"Mum? What are you doing here?" I gave her a confused look even though I couldn't help but smile, seeing her here. It had been months since we had spoken in person because flights from LA to New York were no where near cheap.
"It's been way too long since I saw you and Ian." She grinned, pulling me into a tight hug and I returned it until I heard someone sighing in awe behind me. I turned around to see Ross with his hands under his chin, giving me a puppy look. "Guess you want a hug too?" I chuckled, rolling my eyes and I looked back at my mum who was staring at him with widened eyes.
"Good evening." Ross smiled politely but it immediately dropped when my mum started shouting.
"Ross! How dare you come to my daughter after what you did to her-"
Ross opened his mouth to speak but I interrupted him, "Mum you were the one who told him where I was." I never expected myself to defend Ross after what he did but it was true; my mum was the one who told him where I moved to.
"Yes I know but I didn't expect him to come and actually visit you. I guess he's already told you how sorry he is and how horrible he feels about what he did." I found myself backing away towards Ross and grabbing his hands as my mum stared daggers at him, mocking his voice.
"Mum! Can you stop? I don't want you to wake Ian up. Just please sit down and I'll get you something to drink, okay?"
She agreed but I could tell how reluctant she was. Ross followed me into the kitchen and hugged me tightly, making me freeze in his arms. "Your mum's right. I shouldn't be here." He whispered against my hair, his voice vibrating against my skin as he buried his face in my neck.
"But you're leaving on Wednesday." I moved his blonde mess out of my face as I awkwardly placed my hands on his back.
"I don't want to though. I don't want to lose you again." He lifted his head up and his hazel orbs seemed to desperately search mine.
"Ross, you've said that too many times in the space of a few days."
"I know, but-"
"Just shut up." I shoved him off and poured my mum a glass of water, before going over to her to the living room, leaving Ross in the kitchen. I could feel his eyes burning through me as I caught up on everything with my mum and anxiously tapped my hands against my knees, earning a worried look from my mum. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm...fine." I gave her a tight smile and stared at the floor, suddenly feeling like I was about to break down.
"Char, I can see something's up. Have I said something wrong?"
"No, no of course not. I just....I have to tell Ian about who Ross really is and I have no idea how to do it." I gave her a sheepish smile and she pulled me into a hug, letting me rest my head on her shoulder.
"Just tell him truthfully what happened, sweetheart."
"Mum, I can't tell a 5 year old that his dad was a cheater. How would I even explain to him that we had a one night thing?" I looked up at her and she sighed as she rubbed my back comfortingly.
"I know, but you are going to have to explain it to him somehow honey. If he finds out when he's older, he's going to be a lot angrier at you for not telling him the truth."
"I know."
"Char, I'm going to get going now."
"Are you sure? You can sleep on the couch." I had to find any excuse to kick Ross out to avoid awkwardness.
"Baby, I've got a hotel room nearby. Don't worry." She stood up and I followed her actions, hugging her tightly again. "Just don't do what you did five years ago with Ross."
"Mum!" I pulled back, arching an eyebrow at her as she chuckled and kissed my cheek before leaving.
I went to my room and plopped down on the bed, starting to wipe my makeup off from the whole day of work when I heard a soft knock on the bedroom door. I looked up to see Ross with his hands in his pockets, smiling.
"Why are you watching me? Its really creepy, you know." I bit my lip to suppress a chuckle as his face turned a light shade of pink.
"I-I'm sorry. You're just so beautiful, I can't help myself from staring at you." He gave me half a smile and now it was my turn to blush. It's crazy how he still made me feel this way.
"Thanks?" It sounded more like a question but I shrugged it off and I continued wiping my makeup off as he plopped down behind me.
"Charlie, I heard you tell your mum that you're going to tell Ian about me."
I glanced back at him, "Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because he deserves to know before he finds out himself when he's older."
I watched Ross' eyes avert to the floor as he mumbled, "He's going to hate me."
"Don't be surprised, Ross. A part of me still hasn't forgiven you for what you did. I can't keep it from him and we both know that."
"I know. But can I be there when you tell him?" He gave me a hopeful look and I heaved a sigh.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, especially since you're so scared about his reaction?"
"Yeah." He nodded, his smile growing and before I could react, he pulled me into a tight hug.
"Ross, w-what are you doing?"
"I love you, Charlotte and I want to be with you. I know I'm leaving on Wednesday, but you know that I'll do anything to try and get you back." He pulled away and I avoided eye contact at all costs. We sat in this awkward silence until he spoke up again, "Do you really not feel anything for me?"
I swallowed a lump in my throat as my mouth dropped open and he was staring intently at me. "That's what I thought." He frowned as he stood up and I watched him leave the apartment.
I heaved a sigh as I texted Mel who was out again. Hey Mel. Where are you? Are you mad at me?
I didn't have to wait long until she replied. Hey Char! Of course I'm not mad at you babes. You were busy with Ross and I didn't want to bother you so I'm ar Cam's
You weren't bothering me Mel. It would've been less awkward if you were here. I'll tell you everything when you come back home.
Sure, I'll be back tomorrow. Has Ross left NY?
He's leaving on Wednesday, but pleaseee don't leave me alone with him again
Do you want him that much? ;)
Oh shut up. I really do hate you sometimes.
Love you too
I'm sorry that I haven't updated this book in over a month but I've been really busy with college and the teachers have literally overloaded me with homework for this week off i have. Its also been over a month since I met R5 so these are my pictures with them.
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