Torn Loyalties.

Charlotte

I sat on the swing chair in the corridor, gazing at the street and enjoying the view as birds circled in the sky. From a distance, I could hear slow music playing. It was a little past 7 in the evening, and I was too tired to open the door to my apartment. The breeze had turned cold, and I could smell rain in the air, sensing a storm was coming.

I didn't want to get up; I was enjoying the weather, but hunger pangs were becoming unbearable. I counted to three to motivate myself, but then sat back down. "Okay, Charlotte, get up now!" I urged myself.

Suddenly, the chair started vibrating. The sound was coming from my bag. I reached inside but couldn't find my phone. I had forgotten I put it in the small purse after exchanging numbers with the guy at the grocery store earlier.

My hand found the key first, so I decided to open the door and go in. But before I could close the door, the phone started ringing again. I turned on the light with the switch behind the door and poured everything from my bag onto the table next to it.

The phone had stopped ringing by the time I reached it. I unlocked it to check who the caller was, but it was an unknown number. I dialed back, thinking it might be the new client from the store who promised to call after showing her husband the bed sheet and duvet.

To my surprise, a man's voice, cool and calm, answered. "Hey Charlotte, how are you?"

"I'm good. Who is this, please?" I asked.

"This is Nate. We met at the grocery store earlier?"

"Oh, hi Nate. How are you?"

"I'm good! I just wanted to check if you got home safely since you insisted I couldn't give you a ride."

"Yeah, I'm home. I got here a few minutes ago but was too tired to go in, so I just sat in the corridor. Your call got me up," I replied with a giggle.

"I could tell you were tired, but since you insisted on not taking a ride, I must respect your wishes. You should get some rest. I'll talk to you in the morning. I just wanted to check in."

"Alright, thanks for checking in," I said and hung up.

I dropped the phone on the table, walked to the bedroom, sat on the bed to take off my shoes, and then moved in front of the mirror to undress. I love undressing in front of the mirror; it makes me feel comfortable and sexy. Besides, the laundry basket was right behind the mirror, making it easy to undress and toss clothes inside.

I stood in front of the mirror for about 15 minutes, staring at myself. Suddenly, my eyes focused on the stitches on my stomach. I rubbed my middle finger around them and turned to look at the ones on my back. Turning back, I looked into my eyes in the mirror.

"This will never happen again," I vowed.

Lying on the bed, I tried to erase Luke from my mind and focus on something positive. It had been four years, and I still hadn't forgotten him. I reached for my phone and played "Should Have Kissed You" to distract myself. Suddenly, I started thinking about Jason, the guy I met at Ann's birthday party who never called.

I sat up and bit my thumbnail, remembering his seductive blue eyes. "Do you have a problem with pretty women?" I had asked him. When he turned to me, his eyes were so blue, sexy, and gentle, though maybe it was because he was a little tipsy. He was staring at my shiny red lip gloss.

"No, not at all," he said, arching a brow. "I don't have a problem with beautiful women, just the ones my friends introduce to me."

I placed my cup on the table and turned toward him. "You should have brought your woman, then. Why didn't you?" I asked boldly.

He looked at me for a few seconds with a seductive smile. "Probably the same reason you came alone. Why didn't you bring your man?"

His sexy smile gave me butterflies. I must have been drunk. I fixed my gaze on him and said, "How did you know I came alone?"

"Well," he tilted his head, "I saw you walk in. Everyone did. You caught everyone's attention with your hips in that elegant yellow dress, and the way you walked in like you owned the place-how could anyone not notice?" His gaze traveled down my body seductively.

I felt the chemistry between us, but I didn't want to lose control because I was drunk and horny. My heart was hammering in my chest, and I didn't want him to see me blush. "So, you just accidentally sat beside me, huh?"

"Actually, yes. It was an accident, but I've had my eyes on you since you walked in. I got distracted for a second and thought you left. Accidentally sitting beside you now-it must be destiny." He wiggled his eyebrows with a dangerous smile that did something to my body.

