The Night I Woke Up Beside You

[SEASON 1] Chapter 20.5: The Betrayal

[A few hours before Regina got into a car accident and before she traveled back to the past]

REGINA's POV

It was a really hot day. 

I just got off from work and was thinking about surprising Charles at his parent's summerhouse down in The Hamptons, because I thought that it would have been nice to give him a bit of a naughty trick every once and a while. In fact, it had been that long since the last time we had even had sex... I was worried that he might have been feeling a bit lonely lately which I was also feeling at the same time.

And of course, as his fiancee, it was my obligation to make him happy and pleasured. And so with my best get up, a sundress, perfect hair-do and a lipgloss on, I took a leave for two days from my job and drove my way out of the state to get to the Hamptons, several miles and prepared for a surprise gift that would surely make Charles happy.

That was what I had in mind... And I thought it would be a really nice vacation as well because I was always been swamped with work and I only get to see a little of Charlie the past few months.

We have been both getting too busy to take care of stuff at our own workplaces. It made us see less of each other, and I wanted to make up for the hours we didn't get to be together anymore.

And so, as I drove closer and closer to the destination, I even contemplated sending Charles a message to let him know I was there right now... But I thought against it. I wanted to keep this as a sudden visit. I wanted to see what kind of expression he would have on his face once he sees me there unexpected.

As soon as I reached the front driveway of their property, I parked a little far from the place just to make sure that it won't spoil the plan in case Charlie was there looking out. I quickly fixed my look through the rearview mirror and re-applied some lipgloss before getting out of the car and walking my way to the entrance of the summerhouse.

The driveway has no gate so it wasn't hard for me to enter the property uninvited as the only thing I had to bypass would be the main front door of the place. Luckily, I had a spare key that had been given by Charlie's mother last time when we had visited here with them.

As soon as I walked into the place, I could tell already that there was no available helper inside. Charlie must have been staying here all by himself and was probably outside to eat some meal since it was just lunchtime. I took my time to look around the place, scanning every area and I noticed a few of the furniture that has been replaced again. There was also a new partition near the living room.

I eventually went upstairs to get to the rooms and chose one of the guest rooms to hide my things first. I was in a state of excitement and jubilation upon waiting for the upcoming surprise. I made an effort to make myself look sexier as I took off the cardigan I was wearing and let my sleeveless sundress do the job for me.

I was still waiting for my cue in case I hear Charlie show his presence inside the house but was quite surprised to hear a woman's voice instead.

I frowned. Was the helper here all this time then?

I was still inside the guest room and had the door slightly opened ajar so I could hear the footsteps coming closer from the stairs which were just a bit close to the room I was in. I was planning to walk out and show myself right away but the voice that spoke just when I was about to pull the doorknob stopped me.

It was Charlie's.

"I want it to be serious too... I swear, I really want us to be together."

Together?

Who?

"That's not the point, Charlie."

For some reason, I think I recognize the voice that was speaking with him. But I tried to understand first what they were talking about. It sounded too personal and serious and it felt like I was trying to eavesdrop into a very private conversation which was a little ridiculous since it was my own fiance who was involved in it too. Or is this not really right? Should I just show myself up so that they know I was here?

"I want you to understand that I just need more time, okay?" This time, it was Charlie who was speaking in a very hushed and hoarse voice. I felt a little bothered with how he was suddenly sounding too gentle and affectionate as if the mere words had been spoken with deep emotions.

I quietly took a peek through the small gap of the opened doorway from where I stood, still listening. I could only make out the back view of Charlie and the side of the woman's body who was there with him. They were standing too close to each other, almost less than a foot apart. The proximity worried me more as I tried to keep my existence unnoticed. I was slowly doubting the entire situation so I decided to just hide and watch him.

"How long will it be? How long should I wait... Charlie, I don't want to do this anymore."

Do what?

"Please, listen t-"

"MOM!"

The sudden interruption had the three of us jolting in surprise and for a second, I thought I was going to be caught right there. But the moment we heard the kid's voice echoing throughout the short intense silence of the place. I watched as a child, whom I quickly recognize right away suddenly appeared into the scene and threw his arms out to the woman who was now moving away from Charlie as she took the kid into her arms and hugged him back.

"Mom! I found a really pretty shell outside!" the kid was bragging as soon as he was picked up to the air and the woman plants a kiss on his cheek.

"Yeah?" the woman remarked as she let the kid continue on. She was no longer giving Charlie a spare of attention as she kept her back turned to him.

It was only when the kid finally came into the picture that I also did find out who the woman was. And as she started to walk away it did not go unnoticed to me as well that Charlie had tried to reach for her hand... Something that a man would do intimately with someone dear to him. And that was when I knew... I knew.

"I want to go back there mom! Put me down," the kid insisted quickly as he wriggled against the woman's embrace and quickly ran away from her grasp as soon as he reached the floor. The woman could not even stop the kid from running away. And before I knew it, I was in the middle of watching a private moment again.

Right there, in front of my eyes, Charlie suddenly pulled the woman into his arms and kissed her... passionately. Something that had never occurred to me would ever really happen at all. Even when I was not there to see it... I just... I never thought and expected this...

From Charlie.

He is... cheating. For real.