I woke up early in the morning because Nathan wouldnt let me leave last night.

And I was glad he didnt because all those times he was there for me, I prayed that he never left.

I tip toe downstairs to meet Charlotte. 

She's seated on the barstools and drinking coffee.

"Morning." I greet her. She smiles.

"Morning. " she gives a small wave.

"How was the vacation?" I ask sitting next to her.

"It was fine." She says.

"Come on." I nudge her.

"It really was." She says.

"Okay, I'll start with my story then. I was heart broken when I found out my babies died before I met them... hell I'm still very hurt by that. I just went into some shock.

I couldnt do anything, I couldnt feel anything. Everything just went blank.

But your brother? He was there for me. He helped me so much in more ways than bathing me.

He cared. I valued that.

Yesterday, your mom told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. That Ethan needs me and I am not there for him.

That sure snapped me out, because I lost two of my babies and now I'm pushing away the only one that has been there for me through alot.

I appreciate your family Charlotte." I end by saying. Feeling my throat scratch a bit.

She nods. She stares at me for a while now before she speaks.

"Scott says he wants a polygamous relationship." She says.

I watch her carefully, reading every expression that passes by in her diamond eyes.

"How do you feel about that?" I ask her.

"Well I would have been fine if he let me know earlier in the relationship or I dont know before he introduced me to my co-future-wife!" She yells.

"Please Charlotte your brother is sleeping and so is my son. What happened?" I ask her.

"Well when I got to Rio, I met his family and all and they loved me. We kicked it off and it was fun.

Alot of alcohol and late night fire parties.

And then his mother just said to him. 'She's ready' I have no idea what she meant I was ready for.

The next morning , I was woken up to get dressed and go out.

We went for lunch. And I thought he was going to propose to me. I was so happy at that moment." She says. Her voice breaks.

"Then what happened?" I urge her.

She gulps very loudly and looks at me in my eyes.

"When we got to lunch, we sat down and ordered. At first I was surprised that there were three chairs on our table. But I thought maybe its his favourite place to sit.

A young lady walked and sat next to us.

Her name is Nia. She is Mexican and absolutely beautiful.

I thought they were friends or something when she sat with us.

Then when he looked at me in my eyes, I knew he was about to fuck up." She says. Now tears are rolling down her eyes.

"He told me that she is my co-wife. That he wants to marry me and add me to his family.

You know what, I tried to be open to his idea.

Because I love him. I compromised for him.

He took us both back to this really nice cottage and I found out he has a little boy just Ethan's age.

Miguel is great but I didnt want to find out like that.

The worst part is that he made me sleep alone while he was with Nia the whole night fucking her brains out." I hiss at her cuss word.

"Why did you stay there for two weeks?" I ask.

"Because I love him. I tried to compromise for him. But I couldnt do it. They left me alone in a foreign town having fun.

I was mad. So I booked a plane ticket and I just left. I stayed over at a hotel because I didnt want to come home too early.

Nathan never liked him, I knew he'd react that way.

So I came home a bit drunk hoping to pass out when I get to my room but then I was traumatized to death by my brother." She says.

"Come here." I hold her.

We then proceed to make oat meal cookies. They always make me feel better.

I hear the shower running from upstairs,  he's awake.

"How old was Scott anyway for him to have a family?" I ask.

"He is twenty six." She says.

"So hasn't he called. I mean he could be worried about you." I ask her.

"He should worry about Nia and Miguel." She bites out.

"So what now? Do you still want to be with him?" I ask.

"No. I'm alright. I just need a break to breathe." She says and I nod.

"Oh, I have an idea. Come to my work place just before I clock off. I have this place that always cheers me up." I tell her.

I always went there when Jeremy hit me. It made me feel comfort. A sense of familiarity.

I head to prepare for work. Soon Nathan takes me there.

When we get to work, we are having a conversation about so ball he wants me to go to with him.

I walk into my office and blood immediately rushes out of my body. I stare at his angry eyes for a second.

He nods at something behind me.

My body is too paralyzed with fear for me to turn.

"Um... I'm gonna check on...Ari." Nathan says from behind me.

He leaves and closes the door.

My heart climbs further up my throat.

His face looks a bit pissed to say the least. The wide smile I was used to from Nathan are replaced with his evil smirks.

"A nice guy." He says nodding at the door.

His voice sends chills down my throat.

"Yea..." my voice says in a whisper.

He grabs my wrist forcefully. And then his other hand chokes me. He is strangling me.

"Jeremy you're hurting me–"

"What the fuck was that? And dont you dare lie to me." He yells in my face.

"He is my friend who is also my boss. " I say.

"Where have you been staying?" He yells.

"I...cant... breath." I struggle out.

He slaps me.

"Damn it Gemima! I said where have you been staying?" He asks. Loud I might add.

"In New York." I cry.

"With him right? With him!" He yells.

"Please calm down. You are going to get me fired." I hiss out.

"Dont fucking tell me to calm down. I'm out here booking my self to anger management homes and rehabs for you and you're out here living with another man?

Is that fair Gemima? Is that fucking fair?" He asks.

"No. It's not fair." I whisper, telling him what he wants to hear.

"Then why do you do it?" He yells.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll come back, when you get better I promise." I say. Tears now falling.

"That's better." He says.

His hand goes up to wipe my tear but I flinch and I do it myself.

"I'm sorry baby. You just provoke me alot, I promise I'm going to change. I love you okay?" He asks then he kissed my head. I nod.

Feeling my cheek swell a bit.

He walks out. A few seconds Nathan walks in.

"Is... everything alright?" He asks.

"Yes. Everything is peachy." I say.

He studies me. Long and hard. Before he nods unsure.

"Okay, I'm leaving. I'll ask a driver to pick you up. He'll be your permanent driver." He says.

But you can clearly see his anger. His jaw is clenching and unclenching.

"I'll see you." I simply say.

Soon enough it's time to head home.  Charlotte is outside waiting for me.

"Hey there." She greets.

"Hello. " I greet back.

She gestures to her car but I shake my head showing her the cafe right infront of us.

We walk in and suddenly the conflicting feeling that were roaming are replaced with solace and happiness.

"Hey Ty. This is my friend Charlotte, Char this is Ty." I introduce the two.

Ty seems to be caught in a trance. When I turn to look at Charlotte. She is in the same trance.

"I'll have a Chai-Latte. What about you Charlotte?" I ask her.

"I'll have the same." She whispers.

Tyler nods.

I pull Charlotte.

"That was weird." I tell her.

"No, it wasn't. Who is he, tell me about him." She asks staring at the guy at the counter who is staring at her as well.

"He is Tyler , he used to be in the same college with me. He runs this here place and others as well." I tell her.

She nods and flips her hair.

The two chai lattes arrive and I am chiming. I drink the hot beverage and my body relaxes.

"God this is awful." She says.

"What? You cant say that about my favourite drink. Why did you order it?" I ask. She smiles.

" I didnt order this." She chuckle.

I chuckle at her as well. Waiting to see how this will play out.