In another life

17

After getting the girls ready I check my phone to see a message from Marjorie asking about yesterday and if I'm alright. She sent it yesterday and I've only just turned my phone back on,
'I'm so sorry Marjorie, something came over me. Much better today and I'll be in for my shift this morning'
Do I still feel absolutely shit? Yes. Am I ready to go back into work? No. Am I ready to see Mia again? Definitely not. But I need answers. I need to know the truth. Maybe if I see her she would tell me that it's all a mistake. She didn't know who I was or I got this whole thing mixed up. Maybe she's not who everyone else says she is. Maybe they got it wrong. Or am I being totally delusional because I don't want to accept this? Most likely.

I drop the girls off at school and remind them their dad will be picking them up tonight as he's back home and missed his time with the girls so he's got them today which is Wednesday until Sunday. Now I have to go to work.

Once I get out of the car I see Carly and Reece getting out of his car,
"Char! Hey!"
"Hey Carly, hey Reece"
"You alright Char? You rushed off pretty quick yesterday"
"Yes, I'm so sorry Reece I'm not sure what came over me"
"It's alright, if you need a minute today you just let me know, okay?"
"Okay, thank you"

Reece is very kind to offer that, and Carly did mention that he started to drive her into work and take her home. That's so nice of him too. He seems to really care about her. But then again, I thought Mia really cared about me too.

...

It's now my lunch break and I've just seen Reece walk into the car park from the window. I can see Marjorie out there too so they may be a while. I'm glad Marjorie found Reece. I know they say they're not together but they definitely want to be. I can tell.

I make my way up to the office, the door is open. Standing at the doorframe, I see her with her back turned to me. This is it. This is our only chance. I just have to know the truth...

"Did you know who I was when we met?" She span around at the sound of my voice, definitely not expecting to see me there.
"What?"
"Did you know who I was when we met?" I repeat, "in the shop, in the bar, did you know who I was?" She sighs and looks to the floor. She can't even fucking look at me?
"Charlotte"
"Oh my god" that's it. That was our final chance. "Wow" I nod my head, "I can't believe this" I'm fighting away my own tears already. "You targeted me"
"No sweetheart-" sweetheart?
"Don't call me that! You were just using me to get to Marjorie weren't you? And Reece and Autumn? It was all a game to you!"
"No Charlotte it's not like that I swear" she steps towards me but I step back, not like that? Seriously?!

"I invited you into my home! I let you around my children! I rambled on to you about my work and Marjorie and you- you just used me!" I can feel the tears on my cheek, she did this to me. She used me and for what? "I trusted you! I, I fucking kissed you Mia! I am so stupid to think that actually meant something"
"It did Char I promise" she reaches her hand out to touch my arm but I move further back.
"Don't touch me. You know, I actually thought we were friends. Even after I found out who you were yesterday I still thought maybe there's a tiny part of you that isn't like what Carly and Marjorie said about you. Something that they can't see. But you're just the same crazy manipulative bitch they warned me about"
"Charlotte" no. I don't even want to hear her fucking excuses.
"Don't ever talk to me again" I turn around to leave,
"Charlotte wait, please"
"No! I'm done"

I can't believe it. She targeted me. After I was so kind to her. I thought she was actually a decent person. I thought she was kind and loving. But it was all an act. A game. She pulled me in, used me, made me trust her, made me care about her, and it was a game. It was all just to hurt Marjorie, Autumn and Reece.

(Mia's pov)
I'm such a fucking idiot. How could I let this happen? Char hates me. The way she looked at me? I've never seen her like that. She was completely devastated. She looked heartbroken. I did that. I hurt her.

I wish I could take it back, I didn't want her to find out like this. I didn't want her to find out at all. I guess that's my stupidly hopeful wishes.

Of course I knew who Charlotte was when we met, I recognised her instantly. When I first read her file and saw her picture, I instantly wanted to know her. She was beautiful. Is beautiful. Maybe I could have even had a chance. If things didn't go this way. I know I shouldn't have let it get as far as it did, but once I knew her, I just could pull myself away. Can you blame me? She's so amazing and caring and the sweetest soul on earth. The absolute best mother to those girls and just incredible in every way possible.

I'll admit at first I was just playing along, to see what I could find out. But I didn't expect to actually fall in love with her. Now she's gone for good. She won't even look at me again. I've lost her. I love her and I've lost her. All because of him.

"Don't look so down Amelia, you didn't think you'd actually have a chance with her, did you?"
"Fuck off" he laughs. I fucking hate that laugh.
"Foolish girl"