AGAIN || MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE

Chapter 16

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CHAPTER 16

Céline 

Now 

'I didn't mean to interrupt your evening. Maybe it's better if I come back another time.' I don't even know what I was thinking, showing up this late at night. Of course, Alexandra would be here. What I didn't expect, though, were the shouts I heard coming from his apartment.

'No! Céline, please don't go!' Charles's voice is pleading as he begs me to stay. Alexandra, meanwhile, is already halfway down the stairs, muttering curses at me for the second time tonight. Then the main door slams shut, and silence falls. It's just me and him now, standing there, staring at each other.

'Do you want to come in?' He asks. I nod, my embarrassment making it hard to meet his gaze as I step inside. 'I'm sorry for showing up like this, without warning.' I manage to say. But before Charles can answer, a large dog bounds over to me, tail wagging furiously.

'Maple! Down, buddy!' Charles tries to intervene, looking apologetic. 'I'm sorry, she's never like this around strangers.' I laugh, crouching down to ruffle Maple's fur. 'That's because we've already met. She's a beauty, Charles.' He looks surprised but doesn't press the matter. Instead, he leads me to the sofa, while Maple happily bounces around my legs. 'Can I get you something? Tea? Coffee?'

In this moment, I probably need something stronger, and Charles seems to sense it.

'I only have red wine.' He says, looking a bit sheepish. 'Or I'd offer you some.' I glance away, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. 'You still remember.' I say softly, more to myself than to him. 'Remember what?' Charles asks, genuinely curious.

'You remember I don't drink red wine.' He shrugs, a small, shy smile tugging at his lips. 'You never liked it. I remember every single detail about you, Céline.'

'Please.' I say quickly. 'It's just Lin. You know that.'

My name from his lips sounds so formal, so distant, that it makes me uncomfortable. 'I thought Lin was just for your friends.' He replies. 'And after how you treated me at your place, it doesn't seem like we still are.' His words are like a slap, instantly dousing the hope I'd felt when I decided to come here tonight.

'Charlie, I'm really sorry. I should have never shouted at you like that.' He sighs heavily, his eyes shutting for a moment. When he opens them again, he seems calmer, though I can tell he's still hurt.

'Why did you come back?' He asks, his voice soft but cautious. 'I wanted to apologize for the other day. I was awful, and...'

'No, I mean, why are you back from New York?'

Oh. That.

That is the one question I don't want to answer.

'A lot of things didn't work out.' I say finally, my voice trembling. 'I'm here to talk, but please, don't ask me about it.' He looks at me for a long moment, as though debating whether to push further. Finally, he nods.

'Fine. No New York.'

There's a trace of disappointment in his tone, but I don't have the strength to dwell on it. Instead, I change the subject. 'What happened with Alex?' I ask, unable to hide my curiosity. Charles chuckles dryly. 'A lot of things weren't working.' He says, echoing my earlier words.