Looking Through the Glass

Chapter 4

Charlie only got an hour of sleep, before the buzzing woke her up from her phone. Charlie reluctantly got up from her bed rubbing her eyes and reaching over to see who could be calling her. It was her Uncle Ozzie! Charlie blinked a couple of times to make sure it was him calling her, and then she finally answered.

"Hello." Her voice sounded raspy. The demon on the other end cringe hearing the sound of her voice.

"Hey! Char-bear! How's my favorite niece doing?" Asmodeus tried to sound chipper, but his conversation with Lucifer earlier wasn't sitting right with him. He didn't want to mention to her either feeling it would set her off. He already sounded pretty upset with her father. Then watching that interview was painful.

"I'm doing great!" Charlie tried to sound like her happy self. She didn't want anyone to know this was bothering her in the absolute slightest. Vaggie had gotten pretty worried for her girlfriend, and Charlie felt guilty. If her Uncle Ozzie seemed worried as well, it would just make this feeling worse. She had to get better, things were going to be just fine. Everything always works out in the end. Something that Charlie has been questioning lately.

"That's wonderful to hear! How are things at that hotel of yours?" He asked trying to see if Charlie would be willing to tell him what's going on. 

"Things are going well!" Charlie said she didn't think her uncle saw the interview and was hoping that he wouldn't. The demon didn't believe that his niece was doing well one bit. He fears were coming true. 

"Are you sure? I saw the interview earlier. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I know that type of thing can make anyone feel down." He tried to comfort her. Charlie pulled her knees up to her chest.

"Pfff! Me down never! Uncle Ozzie, it's me! This just happens sometimes! I'm sure I'll get people to come here in no time!" Charlie tried to play it off like it was nothing. It was everything, the princess felt like she was failing. Asmodeus frowned when hearing her.

"Charlie, you know you can talk about it." He tried again with deep concern. 

"Uncle Ozzie, it's fine! Everything is fine! I don't need to talk about it! Look, I would love to keep talking but I have some boring hotel stuff to deal with!" Charlie said about to hang up the phone with her uncle. Her use of the word  'fine' concerned the demon even more. 

"Alright sweetheart, just know I'm here for you." He told her before getting off the phone. Charlie wanted to throw her phone across the bedroom. Charlie placed her head on her knees and tried to fight the urge to cry again. Just how many more people are going the worry about her? Charlie was tired of this. She just has to some sure that no one knows! No one needed to know that she felt like everything was her fault. Losing Dazzle and Sir Pentious. Not getting Heaven on her side. The hotel not even working. She was only making things worse, but no one can know!

Charlie got up from bed, fixed herself up, and ran downstairs to see if everyone was down there. They looked at her and she smiled. Vaggie was the first one to approach her taking her hands into hers.

"Charlie, how are you feeling?" Vaggie asked and Charlie smiled at her.

"I'm feeling great! Never better! I'm sorry for worrying you and everyone else! I've just been stressed and tired! You know it was silly of me to get so worked up!" Charlie said forcing that smile of hers, but anything negative that Charlie could think of she had to put it behind her. 

"Hon, you didn't seem alright earlier. I know the inter-"

"Vaggie, it's fine. Things like this just happen. So, if the interview didn't work out that doesn't mean we can't give up. Since everyone is here we could talk about what happened." Charlie said to her. Vaggie couldn't help but have this sinking feeling in her stomach. She sighed. She and Charlie would have to talk about this later, she didn't want to upset Charlie any further. Lucifer was leaning against the wall, he made eye contact with Vaggie. Lucifer wanted to talk to Charlie about her deal with Alastor but his little girl seemed to be in better spirits than earlier. He didn't have the heart to make her upset again. Whatever Charlie has planned for them he would see it to the end before talking to her. Charlie had everyone sit in a circle and they must share something they regret.