" Zoe called excitedly when she saw me before pulling me into a hug. "I thought you'd never come." she said releasing me.

"Yeah, I thought so too but after the persuasion, I was left with no other choice." I half-joked.

"We are so happy you came." Dave smiled.

I pulled a reassuring smile before handing them the gift I had prepared. "Congratulations to you both." I smiled at Zoe before turning to face Dave. "Make sure to take good care of her....unless you won't like what I'm gonna do to you."

"Woah, I'm ain't doing anything to her." he raised his hand in surrender. "At least not yet." he added, smirking.

"Dave!" His bride smacked his arm which made us laugh while she turned red in embarrassment.

"This is Sydney, my friend." I introduced the short devil, who couldn't stop grinning like an idiot to them.

"Hey and Congratulations." she said as she waved at them both. "And I so much love your gown and oh my Goodness you have such good shape." she kept rambling like the idiot she was as I said before while Zoe kept laughing.

"Anyways, I want to introduce someone to you too, Char." he said to me. "If you must excuse me for a minute, m'lady." he kissed Zoe's cheek before he grabbed my hand.

"Who do you want to introduce me to?" I asked him as we made our way through the people who sent their best wishes to him.

Smiling my way, he spoke. "My brother."

"Seriously? You have a brother?"

He chuckled before he waved his hand to someone. "You seem surprised."

"Yeah, who wouldn't?"

"Why?"

"I don't know." I shrugged.

Following behind him, I bowed my head lost in the thought as to why he wanted to introduce me to someone, his brother of all. Wanting to ask him, I raised my head but I met with the pair of eyes, I'd badly wanted to avoid.

"Bruhhh!" Dave's voice jerked me back. "Sorry for the rude reception." he said to me before glaring at his 'brother'.

"Yeah.." I said until something sank. "What? He's your brother?" I asked looking from Dave back at him.

"Yeah, my one and only." Dave chuckled hitting the idiot on his arm. "Charlotte, Keith. Keith, Charlotte." he introduced.

"Nice to meet you." he stretched his hand towards me for a handshake with a smirk plastered on his handsome face.

It took all of my willpower not to slap the smirk from his face. Also pulling a tight smile, I stretched my hand. "Same here."

CHARLOTTE POV.

"I'll be back." Dave excused himself when someone called him.

'No, don't go.' I screamed inwardly at him but it was his wedding, he had to greet every damn body. Looking at his retreating figure, I sighed.

"I never knew you had different names"

Hearing his smug voice, I looked back at him. "I never knew you had a brother," I answered in the same tone.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, raking his fingers through his blond hair, distracting me for a minute. Pausing for a moment he gawked at me. "Don't tell me you......"

Crossing my hands on my bottom. "I what? And why should I answer your question?" I asked him stubbornly and he grunted.

"Don't test my patience."

"Am I?" I raised my eyebrow inquisitively in a challenge. "If there's nothing you want to say, except ask me irrelevant questions, I'll take my leave. Bye, Keith." I said, leaving him but I didn't walk too far when I felt a tight grip on my arm. Snapping my head by I saw an aggravated Keith. "Hey, what are you doing?" I tried snatching my hand back but he was too strong. "Keith, let go of me." I hissed in pain and I felt his grip lessen.

"Come with me," he said catatonically and I finally snatch my arm from him.

Tilting my head to the side, I looked at him giving him a 'are you nuts?' look "No." I simply said before marching out of the hall without bidding anyone or at least glancing back.

Instead of hailing a cab, I decided to walk as I reminisced on what in hell just happened.

I didn't even notice that it has gotten dark as my mind kept replaying my encounter with Keith. I had been shocked cause I hadn't expected that kinda welcome. I have always dreamt that when we meet, we'd iron our issues out instead of acting like immature kids. The more I kept thinking, the angrier I became.

"Argh!!!!!" Pulling my hair at both ends, I screamed in frustration before bending down. Hugging my knees to myself, tears began streaming down my cheeks.

KEITH POV.

