love at first sight?

family dinner

*Ivy*

I wake up in the middle of the night. There is a loud bang but it's not a thunder storm this time. It comes from the front door which is even more scary. At first I think I just imagine it in my head or it's a dream but the banging on the door doesn't stop. I'm getting scared now. "Charles", I shake him a little to wake him up. He groans and moves a bit. "Charles", I say again a little louder. "Hmm", he groans opening his eyes. "Someone is at the door", my voice is shaking because I'm scared. He's awake immediately. "What?", he asks clearly confused. The bangs on the door resume and he sits up as he hears them too. "What time is it?", he taps his phone to check the time. "Who would bang on the door at 3am", he looks at me still a little overwhelmed. "I don't know", I admit burying my head in my hands. "I'll go check", Charles says seriously. He gets up but I hold him back, grabbing his arm. "Stay here and don't come behind me, Ivy", he says and gives me a quick kiss on my forehead. "Please be careful", I whisper. He nods before he leaves the bedroom and closes the door behind him. The banging is still there. I hear the front door opening. I'm getting really scared. Suddenly I hear talking. What's going on? I get up from the bed and quietly open the door a bit. Charles is standing at the door talking to..Lando? What the fuck? I open the door fully and step into the light. "What's going on?", I ask and lean against the wall covering my body with the blanket because I'm only wearing underwear and some shorts underneath. I look between Lando and Charles. "He wants to sleep here", Charles says not looking away from Lando. I'm getting suspicious. Isn't he supposed to be with Elena? My best friend. "Come in", I say and yawn. It looks weird how he still stands in front of the door. Charles looks at me questioning. I shrug it off. Lando steps into our apartment, his eyes are swollen as if he has cried and he's swaying while walking as if he drunk too much alcohol. He sits down on the couch and rests his head in his hands. Charles closes the door and steps to me. "Do you want to go sleep? I'll handle him", he whispers so that Lando doesn't hear him. "No, I'd like to know what's going on. I have a feeling it has to do with Elena", I sigh and look at Lando again. Charles gives me a short hug and laughs at me. "What?", I whisper to him. "You look funny", he answers and chuckles. "I'm only wearing shorts and a bra, if you want him to see me like that I can get rid off it", I say very serious. His smile fades. "No, leave it on", he says. I grin at him and start chuckling. He shakes his head but laughs. We walk to the couch and sit across from Lando. Charles wraps his arm around me. I have a hard time keeping my eyes open but I need to know what's going on.

"What happened?", I ask Lando. He doesn't look up. "We broke up", is all that he says. He hides his face. I'm too stunned to speak. Charles and I exchange a look. "Why?", Charles asks. Lando is quiet for a bit. My thoughts are circulating. Elena must be destroyed. "We had a big fight", Lando answers, "I saw her talking to a guy and accused her of cheating" I know how much Elena hates it when someone doesn't trust her and accuses her of something she didn't do. Charles sighs next to me. This is going to be a tough one. "Where's Elena?", I ask Lando. "In our apartment", he answers shortly. I nod, not knowing what to do now. Actually I would have to go to Elena but it's way too late and Lando probably has been out for a couple of hours drinking in bars. I get up from the couch. "You're not going to her now, right? It's too dangerous, Ivy", Charles says grabbing my wrist to hold me back. "Don't worry, I'm not planning on going outside now", I tell him and smile. He is relieved, I can tell. I disappear into our bedroom and get some comfy clothes from Charles for Lando. "Here, you can sleep in the guest room. But tomorrow you're talking to her, understood?", I hand him the clothes. Charles gets up too. "Thank you", Lando says and looks up at us. "Come on, I'll show you the room", Charles says helping Lando get up. "I'll be with you in a minute", Charles says to me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I nod and disappear into our bedroom again, this time laying down in our bed again.

After some time I hear the bedroom door open. "He's sleeping", Charles sighs and drops down next to me. He puts his arm around me and I snuggle to him. "I'll call Elena tomorrow", I say and play with his hair. "He's very sorry, Ivy", Charles says brushing over my back. "I know, but he was wrong for accusing her of something she didn't do", I say. "I know, you're right. At least he's sleeping now", Charles draws some hearts on my back with his finger tips. "Ivy? Will you promise me something?", he asks, "Please don't make this your problem, you're already dealing with enough" I sigh. "But she's my best friend, Charles", I know he's right but I can't just let her alone with this. "I know, I know. Please just take care of yourself, I need you", he sounds honest and it makes my heart jump. "You're better at taking care of me", I joke but know that it's right. He is very good at taking care of me. "I know, mon cœur", he says and chuckles. I can't keep my eyes open any longer. "And that's why we need to sleep now, the last days we're tough for you", his voice is quiet and raspy. "I love you", I whisper and squeeze his hand. "I love you more", is his answer combined with a kiss on my collarbone. He knows how to make my heart melt.