I tried not to blush but failed. "I need to use the ladies' room," I said to excuse myself before I did something stupid.

I forgot my bag was on my lap, and as I stood up, it hit the table, causing him to spill his drink all over his shirt. "OMG!" I exclaimed, laughing. He started laughing too, and we couldn't stop.

"Come with me," I commanded. "Let me get that off you before it melts into your skin." He smiled, seemingly pleased with the idea.

We moved to the restroom. "Take off your shirt," I commanded again.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled wickedly. That devilish smile sent a chill down my spine. This guy was doing something to me, I swear. "Why are you smiling?"

"The way you said 'take off your shirt' is very sexy," he pronounced the word slowly as he unbuttoned his shirt, not taking his eyes off me.

My eyes went straight to his exposed skin. I couldn't help but move closer and place my hand on his warm chest. He encased my hand with his, brushing it with his palm. He lifted my chin and locked his lips with mine, maintaining eye contact. His fingers curled around my waist, pulling me closer. He turned me around and pinned me against the wall. His warm breath made me moan passionately as he deepened the kiss. A small moan escaped his lips, and he tightened his arms around my waist. His kisses trailed up and down my neck, leaving a tingling sensation before claiming my mouth again. Waves of pleasure rushed over me, but I wanted more.

A throat cleared, interrupting us. "Sorry to disturb you guys, but you're blocking the door," a lady in an orange dress said. Really? Now?

We exchanged looks and giggled. We moved away from the door, and I brushed down my hair. He buttoned his shirt. "I'll deal with the stain later. Let me wait for you outside," he said with a devilish smile, winking as he left.

Ughhh! I let out a soft breath.

The lady in the orange dress flushed the toilet, then came to the mirror beside me. "How did you manage it?" she asked.

I turned to her. "Excuse me? What do you mean?"

She cleaned her hands and smirked. "Do you know how many women he turned down tonight? I know for sure you're not his girl."

"And you know that how?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My guy invited him, and you didn't come with him. Do you even know who that is?" she said, then left.

Awesome.

I pointed at myself in the mirror and said loudly, "Charlotte, keep it together. I know you're drunk, but don't do anything stupid you'll regret. Just walk out, get your bag, and tell him you have to go. Use the emergency phone call if you have to." The emergency phone call was a fake call I used to get out of unwanted situations. It always worked.

I smoothed my hair, straightened my dress, and walked out. As I approached our table, I saw him talking to some guys. He saw me and got up. "I wish today didn't have to end like this, but I've got to go. I'm very sorry. Please, let me have your number. I'd love to talk to you later."

No!!! He did not just use my technique against me. It felt bad because I was supposed to say that, but it was all good. One of us had to leave, and I wasn't ready to leave the party. I gave him my number, and he turned to his friends. "Hold on, guys," he said, then placed a soft kiss on my forehead. He looked me in the eyes and said, "I'll call you."

I watched him leave. The shadow of his kiss lingered on my skin, sparking my entire body. I bit my lower lip as a smile crept up my face.

Well, that was fun. I stopped the music and said to myself, "It's a good thing he didn't call. I don't want to date anyone right now. I'm just settling in here."

THE WRIGHTS FAMILY

I checked my phone it was 2:36. I lay back on the bed and covered myself up with blanket but I couldn't sleep, so I got up to the kitchen and took a bottle of beer, poured everything in a big glass cup and drank it all at once.

I went back to the room and get under the blanket. It wasn't long at all when I heard my phone ringing. I didn't want to pick it but as I was opening my eyes, I noticed a bright reflection coming through my window.

I took the phone but it has stopped ringing, I checked the time it was 10:15. / guessed it has been long after all.

Oh my God!!! I shouted and jumped out from the bed. I have a new client coming to the store today, we meet online and I told her I opened by 8am.

I didn't bothered to unlock the phone to see who it was, I just ran quickly to the bathroom, took my toothbrush put paste on it. I was brushing my teeth when I heard the phone ringing from the room, I didn't bothered to check it, my mind was already at the store. By the time I finish dressing up and everything, it passed 11 already.

