CHAPTER TWO

No sooner had the scream left her throat than her aunt sat up with a clap. She looked back at Charlotte with her lips turned with disapproval.

"Oh! So if I were dying, this is how you'd react. Just stand there and scream?" Aunty Joan asked sarcastically.

Charlotte's lips remained open as she processed what was happening.

"Oh so you can't talk now? But what do you expect? Look at how long it took you to get me the medicines. Did you expect me to be dead before you got home?" Aunty Joan asked, still seated on the ground with her arms crossed.

With her long skirt and a piece of tissue stuck to her face, her aunt looked comical but Charlotte was much too confused to find it funny.

"N-no. Uh... I'm sorry Aunty Joan. Let me help me up." Charlotte said, dropping her bags to help her aunt.

"Don't touch me. Where are my medicines?" Aunty Joan asked. Charlotte quickly picked up her bag and pulled out the pouch of drugs.

"Did you buy everything I asked?" Aunty Joan asked. Charlotte nodded. Relief washed over her when her aunt smiled.

"Now you can help me up."

Charlotte took her hand and wrapped her hand round her aunt's waist before helping her off the ground.

"Should I help you to your room?" Charlotte asked her.

"No. I'm not that old child. Just get me some food to eat. I'm famished. Sometimes I think you just want me to die." Auntie Joan said as she walked out of the kitchen.

"Of course not." Charlotte said after her.

"Rubbish."

Charlotte shook her head at her aunt's antics. She's always been like that, since the first day her dad moved in with them 12 years ago.

 She can be a headache at times but she had promised her dad she would always take care of her before he died so that's what she was going to do.

No matter what.

Charlotte looked around at the mess in the kitchen.

The sink was half full with dishes, the floor was littered with paper tissues and some more dishes and there was milk spilling on to the floor.

She sighed. She had a headache from work and was genuinely not interested in cooking and cleaning.

Besides she had work to do and deadlines to meet.

"I'm ordering!" She shouted in the direction of her Aunt's room.

Her aunt said nothing but sure enough, she came walking into the kitchen with a distasteful look on her face.

"You see, this is why I told your father to not let you go to school. You've forgotten all the duties of a woman. All you know is to be lazy and stare at your computer till your eyes dry out." She said,walking to the sink.

Charlotte held back her words.

"If you want to remain a woman with no value or virtue, order your food. I'll cook something for myself."

Charlotte forced a smile on her face.

"You're so dramatic aunt. Of course I'll cook something. Something healthy to help you get better faster. How does that sound?" She said sweetly.

"Better than takeout. You know where to bring it when it's done."

Charlotte blinked back the headache as much as she could before opening the fridge to see what she had to work with.

There were sausages, chicken, some wilting and fresh vegetables, a dozen eggs, bacon and leftover beet juice from the morning. Along with some tortillas.

 She pulled out some chicken breasts, the jug of Beet juice, the tortillas and vegetables. It wasn't Tuesday but Tacos did sound good. It would be simple and quick. Plus her aunt would love it.

And she could save some of the vegetables from completely going bad.

As she cooked, she imagined how she would finish her drawing for her boss. Hers was due on Sunday and she was sure if she didn't turn in it first thing in the morning, Mr. Bennett would be screaming her name from the rooftops.

Charlotte sent the tray of Tacos with a glass of Beet juice to her aunt's room. "Put it on the table." Aunty Joan said when she walked in.

Charlotte did so and walked out without a word. Her aunt had her attention glued to Mild Manor, a new-ish reality show, so she knew any word she said would go unheard.

She walked to her room and immediately sat on her desk before turning on her laptop. She pulled out some blank sheets and a sketchpad from the drawer.

Charlotte's eyes lit up when she saw the home screen of her laptop. It was the building plans for a dream she had.

A community center for underprivileged children

She hadn't thought of what the name would be but it would be something simple and dreamy. Definitely cute for the children but a little mature so it can be taken seriously.

That'd be nice but...

She took in a deep breath as reality set in

It's not going to be easy. And she didn't have nearly enough money for the project. Sure, she could start but if she didn't have any external funds coming in soon, she'd be left looking like a fool.

Her phone rang, distracting her from her train of thoughts. It was Mia, her classmate when she was in school.

