Falling Again

3.

Charlotte looked around the house which is all set. She had a proud smile and she leaned on the kitchen counter seeing the bright house. Noah came down carrying his bag for his first-day school. He was wearing blue jeans and a plain white shirt.

"Good morning baby, I prepared your favorite sandwich," Charlotte enthusiastically said.

"Thanks," he gave a small smile.

"What happened? It's your first day, cheer up,"

"I am nervous, mommy,"

"Why?"

"W-What if e-everyone laugh at me when I speak?" he told looking down.

"You don't have to worry about that. Come and sit here, I will tell you something," Charlotte told tapping on the chair. He nodded and sat on it feeling utterly nervous.

"You know what you should always think that you’re stronger than anyone else. Never consider what others think about your imperfections because no one is perfect,” caressing his back Charlotte said to him.

“Are you not perfect, Mommy?” he questioned.

“Yes but kind of no, you know, there’s no need to be perfect,” she nodded and continued, “I was like you when I was young, then when I was doing my high school I got a precious friend. He taught me this skill to think always positively. I realized my worth and I become confident. That really helped me to improve my academics, Mom was a smart student in the class and I got great marks to study in a big university and then this job,”

“So what I am saying is everyone has their flaws but that should never hinder your confidence. Trust me, baby, when you become an adult you will change into a better version,” Charlotte smiled.

“I want to be like you, mommy,” Noah smiled back hearing.

“Sure, you will become a fine man one day, even a hundred times better than me,” she smiled and kissed his cheeks. That’s enough to lit up Noah’s smile.

“And who’s that friend, Mommy?” “Can I see him?”

Charlotte becomes silent because she doesn’t know how to say the truth. She wanted to tell him that that person is his father, but how can she say that? How can she let him yearn for his father’s love when his father who not even know his existence?

“I don’t know where he is now. But someday in the future, I will take you to meet him,” Charlotte assured.

“I wish I could see him soon,” he told looking down.

Charlotte felt the same way somewhere in her heart but she didn’t take that feeling seriously and looked at her son with guilty eyes; she couldn’t tell him the truth or lie about it either. She can understand that he feels lonely as much as she feels right now. There she got a solution to this problem, to tell the truth, is the only way.

“I told you once that if you wish something immensely, it will happen someday. Don’t worry we will meet him, buddy. Now come and have your breakfast, we are getting late for your school. And evening Mommy will buy you ice cream, okay?”

“Okay,” he nodded and turned to have his breakfast which is on the counter.

In the meantime, Charlotte went to the bedroom to get ready for work, unlike others, there’s no confusion for her about choosing her dress because she has to wear her uniform, that’s it. It’s a brown tailored skirt and sandal colored shirt. She wore the dress and saw herself in the mirror. It’s so good on Charlotte as she is in perfect shape. Then she tied her hair in a bun and applied some pink lipstick. Picking up her bag and purse, Charlotte went to close the balcony door and unintentionally her eyes stumbled on the opposite mansion, she saw a man standing on the bedroom but he’s looking at the other side. The clean glass wall showed his attractive, well-built physique, just a black towel is around his waist and Charlotte blushed instantly after a long time. She tries to avert her eyes yet her curiosity to know who’s that person doesn’t let her do that.

He’s speaking on his phone, his arms had tattoos and he had short black hair. Before she could properly look at his face, Noah knocked on the door telling that he’s getting late. So Charlotte closed the door.

“Your lunch box, eat everything, okay,” she said,

“Sure,” Noah agreed and they came out of the house.

After getting into the car, Charlotte drove to Noah’s school. Since it’s his first day she went to meet his teacher and left him in his class. His teacher was a middle-aged man and he told me that he will take care of Noah when she told about his speech disability. He seemed to be a good person and somewhat looked handsome. Charlotte then heads towards her new workplace.

She was warmly welcomed by the staff and the assistant manager. She got her new id card, new cabin, new badge, and new color collar to highlight that she’s public relations manager. The first day went like this, meeting her new colleagues, touring the hotel and getting to know about her work which is more similar to what she has done previously. As soon as her work time ended in the evening, Charlotte informed her colleague that she’s leaving and came out of the fancy hotel. It is one of the costliest places in the country.

While walking to her car in the parking lot, she got a call suddenly. Seeing the phone screen, she felt anxious, it’s the creepy stalker who’s again trying to get her attention after a short gap. In contrast to the other, Charlotte knows who he is, he stayed next door in her previous house. He got attracted to Charlotte, he tried to get close to her and took advantage of knowing that she’s a single mom. But Charlotte always made sure that she’s off-limits to him.

He first started by asking her to go out with him, she agreed since it’s just a date, then he started showing his true colors after she told him that she’s not interested in him. He kept disturbing her by coming to her doorstep and by sending romantic text messages. Then he went to an extreme by threatening her that he will kill her and her son. Mrs. Robin and Charlotte filed a complaint and he was compelled to move out of the building and also to stay away from Charlotte. This is also another reason why Charlotte decided to move to this city. To escape from his threats, she knows these kinds of psychos will go any extremes.

But now seeing his number she came to know that she never really escaped. She didn’t attend the call and turned off the phone for her peace.

As she thought, Noah was waiting for Charlotte in his class along with his tutor Mr. Kolinsky. They came out and Charlotte asked, “Did you got any friends?”

“Yes, Ashley and Zack. They were sitting beside me and asked me to be their friend,” he told.

“Is it? I am so happy to hear that. Do you like this school?”

“Yes, I like it very much,” he nodded.

They got inside the car, and Charlotte decided to take a different route to find an ice cream parlor. She got confused by the roads and came to the busy streets and halted the car seeing the traffic signal. Noah came forward and looked at the large billboard display advertising a car. The man who comes in the advertisement looked so handsome in that black suit. His smile is breathtaking and his eyes are intense. He greatly got Noah’s attention.

“Mommy, that man l-looks handsome. Will I-I look like him when I b-become old?” he asked but when she didn’t answer, Noah turned to see his mom sitting with no expression. Her eyes intently gazing at the advertisement. She even forgot to breathe and totally dumbfounded to meet him like this.

“Mommy, what happened?” he shook her shoulder and Charlotte left out the breath that she’s holding back.

“Nothing, I was just thinking about… something,”

“You didn’t answer my question?” he pouted.

“Yes, you will look like him,” she volunteered a smile pretending her actual feelings. The signal turned green and she slowly drove on the road completely blank. There’s nothing in her head except shock to see him. She stopped the car at the side rested on the steering.

“Is anything wrong, Mommy?” Noah asked worriedly.

“No, give me a minute,” she said and exhaled to calm this stressful feeling. In the meantime, Noah looked out at the tall buildings. Charlotte gazed at her son, what she answered to him is the truth, he will look exactly like him since that man is his father. She thought Noah could have felt so proud if she has said that to him but she couldn’t.

Why I am even doing this? she bites her lower lip not to cry in front of her son. She feels like she’s a terrible person right now. I should do something! God, please help me! she thought because as he grows up it’s difficult for Charlotte to hide the truth from him

Noah turned his attention to his mother and smiled seeing her.

“Are you alright?” he asked caressing her cheeks.

“Yes, baby. I am alright,”

“Can I buy you ice cream tomorrow. I am not feeling well today,” she asked.

“Okay, Mommy,” he replied.

Tugging her hair behind her ear, Charlotte started the car and drove it to the house after looking at the grey sky.

“Mommy, do you know that man’s name?” Noah asked.

“His name…” Charlotte gulped and answered, “Jaxson Marcelles.”