A la Carte

Chapter 12

To say Charlotte was a mess, would be an understatement. She spent the next day crying her eyes out and called in sick for work, she missed Derek's calls and not even Tyler's food and Betty's soft knocking at the door could rouse her from the emotional state she was in.

"Get a grip Charlotte." She said as she stared into the mirror, in her en-suite bathroom. She had decided, approximately at 4pm in the afternoon, that she was done crying over something that didn't happen to her, and that there was no way that it could possibly. So Charlotte decided that a shower and a good meal would do her good. After applying a thin layer of makeup to make it at least look like she hadn't really been crying, she headed out to the kitchen. Tyler was watching TV and looked up at her as she walked to the fridge.

"I kept some food for you to taste." He said, Charlotte nodded wordlessly and heated it up, before moaning in satisfaction when she took her first bite out of the pasta dish.

"This is amazing!" She exclaimed, "I have been thinking Tyler..."

"That's never good." Tyler chuckled; she swatted him as she sat down next to him on the couch.

"I know that I said that my dream was one day to be Chef...I just...I really love cooking, but I don't think I want to make it a profession, but I still would like to learn underneath you and maybe help you with preparation for events?"

"I understand that and I would love to have your help." Tyler said, "Now let us watch 2 Broke Girls, because let me tell you, that show is amazing." I chuckled, but nevertheless decided it wouldn't hurt to watch some TV.

"I'm gonna head out, tell Betty that I will be back!" Tyler said and picked up his keys from the coffee table and headed out the door.

"Oh! Hey man, what's up?" Charlotte heard Tyler say, she craned her head to see who Tyler was talking to; she was met with the image of a very smart looking Derek Tyson.

"Derek!" She breathed, schooling her look of surprise.

"Hey Char?" He said awkwardly, for once Derek Tyson looked awkward and out of place.

"Any particular reason why you are dropping by?" Charlotte asked.

"You weren't answering my calls and I was worried that you were mad at me?" he explained.

"I'm sorry; I obviously forgot to plug my phone in." Lie.

"Oh, so you aren't mad?" He asked nervously.

"Derek, it's cute that you get jealous, but I know how to handle other men and I would like you to trust me." Charlotte said.

"I'm sorry, it's just everything that has been good in my life, always gets taken away from me." His features hardened.

"Hey, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon..." She lifted her hand and placed it against his clean shaven cheek.

"I'm glad." He said and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Come on, I think we still have leftovers..." Charlotte said, "That is if you don't mind leftovers?" She asked.

"Leftovers are perfect." He said, a smile gracing his handsome features. They talked over supper, but Charlotte did not bring up the topic of his ex-fiancée, she didn't have the energy for it tonight.

The next morning, Charlotte had to be up at the crack of dawn, she had a few errands to run and then she had to do a double shift, afternoon rush and dinner shift, because she had skipped her shift yesterday. The afternoon rolled by quickly and Charlotte's feet were already aching from standing the whole day.

"Ohmigosh Charlotte!" Perry exclaimed when she walked into the bistro. Charlotte who was actually busy waiting tables, paused.

"Hey Perry?"

"I haven't seen you in like ages!" Perry said and then wrapped her arms around Charlotte, "We'll catch up on your break okay?" Perry said and went off to put her things down. Five minutes later Charlotte was recounting her entire story to Perry, who sat in shocked silence, just clutching Charlotte's hand.

"I think that you made the right decision in not leaving him immediately, after all Dimitri could be biased and bitter, but I also think that you should ask Derek." Perry said wisely.

"I know, but if he trusts me enough then he should want to tell me about his past." Charlotte said.

"I understand, but if he is abusive then you are setting yourself up for pain." Perry urged.

"I don't think he is, he gets jealous sure, but he has always been gentle with me and he has never hurt me."

"Never say never, hun." Perry said sadly, she stood up and tied the apron around her waist and then turned to Charlotte.

"Whatever happens, just know that there are people who care about you and we will support you no matter what."

Charlotte nodded her head and blinked the tears away from her eyes, she then stood up to follow her friend, and after all they were the waitresses in this place. She checked on her tables and then Matt brushed past her and told her he had seated someone in her section. She thanked him and walked over to the men cladded in business suits.

"Good evening, my name is Charlotte and I'll be your waitress for the evening, would you like to order drinks?" She smiled, the men were handsome, in their own right, but they did not catch her attention like Derek and Dimitri had, that is until she met the familiar brown eyed gaze of someone she never thought she'd ever see again.

"Charlotte?" He asked, recognition flashing in his eyes.

"Benjamin."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*A/N*

Yes! Another update, it's fairly short and I am sorry for the cliffhanger, but I had to. Anyway, my exams are finally finished! Yay! I survived! And managed to pull some pretty decent grades *pats self on the back* which means I can now devote most of my free time to this story and possibly another story that I have been working on, maybe I'll post that someday on Wattpad... Enjoy reading and have a fantastic Christmas (It's my favourite holiday!) !!

K xx