"Where's Charlotte?" Dave asked when I walked up to him.

I shrugged before replying to him. "She left."

"What? When?" he turned to me wide-eyed.

"Maybe three or two hours ago? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just surprised." he said before turning his gaze back to the crowd.

Not long after, the lady she had been with before we bickered, came over to Dave, looking bashful.

"Hey Dave." she pulled a forceful smile at me before turning back to Dave back with a horrified look.

"What's wrong?"

"Where's Char?" she asked with a quivering voice which made it evident that she had been crying.

"She left." I repeated.

"She left?" she asked wide-eyed. "How?... Since when has she left?"

"Three to two hours ago."

"Oh My God!" she muttered shockingly, missing a foot but Dave pulled her back up just in time.

"Shit. Sydney, what's wrong?" he asked panicking Sydney.

"I.....I....think.... she's in trouble."

"No, she isn't." I said as a matter of fact.

"How do you know that?" Dave said and I saw the panic in his eyes.

"I don't know." I said and he hissed before turning back to Sydney.

"Why do you think that she is in trouble?" he asked holding her shoulders firmly to keep her steady.

"Her purse which involves her money, and debit card is with me so how did she go home?..... or.....was she kidnapped?"

"How can you think like that?" Dave asked while she just looked on

"Have you tried calling her?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"Her phone isn't going through."

"You're sure." Dave asked and she nodded her head in affirmation. "Let me give it a try." he said, already dialing a number.

But it only rang twice before her voicemail came in. "Let me try again." And this time, her phone was switched off. At the same time, we could hear thunder rumbling not far away.

"Dave." she pleaded to him with shaking lips.

Before Dave could open his mouth to speak, a auburn-haired guy came over to where we stood, and grabbing Sydney by her wrists he swiftly turned her to him.

"Sydney, where the hell have you b......" he trailed off when he saw her devastated face. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked her affectionately as he released his hands from her wrists to place them on her shoulders.

"Charlotte..." she uttered before breaking down in tears.

Knowing fully well that this happened because of me, cold shivers ran down my spine. Seeing her friend shatter in front of me was weakening.

The guy Sydney clutched to glanced at Dave and me and I felt guiltier than I already was.

"Hush now." he rubbed her back to soothe her.

"Let me check around whether someone saw her." Dave stated as he moved towards the entrance.

"What's wrong?" the auburn-haired guy finally asked her.

"Char..... Charlotte....is missing." she numbly said in-between sobs.

"Wha..... How?"

"I don't know." she looked at him before pointing to me. "But he told me she left two to three hours ago."

Raising his brows he looked at me inquisitively and I felt uncomfortable under that gaze. "I'll check around with Dave." I said, my voice coming out coarse, betraying me for a bit.

I found Dave at the entrance of the hall speaking with someone.

Reaching his side I asked. "Any clues?"

Sighing, he shook his head negatively and I bowed my head.

"What did you do to her?" Dave asked out of the blue.

Raising my head, I look at him and I saw he was furious with me.

"Why are you asking me?"

"Why wouldn't I ask you? Hm.When you were there trying to get......." He paused breathing in furiously. "All I know is you did something to her and I don't care what you did to her. Just make sure you find her!" he stormed back into the hall before I could utter a single word.

Raking my hands through my hair furiously, I ran over to my car only to be beaten by the sudden rain.

CHARLOTTE POV.

'Scared.'

That's how I felt at that moment. I was now drenched and shivering in the heavy rain in the middle of nowhere. I despaired.

Remembering why I had turned to be like this, to be caught in this situation, brought hot tears to my eyes again.

I saw the headlights of a car, through my closing eyelids and I tried to flag down the car but it just ran passed me, splashing dirt and water over me.

With the little strength I had, I began walking knowing fully well that I was still far from home.

The further I walked the harder the rain fell.

"Charlotte!" I heard someone shout but before I could decipher who it was, I slumped.

Before I could hit the ground warm hands were wrapped around me and I blacked out.