What are you doing here?

Author's pov

As soon as Tyler heard Charlotte's words, he turned to see if she was actually talking to him. Just as he was about to take his first step, they both heard a knock on the door. Charlotte quickly turned around, feigning surprise.

"Sorry, I thought it was Ava standing here," she said to Tyler, turning towards him first, unintentionally revealing her bra before using her towel to cover herself.

"I'll be right there," she called towards the door of Tyler's room, then walked over to open it.

"The door wasn't closed, you would have come inside," Charlotte casually said and at the same time thought, "I'm so grateful she didn't come inside with our notice. What would I have done if she saw her dad unhooking my bra?"

When Ava saw her dad, she became angry as she came in contact with her dad's face.

"What are you doing here after you and Mum tried to embarrass me in front of my friend?"

Tyler looked at her and replied, "I thought you took her to the other room. As for your mum, you need to talk to her."

"I need to talk to both of you," Ava said, and she went and sat on the bed.

Tyler had left the room, giving Charlotte a reassuring smile, but Ava was clearly angry. After Tyler closed the door, Charlotte walked up to Ava and said,

"I'm sorry for what's happening..."

"Don't be sorry, Charlotte. It's not your fault. My dad and mum used to be a loving couple until recent months as I can remember. Now, my dad would deny it's his fault and that he wasn't the cause of the argument. On the other hand, my mum would say it's my dad and she's not to blame. The documents that Mum was signing..."

Ava paused as the door opened, and Tyler entered the room with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Before Ava could say a word, Tyler spoke,

"Ava, I know you're angry with me, but you need to tell your mum to stop signing those documents. Is she trying to take you away from me?"

"Dad, what is she signing? I didn't even take the time to look at the documents."

"You better go and look at the documents while I welcome your friend, Charlotte."

Curious, Ava stood up and walked towards the door. Once she had left the room, Tyler opened the wine and poured it into the two glasses.

"Please take your wine," he said.

"I thought you were joking about the wine. Is it really for me?" Charlotte blushed, standing and looking at him.

"Please forgive my daughter for not welcoming you and please don't tell her I said so." He smiled and gazed at Charlotte, who was lost in thought as he handed her the wine.

"Why can't he just ask me to sit on his lap and feed me the wine? Why would his wife argue with such a good-looking man? Some women don't appreciate what they have."

"Charlotte?" Tyler's words brought her back to reality. "What were you thinking?" he asked.

"You've been standing there with your hand stretched out to take your wine. What's stopping you from collecting the wine?" He asked again.

"Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought..."

"About your boyfriend?" he quickly asked.

"Never! I've grown up. I wouldn't even consider dating Harry again."

"So his name is Harry?" he asked.

"Yes. I don't even know what I saw in him that made me attracted to him. The breakup turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Now I understand the difference between loving someone and being in love," she said.

"Hmm..." Before he could hum and say something, Charlotte quickly interjected,

"I was actually wondering if this wine has alcohol. I know how my body reacts to alcoholic drinks. It makes me behave playfully, and if I become tipsy, who will help me out?" She smiled as Tyler.

Charlotte was surprised when Tyler burst out laughing and took a sip from his glass of wine.

"I love the way you said that, that if you become tipsy, who will help you out?" Tyler remarked.

"Why can't he understand the seriousness of what I'm saying?" she thought, but she still took a sip from her own wine and she didn't want to go beyond that.

"Is that why you're taking a sip?" he asked. Then the door opened again, and Ava entered. She saw her dad sitting at a comfortable distance from her friend, but she noticed the laughter on his face.

"Looks like you two are having a good time," she commented, walking closer. Her words seemed to approve of her dad and her best friend spending time together.

When Charlotte saw Ava enter the room, she immediately stopped her flirtatious gestures. But when she heard Ava's complimentary words, she slowly smiled. Ava added, after sitting down close to Charlotte on the bed,

"My dear Charlotte, please forgive me for not entertaining you earlier. I left it in my dad's hands..."

