You and Me

Chapter 54

Charlotte's POV

We got to brunch and we walked hand in hand. At first it made me a little bit uncomfortable to show this side of myself to people but I also felt empowered to know that I, Charlotte Carter and Ivan Lombardo, CEO's of the two best Construction Companies in the country were back together. We greeted everyone one on one. Everyone asked if we were together and we told everyone the truth and said yes.

We were all sitting on the table when a guy named Jack spoke, "So tell me Ivan how is it that you get the most gorgeous woman on earth?" he said and I smiled and looked down hiding my blushing cheeks but quickly recovered. "I don't know myself, but I'm lucky to have her," Ivan said, kissing my cheek. "How long have you two known each other?" said who I think is Jack's sister. She has me on my last nerve. She's been giving Ivan googly eyes all freaking morning like I will literally carve out your eyeballs and make you swallow them. Before Ivan could respond I leaned into him more and responded.

"For 2 years now... we dated about a year and a half ago but then life got in the way and  then brought us back together again a month ago " I said and she nodded. "Wish we met between that time" she said looking at Ivan and I felt like reaching across this table and pulling out her hair. "Just kidding" she said, making the whole table but me laugh then winked at Ivan. Okay little bitch this is how you want to die!

We ate and the whole time Jack's sister Liz was flirting with Ivan even though he made it clear he was not interested. Everyone was talking with each other. Ivan was talking to this man, it seemed like they were thinking of maybe working on a project together I'm not sure. The man turned to say something to his wife so I took this as an opportunity to get Ivan's attention.

"I want to go, please" I said and he placed his hand on my thigh and leaned in to respond. "Give me like... half an hour while I close this deal off with him and we can go" he said and I shook my head. "No it's okay I'll go and send James back to you, so you have a car when you want to go back" I said and he looked at me confused. "Just wait and we'll go together," he said more seriously. Okay so he knows damn well to not give me attitude, and when I say something I'm stubborn so no Mr. Bossy pants I'm leaving with or without you.

"Ivan, I'm leaving, I'll see you back at the villa," I said and got up from my seat with my purse. "It was nice speaking with you all but I'm going to start to head back to the villa, I brought my niece with me and I don't want to leave her alone much. It was nice seeing you all" I said looking at everyone. They all said goodbye back, I was about to start to walk out but Ivan grabbed my wrist and I turned my attention to him. "Give me a kiss" he said and I smirked and leaned in to kiss him extra long knowing that Liz was looking. I hummed and pulled away. "I'll see you later" I said and he pecked my lips one last time before I walked out and got in the car.

I got back to the villa and told James to go back to where the brunch was and wait for Ivan. Apparently he decides to listen to me whenever I give him an order like I'm his boss. I walked in and found out that Ale, Tony, Gabriel and Allison took Stephanie out grocery shopping so I went upstairs and put on my white bathing suit on again since technically I didn't use it and I washed it this morning too. I went outside with my computer and went into the pool while I placed my computer on the concrete side and worked. Today was really warm so I felt refreshed working with an umbrella covering the sun and giving me shade while I'm in the water. Waverly was inside on a business call with a client, Jasmine and Violet are inside discussing details about the project we are working on together.

It's been about an hour and a half and I just got off the phone with the owner of a venue  we are reconstructing and now I'm going to work on some designs. Thank god I brought paper and all my tools too so that I can work on some designs as well. I heard the Villa's door open so I looked up and saw that it was Ivan. He was wearing his swimming trunks and also had some work stuff on his hands. He placed them next to mine and then climbed into the pool.

He wrapped his arms hugging me from behind and kissed the crook of my neck. "Hello gorgeous" he said and I giggled and looked to the side to meet his eyes. "When did you get back?" I asked him and he sat on the underwater bench next to me and replied. "About 15 minutes ago, Violet told me you were here working, I saw you were inside the pool so I changed and decided to keep you company" he said and I sarcastically replied. "Oh wow how thoughtful of you" I said and we both laughed. My phone started ringing and I noticed it was Justin so I answered.

"Hi Tin Tin, Stephanie's fine she's out grocery shopping with Ale and she's been having fun" I said knowing he wants to ask about Stephanie. "I know I've been stalking your guys' Instagram stories to make sure she's still breathing," he said laughing. "Wow, the amount of faith you have in me hurts," I said laughing. "I'm kidding, I know she's fine, you were always good with kids and now Stephanie is attached to you, it was to be expected" he said and I smiled. "Yeah, I love her... uhm Justin, I need to tell you something, well two things" I said and he sighed. "What did you do?" he said and I scoffed. "Why do you always say that!" I said chuckling. "I'm kidding!" he said and I went back to what I needed to say. "I was talking to Steph a couple of days ago, you know I always try to get her to speak her emotions and thoughts. And we started talking about her parents. She said she misses them a lot but that when you adopted her she felt like you were her dad. She said that no one was going to replace her birth father but that you felt like her dad and she asked me to ask you if she can call you dad" I said and the phone went silent until I heard Justin sniffling. "I love that little girl, she's so mature for her age and she's my daughter of course I would want nothing else" he said and I didn't notice I was crying until I started sniffling too we both chuckled and composed ourselves.

"Okay second thing" he said and I stiffened. I looked at Ivan and he nodded. We talked about this yesterday and we think it's better if we don't hide our relationship. "Me and uh... me and Ivan are back together" I said waiting for Justin to give me a whole speech. The phone went silent for a couple of seconds until Justin spoke. "Is he there with you right now?" he said and I was confused. "Yes?" I said confused, "put me on speaker I want him to hear me" he said "you're already on speaker" I said worried about what he's going to say. "Well then... Hello Ivan" he said and I started to chuckle. This is the most awkward thing ever! Ivan greeted him back and now we just waited for Justin to say something.

"Okay so ya'll are grown people so you know what's best for you. Lottie I love you and I want you to be happy so I need you to be sure of what you're doing and if you're sure then I'm happy for you... Ivan, listen... my sister was in pain and I'm not going to forget that easily, so let me be a hundred percent real with you... you break her heart and I'll break your neck... and I really don't want to go to jail because as you know I have a daughter so please don't break her heart and treat her the way she deserves to be treated" he said sighing and I smiled at his words wiping away a tear that fell.

"I love her Justin and what happened last time was a game that was played on both of us. I won't let anything like that happen again and I want nothing more than to make her happy because she makes me happy" Ivan said and I leaned in to kiss him when he was done. "I know, when I found out what happened the day I picked Lottie up from your house I couldn't believe it... because the love that you guys have is one of a kind... Lottie if you were asking for my blessing which I doubt because you never do what I tell you to do, you have it" he said making us laugh. "Thank you Tin Tin. I'll call you later so you can talk to Stephanie" I said, he said bye and hung up.

Ivan and I talked for a little then went back to work. I kept looking over at Ivan and in this moment I knew that he had carved himself into my heart. He claimed it. Just how I claimed his. I pushed his work aside and he looked at me confused. I straddled his hips and kissed him.

"I don't know when and I don't know how you carved yourself  so deep into my heart, but I'm happy you did. You're my reason to smile... It's scary to think how much a person can influence your life but... the feeling I feel when I'm around you is a feeling I don't want to end. So please don't let it end" I whispered to him, our foreheads touching while I closed my eyes and fully opened my heart to him. "It's not going to end because I need you to breathe, I need you with me all the time... I love you" Ivan said, opening his heart to me. We kissed and I hugged him.

"And I love you... so much" I breathe out.

Published 07/26/2022