"Hey girl." Mia said, her voice sweet with enthusiasm.

"What's got you all happy tonight?" Charlotte said with a smile

"Darling, you don't have to have a reason. Just be happy. And a little crazy."

 Charlotte laughed. She couldn't see Mia but she was sure she was rolling about on her bed, twirling her hair with her finger and winking as she said that.

"I made you laugh." Mia said proudly before giggling.

"My God, you're just silly." Charlotte said.

"Thank you. Anyhoo, how's your community center coming along? You've got a name for it yet?"

"Nope. Frankly, I don't want to think of that now "

"Paperwork's coming soon dear. If not now, when?" Mia asked, her time getting serious. "I'll just leave all that to you." Charlotte said cheekily.

"I mean if not me, who else?" Mia said before bursting into fits of laughter.

Charlotte chuckled and shook her head. How Mia kept her energy up always was beyond her imagination.

"I've got some news I think you'd like." Mia said in a sing-song voice.

"Ouuu. What is it?"

"So, there's this Charity event tomorrow. It's at Edson. I got invited but I don't want to go. I have plans."

"With Evans?" Charlotte said with a wide grin.

"Let's focus on the goal here." Mia said, flustered. Charlotte giggled.

"Yes, so I was thinking you can go for me. It'd be good for you and your center. Since it's a charity event, you can network and find someone who has the same aim as you with a lot to offer."

Charlotte nodded as she listened.

"The good part is, it's not that far from you. Maybe an hour's drive or two. What do you think?" Mia asked.

 "Why not. I didn't really have any plans for tomorrow. There's just a little problem. I don't have anything to wear."

"Oh please. I'm sure you do. It's not a fancy gathering. I mean the one organizing it is a little bit fancy and heavy in the pocket but that's not the point"

"Mia!" Charlotte said in disbelief before joining her friend in laughter.

"I'm just saying. It'll be full of wealthy people but they'd probably dress simple but classy. Maybe some white open-legged pants and some sleeved blouse with a coat maybe and you'd fit right in." Mia told her.

Charlotte imagined the fit in her mind. It didn't look bad and she did have something like that in her closet so she guessed it would be fine.

"So? Are you in?" Mia asked hopefully.

"Yeah. But where are you going?" Charlotte asked mischievously.

"South Africa." Mia whispered excitedly.

"Are you serious?!" Charlotte squealed.

"Yes! Evans planned the whole trip and I couldn't say no Charlotte. Plus, I think this will help you more than it would help me."

"Oh please, don't pretend you're doing this for me. " Charlotte said, laughing.

"I am!" Charlotte laughed

"I'm just teasing you. Calm down."

"And you call me childish. Anyways, I'll send you the directions. Wear some necklaces and that hair pin that really looks good on your hair. You're so lucky you're blond darling."

"Thank you. You can stop giving fake compliments now." Charlotte said with a smile. "Ugh. I hate you. " Mia said with a laugh

"I love you too."

 Mia blew a kiss before ending the call. Charlotte couldn't wipe off the grin that remained on her face after the call ended.

Mia had that effect on her and now, she's distracted her from the work she had to do. She bit her lip with a grin still dancing in her lips.

She knew going for the event would give her a tighter deadline to complete her work but... Heck yeah

She was going to go regardless. She jumped out of her seat to her closet and began pulling out the outfit she imagined. She tried it on before her mirror.

She cocked her head to her side, admiring how good she looked. She loved the soft pink blouse she wore that matched her coat. And the white pants and heels really brought it home.

She ran her fingers through her hair, parting her hair to one side. She liked the sultry look it gave her.

She found some twin gold bracelets and a single simple necklace and put them on. Her look quite literally blew her breath away. She turned to every angle to admire how she looked and how her curves gave her a pleasant shape.

She smiled at her reflection. she stroked her hair before remembering the clip Mia spoke about. She wore it in.

Mia was never wrong. She looked amazing. She was going to do great tomorrow.

Charlotte knew she would. It would be a new beginning. And it would go a long way.

"See where the line meets the sea, it calls me. And no one knows how far I'll go... " She sang.

If Mia found out she still sang that song from Moana, she'd never let her hear the end of it. Charlotte sighed in satisfaction, giving herself a final look.

Tomorrow would be a great day.