"I... I actually felt sorry when you told me about your friend and how her boyfriend treated her," Tyler interrupted, and Ava quickly responded,

"Those things are in the past. I didn't call her here to dwell on what Harry did to her. Charlotte, you know our plans, and we need to stick to them."

"What are your plans, ladies?" Tyler asked with genuine interest, turning his face to look at both Ava and Charlotte. Ava immediately burst into laughter.

"Dad, that's a matter for the ladies. It's not connected to you in any way. Thank you for the wine you gave my friend."

"Could you prepare something for her? She must be hungry." Tyler said.

"Tyler has been taking great care of me. Why is he doing it? Or is it because Ava has been preoccupied, probably due to their argument," Charlotte thought as she took a small sip of her wine.

"Charlotte, what do you like to eat so that I can go and prepare it before my dad devours me."

"You know my favorites. Prepare any of my favorite dishes. I'm actually very hungry."

"Why didn't you tell her?" Tyler looked at Charlotte as his daughter got up slowly.

"Please, join me in the kitchen," Ava said.

"Why is Ava taking her there? Can't she go to the kitchen on her own? Must she drag this precious lady?" he thought and couldn't help but say,

"Are you taking Charlotte with you, Ava? Don't you think she's tired and needs rest?"

"I knew it! Charlotte is fun to be with, but she's my friend, and she came to visit me," Ava gestured with her hands and head, making all three of them laugh.

"Charlotte, let's go. We only have today for ourselves; the picnic starts tomorrow."

Charlotte was hesitant to leave, but Ava wanted her to be in the kitchen. Sensing Charlotte's reluctance, Ava added,

"I won't ask you to do anything. I just want your company."

Charlotte stood up and followed her. Once they left the room, Ava whispered into Charlotte's ear,

"My mom is angry with my dad. I'm starting to doubt if she'll be willing to go on the picnic with us or will the picnic even take place if she refuses to go?"

A few seconds later, they entered the kitchen, and Charlotte felt comfortable speaking her mind.

"What's causing the problem between your parents?"

Ava didn't immediately answer. She moved around the kitchen as if she was contemplating what to say.

"Both my dad and mum are keeping it from me."

"But your dad asked you to tell your mum to stop signing those documents, right?"

"Yes, but that wasn't the cause of their problem. Before me and my dad left for the airport, they argued about the television. Actually, I don't know how to explain it."

"Is it infidelity?" Charlotte lowered her voice.

"No, no, no. I don't think it's infidelity. If it was, I don't think they would still be together. If my dad has an affair, I will be with my mum. If my mum does the same thing, I will stick with my dad. My parents were best friends years ago. It started slowly, and since then, they quarrel over every little thing and say unkind words to each other."

They were still talking when Ava heard her name being called by her mom.

"Ava...!"

"Yes, I'm coming," Ava replied and left the kitchen. After about a minute, Ava hurried back, surprising Charlotte with her quick return.

"Welcome..."

"Not really," Ava interrupted as she stood in front of Charlotte, clearly unhappy with what she was about to say.

"What?" Charlotte asked.

"My mom sent me on an important errand to meet one of her managers."

"We can go together," Charlotte suggested, pulling herself away from the cabinet.

"Hmm... please, my mum said it's confidential and she does want my dad or anyone to know about my movement. If my mum sees me with anybody, she might think that it was my dad's plan to see the documents with me. I like how quiet the house is. They might start arguing again. But…"

"Are you talking about cooking?" She interrupted her and continued, "If it's about cooking, don't worry, let me prepare it before you come. You already know I enjoy cooking."

"I know, but I don't want you to get bored. On the way, I'll call my dad to keep you company. It's like you both enjoy your company."

"That would be amazing," Charlotte thought, feeling joyful. "Maybe I could even playfully challenge him if he was surprised I asked him to unhook my bra, or will he shy away from the room and not do it?" she added.