I Finally Found You

Chapter 24: Defeat (Blake's P.O.V.)

Chapter 24: Defeat (Blake's P.O.V.)

 

"I would really love that," Charlotte stated.

All my efforts have finally paid off! She listened to me. She is going to stay here with me. The ultimate goal was achieved!

"But I can't."

What?! Did I hear that correctly? She said she couldn't? But I thought she said she wanted to.

"But I thought..."

"I can't just leave the life I've known for the last few years. I would love to stay here. I honestly do. But my life is in the city now. I can't just leave all that behind," Charlotte expounded.

To say that I was dumbfounded would be an understatement. All I could say was, "Then, I'll stay with you in the city. I'll go wherever you will go."

"Thanks, Blake," she said. "I guess we better get going, then. Those things we bought yesterday should be delivered by the time we get back."

She made up her mind. I couldn't even say anything to agree on her previous suggestion. I still couldn't believe it. What was I supposed to do now with the little time I had left?

I absentmindedly followed Charlotte as she said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara. I thanked them for all the help they gave me. They simply threw empathic smiles my way. Mrs. Alcantara embraced me and when she let go, she gripped me on the shoulders and showed her support through her determined eyes. Even Mr. Alcantara had that look in his eyes that told me not to give up. I nodded at them. I knew what I had to do. And I knew that I could, and I would, accomplish my goal.

We then went to Britney's car and buckled up for the drive to where the helicopter landed this morning. Britney and I briefly looked at each other and I already knew she was quite sad at my failure. But she also knew that this won't bring me down. I just hoped I had enough time.

We arrived shortly at the improvised helipad in the open fields. Charlotte and Britney hugged each other for one last time. I nodded gratefully at my sister and she responded with a confident smile. It was as if she was telling me that she'll handle things on her end so I better handle things on mine.

We then boarded the helicopter and flew back to the city.

I was still quite disappointed with the outcome of this carefully orchestrated plan, though. I so wanted this chase to be over.

I was gathering my thoughts on how to turn things around when Charlotte suddenly leaned on my shoulder. She then looked up at me with a teary-eyed smile that showed all her vulnerabilities.

I knew it! She really did want to stay. I put one arm around her small frame and held her close. I guess it wasn't for naught after all.

We landed safely on the hotel's helipad and again rode a taxi back home. Upon arriving, Charlotte immediately went to her room to change, avoiding any confrontation or closure altogether. Such a stubborn woman!

When she came out, I also immediately changed into more comfortable clothes. When I came out, I saw the delivery guy giving Charlotte a charming smile and my blood boiled. I took a few strides and put one possessive arm around the oblivious Charlotte. She smiled at me as she finished signing the piece of paper that acknowledged receipt of the deliveries and then gave it back to the delivery guy with that beautiful smile still on her face. Delivery Guy's smile suddenly turned from charming to polite as he accepted the signed piece of paper. I guess he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

And with that came two men carrying the sofa bed and another two carrying the wardrobe. Charlotte ushered them in and directed them to where both items were going to be placed in. I followed closely behind. As they were leaving, I shook hands with all of them.

After that, Charlotte and I dragged the old couch into her bedroom where she wanted it now that she had new furniture for the living room. Upon seeing the wardrobe, her eyes suddenly sparkled. She turned to me and said, "You should sort your things out and put them in the wardrobe. I'll help you."

She seemed pretty excited about it so I said, "Sure. You take the smallest suitcase. I'll take the other two."

"What? No. You take the big one and I'll take the other two," she argued.

I knew I had no chance of swaying her when she's made up her mind so I just said, "Fine, less work for me, then."

I thought that would trick her into taking back her words but she just smiled cheerfully at me, took the smallest suitcase, and got to work in a flash.

I couldn't help but smile at her as she enthusiastically unpacked and folded every item of clothing she took from the suitcase as if nothing happened earlier. Or maybe this was a coping mechanism. I let her be and started on my own task.

After a few minutes of silent unpacking, folding, and sorting, Charlotte hesitantly spoke, "Uh, Blake?"

On reflex, I turned to look at her with a smile but was horrified with what I saw her holding. How could I forget it was there? How could I be so stupid?

"What's this?" she inquired as she held the briefcase up for me to see.

"Uh... I... Uh," was all I could stammer.

This is bad... really bad...

Ohhh, an update! :D