A Night Beneath the Sheets

Chapter 3

As Charlie gazed at her phone, the weight of Gabriel’s call was heavy on her chest.

The sting of rejection bites her harder than a snake. Even if she didn’t give him the chance to speak. She knew the damage was already sealed, and there was no going back.

Charlie could remember his voice faintly. It sounded like it could fix everything within a second.

She tried to forget it. But as hard as she tried, his subtle voice kept coming back to her memory. Maybe… just maybe she was wrong. Maybe she should have listened to him.

Why didn't I listen to him? She stammered. I was just in a hurry to end it all…

She was wrong for allowing her heart to be captured by a man she met in a hurry. And one night changed her entire life forever.

Now, the same man is begging for her attention again, and she isn't getting it. Damn it, Charlie blurted out.

How could I be so foolish?

She searched for the couch with her hands and fell into it like her life depended on it.

Her legs were still trembling, and she couldn’t think of anything other than having a quick nap. The last thing she wanted was another conversation about Gabriel.

Charlie… are you there? Mabel’s voice echoed from the living room.

The voice reminded Charlie of another struggle explaining her actions. Which was already inevitable.

I know you are not fine. Not after what he did to you…Mabel replied.

Charlie wasn’t herself anymore. She knew Mabel would be angry with her if she told her the truth. How could she explain to her best friend how foolish she was to allow a stranger devour her in a night.

Even in the midst of her confusion, she didn't want to let go. She should have listened to him. His words became more subtle in her heart.

She wondered how she would explain to Mabel the possibility of giving him another chance.

Charlie!

Mabel’s voice echoed once again before it became faint, and she was gone.

Charlie heaved a sigh of relief. At least, she is free to ponder over her thoughts of regret alone.

She leaned back against the couch, and soon again she was lost in thought. Staring at the ceiling and unaware of the world around her.

The more she tried not to miss him, the more his image became clearer before her. She remembered the kiss.

How his lips soak deeply in her mouth. And pushed her against the wall.

And just when she thought he was already hers. He slipped away from her fingers and vanished into thin air.

He was gone before she could figure out why he had to leave so soon.

The next few weeks saw Charlie trying to engross herself with work and move on. At least, that was the only thing she could do at the moment.

She tried hard to focus on her work, her patients, and stay away from Mabel.

He wouldn't help her at this time than to bring back old memories to shatter her heart.

She didn't know how to explain how hurt she felt without looking foolish.

But each time she returns from work, the loneliness sinks in. She finds herself thinking about him again. She saw herself wondering what he was doing at the moment. Whether he was missing her as much as she missed him.

Was he really a wealthy playboy, or was he running away from something that could hurt them? She wondered out of her confusion.

One evening, she returned from work and slumped into her coach once again. Engrossed with the thought of him.

Just then, her phone buzzed and interrupted her thoughts. She peeped to see the name and her heart skipped for a second.

Gabriel!

“Charlie, you have the right to be angry with me. But give me a chance to tell you something. I want to see you.

Her eyes hovered over the screen for a minute. This was too much for her to handle. She thought.

Although she had longed to hear from him. But this was too sudden. And again, she felt like yelling and telling him to leave her alone.

She left the message on her phone unattended, and she wished it would remain so forever.

She had a lot going on in her heart, but she couldn’t do anything. Her words didn’t match her actions.

She picked up her phone and wanted to type something in a hurry.

“No, I can’t do it!” she blurted out.

She paced the room restlessly. Her mind was laced with regrets. She had decided to stay away from hurting herself even more.

She knew lying to herself wouldn’t help. She had to tell herself the truth.

As she prepared to go to work the next morning, she could remember the text and how it was begging desperately for attention in her heart.

As she arrived at work, she soon got a sense of comfort while engaging with her patients and performing her usual morning routine.

She was calm until she saw him.

She tried turning to the left and pretending as though she didn't notice him. But it was too late. She couldn’t escape it.

He was right there, standing close to her car and waiting patiently for her to come out.

“Charlie,” Gabriel said calmly, as though he was trying to avoid her angry look.

“Why are you here?” she asked angrily.

"Charlie, I’m sorry for everything," he said. "I know you are hurt, but I can’t let you go just like that." Please listen to me.

Charlie stared at him with contempt. Her heart filled with anger and bitterness. She wished she could walk away, leaving him to ponder over her next action. But she couldn’t.

Beneath the anger lies a curious heart. A heart that longed to know the man standing before her.

As she stared at him, his eyes brightens up, and he approached her closely.

“Charlie!”

“No, hold it right there!” Enough of the lies. I’m not going to pretend as if I don't know who you are anymore.

Gabriel’s expression changed to a pitiful look. “I knew I had made a mistake, Charlie." Just give me another chance to make it right with you.”

Charlie sighed. It was as if his words were pulling something strange out of her. She could feel the heat once again, and her feet trembled underneath her.

“I think it’s too late,” she said faintly.

The world stood still as they were both locked in a charged environment. As they stood staring at each other. A voice broke the silence.

“I can see a lot is going on right here.” Mabel said gently. Staring at both of them.

Charlie turned and looked at her sharply. She didn’t say anything. She continued to fix her gaze on Gabriel as though Mabel weren’t there.

Mabel turned to look at Gabriel and then Charlie. Then she broke the silence again.

“It seems we have a lot to discuss.”