I left the house in a hurry. By the time I got to the store and opened up it almost 1. Then I started thinking; Could she have come and left, should I message her or not, but I don't have her mobile number. I only have her instagram account.

About 30min later or so, I saw a black BMW packed in front of my store. Two ladies with a man came out. The man has a white short hair, he appeared to be older than the two women, old enough to be their uncle or dad, he must be in his 60s. He looked as if he work out a bit because he look a little bulkier, he was wearing a gray shinny suit with black Italian leather shoe.

The First Lady that came out look fragile and uncomfortable, but beneath that, she look really good and expensive in her pink paint trouser with white flowers design all over the chiffon blouse she was wearing with a pencil silver shoe and a silver purse.

The third lady look so bossy and fearsome independent. Her body was a killer; tiny waist, large hips, she look so beautiful and curvy in that yellow V-neck dress with white high heels and small white purse she had on.

They walked toward the store. Are they the people I was waiting for? But I was expecting only one person. I moved to the front desk, stood behind the desk as they opened my transparent front door and walked in.

The bossy independent lady moved to the front and stretched out her hand to me in greeting gesture. "Hi... I'm Kat, we've been talking online?" Ohhhhhh.

A relief smile came through my face, at least now I know I don't miss her or should I say them, because I was expecting only one person but I can calm my mind now.

"Hi..." I said with welcoming smile, "Thank you for coming in. I hope this place is not hard to locate?.

"No no no..."Kat said." My husband" My gaze went straight to the man behind her. "knows this environment very well, it was easy for us to locate."

I moved from behind the desk to greet the two other people when Kat said, "This is my husband and the last born of the house." She smiled.

I was surprised when she said that, but now I can understand why the other lady look so uncomfortable and all. I mean look at daddy's new wife, she's smoking hot. She must be feeling insecure. I don't blame her. "I'm Alex Wrights." The uncomfortable looking lady said, "This is my father, James Wrights."

"Please call me James. " The man said and stretched out his hand for a shake.

"So my wife told me you have something that will make our bedroom more sparkle and colourful." He said with perfectly line smile.

I can see Alex rolling her eyeballs in discomfort. I could tell she doesn't want to be here.

I smile in response to James words. "Actually I kept the once you picked out for you." I said has I turned to Kat. "Come."

I brought out the duvet plus the bed sheets.

Alex was the first person to said, "Wao... Okay, those are gorgeous girl."

"Thanks!" Kat replied her with relief on her face. But I could tell the compliment was not for Kat. But I allow her to respond to it. It obvious those two don't like each other very much.

"Wao! This are very good... Seriously girl you just got yourself a customer." Kat smiled.

Alex added. "Your stuff are really cute, I love the texture, it so velvet."

Alex said while she was opening another bag of bed sheets. "My brother love this kind of bedsheets, maybe tomorrow I will bring him, you lucky he's around, you will get an additional customer." She wiggled her eyebrows cheerfully.

"Well that's what we prayed for" I replied cheerfully.

"You're a religious woman" James asked.

With my hand tuck back my auburn hair. "Yes sir, I am."

"That's a wonderful thing," He said and turn to Alex and Kat, "Ladies are we through here? I have to get back to the office."

They bought every last bed sheets and duvet I had in store that day and paid in cash.

After they left I sat on the desk thinking to myself, how big their house most be, did they just moved in or are they redecorating? Because they bought 46 pieces and Alex said she will bring her brother tomorrow, that means he won't get out of the 46?

I had make a great sale today and i need to order goods before tomorrow. But right now am closing up for the day. I need to complete my sleep. I didn't sleep well last night anyway.

I got up from the desk I was sitting and grab my bag on the lemon plastic chair, I haven't take anything out from it so I just grabbed it and took the key to the store and closed up. I had this huge smile on my face because

I just made a great sale. The weather was cool so I decided to take a walk since am feeling wonderful anyway.

I took out my phone from the bag to plug in earpiece, that's when I saw the 2 missed calls I didn't pick earlier on the screen.